Page 21 of Lost to the Woods

7. Ghost

That morning of New Year’s Day, though a bit awkward, was pivotal for our relationship.

I haven’t really slept much. I sat at the edge of the bed, mask back on, watching her stirring beside me. Her hair was a pink mess all over the pillows, a bit of drool slipping past her parted lips, the scent of her perfume and arousal still hung in the air.

Finally, her fingers clutched at the sheets as she blinked up at me, her face contorting into something between confusion and horror. Not the worst reaction I’d ever gotten from a girl waking up next to me.

“Oh, fuck me,” she croaked, rubbing her temples as her sluggish brain fought to piece things together.

I tilted my head. “Good morning to you, too.”

She groaned, squeezing her eyes shut like she could rewind time if she just wished hard enough. Cute.

“I’m so sorry.”

I tsked. “For what?”

“For…” She waved a hand in the air, searching for the words. “Last night. Ugh, I can’t remember much. If I was, uh—”

“Too handsy?” I supplied.

She winced, a fresh wave of embarrassment washing over her. “Yeah.”

I chuckled, a deep, amused rumble that had her glancing up at me through her lashes. “Bunny, if I had a problem with you throwing yourself at me, I wouldn’t have spent the last year trying to get your attention.”

I let that sink in.

I could see the way her cheeks heated, the way her fingers fidgeted with the sheets, the way her breath hitched just a little.

I liked her like this. Soft. Hesitant. Shy.

And utterlymine.

“We made out just a little, and then you fell asleep. No big deal.”

“I didn’t do anything too embarrassing, did I?” she asked coyly, biting her bottom lip.

Well, you also confessed your feelings for me…

“Embarrassing how?”

“Um, I dunno… like talking in my sleep or something?”

“No.” I considered letting her go easily, but I enjoyed seeing her squirm too much. “You only humped my thigh.”

“Oh, God!” she whined, covering her face with a pillow. “I was feral, wasn’t I?” she muttered from under it.

“A little rabid. I liked it.”

She groaned louder, kicking her foot under the covers like that could shut me up. “Don’t make it worse.”

I laid on my side next to her, propping myself on my elbow as my fingers ghosted across her hip. “You’re not going to ask?” I teased, knowing damn well she could feel how naked she was under her dress.

She peeked at me from under the pillow. “What happened to my underwear?”

“You asked me to take it off,” I responded, to which she whimpered and hid her face again. I laughed, ripping it from her hands. “But don’t worry, we didn’t—”

“I know,” she cut in quickly. “I trust you.”

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