The Devil's Cowboy by Kallista Dane

hand to her, a bound slave crouched trembling at his feet. Now dressed as a fine gentleman, smiling as he took her hand once again, this time to lead her onto the dance floor in the grand ballroom of a French chateau. She fell to her knees, weeping, as he mounted his horse in full armor, heading off to the Crusades, then disguised herself as a page and rode after him. She saw herself draped across his hard thighs in this same position when he discovered her, heard herself pleading and crying while he furiously spanked her. She felt him thrusting inside her afterward, wild and hungry, both of them knowing somehow that it would be their last lovemaking in that lifetime.
    “Raphael?” Her voice was drowsy, as if she’d just awakened from a dream.
    He smiled, pulling her up into his arms to snuggle her on his lap. “It’s me, darlin’.”
    “I saw so many strange things, strange places just now—and you were there in every one of them.”
    “Yes. I was. And now we’re here, together again.”
    He bent his head to kiss her, but Ellen pushed him away. With every second, the bizarre images were fading. She looked around the room, taking in the details, grounding herself in reality. Suddenly she was acutely aware of her position, panties down around her knees, naked ass nestled on his lap, with the unmistakable bulge of his stiff cock straining up against her through his rough jeans. Horrified, she realized those jeans would be sporting a noticeable wet spot from her dripping pussy when she got up if he didn’t quit rubbing up against her with that slow, seductive grinding motion as he rocked her back and forth on his lap.
    “Not so fast, cowboy. Can you explain what just happened? Was that her life I saw? Or did you somehow implant memories into my head, with you starring in all of them?”
    “What you just saw, just felt, was as real as any other vision you’ve had. Those are some of the lives we’ve lived together. If it’s any comfort to you, I saw all of it too, right then. I especially liked that last part,” he added, his voice rough and low.
    Ellen blushed. “Let me go,” she demanded, squirming on his lap. She stopped when she realized that wiggling around was only making the bulge she felt in his pants grow even bigger.
    Rafe held her tight. “Not just yet, darlin’. You’ve had an intense experience—one I’d guess you haven’t had before. I can’t let you go until I know you’re all right. You were taken over by her spirit. She was in your mind, in your body. Do you remember hitting me, screaming that you knew who I was and what I’d done?”
    Ellen closed her eyes. A shudder went through her body. “Yes. I remember. She’s angry with him, but even more, she’s frightened of what he’s done, what he will do next. He kept her locked up so she couldn’t stop him or tell anyone. The children—she’s afraid for Melanie’s children. She doesn’t realize that she’s dead, that he’s dead, and can’t hurt anyone any more. She cries at night, hoping to drive them away. She hovers around, trying to warn them about him. But Melanie doesn’t listen. She can’t get through to her.”
    “I saw her,” Rafe said. Ellen stared at him. She’d sensed a dark mass, but she hadn’t seen anything… only felt the whirlwind of emotions pour into her.
    “Dressed all in black, as though she’s been in mourning forever,” he went on. “She’s trapped here, Ellen, by her fear and her anger, her grief and pain. But to free her spirit, we’ve got to rid this house of the dark force that binds her here. He’s here too and he’s even stronger than she is.”
    Ellen forgot her half-naked state, her embarrassment. She clung to Rafe, burying her head in his chest. “Rafe, I’m scared. I’ve done this kind of work before, but I’ve never been possessed by anyone. Can you always see the bodies of those who have passed? Or is she somehow stronger?”
    “She, they, are stronger than any spirits I’ve