Page 27 of Dancing with a Ghost

“Come sit here with me.” I missed his hand the moment he moved it but opened my eyes to see him sliding to sit at the top of the bed, his back to the headboard. He patted the space next to him, inviting me to join him.

A quick glance told me his anticipation was as great as mine, a prominent bulge in his tight black trousers.

I wasn’t used to this. These were all new experiences for me. My hands shook as I placed myself on the bed, copying his position.

“Do you want to do more, Matty? I get it if it’s too much for you, but I so want to touch you.”

I wanted that too, but instead of words, I used actions, taking hold of his hand. Unsure of how this would play out, I placed his open palm on my hardness, gasping as it made contact, my eyes closing from the intense pleasure his touch brought.

No other hand had ever touched me there, and I bit back a moan as he applied pressure, before squeezing me.

“Does that feel good? Would you like me to stop?” he asked, his voice husky with need.

I frantically shook my head, words failing me. I didn’t want him to stop at all. He could do this all night as far as I was concerned. At this rate, though, I wouldn’t last another minute.

Surprise hit me as he pulled his hand back and my eyes flew open. Why was he stopping?

Toby was climbing off the bed, stripping out of his clothes until he was just in his underwear, a tight pair of blue pants, hugging every curve and accentuating his hardening erection. He was big. Definitely bigger than me and despite my earlier reservations, I was eager to touch it.

I had a problem though. I manifested this body, I created the illusion that appeared to him every time and whilst he could touch me, I wasn’t sure about revealing myself to him. As far as I was concerned, I was stuck in these clothes. The only way I could see my way around this, was to imagine a naked Matthias.

My conundrum must have shown on my face as Toby paused as he clambered back onto the bed.

“What’s wrong? Is it too much? Too fast?” He sat on the edge of the bed, a distance I didn’t like between us.

Garbled words left my mouth in my rush to reassure him.

“No, no, not at all. I, er, actually don’t know how to undress.”

“Oh, well, I can see how that could be a problem. Can’t we just remove your clothes?”

“I don’t think so,” and went on to explain to him how I appeared to him.

“So, the clothes are stuck on? Well, fuck.”

The only way I could think of removing them, was to imagine myself naked, but was I brave enough to bare myself to him?

Taking in his crestfallen expression, I knew I had to give it a go. I closed my eyes again, trying hard to remember what I looked like naked. Not something I was used to doing.

The hat was the first to go, followed by the suit, each piece falling away revealing my body to him, until I lay there on the bed feeling exposed and self-conscious. I’d seen Toby in all his glory, his toned body a picture of perfection. In life, I’d been burned, scars littering my skin. In limbo, I could appear as I wanted.

Too afraid to look, I kept my eyes closed, waiting for some sort of reaction. What I didn’t expect was the gentle touch of his fingers on my skin.

“You are beautiful,” he spoke, a catch in his voice. “What happened to you, Matthias?”

Dread filled my bones as I realised that he could see me. Really see me, that I’d failed to keep my disfigurement from him.

I opened my eyes gradually to see his tear-streaked face. I didn’t want anyone’s pity, least of all Toby’s.

“I should go.” Not bothering to hide away from him, I started to leave, feeling my form fade.

“Don’t. Please. I still want you, Matty.”

How could he? I was burned, scarred, my skin taut and white. How would anyone want this?

“I don’t need your pity, Toby.”

“I’m not pitying you, Matthias. I would never do that to you. You really are perfect. Did you think this would put me off? Is that why you appeared to me the way you did? It’s what’s in here that counts.” He tapped my heart, before running his hand up and over my shoulders, making me shudder.

---