Page 20 of Adored by the Grumpy Ghost (Mapletown Monster Mates #1)

“Mm, I love sausage,” she replies, grabbing a napkin and taking the nearest stool at the counter. “Both kinds.” She winks.

I lean on the counter next to her, crowding her space. “Are you flirting with me, sweetheart?”

She giggles, the sound delicate and lilting. “Hey, will you come for a walk with me in a little bit? I want to show Ethel this book on gardening my coworker lent me.”

Ethel? After she almost cut Natalie’s throat with her shears? “Why would you want to talk to Ethel after what happened?”

She takes a few bites of the French toast I made for her and moans, the sound making my dick throb with need. “She was scared and confused. This time, if you’re with me, I can properly introduce myself without her freaking out.”

I don’t understand why this is so important to her. “Why do you care what Ethel thinks of you? Do you think you’ll even see her that much while you’re here?”

Her expression turns somber. “I don’t want my presence to upset anyone––dead or alive. We both live here. It’d be nice for us to get along.”

Natalie might have the softest heart of anyone I’ve met, and that’s what concerns me.

I don’t think Ethel would’ve killed her if I hadn't shown up, though maybe that’s wishful thinking.

Would she have hurt her? That, I don’t know.

Ethel is unpredictable. And even though she doesn’t deserve it, Natalie is eager to not only forgive her but become her friend.

It’s this emotional generosity that leads Natalie to tolerating poor treatment from others and ending up with partners who aren’t worthy of her attention. That’s my theory, anyway.

My stomach twists when a chilling thought enters my mind.

Am I one of those partners?

Just another sloppy simpleton like Mark? An insufferable asshole like Kyle?

I wasn’t good enough for Susanna. She was eager to remind me of that on a daily basis.

What makes me good enough for a woman as gorgeous and kind as Natalie?

“Please?” she asks, making me realize she’s still waiting for my answer.

“Uh, yes. Of course, I’ll go with you.”

Natalie eats the rest of her breakfast, moaning several more times, which leaves me no choice but to jerk my cock while she’s in the shower just to relieve the discomfort.

I replay the previous night as I stroke myself, with my tongue deep in her pussy and her come soaking my chin.

Once I’m sated, chest heaving, I shift into my mist-like form, and then shift back, to ensure my underwear and pants are dry and clean before I meet Natalie by the front door.

We find Ethel on her knees in the garden, filling a basket with various long-stemmed flowers. She smiles when she hears us approach and offers a bright smile. It’s a gorgeous day, cloudless and sixty-eight degrees. I wonder if it’s too cold for Natalie, but she seems pleased by the cooler air.

Ethel remembers Natalie and offers her sincerest apologies for the misunderstanding.

The two of them agree to forget all about it and begin chatting among themselves about which fruits and vegetables Ethel is preparing to harvest before the first frost. Natalie hands over the book she borrowed, and Ethel clutches it to her chest, thanking her over and over.

They start discussing the book, I think.

I don’t pay much attention to what they’re saying.

I can’t. Natalie’s wearing a light rose-colored sleeveless dress with cherries on it that nips in at her waist and flares out down to her knees.

Her pale shoulders are sun-kissed, a pretty pink that reminds me of the post-climax glow of her skin last night.

I watch as her wide hips sway in front of me as she follows Ethel around the garden.

I’m entranced by her body. Addicted to it, even, and I have yet to fully take her.

I close the distance between us and push her soft blonde curls off the left side of her neck, baring the delicate skin before I lean down and press my lips to it.

The little hairs on her skin stand to attention, and goose bumps race down her arms. She turns to me with flushed cheeks, and a scandalized expression as she nods toward Ethel.

I shrug. Who cares? I mouth to her. “She’s not looking.”

Her teeth sink into her bottom lip as she gazes at Ethel’s back.

At that moment, Ethel turns around and says, “Don’t you agree?”

“Oh! Oh, yes. Definitely,” Natalie hastily replies.

“I think so too,” Ethel says, before continuing her chatter.

We remain close behind Ethel as she walks, but far enough away to let the wind cover the sound of our whispers.

“I need to touch you,” I say to Natalie, wrapping my arm around her waist and burying my nose against her neck. “I can’t help myself.”

She turns toward me, her hand cupping my jaw as she leans in for a quick peck on my lips. It’s not nearly enough. I need more of her.

“I don’t want Ethel to catch us. We’re becoming friends.”

