Chapter 16
16
T hree loud thumps on my bedroom door startle me awake.
“Dude, are you going to sleep the whole time I’m here?” Emma calls from the other side.
I force my sleep-crusted eyes open, my brain and body both feeling made of mush. “Huh?” I croak blearily. “What time is it?”
“It’s almost 11! I thought we were going to go get coffee this morning and check out the witchy store to see if we can find someone to help us contact the spirit.”
“Don’t need any help with that,” I mumble to myself. When I sit up, the evidence of just how much contact I had with Ghost is there in the dull ache of my muscles.
I groan and force myself up out of bed and pad over to the door, opening it to find Emma on the other side, dressed and ready to go for a morning adventure. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to oversleep. Give me a couple of minutes and I’ll be good to go.”
Emma gives me a once over, her brows pinching together at what she sees. “You look different. Not so…tense. What happened while I was out?” Her eyes widen. “Did that girl you’ve been chatting with come over?”
I scowl at her. “What? No! And even if she did, I’m not going to tell my little sister about it. But she didn’t!”
Emma crosses her arms over her chest and narrows her eyes. “Then why did your voice go all high-pitched right now? What are you hiding?”
There’s no way I can tell Emma I fucked the ghost haunting my house last night. I mean I could, and try to play it off as a joke, but knowing my sister, she’d believe me and want to double down on attempting another seance so she can meet the spirit who is banging her brother.
“I hate to disappoint you, but I’m boring and old. I took a shower and went to bed.” It’s technically true, though I’m omitting that I fucked Ghost in my bathroom and couldn’t fall asleep for ages because I was still hard and unable to come because of her order.
I shift in place as my cock gives a feeble twitch at the memory, and Emma shakes her head. “There’s something up with you, and I’m going to figure it out…” She claps her hands together and her brows shoot up. “Oh my god! Did you see the ghost?”
“No, I didn’t see the ghost,” I sigh, rolling my eyes to sell my reply. Technically, it’s true. I mean, I saw a faint outline of her body in the steam, but that doesn’t count.
God, what I could see of her… she was perfect. Shockingly so. Almost like the universe dug into my brain for what I fantasize about most often in a woman—thick thighs, a soft, cushioned stomach, ample hips and ass—and formed Ghost.
Fuck, and what that body felt like… I still can’t believe it. I need to stop thinking about it or I’m going to have the world’s most awkward boner.
I clear my throat. “Do you want me to get ready to go out or not? If we stand here while you make ridiculous conjectures about things that absolutely didn’t happen, they might run out of scones at the coffee shop.”
“Ugh, fine. I’ll figure it out on my own if you won’t tell me.”
Not likely. “Have fun with that,” I say drolly, then shut the door so I can get ready to go out.
By the time we get back from our coffee and new age shopping trip, Emma has given up on pestering me, distracted by delicious scones and chatting with the girl behind the counter about the best methods for contacting spirits and discovering latent magical abilities. I forgot my phone at the house, so I have nothing to occupy me other than wandering aimlessly through the shop while they chat.
I’m battling a headache after spending so much time in the incense-infused air, so Emma ends up heading back to her place to let me rest. I feel bad that she left earlier than planned, but she said she’d come visit soon so we could try to contact the ghost again.
I smile a little at the thought. Maybe I can convince Ghost to move some things around next time to make Emma happy.
It’s early evening by the time my headache meds have kicked in, and I feel well enough to get up and send Emma a text to make sure she got home safely. I got into the habit after mom passed because without fail, any time either of us went anywhere, she’d message or call to make sure we were okay. It’s my way of trying to keep Emma safe in her stead, even if it drives my sister a little crazy.
I find my phone tangled in my bedsheets and shoot Emma a quick text, then open the dating app when I see there are multiple notifications.
Jessie (9:03 am): Sooooooooo how did it go?
Jessie (11:20 am): Hello?
Jessie (1:49 pm): Noah, I need to know!!
Jessie (4:37pm): I hope the ghost didn’t kill you. Death by spirit-induced orgasm is kind of embarrassing. Especially since your poor sister would be the one to discover the body.
I chuckle at Jessie’s most recent message, then send a reply.
Noah: I’m alive. Emma wanted to go out this morning, and I forgot my phone at home. When I got back, I had a migraine, so I only just saw your messages.
A little less than ten minutes pass before I get a message back.
Jessie: DID YOU FUCK THE GHOST??
Noah: Whoa, someone’s eager.
Jessie: I stg Noah, I’ll block you if you don’t stop teasing me and tell me what happened. I’ve been waiting all day! You can’t say you’re going to bang the ghost in your house and then disappear.
I laugh, my mind conjuring up the image of Jessie’s scowl even though I still haven’t seen her in person yet. Damn, I need to change that. Soon.
As much fun as I had with Ghost last night, I’m dying to meet the woman I’ve been chatting with nonstop. I’m already crushing on her hard, and dread the idea that we’ll meet up in person and she’ll change her mind about me or the spark won’t be there.
I type back an impulsive reply and send it before I can chicken out.
