Ghost of a chance

GHOST OF A CHANCE by

Felicia Forella

WHISKEY CREEK PRESS www.whiskeycreekpresst.com

Published by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS Whiskey Creek Press PO Box 51052 Casper, WY 82605-1052 www.whiskeycreekpresstorrid.com

Copyright  2005 by Lea Forella Moyer Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN 1-59374-412-9

Credits Cover Artist: Jinger Heaston Editor: Sandra Tibbetts Printed in the United States of America

ALSO AVAILABLE BY FELICIA FORELLA BLANCHE’S DESIRE FROM WHISKEY CREEK PRESS TORRID Blanche’s frustration, surrounded by the seven overbearing males, was absolutely hilarious. Her internal comments will have the reader laughing out loud. PC’s losing battle to control his physical reaction to Blanche is equally funny. When these two come together, well, they fairly scorch the pages. Ms. Forella has written a very funny, sensuous book, loosely based on a favored fairy tale. Let me tell you, this Prince Charming’s wake-up kiss is nowhere near G-rated. I am definitely recommending this book to all my friends. BLANCHE’S DESIRE is a great book that I’m going to read again and again. Jodi, Sizzling Romances

Dedication To my parents: Lou (Chief Master Sergeant, USAF, Ret.) and Liz Forella—whose happily ever after began almost fortyfive years ago in Myrtle Beach and continues to this very day! I love you both very much! With eternal gratitude and love to Barbara and Jan—who have read it all, even the dreck, and supported me every step of the way. In memory of my muse—Not a day goes by that I don’t wish you were here, Primula! In memory of Sam, a wonderful editor who made this a better book in spite of the PITA author. Thanks, Sam, you’ll be sorely missed.

Prologue Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Summer, 1966 War was hell. Not an original thought, Captain Nicolas Giordano mused, but an accurate one. The stomp of his combat boots echoed through the empty halls of the office building, stale air chafed his lungs. His mind raced through the arrangements he’d already made, the steps he still had to take before his squadron shipped off for Vietnam in two weeks. He’d made out his will, packed up everything he wasn’t taking so it could be stored. He’d made the rounds, and said goodbye to everyone who mattered most to him. With one exception. The thought of parting from her—just about brought him to his knees. Of everything Nick had to leave behind when he and his fighter jet, the F-100 “Hun”, made the trip to Southeast Asia, he’d miss her the most. He’d searched for her for years it seemed, looking for his perfect match. They’d only had such a short time together and now he had to prepare to leave her. Dammit! War really was hell. Oh, he’d made all the arrangements to ensure she’d be well taken care of in case his plane got shot down and he never made it back to the States. But all his precautions couldn’t dull the ache that 1

Ghost of a Chance settled in his chest, or the lump in his throat, when he thought of leaving her behind. Would anyone love her like he did? Would they pamper her and tend to her every need? Plans were already made—plans to spend the next two weeks cruising with the top down, maybe take a spin to Pawleys Island or Folly Beach. Spend as much time with her as possible, when he wasn’t perfecting his dog fighting skills in the event one of the fighter bombing runs ran into difficulty. He needed to be inside her, to hold her tight. He longed to run his hands over her sleek curves, to push her to the limits. Exiting the one-story building just off the flight line at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, he was anxious to see her. The sun hung low on the horizon, a ripe peach preparing to sink into the Atlantic Ocean. Still plenty of time left to cruise up and down Ocean Boulevard. He spotted her immediately, waiting for him right where he’d left her. He swelled with pride. He just swelled, period. In a flight suit, with other jet jockeys still milling around, getting a hard on was not the brightest of ideas. The tang of ocean air lingered in his nostrils as he crossed to her. He trailed his fingers along her side, his blood rushing further south. Tugging his driving gloves out of one of the many pockets in his flight suit, Nick unlocked the door of his candy apple red ’64 Corvette and slid inside, the white leather interior caressing his body. Heart thumping, he backed out of the parking space and turned the sports car in the direction of the front gate. Ocean Boulevard called to him. God, he was going to miss his ’Vette while he was gone.

2

Ghost of a Chance

Chapter 1 Shallotte, North Carolina, Present Day She’d inherited a haunted car. No two ways about it. Now, Bethany Harris had to decide what to do with the damn thing. If only the haunted vehicle in question wasn’t a candy apple red ’64 Corvette convertible with white leather interior. If only she’d squirreled away enough money to purchase a car of her own, then this car would be more of a nuisance and less of a gift from Heaven. If only something—or someone—didn’t haunt her car. She’d happy danced for two solid days after she’d received the call from the lawyer in Raleigh telling her that her late father’s aunt had willed her the ’Vette. The car had been the answer to her prayers. She could tool around in it for a while, enjoying the classic roadster, then sell it and buy a responsible vehicle. Ahh, the luxury of not being forced to bum rides anymore. With any luck, she’d have enough money left over from the sale of the Corvette and the purchase of a practical car to put a security deposit on an apartment so she could move out of her mother’s house. One week ago, as a result of that call, she’d hitched a ride to the state capital with a friend to pick up her four-wheeled ticket to freedom. What she hadn’t counted on was picking up some decidedly weird vibes on the three-hour drive back home to Shallotte. Every time she plopped her butt in the driver’s seat, strange sensations rumbled through her, causing the hair on the back of her neck to bristle and goose bumps to pop, making her 3

Ghost of a Chance feel as if she were about to hurl. She felt someone sitting beside her. She felt someone coaxing her on how to handle the vehicle. One short week after claiming ownership, even though she hadn’t planned to fall in love with the damn car, she had, weird vibes and all. She stroked her hand over the dashboard, snuggled into the smooth leather passenger seat as she sat in her driveway. One obstacle at a time, she admonished herself. First, she needed to prove to herself she wasn’t losing her mind, and then learn more about whatever was haunting her car. Then she’d deal with her newfound attachment issues, so she could sell the candy apple red sports coupe to someone who would love her as much as she did. As much as I did. Bethany heard the deep masculine voice loud and clear, rumbling in her ears. Darting her eyes back and forth, she looked for a logical explanation, even though she knew she wouldn’t find one. “Great,” she sighed, “Now the freaking car is talking to me.” Could it get any weirder? Opening the glove box, she yanked out the contents, determined to keep her mind occupied. Then maybe, just maybe, her imagination would be forced to behave. Yeah, right. You’re just imagining the car is haunted. Keep thinking that, Cleopatra, Queen of Denial. She sorted through a pile that contained leather driving gloves, breath mints, a little black book, and three condoms. Eww, what kind of man owned this car? She tossed old records, receipts, and everything else on the driver’s seat, items to be thrown away to make room for the new records and receipts. An old, yellowed envelope caught her attention. When she flicked her wrist to add the paper to the pile of trash, something clutched at her hand, preventing the gesture. Instead, the envelope sailed into her lap. Heart pounding in her throat and stomach churning, she stared at the strange packet. She inhaled deeply, to gather her 4

Ghost of a Chance rapidly deserting courage. With jittery fingers, she lifted the letter closer, revealing a faded pencil scrawl; To her new owner. She slipped the tip of her manicured nail under the flap, the old glue giving way without a fight. As the folded sheet of paper wavered in her hands, Bethany struggled to read the words. My name is Capt. Nicholas Giordano, 354th TFW. If you’re reading this, I never made it home from Vietnam. Take good care of my girl for me. She’s made me very happy in the short time I’ve had her. I wish I could cruise with her forever, but the gods of war have decided otherwise. The brief note ended with a bold slashing “NG”. Shaken, Bethany knew she’d found her answer. Her heart reaffirmed her suspicion, as the air surrounding her crackled with electricity. “Boo!” Bethany’s heart slammed against her rib cage. “Geez, holy fu—” she gulped in a breath of air. “Sandy! Don’t ever sneak up on me like that again.” She clutched at the paper in her hand, crumpling it. Opening the glove compartment, she shoved the aged letter inside before her actions destroyed it permanently. “Good grief, girlfriend, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” You have absolutely no idea. Bethany met her friend Sandy’s gaze. “You startled me, that’s all.” “I didn’t mean to. I thought for sure you’d heard the old clunker pull up.” Sandy slid behind the wheel of the Corvette. She fiddled with the buttons on the radio and the steering wheel. The air surrounding Bethany sizzled and popped with agitation, setting her nerves on edge. “So, can I take this puppy out for a spin?” The atmosphere inside the vehicle took on an ominous feel. So, Nicholas Giordano—if that’s who is indeed haunting this car— doesn’t want anyone but me driving his baby, does he? “I’m still feeling possessive about her. How about I take you for a spin?” The tension dissolved, confirming her suspicions. 5

Ghost of a Chance “If you insist.” Sandy got out and trudged around to the passenger side, none too pleased. Nicholas seemed to insist, even if she didn’t. Bethany knew better than to voice her suspicions quite yet. Sandy’s very conservative, very religious upbringing might not make her open to the possibility of ghosts. Heck, she still hadn’t quite come to terms with her otherworldly company. Sliding into the driver’s seat, Bethany backed out of the driveway and headed for the beach, the warm early summer evening perfect for tooling around with the top down. As they cruised, Sandy chatted on about end of the year activities at the elementary school where she worked as a reading specialist and had gotten Bethany a job as a secretary when she’d relocated over the Christmas holiday. As she drove, Bethany attempted to focus in on the sensations surrounding her, her belief in ghosts, and the reservations she still harbored. Her acceptance of Nicholas Giordano’s presence grew with each passing minute, but a part of her resisted giving complete credence to the concept of a ghost. An air of calm blanketed her as they crested the arch of the causeway leading to Ocean Isle Beach. She drew deep breaths of the salt tinged air into her lungs, as her heart rate slowed a beat or two. The tranquility didn’t only come from inside, the normal sense of peace she felt when she looked out over the ocean. It enveloped her, providing her with a camaraderie she didn’t feel even with Sandy. Whatever else she learned about her ghost in the future, she knew they apparently shared a love of the beach. The traffic and Sandy’s incessant chatter distracted her from delving any further into her bodiless companion. She turned left at the end of the causeway, creeping along thanks to the speed limit and cyclists. Occasional glimpses of the ocean teased, until she needed to quench her desire to wiggle her toes in the surf. She pulled off into the first public access parking spot with a space. Kicking off her shoes, Bethany encouraged Sandy to join her as she crossed the wide expanse of beach to the shoreline. She felt 6

Ghost of a Chance lonely without her ghost and wondered why he hadn’t come with her, when she’d obviously felt his love of the ocean. Was she losing her mind? She wasn’t completely sure she believed in spirits, yet here she was, concerned about his feelings. If what she felt was indeed the spirit of Nicholas Giordano. “What is it about you and your constant need to get your feet wet?” Sandy kicked at a piece of driftwood banging around her toes. “I’m guessing that’s a rhetorical question, San.” “Well, duh,” flinching as a splash of chilled water sprayed her shins. “You only drag me down to play in the surf every chance you get. Your mom will never admit it, but I think you were conceived on a beach. Like ‘From Here to Eternity’.” Sandy waggled her eyebrows suggestively. Bethany shuddered. “I hope she never does admit it, because I really don’t want to hear it.” “That’s only because by the time you were old enough to admit that your parents had sex your father was gone.” “Can we change the subject?” Talking about her father didn’t make her uncomfortable, but the thought of her parents having sex most certainly did. “Only if we can head back to the car and drive some more. Did you notice the way the stud muffins in front of the pier smiled at us as we drove by? I have got to talk you into keeping this car. It’s a hunk magnet.” She grinned wickedly. “Why don’t I just sell it to you?” Sand clung to her feet as she trudged through the soft dunes. “Are you nuts? I don’t have that kind of money.” Bethany shot Sandy a now-you-realize-why-I-want-to-sellthis-puppy look. But did she really? Sandy flopped against the back bumper of the car and brushed her feet off before slipping on her sandals. “I still don’t see why you have to sell the car. What’s so bad about living with your mom for the summer? Aside from not being able to bring a guy home for the night?” 7

Ghost of a Chance All of a sudden, the air molecules collided with each other, sparking chain reactions that vibrated the air. Bethany cast a quick glance in Sandy’s direction to see if her friend felt the air pulsating around them, buffeting her. Sandy seemed oblivious to the sensations. What has Nick’s knickers in a twist now? “I’m used to being on my own.” Bethany hadn’t been forced to “run home to mommy” when she’d found her boyfriend in their bed with a mutual co-worker. However, she had decided to teach the two-timing cad a lesson he’d never forget. So, she’d moved out of their condo, leaving him with a mortgage he couldn’t afford alone, and with a few, well placed comments, she’d made sure the condo board wouldn’t approve of his request for a new roommate who could help him meet the expenses. She’d quit her job as his executive assistant at the pharmaceutical company, since he couldn’t add two plus two without her, let alone do any serious marketing. Teaching him what it really meant to be screwed. With very little savings and no job, she’d moved from Charlotte and back home with her mother, who welcomed her unconditionally. That didn’t mean she had to milk it for all its worth. She was thirty-three years old, for Pete’s sake. The Corvette provided her with the opportunity to get back on her feet. “Selling the car will allow me to stand on my own two feet again.” She knew she didn’t sound as convinced now, as she did when she first learned about the Corvette. She had to stop this damn attachment before she did something stupid, like keep the car. **** Sell the ’Vette? She wanted to sell his car? If she thought he’d let her get away with that, she was fucking nuts. Nicholas Giordano had played it slow and easy since he realized that his car’s owner could sense his presence. Which meant he might even be able to communicate with her. He had 8

Ghost of a Chance bided his time just like the “ghostly gurus” encouraged. After all, he didn’t want to scare her off. In the almost forty years since he’d been trapped in his beloved car for some unknown reason, he’d been unable to make the slightest contact with anyone. Not his brother-in-law, not his sister, not the idiot brother his brother-in-law gave the Corvette to. No one. And he’d certainly tried. He’d tried everything short of dressing up like Jacob Marley and rattling his chains. Others stuck in Limbo like he was, managed to communicate with anyone and everyone in the living world. Not him. Then, surprisingly, he realized Bethany knew he existed. The way she stared at the passenger seat when he sat in it, the way she turned her head in his direction when he spoke, the way her skin goose bumped when he gazed at her. Hope flared. She might be the one. The one to help him cross over from this middle land of disembodied spirits—as they’d taken to calling themselves—to Heaven. He suffered from no delusions when it came to his first chance since his death to move on—he’d grab it with both hands and hang on tight. So, if she harbored any ideas about taking that away from him by selling the car to someone who might not hear him, the record needed to be set straight. He and the car were one and the same. If she sold the car, he went with it—and out of her life. It would kill him to wait for just the right moment, but he couldn’t blow it now, not when paradise loomed so close. Too bad he’d never been known to have an overabundance of patience and what little he’d saved up over the years, he’d exhausted waiting for the right opportunity to make contact. Time’s up. Whether she knew it or not, Bethany had a big surprise in store for her. As soon as her loony friend got her butt out of the passenger seat and went home. But how? How did he go about convincing her that he existed and was not a figment of her imagination? How did he prove to her she wasn’t crazy? How did he go about convincing her that he needed her help? 9

Ghost of a Chance Forty years ago, a lifetime ago, he’d have known exactly how to persuade a woman to do his bidding. He’d been a master of seduction. The trouser rat swelled against the zipper of his flight suit at the mere thought of coaxing Bethany to his bed. If it had been possible to give himself a high-five, he would have. The damn thing hadn’t so much as stirred since he’d died, and he was immensely relieved that it still worked. Two small roadblocks prevented him from relying on previous methods of coercion—no bed or body. Both made it more than a little bit difficult to fuck a woman into submission. Oh, but wouldn’t fucking Bethany into submission be amazing. The woman had a body made for sin. She looked to be almost as tall as his own five foot ten inch frame. All vital parts would line up perfectly. With enough curves to make travel dangerous, to take it slow and easy. All the old desires flooded back, along with all the criteria he and his buddies used to evaluate good-looking women. He’d bet her breasts would spill out over his hands if he attempted to cover them. And her hips, those hips. Fleshy enough to wiggle when she walked, sturdy enough to grasp as he sank between her thighs and rammed his cock home. He’d hang on to those hips as he drove them both to heaven. Heaven. He needed her help to get there. But first, he had to get rid of this damn hard on. And she couldn’t help him with that. Nick figured returning to the Never-Never Land where the other spirits hung out, might just be the one sure-fire way to get rid of the tent gracing the front of his flight suit. He shouldn’t complain, not really. At least he could pop out of Limbo when the mood struck—not that a tarp covered Corvette had been much of an improvement some days. Some of the other poor schmucks found themselves trapped, unable to go anywhere but the giant, auditorium-like space that made up the place called Limbo. The enormous space contained groupings of tables and chairs, along with windows to view the 10

Ghost of a Chance living world, and not much more. Definitely not a warm or hospitable place. A “plane”, some liked to call it. Not Nick. A plane had a cockpit, wings, and enough sheer thrust in the engines to propel it right up off the ground. Now that was a plane. According to the other spirits, and regardless of what anyone called it, he was stuck in this place until he figured out what he’d left undone when he died, and finish it. Then and only then could he move on to Heaven. The disembodied souls may not have been able to tell him much, but they did know that at least. This brought his thoughts right back to Bethany again. And just when he’d gotten his dick under control. She had to be the key. That had to be the reason why she was aware of his presence. She held the solution to his dilemma. Between the two of them, they’d be able to discover what kept him from crossing over. And after forty years of shuffling from nowhere to nowhere and back again, he’d get to go to Heaven. “Okay, Sandy, I’ll see you tomorrow morning at school.” The slam of the passenger door dragged Nick from his musings. He quit hovering over the trunk of the car and slid into the now vacant seat. Showtime. He glanced over as Bethany flopped her head back against the seat. Her dark blonde hair escaped from the ponytail she’d put it in before the drive. Wispy strands brushed against her high cheekbones. Thick lashes fringed her chocolate-brown eyes. She waved a gnat away from her pert nose, which was almost too small for her face. A rose tinted tongue darted out to moisten plump, kissable lips. Oh, he had to stop this jet engine from gaining any thrust or he’d end up with another hard on. Not exactly the image he wanted to project the first time he tried to make himself visible to her. Bethany stretched and reached for the glove box, sticking her hand through his side. She snatched her hand back, gawking at it as if she’d just pulled it from some nasty goop. Interesting. She leaned 11

Ghost of a Chance forward and went for the compartment again. Whether she admitted it to herself or not, she knew. When she again pulled out the letter he’d written before shipping out to Vietnam, he felt the moment was at hand. He was trembling almost as much as she was. “I love your car, Captain Nicholas Giordano. She’s amazing.” “Not half as amazing as you.” Her half yelp echoed on the evening air. “I didn’t hear that. I did not hear that.” She rocked back and forth, clutching the letter to her chest. He hoped he hadn’t misjudged her readiness to make this leap of faith. Now that he’d started, he didn’t want to go back. Couldn’t go back. “You know you heard me, Bethany. Just as you’ve felt me for the past week. You even figured out who I am. Like I said, amazing.” “But ghosts aren’t really real. Are they?” She shook her head; she rubbed at her eyes. “Are you real?” “As real as this car we’re sitting in.” With that, she turned her upper body to look at the passenger seat. He must have accomplished his mission to make himself visible to her. Her face went so pale, it looked like she might faint. “Don’t pass out on me, honey. I can’t exactly give you mouth to mouth.” “Cap…Cap…tain Nicholas Giordano?” Her voice trembled as she glanced warily back and forth between the passenger seat and the letter gripped in her hand. “One and the same, Bethany. I can’t tell you how dam…dang happy I am to meet you.” Now that was forty years worth of understatement. “I thought, but I didn’t really think…I mean…and yet, here you are. But how can that be? I’ve never met a ghost before.” She sounded so cute and so confused. “And now you have.” Slow and steady wins the race, the words of one of his ghostly buddies rang in his ears. To hell with that, peace through superior 12

Ghost of a Chance firepower, part of him argued. Since rushing in got him in this mess to begin with, Nick decided to take his toys and go home for the day. Content in the knowledge that Bethany did hear him and could communicate with him. The rest would follow.

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Ghost of a Chance

Chapter 2 Six seventy-eight, six seventy-nine, six eighty. Bethany counted the small rose buds on the section of the wallpaper illuminated by the pale glow of the nightlight. It sure as hell beat staring at the shifting lights on her ceiling. Sleep eluded her. Her hyperactive senses frustrated her efforts, even the click of the air conditioner disturbed her. Instead of settling down and sinking into her pillow, her mind whirled with thoughts of the ghost sitting in her car. Did ghosts sleep? What was he doing? Thinking of her? A haunted car sat in the driveway of the house she shared with her mother. Holy crap. Hopefully, she didn’t need a white jacket with wrap around sleeves and a well-padded room in which to wear it. Sure, she’d wondered if her car had come equipped with an unwanted passenger. She’d even thought she knew his identity when she found the letter. The reality of the situation overwhelmed her. If reality was even a term used when dealing with a ghost. A ghost. But she never, ever, not even in her wildest imagination, thought he’d introduce himself. Yet, there he sat, pretty as you please, in the passenger seat. Handsome even. Of course, rocketing emotions might have influenced her on that count. After all, she’d gone from “what if” to “holy shit” in the space of a heartbeat. Sleep. She had to get some sleep. Six o’clock would roll around too soon—she shot a glance at the clock on her nightstand. In four short hours, she had to get up and get ready for work; 14

Ghost of a Chance dealing with teachers, students, and parents. Being an elementary school secretary required all the energy she could muster. Six eighty-one, six eighty-two, six eighty-three. Screw it. She threw back the sheet and slid her feet to the carpeted floor. She needed to go outside to the car and speak to this ghost. To reassure herself she still had a firm grip on her mental capacities. To find out why a ghost would haunt a car. Her car. Pausing at the foot of her full-sized bed, she shoved her feet into slippers. Grumbling when she had to bend down to tug them back out from underneath her foot and onto her heel, where it belonged. Slowing her movements, she opened the door and crept down the dark hallway. Once clear of her mother’s bedroom, she picked up the pace to the back door, the gentle slap of her slippers the only sound in the sleeping house. She reached for a sweater from the coat rack, but decided she didn’t need to cover up her pajama shorts and tank top. Who was going to see her sitting in her car at two in the morning? Her heart raced laps around her ribs as the gravel crunched beneath her feet. The humid air clung to her exposed skin. What had she been thinking? Her body itched to turn around for the safety of the back porch. A ghost was a ghost was a ghost. Thoughts of Amityville crowded her mind. What would her mother find when she left for work in a few short hours? She cast a nervous eye towards the sky, as dark clouds flirted with the crescent moon. At least there wasn’t a full moon. Idiot. He’s a ghost, not a werewolf or vampire. Besides, if he’d wanted to hurt her, he would have done it already. With slightly surer footsteps, she crossed the rest of the distance to the parked car. In her haste to leave earlier in the evening, she’d left the top down. As she approached the driver’s side door, she stared at the empty passenger seat. Where had he gone?

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Ghost of a Chance She settled her body behind the wheel, wondering how long she’d have to wait for Nick to appear. “Where are you?” Her whisper hung on the thick humid air. If that son of a bitch disappeared now— “I’m right here, Bethany.” She swallowed a cry, praying she hadn’t woken her mother or neighbors with her nocturnal activity. When porches and windows remained dark, her worry eased. Focusing her attention on the man at her side, she tried to absorb the details that escaped her the first time. Instead, she noticed only his intense gaze. A gaze full of— desire? Regretting her decision not to grab her sweater, she folded her arms over her pebbled nipples. Not possible. Men looked at other women that way. He was eating her alive with his eyes. Men didn’t look at her with a palpable hunger. Sandy—constantly. Bethany—rarely. She forced herself to remember the whole ghost thing. Dead men told no tales, so surely, they didn’t feel lust, either. Even if Nick could desire a woman, he wouldn’t desire her. She didn’t feel sorry for herself. The facts spoke for themselves. She’d had one steady beau in high school that had left her for the class slut. Her serious college boyfriend hinted that she hadn’t satisfied him sexually when they’d parted ways. And then Brian. The man she’d hoped to marry, who had ended up in bed with someone else. Maybe one of these days, she’d find Mr. Right, and he’d have eyes only for her. In the meantime, she was beginning to think it wasn’t necessary to buy the whole pig just to get a little sausage. Not that she’d tested the theory. Yet. Lifting her gaze back to his, the intensity in his eyes rocked her. Her body responded as if it was desire. Her protected nipples continued tightening into stiff points pressing against the thin cotton. His heated glance caressed her body, and left it tingling everywhere he looked. “I didn’t see you. Where’d you go?” She attempted to break his visual hold on her, but found herself unable to tear her gaze from his. 16

Ghost of a Chance The full impact of his rugged good looks struck her for the first time. Were all ghosts so handsome? Had he looked this mouth-wateringly tempting when he was alive? His standard military style haircut emphasized his broad forehead. Dark eyebrows slashed over his deep-set eyes of an indeterminate color. His chiseled cheekbones and well-shaped nose combined with full, firm lips and a dimpled chin. Taken individually, the components of his face might have seemed awkward or harsh. In combination, the effect mesmerized and sent her hormones racing. “I’m sorry, did you say something?” Bethany felt her skin heat up at being caught gawking. At a ghost. Definitely time to get control of her life. Hell, even to buy a vibrator. She’d sunk pretty low to be turned on by a dead man. Nicholas, the rat, seemed to know exactly why she’d been distracted. He lifted a challenging eyebrow, as he spoke. “I’ve been here the whole time. I was just saying how I actually have to make myself visible for you. Most people don’t see me. In fact, you’re the first one to see me since I died.” She didn’t want to think about that little tidbit of information. “I’m still not sure I’m seeing you. I mean, come on, how do I know I’m not having some sort of psychotic break, and need serious medication?” She’d been worrying about that ever since he first spoke to her. “You don’t. You have to trust yourself. And me. Even though I’m as dead as a flipping doornail, I’m very much sitting next to you.” “I don’t know that I believe in ghosts, now that I’m actually talking to one. I thought I did. I think I still do. But I don’t believe this is happening to me. This sort of thing happens to other people and in movies. I don’t see dead people, usually.” Her head dropped to her hands as she shook in disbelief. “Listen to me, I’m babbling like an idiot.” Thank goodness, it was three in the morning, if anyone saw her right now, they’d have her committed to a loony bin.

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Ghost of a Chance “I’m not here to scare you, Bethany. Or make you doubt yourself.” He reached out a hand as if to pat her on the knee, but snatched it back. So much for the hunger she thought she’d seen in his eyes. The gesture drew her attention to his body, what she could see of it sitting in a car in the middle of the night. He appeared to be wearing a flight suit. She took note of the captain’s clusters on his shoulders and the patches. She caught a glimpse of the nametag on his left breast, proclaiming him “Giordano.” Either she had a very vivid imagination, or the ghost of a dead man sat in her car. She took in the very broad shoulders filling out the uniform and the wide expanse of chest. She noticed the way the fabric clung to his muscular thighs. Thoughts of those thighs parting hers overwhelmed her senses. She forced herself to stay focused. “Then why are you here?” “I don’t think you’re ready to hear that yet.” “Who said it’s up to you to decide?” Egad, listen to her, arguing with a ghost. “I’d have to say it’s up to me, since it’s my story to tell.” Great. Just her luck, to be haunted by a smart-ass ghost. “And just when do you plan to share this information with me?” “After you’ve had a chance to get used to the fact that I’m here.” “As if,” she mumbled. When a loud, wide-mouthed yawn escaped her, Nick shifted in his seat and faced her more directly. “I think you should go back to bed and get some sleep. Didn’t I hear you tell Sandy you’d see her at work?” “What the hell are you doing, eavesdropping in on my conversations?” “I’ve been sitting right here every time you’ve been in the car. What am I supposed to do, wear earplugs?” “That might not be a bad idea.” “Go get some sleep. I still remember what it was like trying to put in a full day without a decent night’s rest. I’m not going anywhere, we’ll have plenty of time to discuss things.” 18

Ghost of a Chance Climbing out of the car, she shut the door with a silent snick in a feeble attempt not to wake her mother. As the gravel stones crunched under her slippers, she twisted a glance back over her shoulder only to find the car empty once again. Where did he go? Or was he just invisible again? Once settled back in her air-conditioned room and certain she hadn’t disturbed her mother, she climbed into bed, drawing the cool cotton sheet up to her waist. Thoughts of Nick assailed her. Why could she see him? Why was he haunting her car? The purely pragmatic concerns shifted to ones that were more erotic. Why did the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on have to be dead? Why did a man with no pulse send hers into hyperdrive, making her nipples tingle and her pussy burn? Six eighty-four, six eighty-five, six eighty-six… **** “She’s the one, Nicholas.” Gary pounced on Nick, as soon as he ventured back to Limbo. “Really? Ya think so?” Sarcasm dripped off his words, but he doubted his companion got it. Nick often wondered if this guy had been as clueless in life as he was in the afterlife. “I do. Why else would you be able to talk with her when you’ve never been able to with anyone before?” Nick knew Gary only wanted to help. The poor guy, he’d finally found the woman who might have been able to help him cross over, but she had refused to believe in ghosts. So, he remained stuck, and determined to help anyone and everyone he could. Unfortunately for Gary, Nick had never suffered fools well, something not even death and time managed to change. Hmm, could this less than stellar personality trait be part of the reason I left something unfinished? Now that he had the means of moving forward right in front of him, he could no longer ignore the need to re-examine his life. Something he’d steadfastly avoided for the past forty years. His thoughts drifted to the changes in his world since Bethany turned over the engine of his Corvette and drove away with him in 19

Ghost of a Chance it. He existed in two places—a sports car no one had appreciated or drove until Bethany, and Limbo, a world void of color and light and sensation. Now, the wind ruffled his hair when Bethany cruised around with the top down. The setting sun glinting off the green tinted water stung his eyes. He’d be content if only he had the ability to feel Bethany’s warm skin, smell her perfume, taste her kiss. He didn’t need to be cracked over the head with a sign to realize the potential within his grasp. God bless his brother-in-law’s brother’s second wife for having the car willed to its current owner. If his sister hadn’t forced her husband to get rid of the Corvette because the memories of Nick made her sad, he wouldn’t have been able to give it to his brother, and his widow wouldn’t have been able to will it to Bethany. Which meant, he would never have met her. “So, what are you gonna do?” Gary’s ill-timed question snatched him away from his pleasant speculation of long hours spent indulging in the pleasures of Bethany’s body. “Pull out all of the stops at my disposal and not scare her off like you did, that’s what. I’ll make damn sure she doesn’t think she’s having a nervous breakdown and check herself into a mental hospital.” He shot his friend a sympathetic glance. “I’ll make sure she wants to help me more than she wants anything else.” And for the first step, he’d make sure she didn’t sell that car and yank all his hopes out from under him. **** “Are you awake? Are you here? Where do you go?” Bethany rounded the corner from the back of the house, shifting Nick back to the car. Damn, he hadn’t realized the time of day. For a woman who’d probably only had a scant few hours of sleep, her beauty radiated. With her hair up in a loose bun, the elegant line of her neck called out to him. He longed to lick each inch of exposed skin and nibble her earlobes until she begged him for more. 20

Ghost of a Chance Her shapeless dress hid the magnificent curves he’d glimpsed during their late night meeting. A definite criminal act given she possessed a body deserving worship. He wished he could. Every single part of her body, all the way down to her toes. He glanced at her feet. Red painted toenails peeked out from low-heeled sandals. He wanted nothing more than to suck those toes one at a time, while his hands buried themselves between her thighs. Damn, damn, damn. Down, boy. “I don’t have to sleep, so I guess that means I’m always awake.” And always horny around you. “I have a great deal to learn about ghosts.” The shrug of her shoulders shifted the neckline of her dress, allowing him a tantalizing peek of cleavage. He’d seen her large nipples last night, pressed against her flimsy top. If only he could get an unobstructed view of them to determine their hue. “I take it you don’t think you’re losing your mind anymore?” He shoved thoughts of her twisting and turning on her bed out of his mind before the predictable reaction became very obvious. Almost forty years without a woodie, and now he struggled to keep the damn thing contained. “It’s still up for grabs. But I’m thinking psychotropic medication might not be the answer to getting rid of you.” He smiled in response to her crooked, almost shy grin. The air inside the car sizzled the second she opened the door to slide behind the wheel. He wanted her with a desperation he hadn’t known even during his lifetime. Too bad he lacked the way to seduce her properly, even though he had the will in spades. “Can I sit down?” She tilted her head to the side, waiting for him to move. “Don’t let me stop you.” He had no intention of going anywhere. “What do you expect me to do, sit on you?” A variety of erotic images clashed for predominance as soon as she uttered the words. His rigid penis jutting out of his flight suit 21

Ghost of a Chance waiting for her to lower herself. Him sprawled out on his back with her perched over his hungry mouth. A groan rumbled in his throat. She flicked her gaze in his direction; he prayed she lacked the ability to read his thoughts. No such luck. One glimpse gave away her awareness. Desire burned in her eyes, as she stared at the erection pressed against his clothing. There was no way in hell she’d sit on him now. All Nick had wanted was the sensation of driving. To be able to pretend he controlled his car. To see the world from the driver’s seat of a moving car once more. Was that too much to ask? Instead, Bethany’s innocent comment knocked him so far into horny that he had no idea how to get back. With her staring at him like a fresh piece of meat, the erection sprouting in his lap grew into a freaking California redwood. He needed—desired, craved— to flip up that burlap sack she called a dress, and sink into her. Damn. He’d never regretted being dead more than he did at this very minute. What kind of undies did she wear? Plain white, utilitarian, and functional? Probably, given how she hid her luscious body. He easily pictured her in little lace matching scraps that just barely managed to cover her large nipples, which would be the same color as her lips, and her thatch of brown curls, a shade darker than the hair on her head. He’d buy them for her and trash everything in her panty drawer. Oh yeah, just the image he needed to tame the wild beast growling in his lap. “I didn’t mean, what I meant...” There she went again, fumbling all over her tongue when she got nervous. Better that she should fumble with his. Down, boy! “I wanted to stay in the driver’s seat, yes. I wanted the sensation of driving her again, the illusion. But right now, I think it might be better if I slid to the other seat.” Was it just his imagination or did she look disappointed? Interesting. She gawked at his lap with an unreadable mix of 22

Ghost of a Chance emotions creasing her brow. What did she see when she looked at him? Whatever she saw, she made his desire climb to dangerous levels. He had to remember to ask someone later, once he had Bethany tucked safely away in the school building and had returned to Limbo, if ghosts could masturbate. Not a question he’d needed to ask before. Or, he might just try it and see what happened. Not something he’d worried about when he was alive, either, since he’d always had plenty of willing female companionship. Now, however, if the raging hard on didn’t go away on its own, he’d be forced to take matters into his own hands. “Umm, okay, sure.” She waited until he moved before sitting down. Awkward silence filled the air, hanging between them the entire trip to work. If he opened his mouth, he’d say something stupid. Like “If I had a body, you’d be under me now.” So, he kept his mouth shut. Leaving himself with too much time to weave a highly charged fantasy. An erotic vision filled his overactive and overcharged imagination, dumping rocket fuel on his lust. He pictured Bethany sitting, facing away from him, her hands splayed on the dashboard, her fingers digging for a grip against the hard surface. Her breasts spilled over of the lacy cups of her pale pink bra he’d tugged out of the way to grasp her rigid nipples. In their haste to fuck, he’d merely pushed the crotch of the matching panties aside. Her legs draped over his, spreading her open wide for him, forcing her to use her upper body strength to move herself up and down, her tight pussy clenching him. She pushed on the dashboard, forcing her body to take him completely. The folds of her skirt hid her ass from view as she gyrated on his cock. His hands groped for bare skin, torn between capturing her bouncing boobs or torturing her clit. He opted for one hand on each, driving her to the edge of a climax, as her steady rhythm propelled him forward. His head dropped to her neck, his mouth alternately nipping and soothing the hollow behind her ear, as her muscles clamped down on him in orgasm, sending him down pleasure’s lane with her. 23

Ghost of a Chance Bethany slammed on the brakes, jerking the car to an abrupt halt on the shoulder, groaning, an anguished look on her face. A flushed, satisfied, anguished look. “What the hell was that all about?” Her forehead hit the steering wheel as she collapsed, her breathing ragged. “What was what?” He risked a glance at his groin, curious to know if he’d left a wet spot, the orgasm felt so real. Too real. He feared he’d said or groaned something during his erotic daydream. How embarrassing. At this rate, he’d run her off not because she didn’t believe in ghosts but because she didn’t want to help a lecherous one. “Don’t play stupid with me. And don’t assume I’m not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, either. I know what I felt. What I don’t know is how you did it.” Confusion hammered his brain. She must have read his emotions on his face, since she continued without any explanation from him. “You made me…I…we were, and then, hands...oh dear, merciful saints.” And then he knew. She’d been there, a part of his fantasy. Holy shit. “I won’t pretend I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me. But I have no idea how or why it happened. I merely allowed a daydream to run wild. A private fantasy. Something men have been indulging in since forever.” He struggled to keep his voice low and even. “Is this some sort of ghostly game for you? I don’t like it. How the hell did you get in my mind?” A wealth of emotions expressed themselves in her shaky voice. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know. None of this has ever happened to me. And I had plenty of fantasies when I was alive. Since I’ve been dead, I’ve never had even the slightest urge, never had a daydream. This is all new to me.” “Oh.” She visibly deflated against the seat. He hoped that meant she believed him. “Do me a favor. Stay out of my mind, please.” 24

Ghost of a Chance “I promise to try. But since I have no idea how I ended up there in the first place, it’s going to be difficult.” “Then don’t think about anything, um…about, well, you know. Don’t think about what you just thought about.” With a quick check in her mirrors, she merged back on to the road. He flashed her a wry smile. “It’ll be hard.”

