Faye's Spirit

Excerpt From: Faye's Spirit

Faye Evans rapped the heavy wrought iron knocker three times then quickly consulted her notebook as she waited for the door to be opened. The client’s name was Garth Connors, an architect. Apparently Mr Connors had sensed paranormal activity in his recently refurbished office space, a rather impressive building in Highbury, North London. Faye was there to find out whether anything could be done about it. Mr Connors had seen her advertisement the week before and asked her to come over at the close of business on Friday.

Tucking her notebook into her shoulder bag Faye pulled her coat collar up to ward off the late winter weather and studied the building. It looked Victorian, with smooth grey stone slabs on the facade of the ground floor and plain stone above. It was tall, at least four floors high, from what she could see in the streetlights. Slim pillars flanked the doorway and the windows were uniform, elegant sash affairs. It wasn’t what she’d expected. She’d wrongly assumed an architect would have his office in a modern building. Perhaps a healthy respect for historic buildings came with the job description. Did it indicate that Mr Connors was a stuffy sort with half-moon spectacles and a bow tie? He didn’t sound like that on the phone. He’d been charming and had even flirted with her a little.

She was about to knock again when the door opened. A tall, rangy man stood in the doorway talking into his phone. He held up one hand in her direction, as if to request a moment to complete his call. Faye used that moment to give him a thorough inspection. He was dusky skinned, with shaggy black hair and brown eyes that were almost black. A narrow soul patch ran from his sensuous lower lip to his chin, emphasising his lean jaw and giving him a gypsy-like appearance. An open necked, crisp white shirt revealed a nicely muscled chest, and the shirt was worn loose over snug fitting jeans. His black leather cowboy boots made her smile-quirky and attractive, not stuffy at all.

The project suddenly seemed even more interesting.

"Hold that thought," the man said into his phone when he finally looked her way and engaged with her. "I’m going to have to call you back." He switched off his phone and shoved it into the pocket of his jeans. With one hand outstretched, he smiled broadly. "You must be the expert on spooks."

Faye took his hand. "And you must be Garth Connors."

He held onto her hand and drew her closer, gently urging her towards him in the most provocative way. Instead of answering her question he gazed down into her eyes. His smile was gorgeous, a well-practiced charm that nevertheless melted her to the core. Faye warmed right through. She was about to make a joke about him keeping her on the doorstep when another man appeared at his side.

The other guy looked at her then frowned at the man next to him. "Jai? I thought you were on your way home."

The gypsy-looking man shook his head. "I’ll stay a while longer. Think I need to know as much about this ghost stuff as you do." He still had hold of Faye’s hand and he squeezed it. Humour flitted through his expression.

Faye couldn’t help chuckling.

That drew the attention of the other man.

"You must be Faye." His expression lifted when he looked at her and he put his hand out, forcing her to break free from the first man to shake his hand. The new arrival was tall and built like a rugby player, with broad shoulders and a powerful grip. His closely cropped hair was a warm brown, almost chestnut coloured.

"You’re Garth?"

His green eyes crinkled at the corners. That was one lovely smile.

"Yes. I see you’ve already met Jai." He pronounced Jai like Chai. "Jai is my partner."

Faye’s attention sharpened. Partner? She couldn’t help being intrigued. Both her sisters were involved with men who’d been partners before they met her siblings. The suggestion that these two were lovers instantly triggered Faye’s libido. It also launched her imagination into an entirely more intimate scenario.

While Garth turned and ushered her inside, giving Jai a nudge on the shoulder to get him to move, she pictured them stripping off, the gypsy looking man-Jai-perhaps using his shirt to playfully whip the big guy across his rather fit arse. She attempted to quash the inappropriate image, but it was too late. Her imagination had become fully engaged, and as she stepped inside the house her gaze roved over them both, picturing them naked and aroused.

Jai made a big play of staring at her as if rooted to the spot, undisguised interest in his eyes. Garth was more subtle but he took a good look at her too. While Faye walked into the hallway, making her way between the two tall male bodies and beyond, she had to suppress her smile.