Phantom Mischief

  Phantom Mischief

  Jennifer LaRose

  Emerald Isle Fantasies

  Shanna is thrilled when her fiancé sweeps her off to Ireland for a romantic interlude and asks her to marry him at Castle Tullamore. But their sexual adventure quickly turns into a nightmare when he reveals his dark side. With the engagement broken and her fiancé gone, she crumples into the arms of Tullamore’s handsome gardener, Niall. He proves how hot, sensual and mind-blowing sex can be. It’s unsettling, though, how he manages to distance himself after making love. In fact, he downright disappears!

  Niall mourns the death of his beloved Abigail until he sees Shanna. He falls in love with the gorgeous American but fears his heart will surely be broken again. They can’t stay together, not in the manner Shanna needs. But when a determined, dark apparition begins stalking her, Niall realizes it may be the key to their destiny.

  Inside scoop: In one red-hot scene, Niall introduces Shanna to the joys of spanking.

  A Romantica® paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

  Phantom Mischief

  Jennifer LaRose

  Chapter One

  “Are you ready for your surprise, Shanna?” Derek Williams asked, slipping his fingers beneath the elastic strap on her blindfold.

  “Yes,” Shanna Haden squealed. How exciting. She nearly burst during the past thirty minutes while waiting for a glimpse of their destination.

  They’d flown to Ireland—Derek disclosed that specific detail because concealing her eyes during a seven-and-a-half-hour flight would’ve been cruel. So he’d waited until they’d exited the airport and climbed inside the taxi to apply the blindfold.

  Hopefully he’d reserved a room at Castle Tullamore, where they’d stayed during last year’s vacation. She’d stressed how much she loved the hotel and would find out shortly if he’d paid attention at that time. Unfortunately he utilized selective hearing more often than not, so sometimes he missed details on important issues.

  The vehicle slowed to nearly a stop and made a right turn at the exact moment Derek removed the eye mask. She blinked and gasped at the breathtaking view. Castle Tullamore stood proudly and more beautifully than she’d remembered. A sensual, comforting allure beckoned her inside those stone walls.

  Two flags stood high above the watchtower on the medieval section where she and Derek stayed on their prior visit. On the eastern end, although she couldn’t presently see it, she remembered that inside, a narrow staircase led to another tower. Many, many years ago, a brilliant artist, Brendan Pearse, used it as a studio.

  A thrill raced along her spine. She squeezed Derek’s hand while the eerily romantic ambiance settled in her blood. “It’s…it’s…” She released a contented breath, turned and kissed his cheek. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Then say yes.”

  “To what?” She’d already accepted his marriage proposal a year ago when he’d brought her to this magical hotel.

  Laying a hand on her chest, she stared through the window as they passed through the gatehouse. A few people stood in a line along the riverbank, waiting to board a large white tour boat. The sun’s rays illuminated the gentle waves drifting along the crystal-blue river, offering a spectacular sight.

  She exhaled a breathless sigh. “Well? What do you want me to agree to?”

  “Marry me here. Tonight. On these grounds.”

  Here? Tonight? She felt like a princess in a mystical world and couldn’t imagine a more perfect place to say I do, but she’d always dreamt of having a big fairytale wedding with all the frills. “I’d love to, but,” she chewed on her thumbnail, unable to break visual contact from the gorgeous stone structure growing enormous as they drew near, “what about our families and friends? I want loved ones to share in the happiest day of my life.”

  Derek wiggled an arm behind her back and lifted her onto his lap. After wrapping an arm around her waist, he guided her to his chest. “We can plan a huge ceremony and reception when we return to the States. But let’s start here, in our intimate haven.”

  She laid her hand on his forearm. The charm bracelet her deceased grandma had given her jingled. She loved the subtle sound and at times shook her wrist just to hear the metal zodiac symbols and crystal beads tinkle. “Are you sure we can do this tonight?”

  “Why not?”

  “We need a priest and witnesses.”

  “I’m sure the hotel staff will be more than willing to accommodate us.”

