Halloween Boo Page 3

  My bedroom door is open.

  There is nobody else in my room.

  4

  Dani

  The next morning, I wake up with a smile on my face and my hand cupping my bare pussy. I have no clue where my panties are. I must have shucked them and tossed them at the height of my wet dream last night.

  Mmm. And what a dream.

  I haven’t had a fantasy like that in ages. A man with a voice like whiskey, whispering to me all the dirty things he wanted to do to me while keeping his hands to himself, watching me like me getting my rocks off is the best thing that’s ever happened to him… what woman wouldn’t climax from such an erotic dream?

  My e-reader is tossed on top of my comforter. Picking it up, I place it on my dresser while making a mental note to buy everything in that author’s backlist. She has a gift. Her words mingled with my subconscious and my body’s very clear warning signs that it has been too damn long gave me the best orgasm I’ve had in years.

  I feel lighter. Refreshed. I’m almost giddy as I jokingly call out a morning greeting to Casper before hopping into the shower.

  It’s a good thing he can’t answer me. I can only imagine the show I gave my ghost companion last night.

  I think about that sometimes. Ever since I accepted that my house is haunted, I wonder about the spirit that lingers here. I don’t always sense him—and I’m absolutely certain it’s a guy—but, when I do, he makes me feel safe. I imagine him as an elderly gentleman, a kind grandpa who’s looking out for a young career woman on her own.

  Hopefully Casper went to bed early last night. My orgasms are usually quick. A couple of rubs, a small pop of pleasure, and the tension is released for some time. I can’t remember the last time I exploded like I did last night.

  It was wonderful.

  After my shower, I get dressed. Because I fell asleep so early, I got up way before I usually do. Instead of rushing out the front door, I decide to treat myself to a homemade breakfast instead of a protein bar down at the office.

  Going into the kitchen, that’s when I see the sunken-in carton of ice cream and the flood of melted chocolate goop that’s spread all over my countertop.

  I feel my cheeks heat up. What a flippin’ idiot. I can’t believe I let a whole carton of Ben & Jerry’s go to waste because I was too busy playing with myself.

  I grab the carton and toss it in the trash. Even wiping down the melted ice cream off the counter doesn’t take long. Before I know it, I’ve had my breakfast, slipped into my heels, and grabbed my purse.

  Look at me. I even know where my keys are.

  Hmm. For once, maybe I’ll even beat Allison into the office.

  * * *

  Today goes much easier than yesterday.

  The minor flaw in the Sanderson report seems so simple now. I’m able to make the corrections, contact the clients, and start on a new project all before lunch. I grab a quick bite to eat with Allison, changing the subject when she casually mentions that tomorrow is Halloween.

  As if I forgot. Yeah, right. You can’t forget that it’s Halloween in Salem. Not with the decorations, the tourists, the hoopla surrounding the holiday. I’ll be glad when it’s November.

  I almost think I managed to dodge the Halloween party bullet entirely when Allison insists I accompany her to her car at the end of her shift. She opens her trunk and pulls out a large shopping bag and tells me not to look inside of it.

  “What is it?”

  “Your costume for tomorrow. What? You didn’t think I’d forget, did you?”

  I didn’t think so. I just hoped she had.

  “Try it on when you get home,” she instructs. “It’s not too much, and I’m sure you’re gonna look great, but I want you to let me know how it fits. I can always come up with something else if you don’t like it. Just give it a chance first, okay?”

  Since I’ve already accepted that there’s no getting out of this, I nod and take the stupid bag. I don’t flip her the bird until she’s halfway out of the lot. I’m pretty sure she saw me, considering I can see her shoulders shaking as if she’s laughing before she pulls away.

  Even though I got a lot of work done today, I still have to stay late. As much as I look forward to my weekends, I won’t enjoy myself or unwind if I leave anything left undone at work. I’m at my desk straight through dinner, then end up on a two-hour conference call with Max and some of the other partners.

