Page 74 of The Ghost of Ellwood

“It’s time for you to leave,” I said, losing patience.

“Fine, fine, I’m goin’,” he snapped, waving his hand in the air. Then he glared at me. “I know what you are, boy. One of them queers. I seen you and that Jones boy strutting around town together like two peacocks in heat.”

Rage bubbled in my veins. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” His nostrils flared as hate filled his eyes. “The Jones boy took a liking to my son too. Turned him against God with his unnatural temptations. You’re no different. Probably why the demon in the house hasn’t bothered you. You’re just as wicked as he is. Your kind will all burn in the fiery pit.”

“If I see you trespassing again, I’m calling the cops. This might’ve been your house before, Wayne, but you don’t have permission to be here.” I stepped toward him. “Now, get your bigoted ass off my property.”

I fully understood why Theo hated Wayne. I couldn’t imagine sharing a home with a man as vile as him. I’d haunt his ass too, to scare him off.

His poor son.

I crossed my arms and watched the old man stomp toward his truck and get inside. My eyes didn’t leave him until he drove away. I was so pissed that it took several minutes to compose myself.

Theo waited for me in the kitchen.

I pulled him to my chest and buried my face against the side of his dark hair. Saying nothing. I just needed him close. I could handle Wayne insulting me. But he’d also insulted the two people I cared about most.

“Ben?” Theo smoothed his hand down my back, and I felt the coolness of his skin through the material.

“Just hold me. Please.”

Nothing like a conversation with a bigot to remind you of how far we still needed to go as a society. Theo and I lived a hundred years apart, but the issues we faced, though better now, were still the same.

“I got you, darling.” His lips brushed my cheek. “I’ll hold you as long as you need me to.”

Chapter Fifteen

Halloween morning, I woke to Theo kissing my neck.

We had spent all night having sex and he still wanted more. His appetite for me was insatiable, as was mine for him. I cracked a smile, slipping an arm around his bare back. It took me a handful of seconds to realize what felt off about it.

His skin wasn’t cold.

It was warm.

Alarmed, I sat up and held his face in my hands. He didn’t look nearly as pale and the dark circles under his eyes were nearly imperceptible.

“Theo? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he answered, nuzzling my shoulder before giving it a little nip. “Today is All Hallows Eve. The veil between your world and the spirit one are thinner, remember?”

Oh, I definitely remembered, but I didn’t think it would make him appear more human along with it.

“For this one day, I can live as you do,” he continued, lifting his head to meet my stare. “I can eat and drink and actually taste it. I can travel anywhere. It’s as if I’m alive again.”

“Whether you have a pulse or not, you’re alive to me, Theo.” I pressed my forehead to his. “I accept you as you are.”

“I’m beginning to believe you,” he said with a sigh. “I feel foolish for keeping you at arm’s length for so many weeks. We could’ve been naked in bed much sooner.”

A raspy laugh left my throat.

“Are you working today?” Theo asked, making no moves to get up. He fit perfectly against my chest. “You only have five or so chapters left in your book, right?”

“The book can wait.” I kissed his head. “Today’s the one day you can leave the property, and I don’t plan to waste it.”

“What do you intend for us?”