Chapter Twenty-Four

SEPTEMBER 2007

"I still can't believe you have so much stuff. How many pairs of shoes do you need, anyway?"

I looked over my shoulder and smiled sarcastically. "Plenty. Do you think we look this good naturally? I think not."

Paul laughed. Suddenly, I felt two arms go around my waist, and I was pulled backwards onto the bed. Paul rolled over so he was lying on top of me.

"So," he murmured, brushing my hair out of my eyes, "feel like you made the right decision?"

I shrugged. "I dunno…I guess. I mean, I'm only here for the room. The closet is double the size of the one at home," I teased.

"Really," he shot back, his fingers dancing on the hem of my t-shirt. "I thought it was because I was just so desirable…"

"Heck no. You disgust me."

Paul raised an eyebrow. "So I disgust you…which means me doing this has absolutely no effect on you at all?"

And then he proceeded to trace his finger up and down my chest, paying particular attention to them. I moaned without thinking, causing him to give a self-satisfied laugh.

"Thought as much."

I lifted my head and kissed him softly, pulling his head down closer.

"I love you," he whispered against my lips.

I froze for a moment, a smile creeping onto my face that I couldn't do anything to stop. I traced a finger down his cheek. "And I love you," I murmured.

We had crossed a line somewhere a long time ago, but I didn't find myself regretting it at all. I trusted Paul, and I knew he felt the same about me. I felt his fingers trailing down my arms, and then darting over to my stomach, tickling the skin there with his fingertips. I shuddered at how he just did it with ease, affecting me, like he wasn't even trying.

I reciprocated, dragging my thumbs down his abdomen, before hooking them under the end of his shirt and pulling it up. I was greeted, once again, with a sight that would never get old. My eyes trailed appreciatively from his abdomen, up his chest, to his eyes. They were piercing and light as always, but they didn't scare me the way they used to. They were warm, with genuine softness I'd grown accustomed to seeing in the past few months.

And apparently, that softness was for me.

Paul smiled, and began kissing my neck.

Which always got me, every time.

"Do you think things will always be like this?" I wondered, my voice partially muffled by his chest. I lifted my head and looked up at him. We'd been lying there in bed for quite a while, just breathing. His arms tightened as he pulled me closer.

Nodding his head, he kissed my forehead. "Naturally. I have you and I'm not letting you go. And yes, Simon," he said as I started laughing, "the pun was intended."

I smiled broadly, and laid my head on his chest again. We were comfortably silent for a little while, Paul running his fingers through my hair while I tried to keep my heartbeat under control. It was still crazy how his every touch sent it racing…

He's good at what he does, I guess.

"God, you're gorgeous," he breathed.

I blushed at the unexpected compliment. "Really?"

Paul nodded, and brushed his hand up against my cheek, his touch impeccably soft. "Yeah, I've always thought that, especially when I came back."

"You sure that wasn't just your teenaged hormones?" I poked my tongue out at him.

I'd been a punk of a kid. My father had died when I was young, and I had spent most of my youth getting into trouble by talking cheques my butt couldn't cash. I remember the day Paul had come back, and thinking that four years had worked in his favour. It had been some time before we realised we had the same ability; I'd been with him on a few occasions I'd seen a ghost, but it had taken a little while to put two and two together.

Paul smiled lazily at me. "Simon, you have no idea. But I've got you now, don't I?"

"Uh-huh." Raising the only hand that wasn't trapped underneath me, I pulled his head down closer to mine and kissed his lips softly. Then, I rested my head against his and breathed deeply. Then, out of nowhere, I said, "Who knew, hey?"

"That this bed would have so much history, you mean?"

I felt my cheeks heat up, remembering the first night. "You kicked me out. I thought I was crap."

Paul shook his head, looking at me seriously. "No, that one was all me. I remember looking at you and thinking-"

"Holy shit, did I seriously just go there?"

"No," he replied, kissing my forehead. "I remember freaking out, because I looked at you and I wanted more. And I knew you didn't."

I didn't deny that, because it was true; it wasn't that I didn't want more. It was that I hadn't allowed myself even the possibility of wanting it. So instead I raised my head, whispered, "I love you," and kissed him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

Paul responded by covering my mouth with his own, demanding and powerful. One of his hands snaked to the back of my neck and his fingers rubbed the skin there, another hand dancing down my shoulder, down my arm, to my hip. He tugged me closer, forcefully, and I shivered.

And then he quickly pulled back, looking at the clock. "Wait…I shouldn't…"

I frowned and removed my arm from his neck. "Why?"

"Work. They called, and I have to come in tonight. I have a free desk, so I'm needed, unlike you," he joked. Just the mention of work made me feel nauseas. I'd been feeding them small bits of information I'd been able to uncover, but nothing really of worth. I had led them to believe that I was on my way to uncovering something big, so they were leaving me alone. It wouldn't be long before they would start demanding results.

Results I couldn't give.

I stroked his cheek. "You don't have to work. Work is so…"

"…Necessary? Yes, it is. Sorry, but I have to."

I groaned, laid my head against his shoulder for a moment and then rolled away from him. He smiled and kissed my cheek. "I'll be back soon. You want me to get you anything?"

"No, just hurry back. I'll be here."

He smirked at that, and kissed me again. I returned it enthusiastically, hoping to distract him. It worked for a little while, until he realised what I was hoping to do. He pulled back again, breathing heavily.

"I seriously have to go."

"I know."

"I'll be back as soon as I can."

I nodded and collapsed against the pillows, watching him hop out of bed and get ready. Once he had finished he gave me another kiss on the cheek and strode out. I sighed as I heard the front door shut, the car door slam, and Paul speed away.

It was an unbelievable feeling, living with Paul. Another milestone. Everything felt right in that moment. I hadn't seen Michael for some time. I was hoping he had given up on me, but I knew that wasn't the case. I'd been avoiding my usual hangouts. He probably had no idea where I had gone, and was trying to pick up my trail again.

Slowly, but surely, I secretly knew that he'd eventually find me.

And kill me, just like he'd promised.