Bane started to go left, but something stopped him. Was that… yes, he heard a laugh, one he knew well. Ariana was to the right.
Changing directions, he walked as stealthily as he could. When he reached a large room, he peered around the corner. What he saw shocked him to his core. Ariana stood with two Tarnan warriors, smiling and apparently having a good time. He wasn’t sure what was going on. He’d been a day’s journey behind her, had worried about her safety, but it appeared she was being taken care of.
He’d been told she was being held against her will, possibly even hurt. Instead, he found her well and having a nice time. Had Lafre lied to him? Had she merely seen the pirates take Ari and made up a story to suit her own purposes? There was no way to extract her without making his presence known. Stepping into the room, he waited until the warriors took notice of him. It didn’t take long.
“Keshpan,” the tallest one growled.
Ariana turned and her eyes widened when she saw him. With a squeal, she flew across the room and launched herself into his arms, relieving any doubts he’d had. He held her tight, breathed her in, then put her behind him.
“I don’t want trouble,” he told the warriors. “But I’m taking her with me.”
The tallest one folded his arms over his chest. “Have you taken care of the threat to her safety? We won’t let you have her if the woman who arranged all of this will still be free to harm her again.”
So they were feeling protective of her already. At least he was comforted with the thought that they wouldn’t have harmed her. Taken her to their home planet, yes, but hurt her, no.
“We’ll go straight to the Prime Minister when we return to Keshpa,” Bane vowed. “I want Lafre out of Ariana’s life, permanently. I agree that as long as Lafre is free, Ari is in danger. It’s obvious the woman will go to any lengths to bond with me.”
The more muscular of the two eyed him up and down. “You don’t look like much to me. Personally, I don’t see the draw. I think Ariana would be better off with one of us. We could protect her better than you can.”
Bane had little doubt that they spoke the truth, but he would die trying. The Tarnans wanted her because she was female and for no other reason. Bane wanted her because he loved her, more than anything. He needed her more than he needed to breathe. She was essential to him.
“I won’t let Ari go. She’s mine, and she’ll always be mine,” Bane told them.
The warriors nodded, obviously understanding the depth of his feelings for Ariana. He was glad he wouldn’t have to fight them. While he would give it everything he had, something told him he wouldn’t win against them. They were far more experienced and much larger.
“Take me home,” Ariana said, looking up at him with love and trust.
Bane pressed a finger to his ear. “Cael, bring us on board.”
I haven’t read anything by this author previously and was pleasantly surprised. I will definitely look for more of her stories. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters were likable. The romance between the hero and heroine heats up the pages, making this a page turner, with a dash of suspense.
She’s his everything, and he’s nothing without her.
Bane has wanted Ariana since the first moment he met her, except she belongs to his brother Arko. When a tragedy happens, Bane steps forward to claim Ariana as his own, but Keshpan law states a slave can never be a bonded mate. That isn’t going to stop Bane from loving her every day for the rest of his life, though.
When Ariana is kidnapped by space pirates, Bane is determined to rescue her, no matter the cost. But things are getting bad back home on Keshpa. A political storm is brewing that just may rip Ariana from his arms the moment he returns with her. Bane will walk away from everything he knows to have the woman he loves by his side.
An Excerpt
A knock sounded at the front door and Bane frowned. “I’m not expecting anyone.”
Ariana hung back, not knowing what to expect. She watched in curiosity as Bane opened the door. When he stepped back to allow a tall man and a rather elegant looking young woman to enter, she debated whether or not she should make herself scarce. Bane hadn’t talked to her about what her role would be in his home, what he expected of her. She was a slave, that much she knew, but did he view her in the same light as his brother? Arko would’ve never brought her home with him or allow her to interact with his neighbors. Maybe she should stop painting them with the same brush and realize that Bane was different.
He motioned for her to join them. “Ariana, come meet our neighbors. This is Vryl and his daughter, Lafre. They live to the right of us in the big yellow house.”
Ariana moved to his side and leaned into him when he wrapped an arm around her waist. She didn’t miss the cold look in the young woman’s eyes, or the pinched lips when Lafre’s gaze dropped to Bane’s hand, which was now caressing her hip. Hmm. It seemed the young woman either had something against slaves, felt she was too far above Ariana for an introduction, or… could she, perhaps, have feelings for Bane? Ariana couldn’t really blame her if that was the case.
“Welcome, Ariana. If you ever need anything when Bane isn’t here, please don’t hesitate to come next door,” Vryl said. He gave her an engaging smile, and she returned it. His daughter might not like her, but he seemed personable enough.