  The taxi stopped horizontally at the entrance. After the driver exited the vehicle he opened her door. While she grabbed her purse off the seat and ambled from the car, he removed their luggage from the trunk. With two of their four heavy suitcases clutched in his hands, he climbed the stairs and set them down on the top step at the concierge’s feet.

  Directly ahead, a gentleman, naked from the waist up with hands clasped behind his back, walked alongside the driveway, glancing adoringly at the green-and-rust-colored bush garden. Holy smokes. She’d never seen such an attractive man packed with so much muscle. An illuminating glow highlighted his facial features. Many women would pay big bucks on cosmetics to acquire the same glow.

  The moment Shanna focused on the gentleman’s broad shoulders, Derek exited behind her and shut the door. Almost immediately she sensed the man’s eyes roaming her body. He left not a fraction untouched as his gaze lazily caressed her feet—strapped inside stilettos—along her black, skimpy dress to her face, drenching her in warmth. She lowered her gaze to his hairless, ripped chest and abdomen. Wow. Simply, breathtakingly wow. Inhaling sharply, she glanced higher, directly into his eyes. And those dreamy, sexy, mocha eyes were in the midst of visually making love to her. The intensity woke up her insides, stirring thrills deep inside her belly.

  She blinked to end the stare and glanced higher, otherwise she’d be drooling all over herself like a fool. A few blond streaks highlighted his wavy chestnut hair. It was cut in layers that teased his brows, outlining the contour of his chiseled features before tapering to his shoulders.

  And there she stood, back where she’d started, gawking at those wide, brawny, protective shoulders. How utterly magnificent. She stole a mouthful of air while assessing the shadow of bristle that slightly darkened his chin, jaws and area above his thin upper lip. How would those lips feel between my thighs?

  Just then he smiled—a bright, mischievous smile as if he’d read her thoughts. Despite the tepid air, her body broke into a sweat and her cheeks flushed.

  “Welcome to my home of erotic enchantment,” he said, his brogue flowing through her like a stream of melted butter.

  Her heart skipped a beat and her throat thickened. She lowered her eyes, stealing a glimpse at the black trousers hanging off his waist before her gaze hit the concrete. “H-hi,” she stuttered. “Th-thank you.”

  “Shanna, is everything all right?” Derek asked, shocking her as if he’d thrown cold water in her face.

  Her head snapped upward and she glanced over her shoulder. “Yes. I was just saying hi to—” She pointed toward the handsome man and turned but he’d disappeared. That fast? Where’d he go? She glanced from the east end of the building to the west, scoping every inch of lush property in between the adjacent wings. Not many people occupied the area, but of the ten or so strolling and frolicking throughout the yard, none came close to resembling him.

  For sure he hadn’t gone inside the hotel—she wouldn’t have missed him ascending the steps.

  Derek took hold of her upper arm. “Let’s check in so you can rest before dinner. I think that long, turbulent flight shook you up.”

  They followed the cab driver up the steps, where he laid their final two pieces of luggage. The concierge smiled, nodded and opened the door. “P
lease enjoy your stay,” he said.

  As they entered the main lobby a young bellboy wearing black pants, a crisp white shirt and a dark bow tie wheeled a cart to the entrance and loaded their suitcases onto the middle rack.

  An inviting, romantic ambiance embraced Shanna. Along the entire back wall stood a full-length fireplace, which chased the chill from the lobby, cuddling her in warmth. Two red-and-white Victorian chairs sat beside a small, round guest table. The intricately scrolled crown molding and woodwork were polished to a shine. Not a speckle of dirt marred the wine-colored marble floor or area rugs. Nor were there any spider webs dangling from corners or stretching between the vaulted ceiling and chandeliers as she’d noticed in other hotels she’d rented overnight. What an immaculate place.

  “Good afternoon,” a woman said from the direction of the dark, wooden reception desk. “Welcome back to Castle Tullamore.”

  “Hi.” Shanna gazed at her in awe, vaguely recollecting her from a year ago. “You remember us?”