  Sometimes, I wonder if he forgets about the three-hour time difference between Massachusetts and California. By the time I get off the phone, it’s ten o’clock here. Max still being at work until past seven is normal for him. Me getting stuck downtown this late? On the Friday night before Halloween?

  I’m lucky to make it back to my building by eleven, and that’s only because I stopped by a drive-thru on the way home so I didn’t have to cook when I dragged myself back up the stairs.

  I’ve got the last of my soda in one hand, my purse slung over my shoulder, and Allison’s bag bouncing off each step as I trudge my way up to the third floor.

  Whoops. Hope she didn’t pack anything breakable.

  Letting myself into my apartment, I drop my purse on my couch and toss my keys on top of it. I set my drink on the coffee table. For a second, I think about looking for a coaster before shaking my head. A little water never killed anyone.

  I’m pooped. My high from this morning is long gone. All I want to do is wash my face, change into a cozy pair of pajamas, and climb into bed.

  Then I remember the heft of the bag in my hand and sigh.

  Allison made me promise to try it on. If I don’t do it now, there’s a good chance I won’t do it until it’s time to leave and then I can only imagine what I’ll be stuck with. Better to be safe than sorry.

  Tossing the bag onto the couch, I shrug off my coat then swap it for whatever Allison has packed up for me. The first thing I pull out of the bag is a slinky black dress that I really hope has some spandex in it otherwise I’ve got no idea how I’m gonna get it on over my head and, well, other body parts.

  There’s only one other thing in the shopping bag. It’s black, like the dress, and I’m not sure what it’s supposed to be until I grab it and give it a shake. A pointed top pops up, while a circular bottom is revealed.

  I chuckle under my breath. It’s a stereotypical witch’s hat.

  For my first Halloween in Salem, Allison has me dressed up as a witch.

  Well, I did tell her I wanted it simple.

  I add the hat to the pile growing on the edge of my couch. I’m not worried about that fitting. Nope. I’m still questioning the scrap of fabric Allison considers a dress.

  Here goes nothing.

  There’s no point in going into my bedroom to change. Standing in my living room, I quickly strip down to my bra and panties, then try to figure out how to get this thing on.

  It’s easier than I first thought. The material has a good amount of give to it. Thank God. I tug on the dress, grateful that it’s closer to something Morticia Addams would wear than some of the skimpy costumes I’m used to seeing marketed toward adult women. My boobs are secure and the dress goes down to my ankles. Sure, it’s tight, and it leaves nothing to the imagination, but at least I’m not gonna freeze.

  You know what? I’ll take it.

  Anyway, it’s just one night. And it’ll make Allison happy.

  My mind made up, I start to slip the dress off of my shoulders so that I can shimmy it down my body when, out of nowhere, I hear it.

  Crash.

  I jump and spin around.

  Behind me, on the floor, is a vase my mother gave me as a housewarming gift. It was the ugliest damn thing I’ve ever seen and now that it’s smashed into twenty different pieces on my floor, it doesn’t look any better.

  Only one problem.

  I wasn’t anywhere near the table.

  So how did it fall?

  Zack

  Dani’s vase is smashed to bits on the floor.

  I di
d that.

  I… I’m not sure how.

  I know why. The sight of her luscious body poured into that tight black dress gave me a shock. I felt a quiver down below, the first twitch in ages, and the surprise had me jolt backwards. Slamming into the side table, I knocked into the vase perched on top.

  I broke it.

  And I wasn’t using any spectral energy at all. I wasn’t even really here at all. After blowing through all my reserves last night with Dani in her bedroom, I needed a good rest and recharge period. So I was zoning out, replenishing my energy, when something called my consciousness back to the apartment.

  Finding myself in the living room, I tried to focus on what called me back. That’s when I saw Dani wearing that heart-stopping dress. And since I was standing behind her? I got the best view.

  Little Zack approved.

  Little Zack wasn’t supposed to get an opinion any longer.

  I jumped back when I felt the twitch. My back hit the table and boom. There went that ugly ass vase.

  That shouldn’t have happened, either. I should’ve floated right through the table, not bump into it and send her decorations flying.

  What the hell is going on here?

  I look at my hands.

  Is it just me, or do they look a little more… substantial than normal?

  Something’s happening. Something I can’t explain.

  Something that’s causing me to freak the fuck out.

  I drift away from Dani and out onto the balcony just to prove I can. As if I’m made of smoke, I go through easily, only to stumble when I head outside. My feet land hard on the balcony floor. For the first time that I can remember, I’m not floating.

  My heart starts to thud. The moon is full, big and round and vaguely yellow over my head.

  Underneath the moonlight, my body shudders. Another jolt. I stare.

  I can’t see through my hands any longer. My arms? Completely solid.

  Rushing forward, I place my hands against the sliding glass and push. The barrier is absolute. The cool glass meets the tips of my fingers and stops me from going inside. Slightly panicking, I reach for the edge and tug.

  No dice.

  I’m locked out on the balcony.

  I know every inch of this place. I know that there’s no way that I can get down from the balcony without vaulting over the side and breaking my brand new corporeal body. Since I have no clue how I managed to get one back, there’s no way I want to risk anything happening to it.

  That leaves me one choice.

  Taking a deep breath—whoa, it feels so weird to actually breathe in air again—I fold my hand into a fist.

  Dani

  I’m just cleaning up the rest of the broken vase when I hear it.

  Rap, tap, tap.

  My back goes stiff at the sound. I slowly straighten, holding out my brush and dust plan as if they’ll protect me.

  What was that?

  Rap, tap, tap.

  Is that knocking?

  Rap, rap, rap, TAP.

  Okay. So that is knocking. Impatient knocking. But it’s not coming from my front door. Unless I’m way off, the insistent tapping is coming from my balcony.

  How?

  Setting the dustpan and brush on the coffee table, I grab my phone and edge closer to the sliding door that leads out to the balcony. I have gauzy curtains that keep people from seeing too much of my apartment, but still let me see what’s outside.

  A silhouette of a man is out there. On my balcony.

  On the night before Halloween.

  Oh, hell no.

  “I don’t know how you got up here, but you better find a way back down before I call the cops.” I brandish my cell phone at him. “I’ll give you to the count of three and you better be gone.”

  The silhouette moves. I edge even closer.

  “You’re still standing there,” I hiss. “One—”

  “Dani, please.”

  My hand tightens on my phone.

  He… he knows my name. How does he know my name?

  I press the 9 with my thumb.

  “Two—”

  “You don’t understand. I live here, too.”

  That makes me pause. Maybe… maybe this isn’t as nefarious as I first guessed. Maybe this is a case of mistaken identity. Like this guy thinks this is his apartment—or his girlfriend’s maybe—and he found his way to my balcony instead. Maybe we’re neighbors and that’s how he knows my name.

  Damn it. He sounds so earnest. So kind. But Ted Bundy did, too, I remember.

  “Bullshit. This is my apartment. I’ve been here for almost ten months and I don’t have a roommate.”

  “Listen to me, Dani. I… I can explain.”

  There’s no humor in my laugh. He can explain? I highly doubt that.

  The balcony goes dark. I spare a quick flicker up at the sky. A massive black cloud has drifted in front of the moon, bathing the balcony and the stranger perched on it in shadow.

  I glance back at him, then do a double-take. Tip-toeing toward the door, I yank the gauzy curtain back so that nothing interferes with my sight. Then, careful not to drop my phone, I rub both of my eyes ‘cause there’s no way in hell that I’m seeing what I think I’m seeing.

  He’s… he’s see-through. Seriously. There’s a faint outline where I know this wacko is still standing there, but beyond that? I can see the building behind him while looking right through him.

