Dominated by the Ghost: An Alpha Ghost BBW Romance (13 page)

“Come on, we better get up from here before we freeze our asses off,” he said as he raised himself to his knees and stood up while reaching a hand out toward Mia. She grabbed it and giggled as he pulled her up with such force that she ended up falling against his strong body.

He wrapped his arms around her and she stared up into his eyes, “I could stay here forever,” she whispered.

Oh my gosh. I can’t believe I said that out loud.

“In this location or in my arms?” he flirted as he raised his eyebrows in question.

“Both actually,” she replied.

Dylan gently tilted her chin up as he brushed one of his hand over her cheek. Mia blinked and wriggled free of his embrace, stepping back to put some distance between them.

“Sorry, Mia, I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said with his voice filled with concern.

Heat rolled over her cheeks and she closed her eyes as embarrassment seeped in. “No, I should be the one apologizing, Dylan. I’ve not had many relationships and I’m scared of being hurt.”

“Aren’t we all?” he replied as he stepped closer toward her and took her hands in his. She knew he was right and that everybody was probably scared in new relationships, perhaps this was her chance now to take a leap of faith.

“Yes, I guess we are, Dylan,” she agreed, closing her eyes as he bent down and kissed her soft cheek lightly.

“Come on, let’s make our way back we don’t want to be out here after dark, Mia,” he said as he eyed their surroundings like he was looking for something. He dropped one of her hands but held on to the other one tightly as they started to walk back.

They didn’t enter into much conversation on the walk back and Mia sincerely hoped she’d not put him off by backing away from his intended kiss.

The night sky crept in quickly, eliminating the fiery rays of the sun. Mia kept replaying Dylan’s words about not wanting to be out in the dark. Had he meant something by that? It’d been a bit odd how he’d glanced around the clearing. What could be out there? Drunken skiers? Mia pushed the thought from her mind as her imagination was beginning to run away with her.

She held on to Dylan’s hand tighter as she began jumping at every single noise she heard.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes, just on edge now its growing dark,” she whispered as though she were ashamed to admit to her fear. There was no moon tonight and with the thick pines above, they blocked out any light the stars might’ve given. She could barely see a few feet in front of her as it was.

“Hey, you’re safe with me, Mia. I promise,” he smiled as he squeezed her hand.

She wasn’t convinced, but she tried relaxing and found his words comforting.

It wasn’t long before they saw the welcoming lights from the girls’ cabin and Mia sighed with relief. “I never thought I’d be so pleased to see the cabin.”

“Why? Don’t you like it?” he asked with a perplexed look on his face as he turned to look at her.

She giggled, “I doubt it’s as lavish as yours Dylan, but it’s comfortable. With the four of us in there it becomes slightly crowded at times.”

He nodded in understanding. “You can always come to mine if you feel squeezed out, Mia,” he offered.

“That’s not what I was implying.” Now she felt awkward. She hadn’t said it to encourage an invitation from him. At least it was dark out now, and he couldn’t see the deep red blushing burning over her face.

“It’s cool though, Mia. If you do want to come up at anytime, my friends aren’t staying with me there so I’m all alone,” he said quietly.

As they approached the door to her cabin Heather flung it open. “We were so worried about you.” Her eyes flicked to Dylan and then back to Mia.

“Sorry, we went for a walk and I didn’t think to tell you,” Mia apologized and tried to ignore the look Heather was casting her way.

“That’s your problem, Mia, you just don’t friggin think,” Heather snapped.

Dylan’s arm slid protectively around her waist, drawing her closer as he glared at her friend.

“Wow, that’s harsh. I thought the whole point of this vacation was to help me after losing my mom. I was out enjoying myself, something I haven’t done in a longtime. It was nice to spend some time with Dylan,” Mia replied.

Heather said nothing and just went back into the cabin, mumbling something under her breath as she did.

