STAR WISHES by Missy Martine

STAR WISHES by Missy Martine

Sarah Keevers had lived and worked in an orphanage in St. Louis since she was five years old. She’d stayed on to protect the younger children from the harsh headmistress. Now, she’s inherited money from a grandfather she never knew she had, and she wants to take the children far away. The only problems are the children don’t legally belong to her, and women have no legal rights in 1856.

So, Sarah changes her name to Samuel Kees, disguises the children, and heads west with her new family. She settles in Big Springs and meets up with Abe West, the local sheriff, and his brother, Ike. The two men discover her secret and decide she’d make the perfect wife.

They’re going to do everything they can to earn her trust. Will they be able to protect Sarah, and hold on to her love when her picture shows up on a wanted poster for kidnapping?

BUY THE BOOK *** BUY THE eBOOK *** BUY IN KINDLE *** READ THE EXCERPT

Excerpt:

“All Aboard!”

“Stay close, guys.” Sarah began leading them toward the train. She turned around to make sure the boys were staying together and collided with a hard body. She turned, already offering an apology. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was…” She looked up into the face of the most handsome man she’d ever seen. He was tall, well over six feet, and muscular with brown hair and eyes. She could feel herself blushing.

“I’m sorry, young man. I wasn’t watching where I was going.” He glanced at the children and frowned, then turned back to Sarah. “My name is Isaac West, but you can call me Ike.” He held his hand out and looked at Sarah expectantly.

Reluctantly, Sarah placed her hand in his and shook it vigorously, like she thought a man would. She narrowed her eyes when she caught his slight smirk. “I’m Samuel…” She coughed to hide her hesitation. “Kees, Samuel Kees.”

Ike frowned and stared at the children huddled together. “Samuel, huh? Well, Samuel, are these your kids?”

Sarah tried to move the children further toward the train. “No, these are my sisters and brother. We’re traveling to meet up with our uncle. If you’ll excuse me, I wanna make sure we get on the train and get seats together.

Ike tipped his hat. “Pleasure to meet you, young man. Enjoy your trip. I’m sure I’ll see you around since we’re taking the same train.”

Sarah watched as he strolled toward the ticket counter. Zeke pulled on her arm. “What is it, Zeke?” she whispered.

“Are you okay, Samuel? Your face is getting mighty red.”

Sarah groaned to herself. “Come on, let’s get aboard and find some seats.

* * * *

Ike stopped and watched through the train’s window as the young boy seated the children on the train. All five of them squeezed into three seats. Something didn’t feel right. There was something off about the boy, but he couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Even the kids didn’t seem quite right.

He’d been working as a bounty hunter the past few years, trying to earn enough money to join up with his brother in Big Springs. They’d come west several years back with the idea of starting up a farm together. They’d planned on finding themselves a wife and settling down to raise a family. They’d just started settling in when they got word their Pa was real sick. One of them had to go home to help out their Ma.

Ike had always gotten along better with his Pa, so they decided he would travel home. His brother, Abe, took on the job of sheriff in Big Springs so he could earn money toward their dream while Ike was away. Ike did everything he could, but it hadn’t helped. Their Pa had succumbed to his ailment and passed away not long after he’d arrived. Ike had stayed on and helped his Ma settle in at her brother’s farm. It had cost a lot to get her moved, so he’d had to find a way to earn some more money toward his own dreams.

He’d accidently managed to bring in his first contract as a bounty hunter. He’d come across a man on the road after his horse had thrown him and run off. Turned out, the man had a hundred dollar bounty on his head. When he’d tried to steal Ike’s horse, he’d knocked him out and taken him to the sheriff. When he’d realized how much money he could bring in from bounty hunting, he’d kept after it. For the past two years he’d been on one job after another. Now, he had a nice nest egg, and he was ready to go home to Big Springs.

Ike boarded the train and took a seat a few rows back from the traveling family. He leaned back and pushed his hat over his eyes. He had to figure out a way to find out what was going on with Samuel Kees because he was sure hiding something. He sighed and settled further onto the hard bench. There was time to get some rest before he had to confront the boy. They wouldn’t make any stops for a couple of hours. It was going to be a long trip.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

SECRET LOVE MATCH by Nancy Lee Badger

SECRET LOVE MATCH by Nancy Lee Badger

Rebecca Delacourt plans to try out for the US Olympic tennis team. Her mother gave up everything for love, but Becka refuses to take time for love or marriage.

Taylor Adams' television livelihood went into reruns long ago. He has set his eye on a film career. Little does he realize the young woman in his sights has loved him for years. Worse, all Hell will break loose if her father discovers their secret romance.

BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT 

Excerpt:

“Taylor, can’t we go out and have some fun without a lifetime commitment? Once I make the Olympic team, my free time will be non-existent. My meeting lasts until Tuesday. Then I’ll fly home to Glen Cove.” 

His mouth went dry as he lost himself in the silky grayness of her irises. To hear her call him by his first name thrilled him deep inside and sent a surge of pleasure across his chest. He fought the urge to reach out, stroke her hair, and push a stray curl back behind her ear; an ear pierced by diamonds.

Just like those Hollywood starlets. Becka had looks, money, and heaps of athletic talent. So why did this beautiful young woman plead for a date?

“Can we make arrangements for getting together sometime after I get back? Give me a chance to get to know you?” she teased. She placed both delicate hands in the middle of his chest. Beneath the thin material of his shirt, his heart’s rapid beat must have invited her to lean in close. Too close. His body heated as she smiled up at him. Maybe he should blame the hot afternoon sun as the culprit. Either way, this felt like a bad idea. Vinnie’s recent frown came to mind. Guilt turned his stomach.

“Great,” she said at his silence. “Here’s my number. Call me and we’ll think of something to do, okay?” A blush colored her pretty face after she stressed the word something.

Without thinking, Taylor leaned down and kissed her. Her lips tasted of lemony sweet tea and he drank her in. Melting her lips to his made him instantly rock hard. The scent of honeysuckle and sweat filled his nostrils. When her arms circled his neck, he pulled her into a tight embrace. Moist palms slid down her arms to circle her waist.

“This is a bad idea,” he whispered against her teeth. In a blink, he pressed their mouths together, again. Soft in all the right places, and muscular in unusual places, his hands explored her body further.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK 

CAFE MAZON by Crystal Hubbard

CAFE MAZON by Crystal Hubbard


The tables are turned on a serial rapist and his dimwitted accomplice when they attack a woman unlike any of their previous victims.


BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT


Excerpt:

He'd first seen her the last time he was here, after he'd been interrupted by strange voices and footsteps. He hated being interrupted, especially since he'd been having such a good time, but in the end it all worked out. If he hadn't taken the time to pound Terry for getting distracted with that damn magic book, he wouldn't have seen his latest flame. She'd rounded the corner and headed straight for the café.

Dee and Terry had eaten there a few times. Dee didn't much care for the aloof manner of the staff or the snooty misspelled French name, but the food was good and you got a lot of it.

Terry had complained the whole time, but Dee had sat in the car all the rest of the night, waiting for his new target to leave the diner. She didn't come out until after the lunch rush.

Dee followed her to the subway, then took Terry to McDonald's for a few Happy Meals. Later that night, they went back to see if she'd return to the diner.

She did.

Every night, same time, same corner, same routine until Dee couldn't stand it anymore.

Now, he finally had her. He pulled out his hunting knife, thrilled with the clean grab.

He used the tip of his knife to trace the center seam of the back of her pants. The halves fell away, revealing two rounds of golden flesh. If her ass wasn’t God’s finest work, it had to be in the top ten.

“No panties, huh?” Dee smirked. “You dressed for our date, I’ll give you points for that.”

She glanced over her shoulder as the blade lightly moved along her spine. "Are you about finished?" she asked with a slight yawn.