I tickle her ribcage. “Don’t worry. She’s not paying attention.”

My dick is painfully erect as Natalie steps in front of me and places her hands on my stomach. I don’t need to beg her to drop her hands to the front of my pants. She does it on her own. I gasp as I throw my head back, eyes pinched closed in ecstasy as she strokes me through the tweed fabric.

“Mm, I can’t wait to get this in my mouth,” she whispers, before flicking her tongue across my collarbone.

“Fuck,” I groan, my fingers biting into her hips as I press her against me. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

Her touch is electric as it continues to rub my cock, the friction of the fabric making it impossible not to thrust into her hand.

“If you don’t stop,” I warn her, panting, “I’m going to come right here. Right now.”

She smirks against my lips. “You started this. Don’t you want me to finish it?”

I love this side of Natalie. She’s a shy, passive creature, but sexually, she’s a masterful seductress. While she may not feel confident in her body at times, she’s vocal about her needs. I appreciate that about her.

I growl as I take her lips hungrily, sucking and biting her bottom lip.

Encircling her wrist, I pull it away from my crotch and press her palm against my chest. With my other hand, I grab her chin and tilt it up, deepening the kiss.

“Not like this, sweetheart,” I whisper into her mouth.

“Ethel is straight as far as I can tell, but I’m a greedy man, and I’m not sharing you with anyone. ”

Natalie chuckles quietly. “ You’re the one on the verge of coming.”

I cup her face with both hands, stroking along her smooth cheek, then down the slope of her nose. Her gaze is lustful, her pupils blown out, as she stares up at me. “So, if I were to pull up your dress and stroke along the seam of your pussy, I’d find your panties dry? Or are they soaked for me?”

Her lips part as she sucks in a breath, enjoying my vulgar words.

“Tell me the truth, gorgeous. They’re drenched, aren’t they?”

“Y-Yes,” she moans, her hands gripping my lower back. “So wet.”

God, she’s perfect. I wish I could back her up against the shed and fuck her right now.

But Ethel’s here, still yammering on as far as I can tell, completely unaware of us groping each other mere feet away from her.

Besides, I don’t want my first time with Natalie to be rough and quick.

I want to take my time, licking and sucking every inch of her body until she comes, and comes, and comes until her body is limp and sated.

Only then would I make sure my needs were met.

For now, I’m content just kissing her. To hold her generous curves against my body and drink from her lips. She sucks on my tongue, surprising me, and I moan into her mouth, unable to keep my hips from bucking against her belly.

“Hello!” Ethel shouts.

Natalie and I pull apart, dazed and drunk on each other. Her lips are swollen, and her lip gloss is smeared on her chin.

Ethel laughs as she uses her hand to block the sun from her eyes. “You two are just darling.” She sighs, the sound wistful. “Typical newlyweds.”

She shoos us toward the house, insisting we can visit another day, before thanking Natalie once more for the book.

We stroll back toward the house, fingers entwined, shooting each other wicked smirks filled with promises of what we intend to do once inside. But the moment we make it to her bedroom, her phone rings. She sees that it’s Lindsay, and frowns as she tells me she has to take the call.

I give her privacy as I head downstairs to wait for her. An hour later, she emerges from her room, wearing a fitted graphic t-shirt and dark chinos––her standard work outfit.

“Vyla texted me while I was talking to Lindsay. Dominic’s not coming in tonight. I guess he had a personal emergency. Vyla asked me to cover.”

“And?”

I’m annoyed. Not at her. At Lindsay. At Dominic. At everyone even distantly involved in preventing me from spending the evening with my stunning roommate.

She sighs. “I can’t turn down any shifts right now. Not with all the bills I’m still behind on.”

“I understand,” I tell her truthfully. Pulling her into my arms, I kiss her hair, breathing in her strawberry scent. “Be careful, Natalie.”

I keep my gaze on her delightfully plump ass as she walks out the door. The silence of the house near deafening.

Shifting into mist, I float toward the attic where I’ve left my sketchbook. Suddenly, I feel inspired to draw. As I reach the third floor, Lindsay’s sharp, angular features pop into my mind, stopping me short.

This is Lindsay’s house. Natalie has no legal claim to it. How could I have let that slip my mind? Here I am, becoming obsessed with Natalie’s scent, her taste, the mere presence of her, and soon she’ll have to leave. How soon must I face that reality?

The thought feels like a knife through my chest.