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Ghost of a Chance

Chapter 3 “How about we talk this afternoon?” His words broke the thick silence that accompanied them as they continued into town. “I’d like that.” White knuckled fingers gripped the steering wheel, her gaze locked straight ahead. “The sooner we figure out what’s going on here, the sooner you can go on your merry way.” Nick watched her face pale, when she realized what she’d said. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that, you’re…and I...” He waved away her concerns with a flick of his wrist. “I know what you meant. Don’t worry about it.” And he realized, he did understand her. As much as any man ever understands a woman. Some things never change. How did the French say it? La plus que ca change...The more things change, the more they remain the same. This brought back memories of college French and the gorgeous young professor from Paris who helped him with more than just his accent and improved his appreciation for French kisses. The passing scenery distracted him from the reflections, immersing him in the sights and sounds of everyday life. Even the simple pleasures overwhelmed him after his enforced depravation. His exposure to the outside world depended on the location of the car. For so long, that happened only rarely and for the benefit of the vehicle, not the enjoyment of cruising with the top down. He relished every moment of freedom while Bethany drove. He appreciated the way her fingers curled around the steering wheel, the way her palm cradled the knob on the four-on-the-floor stick shift. He loved the way she tilted her chin up, exposing the long 26

Ghost of a Chance elegant line of her neck. He wanted to kiss the slight smile tipping up the corners of her mouth. A slight sheen of perspiration on Bethany’s upper lip clued him in to the early morning heat, even though he remained immune to the temperature. The fertile, newly sown fields captured his attention, making him long to smell the tang of loose soil. The hum of cars whizzing by reached his ears, combined with sounds of excited children as they neared the school. He soaked in all he could since his ghostly condition allowed him to only see and hear. As they drove past a gas station, he glanced at the sign showing the prices and coughed to catch his breath and not curse up a blue streak. A gentleman didn’t swear in front of a woman, no matter how great the provocation. That was just one of the many habits the military had drilled into him. “How much did that sign just say gas costs a gallon?” “The prices have come down a bit.” Bethany shrugged her shoulders as if immune or unconcerned with the gouging price. “Come down?” His voice cracked on a high note. “I remember driving up to Wilmington and stopping in Shallotte for gas. I paid less than twenty cents a gallon.” Bethany’s eyes widened with shock. She muttered something under her breath that sounded distinctly like “I’d kill to pay a dollar twenty a gallon.” Apparently, some things did change. Fuel costs weren’t the only thing that had risen since he’d died. As they drove through town, Nick couldn’t help but notice the scantily clad women. Women in short skirts and tight pants. And shorter shirts. Women with their belly buttons exposed for all the world to see. “Do all women dress like that?” He pointed to a young looking woman in a short skirt and a midriff baring tank top. Shrugging her shoulder again, she answered his question. “She’s certainly got the figure for it.” Nick thought he heard a wistful note in her voice. Didn’t she know her lush curves turned him on more than any skin and bones 27

Ghost of a Chance figure? Maybe if she didn’t hide under her hideous excuse for a dress. Bethany’s gaze shifted nervously back and forth between him and the rest of the world as they drove through town. Despite her obvious apprehension, he felt comfortable with his decision to remain visible to her—he’d never been seen by anyone before, and even she couldn’t see him unless he made himself visible. Bethany needed to understand the fragility of their bond, the uniqueness. To do that, he’d willingly risk her fear and his own concerns that she would continue to question her sanity when no one else noticed the man sitting beside her. He thought of Gary’s missed opportunity and hoped he made the right decision for him and Bethany. “Relax,” he attempted to calm her, “you’re the only one who can see me.” “How can you be so sure?” She ground out through clenched teeth. “What if now that I can see you, others can, too?” “I wish it were that simple. It’s not. You’ll understand more this evening. I promise.” She navigated the car into a parking spot and spared him a quick glance. Her eyes stabbed him with a you’d-better-be-tellingme-the-truth glare before she climbed out of the car and jerked the convertible top back in place. Without so much as a backward nod, she stomped to the staff entrance of the school building. Her hips swayed with a provocative rhythm, setting her dress into a fascinating motion. He longed to clutch fistfuls of her ass and knead the flesh as he brought her to a screaming orgasm with his mouth. The desire he’d released, not twenty minutes earlier, built back up to painful levels. If he weren’t already dead, that woman would be the death of him. Constant loss of blood to the brain had to be life threatening. He longed for the ability to follow her into the facility, to watch her work, to be in her presence. However, for whatever reason, if he tried to move from the Corvette, he ended back in the huge, dull, auditorium-like space of Limbo. That lesson had been learned long ago. He’d much rather take in his surroundings, if he 28

Ghost of a Chance couldn’t surround himself with Bethany. He longed to get drunk on the environment, the changes in the world, before he left it permanently. The day passed quickly as he absorbed the ambiance, the sights, sounds of the schoolyard. Watching the children play at recess sent a chill through him. Even with the top up and the windows rolled shut, he heard the yells and screams, and songs of the carefree youngsters. When did teachers get to be so young and gorgeous? But none of the women possessed the stunning beauty of his Bethany or affected him the way she did. He longed for the day to end, impatient for the last bus to pull away, so he’d be with her again. Before he realized it, she stood before him, her hideous formless dress doing nothing to hide her womanly curves. “Hi.” She flopped down in the seat, not looking over at him. Well, that made sense even as it stung. She couldn’t risk looking like she talked to herself. Still, he longed to share a gaze with her, to watch her smile light up her face. Hope flashed down his spine at the thought that she’d ever be glad to see him. “You look like you had a rough day.” Her hair threatened to escape the bun and she had bags under her eyes. “Just normal end of the year craziness.” “What do you say to a drive along the beach, combined with some conversation?” He’d sensed in her a kindred spirit, one in love with the majesty and beauty of the ocean. “Yeah, I’d like that.” She started up the car and pulled out of the parking lot. He watched her chest expand—oh, yeah!—with several deep breaths as she deftly maneuvered the Corvette. “I guess you were right about not being seen by anyone. Not a single person came in today and told me some strange guy was sitting in my car.” He mentally pumped a fist in the air at this small victory, even as it still knotted up his stomach to hear her refer to the car as hers. The car belonged to him, always had, always would. He’d searched long and hard for his ’Vette. She’d called out to something primal in him from the very first moment he’d laid eyes on her. He’d 29

Ghost of a Chance taken better care of her than most guys took of their wives and kids. She’d never failed him and he’d made sure she’d been taken care of once he was gone. She’d deserved it. Now the pink slip in the glove compartment said she belonged to someone else. Damn. Even if that care and concern landed her in Bethany’s lap. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing. And he’d gotten to go riding with her again. That was some small consolation. But it would still be better if he could stuff his hands into leather driving gloves, wrap his fingers around the steering wheel, and go wherever the road took him. He’d been so tangled up in his own mind he hadn’t noticed their location until the car started up the bridge leading to the island beach. He only managed a brief glance of the calm, green water as they crested the span and barreled closer to the coastline. Bethany swung around to the left at the end of the causeway, driving as far down the island as possible before parking. With the ocean in front of them, she turned to him, a look of sheer determination in her eyes. “Whatcha say, oh, ghost of mine, that we talk before we do any more driving?” **** She wanted answers and she wanted them now. Not after a longer drive. Not after he’d invaded her brain and brought her to an incredible orgasm. Certainly not after she obsessed more, wondering if subsequent orgasms would feel every bit as sensational. Now. She sat next to a ghost only she could see. One who said he had answers for her. The time had come for him to pay up. Her sanity depended on it. Because as much as she might believe in ghosts, and as much as she might not question her mental health with any degree of seriousness, she harbored doubts. About ghosts, about her sanity, and whatever the hell was going on. Hopefully, those would lessen or disappear once he started talking.

30

Ghost of a Chance She refused to be distracted by his handsome features and incredible body. Part of her wished to curl up on his chest and listen to his voice rumble beneath her ear as he explained. “Where would you like me to start?” At least he didn’t try any delaying tactics. She had to give him that one. “The beginning is always a good place.” “The beginning for me, for us, is really the end. My death.” “That’s as good a place as any.” She watched his chest expand with a deep shuddering breath. She wondered at the emotions churned up by their conversation. Too bad. Part of her wished she could spare him the recounting, but she needed the information. She had to know why this was happening to her. Her stomach knotted, as she waited for him to start. “I was shot down over North Vietnam on January the fifth, 1967. I had been deployed to Southeast Asia for just under six months, with the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing out of Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Just before dawn, I was scrambled—woken in a hurry, to provide close air support to a group of Marines pinned down in enemy territory. I was doing a damn good job, too, until my Hun took a missile to the belly. The glare from the rising sun obscured my vision. I didn’t even see it coming until it fu—ah, freaking hit me. I don’t know if you’ve ever flown before, but it’s da—darn near impossible to fly once something like that happens. I just wanted to get back on the right side of the line, but it wasn’t happening. “Anyway, I ejected, but was apparently injured by shrapnel from the explosion and hit my head at some point, most likely on the canopy. I don’t remember anything after ejecting. When I reached Limbo, I learned that the Marines I’d saved had dragged my sorry butt out of danger. Not that it did any good, I died at a military hospital ten days later, never having regained consciousness.” “That doesn’t explain why you’re here now.” She had to keep her focus; emotions welled up in her throat. 31

Ghost of a Chance “You wanted me to start at the beginning, right?” He shot her a whose-story-is-it-anyway glance with one eyebrow cocked halfway to his hairline. She nodded. “Then let me continue.” Sheesh, chastised by a ghost. “When you die, you go into Limbo. This was sure as heck news to me. I always thought you went straight to Heaven, choirs of angels on clouds and all that jazz. Nope. Limbo is the first stop. Different religions think of Limbo in different ways. But it’s not the place where unbaptized babies go if they die. It’s more like a layover. If all your earthly affairs are in order, you go to Heaven. If they’re not, you don’t. Sort of like, ‘do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars’. In order to get into Heaven, you have to figure out what you didn’t do, or left undone and fix it. Easier said than done for some of us. There is no ‘get out of jail—or in this case, Limbo free’ card.” He shrugged his shoulders. “How can you do that? Fix things?” Her mind raced ahead, contemplating her place in the big picture. “That’s where you come in, because you have to have help. There are two, actually three, ways. The first one is to go back in time to when you were alive and set things straight before you die. I’ve tried that. I haven’t been able to go back. The second one is to find someone still living to help you. For almost forty years, I’ve been trying to connect with someone. Even my parents and sisters didn’t see or hear me. Not even my brother-in-law, who inherited my car. It’s been like talking to brick walls. Until you. I think you’re the person who is supposed to help me fix things so I can cross over to Heaven. I’m positive that’s why I’m able to communicate with you. It makes perfect sense.” It did, in a warped sort of way. “What did you not do or leave undone?” This should be easy. He’d tell her, she’d fix it, and he’d go on his merry way. Leaving her to sell the ’Vette, get her own place, and live happily ever after. “I need you to help me figure that out, too.” 32

Ghost of a Chance Well, shit. Not so easy, given the fact he’d had forty years with nothing better to do than figure it all out. The full impact of Nick’s words knocked the breath from her lungs. She’d never been needed with such a life or death urgency. Life or death. She stifled a chuckle at her unintended irony. “Why me?” “I have no idea. Dozens of people have driven the Corvette when my family kept trying to sell her.” Bethany watched a shudder ripple through his body. She continued to be amazed by how alive he looked, how solid. Only the shimmer of the air around him when he moved reinforced the fact that her companion existed in another realm. “Why didn’t the car ever sell?” Nick shrugged, a sheepish expression on his face that left no doubt in her mind he knew exactly why it didn’t sell, despite the nonchalant shrug of his shoulder. She decided not to push the issue. Her mind reeled with the information dumped in her lap and she didn’t want to handle anymore. Not right now. “So, where do we go from here?” “I have no idea. There’s no manual for this death thing, any more than there is for life. Just the advice of those spirits who have watched others cross over, but haven’t done so yet themselves. I’m more than a little hesitant to buy into their advice, since if they knew what they were talking about, they’d be in Heaven right now.” Nodding at his observation, her thoughts churned, the first step forming in her mind. She needed to search out any and all information about him on the Internet. Before that even happened, she needed to be held and comforted, calmed. By the man sitting at her side. She glanced over at her cohort, looking masculine and muscular in his military uniform, and wondered what it would be like to be held in his arms. To feel his breath fanning her hair and to hear his heartbeat as she rested against his chest. Startled when she realized her train of thoughts, she jerked back, banging her elbow on the steering wheel. Forgetting about asking any questions, she concentrated on starting the car. 33

Ghost of a Chance Geez, holy shit, what is wrong with me? She still maintained a healthy skepticism about her ghostly visitor, and yet, here she sat craving his touch. Rebound-itis. The only possible excuse. Never mind the fact, she hadn’t spared her scum wad of an ex so much as a brief thought since she bailed on him. That, and the aftereffects of the body-numbing orgasm. Well, she’d finish up with Nick, send him on his way to Heaven, and finally start dating again. Time for some serious sausage. Some alive and well, and living in this dimension sausage. Feeling much better about herself, Bethany shifted into reverse and headed home the long way, prepared to spend all the time in the world researching Captain Nicholas Giordano, first in person, and then courtesy of the World Wide Web. **** Midnight found Bethany perched on the edge of her computer chair, back arched, as she rotated her shoulders to work out the kink at the base of her neck. The light from the monitor illuminated the small office she shared with her mother. With the rhythmic tapping on the keyboard completed, the silence overwhelmed. Lacing her fingers behind her neck, she rested her elbows on the desk and contemplated the results of a very productive Internet search. She knew more about the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing and its operations in Vietnam than any five people should, likely including some of the airmen who’d served. She’d also learned about her ghost, Captain Nicholas Giordano. The actions that got him shot down saved the lives of fifty Marines. He had been posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Medal of Honor. She’d read the citations that accompanied the awards, including a rather detailed recounting of his actions. He was a hero. She could tell anyone who asked where he was buried at Arlington, and where his name was etched on the Vietnam Wall Memorial. However, while she knew a good deal about his death, she’d learned nothing of his life. Not one single solitary clue as to why he hadn’t gone to Heaven when he’d died. What on earth had he not 34

Ghost of a Chance accomplished in life that saving the lives of fifty men hadn’t overcome? That action alone should have propelled him past Limbo and straight to Heaven. She pushed away from the computer desk and tipped back in her chair. Her mind swirled with thoughts of the kind of man he’d been. A man who took his commitments seriously. A man who climbed into the cockpit of his jet and willingly flew into a dangerous situation to save the lives of other men, men he didn’t even know. And then there’d been the picture she’d found. Nick all suited up, standing beside his plane, his booted foot propped on a ladder and his helmet clutched under his arm. Someone help her, because, if at all possible, the man had been even more attractive when he’d been alive. Even in the grainy black and white photo, she’d seen the sparkle in his eyes, the confident, almost cocky tilt of his hips. As the clock chimed the twelve strokes of midnight, her heart told her she’d do anything in her power to help this man to his final reward. He’d died a hero but that hadn’t made any difference when it came to moving on into the hereafter. What the hell kept him from crossing over? More research right now wouldn’t accomplish anything. She needed to tackle the issue wide-awake with all her facilities in tact, instead of when her body called out for a soft mattress and an even softer pillow. With a few clicks of the mouse, she shut down the computer, and decided to call it a night. She shuffled stiffly off to her bedroom and prepared to get some much needed sleep. Tugging the comforter up under her chin, she snuggled down into the mattress. Drifting off, she pictured Nick standing by her bed, peeling off his flight suit, and climbing in with her. She let the dream take over as she fell asleep. The bed didn’t dip when he curled up next to her, it didn’t matter since she knew it was only a dream. Heat radiated from his body, warming her, heating her to her core. She felt moisture pool between her thighs. Agitated, she rolled onto his muscular chest. The perfect amount of hair covered his chest, arrowed down to his 35

Ghost of a Chance groin. It tickled her nose as she rubbed her cheek dangerously close to his nipple. Her tongue longed to flick out and taste him. She felt a rumble in his chest, as if he knew the direction of her thoughts. She certainly knew where his leaned. Or tented, actually. Peeking under the blanket, she could see the outline of his erection, and was stunned at its size. She wondered if he’d split her in two if they ever got around to making love. Even in a dream, she feared he’d never fit inside her. Oh, but how she longed to try. For now, she contented herself with being held in his arms, just the way she’d fantasized about earlier. Wrapped in the strength and security he offered, the steady rhythm of his heart lulled her to sleep, even as his intoxicating scent aroused her. Who knew dreams could be so realistic. In the back of her mind, she realized she needed to yell at Nick for once again invading her mind. A knock on the door jarred her from her comfortable slumber. The light shining through her curtains spurred her to action. “Honey, Beth,” her mother’s voice came from behind the door, “it’s almost six thirty. Shouldn’t you be up by now?” Holy shit! She repeated over and over, as she sped through her morning routine. She’d been so comfortable, so contented in her dreams in Nick’s arms that she’d ignored her alarm. With barely enough time to spare, she raced down the back porch steps and headed for her car. This time, she didn’t expect to see Nick sitting in the passenger seat. However he did it, he’d make himself visible once she arrived. She reached down to grab the door handle, only to find Nick planted behind the wheel. A squeal escaped her lips as she clutched at her chest. “You’re going to be the death of me yet.” “I hope you get to go straight to Heaven.” “Why aren’t you worried about going in the other direction?” Her eyes dipped down. “I’m an optimist.” He flashed her a cocky grin. “Besides, if you’re going there, you go straight to Hell. Limbo is for those who could go to Heaven, if they work the earthly stuff out.” 36

Ghost of a Chance “How do you know all this?” “There’s not much to do in Limbo except read, play cards, and talk endlessly about how to get to Heaven.” “Well, you’re not going to go anywhere if you don’t stop sneaking into my dreams uninvited and unwanted.” “Let’s get one thing straight, Bethany, I did not sneak anywhere last night.” A dangerous light flashed in his eyes, one she found herself powerless to ignore. “You invited me into your dreams, into your bed. I was minding my own business back in Limbo when you started wishing I could hold you in my arms. So, don’t go blaming me for that one.” “I…well…it’s…sheesh.” She waved him out of the driver’s seat and climbed in. A quick flick of her wrist cranked up the engine, drowning out further conversation, thank goodness. She had no desire to analyze the meaning of her dream, not with the other participant hovering beside her. After all, tomorrow is another day, she thought to herself, doing her best impersonation of Scarlet O’Hara.

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Chapter 4 After two long weeks, the dismissal bell signaled the end of the last day of the school year. Bethany heaved a sigh of relief, slung her purse strap over her shoulder, and all but skipped down the hall. Over the summer, she’d have an abbreviated work week, extra time to concentrate on Nick. Despite their intensive effort in the last couple weeks, they had not been able to figure out what they needed to do to propel him to Heaven. Their goal remained as elusive as ever. Since the Internet and local libraries had failed to yield any information, Bethany and Nick decided to do more hands-on searching. Tomorrow, they’d head down to Myrtle Beach and drive around the old base. Bethany also wanted to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and try to locate any of the Marines involved in the crash and subsequent rescue. Not knowing what to look for made the search unbelievably difficult. Being unable to have Nick at her side once she left the car compounded the problem. Who the hell was she kidding? Not having Nick with her was more than a problem. Her obsession with the man had taken over her life. She thought of him every minute of every day. She dreamed about him every night. She didn’t want to learn anything that might possibly help him, because then he would leave her. In two short weeks, she’d come to crave his presence; she solicited his opinions and yearned for his touch. The afternoon heat and humidity slammed into her as she opened the back door and stepped on to the asphalt parking lot. 38

Ghost of a Chance Hot air radiated from the pavement in waves, intensifying the rising temperature between her legs. Quickening her pace, she was anxious to fold back the top and feel the air caressing her body, imagining Nick’s hands instead. She debated the merits of instigating a dream with him. “Hey, Beth, wait up!” She cringed at the sound of her best friend’s voice, knowing she’d been ignoring her recently. Not knowing how to explain things to her. Hating the growing distance. Sandy wasn’t a big believer in ghosts and otherworldly beings. Hell, Bethany knew she had only half believed until one showed up in her car. All the rationalization in the world didn’t affect the facts. “Hey, Sandy, what’s up?” “I was going to ask you the same question. I’ve hardly seen you at all lately.” She quirked an eyebrow, her toes beating a rapid tattoo on the parking lot. “Sorry.” Think quick, think quick. “I’ve been busy helping my mom out at the shop.” “Can you take some time off to go cruising for suntanned hunks this weekend? We’ve only been out in the ’Vette once since you got it.” “Umm, I’m not sure. I have to go to down to Myrtle Beach tomorrow for Mom and—” “I could go with you. There’s a greater selection there.” Sandy winked and nudged her. “I really only have time for a quick down and back trip.” Her stomach clenched as she lied to her friend. “Oh. Well. Call me if you find some time.” Sandy sulked, walking over to her car. Bethany bit at her tongue in an effort to keep from calling out to her friend. Unlocking the car door, she flopped into the lowslung vehicle. Finding a way to talk to Sandy, to try to explain things to her, went to the top of her priority list. “I’m sorry I’ve come between you and your best friend.” “You haven’t, not really.” A finely arched brow was the only reply she got. 39

Ghost of a Chance “Sandy’s the best. Once you’re gone, I’ll make it up to her.” She chose to ignore the pang near her heart at the thought of Nick leaving. Which was stupid in the extreme because even if he weren’t leaving, he was still a freaking ghost. Not happily ever after material, to say the least. Not even boyfriend from hell material. Shifting into reverse, she backed out of the parking lot and headed for the beach. “So, you want to tell me why you want to sell my car?” Her eyes widened as her gaze darted between him and the busy road. “Where did that come from?” “I heard you talking with Sandy a couple weeks ago.” He reclined against the door, then shrugged his shoulder. Inside the Corvette, the air crackled with electricity, the very same sensation as the day she discussed using the money from the sale to help her reestablish her life. “If you heard that, then you also heard why I want to sell. Why bring it up now, anyway?” “I wondered if you still felt the same way.” Despite his casual tone, the rigid set of his shoulders revealed his true feelings. “You’ll be in Heaven by the time I get around to selling her, so why do you care?” The air became so charged, Bethany was surprised she didn’t see flashes of lightening. “Because she’s my car.” “No, she’s not. She’s mine, the title is in my name. You’re dead, in case you’ve forgotten, and can’t own a car.” “I…” Bethany risked a glance at Nick when she stopped at a light. Arms crossed over his chest and his lower lip sticking out, he resembled a pouting child, not a grown man. Had his Corvette meant that much to him that he had to hang on to it, even in death? Was that why he’d been trapped in it? The drive to the beach continued in silence, since she didn’t know what to say to him. She needed the money. He didn’t need the car anymore. The lingering static in the air between them dissipated as they crested the span and headed down to the ocean. 40

Ghost of a Chance She navigated to their favorite parking spot, one that enabled Nick to see and hear the water. “Maybe if you tell me why you need the money...” He angled his body to face her. Mirroring his pose, she struggled with the words. How did she tell this too-handsome-for-her-own-good man that she’d been dumped for a more attractive woman? She’d be willing to bet that he’d never been dumped. Oh no, he’d been the dumper, not the dumpee, for sure. Sucking salty air into her lungs, she started at the very beginning. How she met the sorry louse of an ex after college, how she fell for his never ending line of bullshit, all the way up to where she found him in her bed with a co-worker, her supposed friend. “Your ex was a stupid man. Not to mention a fu— An ass— A jerk.” “I got the last laugh.” She flashed a wicked smile. “He was in way over his head with the job and needed me to keep it. Plus, the rent on the apartment was more than he could afford on his own.” She soaked in the look of pride in her actions on his face. “That’s the least of what he deserved for dumping me for that fake blonde, plastic surgically enhanced bimbo.” “You think he left you for a more attractive woman.” For a man she should be able to literally see through, he had an uncanny ability to read her. “Anyone with two eyes knew that.” “Not from where I’m sitting.” The look of appreciation he skimmed over her body set her skin on fire, as if he’d touched her. Goosebumps broke out and her nipples tingled as his gaze stopped to linger on her breasts. If only a man in this realm stared at her with as much hunger and appreciation. If only this ghost had the ability to do something about the lust he stirred. Other than providing her with very erotic dreams. “How old are you?” “That’s a rather personal question,” she sputtered. He fixed her with a serious glare. “Thirty-three.” She huffed indignantly, as 41

Ghost of a Chance she crossed her arms over her chest, tormenting her still sensitive nipples. “So why do you dress like a frump twice your age?” She wanted to protest that she didn’t, but once again, he’d hit his mark. She’d felt like a dowdy, old maid after the Brian fiasco and had started dressing the part. It kept the men away, which had been part of the goal. She needed the time to regroup before dating again. More important, it allowed her to hide in plain sight. To keep people who might have recognized her from doing so and asking why she’d come back home. “Maybe it’s time to change.” She’d healed since her return. She no longer mourned the loss of the moron, and the debilitating blow to her self-esteem had begun to heal. “I can’t wait to see the results.” His look of appreciation sent her hormones racing all over again, and her heart pounding against her ribs. They sat at the edge of the beach for several hours, until they watched the big, orange ball of the sun sink on the horizon, and the rounded edge hovered over the dark line at the end of the earth. The colorful rays spread out across the water, lighting up the surface with reds and purples splashing together. Bethany rubbed at her arms as a chill caressed her body. The silence cocooned them, wrapped them together with an easy intimacy. The earlier pleasant conversation had faded away and they hadn’t felt the need to fill the void. In the quiet, a picture came to her of Nick and her out on the sun-warmed sand, casting long shadows as they meandered back from the water’s edge. Their fingers laced together, their bare feet digging into the sand, her body pressed close to his. Her skimpy halter-top sundress left nothing to the imagination. His low riding shorts left the broad expanse of his muscled chest and ripped abs exposed, their suntanned glow making her mouth dry, even as she wanted to drool. They paused at the base of the steps leading back to the parking area; Nick folded her into his strong embrace, muscular arms securing her to him. Her nipples pressed into the hard wall of 42

Ghost of a Chance his chest, moisture dampening the crotch of her panties. She shifted her thighs in a vain attempt to relieve the building pressure. Her eyes locked on his lips, full and parted, begging to kiss or be kissed. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she obliged and took his mouth with hers, searching, questioning. His firm lips molded to hers as she ate at his mouth, plunging her tongue deep. Roaring to life at her ministrations, Nick claimed her lips with an intensity that left her panting, possessing her. She swallowed a growl as he shifted his head to deepen the kiss. He traced the seam of her mouth with the tip of his tongue before plunging inside, their breaths mingling. He stroked her with unrivaled thoroughness, each sweep driving her need for him higher and higher. Breaking the contact, chest heaving, his hands roamed over her breasts while he rested his forehead on hers. She understood exactly how he felt. If the steps and his body didn’t prop her up, she’d slide into the sand in a puddle of desire. Mercy. The man kissed like nobody’s business. His thumbs snagged the hard peaks of her breasts, dragging back and forth until his touch produced a combination of pleasure and pain. A quick tug to the side exposed her braless nipples to the elements and his mouth. Heat seared her as he feasted, suckling her between his teeth. Alternating with flicks and swipes of his tongue over her engorged flesh until she wanted to scream with desire. She settled for clutching at his head and pressing her face to the top of his scalp. **** Her cries reverberated through his body down his spine and slammed into his dick. The head poked at the top of his swimming trunks, aching for freedom. Demanding to be buried in her tight, wet slit. Judging by the seductive wiggle of her hips driving her mound against his uncomfortable cock, she wanted him, too. One hand left the plump breast in search of the moist folds of her pussy. As much as he yearned to thrust deep and come inside her, he needed her to enjoy herself, craved the feel of her muscles contracting in pleasure and milking him dry—the most glorious sensation in the world. His name rasped from her lips when his 43

Ghost of a Chance questing finger delved beneath the wispy scrap of her panties and filled her. His thumb teased at her clit until the combined action of his fingers had her climbing his body to get closer. He felt proud of himself, powerful and all male. Keeping her panties out of the way, he fumbled to free himself. Either she read his frustration on his face or she longed to stroke his cock. Whatever the reason, he didn’t care, as her hands freed his rigid cock from its confinement, and he released a pleasure-filled groan. He tugged at her underwear, stripped them out of the way. Wrapping her leg high on his thigh, she opened herself, begging for it all. Inch by inch, he filled her completely, sheathing his very happy cock in the moist heat of her body. Bracing her back on a wooden post, he pulled her other leg up, allowing her to lock her ankles behind his back. The position gave him total control over the speed and depth of their lovemaking. Her fingers dug into his shoulders and back, as he drew out by degrees, leaving only the head buried, then plunged deeply until his balls slapped her flesh. His aching dick protested the torturous play, wanting to ram home hard and fast. With her head thrown back and pleading cries escaping her lips, Bethany’s body called out for more. With his hands firmly grasping her ass, his hips picked up the pace with rapid, long, hard thrusts. A flush broke out on her tits, along with a fine sheen of sweat. He watched as her body responded to the increased stimulation, her head fell to the side, eyes closed, a look of intense pleasure on her face. One sharp, punctuated thrust sent her eyes wide open, the pink blush rising to her face. She tilted her hips as best she could to receive even more of him. Oh yeah, life was good. He muttered a silent prayer, thankful her orgasm approached because he didn’t think he could last much longer. The tight clenching of her muscles drove him to the brink. When she panted for more, he gave her everything he had. Her lips parted to shriek as she climaxed, he captured her mouth and the scream. Allowing his release to overcome him, he responded to the rhythmic grasp milking him for all he was worth. 44

Ghost of a Chance The power and intensity of the moment drained him of his strength. He struggled to draw air to his lungs, feeling as if he’d just pulled some serious G’s. He glanced to his side to see Bethany sitting behind the wheel of the Corvette, looking equally shaken. What the hell had he done now?

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Chapter 5 Nick knew they needed to talk about what had happened the day before. When he’d tried to talk to Bethany on the way home from the beach, she ignored him and turned up the radio. Even a dunce like him could read that message loud and clear. Instead of discussing the whatever-the-hell it was, he’d retreated to a neutral corner, or Limbo, as the case may be. He planned the tactical withdrawal in the hope that she’d be more receptive on the drive down to Myrtle Beach. He refused to even entertain the notion that she’d back out of the trip. They’d been counting on this trip to reveal some clues, anything, to help him move on to Heaven. She might be upset by the unintentional, sexual daydream escapade, but she’d keep her word. A flash of movement caught his attention as he sat on a couch tucked away in a private corner of Limbo. Looking up, he found himself staring at one of the long-time residents. Nick wondered if maybe George had ever heard of the strange meshing of dreams encountered by Bethany and himself. What the hell. He might as well ask. “Have a seat, George.” Nick slid over to make more room. “Don’t mind if I do. You look like you need an ear to bend.” “As a matter of fact, I do.” Nick proceeded to tell George about the three instances of shared dreams, without revealing the intimate details. He wanted help, but not bad enough to give the man a cheap thrill. He scrutinized George’s face as he talked, watching for any signs. The man gave away nothing. “You share a closeness with this woman.” 46

Ghost of a Chance Nick had known that before George even sat down. He thought about Bethany constantly, wanted to know where she was and what she was doing. Thoughts about how different his life might have been if he’d met her when he was still alive plagued him. Her smile, her laughter were burned into his brain. Talking with her, and even sharing silence with her pleased him. Who was he kidding? He enjoyed just being with her and craved everything about her. “But have you ever heard of people being able to get into each other’s dreams?” “On very rare and special occasions, yes, I have heard about it.” “Thank God, I thought I was losing my mind.” Nick dry scrubbed his face with his palms. “Quite the opposite. I think you may have found it.” “Excuse me?” Nick didn’t like the turn of this conversation or the thought that Bethany might be more than a one-way ticket to the hereafter. “What you and your young lady share comes around very rarely in any lifetime. Grab it with both hands.” “So she is the key to getting out of Limbo and going to Heaven?” Nick felt the answer in his heart, but his brain needed to hear it from someone else. But what was the correct question? “He has a plan for all of us, Nick. Sometimes, people are here in Limbo not because of what they didn’t do or need to fix. Sometimes, souls are here because they missed out on something, or being something. If we fail to live up to his expectations for us, he gives us another chance. Providing we learn what we need to do differently.” A sense of rightness settled over Nick. “Bethany is the key to discovering all this.” Now they just had to find the damn lock. The one to Heaven. Not the one to his heart, for he suspected she already owned that. The slam of a car door drew Nick from George’s side in Limbo to Bethany’s side in the Corvette. Dark circles under her eyes told him all he needed to know about her night. This issue 47

Ghost of a Chance demanded to be handled head on; especially now, that he knew how special a bond they shared. Not that he was ready to admit it. “Bethany, I’m—” “Look, Nick—” She let out a short laugh as they both tried to talk at the same time. With a gesture of his hand, he indicated that she go first. “About yesterday...” Changing his mind, he let his mouth override common courtesy. “I didn’t do it on purpose, Bethany. Not the first time. Not yesterday. I don’t know why or how it happens. I just know that it happens.” Finding it very difficult to explain something he didn’t completely understand, he tried his best. “I can’t stop myself from wanting you, from finding you incredibly attractive. So sue me, I happen to have a very active imagination.” He didn’t feel the need to tell her he hadn’t had any fantasies at all since his death, not until she entered the picture. “It’s just so vivid, so real. I actually feel as if we’ve…well…as if we’ve really made love,” she released the words quickly, “and it’s not like in a dream.” He loved the flush of color on her face and neck. The rosy tint probably extended all the way to the tops of her breasts, but she had them covered up in a baggy shirt. So much for her earlier thought of wearing more enticing clothing. Reaching across to brush a stray strand of hair from her cheek, only to remember he lacked the ability, he dropped his hand to the back of the seat. “It was one heck of a dream, wasn’t it?” He flashed a wicked smile, hoping for a laugh. She rewarded him with a chuckle. “You can say that again. We better get going before traffic gets too bad.” That fast, she turned her attention to driving. What a shame, he liked her shy and sexy. And strong and determined. Hell, he just plain liked her. Damn George for planting ideas about how right they were for each other. Driving down Highway 17, Nick’s head spun with all the changes. The tiny, two-lane road was now a four-lane highway. Where once there had been nothing between Shallotte and the 48

Ghost of a Chance South Carolina line, now businesses and golf courses dotted the landscape. Crossing into the neighboring state, he thought his head might actually explode. Restaurants, shops, and more golf courses littered the sides of a road that had once been empty. When she pointed out the bypass that had been built to avoid the indirect route and make travel to Myrtle Beach easier, he shook his head in disbelief at the three roads that now headed south where before there had been only one. And the traffic. He’d never seen so many cars. “What are those huge things?” He gestured to a large vehicle passing them. “That’s an SUV.” “A what?” “A sport utility vehicle. It’s an overgrown Jeep for people who don’t know what else to do with their money. People use them for off-roading and stuff.” “Do they have to be that big?” Bethany flashed him a saucy smile. “Just one more instance of men thinking that size matters.” A mumbled “smart aleck” slipped out. The sign welcoming them to North Myrtle Beach snagged his attention. Finally, something familiar. He searched for hangouts and landmarks. Anything. The sides of the road were crowded with entertainments of all sorts, but nothing he recognized. Even the ray of hope he had at driving through Barefoot Landing crashed and burned when the sprawling complex bore no resemblance to the thatched-hut shops of his day. “Why can’t I see the beach?” “We’re actually on the bypass I told you about earlier, which will take us to the airport on the old base. After that, we’ll drive up Ocean Boulevard on the way home.” Bypass? Old base? Nick fidgeted in the seat, overwhelmed by the sights and sounds, by the feeling that he should recognize something. How were they ever going to discover the key to getting to Heaven in this place? He gave up gawking at the surroundings 49

