Strange events are heavy on Barker Christian's mind this summer at Northshire Inn along Lake Erie. Although the inn feels sleepy, romantic, and hidden, innkeeper Barker knows all its annoying in and outs, and supernatural and grating secrets. Barker's very much aware of the drug use that occurs in room 202, and there are disturbing ghosts in room 112 that haunt the paying guests. Nor can he forget about Radcliff Roberts, the famous horror writer in room 210, who is up to something naughty during the evening hours. Two other strange events occur: Matty Lavender, lead singer of The Thorns, is missing; and a watercolor artist appears on the opposite side of the pond that some guests can see and others can't. Barker stays grounded by his interest in Cal Pipp, the inn's maintenance man. Cal is breathtaking, easy on the eyes, and someone Barker's heart desires. Only problem is Cal doesn't know Barker likes him. Until summer heats up, ghosts materialize, and a different side of Cal appears ...

The Men of Northshire Inn

I stopped near the room’s door frame and asked, “What?”


“You need to stop watching me paint. I’m not a piece of art for you to ogle.”


“You’re my boyfriend. I can do more than ogle you if I want. You’ve given me permission to do naughty things with your body.”


His smile grew wider. “I forbid you to think of me as your sexual toy.” He unsnapped the other denim strap on the overalls. Denim and brass fell to his center. His hairy, pec-hard chest became exposed, as well as his tight looking dimple of a navel, and his constricted abs.


“Are you trying to get in my pants?”


“Fine. I’m all for that, but not in this room. Not here. This room gives me the creeps because all I can think about is how Radcliff squeezed the life out of Matty Lavender…and other weird things that cause me to shiver.”


“Understood. Let’s take it to the woods. You know I get off on outdoor sex.”


Chapter 31