Page 108 of The Villain We Tempt

The Ghost Prince’s head tips slightly to the side.

“I…know.”

My smile tightens as I cringe inwardly.

Yeah,he knows.

Spy camera? Thieved panties? Stolensex toy?

Ringing any bells, self?

I swallow as I chew on my bottom lip, unsure what I’m supposed to say next.

The fantasy is over. But he’s still here. And Ilikethat he is, instead of just fading back into the shadows.

My brows knit as I raise my gaze to his masked face. “Is it…” I frown deeper. “Is it weird to thank you for tonight?”

“You’re welcome,” he murmurs. I swear there's a hint of amusement in his modulated tone.

“I mean, it’s always good to be polite, right?”

He doesn’t make a sound, but his shoulders move up and down like he’s stifling a laugh.

“Was that an actual giggle?” I tease, grinning at him.

“I don’t giggle.”

“No, of course not,” I say seriously, frowning. “Masked guys don’t.”

“Yeah, kills the aesthetic,” he growls.

I grin wider. “Do you also not turn around for explosions, cool-guy style?”

“Oh, no.” He shakes his head. “I generally run away from explosions. Aesthetics be fucked. I enjoy being alive.”

A bright, genuine laugh escapes my throat before I can stop myself. Heat floods my face, and my eyes gleam a little as I look up at him again.

“Seriously, thank you,” I say quietly. “I had a really nice night.”

“Is this the part where you invite me up for coffee?”

I laugh. “Okay, Mr. Romcom expert.”

“Meh. You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.”

My jaw drops open in mock horror. “How verydareyou!”

“I’m not saying it’s a bad thing,” The Ghost Prince rumbles. “But theyarepredictable. The underwhelming status quo followed by the meet-cute. The spark. The midpoint complication. The breakup, and the eventual and obvious reunion. Mix with comedic relief roommate and quirky gal-pal friend. Sprinkle with cute pet or sassy child. Bake at three-fifty for an hour and forty minutes.”

Okay, the possessiveness, the darkness, the kinky sex, the dirty talk…those all feel like par the course for this guy.

Being able to outline the plot of a romcom to a tee wasnoton my masked psychopath bingo card.

“Okay, so youarea romcom expert,” I grin.

“Like I said, you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.”

My lips curl impishly. “Yeah, but…I bet you've seen more than one, haven't you?” I tease.