“Thank you.”
“I’m glad Bane arrived home when he did. I had just looked out my front window when I saw the zirrels chasing you. They can be quite a nuisance, can’t they? They don’t like high frequencies though, so if you turn on the COMM and turn the volume all the way up, it usually sends them running.” He smiled. “Just don’t forget to turn the volume back down or you’ll be in for a shock the first time someone rings through.”
“I’ll have to remember that.”
“Well, we won’t keep you,” Vryl said. “We just wanted to introduce ourselves. I work from home so I’m there most days, and when I’m not around, Lafre is. Stop by anytime.”
“I appreciate the offer. I’ll be sure to come by sometime.”
Vryl and Lafre made their goodbyes, the young woman’s eyes never leaving Bane.
He closed the door behind them and turned to face her. Leaning against the door, he sighed. “I had hoped she’d outgrown that.”
Ariana lifted a brow. “You mean her infatuation with you?”
He nodded. “I’ve spoken to her father about it before, but he doesn’t seem to get anywhere with her. She has it in her head that she’s going to be my wife. As if I’d marry that silly child.”
“Child? She looks to be about my age.”
“Yes, well. She’s spoiled and selfish, and she’s younger than you think. She just turned nineteen the other day. I’m sure she’d make someone a fine wife one day, after she’s grown up a bit. It just won’t be me.” He tugged her against his body. “I have the only woman I want.”
“You make it sound like you’ve been pining for me or something.”
“I’ve wanted you since the first moment I saw you. The instant I laid eyes on you, I knew you were special. My damn brother just beat me to you is all. Otherwise, we’d have been together from the beginning.”
“You’ve known me for a year, owned me for about half a day now, and you have yet to try to kiss me.”
Humor lit his eyes. “Well, we can’t have that, now can we?”
Bane tunneled his fingers through Ariana’s hair and tilted her head back. With the ghost of a smile on his handsome face, he leaned down and pressed his lips to Ariana’s. His mouth moved softly against hers, and she found herself leaning into him, wanting more. Her lips parted, inviting him in, and his tongue delved inside. She felt lightheaded as his taste and scent surrounded her. Kissing Bane was like coming home. There was no other way to describe it.
He pulled back and looked down at her. “We should stop, Ari.”
“Why? You don’t want me?”
“Too much. The doctor gave you something to heal your body from your abortion, but I don’t want to pounce on you the moment you’re under my roof. I have more restraint than that.”
She curled her fingers into the fabric of his shirt. “What if I don’t want you to have more restraint than that? What if I want you just as much as you want me?”
Bane shook his head. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“Yes, I do. I know my own mind and my body, and I want you, Bane. I always have,” she finished softly. “Knowing we could never be together, I had to put you in the ‘hands off’ category, but that’s changed now. I no longer have to pretend indifference when we’re together. I belong to you. Make me yours, Bane. Please.”
His hand tightened on her hair, pulling her closer. “You are mine. You’ll always be mine. There’s nothing that would ever make me get rid of you, Ari. I’ve waited for this moment for what feels like forever. I’m just worried you’re going to be disappointed.”
“You could never disappoint me, Bane.” And she knew she spoke the truth. He actually cared about her, whereas she’d only been a possession to his brother. She’d never meant anything to any of the men in her life, not until Bane. And if his kiss was anything to go by, the passion between them would consume her.
“I can’t be slow or gentle right now. I’ve waited too long to be with you, been too long without a woman. The moment I’m inside of you, I’m going to lose control.”
“Then lose control with me. I want you, all of you. Hot, wild and needing me as much as I need you. Show me what I’ve been missing all of my life, Bane.”
With a groan, he captured her lips once more and lifted her into his arms. He carried her up the stairs to their bedroom. Bane kicked the door shut and set her on her feet. With quick, jerky movements, he rid her of her clothes before nearly tearing his own from his body.
Ariana gasped and traced the tattoo on his chest. Right above his heart was her name in a bold, black script. “When did you get this?”
“I had Tyre laser it into my skin shortly after our first outing together. He thought the request odd, but I showed him pictures of tattoos from your world and explained the significance behind it. He was happy to help.”
Tears gathered in her eyes. “But, I belonged to another. You couldn’t have known then that you would own me one day. No woman would want you while another’s name was tattooed on your chest. No one’s ever done anything like that for me before.”
He flattened her hand over her name. “I wanted to carry you close to my heart, to have you with me always. I knew that I would never want another woman. You’re it for me, Ari. I don’t want to scare you by telling you that, but you need to know the truth. This is going to be more than just a joining of our bodies, at least for me.”
