Page 109 of Ghost Hunted

“Hmm.” I stroke her hair and kiss her freckles. “I really wish you’d rest, baby.”

“If you don’t have time,” she mumbles, “I can ask Everest to take me.”

“Fuck that.” I kiss her lips. “I’ll take you, baby. We’ll go out and I’ll buy you whatever you want. What do you want?”

Excitement flickers in her gaze. “I want... the most expensive thing we can find.”

“Sure, baby. I’ll find it for you.”

“No, I want to find it. I want to go to every single store in Astley, and find the most expensive thing there is, and make you buy it for me.”

I let out a chuckle. “My spoiled little baby. Fine. Then that’s just what we’ll do. Spend the day resting, and tomorrow, we’ll hit the town.”

_

“Fuck me, I’d forgotten how delicious chocolate chip cookies were,” says Lia, sitting back against the passenger seat as I take her for the promised drive. “Oops, sorry!”

I make an amused grimace as Lia accidentally sprays cookie crumbs all over me. “Don’t worry, baby. There’s nothing I’d rather have decorating my leather seats than your spit.”

“Thought so.” She settles back, trying to act comfortable, but I can tell by the drawn lines on her face that she’s in pain. “Give me another cookie, so I can spit some more.”

“No more cookies for you, baby. It’s too early; I want you to be healthy.”

“Shut up, Logan! Ow! Fuck!” She’s just jerked up in her seat, and cries out in pain.

“Take it easy,” I warn her, pushing her back gently.

“Stop fucking controlling me!” She struggles away from my hand despite the pain that distorts her features.

“Okay, baby. Okay. I’m sorry.” I stroke her arm and hair until she’s sitting back against her seat, breathing heavily. “I didn’t mean to. You can have another cookie. Want a cookie?”

“Logan...” She hides her face in her hands, a loud mix of sobs and laughter leaving her. “I’m sorry. I’m the one who’s sorry. You’re being so sweet to me, and I’m so... so jumpy.”

“You’ve been through a lot,” I soothe her, “and all because of me. I’ve been so cruel. And I know I’m controlling. I’m sorry, baby. Have as many cookies as you want.”

She sniffs loudly and wipes her tears away before I can.

“It’s okay,” she mumbles. “I don’t want any more cookies.”

“Okay, well, tell me what you want. Whatever you want, I’ll get for you.”

“You know what I want,” she sighs.

I grin. “The most expensive thing we can buy in Astley, huh?”

“No, not that. You know what I want.”

“Yeah.” I stroke the freckles on her face. “Freedom. But that’s what I’m giving you, isn’t it? Don’t you feel free right now?”

She hesitates. “Maybe... maybe if I didn’t have my neck brace, I’d feel more free. Will you keep being nice to me once I’ve taken it off? Will you still let me be free?”

“Well...” My cell phone buzzes just then, and I look down, uneasy relief invading my stomach when I read the message.

Everest: The camera guys are here. They’re setting up the system now, and the others will be here in an hour. They’re asking what kind of locks you want on the windows.

“Logan. Will I also be free when my neck brace is off?”

“Hmm?” I quickly stuff my cell phone back into my pocket and smile at Lia. “Of course, baby,” I lie to her, kissing her on her freckled nose. “Of course you will be.”