Whispers Read online

  Jonathan inched closer as well and slid his fingers over her cheek, directing her attention over to him. “We knew we were stuck in this house, existing but never really living, until someone else who had the power to both see and touch us came."

  Rose shook her head. “But I touched both of you, and you're still here."

  "We considered that.” Jonathan said. “We thought that perhaps, instead of a casual touch, something more intimate would do the trick."

  "More intimate?” Shock whipped through her body, and she pulled away. “Is that why you both touched me? Is that why you both tried to...” She swallowed, the words sticking in her throat. They had both thought having sex with her would release them from the spell. A sickness formed in her lower abdomen. “You were using me."

  "At first, yes, but not anymore,” Jonathan said.

  Rose wrapped her arm around her stomach and took a step back. “Here I thought...” What did she think, that they cared about her? She shook her head against such foolishness. They had only just met. Such intense emotions never formed so quickly. It wasn't normal.

  Then how did she explain the strong compassion and desire she felt when they were in the same room? There was no denying she cared about these men and wanted to help them. To her they represented freedom, a life outside the normal constraints of society.

  "The fact that all our sexual energy increased when we were together hinted it might be the key to breaking the curse,” Lionel said.

  "But we would never force you to do anything you didn't want to do,” Jonathan said.

  "We care about you too much,” Lionel added.

  "So we decided to tell you everything we knew and let you make your own choice,” Jonathan said.

  "Choice?” Why couldn't she think? Rose couldn't push her mind past the shock of knowing the intimacies they had shared were all part of some larger plan to escape their prison and not because they had any affection toward her.

  "What Jonathan is trying to say is that when we kissed, you entered our world.” Lionel stepped up until he was in line with Jonathan. “We believe you had tried to bring us over while you were having sex with us individually, but lacked the power."

  "What?” she asked.

  "Think back to your time with us. Did you feel different?” Lionel asked.

  "Yes,” Rose answered. She had felt a surge in her desire. Everything seemed more vivid and powerful.

  "And do you feel the same now?"

  "Yes. No. I mean, the type of feelings are the same, but they are more intense when the three of us are together."

  "And how do we look now?"

  Rose stared at the men. The familiar light surrounded them, lighting the old, dusty room with a pale yellow glow.

  "You didn't glow before, but you do now,” she said. Maybe the men were right and the key to their freedom was the three of them being together, but standing in the same room wasn't enough. What were they telling her? Being intimate seemed to increase the glow and the sensations. Were they suggesting they wanted to be intimate with her at the same time?

  No, of course they weren't. Although being with two men had always been a secret dream, it couldn't possibly be what they were suggesting. It was too rebellious, too uncouth.

  Then again, it would be incredibly exciting.

  "I think it's because you see us for who we really are,” Jonathan suggested. “With you around, we can approach the bridge between your world and this one, but we cannot cross."

  "We need your help to cross it,” Lionel added.

  Rose frowned. “I might be able to see you, but I don't have any magic, and I wouldn't even know how to begin to help you across this ‘bridge’ you speak of."

  "You do have magic,” Jonathan said.

  "Don't be ridiculous.” Rose pushed past both men and walked to the window. It was still dark outside, and Rose stared at the empty street as she tried to process all the new information. She had magic? Her grandmother had told her she had a touch of Gypsy blood, but Rose never believed it. What if she could save the men?

  "You glowed."

  Rose turned from the window to stare at the men. “It was a trick of my eyes. I'm over-tired. You both are ghosts. I'm only a human."

  "At the moment of greatest intimacy, you not only glowed, but your body became transparent and stretched,” Jonathan said.

  "Stretched?” Was her grandmother right? Did Rose really have Gypsy blood? No, it was impossible to perform magic without knowing it. There had to be some sort of incantation or an object to focus power, like a wand or dust. “It's not possible."

  "It is,” Lionel said.

  "It looked like this.” Jonathan's image flickered, then became thinner. Rose watched in horror as his body turned into a long column of light, then returned to its more natural state.

  She put her hand to her chest. “I did that?"

  "Briefly, yes.” Lionel stepped forward and held out his hand.

  She stared as her mind went numb. Then she looked up from it and searched his face. “How?"

  The men glanced at each other. “Probably through your magic,” Jonathan said.

  She stared first at Jonathan, then Lionel. “I don't have any magic."

  "There's more.” Sadness flashed over Lionel's features as he lowered his hand. “You need to hear all of it."

  "I'm listening."

  Lionel took a deep breath, as if gathering his thoughts. “When you were with one of us, you had enough power to enter our world but not enough to pull us back. We think that might be because you were only having sex with one of us at a time."

  "If you had sex with both of us together...” Jonathan shrugged. “It might bring about enough power to pull us over."

  She raised her brow as shock swept over her. “You want me to have sex with both of you at the same time?” How could these men know her innermost fantasy? It was as if they had stepped into her thoughts and were trying to bring her greatest desire to life. She couldn't help the rush of heat she felt or the image of all three of them, damp and naked, rolling between the bed sheets upstairs. Being with two men at the same time was definitely outside polite society, but Rose had always longed to break free of society's constraints. What better way to break free than to do something she wanted rather than what was expected of her? Sure, the men would be using her, but she would be using them as well. Perhaps through the act all three of them could become free.

