Lies In The Dark (The Mirror Souls Series Book 2) Page 2

  CHAPTER TWO

  Roses

  When he unlocked the passenger door and held it for me as I got inside, I noticed he had a slight grin on his face. Once he was seated in the driver’s seat, he helped me with my seat belt then he suddenly stopped moving and stared at me. I already had mascara running from my eyelashes. I must have looked hideous, I thought, feeling self-conscious.

  “I really like that dress on you,” he said, touching the bare skin that was showing above my long black socks. I smiled and put my hand gently on his as he drew circles on my leg. I trembled as his touch sent shivers through my body. He pulled his hand away and started to drive down the dark street.

  It didn’t take long to reach his apartment. He put his black coat around me as we walked to the elevator to ride up to the top floor. He held me close, probably thinking I would fall if he didn’t, which I might. He led me inside and locked the door. I took off Ava’s boots and walked to the couch. Hayden came over and sat beside me.

  “I’m sor—,” I was about to say sorry, but he put his finger on my lips, quieting me.

  “I’ve told you before, never to say sorry for your feelings. I take the blame for what happened. I handled it all wrong. I should have been delicate with everything I had to tell you. I am the one that is truly sorry Natalie. I have been lost without you,” he said, looking away. I almost thought I saw tears in his eyes. I reached over and put my arms around him. He suddenly pulled me closer to him. I could feel his warm breath against my neck.

  “Please don’t leave me again,” he whispered in my ear. I just sighed and leaned back. There was so much we had to talk about, but my head was spinning. He gently picked me up and carried me to his bedroom. He placed me down on the bed and left the room for a second, when he returned he had a warm wet cloth.

  “I have to wash your face,” he said grinning. I laughed, remembering how horrible I must have looked. I grabbed the cloth from him and wiped my eyes. He took it back from me, smiling as he washed the remaining bits of makeup off my skin. He left again and came back with a new nightgown. This one was a creamy white cozy soft cotton and I was immediately in love with it.

  “It’s so soft and pretty, Hayden. Thank you. You really shouldn’t spoil me, I might get used to it,” I said. And then I’ll never leave, I thought but didn’t say. I don’t know what our future holds, I still don’t understand our past yet.

  “You deserve pretty things my pretty girl. I’ll let you change,” he said as he turned to leave.

  “No, please don’t go, I need your help actually,” I said, slowly turning around, holding my hair up.

  “Do you mind?” I asked. He slowly walked back over to me. As soon as I felt his fingers on my back I shivered. He must have felt it. He slowly lowered the zipper, pausing once he reached the end. His hands lingered on the small of my back. I heard him sigh as he walked out of the bedroom. I remembered what Spencer had said about Hayden loving me, but I was still having trouble seeing it. I quickly changed and folded Ava’s clothes in a pile on his dresser. He came back into the room and gave me a glass of water without saying a word. I went to brush my teeth, shutting the door behind me. I washed my face again and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I thought of Hayden when I knew him as Joe, remembering the way he always found me with Bradley. He didn’t know I loved him then, but I guess it doesn’t matter now. That was too long ago. I was about to go to his study when he reached for my hand.

  “Would it be okay if you shared my bed tonight?” he asked so sweetly, his light eyes staring into my darkness.

  “I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself. I need to know you are here and safe with me.”

  “I’d like that,” I said and followed him. His bed was so comfortable. I stretched out on his silky smooth black sheets and sighed.

  “Will it be comfortable enough?” he questioned my sigh, as he snuggled up beside me.

  “Oh yes, this will be perfect,” I answered, inching a little bit closer to him. He was so warm. I finally felt safe and at home, for the first time in my life. I never wanted to leave his side again. Hayden kissed my shoulder gently and whispered, “Good Night Natalie.”

  “Good Night Joe,” I whispered back as I drifted off to sleep.

  When I awoke the next morning I felt amazing considering I had a few too many drinks last night. I had a wonderful sleep and didn’t have a single nightmare. I stretched my hands up over my head and rolled over to look for Hayden. His side was empty. I reached my arms and legs across the bed to his side, but it felt cold. I started to panic, thinking maybe he regretted having me share his bed. I stood up and put on his robe that hung on the back of the door. I slowly walked out towards the living room. I didn’t see him anywhere. I looked in the kitchen and his den. He’s gone and I’m alone. I went back to the kitchen to grab a glass of water when I saw a note on the fridge.

  Darling Natalie,

  I had to go out to take care of an emergency, work related.

  Please stay and make yourself comfortable.

  I’ll be as quick as I can.

  I really want to spend the day with you. I know we have lots to talk about.

  Love Hayden

  He wrote Love Hayden, and I felt warm inside reading those last two words. Does he really have feelings for me, more than just casual. Do I have feelings for him? There is definitely a strange pull between us, a connection I can’t explain. Waiting patiently for him to return, I began to read one of his ghost stories that had been left lying open on the coffee table. After an hour or so passed I put down the novel and decided to shower. I dried my hair and wrapped myself up in a big fluffy towel. I opened the door to get my clothes in the study when I saw Hayden standing there with a bouquet of red roses. I smiled, forgetting I was in a towel and ran to him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and held him tightly, my cheek against his solid chest.

