Page 125 of Ghosted

“Fuck,” I groan.

I follow her over the edge, my cock pulsing deep inside her as I fill her with my cum. The water carries it away, but the feeling stays, the knowledge that she took everything I gave her and asked for more.

After, the pool room feels even quieter.

Alice sits on the edge with one of my shirts pulled over her, bare legs hanging into the water.

I’m still in the pool, arms crossed on the tile beside her, looking up like she’s something that shouldn’t be allowed this close to me.

She runs her fingers through my wet hair once.

Just once.

Like she doesn’t mean to do it and she might take it back if I mention it.

So I don’t.

“You’re staring,” she says.

“Yeah.”

“Creepy.”

“Maybe a little.”

Her mouth curves, but the smile fades before it can stay.

I hate that too.

I hate how fast the world keeps taking things off her face.

“You’re still going tonight,” she says.

It isn’t a question.

I look at the water between my arms. “Yeah.”

She nods slowly, like she expected that and still hates hearing it.

“Then at least promise me you won’t lose yourself. Don’t let him make you stupid. Don’t let him bring Wraith out..”

My eyes lift and Alice looks down at me, tired and fierce and too fucking breakable for someone who keeps standing in front of monsters with her chin up.

“I mean it,” she says. “Don’t give him the version of you he wants.”

“I’ll try.”

“No.” Her fingers tighten in my hair, just enough to make me feel it. “Do better than try.”

Something in my chest pulls.

“Okay.”

She studies me, maybe deciding if she believes me.

Maybe deciding if she wants to.

Then she leans down and kisses me once, slow and quiet.