Ghost of a Chance when they passed a large pyramid-shaped building. It was just too much. Nick’s senses went on alert when Bethany slowed and turned off the main road. “Where are we?” He didn’t need to ask—he already knew. “This road will take us to Myrtle Beach Airport. If you remember your way around, we can drive through the base.” He glanced at the spot where a guardhouse once stood at the back gate, with MP’s at the ready to wave in those who belonged and stop those who didn’t. No one stopped them now. She had told him that the base had closed but it hadn’t seemed real or possible that such a vibrant thriving community was gone. Until now. Bethany steered the car down the tree-lined road, memories assaulted Nick from all sides. Memories of revving up the ’Vette, tooling down the Boulevard, kicking ass in his Hun, hanging with the guys from the squadron. How simple life seemed back then. With a flick of his wrist, he pointed Bethany away from the flight line and in the direction of the housing development. She followed his gestures in silence, as if she felt his desire not to speak. Thank goodness. If she turned chatty on him now, he’d be tempted to work up some ghostly damage. The unkempt lawns and dark windows of the single story houses ripped a hole in his gut as they drove down streets where friends once lived, past empty playgrounds where children once ran. Gone were the front yards that once had to pass weekly inspection. Gone were the goalposts where the Pony Football league played. He had her drive past the BX and the Commissary, where the parking lots sat empty, all the shoppers long gone. Finally, after driving past the deserted Bachelor Officer Quarters, he motioned Bethany to head for the flight line. She parked at the far corner of the lot, away from the modern airport terminal. A strange emptiness overwhelmed him as he stared out over the planes. Not military aircraft but commercial jets dominated the space, including a white and orange plane with an 50

Ghost of a Chance owl on it. The sight distressed him more than any other changes he’d seen since they’d started out in the morning. So much was different, gone. How could he ever expect to discover what he’d left undone or needed to do? How could he ever hope to get out of Limbo and go to Heaven? All the possibilities he’d prayed for when making contact with Bethany crashed and burned in the face of reality. He wanted to just eject and be done with it. “Myrtle Beach has changed a great deal, hasn’t it?” Her soft voice filled with concern. Well, that was the understatement of a lifetime. “It’s not a sleepy, family beach community anymore, that’s for sure.” “No, there are things to do here year round now.” She shifted in her seat. “Are you ready to head out to Ocean Boulevard?” “Definitely.” He didn’t know how much more he could take of driving around the empty shell of the once bustling military base. He watched as she backed out of the space, impressing him once more with her deft handling of his car. In his mind’s eye, Nick pictured the drive out the front gate the way it used to be. After crossing over Ocean Boulevard, the road curved gently to the left, past the dunes straight to the beach. He almost dreaded the sight that would greet him now. She headed north onto the main drag through the heart of Myrtle Beach and directly into summer traffic. The crawling pace allowed him to take a thorough inventory of how many things remained of the town he no longer knew. A smile lit his face when they slowed in front of the Pavilion and broadened when he saw one of the squadron’s favorite bars, The Bowery. Except for the fact that it looked naked without the huge Confederate flag hanging over the door, it seemed the same on the outside. He wished he could go shopping for cheap souvenirs in the Gay Dolphin. He used to love nosing around in there searching for tourist items for his sisters. His family had been devastated by his death and his brother-inlaw shocked to inherit the Corvette. Nick had been pissed at his sister when she insisted her husband get rid of the “damned thing” 51

Ghost of a Chance because it reminded her too much of her brother. When she forced her husband to give it to his brother, Nick lost the ability to watch his family. Thoughts of them made him want to ask Bethany to check up on them, maybe even encourage her to take a drive so he could see if any of them were still living. The coward in him held him back. It was one thing to suspect his parents had died, but another thing entirely to face the reality. That reality also included aging sisters and their possible infirmities, along with nieces and nephews older than he had been when he’d died. His gut told him seeing them would make remaining in Limbo harder, in the event they failed. And he’d always trusted his gut. His spirits buoyed at the sight of some familiar landmarks. He marveled at Bethany’s patience as she chauffeured him. She hadn’t signed on for any of this when she picked up the ’Vette those few short weeks ago. Still, she unselfishly agreed to help him in his quest. An emotion he refused to name squeezed at his heart, as he once again wished he’d been able to make her acquaintance while alive. Of course, she hadn’t even been born then. A piercing wolf whistle and the corresponding shout drew Nick’s attention to a trio of young women strolling beside the car. “Those women aren’t dressed, Bethany.” He tried and failed not to gawk at them. Triangles of fabric just covered their nipples, leaving two-thirds of their breasts exposed for all to see. Filmy “skirts” covered bottoms that were little more than another triangle held on by strings. “It’s called a string bikini. They have the figures to wear them, so why not?” Why not indeed? How did men keep from walking around with constant erections? Holy shit. He’d gone to bed with women and never seen them with so much skin exposed. As he continued to observe, he noticed all manner of undress. More so here than he had seen when out with Bethany at her home, and that had shocked him. When he roamed the beach, bikinis covered belly buttons and didn’t show any cleavage. And off the beach, women covered up 52

Ghost of a Chance what little skin they exposed. What had happened to Myrtle’s family friendly reputation? “What is in her belly button?” “It’s a piercing, like pierced ears, only it’s the belly button. It’s very popular.” “Is your belly button pierced?” “Gawd, no.” He noticed her shudder. “Why not?” “Half the reason girls do it is to show it off. No one wants to be looking at my belly button.” “I do.” He wondered what he had to do to persuade her to strip for him. His cock flexed at the idea. “In your dreams.” The flush that covered her face and neck caused him to laugh out loud. He dropped his voice an octave to a husky whisper. “If you insist.” **** A week had passed since the trip down to Myrtle Beach, seven days, and no closer to discovering anything Nick had left undone when he’d died. Bethany had poured over every detail of his past as meticulously as possible. With no luck. What did she expect? He’d had almost forty years to figure out the missing piece of the puzzle, with no success. Why should she be any different? What really rubbed her raw was the fact that she didn’t want Nick to go anywhere. This made her question just how hard she searched for an answer. More than that, it made her doubt her own sanity. A woman in her right mind did not find herself attracted to a ghost. A dead man. She did not find his company stimulating, anticipating every minute together. She did not find herself wishing for the erotic dreams where the sex was better than anything she’d ever experienced in her life. She did not find herself wishing it was 1965 and Nick lived and breathed, and worshipped the ground on which she walked. Obviously, she was not a sane woman. With a loud groan and a solid thunk, her forehead dropped to the desk, barely missing the keyboard. The entire morning had 53

Ghost of a Chance been devoted to more research. This time, she explored the members of the squadron who’d been in Vietnam with Nick. She’d ferreted out information on the Marines he’d rescued. Nothing clued her in. Not one scrap or detail hinted at why Nick languished in Limbo when by all rights he should have gone straight to the hereafter. They were set to take an evening trip to Myrtle to see if the nightlife stirred any memories. Bethany doubted it. Or did she just wish it wouldn’t? She tipped back in her chair, rubbing the sore spot on her forehead, craning her neck to work out the kinks. As she stared at the stenciled vines running along the top of the wall, one of her first conversations with Nick played in her mind. He’d said there were three ways to get to Heaven, but he’d only told her about two. What was the third? What was he holding back from her? While driving around, they’d had numerous conversations. He’d told her all about his life, his career, his family. Why not tell her this piece of the puzzle? Part of her wondered if the mysterious third way combined the other two—taking her back in time with him. A strange hope welled in her heart. Thoughts of being with Nick, doing things besides sitting in a car, feeling his arms holding her, swamped her, her stomach turned flips and her pulse pounded. Afraid she raced ahead of herself, she reined in the flights of fancy. That had to be what it was. Time travel existed only in science fiction. Besides, she needed to talk to Nick and see if her assumptions were right. And she had to determine whether or not he wanted to try to go back in time with her help. With a few clicks of the mouse, she shut down her computer and snagged a few print outs from the printer. She’d found a couple of articles on the Marines he’d saved and thought he might like to read them. As she reached for her sweater, her mother came in the back door carrying a sack from a local sandwich shop. “Hi, Mom. I didn’t expect to see you.” 54

Ghost of a Chance “I thought I’d gamble on you being home and take a dinner break.” She rattled the paper bag. “I was...” She shuffled her foot and stared at it. Sandy wasn’t the only one being ignored for Nick. “Just on your way out.” Her mother smiled brightly. “It was just an idea.” The take out dinner landed on the counter. “I can go later. What’d ya bring me?” She half skipped to the counter, reaching for the bag. As much as she wanted to be with Nick, she needed to spend time with her mother. “The usual.” “Yum, I haven’t had a turkey sub in ages.” She unwrapped the wax paper and foil protecting the sandwiches and placed them on the paper plates her mother held out. The aroma of hot peppers made her taste buds whimper in anticipation at the pleasure to come. “And what’s that? A week?” Her mother took a seat at the kitchen table. “It’s a wonder you don’t gobble.” The smile on her lips reached her eyes, making Bethany return the gesture. “As long as I don’t waddle when I walk, I don’t care.” She joined her mother. While they ate in companionable silence, Bethany’s thoughts slid back to all the times she and her mother had spent at the table, talking, sharing, and fighting since they’d moved to Shallotte fifteen years earlier. All the laughter and the tears. Her father, an Army Ranger, had been killed in a training exercise when she was a senior in high school. After graduation, she and her mother moved to the coastal town where her parents had planned to retire—to honor his memory. She’d postponed college for two years to help her mother get her dress and beach apparel shop up and running before heading off to the University of North Carolina. Bethany had been a frequent visitor, even after graduating from college and settling down three hours away. As close as she was to her mother, as much as she loved, admired and respected her, she had to live her own life. Her mother always encouraged and supported her independence with her unconditional love. Up until half an hour earlier, Bethany had 55

Ghost of a Chance thought that she needed to reclaim her life by moving to her own place. Now she wondered if it involved going back in time. “Thanks so much for staying and having dinner with your old mom. I’ve missed you.” “Thanks for bringing home my favorite.” Bethany gathered up the paper plates and headed for the trash can. “I resorted to drastic measures to get your attention. The way you’ve been so preoccupied lately, I’m beginning to wonder if there’s a new man in the picture.” Bethany’s foot froze in midstride, her stomach bottoming out to somewhere below her feet. She struggled to work the moisture back in her mouth before she spoke, keeping her back to her mother. “What makes you think that?” “Nothing in particular. It’s just that you’re so distracted and happy. I’ve never seen you so happy. And always on the go. I hope you’re not too embarrassed by your old mom to introduce me to him some day.” Swallowing the snort of nervous laughter lodged in her throat, Bethany tossed the garbage and turned to face her mother. “I promise you, Mom, you’ll be the first one to know if there’s anything to tell.” You may commit me to a mental hospital, but you’ll be the first to know, she kept that thought to herself. “I love you, Beth.” “Not as much as I love you, Mom.” Her knees turned to mush the instant her mother left the kitchen to freshen up and get ready to go back to the shop. Her mother thought she had a boyfriend. If she only knew. Several deep breaths later, Bethany headed out the door for her evening excursion to Myrtle Beach and to confront Nick about the third way to get to Heaven.

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Chapter 6 Nick had never seen so many neon lights in one place in his life. Not even on the Las Vegas strip when he’d spent three months TDY at Nellis Air Force Base, probably the best temporary duty assignment he’d ever been given. Relief flooded over him as Bethany drove further and further north and the brightness receded. If he’d been capable of getting a headache, tonight would have done the trick. All the effort and grief involved in fighting the midsummer crowds and the excursions turned up nothing. The sum total of all Bethany’s efforts amounted to nothing. Unless he considered his growing feelings for her. Not that anything could come of them. That hadn’t stopped him from being totally captivated by her from the moment she sat down beside him oohing and aahing over her new car. He felt alive when around her. They’d laughed, talked, and shared—things he’d never done before with a woman. He’d never deny that he wanted her physically; their shared dreams only whet his appetite. However, he wanted more than that. He flat out wanted more. Just his luck, the only woman to inspire any emotion beyond lust fell into his lap when he lacked the ability to do a damn thing about it. Unless, of course, he managed to convince her to go back in time with him. He squelched the selfish inspiration. With her attention on navigating the traffic, he drank in the sight of her. Her conservative sundress revealed a tantalizing length of toned calf and shapely ankles and hinted at ripe full breasts. Why on earth did the woman hide her luscious curves? He thought of reminding her of her earlier plans to change. 57

Ghost of a Chance Then again, maybe it was for the best. His dick already stood up and saluted every time she drew near. More than once he’d had to tame a woody or be very embarrassed—or worse, embarrass her. He’d like to blame his current state of constant alert on forty years of enforced celibacy. The truth sat beside him in all her sensual glory. She probably already believed he had a one-track mind. No need to reinforce the belief. Jerking off had gotten old, real fast. Unfortunately, no other options existed. He lacked the substance to do anything else. Except in their dreams. There he could indulge his fantasies. Cautiously. He still had no idea how or why he and Bethany had the ability to connect in their thoughts. He’d exerted a great deal of effort as they drove along this evening to keep his musings platonic. Freaking her out on a regular basis was not in his best interest. His conversation with George continued to rattle around in his brain. What did the big guy above have planned for him that he hadn’t accomplished? Nick didn’t understand why it had to be so fucking difficult to discover, or why it was taking so long. Nick paused. If a little light bulb could have gone off over his head, it would light up the interior of the car. What if…just what if…the reason it had taken so long was because Bethany was the missing piece of the puzzle? “I’d like to talk some more about the ways to get into Heaven.” He hadn’t even realized they’d stopped until she spoke. Glancing up, he noticed she’d parked in their spot. A crescent sliver of a moon cast its light in the sky, too weak to stretch beyond the surrounding clouds. Unaffected by the celestial body, inky ripples worked their way to the horizon. “I can connect with someone living to help me or I can go back in time and try to make things right before I die again.” “That’s two ways. You told me there were three.” He shifted in his seat in an effort to get comfortable. He hadn’t broached the third way before because he’d dismissed it as a possibility. “It’s not important, not an option, really.” But what if this was what they were supposed to do? 58

Ghost of a Chance “What is it?” Damn, what a time to pick to be persistent. Fine, if she wanted to know, he’d tell her. She’d understand then why he hadn’t mentioned it. “You get someone to go back in time with you.” “I knew it.” He heard the hiss of excitement in her voice. “How does that happen?” She knew it? She’d been thinking about this? His hopes perked up with the realization that maybe this solved the dilemma. Surely, her coming to this point on her own meant something. “There’s no set way. It’s different for everyone who tries. Why are you even asking about this?” And raising his hope. He wasn’t about to let her do something so foolish without serious consideration. “We haven’t had much luck trying to learn anything new, anything you’d missed in forty years of searching. Don’t you think it’s time we explored all the options?” “Do you know what you’re saying, Bethany? Do you have any idea?” He did. He’d thought long and hard about trying to go back and live part of his life over. He’d tried to go back several times over the years. A no harm, no foul scenario for him, if he succeeded in traveling to the 1960’s. He’d live his life over, try to be a better person, and hopefully, wind up in Heaven after his plane got shot down. Worst-case scenario, he’d be right back where he started. Which is what always happened. For Bethany to go back, she’d be stuck in a time before she’d even been born, without him for the rest of her life. No, not an option. That emotion he’d been refusing to put a name to since she’d appeared in his life reared up and bit him on the ass. He loved her and refused to let her throw her life away for him. He loved her. Figures, he hadn’t found any woman who stirred any deep emotions when he’d been alive. But he sure as hell managed to find one when he was dead. He found one who touched him 59

Ghost of a Chance emotionally and physically. She brightened the day and tormented his nights. George’s comments swam through this mind. The possibility definitely existed that this was the plan for both of them. Which really gave him no right to interfere in her decision. Except, he needed her to make an informed choice. He snorted. “What?” The darkness hid her face from him, deep shadows playing over her face. “You didn’t answer my question. Do you have any idea what it would be like for you to do what you’re suggesting?” He had no intention of sharing his gut-wrenching insight with her. “I hadn’t given it much thought—” “That’s my point. If I manage to go back in time, I’m going back to my life. If you go back in time, you’re giving up yours.” “Not true. I’m trading it for a different one.” He snorted again. But not before the thought took root. A chance to be with Bethany. Her support and encouragement for as long as they had—together. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he... Bethany by his side as he felt the sand beneath his feet and the salt air filled his senses. Sharing a Krispy Kreme doughnut with him. The taste and aroma of her pussy as he... Oh, to feel the vibrations of the stick in his clutched hand as he pushed his Hun to its maximum capabilities and felt the fighter rumble his seat. To smell the distinct tang of the air filtered through his oxygen mask. To feel Bethany’s heated body writhe beneath him as he made love to her in all the ways he’d fantasized about. His hard on taunted him, demanding attention and satisfaction. More to the point, it threatened to influence the discussion with its own needs and wants. What he really needed was to focus on the discussion at hand and not let Bethany throw her life away for him, no matter how tempting a scenario. “You need to give this some serious thought, Bethany. It’s a huge decision.” 60

Ghost of a Chance “I’m not saying I’ve made up my mind, Nick. All I’m saying is that we need to be open to all the options.” “Why would you even consider this, Bethany? What’s in it for you?” He placed the pad of his finger at her lips as she opened her mouth to answer. And wished he felt the warmth of her breath. “Just think about those questions.” He’d think of little else. The conversation lagged, a comfortable silence filling the car. She’d kept the convertible top up for the drive, not bothering to put it down when they’d stopped to talk. Whether the car was exposed to the environment or not didn’t matter to him. The sun didn’t warm his skin; the breeze didn’t chill his cheeks. He missed the sensation of cruising the Boulevard topless, found himself craving the experience. He hadn’t felt such poignant longings since his first few years in Limbo. When he’d been alive, he’d taken so much for granted. He’d cared for his car and his jet, spending all his energy on one or the other. Simple pleasures taken for granted. Did he dare to take another shot at his life? He lacked any sort of guarantee that he’d do it right this time, since he still didn’t know what he’d done wrong. He did know what he’d do if he got a second chance. He’d remember that there was more to life than fast planes, fast cars, and faster women. Was that enough? More than anything, he wanted Bethany with him this time, as unfair and as selfish as it was. He loved her too much to let her make such a drastic change in her life. He loved her too much to live again without her. The possibility of failure nagged at his conscience. What if she came back to the past with him and he still ended up in Limbo? Could he live with the guilt of dragging her down for no reason? Did he dare hope that the pleasure of being together outweighed any chance of failure? “Nick?” Her hushed voice reached across the distance to stroke him. “Huh?” “Make love to me.” 61

Ghost of a Chance Whoa. Throttle back down and make sure that instruction was properly received. “I thought you didn’t want me in your mind like that.” “I’ve changed my mind. It’s my prerogative.” Oh yeah, she was all woman. “I don’t know how I did it the other times. It’s not something either of us tried to do.” “I know. I’d like to try to do it now, though.” What he wanted to do was fold her in his embrace, crush her to his chest until her breasts pressed into him. He wanted to fuck her brains out. For real. Not in a dream. What did they say about beggars not being choosy? “Only if you’re sure.” “I am.” Nick allowed his body to float over Bethany and settle around her. He needed to be as close to her as possible as he allowed his fantasy to take shape. He wished they could be closer. A bed dominated the room, a huge four-poster extravagance with a mattress covered in soft cotton sheets and a thick bedspread. He sat on the edge, dressed only in his boxers, his half-hard cock pulsing in anticipation. From the shadows, Bethany glided to him, her form becoming clearer as the gap between them closed. A lace bra barely contained the ample curves of her breasts, her nipples poking at the fabric. Matching lace undies covered her from hip to belly button, hinting at the dark patch of hair at the juncture of her thighs. He feasted his gaze on the most beautiful woman he’d ever been privileged to see half-naked. Lush curves and sensuous valleys called out to his dick, his soul, like a magnet. Dark blonde hair tumbled to her shoulders, framing her face. He forced his stare to focus on her eyes—wide open with desire— taking in his erection poking out of his underwear. “Do you see what you do to me? I’m always like this when I’m with you or think of you.” She closed the distance between them, dropping to her knees between the vee of his thighs, her hands freeing his dick for her tender ministrations. Gentle strokes covered the length and dipped 62

Ghost of a Chance down to fondle his balls. Paying extra attention to the head, she flicked her thumb along the slit and under the sensitive ridge. Watching, her small hand fascinated him as it wrapped around him, so different from his large hairy one. He debated guiding her movements, but knew if she improved anymore, he’d shoot his load all over them both, and he’d rather be inside her when the magical event occurred. She shifted her eyes up to lock on his face, licking her lips. The Cheshire cat grin on her face should have clued him in, however, he was too immersed in the sensation of her warm palms gliding over him. The heat of her mouth closing over his head caused him to jerk his hips. Strands of her silken hair tickled his balls, obscuring his view. He tangled his fingers in the strands, clutching at the back of her skull for sanity. Alternating tongue strokes and the light scrape of her teeth strained his ability to keep from pumping his cock in her mouth. As much as he wanted to feel her lips brush the base of dick, he had to stay in control or risk her stopping before he was ready. He forced himself to enjoy her pace, watching as her stretched lips slid up and down his cock—the sight more arousing than any cheap, bachelor party, stag film. Her fingers danced over his balls as they drew closer to his body, preparing to spill their load down her throat. He wanted— needed—more. Releasing his hold on her head, he gripped her upper arms and tugged her to her feet. The suction on his cock didn’t stop until the last possible second. With none of his former finesse, he stood, and yanked the bra and panties from her body. A goddess stood naked in front of him. Her breasts quivering, she struggled to draw air into her lungs. Swollen lips parted in a sensual smile as she gazed into his eyes. Passion burned in her eyes and seeped out of her every pore. A lightening fast grab snagged her hand, hauling her to him. The stiff tips of her breasts brushed his chest and sent a shower of electrical sparks to his already oversensitized dick. He lowered his head to suckle a nipple, intending to drive her as mad as she’d 63

Ghost of a Chance driven him. Then and only then would he allow them both to come. His teeth tugged at the engorged flesh, his tongue soothed. Clutching at him greedily, her hands roaming over his scalp, his back and shoulders. Her breath came in little pants, interspersed with moans and cries. He switched to her other nipple, gracing it with the same treatment. At the same time, he splayed a hand over her damp curls, reveling in the shudder rippling through her body. His fingers threaded in the hair as they inched their way to her clit. A squeal burst from her lips as his index finger made contact with the sensitive flesh. His thumb took over the task of tormenting her clit, allowing his middle finger to delve the moist folds, then plunge inside her body. God, she was so wet. Muscles tensed beneath his touch and her groans grew more insistent. Her flesh tightened on his finger. Sliding his free hand to her waist, he tumbled her to the bed with him. Heavy lidded eyes blinked to focus on him. He ceased his sensual assault and positioned himself in the cradle of her thighs. One swift, sure thrust joined them completely. He paused to look down at her face, her head thrown back and her hair splayed across the bedspread. Her eyes flicked to his face as her hips shifted beneath him. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she sent his cock deeper inside her body, allowing him to rub along her clit with every thrust. He pumped his body, relishing the feel of his dick sliding in her moist heat. Meeting his motion, she slammed her hips up every time he pounded deep. A keening wail sounded in his ears as he drove her over the edge to a screaming orgasm, his name on her lips. The tight fisted contractions sucked the come out of him in a mind-numbing climax. His arms quivered, unable to support his weight, and he collapsed on her chest as they both struggled to suck in gulps of air. Nick knew he needed to move, knew he crushed her. His bones, now jelly, refused to cooperate. As he basked in the sated afterglow, Bethany’s mumbled words reached his ears. “I think I love you, Nick.” 64

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Chapter 7 Professions of love brought on by mind-altering, stupendous orgasms didn’t count. Period. Back in her own bed, Bethany yanked the cotton sheet over her breasts as the air conditioner clicked on, sending cool air wafting over her body. Her blood thrummed through her veins, accentuating the tingling in her nipples and her clitoris. Curled up on her side in her comfortable bed, memories of the dream lovemaking she’d shared with Nick prevented her from drifting to sleep. Despite her earlier pleas for him to stay out of her mind, last night she’d needed to be close to him and had willingly joined him on the journey. The spectacular sex combined with his presence surrounding her assured a level of intimacy she’d never achieved with any other man. And caused her to blurt out the words, “I think I love you.” Sheesh, she sounded like an old Partridge Family song. She didn’t love Nick. She couldn’t love Nick. Could she? People fell in love with celebrities all the time, thought they knew the person, and fantasized about them. If they managed to “fall in love” with someone they didn’t even know, did it stand to reason that she might fall in love with someone she did know, even if that person was dead? Or was she pushing the bounds of rationalization? All she really knew was that she enjoyed being with Nick and didn’t want to imagine a life without him. Her father had always told her that she’d know when she’d found the one man for her. 65

Ghost of a Chance He wouldn’t be the one she could live with, he would be the one she couldn’t live without. The thought of going back in time with him teased her, tormented her. He hadn’t pounced on the idea like she’d assumed. Instead, he’d admonished her to give serious consideration to all she’d be giving up. She pushed to a sitting position, the sheet puddling in her lap. At thirty-three years of age, what did she have to show for her life? No serious love interest, if she left Nick out of the picture. Her luck with men sucked, again, keeping Nick out of it. A job, while worthwhile, but it was certainly not a career. She’d trashed that when she left Brian. No financial security. The Corvette had been her hope at solid footing. No children. Brian hadn’t even been able to commit to her, never mind anything small and completely dependent. She had her mom. She and her mother had clung to each other after her father’s death. She loved her. Could she cause her any more heartache? She had Sandy, her best friend as far back as she remembered. Were those two women enough to keep her in the present? The ticks in her mental checklist added up. What would she gain if she went back in time? She’d have Nick, for an undetermined amount of time. Once he died, she’d be on her own, without her mother or Sandy. She’d be living in an era vastly different, living through history. Two questions demanded answers, and when she had them, she’d have her decision. Did she love Nick? Did she love him and want to help him enough to leave her mother behind and live on her own once he’d died? Was he the one she couldn’t live without? How hard would it be to spend each day with him, knowing it brought them one day closer to his being killed in action? She didn’t know if she had it in her to watch him fly off to fight in a war from which he’d never return. She wrapped her arms around each other, her hands clasping her shoulders. She dropped her head in the space created and rocked back and forth. She’d have to suffer 66

Ghost of a Chance through a military funeral at Arlington; she’d wear a bracelet with his name on it. And she’d have to carry on without him All for the chance to hold him in her arms for a while. To feel him thrusting inside her body. To curl up in the circle of his embrace on a chilly evening. All for the chance to love him—to really love him—this man who captivated her body and soul. **** The morning sun slipped between the slats in the mini-blinds, disturbing Bethany’s fitful sleep. For two weeks, she’d been struggling to make her decision, spending every possible moment with Nick. By unspoken mutual consent, they’d ignored the topic of the two of them traveling back together and her foot-in-mouth declaration. They’d taken two more unsuccessful trips to Myrtle Beach and the old Air Force base. She believed his only chance at getting to Heaven was by trying again. That was why they hadn’t been able to find anything in the present. He told her about his previous unsuccessful attempts to travel through time. A strong feeling lodged in her gut, she was the ticket to a successful journey. Her mother shuffled down the hall, getting ready to go open the dress shop. An urge struck Bethany, sending her out of bed and after her mother. A quick glance at her alarm clock revealed it was still early, leaving her plenty of time to talk. “Good morning, sweetheart. I hope I didn’t wake you?” Her mother sat at the kitchen table, her hands wrapped around a cup of coffee, the paper spread out in front of her. “No, the sun did that.” She filled a mug from the pot and joined her mother at the table. “I’m glad it did, though. It gives us time to talk.” “Sounds serious.” Some things about her mother never changed. No matter how Bethany tried to disguise the tone in her voice, her mother always managed to hear the truth. She drew a deep breath and plunged in. “Do you miss Daddy?” Her mother’s eyes clouded over. “Every day. Every day that passes gets easier, but I don’t miss him any less.” 67

Ghost of a Chance “Knowing what you know now, would you change anything?” “What’s there to change?” “Did you ever wish you hadn’t married Daddy?” “Oh, my goodness, no. I’m grateful for the time we had together. I wish it had been more. But just because it wasn’t, I don’t wish I hadn’t had any time at all with him. Why are you asking these questions, Beth?” “Are you sure, Mom? If you could go back and do it over, would you? Knowing you’d lose him and be alone. Knowing what you went through when Daddy died.” “Yes, Beth, I would. I couldn’t imagine my life without him. The joy of loving him and having him in my life outweighs everything else. Grief included. Period. Nothing else mattered, then or now. What’s going on here, Beth?” She drew a deep breath. “Mom, do you believe in ghosts?” “I don’t disbelieve in them.” That was good enough, for a start. The story of the past few weeks poured out of her. She told her mother all about Nick and his quest to get to Heaven and her desire to help him. Her mother sat unmoving, listening, not interrupting. Bethany felt the weight lift off her shoulders as she shared with her mother. “I don’t know what to say, Beth. Or what you want me to say. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get ready for work.” The chair squeaked as her mother pushed back from the table, leaving behind the cup of cold coffee and the unread paper. Her face had been unreadable as she left the kitchen. Bethany remained glued to her chair as her mother left for work. She worried that she’d pushed her mother too far with the revelation. Her mother likely thought she’d lost her mind. Shaking free of the nagging worries, Bethany showered and dressed in her Saturday-morning-clean-the-house clothes. Laundry and other chores waited for her even as she knew Nick did, too. She wasn’t ready to face him yet, not with so much unresolved with her mother. She regretted burdening her mother. She feared her mother’s reaction, worried that her mother thought she was nuts and was arranging to have her committed. Second-guessing herself 68

Ghost of a Chance all morning, she paced as she cleaned and put away the clothes. She buffed away the wood grain in the furniture and mopped the pattern out of the kitchen floor. She jumped with a startled scream, when the ringing phone broke the silence. A trembling hand lifted the receiver to her ear. “Hello?” “Hi, honey.” A quick glance at the clock showed it to be almost lunchtime. Her mother must be taking a break. “Hi, Mom.” Her heart stilled in her chest as she anticipated her mother’s speech. “Do you love him, Beth?” This time it was her mother’s turn to get right to the issue at hand. “Yeah, Mom, I do.” As the words left her mouth, she realized that for the first time, she didn’t use the words “I think” in the sentence. The words resonated through her, a sense of calm settling over her soul. Whether right or wrong, logical or illogical, she did love Nick. “I can’t tell you what to do, sweetheart. I’m not even sure any of this can actually happen. But you believe it can, that’s what’s important. I can tell you that I’d miss you more than anything if you went away. And I can also tell you, not to waste your time with him in fear of life without him. Life is too precious, time is too short, and there are no guarantees. I want you to be happy—to love and be loved—to have what your father and I had. If that takes you away from me, I’ll have to accept that.” Bethany flopped down on the couch in stunned silence. Her mother had just removed not one, but two, mental roadblocks from her path. Her mother accepted her beliefs and supported any decision Bethany made. Fear still stood in her way—fear of the unknown. She’d have to work through that on her own. Nick had already told her that he intended to stay out of her way and let her come to a decision on her own. She’d reached a point, however, where she needed his input. She needed to know if he wanted her to try to go back with him. She needed to know what he planned to do—with her, for her—if they succeeded. 69

Ghost of a Chance Needing to clear her mind and rid her body of the layer of dust and grime she’d accumulated during her morning cleaning, she headed for the bathroom, stripping off her tank top and shorts as she went. Cranking the water as hot as possible, she stepped into the steaming mist. Images of Nick, bathed in the spray, filled her mind. Did he look as sculpted and buff in person as he did in their dreams? Her fingers itched to caress his skin, to feel the contours of his muscles. She yearned to taste his mouth, his penis, breathe deep and take in his scent. Needing something more personal than a shower puff scrubbing her skin, she soaped up her hands, sliding them all over her body. Her nipples and clit responded immediately to the touch, demanding much more. One hand settled over a breast, the soapy palm gliding over the hard flesh. Venturing lower, she caressed and flicked her clit. Internal muscles clenched, aching to be filled and stretched. When the torture became too much, she grabbed the shower massage from its cradle. After changing the water from a spray to a pulsing stream, she aimed between her legs with pinpoint accuracy. Muscles coiled and tightened, the tension becoming nearly unbearable. She groped for the wall, slumping back as her knees turned to jelly. Her orgasm hovered out of reach, left her teetering on the edge of pleasure. A simple adjustment in the angle of attack launched her straight into a powerful climax. Her body shivered and jerked, collapsing in on itself, while the tremors spread from her clit to her extremities. She struggled to keep the shower massage head in place to draw out the last tingles. Once the waves passed through her body, she replaced the showerhead and washed her hair before the water turned cold. She took care in patting her sensitive body dry, not wanting to ruin the glow of her orgasm. As she dressed, one thought rang out loud and clear. The time had arrived for her and Nick to have a serious discussion. **** 70

Ghost of a Chance Nick hid in a remote corner of Limbo, ignoring conversations, keeping to himself. Lacking patience, he declined to join in another endless round of “how do we get to Heaven”. He’d played this game for almost forty years and was sick of it. Only one person had the answer and he wasn’t sharing any wisdom. He’d wandered around looking for George, but no one had seen him since the day he and Nick had spoken. Too bad. Nick needed his wisdom and guidance more than ever. Nick would sooner obsess over Bethany. He prayed she’d say she wanted to go back with him. Even if wishing so meant he was a selfish bastard because he wanted to be with Bethany—really be with her—for however long they would have together. Even if it meant he was a selfish bastard because he’d leave her behind while he went to Heaven. Both were reasons he’d insisted she make the decision on her own. He might be an SOB, but the decision had to be hers. Nick kept wondering if this was the big guy’s plan for the both he and Bethany. Then was it the right thing to do not to influence her, to allow her to reach her own resolution? His head spun with what if’s. He had to quit worrying about it or lose his mind. Better to focus on what he’d been given. She’d said she loved him. Okay, she said she thought she loved him. He’d work with it if she came back with him, make her fall ass over tits in love with him. Make her love him as much as he loved her—if she consented to travel back to his lifetime. So much for not driving himself nuts. A lingering possibility scared the shit out of him—the fear that he and Bethany would not be able to go back in time once she agreed to make the attempt. To get so close to having her and be denied by some unpredictable whim worried him. Not that he had the power to do anything about the situation. Even love couldn’t help them in that case. Nick groaned as he noticed someone approaching. So much for going unnoticed. Gary plopped down across from him. “Hey, Nick, how’s it hanging?” 71

Ghost of a Chance It hung as long as Bethany wasn’t around. But a gentleman didn’t kiss and tell anymore than he cursed in front of a woman. “Just relaxing. Waiting for Bethany to come around.” They hadn’t discussed any plans for their day or what time she’d join him. This giving her space was bullshit. “The two of you have been busy trying to get you to Heaven, from what I hear.” “You hear correctly.” His brusque attitude was wasted on Gary, who launched into a lengthy one-sided gossip session, something that had never interested Nick, in life or in death. “Nick? Nick?” Her soft call attracted his attention. “Gary, I hate to cut you short, but I hear Bethany.” “Sure, sure, go on.” He pushed to his feet and waved a dismissive gesture. “Good morning, Bethany.” She sat perched on the hood of the ’Vette, where he joined her. She’d taken to pulling the car back behind the house so that they didn’t always have to drive around or find a secluded place to park. “Hi.” She pulled her legs closer to her body and wrapped her arms around her knees. He took in her rigid posture and the frown creasing her brow. His stomach felt as if he’d pulled some serious G’s. She’d done her thinking and she’d decided to stay in her own time. He’d never have the pleasure of walking on the beach with her at sunset. Never know the joy of holding her in his arms. Never experience the sensation of making love to her. His heart lurched in his chest. He’d never be able to tell her he loved her—there was no way he’d risk swaying her mind. “I thought I’d be out earlier this morning, but I had a nice talk with my mom before she left for work.” That explained why she chose to sit out in the open. No one lingered in the house to see her “talking to herself”. “No problem, Gary was catching me up to date on the gossip.” That got a smile out of her, although it didn’t quite reach her eyes. If he remembered the pain of being shot down in Vietnam, he’d be willing to bet this hurt worse. 72

Ghost of a Chance “We’ve both been dancing around the pink elephant sitting in the middle of the room, but I think we need to discuss it.” She swiveled to face him. He mirrored her actions. “I’m listening.” “I’ve been weighing the pros and cons of going back with you, to help you get to Heaven. I have a couple questions for you.” Nodding, he remained silent, not trusting himself to talk, to beg her to try. She drew several deep breaths. Her mouth opened and quickly shut, followed by several more breaths. His heart twisted, making him wish the damn pink elephant would just sit on him and squash him into oblivion. Her voice came out as a soft squeak. “Do you want me to come back with you?” Warring factions raged in his mind. Part of him wanted to tell her the truth, even if it influenced her decision. The other part wanted to hedge his answer so as not to pressure her. He opted for honesty, as he always had. “Yes, Bethany, I do. Very much.” Splat. He tossed his heart right under her feet. “Why, Nick?” The confusion and anxiety in her voice tore through him. “It’s very simple,” he forced himself to remain honest. Every bit of spit in his mouth evaporated. He swallowed three times in rapid succession before continuing, to hell with best intentions. “I love you.” Even if it meant giving her the boots to stomp on his heart. Her eyelids fluttered shut as she tipped her face to the sun filtering through the trees. “I’m scared, Nick. Life was different in the 1960’s, especially for women. It’s more than a little frightening to think of living there.” She’d just delivered him a valid reason for staying put. So why did it feel like a knife in the gut? “Something else scares me more. And that’s losing you without ever having a chance to love you.” Huh? 73

Ghost of a Chance “I love you, Nick. I want to try.” His ears must have stopped working, because he swore she just said she wanted to try to go back in time. And that she loved him. Not that she thought she loved him. She loved him. “Do you mind running that by me once more?” “I’ll need your help to adjust and adapt, but I want to do this. I’m going to lose you either way—if we stay here and find you a way to Heaven or if I go with you and try that way. Given those choices, I’d rather have some time with you alive and well, than no time with you at all.” His stomach did barrel rolls, sending his heart soaring. However, he had to make sure that she understood what she was really agreeing to, and had made the decision on her own. “I don’t want you to feel any pressure from me on this.” “None whatsoever. This is all my doing, with some help from my mother.” He raised a questioning eyebrow at her, prompting her to fill him in on the details of the earlier conversations. He’d thank her mother himself, if she had the ability to see him. He’d thank God when he finally got there. He’d thank anybody and everybody for this chance to be with Bethany. Now they just had to hope for the best. As near as anyone in Limbo had it figured out, when a spirit happened upon the right combination of events, things began to happen. Either the spirit passed on to Heaven or went back in time. Nick prayed for this to be his “right combination”. And as he was coming to realize—not just because he might get out of Limbo and the Corvette, but for the time he’d have with the woman he loved. “Do you have any clue how we do this time travel thing?” Nick’s hands reached for Bethany’s, pulling back at the last minute. “Not really. The ones who have managed it haven’t been able to share the trick with the rest of us. Being on or near something relevant from life seems to be the key.” He watched as she twisted her mouth from side to side, wondering if she even realized what she did when she was deep in 74

Ghost of a Chance thought. “I’d say our best bet is to drive this car around and around the old base.” “I have to agree.” **** A month later, Nick wondered if he should have been so quick to concur with Bethany’s conclusion. They’d spent every day driving around the old base. He’d run out of stories to tell her as they cruised. His frustration had reached a level slightly below “ready to lose his mind”. He kept silent more often than not so as not to snap at Bethany. It wasn’t her fault. He doubted his sanity for believing George. If God wanted them to do this, why hadn’t it happened yet? What the fuck was the problem? What had they missed? They’d meticulously planned for her disappearance. Her mother supported her decision and was prepared to deal with the unknown consequences and fallout. Bethany had written a letter to Sandy, left in care of her mother. She’d also tucked away a note for her mother in her jewelry box, where she knew she’d find it. The only detail left to chance was when and where they’d actually end up, an event out of their control. Silence stretched Nick’s nerves thin as Bethany drove away from the flight line and out the road that had once led to the back gate. Neither one had spoken a word during the entire trip around the base. One of them needed to admit their plans weren’t working. It might as well be him. “Bethany—” The abrupt break in the quiet startled Bethany. He heard her sharp intake of air and squeak. Her head jerked in his direction, eyes wide. She must have been lost in her own musings. Her hands tightened on the wheel as she yanked it to the right. The tires squealed in protest as the car veered off the side of the road. The last thing Nick saw was the large trunk of a tree as it split the front hood and rushed at them.

