Play with the Phantom: Chapter 20

Maddox

I know she’s coming outside to join me on the patio that night before she does. I can see her shadow hesitate in the hallway, and the slow inhale followed by a long pause telling me she’s deliberating.Like she’s talking herself out of it before finally giving in.I smirk as I take a slow drag from the joint between my fingers, letting the warm burn of smoke curl into my lungs. The door creaks open behind me, and I hear her soft footsteps behind me as she pads closer.I don’t turn around.Instead, I exhale a long, lazy stream of smoke and wait. The hesitation is short-lived this time, because she speaks as soon as she joins me against the railing overlooking the ocean.“Are you hiding from the rest of us? Or just waiting for the government drones disguised as seagulls to report back?”Her voice is softer than I expected. Not accusing. Just observing. But that sharp little bite? I like it.I huff a laugh, lifting the joint to my lips again, taking my time before responding. “Maybe I like the view. Maybe I like the quiet,” I add, shaking my head. “And maybe the seagulls are onto something.”She makes a quiet sound, something like half-amusement, half-exasperation.“Are you going to share?”I grin at that, finally turning to face her. She’s standing a few feet away, arms crossed, the moonlight casting silver shadows over her skin. My jacket still hangs off her shoulders. She hasn’t given it back. And by the way it’s draped over her, I suspect she has no plans to give it back anytime soon.I spread my legs slightly as I extend the joint toward her. “That’s twice this week. Didn’t take you for a bad girl, angel.”She rolls her eyes but steps forward anyway, plucking it from my fingers. “I’m not.”I hum, watching as she brings it to her lips, the tip glowing orange in the dim light. Her throat moves as she inhales, and fuck, why does that make my dick twitch?She exhales, her lips parted just enough to let the smoke curl out slowly. “But I don’t think I have to be good all the time, either.”A slow, wicked grin pulls at my lips. “Oh yeah?”She doesn’t answer. Just takes another drag before handing it back to me.I keep my eyes on her as I take it, letting my fingers brush hers. Her pulse jumps at the contact. I can see it flutter against her delicate neck.I smirk. “So tell me something, Ari.”She leans against the porch railing, her gaze flicking toward the ocean. “What?”“What do you want?”She exhales sharply, a short laugh escaping her lips. “What do you mean?”I take another slow drag, exhaling before tilting my head at her. “I mean, what do you actually want? Out of life. Out of yourself. Out of him.”I don’t have to say Asher’s name. We both know who I’m talking about.Ari stills, her fingers tightening around the railing. “Those are loaded questions.”I chuckle. “I can handle it.”She exhales, her expression shifting, like she’s debating whether or not to give me a real answer.“I want peace.”The admission is so quiet, I almost miss it.My smirk fades slightly. “Peace?”She nods, her gaze still locked on the waves. “I want to wake up one day and not feel like the world is sitting on my chest. I want to stop thinking about everyone else before myself. I want to…” She hesitates, then shakes her head. “I don’t know. I just don’t want to be responsible for everything all the time.”I stare at her. And for a second, I see it—the exhaustion, the weight pressing against her, the years of being the strong one, the reliable one.She continues. “My dad was strict. We weren’t allowed frivolous things. I had to be a good example for my sisters. I went to college, got a master’s degree right off the bat. I never had a chance to just… My mom’s life revolves around my dad. Whatever he wants, she wants. She was never truly on our side, you know? She was a good mom, but she’s not prone to thinking for herself. We’re not that close.” She exhales, shaking her head. “But the worst part? I don’t even know who I’d be without all of it. If given time to be myself instead of who my father expected me to be… would I be right now?”breathe.who I stay silent, watching her, letting her give me this piece of herself.She lets out a humorless laugh. “It’s like I was raised to be useful before I was ever allowed to just… exist. Forever the lieutenant’s daughter.”The anger that stirs inside me is sharp, immediate.“That’s bullshit.” My voice is rough, edged with something raw. “You’re not just some tool for other people to use, Ari. Not your dad. Not Asher. Not anyone.”Her gaze flicks to mine, searching. I don’t know what she’s looking for, but I want her to find it. I want her to understand.