Noah: I’ll tell you when we go on a date.
Jessie: What? No! Come on, that’s not fair.
Noah: I know, but you’re more elusive than the ghost haunting my house. How else am I going to convince you to meet up with me?
Jessie: Dammit. You’re such a tease.
Noah: No, I’m not. I’ll give you anything you want. In person.
There’s a long pause before Jessie messages again. What felt like fun teasing turns into a sinking sensation in my stomach.
Shit. What if she never wants to meet up? Was this all aimless flirting for her? Is that why she didn’t care about me sleeping with Ghost?
A few minutes of torturing myself later, I get a reply.
Jessie: I want to meet you.
Noah: Why am I sensing a but?
Jessie: It’s complicated.
Dammit. I knew it. I knew she was too good to be true. I’m such an idiot. When have things ever worked out in my favor? Next, I’ll find out the only reason Ghost wanted to have sex was some weird ploy to torment me. Or use my jizz to reanimate an undead army.Ghosts are fucking real, so who the hell knows what’s possible?
When Jessie doesn’t send a follow-up message, anger seeps in. I’m not going to be an asshole and call her out when it’s not her fault I got attached before even meeting up, but I deserve to know what’s going on.
Noah: You’re already married level of complicated?
Jessie: No! Why would you think that?
Noah: You’re not telling me anything, so what am I supposed to think?
Noah: I really like you, Jessie. There’s something here between us and I want to meet you to find out what that means. If you’re not interested in that, we should stop talking.
There. I’ve said how I feel, and I won’t let her keep stringing me along.
Jessie: I like you too, Noah. Way more than I thought I would. It’s annoying.
I groan, scrubbing a hand over my face. What kind of reply is that?
Jessie: It’s not that I don’t want to meet in person.
Noah: Then what’s the problem?
There’s an agonizing minute before I get a reply.
Jessie: I might not be what you expect.
Noah: That’s it? Jessie, that’s a risk that everyone has to take when they meet up for the first time. The more we talk like this, the more we’re developing assumptions about each other, so wouldn’t it be better to rip off the bandage and see how it goes?
Noah: If anything, you’ll find the real life me a lot less appealing. So you have nothing to worry about, unless you’re a total catfish or something.
The bubble of Jessie typing a response appears and disappears multiple times.
Jessie: You’re right. I’m sorry.
Noah: You don’t need to be sorry. I know I was blunt about meeting up, and if you need more time to feel comfortable getting together in person, I’ll wait. I just wanted to make sure that was actually going to happen at some point.
Noah: I like you too much to let myself hope for that if it’s not a possibility.
Another long pause.
Jessie: Out of curiosity, what is it you like?
I frown at my phone, unsure if she’s fishing for compliments or genuinely wants to know.
Noah: You’re hilarious and smart. You give me shit, which is hot.
Jessie: You sure it’s not my tits? Or that I’m a redhead?
My frown deepens. This feels like a trap. It’d be a lie to say that her appearance didn’t factor in to my attraction to her, but I don’t want her to think that’s the main thing I like.
I decide to play off her question with a joke.
Noah: Why do you ask? Are you sure you’re not a catfish?
The second after I press send, I cringe. Way to go, Noah. That definitely won’t make you sound like an asshole.
Jessie: Please just answer the question.
I sigh, taking a moment to formulate my response. I don’t want to fuck this up.
Noah: Your profile photo is attractive. Yes, your breasts and hair are nice, but you’re not the only busty redhead on the app. I matched with you because your profile was like a breath of fresh air.
Noah: There’s something about you that feels right.
Ugh, why did I say that? I’m making things worse. Once again, an eternity passes before I get a reply.
Jessie: I think I feel it too.
Butterflies kick up in my stomach, and I want to shout with the excitement.
Calm down. She said she “thinks” she feels it . I attempt to sober myself, but it’s no use.
Jessie: I can’t meet this week, but if you want to invite me over next weekend, I’ll come.
This time I do let out an excited “yes!”
Noah: You want to come over to my place for our first date?
Noah: That’s not a problem! But I’m happy to take you out somewhere.
Jessie: Your house would be the easiest option.
Jessie: But don’t think you’re getting in my pants on the first date.
I grin at that. The more we discuss this date, the more it seems like it might actually happen.
Noah: I would never presume that. We’ll go at whatever pace you want to.
Noah: If you want to wait a month before we hold hands, that’s fine.
Jessie: You’re only saying that because you have an on-call ghost girl to fuck.
Noah: Actually, she’s kind of said I’m not allowed to come until she shows up again.
Jessie: I knew it! You fucked the ghost!
Dammit, she got me.
Noah: Please still come over. I’ll give you all the salacious details if you do. Hell, I’ll try to introduce you to her if you want.
Jessie: Are you sure that won’t make things too hard for you?
Noah: Oh, I’m sure it’ll be very fucking hard. But I can handle it.
The thought makes my dick start to firm up and I groan, resisting the urge to palm it through my pants. Between the prospect of finally seeing Jessie and the potential for Ghost to show up at any moment, I’m going to have a permanent boner.