  “I’m so happy you’re back. I was worried when I woke up alone,” I said, remembering how insecure I felt when his side of the bed was cold.

  “I’m sorry I left so quietly, but you were sleeping soundly for once. I couldn’t wake you,” he apologized. He was right, I did sleep deeper than I can remember ever sleeping.

  “These are for you. Let me find a vase so we can put them in water,” he said as he quickly kissed my cheek. I released my hands from around him and caught my towel just before it completely fell. Hayden grinned slyly.

  “Maybe I’ll let you look for the vase and I’ll watch.” He said with a wink.

  “Funny.” I wrapped myself up tightly.

  “I’m going to change, I’ll be out in a minute,” I said as I walked towards the study. When I returned I saw the roses were in a beautiful black vase on the coffee table. The red was so vibrant, so captivating and as I knelt down to smell them I felt Hayden kneel down beside me on the rug. I turned to look at him. He held my hands and I could see in his eyes how sorry he was for yesterday.

  “I was so scared when you disappeared. I thought for sure I would be able to follow you before you managed to get too far from me. When I finally made it to my car, I searched every alley, but I guess I missed one. I started to panic. The thoughts that entered my head drove me mad. As the hours passed I realized you could be completely out of my reach. I asked everybody I knew to keep an eye out for you. I even offered a reward for you, knowing that would get people talking. You have no idea how much I wanted you back here, with me.

  I’m sorry that you felt like you had to get away from me so frantically. My fear now is that you may still want to leave. If you do, I will drive you home or somewhere safe, please just promise me you won’t disappear like that again. I don’t think my heart can handle it.” he said, looking defeated. When he finished his apology I felt guilty for running off. I should have stayed to listen to him. He deserves the chance to explain himself.

  “Hayden, you have been nothing but wonderful to me; generous and supportive. I have never been treated so well in all my life. I don’t deserve you, really. I’m the one that is sorry. I panicked and acted foolishly. My pride was hurt and I didn’t give you a chance to explain. I threw my guard up to protect myself and Adam. I have learned a lot since I left you. I don’t want to leave you again Hayden. I want to stay here, with you,” I told him, feeling vulnerable.

  He leaned over and held my face with both his hands, his eyes so familiar now. His lips gently caressed my cheek and I quietly moaned, his closeness affecting me. I worried he would back away from me but he didn’t. He held me tighter with his forehead resting against mine, his eyes focusing on my lips.

  “Can I kiss you,” he whispered, so quietly I almost didn't hear him. I felt my heart beating quickly as his eyes met mine again.

  “Yes,” I responded. He didn’t hesitate. His lips lightly brushed my mouth. I leaned a little closer and he covered my lips with his, his movements slow but rhythmic. My breath mixed with his as his kiss grew deeper, his tongue licking my lips as I savoured the sensation. He gripped the sides of my head, his hands in my hair, he held me still as his kisses ran down my neck. I moaned as my body began to ache, needing him closer. I wrapped my arms around him when he picked me up and carried me over to the couch. He cradled me in his arms, the way Adam used to, but being held by Hayden felt different.

  His strong hands made me feel protected and safe but my body seemed to be begging for more. My head felt dizzy and my skin tingled. I had an ache I’ve never felt before. I acted without thinking, my lips on his neck, my fingers running through his hair, every movement made my desire for him stronger.

  He surprised me when he kissed me again. His hands slowly ran down my back and towards my legs. He carefully shifted me around so I was straddling him, pulling me as close to him as he could. I realized as I felt his heat
below me that my ache was centered there, finding relief as I pressed down on him. He lifted my chin and kissed my neck, sending shivers everywhere. He breathed lightly near my ears before he held my face close to his, looking searchingly into my clouded eyes.

  “I can’t believe you’re here with me,” he said heavily, closing his eyes.

  “I’m happy you want me here because there is nowhere else I want to be,” I whispered, catching my breath.

  “You know that I have more to tell you right, about us and what we are?” he said seriously as he reopened his eyes.

  “I know, but not now,” I said, kissing him again, but he seemed distant, he was holding back now. His mind was heavy with worry and I had to put him at ease.

  “I don’t want to upset you. I don’t want to ruin this moment, but I have to finish explaining myself. I won’t allow myself to be with you unless I am completely honest. You have to understand and time is unfortunately not on our side,” he said, carefully watching for my reaction.

  “I know a lot more now than I did yesterday,” I informed him, remembering what Millicent and Spencer had told me.

  “Can I ask you something about last night, at the club?” he asked as his fingers gently caressed my cheek, letting me know he wasn’t pushing me away.

  I nodded, wondering what this had to do with everything he has to tell me about seeking spirits.

  “Could you tell the difference between the living and the ghosts that were roaming around at the club?” he asked slowly, trying to approach the subject cautiously. I was surprised by the question and wondered if it was a trick. I decided I would be honest with him.

  “Well, Millicent and Spencer were there. Mark and Ava are alive. I am assuming everyone else in the club was too, but to be honest I was having a lot of fun most of the night that I really didn’t pay attention to such details. I have been tricked in the past though,” I whispered that last thought more to myself than Hayden, although I knew he heard.

