Page 16 of Women Love Wraiths

“Yes, I think so.”

As soon as the words left my lips, she donned her hood and rose higher off the ground than the few inches she hovered at before. Once a few feet in the air, she began to move toward the woods while she ascended, flying us over the gravestones. I gasped as we left the clearing of the graveyard behind, and reached the edge of the woods just high enough to soar over the tops of the trees.

I looked out over the horizon, my eyes able to see clearly despite the darkness. The forest extended for miles and to our left the town laid quietly at the foot of the hills. While admiring the twinkling lights in the distance, arms snaked around my legs and held me tighter.

The wind whipped my face and hair as we soared. We circled and flew back in the direction of the cemetery, and after a few minutes we began our descent. The formation of rocks, our usual meeting spot, came into view. Once back on the ground, Rae crouched and I slid off her back right into the leaves.

I hit the ground with an oof, but it was soft beneath me. A silly giggle burst from my chest as I looked up at her offering a hand to help me up.

“That was incredible! Wow.” I probably looked like a little kid who had ridden a Ferris wheel for the first time, my eyes wide at the thrill I’d just experienced. I looked to the sky and continued, “I’ve never seen the landscape from that far up before. The forest is so beautiful from up there, and the stars. The night sky felt like it was so close.”

My gaze fell back to Rae and when I realized myself, I dropped my gaze. “Sorry for the rambling,” I said shyly. “That was very fun, thank you.”

A swish of wind blew my hair and Rae was in front of me, hood still in place so I couldn’t see her under the shroud. She lifted my chin with two fingers and brushed strands from my cheek. Silence stretched between us, and feeling bold, I reached up and gripped the cloth of her hood and pulled it back.

Her hair fell loose and those dark eyes never left my face. My lips parted and Rae’s hand moved to cup my cheek as she leaned in. When her lips captured mine, the kiss was less fervent but still possessive and claiming. She pulled back leaving me breathless.

“Don’t stay away so long next time,” she rasped, the sound reverberating in my bones. “I can’t be without you now that I’ve had a taste.”

Chapter 13

My palms were so sweaty they were sliding on the steering wheel like it was covered in grease. I wiped them on my jeans while staring at the red light, my gut churning at the thought of seeing Jenna. I hadn’t seen her since I blew her off and I hoped she wasn’t too mad at me. If she was, she had every right to be. I could’ve made it to the movie, but I was selfish. I wasn’t being a good friend for standing her up—albeit unintentionally at first.

As I eased my foot off the brake and drove through the intersection, I thought back to three nights before with Rae. I wanted to tell Jenna about her, but I wasn’t sure how she would take it. I held out hope she wouldn’t judge me because she was really the only person I was close with.

I’d been shocked when Rae revealed herself, not because of her appearance but because I didn’t know if she ever would show herself to me. Then when she made me come with those long fingers and tongue? I thought I’d left earth and had been transported to another dimension.

It was still hard to believe I’d pulled a Mary Shelley and had gotten tongue-fucked on top of a grave. At least it wasn’t my mother’s. Instead, I’d noticed it was poor Anna Crenshaw’s. No disrespect to her. I hoped that wherever she was, she didn’t mind.

Rae was mouth watering in a gothic creature sort of way reminiscent of the likes of Dracula. I wondered if she had human-like features under her heavy cloak. I found myself more than wanting to find out and give her pleasure like she’d given me.

The gear shift made a soft thud as I put the car into park. I took a deep breath and walked inside the restaurant. Garlic filled my nose and my mouth watered as the hostess led me to a table. I hadn’t eaten since waking up, deciding to skip breakfast and save room for all the pasta I was going to eat for dinner. Or was it lunch? It was 8:00 p.m., but technically it was lunch for me with my backward waking hours.

The menu looked delicious, and my stomach growled. Jenna wouldn’t mind if I went ahead and ordered, right? I couldn’t remember a time when we hadn’t waited on each other, but I was starving. I settled on my favorite, chicken carbonara, and after fifteen minutes of no Jenna, I said fuck it. The sooner I ate, the better mood I would be in which would hopefully settle my nerves a bit.

Over all the years Jenna and I had been friends, I’d never canceled on her the way I had the other night, but I didn’t regret it. I was finally going after something I wanted and hoped she would understand.

A few minutes after I ordered, Jenna sauntered in, her ashy hair swinging as she weaved through the tables. She tossed her back in the booth and plopped in the seat with a sigh.

“Hey, you dyed your hair gray! Salon appointment this week?” I asked.

She sighed. “No, Jade, I had it done forever ago. After we talked last. It’s been like weeks. You would know that if you had time for your best friend.” She gave a small chuckle.

“Wow, shots fired right out of the gate,” I retorted. “Work has been stupid busy with Ruby’s daughter being sick. I’ve had to take a bunch of extra shifts to cover.”

Jenna’s expression morphed into understanding. “Oh, I didn’t know. Is everything okay?”

I nodded. “I think she’s on the mend, but the issue is childcare for Ruby’s grandson. The dad isn’t in the picture and Ruby is all there is to take care of mom and kiddo.”

“Gosh, that’s awful. I hope she gets better soon and you don’t have to keep covering so many shifts.”

The waiter and my food arrived resulting in a scowl from Jenna. “You ordered without me? I wasn’t that late!”

“Listen, I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. Sorry, not sorry,” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

After Jenna ordered, she turned back to me. “Listen, I’m sorry I’m snippy. Things just keep getting more annoying with Alex and I was salty you’re so busy.”

I shook my head and waved my fork in the air. “I’m sorry too. I have been busy, but I actually wanted to talk to you about that,” I said after I swallowed a mouth full of pasta.