“Morning. How did you sleep?”

“Fine,” Judith snapped. “What about you?”

“Perfect. There were a few noises in the night, but I just assumed they were the resident ghost and went back to sleep. I think that’s the best thing to do with ghosts, don’t you? Just ignore them and they either give up and disappear or settle in to become one of the family. I hope this one settles in. Has it been around for long?”

Judith glared at her and piled the wood into the wood box. “I didn’t hear anything.”

“No? I must be sensitive to ghosts then.”

She smiled at Judith who gasped and dropped the wood, peering at her hand with a curse.

“Shit! I’ve got a splinter.”

“Let me see.” Thea pulled Judith’s hand into hers and saw a sharp fragment of wood embedded in the base of her thumb. “Stand still, I’ll get it out.”

Blood welled out of Judith’s skin as Thea eased out the wood. She lifted Judith’s hand and sucked on it, swirling her tongue around the broken skin. She tasted of copper and salt mixed with panic. Thea moved closer, sliding her arm around Judith’s waist, while still licking her hand. When she moved her tongue to the inside of her wrist and felt her frantic pulse, Judith’s sharp indrawn breath sent a tingle of delight through her. She lifted her head from Judith’s hand and pulled her closer, her mouth almost touching Judith’s slightly parted lips.

“Is that better?”

“Yes,” Judith whispered, her eyes wide and round.

“Good.” She dropped her gaze to Judith’s breasts and smiled. “Very good.