“Sorry about your mom, Mia,” Dylan quietly. He gave her a gentle squeeze as he turned her so that she was facing him.

She looked up at him. “Its fine, but thank you, listen I better get inside.”

“I had fun tonight.” He brushed a finger under her chin and placed another chaste kiss to her cheek. “I hope to see you around again, Mia.”

Mia licked her lips, nodding as she stepped back. She held his gaze for a long moment before turning to her cabin.

“There you are we’ve all been waiting for you,” a female voice shouted from the trees.

Mia looked up to see a voluptuous girl, close to her in age with short blonde hair. She was standing with her hands on her hips and looking impatiently toward them both.

“Shit! Sorry, Chloe. I forgot the time, come and say hello,” he shouted to her.

Chloe walked toward them with more grace and elegance than Mia could ever hope to have. She stood in front of Mia and grinned. “Hi I’m Chloe, this one’s sister.” She pointed to Dylan as she nudged him playfully.

Mia sighed and felt a sense of relief running through her as the word
sister
hit her ears she held out her hand and Chloe shook it.

“I didn’t realize you were here with family, Dylan,” she said as she turned toward him. He hadn’t mentioned it. In fact, he’d said he was here with friends.

“Yeah, you get that a lot with this one. He is a man of mystery. Anyways we’ve got to head off, bro,” Chloe said as she grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

“Hey, I’ll catch you tomorrow, Mia. Okay?” he shouted back as Chloe marched him away.

“Sure, that’d be great nice meeting you, Chloe.” The words fell on deaf ears as they’d already covered a huge amount of ground in no time at all and appeared to be miles away while Mia was still shouting to them. 

Mia shook her head and turned around, ready for the warmth of the cabin to embrace her.

The cabin was cozy and warm but the reception she got was as cold as it was outside, and Mia soon excused herself to go to bed. Her friends were pissed with her for not reporting to them that she was going for a walk with Dylan. She didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. When she’d agreed to come on vacation with them, she’d insisted she wanted time to herself.

She’d enjoyed her time with Dylan, and Chloe seemed nice enough, although, she did think it was a little odd that Dylan hadn’t mentioned her staying with him.

She hoped he’d find her tomorrow as she really wanted to see him again. He was the first guy in a long time that’d shown her any attention. Mia climbed into bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.

***

Mia blinked her eyes open and grasped the covers as she shot up. She inhaled a deep breath and peered around her tiny bedroom. Something had woken her. No one was in her room and she breathed a sigh of relief.

A loud howl seeped through the window and she gasped. That must have been what woke her. Mia was both fascinated and frightened by the eerie sound. Goose flesh pimpled her arm and she shivered as she drew her knees into her chest.

The initial howl was low pitched and was soon followed by a higher pitched howl, which lasted longer than the first. The most surprising sound came after the howling, it was numerous varying barks, and whimpers. The whole spine tingling chorus was ended with a high-pitched almost pleasant sounding howl.

Mia smiled to herself. The wolves sounded beautiful and she felt honored to have been treated to her own private show. Well, that’s how it felt to her anyway.

The next morning she jumped out of bed with the wolves’ song still clear in her head. She grabbed a quick shower and dressed. Pulling on a pair of silk yellow boy-shorts and a matching yellow lace bra Mia caught her reflection in the bedroom mirror.

Yes, she was a curvy girl, but she was also sexy with her soft curving flesh and its warm satin appearance. Her hips were seductively shaped and her curves were incredibly hot. Even though she thought it herself, Mia knew she was desirable to a guy who preferred curves to super slim.

She pulled on a pair of black ski pants and a warm sweater before scooping her long ginger hair into a high swishing ponytail and leaving her room. Her three friends were already in the kitchen when she entered and they all smiled.

“Coffee, Mia?” Heather asked.

“Yes, please. Hey listen, while you’re all here I wanted to apologize for just wandering off and not telling you where I was going yesterday. I’m sorry if I scare you,” she said as she took the mug of steaming hot coffee from Heather and made her way to the table.

