Page 66 of The Haunting of Lockton
Did he feel the same connection I did? I couldn’t explain why, but ever since the first time our eyes had locked, it was like he’d burrowed deep into my chest and stayed there.
Paxton Crane was unforgettable.
“Tell me something about yourself,” I said. “Something I don’t know.”
His muscles tensed just enough for me to notice it. “Why?”
“Why not?” I rested my hand on the back of his hair and messed with the auburn strands, twirling them around my finger.
Paxton lifted his head to peer down at me. “Because it won’t matter a week from now. You’ll leave Ivy Grove and never look back.”
I couldn’t argue with him there. My stay was temporary. Just like this thing between us, whatever it was.
“Then why did you ask me stuff last night if it doesn’t matter?” A random fuck buddy didn’t care that much to know something as personal as my dream. Even more, I’d revealed that dream to him, something I’d never told anyone.
Silvery light coming in through the window highlighted half his face, leaving the other side cast in shadow. That shadow seemed to touch his eyes too. “Because I’m a damn fool. That’s why.”
“You know, this isn’t like ancient times when people had to rely on ravens to send messages,” I said, stroking the line of his jaw. “There’s this thing called a phone. And social media. I don’t know if you’ve heard of them.”
The shadows fled, and he smiled. “Pigeons, actually.”
“Huh?”
“Pigeons carried messages back and forth,” he said, still with that smile curving his lips. “They were used for military communication too, even as recent as both the First and Second World Wars.”
“You really are a well of information, aren’t you?” I rose up and pecked him on the lips, finding him too fucking adorable to resist. “Expert on pigeons, ghosts, and diner milkshakes.”
“Strawberry is the best. Chocolate is a close second.” Paxton rolled off me and settled at my side with his back against the wall, half-propped up. He pulled the sheet over his lap to cover himself, but the line of his cock showed through it.
“Now I’m hungry.” I curled my body into his and rested my head on his chest. Weird flutters swarmed my stomach as his arm came around me, followed by the light pressure of his lips on the top of my head. “I could just eat you, I guess.”
“I’m not on the menu, I’m afraid. Out of supplies. Will need time to restock.”
“Oh my god,” I said as I caught his meaning. “No cream for the milkshake?”
And then, we both burst into laughter. Being able to laugh with him like this, so uninhibited and carefree, was nice. Different. I cuddled in closer and closed my eyes. Had I everfelt so relaxed around someone before? Even after our laughs subsided, that lighthearted feeling remained in my chest.
“I hate pickles,” he then said, smoothing his hand down my bicep. “That’s something you didn’t know about me.”
My eyelids cracked back open, and I tipped my head up to look at him. “Well, that’s perfect, then. ’Cause I love pickles. So you can just give yours to me.”
“Deal.” Paxton kissed my forehead. “You can have them all.”
It kind of made me melt. I’d been with so many people before, but none of them had ever made me feel so… light.
“Do you want me to leave?” I asked.
“No.” His response was instant. No hesitation. “I want you to stay right where you are.”
So, I did.
I fell asleep not long after that, secured in his arms and with his scent all around me. A scent I was quickly becoming addicted to. Which was problematic. Paxton and I could keep in touch once Julian and I left Ivy Grove, sure. We could text, video chat, maybe have phone sex on occasion or whatever. But we couldn’t have this. We couldn’t have anything more than a long-distance connection.
Might as well enjoy it while it lasts.
***
Golden light streamed into the room the next morning, shining directly on my face. I rolled over and flung out my arm to pull a certain hottie closer but found nothing but the cold sheet. The scent of brewed coffee wafted from downstairs. A sign he’d already woken.