“You don’t have to be strong all the time.” I reach out, brushing my knuckles against her cheek. Softly. Slowly. “You don’t have to carry everything alone.”She swallows hard, her breath shaky. “And who’s going to carry it for me?”I don’t hesitate. “Me.”She blinks up at me for a second before scoffing, turning her face away. “Yeah, that’s what they all say. Men are all the same.”I watch her for a few seconds—watch the way she builds that wall up so high she thinks I can’t possibly climb it. “Your dad did a real number on you, didn’t he?”She tenses. “I don’t want to talk about him anymore.”“Too bad.” I shift closer, my voice dropping. “I bet he made you think you had to be perfect. That you couldn’t ask for help. That love was something you earned by being useful.”Her breath catches, but she doesn’t look at me. “You don’t know anything about me.”“I know more than you think.” I reach out, brushing a lock of hair from her face. She flinches, but she doesn’t pull away. “And I know you’re tired, angel. I can see it. You’re exhausted down to your fucking bones.”Her lips part slightly, her throat working against a swallow. “I should be with Asher.” Her voice is quiet, but there’s something hollow in it. Like she’s convincing herself. “He’s stable. He’s safe. That’s what I was supposed to want.”I scoff, shaking my head. “How’s that working out for you?”Her jaw hardens. She turns away, but I don’t let her. My fingers grip her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes.“I don’t know why you’re doing this. You can’t have me.”I smirk, leaning in so our noses almost brush. “Watch me.”Ari shakes her head, the struggle written all over her face. “I can’t do this.”“Yeah, the fuck you can.” My grip tightens slightly, not enough to hurt—just enough to make her feel it. Make her feel . Make her me.mebelieveHer breath shudders. Her pupils are blown wide, lips parted. She’s fighting herself, and we both know it.“I’m dating your brother,” she whispers, a final attempt at logic.I let out a low, dark chuckle. “I don’t fucking care.”She sways toward me. Her fingers twitch at her sides like she wants to grab me. Wants to pull me in.My thumb drags along her jaw, my grip firm. Her pulse is a rapid beat against my fingers. She exhales shakily, her tongue darting out to wet her lips.“You’re impossible.”I tilt my head, my voice dipping lower. “I’m inevitable.”A heavy pause. The world goes quiet around us, the ocean roaring in the distance, but all I hear is her breath. All I feel is the warmth of her skin beneath my fingers, the heat radiating from her body, the magnetic fucking pull that’s been drawing us closer from the moment I saw her.I could kiss her right now. She knows it. I know it.But then… she steps back.She inhales sharply, blinking like she’s waking up from a trance. “I should go inside.”I let my hand drop, smirking slightly. “Run while you still can, little warrior.” I watch the way her breath catches, betraying her. Leaning in, I let my lips hover just above her ear, close enough that she can feel the heat of my breath. “But we both know you won’t get far.”Her body is stiff, rigid with tension, but she doesn’t move. I drag my knuckles down her arm slowly, reveling in the way she shudders at my touch. The air between us is thick, electric. She’s waiting for me to make the next move, because in her mind, she’s not pursuing me. She’s the victim, and I’m the villain.And fuck, whatever she needs to think to give in is fine with me.“When you’re ready to stop lying to yourself, you know where to find me.” My voice is low, steady, laced with the kind of certainty that doesn’t leave room for doubt. I brush my fingers over her jaw, the touch deceptively soft. “But I’m getting real fucking tired of watching you pretend you don’t want this just as much as I do.”A muscle in her jaw tics, but she still doesn’t pull away.That’s what I thought.I tilt my head, studying her, letting the shroud of my words sink in. “So keep running, if that’s what you need to do. But don’t kid yourself.” I grip her tighter, just enough to make sure she’s listening. “Because when you finally give in?” My voice dips into something dark and possessive. “I’ll be right here. Waiting.”She glares at me, but there’s no real venom in it. Just frustration. And heat.Without another word, she turns and walks inside.I take another slow drag from the joint, watching her disappear through the doorway, and I can’t help the grin that pulls at my lips.She’s unraveling. And I can’t wait to watch it happen, because as soon as she does…She’s mine.Wholly.Completely.Forever.