Her voice was a low, silky, disinterested growl. To Dee, it was as sexy as it was annoying.

"Baby," Dee sneered, slicing through the backstrap of her bra, "I haven't even got good and started."

She turned around, slowly lowering her arms. "Three women have been assaulted and killed around here. Your work?"…

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

BLACK RAYNE SCARLET MOON by Yvonne Nicolas

BLACK RAYNE - SCARLET MOON by Yvonne Nicolas


Did you ever struggle to get things right or to do the right thing?

After learning of her true nature, Sharayna “Rayne” Piers has been plunged into a world of darkness, and stripped of her humanity. Half angel and half demon vampire, she is the mythical Dragon Queen, a birthright she finds difficult to accept. She struggles with the dual side of her psyche, good and evil, and the growing urge to sate her unnatural hunger for human blood.

Lucius, the powerful spawn of Satan has risen from hell and released his demons to scour the earthly realm in search of the Dragon Queen. He’s determined to claim her as his mate and use her blood to overthrow his father, so he can take command of the seven levels of hell. And he will stop at nothing to get her.

As Rayne’s protector, Demetri Bithanos fights to prevent the master demon from claiming his Queen. As her consort, he struggles with his aching need to be loved by her. But the dark lust of her vampiric nature reaches for the creature who desires to use her blood to fulfill his evil ambitions.

Can Demetri destroy Lucius before Rayne embraces the dark forces growing within her?


BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT


Excerpt:

Trembling, Demetri released his hold on her. “Sharayna, what are we doing?” 

Blue-green orbs melted through the lifeless puddles of black in his eyes. The dancing flames along the ceiling died down until there was no light left in the room. The glare from the full moon peeked from the opening in the curtains and veiled their bodies in red. 

Demetri took in several long shuddering breaths like it was his first time drawing in air. 

Unconsciously, she did the same. For the longest, they stared at one another, not saying a word. 

He pressed his forehead to hers, released her leg and wrapped his arms around her. “What are we doing?” he asked again on a harsh whisper. 

“I don’t know.” She curled her fingers around his biceps and slid a hand up over the bunched muscles in his shoulders. “What I said before…baby, you know I didn’t mean that, right? I, I don’t know why I said those things, or why I picked a stupid fight with you.” 

He lifted his head and gazed at her with sadness in his eyes. His full lips quivered. “The blood. It has possession over us.” 

Chills crept beneath her flesh. Lucius. His blood had fueled anger between them, preyed on her fears and doubts in an attempt to tear them apart. And he almost succeeded. 

Damn, the things she said… Her heart lurched. “Demetri…” 

All the pain he felt for what had just happen spilled from his gaze. He turned his head away and pushed up off her. 

His beefy member exited her body. Her sensitive walls clenched in need for him. 

He got to his feet and adjusted his pants. “Sweetheart, I don’t know if I can―” 

Rayne shot up from the nest of pillows and pounced on him like a cat. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and then slammed him onto the pillows, using her own body weight to bring him down. 

In a swift response, he flung her onto her back, pinned her arms out to her sides and straddled her. She erupted into a fit of giggles at the shocked look on his face. 

“What is this?” His eyes were as wide as saucers. “Why did you do that?” 

“I dunnooo,” she chortled, tears filling her eyes. 

“Are you mad, Sharayna?” His gorgeous visage twisted into a scowl. “After what just occurred, you want to rough house with me?” 

“I’m buggin’ out here.” Delirious laughter turned into panting sobs. “I’m scared outta my damn mind, D. You see this craziness? He got us trippin’ on each other and he’s not even here!” Her voice lowered to a shaky whisper. “What if we don’t snap out of it next time? What if we really hurt each other?” 

He released her arms, pushed up, and nestled his torso between her thighs. “Ohh, sweetheart…” With his head buried in the cleft of her breasts, he dug his hands into the bundle of pillows beneath her and hugged her waist, his body hot and heavy on top of hers. He huffed out a weary sigh. “This is not the end. He has not bested us.” 

She slipped trembling fingers into his hair and softly kneaded his scalp. “How do you fight what’s apart of you?” Tears bubbled from the corners of her eyes and trickled down her face. “How do you resist what’s in your blood?” 

“Remember we are not only connected by lust.” He lifted up, took her hand and placed her palm to his chest. His heartbeat and warmth radiated through her touch. “We will get through this, Sharayna.” 

“I don’t see how when he can―” 

“Do you trust me?” 

“Yeah baby, you know I do,” she whimpered. 

Working the gown up her body, he pulled her further down beneath him until his long hardened cock rested along her nether lips. She moaned out a sigh and locked her legs around him. He pulled the bunched fabric over her head, tossed it aside and buried his face in the crook of her neck. Her body hummed in response.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

ARRESTED BY HER SHEIK by Honey Jans

ARRESTED BY HER SHEIK - Part 3 by Honey Jans

Sheik! Sheik! Arrest Me!

Trapped and arrested on an island with a sexy Arab-Greek Sheik, are you up to see what happens next?

Mix one quiet librarian looking for a good time. A sexy Arab-Greek sheik in cops clothing signing on to teach her all about sex. And criminals who will stop at nothing to get what they want...namely her dead. And you have Arrested by her Sheik. I hope you’ll come along on this thrill ride of adventure as Mandy Wilson finds out what it’s like to be Arrested by her Sheik.

BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

Excerpt:

Nick held his sexy prisoner against him like the precious treasure he now believed that she was. When had he come to believe her? When she’d been so stunned to be shot at? Or when she’d gotten excited about the possibility that he’d blindfold her? He hadn’t missed the flash of innocent excitement in her eyes. Or maybe it was when she’d begged him to fuck her? No it’s been when she’d turned out to be a virgin, and her reaction that she’d expected him to reject her. In that moment he vowed to protect her at all cost. And that meant he had to let her be and go to work. Think like a cop for pities sake and not like a love struck fool.

He reluctantly let her go and rolled out of bed. He wryly looked down at his disheveled state. Since when had he let a woman lead him by his cock in the bedroom and fuck her in a rush like a teenager on a hot date? Since he’d met sexy Mandy Wilson. With a wry shake of his head he put himself to rights then crossed the room to his sat phone. It couldn’t be traced like a cell phone could and something told him the gang chasing them had that kind of expertise. He strode out to the front porch, just to make sure that they hadn’t been followed. He’d been too sex-drunk before to pay much attention to security. Another reason to treat her like a prisoner until this was over.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

 

BILLY'S RETURN by Alex J. Alex

BILLY'S RETURN by Alex J. Alex

Three girls and only one Billy? Can he keep up? It all started when Susan accidentally called up a minor demoness named Pantallas with a Tarot card. Then, at Diana’s birthday party, they played strip poker, all three of the girls and Billy, but that was before anyone knew about the pill so nobody went all the way.

Then Billy went to Viet Nam.

This story is about his return two years later. They are all on the pill now and intend to take advantage of it. Is Billy up to it? Can he really take on all three of the girls? Oh yeah! And all at the same time, with the help of Pantallas. But which one will he end up with?

BUY THE eBOOK   ***   BUY IN KINDLE   ***   READ THE EXCERPT

Excerpt:

Pantallas hovered, unseen, above them in the shower. She waved her hands in a ritual gesture. Billy’s cock stiffened instantly, standing straight out, pointing at Susan.

“Oh my,” whispered Susan to herself.

She stood up and turned off the shower. They exited and dried off with the large towels thoughtfully provided by Joan. Susan led him out and into the largest bedroom, her wide, round hips rolling from side to side. There, in the middle of the largest king-size bed he had ever seen, were Joan and Diana, naked and flushed, waiting for Billy and Susan to join them. They were fingering themselves.

Susan dropped between them and joined them in playing with herself.

Joan sat up and smiled at Billy. “It’s my turn again. I’ve been practicing something, and I hope I can do it right. I might choke, so these two will have to help.”

