[1] Midnight Lips | Ghost

𝐂𝐇. 32

VAL
༻❁༺

     I thought Contreras and Riquelme—members of Los Vaqueros—would be standing outside, guarding this place as if their life depended on it. Only, there was absolutely no one outside. My stomach twisted in worry, millions of possibilities passed through my mind before they evaporated as fast as they came when I met his eyes. I certainly wasn't expecting Simon to be the one leaning against the wall, staring in my direction, his eyes unreadable as always.

Even though I was sort of ignoring him, his eyes still set my body on fire like on autopilot. I still craved his touch, his body, his voice. It had been 24 hours since he told me if we could talk, since I told him I was tired and proceeded to ignore him, and I was already going insane. He was everywhere. In the kitchen, in the meeting room, across the hall, in the hall, and now he was here and there wasn't any escape out.

It didn't mean I wasn't going to try to find one. I walked toward him—toward the only way out of here, I meant—and passed by him. My shoulder brushed his arm and it sent shivers up and down my neck. I had to admit that I was expecting him to get in front or wrap his arm around my waist, just do something to stop me. But he let me pass, let me keep going, and with it, my disappointment grew heavier on my back.

And then, "Valentina." His voice made me stop. It was the way he said my name, like a craving, a temptation he couldn't have but needed desperately, an apology molded into a sigh, too many emotions that took my disappointment away from me, along with my breath. I waited for something, an explanation, whatever would help our situation get better. But all I got was, "What were you doing in there?"

I mentally sighed. Fine, so what if I wasn't expecting an apology from him? Actually, the right question was, what did he have to apologize for? I was the one who crossed the line. I was the one who didn't respect his privacy. I was the one who deserved to be left alone after getting fucked.

I held my breath. "I needed something." I started walking away again, turned around the corner, and walked down that corridor, determined to leave Simon behind, but he was trailing close behind me like a lost puppy and I was tempted to turn around and take him into my arms.

"Did she contribute?" he asked.

"She said enough."

"Do you need someone's help?"

"You mean if I need your help?"

"Yes." He didn't sound guilty, and my heart fluttered because I liked it.

"You couldn't, even if you wanted to."

He finally, finally touched my elbow and gently tugged my body around to meet him. His eyes were confused, and I was glad he was focused on that and didn't notice the way my body responded to his touch, even though he was covered from head to toe.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I..." Could I tell him? I trusted him. For some odd reason, I knew he didn't have anything to do with this. His hand was still wrapped around my elbow, and it was so distracting I had to pull away. This, he noticed. His spine straightened, his eyes softened, and he took a step back as if his being so close to me made me uncomfortable.

He was so wrong.

I cleared my throat. "Do you know anything about an illegal shipment commanded by General Shepherd?"

"Pardon?" He looked genuinely confused. Of course, he didn't know. "Illegal shipment commanded by Shepherd? Wha—what are you talking about?"

"I don't know," I whispered, turning away from him. "Which is why I need to sneak into Graves's quarters and search for evidence."