Dominated by the Ghost: An Alpha Ghost BBW Romance (12 page)

“You’re not supposed to know that!”

“I know a lot of things I’m not supposed to know,” Ana said. “Like Dad’s a complete prick but you’re hiding it from me because you don’t want me to feel as abandoned as you felt. I don’t, by the way.”

“What—Ana! I’m so sorry!”

“Don’t be,” she said. “Nobody’s judging you except for you, Mum. If both Razvan and Bruce want to be with you, I say you should go for it.”

“But—but I—this is just unheard of,” Jenny spluttered. “I can’t have two men in my life. I could barely handle one.”

“One of my favorite steampunk authors wrote this: ‘We have to seek strange and fascinating new measures in order to achieve strange and fascinating results.’ I saw what Dad did to you, Mum. There was nothing strange and fascinating about him. Our life with him was cold and sad. Wouldn’t you rather have a strange and fascinating life?”

Jenny reached for Ana and pulled her into a hug. “Ana, dear, you are the smartest person I know.”

She kissed her daughter’s head and released her.

“I know,” said Ana. “Now go find your strange and fascinating men.”

*

Jenny paced outside the downstairs hall where Bruce’s and Razvan’s rooms were located. When she’d left Ana behind in her own room, she’d felt full of resolve and confidence. It had felt like the most natural thing in the world. Build a life for herself, with strange and fascinating men.

But she didn’t even know how they felt about her! Bruce, she knew, wanted her to stay here in Whitby, but she didn’t know if Bruce would be enough. He was the anchor, and Razvan was the wildness. She needed them both.

She passed by Razvan’s door one more time, and before she could change her mind, she reached out and knocked.

The knock was quiet enough that she could still run off and pretend it had never happened. Surely he hadn’t heard such a quiet knock.

His door opened. “Jenny,” he said, smiling widely, “I wondered if you would come back to my arms.”

“I…I’ve been wanting to,” she said, already feeling pinned in place by his mesmerizing gaze.

“You look troubled,” he said, touching a finger to her chin. “What’s bothering you, hm? Tell me and I’ll grant your wish.”

She shook her head. “You can’t. I mean, you can. But I don’t think you’ll want to.”

A few paces away, Bruce’s door opened. “Jenny, I thought I heard your voice,” said Bruce. “Is everything okay?”

“I need you both,” said Jenny. “I mean, I need
to talk to
you both.”

Bruce shook his head and smiled past her to Razvan. “No, I think the first thing she said was the right one.”

“I agree,” said Razvan.

“What?” asked Jenny. “Do you…do you mean…?”

“We’ve already discussed it,” said Razvan. “We’ll only be happy with you. Of course, we thought Bruce should do the asking, given my…nature.”

“Ask me what?”

“We want you to stay here, with both of us,” said Bruce. “The experiences we’ve had with you are nothing short of magical.”

“Strange and fascinating,” Jenny said, musing upon Ana’s quotation.

“Exactly,” said Razvan. “But are you willing? To take a risk?”

In response, Jenny held out her arms, and took each of them by the hand. She pulled both men to her, kissing first Razvan, and then Bruce. “Yes,” she said. “Yes.”

*

Later that evening, Jenny, Ana, and Bruce walked down to the beach. Razvan, of course, had stayed behind, citing his sensitivity to light. But he’d given Jenny a long, lingering kiss that ignited all kinds of want within her. As they’d walked away, Ana had stuck her tongue out…but she also gave Jenny a thumbs up sign.

Bruce and Jenny left Ana sitting on a large rock, reading another book Razvan had given her, and continued along the shoreline.

“You know that Razvan told me he was a vampire,” said Jenny.

Bruce laughed. “He's very honest about things. You just have to take him as he comes. How did you feel about the whole vampire thing? You're not prejudiced, are you?”

“No, I'm tolerant of alternative lifestyles. Obviously, since, you know. Our arrangement.” She blushed, wondering if they would ever sleep together, all three of them. She hoped sometime that they might. “Anyway, he doesn't seem a very bad vampire. No murdering virgins, or anything.”

“No, he's very much mainstream. More the artistic, literary end of the vampire spectrum. Although you won't see Razvan down here on the beach sunbathing anytime soon. No garlic in the kitchen, that's the major downside.”