She turned around and leaned her head off the edge of the bed, looking up at Billy. She looked at his cock and reached out for it.

“What I want you to do is fuck my throat. I want you to slide that thing of yours all the way down into my throat so I can feel every bit of it while I swallow and keep swallowing. Now, you’ll have to pull almost all the way out on each stroke, so I can breathe, but I want you all the way in, too, each time.

Billy looked down at her. She tilted her head back and opened her mouth as wide as she could. Diana and Susan got up on each side of him and pushed him forward. Joan reached up and caressed his balls, which were hanging down and swinging beneath his cock. With her other hand, she guided it into her mouth and sucked it in.

“Ohhh!” said Billy. He pushed his hips forward so that his cock slid deep into her throat, and he could feel the muscles rippling around him as she swallowed, guiding his cock down the right pipe. His balls slapped against her forehead. He pulled out again so she could take a breath, but then, it felt so good, he involuntarily thrust forward again.

“Oh my god!” he yelled.

Pantallas made sure he stayed stiff and hard, and she made sure that Joan didn’t choke or gag and got enough air to breathe.

“Oh, Joan!” Billy thrust into her throat again, and then again. They developed a rhythm. Billy closed his eyes for a moment, then he looked down at her. He could see her throat expand as his dick entered and slid down into her esophagus.

Susan was rubbing her tits against his left side. She pulled his hand to her pussy and he played with her clitoris.

Diana got back up on the bed, stood up and placed her feet on either side of Joan’s head. She pulled Billy’s face to her pussy, playing with it and spreading the lips.

Billy licked out with his tongue to her clitoris: it smelled so wonderful and tasted so good. He sucked on the little hood covering the most sensitive part of her pussy.

“Ohhh!” she moaned.

“Mfff!”

Susan was caressing his balls as he slid his cock in and out, down Joan’s throat. He was still rubbing her clit.

With his other hand he reached around behind Diana and pulled her toward his face, playing with her marvelous ass as he sucked on her pussy. He stuck his tongue in as far as he could, trying to insert it up into her vagina.

Pantallas made sure he was successful.

“Oh god, Billy.”

Her hands were behind his head, crushing his face to her crotch.

And all the time, he continued to fuck Joan’s throat. He had come so many times already that it seemed to last forever. Diana shuddered over and over again as he used his tongue to elicit the most satisfying orgasms she could have.

She finally had enough and almost lost her balance when she got dizzy on the last orgasm. She got down, and Susan took her place. He brought her to a massive orgasm which made her twitch and buck against his face. She, too, finally had had enough and got down.

And he continued to fuck Joan’s throat. He looked down, fascinated by the way her throat expanded each time his cock entered it. He looked down the bed at her clean shaven pussy. She was fingering herself. He leaned over and licked at her, brushing her hand away.

“Mmmm!” she moaned.

He lay down on top of her and, reaching around behind her to grab the cheeks of that perfect ass, he dropped his face between her legs and sucked her clit into his mouth. His nose pushed up into her vagina. He continued to fuck her throat as he did his best to pleasure her. Her juices were flowing all over his face. He finally rolled on his back, pulling her over on top of him. The sight of her ass bouncing up and down as he licked her pussy fascinated him and he finally felt himself beginning to come.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

ANTARES by Alex J. Alex

ANTARES by Alex J. Alex

In the arena where nude combatants fight like old west gunslingers, usually to the death—ala The Quick And The Dead—gladiator training usually begins at eighteen and few live to see their next birthday. Any who survive are usually retired within ten years.

At forty, Antares and Maximus are the greatest champions in history. Maximus has been consulting a soothsayer for years. Antares thinks such is silly, but he convinces her to see the old Tarot reader. When the five of Pentacles appears, the reader predicts hard times, suffering, poor health and rejection and recommends that Antares retire.

Antares ignores the advice and her next fight is the most brutal event in arena history. Badly wounded, she beheads her opponent, but suffers a terrible disfigurement and disability that forces her to retire. Antares is shunned, becomes addicted to several vices and ends up a vagrant.

Contacted by a writer/journalist who senses a great story, Antares is rescued and rehabilitated by a shady, unlicensed, but brilliant doctor. Visiting the soothsayer once again, she is urged to seek out Maximus.

Maximus’s life has not turned out well either. He was supposed to meet a wonderful woman, marry, have children, etc., but he never met her—she’s the woman Antares killed in the arena. The question is, what will Antares find?

BUY THE eBOOK   ***   BUY IN KINDLE   ***   READ THE EXCERPT

Excerpt:

Antares didn’t put much stock in the soothsayers, but Maximus had talked her into a session with the Tarot reader. She sat there while the ugly woman played with the cards. A concerned look came over the old woman. She looked up and placed the card in front of Antares.

“This is a bad card. The five of Pentacles. It foretells hard times, suffering and ill health. It also indicates rejection.”

Antares looked down her exquisitely formed nose at the card. “It doesn’t look so bad to me.”

“Ah. But that’s what you have me for. I can tell you what it means.”

Antares squirmed in her chair. I don’t have time for this, she thought.

“You are a gladiator, aren’t you?”

Antares nodded.

“Are you any good? Well, of course you are. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be alive, would you?”

The old woman grinned up at Antares who just stared back at her.

“In what event do you compete?”

Antares cleared her throat. “I’m a gunslinger. I’m the top shooter in the arena. I’ve never even been nicked. Most of my opponents are dead before they can even draw, never mind get off a shot.”

The old woman nodded. “Mmmm. Your health is good?”

“Excellent.”

“You look good. You are very beautiful.”

Antares laughed. “That is true. That is why I command such high rewards to compete.”

“Your hand is steady? Your vision is good?”

“Excellent. And I’m the fastest shooter they’ve ever seen, anywhere. They’ve timed me with a chronograph. And I’m accurate. I shoot to kill. And I’m very good at it.”

“Yes. You’ve killed many women, haven’t you?”

Antares frowned. “That’s my job. It’s what I do. People pay a lot of money to watch me kill other women, especially if they’re pretty, or sexy.”

“Mmmmm. I’ll wager they would pay even more to see someone else kill you.”

Antares squirmed in her chair. This interview was getting uncomfortable. “They probably would. A lot of people bet against me every time I enter the arena. They lose. I wouldn’t bet against me if I were you.”

“Mmmm. Well, the cards don’t lie. Be careful. It may be time to retire.”

Antares laughed. “Retire? I’m the best there ever was, and I’m at the top of my game. Retire? Shit. That’ll be the day.”

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

CRUSHED by Cheryl Dragon

CRUSHED by Cheryl Dragon

Most women are turned off by Eve's job working with reptiles in the Everglades. Miranda is exception and Eve has fallen hard for her.

Their chemistry is undeniable but Miranda has a secret that could ruin everything.

Hot sex in a swamp proves they're perfect together but sex doesn't solve everything. Can Eve charm the truth out of Miranda?

BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

Excerpt:

The Everglades were as close to the real wild side of wildlife as most Florida residents ever came. The park attracted visitors eager to see nature. If they knew how close they were to creatures more exotic than alligators, they might not come at all. Miranda watched her prey, rather her crush, with a singular obsession. Eve worked at the park, and for three months, the women had been flirting, going for coffee and not quite dating. Friends that could be more…so much more.

In tan shorts and a blue shirt, Eve looked right at home in the swampy land. She had big green eyes that stood out against her creamy skin and red hair that spiraled down her back making her look angelic. Miranda wanted to move their relationship forward, but so far coming clean about her secret hadn’t magically happened the way she’d hoped.

The attraction was impossible to resist, yet Miranda knew Eve had dialed back her efforts. The games women played. Miranda was holding back information so she couldn’t really blame Eve. Plus, they were at their jobs and potential fallout from going too far wasn’t good. Their relationship hadn’t exactly moved forward.