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Chapter 8 Nick blinked, scrubbed his face with his hands, and stretched. His body seemed to be in one piece with nothing broken. But then again, ghosts didn’t suffer broken bones. He took a quick inventory of his surroundings, cringing as he took in the crumpled hood wrapped around a precariously tilted tree. Definitely not the hangerlike Limbo. He might not be in Heaven, but was he still dead? Almost as soon as the thought entered his mind, his focus shifted to Bethany. Her body slumped over the steering wheel, a trickle of blood snaked down from her hairline. Panic gripped his gut as he reached over to check for a pulse before he remembered that he lacked the ability to feel her. A car wreck wouldn’t do him any damage if he was still dead, but the effects on Bethany could be catastrophic. A flash of light and heat exploded in front of him, jarring him to a heightened level of activity. Flames engulfed the front end of the car as Nick hustled out of the passenger seat and sprinted to the driver’s side of the car. “Fuck!” He yanked on the handle but the door remained stubbornly closed. Of all times for them to take a drive with the top up, the weather didn’t hold even the threat of rain. So much for dragging her over the door, and out of harm’s way. He clutched the metal handle with both hands and yanked, the adrenaline coursing through his system giving him added strength. A jagged piece of the handle cut into his palm, drawing blood. The door scraped against the frame, giving way with an ear-piercing screech. 76

Ghost of a Chance Relief flooded his system, his heart raced, blood pounding through his veins. Praying Bethany didn’t have any head or neck injuries, he slid his hands under her arms and pulled her from the wreckage as fast as humanly possible. Once he freed her, he clutched her close to his body and sprinted for safety. His lungs burned with the effort as he sucked in huge quantities of smokefilled air. Slumping against a tree, he watched his car burn, hoping a passerby would call for help. The bark of the tree trunk abraded his back through the flight suit. The heat and the smell of the flames singed his nose hairs. His body jerked, as he thought of Bethany’s purse on the floor of the passenger seat. He argued with himself briefly, over whether or not he should attempt to retrieve it. The odds rapidly tipped in favor of leaving it just where it rested on the passenger side floor. It wasn’t worth the risk of leaving Bethany and dodging the flames. A metal warping groan jerked his thoughts in another direction. Gone. Flames engulfed the Corvette, reducing it to twisted scrap metal. Every nerve in his body went on alert, his senses hypersensitive to his surroundings as he sat on the grass, safely away from the car. Gone. His girl was gone. Realization slowly dawned on him. Outside…the…’Vette. Not in Limbo. Had they really done it? How had they done it? The road looked almost exactly the same as when they’d driven around the airport and the old base. As he scrutinized the environment, he noticed the thicker tree growth lining the twolane stretch. And then he noticed the guardhouse. A structure that hadn’t been there on the drive in. There had been no need for MP’s and security when they circled the area just minutes before the crash, because there’d been no base for MP’s to guard. It was there now, just as it had been when he’d been stationed at the base. Where were they? Or more to the point, when were they? A moan escaped Bethany’s lips, capturing his attention. Smoothing back the silken strands of hair from her forehead, he 77

Ghost of a Chance wished she’d open her eyes. He wiped away the blood with his sleeve, thankful the bleeding appeared to have stopped. He released a tightly held breath. Fate had damn well better not be cruel enough to bring him back in time only to lose Bethany without the chance to be with her. The wail of a fire engine grew louder until he longed to cover his ears, but he refused to release his grip on Bethany. Her labored breathing eased some of his fears, but not all of them. A second siren joined the chaos banging in his brain and temporarily distracting him from his worries about the woman sprawled in his lap. The pounding of running boots alerted him to an incoming person. Help arrived on hurried feet. “Captain, Captain, is that you? I thought I recognized the ’Vette in all those flames. Are you hurt?” The voice tickled at the fringes of his memories and forced Nick to turn in its direction. “Chuck?” The young medic coming at him looked exactly as he had when he shipped out to Japan, the last time Nick had seen him. That narrowed the time frame down some, since the unit began splitting up in late 1965. He longed to ask Chuck for the date, but refused to risk him thinking he had a severe head injury or something. “Yes, sir. It’s your lucky day. The best medic at Myrtle Beach is on the job.” The sergeant kneeled down in front of Bethany, dropping his bag of supplies at his feet. Nick’s chest rumbled with a gentle laugh. Chuck had always been a bit of a braggart. A loud rush of water suspended the conversation, as the firemen who arrived right behind the ambulance turned their attention to putting out the flames. “It’s a damn shame about the ’Vette, sir. She was a real beaut.” Chuck leaned over Bethany and began to check her vital signs. Nick didn’t even try to hide the concern he felt as he watched the medic check for obvious injuries. He cringed as the young man’s hands roamed over her body. How stupid was it to feel jealousy over a necessary exam? 78

Ghost of a Chance “Vitals are strong and I don’t see any external injuries. She didn’t react when I prodded her organs. Which is a good thing.” He waved over the other medic, who came running with the gurney in tow. “I want to get her to the hospital, though. I can’t let you ride in the back with her, Captain, since you’re not married and all, but you can ride up front with Sergeant Fines. You don’t exactly have transportation right now.” He shrugged in the direction of the smoking waterlogged wreckage. “Besides, you should be checked out, too. I’ll tell the fire crew to let the MP’s know where you are when they get here.” He’d prefer to be in the back, holding her hand, but he’d force himself to be fine with sitting up front. As much as he wanted to force the issue, he didn’t want to lose his ride to the hospital and have to wait for the MPs. He needed to be close to her when she woke up, especially until they both had a better grasp on what happened. Nick helped the men lift Bethany to the gurney and covered her with a white sheet. He clutched her warm soft hand as she was wheeled to the ambulance. He fought the urge to climb inside with her, going around to the passenger side instead. Getting himself stranded on the side of the road for refusing to follow protocol would only make the situation worse. His head ached as the facts swirling around slowly fell into place. They were back at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. But when? How? The crashed Corvette must have been the catalyst that sent them back to the past. Had Bethany been taken from him? Nick didn’t want to live life over again, not without her beside him. He’d rather stay in Limbo forever. He refused to believe that God would bring them this far, only to take Bethany away from him. That couldn’t be part of the plan. He listened to Chuck’s conversation with the hospital via twoway radio as they made their way across the base. The medic seemed unconcerned, but it might be professional detachment in order to keep Nick calm. If the man only knew how close he was to crawling in the back, grabbing Bethany, and holding her close. 79

Ghost of a Chance Beseeching God and every other higher power to let her make it. Crying. When the ambulance pulled to a halt in front of the ER entrance of the hospital five minutes later, Nick sprang out of the cab and around to the back doors even before they opened. Nick’s heart soared when he gazed into her eyes, clouded with pain and confusion, above the oxygen mask. He laced his fingers with hers and brought them to his lips for a kiss, careful not to dislodge the IV. “Where are we?” The device covering her nose and mouth muffled her voice. “We’re at the ER at the base hospital.” “But…” “I don’t know, either.” He hoped she’d picked up on the hint not to voice her questions right now. “Let the doctor examine you and give you a clean bill of health. We hit that tree pretty hard.” “The ’Vette?” “Gone.” She winced at the news. “But you’re still here, that’s all that matters.” Sincerity tinged his words. He jogged alongside the gurney as she was wheeled into a waiting examination room, the antiseptic scent overwhelming him. Despite the numerous requests from the staff, he refused to leave her side. He wasn’t completely sure what the hell they’d landed in and he had no intention of leaving her alone now that she’d regained consciousness. He’d promised her he’d take care of her, and damn it, that’s exactly what he intended to do. A young nurse pushed her way through the door, a chart in her hand. “Captain, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” She set her mouth in a grim line and blocked his path. “You can ask all you want, Captain, but since you don’t outrank me and can’t order me, I intend to stay by my girlfriend’s side.” He’d have the final word, regardless what the hospital gossips made of his behavior. The woman pursed her lips, but must have realized she’d be fighting a losing battle. Turning her back to Nick, she began to ask questions of Bethany. Ones she couldn’t answer. Nick responded 80

Ghost of a Chance for her, giving a local motel as her address and claiming she’d only recently moved to the area. He kept her same day of birth, but quickly calculated a new year to match her current age. As he fielded the questions, he maneuvered to the nurse’s side, hoping to catch a glimpse of today’s date. Somehow, some way, they had gone back in time when the ’Vette crashed on the two-lane road that led from the old back gate to the airport. After all their unsuccessful efforts to learn the key to Heaven, an accident propelled them back to the past. August 8, 1965. Same day as when they’d left the house in the morning, almost a year before he had to deploy to Vietnam. He had to make the most of every moment with Bethany they’d been granted. Before the nurse finished her questions and preliminary examination, the doctor entered the room. “Captain Giordano, what a surprise.” The ranking officer quirked an eyebrow, taking in the scene before him. No doubt, word of his dead on impersonation of a Neanderthal had reached the doctor. Coming from a self-confessed player, the tongues must be wagging at mach speed. “Major Smith. What brings our illustrious flight surgeon to the lowly ER?” He had no intention of abandoning his one-cheeked perch on the bed or her death grip on his hand no matter what the ranking officer had to say. Not even a ranking officer with the authority to ground him. “They were short-staffed. Lucky you. From what I understand, you’re both very fortunate. I heard the ’Vette wasn’t.” The doctor accepted the chart from the nurse as she exited the examining room. Oh yeah, the rumor mill ran at top speed. “She’s totaled.” The men traded small talk about the accident as the doctor examined his patient, making notes as he went. Nick credited the man for having the sense God gave most squids for not demanding he leave the room. He’d undoubtedly heard about Nick’s refusal to leave Bethany’s side, but that wouldn’t have stopped the doc if he’d wanted to examine his patient alone or flex his rank on Nick. 81

Ghost of a Chance The major tucked the chart under his arm and stopped by Bethany’s head. “Miss Harris, you appear to have suffered a mild concussion. You can expect some bumps and bruises, and a bad headache. However, I’d like to keep you overnight for observation. To be safe. Many accident-related injuries do not manifest for twenty-four to forty-eight hours.” Nick quickly interpreted the panic in Bethany’s eyes and the tightening grip on his fingers. “That’s not necessary, Major. I’ll keep an eye on Miss Harris this evening. I won’t let her out of my sight.” Major Smith flashed Nick an I’m-sure-you-will glance. “If that’s acceptable to Miss Harris.” He waited for her nod. “Then I’ll relent on one condition. I want to see you, Captain, at oh-sevenhundred in my office to assess your flight readiness. And get that cut on your hand cleaned up before you leave this hospital. Miss Harris needs to be brought back to the hospital if she experiences any dizziness or nausea. Plus, she needs to report to her family doctor in five days.” Nick saluted. “Yes, sir.” “In that case, take Miss Harris home whenever she’s ready.” He scribbled a prescription for pain medication and discharge instructions on a pad and handed them to Nick. “Oh-sevenhundred, Captain, or I’ll ground you indefinitely. Walking with the doctor to the door, he asked quietly, “Is she really going to be okay, Doc?” He gave voice to his concerns for the first time since the accident. “She’ll come out of this with nothing more than a few aches and pains. From what I hear, you’re both very fortunate.” You have no idea. “Don’t make me regret turning her over to your custody.” He saluted once more and pivoted on his booted heel, heading back into the room shutting the door behind him. He propped himself back on the bed and stroked Bethany’s hair and cheek. He couldn’t keep his hands to himself. Her skin felt as soft as a newborn babe. The spun silk of her hair slid through his fingers. His cock hardened at the twin sensations. Talk about bad timing. 82

Ghost of a Chance The reality of touching her, feeling her, exceeded his horniest dreams. That said something, given the dreams they’d shared. “Is this a dream?” Her voice caressed his soul. “A wet dream,” he mumbled under his breath. “No, somehow, we’ve ended up in Myrtle Beach in August of 1965.” “But we couldn’t figure out how to travel back in time.” Her brow furrowed as she contemplated the facts he’d given her. He saw the confusion on her face. “I don’t think that really matters now since we’re here.” He gathered her close and dropped a soft kiss on the top of her nose. A combination scent of flowers and smoke clung to her skin. The extent of his sensory depravation bombarded him now that he had all five senses available to him again. He had to get her out of the hospital before he pressed her back down on the gurney and made love to her. “Come on, let’s get you settled.” “Settled where, Nick? You live in the bachelor quarters on base. You can’t exactly take me there.” Fear clouded her gaze. “Friends of mine own a motel that has efficiency apartments. They’ll put you up.” “And how am I going to pay for this? I only have twenty dollars in my wallet.” An edge of panic crept into her voice. Wait until she learned she’d lost her purse. “I’ll take care of you, Bethany. We discussed all this before.” Before—when going back in time seemed like such a good idea. When nothing mattered beyond getting to Heaven. He thought they’d planned for every contingency. His confidence faltered now. Not that he’d let her see that. The mix of emotions swirling in her eyes tore at his heart. He’d be damned if he’d add to her uncertainties. “I’m sorry. It’s just that…well…I expected to be more in control, more prepared.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and burrowed close to him. The warmth of her skin heated up more than his temperature, it fired up his libido. Even through the layers of clothing separating them, he felt every precious inch of her. He needed to taste her 83

Ghost of a Chance lips, to feel them pressed against him. He’d hungered for the contact for so long, he lacked the willpower to wait. With a finger under her chin, he tipped up her face. Her wide guileless eyes stared back at him, waiting for her lips to be claimed. She wanted this as much as he did. He inched forward slowly, in order to give her time to change her mind. Instead, she looped her arms around his neck, pulling him the rest of the way. Passion exploded behind his closed eyes and vibrated through his body. His lips softened, forming to hers, shaping hers. Taking his time, he tilted his head this way and that, searching for the perfect angle. He nibbled on her lower lip and took advantage of her gasp to slip his tongue inside her mouth. She tasted incredible, better than the best dessert he’d ever eaten. Better than anything he remembered. Her tongue tangled with his, setting him ablaze. Even as her body demanded further intimacy, he contented himself with pouring his heart and soul into their kiss. He knew he’d do anything to make this work. **** Bethany sat cross-legged on the bed, staring at the seascape on the wall. The droning window air conditioning unit scraped her already raw nerves. It had been two very long hours since Nick left her in the nondescript motel room she’d call home for the foreseeable future. She swept the small efficiency with a discriminating eye for the first time since her arrival. Cheery splashes of yellow and blue colored the room, the light decor opening up the single room and making it appear spacious. A minimal kitchen area flanked the outside wall, a large window taking up the space over the single basin sink. The large bed occupied the far wall, closest to the bathroom. A dresser, desk, and chair claimed the remaining wall. It could have been worse, she supposed. It was clean and on the beach. And it had a TV. Her new home. Intellectually, she knew he had to go. He had several errands to run. He needed to rent them a car since the Corvette crashed and burned, return the car to the buxom—and overly friendly— nurse who’d loaned him hers when they left the ER, change into 84

Ghost of a Chance civvies, and get a clean flight suit for work tomorrow. A timeconsuming list, to be sure. But two hours? In the meantime, the four walls closed in on her. She stopped herself from rocking—yet again. She failed at stopping images of all sorts of unpleasant scenarios from dominating her consciousness. Her heart raced; her skin crawled. She’d have jumped out of her skin if humanly possible. Hell, it might be. Right about now, she’d believe anything. She needed to take a pain pill for her increasing headache but didn’t want to risk the side effects of the medication. Not while she worried about Nick. Nightmares of being stranded back in time propelled her from the bed and to the door. She had to do something, anything. Grabbing the key from the dresser top, she ventured out to the cement walkway that ran the length of the building. Her feet barely touched the stairs as she descended to the wooden path that led to the beach. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows and had driven most of the sunbathers back to their rooms and dinner plans, leaving only the serious sun worshippers to soak up the last few precious rays. Spying the pier in the distance, Bethany set off in that direction. She realized she’d left the room barefoot when her toes sank into the grains of soft sand. She ambled across the beach until the sand became hard packed and the warm surf tickled at her feet. A fine mist coated her skin, leaving her feeling sticky. The frothy, shallow waves chased each other back and forth with the pull of the tide. She cast occasional glances at the remaining people, acutely aware that her gauze sundress clashed with current fashion. Instead of looking fresh and flirty, she looked wrinkled and out of place. The other women strolling on the sand wore mini skirts in bright colors with geometric patterns and matching shell-style tops. Even out on the beach, they looked polished and put together with their beehive hair-dos and flips at the end of their straight hair. A sharp awareness stung her with the realization that she had no clothing beyond what she wore, a dress forty years out of 85

Ghost of a Chance fashion. She lacked useable identification, even if it hadn’t been burned in the crash. Nothing, beyond Nick. A man, who may or may not return for her. After all, what did she really know about him beyond his military record and what he chose to tell her? What the hell had she been thinking? She’d never been completely dependant on a man before in her life, yet here she was, forced to rely on one. Pausing, she staring out at the horizon. The blue sky morphed into brilliant oranges and reds, the colors spreading across the distant ocean. The white-capped waves pounded the surface of the water that far out, bearing no resemblance to those breaking closer to shore. The powerful roar of the water combined with the gentle swish of the surf calmed her nerves, slowed her breathing. With each deep inhale of the salty air, the panicked fog overwhelming her lifted. Heading back to the motel, she knew exactly what she had been thinking. She loved Nick. Loved him enough to help him die again. Loved him enough to take whatever snatch of time they could have together. Loved him enough to live without him when the time came. She may be forced to rely on him, but that didn’t mean she had to be a helpless female. She still had a backbone and a strong will she knew how to use. As Bethany approached her orange and cream colored temporary home, she noticed the door to her room was propped open. Fearful that the owners had decided against renting to a stranger despite their relationship with Nick, she sprinted the remaining distance. Her breath became in short and choppy as she braced herself against the doorframe, preparing for the worst. Holy shit. What little air she’d been able to inhale left her lungs in a solid whoosh. Thank goodness she’d propped herself up or her knees would have given way. Turned with his back to her stood the most delectable ass she’d ever seen in her life. The tailored knee length shorts cupped its perfection. He must have heard her panting, because he turned around, robbing her of the view. 86

Ghost of a Chance Nick. At that moment, she realized she hadn’t paid much attention to him at the hospital or on the way here. She’d have to blame it on temporary insanity brought on by the shock of traveling back in time. Because if she’d have been in her right mind, she’d have noticed him. Oh, she’d have noticed him. He’d been handsome as a ghost; but alive and in person, he was downright devastating. He flashed a sexy smile, revealing straight, white teeth, and liquefying her knees. A look of sheer panic crossed his face as she sagged against the open door. Three strides closed the distance between them and enabled him to scoop her in his arms. Hazel. His eyes were an intriguing mix of green and blue. “Are you all right? I never should have left you for so long. I didn’t mean to. Everything took much longer than I thought.” He rambled on as he made his way to the bed and laid her down. “I promised Doc that I wouldn’t take my eyes off you and I blew it. Maybe we should go back to the hospital.” She pressed the pad of her index finger to his lips. They felt supple beneath her finger, making her long for another of his incredible kisses. “There’s nothing wrong with me.” “Yes, there is. You almost fainted. What were you doing out on the beach, anyway? I was searching through all the drawers trying to find a clue to your whereabouts. I was a nervous wreck. I was afraid you’d left me. I—” Since he’d been babbling even with her finger on his mouth, she pressed two more. “I went for a walk on the beach to think. I was going nuts cooped up in this room. I’m fine. You’re here now, nothing else matters.” She didn’t dare admit that she’d been blown away by his looks. Awareness thrummed through her body as he stretched out on the bed beside her. The heat from his body seared through their clothes. Nipples puckered and longed for the feel of his mouth. Her clit twitched with the need to feel him thrusting deep inside. How rapidly and intensely her body responded to his nearness 87

Ghost of a Chance stunned her. She wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him closer. They’d talked about this, at night, under the stars. Being able to make love. Not as part of a fantasy or a dream, but as a reality. She was ready. More than ready. Damp panties more than proved that. A cry welled up in her chest when he pushed off the bed and moved across the room, relaxing only when he shut the door and turned to face her. She’d forgotten about the open door, glad he hadn’t since she didn’t want to put on a show. As mouth-watering as he looked in his fitted flight suit, he looked absolutely delicious in his civilian clothing of tan shorts and a dark blue shirt. The fabric of his shirt pulled with every movement, allowing tantalizing hints of the ripped body it covered. His cock tented the front of the tailored shorts, leading to the suspicion that he wore boxers. She relished the idea that she’d find out soon enough. “As much as I want to ravish you right now, I need to feed you first.” Her gaze dropped to the erection straining the strength of the zipper. “I know what I’d like to eat.” She licked her lips, her intent clear. He groaned, clutching at his chest. “Oh, darlin’, don’t do this to me. Once I get my hands on you, I intend to keep you in bed until I have to leave for work in the morning. You’ll need your stamina. For that, you need to eat food.” The tone in his voice didn’t lend itself to discussion. If he used it on the men under his command, they no doubt followed. “Whatever,” she tried not to pout, hating the feeling of helplessness that was creeping back over her. Pushing herself off the bed, she swept her hands down her body. “There’s one small problem, I’m not exactly dressed for the decade.” Even after she found the jerk in bed with her best friend, she hadn’t felt helpless. “That’s one of the reasons I was late. I picked you up a couple of dresses. And a bathing suit. There’s not much open on a Sunday or I would have bought you more.” 88

Ghost of a Chance She sputtered her disbelief. “But you have to buy your own unmentionables. I wasn’t about to ask the salesgirl what size bra she wears.” “I can’t believe...” “I didn’t want you feeling uncomfortable or out of place. After all, I promised I’d do everything possible to help you through this.” A man of his word. How had she ever thought to doubt him? When he moved to stand in front of her, his presence overwhelmed her. Cupping her cheek in his hand, she gave in to the desire to rest her head in the cradle he provided. She’d been worrying about being left behind and he’d been out shopping...for her. “Thank you.” She shifted her head to press her lips to his palm. Jerking away, he grabbed a bag from the dresser and pushed it against her belly until she clutched at it. “I suggest you go change before my resolve tanks and I throw you down on the bed.” With that, he turned on his sneakered heel and stepped outside to wait for her.

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Chapter 9 Nick’s Myrtle Beach amazed Bethany. She’d known the city had grown and prospered over the years, but the reality left her speechless. Not a single towering hotel dotted the skyline. No parking garages lined the streets. Her favorite roller coaster, The Swamp Fox, didn’t occupy prime real estate across from the Pavilion in the small amusement park. Traffic moved at more than a crawl. What surprised her even more was what hadn’t changed. The Pavilion occupied a block of the beachfront on Ocean Boulevard; the yellowish-orange tinted light bulbs announcing it to near and far. The Bowery sat on a prime piece of oceanfront real estate. Just a short walk north on Ocean Boulevard, the Gay Dolphin sold cheesy one-of-a-kind knick-knacks. They’d driven around the downtown area after dinner at a quaint restaurant close to the motel. Nick held her hand firmly in his as he drove, heat racing up her arm, straight to her nipples. Leaving her wanting nothing more than to drag him back to the room and rip all his clothes off. She wished she knew why he wasn’t in a hurry to get back to some privacy. An unbidden notion popped into her head, making her briefly wonder if Nick could still get into her thoughts. The idea of slipping his penis out of his shorts and taking him in her mouth had her licking her lips at the mere thought. Having been told she could suck a golf ball through a garden hose, she relished the opportunity to ply her skill on Nick’s magnificent cock. When he didn’t even spare her a glance, she realized that particular skill of his had disappeared. 90

Ghost of a Chance Unfortunately, she couldn’t risk Nick having an accident in the rented car. Even if it was a Rambler. She chuckled to herself when she remembered the look of sheer horror and the shudder that ripped through Nick’s body when he had to get behind the wheel of the four-door sedan. He’d apologized profusely, and explained that the car was the only one available on short notice and on a Sunday. Bethany didn’t have a problem with the car, but understood why Nick did. It was a far cry from his precious Corvette. A pang of guilt assailed her over the accident. She hadn’t meant to damage his ’Vette. Her Corvette. The tree just jumped out in front of her. She expected him to talk about the car, but he had yet to bring up the topic. She contented herself with waiting until he decided to talk. Chicken shit. She kept her gaze on his fly as they cruised the boulevard and stroked up and down on his fingers laced with hers. He read the message loud and clear if the growing bulge behind his zipper meant anything. So absorbed in arousing him, she didn’t even notice when he pulled into the parking lot of her motel. He sped around to her side of the car, opened the door, and held his hand out, palm up. Placing her fingers in his grasp, grateful for his touch, she exited the car. He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm as he escorted her up the stairs. A naughty shiver raced down her spine. While he behaved like a perfect gentleman in public, she hoped he acted like anything but one, once they locked the door behind them. The moment loomed at hand. Among other more tantalizing things. Instead of heading directly to the room as she’d hoped, he guided her to the end of the walkway, to a bench strategically placed to provide a view of the ocean. He sat on the wooden seat and tugged her on to his lap. She relaxed against his chest, safe in the cocooning embrace of his arms. The delay in making love not nearly as important as this chance to be together with the both of them alive and breathing. 91

Ghost of a Chance Nuzzling the side of her neck, he wordlessly encouraged her to grant him access to the sensitive skin. She tipped her head and was rewarded by warm moist kisses trailing from the hollow behind her ear to the wildly beating pulse point at the base of her throat. Nick took a reverse path back to nibble on the shell of her earlobe, blowing hot puffs of air on the dampened skin. Her nipples longed to be the recipient of his talented tongue, not that such attention factored into the equation out in public. Moisture drenched her panties as he plied his favors to the upper swells of her breasts. She’d had enough foreplay to last the rest of her life. She craved his rigid penis jutting against her hip. The hand at her waist slid up her torso, teasing the side of her breast before coming to rest cradling her face. His thumb caressed her cheek as he tangled his fingers in her hair. Gentle pressure guided her until they locked eyes. Something indefinable mixed with the passion was reflected back at her in his darkened eyes. Shifting his gaze to her lips caused her to self-consciously flick out her tongue. She felt as much as heard the groan that rumbled in his chest. She parted her mouth in a welcoming gesture and he immediately made himself at home. His lips possessed hers, demanding the equal participation she willingly gave. He sucked her bottom lip between his and took a swipe at it with his tongue. Shivers that had absolutely nothing to do with the chilling air coursed through her body. She felt him smile seconds before he swept his tongue between her teeth to taste her, claim her. Surrendering with strokes of her own, she battled to get a deeper taste of him. Dear Lord, the man elevated kissing to an art form. Greedy fingers clutched at his back, feeling the muscles bunch with sexual tension. She ached to crawl inside him, to take him deep in her body. Grinding her hips into his throbbing cock, she wanted nothing more than to straddle his hips and sink down on every glorious inch. Nick broke the kiss, softly muttered,“Damn,” before he shifted his hold on her and lifted her in his arms. “The key is in my pocket. Can you reach it?” 92

Ghost of a Chance She fumbled around, taking intentional gropes of his dick before finally freeing the key. Sweat broke out on his forehead as he watched her unlock the door and swing it open. She relished the power she held over him. Once inside, she pushed the door shut. He kept hold of her dress as she slid to her feet, freeing her of the garment in one smooth move. She felt beautiful standing in front of him in nothing more than her lacy bra and panties. The look of rapture on his face made her feel exquisite. Reaching behind her back, she unhooked her bra and let it fall down her arms to the floor. She experienced a flood of moisture at his audible gulp. Hooking her fingers in the elastic band of her panties, she turned around to give him an unfettered view of her pussy when she bent over to strip completely bare. The panties joined the pile of clothing at the foot of the bed. Crawling slowly across the bed, she made her way to the center and stretched out on her back. And waited. While Nick stood immobile at the foot of the bed. “Don’t you think you’re a little overdressed for the occasion?” Her sultry purr snapped him out of his lust-induced stupor. With unimaginable speed, he stripped down, barely giving her time to note he was indeed a boxers-kind-of-guy. Every well-defined muscle she’d fantasized about, or glimpsed, or caressed showed off in the dim light of the room. He kept himself in exquisite shape. He propped a knee on the bed preparing to join her. “Wait, just one minute.” She rolled over to the edge, her face level with his ready cock. The most impressive one she’d ever seen. It jutted out proudly from its nest of curls, almost reaching his navel. She reached out to wrap her hand around the base, the thickness preventing her fingers from touching. She stroked up and down, her fingers tracing the veins, feeling the blood pulse. Remembering her earlier fantasy, she licked at the head, coating him with moisture. She opened her mouth, relaxed her throat, and engulfed him. He stretched her mouth wider than it ever had been before, and she knew she’d have to be careful she didn’t lose control and end up gagging and kill the mood. Taking him deep 93

Ghost of a Chance between her lips, she curved her tongue around to taste the sensitive flesh and the drop of semen at the tip. His fingers tangled in her hair, guiding her pace even as he allowed her to control the depth. “Bethany...” He growled, tightening his grip. She didn’t want to stop. Couldn’t stop. Intensifying her efforts, she cupped his balls in her palm, tickling them with the tips of her fingers. Occasionally, a finger ventured out to rub the area around his asshole. He stilled under her ministrations. Fingers tightened close to his body as she continued to suck him. When his hands guided her motions again and his chest heaved with labored breaths, she knew she’d gained his submission. Success tasted like the salty drop of cum she cleaned off the tip. So sweet. Listening, as his groans and uttered expletives gained momentum, she waited for his release. Tracing the bulging vein on the underside of his cock, she increased the tempo and suction, determined to drive him to distraction. She didn’t have to wait long. With a grunted warning, he pumped her mouth for all he was worth, filling her with his cock and his semen. She sucked on his softening dick until he shuddered violently and tugged himself free. He flopped on the bed with a weak-kneed urgency. “Holy f—” He gathered her in his arms. “Holy cow, woman. Where’d you learn to do that?” Oh yeah, she still had it. **** Make no mistake; he’d make Bethany pay, Nick muttered to himself. Who knew a woman who’d given him the best blowjob he’d ever received existed outside a whorehouse? The blood rushed back into his limp dick at just the thought of those luscious lips wrapped around his cock sucking the orgasm right out of his balls. Hell, who was he kidding? She’d sucked that one from his toes. Yep, she’d pay. He’d give her so many orgasms, she wouldn’t be able to walk tomorrow. And, of course, any time she wanted to suck him off, he’d gladly surrender. 94

Ghost of a Chance He tightened his embrace, snuggling her closer to his side. Dropping a kiss on the top of her head, he worked his way to her talented lips. He crushed her mouth beneath his, taking control of their lovemaking once again. She parted her lips and encouraged his entrance without his having to ask. He plunged his tongue inside with a crude imitation of what he really wanted. She tasted of him and her, a tantalizing combination. A wandering hand explored the lush naked body pressed to his, anxious to learn its secret pleasures. Things he hadn’t been able to do in his ghostly form. He stopped at her boobs, plumping one in his hand, testing the weight. It fit his palm perfectly. Drawing his fingers together, he traced over the sloping flesh until he reached the nipple. Her whimper echoed in his ear and hardened his cock to impossible fullness. He circled the puckered skin of her areole, making her wriggle. Taking pity on her, he captured her hard peak between his thumb and forefinger. He tugged gently and delighted in her moans, capturing them in his mouth. Needing to feel the delicate flesh in his mouth, he broke off the kiss and made a beeline for her breast. Her back bowed off the bed as his lips brushed over the distended tip. Her responsiveness spurred him on even as he struggled to keep the afterburners from igniting his own desire. He had to be careful or he risked shooting off on the bedspread. While tonguing one stiff nipple, he gave his hand free rein to explore the rest of her body. He caressed the satin smooth skin of her soft belly and the generous curve of her hip. His fingers delved into the wiry curls protecting her clit in search of the sensitive nub. When she nearly bucked him off the bed, he smiled against her breast at the successful contact. Switching to the neglected nipple, he dipped his finger between her warm outer lips to scoop up some moisture to spread around. He’d never known another woman so hot and ready for him, and the mere knowledge threatened to kick in those rapidly firing engines. But he had to make this as great for her as she’d made it for him. Their first time flesh to flesh and not part of a dream had to be 95

Ghost of a Chance special. Judging by her mewls and undulations, he didn’t doubt his success. Wanting to ratchet her desire up even higher, he trailed his mouth down between her boobs to her bellybutton, pausing only briefly to swirl his tongue around and in the indentation. She must have realized his goal because she began to moan and wiggle in unnecessary encouragement. He wasn’t about to let her deny him the chance to taste her anymore than he’d denied her the opportunity. He slid his upper body between her legs and draped her thighs over his shoulders, settling in for the feast. His ramrod stiff dick poked the mattress, demanding satisfaction. Too bad. He owed Bethany some serious payback. Her slick lips glistened with moisture as he took his time visually exploring her sweet pussy. The assault began with teasing kisses on her inner thighs and the juncture where they met her torso. His purposeful avoidance of her clit and her slit drew mournful groans from her. He trailed kisses to the inside of her knee in an effort to prolong the experience. Once he decided she’d endured sufficient torture, he dropped wet kisses on her plump lips and worked his way to her stiffened clitoris. Her gyrations increased the difficulty level of making love to her pussy with his mouth but he persevered. He ate at her tasty flesh, pouring his passion into his exertions. The smell of aroused Bethany filled his senses and goaded him on. He braced his thumb on the skin above her clit and tugged toward her navel, exposing more of the aroused bud to the flat of his tongue and his lips. He circled the nub then drew it into his mouth to suckle it, feast on it. She whimpered and moaned her requests for more, begging him to fill her. He understood that she craved his cock and the little captain trapped against the bedspread demanded she be satisfied. Nick had no intention of humoring either of them until he’d made her come with his mouth. He focused his attention on her body, the tremors in her belly and the tightening of the muscles in her thighs. Her shivers and sighs told him she hovered on the edge. 96

Ghost of a Chance Determined to bring her pleasure, he slid a finger inside her tight opening, crooked to rub along another highly sensitive spot. The sound of his name being screamed wildly and being squeezed by a toned pair of thighs brought a smile to his face. His chest constricted with the knowledge that he’d never before taken such joy in a partner’s orgasm. Never really cared, if he admitted the sorry truth to himself. He kissed the damp curls on his way back up her body. He brushed his lips over her eyelids and wiped away the tear on her cheek. Fear clutched at him, making him wonder if he’d misread the entire intimate exchange. “Are you all right?” “I’m better than all right.” She opened her eyes and gazed at him through passion’s satisfaction. Thank God. He released the breath he hadn’t known he held, the knot in his gut unraveling to fill him with masculine pride. Forty years was a hell of a long time to go without getting laid, but at least he hadn’t lost his touch. He reached to the nightstand and pulled out a box of rubbers. Ripping open one square packet, he covered himself as he rested on his haunches between her splayed thighs. Suddenly, not wanting to get her pregnant seemed like a stupid idea. He pictured her belly swollen with his child. Then he imagined the difficulties endured by an unwed mother with no means of support. He kept on the rubber. With hands grasped on both hips, Nick pulled Bethany close enough to push his throbbing cock into her slick folds. She wrapped her legs around his hips and dug her heels into his ass. He refused to be rushed. Only once he’d coated himself with her copious moisture did he rest the head at her entrance. Her hips bucked up, causing him to slip inside. That was all it took for his resistance to shatter. His recent orgasm should have given him some restraint. The welcoming heat of her vagina robbed him of it. He slammed the rest of the way inside her body, ravishing and pillaging. His world narrowed to the two of them, joined intimately. 97

Ghost of a Chance Her sharp exhale of air on a loud exclamation lured his gaze to her eyes and away from her pussy swallowing him whole. He lost himself in the dark depths that allowed him to see clear to her soul. He paused to savor the feelings of contentment and completion that mingled with the lust, wondering what she saw when she looked back at him. When her hips began to shift and thrust on his shaft, he picked up the not-too-subtle hint and rocked against her. He stretched out his body to optimize skin-to-skin contact and allow him to claim her lips. With the change in position, she hooked her legs higher around his waist, deepening the penetration. Little chants of “Yes, oh yes,” increased his motivation and the power of his thrusts. Her tight inner walls clung to him, gripped him as he moved. His lust hollered at him to pound away at her unmercilessly, to slake the fire burning in his balls. She seemed more than receptive to his body’s demands, using her thigh muscles to match his movements thrust for grunt. Powerful contractions pulled his cock deeper as she climaxed around him, her keening wail filling the air. He continued with the steady forceful pounding until her body relaxed, except for her desperate gulping of air. He tucked his knees in closer and levered his upper body away from hers. He guided her legs from around his waist and bent her thighs back toward her chest. Bracing his hands on her knees, he held her open to his final thrusts. The familiar boil began in his balls, molten volcanic lava seeking an outlet. He felt the burn as it built to an explosive level. His chest heaved to replace the oxygen being sucked from his lungs. At the end of one last powerful lunge, his body stilled, needing the energy to spill out his orgasm. Release had never been so powerful or so sweet. Panting, he rolled to Bethany’s side, needing to hold her close, to cherish her. “I love you, Bethany.”

