Page 36 of Dancing with a Ghost

Finally, he reached me and we stood, face to face; toe to toe.

I lifted my hand to touch his face. It was warm. Did this mean what I thought it did?

He placed his hand over mine. That was warm too.

I just stared, open-mouthed. Had we really broken the curse? Was it my words of love?

"I said I loved you." I whispered.

"I know, she told me." Tears filled his eyes as we both realised the implication of my words.

"Let me look at you." I walked around him, touching every part of him. His arms, his back, the hair at the nape of his neck, until finally coming to face him again. "It's really you."

"It's really me." He took my hand and placed it on his chest. I could feel the steady thump of his heart beneath it, something that had been missing before. Every time I lay my head on his chest, it had been all too noticeable in its absence.

"You did it, Toby. You brought me back to life. You brought me back to you." He pressed his lips to mine, winding his arms around my back, bringing me flush to his body.

His warmth enveloped me and I finally realised how chilly it was. Considering I'd spent the night outside, I was warmer than I thought I should be, it had been a cold night. I removed his hat, running my hand through the soft strands. Everything felt so new but so familiar at the same time.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of this,” I said, and kissed him again. Pouring all the love I’d felt over the past few weeks into it. I needed him to know that this was for real, that I loved him with all of my heart.

My hands continued to roam over his body, not believing he was really here and he did the same, his hands on my face before slowly stroking down my arms until we were holding hands, lost in the moment.

A sudden growl from Matty’s stomach had us both laughing.

"I'm starving," he said, pulling away. "I've not eaten in seventy-nine years. I think I've got some catching up to do."

"What do you say to breakfast in bed?" I asked, a mischievous smile on my face. I had more than breakfast in mind. I had my Matty back.

"I say that's an excellent idea." He grabbed my hand, strolling into the hotel, heading for my rooms.

"Toby? What are you doing up so early? And who is this?"

Trust mother to be up this early.

Panic flitted across Matty's face, but I just squeezed his hand, turning to face her.

"This is Matty. My boyfriend."

She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

"I'll explain later. He's just come back from a stint abroad and we've got some catching up to do." It was the best I could do at such short notice. "See you later, mother. I haven't forgotten our ten o'clock meeting."

We breezed past her, her mouth still open and headed down the corridor to my room, ignoring the looks of the few staff on duty. I'd have a lot to explain, but right now, I wanted to spend time with my boyfriend.

My very alive boyfriend. The boyfriend I was going to be spending eternity with.

Chapter Sixteen

Matthias

Iwasn'tsurewhathad happened. One moment I was there with Toby and the next, I was in the middle of a field, feeling cold. I'd not felt cold in years so this was something new.The End

The steady beat of my heart was the next thing I felt as I got to my feet.

All I knew was that I needed to find Toby, tell him I was sorry and most of all, tell him I loved him.

Those last few moments before I blacked out, I'd come to that realisation, thinking it was too late to tell him.

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