  It was so scandalous, so right. But then what would happen? Would she be expected to go back to her old life? After everything that had happened, Rose wasn't so certain she could.

  Lionel took her hand and kissed her palm. “I know it is a lot to ask of you. We're not even sure what will happen if we attempt it. You could be trapped in the spirit realm with us. You could pull us over and be trapped yourself, forever bound to the energy of this house while we are stuck in the real world."

  "You must know we would never leave you to suffer in the spirit world alone.” Jonathan took her other hand. “We would dedicate our lives to finding someone to help you, if you should become trapped."

  What the men said was most likely true—Rose could be trapped in the spirit world forever—but how much different would that be from forever playing the part of the mourning widow or the gentle lady? Living in the spirit world seemed preferable to either of those roles.

  Rose looked from Lionel to Jonathan. “I could also pull the both of you over into reality and suffer no ill effects."

  "That's what we're hoping will happen.” Jonathan kissed her hand. “It would be a great honor if you would allow us to...” He glanced at Lionel.

  "Be intimate with you at the same time,” Lionel finished.

  This was happening so fast. It was a lot to take in, almost too much. She pulled her hands away from the men. “I need some air.” She hurried out of the library, struggling to dampen her jumbled emotions and clear her thoughts. She didn't want to rush into anything. Although the thought of being with two men at the same
time was exciting, Rose knew the men wanted to have sex with her to break the spell, not because they cared about her. Deep sorrow filled her chest as she realized she had hoped these men had grown to care about her in the same way she had begun to care about them.

  These men symbolized freedom from her old way of life. What would happen when it was all over? Would they go their own way, leaving her to face her old life once more? Rose couldn't go back to being a dowager and conforming to society's whims. She couldn't.

  Her mind continued to work as she made her way up the stairs to the bedroom, back to where it all began. After she walked halfway down the hall, she stopped as a new realization struck her.

  Of course. It made perfect sense. They wanted her to help bring them into this world so they could continue to live their lives as lovers—without her.

  Rose hadn't known until that moment just how lonely her life had been. Deep down she had hoped she could break the curse and then...what? Did she think they would all live together as friends? As lovers?

  She realized that her dreams were just that: dreams. They had no basis in reality. The men just wanted to use her to get their lives back. Could she blame them? She'd have done the same if the situation were reversed. Still, she had felt as if something had been missing her entire life. It wasn't until she met both Lionel and Jonathan that she realized they were what she had been missing. She loved Jonathan's caring, playful nature and Lionel's strong, controlling hands.

  Unfortunately her feelings weren't returned. Tears stung her eyes as she stood at the closed bedroom door. How could she have been so foolish? Rose briefly thought about leaving the house and returning to her old life. The prospect seemed so cold and empty. A hollow feeling invaded her gut as she considered the option.

  She couldn't leave, not yet. Despite her hurt feelings, she did want to help the men. Rose couldn't bear to see them suffer any longer. Maybe one great night of sex would offer closure on her feelings, and she would find it easier to return to her old life in the morning.

  She opened the bedroom door. Jonathan was lounging on the bed, reading a volume of Lord Byron. A lock of blond hair fell over his temple as he concentrated on the words. Lionel sat not far away, looking out the window with such longing that it broke her heart. How many nights had the two of them spent alone in this house? How many nights had Lionel sat at the window and dreamed of escape?

  "'Between two worlds life hovers like a star, twixt night and morn, upon the horizon's verge,'” she said.

  "Lord Byron.” Jonathan looked up from his book.

  "Yes.” Rose smiled. “I've decided to help you."

  Lionel turned from the window, a deep sadness etching his features. “I have thought about this at great length and have decided we were wrong to ask this of you, Rose."

  "I agree with Lionel.” Jonathan tossed the book aside and sat up on the bed.

  "Why?” she asked.

  "The risks to you are too great. We wouldn't want you to suffer as we've suffered.” Lionel stood next to the bed.

  "You will give up much in the spirit world,” Jonathan added, standing.

  She stared at the men in shock. “But I'm willing to take those risks."

  "We aren't,” Lionel said.

  "We care about you, Rose,” Jonathan added.

  She couldn't believe what she was hearing. They weren't just trying to break a curse. They cared about her. When was the last time someone actually cared about her? Rose couldn't remember. Tears filled her eyes. “You do?"

  Lionel crossed the distance between them. “When this first started, it had been about finding a way to break the curse. But now..."

  "Now it's more than that. Our life has been difficult, and neither of us want that for you."

  "Even if it costs you your freedom?"

  The men glanced at each other, then turned back to her. “Yes,” said Jonathan.

  "We wouldn't be able to go on living, knowing you were in trouble,” Lionel added.

  Her cheeks became damp with tears as relief swept over her. They did care about her. All her worrying had been for nothing. “That makes me want to help you even more."

  "No,” Lionel said. “We can't allow it."

  "It's my choice.” She held out her arms to both men.

