Page 32 of Ghost Walk
“This whole evening is becoming a bit strange.” He agreed humoringly. “I donea blame ya for being a bit confused. Where is it you live, now? Somewhere here in town?”
“No. Yes. I mean, I live here, but I don’t livehere. You see?”
“Aye, that clears it all up.” He smiled like she really was batty. Or drunk. …Or possibly like he was still half-convinced she was from some alternate fairyland dimension. “Just point in the general direction of your home.”
“Trust me, we can’t walk there.”
“Well, I know it’s not exactly proper, but it isn’t safe for you to be wandering about at this hour.” He stopped in front of her and held out an elegant palm. “I’ll admit to being a bit of a cad, but I’m not a man who would leave a lady in yourcondition all alone on the street. There are too many bad sorts in that tavern.” He pointed towards The Raven. “This is Ned Hunnicutt’s establishment and he’s an ass. He attractsotherasses around him, like flies to a latrine.”
That diverted her for a beat. “You seriouslyneverlike that guy, do you?”
“The maps he sells are bloody awful, he treats the serving girls poorly, and he waters down his ale. I’m sure he was secretly a Tory.” Jamie assured her. “Now, I just want to see you home and then I’ll be on my way. I give you my word.”
“Listen to me:I can’t go home, yet.” Shock was fading and a new idea was forming in her mind. For the first time in years, the pessimistic voice in her head faded and optimism took its place.
The best way to save Jamie was to prevent the killings.
Maybe she was supposed to rewrite history. Maybe that was why she’d been dropped in this specific moment in time. Maybe she could really do this. Maybe it was all that simple.
Grace took a deep breath. “I have to try and stop him, before it’s too late.”
“Stop who now?”
There was no way she could answer that. Instead, she grabbed hold of Jamie’s beautiful hand, wrapping her fingers around his. “I know it sounds nuts, but you have to get out of Harrisonburg. Tonight.” In case she failed, she needed to make sure he wasn’t around to hang. If he wasn’t here, they couldn’t blame him for the murders. “Trust me. You need to get on your ship and sail far, far away. Right now.”
Except he didn’t seem eager to go.
The sparks when they touched were even stronger when they were both tangible. Jamie gasped, his face growing taunt. Desire throbbed between them. His palm twisted, so he could seize her fingers and press them tight. He seemed more stunned by the sensation of her skin against his than by her agitated words.
Grace knew how he felt. She could actuallytouchhim and it made tears burn the back of her eyes. The connectionthat bound them was real, whether he was alive or dead. And right now he wasalive. Really, really alive. She intended to keep him that way.
God, he really was her Partner.
What the hell was she going to do about that?
He glanced down at their joined hands, then back up to her eyes. A new awareness lit his face, like he somehow recognized her. “Who are you really?” It was barely a whisper.
Grace smiled, elation filling her despite this newest detour into weirdness. She was sane and Jamie was alive and she (sort of) had her job back. What more could she ask for, really? Positivity roared through her, reminding her of her life before the alleyway.
“I’m the girl who’s going to save you, Jamie Riordan.”
And then --Because when was she ever going to get the chance again?-- Grace kissed him. Her free hand seized the front of his super-patterny green coat and she dragged his lips down to hers. Not that it took a lot of dragging, which was gratifying. Jamie lowered his head without even a smidgen of hesitation. His lips slanted over hers, drinking deep. The man tasted like magic and oceans and wicked intent. Since she was fifteen years old, she’d been daydreaming about this pirate and he was sooooo worth the wait
Those perfect hands settled on her waist pulling her closer, a low groan rumbling in his throat. She might have started this, but Jamie was in no hurry to see it end. Strong arms lifted her against his chest, like he wanted even more of her. Grace’s feet left the ground, clinging to him as she kissed him back. All her therapist’s jabber about “unrealistic expectations” and Robert’s whining about her semi-frigidity faded to nothing with Jamie. Everything inside of her reached a flashpoint of desire. All she wanted to do was push him to the ground and lick her way down his incredible body.
And Jamie certainly wouldn’t have put up much of a fight. The guy was holding her so tight, it was a wonder she could still breathe. “Mine.” He got out hoarsely. “Finally.”
Grace’s insides clenched at the hot words. Human orghost, he was a pirate who took what he wanted. It turned her on to have all that possessive focus aimed her way. Whenever he looked at her, Grace could feel him claiming her and now that they had the ability to touch, there was no hesitation, at all. Large palms grabbed handfuls of her skirt, clearly wanting to rip it right off of her. He might have no earthly idea who she was, but he sure seemed interested in learning.
…Too bad she didn’t have time to explain it all to him.
If there was one person who could help her solve this case, it was Jamie. But what the hell could she say to him now that he would ever believe? Nothing. If she tried to explain it all, he’d have her locked up for her own good and eighteenth-century asylums were an even worse option than modern ones. She needed to do this on her own.
And she needed to do itnow.
Grace pulled back, breathing hard. “I gotta go.”
Jamie reluctantly loosened his grip as she squiggled free. His gentlemanly instincts were warring with his desire to keep her right there in his arms. “Wait…”