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Chapter 10 Shaky feet carried Nick to the edge of the ocean—unsteady from the shifting play of the sand and his emotions. The gray of the sky reflected in the ocean, leaving him to stare into a swirling mass of mud-colored water splashing into the white-capped surf. The moisture in the air trapped the salt and the sand against his skin. The slap of a small breaking wave splashed droplets of water on him. A brisk wind blew the loose sand over the hard packed earth, stinging the tops of his bare feet and calves. He continued his unrelenting pace until the frothy seawater lapped at his ankles. He’d missed this during the endless years he’d been trapped between the Corvette and Limbo. He’d forgotten how much he needed the salt air in his lungs and the spray of water attacking his body, how it fed his soul. Calmed his soul on a morning such as this. As a result of the retreating surf pulling the sand and bits of shell with it, the world shifted beneath his feet. That’s what he told himself, anyway. He stared blankly out over the horizon, his mood a product of standing in his past—his present— with the future already known just ahead. How would he be able to right his wrongs this time? He didn’t even know what he’d done or not done to wind up in Limbo in the first place. Life didn’t come with a squawk sheet that told you what was wrong so someone could fix it for you. Despite all of this, Bethany chose to come back with him. For him. Her commitment to him shook him to the very soles of his feet. 99

Ghost of a Chance Nick prayed he didn’t screw up this time around. They both suspected God’s plans for them included him loving Bethany. They weren’t sure of much else. If he failed this time and ended up back in Limbo, Bethany wouldn’t be waiting for him in forty years. Or at all. Few people braved the beach on such a dreary morning, allowing Nick to wallow in his musings. He thought he and Bethany had planned for every contingency before deciding to attempt to go back in time. There was one he hadn’t counted on. How much deeper his feelings would be once they were both human. Not to mention how much more satisfying the sex would be. Glancing back to the motel where he’d left Bethany sleeping, exhausted from their night, he could still see her curled up, the sheet exposing more than it covered and sending his ever-ready cock on high alert. The scent of passionate sex still permeated the room. He needed to get back there before she woke up. He had his own ideas on how he’d like to rouse her. But she needed her sleep, they’d used each other hard last night, losing count of how many times they’d coaxed orgasms out of each other. Besides, he had strict orders to report to the flight surgeon at oh-seven-hundred sharp or risk being grounded. He practically itched to take hold of the stick and burst through the clouds. Which was why he’d climbed out of bed instead of back on top of Bethany. And why he’d taken a walk outside, because just being out of bed didn’t lessen his desire to make love to her again. And again. Well, that and the need to clear his head and marshal his thoughts. The physical sensations continued to overwhelm him after forty years of near sensory deprivation. Those were easier to deal with than the emotional fallout of experiencing Bethany in the flesh. He didn’t realize how much he’d missed the ocean until the tang of the salt air lingered in his nose and the sand shifted beneath his feet. He didn’t realize how much he’d missed the pleasures found in making love to a woman, trying to ignore the part of him 100

Ghost of a Chance insisting Bethany had everything to do with that particular intense satisfaction. To taste food, to sleep in a bed, to feel the wind blow and the sun on his face. All these things and more became precious after they became lost to him. To love a woman, his heart taunted him. Despite his attempts to concentrate on the world around him and his five senses, his mind turned back to the woman still sleeping in their room and the sensations she aroused in him beyond unadulterated lust. She’d come to mean so much to him. He wished he could say she meant nothing but a piece of ass, except he’d be lying to himself. But it would sure as hell make it easier to leave her. Her mere presence comforted and soothed him, even more so since they’d come back in time. Something about her reached out to fill a part of him he hadn’t even known existed. Was it fair to love her when they both knew he’d be leaving her? Was it fair to either of them not to? He suspected they didn’t have a choice, and that the decision had already been made for them. Through Bethany, Nick was not granted just another chance to get to Heaven, but a piece of heaven on earth with her. Startled, he jumped as a pair of warm arms wrapped around his waist and puckered nipples pressed to his back. Soft lips kissed his neck. The combined pressures sent warm shivers to his cock, with the predictable reaction. Hell, when didn’t he have a hard on around her? “I missed you when I woke up.” He tensed, waiting for accusations or condemnations. When none followed, he relaxed into her embrace. He didn’t turn around to gather her to him, fearing she’d see something in his eyes he didn’t want to admit to himself, let alone to her. If she hadn’t seen it last night during one of their marathon rounds of lovemaking, he preferred not to announce it now. “I was so hard when I woke up, I wanted to watch you wake up while I made love to you.” “So, why didn’t you?” She brushed her nipples enticingly against him. 101

Ghost of a Chance “After last night, I figured you needed a break.” Her hands caressed their way up his body and stroked his nipples. “I need you. I love you.” The words hung between them. He prayed she’d need him for as long as she had him, before he shipped off to war and died. He needed her for at least that long. “Are you okay?” Her words whispered against his skin, the brush of air warming his neck. “I was going to ask you the same question.” “I’m more than all right.” Her hands slid down his stomach. “I’d be even better if we went back inside.” God, his feelings for this woman overwhelmed him. Scared the shit out of him, to be honest. “In a minute.” He caught her hands before they could reach their target and distract him. “I took all this for granted last time, Bethany. As much as I loved the ocean, I didn’t appreciate the beauty and majesty of it. And it has made me realize that I probably didn’t appreciate a number of things. I was too wrapped up in my Hun and my ’Vette. I don’t want to make the same mistakes this time.” “I won’t let you, Nick. I won’t let you.” He felt her nipples press tighter to his back as she inhaled a deep shuddering breath. “I’m sorry about the car.” He tangled his fingers with hers as they clasped his waist. “Don’t be, I’m not. I might have been, a long time ago. Forty years trapped in it changed me. I’ll be happier once I’m not driving a Rambler. But I don’t miss the ’Vette.” Her body relaxed behind his, her hands stroking his torso. This time he allowed her hands to creep inside his shorts, but only after casting furtive glances up and down the beach. Except for a couple of early morning stragglers off in the distance, they were alone. Just the thought of her hands stroking him almost brought him to his knees. Before she wrapped her hands around his penis, he turned, swept her in his arms, and raced across the damp morning sand back to their room. It seemed to be the prudent course of action unless he wanted those distant people to stumble upon activities unbecoming an officer. 102

Ghost of a Chance If she let him get away with a quickie, they had plenty of time before he had to report for duty. **** “I don’t want to wait.” Bethany ripped off his shirt; the one she’d slipped on when she went looking for him, revealing the fact that she wore nothing underneath. “Thank heavens for small mercies, because I have to report to the flight surgeon in forty-five minutes.” “Then bring it on, flyboy.” She grabbed him by the waistband of his shorts and pulled them both down on the bed. “Yes, ma’am.” He saluted like the perfect military officer. She rubbed her hypersensitive nipples against his bare chest, the crisp hair abrading and arousing. Propping her heel on his butt, she pulled him closer, until the erection constrained in his shorts rubbed along her clit. The moisture seeping from her body doubled in preparation for his claiming. And claim her he had. He’d taken possession of her body every time he’d thrust into her with his long, thick cock. Even after four rounds of mutually gratifying lovemaking last night, she wanted more. She was not an untried innocent. She’d had enough experience to recognize exceptional skill when it sucked on her nipples or performed oral sex. And in spite of all of that—or maybe because of it—she needed him again. First things first, she had to push him off her long enough to strip the shorts hiding his penis from her. Nick chuckled as she struggled to free his body from the confines of his clothing. He stopped laughing when she threw her thigh across his and straddled his hips. That wiped the smug grin right off his lips, and placed a rapturous smile there instead. Treating his erection like her own personal sex toy, she slid back and forth, the grooved head stimulating her clit. With her hands on his chest bracing her weight, she flicked at his nipples with her thumbs, the quivers and jerks adding to her pleasure. A growl was the only warning she received before he tossed her on her belly and climbed between her thighs. Doggie style never topped her charts as a favored position but her half-hearted 103

Ghost of a Chance protests went unanswered as he covered himself with a condom. Since he excelled at every other position they’d tried, she decided to give him a chance with this one. He reached under her body, splaying his hand on her belly, his pinkie flicking her clit. He shifted her to her knees and slammed into her with one spectacular thrust that forced the air out of her lungs. He pressed down on her lower back right at the top of her butt crack until she gasped. Her cry must have been what he was waiting for since he kept her in that position and began to move. Keeping a slow steady pace, he pulled out until only the head remained inside of her before filling her completely. Her nipples tingled and goose bumps broke out all over her body as his rocking hips sensitized her nerve endings and flooded her system with pleasure. She heard the slapping of his thighs against her butt cheeks over her labored breathing and it only added to her bliss. When the hand still splayed on her belly shifted to pluck at her clit, she careened toward her orgasm. She attempted to push back against his hips in time with his strokes, but he held her firm, controlling her response. She gave herself over to his talent. He filled her senses with his presence. His weight on her back, his demands, his masterful capture of her body thrilled her. She wanted it all with him. The warmth centered in her pussy where he thrust in and out repeatedly radiated through her body until it had nowhere to go but out in an explosion of blinding light and heat. Her heart raced, causing her to hear the pounding beat in her ears. She struggled to catch her breath. Nick stiffened behind her and signaled his release with a drawn out groan. He bent over her back and rained kisses over her shoulders and down her spine. Rolling onto his back at her side, he pulled her down so that her head rested on his chest. His rapid heartbeat thudded in her ear, matching her own. She rubbed her check against his chest, inhaling his masculine scent, a combination of after-shave and Nick. 104

Ghost of a Chance “Good, merciful grief, woman. You are nothing short of amazing.” He kissed the top of her head as his hand petted her lower back and butt. His words went a long way toward mending the hole in her self-confidence torn by Brian. She’d had two long-term boyfriends before him and only enough lovers so she could count them on one hand. But finding the man she thought she might be inclined to marry in their bed with her best friend caused her to wonder. Okay, so she obsessed about it. Nick had done nothing but praise her and bemoan his satisfaction with her lovemaking skills. Given his talents and experience, she stomped down any remaining doubts. “I hate to do this, but I really do have to get ready to go to work.” He rolled out from under her and pushed to his feet. Seeing him standing there in front of her buck-naked made her want him all over again. He’d made her insatiable. And she loved it. “Don’t look at me like that or I’ll have a hard on all day. He— Heck, I’ll be lucky if I don’t as it is.” He brushed an entirely too platonic kiss across her lips before practically sprinting to the bathroom. She watched his well-muscled ass flex as he darted away from her and sighed with longing. As much as she didn’t want him to be grounded for showing up late to an appointment with the flight surgeon, she didn’t want to be left alone, either. Unfortunately, alone was something she needed to get very used to. She wanted to join him in the shower when she heard the water, but knew they lacked the time. She’d save that fantasy for later. The steam from the tiny bathroom wafted into the larger room as the water stopped and Nick emerged dressed only in a towel. He cast a quick glance in her direction and shifted his gaze away, studiously avoiding her. “At least have the decency to pull the sheet up over yourself,” he groused as he stepped into a clean pair of white boxers followed by his flight suit. 105

Ghost of a Chance Bethany bit back a laugh as she crawled under the covers. “Are you happy now?” “I’d be happier if I could stay with you. I plan to ask the CO for some vacation time, but that may take a couple weeks.” He sat down on the chair, pulling his boots on and lacing them up. “That would be nice. But I really do understand if it takes a while.” “What do you plan to do today?” “Since you brought me a bathing suit, I thought I’d do what any self-respecting sun worshipper does when presented with an oceanfront room and tons of free time. I plan to bake myself silly.” A wide smile broke out on his face at her light tone. “I didn’t get you a beach towel yesterday or any groceries for that matter. There’s a little shopette a couple blocks from here if you want to grab that and some staples. We can do more shopping when I get off. Unless something goes wrong, I should be back here between three-fifteen and three-thirty.” He pulled a twenty dollar bill out of his wallet and placed it beside the room key. “That should be more than enough.” She gave the bill a skeptical glance but kept her comment to herself. Just because the money wouldn’t buy one or the other in the future didn’t mean it couldn’t buy both now. Rising from the bed in response to his movement toward the door, she yanked the sheet off and wrapped herself up as a concession to his scowl. His fingers stroked her cheek as he lowered his lips to claim hers. He kept the kiss light, petting his hand up and down her throat as he molded his mouth to fit hers. She sighed in pleasure, sharing her breath with him. She squealed when he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up off her feet. Setting her securely back on the ground, he brushed one last kiss on her lips. “I left the squadron number by the phone if you need me. I’ll be back here as soon as I’m able. I love you.” Did the nervousness she detected in his eyes match hers? “I love you, too. Have a good day.” With a quick hug, she sent him on his way. 106

Ghost of a Chance With the door chained and secured, she flopped back on the bed, determined not to mope around the room and feel sorry for herself. This era was her home now and there was no time like the present to learn about the past. **** A bikini. The son-of-a-bitch bought her a bikini. And didn’t even have the decency to leave her enough money to go buy a new bathing suit. How the hell did he expect her to go out in public? Granted, the bikini in question probably covered more than her one-piece suit. Still. It was the principle of the thing. He’d seen her naked and knew damn well she lacked the figure to go strutting around in a bikini. Not that she had much choice; she had to put that accursed thing on, or a dress. Tough call except for the fact that she’d look really stupid soaking up rays in a dress. Gritting her teeth, she shucked the sheet and pulled on the suit. The waist came clear up to her belly button and the leg openings came all the way down, completely covering her butt and hips. The material held in her tummy, too. The top concealed more than her bra, not revealing much cleavage with its scooped neckline and thick straps. The aqua blue vertical stripes on white made her look taller. Maybe she could do this after all. Throwing his shirt on over the bathing suit and clutching the twenty-dollar bill in her hand, she set off in search of the shopette. The hustle and bustle of the busy beach resort comforted her, reminded her of home. If home were the set of a “Beach Blanket” movie. The original, not a remake. The Shop and Surf wasn’t hard to find, in spite of the small hand painted sign. No neon “open” sign welcomed her, just a simple cardboard clock with eight indicated below the words “we open at”. The store boasted more square footage than her mother’s, every inch of it packed with merchandise. Bethany strolled through the cramped aisles, feeling like she’d wandered into a vintage shop. She wondered how long it would take for her 107

Ghost of a Chance new reality to take hold—the past had become her present and future. Finally deciding on a beach towel, a bottle of suntan lotion, a couple of sodas since bottled water hadn’t even been thought of, a bag of chips, and some sandwich fixings, she took her purchases to the front check out. On impulse, she grabbed a “Life” magazine. The bronzed sun goddess of a cashier punched the prices into a manual cash register—no UPS scanner for her yet—to arrive at a total. She held her breath in fear that she’d gone over her allotted amount and would have to put something back. Instead, she got a pleasant surprise when the young girl handed her back change with a “Y’all have a nice day now.” A nice day indeed. With perfect weather and a successful solo venture out into the world, her spirit soared as she walked back to deposit her goodies and grease up. She half skipped the short distance back to the motel and up the steps to her room. She couldn’t live here indefinitely; the place must be taking a hefty bite out of Nick’s salary. She couldn’t exactly live with him since he’d mentioned he lived on base in the bachelor officer’s quarters. What if he lived off base? Would she be able to live with him then? Did unmarried couples live together in 1965? She’d never considered that question before. They definitely needed to have a serious discussion about living arrangements soon. Even if part of her would mourn the loss of easy beach access. The money from a job sounded appealing. She’d feel much better if she either supported herself or helped out, at the very least. She’d talk to Nick about the possibility. And pick up a paper to check out the help wanted ads. Once the meager groceries had been put away, she draped the towel over her shoulders and headed off to people watch out on the beach. The first thing she noticed when her foot hit the wooden pathway was the crowd of tourists soaking up the rays. Or rather, the lack of visitors she was accustomed to seeing on the Grand Strand. She was used to so many people crammed on the strip of beach that it was impossible for the sunbather arriving after ten to find a spot. Instead, great spaces of pristine sand greeted her. Not 108

Ghost of a Chance that she was complaining. She had plenty of space from which to choose. Selecting a spot near the water, she spread out her towel and prepared to wile away the day until she needed to get ready for Nick.

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Chapter 11 Nick swaggered into the squadron meeting room, pleased with himself and the world in general. The clean bill of health he’d been given from the flight surgeon and the lingering effects of the morning’s quickie combined to lighten his mood. It overshadowed the awkwardness of stepping back in to his life after almost forty years. On the drive in from the motel, he’d decided to go low key until he had a firm grasp on the situation in which he’d landed. Or crashed, as the case may be. Not remembering every aspect of his day-to-day life left him at a distinct disadvantage, considering his co-workers had no clue he’d been missing for a stretch of time. His fellow pilots sat around a large conference table discussing everything from the escalation in Vietnam to the previous weekend’s dates. Before the thud of his combat boot finished resonating, all eyes swung to stare at him. “What? Is my dick hanging out or something?” He ran his finger around the inside collar of his flight suit and tried not to break out in a cold sweat. So much for keeping a low profile. “Man, I’m so sorry about the ’Vette.” One of the junior members of the squadron extended his sympathies. Nick had to force himself to remember that these guys only knew the man obsessed with his car. “Thanks.” Another chimed in. “Whaddaya say we head down to the Bowery when we get off and throw her a proper wake?” Before Nick could even open his mouth to reply, the company joker, Gomez, shot off his. “Haven’t you heard, Stick? Saint’s gone and found himself a prime piece of ass to pour his sorrows into.” 110

Ghost of a Chance Laughter exploded around the table. Nick clenched and unclenched his fists by his side, keeping his tongue firmly between his teeth. Losing his temper would only hurt the situation—or rather, open him up to merciless teasing. The old Nick had never been serious about a woman. “Where’d you hear that, Gomez?” “From a friend of mine on the ambulance crew.” Chuck and his big mouth were going to die a slow painful death, if Nick had anything to say about it. “From what I hear,” Gomez continued, either oblivious to Nick’s glares or too stupid to realize the shit in which he’d stepped. Nick was going to make sure he had a new call sign very soon— VD, short for verbal diarrhea. Although, if anyone wanted to think it stood for something else, who was he to correct the misconception. “She was driving the ’Vette when it crashed into the tree. And then,” his dramatic pause allowed Nick to sort through some very creative ways of killing assholes. “He insisted he stay with her at the hospital. At her side. In her room.” Well, he’d known at the time that his behavior had gone against all they knew. Gomez managed to pique the curiosity of every man in the room. Where was the damn CO when you needed him, anyway? “Is that true, Saint? You let some broad drive your baby?” Bull looked incredulous. Not that Nick blamed him one bit. No one had ever been permitted to touch the ’Vette, as far as they were aware. His fist clenched and unclenched as he fought the effort to deck him for referring to Bethany as a broad. “What can I say? She’s a very special lady. Not some broad.” The murmurs around the room dominated the conversation. Let them keep guessing for a while, he groused, it’ll do them some good and give me some time to figure out how to introduce them to Bethany. He wanted her to be an integral part of his life until they left for the war, so they might as well get used to her now. He just hoped they didn’t scare her away. If the choice came down to the guys or Bethany, she’d win. 111

Ghost of a Chance “Listen up, ladies.” The CO strode into the room. “We have a shit load of work today and only a short time to do it.” The lieutenant colonel launched into his briefing, effectively silencing all conversation. About time, too. By the end of the day, Nick had flown two training sorties and been debriefed. The thrill of strapping into the cockpit of his Hun and hurtling through space filled up his senses. The smell of jet fuel firing up the engine went straight to his brain. The rumble of the seat as he pulled on the stick and forced the nose off the ground gave him a hard on. Damn, he’d missed this. What he needed now more than anything was to hold Bethany in his arms and make love to her. Running a close second was a shower and something other than a flight suit. Common sense dictated that cleanliness needed to come before horniness so he headed over to his room for a quick shower. Once he no longer smelled like something pulled up off the ocean floor by a trawler, he threw some toiletries and clothing in his duffel bag. Better to be prepared since he planned to spend as much time with Bethany as she’d allow. He hopped in the car and headed for the front gate. The MP on duty this morning when he’d come in had looked at him like he refused to believe his eyes when Nick had slowed down to flash his ID. From the Corvette to a Rambler, from squadron Don Juan to a one-woman man. Oh, how the mighty had fallen. Or had he? Parking the sedan next to the steps, he hefted his duffel over his shoulder and climbed to the room. He stopped dead when he noticed Bethany perched on the bench, staring out at the ocean. She’d changed into the sunny yellow sleeveless shift he’d bought for her and twisted her hair in a loose knot on top of her head. The color contrasted with her tanned skin, the thought of finding her tan lines caused his cock to twitch. Down, boy. She hadn’t dressed to end up flat on her back with his cock buried deep inside her. Tonight he’d take her to a nice Italian restaurant for dinner, one his crew chief ate at all the 112

Ghost of a Chance time. If it was good enough for the first-generation Italian, it was good enough for him, a whatever-generation Italian. Of course, rumor had it the chief had designs on a stunning waitress and ate there to catch her attention, so maybe it wasn’t so good after all. He was glad he’d taken the extra time to clean up. She either heard his footsteps on the stairs or sensed his presence, but she looked over her shoulder at him. Her eyes widened and a wide smile graced her kissable lips. With the ease of a dancer, she pushed to her feet. His stomach tumbled to his knees and his heart lodged in his throat at the sight of her greeting him, welcoming him home after a long day at work. The rightness of it staggered him. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting.” He held out his hands to her. The touch of her fingers brushing his palm sent sparks up his arm and down into his cock. He wrapped her in a loose embrace. “No rush. I fell asleep after I took a shower. Lying in the sun all day really takes it out of you.” Her sheepish smile made him laugh. “I watched some TV, too. Did you know there are only three channels? Of course, you did. Anyway, I watched General Hospital. It was strange to watch it in black and white for only half an hour. Dr. Steve Hardy is a handsome man. He’s no Jax, mind you, but he’s handsome. I…” Her face flushed. “What’s wrong?” “I’m babbling and you don’t give a flying fig that I watched General Hospital.” He stroked a knuckle along her cheekbone and down her jaw. “I care about everything you do. I’m glad you had a good day. I’d like us to have a better night. Do you like Italian food?” He realized how little he knew about her since their relationship had been confined to the inside of a car. “What’s not to like?” She brushed her lips along his jaw line then stepped back. “Great. We can head to this place I know. Afterward, we can either go to Belk’s and buy more clothing or to the Food Lion for some more groceries. Your choice.” 113

Ghost of a Chance “Well, since this is one of only two dresses to my name,” she swept her hand down her body to accentuate her statement, “and I don’t have any clean panties so I’m not wearing any right now…” Anything she said after that got lost in a red haze of lust. Now he’d spend all evening thinking of the easy access he had to her pussy. How he could slide a hand up her thigh to the patch of curls and there’d be nothing there to stop him from sinking his fingers deep inside her. “Nick?” “Huh?” “I lost you somewhere back there.” “Sorry.” His attempt at looking contrite didn’t quite work. He was not ready to lift her short dress and fuck her silly. Yet. “I think we’d better go to Belk’s after dinner.” Definitely the prudent course of action. Not, however, the one endorsed by his cock. “Before we leave, I need to rectify a problem. I didn’t kiss you yet.” With her hands still tucked in his, he wrapped her arms around his waist and then cupped her face in his palms. He tilted her head a bit and lowered his lips to meet hers. He tried to keep the contact light, nibbling on her so he wouldn’t be tempted to plunge his tongue in her mouth. He concentrated on soft and arousing, praying her whimpers didn’t drive him too hard. The sound of a gentle throat clearing behind him forced him to break the kiss. “Nick.” There was no denying the chuckle in his friend’s voice. “Larry. Nice to see you.” He shot his best you-have-lousytiming gaze at the older man. “I can see that. Aren’t you going to introduce me to your stunning companion?” “Bethany, this is the owner of this flea bag motel, Larry Hines. Larry, this charming woman is your newest resident, Bethany Harris.” 114

Ghost of a Chance “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Larry. I hope Nick hasn’t imposed on your friendship to get this room for me. I’m sure oceanfront motel rooms are at a premium during the summer.” She held out her hand. The dignified, gray-haired man clasped it in both of his. “The pleasure is all mine, Miss Harris. And Nick always imposes on me, so this is nothing new. I hope your room is satisfactory.” “Oh, it is—” “Bethany and I were on our way out to dinner, so if you’ll excuse us?” Nick cut off the small talk before he ground his teeth to nubs. There was no way in hell he’d stand by and watch Larry the letch make a play for his woman. Whoa! Where did that come from? “Is that what you’re calling it now?” Larry didn’t even hide his chuckle. Nick didn’t bother to answer since he’d managed to snag Bethany’s hand and drag her down the stairs. “Well, that was rude.” She pulled her hand from his grip and fisted it on her hip. “Not as rude as Larry putting the moves on you right in front of me.” Never having experienced jealousy before, he had not a single clue how to deal with the overwhelming emotion. He stood at attention as he got a withering once-over from the woman in front of him. “There’s no way in hell the man would give me a second glance.” “Haven’t you ever looked in a mirror? Really looked? You are sexy and sultry, and oh so, desirable.” Lord knew he wanted her, more and more with each passing minute they spent together. “If you say so.” He started to speak, but she held up a hand to stop him. “Regardless, trust me enough not to fall at the feet of any man who smiles at me.” She had him there.

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Ghost of a Chance “Deal. Now, will the most intoxicating woman on the Grand Strand do me the honor of having dinner with me and then spending my money?” Her laughter tinkled like a charm as she allowed him to escort her to the car. The joy in her eyes as she slid into the car stole into his heart and squeezed tight. His woman. Indeed. **** Bethany stared out the car window at the dark night surrounding her. They weren’t that far out of Myrtle Beach, between there and North Myrtle Beach. Yet, the amusements, restaurants, and shops that lined Kings Highway in the Twenty-first Century didn’t exist in 1965. A mostly empty, two-lane road marked the distance between the two towns. Amazing. She’d enjoyed dinner with Nick, his every touch, every look, tightening the sexual tension arcing back and forth. He had her so wet it was no small wonder the moisture wasn’t running down her leg. Her only source of satisfaction came when they’d had to sit and wait before he could stand up to leave the restaurant. Feminine pride flared at the knowledge that she affected him as much as he drove her wild. At the department store, she’d tried to be frugal but he kept adding to the ever-growing clothing mound on the sales desk. The clerk’s eyes gleamed, thoughts of her commission shining in them, as she followed them around and made suggestions. Nick had an uncanny sense of female fashion for what would look good on her, surprising even the clerk. The only time Bethany put her foot down, literally, was when they’d tried to convince her to buy knee high boots. She’d worn them as a high school majorette and refused to wear the horrid things ever again. No matter how trendy. Once they’d added some lingerie and basic cosmetics to the pile, she insisted they call it a night. Despite Nick’s assertion that he had more than enough money, she had her misgivings. A military officer’s salary couldn’t be that much, could it? 116

Ghost of a Chance “You’re not still worried about the money we spent, are you?” The rich timbre of his voice broke the silence on the car ride home. “Since you brought it up, yes I am. I don’t want you to go broke because of me, Nick.” “Don’t worry about me, Bethany. The only thing I’ve spent any money on in the past ten years is the Corvette. I have a hefty savings account. What we spent tonight won’t make a dent in the money you’ll be inheriting once I change my will.” Oh, that made her feel better. Sort of. Not. “I won’t dwell on it anymore, then.” She’d tuck that comment about her inheritance away to brood over another time. “Good, because I’d rather you concentrate on the way my fingers make you feel.” The heat of his palm scalded her thigh when he pressed his hand above her knee. Warmth of an entirely different kind traveled up the nerve endings in her leg and slammed into her pussy. His touch followed the sensations until his fingers skimmed through the hair at the juncture of her thighs. Without being asked, she spread her legs for him, wanton to the core. “I’ve been dying to stick my hand up your dress all night. Just knowing you didn’t have on any panties has had me on the edge. Scoot closer.” She inched over until her thigh rested along the length of his, close enough that she could feel the muscles flex and clench as he worked the gas. He guided her leg over his, opening her up to his talented fingers. He took immediate advantage by dipping his fingers down, coating them with moisture as they spread her open for the assault. With unerring accuracy, his thumb landed on her clit. The pressure began slow and steady until her hips shifted on the vinyl seat. Her head dropped back against the seat and she struggled for breath as he picked up the pace. Her nipples hardened, uncomfortable in the confines of her bra. Every stroke echoed in them with unfulfilled longing for attention. “Play with yourself, your tits.” Could he read minds again? 117

Ghost of a Chance Cautiously, her hands cupped her breasts, her thumbs flicking over her nipples. Any hesitation she felt burned off at the erotic sensation linking her fingers on her breasts to his actions between her thighs. She timed her movements to match his, the result overwhelming. The pressure built behind his thumb, tightening like a rubber band. Her hips jerked in a futile effort to drive the feelings to the extreme. Nick remained in command, easing off every time an orgasm seemed imminent. Just when she thought she might have to hurt him in order to get off, he plunged two fingers deep inside her empty, aching pussy, breaking the bands that held her sanity together. Bright lights erupted behind her closed eyes and her body convulsed with waves of pleasure cascading from her clit out to her fingers and toes. Her scream bounced around the inside of the car, sounding strange to her ears. She sucked in air to her oxygen-deprived lungs as she gazed over at Nick. She’d be tempted to wipe the smug, self-satisfied grin off his handsome face if she could lift her arm. As rational thought returned by slow degrees, she noticed they sat in the motel parking lot. “Umm, how long have we been here?” She jerked her legs back together and smoothed down her dress. “Not long, don’t worry. No one but me saw how incredibly beautiful you are when you come.” His sexy smile melted the insides that had finally starting to solidify after the bone bending orgasm. “In that case, what do you say we go inside and I’ll show you again, this time with your cock planted deep?”

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Chapter 12 The cock in question throbbed in agreement with Bethany’s uninhibited suggestion with every step Nick took around the car and to Bethany’s door. He didn’t even bother to grasp the hand she offered him to help her out of the car. Instead, he fumbled in his pocket for the room key and dropped it in her lap. He then slipped one arm under her knees and the other behind her back. Clutching her to his chest, he took the stairs two at a time and sprinted to their room. His blood pounded in his ears, he worked to draw an even breath as her shaky grip made it difficult to get the door open. Her laughter tickled his ear as she dropped the key when she tried to pull it out of the doorknob as he shoved the door open with his hip. Nick slammed it shut with a bang as he kicked it. His intention to lay her down gently on the bed dissolving under her sensuous attack. Hot breath fanned his ear as she nipped at the lobe, then traced her tongue around the shell. When she combined that with a wicked rub of her hardened nipple over his, knees turned to rubber, which caused him to collapse on the mattress. With a twist of his body, he managed to prevent his weight from crushing her and pulled her upper body over his. The pressure of her soft breasts burned the hard planes of his chest making him yearn to strip off her dress and free her magnificent tits from the confines of her bra. She lowered her body closer, increasing his need. She skimmed her mouth over the five o’clock stubble on his jaw and sucked his bottom lip between his. Every tug increased the pain in his cock. He’d never been as hard before as he was with 119

Ghost of a Chance her. Every time. Stroking her tongue along his teeth, she teased him, until she sank deep and tasted him thoroughly. A whimper stuck in her throat as they shared breaths. When he skated his hands around her back to caress her ass, he felt the zipper of her dress. Retreating momentarily for greater strategic gain, he found the zipper tab and yanked it down as far as it would go. He set to work on her bra until the miniscule hooks let loose. Lust and delirium swirled through his brain as he kneaded her butt while he enjoyed the weight of the semi-freed boobs against his chest. He’d worked himself to such a fevered pitch, he heard ringing in his ears. Only when Bethany pulled away from the tonsilstealing kiss did he hear the ringing phone. Before he could wiggle out from under her, she reached across him to the nightstand and grabbed the phone in a reflex action. After all, it wasn’t like she knew anyone who might call her. “Hello.” Anyone listening to that breathless greeting had to know they’d interrupted something. Good. Maybe they’d make it short and sweet. “He’s right here.” It’s your CO, she mouthed in response to his silent question. The need to grab the phone prevented him from dwelling on how well they understood each other. “Yes, sir? Yes, sir, right away, sir.” White knuckled fingers gripped the phone as he turned to Bethany. “We’ve been scrambled and put on alert. I have to go in.” He looked at the phone still clutched in his hand and finally replaced it in the cradle. “But you’re off-duty.” He watched a sheen of tears well up behind her eyes. “I’m never really off duty. Especially now with the build up in Vietnam.” A single push levered him off the bed and halfway to his duffel. He pulled the flight suit out as he kicked off his Bass Weejuns loafers. Dressing in a hurry was nothing new for him. He 120

Ghost of a Chance tried to convince himself it was a good thing she learned this aspect of military life early on. He struggled to remind himself he had to do his duty and couldn’t stay in her arms, no matter how much he wanted to. “How did he even know you were here?” “I have to make my CO aware of any change in my living arrangements. I let him know that if he didn’t catch me at the BOQ, I would be here.” “Oh. I never realized how much of your life you give over to Uncle Sam.” “The military is a very demanding mistress. But I wouldn’t change anything.” He saw the question on her parted lips and in her watery eyes. Please don’t let her ask now, he prayed. He didn’t know what she wanted to ask; he just knew he didn’t have time to answer whatever question was on the tip of her tongue. Just to be safe, he avoided direct eye contact while he laced up his combat boots. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back, so don’t wait up for me.” “You’ll come back?” It tore at his gut that she even asked. “As soon as I can.” Clutching the top of her dress in one hand, she climbed off the bed and padded over to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, tugging her close. The need to kiss away her disappointment overwhelmed him, making him unable to keep the contact simple and light. He took her mouth and filled it with his tongue, pouring his unspent passion and frustration into her. She immediately responded to his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck. A twist of his torso broke the physical contact before his lust got the better of him and he headed in the direction of the door. He stopped to retrieve the room key abandoned on the floor. He put that and several bills on the dresser. “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he repeated. Her whispered, “Be safe,” followed him out the door. **** Once upon a time, Nick considered the sun rising over the ocean to be the most beautiful sight in the world. That or the 121

Ghost of a Chance geometric patterns carved into the surface of the earth that were visible only from the air. Staring at Bethany, curled around a pillow, her hair splayed over her face and shoulders, her eyelashes casting shadows over her pink skin, irrevocably changed his mind and moved into the number one position. He’d carry this sight to his grave. He was glad he’d stopped to get a spare key so as not to wake her. The pilots had been given a few hours off to clean up and rest and then report back to duty. Nick thanked the heavens he’d thought ahead and showered back on base. He’d never have been able to resist climbing into bed with her long enough to take a shower. He shucked off his flight suit and boots as silently as possible. Clad only in his boxers, he lifted the sheet and spooned next to his sleeping...his sleeping...what the hell was she, anyway? A girlfriend? That seemed too generic a term for the bond between them. But what else was there? He didn’t know any other words to describe her that did her justice, or summarized what she meant to him. The long night of intense training caught up with him and brushed confusing thoughts from his conscious. He drifted to sleep with Bethany’s warm body cuddled up to him and her sweet feminine fragrance filling his senses. Reality intruded on his precious slumber in small intervals, making him aware of the cream colored ceiling and then the bad oceanscape hanging on the wall. Feather-soft tickles teased his abdomen, but he lacked the strength to lift his head and investigate. A warm tongue lapping at his nipple jolted him to complete awareness. His hands cupped Bethany’s head and tangled in her hair. “You’re awake.” The soft purr in her voice stroked over his hard cock. “I’d have to be dead not to respond to your seduction.” He wished he had the power to jerk the words back the second they left his mouth. 122

Ghost of a Chance “Well, you’re not, but I was beginning to wonder. You were sound asleep.” If his comment about being dead bothered her, she hid her reaction very well. Well enough that he stomped down his. “What time is it?” He lifted his head off the pillow to look at the clock on the nightstand only to have his vision blocked by a soft satin clad shoulder. Bethany twisted her head around and squinted at the clock to bring it in to focus. “It’s a little after eight.” “No wonder I’m so out of it. I didn’t crawl into bed until almost oh-six-hundred.” He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes with one hand as he scratched his chest and lower. The warm feminine flesh pressed to his abruptly disappeared as she bolted to the other side of the bed. “I’m so sorry. So, so sorry. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have…I’d have let you…I mean…” Fortunately for him, the bed wasn’t that big. A shift and a wiggle moved him back in close proximity with the delectable body. “Shh,” he pressed his lips to hers for a brief contact. “I have to be back on base by ten hundred. I’d rather be awake now and able to spend time with you then sleeping the morning away.” Her weight settled against his body and a soft sigh of contentment forced her breath to fan his cheek. She tipped her face to his, a look of anticipation darkening her eyes. His cock cheered at the distinct possibility of picking up where they left off last night before they were so rudely interrupted. He had one question he needed to ask first. “How are you feeling this morning? Any aches and pains from the accident? Doc said some times it can take up to forty-eight hours for all the creaks and groans to show up.” He knew first hand. “I have one big ache. It’s really bothering me.” His heart lurched to his toes at the thought that he’d not be able to make love to her after all. Until she grabbed his hand and stuck it between her legs. “And it’s right here. So tell me, Doctor, do you have anything to make it go away?”

