Entangled (32 page)

Lee threw her arms around his neck.

“Kiss me.”

He did as she commanded. While he was thus distracted, Lee took the opportunity to place her hand on his heart. It thumped against her palm. The dark hairs on his torso made him look more man than high schooler. Lee was surprised by how soft they were. She stroked his chest. Raj breathed a sigh into her mouth then kissed her roughly. He broke away with a groan when Lee’s hand slid down his backside.

“Lee, we can’t.”

“Why not? I’m naked. You’re naked. Obviously, the powers that be think we’re ready. Seems to me they’re trying to give us a little nudge.”

Raj pulled Lee’s arms off him. “I’m not doing anything unless I’m in full control.”

“What if something happens to me?” A sob worked its way up Lee’s throat. “What if someone’s trying to send me away?”

Raj yanked the throw off the end of Lee’s bed and wrapped it around himself like a sarong. Lee wasn’t sure how he found her—perhaps all the sniffling—but somehow he’d gathered her in his arms. “You aren’t going anywhere, Graylee Perez. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Amiens, France

Extraction. It was akin to watching someone get hit by a car. You wanted to shout, to step forward, but your body locked up. This couldn’t really be happening.

Ryan Phillips could not have cast Gray’s soul from its host.

Scraping sounds filled Gray’s ear as though the razor claws of hell were dragging her down to the inferno.

“No!” Gray shrieked.

The clatter abruptly stopped.

Her eyes flew open. All heads turned toward her. As soon as Gray felt the weight of her body she took a quick glance around. She was seated at the end of a long table. The room appeared to be a cellar encased in gray stone slabs. Tables lined in rows. Forks hovered in midair, drinking glasses suspended below curious, but calm, expressions. Gray’s hair covered the sides of her face when she lowered her head and stared at the plate in front of her. It was mostly filled with salad and a side of veggies.

She didn’t breathe till the students went back to eating.

A girl with a flawless complexion and dark brown hair stared at Gray from across the table.
“
Que s’est-il passé? Ça va, Charlene?
”

Right. Three problems.
Number One: The chick was speaking French. Two: Gray had the distinct impression she was actually in France—not French class, but France the country. And three: The girl had called her Charlene.

Not again.

Acknowledgements

If it weren’t for my mother, this book wouldn’t exist. When I was behind in reading she came up with a rewards system to spur me along. As I grew up, she hunted down the best middle grade books on the market. Because of her, I discovered the treasure hidden between the pages and thus began my two greatest passions: reading and writing.

Hugs and kisses to my husband, S
é
bastien, for working on the digital formatting and French translations. Without Seb’s love and support I wouldn’t have pulled off my past seven novels. Real heroes do exist!

I can’t thank my aunt Carmen Fisher enough for reading my manuscripts over the years, waving her magical grammar wand over them, and offering her kind support and encouragement.

To the most thoroughly terrific beta reader ever: Nicole Steinhaus – I salute you!

To Keren Kiesslinger at Gothic Angel Book Reviews and blog reviewers like her for the passion and excitement they put into reading and for supporting indie authors.

To Cinthia Ritchie and Bob Friel, extraordinary writers and true friends, who are always available to answers questions and offer valuable advice no matter what my project.

Cocoa covered kisses to The Chocolatiers: Stacey Wallace Benefiel, Cheryl Carvajal, Suz Korb, Kira Saito, and Lucy Swing for their encouragement and help with the novella version of my story (
Spellbound
in our anthology
Death by Chocolate
) and for inspiring me to take the indie plunge.

A big round of applause goes to Najla Qamber for the beautiful cover art, and to Christine LePorte for making this story sparkle and shine.

About the
Author

Nikki Jefford is a third generation Alaskan who found paradise in the not-so-tropical San Juan Islands where she is, once more, neighbors with Canada. She has a degree in journalism and was an entertainment reporter before returning to her first love: fiction.

After a whirlwind romance in France, Nikki married S
é
bastien in March 2000. They reside with Cosmo the Wonder Westie.

Find her at:

http://nikkijefford.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/NikkiJefford

If you enjoyed this book, consider supporting the author by leaving a review wherever you purchased this book.
Merci
.
Gracias
. Thank you. May the magic be with you!