There's A Ghost In My Bed

Ch.4 Introductions

Ch.4 Introductions

The second James saw the young woman's eyes begin to roll back into her head, he lunged forward, barely catching her before she hit her head on the ground. Holding her limp figure closely to his chest, he found himself taking her in properly for the first time. Her long dark hair hung straight down past her shoulders in different lengths, a small lock brushing against her forehead that James couldn't resist tucking behind her ear. Her skin felt so soft under his fingers, bare of all that make-up he'd seen so many women wear over the years. He could see her eyes darting around behind closed lids, her long lashes brushing her cheeks like butterfly wings.

"Ms. Evers!" he called out as he scooped Megan up in his arms.

A redhead woman dressed in an old black and white maid's uniform came around the corner. "Yes,Mr. March?" She glanced at the woman in her employer's arms. "Oh-she looks like a good one! I take it you'll be requiring fresh linens later on?" she asked gleefully.

"Fetch me my smelling salts,"the man instructed as he carefully laid Megan down on the bed. When he turned to go get the wash cloth from earlier, he saw the maid still standing there. "Now, Ms. Evers!" he barked.

That snapped the older woman from her stupor. "Right away, sir!" she said before vanishing.James rolled his eyes at the maid's ridiculous nature before snatching up the cloth he'd dropped before. Dumping the ice back into the bucket, he folded it into a small square and proceeded to press the cool damp side against the unconscious girl's forehead. "Here you are, sir," Ms. Evers said as she reappeared with the smelling salts in hand.

James snatched them away. "Good. Now leave." The maid didn't wait around this time and disappeared once more. Sighing, James opened a salt and waved it under Megan's nose. The woman groaned as she came back around and opened her eyes."That's it... Now, just take it easy," he spoke softly. It didn't have the desired affect. Scrambling, Megan jumped off the bed on the other side and backed up until her back hit the wall. James stood up tall and held out his hands in surrender. "Now, just remain calm..."

"This can't be happening," he heard Megan mumble to herself. "There is no way this is real! Ghosts don't exist!I know- someone slipped something in my drink at the party and now I'm hallucinating. Yeah, that's it!" James went to take a step forward and Megan began to tremble anew. "Stay back!"

"If I were a hallucination,would I be able to do this?" he asked and ignoring her order,walked up to her and grabbed her by the wrists. Megan struggled desperately, but James' grip was too strong for her small frame. "I promise I won't hurt you!"

"And why should I believe you?!" she shouted back.

"If I truly wished to cause harm, wouldn't I have done so while you were unconscious?" he questioned. She didn't answer. "I rest my case," he said as he let her go.

Megan rubbed at her wrists as she watched him with a guarded expression."Well, if you're not a hallucination, and you're not here to hurt me... what do you want?" she asked.

More images like the ones from the previous night flashed in his mind and he fought with his body's reaction of arousal. The smell of her perfume did not help calm the burning desire: sweet and floral, like cherry blossoms and apples. Stepping back, he cleared his throat before speaking. "I found myself curious. Why would a lovely young woman such as yourself be doing in such a dismal place? It is much too dangerous to be here alone," he said.

A flash of irritation shone in her eyes. "And just what makes you think that I can't handle myself?" she growled with her hands on her hips. "I may be short,but don't underestimate me!" She quirked an eyebrow suddenly and the anger disappeared from her lovely face for confusion. "Who are you, anyway?"