Impassion (Mystic) Read Online Free PDF Page A

everyone in the room will have to deal with them.”
    “They’ll drown in mine,” she mumbled. “But I guess it’s time to stop being a wuss and meet the family who’s sacrificed so much for me.”
    “I wish you wouldn’t feel that way. The sacrifices your grandparents made are the last things on their minds right now.”
    “Maybe, but they’re very fresh in mine.”
    “I guess they are. And I can see why that might make this difficult, but your grandparents will understand as well. They won’t hold your tears against you, and they’ll do whatever they can to make you feel better.”
    “I know,” she whispered, recalling the way they’d held her in the memories—gently and ardently, like they never wanted to let go. “I’d like to shower and change before meeting them, but after that, no more putting it off. I swear.”
    “You don’t have to promise me anything, Layla.”
    “I’m promising myself.”
    “I see.” He kissed her head then let go. “Where would you like to meet them?”
    “Hmm...” She imagined him marching her across the lawn in broad daylight to meet her long lost family, and her stomach churned. “Would they mind coming here?”
    “Not at all. How do you want to meet them?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Do you want to meet them all at once or one at a time? Should they let themselves in or should they knock? Or I could let them in and introduce you. You pick.”
    Layla raised an eyebrow and smiled. “You’re a very thorough person, Quin. You’ve amazed me with your attention to detail several times.” And cue the dimples .
    He didn’t disappoint, grinning as he touched her lips. “Thank you.”
    She blushed and reached up, taking his finger from her twitching smile. Then she led him to the coffee table. “That’s a lot of decisions to make. Would you like to help me?”
    “I would love to,” he answered, sitting in one of the cushy armchairs.
    Before Layla could sit beside him, he spun her around and pulled her onto his lap. One of his arms encased her stiff shoulders as the other encircled her waist. Then he softly squeezed, urging her to loosen up. Layla took a calming breath then forced herself to relax, quickly realizing his lap was a fantastic place to be.
    He grinned then buried his face in her hair, his aura flaring bright yellow and emerald green. “If this is the kind of help you need, count me in.”
    His breath swept across sensitive flesh, and she giggled as she tilted her head. “This wasn’t what I meant by help, but it’s nice.”
    He pressed closer, finding tingling skin with his lips, and she quivered from head to toe. “You’re a good distraction,” she murmured, eyes drifting shut.
    He took a deep breath then pulled away. “Sorry. What can I help you with?”
    Layla blinked and cleared her throat. “Right. Decisions. Can I get another cup of coffee first?”
    “Let me see if Cinnia’s home,” he said, closing his eyes, and for the next several seconds, Layla watched his lids roll over pupils. When they opened, he lifted his right hand, catching a summoned cup of coffee.
    “Amazing,” Layla marveled, taking the mug. “You’re thorough and expedient.” She sipped a few times then set the coffee aside. “Is mind searching as easy as you make it look?”
    “Not always,” he answered. “Depending on the mind, it can be impossible, but Cinnia and I trust each other enough to let our guard down. She knew it was me knocking, so she opened up, but we don’t let just anyone in.”
    “How do you block it?”
    “You don’t have to keep it blocked. That would be exhausting. You’ll know if someone’s trying to connect. Then you protect yourself. Remember how I mentioned we’re good at compartmentalizing?”
    “Yes.” That had been right after she found out she was a witch. How could a person forget a conversation like that?
    “Well,” he continued, “it’s along those lines. You can’t erase what you know, but as magicians, we