Page 115 of Ghost
He snorted and shook off her hand.“Not today, babe.”He picked her up and moved easily down the stairs.
Her body relaxed in his hold.She let her head rest on his chest and sighed.“I could get used to this.”The traitorous words fled from her lips before she could retract them.
Nice way to play hard to get, Mila.
She closed her eyes, hating how hopeful and vulnerable she’d sounded.Ghost didn’t say anything, which only tripled her anxiety.They reached the bottom of the steps and she opened her eyes as he lowered her to the ground.
Garland twinkling with Christmas lights circled the lower part of the railing, and a festive stuffed snowman and reindeer sat on the bottom step.She blinked, stunned.
“What’s this?”
Ghost placed an arm around her waist and led her into the living room.There was a poinsettia on the island in the kitchen, and in the living room, the lights were dim.A large artificial tree stood in the corner of the room next to the blazing gas fireplace.Two red stockings hung above the fire, and there was more garland strung on the mantel.
Tears collected on her lashes.She moved across the area rug to the Christmas tree.She could barely see the ornaments through the moisture blurring her vision.Emotion choked her.
“I called in a favor.Rami, Ivy, and August came over while you were sleeping and brought the decorations.Gigi had an extra tree.”
Mila swallowed as memories washed over her.Christmas had meant everything to her family.She’d loved making ornaments with her brother, baking sugar cookies with her mom, and snuggling into bed on Christmas Eve terrified to make a peep and scare Santa away.
“I haven’t celebrated Christmas since Evie.”Ghost’s voice was thick behind her.
She didn’t turn for fear she’d dissolve into a puddle.
“After you told me about your Christmases as a kid, I figured you should have one now.You deserve it.”
She reached out to touch a glass bulb, then a glittery candy cane, and the tears rolled down her cheeks, hot and unabashedly.Finally turning, she sniffed and wiped her knuckle beneath her eye.“I can’t believe you did this,” she whispered.
He stepped closer, catching her hands.“Mila, I haven’t felt this way about anyone before.When you were taken last night, it nearly fucking broke me.”His voice was as rough as stone.“I can’t feel that way again.”
She rested her hand on his bristly cheek, touching his bottom lip with the tip of her thumb.“Are you saying you care about me, Atticus?”
His cheeks darkened and his throat moved on a swallow.He caught her face in his palms.Heat emanated from his chest.Terror crept in through the back door of her mind and mocked her for putting her heart on the line.For risking what little hope she had left on this ruthless man who could break her heart if he wanted.
He brought his face inches from hers and inhaled, long and slow.She held her breath, expecting a gentle letdown.She was stupid for trying.For thinking he could—
“I fucking love you, Mila.”Each word came out slow and weighed, as if he wanted to feel each one touch her soul.“I haven’t known love for a long time.Haven’t even wanted it.Now, I can’t live without it.Without you.”
His thumbs caught her tears.
She let out a loose, nervous laugh.“I love you, too.”
He brushed his lips over hers, a gentle tease before pulling away.Her mouth craving his, she lifted her chin higher, willing him to kiss her.
“Too bad there’s no mistletoe.”He grinned mischievously.
The smirk was so playful and so unlike him that she giggled.Catching the back of his neck, she pulled his lips to hers.“Won’t be the first time I overpower you.”
He laughed, then kissed her.Need traveled from her tongue to her toes, and goosebumps spread over her skin.His tongue stroked hers, gentle and giving.He pulled away, then pressed a kiss to her forehead.“No sex until that leg feels better.”
She pouted, though the idea of getting frisky and jostling her leg was enough to make her cringe.“Fine.But I’m going to need some Christmas music to cheer me up.”
Ghost groaned and dropped his head back to stare at the ceiling before meeting her gaze.“Not a fucking chance.”
“Come on, hand over your phone.I know you’ve got a Bing Crosby playlist.”
He shook his head and delved into his pocket.“You’re going to screw up my algorithm.”
“Or make you the cheeriest elf there is,” she said.She found “White Christmas” and hit play.
