Secrets of the Dead (35 page)

Her heart stuttered hard once, before doing a slow easy spin. “I come from practical stock. I know that love grows over time.” Shared interests. Common goals. That’s how it had been for her parents. Her siblings. But then, she’d never had all that much in common with her family. “It’s not supposed to happen like a lightning bolt is it? Because that’s what it feels like with you. You pack a helluva punch, Declan. I’ve loved you since the first time you apologized, for real. The first time you kissed me.” Her smile went a bit misty at the memory. The man saw too much, despite the smokescreen she’d put up to prevent exactly that.

“It’ll be a different sort of Christmas this year. For both of us.” He trailed a finger down her cheek. “I’ll have to teach you the intricacies of gift buying without links involved.” His smile was indulgent. Then it faded, as he sobered. “You’ll be the first woman I’ve ever introduced to my family. I think that alone will have Gran considering you the best gift I’ve ever given her. And then there’s New Year’s Eve to consider.” His eyes glinted. “I already know what you’re going to wear.”

Yesterday she’d feared she’d never see this man again. And now…now she was in his arms, planning a future she’d never dared contemplate. And that would be the real blessing of the season. “You’re just full of plans,” she teased.

“As a matter of fact…” His head lowered and this time when their lips touched it was less urgent and more of a promise. After a long moment he said, “Since we’ve been pretending to be married for over a week already, I’m thinking we should just…” The panic she felt then must have shown in her expression. Being a wise man, he just smiled. “I’m Scottish. We’re a pretty romantic lot. Irresistible, really.”

The flare of panic had ebbed, to be replaced with amusement. “Is that so?”

“We’ll take it slow,” he decided. “But I feel the need to warn you that my powers of persuasion are legendary.”

She didn’t doubt it. Just as she didn’t doubt this utter certainty inside of what she wanted. Her lips brushing his, she murmured, “I look forward to being persuaded.”

Look for book 8 of The Mindhunters when

What the Dead Know

releases December 1, 2015.

OTHER TITLES FROM KYLIE BRANT

THE MINDHUNTERS

Waking Nightmare
(Ryne and Abbie’s story)
Waking Evil
(Devlin and Ramsey’s story)
Waking the Dead
(Zach and Caitlin’s story)
Deadly Intent
(Kellan and Macy’s story)
Deadly Dreams
(Nate and Risa’s story)
Deadly Sins
(Adam and Jaid’s story)

CIRCLE OF EVIL

Chasing Evil
Touching Evil
Facing Evil

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