Chapter 18
GHOST
Xanthe goes home to get ready for work tomorrow, and I hate it. I mean, I can watch her on my phone. She’s sitting on the couch, writing down her lesson plans, her cat at her side, but it’s not the same as being with her.
I sit on the edge of my bed, considering skipping my planned gym session.
But then I remember what her fucking book boyfriends look like and stand right back up, grab a towel, and head to the clubhouse gym.
Lu and Haze are in there sparring, which is actually more like foreplay, so I ignore them and do a three-mile run on the treadmill before doing some chin-ups and weights. Checking my phone, I see a text from my woman.
Xanthe
What are you doing? I miss you.
Ghost
At the gym. Miss you too.
Xanthe
You’re working out? What are you wearing?
My lips twitches.
Ghost
Gray shorts and that’s it.
Xanthe
Who else is around you?
Ghost
Haze and Lu are in the ring. And Rune and Curse just walked in.
Xanthe
Send me a picture.
My eyebrows rise. I don’t think I’ve ever taken a mirror picture or selfie in my fucking life.
Glancing around the gym, not wanting any of my brothers to see, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I’m not smiling or anything, just standing there, damp with sweat from my workout.
I quickly hit send before I can change my mind and head to my bathroom for a shower. When I come out, I smile widely at her reply.
Xanthe
You are so hot. I’m the luckiest woman ever. Now put on some clothes because that view is for me only.
Xanthe being possessive is hot as fuck.
Ghost
I want you, now. I’m coming over.
Xanthe
Better hurry or I’m starting without you.
I get dressed in record time and get on my bike.
“I don’t like it,” I tell Xanthe, scowling. The women have invited her on a girls’ night out tomorrow, and they have the prospects picking them up and taking them to Strike.
It makes it easier that they’re going to one of our clubs, though. In fact, I could hide out in the security room and keep an eye on her there.
“What’s that scheming look you have on your face?” she asks, laughing as she peppers my face with kisses. I’ve never been loved like this before.
Never.
I never thought I’d have this, but now that I do, I’m sure as fuck not going to lose it.
I don’t like Xanthe going anywhere without me, or at least with one of my brothers, to protect her. I only got her property patch today, and I need to wait until her party before I can give it to her. I hate the fact that she’s walking around without my patch on her.
I’m sure gossip is circulating about us, but until she’s wearing her cut, no one in the club is going to take it as official.
Maybe she needs a tattoo too.
Property of Ghost.
I’m searching her body for the perfect spot when she holds me still and looks into my eyes. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I’m thinking that I’m going to drive you crazy because I always want to watch over you,” I rasp, pressing a soft kiss behind her ear. “I don’t want to control you. I want you to enjoy life and have fun with the women, but I need to protect you.”
“Okay, you do what you need to do,” she whispers, kissing me. “But I’m going to have fun. And I want to get to know Isla a little more. You seem closer to her than the other old ladies.”
I nod because, for some reason, I feel more comfortable around Isla.
“I’m excited. I’ve picked out my outfit and everything.” She grins with a wicked glint in her eye. “And at the end of the night, I’m going to go home with you, tipsy, and ride you hard.”
“Fuck,” I grit out, my hands cupping her ass. “You can’t talk dirty to me like that when you’re about to leave for your fucking book club.” I press my hard cock against her. “How much time do we have?”
There’s a knock at the door, and I mutter a curse.
“Audrey is here, I have to go,” she says, kissing me softly. “Save those thoughts for later tonight.”
She disappears, leaving me alone in her house.
I pick up my phone and send Romeo a text.
Follow her.
The next night, Xanthe is wearing a short, tight red dress made to drive me crazy.
But the smile on her face is so wide, I can’t help but soften. She deserves a fun night out with the old ladies, and it’s my job to protect them all.
I don’t miss the men staring at my woman. They’d be blind not to, but as long as no one touches her, they will stay alive.
After about two hours, I notice the women in a circle, heads down as they chat. They then head toward the stairs, Xanthe grabbing Atiana’s hand.
Patch stands in front of the exit, blocking it.
Good man.
Leaving the security room, I go up to Xanthe and grab her around the waist. Instead of being angry that I was clearly here the whole time, she spins around and jumps into my arms with a smile on her face.
“Where are you going?” I ask, frowning.
“We’re going to Club Cobra, and not one of you is going to tell the men that we’re coming,” Ora says to me, Patch, and Romeo, who also came to check on the women. She puts her hands on her hips and looks at me. “Okay?”
“Fine with me as long as you let us keep you safe and don’t run off,” I reply, running my hands down Xanthe’s back. “Come on, let’s go.”
The sooner I take them to their men, the sooner I can leave and have Xanthe out of his red dress.