Studying the curve of Eve’s hips, Miranda knew she couldn’t resist the ginger lady for much longer. The truth had to come out so Eve could accept the truth or not. With a deep breath, Miranda crossed the path and stood next to Eve.

“Hey, Eve. Nice and quiet here today.” Miranda loved when the park wasn’t overrun with noisy kids. The natural balance tensed when people stirred up the quiet too much.

Eve smiled wide. “I haven’t seen you in almost two weeks. I thought maybe your research was over.”

“No, just got busy with classes. Students are crazy when finals come up. Miss me?” Miranda wanted to kiss her right then and lick along all the freckles on Eve’s shoulder to see how far they went. But jumping right to sex would only make it harder to confess. And she wanted to be honest.

“Of course, but if you didn’t miss me, just let me know. I can handle the ‘friends’ thing.” Eve shrugged.

“What? No, no way. I know I’ve been sending mixed signals, but it’s not that. I want to move things forward but…” Miranda couldn’t get the rest of her sentence out.

Eve grabbed Miranda’s hand and led the way to an old wooden shack researchers used for blending in to observe nature safely. Locking the door behind them, Eve pressed Miranda against the far wall.

There was no time to protest or argue. Eve’s sweet lips claimed Miranda’s before she even opened her mouth. The frantic kiss took Miranda along for the ride. Wrapping her arms around Eve, Miranda didn’t want to let go. Their breasts rubbed against each other through the fabric of their clothes.

Lifting her mouth, Eve smiled at Miranda. “Don’t think I’m like this with everyone. We’ve been playing around too much and need to get going. I really don’t normally pick women up at work. I try to be professional, but you’re different. Let’s go on a real date. No more mixed signals?”

Different was right. Miranda nodded. “Sounds great. Come to my place tonight. I’ll make dinner.”

“I knew you were crazy about me.” Eve’s eyes sparkled as she tugged Miranda’s blouse out of her jeans and plucked free the buttons one by one.

“I am, but I need to tell you something first. It’s not so easy to just blurt it out.” Miranda wanted this to work. She wanted to do the right thing and not have Eve hate her or fear her. There were few women who Miranda trusted enough to tell. Miranda had to follow her instincts. What they had wasn’t simply physical attraction or Miranda couldn’t have waited this long to get close. They’d never gotten this far before, but having her bra exposed to Eve wasn’t enough. She needed more. Their connection would only grow. The longer Miranda waited, the harder it’d be to get it all out.

Eve paused. “What? Don’t tell me you’re bisexual and you’ve got a guy at home you want to share. I’m not into that! Sorry.”

“No.” Miranda wrapped her arms around Eve’s neck. “It’s not that. I’m totally into girls. You specifically. Who could want anything else?”

“Good answer. So what?” Eve cuddled closer and slid her hands over Miranda’s hips. “You’re not transgender changing into a guy or turning from a guy? You’re all girl. I’ve stared at you so much I felt like a stalker.”

“No, nothing like that. I love being a woman and dating women. I’m sorry, I’m not making this easy. I’m just too distracted.” Miranda let her hands wander over Eve’s curves as they kissed.

“Maybe we should try the sharing later and satisfy our needs first? Make sure we’re compatible.” Eve tugged off Miranda’s blouse and unhooked her bra before Miranda got another word out.

When Eve’s soft lips sucked Miranda’s nipples, Miranda didn’t care if they ever talked again. Their physical connection overrode everything else. It was right. But could Eve handle Miranda’s shifter nature? She was no cute bunny rabbit in animal form.

“Please, I don’t want you to be mad.” Miranda gasped as Eve’s hand slid over her pussy and teased her through the denim.

“So shut up and let have my way now. My boss is off today so I won’t be missed for a little while. We can go for the truth and a sex marathon tonight.” Eve unbuttoned and pushed Miranda’s pants down to the wooden floor, taking her black panties along for the ride.

 LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

LADY PARKER'S GRAND AFFAIR by Sandra Sookoo

LADY PARKER'S GRAND AFFAIR by Sandra Sookoo

A Scandal in Surrey Novel

She wants an affair...

Maggie, Lady Parker desires a man, but she's not willing to leave freedom in Surrey to find scandal in London. Widowed for years, she wants to conduct a big enough scandal that a gentleman might come calling merely to see if the rumors about her are true.

He wants a shot at Parliament...

Stephen Tarkington is a self-professed rogue but if he had his way, he'd be a philanthropist. The only thing prohibiting his dream is his lack of sponsorship for a spot in Parliament. Marrying Lady Parker's niece could solve his problem.

Sometimes the heart wants more...

Imagine his surprise when he meets the widow and she's not an old bird he can charm. She's vibrant, sharp-tongued and enchanting to boot. Passion flares between them, and Stephen gives up on his plan… in search of a more pleasurable gamble.

Maggie is immediately drawn to the charming, handsome gentleman, but will a simple affair fulfill her needs? A scrape with public scandal will toss them into a situation that may just satisfy both of their secret desires.

BUY THE eBOOK *** BUY IN KINDLE *** READ THE EXCERPT  

***Excerpt from Lady Parker’s Grand Affair from Chapter One*** 

Companionable silence, broken only by the clomp of the horses’ hooves against the earth, cropped up between them. Finally, Maggie sighed and glanced at her brother. "I sense you disagree with my viewpoint."

"I do, slightly." His smile softened the censure in his voice. "You’ve been by yourself for eight years, Mags. Are you sure you’re happy living your unorthodox life?"  

"Unorthodox how?"  

He sighed, as it was a conversation they had many times. "Causing mischief through the countryside, or spending all your time alone. Have you ever considered marrying again? Giving me another niece or nephew?"  

Another twinge of sadness squeezed her chest. "Oh bother. No doubt I’m too old to bear more children."  

"You are just thirty-two. You are not a crone."  

"No, but I’m quite firmly on the shelf and a widow besides."  

Sometimes, in the quiet of the night, she’d lie in bed and imagine the musky smell of a masculine body clinging to the sheets, the feel of a man’s arms around her, the insistent nudge of his cock or the sweet erotic bliss of love making. Her core throbbed. In the eight years since Robert’s death, she’d never taken a lover, not even when the urge for coitus had nearly driven her out of her mind. In the daytime, she lived for her, but in the quiet of midnight, she missed having someone to share her experiences with, having someone to talk to or with whom to share her joys and fears.  

"Be honest, sis."  

She willed the wayward desire to settle. "Marriage and childbearing made me vulnerable to a point. I don’t know if I’m willing to offer my heart for more pain." 

"I understand that, but nothing good in life comes without a certain risk."
  
Maggie swallowed around the lump in her throat. "I fear I’m too set in my ways to warrant interest from a gentleman. I was naïve when I married Robert, much like Amanda is. Now, I know more about life and what I want from it. I have a feeling most gentlemen won’t want a woman who knows her own mind."  

"Mags, is that really what you think? That has never held you back before. You were a wild girl. Marrying Robert stole some of your zest."  

"Well—"  

"Do you wish to stagnate here in the country and grow old without causing one great scandal that might launch your own coming out of sorts?" 

Unexpected laughter burst from her throat. "What makes you think I haven’t caused enough scandal around here already? Don’t you remember the time I was caught swimming nude by the parson?" Her cheeks warmed. Oh, that had been hilariously ridiculous, being confined to the pond until she could convince the parson to move along after he’d prayed for her immortal soul.  

Alfred’s chuckle rang clear in the afternoon air. "What about the time you held the impromptu drinking contest at the local pub? You near drank everyone under the table."  

"I did, much to the chagrin of the grey-haired dragons." Maggie laughed at that memory and the scoldings she’d received from everyone for a week afterward. "My, but the headache from the alcohol had me in bed for days."  