A noise startled her awake. A quick look around showed that the suns were setting. Another crash downstairs had her jolting upright. Was that Bane?
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood slowly, making sure they would hold her weight. Surprisingly, she felt almost a hundred percent better. Whatever the doctor had given her to wake her at the hospital, combined with the food she’d had and the nap she’d taken, had done wonders for her.
She heard a chittering sound and frowned. Bane didn’t have pets that she knew of. Deciding to be brave and investigate, she made her way downstairs only to stop in open-mouthed shock at the sight before her when she’d reached the bottom step. She had no clue what the furry critters were that were bounding around the lower level, but they were blue with swirling pink eyes, pointed ears and bushy tails. They kind of reminded her of the squirrels on her home planet, if squirrels were the size of small dogs. At the moment, the beasts were intent on wreaking havoc on the few knick-knacks Bane had scattered around his home. She cringed as something else crashed to the ground, shattering on impact.
Ariana stepped further into the room. “Stop it!”
The chittering stopped. A dozen beady eyes focused on her. Was it her imagination or did the one by the window just lick its lips? What exactly did an alien squirrel eat? She hoped to God it wasn’t people.
They began to converge on her, creeping along, their eyes intent on their prey. Should she throw a stick? Did they play fetch? Looking around for an escape, she saw that they had maneuvered behind her and blocked the stairs. The path to the front door was clear, but she didn’t have the alarm codes. As the creatures inched closer, those eerie eyes glued to her, she realized she had little choice but to make a dash for the yard and hope they scattered when they hit the outside.
Sprinting for the door, she burst through it, alarms blaring. She’d just cleared the walkway, with a dozen blue fur balls of fury on her heels, as Bane zoomed into the driveway. He looked startled at first and then amused. She didn’t see the humor in the situation. A bunch of overgrown neon rodents were about to devour her. Where was the humor?
She ran for him and launched herself into his arms.
“I take it the zirrels got into the house again,” he said, a trace of laughter in his voice.
“Zirrels? Is that was that those things are called?”
He nodded. “We actually engineered them from the squirrels on your planet about fifty years ago. One of our warriors saw them, thought they were cute and brought some back with him. Something went horribly wrong with the cloning process though, and that’s what we ended up with. They’re mischievous, but they won’t harm you.”
“I’m not convinced. They chased me from the house! Did you see the looks in their eyes? They wanted to eat me!”
Bane laughed. “They eat plants, and occasionally get into my kitchen pantry and eat my fruits and vegetables I have stored there. They have the ability to shift from one place to another, sort of like teleporting so walls aren’t a deterrent.”
“Are you trying to tell me those fur balls from hell can just come in the house whenever they want?”
She’s his everything, and he’s nothing without her.
Bane has wanted Ariana since the first moment he met her, except she belongs to his brother Arko. When a tragedy happens, Bane steps forward to claim Ariana as his own, but Keshpan law states a slave can never be a bonded mate. That isn’t going to stop Bane from loving her every day for the rest of his life, though.
When Ariana is kidnapped by space pirates, Bane is determined to rescue her, no matter the cost. But things are getting bad back home on Keshpa. A political storm is brewing that just may rip Ariana from his arms the moment he returns with her. Bane will walk away from everything he knows to have the woman he loves by his side.
Book 6 in the Ashton Grove Werewolves series releases this month! I know it’s been a long time coming, and hopefully you won’t be disappointed. I struggled with this one, deleting it and starting over several times. I know some people are going to be angry with me by the end of the book, but just remember that everything happens for a reason.
The Ashton Grove pack has been on the verge of war for months, and now the time has arrived. The Skulls of Hell are on their way to the small sleepy Georgia town with destruction on their minds. But a new voice in the pack wants to know why.
Kendall Wright has lost one battle with the Skulls already and she isn’t anxious to face them again, but as Colin’s mate she knows it’s her place to fight by his side. But if she’s going to forfeit her life for the good of the pack, she wants to know why.
Colin has to admit his mate brings up a good point. Why travel such a great distance to wipe out a small pack of werewolves? There’s nothing special about the Ashton Grove pack, or is there? Can the mystery be solved before the war begins?
EXCERPT
Kendall leaned against her car and tried to get a signal on her phone. She was stranded in the middle of nowhere with no way to contact anyone. Her car had died and refused to start again. She fought the urge to smack her phone against the car. Not only did she not have any reception, her 4G was out as well. Not that the internet did her much good, but at least she could’ve emailed her friend and hoped he got the message. If it hadn’t been daylight, she would’ve just shifted and found the nearest town. Then again, she’d be naked when she shifted back so maybe that wasn’t such a great idea.