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Ghost of a Chance His fingers teased at her clit through the silk panel of her panties. “Well, the cure might make it worse before it gets much better. Do you think you can handle it?” “I’ll turn myself over to your competent care, Doctor.” “What a wise woman.” He rolled over top of her, forcing her flat on her back. The change of position allowed him unfettered access to her pussy once he stripped off the annoying covering and pushed the gown up to expose her breasts. His fingers combed through the short, wiry hair between her legs, her moist heat scalding him. His cock cried out to take her right then and there. She deserved better than to be taken and used as a means of releasing his lust. She deserved to be pampered and made to feel special. He might not have all the time in the world this morning, but he had enough to make this an experience to remember. Trailing wet kisses down her soft skin, he stopped to lavish attention on her quivering tits. Her sighs of frustration egged him on as he licked and nipped all around the plump flesh, studiously avoiding her nipples. He smiled against her breast as she shifted and twisted in a desperate attempt to force the peak in his mouth. He’d have laughed, if he didn’t fear she’d do grave injury to his poor prick. Deciding she’d suffered enough, he brought his mouth close, teasing her nipple with hot breath. He obliged her need when she grunted and grabbed at his head. The stiff tip rolled along his tongue, exciting him as much as her. Her body jerked off the bed as he suckled her deep between his lips. The smell of her increasing arousal hastened his downward trip, stopping only to take love bites out of her side and hip. The primal urge to make her his pumped in his blood, making his dick hurt. The urge to taste her, to feel her orgasm with his lips consumed him. Yesterday had been about slaking lust, his and hers. Today he hoped to muster a little finesse. Skill he lost in her presence. Getting comfortable between her thighs, he spread them wide, allowing him easy access to her hungry pussy. He’d carry the 124

Ghost of a Chance sweet fragrant tang of her excitement along with her whimpers and pleas with him into battle—all the way to Vietnam. Damn, he couldn’t wait. He was about to explode even without being inside her. What was wrong with him? He was not some sixteen-year-old boy who came just at the sight of a little poontang. **** Bethany sensed Nick’s hesitation and pressed the advantage. She wiggled out from under him and motioned for him to come back up to the headboard. With her hands braced on his broad shoulders, she pushed him flat on his back to continue the seduction she’d begun and he’d rudely interrupted. Throwing her leg over his hips, she straddled his groin, his penis conveniently nestled between her outer lips and butting against her clit. Grabbing the bottom hem of her nightie, she whipped it off over her head with a flourish. The desire darkening his eyes told her he appreciated the view. His eyes drifted shut, his thick, dark lashes visible against his tanned cheek. The throbbing cock teasing her, confirmed his lust. She twisted the satin fabric of her lingerie into a thick rope as she ground her hungry flesh over his straining erection, ratcheting up both their passions. She leaned over him, swaying her breasts in front of his face, teasing him, driving herself mad for the feel of his mouth suckling her nipple. “Cross your hands up over your head,” she murmured with her lips close to his. “Why?” “Because I asked you to. Isn’t that reason enough?” Nick’s eyes popped open and he cocked an eyebrow, but lifted his arms and placed one wrist on top of the other. His trust in her spurred on her desire. Stretching forward, she wrapped her nightgown around his hands and knotted it in place. Both of his eyebrows arched clear to his hairline when he realized what she’d done. “What the f—”

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Ghost of a Chance “I was trying to have my wicked way with you before you woke up. Now that you’re wide awake, I have to ensure I can have my way, don’t I?” She flicked her tongue along the shell of his ear as she slid her breasts across his chest. Sucking his earlobe between her teeth, she swiveled her hips in an effort to drive him to distraction. Heaven knew it was working on her. Too much more and she’d be ready to abandon her seduction and impale herself on his long, thick cock. “Besides, you know as well as I do that you can easily slip out of your bond.” “Maybe I’d rather let you pillage away.” “Hmm, I like the sound of that.” She swirled her tongue in the hollow beneath his ear before trailing a path of wet kisses along his jaw line. She sucked his lower lip into her mouth, thrilling to the low growl rumbling in his chest. She claimed his lips, sinking deep to taste the raw masculinity that intoxicated her. Lordy, the man knew how to kiss. She’d be more than happy to stay glued to his mouth for days. His hips jerked beneath hers and his bulbous head poked at her hypersensitive clit. And she decided she’d be just as happy fucking his brains out for days. She’d be even happier if she could do both for the rest of her life. Shaking the thought before it drained away her desire, she focused her attention on his chest and flat male nipples. A fine patch of dark hair covered his chest. It thinned out over his washboard abs and arrowed down to surround his penis. She tugged one peak between her teeth and found herself rewarded by another flick along her clit. At the rate he was going, he’d bring her to orgasm long before she allowed him to penetrate her. The idea sounded better and better.

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Ghost of a Chance Deep-chested moans and muttered pleas accompanied her ministrations. Several times, she felt his forearms flex with the effort required to keep his hands above his head. She’d never known trust to be such an incredible turn on. She tilted her head to the side to brush his soft chest hair across her cheek. Taking a deep breath, she filled her lungs with the scent of his manly musk and the herbal soap he’d used to shower. Using his chest as a brace, she pushed to a sitting position. The change brought her weight more firmly on his cock. Stroking her hands up his sides and over his well-defined muscles, she tickled at his underarm hair and watched his face for reaction. His sleepyeyed smile lanced through her heart. No matter how many times she told herself she shouldn’t love him more, she knew he owned that precious emotion. Shifting forward again before his wiggling made her come prematurely, she lifted her breast in her hand and offered it to his lips. He latched on with a speed and hunger that shocked, even as it aroused, her. Every tug of his teeth or swipe of his tongue sent an equal jolt to her pussy. He lavished attention on each peak as she presented them, swirling them in his mouth, suckling greedily. The storm of sensation overtook her so quickly she didn’t have time to react, to pull away, to prolong the pleasure. He perfectly coordinated the actions of his lips and his hips for maximum effect. There was no lingering tingle warning her of the impending explosion, no build up of heat until she burst into flames. No. Instead, she imploded. All her nerve endings collapsed on each other in an orgiastic pleasure fest that robbed her of her breath and her senses. She collapsed on Nick, almost smothering him between her breasts. He still didn’t break his restraint. As sanity returned in small bits and pieces, the aching void inside her begged to be filled as only Nick knew how. Her still limp body didn’t want to sit up, so she shifted around until she lined up the head of his dick with the opening to her 127

Ghost of a Chance pussy. He took care of the rest and thrust completely inside her with one smooth motion. “Oh, God. Don’t move or I’ll come right now and it’ll all be over.” Nick’s breath hitched in his chest as he struggled for control. Control she’d stolen from him. What a rush. “I don’t think I can move right now.” Nor did she particularly have the desire. Just having him inside her body, connected to him in the most basic manner satisfied her for now. She had no idea how much time passed, if any did at all, before he began to thrust his hips up in slow languid slides, pulling out until only his head remained in her and then filling her until their bodies met. Needing more, needing to feel him deeper, she sat upright with her hands braced on his chest. Using those strong muscles for leverage, she began to meet his passion with her own. The sound of sweaty flesh slapping against sweaty flesh filled the room, music to Bethany’s ears. She gazed down at Nick to find him staring at his dick slamming in and out of her pussy, his eyes glazed over with the need to come. She knew the feeling well. He shocked her when his eyes met hers, intense and demanding. “Play with your tits. Do it for me since my hands are otherwise engaged.” She hesitated at first. It was one thing to do it when he was distracted by driving. It was another thing entirely when he stared at every move she made. Then realized how selfish she’d be if she didn’t do what he asked, since he’d done what she asked. She spread her fingers wide and cupped each of her breasts, kneading the warm flesh, amazed at how erotic it felt to be performing for him. “Squeeze your nipples, pinch them.” His words came out between clenched teeth and guttural moans. This time the sensation built, starting in her clit and moving to the walls of her vagina being stroked by his hard penis. It traveled to her breasts, inciting her to squeeze harder. It lodged in the pit of her stomach before radiating out to her fingers and toes, the tingles intensifying with every second. 128

Ghost of a Chance Her hands dropped to his chest to steady herself for the approaching storm. The thunder clapped in her ears and the lightening exploded behind her eyes and her muscles milked his cock for all he was worth. She called out his name as her orgasm overtook her. She struggled to stay propped above him as his thrusts intensified, growing shorter, harder, deeper. His body shook and then stilled on a gasping moan. Then and only then did she allow herself to collapse on top of him. She felt his hands stroke down her back and wondered when he’d freed himself. “If you’re pregnant, I’ll marry you.” The soft words fanned out over her ear. Shit. She’d forgotten all about protection. “I love you. But I won’t marry you just because I’m pregnant.” But he’d already fallen back to sleep.

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Chapter 13 The customary debriefing held no interest for Nick, except as a signal for the end of a long day spent in the cockpit. He itched to be back in Bethany’s arms, just to be with her, talk to her. He’d spent every spare minute with her for the past week. Longer than he’d spent with any other woman, and yet, he still longed for her company. “Yo, Saint. Come back to earth, will ya? Whaddaya do? Leave your brain in your girlfriend’s bed?” “Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Saint is pussy whipped.” “Now who am I going to look up to?” His buddies teased him mercilessly about the woman he’d let drive his ’Vette, only to crash it. If they only knew... “At least I have a brain to lose.” A chorus of “oohs” and “ahhs” erupted. The game, the razzing, felt old to him now. The time that passed for him had changed him in ways he hadn’t expected. “The Club is meeting tonight, if you can drag your sorry ass away from the little woman long enough. Or you can bring this paragon of femininity with you. We’d love to meet her. We’ll be at the Bowery at the usual time.” Stick looked at him expectantly. The man they knew never turned down an invitation to slam back some cold beer. The man they knew didn’t date a woman longer than two weeks. The man they knew had been killed in Vietnam, experiencing the horrors of war they’d all learn about soon enough. That man no longer existed. 130

Ghost of a Chance He had to introduce them to a man falling in love and learning to live without his precious car. The role felt oddly comfortable. Or he could just slip into his old pattern as squadron Romeo. No, he couldn’t. That man died. Coming back in time hadn’t changed that fact. “Maybe he’s just too embarrassed to be seen cruising Ocean Boulevard in a Rambler.” Gomez made the last word sound like something noxious. The man never knew when to keep his big mouth shut. But he did need to get a different car. And he would. As soon as he found an apartment for Bethany. “So, whaddaya say?” “I say, I head back to the BOQ and get ready to raise a little hell with you guys. I’ll give Bethany a call and see if she can join us.” A few slaps on the back and crude comments about getting lucky with nubile young things on vacation later, Nick found himself alone in the room. He picked up the phone to call Bethany. And put the receiver back down. He forced his hesitation away. Any woman strong enough to travel back in time to help a dead man possessed enough strength to face the yahoos in this squadron. Besides, he’d been wanting to introduce her to them. “Hello?” Her soft, hesitant greeting shot emotions straight to his heart. “It’s me.” “Hi.” The sultry purr sent electricity directly to his groin, making him reconsider his options. “Hey, the guys are heading out to the Bowery for some brews and invited you to come along.” “Invited me or dared you to bring me?” Damn, she was good. “Now what makes you think that?” “I’ve seen “Top Gun”. I know all about you fighter pilot types.” He heard the smile on her lips and the teasing lilt, even though he had no idea what she was talking about. “Busted. Anyway, I’ll shower and change, and then pick you up. We can grab some hot 131

Ghost of a Chance dogs at Sloppy Joe’s and then have a couple beers. We’ll leave whenever you’ve had enough of them.” “Sounds like fun. What should I wear?” “Something casual is fine.” He paused. “But nothing too sexy.” He didn’t want the guys drooling all over her. “I’ll save the sexy for you.” Damn, now he wanted her flat on her back moaning his name more than he wanted to hang out with the guys. “You do that. I’ll see you in about forty-five minutes.” After hanging up the phone, Nick headed out to the hallway and straight into his best buddy, Stretch. “You’re really falling for her, aren’t you?” He debated hedging his bets for all of about one second. Will was a married man. He knew all about going down for the count. “Yeah, I am.” “I figured as much when I heard you were more worried about her in the accident than the ’Vette.” He pushed away from the wall and fell into step with Nick. “She must be one hell of a lady to bring you to your knees.” “You have no idea.” **** The familiar sounds and smells of the tourist beach resort surrounded Bethany as she and Nick walked the short distance from Sloppy Joe’s to the Bowery. The warm salt air blew in from the ocean only a block away. The cries of the seagulls competed with the chattering throngs of people. Focusing in on those elements, she almost began to forget she’d somehow managed to travel back in time nearly forty years. Except that Sloppy Joe’s was a parking lot in the Twenty-first Century. Thanks to the sights, however, she felt as if she’d stepped into an Annette Funicello/Frankie Avalon beach movie. Men wore shirts free from band logos and crude sayings. Their Bermuda shorts covered their boxers. Women sported beehive hairdos and conservative sundresses and shorts that covered their ass cheeks, along with most of their legs to the knees. Not a single belly peeped out and not a bellybutton ring anywhere in sight. Not much 132

Ghost of a Chance cleavage, for that matter. Sockless feet sported fishhead sneakers and Bass Weejuns. Then, there was Nick. A walking, talking, breathing, sex god of a man holding her hand. He dressed more conservatively than most of the other men, but she assumed that was the military influence. With his short hair and lack of facial scruff, he appeared even more clean cut than the men they passed on the street. He looked particularly edible as she cast a furtive glance in his direction. His white, knee-length shorts paired with a buttondown, Madras plaid shirt highlighted his tan. Her nipples tingled inside the sturdy, white, cotton bra that gave her a “torpedo tit” look. Eighteen-hour comfort hadn’t been invented yet. Dammit. Her panties dampened just thinking about heading back to the motel instead of into the bar where his fighter pilot buddies waited to assess her and wonder how long she’d be around. She noticed women casting appreciative smiles in his direction, and tightened her grip on his fingers. He flashed her a sexy grin as he squeezed her hand in response. He didn’t even acknowledge the flirtatious gestures. They crossed Ocean Boulevard in front of the Pavilion and made their way to one of Myrtle Beach’s more popular drinking establishments. Her eyes widened as she took in the huge Confederate flag hanging over the door of the bar. Political correctness and the furor over the symbol of secession hadn’t touched the country yet, nor would it for quite some time. Nick wrapped his arm around her waist, his warm breath ticking her ear as he leaned close. “Watch the top step going in here. It’s not so bad now, but when you’ve had too much to drink, it’s a real bi— um, difficult to manage. Later tonight and most nights, the police will sit out here, right over there,” he pointed to a bench across the way, “and watch as people come out. If they miss that first step, they get cited for public drunkenness.” “That doesn’t sound fair.” “Life and death aren’t fair, Bethany.” 133

Ghost of a Chance She cringed at the reminder. “I trip down stairs when I’m not drunk.” She laughed at herself to lighten the mood. “I’ll catch you if you fall.” He bent down to kiss her forehead then clutched her elbow to guide her inside. Butterflies began jumping up and down on trampolines in Bethany’s stomach as they entered the dimly lit interior. She wanted Nick’s buddies to like her. Not that it mattered, really, because in a year, they’d all be heading off to Vietnam and she’d be trying to carve out a life for herself. A life without Nick. Except that it did matter. The butterflies felt a lot like throwing up. A group in a corner gestured and waved to Nick, who steered Bethany in their direction. She relaxed ever so slightly when she noticed a couple young women mixed in with the guys. At least one or two of the men might be on their best behavior. Then she noticed they were twins. So much for the good behavior hopes. Every single guy in attendance at the table probably harbored thoughts of a three way with the Doublemint twins. Nick pointed to each of the group members in turn, introducing them. She prayed her memory didn’t fail her. She hated to look like an airhead. “And Gomez, Bull, Buns, and Stretch.” She mentally catalogued each man and his unique name. Nick had explained to her over dinner about military call signs and how they were bestowed upon the bearer. The more embarrassing the tale, the better, as far as the pilots were concerned. He’d been dubbed “Saint” because of his name, Nicholas. Not so embarrassing, just annoying. “Buns?” she whispered in his ear. “Let’s just say that if you ever decide to call me by a pet name in front of anyone from the squadron,” she watched him struggle for words, his mouth moving but no sound coming out, “let’s just say you wouldn’t dare and leave it at that.” His lips brushed her ear as he finished his semi-explanation, sending a shiver of want down her spine and straight to her still aroused crotch. “And Bull?” 134

Ghost of a Chance His hot breath tickled as he whispered. “He thinks it’s because he’s as well-endowed as one. More like because he’s full of bull stuff.” She covered her mouth to hide her giggle. “Hey, Saint,” the TV-star-next-door looking Gomez called out. Nick’s body tightened at her side even though she didn’t see a reason for the tension over a simple greeting. “Saint. Is there a turtle in the house?” With the exception of the two of them, everyone in their little crowd burst out in belly-jiggling guffaws. Nick nodded his head at the young man before snagging a passing waitress and ordering a round of drinks for everyone. A warm hand at her back guided her to two empty seats at the table. Nick’s fingers stroked along the zipper of her sundress as he held the chair for her. Once seated, he pulled his chair closer and dropped his arm around her back. For some odd reason, she felt as if she’d been “marked” as off limits. She enjoyed the sensation even as she bristled at the Stone Age attitude. Except in 1965, it was perfectly accepted. Feminism hadn’t made its mark yet. As the waitress returned and distributed the drafts, Bethany took advantage of the lull in conversation caused by the start of the band. “Why do I have a feeling there’s a story behind that question Gomez asked you?” “Because there is. There’s an answer to that question. An answer I can’t give right now because there are ladies present and it isn’t polite to curse in front of a lady. If you’re asked the question and don’t answer properly, you have to buy a round of drinks.” “So, they set you up?” “Yes, ma’am, they did.” He grinned, even though he sounded pissed off. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand men.” A full-bodied laugh exploded from his throat, drawing all attention to them. His fellow pilots joined in on his laughter. Nick knew they were thrilled to have been able to pull the prank on him since he’d instigated it more than once. 135

Ghost of a Chance During a break from the music, Bethany was drawn into the conversation and made to feel welcome, sending the butterflies back to oblivion. The other two women present made a point of letting her know that Nick didn’t bring many dates to outings with the Yellow Jackets, the nickname of the squadron. He kept his girlfriends to himself for the month or so he dated a woman, even though he actually spent more time with his car than he did with any woman in particular. At the mention of the Corvette, she felt his gaze on her. Despite his assurances, she wondered if he missed the car. He had yet to make any attempt to replace the vehicle. “Yeah,” she responded to the women even though her eyes locked with Nick’s, “I bet he’s sorry he let me drive it now.” “Never,” he mouthed. One of the women, Shelley or Molly, she couldn’t tell the gorgeous, beach-bunny twins apart, leaned over and asked in an embarrassed whisper if she wanted to accompany them to the ladies room. “If you gentlemen will excuse us, we need to go powder our noses.” Bethany wondered if she’d ever get used to the attitudes of the decade, but then reminded herself she’d only been here a week. She needed to give it more time. The band had begun to warm up as the three women made their way to the restrooms. Bethany didn’t think she’d ever “powder her nose”, but she had to pee like a racehorse, thanks to the beer. As they walked across the dance floor, a sound distinctly like a wolf whistle came from the stage area. “Shoot,” Shelley/Molly muttered, “I was hoping we’d get there and back before the band came on again. I hate it when the guitar player does that.” “I know,” murmured the other. “Now everyone knows where we’re going.” Bethany stifled a laugh at her companion’s mortification over something as simple as going to the bathroom. As if no one could 136

Ghost of a Chance have figured out their destination on their own. Yep, that “powdering the nose” routine had them all fooled. Things were definitely different.

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Chapter 14 The cockpit of his F-100 “Hun” closed in around him, suffocating him, as he sat on the tarmac waiting for the go ahead signal from the control tower. I’m not pregnant. Bethany’s words had sucker punched him. They’d sat on the beach soaking up the late summer September sun for an hour or so before lunch, and before Nick had to report for duty. If anyone had asked, the moisture welling behind his eyes happened because sand blew in his face. That was his story. For the two week wait since they’d surrendered to passion and made love without a rubber, he’d almost hoped and prayed he’d knocked her up. He’d given a great deal of thought to the consequences of their unplanned escapade. If Bethany had been pregnant, he would leave behind more than a car that no one in his family wanted as a legacy. He’d leave behind a walking, talking, breathing piece of himself. His chest puffed out every time he considered the possibility. He’d have done the right thing by Bethany and his child. There wouldn’t have been a question then about getting married. Now, he found he’d been seriously questioning getting married, baby or not. There were a number of logical, practical reasons for their marriage. They’d have better luck finding an apartment for the two of them instead of just for her. All of the landlords they’d spoken to had been leery of renting to a single woman with no visible means of support. With him at her side, the obvious conclusion had been that they’d be living together. A huge no-no. Perhaps most 138

Ghost of a Chance important, if she were his widow and not just his girlfriend, she’d be taken care of after his death. Taking care of her, needing to provide for her, had become an obsession for Nick, a gut-deep need. One that didn’t scare him the way it used to—before he’d died. He tried to take everything in stride and accept it as part of the master plan for them. There was only one completely, illogical reason for them to marry. The only reason that really mattered. Despite the fact that their future didn’t stretch beyond next summer. He loved her and she loved him. Tucked safely away in his locker, he’d stowed a brilliant onecarat, diamond engagement ring. Also in there were the identity papers she’d need to fully integrate in her new life, with him now and without him later. Papers she needed to apply for a marriage license. Someone who knew someone, who knew someone, had procured a birth certificate, a driver’s license, a social security card, and even diplomas from high school and college. He knew better than to question how they’d come into his possession. Sometimes, ignorance was the better part of valor. The control tower squawked in his ear, a static reminder he had a job to do, one that required his complete concentration. He revved up on the throttle, clutched the stick in his gloved hand, and prepared to take off into the inky night sky. A strafing run, several touch and go landings, an intense debrief, and five hours later, Nick stepped out of the shower in the motel room with a towel wrapped around his hips and stared at a sleeping Bethany curled up on the bed. She’d roused when he opened the door but he’d shushed her back to sleep. With one last swipe of the terry cloth towel over his body, he crawled in between the body-warmed sheets and waited for the sun to rise. The first purple rays of the rising sun hugged the horizon when Nick stretched out on his side, his arm bent at the elbow, his cheek cupped in his palm, watching Bethany yawn and slowly come awake. He’d exercised more self-restraint than he thought possible just laying next to her, not pouncing on her and rousing her with 139

Ghost of a Chance deep, steady thrusts. Instead, he’d bided his time, with subtle strokes along her hip, over her breasts, and around the juncture of her thighs. With catlike grace, she stretched and mewled arousingly with her lips parted as if waiting for his kiss. Hell, who was he kidding? She could be wrapped up in a fuzzy bathrobe with big curlers in her hair and he’d still get hard in her vicinity. A wisp of a sigh drew his attention back to her mouth. He longed to claim it with powerful kisses. His cock throbbed, demanding satisfaction. He scolded the beast but didn’t manage to achieve its submission. The only thing that would make the little captain happy would be total emersion in a warm, moist pussy, its muscles milking the come from his balls. “Hi there. When did you get home?” Home. A word that would have sent him running back to the BOQ as fast as his Corvette would carry him on his first try at life. Coming from Bethany’s sweet lips, it hugged his heart. Somehow, someway, she’d made a shabby motel room into a home. She deserved a real one. As soon as they took care of the first matter, getting a ring on her finger, they’d turn their attention back to the great apartment hunt. “Hello?” “Sorry. I got home around three. I think. Oh-dark-thirty is ohdark-thirty no matter how late it gets.” “What time is it now?” He glanced over his shoulder to the clock. “Almost six.” She cast a very disapproving glance at him. He almost laughed at the furrow in her brow. Almost. “Did you get any sleep?” “Yes. Don’t worry about me.” Just as he was starting to explain that he did better on these nighttime missions if he stayed on “daylight” time, she locked her fingers over her head and arched her back. The movement popped her nipples out from the flimsy confines of her nightie. And shattered the last vestiges of his self-control. He covered her upper body with his and angled his head for a kiss. He lacked the ability to go slow, to coax. He demanded a 140

Ghost of a Chance response equal to his own, tilting his head for the best attack. He thrust his tongue deep inside, tasting her, sweeping her mouth. She swallowed his groan as he relished the deliciousness. He dueled with her tongue, sucking it into his mouth and pushing it back into her own. His hands slid from her cheeks into her hair, tangling the silky masses in his fingers. Tugging her head back and breaking the breathless kiss, he licked a path along her jaw to her ear. He teased the lobe with nips. “I want to fuck you.” “Please do.” She lifted her body up off the bed and stripped out of the nightie. The contrasting skin tones of her tan displayed her boobs to a perfect advantage. The soft, white skin glowed even paler next to the deepening tan and her areolas stood out, calling to his lips. Being a weak, weak man when it came to anything Bethany, he answered the challenge. He brought his hand up under her tit, supporting the flesh to make it easier for his mouth to devour. He suckled the tip, drawing soft sighs. The sexy sounds continued to mount in pitch and frequency as he flicked at the other nipple with his thumb. He turned his attention to her other tit and sent his hand in search of her pussy. Her thighs fell apart even before he reached her mound. Not one to pass up an invitation, he slid his hand between her legs. “Oh. My. God. You’re so wet already.” He trailed his finger along her slit, through the moisture. “I was dreaming about you.” Her words came out on a breathy sigh. “Tell me all about it.” He pumped his middle finger inside her. This could be good. “It was a really good dream.” “I meant, give me the details.” “You might want to put on a condom first.” She had to think of that, didn’t she? He refused to let it spoil a perfectly hard erection. Once he’d taken care of that detail, he prodded her to continue. “You climbed between my legs, sitting up on your haunches.” 141

Ghost of a Chance He mimicked the position. “Then you pulled me close, draping my legs over your thighs.” He didn’t have any trouble doing that. “You used your dick like a big dildo, teasing me, making me squirm.” “How the heck do you know what a dildo is?” “Because in the Twenty-first Century, women buy them for themselves, that’s how. Now, do I need to repeat that part or are you up to the task?” He’d show her. He rubbed his dick up and down her slit, pushing in, only to pull back out again. Once he’d coated himself with her bountiful moisture, he rubbed the head over her clit until she started to buck up against him. “Did I do anything else or did I get us both off like this?” “Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, you propped my feet up on your shoulders and rammed your hard, hot cock inside me.” The combination of her sexy dream and dirty talk almost pushed him to the edge. Instead, he pushed deep inside her until he felt his balls resting against her body. Grabbing an ankle in each hand, he braced her feet on his shoulders, grasped her hips, and began to fuck her for all his worth. No finesse, no slow buildup, no control, she robbed him of that when she sucked him deep inside her body. She used her feet to thrust her body up, milking him, using him to bring on her own orgasm. He felt his begin to build and knew he didn’t have long to go. He wanted her to have the same pleasure she gave him. Reaching between their bodies, he stroked at her clit, timing his motions to mirror his thrusts. Her movements became powerful slams as the contractions of her inner muscles began to clench at him. A slight sheen of perspiration coated her body, along with a slight blush. Her nipples lengthened, her lips parted. She looked at him, her pupils wide, and cried out his name as shudders racked her body. Watching her come, his own orgasm was triggered. He held on to her hips as his thrusts became short and fierce. His balls drew 142

Ghost of a Chance up right as they let loose. He abruptly stopped his movements and released a painful sounding groan as he shuddered through the last of his release. Lifting her legs from their perch, he relaxed his body on top of hers, needing the skin-to-skin contact. His dog tags pressed between them, a reminder of his career and his duty. A reminder of all he wanted for her. For them. But first, he wanted to listen to his heart race in his ears as he felt hers rapidly beating inside her chest. He wanted to hold her close as they recovered from their spent passion. He wanted to hold her in his arms. **** Once her muscles recovered from the gelatinous state brought on by Nick’s exuberant lovemaking, Bethany padded over to the little kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. She’d kill for a Starbucks or a Mr. Coffee but had to settle for perking it up instead. She spied a flat green and white box on the counter next to the stove. A wide grin broke out on her face at the thought of Nick driving up to the Krispy Kreme doughnut shop on his way home. About the only thing better than a doughnut bought when the neon sign shined “Hot Doughnuts Now” was hot monkey sex with Nick. Or both, she thought as she sank her teeth into a still slightly warm treat. She stood buck naked in front of the stove. She’d given up any pretext of modesty with him. He’d made it abundantly clear that he found her sexy as hell, despite what she felt were her flaws. Who was she to argue? Turning back to the bed to sit with him while the coffee percolated, his gaze focused in on her breasts. While he watched them jiggle as she walked, she watched the sheet tent over his impressive erection. Knowing how much he wanted her, she’d go for round two in a heartbeat. He’d turned her into a nympho. She’d never known sex was so satisfying, so fun, so addictive. She had to get a lifetime’s worth of loving him and cram it into a year.

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Ghost of a Chance When she walked around to his side of the bed, she knelt over him, straddling his erection. Instead of grinding up to her, he rolled her onto her side. “I want to talk to you about something before we make love again. I’ve been giving a great deal of thought as to why we’re here, why I was able to talk to you, why we were able to jump back here.” Nick told her about George’s idea, how God had a plan for them, wanted them to meet and fall in love. “I’m beginning to believe that we’re succeeding in his plan for us.” He watched her face for her reaction. “You mean to tell me that you didn’t do something wrong that needs to be fixed or that you didn’t do something you need to do? You think this whole chain of events was set in motion for us to wind up together?” After everything she’d been through in the past few months, she knew better than to discount any probability. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.” He pushed to an upright position and seemed to struggle to find the right words. What caused him such stress? Nick went on to tell her about his conversation with George, which certainly explained why neither of them had managed to find out any information and why they had been able to connect. “We’re together, now, but we both know that won’t always be the case. Life is going to be hard for you once I’m gone. We both know that.” She nodded. They’d discussed it repeatedly when she’d made the decision to help him. “I want to help make it a little easier, Bethany.” He slipped out from between the sheets and knelt beside his pile of clothes in search of something. When he sat back down on the bed, he held a little black box in his hands and turned it over and over. Oh, God. She’d never thought of getting married. “Bethany, will you marry me?” He snapped the box open and held it out with a trembling hand. “I don’t know what to say.” “Yes is definitely the preferred answer.” 144

Ghost of a Chance Damn, the man had the sexiest smile. He made it practically impossible to say no. She wasn’t quite ready to say yes, however. “You don’t have to marry me. I’m not pregnant.” She had to give him a chance to change his mind. The thought of him feeling forced to marry her caused a shudder to wrack her body. “I want to marry you. I want to get you pregnant. I want you waiting for me when I come home at night, to a real home, not some motel room. I want to love you until death do us part.” His body inched closer to hers, all that potent, naked male heat pressed to her side. The man did not play fair. She’d like to blame it on the lack of blood in the head perched on his neck and shoulders, since the sizable erection poking at his belly must require a considerable amount of it. One look in his captivating eyes dispelled that notion. He knew exactly what he was doing. The rat. “Say yes, Bethany. Let me take care of you now and after I’m gone. Let me love you.” He must have read the question in her gaze. “I love you, Bethany. If for no other reason, please, marry me because you love me as much as I love you.” The burn of tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded her head with an enthusiastic “yes”. He lifted her hand from her lap and slid the ring on her finger, then kissed her knuckles. He threw the empty ring box over his shoulder. She didn’t even register the sound of it hitting the wall as he lowered his lips to hers and claimed her with a passion she’d never experienced. Every gentle sweep of his fingers over her cheeks and in her hair wrapped around her heart. Every whispered “mine” arrowed straight to her crotch. He scooted her down, flat on her back and moved over her, nestled between her legs. She felt his dick throbbing along the length of her slit as he held himself still. Tension resonated in his muscles, in the clench of his jaw, as he remained immobile above her. His dog tags rested in the valley of her breasts, just the way they hung suspended between his pec muscles when he stood. His earlier words, I want to fuck you, 145

Ghost of a Chance resonated in her mind, but they both knew this time promised to be so much more than that. Instead of waiting for him to make the next move, she wrapped her legs around his waist, opening up to him. With a groan that started in his belly, he eased his way inside her, inch by glorious inch. She shifted up, trying to accelerate his progress, only to have him stop moving until she stilled. Once fully imbedded in her body, he dropped his head until their foreheads touched and his ragged, uneven breathing blew across her cheek. Her fingers stroked at his back, clutched at his ass, anything to get him to move. Dammit. He refused to be rushed. She brought her hands back up to cradle the back of his head and force him to look at her. “I love you, Nick.” The dam broke with water spilling from his eyes. He levered his upper body off hers and began to move. Slow penetrating thrusts that drove the air out of her lungs. Her fingers worked their way back down to his butt and splayed there, feeling the muscles bunch and flex as she felt his cock caress her deep inside. His breath hitched in his throat when she clamped down on him with her internal muscles. She felt so empty when he pulled out, only the head remained inside her. Only to be utterly filled when he thrust back until his balls tickled her. She watched him, kept her eyes locked with his until her eyelids closed of their own accord. The pressure built with every pulse of his dick, each stroke driving her higher. The sensation became almost painful, forcing her to increase her thrusts to bring about the blissful conclusion. He tipped his hips to deepen the penetration and sent her hurtling over the edge. Her body opened up to his, accepting the pleasure he gave her and sharing with him. As the pieces of her scattered mind regrouped, Bethany realized she’d shared more than her body with Nick. She’d given him her heart and soul.

