The Ghost and the Phoenix

Part Eight

The word escaped her mouth before she realised.

She watched Ghost freeze, before slowly turning to face her. Lifting her head from the pillow, Mel sat up, her eyes searching for his.

From the way Ghost looked at her, she could tell he'd understood the simple request conveyed a much deeper meaning.

When he remained silently in place, Mel felt a rush of embarrassment flood through her.

'I'm sorry. I shouldn't have....' she watched him turn back to the door. Mel lowered her head, covering her face with her hands as she heard the click of the door closing. 'Shit.'

The sound of a zipper made her look up.

Ghost removed his jacket, laying it over the back of a chair. Slightly turned away from her, he grabbed the bottom of his shirt and lifted it over his head. Various scars peppered his well muscled chest and stomach, evidence of the numerous battles he had fought. He carefully placed it on top of the jacket, before removing his slippers.

Mel let out a shaky breath when he hesitated, hands on the waistband of his sweatpants. Ghost turned to face her, his eyes locking onto hers. Without breaking the connection, he slid the sweatpants down his thick thighs, before adding them to the pile of clothes.

All he wore now was the balaclava and his boxer briefs as he walked over to her bed. When Mel moved to give him room, Ghost pulled back the covers and lay down next to her. Propping himself up on his elbow, Ghost wrapped his free arm around her waist, pulling her to him.

Mel lay on her back, Ghost's body partially covering hers, his strong arms preventing her from being crushed under his weight. Reaching out, she touched the side of his face, the material of the balaclava soft against her fingers.

'Take it off.' He murmured.

Mel's eyes widened and her hand froze in place, realising what he'd said. With trembling hands, she began to slide the bottom of the balaclava up over his face. She paused a moment when the material revealed his strong jawline and parted lips. Her finger traced the scar that marred his bottom lip, ending just short of his chin.

Simon closed his eyes and sighed heavily, leaning into her touch. Cupping his chin with her hand, Mel ran a thumb over his lips, before sliding her fingers under the balaclava, removing it completely.

His sandy coloured hair, a little longer then regulation, complemented his handsome features. In addition to the scar on his lip, there was one that cut through his right eyebrow, following a path from his temple to the middle of his cheek.

'Ghost.' she whispered.

'It's Simon.' he told her, staring into her deep green eyes.

'Simon.' Mel repeated softly as he leaned down, capturing her lips with his. Sliding her fingers into his hair, Mel pulled him closer, deepening the kiss.

As their connection intensified, Simon rose up, pulling Mel with him until they were both kneeling on the bed. His large hands slid under her shirt, lifting it up over her body, only breaking the kiss for second to tug it over her head.

Pulling her back into his chest, his lips dropped to her neck. He gently kissed, nipped and sucked the sensitive parts of her throat as he moved the strap of her bra off her shoulder. Mel gave a small moan, rolling her head to the side to make more room.

Simon lifted her body higher against him, trailing kisses down over the top of her breasts. He cupped one firmly, pulling the material down to expose her hard nipple. Mel gasped when he gently sucked it into his mouth, tongue teasing the sensitive area.