Just when she was giving up hope, she heard a loud engine. Shading her eyes from the sun, she smiled when she saw a large truck rumbling her way. With any luck, the owner would be a guy. A guy knowledgeable about cars, she amended. Maybe she’d be on her way in no time!
The truck pulled over to the side of the road just behind her car. But as the doors opened, she realized her mistake. She should’ve waited for them inside her car. Now she was in the open and exposed. She watched as five of the hardest looking men she’d ever seen got out of the vehicle. Despite the hot June weather, three of them wore black leather jackets. She had a really horrible feeling about this.
The way they moved told her they were something other than human, but she wasn’t sure exactly what they could be. They didn’t smell like shifters. There was a foul, almost rancid, smell coming from them and it made her want to gag. She edged closer to the driver side door of her car, wondering if she could make it in time, but one look at the approaching men put a nix on that idea. They were too close and she had a feeling they were faster than they looked.
They circled her, penning her in, making her feel like a trapped animal. Her other half, her animal half, yowled in protest. She could shift, but that would only make her more vulnerable. Sure, she’d get in a few good licks, but her cat was small and they would overtake her quickly. There was little doubt in her mind that the more she fought them, the more pain they would inflict. Now that they were closer, she could see the evil lurking in their coal black eyes. There was only one type of being with eyes like that – a demon. The skull and crossbones on the front of the leather jackets gave her a clue as to who she was dealing with.
Fear snaked through her, seizing her. They tightened their circle, closing in until they were near enough to touch her. Her brain was telling her to flee, but her body was locked in place. A tremor ran down her spine, shaking her from head to toe as the leader reached out to touch her, running his fingers through her spiky red hair. Another ground against her from behind and she nearly wet herself. What were they going to do to her? Would she survive?
“Tie her up,” the leader commanded.
The demon behind her grabbed her hands, jerking them behind her back. Another produced a length of rope and tied them together, nearly cutting off her circulation. Next, they tied her feet and she was slung over someone’s shoulder and carried to the truck. Dumped in the bed of the truck, one of the demons launched himself into the back, presumably to keep an eye on her. As if she could escape like this! Bound as she was, it would be impossible for her to shift. Had they tied her on purpose, perhaps knowing she was a shapeshifter?
She stayed silent, not voicing the multitude of questions she had, doubting that she would receive any answers and would most likely be punished for daring to speak. Her heart raced as the worst possible scenarios tumbled through her mind, one following the other in rapid succession. They hadn’t gagged her, which meant they didn’t care if she screamed, perhaps even wanted her to. She didn’t know a lot about demons, but what little knowledge she did have told her she didn’t have a prayer of escaping. They would torture her, and possibly kill her, but one thing was certain, she would not give up her soul. With there being five of them, chances were, they didn’t even want it. Which meant they’d captured her strictly for torture.
Bile rose in the back of her throat and she forced it down. She didn’t want to show any signs of weakness, no more than she already had. They would try to break her, and if she gave in too soon, if they thought for one moment they’d already accomplished their task, her life would be forfeit. And she wanted to live! Oh how she wanted to live. There was so much she hadn’t done yet, so many places to see, people to meet. There weren’t many who would miss her if she were to disappear. She had one close friend at home, a guy that really fell into the “friends with benefits” category, but there was no love between them. She’d never been in love and the thought saddened her.
She felt the truck bump along and looked up. The sky gave nothing away, but the position of the sun seemed off. Had they gone off-road? She broke out in a sweat at the thought of being taken further into the desert, where no one would hear her, no one would find her. They would be completely isolated, left to do to her whatever they pleased without interference. Not that a mere human could stop them even if they tried. No, maybe it was better this way. At least she would be the only one at their mercy.
After what seemed like hours, but was surely only twenty minutes or so, the truck came to a stop. The demon beside her rose and hefted her over his shoulder. Once more, she was looking at the world upside down, mostly seeing his denim-clad rear. A sight that made her ill. After stepping around a cactus and a small rock formation, she was dropped, her bones rattling as she landed on the hard ground.
Looking around, she resigned herself to her fate. They’d bolted manacles in the rocks, the perfect way to detain their prey, and an assortment of tools lay nearby. The sight of a branding iron made her flinch and she hoped and prayed that she either passed out before they used it, or that her life would cease before then. She didn’t think she could handle the pain of such torture. The other items didn’t look pleasant either, but they didn’t terrify her as much as the thought of her flesh burning, of being marked for all eternity as their plaything.
