Haunted On Bourbon Street Part 31

"Do you see that?" I asked.

"Yes."

Chapter 20.

Kane moved, s.h.i.+elding me from the ghost as I grabbed the discarded towel. I covered up and peered over his shoulder. A red/orange rage illuminated from Bobby, gripping my interior like a vice.

I stumbled forward and held onto Kane's shoulder with one hand, trying to stay conscious. He tensed. Protectiveness flowed from him, easing Bobby's emotional hold on me. Sighing in relief, I moved to Kane's side. He radiated disapproval. I squeezed his arm. "It's all right. Just stay next to me. Your emotions help."

Uncertainty flashed over his face, but he nodded.

The energy around Bobby turned a deeper red as his rage grew out of control. I clutched Kane's arm as a tremor of terror ran up my spine. Determined, I took a small step and stared into Bobby's eyes.

In a quiet voice, I spoke. "Bobby, stop this. I am not your wife. I know I look like her, but I do not belong to you. I belong with Kane."

Kane's pleasure seeped through the fierce protective vibe he had going on, strengthening my resolve.

The rage stronghold had begun to fade, but as Bobby turned to Kane, a fresh wave of angry possessiveness lashed out, making my knees buckle.

"Stop it!" I yelled. "Even if I was who you think I am, is this how you'd treat your wife? Is this how you treat someone you love?" I hugged my arms to myself, trying to see past the pain searing though my chest. "Please, just let me have my life."

Kane's arms wrapped around me, and a fresh wave of his affection circled me in a gentle caress. Bobby's hold on me vanished. I reached around Kane's torso and stared at him with wide eyes. "How did you do that?"

"What?"

"Your energy replaced his. He isn't affecting me right now."

His eyes searched mine. "It must be because you belong with me." He tilted his head, tightened his hold and gave me a slow lingering kiss that made my toes curl in pleasure. I leaned into him, cheris.h.i.+ng the tenderness of the moment. When we broke apart I let out a soft sigh and leaned my head on his chest.

Kane stroked my hair and whispered, "He's gone."

"I know."

"Come on. You need to eat." Kane took a few steps back, deeper into the bedroom.

"But the pizza is out there." I pointed toward the door.

"Yes, but I really need a shower first, and I'm not letting you out of my sight."

I laughed. "I knew you'd find a way to get me in the shower."

He grinned and pulled me along after him.

After a second round of lovemaking, we finally emerged flushed and smelling of the rainforest.

"I'm starving," I said as I placed a full plate of pizza in the microwave.

Kane picked up a cold piece and ate half of it while pulling two beers from the refrigerator.

"Yuck. I love pizza, but cold pizza is just not right."

"What? You can't be serious. Besides, I can't wait. Someone used up all my reserves."

I chuckled when he leaned in to nuzzle my neck. "Stop. Go into the living room. I'll meet you there with warm pizza in hand."

The microwave dinged, and I switched the plates.

"You go. I'll be right behind you." Kane handed me the beer bottle and gave me a tiny shove.

With the pizza in one hand and a Guinness in the other, I curled my feet under me and sank into the couch. I'd finished two pieces by the time Kane appeared. He lifted an eyebrow. "Must have had a good workout."

"Something like that," I said between bites.

We ate in companionable silence. When the last slice of pizza was gone, I grabbed both plates and took them to the kitchen. It didn't take long to load the dishwasher and clean the counters, but desperate to avoid the upcoming conversation I moved on to scrubbing the sink. By the time Kane came to find me, I'd cleaned the stovetop, wiped down the appliances and had moved on to sweeping the floor.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Just a little cleanup."

"A little?" His eyebrows rose as he looked around at the sparkling kitchen. "Are you cleaning out the refrigerator next?"

"Uh...no." I put the broom back in the closet.

Kane smiled and took my hand. "Thank you, but that wasn't necessary."

I shrugged and let him lead me to the living room.

"All right, what is it you don't want to talk about?" he asked after pulling me down on the sofa next to him.

I shook my head. "I can't keep any secrets from you." How did he do that? It must be some kind of special gift. Only, not a weird psychic or dreamwalker gift. Just a natural gift of perception.

"It's hard to hide from the people who love you." He wrapped his arm around me and pulled my head to his shoulder.

Love. There it was. I knew he loved me. I could feel it just as I felt the love growing in my heart for him. A lump clogged my throat and I took a shaky breath. "I'm sorry I hid my ability from you."

"It's all right. I understand."

I sat up, unwrapping myself from his embrace. "It's really not okay. I wasn't honest with you, and considering how hard I was on you after you told me about the dreamwalking, I can't understand why you aren't more upset."

"Maybe it's because I knew about your ability. You didn't tell me, but I felt it and knew what I was getting into. Plus, you weren't influencing the way I felt about you."

"But you weren't upset when I wasn't honest with you. Why?"

"Is it so hard for you to understand?" He tilted my head to look in my eyes. "I know what it feels like to have people run from me due to my ability. I already knew why you didn't tell me."

My heart squeezed. He'd known his share of rejection, just as I had, due to something neither of us could control. And what did I do right after he told me about his gift? I ran. "I'm so sorry." I tore my gaze away and focused on our clasped hands. "I hurt you."

