Copyright 2012 Jennifer St. Giles
All rights reserved - a Samhain Publishing, Ltd. publication

I sighed as I crested the last dune on the beach and pressed my fingers to my mouth, seeking to ease the ache that had only grown with the passing of the months. I went to close my eyes, to give myself over to the heated memory of that kiss, but I caught sight of a ship newly docked, one with a black dragon gracing its bow.

Captain Jansen had returned. My breath caught and my pulse leapt. I wanted to rush back to the village and the docks to catch a glimpse of him, but I forced myself toward Killdaren’s Castle. I had very little time to convince Cassie to have an impromptu dinner party that evening and dispatch the invitations. I swirled around twice just so I could drink in the sun from every direction and then, rather than going back to the road as any proper young lady would, I ran headlong down the dunes to the shore. I slipped off my boots and sped barefoot through the damp sand. The foamy surf grabbed at the ruffled hem of my lilac dress and rushed cool water over my toes, making my heart sing with anticipation.

He was back! And this time, more than one kiss would be mine. I’d have to find a way to either get rid of or ignore the ghosts, though. Their bawdy comments during our first kiss had left me just as addled as the hard press of his body against mine and the sweep of his tongue across my lips, then farther.

Upon reaching the castle, I hurried up the terrace steps to the French doors leading to the study. They stood open, letting the fresh air and sunshine invade the dark recesses of Killdaren’s Castle. Thanks to a special pair of spectacles that dimmed the bright edge of su...