Page 17 of Spooked
She steps closer, fearless as ever. "Is that supposed to scare me off?"
"Maybe."
She reaches up, and gently touches the edge of my mask.
I catch her wrist, suddenly afraid of what might happen if I let this continue. "Ash...this is a bad idea."
"Why? Because I'm here for work? Because you think I'll be repulsed once I see all of you? Or because you're afraid I won't be?"
Her perception is unnerving. I release her, stepping back. “All of the above. Plus, Dev is right. We need to deal with the flooding.”
She nods. “I know.”
We head toward the kitchen in silence, the moment between us not gone but temporarily suspended.
As we walk, Dev appears from a side corridor. “Wolfe, can I have a minute? In private.”
Ash hears that and goes on ahead.
"A word of caution," Dev says quietly. "She's still a journalist with a camera. Whatever is happening between you two...remember she has a story to write and a career to build."
Their words are like ice water down my back.
Of course. What am I doing? Ash isn't here for me; she's here for a feature that could advance her career. The kiss, her interest—could all be a tactic to get better material for her piece. To catch the Beast with his guard down.
I’m letting myself get carried away.
By the time we reach the kitchen, my walls are firmly back in place. The room is bustling with activity: Lee marking areas of concern on a property map, Ghost checking emergency supplies, and Howie fiddling with his cell phone and a battery-powered radio.
"The old maple by the east fence went down," Lee reports as I enter. "Took out part of the power line with it."
"Utility company says it'll be at least twenty-four hours before they can get up here," Ghost adds.
I nod, slipping easily into crisis management mode. This is familiar territory, with problems to solve, actions to take.
Much safer than the uncharted waters of Ash's soft, hot body against mine.
“We need to fix the emergency lights,” I say. “And conserve as much power as possible. Howie, shut down all of the effects systems. Ghost, how’s the west wing?”
“It’s holding for the time being,” Ghost replies.
I nod. “Lee, what’s the food situation like?"
"Plenty of things in the pantry. We were stocking up for the Halloween rush anyway."
"Good." I glance at Ash, who's watching our organized emergency response with interest. "Dev, set Ms. Vaughn up with whatever she needs to be comfortable for a longer stay."
Ash gives me an odd look.
"We should all get some rest," I add. "Tomorrow will be a long day."
Without waiting for a response, I turn and leave the kitchen, retreating to the sanctuary of my workshop. Down here, surrounded by my creations, I can think clearly again.
What was I thinking, kissing her? Opening myself up like that? Dev is right—she's here for a story. “I Kissed the Beast of Marsden Manor” would make quite the headline, wouldn't it?
I lose track of time as I work on a half-finished mask, the familiar motions of sculpting and molding calming my chaotic thoughts. The workshop door creaks open behind me, and I know without looking who it is.
"Go away, Ghost."
