GhostlyPersuasion Read Online Free

slight, hesitant nod. She didn’t like revealing
her gift but figured her face and her reactions had already given her away.
    The man jumped up and crossed the room quicker than she’d anticipated.
With a squeak of alarm she darted behind the chair when he came to stand right
in front of her.
    “Who are you? And what are you doing in my room?” she
demanded, pulling her courage around her like a cloak.
    “Ah, lass, you have nothing to fear from me.” He spread his
hands out in front of him in a placating manner.
    “I’ll be the judge of that, thank you very much.”
    He tipped his head. “I apologize for startling you. It’s
been a good many years since someone other than the local specters could see or
hear me. My excitement got the better of me.”
    “Yeah, well…” Katie stammered. “I can kinda understand
that.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “So, who are you?”
    “Seamus MacDonhnaill.” He made a short bow. “Formerly of the
County Donegal MacDonhnaills.”
    “Formerly? Does that mean you got kicked out of that county
or that family?”
    He chuckled. The deep, rich sound sent ripples of warmth
down to her core.
    “Neither, actually.” He cocked his head to one side and
regarded her. “I have simply considered myself a resident of Tullamore Castle
for some time now.”
    “Ah.” The way he said resident make Katie think he
did more than live here. She cleared her throat nervously. “I, uh… I don’t want
to be rude or anything, but I’m not comfortable standing here talking with
someone I don’t know when I’m only half-dressed.”
    Seamus’ eyes quickly glanced down at the chair that was
keeping her modesty in place.
    “Would you mind stepping out for a moment while I dig out a
pair of jeans or something?” Katie asked. Seamus raised an eyebrow in question
but Katie rushed on, “I know it’s silly with you being…” She was at a loss for
words. She was guessing Seamus was a ghost. Just unlike any she had come across
before. “Uh, not quite solid, but I have a rule about being fully dressed when
I meet new people.”
    Katie forced a smile on her face, even though she knew she
was bright-pink from embarrassment.
    To his credit, Seamus didn’t laugh but he did a poor job of
hiding his smirk. “Very well. When you’re comfortable, simply open your door.”
Seamus moved to the door then paused and turned to look at her. With a
mischievous grin he added, “I look forward to meeting you properly.”
    Katie frowned at Seamus’ back as he passed through the
closed door and disappeared from her sight.
    She scampered to her suitcase and pulled out a clean pair of
jeans. As she zipped them up it occurred to her that while she had demanded to
know who Seamus was, she hadn’t given him her name.
    That had been very rude! Mom would have been
appalled.
    Shaking her head in disgust over her lack of manners, Katie
dug in the pocket on the lid of her suitcase for a bra. She looked over her
shoulder to where she’s last seen Seamus, just to make sure he hadn’t floated
back in. Reassured that she was still alone, Katie unwound the towel from
around her hair and head then quickly pulled her shirt up and put her bra on.
    Part of her wondered why she was even bothering. After all,
as a spirit, Seamus wouldn’t be able to do anything other than look. A flash of
warmth zipped down her spine at the thought that he would look.
    It was a shame he wasn’t flesh and bone. She’d actually
consider taking Jenny’s advice if Seamus was the “hunky Irishman”.
    Now that she was fully dressed Katie felt less exposed. She
went into the bathroom, grabbed her brush then she sat on the edge of the bed
and debated the wisdom of inviting Seamus back in as she brushed the tangles
from her hair. Yes, he knew she could see him but didn’t know the extent of her
gift. If he had an ounce of sense he’d ask, however. And right now, she didn’t
know what she’d tell him.
    She was curious why Seamus