Page 29 of Ghost

“You… you want me?” She swallowed thickly. “But you just met me.”

I lifted a brow. “I’m not following?” I wasn’t sure why it mattered that we’d just met. In my world, you fucked who you wanted. If you wanted to keep fucking exclusively, you staked your claim. End of story. If we worked, maybe one day I’d put a ring on her finger if that’s what she wanted.

“We just met and you’re telling me you want me. I’m not a whore.” Her back went straight.

I scoffed. “I know that. Wouldn’t have claimed you if you were.”

Her hands went to her hips and her eyes turned to slits. “Excuse me? You claimed me? What the hell does that mean?”

I put my hand over my mouth to hide my grin. Oh, she was a feisty one. I couldn’t wait to get that sass writhing beneath me.

“It means,” I yanked her body against mine, pressing my hardening cock against her belly, “you’re mine now, baby.”

Her cheeks turned crimson, and a whimper slipped past her lips. Good, we were getting somewhere.

“Yours?” she panted almost breathlessly.

“Mine.” I slid my hands up her back and into her hair. There was something about the riot of blonde curls that begged for my hands. A dozen times I’ve pictured her on her knees with my dick in her mouth, guiding her movement how I wanted. I growled.

Soon.

“You’re rooming with me.” Her eyes went molten at the demand. Another move in my favor. Rae nodded, a slight tremble in her lips that she thought I didn't see.

She was nervous. She’d learn soon enough she was safe with me.

“Okay.” Another win. “Since she’s napping, I’m going to shower.” She pointed over her shoulder before disappearing into the bathroom, the click of the lock echoing louder than it should.

Perching on the edge of the bed, I couldn’t stop thinking about her behind that door, naked. The water started up and instead of doing something productive, I was itching to join her. Imagining her skin slick and soapy had my cock straining against the denim. My hand instinctively reached down to adjust the uncomfortable bulge.

Shit.

I was in deep. I pictured her hands gliding over those curves. A groan escaped me, raw and low, as the water shut off.

The anticipation gnawed at my gut and then the door swung open, and there she stood—damp skin and vulnerability, wrapped in a fucking towel.

Her hair was twisted up in some weird wrap, and those droplets—they were trailing down her neck, over her collarbone, disappearing into the terrycloth that hid what I was aching to see.

Steam curled around her, and for a heartbeat, I forgot who I was. The sight of her, all innocent eyes and wet skin, it fucked with me. Made me want to shield her from the filth in my world.

How the hell did that happen?

“Ghost.” The blush on her cheeks snaked down her neck. “I need... um, clothes,” her voice trembled. “I didn’t bring anything I could sleep in... when we left.”

I stood there, taking her in. She was young, too goddamn young for the likes of me. A pang of guilt hit quick and then vanished. Guilt had no place between us. She was fucking mine.

“Fuck clothes.” I closed the distance between us in two strides. My hands cupped her face, tilting her head back and I ran my fingers over her cheek like she was made of fucking porcelain. My hellcat.

Her lips parted when I tugged the towel from her head. Another pull, and the one around her body joined it on the floor.

Stepping back, I took my time admiring her. My eyes ate her up, and she shivered under my gaze, and I knew I was done for.

“You want this? Want me?” This was her chance to take the out.

“I want you.”

“Thank fuck, baby,” was all I managed to say before scooping her up into my arms. In one swift motion, I tossed her onto the bed. She gasped when her slender body bounced. Using the back of her arm, she shoved the mass of curls from her face and grinned.

Fuck yes.

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