3. Ari

Ari

A s Kylie and I climbed into the Uber, I kept staring at the number on my phone. Victor had kissed me—had chosen me out of everyone. If this had happened in high school, I'd have assumed it was some cruel joke. But the way he'd looked at me felt real.

"Earth to Ari." Kylie waved her hand in front of my face. "You haven't blinked since we left."

"Sorry, it's just... surreal."

"The Nocturnals' lead singer and your high school crush asked you out. It's like winning the lottery twice!" She squeezed my arm. "You have to tell me everything tomorrow."

I nodded, still dazed from the evening's events. I touched my lips reverently. The kiss had been everything to me, but I guess it had affected Victor too. Why else was he asking me on a date?

"What was Basil like?" I asked Kylie, trying to distract her.

She grinned. "Oh, he's great, but I'm afraid we didn't have any of the sparks you and Victor did. He was super sweet though."

"Sparks?" I asked.

"Yes, dummy," she said. "He asked you out. That means something."

Did it though? All my insecurities flooded back over me. Did he just want to see if I was as crazy as I'd been in high school? Was I some check mark for the bedpost? Yeah, I fucked the crazy one. I couldn't really see Victor saying that.

He'd been kind to me, well, as kind as he could in high school. He'd picked up my books when the other kids knocked them over, and he'd helped me clean the paint on my locker that time.

The Uber stopped in front of our dorm, and Kylie and I climbed out.

Matilda awaited us at the dorm entrance, her translucent form hovering by the sliding doors. She'd been murdered here by an ex years ago, and now she kept watch over the residents.

"Aria," she said as I approached. "Where have you been?"

"Concert," I whispered.

Matilda twirled, her dress swinging through passing students. "Awesomesauce," she said. "I loved concerts!"

I shook my head at her. Too many people around for one of her rambling conversations. Although I did feel for her, since we were similar ages and it was something that could have happened to any one of us.

Matilda followed us upstairs into the quiet hallway. "There's something different about you."

"What do you mean?" I whispered.

Kylie moved on ahead of us, oblivious to my whispering. She'd caught me a time or two talking to ghosts. When she'd asked me who I was talking to, I'd been honest, and she'd shrugged and gone about her day. I loved that about her.

"I don't know," Matilda said, tilting her head. "Have you been around other supernaturals?"

I blinked. I'd figured that they were out there. I mean, if ghosts and psychics were real, then why not vampires or werewolves or witches? But I'd never met any. The ghosts rarely talked about other beings, so I didn't think they were common.

"I was at a concert," I said. "Could have been…"

"Interesting," Matilda said, leaning against the top of my door frame as I opened it. "You know how you're always wishing for some peace and quiet from the spirits?"

"Yeah."

"Might be some other creatures out there that could help you with that." She smiled.

I spun around. "What? Really?"

Matilda floated away without responding. She could be damn cryptic when she wanted to be. I sighed. Pushing the ghost's remarks out of my mind, I gathered my shower caddy and robe.

After a shower and getting into my pjs, I climbed into the top bunk bed.

I didn't think I was going to be able to fall asleep, just laying there staring at my phone and waiting for Victor to send details about our date. I changed the contact name half a dozen times and finally ended on Victor with two hearts. It was cheesy, but I'd be the only one who'd ever see it.

Finally, at 2 AM, my phone buzzed.

Dinner at Regios? he texted. Tomorrow, 8pm work for you?

Yes, I answered. Sounds great .

I set the phone down, then picked it back up as it buzzed again.

Still up because of the concert high or always a night owl?

I smiled. Both. Music helps me think.

What are you thinking about? He asked.

How surreal today was. Never expected to see you again, much less…

He replied , Get pulled on stage and kissed senseless? ;)

I buried my face in my pillow, grinning. Something like that.

I've gotten better since high school.

At kissing or guitar?

Wouldn't you like to know?

I bit my lip. Maybe I would.

Three dots appeared and disappeared several times before his next message: You're different than I remember. More confident.

You too. Less concerned about what others think.

Had to learn that the hard way. Life's too short to let fear hold you back.

Something in his tone made me pause. Sounds like there's a story there.

Several. I'll tell you tomorrow. But what about you? What changed?

I thought about my ghost "office hours" and boundaries. Learned to set limits. Can't help everyone all the time.

Mysterious AND wise. You're going to be dangerous to my reputation.

Your reputation?