One of the demons, whom she’d come to call demon 3 in her mind, cut the ropes binding her and dragged her over to the rock. Snapping the manacles in place, he ripped her shirt, dropping the shredded garment to the ground. Cutting her jeans from her body, he gave her a salacious look that made her skin crawl. Left bare except for her skimpy bra and panties, she shivered in anticipation of the atrocities yet to come.
Demon 2 picked up a long whip, the kind she’d always associated with cattle drives and cowboys, and flicked it, making it snap. She flinched, unable to stop the involuntary motion. Demon 4 picked up a large knife that looked like it had been sharpened to within an inch of its life. The others settled in, obviously wanting to observe, and more than likely wait their turn. She didn’t doubt for one minute that this was only the beginning.
The whip sang through the air, the crack making her tense, waiting for the pain to begin. The next flick sent it across her tender stomach, leaving a long red welt in its wake. Kendall clenched her teeth, determined not to utter a single whimper or cry of pain. The whip whistled through the air again, landing across her right breast. She ground her teeth and bit her tongue, each lashing making it harder and harder to keep quiet.
The whip kissed her flesh again and again, harder each time until it drew blood. Demon 4 licked his lips and moved in closer. She knew the real pain was about to begin. The closest she’d ever come to pain was a broken ankle when she was a kid, courtesy of a trip off a trampoline, and a bad cut to her palm when she tried to stop her forward momentum by slamming her hand into a window pane. None of that compared to now. She wasn’t sure anything could have prepared her for this.
The first cut was small, down the inside of her right arm, and made her hiss, despite her intent to remain silent. The demon grinned even bigger, his eyes growing even darker, if such a thing was possible. The blade of the knife caressed her breasts, but didn’t break the skin. He moved down her abdomen and made a vertical cut that stopped just shy of her navel.
Silent screams echoed in her head, making her ears ring. The taste of blood filled her mouth from biting her tongue so hard. The knife moved down her body, sliding over her panties. She broke out in chills just thinking of the damage he could do to her there, but he moved on. Digging the tip of the knife into her upper thigh, he broke the skin and sliced downward, leaving a four-inch gash in her leg.
Unable to stop herself, she whimpered and jerked at the manacles. The demon threw back his head and laughed before tossing the knife aside. She watched as he sat and another rose in his place. The leader brought her worst fears to life. Picking up the branding iron, he plunged the hard metal into an open flame nearby. She watched in absolute terror as the metal turned orange. When the demon was satisfied it was hot enough, he removed it from the fire and approached her, an unholy light in his eyes, his lips twisted in a sneer.
“Not going to make any noise, are you?” he taunted. “We’ll just see about that.”
Placing his meaty hand on her ribs, he held her still as he placed the red-hot iron against the skin of her hip. Kendall did the only thing she could. She screamed long and loud until the pain overtook her and she blacked out.
The 4th and final book in the Demon Guardians series is here — or almost here. Aires releases December 19th with Changeling Press!
What happens when two hot-blooded, sexy as sin demons want your body, mind and soul and aren’t into sharing?
The unbearable heat of hell won’t be the only singe Della feels. Aires wants her like no other, and once he has a taste he’ll want to go back for more. There’s just one problem. She’s his charge, and as her guardian he’s meant to protect her, not lust after her. When another demon shows interest in Della, it’s all Aires can do to control his jealous rage. Sweet Della is meant to be his and no one else’s.
Excerpt
Smoothing back her chestnut hair, I savored the feel of her against me. I wanted her, fiercely, but I was just as content to hold her. Della, however, had other ideas.
Curling her fingers in my hair, she pulled my head down and placed her lips against mine. The pressure was slight, a barely there kiss, but it was enough to ignite my hunger for her, making me ravenous to feel more of her. I licked at her bottom lip, and when she opened, I plundered her mouth, deepening the kiss. She tasted salty-sweet, and I knew she’d been eating pretzels and drinking her favorite soda, something she did often. Her hand tugged on my hair as she tried to get closer to me, and I tightened my arm around her waist. Kissing Della was every bit as wonderful as I’d remembered and I didn’t want to stop, but one of us needed to act rationally. If I didn’t stop now, she’d end up naked, bent over the arm of the sofa while I pounded into her sweet heat from behind.