“And no steaks, either,” said Jenny.

“Ha ha, very good,” said Bruce, laughing.

“I feel safe with him, but is it okay to leave him with Ana?”

“Of course,” said Bruce. “He's not a maniac. Whatever ancient urges run through his veins, he’s well-capable of controlling them. Except, of course, if it’s a full moon and something has particularly aroused him. But we always lock him in the cellar on those nights.”

Bruce turned to her and grinned.

“Anyway, Ana's safe. He won't get past the tattoo.”

“I'd forgotten about that,” said Jenny, laughing.

They'd reached the rocks that marked the end of the beach and turned to retrace their steps.

“I'm very happy you've decided to stay with us,” Bruce said.

“Me too,” she said. “I'm a lot happier than I was when I arrived here.”

“You look it,” said Bruce, taking her hand. They stood on the beach with the waves gently lapping around them and kissed. Jenny smiled, looking forward to the rest of her strange and fascinating life with these men.

Billionaire Werewolf Romance

Mia cringed as the icy blast of winter gusted against her skin. Her boots crunched through the freshly fallen snow and she shivered, hunkering further down into her jacket.

“Wait up,” she called to her friends who were happily marching off and leaving her behind in the wilderness.

“Sorry, Mia,” Heather shouted as she turned around and jogged back toward Mia.

“I’m not used to this snow, Heather,” Mia sighed as Heather joined her.

Heather laughed and reached her arm out toward Mia. “Here, grab my arm and I’ll help you.”

Mia took her friend’s arm and marched along side her to join the others in the small group. They were vacationing in Yellowstone Club, Montana. Well, actually, they were in a cabin below the Club. The elite ski resort was was reserved for the rich. No one in her group had the money to fork over the cash for Yellowstone Club.

The location wouldn’t have been Mia’s initial choice, but her friends persuaded her that the clean, crisp air would do her good. Her mother had passed away a few weeks ago, and Mia had been riding an emotional rollercoaster ever since. It was good to get away.

Yellowstone Club was an exclusive ski resort and the girls could use some of the slopes as long as they stayed clear of the resort area.

Mia could ski but she wasn’t very good at it. She was more likely to end up on her butt then she was to make it to the bottom of the hill on her two feet. Her friends glided down the snowy slopes like swans on a lake. Since she looked like a baby penguin that had too much to drink, she was happy to stick to the bunny hills that were out of sight. If she could hole up in her room all day she would, but her friends hadn’t let her do that yet and probably wouldn’t.

The girls had finished their skiing for the day and were heading back to their cozy cabin. She couldn’t wait to make a steaming mug of hot cocoa to soothe her frozen limbs. First she had to get there. A fresh layer of snow was falling as they walked, making the trek difficult. The snow was getting deep and her borrowed boots were too big, and each time they got stuck, she nearly ripped her foot right out of the darn things. Her eyes focused on the ground, watching every step she took.

Heather stopped walking, and Mia looked up to see why she’d stopped. Her eyes widened as they connected with a pair of chartreuse eyes. They were the most brilliant shade of green she’d ever seen.

“Hello,” the deep voice matched the sexy eyes perfectly.

Mia tried desperately to appear relaxed as she replied, “Hi.” She took a step forward but her foot got stuck in a snow drift, when she tried to back track, she lost her balance and collapsed into the snow.

Arms cupped her under her shoulders and helped her to her feet. “Hey are you okay? Looks like your friend abandoned you as I saw her helping you just a second ago,” the guy teased with a friendly smile.

Mia brushed the snow from her ski pants and looked up smiling. “Yep, she dumped me! I’m not great in the snow as you can probably tell.”

“Would never have noticed.” He winked as he said the words.

Mia giggled as she grabbed hold of his arm to steady herself. His arm felt strong as far as she could tell through her gloves. She drew in a deep breath and caught a whiff of his delicious smelling cologne. It smelled like pine and musk.
Hot, strong, and he smells good
, she mused to herself.

“I’m, Mia, by the way,” she said as they walked a few steps forward.

“Dylan, pleased to meet you, Mia. Are you staying at the club?” he replied.

Mia laughed nervously. “God no. Do we look like pompous rich girls to you?”