Her brother’s lips twitched. "I mean the big stories, the stuff gossips live for, the jaw-dropping  on dits beyond the countrified gentry in Surrey."

"Such as?" Her heartbeat tripped fast as she waited.  

He leaned closer. "An affair."  

"Pardon me?"

"If you had done something along those lines, don’t you think it would have reached London by now? Don’t you think gawkers would angle for invitations to the estate for the sole purpose of seeing if you are the woman the tales said you were?"

"This is true. Maybe I haven’t been nearly as naughty as I ought." Again, her thoughts fell to Robert and the fact no one in the area remembered him a year after his death. She shifted her focus to her father, the man of a thousand stories, the man of big exploits and bigger adventures, the man who loved his wife with a passion as fierce as his love of the Navy. Her heart ached. She’d not attained that level of commitment in her own marriage. How did she want to be remembered, because she most certainly didn’t want to be forgotten?

"If flouting London society is your main goal, perhaps enacting a grand affair would gain you the attention you want and portray the story you are trying to tell. It might be just the thing to bring a worthy gentleman calling. Or..." The glance he slid her brimmed with mischief. "When you accompany Amanda to London, you could conduct your scandal there."

 "Are you trying to have me ostracized from all of England, Alfie?" A thrill swept down her spine just the same. To have one grand affair, a dalliance with a rugged or charming gentleman, and then leave him happy, sated and pining. It was something she’d never attempted, but now that the idea had bloomed, she rather wanted to plan for it.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

LOVE EVERLASTING by Marisa Chenery

LOVE EVERLASTING by Marisa Chenery

Wolves of East Anglia

For the last seven years, Brand has only longed to make Elsa his mate. After meeting her when she's sixteen and having to wait until she's old enough to claim her, his chance to make her his seems to slip through his fingers. But when the opportunity comes to win her, he acts quickly.

Having to deal with her idiot ex-fiance, Elsa is more than happy to see Brand arrive to take her ex's place. She falls hard and fast for Brand, but he comes with a world she doesn't understand a disturbing world that makes it hard to accept the love Brand offers her, no matter how much she wants to.

BUY THE eBOOK *** BUY IN KINDLE *** READ THE EXCERPT

Excerpt:

Chapter One


Brand heard the sound of the mewling cries of a newborn baby coming from upstairs as he headed to the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast. Finding that room empty, he put some bread into the toaster before pouring himself a cup of coffee from the coffeemaker that had been programmed to run around the time the occupants of the manor house awoke.

He’d just sat at the large kitchen table with his food and coffee when Nika walked into the room carrying her two-week-old son, Luke. Brand noticed she looked tired.

“Did you get much sleep last night?” he asked.

“Not really,” Nika replied as she pulled out a chair from the table and sat. “Luke still wants to eat every two hours. Garrick got up a couple of times with him since I’m now supplementing Luke with formula, but it wouldn’t be too fair of me to make Garrick do more than that after hunting Fenris’s get all night. Garrick needs his sleep too.”

The baby made some fussing noises, and Nika put Luke up on her shoulder and patted his back. The infant soon settled.

“Give Luke to me,” Brand said, and held out his arms across the table for Nika to pass him the baby.

She shook her head. “You’re eating.”

“Nika,” he said, “give me the baby. I can eat and hold him at the same time. You need some food as well.”

“Fine. I’m sure you won’t take no for an answer. You never do.” She handed Brand the baby. “I’m not all that hungry, so I’ll be quick. I know you want to go out again, and I won’t hold you up.”

Brand positioned Luke on his shoulder and rubbed the baby’s back until he stopped squirming. Brand turned his head and kissed Luke’s soft cheek as he dragged in the infant’s scent. Even though he hadn’t told anyone, he loved the smell of babies and hoped one day to have one of his own.

“It’s fine, Nika,” he said. “Don’t rush. I have nothing pressing to do.”

As she put some bread into the toaster, Nika asked, “Where is it that you go when you leave? You never say a word about what you do. You’re gone all day and come back to have dinner then go hunting.”

Brand took a sip of coffee before he answered. He liked to keep his daily excursions his business. “Around.”

Nika turned to face the table. “Around? That’s it? I have a feeling Maggie knows, but she isn’t telling.”

Maggie, Dolf’s mate, was the only person he’d said something to about what he’d kept hidden for so many years. And he’d only done it to try to convince her how Dolf would feel if she continued to hold her mate at arm’s length, afraid to accept Dolf as hers.

In way of answer, Brand picked up a piece of toast off his plate and took a big bite. That just caused Nika to shake her head.

He knew she’d hoped to get him to talk, but he wasn’t ready to do that. Maybe one day, though the chances were pretty slim. He wasn’t much of a talker and kept his emotions close. Even as a mortal, he’d been that way.

Brand waited until Nika had finished her breakfast before he handed the baby back and then headed out the front door of the manor house. He went to the large, detached garage and got into his silver Lexus LFA sports car. It didn’t take him long to pull out onto the long, gravel drive and onto the road.

He drove to middle of Norwich and parked at the side of the road two blocks from his destination. On foot, he traveled the rest of the distance as he did day after day. At least today it wasn’t raining, and he wouldn’t end up soaked to the bone from standing out in it.

Slowing his pace as he neared the small building containing a number of flats, Brand looked toward the window on the second floor that faced the road. He came to an instant stop and shifted closer to the wall of the building beside him, though he could still see what took place at the smaller one.

A woman had her head stuck out the window as she yelled at a man who stood on the pavement looking up at her. Brand’s gaze greedily soaked up the sight of the woman—his mate. Though she didn’t know that yet. With his acute hearing, he heard every word she said.

“I told you to come for your shit last week, Teddy,” the woman said sharply.

“Oh, come on, Elsa. Just because I didn’t come and get my stuff when you wanted doesn’t mean you can stop me from picking it up today.”

“Fine,” Elsa called down. “You want your shit right now? I’ll give it to you.” She disappeared for a few seconds, then returned and pushed an armload of clothes out the window to rain down on Teddy. “Don’t go just yet. There’s a little bit more.” Elsa disappeared again just before more clothes went sailing through the air.

“Do you know how much of a bitch you’re being right now?” Teddy called up to her, anger tingeing his words. He scrambled around, picking up his belongings off the pavement. He then shoved the lot into the car parked on the side of the street in front of him.

Brand stiffened, not liking the tone the other man used. Elsa was Brand’s mate, and as such, he wouldn’t tolerate another male abusing her so. But he kept his silence for now, wanting to watch how this played out.

“I’m being a bitch?” Elsa yelled. “Then I guess that makes you an asshole, Teddy. You’re the one who decided to dump me, your fiancée, to take up with your old girlfriend. You’re lucky I haven’t done more than throw your clothes at you. And by the way, I’m keeping the furniture. I paid for most of it, anyway. So sod off. I can’t stand the sight of you.”

“The way you’re acting now, I’m thinking I made the right decision. You can keep the bloody furniture, but I want the laptop. I bought that. And don’t you dare throw it out the window.”

“Will you go away if I give it to you?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be down in a minute then.”

Brand shifted his gaze to the entrance of the building. Elsa stepped through the door less than a minute later, carrying a laptop. She shoved it at Teddy. “Take the damn thing and leave.”

“I think I should come up and make sure there isn’t anything you’ve forgotten to give me that is mine,” Teddy said as he tried to sidestep around Elsa.

She moved with him, blocking his attempts. “No way in hell are you coming up to the flat. It’s mine now. I even had the landlady take your name off the lease.”

Teddy put out his arm to shove her aside, and that was enough to have Brand closing the distance between him and the other two people. Once Elsa had come down from the flat, he’d inched closer to the couple.

“Everything okay?” Brand asked, his question directed at Elsa.

She nodded. “Yes. He was just leaving.”

“No, I’m not,” Teddy said sharply.

