Page 34 of Purrfectly Haunted

Shirley immediately pounces on me. “And you, James? Anyone you fancy?”

From the glint in her eyes, I know she’s aware of something happening between Ewan and me. She saw the deflated air mattress rolled in a corner of our small room.

I shake my head. “Nah. I don’t date, to be honest. I don’t have the head space for it right now, nor do I want to, even if I did.” I chuckle. “I like my life as it is, with no expectations to meet but mine.”

“Alright,” Lana says. “You seem to know what you want and don’t want, and that’s a strength.” She offers me a toast.

Shirley’s eyes linger on me a moment too long. It looks like she wants to say something, but thinks better of it.

I feel Ewan move at my side, and he backs his chair a little, as if seeking more room for his legs. Our arms don’t touch anymore, and he avoids my eyes for the rest of brunch.

eight

The night is full of dangerous possibilities

EWAN

Istare at the flames devouring the logs in the fireplace while petting the cat on my lap—Retia, the tabby. The guests are milling around me in the massive living room on the second floor, by the kitchen. Night has fallen, and many of them have migrated back to the hostel like birds looking for a branch to sleep on. And just like birds, they’re loud as they bicker behind me about what to eat or where to go after dinner, but I’m grateful for the distraction.

I keep replaying what James said this morning in my head. We’ve barely known each other for a few days, but it turns out my expectations were already growing like weeds between the cracks in the pavement. His casual comment about dating put a violent halt to my fantasies.

I didn’t want to date him, per se... We only just met! But it feels like I’ve been rejected already, before anything even started, and it hurts. No matter how stupid it sounds, it still managed to hurt me. The way he’s been caring for me for the past days—and giving me the best orgasm last night—is dangerous for my heart.

So, I need to do the smart thing, and keep my distance.

I sigh deeply and stare intently at the flames dancing. Retia is purring softly, nestled on my lap.

In a few hours, we’re going out. It’ll do me good to see other people. James takes entirely too much space, and all I can see and feel all day is him.

Right now, he’s in our room. After our hours-long brunch, he announced he was going to take a nap and looked at me expectantly. For a moment, I almost gave in and joined him. I know how it might have turned out, I’m not clueless. His heavy-lidded eyes promised untold pleasures. Even now, I’m still one impulse away from running to him and getting on my knees, consequences be damned. But I can’t. This is too dangerous for my mushy heart.

I sigh again, and Retia looks up at me, almost reproachfully.

I pet her head. “I know, love. I know. I’m not going.”

We have two more ghosts to hunt, then we’ll be done with the job, and maybe James and I can be friends once we have cooled down.

Tomorrow, I’ll ask Shirley if she can find me a new air mattress.

I drop my head on the back of the couch and close my eyes, thinking again of James’ breath on my throat as he urged me come last night.

By the time Shirley finds me in the living area, I’ve been wallowing in my regrets for a few hours, and misery is clinging to me like a bad smell.

“Oh, Ewan...” she says. “You look properly wretched.”

“Thank you. And you look incredible,” I say.

She has put on a midnight blue, sparkly dress, high heels, and a faux fur black coat. Her purple hair is up in space buns with little star clips and her makeup looks like a galaxy. She’s a vision.

“Why, thank you!” She twirls. “Come on. Let’s get you changed.”

Retia finally leaves my lap to rub herself on Shirley’s legs.

I stand up, shoulders hunched. “I didn’t bring fancy clothes.”

“Just show me what we’re working with.”

I follow her upstairs to our room, glad for her presence by my side. I don’t know if I could have found myself alone with James right now.