As the dark, brooding artist type.

I laughed. Don't worry. Your secret optimism is safe with me.

I have other secrets you might like better.

My heart skipped. Oh?

Tomorrow. But for now... sweet dreams, Ari.

Sweet dreams, Victor.

I hugged my phone to my chest, knowing sleep was even further away now. But for once, I didn't mind being awake in the dark hours. The ghosts were quieter than usual, as if they too were caught up in the romance of it all.

Or maybe they were just giving me space to dream about tomorrow.

***

The next day was a whirlwind, as I tried to pay attention in classes. Afterward, I rushed over to do my office hours at the cemetery, then home to pull on my dress, a pretty dark navy strapless with a matching jacket. I'd picked it up at a second hand store, thinking I'd never have someplace nice to wear it. I was glad Kylie had talked me into it.

As I stepped out of my Uber at the address, my heart raced.

The short, bricked restaurant was surrounded by gardens, and the only other building in the area was a large hotel that loomed behind it. The path to the door glowed with soft ground lights, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.

The restaurant was dark, seeming closed, with only two men waiting outside—one in a suit, one in a waiter's uniform. Neither were Victor.

"Miss Jones?" the waiter said, striding forward. "This way."

I followed the man into the restaurant, and all the way to the back.

Victor stood waiting, looking devastating in dark jeans and a fitted black shirt. His green eyes seemed to glow in the dim light. He smiled when he saw me, and I felt my cheeks warm.

"You look beautiful," he said, taking my hand and leading me to the table.

The restaurant was dimly lit and intimate. I looked around, seeing neither patrons nor, even more oddly, ghosts. "Are we alone?"

Victor smiled. "I didn't think we'd want the attention."

"Sure," I said. It made sense, he was a star, and would naturally have fans and reporters following him everywhere. But a little part of me worried that it was because he didn't want to be seen with Creepy Ari. I pushed that thought down. We weren't in high school anymore.

He pulled out my chair and gestured for me to sit down. Then he settled in across from me. We both looked at each other awkwardly for a minute, then the waiter came to take our order.

"Choose whatever you'd like," Victor said, as he poured a glass of red wine for himself. "Do you like red?"

I nodded, and Victor poured one for me as well. I gave the waiter my order and he headed back toward the kitchen. "Don't you want anything?"

"I ordered already," Victor said with a disarming smile.

Everything about him seemed designed to draw you in, to make you want to stare, to make you forget how to breathe. I didn't think I could deny him anything at this point just like I'd said yes easily to his kiss.

I shook myself, trying to focus on what he was saying, instead of fangirling.

"So you said you are studying journalism. Will you be one of the paparazzi chasing us around town?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe," I said with a grin. I certainly had my own secret network with the ghosts, so I'd probably have all the best tips. I took a sip of my wine.

"You can chase me anytime," he said.

I nearly choked on my wine. "Really?"

His grin widened. Then Victor took a sip of his wine, watching me over the rim of his glass. "But enough about me. Tell me about your journalism. What kind of stories do you want to write?"

I hesitated. Usually, this was where I had to start censoring myself, hiding the ghost thing. But something about the empty restaurant, the absence of spirits, and Victor's earnest attention made me bold. "Human interest stories, actually. There are so many untold stories out there... if you know where to look."

"And you do?" he asked, leaning closer.

"I might," I said, trying to match his flirty tone while my heart raced. "I have my sources."

"Again, so mysterious," he said, his voice dropping lower. "I like it."

The waiter appeared with my food, breaking our moment. I couldn't help but notice that nothing came for Victor. Hadn't he told me he'd already ordered?

"Aren't you hungry?" I asked, noticing his empty place setting.

"I had a big lunch," he said, his voice dropping lower. "Besides, I'm more interested in our conversation."

I was distracted by his fingers tracing patterns on the stem of his wine glass.

He continued, "Tell me more about these sources of yours."

As we talked, the space between us seemed to shrink. Every time he leaned forward, I caught his scent—something dark and masculine that made my pulse quicken. When our hands brushed reaching for the wine, electricity sparked between us. His cool touch lingered longer each time, until finally he just kept his hand over mine, his thumb stroking my wrist.

"What about you?" I asked as I wiped my mouth. Dinner had been delicious. "How'd you get into this whole rock star gig?"

"Well, you know I sang in a band in school."

