Ghost by Jessica Coulter Smith, Jessica Smith Page A

being marked as property. Especially someone who has been property for the last five years of their life.”
    “Being Richard’s property was demeaning and painful. With you…it’s a way for me to show the world that I love you, and that you love me too.”
    He couldn’t help but smile at her. “I don’t recall saying I love you. Awfully presumptuous.”
    She went up on tiptoe and nipped him on the ear. “You don’t have to say the words, Ghost. You showed me in the way you made love to me. You saved me when no one else would, and then you made me yours in every way that counted. You asked me to be your mate, to spend the rest of my life with you. You wouldn’t have done that if you didn’t feel something for me.”
    “You’re far too observant.”
    “No. I’m just a woman in love with an incredible man. I know we haven’t had a lot of time to talk, Ghost, but you really do mean everything to me. If you hadn’t come looking for me that night, I’d still be in Richard’s clutches. I know you’ll never raise a hand to me in anger, and because of you, the only man I’ll be fucking for the rest of my life is one I completely adore.”
    “I didn’t do anything any of my brothers wouldn’t have done.”
    Her gaze softened. “But you did. Everyone here thought I was a party girl. No one knew that I was a whore. They may have called me one from time to time, but they didn’t realize that Preacher was actually paying for my services. And no one noticed I was missing that night, except you. Or if they did, they just didn’t care.”
    “You make me sound like a saint, Shelly, and I’m far from that.”
    “I realize you’re still a man, and while you may be something other than human, you still have your faults—even if I can’t see them yet—but even if you leave the seat up, leave wet towels on the floor, or growl at every man who ever looks at me, I’ll still love you.”
    He kissed her hard. “Shut up, woman, and get your ass to the bedroom already.”
    Shelly kissed him back then practically ran to their bedroom.
    Axel placed a hand on his arm to stop him from following. “You know, that room isn’t going to be very private and you’re going to want a lot of one on one time with Shelly in the upcoming months.”
    “And?”
    “I talked to Viper. Since he’s moved into that house of his, property has been going up for sale left and right on his street. I had planned to run the idea by Preacher, but…what do you think of the MC purchasing those homes and selling them to brothers when they find their mates? Hell, even brothers without mates could purchase them if they wanted some solitude.”
    “Think we have that much money available? I haven’t had a chance to look at the books yet.”
    “I have a feeling the sellers will be very motivated. Just think about it.”
    Ghost nodded. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a mate to please.”
    He clomped up the clubhouse steps, made his way through the main room, and down the hall, and then slammed the door to his room open. When he saw Shelly sprawled out on his bed, completely naked except for the cut, he quickly closed the door and began removing his clothes.
    “You know, I think you’re the only man to make love to me without all your clothes on.”
    He froze in the middle of unzipping his pants. “Ever?”
    “Ever.”
    “Then we have a new rule. We never make love unless we’re both naked.”
    She beckoned him closer, then rolled onto her hands and knees, sticking her ass in the air. “I thought you might like this view. Scarlet said something about Viper getting overly excited when she wore just her cut.”
    That was way more than he needed to know about Viper’s sex life, but he couldn’t deny that seeing his name across her back was a definite turn on. His blood heated as the word mine pounded into his head over and over again. He couldn’t hold back the excited yip of his fox, as he gripped her hips. He pulled her ass back