Julian Ridgley is buying a house, known as Dexter’s Manor, on a hill in a seaside community. The original owner, Dexter Larabee, is widely rumored to haunt it, but Julian dismisses such fanciful rumors.<br><br>His plan is to renovate the old mansion so he and his lover can live there, with the goal of creating their own seaside shop. After moving in, Julian experiences strange happenings, including the appearance of the gorgeous Dexter himself. Dexter calls Julian another name, Owen, and insists that Julian is his reincarnated love.<br><br>Seduced by Dexter, Julian has a passionate affair with the spirit, prompting him to end things with his boyfriend. When Julian realizes Dex is trapped, waiting endlessly for Owen, he knows the right thing to do is to set Dex free. But he’s fallen in love with Dexter. How will he ever be able to let go?

Dexter’s Haunting

For the first time since arriving, I felt a thread of fear. I backed up. That seemed to startle him, for he stopped in his tracks, his fists loosened, and stared wide-eyed at me. “I would neverhurt you. Ever.”


Then, his body started to shimmy, the windows rattled even more violently, and he vanished.


At a loss as to what to do next, and with Dexter ignoring my pleas to return, I finally laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling. I kicked off my shoes, but I remained fully clothed, lying on top of the comforter.


I remained convinced that I had to somehow help Dexter move on, but I also knew it would be difficult both because of Dex being uncooperative, and I didn’t want to lose him.


It was bizarre being in love with a ghost, but I recognized that’s what it was. Whether my past life as Owen had predestined me to feel this way, or the feelings had developed on their own, I did not know.


Chapter 19