Her words struck him hard, cutting the air from his lungs. The garden around him faded as his heart withered inside his chest. His limbs weighed him down, yet the emptiness in his hands overwhelmed him, shutting out every other sensation.
Her voice drifted to him once more.
“Read my lips.”
She twirled around and flung herself at him.
He only had a moment to register her words before she pressed her mouth against his. The salt of her tears mixed with the flavour of her lips. He froze as his mind fumbled for control and some understanding, but he soon let go. His body acted on both instinct and a familiarity from touching her. He grasped her hips and dragged her close, pressing her body against his chest. Her mouth parted, letting him in deeper. Their tongues touched, and his pulse quickened, beating a frenetic song in his chest.
I’ll never let you go. He loosened his grip and chided himself. Unless you ask me to.
Her lips left his for a brief moment to answer his unspoken thoughts. “That day will never come.”
Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank Penner Publishing for accepting my series and bringing it out to the world; my editor for challenging me and helping me make this novel shine; my Book Besties for hearing me through my complaints and doubts and, always, for making me laugh; my mother-in-law for her endless support; my family for their belief in me; and my husband and two sons for putting up with me through the dark days when I had sat at my computer for hours.
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And, finally, the readers who took a chance on my book and made a special place for it on their bookshelves.
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Thank you.
About the Author
Jamie McLachlan is a graduate from Grant MacEwan University with a major in English and a minor in Philosophy. She decided to put her day dreaming to good use by weaving tales of speculative fiction. Avid reader and lover of all things creative, she lives in Canada with her family.
To connect with Jamie:
www.jamiemclachlan.com
About Penner Publishing
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