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Chapter 15 “You’re what?” “When is she due?” “Say it ain’t so!” Incredulous comments and questions raced around the room in response to Nick’s bombshell announcement. He’d counted on shocking the shit out of the squadron. But he hadn’t anticipated outright skepticism and obnoxiousness. Had he really been that much of a player before he died? Sheesh, forty years of being dead skewed one’s perspective. He’d expected at least one “congratulations”. Was it so impossible for them to see he’d changed? Stretch pulled him aside, out of earshot of the idiots. “How am I supposed to live vicariously through your exploits if you’re an old married man, too?” “Et tu, Brutus?” Nick had expected his best bud to support his decision. After all, he’d already succumbed to the happily married state. For a year, he’d been forced to listen to Stretch extol the joys of wedded bliss, the thrill of monogamy. He’d expected Stretch to be thrilled now that Nick no longer had the exalted stated of bachelorhood to lord over him. What the fuck? He pivoted on his booted heel and clomped to the center of the room. “Listen up. I only plan to say this once. Yes, I’m getting married. No, she’s not pregnant. I’m leaving the details up to Bethany, but if she decides to invite you idiots, you’d better be on your best behavior.” No matter what the morons thought of his reputation, they had no business disparaging Bethany. 147

Ghost of a Chance The voice of the commander clearing his throat interrupted any further tirade. Clapping, he strolled into the room. “Excellent speech, Captain. And congratulations. She must be an incredible woman if she’s managed to snare you.” “You have no idea, Colonel.” “Now, do you mind if I take over this motley crew?” Nick made a be-my-guest gesture and took a seat. He only half-heartedly listened to the lieutenant colonel detail the training missions for the next few evenings. They would be practicing the skills necessary for close air support of the ground troops in Vietnam. They all knew they’d be heading over soon, but no one knew exactly when. Nick knew. He hadn’t anticipated how hard it would be to pretend he didn’t know. As he suited up in life support and hitched his ride out to his Hun, he entertained the idea of perfecting his skills so he could avoid the accident that took his life. Could he change the course of his life? He’d never heard of anyone accomplishing such a feat when they’d gone back in time. He wondered if that was because it never happened, or because the ghosts stuck in Limbo weren’t privy to that information. Thinking like that only led to trouble. He’d anticipate a life with Bethany they’d never have, making leaving her even harder. The only safe thoughts were those about getting life right this go round so that he ended up in Heaven when he bit the big one. Especially, since this time he didn’t have the Corvette to distract him from the important things in life, like Bethany. He climbed up the ladder on the side of the jet and settled into the cockpit. A member of the flight crew removed the ladder and signaled for the lowering of the clear bubble. He fastened his seatbelt straps and completed the pre-flight checklist by rote. When the voice in his ear told him to prepare to take off, he fastened his oxygen mask and taxied the jet in the direction of the flight line. Time to kick some make believe VC ass. A few hours later, Nick completed his training mission and headed home. Now that he’d dispatched with the whole pesky 148

Ghost of a Chance “getting married” problem, he’d turn his attention to finding them a nice, one-bedroom apartment. A much easier task now that they were an almost married couple. He hoped, anyway. Humming the words to a popular Beatles song as he cruised down a dark and quiet Ocean Boulevard, Nick pictured sliding in to bed next to Bethany and whispering, “I love you” in her ear. He’d showered at his room in the BOQ when he’d stopped to grab some more clothes, so all he had to do was strip out of his shirt and shorts and he’d be spooning behind her. His fingers itched to stroke her silken skin. His cock twitched in anticipation of settling in to the crevice between her delectable butt cheeks. He hadn’t anticipated any of this when he and Bethany began discussing trying to come back in time. Not that he thought he’d slip right back into the life he’d led before he’d died. Too much had changed. What he hadn’t expected was the depth of his feelings for Bethany. She’d meant something to him even in her time, even in his ghostly state. He just assumed those emotions would remain the same, not deepen and consume him. It scared the shit out of him. He’d died alone the first time; he’d die alone this time. Except this go round, he’d leave behind someone who loved him. Sure, his parents loved him and mourned his death. Sure, his sisters cried when they learned the news. The members of the squadron did, too. But none of them were Bethany. None of them felt what she felt, cared about him the way she cared about him. He didn’t worry about them the way he worried about her. Dammit, he shouldn’t have involved her in any of this. He’d only been thinking about himself when they’d planned and discussed this. She’d only been thinking of him as well. How could God let him do this to Bethany? Want him to do this to her? Except now, he obsessed about her and had no plans of letting go no matter what the big guy thought. Just the thought of her lying in their bed, his ring on her finger, soothed his frayed nerves. He whipped the Rambler into the parking lot, forgetting it wasn’t his Corvette and didn’t handle near 149

Ghost of a Chance as well. Thank goodness for the lack of traffic. He pulled into a space by the stairs. Grabbing a bag full of clothes, he hopped out of the car and sprinted up to the room. The night-light in the kitchenette shone a welcome as he set the bag on the dresser. He stripped off his clothes and crawled into bed, the fragrance of his woman greeting him. She tipped her head back for a kiss as he cuddled close and mumbled, “I love you.” He nuzzled her neck and returned the sentiment. With his hand splayed on her belly, he tucked her against his body and relaxed. Until he realized they needed to call his parents and his sisters with the news. **** Bethany sat perched on the edge of the chair and listened as Nick spoke on the phone to his parents. She’d known little about his family until the introductory crash course over breakfast. As his girlfriend, she hadn’t figured on having much contact with his parents and two older sisters, except maybe at the funeral. As his wife, she’d have much more interaction with them. She took comfort in knowing she’d have some family after he died. Unless they didn’t accept her. He waved her over to his side, hugging her close when she plopped down on the bed. She buried her nose in his neck and took a deep breath. His familiar scent calmed her nerves. She pressed her thigh to the length of his and was rewarded with a soft smile. “Mom, there’s someone sitting here with me right now, someone very special I’d like to bring up to meet you.” He laughed. “No, Mom, it’s not a dog. We’re not allowed pets in the BOQ.” Her head tilted back to rest on his shoulder as he continued to talk with his mom in Pennsylvania. “Her name is Bethany, Mom, Bethany Harris. But I’ve asked her to change it and she agreed. So as soon as we can make the arrangements, she’ll be Bethany Giordano.”

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Ghost of a Chance The resulting squeal had to have pierced his ear since she had heard it, sitting at his side. As Nick held the phone away from his head, they heard his mother screeching for his father. “Son.” His father’s deep voice resonated across the phone lines. She missed the rest of the exchange when Nick cradled the receiver close again. “Yes, I’m sure Mom is about to have a fit of the vapors. Yes, it is very sudden. Bethany came into my life very unexpectedly but I have no intention of letting her out of it. Yes, Dad, I love her. Nothing else matters. Yes, go take care of Mom. We’ll call you back this evening before I go into to work. Give Mom my love, Dad. You, too.” Nick flopped back on the bed after hanging up the phone. Pulling her legs into a lotus position, she stared down at him. His smile beamed back up to her, reassuring and calming. “That went well,” he said. “It did?” “Yeah, it did.” He tugged on her hand and sent her toppling to the mattress. Her body sprawled across his, the hard muscular plane of his chest supporting her. Just being close to him, touching his sculpted body, charged up her hormones to critical lust. She toyed with the idea of licking her way down his body and into his shorts. If she moved quickly enough, she just might be able to suck on his penis and have him get hard in her mouth. She felt herself grow wet and ready at the thought. Unfortunately, he had other ideas. “Mom and Dad sounded happy for me. I think they thought I’d never get married. I’m not looking forward to calling my sisters.” So much for a nice hard dick in her mouth or anywhere else. “Why not?” “They’ll give me the third degree, not like my parents, who just accepted the story. What do I tell my sisters? Well, Sis, it’s like this. I’ve been dead for the past forty years but thanks to Bethany, 151

Ghost of a Chance I’ve been able to come back in time and try to get it right this time.” She chuckled, the movement causing her nipples to rub against his chest. Maybe she’d try to convince him after all. What man in his right mind turned down a blowjob? “So, we need to make up a story to tell your family.” “I went cruising up to Shallotte and stopped to catch the sunset on the ocean.” “I was working at my mother’s store, just leaving, when I saw you for the first time.” “I saw you as I was getting into the Corvette and knew I had to meet you. I was completely snowed.” “I think I should have been completely captivated by you, not the other way around.” “Nope, I was snowed. End of discussion. I had to have you and dogged you until you caved in and went out with me.” “When did we meet?” “Let’s stick to as close to the truth as possible. We met in May.” “And by September we’re engaged?” “What can I say, I’m irresistible.” The skin around his eyes crinkled as he flashed his boyish grin. He cupped his hand around the back of her neck and tugged her close. His boyishness disappeared, now replaced with a fullgrown man. Their lips brushed with a soft touch. She wanted nothing more than to deepen the kiss, to taste him. But he prevented that from happening, keeping the kiss sensual and easy. He played with her mouth, nipping at the corners and sucking on her lower lip. He pulled back when her tongue darted out to tangle with his. A frustrated sigh crossed her lips as she consigned herself to no intimate contact until he’d made the necessary calls. “You may be irresistible, but will your family believe that you met a woman and decided to spend the rest of your life with her over the course of the summer?” “Why wouldn’t they? That’s what happened.” 152

Ghost of a Chance He made it sound like a simple boy meets girl story. More like girl meets ghost. A quick turn of her head left her staring down into Nick’s more-green-than-blue eyes, thanks to his military-issue, ugly green t-shirt. The depth of emotion evident there filled her heart. After her experience with the philandering asshole, she’d decided to take a break from men except for maybe an occasional fling. She’d never anticipated she’d find the man of her dreams. She certainly never thought she’d only have him for a short time. The whole ghost-traveling-back-in-time-issue hadn’t even blipped on her radar screen. Yet, here they were. “I love you,” he lifted up to kiss the tip of her nose, “but if I don’t call my sisters soon, my mother will beat me to it, and they’ll never forgive me for not delivering the news myself.” The temperature of her skin chilled dramatically when she rolled off Nick’s chest. He scrambled to the edge of the bed and picked up the receiver. Scooting behind him, she spread her legs on the outside of his and wrapped her arms around his waist, needing the heat of skin-to-skin contact. She felt the rapid beat of his heart when she pressed her cheek to his back. The rhythmic clacking of the rotary phone punctuated the silence. “Hey, Beano! It’s Uncle Nick. Can I talk to your mommy?” He wiggled closer to Bethany and drummed his fingers on her kneecap. “Hi, Nadia. No, nothing’s wrong with Mom and Dad. Yes, I’m sure. No, I’m not shipping out to Vietnam. No, I wouldn’t lie to you about that.” Bethany felt his chest expand with several deep breaths as he listened to his sister talk. “I’ve already called Mom and Dad, and since you’re the oldest, I figured I’d better call you next or you’d beat me up.” She tensed up as she waited for Nick to deliver the news. He fiddled with the diamond ring on her finger as he waited for a chance to sneak in a word or two.

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Ghost of a Chance “Well, if you’d let me say anything, I’d tell you why I called in the middle of the day. Thank you. I’m sitting here right now with a really incredible woman named Bethany and she’s agreed to be my wife. No! She’s not pregnant. Why do people keep asking me that? Yes, I’ll hold the phone so you can talk to both of us.” Laughter welled up in her chest as Bethany listened to Nadia chatter endlessly. They shared their version of their story as Nick’s oldest sister sighed with what sounded like delight. He informed her he was trying to get some time off and as soon as that happened, he and Bethany would both be taking a trip north. Once Nadia had exhausted her litany of questions, she hung up, but only after extracting a promise to be kept informed. The call to Nina went much more smoothly. She even offered to come down and help with the planning. Nick playfully accused his sister of just wanting to stick her nose in his business like usual. Bethany appreciated the offer, but politely turned her down. Any family visits meant that Nick had to return to the BOQ and Bethany wasn’t willing to give up one single minute with him. Not even for his family. Right now, more than anything, she needed to fall back on the bed and pull Nick with her. She needed to feel his muscles bunch and flex as he pounded his magnificent dick in her. She could almost smell the aroma of lusty sex as she imagined the climax he’d give her. Instead, Nick hopped to his feet and began to dress. “What are you doing?” “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m getting dressed.” “I can see that.” Lack of great sex made her cranky. “Then why’d you ask?” Men. What did she need to do? Spread her legs and send up a neon sign? “Anyway,” he blithely continued, oblivious to her emotions, “I thought we’d grab a paper and map out some apartments over breakfast. I’m hoping now that we’re engaged, we won’t have any trouble renting one.” 154

Ghost of a Chance She rolled off the bed, grumbling to herself the whole time. The dunderhead must have finally figured out something was bothering Bethany. He snuck up behind her and caught her in a bear hold. He rained kisses on her neck and shoulders until she relaxed, sagging against his strong body. “You had other plans for this morning, didn’t you?” She nodded weakly. “I’m sorry I spoiled them. I’ll make it up to you, I promise. And think how much fun we’ll have christening each of the rooms in our new home.” He thrust his hips in a manner guaranteed to get her excited. “Then you’d better find us a ten bedroom mansion, Captain.” With a swift kiss on the lips, she spun out of his embrace and darted to the bathroom to make herself presentable.

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Chapter 16 “Put me down!” Bethany smacked Nick’s shoulder, but not hard enough to do any damage. She didn’t plan to spoil their wedding night. Wedding night. They’d spent the past month furnishing their small twobedroom apartment and planning an equally intimate wedding. Bethany had moved in earlier in the week but Nick had stayed at his room in the BOQ, so as not to upset their new landlords, Rose and Jay Cooper, who lived directly below them. Then, his family descended on them, all eleven of them. Six adults and five children welcoming her into the family with open arms and hearts, so thrilled that Nicky had finally found someone to love. The ceremony had been a quiet affair at the base chapel followed by a simple reception at the Officer’s Club attended by family and friends from the squadron. Now Bethany wanted nothing more than to chuck her Jackie O style, white, long-skirted suit and pill box hat with a veil and show off her sexy lingerie— courtesy of her new sisters-in-law who were determined to see her get pregnant. Tomorrow morning after breakfast with the family, they’d head down to Charleston for a short honeymoon. The hectic past lay at their feet and their brief future stretched ahead of them. Neither mattered. Only getting her hands on her sexy new husband meant anything to her. Had he ever looked sexier? Her heart had stopped beating as she stood at the back of the chapel on the arm of the squadron commander and caught her first glimpse of her husband-to-be in his 156

Ghost of a Chance mess dress. As devastating to her senses as that had been, she yearned to peel him out of the tuxedolike uniform. To christen as many rooms as they could before exhaustion took over. “Not until I get to carry you over the threshold.” “You’ll never make it up the steps carrying me.” “You think so, Mrs. Giordano?” He cocked an eyebrow, shuffled her in his arms, and proceeded to jog up the wooden stairs that led to their apartment. He wasn’t even winded when he reached the top. He shifted her once more and shoved his hand in his pocket, yanking out the key. She held out her hand to help him but he unlocked the door and kicked it open without any assistance from her. He held her close as he stepped inside and pushed the door shut behind them. A myriad of candles flickered in the living room, casting a warm glow and softening the hard edges. A bottle of champagne sat chilling on the coffee table. “Welcome home, Mrs. G.” “How did…what…I’m…” “Speechless?” He dropped his arm out from under her legs, but kept the other securely around her waist. Her body melted to his. If not for the support of his arm, she’d have slid into a pile of overwhelming love and lust at his feet. She could only nod. “I asked Rose and Jay to decorate the place for me. I want our wedding night to be memorable.” He’d achieved that goal without laying so much as a finger on her. With his free hand, he plucked out the bobby pins that secured her hat and veil. A few more pins pulled free allowed her hair to tumble to her shoulders. He cupped the back of her head, threading locks of hair through his fingers. He lowered his face close to hers until only a breath separated their lips. “I love you, Bethany. I always will.” He swallowed her whispered reply when he sank his mouth the rest of the way, possessing her. This kiss bore no resemblance to the chaste kisses they’d shared since his family’s arrival. This kiss 157

Ghost of a Chance was elemental, primeval. This kiss branded her with its scorching heat. His hand tightened on her skull, holding her in place for the plundering. Not that she planned on going anywhere. No way, no how. She was right where she wanted to be. Of their own volition, her arms snaked inside his dark blue jacket and around his waist. Not content to stop there, she smoothed her palms up his chest to his shoulders and began to push at the garment. Nick managed to shrug out of it without breaking the kiss. His tongue swept inside on a groan—his or hers—who could tell—exploring and claiming every inch of her mouth. She battled with him, sparred with him, matched him stroke for stroke. She swallowed his moan, relishing his weakening control. She’d bring him to his knees before the dawn broke. Always one to press her advantage, she thrust her tongue in his mouth. The taste of him filled her senses. Champagne from the reception mixed with his unique flavor. She traced the edge of his teeth, pulled back to tease at his lower lip and suck on it. She wanted to climb up him, in him, be as close to him as humanly possible. They both wore far too many clothes for that. Her hands slid between their bodies, slipping buttons free. She yanked handfuls of shirt out of his pants and finished her task. A quick tug left his chest bared to her gaze. And vulnerable to her hands. Her fingertips sizzled as they trailed along his hot skin. Her mouth continued to devour his, her hands traced his sculpted abdomen and chest. His body shuddered violently when she grazed her thumbs across his stiff nipples. He dropped his hands to her butt cheeks, clutching and kneading them. He pressed her against the full length of his body, gracing her with the feel of his rigid erection straining in his pants. Still holding her close, he lifted her off her feet and shuffled down the hall and into their bedroom. Once there, he relaxed his hold but did not let go. He backed out of the kiss in degrees until they rested with foreheads touching and ragged breaths mingling. 158

Ghost of a Chance The room came into soft focus with more candles providing light. As she turned to the bed, she noticed rose petals scattered all over the spread and both nightstands. Three long-stemmed roses adorned the pillows. Tears trailed unheeded down Bethany’s cheeks as she took in all Nick had done to make this a special night for them—not only their first night as husband and wife, but their first night in their first home. He moved from her side to the head of the bed and picked up the flowers. “I wanted to give this to you this morning, but Nina told me you wouldn’t be able to wear it with your wedding gown. So I decided to save it for now.” Nestled among the leaves and stems sat a black velvet box. He opened the box for her, revealing a heart-shaped charm necklace studded with diamonds. The candlelight reflected in the stones, casting colorful rays. Carefully removing it from the box, he hooked it around her neck while trembling fingers held her hair out of the way. The tips of her fingers caressed the necklace as it rested on her suit jacket. “It’s beautiful. But,” her voice cracked, “I didn’t get you a wedding gift.” “You are my wedding gift. I don’t need anything else.” He held out the roses, circling her hands with his when she touched them. “There are three roses here. The red one and the white one symbolize you and me. You can be which ever one you want.” His lip quirked up in that sexy smile of his. “The pink one symbolizes us. A complete blending of the two individuals until you can’t tell where one of us ends and the other begins. And this can be done without destroying either rose.” Tears turned to all out sobs with his beautiful speech and priceless gifts. His tenderness increased her longing to make love with him. Inhaling deeply to calm herself, she stepped back from Nick, leaving him to hold everything. Moves worthy of a pole dancer came effortlessly as she unbuttoned her jacket and tossed it to the side. She lifted her silk shell up and off, but only after teasing him with glimpses of her 159

Ghost of a Chance tummy. His gasp boomed in the quiet room as he took in the flimsy lace bra that left her aroused nipples visible. His fists flexed and curled with the effort to keep from reaching out for her. Presenting her back to him, she unzipped her skirt and let it swoosh to a pile at her feet. She stepped out of it and turned around in one smooth move. The lust in his eyes told her he appreciated her undergarments—lace panties and garters matching her bra. Turning back around, she shimmied out of her panties as she bent over to give him an unfettered look at her very excited pussy. She heard several muttered and obscene curses as she wiggled her bottom in her “struggle” to remove her underwear. Nick stood completely naked with his impressive erection in his hand, when she decided he’d been teased enough and turned back around. She watched as his hand stroked up and down the thick shaft and head. She lifted her foot to toe off her pumps only to be stopped. “Leave them on. Please?” “Anything you want, husband.” “Anything?” “Anything.” “Sit on the edge of the bed.” She felt like a virginal tramp in her white lace bra, white stockings, and white heels—perched on the bed waiting to be ravished. Climbing onto the bed, he kneeled between her thighs, forcing them wide. He plucked her breasts from the bra cups, but did not remove the garment. The rough hairs on his legs brushed her silk covered thighs, tantalizing her nerve endings and revving up her already supercharged hormones. Then he pressed his cock to her heated pussy and she almost begged for him to take her right then and there. Instead, she caught his gaze and darted her tongue across her lips. He answered the wordless invitation with a kiss beyond her expectation. Instead of the burning possession of just moments before, he made love to her mouth, worshipping, cherishing. Her legs wrapped around his hips as her hands clutched at his shoulders and back as she struggled to get closer to him, to be one with him. His kiss heated the very air 160

Ghost of a Chance she breathed as he sipped at her lips. Love and passion rolled over her in waves, rocking her to her soul. She gulped in air while his talented tongue cruised along her jaw line and made its way to the pounding pulse at the base of her throat. He worried the skin, and then soothed it with wet swipes. His downward journey continued to the upper swell of her breasts. With their weight supported by the bra cups, his hands were free to plump and caress the sensitive flesh. Pressing her breasts together, he flicked his tongue back and forth over her nipples. The nip of his teeth on the delicate tips sent shivers racing down her spine and desire thrumming through her body. She laced her fingers over the nape of his neck, encouraging him to continue the luscious torment. A whimper escaped her throat when he moved away. Her areolas puckered from the cold now that they were no longer warmed by the fire of his mouth. She thought to issue a protest until the path of his kisses penetrated her lust-fogged brain. Scarcely a scant second after realization dawned, his hands pushed her knees a shoulder-width apart as he sank between her legs. A sexy musk filled her nostrils but Nick didn’t seem to mind. He rubbed his cheek against her inner thigh, his nose buried in her wet slit. “I could eat you alive,” he muttered as he dove into her pussy. “Oh. Gawd. Yes.” Coherent thought deserted her once more, leaving her to focus on him as he feasted on her. His stiffened tongue plunged inside her, increasing her longing for his cock, intensifying the empty feeling. The son of a bitch had the nerve to chuckle when she demanded more. Instead, he slowed his ministrations, sweeping her clit with the flat of his tongue, nothing more. His actions kept her primed for release, not allowing her to fall over the edge. She tried to hurry him along. Anything to force him to bring her to completion. With amazing speed and agility, he moved away from her body and swung her to a prone position on their bed, coming to 161

Ghost of a Chance rest on top of her. The head of his erection demanded entrance as he cradled himself between her thighs. Yes! “I want to come together this first time as man and wife.” Her heart liked the sound of that but the lust-crazed part of her brain didn’t care as long as she came. He jerked his hips, embedding the head of his cock. Tease. “I don’t want to put on a rubber.” “Then don’t.” No more encouragement was necessary. Her wet slit accommodated his forceful thrust, filling her in one glorious move. A soft expletive sighed from his lips and he dropped his forehead to hers. His skin goose bumped at her touch, his ragged breathing fanned his cheek. “Shit. I have never before shot my load in a single thrust.” To be the cause of such a loss of control in such a powerful man was the ultimate aphrodisiac. Bethany squeezed her inner muscles and was rewarded with a deep-throated groan. Stroking her hands over his butt, she held her hips still against the urge to rock against him. He wanted them to come together, so she waited patiently for him to regain the control she’d stripped from him. After what seemed like hours but was in reality only minutes, Nick shifted, his cock pulling out until she felt bereft and empty. On the downward push of his hips, she levered herself up to meet his hips. She wrapped her legs high on his waist to deepen the penetration and increase the power of her own thrusts. A powerful tingle increased with each slide of his dick inside her, his thick head rubbing the length of her nerve filled, moist flesh. The developing sensation warmed her physically and emotionally. Braced on his forearms, his chest hair tickled her nipples, drawing even more pleasure through her energized body. The tingles zipped like lightening all through her. His movements picked up in pace and fervor. A tilt of her hips brought him in direct contact with her clit and provided the exact combination of stimuli to let the building storm break. 162

Ghost of a Chance She clutched wildly at his forearms, sides, and back in an effort to drive her body toward the climax coursing through her body. “Please, please.” “Please what?” “I need to come.” He might have responded, she’d never know. Her entire being focused on the increased pounding forcing the air from her lungs. Her orgasm exploded, enveloping her body and soul. The bright white light flashed, scattering her senses and heightening her awareness of his erection. The lingering echoes of a scream floated on the air, one she recognized as hers. Above her, he gasped and grunted and swore. She wished she was one of those women in the romance novels she used to read, the ones who felt every spurt of his orgasm. She settled for feeling his cock twitch and jerk. He collapsed on her, his full weight coming to rest on her body as he gulped in huge lungfuls of air. She inhaled the aftermath of sex, a unique combination of both of them. With her arms holding him tight, she savored the connection. “I love you, Mrs. G.” “You’d better, flyboy, because I absolutely, adoringly love you.” She drifted off with his body heat warming her better than any blanket. **** Why on earth had he agreed to meet his family for breakfast? Even a late one? All he wanted to do was fuck his wife silly in every room of their apartment. He’d imagined coaxing her awake and luring her into the bathroom. He’d been debating between sitting on the closed commode lid and having her ride him or slamming into her in the shower. Or both. Instead, he woke up to an empty bed, cuddling a pillow with her fresh, floral scent clinging to it. But no wife in sight. Damn and double damn. The raging hard on tormenting him was capable of 163

Ghost of a Chance drilling holes in concrete, but he only wanted to drill one very warm, willing pussy. Following the clang of metal striking metal, he found his wayward bride standing in the kitchen wearing her favorite outfit, one of his shirts. And looking far too sexy for her own good. The woody he’d been sporting when he woke up roared back to life, pointing in her direction like a divining rod. “What on earth are you doing?” He propped a shoulder on the doorframe and waited for her to turn around. “I wanted to surprise you and make—” Her eyes rounded with shock as she spun to face him and found herself staring at a naked man. Her eyes dropped to his hard on and when she gazed back up at him, a sensual haze lurked behind her dark lashes. No law said they couldn’t start with the kitchen. He could always bend her over the little table and fuck her from behind. He watched her throat bob several times, as she swallowed. “I still can’t get the hang of the damn percolators.” He’d managed to keep her from swearing in public but had given up on curtailing the habit in private. He knew how much she struggled with the little nuances of life in the 1960’s, faux pas and gestures acceptable in the future but utterly inappropriate now. Such as a woman swearing at all or a gentleman swearing in front of a lady. “I really miss my Mr. Coffee. I never realized brewing a good pot was such a chore.” “You’re not exactly a pro at it, that’s for sure.” He liked her babbling. She only blathered on when nervous or aroused. Since she wasn’t a virgin-on-her-wedding-night nervous, he’d bet his next paycheck she wanted him as much as he wanted her. She fisted her hands on her hips, raising the hem of the shirt high enough to give him a glimpse of her bush. His mouth watered and his cock jerked in anticipation. The wiggle drew her eyes back down, so he flexed his muscles a few times for good measure. Heavy breaths panted through her parted lips and made him long to feel the plump flesh hugging his dick. 164

Ghost of a Chance “I don’t think you married me for my coffee making abilities.” She shifted her shoulders just enough to set her boobs in motion. The fire of arousal lit in her eyes as she stared him down in defiant challenge. “Amen.” He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to have her. To hell with his family. If they couldn’t understand why he and Bethany were late, then the lot of them didn’t possess a single romantic bone. He, however, had a very romantic boner. Finesse got sucked into the afterburners and disappeared whenever he looked at his wife. Judging by her pointed nipples and the smell of aroused woman reaching him from across the room, she didn’t want to wait either. He stalked her across the floor of their small kitchen, skirting the table, the predatory need to claim and possess her as strong as ever. Her eyes never left his as he closed in, egging him on. A squeal burst from her lips as his arm snaked around her waist and folded her to his body. She laughed, low and throaty, sexy, when he growled his pleasure at the press of her nipples. He only wanted to hear incoherent murmurs and screams of passion from her right now. He tightened his embrace as she wiggled until he realized she only wanted to strip out of his shirt. It landed somewhere on the other side of the room. “Is this what you wanted, flyboy?” “It’s part of what I want, anyway. The other part involves you screaming out my name.” “Think you can make me do that, do you?” She fisted his cock and stroked up and down. “Not if you keep doing that.” “What if I do this?” Ducking out of his embrace, she strutted over to the table, confident in the knowledge that he loved looking at her ass. His stomach launched itself in his throat when she leaned over the table, bracing her hands and arching her back. His heart stopped when she reached between her legs and spread the plump juicy 165

Ghost of a Chance flesh with her fingers and gave him an unrestricted view of her pussy. Her middle finger slid between the folds, dipping into her body, right where he needed to be. His dick throbbed with the painful need. Unable to take the torture any longer, he stepped behind her and let his cock glide along the desire moistened flesh. His splayed hands spread her ass cheeks, exposing even more of her to his lusty gaze. A primitive part of him longed to ram his dick inside her puckered opening and up her ass. But good girls didn’t do such things. Then again, maybe in her time, they did. Regardless, this wasn’t the time or the place, so he tucked the fantasy away for another day. “Fuck me, Nick. Fuck me now.” Sometimes, he thanked his lucky stars he hadn’t completely rid her of her cursing habit. “Your wish is my command.” Pulling back, he coated his hard on with her abundant moisture and plunged inside. His hands traveled to her hips to control her movements. He wanted to set the pace. He kept his thrusts short and shallow, not allowing himself to penetrate her fully. Her whimpers and pleas fell on deaf ears. She may have started the game, but he intended to finish it. She must have been frustrated because she dropped one hand between her legs. He’d have none of that. “Put your hand back on the table.” He punctuated his command by stilling his hips when he was almost completely out of her body. She pushed her hands out in front of her, earning herself a quick deep thrust. The thin gold of her wedding band caught his eye. He loved the way it looked there, boldly proclaiming to the world that she was his until death parted them. And beyond, if he had anything to say about it. As he resumed his previous pattern of thrusts, he rubbed one hand between her legs, teasing her clit. He got off on the sexy, little noises she made when they made love and her uninhibited enjoyment. Coating his pinky, he brought his hand back around to 166

Ghost of a Chance her ass cheeks. He teased at her puckered hole, slipping his little finger inside as he slammed his cock into her body as far as it could go. She didn’t stiffen or pull away, instead, shoving back now that he didn’t have both hands available to prevent her from actively participating. If the pants and moans didn’t clue him in to her impending climax, the muscular spasms around his cock and finger did. She milked his orgasm from deep in his balls, drawing them up tight to his body. She screamed out his name and relaxed in a boneless heap on the tabletop. He lowered his eyes to watch his cock pump, pulling his finger out of the way of the view of her pink flesh spread wide for him, granting him access to her precious body. Pleasure thundered through his body and spilled into hers, robbing him of the ability to command his muscles. He flopped to her back, conscious of only the desire not to squish her to the table. At first, he thought the groans came from one of them. Satisfied sounds in the aftermath of an incredible fuck. By the time he realized they were something more, he had only enough time to pull out of Bethany’s body and twist so that she sprawled across him and not the other way around. They landed on the floor amid the pieces of the now broken table, stunned. “Are you hurt?” She was his first concern. “I don’t think so,” but she made no move to get up. “What about you?” “I think everything is in one piece.” She began to laugh, a sound that reassured him more than anything else. “What’s so funny?” “What do we tell people when they ask why we need a new kitchen table?” Gawd, he loved this woman.

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Chapter 17 “You’re going on alert again? You just came off alert.” Nick hated it when Bethany whined. She’d been doing that more and more. Just because he knew the reason, didn’t mean he liked the behavior. Especially not when he didn’t like being on alert any more than her. They both knew the meaning. “Don’t start with me, Bethany.” He didn’t want her getting clingy and needy. Not when he found himself becoming the same way. The first eight months of married life had been ideal, except for the small fact that the guys kept calling him pussy whipped. A gentleman didn’t kiss and tell, but if he did, he’d tell them he’d never had better sex than with his wife. And if that made him whipped, so be it. Except for the last month or so. As the time for his departure drew closer and closer, strained nerves raced headlong to the breaking point, trampling his sexual urges. The Green Demons had deployed to Japan right after they married, the Black Panthers had deployed to Spain in the spring, and his unit was due to head over to Vietnam soon. The guys didn’t know exactly when they’d be flying out. But he and Bethany knew. August had rolled back around faster than either of them desired. “You’re always on alert. You’re never home. And even when you’re physically here, you’re not here. Gawd, Nick, when was the last time we made love?” He hoped that was a rhetorical question. He was achingly aware of how long it had been, down to the last minute, since he’d 168

Ghost of a Chance slid inside her welcoming body and felt complete. How could he tell her he couldn’t do it? Once upon a time, another lifetime ago, he’d been able to fuck, to keep his heart and soul out of the equation. But not with her. Every touch, every kiss, exposed his heart and his emotions, made him vulnerable. How could he tell her he couldn’t make love to her and keep the emotional distance he needed to do his job, to survive until it was his time to die? “I just wish you didn’t have to go so often.” She wished he didn’t go on alert every time he turned around? She wasn’t the one stuck in a small “house” on the flight line twenty-four hours a day for as long as seven days at a stretch with a squadron full of horn dogs. There were days when he was afraid to drop the soap. She wasn’t the one who had to eat, breathe, and sleep in a flight suit, ready to jump in a Hun at a moment’s notice. He swore that if the Air Force learned how to make them shower in a flight suit, they’d do it and eliminate the pesky oops-I-justshowered-and-have-to-get-dressed time delay. He had a slight advantage over the rest of the poor slobs stuck on alert with him. Or maybe it wasn’t such a good thing. They had no clue if the next time they took off would be the time they kept right on flying for Vietnam. Nick knew exactly how much time he had until he flew off to war. Exactly how little time he had left with Bethany. Exactly how much time he had before their final goodbye. He had no idea how he’d do it. Leaving her now just about tore his heart in two, even when he’d known they’d be reuniting. And oh, had the reunions been sweet. The memory of their Valentine’s Day together stood out in his mind. He’d trudged up the steps after a mind numbingly, long week on alert, expecting her to greet him at the door in her usual enthusiastic fashion. Instead, someone must have tipped her off that he was on his way. She’d been waiting for him in their bedroom, draped on the bed, with rose petals and candy hearts sprinkled on her naked body. They didn’t even have to leave the bed to eat since she’d thought ahead and prepared a picnic meal for them. They didn’t come up for air for twenty-four hours. 169

Ghost of a Chance Those reunions had made it possible for him to leave her. He lacked the strength to do it when he knew he wasn’t coming back. Because of her, he seriously considered leaving the Air Force, even though he highly doubted they’d let him get out now, not in the middle of a police action. The fact that he even considered leaving the Air Force scared him shitless. They’d both known the parameters of the relationship when it started. Hell, he was a ghost, for God sakes. A dead man. He was still a dead man, just one living on borrowed time. Love sucked. It changed everything. In the silence, he realized Bethany stared at him, her expression a combination of pain and confusion and fear. He hated what he was doing to her. He wished he knew how to protect himself without hurting her. “We both knew this was coming, Bethany. There’s nothing we can do about it.” “You think I don’t realize what’s coming right around the fucking corner? You’re a bigger idiot than I thought, if you think I don’t understand.” “Then what’s going on here, Bethany?” “You tell me. That’s what I don’t understand. I hate you going on alert, not because I hate being alone, but because I feel you slipping away, farther and farther every time you come back, when you even come back. I’m afraid you’re not going to come back the next time. And I don’t know what to do about it.” She blinked back the tears, her lashes wet from the effort. Such a perceptive woman. Such an amazing woman. The only person he’d ever connected with, in life or in death. “I’m under a great deal of pressure right now. I don’t have time to be dealing with this bullsh…your histrionics.” She looked as stunned and hurt as if he’d hit her. “I see.” Did she? Did she understand that he had to drive her away so that he could do his job and hang on to his sanity? “I’m not really sure when they’ll be sounding the alert siren. I’m going to pack up some gear and crash at the BOQ until they do.” 170

Ghost of a Chance “Of course.” She didn’t follow him into the bedroom this time. But that was what he wanted, wasn’t it? Why did the room feel so empty without her sitting on the bed, chattering away about her volunteer duties and her work with the officers’ wives club? Even when she just stared at him, making him horny as hell with her appreciative glances, the silence comforted him. Now it was oppressive. With his duffel bag slung over his shoulder, he made his way back down the hall, pausing at the living room. Her back to him, she sat with shoulders slumped, jerking with sobs he’d caused. He banged his bag against the wall, making his presence known. She stiffened, her spine rigid. She swiped at the tears with the butt of her palm, taking a minute to compose herself before turning around. “Do you have everything you need?” How like her to think of someone else. To think of him. “Yeah.” Her red, puffy eyes broke his heart. “I’m not sure when I’ll be home.” If I’ll be home. “Of course.” “Bye, Bethany.” “Bye, Nick.” He turned for the door before he lost all his resolve and crushed her in his embrace and declared his ever-lasting love. **** The grits slopped on his plate chilled as he stared out the window of Mammy’s Kitchen, a Myrtle Beach institution. The southern delicacy passed muster when smothered in butter and warm. When cold, he’d be better off going across the street and scooping up a mouth full of sand. Since he’d been thinking of Bethany for the better part of an hour, he figured he’d get his coffee warmed up and pass on the food on his plate. He yearned to go home, he knew he didn’t dare. August snuck up on them, a year since they’d landed back in the past and just days from when the squadron would deploy for Vietnam. He still had time to beg for her forgiveness and fuck like bunnies until 171

