Title: Dirty Player: A Hockey Romance
Author: Mira Lyn Kelly
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 29, 2018
Heâll play dirty to get his girl
âFun, addictive, and outrageously sexy! Dirty Player brought all the feels and left me panting for more!ââAnnika Martin, New York Times Bestselling Author
A throw away promise between friends.
A dare for a single kiss at our reunion and nothing more.
But that kissâ¦
That kiss was no joking matter.
It was hot and wet.
A hands-everywhere, breathless kind of insanity that left us both teetering on the brink.
Sheâs got rules about dating guys like meâ¦
Rules I respect the hell out of when they apply to any other pro athlete.
But as they apply to me? Well, those rules are about to be broken.
JULIA
I donât want to talk about that look. In fact, up until ten seconds ago, Iâd been doing a bang-up job of ensuring we havenât had the opportunity to discuss it all evening. Itâs a big ballroom, and if Greg happened to be at the north end, I managed to stay south. The few times I couldnât stop our paths from crossing, I made sure to pull someone, anyone, along with me, thus ensuring the conversation stayed far, far away from the look that got away from me.
Until now, it had been working. Unfortunately, my conversation buffer just saw her fiancé come in, and the little traitor sprinted off, leaving me staring up at Greg. Nothing to distract me from this gorgeous man in his tuxedo and the trouble Iâm having keeping my eyes to myself.
Iâm surrounded by good-looking men on a regular basis, and it never gets to me. But with Greg, I can barely breathe. I can hardly look at him without heat spilling into my cheeks, and as to tearing my eyes away? Forget it.
Which is crazy. Iâm not fifteen. This isnât my first crush.
Itâs not a crush at all.
Itâs Greg, one of my oldest friends and the guy I just promised I wouldnât objectify tonight. Weâre friends. Just friends.
With no more hookups between us.
No more kissing.
No more flirting.
I shake my head, mentally amending the no-more-flirting clause, because this is Greg. Flirting is like breathing for himâan involuntary response, and one I sort of cherish.
But no more staring!
âThought we discussed you avoiding me,â he says.
Donât look at him. Donât look at him. Donâtâ
God, heâs so handsome it hurts.
A waiter passes by, and I swipe a glass of white wine from his tray. âIâm not.â
He lets out a low laugh that slides right through to the deepest parts of me.
âGlad to hear it.â He steps closer, ducking his head so his next words are directed at me and me alone. Weâre standing in the middle of hundreds of people, but when his eyes are on me like that, a glint of amusement edging a more serious intent, it feels like weâre alone. âShould we discuss that look?â
My cheeks burn hotter, and I toss back half my glass in one swallow. âIt was just one look.â
Iâm such a liar.
He laughs again, letting up on the eye contact as he surveys the crowd. âThereâs that just word again. Iâm starting to think maybe you donât think it means what it really means. And P.S. ⦠it wasnât just one.â
Geeze. This guy. âGreg, weâre past it. Everything is fine.â
So long as I donât look at any part of him for more than a fraction of a second, weâre totally good.
âYouâre sure?â
No. But Iâm subscribing to the fake-it-âtil-you-make-it school of thought here. âAbsolutely.â
He rolls his shoulder in my peripheral vision. âWell, thatâs a relief.â
âGood.â Itâs definitely good. Right? I hazard another look at his face. âBut out of curiosity, can I ask why?â
The corner of his mouth curves, and I feel the tug of it all the way through me.
âBecause if you werenât past itâif, for example, another one of those rogue looks got away from you while we were in the midst of this crowdâI could see where that might be a problem.â
I force myself to focus on the orchestra set up across the room. Only Greg isnât done.
âBut even if by some miracle they donât catch the look in your eyes, and I do⦠then weâd have to worry about them seeing the look in mine. The one that says itâs only going to be a matter of seconds before Iâve got one hand in your hair and the other finding out whatâs under that incredible dress.â
I try to swallow, but my throat makes a dry clicking sound, so I drain my glass.
Taking the empty from my hand, Greg returns it to a passing waiter.
Heâs amused, the sexy jerk. He knew exactly what kind of effect that casual reference to getting under my dress would have.
âGood thing thereâs zero chance of another one of those looks getting away from me. Ever.â
Okay, ever is probably a stretch, but he doesnât have to snort about it. Cocky bastard.
I should let it go. Let him have his little laugh.
Taking the drink from his hand, I tap my index finger against the condensation-covered glass before bringing it to my lips. Club soda and lime.
Itâs not strong enough to justify what blurts past my lips, but I canât stop myself. âSo you donât need to give what kind of tiny and delicate Iâve got going on under this dress another thought.â
His body stiffens, and his eyes cut to my chest. Heâs built like a superhero, but despite his apparent laser focus, Iâm pretty sure he doesnât actually have X-ray vision.
