Read Online Incorporeal by J.R. Barrett - Free Book Online

“Hey!” Her eyes flew open. “You changed the subject.”
    His hand traveled lower beneath her shirt, brushing over her erect nipple. “Is it imperative that we have this conversation now? I’d like to get you naked, again.”
    Sarah’s stomach did an instant somersault, as her eyes strayed from his face to the prominent bulge beneath the blanket covering his hips. She groaned, instantly wet at his words, aroused beyond measure, but at the same time annoyed by her treacherous body.
    “ No, Nathan, we have to…”
    “ Come closer. Sit here.” In one quick move, Nathan swept her across his lap. He turned her to face him, pressing one hand against her bottom so that she cradled his erection in the juncture between her thighs. “That’s better.” He slid his other hand through her hair, tilting her head back. Her eyes met his. “Now, what did you wish to know?”
    Sara cleared her throat. She could barely manage a whisper. “Are you alive?”
    He dropped his hand and slid the strap from her shoulder, exposing one breast. He leaned her back and sucked her nipple into his mouth. His tongue felt hot and wet; his teeth hard and solid as he gave her a playful nip. “Do I feel alive?” he asked, raising his head.
    She whimpered. “Yes.”
    “ Taste me.” He slanted his mouth over hers and kissed her, long, slow and deep. When at last he pulled away, he asked, “Do I taste like a living man?”
    “ Uh-huh.” Sara gave a weak nod.
    “ Sara.” The other strap fell from her shoulder, exposing her other breast. Nathan’s grin was wicked. “I am a living man tonight, with you. I don’t want to think about anything except you. Give me this one night and we’ll talk tomorrow.”
    Sara nodded, unable to deny him anything. “Promise me one thing,” she murmured, “that you won’t disappear again, not before we’ve had a chance to talk.”
    His hands slid up her thighs. “I promise to be here in the morning when you wake, Sara. You have my word.”
    ***
    Nathan stretched, feeling his long legs slide through soft, sweet-smelling cotton sheets. Ah, so much kinder to the skin than homespun linen . He opened his eyes with a start. He’d slept.
    Only living men sleep. The dead never sleep . His heart pounding in chest, he turned to reach for Sara, but she’d gone, leaving a tangle of blankets behind. Rolling onto his back, he slid a hand beneath his head and stared at the ceiling.
    This makes no sense. It’s not possible . He remembered his mother’s words. She’d spoken of a final gift. What does that mean? I agreed to come here and protect… Nathan sat bolt upright.
    “ No, my gift is not her death. I won’t let that happen. It doesn’t matter what I feel for Sara. When this ends, she will not accompany me into the next world.”
    “ You’re speaking in that weird language again.” Sara stood in the open doorway, her arms crossed in front of her chest. “I don’t recognize it. But from the look on your face, something’s wrong. Is it me?” Her smile appeared wan as she spread her arms and turned in a full circle. “Do I look different in the morning light? Are you suffering buyer’s remorse?”
    “ No.” Nathan shook his head, reining in his emotions. He forced himself to smile back. “It’s nothing. You were gone and I was afraid for a moment.”
    “ Afraid I’d left you?”
    “ No, I expected to find you beside me and…” He searched her face. “What is buyer’s remorse?”
    “ It means you might be having second thoughts; that you might be sorry about doing, well, about being here.” Sara cleared her throat. “With me.”
    Nathan rose from the bed. He reached her in two long strides. His hands gripped her shoulders. “Never. I do not regret a single moment I’ve spent in your dreams and in your body.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. Sara mumbled something against his chest.
    “ What are you saying?” he asked, relaxing his hold on her.
    “ Um, I said, is