Jupiter's MC Book 1: Ghost
Chapter 1
GHOST
Blinding light burns my eyes as I stare up into the blank blue canvas that is the sky, yet the warmth of the body beside me makes the blinding light bearable.
Dark silken hair brushes against my arm as I run my fingers through the wind-blown locks. Aqua-blue eyes as clear and bright as the sun shining across the ocean stare into mine. The sound of the wind rustling the leaves of the trees and grass that surrounds us adds a calming and sensual aura. Carefree laughter and warm smiles fill the already perfect moment. As I lean in for a kiss, the landscape around us ripples like a pool of water disturbed by a single drop. The sweet laughter is replaced by the blaring of my early morning alarm, interrupting yet another dream I wished were reality.
I come crashing back down to earth and fling my arm to the side to switch off my alarm. With a few curses, I heave myself off my mattress and drag myself into my bathroom to get ready for the day.
Teeth brushed and wearing my usual workout gear of joggers and a tank top, I stride down the stairs to the training room to suffer through yet another training session that will leave me exhausted and sore by the end. However, I have to do it because if I shirk my responsibilities for a few more hours of sleep, I would be setting a poor example for the rest of the club.
As the Vice President of Jupiter’s MC, I hold a lot of responsibility, not to mention the high expectations I place on myself. I inherited the role from my father, who was considered one of the best VPs in the club’s history. I have big shoes to fill.
After training, I make my way to the kitchen for breakfast and to see my mom. Without paying attention, I step through the large doors to the kitchen and almost slam into a dark-haired, petite figure that barely comes up to my chest.
She stumbles backward, and I barely manage to catch her in time before she hits her head on the corner of the bench.
Clear, aqua orbs stare back at me in shock, and I detect a hint of fear in those eyes. Whether that fear is aimed at me or at the fact that she almost fell face-first into a marble benchtop, I do not know.
But I do know that I don’t have the strength or the desire to look away from the pair of eyes that have been haunting my dreams for the past five years.
They’re the same eyes I want to drown in. The same eyes I long to look into when we’re sitting on opposite sides of the bar. The same eyes that cause an unnatural pit of jealousy to form in my gut every time they’re focused on another brother.
I know I shouldn’t be thinking about these things. I promised myself I wouldn’t. But with her close, I can’t help but wonder What if What if we could be together? What if her brother wasn’t one of my closest friends? What if we met away from the club’s influence?
Clearing a throat breaks the spell between us, causing me to help her regain her balance and step away from her. I turn my gaze to the intruder and meet the amused face of my mother. I glance back at the woman beside me. There’s a slight pink tint on her cheeks, showing her embarrassment. I don’t know whether to be amused or amazed that I made her blush.
“Good morning, Jackson. How was your morning training session?” my mother asks.
Shifting my eyes back to my mother, the only person in the world allowed to use my given name, I answer, “Good morning, Mom. It was good, as always. How was your morning?”
My mom just stands there with the same amused expression on her face, her eyes shifting between me and Clarissa.
“I had a lovely morning. Clarissa helped me cook breakfast after her morning run... But enough of that, when is Wolf going to bring mandatory self-defence training for family members back?” Holly takes a moment to shift her gaze to Clarissa, a hint of motherly worry present in her dark eyes. I feel Clarissa freeze beside me as I catch what looks like panic takes over her features.
I ignore it as I answer my still-waiting mother, “Honestly, I don’t know. Wolf has a lot going on right now. If you want, I can raise it at church this week.”
A small smile graces my mom’s face, “That would be much appreciated, Jackson. With the boys reaching the age to find and accept old ladies, it is wise to have training in place.”
I notice a slight twitch of her head as she discreetly motions to Clarissa. My eyes almost bulge out of my skull as her usual knowing look enters her eyes. My mom is the only one I’ve blatantly told about my feelings, as well as my fears about Clarissa.
I remember discussing it with her when she asked about potential old ladies, and she was nothing but supportive. However, she also told me to get off my ass and, in her words, ‘be a man’ and ask Clarissa on a date...
That was five years ago, and I am yet to abide by her motherly advice.
Before I can answer her, Clarissa interrupts me, “Sorry, Holly... I have to get to work. Are you okay to finish up alone?”
That voice... It always makes me feel as though the goddess Juno has just graced us with her presence. Her delicate voice wraps everyone around her little finger.
I experienced it the first time she spoke to me. She was about fifteen and had just arrived at the club with Axel. I was only seventeen or eighteen and knew at that moment that I would do anything for her. And then, she disappeared to boarding school less than a year later, and I did my best to forget about her. I did not need nor want to harbour feelings for my friend’s sister.
However, three years later, she returned from boarding school after her senior year. She walked in through the front door, and the whole room went silent.
Her eyes met mine across the main room, and the look in them will forever be ingrained in my mind. It’s the same look that haunts my dreams. The look I can’t get out of my head.
The reason I can’t be near her.
It was a look of want. Of desire. And I know it mirrored the look in my eyes.
My mother clicks her tongue and gives Clarissa a slight smile, “I am perfectly capable of completing this alone. I am not that old and far gone.”
Clarissa, clearly used to my mother’s jokes, laughs at her blunt reply.
“I’ll be off then. Have a good day, Holly. If you need any help later, just let me know.”
Mom warmly smiles at her before returning to her task, dismissing us silently. I catch Clarissa’s brief glance before she leaves without another word.
I am used to our silent exchanges. It helps as it prevents me from being sucked into her orbit.
At least, that is what I tell myself.
Continue to the next chapter of Jupiter's MC Book 1: Ghost