Chapter Twenty-Two

Mallory

I should have known I’d wake up to an empty bed. I touch the spot beside me, it’s cold. I should’ve known he wouldn’t stay. I’m sad he didn’t, angry too. Fuck him. You can’t just bring me endless waves of happiness and mind-shattering pleasure and then run away like a cowardly dog with its tail tucked between its legs. I lug myself out of bed and go to make myself coffee, but I’m shocked when I see it is already done for me. Was that Ghost? It had to have been, right? I see my earbuds and phone are charged on the counter. He brought them in from outside for me, I completely forgot everything that wasn’t him. He consumed me. A smile pulls at my lips, I wonder what else he got up to while I was asleep.

I shower and contemplate doing my makeup, but with all the rain coming down, I opt to leave it off today. Better to not look like a drowned raccoon if I see Ghost later. I need to put a second coat of paint on the walls and then head into town to pick up my mail. I also want to look at the local department store for another bookshelf instead of ordering online. I’m pretty sure the post office workers hate me for ordering in the other three I have.

Moving down towards the library, I see my hamper of clean clothes sitting in the hallway. This man, already taking care of me. He better not have stolen any more of my panties. The thought of him jerking off into a skimpy little pair of my undies has my insides twisting, in a good way. What is wrong with me? I laugh quietly to myself. Ghost is changing me. I can feel it already. It’s not just the stuff we did. He accepts me for who I am, broken pieces and all. Seemingly not caring if he gets cut in the process of helping me piece myself back together.

Opening the door to the freshly painted spare room, I’m shocked when I realize everything is gone. The painters tape is removed, the paint job is flawless, all the cleaning and paint supplies have been taken out and I assume put away. I tentatively touch the wall, it’s dry, not tacky. He must have done this in the middle of the night.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes and my nose starts to sting from the emotional onslaught. I can’t believe I’m crying over this. He would tell me not to cry, that this is a good thing. He did it for me, no strings attached. I can hear his voice in my head as if he’s standing right in front of me. “I did it for you because you deserve it, not because I expect anything in return. But if you’re offering, I won’t deny you the pleasure, little siren.” The tears track down my cheeks and I need to take a moment to bask in this feeling. I never thought I would find happiness in my lifetime. I was positive I’d succumb to the abuse, I could’ve bet money on it. Either that or I would’ve finally gathered enough courage to snuff out my own light.

I head back to the kitchen to retrieve my phone and message my wonderful stalker man. Butterflies assault my insides as I read a text he sent this morning. The time stamp reads 4:05 am. Damn, he stayed a long time. The realization spreads warmth throughout my whole body.

Mallory:

The feeling is mutual, stud.

Thank you, for everything you did.

I don’t know when he left, but he couldn’t have gotten back to town before 5am if he left here around the same time the message was sent. He is probably still sleeping. I head off to put away my laundry and get dressed.

∞∞∞

Finally, I’m ready to head out the door in my combat boots, black leggings and oversized black hoodie. The rain hasn’t let up but I don’t own a rain jacket, so this is the best option. Picking up my phone I see that I have more unread messages.

Ghost:

It was my pleasure, little siren.

What are you doing with the purple room?

Mallory:

Turning it into a book room.

Ghost:

That’s a fantastic idea, baby.

I’m smiling like a fool at my phone. His approval elates me.

Mallory:

Thanks. What are you doing today?

Ghost:

Oh, I have a few plans.

So cryptic. I wonder if those plans involve me… God, I hope they do. Pulling my hood up, I pocket my phone and make the mad dash through the rain to my car. Buckling up my seatbelt as thunder booms around me and a few seconds later lightning splits the sky. I could sit here forever and watch the storm. The chaotically rhythmic sound of the rain pelting the roof of the Civic lulls me into a peaceful trance. I relive my encounter with Ghost and my pulse ratchets up. He’s so damn hot, I haven’t the slightest clue as to why he’s interested in me. My phone beeps and I glance at it.

Ghost:

What about you?

Should I tell him? Nah, let’s poke the bear. Maybe I can force his beast out of hiding again by being a pain in the ass.

Mallory:

Wouldn’t you like to know.

I turn on the windshield wipers and back out of the gravel driveway onto the muddy dirt road. My phone keeps beeping with incoming texts on my drive into town and an evil little thrill jolts through my body. Will he punish me for ignoring him? I wonder what he will do.

I pull up outside the department store and search the small lot for the nearest available spot to the door. There’s nothing remotely close, it looks like I’m getting wet. At least the rain has eased up a bit, it’s more of a sprinkle now. I pull out my phone and see there’s a missed text from Victoria saying she will never drink cheap wine again and she hopes I’m enjoying my time off. She has no idea how much I’m enjoying myself. I reply to her and then my insides squirm with glee as I open my conversation with Ghost.

Ghost:

Yes, I would.

What are you up to, little siren?

Are you ignoring me, baby?

Just remember, good girls get to cum and

bad girls get punished.

I’ll be seeing you later, little siren.

Well, that played out exactly how I wanted it to. Slickness gathers between my legs at the thought of him ravaging me later, feral and unrestrained. I trust him, he won’t force me into anything unless I want him to, and I do. Whatever he wants, I’ll do it with a smile on my face.

Mallory:

Looking forward to it.

Also, I’m just in town, be home later.

I wait…but there’s no reply. Such a jerk, trying to give me a taste of my own medicine. That’s fine, I know I’ll be seeing him later. I lock the car and head towards the store.

A sudden feeling of unease swamps me, goosebumps spread across my skin and the hair on the back of my neck stands up. I’m being watched, I don’t know how I know it, I just do. Which is odd since I’ve been stalked for months now and never felt this sense of danger awareness before. It must be Ghost watching me from somewhere.

I shrug it off and realize I’m not living in a haze of dissociation and depression today. I’m much more aware of my surroundings and my body is becoming attuned to it as well as my brain. Still, I slow my steps and scan the area. Nothing is out of place or alarming. There isn’t a person sitting in their vehicle creepily leering after me. No one hiding in the cart corral peering at me from a gap in the siding. There’s nothing. No one in the parking lot at all. I shouldn’t be surprised the small town is lifeless on a dark and stormy day. Everyone is taking shelter indoors, hiding from the effects of mother nature. I make my way across the parking lot a little quicker than before, just in case. Puddles splash beneath my feet, splattering muddy water up the bottom of my pants. I don’t know what has come alive in my brain but I don’t like it, I don’t want to be scared. Ghost doesn’t scare me. Just as I approach the door, I hear footsteps pounding up behind me on the wet pavement. A gloved hand reaches out from behind me and grabs the door handle.