That was the problem with these reality-television-show guys. They had all the gadgets and whatnots, but when it came to actual sense, they didn’t know the basics. Spirit activity peaked at three a.m. That was basic knowledge.
He gave me a tight smile. “I’ll see if the guys don’t mind staying a little late.”
“Thanks,” I said.
Xavier rose and Roan walked in. Xavier, clad in black clothes that looked more like fatigues than street wear, strode across the wood floor and shook Roan’s hand.
“Thanks for letting us use your business,man,” Xavier said. He emphasizedmanas if he and Roan were old friends. For all I knew, they were.
“No problem.”
“I’ll make sure we get the name of the place in the credits.”
Roan’s brow tightened as if he wasn’t impressed. “Appreciate it.”
Xavier walked out the door. He turned and pointed to me. “We’ll pick you up around ten. That work?”
“Sure.”
As soon as he was gone, I let a slow smile creep over my face. This was great. Publicity was what I needed. Sweet!
“You sure fooled him,” Roan said.
I bristled. My gut response was to say,What do you know about me? You just met me.But it took every ounce of effort I had to tip my head and keep up with the whole innocent act. “I’m sorry?”
Roan rubbed his eyebrow with his thumb. “You don’t exactly strike me as the helpless type.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I slowly pushed myself to standing.
“The whole act of being scared by the ghost. The way you yelled at me after you fell, I don’t think there’s much you’re afraid of.”
“I could be afraid of ghosts.”
He scoffed. “And I’m scared of puppies.”
“Are you? But you’re so tall and they’re so cute.”
He laughed. Like threw his head back and burned bright, he laughed so genuinely. Our eyes met. The world tipped and tilted. I was sliding off. Gravity no longer held sway over me.
Not possible.I tamped down the emotion swelling in my chest. I was here for two days, three tops. I had a job to do, and that’s what I needed to focus on—not some wood-chopping bed-and-breakfast owner.
I made my voice hard. “Is my room ready?”
Maybe too hard. Roan winced.
“All set. I’ll walk you up.”
I raised my hand. “Nope. I’ve got it. All I need is a key.”
Without missing a beat, Roan crossed over and dropped a set in my palm. They were warm from his skin. His fingers gently brushed mine before he slid his hand into his pocket.
It was like jabbing my finger in a socket. That’s how electric his touch was.
I squeaked out a “Thanks,” before turning and hobbling up the staircase to lucky number seven.
“I toldyou he’s got a hot bod,” Susan said.
I was in the room putting my clothes away. Stupid me, I’d forgotten to bring in my luggage. Roan offered. Of course he did. That meant he entered my vehicle, grabbed my clothes and probably sniffed my underwear before he brought it up.