Teddy went to step around Elsa again, but Brand shifted so he stood directly in front of the smaller man, who ended up bouncing off Brand’s chest. Brand took great satisfaction in the fact that he had twice the muscle mass Teddy had, and that he towered over the man.

Brand bent his head slightly, looked Teddy direct in the eyes, and said, “Leave.” He spoke the one word with a hint of a growl and a snarl of his lip.

The other man audibly swallowed, clutched the laptop he held close to his chest, and quickly turned on his heel. Without looking back, Teddy got into his car and drove away, cutting off traffic in his haste.

Brand turned back to Elsa. He couldn’t help but run his gaze over her gorgeous face, taking in her long, light brown hair and slim, curvy body. She stared at him with her hazel eyes. This was the closest he’d been to her in the past seven years. The first time they’d met she’d only been sixteen. Now she stood before him a mature woman and obviously one who was sure of herself.

With that one chance meeting, Brand had known she was the one meant for him—his mate. Back then, his wolf had thrown its head back inside him and had howled with longing. As it was doing right at this moment. Even though none of his other fellow warriors had yet to find their mates at that time, Brand had known what Elsa was to him. Only her age had stopped him from claiming her. Walking away from her that day had been the hardest thing he’d ever done, but that hadn’t stopped him from watching over her all these years to make sure she was protected and happy. He’d even gone so far to ensure her happiness by not interfering when he’d found out she’d become engaged. He would have let her marry another man if that had been what she truly wanted. He’d found out about her engagement six months before when he’d followed her to a local pub where she’d met up with a bunch of her friends to celebrate. It’d just about torn Brand’s heart out.

“Ah, thanks,” Elsa said. “Teddy was being a bit of a wanker.”

“No problem.”

They stood staring at each other for a couple of seconds before Elsa broke the silence. “Do I know you? You look awfully familiar.”

“No, you don’t.”

She smiled. “You don’t say much, do you?”

Brand shrugged. “Not really.”

“So you’re the strong, dark, and silent type. Nothing wrong with that. Must mean you’re more of a thinker.” She held out her hand. “I’m Elsa.”

He wrapped his much bigger one around hers, glorying in the feel of the skin-to-skin contact. His cock twitched, and he became semi-aroused. “Brand.”

“Well, Brand, it was nice to meet you.”

Elsa made to let go, but he didn’t release her. “Have a drink with me at the pub this afternoon.”

She hesitated for a few seconds before she nodded. “Sure. Why the hell not? I can drink to seeing the last of my asshole ex-fiancé while I’m at it. Tell me the time and the pub and I’ll be there.”

“How about the White Stallion? It’s just down the street from here. Around three?”

Elsa tugged her hand free once he loosened his grip. “Sure. Sounds good. See you then.”

Brand watched her walk back into her building before he went down the street. He didn’t go very far. He still had to watch over Elsa and, especially, make sure Teddy didn’t come back to bother her again.



* * * *

Elsa closed her flat’s door behind her and locked it. She leaned against it with a big smile tugging at her lips. With a silly giggle, she ran to the window and looked down, hoping to catch another glimpse of Brand before he left, but he ended up being nowhere in sight.

She went to her bedroom and surveyed the mess she’d made while collecting Teddy’s clothes to throw out the window. She had to admit it had felt good watching them rain down on him. After a year and a half of being together, it just went to show Elsa really hadn’t known her ex-fiancé, after all. Never had she thought he would have broken their engagement to jump at the chance of getting back with his former girlfriend. She’d known Teddy and the girl had been in love—he’d told her that much—but she’d thought for sure he’d gotten over the woman and that he’d loved Elsa more. Boy had she been wrong. He’d dumped her and became engaged to his first love on the same day. That’d been a nice slap to Elsa’s face.

But things were looking up for her. Meeting Brand was exactly what she needed. In looks, Brand was all man with his big muscles and gruff, quiet exterior. Teddy had none of those things. Compared to Brand, Teddy came across as a wimp. He really hadn’t been the type of guy Elsa was attracted to. Now reflecting back, Teddy had just been comfortable to be with.

Brand, on the other hand, made her panties wet just from looking at him. He had past-the-shoulders black hair and dark blue eyes. She wanted to eat him up. Or at the very least lick every inch of his well-muscled, hard body. She also liked the fact he was really tall at six feet five. Teddy was only an inch and a half taller than her five foot five. It’d been pretty funny to watch her ex bounce off Brand’s chest.

Elsa set to work cleaning her bedroom. She’d also give her flat a bit of a cleaning, just in case she ended up inviting Brand over after their drink at the pub. Actually, if she had her way, he would be coming here. Even though it’d only been a couple of weeks since Teddy had broken things off with her, Elsa was more than ready to move on. And Brand looked as if he’d be the man to help her do that.

Her phone rang, and Elsa walked over to the nightstand to pick up the cordless. “Hello?”

“Hey, Elsa. How’s my little sis doing today?”

Elsa smiled at the sound of her sister’s voice. Renea was two years her senior. “Much better. Actually, a lot better.”

“Wow. I don’t think I’ve heard you sound this chipper since that fuckwad Teddy walked out on you. Something must have happened.”

That was her sister—she could swear with the best of them. She’d actually rubbed off a bit on Elsa, much to their mother’s disappointment. “More like a someone.”

“You met a new guy?”

“Yeah.”

“When did this happen? When we spoke yesterday, you were still cursing Teddy.”

“Oh, I did a little of that to his face when he came demanding his stuff back.” Elsa went on to explain what had happened with Teddy and how Brand had stepped in.

“He sounds delicious,” Renea said with a sigh. “If Brand happens to have any single friends, you can always send them my way.”

“I thought you and Jacob were still going strong.”

“That was last week. You know me. It doesn’t take much for me to get bored with a man and then move on to the next one.”

“I don’t think you’re ever going to settle down,” Elsa said with a laugh. “Mum bemoans that she’ll never have grandchildren since the two of us aren’t settling down.”

Renea chuckled. “And she’d had such high hopes for you once you became engaged to Teddy.”

“Well, I still have plenty of time. I’m only twenty-three. We both do. On that note, I’m going to let you go. I have to do a little cleaning up around here. I trashed my bedroom getting Teddy’s clothes out of it.”

Renea chuckled again. “I wish I could have been there to see his face when you shoved his things out the flat’s window at him. I’ll let you go, but I want details tomorrow on how your date went with Brand.”

“Will do. Talk to you tomorrow.”

Elsa ended the call, and then placed the cordless back on its base. Time was slipping away, and she had to get to work on the flat. Her thoughts on Brand, she straightened her room before attacking the living room.



* * * *

At five to three that afternoon, Brand sat in his car parked at the side of the road just down from Elsa’s flat. He waited for her to come out of her building. Since the pub wasn’t that far from where she lived, he figured she might walk to the White Stallion. He’d already decided he’d let her get halfway there before he drove to the pub. That way he could watch her for a bit and then drive ahead to meet her when she arrived.

A minute later, Elsa stepped out onto the pavement. Brand sucked in a sharp breath at what she wore. She had on a pair of skinny blue jeans that were molded to her shapely, long legs. They also showed off her bottom in a way that had his cock going instantly hard. A lavender short-sleeved blouse and black high-heeled ankle boots completed the outfit. She was gorgeous. Brand let out a low growl as a man walked by her and then turned his head to take a second look as she went in the other direction.

After starting the car, Brand waited for an opening and then merged with the flow of traffic. He slowed a bit as he drove past Elsa. She didn’t look in his direction and kept walking. He arrived at the pub and parked in the lot next to the building. He got out of the car and headed toward the front entrance, pushing the remote on his keychain to lock the vehicle’s doors.

Reaching the pavement in front of the pub, Brand stopped and turned to look in the direction Elsa walked. He saw her a short distance away. She must have seen him because she waved. He waved back, enjoying the sight of how she moved as she came closer.

