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The visit from beyond the grave that changed their lives forever…
Artist Ryan Monroe had everything he wanted and then in a blink of an eye, he lost what mattered most of all, his soul-mate, Victor. Tortured by an overwhelming sense of grief and unable to move on, his pain spills out, reflected in the blood red hues of his paintings.
Paul Goldman thought he’d found the love of his life in Evan, his beloved pianist. Their mutual passion for music was outweighed only by their passion for one another. They were planning a life-time together, but then one fateful night Evan’s was taken. Drowning in sorrow, unable to find solice, the heart-broken violinist has resigned himself to a life alone.
Now it’s two years later and something, someone, is bringing them together. Two men, two loves, two great losses…and one hot ghost. Giving up the Ghost by G.A. Hauser, you won’t be able to put down!
Editorial Reviews:
From Carol Lynne, Author
"Have a box of tissues handy, because G.A. has delivered a poignant tale of love and loss. Her best book yet."
Excerpt:
Downtown Seattle was vacant. Only a sparse few scrawny addicts and vagrants wandered the cold wet streets at that hour. The road was empty so parking was simple. He locked up his car, looked up at the façade of the jewelry galleria, then found the listing of names and the buzzer. A metallic click alerted him to the unlocked door. He pushed it back and made sure it shut behind him. Taking the stairs two by two he entered a hall and the moment he looked down the white corridor he found Ryan standing at his door looking welcoming as a warm fire.
A shy smile on his lips, he made his way down the hall to that man. “Hey,” Paul said when he was nose to nose with him.
“Come in.” Ryan pushed back the door.
Immediately Paul was hit with the large open area and scent of paint. Canvases were stacked against one wall, showing off their bracing backs and hiding their colored faces. An easel, a coat rack, a couch, two tables, the place wasn’t cluttered and barely appeared the living space, more like the work studio. Regardless, he loved it.
One painting was showing itself. Blue. Even in the evening light he could see the incredible diversity in the colors. Blue, glorious blue hues.
“Let me take your coat.”
Paul took off his leather jacket and handed it to him. Watching as Ryan hung it on the coat rack, Paul enjoyed the view of Ryan from behind. Tight jeans, fantastic long legs, and a curving ass. Nice.
The jacket hung up, Ryan spun around. It seemed they were assessing each other more carefully in this second meeting.
“It’s strange,” Paul said softly.
Ryan approached, as if interested in the comment.
“I know this sounds stupid, but, you have the same coloring as Evan does. He had very dark hair and eyes, yet light skin.”
“It’s not stupid. Victor had blue eyes and sandy blond hair.”
Instantly Paul’s skin broke out in goose bumps. “No shit?”
“No shit.” Ryan gestured to the loveseat.
Paul made himself comfortable on it while Ryan sat next to him.
“I don’t claim to understand what’s brought us together, Paul.” Ryan relaxed, placing his arm behind Paul’s shoulders on the back of the loveseat. “But, whatever it was, it’s managed to at least get us face to face.”
Paul tilted his head quizzically. “You make it sounds as if you’ve had some cryptic messages from the grave. I don’t get what the hell you mean.”
Ryan opened his mouth as if he was going to say something, then obviously decided not to pursue it. “Never mind. So? Are you exhausted? How late can you stay?”
Trying not to appear disappointed or confused, Paul had assumed the invitation was more than just for an hour’s chat. “I’m all right. I don’t have to be anywhere until late in the day tomorrow. When do you want me to leave?”
Ryan felt sick to his stomach. It was as if nothing he was saying was coming out the way he intended. “No. Look, let me start over.” Looking into Paul’s expectant eyes, Ryan didn’t speak. Instead he touched the back of Paul’s head gently with his fingertips, stroking the ends of his hair as it dusted his neck. Was he going to kiss him? Kiss a man though he hadn’t even imagined kissing anyone since…
In his mind he said, yes.
Slowly he worked his hand to cup the back of Paul’s head, urging it closer. As if Paul was feeling some remorse or some doubt of his own, he didn’t reciprocate immediately. When their lips touched, Ryan felt as if something inside of him finally gave way. An avalanche of passion was waiting to be released, and Paul was the explosion to set it free. Strangely it was as if the same sensations were being echoed by Paul. What at initially seemed timid, nervous, went carnivorous at first touch. Ryan felt enveloped by his hands which were cupping his smooth jaw. Paul was sucking at his mouth, lapping at his tongue as their bodies heated up. Kissing like that, necking, making out, whatever you wanted to call it, seemed so right between them, as if they had known each other for decades. The taste of him, his scent, was so familiar, it was as if Ryan had touched him many times before.
As the kissing slowed when the need of a deep breath took priority, Ryan sat back, stroking the side of Paul’s handsome face gently. “What do you think?”
“Yes,” Paul hissed sensually.
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