I hadn’t thought it possible, but my cock grew even harder, straining against the zipper of my pants. Pulling back, reluctantly, I looked down into her upturned face. Her eyes were still closed, her lips plump from my kiss. Her eyes fluttered open and the passion blazing in their depths nearly took me to my knees. It seemed that delicious Della wanted me as much as I wanted her. Part of me wanted to throw her over my shoulder, run away with her, and bring her pleasure unlike any she’d ever known before, all night long. The part of my brain that was thinking clearly said it was best to take things slow and see where things went. Because deep down, I knew that one time would never be enough, not with her.
Her hand slid down my neck, then down my chest, coming to rest at the waistband of my pants. It would be oh-so-easy for her pop that button free and slide my zipper down, reach inside and see just what she did to me. I knew her sexual experience was limited and doubted she’d be so bold, but I could hope. Just one touch and I’d go up in flames. One touch is all it would take for her to claim me for her own. That thought shook a bit of sense into me, and I took a step back. She looked hurt by my retreat, but it was better this way.
“You aren’t safe here,” I told her. “Not by yourself.”
“If you’re my guardian, then you know I don’t have any family nearby. It isn’t like I can go stay with my sister. She’s all the way across the country in Atlanta.”
She was right. She had no family in sunny Southern California and very few friends. Surely one of them would put her up, though, at least long enough for me to sort out this problem. I just needed a game plan. It seemed the only way to send the Surack packing was to claim Della as mine, but I knew that it would the biggest step I’d ever taken, something that would change my life forever. And forever for a demon was a really long time.
“What about your friends?”
“Richard is currently seeing someone, and while I doubt Troy would mind me staying with them, it would just be awkward. They’re still in the first stage of romance, where you can’t keep your hands off one another. Melanie is expecting and dealing with her deadbeat boyfriend, who won’t take responsibility for the child or make an honest woman of her. Personally, I think she’s better off without him, but she’s a basket case.”
I tipped my head back and studied the ceiling, as if seeking answers where there were none. The weight of my decision settled on my shoulders as I realized what I had to do. It would be the hardest thing ever. Well, technically, at the moment, my cock was the hardest thing ever, but that was a complication I’d have to learn to deal with in the upcoming days.
No greater love ever existed. At least, that’s what Draco and Lacey would like to think. When fate stepped in and put Draco in Lacey’s path, it made her realize that despite her current situation and haunted past she still wanted the dream – a man who loved her unconditionally. She wasn’t sure if that would be Draco, but one look in his eyes and she knew her life was forever changed.
Step into the world of Moonspell and experience the love between Draco and Lacey. A love that shows anything is possible.
Her psychiatrist would probably say she was looking for acceptance and love, as she had experienced neither in a very long time. And maybe to some degree she was. But it was more than that. Draco made her feel special. For all she knew, she was just one in a long line of women, but he claimed she was different, that she was his. Those two words — you’re mine — had sounded so wonderful.
“You don’t have to romance me, Draco.”
“Yes, I do. You’re my mate and I want our first time together to be a memory you’ll cherish always. It isn’t like I do this all the time.”
She wanted to ask if there had been many women in his life, but she was afraid of the answer so she kept quiet. He was her first and that was all that mattered. Her first and her last. Her only, if she understood him correctly. What could be more special than that?
“Draco, there’s something you should know.”
“You can tell me anything.”
“I’ve never… I mean, I…”
He stroked her jaw and waited patiently while she found her words.
“I’ve never been with anyone before.”
His lips tipped up in a slow smile. “You’re going to be my first, as well.”
Her eyes widened in surprise and her lips parted. To say he’d shocked her was an understatement. How could a handsome, virile man like Draco be a virgin?
“How? Why?”
“There was never anyone who interested me enough. I’ve only dated a handful of women, and never more than three dates. I was looking for someone, and I couldn’t find her. I was looking for you.”
She wasn’t sure what to say to that. What could you say? It was sweet and romantic. Draco of the sexy body, piercing blue eyes, and oh so kissable lips wanted her and only her. He’d waited for her. It made her want him even more. She was even more certain than before that she was doing the right thing.
“Make me yours, Draco.”
Twisted Fate is available now from Changeling Press!
Dominguez: Demon Guardians AVAILABLE NOW from Changeling Press!
“They can’t harm you, Amara. You’re safe now.”
“How did you find me?” she asked. “How did you know I was in trouble?”
“I’m your guardian. I always know when you’re in trouble.”
Her brow furrowed. “Like a guardian angel?”
I chuckled. “Yes, except I’m a demon.”
