The Grim Reaper's Mate

Chapter 8

"After Cassandra's death tragic and mysterious things began happening in the village," the docent continued. "One man was found drowned in his own bathwater. Another was found hanged on a tree. Several villagers came down with strange ailment and soon after died. One man lost his fortune and later committed suicide. Many blamed the incidences on Cassandra's curse and thought the source of the evil power came from this necklace. It was locked away for many years in the church hoping that the presence of God could contain the curse."

The tour group filed into a single line and each got a good close up look and the necklace.

"Its said that Cassandra's spirit is released every all Hollow's Eve night, the night she died, looking for her lover that never came. Some have said they saw her haunting the woods right behind the museum," the docent concluded.

"Have you seen her?" asked another person in their group.

"No I'm afraid not," the female docent said. "But Halloween is coming up in a few days, so asking me again later."

The people around Gideon laughed.

"Now ladies and gentlemen if you follow me into the next room we have several diaries from the early colonists of New Bedford."

Gideon let the other people from the tour group walk ahead. He hung back to get a longer look at the necklace.

"I doubt she will ever see Cassandra," a voice behind him suddenly said.

Gideon turned around and saw a gorgeous young woman standing in front of him. She had eyes as green as the emerald necklace in the glass case. Her coppery red hair was tied away from her soft heart shaped face. She had a pert nose which lay above plump pink lips. She was of average height, but that was the only thing average about her. The thick clothes she wore could not hide the roundness of her large breasts, the smallness of her waist, or the rest of her voluptuous body.

"Why is that?" he asked her.

"Cassandra only shows herself to men. When a man does encounter her she seduces him, hoping that it is her lover returned."

"Seduces?" he said. "As in s*x?"

"That's how the rest of the legend goes. Of course the man is never seen again," she told him.

She walked around him to the other side of the glass case.

"Was it ever found out who her lover was?" he asked.

"Most believed it was a wealthy Englishman named Maxwell Faulkner who had moved into town several months before. After Cassandra died he disappeared and was never heard from again," she said.

"That's quite a tale," he said.

"You don't believe it?"

Gideon shrugged. "There is always some truth to legends. How do you know so much about her?"

"She's New Bedford's most popular tourist attraction. People are fascinated by the de Wren curse," she explained. "Isn't that why you're here?"

"No, I'm just visiting the area for a few days," he answered. "I'm Gideon by the way."

"Shelby," she replied and took his outstretched hand.

"That's a pretty name for a pretty girl," Gideon told her.

"Thank you. It's an old family name," Shelby replied. "It seems you lost your group."

"Looks like it. I guess I'll be wandering around the place by myself."

"How about I show you around the rest of the museum? I'm practically an expert on New Bedford."

"I'd like that very much," he told her.

For the next hour Shelby guided him through New Bedford's small museum. She was indeed very knowledgeable of the local history of the town. Gideon was glad that she wasn't just a pretty face and a nice body. When they made it out of the museum the sun was already setting.

"I didn't realize we were in there for that long," Gideon said.

"I forget about time when I'm in there," she told him.

"Can I take you out to dinner to show my gratitude for the tour?" he said with a smile.

"You don't have to," Shelby said.

"I want to. I also want to spend more time getting to know you."

"I have plans tonight that I can't get out of," she said. "But I'm free tomorrow."

"Not planning to go out trick or treating tomorrow night?"

"No," she said with a smile.

"When and where can I pick you up Shelby?"

"You said you were staying at the New Bedford Inn, right?" she asked.

"Right," he replied.

"Do you mind if we have dinner at the restaurant there? It's one of the better places to eat in this town," she told him.

"Alright," Gideon agreed. "I'll see you tomorrow."

*****

It was fifteen minutes before 6 pm when Gideon went downstairs to wait for Shelby. He was eager to see her again and wasn't embarrassed to let her know.

He made his way outside to the front of the inn. The sun was barely starting to set and across the street Gideon saw groups of children dressed in costumes walking from house to house. Their tennis shoed covered feet stepped on the recently fallen leaves and their orange pumpkin containers swung to and fro already heavy with candy.

"Hello," said a sultry voice behind him.

Gideon swung around and saw Shelby looking at him with an amused expression on her face. She seemed to have come out of nowhere.

"I haven't kept you waiting too long?" she asked.

"No, you're right on time," he replied. "You look wonderful."

Shelby's red hair was curled and lay just above her shoulders like a fiery cloud. She wore a long amber colored knit dress that didn't show any skin but hugged her generous curves to perfection.

"Thank you. So do you," she replied.

He looked casually elegant in a black cashmere sweater, dark grey pants, and a pair of black loafers.

"Shall we go in?" he asked, offering an arm which she gladly took.

They walked inside and made their way to the inn's restaurant. Once inside a hostess seated them at a table by a window.

