He pointed a finger at the bed, his motion jerking with anger. “That was the best fuck of my life, sweetheart. Off the charts amazing.”
She slumped back, confused again. But still fucking pissed, by the look on her face. “The best?”
“Yes, Jess. The best. By a long shot. That what you wanted to hear?”
“But, how—” He watched a frown form on her pretty face.
“How could it be the best? Easy. Sex is a whole different ballgame when it’s with someone you care about.”
Why did she look shocked? She had to know he cared about her.
“Then I don’t see why we can’t—”
He cut her off. “Don’t, Jess. Okay? I thought I could do this. But I can’t. Not with you.”
“Ghost, please don’t be like this.”
He grabbed a clean shirt from his pack and moved to the bathroom, slamming the door. Leaning on the sink, he stared in the mirror.
Shit. He’d fucked up.
She was going to be much more difficult to let go than he’d ever imagined. He knew there’d always been something between them, something smoldering just below the surface. But now? Now that he’d had a taste of just how fucking good it could be between them? How in the hell was he going to let her go when this was all over? And how in the hell was he going to handle the look on her face when she found out his club was going to use her to make a deal?
Christ, he was fucked.
***
Jessie stared at the closed door.
What just happened? Everything had been so perfect last night. She’d always suspected Ghost would be good in bed. But the reality was so much better than she could have ever imagined. They had something together. Chemistry. Magnetism. Whatever it was called, it was there, burning hot between them. One look. One touch. Hell, he just had to walk into a room and she felt it, felt him, felt his presence, undeniable and strong. Like he was the magnetic pole that drew her like a compass.
She knew he felt it, too. So why was he fighting it?
Goddamn but he could be stubborn. She remembered that about him. But newsflash, big boy, she could be just as stubborn.
And she wasn’t going to let this go.
Jessie wasn’t normally one to throw herself at someone or to court rejection. But with Ghost, she’d found something, something she’d never found with anyone else, before or since. And she was damned if she was going to watch it all slip away. And she sure as hell wasn’t about to let him throw it away or make that decision for the both of them.
It was worth fighting for. This was worth fighting for. She knew it. Down to her soul. And before she was through, he’d know it, too.
She smiled at the closed door.
Challenge accepted, big boy.
After they’d both showered, they once again met up with some of Ghost’s brothers for breakfast. The tiny diner they pulled up to was not as cool as the one they’d eaten in the previous morning, but the aromas that assaulted them as they walked in promised the food was good.
Jessie followed behind Ghost’s broad shoulders as he made his way toward several booths along the front windows where his brothers were sitting. They squeezed in with Shades and Hammer, Ghost nodding for her to sit next to Hammer, while he sat next to Shades.
Her eyes skated over Hammer’s big tattoo covered biceps as she scooted in, and a smile pulled at the corner of her mouth. This could work perfectly into her plan to get Ghost to realize the error of his decision to keep things platonic between them. Well, Mr. I-can’t-go-there, let’s see how you like this action.
“My, my, you’re a big one. You must lift weights,” she purred as she gently ran a finger over Hammer’s bicep. He sat with his forearms on the table, a fork in one hand and a piece of toast in the other. Turning his head, his eyes fell to where she touched him. Then he lifted his eyes to hers, and he grinned.
“Mornin’, Sunshine.”
“Good morning,” she murmured back with a smile. Her eyes dropped to his plate. “How’s the food?”
“Food’s great. Want a bite?” he offered, holding his fork out to her.