“I don’t care if you’re a purple alien. You rescued me. I can only imagine what would’ve happened to me if you hadn’t come along when you did. They would’ve forced me, I’m sure. I was stupid to go with them, but it seemed like harmless fun. They didn’t seem like men who would hurt me.”
“You should never enter into something like that unless you know the person and trust them. You could’ve been seriously hurt tonight.”
She shuddered in my arms.
“Let’s get you cleaned up.” I picked up the soap and placed it in her hand.
She swiped the soap down her arms in jerky movements, missing more of her skin than not. Taking the bar from her, I lathered my hands and soaped her skin, using slow, easy motions. I didn’t want to scare her. When I reached her breasts, I wasn’t sure what to do. In a normal situation, I wouldn’t hesitate, but this was far from normal.
Amara took my hands in hers and guided them over her breasts and down the valley between them. As my palms slid down her torso to her hips, her gaze flicked up to meet mine. With her eyes steady on mine, she slipped my hand between her legs. Her pussy was bare and oh so soft. I longed to taste it, to feel that smooth skin against my tongue.
Lust hit me, more mine than hers. I felt uncertainty from her, and from what little I could glean from her thoughts, she wanted reassurance that sex wasn’t about violence. I wasn’t sure what to do… give in to my desire or push her away?
Trying to gain control of myself, I washed her as quickly as possible. The water beating down on us rinsed her almost as fast as I could soap her skin. I held out a hand to help her stand, but instead she curled her arms around my neck. Not knowing what else to do, I embraced her, giving in to my desires. The feel of her soft, supple body pressed tight against mine was creating havoc with my self-control.
“I want you,” she whispered, pressing her lips against mine.
I could do little more than return her kiss, parting her lips with my tongue before delving inside for a taste. She even tasted of sweetness, innocence, all things good. It drove me to want to possess her, own her, make her mine in every way. But she’d already shown she wasn’t up for that. I couldn’t give in to my demands.
“We can’t,” I told her.
“Why not?”
I lightly stroked her throat. “Because the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen was you kneeling at my feet with that collar around your neck. Because I’d want to tie you up and have my wicked way with you. Have you submit to me completely. And it’s obvious to me that you aren’t into that kind of thing.”
She toyed with my hair, and I found I liked it.
“What if I let you do those things to me? What if I said that I wanted that with you, that I knew you wouldn’t hurt me, but you would keep me safe? You claim you’re my guardian, after all.”
I caressed the silky skin along her ribs. “You would trust me that much? Even though we just met? Even after what you’ve been through today?”
“If you’re truly my guardian, you would never bring me harm, right? I couldn’t be safer than I am right now.”
“Right.”
“Then, yes, I trust you.”
Kissing her like a starving man, I shut off the water and lifted her out of the tub. When I pulled back, her lips were swollen and pink, making me want to kiss her again. I reached for a towel and quickly dried both of us before leading her back into the bedroom. Her bed wasn’t very large, but it would have to do, at least, for now. I didn’t want to scare her by taking her to hell just yet. I did, however, wish I had some of my toys, or at least a very good pair of handcuffs or some rope.
A scarf half hanging out of a drawer gave me an idea. I walked over to the dresser and pulled the drawer open. A multitude of scarves were thrown in haphazardly, an explosion of color and texture. Choosing two long silk ones, I turned to her with a smile.
A single night of passion, or a lifetime of love? How is a demon to choose?
Dominguez has never lost control, not in the two and half centuries he’s been alive, not until Amara. One night in her arms and he’s a changed man – demon, rather. One slight miscalculation and the woman he’s sworn to protect ends up pregnant with his child, but before they can focus on what that means to them, they have to discover who’s behind the demon attacks on Amara.
I have a cover reveal and an excerpt for you today!
Reika Woods is everything a fairy should be — on the outside. But when it comes to magick, things tend to go a little bit wrong. Okay, more than a little. That doesn’t stop her from wishing the man of her dreams would take notice of her, without running in the other direction. After a bit of friendly mischief calls the fire department to her home, she has her wish. Her very hunky fireman is at her beck and call. But Jax Donohue is more than just a fireman, he’s a werewolf, and what Reika doesn’t realize is that she’s his mate — and he will do anything to protect her.
Reika narrowed her eyes and bit her lip. “Dare, I think.”
She took a sip of her margarita. “Yes, definitely a dare.”
Maya gave her a Cheshire grin, her eyes glinting in a mischievous manner. “I dare you to set off the fire alarm.”
