Page 11 of Falling for Famine
His face was as expressionless as ever, but I got the sense he was impressed I’d drawn that conclusion.
My colorful cuties bounced into view, and I laughed. “So I’m guessing people don’t see them either?”
His nod confirmed my theory.
“Then you guys need to avoid getting me wet today,” I told them in my best serious voice, wagging my finger at them. They froze as if listening and then bopped in place twice in happy agreement. “Good. I really can’t have everyone thinking I’m sweating balls when it’s not even that hot outside.”
When we made it to the first floor, I searched the street before talking to him to avoid looking any crazier than I felt. “What’s your name, by the way?”
He stared at me as if he hadn’t expected the question. “You can call me Ghost, little wisp.”
Was I little wisp or was he talking to his cuties? But then I realized it’d be weird for him to answer my question but be talking to them.
“It’s Nomi,” I corrected.
His lips twitched again. “I know.”
“Okay, cool,” I said slowly, walking a few steps before turning around again. “Are you sure they’re after me? I mean, I haven’t been attacked or anything.”
His eyes slid away and wandered the street as if he was looking for them. “One tried last night.”
I paused, pulse panicking. “If I…will going around Felix put him in danger?”
His gaze returned to mine, and I couldn’t read it like I could at other times. “It’s possible.”
I swallowed around a lump forming in my throat, eyes burning at the thought of putting Felix in danger.
Ghost watched me closely as I started to walk the way I came. He stayed silent until we reached my door, but as if he couldn’t help himself, he asked, “I thought you wanted to spend your time with him?”
“And put him in danger? No, thank you.” I tried to keep my voice even despite the urge to cry.
I might die and not see my Old Man again, and the last time we talked, I’d taunted him. Why didn’t I just tell him I loved him? Why didn’t I give him a big hug and say how grateful I was to have him as my chosen dad? A text would never express my gratitude, but it’d have to be enough. I wouldn’t put him in danger selfishly to spend time with him.
I sat on the couch, not seeing or feeling anything but terrible regret.
The cushion next to me shifted. “You’re sad.”
Tears pricked at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “I think that’s a normal response when someone tells you that you might die soon, and if you go around the people you love, they might die too, Ghost.”
He hummed lightly. It was several long minutes before he spoke again. “And if I said I’d protect him?”
My head snapped his direction. “You would?!” I couldn’t keep the excitement from my voice.
Those beautiful red eyes gleamed in response. “I would.”
“That’s so awesome of you! Thank you so much!” Without thinking, I threw my arms around him and hugged his surprisingly sturdy frame. He was colder than I expected, but also weirdly warm when I pressed into him.
When he went totally rigid in response, I cursed a little under my breath. “Oh! I’m so sorry. I keep forgetting I need to ask to touch people like that,” I apologized as quickly as I could and withdrew.
But his arm went around my waist and tugged me back into him. My pulse kicked up as our chests merged and my hands were pinned between us. The muscles in his torso were a lot bigger and defined than his shirt initially suggested. Against my hands, they were firm and obvious.
Holy moly, he definitely had a six pack.
I could’ve sworn he smelled my hair before he released me after we’d stayed like that a minute longer. Or maybe it was wishful thinking on my part because I’d been shamelessly feeling him up and it’d be nice not to be the only perv in the room.
I pulled back, heat in my face. I was a woman in her thirties who read smut daily. Why the hell was I blushing around this dude so much?!
“Should we go?” he asked as if to break the tension, rising from the couch.
