Rebecca Browne's Ghost

As Riley laid down on the bed with a groan, the weight of a full day spent on her feet sank her into a state of tranquility. On her last day in town, she visited a bookstore after dining at the inn's historical tavern, and a walk along the riverside was just a reprieve before more exploring. But she was beyond exhausted now. Of course, vacations were sometimes less relaxing than anticipated. To retire in this beautiful nineteenth century bedroom was a luxury however, and the four poster bed adorned with red velvet drapes made her feel like she was a statesman's wife. The innkeeper told her at check-in that some rooms were more haunted than others, but that was just marketing she thought. The town was full of silly ghost stories.

A shower was definitely needed, but she kicked off her boots and lay on the pillow to relax for a bit before starting her nightly routine. She placed both hands behind her head and looked around the dimly lit room. It was out-of-date compared to modern tastes, but the wooden furniture was beautiful, and the decorations were quite charming. She wondered who in the Browne family it belonged to back when it was a home. It was clear they were quite well off for the time period.

She sighed and closed her eyes, promising herself she wouldn't fall asleep before at least taking off her jeans. Distant creaks of the old floorboard were heard, but otherwise, there was a stillness that felt almost unsettling.

After a while, the sensation that she was not alone crept over her, though she knew it was impossible-the door had been locked when she entered. She sighed again and adjusted against the firm mattress.

"Good evening."

Her eyes shot open and she sat up in fear. Standing in the middle of the room was a young woman in a plaid bodice and skirt with a strange look on her face.

"Wh-who are you?" stuttered Riley. The innkeepers wore period costumes and she thought perhaps one of the workers had let herself in.

"I'm Rebecca," she replied. "What's your name?" The woman had a soothing voice, like it were enshrouded in silk, but it did nothing to assuage Riley's pounding heart.

"Uh-uh... Riley. Riley Thomas. What are you doing in my room?"

As if she had heard a load of balderdash, Rebecca tilted her head. "Yours? This room belongs to me."

Riley gasped as her pulse was throbbing now. Something felt incredibly off about this situation. "What?" she asked, her body tremoring as if she had caught a chill.

"These things aren't mine," said Rebecca. "But it's still my room. Although I can't seem to prevent the innkeepers from letting others stay in here."

Her words were confusing and Riley scrunched her brow as she thought. It couldn't possibly be... could it? "Rebecca... Browne?" She swallowed hard as the reality of the situation became more and more dreamlike.

"Yes, that's me," said Rebecca.

"So-so you're... a gho-a ghost?"

"I prefer to say spirit. It's less menacing."

The thud in Riley's ears began to subside and her breaths turned oddly calm. She studied the spirit and couldn't tell her apart from the living. She always thought if she saw one, it would appear as a faint whisper that dissolved if a hand ran through it. But Rebecca was quite comely in this light. Her soft features complemented the piercing blueness of her eyes whilst everything else about her looked to be flawless.

"So are you here to haunt me?" asked Riley. "I think if your intent was to scare me, you succeeded."

Rebecca shook her head. "I'm sorry to have frightened you, but it wasn't my intention. I was just lonely. A lot of the other spirits here aren't very talkative."

"Oh... I'm-I'm sorry," Riley replied. "That does sound very lonely." From their distance apart, she could see Rebecca looked quite forlorn. Her sapphire eyes glistened, but it was unclear if it was from the lamp at her bedside. It tugged at Riley's heart and reminded her of herself the last few months. After considering the situation, she couldn't believe what she was about to suggest.

"Wou-would you like to come sit with me?" She moved her legs under her and patted the edge of the bed.

Rebecca smiled and nodded before walking over and taking a seat. Now being closer, Riley could see how ethereal she looked-it was nearly distracting.

"A lot of the other spirits haunt our guests," said Rebecca. "There are some soldiers from the war here who are eternally restless. They take satisfaction in terrifying others. I don't see the point though, as I'd much rather make a friend. But most people close their eyes and hope for my disappearance the moment I come to them."

