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“I’m Beau Montgomery, gay ghost whisperer extraordinaire, darlin’,” I say with a wink. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained is my approach to life, that’s why I’m asking you out. You’re just my type, and I’m just a lonely tourist in London who sure could use a handsome fella like yourself to show me around.” I tap the side of my nose. “My gaydar tends to be pretty accurate. I like to consider it a side talent I got along with The Gift.”

I can see him wavering so I sweeten the pot.

“In fact, this might be fate, big fella. After all, I could help you with this little investigation of yours.”

He arches an eyebrow. “Why do you think I need your help? I barely even know you.”

“You could use my help because you can’t communicate with spirits and I can. As for the second part, isn’t that a cryin’ shame, sugar? I guess we just need to take some time for you to get to know me. A drink at the pub sounds like a good start to me.” I add in another wink.

He hesitates and I press my advantage.

“What’s the harm of one little old drink and a bit of conversation? If you’re not interested in what I have to offer, then we can both go our separate ways after that.”

He steps closer to me and now I can smell his woodsy cologne. It gives me a heady rush.

Good golly, Miz Dolly, he even smells sexy.

He clears his throat. “Fine. One drink. That’s it. As for anything else, including working together, don’t get your hopes up.”

I grin. “Well, honey, I was born with The Gift and now have twenty-nine going on thirty years of experience with the supernatural. I can teach you a thing or two if you give me a chance.” I gesture one hand around me. “After all, that poor fella we saw isn’t the only spirit haunting this building.”

Callum’s eyes go wide again and he darts his gaze around the room. “There’s more?”

I nod.

“Fuck me,” he grumbles.

Boy howdy, would I like to. Or rather, him fucking me.

Everything in due course, Beau.

I flutter my eyelashes at him. “So then, about that drink…”

He scowls but relents. “Aye, you’re on.”

CHAPTER

FIVE

RULE #69: DO NOT LET YOURSELF BE SEDUCED BY THE SUPERNATURAL!

Spectral entities can sometimes be quite appealing, but don’t give in to temptation! Attempting to seduce the supernatural is a bad idea and should be avoided. When you’re overcome with lust, reason vanishes, and this is the perfect opportunity for a spirit to take advantage of a vulnerable living body. Some of the more serious cases of possession happen to those whose nether regions have gotten them into trouble. While ghosts may be able to experience pleasure—see theories on ectoplasm emissions in Appendix A—they aren’t likely to satisfy a living person’s physical needs. Use your social skills and find someone with a heart that’s still beating to get your rocks off with. Otherwise, you might be the one subjected to an exorcism!

—ExorSquad Employee Safety Manual and Operational Guidelines (Revised Edition)

Callum

“This place is nice,” Beau says, his bright green eyes roving over the pub with interest.

For the hundredth time, I’m asking myself why I let this beautiful but odd man talk me into a drink.

But I already know. Beau’s the first person I’ve met who can also see ghosts. The fact that he can hear them too is useful and might help me resolve this case a lot faster.

And fine, I admit it. I’ve always been a sucker for a pretty face, and damn if his isn’t downright gorgeous. Those big green eyes, framed by thick, fair lashes, drew me in the moment our gazes locked. His features are almost graceful, like they were painted on by a master, and his pouty full lips give me all kinds of ideas. His clothing choices are somewhat questionable and his total ease in the face of the supernatural is beyond baffling, to say the least, but I can’t deny that he’s piqued my interest.

I lift my pint and take a sip as I glance around. “Aye, it’s not bad.”

The worn-in Victorian pub looks every inch its age, but it’s cozy and tucked away on a quiet side street, so it’s not overcrowded tonight. The dark wood interior and brass finishings lend the place a bit of refinement, while the worn-down tables and chairs and the odd jumble of framed pictures on the walls give it a homey, lived-in feel. There’s also a blaze crackling in the fireplace and keeping the space toasty.