Ghost of a Chance the time arrived to leave. God knew how hard it was to stay away. The lonely, lumpy bed at the BOQ didn’t begin to compare with curling up beside his wife. No, he understood his weaknesses as well as his strengths. Bethany was both. With her by his side, he’d faced his life and lived it differently this time around. Hopefully, that made enough of a difference to enable him to go to Heaven when he died this time. He’d find out soon enough. But she made him not want to learn if they’d succeeded in carrying out God’s plan for them. He had to fulfill his obligations. If he did something stupid like go AWOL, or better yet, injure himself so he couldn’t fly, one of the other members of his squadron would be shot down instead of him. Would die instead of him. And what chain of events would that set off? He owed it to them, the Air Force, and to his country to live the life he’d already lived. To do that, he had to stay away from Bethany. One minute in her arms was one minute too many right now. It killed him to hurt her, but he kept telling himself he’d hurt her anyway when he died. Maybe, just maybe, she’d hurt less if she hated him. Keep thinking that, buddy, and maybe you’ll believe it some day. He tossed a dollar bill on the table for the waitress, heedless of the extravagance, and headed outside. Only a few cars traveled Ocean Boulevard at seven in the morning, making crossing the street an easy task. He made his way around the Pavilion to the beach, pausing long enough to strip off his combat boots and socks. Knotting the laces together, he flung the shoes over his shoulder and walked across the cold sand down to the water’s edge. The occasional jogger or seashell gatherer cast wary glances in his direction, questioning his choice in beach attire. Even he had to admit that flight suits weren’t exactly standard beachwear, even with an Air Force base in the vicinity. The white, frothy spray splashed over his feet, dampening the bottom of his pants. Normally, he found the vastness of the ocean calming. On this morning, it overwhelmed him, stretching out to the horizon cold and lonely, like his future without Bethany. After 172

Ghost of a Chance the way he’d hurt her, she might not want to have anything to do with him when she got to Heaven. Never mind what staying away did to him. He had to do it. What if she begged him to stay? What if he begged her to let him stay? Both were scenarios he refused to face. He’d never imagined how difficult it would all become when he’d allowed Bethany to come back in time with him. He’d been a dead man, sick and tired of floating between his unexciting car and unexciting Limbo. He’d longed for the promise of Heaven and she held the first ticket he’d been offered in almost forty years. Who the hell was he kidding? He’d also wanted to get laid for the first time in a long time. Their pseudo-sex had whetted his appetite for the real thing. Sex with Bethany had exceeded his wildest wet dreams. Then there was George’s whole “His plan” theory. It sounded good when it meant loving Bethany. It stunk now that it meant pain and suffering for both of them. Had he brought them together only to allow them to suffer now? To allow Bethany to be miserable for who knew how long? The logical, rational, trained with military precision part of his mind argued that neither one of them had to be enduring this pain right now. They could be relishing each other’s company, loving up to the very end. Except that, his deeply in love heart would collapse under the strain. This was easier, it insisted. “Saint. Hey, Saint, wait up.” Nick heard the cry and paused in his meandering. Bull jogged toward him, looking more like a surfer than a fighter jockey with his baggy shorts, no shirt, and surfboard tucked under his arm. “What’s up, Bull?” “I saw your car when I drove past Mammy’s, so I thought I’d have a look see before I catch some waves.” He cast a critical eye at Nick. “Wanna tell me what’s up?” “Why the hell would something be up?” “You haven’t been home yet. Hell, you haven’t even been to the BOQ to change, for that matter.” 173

Ghost of a Chance “I felt like grabbing a bite to eat and taking a walk first.” “You’re one world-class bullshitter, man. Why the hell aren’t you home with your wife f—” Nick shot him a serious glance and cocked eyebrow. “Home with your wife. What the hell is going on? If I had an amazing wife waiting for me, I’d never leave her side.” “It’s nothing.” “Nothing, my ass. You’ve been a royal bastard to be around, you’re bunking at the BOQ and hanging around with us again. Something’s up and we’re worried.” “It’ll all work out.” Like hell, it would. “Man, you know as well as the rest of us that we’ll be out of here any time now. Go home, kiss and make up. You’ll regret it if you don’t before we deploy.” Nick kept his thoughts to himself. He already did regret it. And they were going to be called back to base before Bull caught any decent waves. **** Bethany sat off to the side of the squadron building, her focus on the flight line in front of her. When Nick hadn’t come home, she’d borrowed Rose’s car and left for the base. She knew he’d be leaving within the hour. If the rat bastard didn’t care enough to come to her one last time, she’d go to him. She didn’t care if she made a scene. She hadn’t left everything behind only to have him leave her behind without so much as an “it’s been real”. His reasons for driving them apart meant nothing. She’d figured out that’s what he’d been trying to accomplish. Regardless, she’d get the last word. Or words. She knew she had to actually get out of the car and go inside to do that. Once he suited up, he’d be transported out to his plane and she’d never know. He’d take off and she’d be none the wiser. For all she knew, he’d left already, just to throw her off. Waves of nausea rolled over her, bringing the urge to throw up with them. She willed her hand to reach for the door handle, but it remained in a white-knuckled grasp on the steering wheel. Several deep breaths and a major mental chastising later, she swung her legs out of the car and marched to the door. 174

Ghost of a Chance He’s my husband, she repeated to herself. Whatever else may have been running through that pea brain of his, he was still her husband and they were both fully aware of what was about to transpire. The rhythmic clomp of combat boots echoed in the sterile hallway, every door looking like every other door. He could be anywhere, including not even in the building. It didn’t matter. She’d never be able to live with herself if she didn’t at least try. “Hey, Mrs. G. Is that you?” A short man clomped toward her. “Hi, Gomez. It’s me.” He took her hand in his as he stopped in front of her. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” From the guilty look on his face, she wondered what Nick had to say about her during their separation. Had he blamed their difficulty on her? “A little birdie told me you were flying out this afternoon so I thought I’d take a chance and try to find Nick.” “For what it’s worth, ma’am, he’s being a complete ass…um, jerk right now and you deserve better.” So, he hadn’t been badmouthing her. “Thanks, Gomez.” She’d grown close to the men in the squadron, and their wives or girlfriends, since her marriage. She felt reassured by the thought that Nick hadn’t said things about her during their estrangement. She’d need the support of those women soon enough. They’d all need each other to get through the first months alone. “Come on. The last time I saw Nick, about five minutes ago, he was in the conference room with the CO.” Gomez must have seen her hesitation about interrupting Nick and his supervisor. “The colonel thinks Nick’s being an ass…ah shoot, a jerk, too. He’ll be glad to see you’ve tracked your sorry husband down to say goodbye.” Gomez tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and steered her down a long hallway. So, they all thought her husband was being a rat bastard, did they? She found that comforting. Pausing in front of a door, Gomez stuck his head inside. “Uh, Colonel, can I see you for a minute?” 175

Ghost of a Chance Bethany didn’t hear the mumbled reply. “It’s important, sir, or I wouldn’t ask.” She heard the screech of the chair as it pushed back followed by steady strides. “This had better be good, Gomez.” “I think you’ll agree with me that it is.” He jerked his head in Bethany’s direction. The squadron commander faltered at the door. “Well, yes, I… that is, it’s a very good reason, Gomez.” He mouthed, “Go on in,” to her and headed down the hall, dragging a reluctant Gomez behind him. With her hand on the doorknob to steady her knocking knees, she stepped into the room. Nick sat at the rectangular table, his head bowed as he shuffled through papers. He must have sensed a presence, but he didn’t look up. “Colonel, if we fly to—” He looked up when the door slammed shut. His eyes hardened as he took notice of his company. “What are you doing here, Bethany?” The chair scraped as he stood, always the gentleman. “It’s good to see you, too, Nick. It’s been awhile.” Her heart lodged in her throat, making speech difficult. She prayed she’d kept her voice modulated enough to prevent him from noticing. He looked so impossibly handsome standing there. His wide shoulders and broad chest filled out his flight suit. Long, tapered fingers tapped a well-muscled thigh. Her memory held on to every detail of his perfect physique. If she could only get close enough to see the color of his eyes… Judging by his rigid stance, she’d have to work hard—or launch a sneak attack—to get that close. “Don’t start with me, Bethany.” “I didn’t come to fight with you, Nick. I’m tired of fighting.” She held up her hands, palms out and shoulder high. “I came to say goodbye. To finish things.” She advanced on him, a full frontal assault, refusing to allow much distance between them. 176

Ghost of a Chance A flash of the old Nick, the man she married, sparked in his green eyes before he shut down again. Hope flared to life in her heart, something he’d managed to snuff out, reassuring her that she wasn’t out in left field in her thinking. “Good-bye, Bethany.” “Not like that, Nick. I let you turn away from me once, hoping you’d pull your head out of your ass and come back. I waited too long. But I refuse to lose this opportunity. You may hate me or you may not love me, but I’ll be damned if I’ll send you off to die without making sure you know how much… I. Love. You.” She jabbed her finger at her chest to punctuate each word. She stalked toward him, forcing him to stumble backward around the table until his back hit the wall. His wary gaze followed her as she closed the gap until a whiff of smoke couldn’t separate them. Heat poured off his body, scalding her through the intervening layers of clothing. She intended to find out if it was caused by anger or passion. Rising on tiptoe, she tangled her fingers in the short hairs on the nape of his neck and tugged his face to hers until their lips met. Electricity surged as their mouths mated, the chemistry as intense as ever. A subtle tilt of her head deepened the kiss. She snaked her tongue between his lips, the taste of him achingly familiar. She heard his growl and felt his chest rumble at the same time. She mentally happy danced, knowing he wasn’t unaffected, despite all the shit he’d put her through. His body told the truth, in the form of an erection jutting at her belly. He took control of the embrace, flipping her around until his hips pressed her to the wall. Grabbing her thigh, he hiked her leg around his waist to give him unfettered access to her pussy. His tongue stroked hers, claiming her mouth as he thrust against her cotton clad crotch. Their breath mingled as he backed out of the kiss, trailing his lips over her face. Her nose, her eyes, her cheeks, her ears all benefited from the frenzy of his mouth. “Bethany. My Bethany. Oh God, Bethany.” He muttered reverently over and over, as his lips 177

Ghost of a Chance caressed her. He reclaimed her mouth with a shudder and a sigh she almost missed as her heart skipped one beat, then two. Whatever the hell was going on with him wasn’t because he didn’t love her. Or so she thought, until he shoved her away, a violent curse clanging in her ears. “I think you need to leave, Bethany.” She smoothed her skirt with her chin held high and her eyes locked with his. He’d shut down on her—those wonderful, expressive eyes told her nothing. “I love you, Nick. Nothing you can do or say is going to change that. I may be a naive fool, but I’m your fool. Forever. I hope we accomplished what we set out to do here.” With as much dignity as she could muster, she headed out of the room. The slam of the door and the rattling of cheap, militaryissue frosted glass prevented her from hearing Nick’s final words to her. “I love you, too, Bethany.”

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Chapter 18 Bethany haunted the apartment, ambling from room to room, ignoring comfortable chairs and the couch. She’d cleaned the place to within an inch of its life. A speck of dust wouldn’t dare settle on the bookshelves and the vacuum tracks didn’t have the nerve to disappear. The competing scents of lemon furniture polish and pine floor cleaner hung in the air, afraid to evaporate in the face of her cleaning onslaught. The semblance of normalcy kept her from losing what remained of her sanity. Kept her from crying, even when she didn’t think she had another tear to spare. Except there was nothing normal about her life right now. Oh sure, from the outside, she looked like every other military wife hoping and praying for her husband’s safe return. Not her. Every second that ticked off the clock brought her husband’s death that much closer. She wished she hadn’t done so much Internet research before coming back to 1965. She knew to the day when his plane would be shot down and when he would die. She didn’t want the men in their starched, blue uniforms walking up the steps to give her the news she already knew. Dear saints above, why had she agreed to this madness? Because she loved him more than life itself. Because she believed the idiot who said it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Because her mother told her she’d rather live her life alone than to have never loved her father at all. Because she didn’t want Nick to be confined to Limbo forever. 179

Ghost of a Chance Instead, she sentenced herself to a life in limbo, a life without her soul mate. She’d never love another man with the same intensity she’d loved Nick. It just wasn’t possible. A big part of her wondered if she’d be pacing back and forth second-guessing herself if she and Nick hadn’t been estranged when he left, if he hadn’t pulled away from her. Making her wonder if he honestly loved her as much as she’d loved him. What else was she supposed to think, given his behavior during the month leading up to his deployment? As she paced back by the kitchen table, the airmail envelope taunted her. Inside rested the first contact she’d had from Nick since she’d sat outside the back gate and watched the jets fly away two months earlier. If she knew Nick at all, he’d written the letter as soon as he’d landed at the base. The post office didn’t move mail as quickly, telephone lines were practically non-existent in the jungles of South East Asia, and instant messages weren’t even an idea. So, it took forever for word to get back and forth. Had she gotten through to him at the very end? She hadn’t written him since he deployed, unsure what to even say. Hi honey, wish you were here and I wasn’t. That didn’t seem like the way to go. But then again, neither did, Hi honey, I love you. She’d tried that, confronting him at squadron headquarters. Words that had flowed so easily between them until the month before he left. She screwed up the courage she’d been lacking for the three days since the letter showed up in the mail. If he called her a stupid fool for believing his bullshit, so be it. If he criticized her for loving him, life moved on. If he told her he’d used her to get what he wanted— She couldn’t go there. She had to believe Nick still loved her, despite his abominable behavior before he shipped out. She might never know why he acted like a colossal asshole, but she refused to believe he’d stopped loving her.

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Ghost of a Chance Clutching the envelope in jittery hands, she sat on the closest chair. And prayed harder than she’d ever prayed in her life that she hadn’t been wrong about him. About them. “Ouch.” Her hands shook so much as she slid her finger under the envelope flap, she’d gotten a paper cut. She sucked a fingertip between her lips. My name is Captain Nicholas Giordano and if you’re reading this, I’ll thank God every single day when I finally get to Heaven. Bethany swiped away a tear with the back of her hand as memories of that first letter from Nick threatened to overwhelm her. I’m sorry. I’ll say it again if you need me to. I’m sorry. I’m a selfish bastard and you’re paying the price. You gave up a life for me, to help me. You unselfishly left behind everyone and everything you knew for me. All because you love me. Selfish bastard that I am, I took advantage of that love, knowing what it would cost you. But I never knew what it would cost me. My heart, my soul. They belong to you now, along with my love. Even though I never told you enough, never showed you enough, I hope you can believe my simple words now that I’m so far away. Before I left, I gave you cause to doubt me. It didn’t matter to me if this was all part of his plan for us. I could only think about myself as the time for deployment got closer and closer. I could only think of leaving you, of never holding you in my arms again, never again making love to you. Of leaving you alone. Of being alone. And I drove you away, stayed away, under the mistaken assumption that it would make this easier for the both of us. Instead, I only succeeded in depriving us of precious time together. I can only hope and pray that you’ll believe me when I tell you that I love you with all my heart and that you meant it when you told me you’d love me forever. My time with you has been the best of my life. You are my reason for living. My hope in dying. 181

Ghost of a Chance I wish we had forever. I’d settle for the month I wasted. Death will part us way too soon. We knew that when we said our vows, but it didn’t make it any easier. Don’t mourn me, Bethany, for I will always be at your side. Nothing as fleeting as death can tear me from you. The sun shining down on your face will be my smile. The rain washing away your tears will by my tears. The gentle breeze will be my breath. And one day, when you’re old and gray and even more beautiful than you are now, I’ll hold out my hand to you so you can join me in Heaven, where we’ll never be parted again. Big teardrops landed on the paper before Bethany clutched the priceless letter to her chest and gave in to gut wrenching sobs. **** The bright sunshine mocked Bethany’s bitter mood. So did the seagulls crying outside the window. Only the empty beaches and shuttered buildings of late winter appreciated the depth of her sorrow. She slept walked her way through the nightmare of her days. She ate alone, she slept alone, and when she wasn’t sleeping, she paced the floors alone. She cried alone. Knowing his fate hadn’t made life any easier. She almost envied the wives who waited and prayed for a safe return. At least they had hope. The men in the starched, blue uniforms would be showing up at her door any time now. The time had passed when Nick’s plane had been shot down and he’d been rescued by the Marines he’d been sent in to save only to die later in medical tent on the front line. A hero. She didn’t want a fucking hero. She wanted Nick back. She wished she could know if he’d made it to Heaven. If he could only get in touch with her somehow. Maybe he could. Time would tell. She wandered into the kitchen, opened up the refrigerator, and eyed the contents. Nothing appealed to her. Her clothes bagged on her body. Worrying about your husband wasn’t a diet 182

Ghost of a Chance she’d recommend to anyone. She’d always wanted to be thin. She’d take Nick back in a split second and not give a rat’s ass about her weight. Not for the first time she gave a silent prayer that she hadn’t conceived before he left. The stress and the turmoil and the shitty diet were not ideal conditions for a healthy baby. Still...she rubbed her palm over her stomach...a little piece of Nick... An oven timer buzzed below her, drawing her attention to the scent of lasagna wafting through the floorboards. Rose undoubtedly made enough food to serve half the locals in town and would call upstairs, inviting Bethany for dinner. Rose and her husband Jay worried about her living all alone, worrying about her husband’s safety. She loved them for their concern even on days she wished they’d leave her alone to wallow in her misery. The telltale clomp of boots on the stairs stopped her heart and sent it spiraling to her stomach. If she’d had food in it, she’d surely have thrown up. She slammed the fridge door shut and prayed her downstairs neighbor had decided to check up on her and issue that dinner invite in person. The knock on the door told her she had visitors, not company. Tears filled her eyes and her lip trembled as she went down the hall. Her feet weighed a ton, making forward motion a chore. A glimpse of blue showed in the full-length window beside the door. Shit. Maybe if she ignored them, they’d go away. She jumped when the knock sounded a second time, clutching at her stomach. No such luck. She cracked open the door and stuck her head around. “Mrs. Giordano?” She nodded, her mouth full of sand, making speech impossible. She heard the officers identify themselves, but the names didn’t register in her brain. “May we come in?” She briefly wondered what they’d do if she told them to go to hell. Was anyone brave in this situation? 183

Ghost of a Chance At least they had the decency to look uncomfortable as they waited for her to let them in. She opened the door for them and gestured in the direction of the living room. Hopefully, they’d get the hint since her vocal chords didn’t want to work. The men took a seat beside each other on the couch, leaving her to sit in the chair across from them. It reeked of a practiced move. Too much practice, given the fact that the United States was involved in a war. Sorry, not a war, a police action. Not that it mattered what the fuck the politicians called it. Men were dying. Her husband one of the KIA, killed in action. “Mrs. Giordano, I’m afraid we’re here with some bad news.” Wouldn’t they just shit if they had even an inkling she already knew. Had known before they even showed up at her door. “Mrs. Giordano, at oh-four-thirty local time, your husband was scrambled in support of a Marine unit behind enemy lines under heavy fire from the North Vietnamese. A surface to air missile downed his jet.” Tell me something I don’t know. “Your husband’s actions saved those Marines. He’s a hero.” Damn, she wished she could remember who he said he was, this Colonel Dalton trying to reach out to comfort her. She wouldn’t even know his name if it weren’t for the blue tag pinned to his breast. “The Marines pulled him from his downed plane and got him to safety. The medics stabilized him and he is on his way to our finest military hospital in Germany for further care.” “Excuse me? Are you saying that my husband is still alive? That you didn’t come here to tell me he’s dead?” “Yes, ma’am, I am. He is, however, unconscious and has been since the Marines found him. He hasn’t regained consciousness, to the best of my knowledge.” “But he’s alive?” “Yes, ma’am. But I can’t give you a prognosis on his condition. There’s still a chance...” he cleared his throat. “We’d like to send you to Germany to be with him, if you’re able.” 184

Ghost of a Chance How had she missed this piece of information? He’d lived long enough to make it out of Vietnam? How had she not known? Who flipping cared? “Yes, I’m able.” She struggled to talk between the tears and the racing heart. “Just tell me what to do and I’ll make the arrangements.” “We can put you on a C-135 flying to Ramstein first thing in the morning. All you need to do is pack. An escort will pick you up and bring you to the base.” She couldn’t believe this was happening. This wasn’t supposed to happen, was it? Maybe this was just her chance to tell Nick she loved him in person before he died. She didn’t care. She’d take anything she could get right about now. “I’ll be ready.” “Do you need anything? Would you like us to send over one of the other squadron wives?” The man talking now must be the new base chaplain since he had a cross on his lapel. “I’ll be fine. Especially once I can see my husband.” “You need to understand, Mrs. Giordano,” the chaplain continued, “that your husband’s injuries are very serious. There’s still a chance he may not pull through.” “I understand. I’m just grateful to get this opportunity.” Oh, so very grateful for this unexpected chance. The colonel used the phone to confirm the six o’clock morning departure of the military aircraft and the time the escort would arrive to drive her. The officers mumbled some more platitudes about a grateful country and heroism before leaving her to sort through this new information. As soon as she heard car doors slam and the engine start up, she ran to the bedroom closet. Standing on tiptoe to reach the back of the top shelf, she pulled out a locked fireproof portable safe. They’d managed to salvage only one thing she’d brought back in time with her from the trunk of the wrecked Corvette. She needed to read over the research to see what else she’d missed. Had they missed something? Or had they changed the course of Nick’s life? 185

Ghost of a Chance “Beth! Beth? Where are you?” Damn, she should have known Rose and her eye for detail wouldn’t miss the government issue car parked in front of their two story house. “I’m in the bedroom, Rose.” She shoved the box under the bed. Rose’s red-rimmed eyes filled with tears when the two women made visual contact. “Oh, my poor, poor dear.” She pulled Bethany into her warm embrace. “I’m so, so sorry. I just can’t believe it. How did it happen?” Bethany struggled to free herself in order to answer the barrage of questions. “His plane was shot down. He’s not dead, Rose. That’s not why they came. The came to tell me he’s at some hospital in Germany, unconscious, but alive. Alive, Rose.” She didn’t realize how tightly she’d been wound until she uttered those words. Tears flowed freely down her face as she accepted that she had a chance to tell Nick in person how much she loved him before he died. A chance he’d pissed away before he left, wasting it on petty fears and insecurities. “Oh, honey.” “He may not make it, they said his injuries are severe. They’re sending me to Germany in the morning, to be with him. Oh, Rose, I get to see him again.” The very thought lightened the heavy heart she’d carried around for months. “Then you come downstairs right this very minute and eat dinner so you have enough energy to pack and travel.” Bethany smiled as she allowed herself to be dragged by the hand. Her first smile since before Nick flew over to Vietnam. **** Nick’s pale skin almost matched the white sheet pulled up to his chest. A myriad of machines whirred and hissed behind him, helping him breathe and eat and who knew what else. To Bethany’s tired, jet-lagged eyes, he’d never looked better. The nurse on duty pulled up a chair for her beside the hospital bed. Bethany wanted to call her Major Houlihan because of her resemblance to the character on M.A.S.H. Except the show 186

Ghost of a Chance wouldn’t even be on TV for a few more years. The nurse mumbled that the doctor would come by after he finished rounds. She thanked the nurse, but didn’t sit down. She leaned over the railing, stroking her fingers along his scratched up cheek. She never thought she’d feel his warm skin beneath hers again. She’d expected to caress his cold face before they closed the coffin lid for the final time. She’d expected to say her final good-byes at Arlington, clutching a folded, American flag to her chest. She dropped a soft kiss on his lips and sat down. She still marveled over the fact that she actually touched him. She entwined her fingers with his through the railings. During the long sleepless night of packing and waiting, she’d read and reread everything she’d discovered. Not one shred of evidence pointed to the fact he’d been shipped to Germany to either recover or die. Nick had never mentioned it either. Had they altered history? Had his plan all along been for Nick to find her and live? He worked in mysterious ways— that she knew. It seemed farfetched to believe that Nick had died in 1966 so that they could find each other across time. No. She wouldn’t, couldn’t get her hopes up. They soared sky-high, regardless of her pep talk. Just being given the opportunity to say to him what she’d written to him since receiving his first letter would have to be enough. Letters tucked inside her purse to read to him, since she knew they wouldn’t have arrive in time if she’d mailed them. “Nick, sweetheart, it’s me, Bethany.” She leaned close to his ear. An overwhelming scent of sterile hospital smells almost masked his natural, earthy musk. “I’m here, right beside you. Waiting. You need to get better, to come back to me. At least long enough for me to tell you how much I love you.” She sniffed back her tears. She wished his fingers would squeeze hers, to give any indication he’d heard her. Instead, she heard only the soft whoosh of the oxygen and the steady beep of the heart monitor. 187

Ghost of a Chance She had no idea how much time passed before a different nurse tapped her on the shoulder and told her that she needed to leave. The doctor had to deal with an emergency and was not available until morning. “I love you,” she whispered as she brushed a kiss against his lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow as soon as they’ll let me in.” The guttural tones of German mixed with the familiar sounds of English as Bethany walked the short distance to her lodging. She’d been surprised at first that she hadn’t been put up at a motel off base until she remembered she was standing in West Germany and a wall still divided the two halves of the country. She’d been introduced to two other wives on the flight to Europe and saw them on the sidewalk ahead of her. Calling out to them, she quickened her step to catch up. She didn’t feel like being alone right now, needed to commiserate. Just being around the wives of two of the Marines Nick helped made her feel better. Later in her room, the sterile smell of the sheets taunted her. At least at home, she had Nick’s pillow to snuggle up to, to comfort her. All she had here to soothe her restless nerves as the moon spilled in the window was the knowledge that she could see Nick in the morning. Would he be awake? Would he ever wake up? She realized not knowing hurt as much as knowing. A man in a long, white coat stood beside Nick’s bed as Bethany crossed the floor first thing in the morning. As she approached, he stuck out his hand. “Mrs. Giordano? I’m Colonel Krause. I’m the neurologist assigned to your husband’s case. The only thing we’re worried about right now is the fact that he hasn’t regained consciousness. His other injuries are secondary.” Bethany suddenly felt guilty for the fact that she hadn’t checked out anything under the sheet yesterday. The officers who came to break the news to her hadn’t mentioned anything past the unconsciousness. “What is the nature of his injuries?” “He broke his right leg. Nice clean break that should heal completely. He broke a couple ribs, as well. Punctured a lung 188

Ghost of a Chance when he broke the ribs. The medics took care of all that before he even arrived here. All of which shouldn’t present a problem. “The problem is that he hasn’t woken up. We can’t find any reason for him to be unconscious. That’s very concerning. I have to be honest with you, Mrs. Giordano. If Captain Giordano does not regain consciousness soon, he never may.” “Define soon.” Bethany knew the answer. The date on his death certificate loomed. They were on borrowed time. “The next forty-eight hours are critical.” You have no idea. “I wish I could tell you more. Medical science just doesn’t know enough about brain trauma to give you any definitive answers.” “Thank you for your time, Doctor. I appreciate your honesty.” He nodded his head, made some notations on the chart, and moved on to the next patient. Pushing up on tiptoe, she placed a kiss against his lips before settling on the uncomfortable chair. She gripped his hand tightly. “Did you hear that, Nick? Do you know what day it is? If you’re going to wake up and tell me you love me before you die, time’s running out.” She spent the next hour regaling him with the gossip he’d missed since he’d been gone. She talked about how quiet Myrtle Beach was without the tourists, but that the locals were gearing up for the next annual influx. She talked about the ocean. Mostly, she just talked. Anything to fill the silence, to reach the man trapped somewhere inside. She brought his hand to her mouth and pressed her lips to his knuckles. She rubbed the back of his hand along her cheek, the soft touch unleashing a flood of memories and emotions. “Damn you, Nick. I don’t want to die alone. I want to grow old and gray with you. Please, Nick. I love you.” Silent tears spilled down her cheeks, unheeded, as she clutched his hand to her chest and rocked back and forth. One of the other wives dragged her away to eat lunch, even though she wanted to bring it back to Nick’s bedside. She didn’t 189

Ghost of a Chance want to be away from him for one single minute. What if he woke up and she’d walked away? That missed moment might be their only opportunity to communicate for a very long time. After practically inhaling her food, she rushed back to Nick’s side, only to find him surrounded by medical personnel. Her heart stopped beating, her breath seized in her lungs. No. One of the nurses saw her rooted to the floor and came to her rescue, guiding her to her chair. “His vital signs went a little crazy.” She chuckled. “Not a medical term, I know, but that’s the best way to describe it. Nothing seems to be wrong, thankfully.” “Is this a good thing or a bad thing?” she managed to croak. “We’re not sure yet. The doctors are almost finished with their examination. They should know more after they confer. We’ll let you know as soon as we know anything.” The nurse patted her hand and turned her attention back to the medical proceedings. Bethany rocked in her chair as she waited and waited for what seemed like an eternity. Colonel Krause brought up the rear of the train of departing professionals, nodding to her as he passed. “I didn’t think they’d ever leave.” Nick’s voice shocked Bethany to her core. Tears poured from her eyes. With her heart in her throat and her stomach somewhere around her knees, the power of speech failed her. “Am I in Heaven? Did I make it to Heaven?” Nick turned his head, his gaze falling on his wife, a broad sexy smile crooking up his lips. “Now I know I’m in Heaven, because life without you has been sheer hell.”

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Epilogue Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1991 “Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to a day I wish had never come.” Nick sat on the folding metal chair on the dais, watching the back of the man speaking. One of his best friends over the course of his thirty-five year Air Force career. Bethany sat next to him on the reviewing stand, her fingers laced with his. The majestic spires of the Air Force Academy Chapel caught his eye, a fitting backdrop for his retirement ceremony. Today would be the last day, as Commandant, to watch the Corps of Cadets on the parade field. The last day he’d slip on the blue jacket with the myriad of ribbons pinned to his chest. “Today we bid a fond farewell to General Nicholas Giordano as he retires and leaves behind an illustrious Air Force career. Tomorrow he’ll be a civilian and won’t be able to boss me around anymore.” The crowd of dignitaries and friends chuckled. Nick took the opportunity to mouth, “I’ll always boss you around,” when Colonel Brian Stafford turned to look at him. Brian laughed out loud before facing the crowd and continuing his speech. “Today, we also thank his wife of twenty-five years and their five children for the sacrifices they’ve made in support of General Giordano and the United States Air Force.” Nick squeezed Bethany’s hand as he glanced in her direction. God, how he loved this woman fighting the tears in her eyes so as not to ruin her makeup. None of this would have been possible if 191

Ghost of a Chance not for her. Any number of men mouthed the same platitude. He doubted any meant it to the extent he did. She gave up everything for him, with no hope of a future with him. He was supposed to die and go to Heaven. That’s why he thought he and Bethany had gone back in time. Instead, they’d come to realize that God’s plan for them had been for them to be together, to love each other. That love and support had enabled him to accomplish some spectacular achievements. Nick and Bethany had come to accept that his plan had made all of it possible. In fulfilling the plans for them, they’d been granted a miracle. As a result, each passing day together held the promise of something special. She’d devoted every day of their lives together to him, to his career, to their children. He planned to spend the rest of their lives devoting his to her. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Their successful marriage and five wonderful children ranked at the top of his list of accomplishments. Thanks to some well-timed investments in the stock market and the real estate scene, and his not so insignificant retirement package courtesy of the United States government, Nick planned on this being a permanent retirement, not a stepping-stone to another career. He’d meant it when he’d told Bethany that her wants, desires, and dreams took priority for the rest of their lives together. “It is hard to categorize, to define, the general’s impact on the United States Air Force. As a result of his input and his passion, the lives of countless pilots have been saved. The lives of innumerable young officers have been molded.” After recuperating from the wounds suffered in the plane crash, he became the proud recipient of several medals, including the Purple Heart. He returned to active duty with an unwavering desire to improve the Air Force’s kill ratio and dog fighting skills, to make the pilots the most feared in the world. He determined he had to give back something when God had given him so much. His efforts were instrumental in the establishment of Operation Red Flag and what was now called the USAF Fighter 192

Ghost of a Chance Weapons Center, the Air Force’s premier training center for pilots in all branches of the service. Not nearly as well known as the “Top Gun” school made famous by that stupid Tom Cruise movie, it was a far superior program. If he did say so himself. After serving as commander of the base that housed the training program, he served in various capacities until being appointed Commandant of the United States Air Force Academy. “General Giordano’s influence will be felt for years into the future. Those of us who have had the privilege of working with him will miss his leadership and support. We will also miss the warm hospitality provided by the lovely Mrs. Giordano, who is a damn sight easier on the eyes than her husband.” The crowd laughed. “I could go on, but several hundred airmen are waiting to pay their respects and a delicious reception is waiting for us at the O Club. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Brigadier General Nicholas Giordano.” Nick stood and returned the sharp salute his friend bestowed on him before wrapping his arms around him in a bear hug. He looked out to the waiting students and signaled for the parade to begin. He focused all his attention on the corps of cadets parading before him, saluting him for the last time. He hoped he’d made some impact on the training of the Air Force’s next generation of leaders. He hoped some of the policies he’d implemented made them better prepared for the rigors of military leadership. When the last units marched by, Nick returned to his seat to listen to a few more speakers recap his years in the Air Force. Equally important to Nick were the years spent with the people sitting beside him. Years, he never thought he’d have. For all that he’d accomplished in the Air Force, it was nothing compared to his wife, two daughters, and three sons. Bethany had been busy taking care of five children born in eight years, but she never complained. Much. It had been an incredible life so far, with so much more ahead of them. All of it possible because of the love of one amazing woman. The woman who’d given him the will to wake up from the coma sustained in that plane crash. He’d been given a second 193

Ghost of a Chance chance when Bethany came into his life. And he took advantage of every opportunity. He’d learned about the power of loving the right person; Bethany was his soul mate. He never could have accomplished a blessed thing without Bethany at his side. Over the years, they’d considered checking up on Bethany’s parents and other family members. Just observing from a distance. Ultimately, she’d decided not to risk altering anyone else’s future and possibly their own to satisfy her curiosity. It was a decision she still struggled with from time to time but her love of her family kept her strong. He couldn’t believe that in a few short weeks, he’d be back at the Academy for his oldest daughter’s graduation. That he’d be sitting in the stands of the football stadium as a civilian, enjoying the graduation festivities from a different perspective. The weekend after that, their middle child and middle son, Raymond, would graduate from high school and start at the University of South Carolina. They planned to stay in Colorado Springs until after both graduations. And their baby girl would start high school in the fall in their new home. He looked forward to an empty nest, to tumbling Bethany in any room of the house at any time. Although, sneaking around to christen each room of all the new houses they’d lived in over the years had been fun, too. They still hadn’t managed to fuck on the kitchen table of their new oceanfront condo just north of Myrtle Beach. They’d decided to go back to where it all began. Bethany had even surprised him with the keys to a 1964 candy-apple red Corvette after they’d made love this morning. Ooh-rah, life was good. Nick glanced over at his wife, stunningly gorgeous after all the years, with big fat teardrops clinging to her lashes as she applauded wildly and lost the battle to control the tears. He stood and saluted one last time, indicating they retire to the reception. With a tug, he pulled Bethany into his arms, the gesture feeling even better than usual. 194

Ghost of a Chance “Daddy?” Rose saluted him before turning on the heel of her very polished shoe, looking too mature in her cadet uniform. Overcome with emotion, he dipped his head to capture his wife’s lips, in desperate need of some of her strength. “Will you two knock it off?” their youngest daughter, Maddy, practically growled at them. “People are watching you. Will you act your age for once instead of like horny teenagers? Gawd, if I acted like you, I’d be grounded for the rest of my life.” “Come on, Midget,” Nick Jr. tugged on her sleeve. His oldest son studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Colorado and was in the AFROTC program. “Believe me, you’ll get used to it. We all did, eventually. They don’t give us any choice. One of these days, someone’s going to turn a hose on them.” Nick heard the grin in his son’s voice. Maddy turned and stuck her tongue out at her parents as her brother dragged her away. Nick was in too good a mood to be offended. He’d think up a creative punishment later. Thank goodness, her mother had her back turned, though. Maddy may be turning into a teenaged pain in the ass, but she wasn’t stupid enough to cross her mother. “Have I told you lately, Mrs. Giordano, that I love you?” “No, General, as a matter of fact, you haven’t. Not for at least,” she glanced at her wrist, “four hours.” “I’m failing in my duties then.” His voice softened as he stroked the curve of her cheek with a knuckle. “I love you, Bethany.” “And I love you, too, Nick.” She’d helped him find his way to Heaven, sure enough, every single day that she loved him.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Felicia Forella began writing in grade school with the help of a friend. She quickly gave up trying to be the next Carolyn Keene when she realized that she gave away the who-done-it by the third chapter. She became hooked on romance in high school when her mother bought her a (now autographed) copy of “Ashes in the Wind” by Kathleen Woodiwiss. (See what you started, Mom!) A long hiatus from writing began in college when she realized no one cared if she became the next Margaret Mitchell. She began writing seriously again in the late ’90’s and her New Year’s resolution for the new Millennium was to become a published author. She is proud to say this is one New Year’s resolution she actually accomplished. Felicia is a former Air Force brat, which might explain her obsession with men in uniform, who has lived all over the South and in Spain. She now lives in PA with her hero husband and her hero-in-training teen-age son, although, given her choice, they would be living somewhere down south as close to the ocean as humanly possible. They have a middle-aged beagle/border collie mix affectionately known as the Supermodel beagle, who is the only female in the house who responds to her husband’s every beck and call.

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