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It was a startling realization, considering that I'd only known Garrik Blackthorn for a day. But in that single day, he'd shown me more kindness and consideration than Jason had shown me in years. He'd risked himself to save me from a troll, held me when I cried, given me beautiful clothes to wear, and now he was willing to abandon the only spell that might restore him to his body rather than make me uncomfortable.

How could I not be touched by that?

"Well," I said at last, trying to lighten the mood a little. "I guess if I have to let somebody do that to me, it might as well be a big, handsome ghost who's been practicing his manners for a hundred years."

Garrik raised one dark eyebrow.

"Are you suggesting that I'm handsome again, Lady Celeste?"

"Don't let it go to your head!" I exclaimed, giving him a little swat on the shoulder.

He laughed, a deep, rich sound that seemed to warm the entire room.

"Too late, I'm afraid," he informed me. "You've already paid me far too many compliments for me to remain properly humble."

"Well, that's just wonderful," I said dryly. "As if your ego wasn't big enough already!"

He smiled at me, but there was something in his eyes that made my heart beat a little faster.

"Celeste," he said softly. "Are you certain you wish to consider this? I won't deny that the prospect is extremely appealing to me, but I would never forgive myself if you regretted it afterward."

I looked down at our joined hands, thinking about everything that had happened since I'd stepped through that magical doorway at Natalie's house.

Yesterday, I'd been an ordinary middle-aged woman who'd pretty much given up on romance. I'd convinced myself that the best years of my life were behind me and that I ought to be content with my job, my grown children, and the occasional evening curled up with my Kindle.

And now here I was, sitting in a haunted mansion with a handsome ghost kneeling beside me, asking whether I wanted him to perform a rather intimate act in order to break a magical curse.

Honestly, if someone had told me this was going to happen, I would have thought they were completely insane! But here I was.

And the strangest part was that I wasn't afraid of doing that with Garrik. I trusted him. Also, I wanted him. Not simply because he might be able to make me feel good, though that was certainly part of it. I wanted him—the grumpy, growling, old-fashioned gentleman who'd spent a hundred years alone and was so desperate for affection that he'd actually asked me to slap him again just so he could feel something.

I wanted to give him something wonderful, too—something more than a chance to break his curse. I wanted him to feel wanted and cherished, just as he'd made me feel.

"Yes," I said at last, looking up into his eyes. "I do want to try it."

He looked at me searchingly.

"You're certain?"

"Well, I'm nervous," I admitted. "And I'm probably going to be embarrassed. But yes, I want to try."

"Then we shall take things slowly," he promised. "And if at any point you change your mind, you need only say so. I won't be offended, and I certainly won't attempt to persuade you otherwise."

I smiled at him, feeling another little flutter in my chest.

"Thank you," I said softly. "That means a lot."

He lifted my hand to his lips again and kissed it gently.

"Then come, sweetheart," he murmured. "Let me show you how a woman ought to be cherished."

I felt a pleasant shiver go down my spine at the low, tender way he said those words. And as I rose from my chair, still holding his hand, I couldn't help wondering what I was getting myself into. Because I had a feeling that my big, grumpy ghost had a whole lot more to offer than a bad temper and a haunted house.

But before we could leave the library, I stopped and looked up at him.

"Um, Garrik? Can I ask you one more thing?"

He raised his eyebrows.