Free GhostlyPersuasion by Dena Garson Page A

“I suppose that’s true.”
    “Not that I’m glad you had a curse placed on you or
anything,” she reassured him. “I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
    “I wouldn’t think so.”
    The walk back to the garden entrance was much shorter since
they didn’t weave in and out of the many pathways. As they climbed the steps to
the terrace, they fell silent. Several couples were milling about. Katie
guessed they were either having drinks before dinner or relaxing after.
    “Are you hungry?” Seamus asked. He must have noticed all the
people in the hall outside the restaurant as well.
    She shook her head without saying anything. She ate lunch
late and wasn’t ready for dinner just yet so they kept moving to Katie’s room.
    After unlocking the door, she held it open for Seamus. As he
floated by she realized how pointless the gesture was but it was hard to break
ingrained habits. Not that she frequently let men into her hotel room.
    “So…” she said as they reached the sitting area.
    “The night air was a bit cool. Did you get chilled?” Seamus
asked.
    “A little.”
    “How about a bath to warm you up again?” he suggested.
    Katie smiled. “That’s not a bad idea.”
    The bathroom was probably the best thing about the suite.
The blend of modern conveniences and antique designs created a relaxing
atmosphere.
    She went immediately to the tub, pulled the stopper and
turned on the hot water. When she turned around, Seamus was leaning against the
counter with his arms folded over his chest, watching her.
    A thrill shot through her as she thought about stripping in
front of him. Could she really do it?
    To give herself another minute to decide, she took her time
finding a hair clamp. Once she had her long tresses twisted up and secured on
the back of her head, she walked to the towel rack, picked out two then hung
them on the warmer. Next she lingered over the selection of bath salts.
    “What do you think? Lavender, rose or vanilla?” she asked.
    “Whichever pleases you. I am not able to smell much.”
    “Much?” Katie considered what he’d said. “I hadn’t thought
about that. So you can smell a little?”
    “I suspect it is only strong odors that I am able to smell.
But even then, they are faint.”
    “Huh.” Katie continued to process the thought even as she
absently studied the containers in front of her. Finally she just grabbed one.
She checked the temperature of the water, made a quick adjustment then added
some of the bath salts.
    When she turned around again she couldn’t tell if he was
amused or waiting to pounce. Maybe both?
    A quiver ran through her. With trembling legs, she sat on
the edge of the tub so she could take off her shoes. It was hard to concentrate
on what she was doing, knowing Seamus was just across the room, watching her.
And she wasn’t bold enough to meet his eye, much less tease or tantalize him.
    After her shoes and socks hit the floor she stood and
finally looked across at Seamus.
    “Have you done this before, Little Katie?” he asked quietly.
    “What? Strip in front of a guy?” She shrugged one shoulder
in a half apology. “Actually, no, I haven’t.” When his eyes widened in surprise
she quickly added, “I mean, I’ve been with men before, but we always undressed
each other as we were—”
    “I understand,” he said, cutting her off.
    “Sorry.”
    He smiled. “It’s okay. Just relax and pretend that I’m not
even here.”
    “Easy for you to say,” she mumbled.
    Katie looked down at the water level to make sure it wasn’t
getting too full. She was being foolishly modest. She wasn’t unattractive but
based on how open her social schedule typically was, she wasn’t attracting men
by the dozens.
    Hoping to distract them both, she said, “You know, the night
I met you, I had just taken a long, hot bath.”
    When Seamus didn’t offer any comment she reached for the
bottom of her shirt and pulled it off. She tossed it at the hamper then made
herself look