All I wanted was the satisfaction of seeing him squirm. Maybe to gloat a little.
But neither one of us is the type to relinquish a win so easily.
âJules, youâre going to have to be careful. Tiny and delicate sounds like it might not survive these rough hands of mine.â
My breath catches as need spears through me, and my center goes hot and liquid.
I open my mouth, wanting to say something sharp that puts him in his place. But I canât make a sound. I canât think about anything but the snap of elastic and my panties falling apart in his big⦠rough⦠hands.
Greg seems to be waiting for the comeback that isnât coming too.
The seconds stretch and pull.
Our eyes meet and, suddenly, that smug satisfaction washes clean off his face as his nostrils flare and his eyes turn to midnight. Iâm pretty sure this is the look he warned me about.
âAww, fuck. Now youâve done it, Jules.â
I take a shaky breath. âI know.â
Author Bio
Hard core romantic, stress baker, and housekeeper non-extraordinaire, Mira Lyn Kelly is the USA TODAY bestselling author of more than a dozen sizzly love stories with over a million readers worldwide. Growing up in the Chicago area, she earned her degree in Fine Arts from Loyola University and met the love of her life while studying abroad in Rome, Italy⦠only to discover heâd been living right around the corner from her back home. Having spent her twenties working and playing in the Windy City, sheâs now settled with her husband in rural Minnesota, where their four amazing children and two ridiculous dogs provide an excess of action and entertainment. When she isnât reading, writing, or running the kids around, she loves watching the Chicago Blackhawks and action/adventure movies, blabbing with the girls, and cooking with her husband and friends.
Author Links
0 Comments
Title: Swallow Me Whole
Author: Gemma James
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Release Date: May 25, 2018
Sadie Sawyer wants to learn how to blow a guy. Sheâs my sisterâs best friend. The girl Iâve known since grade school. The girl Iâve always considered off-limits.
Sheâs the girl that crawled under a table in a bar one night and changed everything between us. Now the brain in my pants is more than willing to step up.
The rules are simple.
No kissing.
No screwing.
No falling in love.
But the more I let her use my body in the name of experimentation, the more I know being friends isnât enough.
Is it too much to want it all with her?
The taste of her lips.
The sweetness of her innocence.
The chance to earn her love.
I might have a real shot with herâ¦if her douchebag ex and my past donât ruin everything.
Swallow Me Whole is a friends-to-lovers standalone romance. Please note this book was previously published as a serial under the pen name of Angel Allen.
Purchase Links
Only 99c!! Free in Kindle Unlimited
Author Bio
Gemma James is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of a blend of genres, from new adult suspense to dark erotic romance. She loves to explore the darker side of human nature in her fiction, and sheâs morbidly curious about anything dark and edgy, from deviant sex to serial killers. Readers have described her stories as being ânot for the faint of heart.â
She warns you to heed their words! Her playground isnât full of rainbows and kittens, though she likes both. She lives in Oregon with her husband and their four childrenâthree rambunctious UFC/wrestling-loving boys and one girl who steals everyoneâs attention.
Author Links
Moonlight And Midtown After battling werewolves and evil aunties, Bryar Rose is ready to enjoy her new life. No more crazy aunties. Her curse is toast. And Bry’s new man, Knox, is literally a dream come true. Best of all, Bry will soon attend a regular high school. Forget those sketchy tutors! To get ready, Bry is dedicating the rest of her summer to some serious back-to-school shopping with her best friend, Elle. It’s a blast, except for one thing: Mysterious strangers are following Bry across Manhattan. All these stalkers have oddly familiar scents and an uncanny ability to slip into the shadows whenever Bry tries to confront them. Even worse, their presence is making Knox act crazy with a capital C. But Bry’s having none of it. Enough of her life has already been ruined by secrets. With Elle’s help, Bry plans to confront these strangers, find out what they want, and send them packing. Trouble is, the truth about their identity won’t be so easy to manage, especially when Bry finds out how these stalkers could change her future with Knox…and not for the better. ***An interim novella between WOLVES AND ROSES and SHIFTERS AND GLYPHS*** Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play About The Series -- EXCERPT: “That’s why packs have Alphas,” says Knox. “You need to set her loose, and then, let her attack me.” Every inch of my body