Serena took a deep breath into her lungs and released it slowly through her nose. Every muscle in her body felt worked out. It was what she loved the most about yoga—

that she could feel sore, yet relaxed. She found it to be the most serene form of exercise she’d ever enjoyed, and she’d tried many. For years, she’d been an aerobics junkie, starting in her teens, and then continued through the many changes of her life.

Years ago, she’d popped into a yoga studio, but after the original owner had sold it and moved out, it just hadn’t been the same anymore. It became a place where younger women tried to show off perky bodies and constantly gossiped about the older ones. She hated gyms for the same reason.

In the end, she’d settled for DVDs instead of other classes. The effect and results were the same, and all in the comfort of her own home.

Serena slowly opened her eyes. She lay comfortably on the floor in relaxation pose. The hair on her arms stood up straight as the feeling of being watched washed over her, tightening her stomach muscles. A foreign presence shifted the air inside her living room. She was no longer alone, and it scared the crap out of her.

She prepared to push upward, to look around and make sure no one had climbed in through one of the windows, but she couldn’t move. Besides, she lived in a tall building that didn’t have window access from the outside.

As she tried to lift up on her elbows, she fought invisible fingers that held her arms down.

Relax, a voice said inside her head.

Her eyes widened as she calmed long enough to come face-to-face with a man hovering above her. The length of his body lay parallel to hers. His long, dark hair fell forward, the ends caressing her cheeks. Goosebumps ignited along her exposed skin. He was so close. His deep, brown gaze pinned on hers as he opened his mouth to speak words she couldn’t hear. She wasn’t good at lip reading at the best of times, but considering the shock racing through her body because of this bizarre intrusion, Serena had no idea what he was trying to say.

She wanted to move, but more than anything, she wanted to sit up and run into the safety of her bedroom, away from whatever this man was. He still hovered above in perfect alignment to her supine body. He appeared to get closer, and the sensation of hands she’d felt earlier were no long holding her down.

As fear turned to wonder, she found herself gazing at him, seeing him for the first time without panic to cloud her judgment.

“Who are you?” she whispered like some silly girl in a scary movie.

His lips were full when he mouthed something back…something she couldn’t decipher.

“I don’t believe in ghosts.” Serena squeezed her eyes tight and reopened them.

The man was gone, but the warmth of his stare along her body remained.

She stayed on her back for a long time as she stared at the ceiling, sensing the invisible caress of the mysterious man—or ghost—playing along her body. The feathery touch moved down her thighs and legs, lingering as he receded.