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Ghost must be wondering why I’m taking so long. Pulling myself up, I feel a little shaky on my legs as I start the process of washing off my old life and moving forward.
Walking down the hallway, I don’t expect the reaction of my stomach to the smell of brewed coffee and bacon cooking. I didn’t think I could eat, yet my stomach growls at the thought of some decent food and caffeine.
“Does that feel a little better?” Ghost looks up from the counter where he is plating just one serving of breakfast, which could almost be called lunch with the morning slipping away.
“Aren’t you eating?” I ask, confused by the single plate.
“I had breakfast quite early this morning, this is just for you. To get something in your stomach. I know you will have struggled with all the upheaval yesterday, so we need to fuel your body back up. Eat.” He places the plate on the table, now clear of all the computers and files from before. I see them sitting to the side on the kitchen counter. Ghost signals for me to sit and do as he’s telling me to. I have a feeling he is used to people following his orders.
The place is quiet now, and I can’t hear anything from outside. I think everyone has left us.
“How long was I in there?” Slowly sitting down, I look up at Ghost.
“A while, but that doesn’t matter. It’s what you needed to do.” Oh, please don’t tell me he heard me crying in there. I thought the sound of the shower would hide my breakdown, but now, I’m not so sure.
“Yes,” is all I can reply.
I look at him leaning against the kitchen counter just watching me, in a way that neither of us want to look away first, but his words break the moment.
“Eat, Cassandra.” The firmness in his voice has me moving without realizing I am. Like my body doesn’t know how to ignore his commanding voice.
Putting the first forkful of bacon and a little egg into my mouth, it feels like the best thing I have eaten in years. It’s not, but that’s what it feels like. It replaces the revolting taste of the donut that I’m sure had been sitting in that gas station for at least a week before we bought it.
“Good girl,” he says, and then turning around, he starts to clean up everything he used to cook my breakfast.
The first few mouthfuls have kicked my appetite into gear, and I’m now shoveling everything on my plate into my mouth like a mad woman, likes it’s my last meal. Words I don’t even want to contemplate.
I have so many questions I want to ask.
“Are you going to be my cook?” And of all the ones I wanted to ask, that was not one of them, and it’s a ridiculous thing to start with.
“If you need me to be, Cassandra. I’m here to protect you and make this as easy for you as I can.” His back is still to me at the sink, pots and pans clanging as he continues cleaning.
“Wow, maybe this is a little five-star after all.” Seriously, woman, just shut your mouth if you can’t say anything intelligent. Start asking the hard questions.
Before I can, though, I hear a laugh from Ghost I wasn’t expecting. It’s deep and sexy, and that thought shocks me. I shouldn’t even be thinking about him like that, but I’m only human. This guy is off the charts in pure sex appeal.
“Oh, there is nothing five-star about this house, I can assure you of that. But I will make it the best not-five-star stay for you as I can.”
Now it’s me that is finally having a little laugh which is the first time in days that I have even felt the need to, let alone the sound of laughter actually leaving my lips.
“Great, so I will wait for my chocolates on my pillow every night,” I tease, smiling at him as he turns around from cleaning.
“Is that the lifestyle you are used to, Cassandra, being waited on constantly and staying in the best accommodation around?” I can’t tell if he’s judging me or it’s just a question that he is genuinely interested to know. This guy is so hard to read. I bet he's great at poker.
Even though I don’t know if I should be taking offence or not, I can hear in my voice the need to defend myself.
“I’m not going to lie, I have lived like that for a while, but if I could change the past now, I would in a heartbeat.” I think back on the last eighteen months and how my life has been. “It wasn’t worth it, because it led me here,” I whisper to myself.
Silence follows as I wrap both hands around my coffee cup and look into it like it holds the answers to all my problems.
The chair opposite me moves, breaking me back out of my stare. Ghost sits himself down across from me. This man is big, it’s the only way to describe him. His hands now resting on the table are clasped together. They look like he could wrestle a bear and win. Well, that might be exaggerating a little, but they are large and strong-looking. Not soft and manicured like Jason’s were. These are the hands of a man who works. Doing what, I don’t know, but they are a little rugged and dry-looking. In a way, sort of weathered.
“Are you feeling up to going through the things we need to talk about?” Ghost asks, trying to gain my attention from looking at his hands, I’m sure.
“No point in putting it off. I guess I need to know where I stand… and who I am.” Saying the words out loud brings sadness to my core. I haven’t done anything wrong, yet I’m the one who is giving up my life. While fucking Jason is still sitting up on Capitol Hill living the high life.
“I’m sorry, I know it’s hard. And you are probably hopeful that one day you can go back to your previous home and life when it’s all over, but I’m sure they explained it all to you, that it’s just not possible.”
