Don't Bother (Ghost X reader

32.

3:00am..

The cool air of the kitchen brushed against your skin as you reached for a piece of fruit, your thoughts still tangled from the day. You barely had time to close the fridge when you felt him—his presence unmistakable as his hands slid around your waist, pulling you back against him.

You froze, your breath catching in your throat as Simon's voice broke the silence. "Couldn't sleep?"

The low rumble of his voice sent a shiver through you. "I—" you stammered, clutching the counter for balance. "I was just getting a snack."

"Hmm," he murmured, leaning closer until his breath warmed the side of your neck. "Sure about that?" His hands stayed steady on your waist, his thumbs brushing faint circles that made it hard to think straight.

You turned slightly, enough to catch a glimpse of his bare face in the soft kitchen light. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with an intensity that made your pulse quicken.

"Simon," you whispered, your voice trembling. "What are you doing?"

"What I've been wanting to do all day," he admitted, his lips grazing the curve of your shoulder, feather-light and teasing. "You've been driving me crazy, you know that?"

Your heart thudded painfully in your chest as you felt his hands tighten slightly, grounding you against him. He wasn't forcing you to stay—his hold was gentle, tentative even—but it was enough to make you feel trapped in the best possible way.

"You shouldn't..." you began, but your voice faltered as he turned you to face him, his hands never leaving your waist.

"Shouldn't what?" he asked, his lips twitching into a ghost of a smile as his dark eyes searched yours. "Be honest with me. Is this what you want?"

You couldn't answer, not in words. Instead, your gaze fell to his lips, lingering for a fraction of a second too long. It was enough for him to notice.

"I thought so," he murmured, his voice low and rough as his hand came up to brush a strand of hair from your face. The touch was achingly soft, but it set your skin on fire.

The tension in the air was palpable, thick enough to drown in. You felt every inch of him where his body pressed lightly against yours, the warmth of his hand as it slid up to rest on the small of your back, the way his gaze flickered between your eyes and your lips like he was waiting for permission.

Your breath hitched as he leaned in, his lips stopping just short of yours. The space between you felt electric, every nerve in your body on high alert as you waited, your heart pounding so loudly you were sure he could hear it.

But he didn't close the gap. Instead, he pulled back ever so slightly, his hand trailing down your arm as he stepped away, leaving you breathless and wanting. "Goodnight," he said softly, his voice carrying the faintest edge of a promise.

You stood there, the cool air of the kitchen doing nothing to calm the heat simmering under your skin. As he disappeared into the shadows, you couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the end—just the beginning of whatever was building between you.