"I deserved it." I could hear the smile in his voice. "But you should know I really didn't dreamwalk you on purpose. My subconscious took me there and was in charge in my dreams...at least at first. So everything that happened, well, I didn't control it. It's just what I secretly wanted." He paused and his voice hitched. "And my emotions...those were real."

I lifted my gaze to really study him. "You were never trying to manipulate me." It wasn't a question, but he answered with a shake of his head.

"I love you, Jade." His hand tightened on mine. "I want you as my partner, my friend, my lover. But I only want you if you want me the same way. I wouldn't try to trick you into anything, or expect you to be anything other than who and what you are. That isn't who I am."

"I know," I said with intensity. "I know that isn't who you are."

He pulled me into his lap and held me close. "So what do you say?"

Joy spread and filled all the empty corners of my being. "I love you, too."

Kane's arms tightened around me, while his lips brushed mine. I leaned into him, hugging tight and sank into the kiss. When I pulled back, the softness of his eyes matched the tenderness escaping from his being.

I snuggled back into his chest and rested my head on his shoulder. "We need to talk about Pyper."

"All right."

"I feel guilty being happy about us when she needs help." I buried my head deeper, as if to hide from myself.

"Don't. I know Pyper and she'll be thrilled for us, no matter how or when this came about." He stroked my back.

"I know. It's not that. It's because I don't know how to help her. At the calling Lailah did," I cringed at the use of her name, "the vision of the so-called *G.o.ddess' said I needed to change things. That I held the power to alter the course now set. I don't know what that means. I don't know what I can do, other than try to reach her emotional energy. And that isn't working."

Kane sat silent for so long, I finally glanced up to catch his eye. "What?" I asked.

"I don't know. I really don't. And as far as Lailah is concerned, I'd just as soon not have you involved in any more of her brand of magic."

I sat up. "I'm not too keen on it either, but I feel like I have to do something."

"Okay, we'll try to figure it out, but not right now. Both of us need sleep. Will you stay with me while I try to dreamwalk Pyper?"

I nodded, got to my feet and held out my hand. "Come on. Let's go." I couldn't help my lips from curling into a small smile.

Ten minutes later we climbed into Kane's bed. I stared at his chest, my eyes lingering. I reached out and ran a hand the length of his torso. "I wanted to do that since the first time I woke up next to you."

Kane caught my hand and kissed it. "If I hadn't thought you had a concussion, I don't think I could have kept my hands off you."

I scooted closer and snuggled up next to him. "There wouldn't have been much of a fight."

He groaned. "Now you tell me."

"I think you'll live." I lifted my head. "Will you take me with you in the dream?"

"I already planned on it."

Pressing my head to his chest, I relaxed. "Thanks. I want to try to reach her mentally before we go."

"You can do that from here?"

"Maybe. The closer I am emotionally to someone, the easier it is. And the fact we're in her apartment helps. Plus, you're her best friend. If we're connected I might reach her."

"It's worth a try." Kane reached over and flipped off the light.

"Okay, I'm going to read you first. I need to lock in your emotions so I can differentiate and concentrate on Pyper," I said.

"All right."

Because Kane and I were now connected emotionally and physically, reading him became as effortless as breathing. His energy flowed through me as if it were my own. I didn't think I could block him now even if I tried. His pleasure warmed my skin, and I lightly trailed my fingers over his as I paused to enjoy the moment. But soon the weariness and worry for Pyper intruded.

In my mind I conjured up Pyper's distinct energy. It wasn't long before I entered the void I'd been experiencing at the hospital the last few days. I was close. As I had earlier, I forced my essence deeper. Instantly, pain rippled down both my arms and legs. Through the haze I barely heard Kane gasp in alarm. Instinctively, I stiffened, trying to hold as still as possible and the stabbing jabs eased to a dull ache.

"Pyper," I whispered. "We're here. I can feel you. Please, tell us where you are."

Anger and despair filled the void, masking hopelessness.

"It's not hopeless. Kane and I are coming for you. Tell us where to look."

Pyper, I'm here. We both are. Don't give up. We're coming for you. Kane's voice rang in my head.

I jerked, momentarily startled. How did he do that? My focus waned, and I felt Pyper slipping. "No," I said in a raised voice and concentrated. "Where are you?"

Pain pierced my hands, and I bit down on my lip to keep from crying out. Kane's arms tightened around me with fierce protectiveness.

Roy. Kane, Roy has me. Help. Pyper's faint voice barely registered in my mind. A white-hot bolt of terror punched me in the stomach, and the connection was lost.

Kane shot straight up as I rolled away and vomited right there on the bed.

"Oh, G.o.d. Oh, G.o.d. Oh, G.o.d," I said over and over. "I'm sorry."

Kane grabbed the quilt and carried it out of the room. In no time he was back. "Are you all right?"

Barely holding back my gag reflex, I shook my head and wobbled my way into the bathroom. When I was sure I could hold down the rest of my dinner, I reemerged and found Kane hovering by the door.

"Jade." He rubbed my back as I padded back to the bed. "Are you okay?"

I nodded and sat with my back against the headboard. "All of that pain was Pyper's"