I nodded. I hadn't been able to see them perform too often, but they had played for a couple school events. His voice was incredible and there were usually a few swooning girls in the front rows. Not that different from now.

"I started college, but it just wasn't for me," he said. "I met Basil and the guys about halfway through my freshman year, and they were in need of a lead singer."

"Lucky."

He shrugged. "It just worked out."

"And you like it?" I asked.

"I love it," he said. "It's almost everything I ever wanted."

"Almost?" I was feeling brave.

He leaned forward with an intensity in his green eyes. "You know, I always wanted to talk to you in high school."

"But you didn't," I said, then immediately regretted my bluntness. Way to kill the mood, Ari.

To my surprise, his expression softened with a vulnerability I'd never seen from him before. "No, I didn't. I was a coward back then—too caught up in what everyone else thought to admit I had a crush on the most interesting girl in school."

My breath hitched. I'd been interesting?

He reached across the table, taking my hand. "I used to watch you in the hallways, always listening to music, living in your own world. I wanted so badly to be part of it."

Heat bloomed in my cheeks. "The most popular guy in school had a crush on Creepy Ari?"

"Don't," he said sharply, squeezing my hand. "I hated when they called you that. I should have said something, should have stopped them. Instead, I just picked up your books when they knocked them down and cleaned the paint off your locker that time. Small acts of kindness when you deserved so much more."

I couldn't seem to catch my breath.

He grinned. "I have something I wanted to show you."

"Oh?" I asked.

Victor stood and held out his hand. "You still love music, right?"

I nodded. In high school, I'd always had my earbuds in between classes, and the music as loud as I could make it. It helped drown out the ghosts and the humans. It was my peaceful place.

I followed him across the room to a small stage, and he gestured for me to sit in one of the front seats.

He got up on the stage, and sat on a high stool with a guitar. After tapping the mike a couple of times, he looked at me.

"I wrote this song for you," he said, then he started strumming and singing,

"I see you in the shadows

Head down low with secrets to spare

Everyone's blind to what I can see

A light that's waiting to break free

Come step into the spotlight

Let the whole world know who you could be."

When he sang to me, his voice wrapped around me like silk. The lyrics took on new meaning now—all those feelings he'd kept hidden in high school, all the times he'd wanted to reach out to me. Each word felt like a confession, and tears pricked my eyes. No one had ever seen me so clearly.

When he finished, I stared at him. "But this is a Nocturnals' song…"

He grinned. "An early version." He stood and set aside his guitar. Then he stepped down and pulled me to my feet. Pushing my hair out of my face, he said, "Homage to the girl I could never forget."

"You really liked me that much?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Why didn't you say anything?"

He leaned his forehead against mine, and I could feel his breath on my lips. "I was a stupid, stupid boy." His hands came up to frame my face, thumbs brushing my cheekbones. The tenderness in his touch contrasted with the barely contained hunger in his eyes.

"I had a crush on you too," I admitted, sliding my hands up his chest. His heart beat strong and steady under my palm.

"Do you still?" His voice was rough with desire.

"Yes," I breathed, and the word had barely left my lips before he was kissing me.

This kiss was different from the one on stage—deeper, hungrier, with no audience to restrain us. One of his hands tangled in my hair while the other pressed against my lower back, drawing me closer until I could feel every hard line of his body against mine. Each touch felt like he was memorizing me, like he'd been starving for this moment.

I gasped against his mouth as he picked me up and set me on a table. He nudged my knees apart, and slid between them. The coolness of his skin only made the heat between us more intense. When his lips trailed down my neck, I shivered—not from cold, but from the way his teeth grazed my skin. Every point of contact felt electric, like we were creating our own spotlight in the darkness.

"Ari," he breathed against my skin. "You have no idea how long I've wanted this."

I ran my fingers through his soft black hair, tugging him back up to my mouth. He groaned.

His tongue traced my bottom lip, seeking entrance, and I opened to him willingly. The kiss deepened, and I felt myself melting, all my usual anxieties and ghostly distractions fading away until there was nothing but Victor and this moment.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, his green eyes were dark with desire. He rested his forehead against mine again, his thumb stroking my cheek.

"Stay with me tonight," he whispered.

I knew I should think it through, I should wonder about the consequences, but for once in my life, I didn't want to be careful.

"Yes," I said, and pulled him down for another kiss. It was just him and me and… I realized there were no ghostly whispers around us. Even the wait staff had retreated, so we were really alone.