goes on alert. “Attack you? Why?” “Your wolf has been through a lot. Ritual fighting is how wolves work out their place in the pack. Your wolf needs a firm hand.” I stare at my palm. “Firm hand?” “I’m not talking about physical power here. I’m talking magic. My power is Alpha energy, but you’ve got your own magic. Once I subdue your wolf, I think you’ll get the idea.” My head feels woozy. “Ritual combat? Really?” “Yes. Release your wolf and attack me. Now.” I hug my elbows. “I’m not sure. If I’m patient, my inner wolf might just calm down on her own.” “That’s not how wolves work, even when they aren’t of the magical variety. And a werewolf? Our animals are far more intense. I’m your Alpha, and if I let this go on for one more minute, I’m putting you at risk.” Something in his tone sets my nerves on edge. “Meaning?” “Your wolf will go feral. When it happens, it’s fast and intense. Your wolf will take over and you’ll disappear.” I suck in a shaky breath. “She wouldn’t.” My wolf’s voice sounds in my head. “We will run! I demand we shift NOW!” That manic tone to her voice is now higher than ever before. Every inch of my body trembles with the urge to shift. I reply to my wolf in my mind. “Didn’t you hear what Knox said?” Normally, my wolf can’t help but listen in on most of my conversations. “Our mate thinks you’re going feral.” “Mate?” The manic tone to her voice hikes up an octave. “We have no mate. All we have is the need to run.” A chill runs up my spine. “You don’t remember our mate?” “No mate! Run, now!” My blood chills. No matter what happens, my wolf always knows her mate. In fact, my usual complaint is that she won’t shut up about him. This is really happening. My wolf is going feral. All of a sudden, it’s like I can’t pull in enough air. “You’re right. My inner wolf is losing her mind.” “Hey, I won’t let that happen.” Knox rests his hands on my shoulders. “Breathe, Bry.” It takes serious concentration, but I slow my racing pulse a little. “Okay.” “Now, you need to set your wolf loose and trust me. Can you do that, yeah?” “I can try.” “Good.” Knox pulls off his dress shirt over his head and tosses it aside. “Set her loose.” Normally, the urge to shift is a constant tug of war between me and my wolf. Most times, all it takes is for me to stop fighting the urge to shift. After that, I turn furry. So that’s what I do now—I drop my guard and let my wolf take over. Author Bio: Christina Bauer knows how to tell stories about kick-ass women. In her best selling Angelbound series, the heroine is a part-demon girl who loves to fight in Purgatory’s Arena and falls in love with a part-angel prince. This young adult best seller has driven more than 500,000 ebook downloads and 9,000 reviews on Goodreads and retailers. The first three books in the series are now available as audiobooks on Audible and iTunes. Bauer has also told the story of the Women’s March on Washington by leading PR efforts for the Massachusetts Chapter. Her pre-event press release—the only one sent out on a major wire service—resulted in more than 19,000 global impressions and redistribution by over 350 different media entities including the Associated Press. Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby. Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn GIVEAWAY!
Title: Beauty and the Beefcake
Author: Pippa Grant
Genre: Sexy Romantic Comedy
Release Date: May 17, 2018
Blurb
There are two kinds of women in the world â those I can bang, and those I canât. My teammateâs sister? Sheâs a canât. I moved in with her to protect her from a nasty ex, not to be the next guy in line. Sheâs the brains. Iâm the brawn. Sheâs the fruit. Iâm the sausage. She talks too much. I donât talk at all, if I donât have to. Should be easy to resist her. But every minute I spend with Felicity is another minute she gets under my skin. She makes me feel like something more than a dumb puckhead with a big Zamboni pony. And itâs getting harder to remember why I need to keep my hands to myself. Beauty and the Beefcake is a vegan-friendly standalone romantic comedy featuring a hockey player whose vocabulary is the only thing smaller than a hockey puck, a book smart but aimless ventriloquist with too many voices in her head, a dilapidated old house that may or may not be haunted, and no cheating or cliffhangers.
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Also Available
Always free in Kindle Unlimited
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Author Bio
Pippa Grant is a stay-at-home mom and housewife who loves to escape into sexy, funny stories way more than she likes perpetually cleaning toothpaste out of sinks and off toilet handles. When sheâs not reading, writing, sleeping, or trying to prepare her adorable demon spawn to be productive members of society, sheâs fantasizing about chocolate chip cookies.
