Read Online Impassion (Mystic) by B. C. Burgess - Free Book Online Page A

to her nose. “Have you had a chance to see the house?”
    “No, but that reminds me, I got to hear you play piano, and you –are—amazing. Do you have a piano at your house? Did you teach my mom to play? I would love to learn sometime.”
    “Slow down,” Morrigan laughed. “Yes, I have a piano at my house. Yes, I did teach Rhosewen to play. And yes, I would love to show you what I know.”
    “Really?”
    “Absolutely, but first you have to tell me when and where you heard me play.”
    “Oh yeah. At Karena’s inn. Quin asked the front desk for your CD when he checked me in. I thought he was trying to impress me by saying he knew you, but now that I know the whole story...” She trailed off, recalling the way Quin had thoughtfully led her home. “Anyway, he offered to introduce me to you. I thought it was just talk, but I’m learning almost everything he says holds deeper meaning than mindless chit chat.”
    “Quinlan’s a meditative soul,” Morrigan agreed. Then she raised her eyebrows and glanced at the door. “Speaking of.”
    Caitrin walked in, followed by Quin, and Layla couldn’t help but grin. Then she realized how cheesy she must look and chewed her lip.
    Morrigan rose and took Caitrin’s hand, brightening the room with shimmering gold. Then they followed Daleen to the kitchen.

    The moment Quin saw Layla’s smiling face, his frustration melted and his pulse quickened. He watched her from across the room as her grandparents made their exit, a tingle rolling down his relaxed spine. Then he closed the gap and sat beside her. “Hey, beautiful.”
    “Hey,” she greeted, grinning despite her blush.
    “It went well?” he asked.
    “Very well,” she answered.
    “Good,” he approved, leaning in for a kiss. “Thank you for inviting me to dinner.”
    “I hope I didn’t pull you away from anything.”
    He straightened and stretched one arm across the back of the sofa, watching her eyes flit over his chest. “Well you did.”
    “I’m sorry,” she offered, meeting his stare. “What were you doing?”
    He smiled and picked up a curl. “I was fretting over you, and believe me, I needed to be pulled away.”
    “Oh,” she murmured, unable to hide a smug grin as she cuddled into him. “I would have invited you sooner if I’d known.”
    “That’s good to know,” he replied, wrapping her in a hug, “but you needed time with them without me getting in the way.”
    “They’re wonderful, Quin. I had no idea what I’ve been missing.”
    “They’re over the moon about seeing you. I’ve never seen their auras so alive.”
    “You were right about the bonded lights,” she added. “They’re beautiful.”
    “Then you should fit right in,” he whispered, nuzzling her hair.
    Layla wiggled closer as an odd feeling swept over her, somehow tantalizing and satisfying all at once. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced, and it was wonderful. “I missed you, Quin.”
    “I missed you, too, Layla.”
    “I hope I didn’t put you on the spot by inviting you to dinner with my grandparents. I know you were concerned about the situation.”
    “Don’t worry about me,” he insisted. “I’ve been dining with Caitrin and Morrigan my entire life, so it’s not the least bit awkward. Besides, they’ve avoided asking too many personal questions, and those they have asked were merely voiced for your benefit. Their main concern is your well being. Now that they’ve seen for themselves that you’re safe and happy and perfectly capable of tossing me out should I misbehave, they’re not so worried about me scaring you away.”
    “You’re not scary,” she teased, turning her face into his neck. “You’ve got nothing on the super witch.”
    “Oh yeah?” he returned, softly tickling her sides. “We might have to test that theory.”
    Layla was extremely ticklish, to the point where prolonged tickling made her manic, so his light touch launched her into uncontrollable giggles. “Not fair,”