"Well, it's frightening," chuckled Riley incredulously. "But I'm sorry to hear that. You don't look scary to me though. In fact you look... almost transcendent."

Rebecca blushed and looked to the carpet. "Your words are much too kind."

Riley was unsure what sort of things to talk about with a spirit, as she had only seen ghost hunters on t. v with their contraptions yelling questions into the void with garbled answers thought to be a response. "Are you happy being here?" she asked.

"Yes," said Rebecca. "I find it comforting that my final resting place is my home. I died quite young here, and there are a lot of memories. My Mama and Papa are here too."

Riley remembered hearing from the innkeeper that she had passed from scarlet fever at age twenty five and it caused a twinge to form inside her chest. She felt almost bereft on her behalf thinking of all that she could have experienced if she had lived longer.

"When I died, my Mama cried that I never knew marriage," said Rebecca. "But that never bothered me. I had plenty of chances to marry that I refused."

"Why did you refuse them?" asked Riley.

Rebecca fingered her skirt and thought about her answer. "Well... I never felt love for those men, really."

"Do you think you ever felt love?"

"Oh of course! I felt a love that resembled the fire of a dawning sky. But it was never reciprocated. Although I must admit, I never made it known."

Riley causally leaned on her hand. She had somehow grown comfortable in this spirit's presence and felt perfectly at ease. "Why not?"

"She was already married to someone else," said Rebecca. "And such a thing would have been seen as a misdeed." It was shocking to hear her admit to these sentiments, but it only intensified her aura of endless longing.

"You were born in the wrong time then," Riley replied. "If you were alive now, no one would think twice about your feelings."

Rebecca sighed and moved a strand of hair away from her eye. "I know. But there's no use lamenting over something that never was." The strand fell once more, but before she could attend to it, Riley leaned over and brushed it out of her face, causing her to blush again.

"Do you have someone you're sweet on?" asked Rebecca.

Riley shook her head. "No, not for a while. That's kind of why I'm here actually. My brother and sisters were worried I was still hung up on my ex so they planned this trip out of the city."

Rebecca looked confused. "An ex-lover?"

"Yeah. We broke up a few months ago. Well, I left her. She cheated on me with her coworker she told me not to worry about."

"That's awful!"

"Sure, but it's all right. I'm feeling much better now that I'm here. Your town is healing, I think."

"There are a lot of spirits here and most of them are peaceful," said Rebecca. "That energy transfers serenity into the real world."

"That's lovely," said Riley. She smiled at her midnight guest and narrowed her eyes as if she were scrutinizing a painting. "I'm sorry to say-but it bears repeating-I can't get over how alluring you are."

Rebecca smiled and smoothed out the wrinkles in the bedding. Her hand glided over the sheets as if she were running fingers through the grass. "You will cause my ego to inflate. Perhaps I'll grow much more ambitious in my hauntings."

They laughed together and lingered in each other's gazes for a moment before Rebecca looked away again. Riley couldn't believe she was suddenly attracted to someone who had been dead for over one hundred and fifty years. But stranger things had happened... right?

"I know I'm not the woman you loved," she started. "But I am a woman who finds you very, very beautiful."

Rebecca finally met her eyes and held it with confidence. "I find you captivating as well. It would be a lie to have you believe I came tonight only because I was lonely. While that may be true, I also appeared because I thought you to be quite handsome."

Unsure how exactly it would be possible, Riley cleared her throat and softened her intense stare. Her heart began to pound with fright once more, but this time, it was in fear of doing something never thought to be possible. "Can I kiss you?" she asked.

It seemed the question emptied Rebecca's lungs, for she had no air to speak. But she gave a slight nod and braced herself.

Riley moved down until they were nearly touching, but was quickly stopped.

"Wait," said Rebecca.

"What is it?"

She placed a hand on Riley's cheek, her caress ice cold against her skin. It was as if her fingers never knew the blessing of warmth and lived in a perpetual tundra. "I'm not warm like you," she whispered.

