Ghostly Interests by Lily Harper Hart Read Free Book Online Page A

said. “Before you ask the obvious question, though, I’ll answer it for you. Yes, I am well endowed.”
    Harper made a face as Zander moved up to her side. He was an impressive mass of muscle and even though he wasn’t prone to fits of violence he also wasn’t apt to ignore anyone talking crudely to his best friends. “I’ve found that most men who are well endowed don’t find the need to announce it,” Zander said.
    “Maybe that’s because you shop in the pink section,” the man sneered.
    “I do love pink,” Zander said, unruffled. “I’m betting I know what I’m talking about more than you do, though.”
    Harper put a hand on Zander’s arm to still him. “There’s no reason to Hulk out,” she said. “He’s just looking for attention. It’s okay.”
    “I get plenty of attention,” the man said.
    “Knock it off, Jay.” One of the other men, this one shorter and darker, took a step forward. “I apologize for my brother’s behavior. The spring weather makes him … crazy.”
    “I was going to say horny,” Zander said dryly.
    “That, too,” the second man said. “I’m Collin Graham, by the way. This is my brother Jay.”
    “It’s nice to meet you,” Harper said, extending her hand to shake Collin’s. “I see bad manners don’t run in your family.”
    “Neither does being well endowed,” Jay sniped, puffing his chest out.
    Harper ignored him and focused on Collin. “We’re here to ask some questions about a student who attends classes here,” she said. “Her name is Annie Dresden. Do you know her?”
    Collin smiled amiably. “Sure. I know Annie. She’s in a few of my business classes.”
    “She’s hot, too,” Jay said. “I would totally hit that.” He mimed a sexual act behind his brother’s back.
    “Is she in trouble?” Collin asked.
    “She’s dead,” Harper replied, her voice even.
    Collin’s previously placid face drained of color as he ran a hand through his muddy hair. “Are you serious?”
    Even Jay had the grace to look abashed. “No way.”
    “She was found in Whisper Cove today,” Harper said. “Her body was on the beach. Did she have ties to that area?”
    “I have no idea,” Collin said. “I didn’t know her all that well. We had a few classes together … and were friendly … but we didn’t hang out or anything.”
    “What do you know about her?”
    “That’s a very good question. I’m most interested in hearing why Ms. Harlow is here asking it.”
    Harper froze when she heard the voice behind her and when she stiffly turned she found Jared Monroe watching her from a few feet away.
    “Oh, crap.”
     

Six
    Jared’s eyes were a clear shade of blue and Harper could almost feel the icy cold emanating from them as they bore into her.
    “What are you doing here?” Jared asked, crossing his arms over his chest as he regarded her. Next to him Mel was silently shaking his head and rolling his eyes.
    “We’re … hanging out,” Harper answered, shifting uncomfortably.
    “You’re hanging out with college kids?” Jared pressed. “That makes me feel a little uncomfortable. Are you running out of people to date in Whisper Cove?”
    Harper scowled. “No. That’s not what we were doing.”
    “What were you doing?” Jared asked.
    “I … .” Harper broke off, unsure how to answer. She had no idea why Jared’s mere presence unnerved her, but it did.
    “I knew I shouldn’t have told your mother we identified the victim,” Mel said, shooting Zander a dark look. “She told you, didn’t she?”
    “Why would she do that?” Jared asked.
    “Because she can never tell her son no,” Mel said. “How did you know I would tell her?”
    “Because I know you,” Zander said. “Mom is gossipy and you like to gossip with her. This is the biggest thing to hit Whisper Cove in years. There’s no way you don’t want to talk about it. I played a hunch.”
    “Did you have to hear about Shirley’s hair, too?”
    “Ronald McDonald better start