“But Mike has always wanted to travel for work. Vera knew this.”
“She did. But I think she hoped he would miss her too much to actually do it.”
I shook my head. Traveling the world was Mike’s dream. It was why he’d gone to college. It was also the reason he’d gotten his dream job right after. His passion for what he did was impressive. He was an anthropologist and a damn good one too.
“So, can I?” Jackson held the wipes in front of my face and I blushed, then nodded. God, could he be more perfect?
“Is it bad?” I had no idea how I looked; it should worry me that Jackson was seeing me look as awful as I believed I did, but I was too busy basking in his presence and attention to truly care.
“You still look beautiful,” he said with a fond smile. I had to be beet red by now. He thought I was beautiful!I really did love being praised. “Are you going to tell me what you were doing in a dingy club like that?”
“Same as you, I believe.”
He laughed. “Fine, we can wait until tomorrow to talk about it, but we need to. You also need to tell your mom you’re staying at Dylan’s for the next few days.”
I nodded and allowed him to wipe away my makeup. It felt nice being tended to by him. Being cared for. Too nice, like something I could get used to.
I woke up with a start. Glancing around the room I noticed I wasn’t in my own room. Or my own bed. My neck throbbed so without thought, my hand reached up to touch and I winced. The bed moved and I gasped as Jackson sat up next to me. Everything came back. The club. Jackson. Me sleeping next to him.
Fuck, I hated myself sometimes. I’d fallen asleep while he’d removed my makeup, completely missing him getting undressed!
“How are you feeling?” he asked, his sexy as fuck morning voice the perfect amount of raspy, that I had to swallow down a moan.
“Confused,” I admitted.
“I would be too. I think some food and water would do you good.” I nodded as he got up from his bed. His chest was bare, all his naked skin and tattoos on display. I had no trouble taking in my fill. His sleep shorts were hanging low and damn even his toned legs were sexy. “I have some clothes you can borrow. I apologize for letting you sleep in that,” he turned towards me and gestured to my leather shorts and fishnet top. “It felt weird undressing you without your consent, so I left it on.”
“Oh,” I said, feeling embarrassed. I’d felt somewhat comfortable in my clothes yesterday when I pretended to be someone other thanmyself, but now… I felt so self-conscious and just…wrongin it. I wanted to be myself around Jackson and not this persona I’d tried to be.
He threw me a white T-shirt and a pair of navy gym shorts. “I’ll be in the kitchen. You can shower if you want. There are fresh towels on the top shelf next to the sink.”
“Thank you,” I said, getting up and feeling on display as I hurried to the bathroom. They only had the one and it was located in the hallway. I closed the door behind me quickly, and stripped out of my leather shorts. My poor body was covered with creases where the leather had been. I sighed and took in my light pink panties. I doubted I could fit into a pair of Jackson’s boxers, so these would have to do again after the shower.
I stepped into the shower and enjoyed the hot water as it caressed my skin. It burned on my neck, but was a comfort everywhere else. I’d decided not to look in the mirror on purpose until after I’d showered. I wasn’t ready to face the evidence of what had happened yesterday just yet.
Picking out what shampoo to use was easy enough. I knew which one was Mike’s so I used the other option and smelled it.I groaned. Even Jackson’s shampoo was affecting me. It had to be infused with some kind of sensual ingredients.
I lathered the soap and massaged it into my scalp. This was exactly what I needed. I ignored the two ghosts who were eyeing me and speaking with worry as I showered. Sometimes I hated being a medium, like right now where all I wanted to do was hide my body from their assessing eyes and indulge in the shower. But I didn’t want them to know I could see and hear them. Not with Jackson’s fear of them.
I stepped out and toweled off.
“I knew BDSM was a dangerous thing,” the male ghost said, sounding angry on my behalf.
“It wasn’t because of that,” the lady ghost scoffed. “Jackson never treated anyone like that before. All his men don’t leave with bruises.”All his men!I winced. I didn’t need to be reminded of that.
“Still, I don’t like it.”
“Harold for goodness’ sake, this isn’t about you.”
“I know that! But this man clearly needs help. Look at him!”
“Iamlooking!”
Ignoring them was proving hard, but I had to see myself to know what they were seeing. I tuned them out and then I looked in the mirror.
I gasped, causing the ghosts to shut up for a moment. Gingerly touching my neck, I inspected the area. Dark purple spots covered my neck. You could even see where his fingertips had dug into my skin. I felt nauseous looking at it, so I stepped away from the vanity and pulled Jackson’s T-shirt on. Next I stepped into my panties but had to leave the shorts on the side of the sink. They were too big to stay on my hips; besides, the T-shirt was long enough that it hit the top of my knees.
Not caring that I had an audience, I tugged on the neckline and smelled it.Jackson. I couldn’t stop my smile. I was wearing his clothes. Like I washis.