“Hi, Brand,” Elsa said once she stood in front of him. “Did you just drive by me in a silver Lexus?” He nodded. “I thought that was you.”

“Shall we go inside?”

“Sure.”

With a hand on the small of Elsa’s back, Brand guided her to the entrance and into the building. Her scent wrapped around him. The small contact made his blood flow hotter, rushing to fill his cock. He’d never thought he’d get to touch Elsa in any way or spend one-on-one time with her. For the first time since he’d found her, he actually had hope that she’d be his mate.

Inside the pub, Brand guided Elsa over to one of the tables at the back of the room. He sat so he faced toward the front of the building, which gave him a good view of the entrance. He never left himself in a position where someone could sneak up on him.

After the waitress took their drink order—a glass of white wine for Elsa and a dark ale for him—Brand turned his attention on Elsa and found her staring at him. He gave her a questioning look.

She smiled. “Sorry, I don’t mean to stare, but I still think you look familiar. As if I should recognize you from somewhere.”

“As I said before, we’ve never met. Maybe I just have one of those faces that everyone finds familiar, and they seem to think they know me.”

Elsa shook her head with a chuckle. “I doubt that. You’d have to be pretty average-looking if that were the case, and you’re far from it. You’re too good-looking.”

Brand smiled, liking that his mate found him attractive. “Thanks for the compliment.”

“I bet you have women telling you that all the time.”

He reached across the table and captured Elsa’s hand. “If they do, I really don’t pay much attention to it. Right now all I care about is what you think of me. Your opinion is more important.” Brand watched Elsa’s cheeks darken to a pretty shade of pink.

She looked down and then back up at his face. “All I can say to that is, wow. You must hold me in high regard, even though we just met. You barely know me. What if I turn out to be a big bitch?”

He gave her a crooked smile. “Oh, I know you aren’t.”

The waitress returned and served them their drinks. Once she left them alone, Elsa said, “So you figure you already have me pegged, do you? Do you have some kind of psychic power that you haven’t told me about?”

Brand shook his head. “No, but I’ve been around enough women to know when one isn’t the type of woman I want to be with shortly after I meet her.”

Elsa took a sip of her wine. “Really? It’s too bad I don’t have that talent, or I might have saved myself a lot of trouble when it came to Teddy.”

“Were you two together long?” Brand already knew the answer, but he still needed to ask the right questions, or Elsa would wonder if he let something slip by accident. She was smart and would pick up on anything she considered out of the ordinary.

“Long enough. In total, it was just over a year.”

“Did you love him?” Brand held himself completely still as he waited for Elsa to answer.

She sighed. “Now that I reflect back on it, probably not. I think I was more in love with the idea of being in love, if you know what I mean. In some ways, Teddy breaking off the engagement was the best thing he could have done for me. At least he didn’t dump me and go back to his ex after we were married. That would have been worse.”

And Brand would have made sure Teddy paid for it, considering what Brand would have given up for the other male to marry the woman who was Brand’s.

“So you’re over Teddy then?” he asked.

She snorted. “I’m over the ‘love’ I had for him, but not over the anger quite yet. The man’s a rat. He could have ended things better than he did. Instead the idiot told me exactly why we were over. His ex-girlfriend had taken him back, and he’d already asked her to marry him. He’d said they couldn’t make it official until he ended things with me. He’d even had the audacity to ask for the ring back that he’d given me so he could give it to his new fiancée.”

Brand suddenly had second thoughts about letting Teddy walk away without facing some kind of consequences. Yes, the other man’s leaving left everything wide open for Brand to claim Elsa as his, but Teddy had insulted Elsa.

“I should pay Teddy a visit,” he said. “Make him squirm a bit.”

Elsa looked solemnly at Brand and then burst out laughing. Brand’s brows furrowed in confusion. She held up a hand, her laughter slowly fading. “I’m not laughing at you. I promise. I just had the mental picture of Teddy pissing himself and screaming like a little girl if you were to show up on his doorstep. The man’s a wimp. He’d probably faint at your feet if you so much as lifted a fist in his direction. You saw today how he couldn’t get away from you fast enough.”

“Well, if he bothers you again, I won’t let it go.”

“If he does, you have my blessing to scare the shit out of him. The fuckwad—as my sister calls Teddy—would deserve it.”

Brand barely managed to hide the smile that tugged at his lips. His mate had a bit of a potty mouth, and he liked it. That meant she wouldn’t hold back if they ever had an argument. She would give it to him with both barrels, which was a good thing. He was the first person to admit he tended to have a domineering personality. If Elsa were the type of woman to sit back and let him do or say anything he wanted, they’d never last. And if he had his way, they’d be together forever.

“Enough about Teddy,” Elsa said. “The more I talk about him the more pissed off I get. So what do you do for a living, Brand?”

“A little of this and that. Nothing you’d consider a real job, I’m sure.” Watching over Elsa had become his day job while hunting werewolves was his night job. He couldn’t tell her about either of those things though.

She took another sip of wine and twirled a lock of her hair between her fingers while she looked at him. Brand itched to reach out and touch the silky mass that fell over her shoulders. He wanted to bury his face in it and just breathe Elsa in.

“Judging by the car you drive,” she said, “I’d say money isn’t a problem for you.”

“No, not really.” Being immortal and having lived for over a thousand years, he’d had plenty of time to amass a fortune. “What do you do?” He’d followed her to work once, but he really didn’t know exactly what her job was.

“Nothing exciting. I’m a bookkeeper at a smallish roofing company. I went to the University of East Anglia for accounting and finance.” Elsa smiled. “Most people think my job is boring, pushing numbers around all day, but I like it. I could have taken my education further to certify myself for something higher. I didn’t. I prefer just being a bookkeeper. Not as much stress.”

Brand stroked his thumb across the back of her hand. He liked listening to Elsa talk, especially about herself. He wanted to learn everything there was about her. “Nothing wrong with liking what you do, no matter what type of job it is.”

Elsa shifted her hand under his and linked their fingers together. “I think we’ve talked enough about me. What about you? Have you always lived in Norwich?”

“Yes. I was born here and can’t see myself ever leaving.”

Back during the time of his birth, it hadn’t been a city, just a settlement called Northwic, which had eventually grown, merging with others until it became the largest walled town in all of medieval England.

“I feel the same way,” Elsa said. “I would never want to live in a city as big as London. Too many people for me.”

Their conversation turned to other subjects with Elsa doing most of the talking. Brand held her hand the entire time, but she didn’t seem to mind. Seven long years he’d waited for this. The last year had been agonizing. He’d waited for her to grow up only to lose her to another man. He’d kicked himself over the stupid mistake he’d made of waiting longer than he should have to approach Elsa. But now he had the opportunity to rectify it. After today, he wouldn’t let anyone, or anything, come between them.
LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

FORKED by Declan Sands

FORKED by Declan Sands

Blood-Hound Book Two 

Cliff Blood doesn't like giant snakes, but a sexy Marshal with fire in his eyes is another story!

Matt Blood's brother Cliff has arrived on Earth and is working with Bailey's Bail Bonding. Unfortunately, Matt's out of town on a case when the feds show up to investigate a bond depositor scam, and Blood's boss has been implicated.

Cliff is on his own finding the real culprit while trying to run interference with sexy Deputy US Marshal Falen Scott. But Marshal Scott has his own secrets -- along with a fiery attraction that Cliff seems to share.

BUY THE eBOOK ***   READ THE EXCERPT

Excerpt:

The man standing before Bailey’s desk was tall, well over six feet, and had thick auburn hair that he’d combed into strict obedience, with a respectable part down one side. Only the tiny, rebellious wave over his ears gave away the true nature of the strands he’d wrestled into respectability.

