Page 25

The lie sits between us, heavy and knowing.

He nods slowly, but he doesn’t respond. Maybe it’s because deep down we both know who I am.

I’m the kind of man who doesn’t let people linger.Never have, and never will.

Chapter Nine

Nicole

“Where are you off to?” Sienna pours herself a cup of coffee and leans against the counter as the morning sun filters through the shades. She’s already dressed to the nines in the cutest, pink summer dress. “Please tell me you’re going to hunt down Mr. Crazy-Sexy Biker for more good times.”

“Ha! I’m pretty sure that’ll never happen. He had all weekend to come back and profess his undying love to me, and he didn’t.”

“It’s been two days. Don’t be so dramatic.”

“Two days! That’s a really long time.”

Sienna dramatically grips her chest and gasps. “So let me get this straight. You didn’t give him your number, and you’re mad that he hasn’t magically tracked you down and professed his love to you?”

“Yes, exactly. Thank you for understanding!” I grin playfully and grab my purse off the hook by the door, hiding the reality of what I’m feeling. I’m not sure why it bothers me so much that Ghost didn’t come back. We agreed on the one-night thing.

We had one night. One secret night.Well, a sort of secret night.

Now, I go on with life and do all the fun things I’ve been wanting to do, except for some reason I can’t help but wantGhost there with me while I do them. I shake the thoughts out of my head. “I need some fresh air. You need anything downtown?”

“No, but I’ll come with. Give me like—”

A heavy knock hits the front door. Sienna and I glance at each other like we’re two teenage girls caught out past curfew.

She sets her coffee down slowly and lowers her voice to a whisper as she says, “Who the hell is here on Sunday morning? God, I hope it’s not my cousin. She said she was coming to town next week to talk about the wedding and visit the venues, but she never got back to me on when.” Sienna smirks. “Or… it’shim.”

I roll my eyes, though my heart jumps at the thought. “It’s not. He had all weekend to come after me. I doubt a big, bad biker is out at eight o’clock in the morning. Aren’t they like night-time creatures?”

The knock comes again. It’s heavier this time.

“Pretty high knock for my cousin. She’s like five feet tall.”

I groan and make my way toward the door, waving Sienna’s absurd hypothesis off as nonsense. “Relax. I’m sure it’s something ridiculous.”

She follows behind me, practically vibrating with excitement. She’s going to be really disappointed when she finds out it’s someone with a misdelivered package.

Sadly, part of me will be disappointed too. I know it’s not Ghost. That would be silly, but I hope it is. There’s something about the way he looks at me that lights me up inside, that stirs me awake from my life’s slumber.

I hesitate over the knob before finally turning and pulling the door open.

Please, please, please!

And there he is… Ghost.

Sienna lets out a breath. “See, I told you! It’s not my cousin!”

He shuffles his feet, glancing back at Sienna before redirecting his gaze toward me. “Can I take you for a ride?”

Straight forward as always.

My heart slams against my chest as Sienna gasps.

“Yes, she’d love a ride,” Sienna announces.