"What do you drink?" Gideon asked.

"Any red wine will do," she replied.

Gideon ordered them two glasses of a California merlot and then they looked over their menus.

"Thank you for inviting me to dinner," she told him.

"Thank you for keeping me company," he replied.

The waiter came back to their table and poured wine into their glasses. After he finished they placed their orders.

"What is that?" Gideon said aloud.

His eyes were looking out the window so Shelby turned her head to see what caught his attention. White beams of light moved throughout the woods that stood at the distance.

"Several men every Halloween go out into the woods hoping to have an encounter with Cassandra," she explained.

"Really?" he asked in a bemused tone.

"I suppose they want to find out if the legend is true," she replied. "But more likely they're hoping for something more."

"They're idiots."

"Why do you say that?" she asked.

"They hunt for a witches' ghost when a real and beautiful woman like you is available," Gideon told her.

The waiter interrupted them with their first food before she could reply. They began eating their meals but both found they had no appetite for food.

"Aren't you hungry?" he asked her when he saw she barely touched her food.

"I am, but not for food."

Shelby reached out and touched his hand.

Gideon stared at the small white hand that rested over his much larger one.

"I can't promise that I won't step on your toes, but would you like to dance?" he asked her.

She seemed surprised at his request but replied, "I'd love to."

Gideon led her to the dance floor and then took her in his arms, pulling her close to him. Her body felt soft against him and she smelled like flowers. They moved well together, he thought, as they swayed to the music. He wondered if they would move together this well in bed.

Gideon was being modest, Shelby thought as they moved across the dance floor. He was a wonderful dancer. As they kept dancing it was easy to imagine that they were the only two people in the room.

"Are your toes still intact?" he asked softly into her ear.

"So far," she told him. She looked up and stared into his eyes. "I can dance with you forever."

Gideon's left hand, which rested comfortably on her hip, slid to her lower back and pressed her aching body parts closer to him.

"I changed my mind about dancing," Shelby whispered. "Let's go to your room Gideon."

They went back to their table and Gideon called their waiter to ask for the check. He paid the bill and then they walked out of the restaurant and headed towards the elevators.

Once the bedroom door was shut behind them and the lights were switched on, Shelby launched herself onto him.

"Hey, take it easy," he told her when she started undoing his belt. "We have all night."

"But I want you now," she said.

She pulled off his cashmere sweater and threw it aside. Her hands ran across is rippled abdomen and her fingers played with the dark sprinkle of hair on his broad chest. He suddenly flattened her arms against him for her to stop.

"I want you too," he said huskily.

He bent his head and captured her mouth with his. Her arms went around Gideon's slim waist as he nibbled her plump lips. When Shelby parted her mouth, he instantly plunged his tongue down into the sweet cavity.

Gideon pulled at the sides of her dress, bringing the hem of figure hugging dress to her waist. Shelby pulled back from their kiss and raised her arms above her head. Gideon pulled the rest of the dress over her and tossed it on an arm chair. Shelby stood wearing only matching peach colored lace underwear and her brown knee length boots. Gideon moved his hand across her smooth flat torso causing her body to tremble slightly. His fingers inched up to the middle her breasts where the clasp of her bra lay. He unhooked her bra causing her breasts to fall out of the lace cups. Shelby pulled off the straps and let her bra fall to the floor. Gideon cupped the heavy mounds with his hands and brushed his thumbs across their soft pink n*****s.

Shelby sighed with pleasure. She took hold of his forearms and pulled him towards the bed. When she felt her back hit the edge of the bed, Gideon encircled her waist with his hands and lifted her up onto the tall bed. He then took her right leg, unzipped her leather boot and tugged it off. He repeated the process with other leg. When he was done Shelby crawled up the bed and then lay down amongst the pillows. Gideon kicked off his shoes and then crawled up after her.

"You're a beautiful woman Shelby," he said as he slowly gazed up and down her nearly naked body.

He lowered his head and kissed her again on the mouth. Shelby unbuckled his belt and lowered his pant's zipper. She slipped her hand into his pants and caressed his large erection.

"Slow down baby," he gasped.

He then took hold of both of her hands and placed them above her head.

"Keep them there until I'm done," he told her.

Gideon placed numerous kisses along the soft white flesh of her breasts. He cupped the ample globes, squeezed them together, and licked the generous cleavage they created. He teased her aching n*****s with the tip of his tongue before engulfing one pink tip into his mouth.

Shelby whimpered as his wet hot mouth sucked on her n*****s. His hands moved away from her breasts and were slowly gliding down her body. His exquisite mouth released her n*****s and then ran kisses down her stomach. She felt his hands go to her hips and tug at her panties.

Gideon pulled down the scrap of lace she called underwear down her legs. The red curls between her legs were a bit darker than the hair on top of her head. He pushed her soft thighs apart and saw that she was wet with her juices.