  “Yes, I never forget a face, my dear,” the woman replied. She met them in the center of the room, lifting her hand in greeting. A white, lacy handkerchief was partially tucked in the underside of her sleeve. “I’m Áine Byrne, owner extraordinaire. Please do accept my apologies for the inability to recall your names.”

  “There’s no need to apologize.” Shanna gently shook Áine’s hand. Her fingers were very dainty, as was her stature, but she appeared calculated and in control. She wore a charcoal-colored suit with a pink satin blouse. Her black high-heeled pumps lifted her nose-to-nose with Shanna. She guessed Áine would stand close to her height of five foot four when barefoot. Strands of gray were sprinkled through Áine’s red hair that Shanna didn’t recall from the prior visit, but the woman appeared no older than forty-five. “You must receive hundreds of guests,” Shanna continued. “It’s nearly impossible to remember everyone’s name. I’m Shanna Haden and this is my fiancé, Derek Williams.”

  Derek nodded, adjusted his laptop case strap over his shoulder then accepted Áine’s outstretched hand. “It’s my pleasure,” he said. “Your hotel remains astonishing.”

  “Thank you.” She lowered her arm to her side. “I hope your stay is memorable. If you need me for anything, please don’t hesitate to contact the front desk. I’m usually in this area greeting the guests.”

  “There is one thing,” Derek appeared anxious to say. “Is there an area inside the hotel where we can get married tonight?”

  “Have you spoken with a Registrar to obtain permission?”

  “Registrar? I haven’t spoken to anyone.”

  “Then, Mr. Williams, I’m terribly sorry. You cannot marry in Ireland.”

  Derek’s jaw sagged. “You’re kidding?”

  “It’s imperative that you have a marriage registration form and have informed the Registrar of your venue. Elopement isn’t a possibility, sir.”

  “What about a wedding officiant or justice of the peace?”

  Her lips folded and she shook her head. “Again, I’m sorry.”

  “This is one of the most romantic places in the world, and you’re telling me we can’t get married here?” Derek ran a hand through his short blond hair. The top section stood in disarray, forcing Shanna to bite back a laugh.

  “Where’s this Registrar? I’d like to talk to him,” he snapped.

  Geez Derek, calm down.

  “You’re welcome to notify him of your intent and complete the proper forms,” Áine replied politely. “When you choose to marry in Ireland, three months notice is required. If you can wait that amount of time, you’re more than welcome to return to Tullamore to exchange vows.”

  He rolled his eyes. “If I wanted to wait, I wouldn’t have asked.”

  What the heck—why his sudden impatience? “What’s the hurry?” Shanna asked. “Up until tonight we haven’t even set a date because you haven’t had the time.”

  He took hold of her hand and squeezed. “Exactly. I’ve been so busy working late nights I’ve pushed everything of importance aside. But I have time now. I’d like to take advantage of it.” He turned his attention to Áine. “Are you absolutely sure we can’t convince the Registrar to let us marry this evening?”

  What doesn’t he understand?

  “Sir, I’m fully aware of our laws. I practice them daily.” Áine cleared her throat and folded her hands behind her back. “Again, I apologize. Perhaps I can offer you a special dinner. Celebratory, per se, in honor of your future nuptials.”

  Shanna faked a smile. “No, that’s okay,” she replied, sensing Áine’s irritation. “This came up on a whim inside the taxi.” She patted Derek’s stomach rather than pinching him like she wanted to. “He can wait. It’s already been a year. What’s a few more months, right?”

  “The dinner offer remains within the duration of your stay,” Áine stated. “If you change your mind, please let me know.”

  As Ms. Byrne departed to greet two incoming couples, Derek approached the registration desk. Shanna shook her head and glanced around the lobby. A cozy aroma of freshly blossomed mums and mahogany lingered in the air. The scent of autumn. Mmm. The only things missing to maximize the ambiance were her pajamas, a blanket and a TV. It’s no wonder Tullamore received a five-star rating—the hotel was as charming as it was fresh and clean.

  “Come on, Shanna. We’re staying in room 338 in the Victorian section.”

  She caught up to Derek and grabbed his hand.