  “What about the last guy I saw you with, I believe his name was Johnny?” he asked. I gasped, shocked as I considered that the guy might actually have been a ghost. I truly believed he was alive.

  “Of course he was living, wasn’t he? I felt his spikes,” I told him as I remembered how he made my skin crawl.

  “No he wasn’t. Ava and Mark couldn’t see him. They didn’t know you were in trouble. Millicent and Spencer couldn’t help you because Johnny is one of the others, he is a Geist. He is stronger than they are. I believe they tried to keep an eye on you, but when it seemed like there might be trouble they went to get Mark’s attention. I’m thinking you’re lucky that I showed up when I did. As soon as you touched his spikes he knew that you were special. He wanted to know how much he could make you feel and that frightened me so much. I would have extinguished him on my own last night, but all I wanted was to bring you home and keep you safe. I’m worried that the rumors of you being here might be spreading. They will come out of the shadows looking for you. They are going to seek you out. The Geists crave the attention of the living.” I slid off his lap and walked towards the window, trying to understand the danger he thinks I might be in now.

  “I’m in a bit of shock right now. I don’t know how to respond. I haven’t always known at first that I was in the presence of a ghost, but I usually figured it out, eventually. I suppose if there was a group of them I wouldn’t know,” I said more to myself as I tried to wrap my head around it all. Hayden reaches for my hand and I let him hold it. Looking at his hand intertwined with mine I rest my head against his chest. The idea of ghosts seeking me out frightens me. I don’t want devilish ghosts looking for me, like I’m some kind of science experiment. Why would they want to do such a thing to me? I guess that’s the reason they call them Geists, which explains why it’s Hayden’s job to capture them. I wonder who he delivers the ghosts to and what they do with them when they get there. Hayden’s work and his employer are still a mystery to me. Right now I can’t handle knowing anymore about this life. I move closer into Hayden’s arms and sigh, he’s a dark mystery but he still feels like home, a home I always wanted but never had. He holds me close to him, needing comfort too.

  “I don’t want you to worry Natalie. I am not going to let them get near you. I am here to keep you safe. I am all yours now, I promise,” he reassures me. I want so much to believe him but something inside me knows this is just the beginning. I wrap my arms around him. I don’t want to be alone like I was yesterday. I need him more than I realized. He really is my protector. Adam saved me from myself but Hayden has to save me from the living departed.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Shame

  “I have been capturing Geists for many years and I know their limits. They may not have boundaries like the other spirits but they do have limits,” he explained over lunch later that day, when he felt I was ready to hear more.

  “I am compensated when I deliver them to the Seekers. The Seekers keep order in this realm and the next.”

  “I remember the first time Adam kissed me. He disappeared for hours, thinking he would have to face condemnation for breaking some rules. He was seriously worried he would be punished. Do you think he worried you or the other Seekers would come after him?” I asked, trying not to remember how his kiss felt.

  “Possibly, but I don’t believe kissing someone that doesn’t object was high on my list for capture. Although for personal reasons I would have delivered him,” he said grinning devilishly at me. I was silent after this.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I shouldn’t make light of this,” he said, moving closer, reaching for my hand.

  “Why did you have to capture Bradley?” I couldn’t help but ask, he was my friend. He was so young and innocent, what could he possibly have done to deserve to be hunted. Hayden sighed and looked at me seriously.

  “Bradley was a child, he was alone and believed Shelley was his mother. Do you remember seeing his bedroom? Were there any pictures on the walls of him? Did you ever see Shelley talk to him or hear her talk about him?” Hayden waited for me to think about this, to remember him. All I could do was shake my head. When I talked to Bradley, we were always alone, either outside or in the living room, just the two of us, watching T.V.

  “The only time I remember seeing him talk to anyone was with Joe, I mean, with you. He wasn’t afraid of you. Did he know why you were there?” I asked, remembering the way his presence made me feel.

  “He didn’t know who I was. He accepted the fact that he could only talk to a few people. You made him happy, but I couldn’t let him stay there. I met Shelley through another Seeker. Shelley knew the spirit of a small boy was in her house and she wanted the child to leave, so they asked me to do it. Shelley knew why I was there.” Hayden was still staring at me as he explained this.

  “Why did you use a different name and why didn’t I recognize you? I felt you were familiar, your eyes, your smell and your tattoo but I couldn’t place you until Millicent made me remember.” I wished I had realized it was him earlier.

  “That my little one, is a long story, which I will explain another time.” He abruptly stood up and began cleaning up. As I watched him move around the kitchen I compared him to the man I first met all those years ago. The only difference I could see was that his hair was shorter. He really hadn’t aged at all. I couldn’t believe I didn’t recognize him instantly, I was infatuated with him then and I think I still am.

  After lunch I went to lie down, still feeling tired after being out so late. When I woke up, I glanced at the clock. I had been sleeping for over three hours. I stretched as I walked out into the living room and there was Hayden smiling at me. He had pink balloons in his hand. I covered my mouth as I squealed. There were pink and white roses everywhere.