4. Lennox

Ghost pulls into the drive of my rental and shuts off his bike. I rent an apartment over a coffee shop. In the alley, there"s a cemented driveway, and nearby stairs lead to a small wooden porch. That's me. It's quiet, in the middle of town, and cheap. I'm not a big fan of this city, but I have a job to do here. This place is central to every place I need to keep an eye on. It doesn't hurt living where I'm only able to be seen in a dimly lit alley. Actually, it comes in handy.

My date for the night hasn't said a word since I gave him directions to my place. It's cool. I didn't really expect him to. It's clear he has trouble speaking. I can tell it annoys him. It doesn't bother me in the least. He's a mark, so it wouldn't matter either way. In a weird way, I find it sexy. In fact, Ghost is hot as fuck. It won't be a hardship to spend some time with him, that's for damn sure.

It's been a while since I've had a man in my bed. I'm not big on sharing my space with someone else—like at all. Still, let's be honest, I'm in my thirties and I have needs that aren't always met by a battery-operated boyfriend. I'm praying Ghost delivers orgasms half as good as he looks like he can. Besides, if I'm going to be forced to spend time with him for the next month, I need something out of it.

Once he's parked and kills the engine, I hop off his bike. I don't wait to see if he follows me. I head up the stairs—not looking back. The heavy footfall that follows me soothes a little of my nerves. I glance over my shoulder at him and put my best mocking smile on my face.

"Don't let the stairs wear you out, big boy. I have plans for you," I caution, loving the way my skin feels as if it's on fire when Ghost's eyes move over me. He shakes his head, and that semi-smile comes on his face. I get to my door, taking the key out of my back pocket. Before I can make another move, Ghost takes them from me and opens the door.

The move is somewhat shocking. I wasn't expecting it. He then puts me behind him and walks inside. His hand finds the light switch by the door, bathing the tiny apartment in light. He has a hand close to his gun, though he doesn't pull it. He looks around the room, and I realize he's checking for intruders. I bite my lip to keep from laughing. I mean, it's kind of sexy—the big, muscular man looking out for the little woman. It's not his fault he doesn't realize that it's unnecessary. The people he is trying to protect me from are ones like me. I don't want to brag, but I'm the best at what I do. There's not an asshole out there can get the jump on me. If they manage to find me—which is impossible since I don't let anyone live who's seen my face. I let him do his big manly routine, though. It's kind of sexy.

While he is doing his thing, I go over to my couch and begin working on the pull-out mattress.

My apartment is pretty small. It's all one big open room—with the exception of the small bathroom at the back. There's a kitchen with an island in the middle. It's small but accommodates two bar stools. I have a big couch which also doubles as my bed, two recliners and a big screen television on the wall. It all came furnished. My only additions were the sheets, towels, and the television. I don't give a damn what kind of crap-fest I live in, but I will not have a piece of shit television. It's my one vice.

As I'm throwing off the couch cushions, I gasp. Ghost takes me by surprise, coming up behind me, wrapping his strong, beefy arms around my body, and pulls me into him. His hands grasp my breasts and he squeezes them tightly. I bring my hand up to loop it around his neck.

"Anxious?"

"Hungry," he throatily exhales.

His deep, timbre voice sends sparks of desire through me. It makes me feel alive. That's a heady feeling for a woman who has felt dead most of her life—especially since Teddy's death. My body is practically quivering with the need to have him inside of me. I don't know who this creature is that has inhabited my body. I feel like I need this man more than I need my next breath. Later, I'll worry about that. For now, I'm just going to get drunk on the hunger he is unleashing in me.

"Let me get the bed fixed. Then?—"

I let out a cry when Ghost spins me around so quickly that I would have lost my balance if he hadn't had steadied me. Before I can utter another word, he has the hem of my shirt gathered in his hands. He lifts my shirt up and I raise my hands to help, as he whisks it from my body, tossing it on the floor. I push at his cut and do the same to his shirt, even as he's struggling to get his hands back down and unlatch my bra. The next few minutes are a blur of flying clothes and shoes being kicked across the room.

When I gaze into his turbulent, dark eyes, my breathing becomes ragged. My only saving grace is that he isn't much better. I'm standing in front of him completely naked and do not give one damn. My eyes are too busy raking over Ghost's beautiful, scarred and tattooed body. Each mark marring his skin, every single drop of ink, all that is him works together in beautiful harmony and I find myself wanting to kiss every inch. Right now, my mind is preoccupied with the beauty of his cock. It is hard and erect, springing from a dark patch of hair. The shaft is rigid, with veins visibility pulsating and pressing out against his ruddy colored flesh. He's a good nine inches—which is impressive enough. It's the girth of him that manages to frighten me somewhat. I reach down and wrap my fingers around his base, barely fitting him in my open fist. My fingers can't meet, and I briefly wonder if he's going to tear me apart when he gets inside of me. At the sound of his growl when I stroke him, I immediately decide I don't care. I'll take any amount of pain later, for the pleasure I know he'll give me tonight. The head of his cock is massive and already slick with pre-cum. I bend down to gather it on the tip of my tongue and moan as the salty goodness explodes across my taste buds.

I let out a small squeal when Ghost grabs my hair, wrapping it around his hand and pulling my head up without mercy. I don't get the chance to complain because he slams his lips against mine. There's an energy burning off him. It's so intense, I should be afraid, but I'm not. I just want more of it. I gasp at the hunger I feel clawing at me. I have no defense. I love knowing that this brooding rock of a man wants me so much that he's barely restraining himself. His tongue thrusts into my mouth as he holds me in place—even now pulling my hair. I hold on to him, my nails biting into his back so hard that it wouldn't surprise me if I was drawing blood.