“It’s all good, Mia,” Kerry said, she was really Heather’s friend but she was nice enough.

“Yeah, don’t worry its fine we were simply worried when you disappeared. Especially since we had no idea who that guy was,” Sarah added, she was a friend who Mia had known forever.

They’d changed their tune completely since last night. Not that she was going to complain. It was nice not being berated by her friends.

A loud knock on the door drew her from her thoughts

  “Hey that’ll be the guys,” Kerry cried as she ran to the door. Seconds later she returned with three guys following her. Mia instantly recognized them as Dylan’s friends.

“You must be the Mia we’ve heard so much about,” one of them said as he approached her at the table.

“All good things I hope,” she mumbled nervously as she shook his hand.

“Dylan’s quite taken with you so yeah all good things, are you coming with us today?” he asked as he stepped back to join the other two guys.

“With you where?” she asked, looking from the guys to her friends.

“We’re taking the girls on our snowmobiles into the forest,” another one answered her this time. He was slightly shorter than the first guy.

Before she’d a chance to answer there was another knock on the door and Kerry dutifully jumped up and went to answer it again. Mia was relieved when she saw Dylan entering the kitchen he immediately walked over, pulled out a chair and joined her at the table.

“Morning,” he greeted, placing his warm palm on top of her hand. “I’m glad you haven’t already left,” he said to Mia as he stroked his thumb over her hand.

“Good morning to you too. The guys were just inviting us all out for a snowmobile ride into the forest,” she said to him.

“And do you all plan on going? I wouldn’t advise it as they’re reporting blizzard conditions to sweep in later. It won’t be safe out there in a blizzard,” Dylan warned, squeezing her hand.

“Hey, talking about staying safe did anyone hear the wolves last night?” Mia asked. She smiled to herself as she remembered the beautiful howls.

Her question was met with laughter and mocking.

“There aren’t any wolves in these parts, Mia, haven’t been for years. There are wild cats, bears, and coyote but no wolves you must’ve been mistaken,” the shorter guy replied.

“I know what I heard,” she snapped at him.

Dylan leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Leave it, Mia, please.”

She did as he requested and left it alone, but she knew what she’d heard. Why did Dylan insist on her leaving it? That didn’t make any sense. Was he worried it would wind up his friends? Mia wasn’t used to being bossed around, and she didn’t take kindly to it, but she kept quiet to keep the peace with Dylan.

Dylan shook his head. “That is exactly why you shouldn’t be out there if a blizzard hits. Bears and coyotes can be vicious and so can wild cats. Please don’t go girls. The guys are used to it but you’re not, any of you,” Dylan implored.

Mia quirked her brow up in question and couldn’t help but wonder what was going on. Dylan was being a bit over the top.

Heather and Kerry stood up leaving Sarah sitting at the table with the other guy who hadn’t said a word until now, “You’ll all be fine with us as we can protect you with our guns.” He winked at Sarah who giggled.

Mia still didn’t see what the big deal was about going. Her friends weren’t going to listen to Dylan anyway even though he’d tried in vain to warn them.

“Your choice, girls, but Mia please tell me you won’t go,” Dylan said as he turned to look at her. His green eyes widened as they stared at her and worry etched his face.

“Okay I won’t, although, I’m tempted to see the forest.” She turned to her friends. What if there was some merit to Dylan’s warning? “Are you sure you want to go? It could be dangerous.” She’d hate for something to happen to her friends.

“We’ll be fine, mom!” Heather laughed out loud as she rolled her eyes dramatically.

Mia flinched at the name and blinked as tears gathered in her eyes.

“Sorry, Mia, I didn’t mean that like it sounded,” she apologized as she walked over and hugged Mia from behind.

“It’s cool, don’t worry. I understand the word
mom
will be mentioned from time-to-time,” she acknowledged.