Free Chaste Kiss by Jo Barrett Page B

turned out to be more than a joy ride. Stopping on Main Street, they peered through the windows of an empty storefront and took down the name of the realtor. It had a great deal of promise. There was a second floor and a large awning in front with two large side windows flanking the front door. Perfect for displaying furniture and design themes.
    They continued their tour of downtown and drove past the others Isabel had found advertised earlier in the week, yet none intrigued her as much as the one they'd stumbled upon. She also noticed the closest thing to an antique shop was a consignment store on Third Street. And as for a local decorator, the only one was more than an hour's drive away in the next town.
    "I hope this is a good sign and not a sign that a shop like mine wouldn't make it,” Isabel said.
    "We'll do a little digging on the history of businesses in town. Maybe we'll find that there hasn't ever been one."
    She nodded in agreement and they headed for home.
    Constance had lunch ready for them when they walked into the kitchen. They talked more about the vacant store they'd seen, and her uncle said he would make the necessary arrangements to see inside the place.
    After their meal, both Jerome and Constance insisted Isabel go rest, and practically shoved her out of the kitchen. She had a sneaking suspicion they wanted to be alone, and oddly enough, neither of them seemed to be aware of the other's intentions.
    Not wanting to interfere with the natural course of events between her uncle and Constance, she climbed the stairs, taking a steadying breath with every step. She had to be calm and cool. The thought of seeing William again had her heart pounding and her palms sweating. An overwhelming need to touch him itched at her fingertips, but that wasn't an option. She had to get a grip on her wayward thoughts, and keep her hands to herself.
    The moment Isabel opened the door, she felt his presence, but didn't see him as the sun was high, and the room was brightly lit. Deciding to let him appear if he wished, she went about preparing herself for an afternoon nap.
    As she pulled off her shoes and yanked her neatly tucked blouse from her waistband to get comfortable, William slowly materialized lounging on the bed. He looked awfully rakish with a devilish gleam in his eyes. If she didn't know better, she could've sworn he was about to seduce her.
    With a mental shake of her head, she went over and climbed onto the bed beside him. “I was wondering if you were going to join me."
    He propped up on his elbow, matching her pose. “I was wondering when you were going to ask."
    It felt odd sharing a bed with such a handsome man knowing nothing would ever come of it. Her heart sank lower. If only they could touch, but what then? Would she spend her life living and sleeping with a ghost? Even if they could touch, could they make love?
    Good grief. What was she thinking? They were friends, and that was all they ever could be. She had to stop thinking of him as a man and remember he was a ghost and her friend. A friend she didn't want to live without.
    "I'm sorry I lost my temper earlier. I was afraid I'd lose you,” she admitted softly.
    "'Tis all right, sweeting. There will ne'er be ill feelings between us. Did you enjoy your outing?"
    "Yes. Very much. I wish you could have gone with me. Have you ever been in a car?"
    "Nay. Not as a passenger, but I have always wanted to.” He sighed heavily. “Alas, I cannot."
    "You mean because of your short leash."
    With a chuckle, he nodded his head. His smile always warmed her heart and other intimate regions of her anatomy.
    Looking for a safe topic to get her mind off her body—and his—she asked, “William, do you think you're tied to the entire bed or just part of it?"
    "What do you mean?"
    "Well, I was wondering if we found a part of the bed we could carry around, you could go wherever you wanted.” She couldn't contain the hint of excitement in her voice.
    "'Tis an