Page 43 of Ghost

“Omitting the truth is a form of lying.”

I shrug, not arguing because she’s technically right.

“Tell me something. No lies.” She starts teasing her fingers at the hem of her T-shirt again, and the movement of her fingers has me hypnotized.

“What do you want to know?” I’m stepping on a land mine, but I can’t help it.

Luna smirks, slowly peeling her T-shirt up and overhead. Her silky skin is unmarked perfection, unlike the inked mess of memories I’ve made of mine. Her nipples peek through her blue lace bra. It’s bright and matches her eyes. And when she pulls the shirt fully overhead, and her lavender hair brushes her skin, it takes everything in me to stay put.

A devious little grin curls in the corner of her mouth, and she tosses her shirt to another corner of the room. It puddles against the wall.

“How about that spot? Is it good?” She smiles at me with pure wickedness in her eyes. “Wouldn’t want you to miss anything.”

13

Luna

Stripping for Ghost wasn’thow I planned to approach him tonight, but at least it’s working. He hasn’t stopped staring at me since my shirt came off.

I knew he’d be angry I left the compound and that he’d be even more upset that it was with Venom. But I only did it to provoke a reaction. To see just how far I could push him before he would finally show me how he really feels.

I planned to confront him about how he’s been ignoring me. But after the door to the VIP room shut behind us, I had a better idea. Talking hasn’t gotten us anywhere up until this point, so I figured I’d try something different.

Ghost showed me his hand. He vouched for me to his club because he can’t deny the pull between us just like I can’t. I just need him to admit it.

His cool gaze falls to my chest, and even if it’s warm in this room, my nipples pebble at his attention. My T-shirtsits in a puddle across the room, and his stare has my skin burning up.

Ghost grips the back of the couch so hard his tattooed knuckles are white, and his thick arms ripple with tension. But he doesn’t move. He stays seated with his knees spread as he watches me. Not bothering to hide the bulge fighting against his jeans.

“Do you want me to stop?” I take a step forward, slowly walking off the stage toward him. “Are you worried someone can see us?”

I glance up at a camera in one corner of the room, then back at him, pulling my hair off my shoulders.

“No one can see us.”

“Except you.” I skim my fingers down my sides. “You can watch this back if you want, right? While you’re pretending you don’t see me—pretending you don’t care about me even if you brought me into this—you can play this back. You can watch what I’m doing as many times as you like.”

Ghost leans forward, planting his elbows on his knees. “We’re not doing this right now, Luna.”

“Are you sure about that?” I pop the button on my jeans. “Shouldn’t we at least benefit in some way before this all goes bad?”

“Nothing’s going to go bad for you. I promise.”

“We both know you can’t promise that.” I slowly unzip my pants, sliding them down my legs and kicking them off until I’m standing in front of him in nothing but a bra and underwear. “So, if this is all we have, shouldn’t we at least stop lying to ourselves and do something about it?Or are you really going to let me stand in front of you like this and pretend you aren’t affected? That you’re just protecting me like you do everyone else.”

“You’re noteveryone else.”

I can’t help smiling. “Then what am I to you, Marcus?”

He swallows hard when I use his legal name.

It’s why I did it.

I want that reaction. I want his eyes on me as he swallows hard. I don’t just want Ghost; I want Marcus Jasper. If I’m going all in, then so is he.

“You think you can handle what you’re bringing on yourself, Luna? But you have no idea what it means to get involved with a man like me.”

“Try me.”