Studying him, I try to figure him out.
He has the whole tortured-hero thing going for him, and he says seeing me scared him because it made him feel something.What happened to him to make him so closed off?I know the clubhouse is full of men with their own pasts and issues, but people avoid Ghost more than the others.At least I know Ora and Lu do.They aren’t close to him.In fact, I don’t think anyone is, which must be very lonely for him.
“Come on, let’s get you fed,” he rasps, and my cheeks heat because I just wrote a scene where the man fed his woman his cock.
“Sounds good,” I say, grinning to myself.
I amhungry.
He’s been watching me eat like a hawk, but I find that I don’t mind it.I like his eyes on me.It feels protective, not judgmental.I haven’t heard him laugh yet, but I’m going to make that my goal.Maybe I’ll start with a proper smile, because aside from a few lip twitches or amusement in his eyes, I’m yet to experience that, either, but I know it’s going to be incredible.
He ordered a steak and potatoes, while I went for creamy chicken and vegetables.He finished his in a few bites, but is patiently waiting for me to catch up.He’s in no rush, and I love that.
“Why are you single?”he suddenly asks me.“You’re beautiful, smart, sweet.”
“Why are you single?”I ask in return, and he laughs without humor.
“I’m used to being alone, even when I’m in a room full of people.”
“You don’t have to be,” I say softly, reaching out and touching his scarred knuckles.“And I don’t know, I guess I’m a romantic at heart.I’ve been waiting for the right man to come along.”
His brow furrows like he doesn’t like that answer, and it could never be him.
He’s wrong.
“You know, when I saw you in the clubhouse, out of all the men, you caught my attention,” I confess, placing my fork on my plate.
Something flickers in his eyes, an emotion I can’t pinpoint.“I’m different.”
“You’re beautiful,” I whisper, and his eyes widen incredulously.
“I am anything but beautiful, little one.”He leans forward, teasing my jawline with his thumb.“I’m a monster.A ghost.I only live to cause pain, to destroy.”
My breath hitches.“Yet here you are taking me on the best date I’ve ever been on.You opened the door.You pulled out my chair.You’ve made me feel safe.”I turn my face into his palm, wanting more of his touch.“You aren’t a monster in my story, Ghost.At least, not yet.”
A muscle in his jaw works.“I don’t know how to do this.”
“This?”
“Us.I tried to stay away from you.I tried to push you away.”
I press a soft kiss onto his fingers, and his nostrils flare.“Well, we are both here now.”
“Yeah, I suppose we are,” he murmurs, his gaze dropping to my lips.
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Xanthe.You’re sunshine.I feel like suddenly the seasons are finally changing.”
Am I dreaming right now?
“You’re saying all the right things, Ghost, especially for someone who thinks they can only cause pain.”
He throws some money on the table and stands, offering me his hand.“Come on, let me get you home.”
And I smile the whole ride.
GHOST
Phone in my hand, I reread the text message from Xanthe.After our date, I walked her to the door and asked for her number, which she gave to me.That was a week ago, and we’ve been talking ever since.
