Page 51 of Ghost

Mila smiled.“She sounds lovely.”Regret stabbed her in the heart.She and Ghost had solitude in common, but he also had a life.Friends.People around him to joke with and keep him company.

The only person she’d had like that was Alexei.They hadn’t joked much, but he’d been the closest thing to family she’d had—as screwed up as that was.He’d shown her kindness when all Irinia knew was cruelty.

“What?”he asked, his thumb moving in slow circles on her spine.

She forced a smile.“I still have so many questions.”

“Not sure what else there is to know about me.Single, don’t mingle, a decent cook.”He dipped his chin.“Ask whatever you want to know before this offer expires.”

“I didn’t realize there was a time limit.”

“Everything has a limit.”

“Okay,” she drawled.“One thing...”She reached for his thick wrist and brought his hand closer.“This tattoo.”She pointed at the paw print.“I want to know more about your dog.”

He balled his hand into a fist, just as he’d done at breakfast, and looked away.Maybe she shouldn’t have asked.She half expected him to end the conversation or walk away.He did neither.“The print is for Lady.I got it after I rehomed her.”

Mila’s heart lurched.She’d assumed the dog had passed.“Oh no, that must have been hard.”

He didn’t flinch, but there was a sharp glint in his eyes.“I had no choice.When shit went south with Trident, I needed to fly under the radar.I knew there was a chance someone would come after me—maybe a pissed-off friend or employee of Hunter’s.I didn’t want anything to happen to her.”

She smoothed her thumb over the ink.Pain ballooned in her belly.“You protected her.”

He lowered his face.“I was a fucking coward.”

“No,” she squeaked.“You did what you could to keep her safe.And yourself.”

Blowing out a breath, he shook his head.“The lies we tell ourselves,” he said sardonically.“She was a good dog.German shepherd.Smart as hell.”

His voice held longing.Sadness.Something she wouldn’t have expected of him yesterday.But today...god, seeing this side of him made her want to mend the broken pieces.

“Would you ever get another dog?”

He shrugged.“I don’t think it’d be the same.Lady was special.”He gave her a tense smile.“I feel good knowing she’s living in a house full of kids.An old friend of mine.We don’t talk anymore, but I know Lady’s loved and is protecting three little girls.”

Emotion throbbed against Mila’s ears.She rose onto her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck.“You did the right thing.”

He hugged her back, his arms warm and strong.“There’re two things I did right in my life,” he said, next to her ear.

Inch by inch she pulled away.His eyes were dark and smoky, his stubble rough and neatly trimmed.She swept her thumb over his jawline, reveling in its grittiness.

The breadth of his chest was so firm against hers.

She wanted him.

“What’s the second?”Her question came out quiet, breathless.

He laid his palm against her cheek.“Bringing you here.”

Mila’s pulse slowed to a dull roar.She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

CHAPTER 15

Lust rumbled throughGhost like thunder.Mila’s warm, soft lips on his stirred his cock.He grasped her hips, anchoring her in place and stopping her from getting on top of him.

Which was exactly where he wanted her.

Goddamn, he shouldn’t be doing this.He couldn’t have normal.Sex, yeah.He could do that.But there was nowhere to go.If things went south after, it’d be awkward as hell in the cabin.