Julia Rose must go under cover to investigate the Rayne of Love
Traveling Ministry and Revival, but Nicodemus makes her forget
it’s all an act.
Federal Agent Julia Rose has investigated bizarre murder cases
before, but her most recent assignment takes her deep undercover
into the last place she expected—the Rayne of Love Traveling
Ministry and Revival Show featuring Nicodemus, a man who talks
to the dead.
Nicodemus’s response to Julia is swift and overwhelming.
He instantly forms a plan to seduce the mysterious young woman
with his abilities as a cold reader and a confidence man. But
even he couldn’t foresee how far it would go or how hard
he’d fall for her.
Hiding her identity, Julia is forced to conceal her feelings
as well. As she continues to hunt for the murderer, she realizes
she is compromising her career, future, and heart the more time
she spends with Nicodemus. But more than a murder investigation
stands between them. Her past haunts her, her emotions frighten
her, and the one man she longs to trust is the one man she never
should.
Excerpt
Nic nodded. “I meet a lot of people, Elizabeth. It’s
not often I meet somebody like you.”
“That’s nice,” she said sweetly, “but it’s
not the truth.”
Nicodemus gasped. “I am shocked, shocked, that you would
question my integrity like that.”
Julia crossed her arms. “Tell me the truth, Nic.”
“Why did you come here?” he asked, instead of answering
her.
“What?”
“Why did you come tonight? You’re not like the rest
of the believers, are you? You don’t have complete faith
in me.”
Panic welled up. Was she that obvious? Was she the worst under-cover
agent in the history of the Bureau? She was out of her league.
“I…”
“Why did you sneak in the back? Why did you seek me out?”
He took a step closer, and she smelled the smoke and sweat on
his clothes. “I think you like me.”
Several images flashed through Julia’s mind. The rapt
faces of his audience. The piles of money. The old women in
wheelchairs. The photos of the murder victims. Alec’s disapproving
face. Manuel’s stern brow. Nic’s false concern, his
distant smile…she didn’t think she liked him. She
didn’t think she could like somebody who took advantage
of people the way he did. Or somebody who was under suspicion
of murder.
And his arrogance was a little annoying. It worked out well
for her—if he thought this was about sex, he wouldn’t
get any more suspicious—but still. How obnoxious.
“Maybe a little,” she lied, batting her eyelashes
slightly.
“Well, is it any surprise I want to be around you?”
Nicodemus asked. “I have to spend all my time with Manuel
and the cheerleader, after all.”
“What about your doting followers?” The words slipped
out before she could stop them.
“They’re really not interested in me, pet.”
“And I’m a refreshing change of pace? Because I don’t
have complete faith in you?” Julia asked.
“You should,” he murmured. “I might be able
to help you.”
“How?”
“You’re concerned about your job…” He paused,
pulling another cigarette from his shirt pocket. “You think
you could be doing something bigger, something better. But you
made a mistake or two, didn’t apply yourself when you should,
and now you’re treading water. You think a vacation would
be nice, but you don’t really think it’s a good idea
to leave right now. You’ll take it later.”
Julia gasped. “What? How did you…”
“Know? It’s my job, isn’t it?”
“Really, I want to know,” Julia said, intrigued.
“Most women I meet your age are concerned about their
job, for whatever reason. Maybe it’s because they have
a family too. Maybe it’s because they’re trying to
work in a hostile environment. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t
matter. I noticed you reacted when I mentioned your job, just
a little bit.”
“How did you figure the rest of it?”
“Everybody thinks they’re a special and unique snowflake.
Everybody has the same problems. I’m not psychic, I just
know about pain and hardship.”
Julia shook her head. “Are you doing that all the time?”
“Reading you?”
“Yeah.”
Nicodemus shrugged. “It’s second nature now, I’ve
been doing it so many years. Mostly I don’t think about
it, though it’s convenient when somebody’s trying
to lie to me.”
Julia swallowed hard. Was that a hint? Was he onto her? She
stole a sideways glance, and he didn’t look as though he
was implying anything. Unless he was as good at hiding as he
was at finding secrets. “What about Manuel? Does he have
this skill too?”
“He does. I wouldn’t say he’s as good as me,but
he’s rarely as good as me.”
Julia laughed good-naturedly. It was a reminder that she needed
to be on her toes.
He nodded. “Hey, if you don’t want to come by, I
understand. But if you do, I’ll be in front of the civic
center around noon.”
Nic opened the door for her.
“Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow,” Julia said as
she passed him.
“I hope so, Elizabeth. Wait.”
She spun around. “What?”
Nic moved away from the door, allowing it to slam shut again.
He stepped back into the shadows without speaking. Julia frowned,
following him out of the weak light the streetlamps offered,
curious. She knew in the pit of her stomach what he intended
to do. She knew he would kiss her again, but she didn’t
do anything to stop his attempt. It seemed like she had been
waiting for this moment since she saw him on the stage in his
ridiculous shirt.
Nic wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her against his
body. Julia touched his chest, the heat of his body radiating
through his thin T-shirt and up her arm. She blushed, thankful
he couldn’t see her face in the dark. He touched her cheek
with his other hand, his fingers light against her skin. She
closed her eyes, focusing on the way he caressed her. The act
was strangely intimate—more intimate than the kiss they
had shared the night before. It was a lover’s touch.
Nic slid his fingertips along the slope of her jaw, resting
them at the corner of her mouth. She parted her lips in response
to the slight pressure, her eyes still closed. Her heart galloped
in her ears. Julia thought he must have heard it echoing off
the walls around them. He traced her parted lips with the tip
of his finger, tickling her, forcing her to catch her breath.
His arm around her body felt as tight and strong as a vise grip.
She wouldn’t be able to pull away from Nic if she wanted
to. He had her trapped.
Julia opened her eyes in time to see him tilt his head towards
her, but he bypassed her mouth, instead bringing his lips to
within an inch of her ear. His hot breath tickled her neck.
She resisted the urge to arch her neck in an invitation, instead
remaining motionless.
“Do you want me to kiss you?” Nic whispered.
