I scream as loud as I can. Before I form a coherent plea his mouth covers mine. It’s worse than when creepy Tony kissed me in seventh grade. All tongue and spit. The spirit’s kiss feels like he’s climbing inside me, trying so possess my body. I’m completely helpless. Unable to get free. Unable to breathe.
Relief washes through me when the door slams open and Asa charges to my rescue. The ghost releases my mouth and cranes his head to look at Asa. He bares his fangs at the intruder, but I’m fairly certain Asa can’t see him.
I gasp, drawing in a full breath. “He’s trying to possess me.”
With speed like I’ve never seen, Asa races across the room and yanks me to him. “Who? Where is he?”
I’m panting, not in a I’m being held by a sexy vamp way, but in a sustaining consciousness way. “White hair, goatee.”
“Shit.” Asa’s gaze scans the room but obviously he doesn’t see the spirit. “It’s Ivan.”
The ghost growls and starts toward me again. “He’s coming. Kiss me?”
Asa’s eyes round. “What?”
“He’s trying to gain possession of me through my mouth. Kiss me.”
Without hesitating he drags me to him and lowers his mouth to mine. Sweet vamps that’s nice. For a few seconds I forget about the encroaching danger. Asa’s lips are soft and extremely skilled. I open my mouth slightly to try and speak but his tongue delves inside. Whatever I was going to say can wait.
My eyes drift closed and his hand slides down to rest against the curve of my butt. I can feel his arousal and for the first time in well over a year I want nothing more than to explore what other tricks this vampire has up his sleeve—or in his pants.
A cold burn slashes through my arm and I gasp again. The creepy old vampire has a hold of me. Remembering why I’m at the inn, I pull back slightly and speak against Asa’s mouth. “I need to get him to Hal.” I circle my arm and grip the ghost’s wrist. “But we need gold.”
“Vivian told me where we can find some,” he replies, not letting our lips part. “But we need to get to the correct bookcase to find it.”
I give a little nod and wrap my free arm around his neck. “We can’t stop kissing or he’ll try to possess me.”
Beside me the spirit chuckles. “What are you?” he asks.
I shift my eyes to look at Ivan. “I’m a grim reaper.”
“Is he talking to you?” Asa asks.
“Yes.” My lips are still pressed against Asa’s delicious mouth. “He wants to know what I am.”
“Crazy fuck.” Asa turns us and takes a step toward the door. “Keep a hold of him.”
I nod and let him guide me out of the room, pulling Ivan with me.
“You can stop kissing him. I promise I won’t try to possess you.” The ghost’s grip loosens on my arm but I still keep hold of him. “Tell me more about being a grim reaper.”
I don’t trust the spirit for a second. No way do I want Ivan wearing a Lisa suit, running around the inn killing people. Plus I don’t want to stop kissing Asa, so I ignore him. We maneuver our way along the hall and toward a reading area.
“She said it’s a black book. ‘The Art of War.’” Asa stops in front of a towering bookcase. “French version.”
“I don’t read French.” I angle my body and scan the hundreds of books. “Do you?”
“A little.” His gaze skates along the collection and then he points. “Up there, but I can’t reach it.”
“Really, child, this is ridiculous,” Ivan says. “You have my word as a gentleman. I won’t possess you.”
I don’t trust the ghost but we need the coins. “Okay.” I look into Asa’s eyes. “Grab them—quickly.”
“I promise I won’t let anything happen to you,” he says.
“This one is so noble.” Ivan gives a disgusted laugh. “Too much so, I think.”
Unwinding my arm, I take a deep breath and step away from Asa, praying Ivan keeps his word.
Asa springs into action and grabs a nearby library ladder to reach the book. “Call the porter.”
“Hal!”
Ivan cocks his head. “And what will you do with me now, reaper?”
“Hal!” Where is that damn porter when I need him? I level a stare at Ivan. My heart beats a thousand beats a minute. Partially from the contact with Asa, but mainly because this spirit is like nothing I’ve encountered. I pray Hal won’t give me a bunch of crap about taking him. “I’m delivering you to the porter. He knows where you go.”
Ivan’s white eyebrows lift in surprise. “You mean Hell?”