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

she squealed. “Tickling’s my kryptonite.”
    “Good to know,” he laughed, moving his fingers to the back of her neck.
    She squeaked and rolled her head. “Quin! You’re not playing fair.”
    “Who said anything about playing fair?” he returned, sliding his hands to her ribs.
    Layla was on the brink of screaming and couldn’t take much more, so she filled her lungs and grabbed his wrists, trying to push them away as she dove for his neck.
    Her tongue found skin, and he stilled, his chest rumbling as he pulled his wrists from her grip with ridiculous ease. “Now you’ve found my kryptonite,” he noted, cradling her head in both hands.
    Layla slowly closed her mouth, gliding teeth over hot flesh. Then she pulled away, cheeks flaming as her thighs twitched. “Good. Now it’s fair.”
    He grinned and hugged her to his chest. Then he buried his face in her hair until Daleen called them to dinner.

Chapter 6
    “T hree hours?” Layla exclaimed, flipping her gaze to Quin. “You balanced on one leg for three hours just to prove you could?”
    Her grandparents laughed, and Quin smiled as he chewed and swallowed his food. “What else does a five-year-old have to do on a Saturday?”
    Layla’s mouth hung open as she watched him take the last bite of his pie. The more she learned about him—which was a lot after dining with Caitrin and Morrigan—the more admirable his dedication became. When he set his mind on something, it gained his full attention, not some half-ass attempt.
    Morrigan rose and moved to the coffee maker, brewing a fresh pot. “If we didn’t challenge him, he would get bored and become our little mischief maker.”
    “Indeed,” Caitrin confirmed, clearing the table with a sweep of his hand. “We’d walk outside to find he’d vanished our porch or grown the grass taller than our heads.”
    “You didn’t,” Layla gasped, unable to hide her humor.
    Quin winked as he took a drink. Then he set his glass aside and rested his arm on the back of her chair. “They talk like I’m alone in the mischief making, but I wasn’t the first kid to turn our lawn into a jungle, and I won’t be the last.”
    “He speaks the truth,” Caitrin attested, taking his wife by the waist. “We are a mischievous breed.” He scanned Morrigan’s aura as he stood. Then he kissed her cheek. “Let’s give Layla a break, sweet peach, and go get some rest.”
    “What?” Layla blurted, shooting from her chair. “You don’t have to leave on my account. You just made coffee.”
    “I made it for you,” Morrigan explained, reaching for Layla’s hand as she rounded the table. “You’ve had a big weekend. We don’t want you to feel like you have to make up for twenty-one years in one night. Relax and let everything soak in. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Layla nodded, but she clutched Morrigan’s hand like it was the last one on earth.
    Morrigan smiled and pulled her into a hug. “Daleen and I are staying home tomorrow. Would you like to spend some time with us?”
    “Yes,” Layla answered, not even trying to hide her desperation.
    “That makes me so happy,” Morrigan whispered. “Give us a call in the morning, anytime. We’ll be ready when you are. Our number’s by the phone.”
    “Okay,” Layla agreed, staying glued to Morrigan’s side as everyone walked to the foyer.
    They halted by the door, and Layla severed her attachment to Morrigan so she could hug the others. Caitrin was the last to hold her, and he kept his hands on her shoulders as he leaned back. “If you need anything, call us. Even if you just want to talk. Okay?”
    “I promise,” she assured.
    “Good.” He watched her face for a moment then kissed her forehead. “We’ll see you soon, Layla Love. Very soon.”
    She nodded her approval. Then she passed out another round of hugs before letting them leave. They were all smiles, but Layla’s eyes swam with moisture, blurring and magnifying their departing auras and bonded lights. The