The Ex Who Saw a Ghost (Charley's Ghost Book 4) Read Free Page A

glass of wine. They sat and talked then shared long, delicious good night kisses. But those evenings Charley had been across town with Teresa, held hostage by the connection she’d accidentally forged with him while trying to cross him to the other side.
    Tonight Teresa was with Ross, and Charley was with Amanda.
    She shivered.
    Jake wrapped his arm around her waist. “That breeze is cold. I think we’re in for an early winter.”
    “Tell him to take his hands off you right now,” Charley ordered. “If he doesn’t, I’m going to be forced to do something.”
    What did Charley think he was going to do other than yell at her and make Jake shiver?
    The three of them reached the top landing. Amanda took her keys from her purse.
    Charley darted forward and stood in front of the door, arms outspread, attempting to block their entrance. “He’s not coming in here.”
    She didn’t want to give in to Charley’s demands, but she didn’t want to spend the evening being tortured by him either. She turned to face Jake, uncertain what to say.
    He looked down at her, brown eyes warm, full lips slanted in a half smile. She desperately wanted to kiss those lips and feel those arms around her. Charley had been a good kisser, a skill which played a part in her decision to marry him since her former boyfriend had not. But Jake took that skill to a whole new level, made an art out of it, a delicious, seductive art.
    As Jake’s lips came closer, she decided she’d been wrong about the weather. It was quite warm. She tilted her head and stretched toward him.
    “No!” Charley rushed between them, a blast of frigid air.
    Jake shivered and pulled back. “You get some cold winds up here on the second floor, don’t you?”
    “Yeah, sometimes it gets very cold.” She scowled at Charley who responded by darting through them again. “Uh...” Ask Jake in and put up with Charley or send him away?
    Amanda’s heart sank to her toes. She had no choice. This evening would definitely top the list of her worst experiences.
    She lifted a hand to her forehead and prepared to drag out the overused excuse of a headache. Would he think she was trying to get rid of him? Would he feel rejected and never ask her out again? Would her fear that he’d reject her when he found out about Charley become a moot point?
    Jake took her hand. “Are you feeling okay? You seemed a little off all evening.”
    He was giving her the perfect out.
    Except she didn’t want to take it.
    “Get rid of him!” Charley demanded.
    That made her decision easier. Not only did she not want Jake to leave, but she refused to take orders from Charley. Somehow she’d get through the evening in spite of whatever interruptions he came up with.
    “I feel fine, but it is chilly outside. Why don’t you come in and I’ll make you a cup of hot chocolate?”
    A slow smile tilted his luscious lips. “I’d like that.”
    Amanda stepped forward, reached through Charley and slid her key into the door then stopped. “It’s unlocked. I could swear I locked it when we left.”
    Jake put his hands on her shoulders and moved her aside. “You did. I remember you doing it.” His deep voice had changed from warm and sensual to grim and dangerous. He slid a gun from inside his jacket. He was in full cop mode. “Stay back.”
    For an irrational moment Amanda wondered if Ronald Collins had returned, was waiting in her apartment, high on drugs, ready to torture her.
    But he was in jail awaiting trial, and besides, she’d put a bullet in his knee cap. He wasn’t going anywhere without crutches for a long time.
    Her breath caught in her throat. This wasn’t Highland Park where she grew up. This was near Harry Hines Boulevard, a mixed bag of residences and businesses like the noisy bar down the street that catered to a rough crowd.
    But her apartment was at the back of her motorcycle shop and up two flights of stairs. An unlikely target for burglars.
    Unlikely but not