Reika nearly choked on her drink. She knew exactly what her friend was up to. Why had she confided in Maya about the super hot fireman? Reika had seen him outside of the fire station just last week and had all but wrecked her car as her head had swiveled in a near 180-degree turn to get a better look. With his navy blue M.F.D. tee fit so snug, every muscle in his arms and chest had been clearly outlined. She’d wanted to reach out and touch him to see if he was as strong as he looked. It had taken everything in her to keep driving and not turn around and go introduce herself.
She’d driven past the fire station more than once since then, in hopes of seeing him again. She’d only seen him one time, and only at a distance. Since then, he’d been scarce, or maybe he just hadn’t been at work. Whatever the case, she hadn’t seen him, and oh how she’d wanted to!
“All right, but it has to look like an accident.”
Maya gave her a gleeful look. “What do you suggest?”
“Well, you know how horrible I am with potions. Who’s to say I don’t accidentally mix the wrong things and KABLOOM! Instant fire starter. Or maybe just something to create a lot of smoke. I don’t care to actually set fire to my home.”
“I should make you set if off without props,” Maya said. “It’s kind of like cheating, doing it your way.”
Reika wrinkled her nose. “I want the guy to actually speak to me. If he finds out I set off the alarm on a dare, he’ll never talk to me. I’ll just be another flighty fairy to him.”
“All right, fair enough. We do it your way.” Maya rubbed her hands together. “So, what are we going to mix?”
Reika tucked her wings away, the green and violet shimmering appendages folding away neatly, and stared at the different vials out on the counter. Some were blue, some green, a few were purple or pink. Only one was yellow and she had yet to figure out what it did. She’d mixed it quite by mistake the other day. No time like the present, she supposed.
Grabbing the yellow vial, she paused. She could barely remember the ingredients in the tube. How was she going to pick something that would react with it? Preferably without blowing her up. With a hesitant hand, she selected a blue vial and a green one. Mixing the three together in an empty test tube, she watched the mixture roiling, with bubbles foaming up the sides of the glass. The liquid turned colors, from yellow, to green, to pink, to orange. Smoke started pouring from the tube and billowing up toward the ceiling. An acrid stench filled the room, causing Reika to cover her nose and bat at the air.
A loud beeping began as her fire alarm sounded, one she knew had a direct link to the fire department, courtesy of a local security company. She knew it could take the Moonspell Fire Department anywhere from three minutes to thirteen minutes to respond. It just depended on how busy they were, or how prepared. She imagined they spent a great deal of time sitting around playing cards while they waited on the alarms to go off around town. With Moonspell being so small, they probably responded to more calls about cats in trees than actual fires.
Maya tugged her out of the kitchen and out the back door. They stepped through the gate and walked around to the front yard to await Reika’s hunky fireman. Oh God! She hadn’t even thought about it, but what if he wasn’t working tonight? She would be so embarrassed if all of this was for naught.
A minute or two later, she heard the sirens coming, and soon the street was bathed in the red glow of the flashing lights of the fire truck. The first man to jump off the truck and head their way was tall with a lean build. The greenish tinge to his skin told of his elven heritage. His dark hair spiked about his head and he wore a concerned expression on his rather handsome face. If she hadn’t already set her sights on the other fireman, she might’ve been tempted.
“Are you both okay?” he asked.
“We’re fine,” Reika said. “It’s just a lot of smoke, no fire.”
“My name’s Elm. Bevin Elm. Me and the guys are going to just take a sweep through the house and make sure everything’s okay before we let you go back in, okay?”
She nodded and watched as he and the others went through the front door. It seemed like they were gone forever, but several minutes later, they returned, smoke drifting out through the front door on their heels. A certain set of broad shoulders in the group caught her eye and her breath caught in her throat as she realized he was here. The man in question turned her way, his gaze capturing hers. From a distance, she could tell his eyes were light, but not the color. He lingered a moment, as if he wanted to come to her side, she willed him to move toward her. Her blood sizzled in her veins under that intense stare, she even took a step forward, more than happy to make the first move. But one of the men slapped him on the back and broke the spell. With a shake of his head, he followed his men to the truck, but not before glancing over his shoulder one last time.
The elf returned to her side.
“Miss?”
“Woods. Reika Woods.”
He smiled. “Miss Woods, everything looks safe now. Might I suggest in future turning on the vent over the stove before working with potions? Or better yet, bringing them outside?”
“Yes, of course, Mr. Elm.”
The elf tipped his head to them and walked off. Maya, still at her side, snickered.
“What’s so funny?” Reika demanded. “I still don’t know who that scrumptious fireman is. Or what he is.”
“Elm and Wood.” She snorted.
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