Free Ghost for Sale by Sandra Cox Page B

pulled the car into the garage and waited for him to continue. He rubbed a thumb against his lean jaw. A ghostly rasp from the five-o’clock shadow on his cheeks echoed through the car. His outline grew sharper, more defined, and his lips drew together in a straight line. “Something or someone took exception to what you said.”
    “What did I say?”
    “I believe the gist of it was you were going to help Anna and William get back together.”
    Thunder rumbled inside the garage. Luckily, the bolt of lightning hit outside but near enough to shake the sides of the building.
    “Okay, you don’t need to tell me again.” I threw up my hands in surrender from where I huddled crunched down in the seat. I whispered in the vicinity of Liam’s ear. “What is it?”
    He’d taken off his jacket. His heart glowed red and pounded a wild rhythm against the fabric of his shirt. A rapid pulse beat in his throat. He turned his head. His insubstantial lips were inches from my own. Pops of electricity snaked between us. I moved forward, all thoughts of the strange atmospheric conditions gone, my only reality Liam. Fire and ice shot through me, weakening my bones and softening my muscles. For the first time in my life, I wanted a man, or to be precise, a ghost.
    The next thing I knew he stood beside the garage door that led to the kitchen, his breath coming in short sharp pants. He collected himself and moved back to the car. “Don’t ever try to touch me.”
    “Don’t you want to touch me?” I asked, hesitant. I’d never been brushed off before.
    He leaned his elbows on the car and clasped his head. “Lass, if you only knew.”
    “Long dry spell, huh?” I surprised a laugh out of him.
    “You’ve no idea. But even if not, I’m afraid your effect on me would be the same.”
    “Afraid?” I tried not to feel rejected.
    “I’m very much afraid that no matter if I’m ectoplasm, as you quaintly put it, or if I was in human form, you would still devastate my senses. I’ve never met anyone quite like you. You’re so vital and beautiful.” His voice had dropped to a whisper.
    My stomach fluttered. My lips parted. “This is insane. How can you exist and why am I aware you do? It’s like we’ve crossed some cosmic barrier.” I laid my head against the steering wheel, this time appreciating the cold smoothness against my hot forehead.
    My scalp tingled as if he’d reached out to touch me, but the sensation was so short-lived I wasn’t sure I hadn’t imagined it.
    “I know,” he said in a low voice. “I knew you sensed me the moment I popped out of the tube. I saw it on your face. Why, I don’t know, when no one else has. But I must say I’m very glad.”
    I raised my head and stared into intense, stormy eyes. His scent enveloped me. His nearness cooled my skin and scorched my heart.
    “Maybe we should forget about finding Anna and William. I’m not sure I want you to leave.” My eyes widened and I tensed. The last couple of times I’d linked those names together someone or something hadn’t appreciated it. I looked wildly around. Nothing happened. Maybe whatever was out there thought I was backing off.
    Nothing moved in the garage, the silence absolute. “Do you think it’s gone?” A shiver rolled down my spine. I couldn’t believe Liam’s mere presence had made me forget there might be another entity with us. I cringed at the thought. What was I, a ghost magnet?
    He closed his eyes and lifted his head. He stayed that way for several moments, then opened them. “The atmosphere doesn’t feel as heavy.”
    “You’re right.” The knowledge surprised me.
    “You said you didn’t want me to leave.” He stared at me. Those full firm lips parted. For one brief moment, it looked like he would forget his own advice about not touching me. Then my cell phone blasted, and in a blink of an eye, he’d returned to the door between the kitchen and garage…after opening the car door for me, of course.
    I dug into my