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“Why is that such a surprise?” There's confusion on his face, like he didn’t know it was their either, though.
“I didn’t think they’d allow alcohol in this place.” I pull out a bottle of red, and I can’t express how much I could really use a glass now.
“It’s not jail here, Cassandra.”
Raising my eyebrows at him, I can’t help myself. “Close to it, though.”
Tilting his head to the side, he finally agrees. “Okay, I’ll give you that. But it’s for your benefit.” Compassion is written all over his face. At least it’s better than pity, I suppose.
“Can I open that for you?” Ghost reaches out his hand toward me and the bottle.
“Thanks, I think I need it tonight.”
We both go about getting organized to eat, Ghost setting the table while I’m dishing the pasta out onto the plates. I didn’t think I was that hungry, but the smell of it has my stomach now sitting up and taking notice.
Walking to the table, I notice there is only one glass of wine.
Ghost pulls out the chair in front of that glass, gesturing for me to take my seat there.
Lowering myself into the chair after placing the plates on the table, my nerves kick in. This feels a little too intimate. And when I’m nervous, I end up blurting out things I wished I’d kept inside.
“Why am I drinking alone? What, is the wine too girly for you?”
The slightly serious look he had when he sat down is now lost, with him bursting out with a deep throaty laugh.
“Didn’t realize I made a joke.” I'm offended he’s laughing at me.
“You know how you asked me a moment ago how I see you? Well, do you still want to know?” He's trying to hold back his laughter.
“Not sure I want to know now.” I'm almost sulking as I raise my wine glass. “Cheers to me being a loner.” His face totally changes at my words.
“Cassandra, you’re not alone.” He picks up his glass of water and reaches across the table to clink it with mine. “I love a good red, but I’m not allowed to drink on the job. Besides, it’s not a good idea. My job is to be alert and ready at any moment to protect you. I can’t do that to the best of my ability if I’m drinking,” he says, staring at me with his intensity. “And I will not let anything get in the way of me keeping you safe. Do you understand!” The gruffness in his voice leaves no mistake on how seriously he takes his job.
“Okay,” is all I can say. Taking the first sip of my wine, it tastes amazing, even if it’s a cheap bottle. It’s still the alcohol I need to combat the control freak in front of me and this whole fucked-up situation.
His intensity is still sitting between us. Even if I wanted to look away, I’m not sure I can. His mouth opens to finish what he just started.
“I see a strong woman who is not afraid to speak her mind but who is also kind and likes to care for others.” His eyes scan over the meal before us. “Someone who’s been dealt a shitty situation yet is still trying to make the best of it.” Well, he’s got that one right.
“But above all, I see another woman hiding behind all those attributes who isn’t sure of who she really is. That’s the woman I want to get to know.”
Well, I’ll be damned if he didn’t hit the nail on the head with everything he just said, not that I’m admitting any of that.
“What you see is what you get,” I say, which couldn’t be any further from the truth. Taking my first mouthful of my pasta, I try to shut down the conversation topic. I don’t need anyone digging under my skin, especially someone I don’t know but who already has me on edge for a reason I can’t put my finger on yet. And that alone makes me nervous.
Thank goodness Ghost takes the hint and starts to eat his meal too.
“This is awesome, thank you.” He looks up at me as he’s taking his next mouthful.
Just smiling, acknowledging his compliment, we both spend the next ten minutes or so concentrating on eating. I wasn’t hungry, and even when I started, I didn’t think I’d get through much of my plate, but needing the distraction of not having to talk means I’ve nearly finished everything I served myself.
“I’m glad you’re eating. Sometimes the stress makes it hard to stomach anything.”
I want to reply that I’m only eating because I'm stressed and right this moment themain nerves are coming from sitting at this table across from him. Those intense gazes he keeps giving me when he thinks I’m not looking. It’s like he is trying to figure me out but can’t yet.
Yeah, well, welcome to the party, Ghost. I can’t seem to get a handle on how to take you either. One minute you are soft and gentle, then the next you’re full badass agent mode and don’t want to be near me.
After finishing everything on his plate and leaning back into his chair, his glass of water in his hand, he isn’t looking at anything except me. I can feel his stare even when I look away.