  “What… what’s going on here?”

  Still half visible, the man on my balcony moves closer to the sliding door. With a curious look on his handsome face, he presses against the glass—except he doesn’t actually have to press. There’s no resistance. He floats right through the damn door.

  And, suddenly, he’s in my apartment with me.

  This ghost is in my apartment with me.

  Taking a deep breath, I let loose the loudest scream I can.

  5

  Zack

  Well.

  That could have gone over better.

  Dani has stopped screaming, though I get the idea that it’s not because she’s okay with me invading her space, but because she’s ran out of breath. When she takes in another lungful of air and opens her mouth as if to let loose another shriek, I hurriedly wave my hands.

  What if another neighbor thinks she’s being murdered in here? Calls the cops? I can’t have that.

  And, besides, I really don’t want Dani to be afraid of me.

  “Don’t scream again,” I plead. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Look, if it makes you feel better, I’ll go back outside. Okay?”

  If I can. I don’t know what the hell is going on. One second, I’m a ghost. The next, I’ve got a mortal body again. Considering what just happened, I figure it’s got something to do with the moon. The second the clouds covered it, I went ghost again.

  I glance over my shoulder. The clouds have filled the sky, darkening the balcony. My hands are still partially see-through.

  Before I think better of it—before I upset Dani even more—I push past the sliding door again. It gives me a little resistance and a peek skyward reveals a sliver of the big harvest moon.

  Okay then. It definitely has something to do with the moon.

  Once I’m safely outside again, Dani starts pacing in front of the door. Like a gentleman, I try my hardest to stare straight ahead because, otherwise, my eyes will be glued to the gorgeous sway of her ass. Not the best way to endear me to her, I’m betting.

  And then she says, “This… this is a joke. It’s gotta be. A Halloween prank, that’s it.”

  My stomach sinks. Halloween? Already? Ever since Dani moved into the apartment, I lost track of the individual days. My mornings and nights begin and end with her smile and her sighs, her laughs and the twinkle in her brilliant blue eyes. A ghost has no use for hours, minutes, days.

  But Halloween.

  Hell.

  That explains it.

  I should’ve known when I gathered enough en
ergy to pleasure her last night. I thought it was because I wanted Dani so bad, that I was finally able to slip into her consciousness and make her hear me, feel me. It had never happened before—and I’ve been trying to seduce my living houseguest for months—and I figured I’ve finally tapped into some new ghost power.

  I guess I did. And the magic of Halloween lent it to me.

  So Lydia was right.

  “Listen, I’m sure I can explain this all properly if you just give me the chance. Okay? Open the door, I’ll come inside, and we can discuss this like rational adults.”

  “You’re a ghost,” she snaps. “Why are you asking me? Just float back in if you want.”

  I try. With the moon shining bright again, I try to float back in—but I can’t. I’m as solid and human as she is. The glass door keeps me out.

  I see another bank of clouds moving quickly across the sky. I decide to wait until it covers the moon again. If my theory is right, I should be able to go back inside and explain this—somehow—to Dani.

  The moon dims, the clouds filling the sky. I squint at my hands.

  Shit.

  They look kind of solid still.

  I try to press against the glass again. It doesn’t work.

  And then it hits me.

  What time is it? It must be after midnight. It’s Halloween, a full moon looming over my head. And I’m fucking human again.

  Wait.

  If I’m human, then that means—

  “Dani.” I’m suddenly pleading. I don’t care. I’m desperate. To be near her, to feel her, to touch her. Because I’m human and I can… if she’ll let me. “Let me in.”

  She freezes. “Say that again.”

  “Let me in.”

  Suddenly, she’s flushing. Red floods her cheeks, making her look more embarrassed than angry. After hesitating, she opens the sliding door by a crack.

  I don’t know what made Dani change her mind, but I slip awkwardly through the small gap before she changes it again and shoves me back onto the balcony.