Marked by a Ghost

Chapter Three - Rebecca

He'd only just left when I heard the doors slam shut. Instant terror filled me. I wanted to bolt out of the house yet my body wouldn't move.

A cool breeze dusted my face and I heard a faint whisper in my ear.

"Mine!" The way the voice emanated from the nothingness stirred my soul.

"Who's there?" I spoke in a broken whisper. A part of me was afraid that the words might stir a response my body wasn't ready for.

"Mine!" It said again in an otherworldly manner (if that's even a thing.) My eyes opened wide as the room gradually grew colder. Smoke wafted off my breath and my chest ached from its frigidity.

"Mike, that's enough. This isn't funny anymore," I was crying now but you wouldn't know it because the cold froze my tears to my face as they fell.

"So beautiful," the voice that had now become distinctly male appeared even closer. I felt a warm breath float against my neck and a small prick that sent a shiver of pain down my neck and into my spine.

Was I paralyzed? My eyes were still open as I found myself suddenly on the floor, my hand pressed against my neck as I slowly felt control over my parts. I pulled my hand away and turned my face to see blood staining my fingers.

"No!!!!" I screamed. I don't know what I hoped to achieve. I don't even know if the sound escaped my lips before I saw him.

The most stunning man I'd ever laid my eyes on stood above me looking down at me with a twisted smile that spoke of promises I wasn't sure I was ready to receive.

"So beautiful, my love. Now you are mine and I am yours," his words resounded in my head like a soothing melody. I was entranced by the melodic sound of his voice.

"What do you mean?" I asked not even recognizing the sound of my own voice. His amber eyes bore into mine. A chill ran down my body.

He smiled. It was a devilish smile that made me quiver as desire filled me. The way his slightly disheveled black hair seem to wisp through the air as though a breeze were setting each strand free.

"I don't understand what's happening," I was pleading now. Desperation clipped each syllable. If I didn't find some semblance of control I don't know what would happen. The attraction I felt for him was magnetic.

It was like an invisible force pulling me closer towards this unknown stranger with the magnetic eyes.

"I want you," He said. His words filled with promise. I shivered as his words settled deep within my core.

"I'm afraid," the words left me in a breathless utter. I was cocooned in warmth and the thought of breathing filled me with dread as the icy air circled around me. He pressed his hand on my cheek and smiled softly. My heart rate accelerated at his touch.

"Don't be," a strange peace filled me as my eyes slowly drifted closed. His hand moved from my chin to my lip. He gently caressed my bottom lip with the tip of his fingers. Electricity coursed through me.

"I..." was the only word that escaped as his lips smashed against my own. Shock filled my senses and before I could tell my body no, my mouth opened granting his tongue entrance.

Our tongues danced in harmony as I felt the pull of desire grow inside of me.

"Mmmm..." he uttered into my mouth. A moan escaped me at his declaration. "You taste delicious," He said smiling. The feel of his stubble on my lips sent my heart racing.

"I..." I started to say but he cut me off with his lips. The tantalizing taste of him sent shivers down my core. I felt moisture pool between my legs and though I should have felt guilty, I felt nothing but desire.

I wanted him to kiss me, to taste me, and to consume me completely. I shake my head as I try desperately to regain some semblance of control. This stranger pulls away slightly as he searched my eyes.

"Do you not enjoy this?" He asked.

"I do...it's just"

"Just what?" He asked as his eyes bore into mine.

"I'm engaged. He's outside right now bringing in our belongings. I can't do this,"

"Of course you can, this is my home and you belong to me. I will simply get rid of him," his matter of fact tone frightened me and pulled me from my lust-filled stupor.

"No!"

"No?" The look on his face told me that this word was foreign to him.

"Don't hurt him...please. I'll do anything,"

"All I ask is that you be mine. I'll allow you to keep your "pet" if you promise to do what I say when I say it." He stared deep into my eyes. I knew there was no room for negotiations. With a tremor in my voice, I agreed to his terms.

"Yes,"

"Good. Very good. Close your eyes now. I'll find you later in your dreams my sweet,"

"What do I call you?" I asked.

"Alexander, my love. Call me Alex. After all, you are mine now,"

"Alex," I repeated. The sound of his name rolled off my tongue as though I had uttered it a million times before. I closed my eyes and envisioned myself in his embrace.

"Becky!" I heard my name from a distance and as the sound became clearer I knew it was Mike. I tried to open my eyes but I felt no control over my body.

I could hear the sound of his voice filled with desperation. I wanted to open my eyes and hug him. As that thought crossed my mind I remembered the promise I'd just made and guilt seeped into my essence.

I'd promised myself to someone else and yet here was the man I'd swore to be faithful too. I was a coward. Yet, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that told me this was wrong. I was dreaming and what happens in dreams are innocent.

With this renewed vigor my eyes open and there before me, wrapped in his arms was the man that I knew I would see but secretly had hoped for the man from my dreams. I stilled myself to make sure I spoke correctly. The smile etched across my lips.

"Mike,"