  "No, Lionel's right. It's much too risky. You have a life outside this house and people who care about you. We only have each other."

  "That's where you're wrong.” Rose dropped her arms. “I exist outside this house, but I do not live. I play to society's rules and do what is expected of me. My marriage kept me away from others, so I had no real friends until the rumors about my ability started. Even then I cannot call these women real friends. They only wish to use my services and take advantage of my poor finances. So you see?” She waved her hands to her sides. “I am just like you. I have nothing.” She glanced first at Lionel, then Jonathan. “Nothing to lose and yet everything to gain."

  "You'd really risk so much for us?” Lionel asked.

  "How could I not?” Desire surged through Rose's body as something unspoken seemed to pass between the men. Then Lionel closed the distance between them and scooped her up in his arms. “I hope you don't regret your decision."

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I could never regret this."

  Lionel brought her over and placed her in the middle of the bed. Jonathan got on one side of her and Lionel the other.

  "Are you sure about this?” Jonathan asked.

  She placed her hand on his cheek. “I couldn't be more certain."

  He leaned forward and captured her lips. Jonathan tasted slightly sweet, slightly tart, like lemon candy. She shivered as he nibbled on the edge of her lips, coaxing her to open. She sighed and opened her mouth, granting him access. He swept his tongue over her teeth, then caressed her tongue. Rose groaned as desire burned through her body, and concentrated on kissing him back.

  Behind her, she felt Lionel shift his weight. Then his hands were on her spine. He trailed his hot fingers over her skin, stroking the fire deep inside her body.

  "Save some for me, Jonathan.” He chuckled.

  Jonathan pulled away and smiled. “She's all yours.” He gently turned her over. Rose focused her attention on Lionel. Golden flecks flickered across his eyes, like embers of a fire. He cupped her cheek, then tilted his head and pressed his lips against hers. His taste was completely different from Jonathan's—more spice than sweet, more musky than crisp. There was a lot of emotion buried deep inside of him; she could feel it. Rose wanted to break through his restraint and bring it to the surface. She drove her fingers into his hair, and held his head close to hers. Jonathan laved her neck and shoulders, raining hot kisses over her skin.

  Rose shifted her weight as Lionel's scent and heat invaded her senses. There was something purely masculine and dangerous about this man, something wild. He brushed his tongue against hers in a possessive way that left her breathless and eager for more. She slipped her hand down, then ran it along the smooth muscle in his shoulders. With each rise and dip, her excitement increased.

  When he finally pulled away, she had a difficult time hiding her disappointment.

  "I'll be right back,” he said, then disappeared.

  She looked over her shoulder at Jonathan. “Where did he go?"

  "I wouldn't worry about it.” Jonathan kissed her again, banishing all rational thought. She turned her body so it molded with his, her breasts pushing up against his hard, muscular chest. He slid his hand down her spine, caressing her skin with his fingers. Everywhere he touched turned hot and needy, and soon Rose wiggled with frustration in his grasp. He dragged his hand up her back, then slowly began to undo the buttons on her dress. One by one they popped open, exposing her skin to the chilly air of the room.

  Then there was a flash, and Lionel was there once more. Rose groaned as he eased behind her and encircled her with his heat. He took charge, starting where Jonathan left off, making his way down the row of buttons. Together they
worked, inching her dress lower and lower over her body. Rose had never felt so helpless or so cared for in her entire life. She moved her hips as the men inched the dress down her legs and then tossed it on the floor. Then they undid her ties, taking their time to stop and kiss her skin as it became uncovered.

  "It's like opening a present,” Lionel observed.

  "A wonderful, delicate present, just for us.” Jonathan turned her toward Lionel and kissed a long, sensual line across her shoulder blades. “I could do this all night."

  "I know what you mean.” Lionel's gaze dragged up to meet hers. Hunger flickered across his features as he cupped her face once more. “You really are a special woman. We'll forever be in your debt."

  A low ache developed in her abdomen. She wanted more from Lionel and Jonathan, and once again, she wasn't sure if they were willing to give it.

  Lionel's expression changed. “Is there something wrong?"

  Rose forced her sad thoughts aside. She'd always have this moment to remember them by, and she didn't want to ruin everything by telling them her uncertainty about the future. She decided to live in the here and now. She'd deal with the consequences tomorrow.

  "Nothing's wrong.” She placed her hand on his hip and pulled him closer. “This is just so much to take in."

  His features softened. “We'll make this enjoyable for you, I promise.” He reached behind his back and pulled out a long piece of black silk.

  "What's that?” she asked.

  Jonathan looked up from her shoulder. “Ah, I had wondered what you were going to bring back."

  "Where did you get that?” Rose asked as a sliver of panic bolted up her center.

  "Does it matter?” Lionel's eyes glistened with mischief.

  She supposed not. “What are you going to do with it?"

  "Do you trust me?” Lionel threaded the silk through his fingers.

  She wasn't sure. Did she trust him? She nodded her head slowly.

  "Good.” He flipped the fabric in his hand, then placed it over her eyes. “This should help you focus."

  Focus? Focus on what? “You're blindfolding me?” Even she could hear the panic in her voice.