Resisting the urge to shudder, Riley gave a smile. "It's okay, I don't mind." She leaned forward and brought their lips together, remaining still for a few moments. After any rigidity softened, her arms wrapped around Rebecca's waist, and they fell into a steady pace, their tongues becoming familiar as their kiss deepened. Rebecca placed her other hand on Riley's opposite cheek, but any worries regarding temperature inconsistencies had faded away.

Riley gripped her bodice and felt there was too much material separating the two of them. Though it was only supposed to be a kiss, it was beginning to turn into a frenzy. Their breaths were hot and heavy and gave way to soft moans. Then, Riley pulled away with a pant.

"I'm-I'm sorry. I let myself get carried away."

Rebecca took a few deep breaths and looked to the bedsheets. After a minute, she placed a hand on Riley's knee and spoke in a hushed voice.

"Turn around."

Riley gave a bewildered expression. "What?"

"Turn around," she repeated. "Until I tell you to look."

With a feeling of apprehension, Riley faced the wall. "Is this gonna be one of those things where you've disappeared when my back is turned?"

'No," Rebecca laughed. "I promise."

It took a few minutes of waiting, but when Rebecca finally allowed Riley to look, she spun around to see her bare figure.

"You look...." She shook her head. "My God."

Rebecca approached bashfully, her skin almost glowing like a star in the night sky. Her chestnut hair had been unpinned and freed down the length of her back, it's color rich and decadent. Riley embraced her for a passionate kiss and pulled away to study her again.

"Absolutely breathtaking," she whispered. Rebecca smiled and her eyes fell to the floor, but Riley brought her gaze back with a finger to the chin followed by another kiss. She took her to the bed and laid her down, hoping Rebecca could not hear the thumping of her heart through her chest. She backed off and stood at the bedside to undress.

"Shall I look away?" asked Rebecca with a smile.

Riley pulled her socks off first. "No, I don't mind if you watch me. In fact, I'd prefer it." She removed her shirt, pants, and undergarments, until she, too, was completely unclothed. Compared to Rebecca, she felt almost dull and lacking in radiance. Perhaps death bestows eternal beauty on the dead.

She laid on top of Rebecca and kissed her softly while their bodies entwined, then her confidence began to ascend knowing if there was one thing she was good at, it was making love to an irresistible woman. Her hands felt every curve under them, as if she were committing her silhouette into memory. When she trembled, Rebecca held her away.

"Do I make you too cold?"

Riley shook her head. "No, not at all." She bent down and kissed her again before moving to her neck and chest, until her mouth found her breasts. Rebecca ran fingers along her back and gripped her soft curls as a tongue gently glided over her nipples. It seemed to invigorate her, because when Riley found her lips again, she pushed her off and onto her knees to straddle her.

Rebecca moaned into their kiss while Riley gripped the thighs that sat on top of her own. By the sound of it, she was aching to be touched, and Riley knew it. Their embrace was a sea of hands grasping and pulling and digging into skin. After a few minutes, Riley's knees began to chafe against the blanket, but she didn't seem to notice.

"I implore you not to hesitate any longer," breathed Rebecca as her legs quivered. "How I ache to feel you."

With a hard kiss, Riley's hand slipped between her thighs. Two fingers were inserted causing Rebecca to moan with relief. Slowly, Riley thrusted into her, while the other hand held her close. As her fingers curled, the arms holding onto her tightened with pleasure.

Rebecca began rocking her hips and Riley used her whole body to deepen every thrust as she moved against hers in unison. They panted together as the pace quickened and Rebecca's moans turned to pleas not to stop. She took Riley's face into her hands and ensured their eyes were fixated on one another. Riley could've sworn she could see into the past as the blue in her irises swirled like mist above a creek. It caused her heart to break and swell at once.

When Rebecca reached a climax, she cried out and held Riley close to her chest as her body shuddered in waves, then she rested a cheek on top of her head and loosened her grasp.

"Oh, how my body shakes. I feel as if you hold the key in which to unlock me."

Riley slowly moved forward and laid her back down, feeling her back beginning to sting from straining. But she was not quite finished. She gave Rebecca a fervid kiss, then eager lips found her breast, then stomach, then hips, until a tongue unable to remain deliberate tasted her sex, causing her to gasp.