"Are you okay?" he asked, brushing my cheek with the side of his hand.

I gazed around at the empty table tables. "Are we really alone?'

"Yes," he said softly. "The staff left after serving our meal. They'll be back in the morning to clean up."

"Your bodyguards?" I asked. Though really I was thinking more about my ghosts. I felt free for the first time in my life, no ghostly specters haunting every moment of my life. I searched Victor's eyes, but I didn't know if I could tell him about my problem.

"Outside." He rubbed my shoulders. "It's just us here."

I nodded.

"Hey," he said, lifting my chin and meeting my gaze. "Anytime you want me to stop, you let me know. I care about you, I want you, but I won't do anything…"

"I want this," I said, pulling off my shrug. "I want you."

Victor kissed me again, pulling me against the length of his body where I could feel his growing hardness. In answer, my own body became more sensitive, craving every touch, every caress.

His kiss became more urgent, hungry in a way that went beyond desire. When I threaded my fingers through his hair and accidentally scraped his scalp with my nails, he made a sound deep in his throat—almost a growl.

I felt his body tense against mine, and he suddenly pulled back, though his hands still gripped my waist. In the dim light, I could have sworn his eyes flashed red.

"Give me a minute," he said, his voice rough.

I ran my hands down his back, concerned. "Are you okay?"

"God, you smell incredible," he murmured, then seemed to catch himself. "I mean... I just need to..."

But I pressed a soft kiss to his neck, and his control slipped again. He picked me up and carried me to the stage, pinning me against the floor. His mouth found mine in a searing kiss that made my toes curl. When his lips traveled down my neck, I felt the sharp graze of... teeth?

Victor jerked back again, further this time. "Shit," he whispered. In the shadows, I could see him struggling, his chest heaving. "Ari, I want you so much, but I don't want to hurt you."

The raw honesty in his voice made my heart race.

"Then don't hurt me," I said simply, taking his face in my hands. "Just be with me."

He searched my eyes for a long moment, then nodded. When he kissed me again, it was slower, more controlled, but I could feel the leashed power in his touch. His hands roamed my body with careful restraint, like I was something precious he might break.

I arched against him, wanting more. "I trust you," I whispered against his lips.

Lifting his shirt, I ran my hands over his skin, tracing every indentation. He yanked off his T shirt exposing his muscled chest, and my eyes slid down to the v that disappeared into his jeans.

He kissed his way down my neck and over the swell of my cleavage.

Victor helped me to my feet, and hopped up on stage with me. After he put the mic and the stool to the side, it was just us, standing in the soft spotlight of the stage. He stalked around me, and I couldn't help a little shiver.

I'd told him I trusted him, but I could feel the energy rolling off of him. Passion and love and something more… I sucked on my lip.

He unzipped my dress, kissing the skin of my back as it was revealed, and dropping it to the floor.

I stepped out of it, and he picked it up, tossing it over the stool.

Then he stepped away, his eyes devouring me from head to toe. "You're beautiful."

I stood in my bra and panties in the spotlight of the stage. I'd have normally been shy, but I'd never had a guy look at me the way that Victor did. He made me feel gorgeous and sexy and confident.

Standing straight and tall, I reached around my back and unhooked my bra. I took it off, and tossed it to the side.

Victor watched silently.

I hooked my fingers through the sides of my underwear and pulled them down, bending with them until I reached the floor. Peeking back over my shoulder, I looked at Victor.

He'd stepped back into the shadows, and his eyes burned red in the dark. Must have been a trick of the light, but it was all passion. I could feel the heat from his gaze, and it warmed my core.

I stepped out of the panties, and threw them over next to my dress. Then I looked at Victor again. "One of us is wearing too many clothes."

He undressed in what seemed like seconds, then before I even got to admire him, his arms were around me, crushing me against him.

"So damn sexy," he whispered roughly against my ear.

Then he scooped me up and laid me down on the stage. Sliding down my body, he kissed every inch of me and I moaned. He settled down between my legs and kissed and licked my core. I'd been more than ready, and his tender ministrations made me go wild.

He ramped up the pressure, dragging me toward the cliff of orgasm. He used his fingers to push me to the brink, sliding them in and out. The sensations rolled over my body, and every nerve was alight.

A pinch of pain shot through my awareness, but I shot beyond it into bliss.

"Victor!" I called out as I came.