Page 30 of Dancing with a Ghost

“I heard it once at a party here. Never thought I’d get to use it.”

“Well, as much as I liked the compliment, don’t make a habit of it. I like my gently spoken Matty and one of us swearing like a sailor is enough, don’t you think?”

I swooped in for a quick kiss, pleased when he returned it. My Matty was definitely a quick learner.

Tempted as I was to crawl back under the covers with him, I had a meeting to get to.

"Five more minutes?" He pulled the covers back, seeming to read my mind. Dare I risk it?

Fuck it, five more minutes couldn't hurt. I dropped the towel and climbed in next to him, resting my head on his chest. He flinched slightly and I ran my hand over his stomach, trying to ease his mind. I wanted to be here.

"I have to go soon, a meeting with some new client. Can I see you later, though?" I kissed his bare chest, still feeling a warmth there.

"I'll be here. I've nowhere else to go right now."

"I know. I'd like to spend more time with you. Maybe we could take a walk in the gardens while the weather is still good. It won't be long until the nights draw in and it'll be dark early."

"I'd like that, Toby. Autumn is my favourite time of year."

A gentle stroke, up and down my arm had me drifting off to sleep again. It was soothing, reassuring even, and hopefully showed how comfortable Matty was with me, both of us lying naked under the covers. As much as I wanted to stay here, I had to go.

"One more kiss, then I need to go." I said, reaching up to kiss his face. With the sunlight streaming through the window, I could better see the scars on his face. They weren't as bad as on his body, just a few on his forehead, down the left side of his face to his jawline.

The kiss lasted a few seconds, shorter than I wanted, but Mother would be cross as usual if I was late.

"I'll be back later and we can take that walk." I stood by the dresser, pulling open the drawers, grabbing my clothes for the day. "How do I contact you?"

"Yesterday, I knew something was wrong which was why I came to you," he said matter-of-factly.

I carried on, adding what I'd sensed from him. "And last night, I think I could feel what you did. I got feelings of being overwhelmed, right after, you know…."

"That's how I felt, full of many emotions. What we did last night – it was new to me, so yes, feelings were running high. I think the closer we become, the more we're able to sense each other. All part of the process, do you think?"

I finished dressing as he spoke, deliberating on what he'd said. It was certainly possible. We'd connected on an emotional and physical level. The idea had merit. I bent to put on my shoes, surprised to see Matty standing next to me, now dressed in a pair of grey flannel trousers and a white shirt. This was new.

I looked on appreciatively. He looked good.

"I like this on you. More casual than the uniform and as much as I'd love you to walk around naked all day every day, what happens if suddenly you can be seen by everyone? We don't need that scandal at the hotel."

"I'm trying out different looks." He said, gazing down at his now clothed body. "Maybe I'll try something of yours, jeans or the grey things you wear."

"Yes, definitely try those, preferably with no shirt." I kissed him again, reluctantly pulling away. "I'll see you later. I'm hoping this won't last too long and we can spend the day together."

The damn meeting ran over. The bride and groom changed their minds that many times. By the end, I had no idea what we were doing. I'd smiled and taken notes, but after three hours, I was done.

Unfortunately, mother wasn't.

"I want to go over the details of the conference we have coming in next week, too. Be a darling and get us some coffees. We can meet in my office in about ten minutes."

Without waiting for an answer, she left the room, a cloud of expensive perfume all she left behind.

Annoyance brewed, churning in my gut. She treated me like her apprentice, not the main event planner at the hotel. I'd been doing the job for two years, and not once had anyone complained. You'd think this was my first rodeo the way she handled the meetings.

Talking down to me in her condescending manner. Thinking back to how Matthias had first appeared to me, at Jeremy and Tabitha's wedding. How he'd mentioned then about her stealing my ideas. Even Tabitha could see it, and I heard it almost every day from Georgie.

By the time I'd picked up the coffees, I was raging, sick to death of her constant monitoring of my work.

"Just put them down there, Toby, then get out your pad and pen. You know it'd be so much easier if you used the iPad."

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