"This thing is your bed?" he questions as our kiss ends—way too soon for my liking. His voice this time is so intense and dark that it should scare me, but it's not fear causing the inside of my thighs to be wet.

"Yeah," I whisper, not recognizing my own voice. "Give me a sec and I'll get it fixed up."

"That thing will not be sturdy enough for what I am going to do to you, Tiger."

My eyebrows lift in equal parts of surprise and yearning. "It's not?" Heaven help me, even I can hear the begging tone of my words.

"Get down on your hands and knees," he orders. I blink, surprise running through me. It appears Ghost is not one for small talk. "Second thoughts?" he challenges when I'm too shocked to move.

I shake my head no, and immediately drop onto the floor, thanking the Big Guy Upstairs that this ugly shag green carpeting is soft and also clean, because I scrubbed it thoroughly when I moved in. Ghost towers over me, walking around my body, kicking our clothes out of the way. I look over my shoulder as he gets down behind me. His rough, calloused hand slides against my back, and it's all I can do to keep from purring in appreciation.

Jesus, what is wrong with me?

However, a small mewl of pleasure slips out when I feel his hand brush against the cheeks of my ass. His fingers dive between them as he teases me. I don't even realize—until it's too late to stop it—how I thrust up, silently begging for more. I crane my neck, trying to see what he's doing behind me. His lips graze over my flesh and my eyes close at how good it feels.

"Yes," I breathe out, practically holding my breath, waiting for more. My body jolts when I feel his hands wrap around my thighs. I look back to see what he's doing and I'm shocked when I only see his legs. "Ghost?" His name comes out with a yelp as he lifts me, stretching my feet to make way for his shoulders, situating me so that I'm straddling his face.

My muscles tense as his tongue slides against the lips of my pussy. I know they're drenched, but I feel no embarrassment. Instead, when I feel him spread my lips apart, I groan in satisfaction. His tongue darts inside my folds, and I'm lost. I press down against his hold and grind against his face. He hums, holding me tighter, capturing my clit and sucking it into his mouth. Crying out, I ride his face harder. Briefly, I worry I might suffocate him, but it feels too good to stop. His fingers bite into my ass cheeks as he helps me grind against his face. As I rock back and forth against his face, my breasts gently rake against the carpeting, teasing my nipples. I'm so wet. I can't remember ever being this wet before in my life.

"Ghost," I moan. I'm going to come. I can feel it building and there's no way I can slow this down. It's too soon. I'm not ready for it to end, but there's nothing I can do to stop it. "I'm going to come." I'm riding him harder and harder. Everything around me disappears except the sounds of sex and the feel of his hands on my ass and his lips and tongue working me. When his fingers slide between my cheeks and push against the small hole of my ass. I lose it. My orgasm rips through me. I continue to ride against him—although not as intensely. Ghost holds onto me through it all, rocking my body back and forth when I no longer have the energy to. When we finally were still, I feel him lift my thighs. He somehow maneuvers out from under me before gently lowering me back down. Curling up on the carpet, I feel completely satiated and relaxed. I wonder if Ghost is getting up to leave, but I can't find it in me to care. I'll seek him out tomorrow. I deserve a night off. I hear a noise above me and imagine he's getting dressed. That's enough to make me sit up. After all, that's a show no woman with half a brain would miss. When I do, I'm shocked to find he's not getting dressed at all. He's pulling the bed out. The sheet is already on it. When I left this morning, I just stuffed it all in there. I'm glad about that now.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Want to look at you while you take my cock. Plan on wearing you out. Let you nap. Do it again."

I grin at his short sentences. Ghost might be a man of little words, but boy do I like the ones he uses. "Sounds like a plan," I agree, standing up and ignoring the way my legs tremble. An orgasm from the man in front of me packs a punch. I lay down on the bed and he lets out a rusty laugh at how eager I am.

"Got rubbers?" he asks.

"Bathroom," I answer. He nods, taking off toward the only door in the place. "Bottom sink drawer," I call out, and I'm pretty sure I hear him grunt in response. He comes back carrying the entire brand-new box of two-hundred-and-fifty condoms. "Couldn't you have just grabbed a few? I ask, eyebrow raised slightly.

"New plan," he says.

"Huh?"

"Your apartment is shit. That shower is not. Gonna fuck you in it."

I give him a full-fledged smile. He's not completely wrong. The apartment isn't shit, but it is tiny. My bathroom, however, is the bomb and features a clawfoot soaking tub and a shower that could fit four people in it if you were so inclined.

I jump up with renewed energy. "Well, what are you waiting for? Make sure to bring a few of these bad boys with you," I taunt him, my fingers tapping against the box he's holding.

"A few?"

"What's wrong, Ghosty? Afraid you can't live up to the challenge?"

I'm rewarded with his laugh. It's not a normal one. It's on the verge of being too dark, almost sounding like it's torn out of him, but it's beautiful in its way and I find I want to hear more of it. Stop being weird, Lenny. To cover my awkwardness, I turn, going into the bathroom. In the back of my mind, I hear this small voice telling me I'm enjoying tonight way too much. For now, I decide to ignore it and concentrate on making Ghost a very happy man tonight.

There's no harm in taking a bit of happiness for myself either … Is there?