He paused and then replied, “I’m not sure.” He pointed to the top of the hill where the decadent resort was. “Well, I’m up there so I guess I’m a pompous rich guy then,” he chuckled.

Heat scorched across her cheeks and her mouth popped open. If she could melt away in the snow she would. “Oops, shit, me and my big mouth.”

He smiled and laughed at her. “Its cool, Mia, and for the record I’m glad you’re not a pompous rich girl.”

She snickered with him, realizing that her laughter was a sound she wasn’t used to hearing lately. It was refreshing to meet a guy who made her laugh. She’d never been confident around the opposite sex. Mia was a medium height curvaceous girl with long, straight ginger hair and pale blue eyes. Her face was covered in freckles, or as her mom had always said, lots of freckles had kissed it. She was an average girl—nothing more.

Most guys loved the stick-thin, blonde-haired women or the fiery redheads. It was nice for Mia to receive some attention from Dylan.

He was around six feet tall by her guess and had long sandy blonde colored hair that was tied back in a low ponytail. His physique told Mia that he worked out regularly as what she could see under the thick layers of winter clothing was toned and strong. She guessed he was in his late twenties.

“Do you own a property up at the club?” she asked.

He supported her curvy body as they continued walking toward the rest of their respective groups and she was grateful for his firm grip around her shapely waist.

“Yes. I own one of the luxurious cabins. It’s one of my many homes. God now I do sound pompous,” he replied.

She stopped walking and looked at him. “You don’t look like a billionaire.”

“And how does a billionaire look exactly, Mia?” he teased her as he wagged his brows playfully.

“Not like you!” she answered and they giggled together. He didn’t act like a billionaire, but then, she was being stupid because she really had no concept of how a billionaire should act, or indeed how one should look.

He encouraged her to start walking forward again and held her tightly as she moved. “Well, I can assure you that I am a billionaire, however, I look and act. So how long are you staying here?” he asked changing the subject.

She could sense his awkwardness when it came to discussing his wealth and decided not to push anymore. Besides it wasn’t really any of her business. “We’re only here for the week, Dylan. Our cabin’s just over there.”

Mia pointed her gloved hand and he followed its direction to a row of four cabins nestled nicely at the bottom of the Yellowstone Club. It was cozy but comfortable and undoubtedly, nothing compared to Dylan’s ostentatious cabin. It was suited to the girls, though and perfect for their winter vacation.

Dylan kept his arm firmly wrapped around her, continuing to support her even though he didn’t really need to anymore. Mia beamed at her friends almost gloating.

Dylan removed one of his gloves and leaned across her as he gently brushed a wispy lock of ginger hair behind her ear. Her skin tingled as she smiled up at him.

“That’s better thank you,” she whispered.

He tightened his grip around her waist and said quietly, “Anytime Mia.”

“Sorry girl I left you stranded,” Heather shouted her apology as she hiked back toward them.

“Yeah, thanks for that, Heather. Luckily Dylan came to my rescue,” she replied smiling at Heather as she came to a stop in front of them.

“So, I see I should abandon you more often if this is what happens,” Heather teased. “Come on, come and meet the other guys.”

Mia hesitated, reluctant to leave Dylan’s comfortable and firm embrace. As if he could sense her hesitation, he told her, “They’re really nothing special in comparison to me, Mia. I’d stay here with me if I were you.”

Heather giggled and winked at Mia. “Looks like you’ve been well and truly snared there, Mia.”

“Yes, but unlike a snared animal, Heather, I’m choosing to be here,” Mia replied as she wrapped both of her arms around Dylan. He smiled down at her, causing her belly to flip flop.

“Suit yourself,” Heather huffed as she walked away from them and back to the others.

“You can join them if you want to I was only joking, Mia,” Dylan said.

“No, I’m more than happy with the present company,” she answered as he guided her away from the others. She left her ski equipment by her cabin’s door.

“Come on, I know a secluded spot near here,” he said quietly, helping her to walk through the deep snow between the tall trees.

As they trudged through the snow, she wondered how many other girls he’d brought to the same secluded spot. Why was he taking her there anyway? They’d only just met. Surely he wasn’t expecting anything of a sexual nature to take place. If he were, then he’d be in for a rude awakening. She wasn’t that type of girl.

