Ryan doesn’t expect too much from his weekend at the Shadows and Souls fan convention in Tahoe -- he wants to meet his online friends, engage in a few heated debates about the plot for the upcoming season, and maybe shake the hand of the TV show’s star, Johnny Marlowe. But his weekend goes off course almost immediately after his arrival. First, the hotel loses his booking. Then Johnny Marlowe talks to him like they’re actual friends. And while his head is still spinning, a ghost attacks him in the elevator.<br><br>Despite fighting ghosts every week on television, Johnny Marlowe does not believe in the spirit world. However, he does believe he should get to know Ryan better. Fan or not, the man is not only gorgeous, he’s down-to-earth, fun, and makes Johnny forget about the fake life he’s forced to lead and the ex-boyfriend who refused to participate in the charade. Unfortunately, every time Johnny tries to get close to the handsome ginger, something explodes or the earth shakes or lights blink out -- and none of that is as sexy as it sounds.<br><br>Johnny doesn’t believe in ghosts, but he knows he has to get to the bottom of this haunting if he ever wants to get close to his biggest fan.

Between the Shadow and the Soul

By the time Johnny changed and brushed his teeth, Ryan was already asleep. Or he was good at faking it. Johnny slid onto his half of the mattress and waited for sleep to overtake him, but every time he closed his eyes, he saw the shadow of a tall, thin man hanging in front of the window. Finally, he reached out to Ryan, who didn’t stir at his touch, and didn’t push him away when Johnny slid closer and used his chest as a pillow. The steady sound of his heart distracted him from his unwanted thoughts and soon lulled him to sleep.5


Chapter 16