  “Mr. Williams,” Áine Byrne said, glancing past the shoulders of her current guests, “the old lift at the end of the hall has just been serviced. You’re welcome to use it.”

  Eek. Shanna remembered that lift all too well. “Thank you, but we’ll take one of the modern elevators,” she replied before Derek considered utilizing the creepy, antiquated machine. Even though it was beautifully constructed in brass and mahogany, it scared the heck out of her. Every time she’d passed it a feeling of foreboding and doom chilled her to the bone.

  As they neared the open metal doorway of the lift she squeezed Derek’s hand and hid beside him until they passed by. A cool breeze surrounded her ankles. She shivered and glanced over her shoulder. The door remained open but the compartment was dark inside. “Shouldn’t there be lights on if it was just serviced?”

  Just then the lights flickered and the lift lit up. Her eyes rounded. “Oh my gosh, they just turned on.”

  “This is an old building, I’m sure electrical surges periodically interfere with the power.”

  A dark, smoky haze manifested at the base then floated past the threshold into the corridor. “I think it’s on fire,” she shrieked. She halted, tugging Derek’s hand, stopping him abruptly.

  He spun around. “What are you talking about?”

  While scoping the walls for a fire extinguisher, or at least a pull station to alert the hotel, the haze swirled in slow circles, forming a mass that stretched from the floor to ceiling.

  “Mur-der.”

  The deep, raspy voice blaring from the haze stopped her heart. Her eyes bulged. Murder? Holy crap, she nearly shit her underpants.

  As it transformed into an apparition, hovering inches above the carpet, screams rose in her throat.

  “Shanna, what are you looking at?”

  Spellbound and frozen in fear, she couldn’t speak.

  Derek jostled her hand. “Shanna!”

  “It’s, it’s…” Drifting toward me! During the prior stay she’d spotted a dark haze in their closet but she’d attributed it to dull lighting, jet lag, the Valium she’d ingested to help tolerate the long flight and everything else that’d popped into her head. But this time she hadn’t taken medication, and it was…coming closer.

  Holy shit! Murder? Murder!

  “Oh my God! It’s a ghost,” she screeched. She flung Derek’s hand loose and raced down the corridor.

  “Stop,” Derek shouted.

  No fucking way.

  She skedaddled past a wall that was decorated with a row
of beautiful paintings. She remembered a specific portrait of a little girl she’d love to stop and admire, but, uh, maybe some other time.

  Without looking back, she fled around the corner to an adjacent hall then darted inside the first modern lift she encountered. She pounded every button on the panel with the flat of her hand, trying to close the dang door. When it failed to shut she crouched down in a front corner and scrunched her eyes closed. Her heart thundered in panic mode as she concentrated on breathing. Castle Tullamore might be a beautiful place but its serenity had just been breached by underlying, dark activity.

  “Shanna, really?”

  She popped her eyes open as Derek stepped inside. The door automatically closed. Sucking a mouthful of air into her lungs, she slid up the wall. “Can we please stay at a different hotel?”

  “Get a hold of yourself. You’re acting like a fool.”

  “Sorry, but I’ve just seen a ghost.”

  “You didn’t see a damn ghost,” Derek grumbled as he reached past her and pressed button number three. It lit up. The lift shimmied and hummed as it trudged into action and began ascending. “There’s no such thing. It’s your imagination, just like the person you were talking to outside. You need some serious rest.”

  “And you need to get your eyes checked.” That gorgeous man outside was real. No one could make him up. Neither had she imagined the apparition. How could Derek not have seen it? “You know what?” She crossed her arms. “I wouldn’t marry you tonight even if I could.”

  “Oh, so now you don’t want to marry me because I don’t believe in ghosts?”

  She rolled her eyes. “No, I don’t want to marry you because you’re too insensitive to other people’s beliefs.”

  “Well, if you haven’t noticed, Ms. Prim Extraordinaire ruined my plans.”

  “Derek!”

  “What?”

  “That’s not nice. She doesn’t make the rules. Maybe you should’ve done some research if that’s what you’d had in mind.”