Page 20 of Ghost
After what feels like hours, our bodies still, and he rolls off to my side. I stare at the ceiling, my sanity returning, and can’t help but wonder what the hell we just did.
“Bathroom?” he asks, taking the condom off.
I point to the door across the room that leads to the attached bath.
“Be right back.”
He shuts the door behind him, and I take several deep breaths.
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
Scrambling off the bed, I yank open my bottom dresser drawer and grab the first pair of sleep shorts and tank that I find. By the time he returns from the bathroom, I’m dressed and sitting on the edge of the mattress, no doubt a stricken look on my face.
“What’s this?” he asks, nodding at me.
“I… We…” Regret is a boulder in my chest, and I have to clear my throat before I can force any more words out. “This doesn’t change anything.”
His expression falls, and his entire body tenses. A combination of pain and anger flashes across his face, and he busies himself with gathering his clothes and getting dressed.
“Parker?” I say, trying to get him to look at me.
“It’s fucking Ghost,” he barks, sliding his arms into his cut. He points to a patch affixed to the leather. “It even spells it out right here in case you ever forget.”
Okay, so we’re gonna do this the hard way.
“I’m sor?—”
“Don’t you dare say you’re sorry,” he seethes. “I can take a lot of shit from you, Em, but not that.” He stalks to the bedroom door and pauses at the threshold, glancing over his shoulder. “Forget this ever happened. It was a mistake, clearly. Just…” He sighs. “I’ll see you at my mom’s, day after tomorrow.”
And with that, he’s gone, and I feel as though a bucket of ice has been poured over my body.
Crazy fucking day.
CHAPTER 11
GHOST
I forgot how to trust fifteen years ago.
“Parker, what are you doing here?”
I smile at my mom, who seems to have her wits about her today. Of course, it’s still early, and mornings are always her best time.
“Thought I’d come for a visit,” I tell her, as I sit at the kitchen table. “Whatcha cookin’?”
“I was hungry for an omelet, so I’m making one. I can make a second one if you’re hungry.”
“Sounds good to me,” I say, a smile on my lips. It quickly fades when there’s a knock on the door, and I’m reminded of why I’m really here. “Be right back.”
I make my way through the living room, surprised Ember still showed up. After the other day, I would’ve understood if she chose not to come. Fuck, I sorta hoped she wouldn’t.
When I open the door, I swallow my tongue. Ember is wearing a pair of black scrubs with teal stethoscopes and heartbeats all over them. The outfit shouldn’t be sexy, but onher, I fear even a paper bag would send all my blood straight to my cock.
“Can I come in or are you going to stare at me all day?” she asks sweetly.
I step aside and gesture for her to enter. As soon as she crosses the threshold, I close the door and turn around. Immediately, I recognize my mistake because she’s taking in her surroundings, and all my eyes seem to see is her perfect ass.
Shaking my head, I clear my throat. “Where’s your stuff?”