Her breaths began heaving, and she pulled at Riley's hair while the sensation of being completely taken into another's mouth overwhelmed her. Soon, her back began to arch, and each gasp turned sharp to the ear. Riley licked and sucked simultaneously while slipping a finger in, and her other hand pressed down on Rebecca's lower stomach. Within moments, her breaths were fast and building until she stopped breathing at all; her body went stiff, and her sex pulsated.

Riley laid on her bosom while she came to her senses. She wondered if Rebecca had ever done anything like this before. Something inside her casted a shadow of doubt. When she lifted her head, she saw her with eyes closed, yet a faint smile lay upon her lips.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Am I smiling?" asked Rebecca. "I suppose I'm quite content." She opened her eyes and brought Riley in for a kiss. When she pulled away, she gave a determined look. "I desire to touch you the way you've done me."

Riley swallowed hard and moved over to sit against the headboard. She pulled Rebecca on top of her, but this time only one leg was straddled. With a hand, she guided dubious fingers between her legs, but as it touched the skin, she quickly pulled it back. It was incredibly cold-not that she had never done anything with an ice cube, but somehow she had forgotten Rebecca's touch was not warm.

"Is it too much for you?" asked Rebecca.

Riley shook her head with reassurance. "No, I quite like it."

The fingers returned, and moved in a dextral pattern-soft at first, then applying more pressure. Riley breathed in and out of her nose and could not seem to take her eyes off Rebecca. It seemed she had a new sense of confidence, for she took Riley's hand and brought it to her breast, intertwining their fingers as it was squeezed. After a few minutes, Riley could feel her finding pleasure from rubbing against her leg, her arousal leaving its mark in a streak against her thigh. Even knowing this, Riley was bewitched by Rebecca's time-traveling gaze and did not look away.

Her heavy breaths turned to moans, and as much as she wanted to scream a great big expletive, she thought perhaps it would offend Rebecca. So at the moment of release, she gave a heavy groan that was clearly very restrained. After her body relaxed, Rebecca fell into her arms, and she placed a blanket over them for comfort. They lay in stillness for a few moments while thoughts returned to their empty minds.

"Thank you," sighed Rebecca.

Riley tightened her grip around her waist. "What for?"

"You've proven to me that death doesn't stop me from living. It's just... living in a different world."

The thought of only having this one night with Rebecca was bittersweet, and Riley wished it wasn't so. "Well, perhaps you've done something for me too. I suddenly can't seem to remember why I was having trouble letting go of my ex."

Rebecca laughed. "I'm happy to be of service."

"I'm glad you came to me tonight. Will I ever see you again? I'm leaving in the morning."

"I'm also glad I came. Maybe if you return to the inn you'll see me. But don't be distressed, you have a whole life ahead of you. If it's any consolation, I want you to know you will be leaving me incredibly happy."

Riley sighed and shook away any sentiments that were unhelpful to this unexpected pain in her side. "If you're happy, then I'm happy. Will you stay with me tonight?"

Rebecca nuzzled into her and smiled. "Of course."

And just like that, the women fell asleep in each other's arms. Riley slipped into such a restful sleep, that no dreams were had, and it wasn't until daybreak did she stir from her slumber.

She glanced down, then over to see no one next to her and her heart skipped a beat.

"Rebecca?" she called out.

Silence.

She climbed out of bed with a blanket draped over her body and checked all over the small room, but Rebecca had vanished. Somehow she had held out hope to wake up with her in her arms, but maybe that was why most people didn't spend the night with ghosts. It only seemed to end in heartache.

A soft light came through the blinds and Riley walked over to peer out the window. When she saw the view, a gasp escaped her, and she drew the shades to get a better look. The dawning sky looked to be ablaze, with rich colors streaking through the clouds like it'd been painted with a brush. It was absolutely mesmerizing. She sat on the windowsill and watched a flock of birds fly into the horizon and a smile crept across her face. She had never felt so peaceful.