She liked to take her time and get to know a guy first before she even kissed them, let alone anything else.

Mia had been in one serious relationship. They’d ended up engaged, but they’d both decided they were far too young and had mutually agreed to break it off. She’d had a few flings since then but nothing serious again. Her shapely body yearned to receive the gentle touch of a guy, but she was prepared to wait until the right guy came along.

“Hey, just to let you know, I’ve not brought you here to have my wicked way with you. I just thought it’d give us the opportunity to chat away from prying eyes that’s all,” he explained as he helped her climb over a fallen tree in their path.

“The thought never crossed my mind, Dylan,” she lied. “It’d be nice to talk for a bit. I like it outside, normally when it’s a bit warmer and less snowy. I’m not a skier and I’m a bit of a klutz in case you didn’t notice,” she chuckled.

Perhaps she’d found the right guy without even trying, and it was on the one vacation she didn’t want to go on.
Maybe the snowy wilderness isn’t that bad after all,
Mia thought to herself as climbed over the tree with Dylan’s assistance.

“Just a little further along here,” he said as he held her hand tightly and even through their gloves, she could feel his body heat radiating off his skin.

The snow was getting deeper as they walked, nearly to the tops of Mia’s winter boots and wrapping its icy fingers around her shapely calves.

She watched Dylan as he moved. His yellow ski jacket was short and kept riding up, giving her a perfect view of his tight buttocks. It helped that his black ski pants were form fitting and his ass fit into them snugly. She’d love to just squeeze his butt just once, but she didn’t want to get ahead of herself either. Dylan’s legs were long and powerful with his stride matching his build to perfection. She could see his thighs were thick and muscular and knew he was built for strength and speed.

He was in fact the complete opposite of her but isn’t that the saying,
Opposites attract
, Mia muttered to herself as she gazed adoringly at his tight ass.

“Sorry, Mia, did you say something?” he asked as he squeezed her hand tightly.

“No, just muttering about how difficult it is to walk in this deep snow,” she replied. It’s not like she could tell him what she was thinking. What if he was just being nice to her?

“We’re here now,” he said as he walked toward a snow-covered boulder and brushed the fresh snow from its hard surface.

The boulder sat in a clearing surrounded by tall green pine trees and as she went to sit down he pointed and said, “Look at the view, Mia.”

She followed the direction of his hand and gasped at the stunning view that met her blue eyes. She was looking over the whole valley down below, and it was truly breathtaking. The view reminded her of something out of a snow globe. It was perfect and serene. Light snowflakes fell decorating the covered trees and brush in a white blanket.

“Wow, I can see why you like it here. It’s beautiful, Dylan, and so peaceful,” she whispered not wishing to break the eerie silence of the snow covered forest.

It was all very surreal and magical to Mia she felt as though she’d been swept away to a fairytale land with a dashing prince. He knelt on the icy ground beside the boulder and took her hand in his.

“I’m glad you like it. I knew you would, I could sense it in you. You’ve got an appreciation for peace and tranquility and nature’s beauty,” he said smiling up at her.

“How do you know so much about me?” she asked quite taken aback by his knowledge as he’d got her spot on. Was she really so easy to read?

“I’ve got a keen sense of perception, Mia. I knew I’d like you the minute I saw you,” he told her as he gazed out into the wilderness.

“You must be freezing down there,” she said. It had to be bone-chillingly cold in the wet snow. “There’s room for two up here.” And she wouldn’t mind sitting a little closer to him.

Dylan hauled himself up, but his foot slid out from under him, he stumbled and toppled face first into the snow.  Mia couldn’t help but giggle as Dylan laughed out loud at his mishap. For a guy of his stature, he suddenly looked really small lying helpless in the snow. Dylan beamed at her as he tightened his grip on her hand. He tugged and she yelped in surprise as she slid off the bolder.

She landed in a heap beside him on the icy ground; luckily the soft snow had broken her fall. They laughed together for a long moment, both lying in the snow staring up at the swaying trees above.

“That’ll teach you to laugh at someone’s misfortune!” he teased as he rolled over to face her.

She reached across and gently brushed the snow from his handsome face as he gazed at her. His eyes were such a striking shade of green that they almost looked unreal.