Act of Mercy (PSI-Ops / Immortal Ops) (21 page)

Book One in The Dead series.

Some people talk with the living, some speak with the dead…

Paige Holcomb enjoys her life in New Orleans. Friends she considers family, a man she can’t figure if he’s a friend or more, and of course
the others
. The others being those who aren’t breathing and who gravitate to her for help. Why she’s cursed, she’s never figured out, but help the ghostly women she will.

Nothing much shocks homicide detective Mike Killian, but the stubborn woman he’s been after constantly manages it. Paige gives wary a whole new meaning and he’s given her space and time. But he’s done waiting. She’s his and it’s time she came to terms with that.

When the ghosts of murdered women start visiting Paige, Mike will do whatever he must to keep her safe while she learns to use her ability to help stop a murderer before it’s too late.

To find out more about these books or to read other books from The Raven Books visit www.TheRavenBooks.com

You met the Johnsons in the USA Today Bestseller The Santinis, now, get to know Bran…

A man who thinks he has what he wants.

Bran Johnson always knew he wanted to be a Marine. What makes it even better is longtime gal pal TK is now stationed at the same base. Unfortunately, Bran is having a hard time dealing with his feelings when he realizes that TK is considered a hot commodity on base. Worse, he finds himself taking a backseat to her admirers.

A woman who always wished for more.

Tess Keller has loved Bran since they were in high school. The former football captain always treated her like a friend so she tried to move on. Unfortunately, he’s in her business constantly now. One passionate argument leads to more than either of them expected. Tess knows it isn’t going to last because Bran is never going to settle down. So, to save face, she suggests they stay friends, only with the side benefit of being sometime lovers.

A Marine determined to win at all costs.

Bran agrees to the friends with benefits idea just to keep himself close to Tess. She might think he’s not around for the long haul, but this is one Johnson brother who knows exactly what he wants…and just how to get it. And what he wants is Tess in his bed and in his life forever. Nothing will stop him, not even Tess herself.

Excerpt from Tease Me (Semper Fi Marines)

“I’m not wrong, Bran. I’ve never been your kind of woman.”

He heard the doubt in her voice and was stunned. This woman had always seemed so confident, so sure of herself. But in this, she seemed…at a loss. She apparently didn’t know how stunning her found her. That she was gorgeous inside and out.

He guessed it was time to reveal that little secret of his.

“Do you remember graduation?”

“Yes, it rained, we had it inside. It was hot as hell.”

“Not high school. Annapolis.”

She frowned in thought, then nodded.

“You were so excited that you came running up to me and hugged me. Do you remember that?”

She sighed. “Of course I do. It wasn’t that long ago. I don’t know what this has to do with the fact that you’re gnawing on my fingers.”

“Then you kissed me. On the mouth. You’d never done that before.”

Anyone watching would have seen a calm woman, but Bran knew better. He was holding her hand and his fingers skimmed over her pulse. It sped up a beat or two. Bran was enough of a competitor to admit he enjoyed that.

She cleared her throat apparently trying to compose herself. “And?”

He nibbled a little longer, taking his time. He knew it was small of him, but he was enjoying her discomfort. “There’s a reason I avoided you for a few months. For a second there, I almost lost it.”

Now she looked very wary. “Bran if you want me to believe—”

Irritated with her, and the fact that he was dying to touch more than just her hand, he interrupted her.

“I am not lying. You kissed me. It lasted a second and the only thing I could think was that I wanted more.”

Her eyes widened and she shook her head.

He nodded. “Thoughts of tearing off your clothes and kissing every inch of your body took over. Then, all the family came up and well, I felt perverted because the rest of the night I wondered what you looked like under your uniform.”

“You ran off with Jimmy and the rest of those idiots that night.”

“And I came back to the hotel without them. I couldn’t get you out of my mind. Then, you were gone and we were both busy. It all hit me when I saw you the other day.”

“Bran.”

“It’s true. I want you. And I could tell from that kiss, you want me. Why does it have to be any harder than that?”

“Our families, our…careers.”

“And you date other Marines. Unless there is something wrong with me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with you.”

The way she said it was as if she was irritated with him for it.

“Hey, I won’t push you, but tell me…can you really say you don’t want this?”

He pulled her closer and kissed her again, this time thrusting his tongue inside her mouth. She tasted of minty toothpaste and lust. It was an odd combination, but need poured through him. Then, slowly, she slipped her hands up his arms and behind his neck. It was Tess who pressed her body against his this time, and it was him who shook. She tilted her head to the side and slid her tongue against his.

When he pulled back, they were both breathing heavily.

“So, what do you say, Tess?”

He left it up to her. He knew that for her, it was the right way to go. Tess always had to think things over and if she said she wanted to wait, he would wait. He’d have to take a cold shower for an hour, but he would do it. She lifted her fingers to her lips and touched her mouth. She looked stunned.

Damn, she was going to say to wait. Or, worse,
no
. That would be ten times worse. But then, in a blink of an eye, she dropped her hand and her lips curved.

“Tess?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Have you ever known me to not say what I mean?”

Then, he let out an
oorah
as he bent to pick her up. He caught her unawares and she squealed.

“Bran, put me down,” she said wiggling against him.

“I will, when I can put you under me.”

Then he marched into her bedroom.

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