He had deep-set, sexy green eyes, a firm, square jaw, and lips that looked as if they were in a permanent pout. Glancing down his aristocratic nose, the man eyed Cliff as if he were a particularly unattractive weed in his favorite flower garden.

Blood closed the distance between them and offered the marshal his hand. “Cliff Blood. Nice to meet you.”

Scott inclined his head, reaching for the offering with an imperceptible grimace.

Despite the cold greeting, the marshal gave Cliff’s hand a squeeze, his vibrant green gaze assessing as he said, “So you’re the bounty hunter?”

Cliff figured the man thought he was addressing Matt, but he went with it. “And you must be the marshal.”

Scott held his gaze for a long moment and then smiled, just a slight uptick in the corners of his sexy mouth. He dipped his head so briefly Cliff thought he might have imagined it. “I’ve heard about you,” Scott finally said.

“Actually, I’m guessing you’ve heard of my brother, Matt. I just recently joined Bailey Bonds.”

The Marshal’s green eyes widened slightly and he smiled again. This time the smile seemed to hold a secret.

Bailey apparently decided it was time to pull their attention back to him. “Marshal Scott is under the mistaken impression that I’m ripping people off for their bond collateral.”

“What are you basing this suspicion on?” Cliff asked him.

“His signature on the powers of attorney for five people who subsequently lost their homes and vehicles, and in one case a 401k.”

Cliff was shocked speechless. He studiously avoided looking at Brent. “You have his signature?”
Scott opened his mouth to respond.

“No. They don’t. They just think they do.” Bailey said.

Cliff slanted Brent a look. “Can you give me more detail?”

Bailey dropped into the chair behind his desk and rubbed his face, which had turned a strange green-gray and had developed scaly undertones.

Cliff widened his eyes as the snake man’s eyes started to change, but Deputy Marshal Scott wasn’t looking at Brent Bailey. He was still staring at Cliff. Unfortunately, Cliff was starting to have trouble breathing under the intense perusal. Was he imagining the heat in that gaze?

“You remember I told you about Jake Franks?” Bailey asked.

Blood frowned. “Your partner?”

“Ex!” Brent glanced at the marshal. “He’s my ex-partner. I haven’t seen or talked to him in months.”
“He got you started in the business, right?”

Marshal Scott finally slid his intense gaze back toward Bailey as Cliff asked the question. Cliff expelled a soft breath in relief.

“Yes, years ago. But I figured out he couldn’t be trusted and I left. Went out on my own.”

“What does he have to do with this?”

Marshal Scott’s intense gaze skimmed back toward Cliff. “He’s running a bail bonds scam. And Mr. Bailey is working with him.”

“What makes you think Brent is working with this guy? You heard him… Franks is crooked.”

“He bilked me out of thousands of dollars in skip fees,” Brent agreed. “I would never work with him again.”

Marshal Scott held Cliff’s gaze as he responded. “I can’t imagine your motivations, Mr. Bailey. All I know is that I have your signature on the powers of attorney for these people.” He finally looked at Brent. “Five families destroyed, Mr. Bailey. Five. All they were trying to do was help loved ones, and you and Franks took advantage of them, robbing them blind. It’s reprehensible…” Scott’s glare slid to Cliff as if he found the employee of the reprehensible one reprehensible too. “I have a handwriting expert examining the signature as we speak, Mr. Bailey. When I get the results back, coupled with the positive identification I expect to get from the victims, I’m sure I’ll be taking you into custody. In the meantime, don’t leave town.” He inclined his head toward Cliff, “Mr. Blood. I’ll be seeing you.”

Cliff wasn’t sure if it was meant as a threat or the promise of a date. He and Brent watched the tall, sexy marshal stroll out of the office and close the outer door quietly behind him. Then Cliff turned to his boss. “Tell me you had nothing to do with this scam.”

Brent’s eyes had lightened even further, becoming almost colorless, with a narrow black slit in the center. His skin was raised in scale-shaped bumps, and his nostrils had tightened to slits. Cliff fought a grimace of distaste. He hadn’t seen his boss’s snake form since the night they’d met.

He hadn’t enjoyed it then, either.

“I’m telling you the truth, Blood. I’d rather eat my rat cooked in Szechuan sauce, with a ssssside of parsley, than work with that asshole again. Snake’s honor. Besides, I don’t need this shit right now. The Elitper Council just informed me that I’ve been withdrawn.”

“Withdrawn? You mean you have to go back to Elitper?”

“I’m not going. I don’t care what they sssssay.”

“But why?”

“We’re only allotted ten years. There are a lot of Elitperions who want to come to Earth. It’sssss nicer here. We don’t want to overwhelm the ecosystem ssssso we come a few thousand at a time in ten year shifts, chosen by lottery.”

Cliff sighed. “How much time do you have?”

“I passsssed the deadline last week. They’ve sssssent an enforcer to get me. I’m on borrowed time.”

Cliff sighed. “Okay, one battle at a time. We’ll deal with that as soon as we get this problem taken care of. How did this thing with Franks happen?”

“Easy. Franksssss came to me a few weeks ago…”

Cliff lifted a hand to stop him. “Wait a minute. I thought you said you hadn’t seen him in months.”
Bailey shrugged narrow shoulders, his long body shifting in an unmistakable slithering movement. “I lied.”

Frowning, Cliff shook his head. “I’ll need full honesty from you if I’m going to be able to help.”
If Brent had had any eyebrows left on his snaky face they would have lifted. “That’sssss what I’m giving you, Blood.”

Expelling a breath, Cliff sat down in the chair across from his boss. “Go on.”

“He sssssaid he’d figured out a way to make a lot of money and asssssked me if I wanted in. Naturally I didn’t trust him ssssso I said no. He tried to talk me into it but I resisted. When he finally left I was relieved. Turns out I shouldn’t have been. He apparently decided he didn’t need me… he only needed my sssssignature.”
“And he had that already, didn’t he? From your partnership agreement?”
The snake sitting in the office chair nodded his huge head. “Yesssss.”

“And you want me to do what, exactly?”

Bailey’s snake form slithered sideways and disappeared beneath the desk. The office chair slammed backward just before Cliff heard the meaty sound of the snake’s body hitting the floor. Cliff barely resisted the urge to lift his feet and shriek like a girl as Bailey slithered across the dusty carpet toward him, his heavy body making shush, shush sounds againstthe rough fibers. Bailey slithered in his direction, nearly toppling a small, metal trash can as he slid past, surprisingly quiet given his size.
Brent Bailey had never been respectable as a human, but he made a decidedly respectable snake. Twenty-five feet long from his snout to the tip of his tail, Bailey’s enormous body was three feet around at the widest part and Cliff guessed he weighed three hundred pounds.

The snake had a tan body with black stripes over its back, and light brown eyes that were even more eerie because they blended into the rest of him. A slash of black, strangely pitchfork shaped, rose up from his flat nostrils, between his eyes.

Bailey curled himself around Cliff’s chair and stopped, his big body quivering. The wood of the chair started to creak and Cliff flew out of it, leaping onto his feet just as the frail wood shattered.

Bailey tended to compress things when he was nervous.

Dropping to his ass on the edge of the desk, Cliff glared down at his boss.

“Sssssorry. Inssssstinct.”

“Just tell me what you need from me and I’ll be on my way. I’m sure you have tiny Japanese people to terrorize and defenseless rodents to swallow whole.”

Did Cliff imagine that gleam in the scary, light brown eyes?

“Yesssss.”

Cliff glared down at the snake and the snake glared up at him. “And?”

“Addresssss. On desssssk.”

Cliff scanned the surface of his boss’s messy desk and found a slip of paper with Jake Franks’ name on it and an address.

“Find him.” Bailey said.

Cliff jumped down from the desk and strolled toward the door. “Yesssss,” he told his boss with a smile.

“Assssshole.”

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK