Fully Engulfed: BBW Paranormal Romance (Scruples Book 3) Page 10

  Utah took the decision from her. “She knows I’m here,” he informed Logan. “The question is, how do you?”

  Logan slowly rose to his full height, his lips peeled back over his teeth. “Who are you, and what the hell are you doing here?”

  “I second that,” the one known as Ben growled.

  Carly glanced from Logan to Ben to Michelle, then back to Logan. “What on earth are you doing?”

  Michelle’s face turned white. She stumbled forward until she stood next to Logan. “You can see him?”

  “I can see him. The question is, how can you?”

  Utah rushed over to Michelle’s side, keeping an eye on the hissing cat that seemed to be watching his every move.

  Taking hold of Michelle’s hand, Utah gave it a gentle squeeze and met Logan’s gaze. “Are you vampires as well?”

  “No, but it was a vampire that sent me here to check on Cherokee.”

  Carly stood also, moving forward to loop her arm through Logan’s. Though she spoke to Utah, she kept her gaze trained on Michelle. “I can’t see what they can, but we’re not here out of malice or to judge you. Malik asked us to check on Michelle since you’ve been following her.”

  Pinning Michelle with a questioning look, Carly asked, “You can see him?”

  Michelle finally found her voice. She held up a hand for silence and asked the room at large, “Is it true that Cassie and Malik are vampires?”

  Carly nodded. “It’s true.”

  “And you, Carly?” Michelle whispered, moving closer to Utah’s side. “What are you?”

  Utah noticed the pretty brunette glance up at Logan before answering. “Maybe you should sit down.”

  “Just tell me,” Michelle demanded, taking hold of Utah’s hand.

  It warmed his heart that she looked to him for protection.

  Carly cleared her throat. “Logan is a shifter.”

  Stunned, Utah could only stare as Michelle repeated in a wooden tone. “Shifter?”

  “There’s no need to fear us,” Logan explained, reaching out to touch Michelle’s hand.

  She backed up a step. “I’m not scared, I’m confused. I’ve known you all my life, Logan Sanders. How is it that I never knew about this? And Cassie? How could she lie to me all these years?”

  “In Cassie’s defense,” Ben interjected, “she’s recently turned. So, she didn’t lie to you, hon.”

  Michelle returned her attention back to Carly. “Are you like them?”

  Carly shook her head. “No. Look, Michelle, please sit down and let us explain everything. It’s really not as bad as it seems right now. I went through the same emotions when I first found out.”

  “Okay,” Michelle responded in a quiet tone. “We’ll sit.”

  Logan, Carly, and Ben moved to sit on the couch while Michelle pulled Utah toward the chair that faced them. She gestured for him to sit, and then she lowered herself onto his lap.

  Utah nearly swallowed his tongue.

  “So, you all can see Utah?”

  It was Ben who answered. “Everyone but Carly. Though she will live a long life like Logan, she’s just as normal as you.”

  “Define normal,” Logan murmured sarcastically, earning an elbow to the ribs from Carly.

  Utah asked the next question. “How is it that the cat can see me. Is he a shifter too?”

  Logan shook his head. “He’s a familiar. A psychotic one at that.”

  The cat bared his teeth at Logan.

  “His name is Psycho,” Carly intervened, pulling the cat onto her lap. It quickly became obvious to Utah that Logan didn’t approve of Carly holding the feline.

  Carly glanced around the room as if searching for Utah’s presence.

  “I’m sitting on his lap,” Michelle informed her, drawing Carly’s attention to the chair.

  Utah watched Carly search for the right words to say. “I’ve never met a ghost. I don’t think any of us have. Please pardon our rudeness.”

  Michelle abruptly took hold of Utah’s hand and then leaned forward, offering her other to Carly.

  At Carly’s questioning look, Michelle elaborated. “I’m not sure if this works for everyone, but it has before. Take hold of my hand.”

  Carly slid her palm against Michelle’s, and her eyes immediately widened. “Oh my…”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Michelle held on to Carly’s hand, her heart pounding with everything she’d just been told. Logan was a shifter, and the cat, a familiar.

  Carly continued to stare at a place beyond Michelle’s shoulder. “You’re really here…”

  Utah moved beneath Michelle’s bottom to peer over her shoulder. “My name’s Utah. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Carly.”

  “Likewise,” Carly mumbled, her eyes huge and unblinking.

  Michelle released her hold on Carly’s hand and switched her gaze to Ben. “Are you a shifter too?”

  “I’m a familiar, only a bit different than the feline there.”

  “Different, how?” Michelle asked.

  “Psycho keeps his feline appearance when his presence isn’t needed. I, on the other hand, can take many forms.”

  Michelle swallowed hard, glancing back at the cat.

  “Show her, Psycho,” Ben rumbled.

  The cat jumped from Carly’s arms.

  “In the bathroom,” Logan growled, narrowing his eyes at the cat.

  Michelle sat rooted to Utah’s lap as the cat trotted off down the hall and disappeared from view.

  Seconds later, a tall, gorgeous man with midnight-black hair and yellow-green eyes appeared at the edge of the living room, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist.

  Utah stiffened beneath Michelle.

  “Psycho?” Michelle whispered, feeling as if she might faint.

  Carly was instantly on her feet. She knelt before Michelle and took hold of her hands. “It’s okay. I know what you’re feeling. I felt the same way when I first learned that there were other beings on the earth with us. But they’re here to help. They won’t harm you. You have my word.”

  Michelle nodded numbly, never taking her gaze from the gorgeous man wearing the skimpy towel. “He’s real, isn’t he?”

  But she knew. She’d seen the evidence with her own eyes.

  Carly squeezed Michelle’s fingers, drawing her attention down to Carly’s upturned face. “He’s real, as is Logan and Ben.”

  “And your baby?” Michelle’s mind wanted to rebel against the thought, but something inside her knew the answer before Carly spoke.

  “Grayson is a shifter as well.”

  “I thought you would say that.” Michelle turned her gaze back to Psycho, her mind scrambling to believe what stood before her.

  Carly let go of Michelle’s hands and returned to the sofa. “Psycho’s real name is Kyle, and he’ll be staying with you until this Strangler is caught.”

  “Like hell,” Utah practically snarled, moving Michelle off his lap and gaining his feet.

  Kyle smirked before meandering back to the bathroom. He returned a moment later in the form of the black feline.

  Utah moved to Michelle’s side. “I’m sorry, but you can’t seriously be considering allowing that thing to stay here.”

  Michelle pinched the bridge of her nose and faced the group on the couch. “This is a lot to take in. I need some time to process it all. Besides, I thought Cassie sent you here to check on me because of Utah. You’ve seen that he’s not here to hurt me, so what’s the point in Psycho staying here?”

  “Malik is the one who called us about Utah. But then we heard about the sheriff’s daughter and decided it would be a good idea to bring the feline with us. Besides, what’s Utah going to do if the Strangler decides you’re his next victim? He’s not even alive!” Logan exclaimed, flicking his gaze to Utah. “No offense.”

  Utah crossed his powerful arms over his chest. “Neither are Cassie and Malik, but I doubt you swung by their coffins to offer up the cat before coming here.”


  Psycho hissed from his perch next to Carly.

  Logan got to his feet. “Malik and Cassandra can take care of themselves. Neither of them are in any danger from the Strangler. Michelle, on the other hand, is.”

  Michelle stepped between the two men, watching as the cat scurried down the hall to the bathroom once more. “Utah’s right, Logan. I can take care of myself. I have him here to keep an eye on things, and I also have a pistol that I keep with me at all times.”

  “I don’t like it,” Logan persisted, glancing at Carly for obvious help.

  Ben spoke from his seat on the couch. “Did you see the news about the sheriff’s daughter? That was only about five miles from here. Too close to home, Cherokee.”

  “I know about April. Utah is the one who saved her life,” Michelle pointed out.

  Carly gasped, Logan’s mouth fell open, and Ben pushed to his feet.

  Kyle sauntered up the hallway. “How is it that a spirit saved that girl’s life?”

  Michelle explained as best she could what Utah had told her about his abilities, ending with, “He got to her in time.”

  “And how is it that you are able to see him and Carly isn’t?” Kyle pressed, coming farther into the room.

  Utah answered for her. “She carries the White Buffalo totem.”

  “I’ve heard of that.” Kyle adjusted his towel and studied Michelle closely. “So, that’s why they refer to you as Cherokee. You have Native American blood running through your veins.”

  Michelle nodded. “My mother is Cherokee.”

  “And your father?” Kyle persisted. “Is he Cherokee as well?”

  “I never met my father. But from what mother has told me of him, he had light hair and blue eyes.”

  Kyle swiftly apologized. “I’m sorry. It was not my intention to pry.” He turned to Carly, Logan, and Ben. “The White Buffalo is sacred to the Native Americans. It is believed that those who are born with this totem are the bringers of the light, the builders of the bridge. Their medicine is to cross between planes.”

  Michelle’s heart began to pound. “My mother told me some of this. I never really understood what it meant. To be honest, I still don’t.”

  “May I?” Kyle asked before reaching for Michelle’s hand.

  With a hesitant nod, Michelle accepted his outstretched palm. “How is it that you know so much about this?”

  Kyle held her gaze. “My grandmother was Cherokee, and she too carried the White Buffalo totem.”

  Michelle stood completely still as Kyle continued. “White Buffalo is the totem for one whose life path is to awaken the souls of others. Yet in order to fulfill this role, she needs first to find the light within herself. The light within will illuminate the process of discovery and lead you to the doorway between planes, the gate where the blue road and the red road intersect.”

  He took a deep breath before continuing. “Your soul has been gifted the blessing of White Buffalo totem through your actions of selflessness in previous incarnations… In your ability to integrate the many aspects of yourself into one, in the current life, as you seek truth and understanding. But with this gift comes great responsibility, for the commitment is to build the bridge between planes so that the lost might cross.”

  Michelle pulled her hand free, her mind whirling with all she’d been told. Though Lani had attempted many times to educate her daughter about her gifts, Michelle had never truly listened. She listened now. “So, Utah is here because he needs my help.”

  Kyle glanced at Utah before returning his attention to Michelle. “More than likely.”

  “If you all will excuse me,” Michelle numbly whispered. “I think I need to be alone.”

  The trio on the couch stood, concern evident on their faces.

  Carly wrapped her arms around Michelle as Logan and Ben headed for the door. “We didn’t come to upset you, honey. We truly want to help.”

  “I know, Carly. And I appreciate it, but I’ve got it covered.” At least, she prayed she did.

  Kyle was the last one to the door. He stopped and pinned Michelle with a serious stare. “We’re a phone call away.”

  Michelle opened her mouth to thank him, gasping as a black feline suddenly stood in the place where Kyle had just been.

  The cat slinked out the door, leaving the towel to pool in the entrance.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Utah stood rooted to the spot long after Michelle had picked up the discarded towel and locked the door behind her friends.

  He waited until she turned to face him before speaking. “That really just happened.”

  Her face appeared pale and drawn. “It did. I have a headache. I think I’ll go lie down for a while.”

  His stomach clenched at the forlorn sound of her voice.

  She trailed past him and disappeared into her bedroom.

  Utah didn’t know whether to give her some space or follow. He decided on the latter.

  He appeared in her room to find her lying on her side in the center of the bed. “I’m sorry for everything.”

  She didn’t look at him. “I’m supposed to help you to leave me.”

  “You don’t know that for sure.” Utah slipped around to the side of the bed and dropped to his knees before her.

  “I do know that. And so do you.”

  His heart squeezed. “I don’t have to leave, Michelle. I can stay here until it’s time for you to leave. We can go together.”

  “I can’t do that to you. It’s wrong. Everything inside me screams that it’s wrong.”

  He stood and climbed onto the bed. “Don’t think about it today. Time changes everything, Michelle. Nothing ever stays the same. Who knows what the future holds?”

  They lay quietly, facing each other for long moments.

  Michelle broke the silence. “There were shifters in my house. Shifters and familiars. Do you realize how crazy this all seems to me? I had supernatural beings in my living room. And I’m lying here talking to a ghost. Albeit a gorgeous ghost, but a ghost nonetheless.”

  To hide his pain at her words, Utah smiled. “It could be worse. You could be lying here talking to a hideous ghost.”

  Michelle’s lips twitched. “That’s true. Thank God for that.”

  She reached up and laid her palm against the side of his face. “Make me forget, Utah. Even if for a short time.”

  Though he ached inside from her admission, his body reacted to her words. He wanted her, plain and simple.

  Without thinking, he sat up and jerked his shirt over his head. And then it hit him. He’d removed his shirt for the first time since his death.

  Michelle’s smile held a wealth of pain and sorrow. “See, I told you.”

  “Making new memories,” he whispered, reaching for his belt.

  Utah had his clothes off in no time, including his boots, yet his gaze remained on Michelle as she undressed in front of him.

  God, but she was beautiful. How would he ever leave her when the time came? He didn’t know, but for now, he would love her breathless.

  Love? his mind whispered in surprise. Was he falling in love with Michelle?

  Her voice brought him out of his turmoil. “Don’t hold back with me, Utah. I need you. All of you.”

  Utah stared back at her for a brief moment, fighting the raging lust rising inside him. It felt hot, urgent, and animalistic.

  She seemed to read his thoughts. “Yes. Do what it is you’re thinking. Do it.”

  Gripping her thighs, he suddenly flipped her over, jerked her onto her knees, and buried his face in her from behind.

  Michelle gasped, grabbing onto the headboard for support, and spread her knees wider for him.

  Utah growled against her, bringing his hand up to penetrate her with a finger.

  She moaned, her hips tilting higher for deeper penetration.

  He licked and sucked her, slowly pumping his finger into her depths.

  Rolling to his back, he slid his face beneath her and opened his mouth over her
once more.

  She cried out at the sensation, telling him without words she enjoyed his oral play.

  He inserted another finger inside her, never slowing the onslaught of his tongue.

  A third finger joined the others to sink into her again and again.

  Her hips began to move in time with his thrusting fingers and tongue.

  “Utah!” she gasped, her vaginal walls beginning to tighten around his ever-moving fingers.

  He quickly backed off, gripped her hips, and practically yanked her to the side of the bed. “Don’t move.”

  Michelle groaned in protest. “You stopped. I can’t believe you stopped.”

  Snagging the small wooden chair from the corner of her room, Utah situated it at the foot of the bed with the back of the chair facing the footboard.

  He rounded the bed, took her by the arm, and led her to the chair.

  Michelle’s eyes were luminous and hooded. She held completely still, waiting to see what he would do next.

  Utah slowly sat, opened his knees, and tugged her around to the front of him. “Put your legs over mine and hold on to the footboard of the bed.”

  Michelle did as she was told, straddling his lap and gripping the footboard.

  He spread his knees wider, inserted the same three fingers into her depths, and circled her swollen nub of nerves with his thumb. “I want to see those beautiful eyes when you come.”

  Her breathing grew uneven once more, and her head fell back on shoulders.

  Utah slowed his movements. “No. I want you looking at me.”

  She brought her head up, her lips parted in pleasure. “Jesus, Utah. You’re driving me mad.”

  He pulled his fingers from her, gripped his erection, and drove in deep.

  Michelle cried out, but she didn’t look away. Her thighs tightened over his, and her hips began to buck.

  Utah had to hold on to her to keep her seated on his thrusting shaft.

  She was wild and passionate, taking him to the verge of hell only to bring him heaven.

  “Come for me,” he demanded between clenched teeth. Fire raced up his spine, sending him into a frenzy he had no control over.

  Michelle’s mouth opened without sound. Her breath came in short, quick bursts to fan out over Utah’s face. But she didn’t look away. No, she held his gaze as if he were the only thing anchoring her to reality.