Author Links
Your Rhythm You know what they say: save a snare, bang a drummer. Kay Fischer is well aware of what they say, and she intends to ignore it completely. After her first step into the world of music journalism ended with a screw-up so royal it deserved a crown, Kay’s been struggling to re-stack the building blocks of her career. Salvation comes in the form of Sherbrooke Station, the latest alt-rock craze to grace Montreal’s legendary music scene. A front page feature on the band everyone’s talking about seems like a foolproof shot at success, even after Kay meets their drummer. Matt Pearson might have a smile sexy enough to be the eighth deadly sin and a passion for music so powerful it makes her heart ache, but Kay’s got things under control. She’s a professional, goddammit, and a professional would not get tongue-tied over a source, even a source who’s a six-foot, tattooed rock god with an affinity for tight jeans. A professional would not find herself opening her door at an hour long past midnight to pull said source inside and lead him to her bed. No, that’s not at all what a professional would do. -- EXCERPT: Matt’s still propped against the edge of the bar when I reach him. The crowd is thinner over here and I get a good look at him from a few feet away: sandy undercut hair and an angular face, softened by full lips and just the right amount of stubble. He’s got the perfect features to pull off his eyebrow piercing, and while they’re currently covered by a navy blue coat, all my internet stalking has proved he’s got the perfect arms to pull off the collection of tattoos on both. Eric the Surfer might have been hot in a general sense, but Matt Pearson is one hundred percent my type. Did I just admit someone in Sherbrooke Station is my type? “Hey,” I call sharply, hoping I can help myself deny that little revelation by acting annoyed with him. “Giving up that easy?” He gives me a cautious glance and then shifts his eyes from side to side, like he’s making sure I’m really talking to him. “On looking for me,” I elaborate. “I’m Kay Fischer.” Now his dark eyes travel up and down the length of me in a completely unapologetic stare. He smirks when they reach mine again. Author Bio: Katia Rose is not much of a Pina Colada person, but she does like getting caught in the rain. She prefers her romance served steamy with a side of smart, and is a sucker for quirky characters. A habit of jetting off to distant countries means she’s rarely in one place for very long, but she calls the frigid northland that is Canada home. Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter GIVEAWAY!
Title: Whatever it Takes Series: Healing Hearts #3 Author: Laura Farr Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: May 24, 2018
Blurb
When Quinn Montgomery leaves the horrors of her past behind her, she never expects to run straight into the arms of a blue-eyed cowboy. Sneaking into the stables and getting caught in a life-threatening fire was never part of the plan. And neither was falling in love with the man who saved her life, Brody Parker.
The two share an undeniable connection, and slowly Quinn begins to open up about her past. Putting her trust in the wrong person has burned her before, so when Brody asks her to stay at the ranch, she can't help but wonder if sheâs about to make another bad decision by staying. A decision that could hurt everyone sheâs come to care for.
Will Quinn choose to run from the past that threatens to catch up with her? Or will she stay and fight, sacrificing whatever it takes for the man who sets her heart on fire?
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Also Available
Free in Kindle Unlimited AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU Free in Kindle Unlimited Author Bio
Laura Farr lives in Shropshire with her husband and two children. When she isnât working, or being a Mummy she is pursuing her dream of writing. She is a romantic at heart and loves nothing more than writing stories with a happy ever after, even if there is the odd chapter of angst thrown in! Her desire to write came from her love of reading and when she isnât writing you will find her attached to her kindle or spending time with her family. Author Links FACEBOOK PROFILE FACEBOOK PAGE
Title: Until You Say I Do
Series: Until You #3
Author: D.M. Davis
Genre: Contemporary/New Adult Romance
Release Date: May 18, 2018
Blurb
The Until You Series continues with Until You Say I Do.
"The first time I saw her, I knew she would be mine. Clichéd? Yes, but that doesnât make it any less true." Joseph
Trust is hard earned, and easily broken even for those who believe they have triumphed and now lie on the winning side of love.
Having won Samanthaâs heart and trust, Joseph is determined to conquer his next challenge of making her his wife and priming her for a career at MCI. But, an old nemesis threatens the woman he loves, shaking her to her foundation and jeopardizing their very happiness.
Can Samantha see beyond the evidence and believe in the man she loves?
Will Joseph be able to prove his innocence before it's too late to say "I Do"?
Until You Say I Do is Book Three in Joseph and Samanthaâs story, which began with Until You Set Me Free.
Intended for mature audiences.
Book 3 in the Until You series.
Note to Reader:
You do not have to read Until You Books 1 & 2, but it would be best if you have as not all details are rehashed in this book. Plus, you will miss out on getting to know Joseph and Samantha from the beginning of their journey. It's not to be missed.
Purchase Links
Author Bio
D.M. Davis is a Contemporary and New Adult Romance Author.
She is a Texas native, wife, and mother. Her background is Project Management, technical writing, and application development. D.M. has been a lifelong reader, and wrote poetry in her early life, but has found her true passion in writing about love and the intricate relationships between men and women.
She writes of broken hearts and second chances, of dreamers looking for more than they have and daring to reach for it.
D.M. believes it is never too late to make a change in your own life, to become the person you always wanted to be, but were afraid you were not worth the effort. You are worth it. Take a chance on you. You never know whatâs possible if you donât try. Believe in yourself as you believe in others, and see what life has to offer.
She is currently working on two series of romance novels: Until You and Finding Grace
Author Links
Author: Renee Harless
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 23, 2018
Blurb
An unspoken rule.
A friendship that will be tested. Quinn He was my crush at thirteen and
ten years later that feeling never ceased.
I thought that time and distance would change us
but I never expected the feelings to grow.
Now things are complicated.
His sister is my best friend.
Sheâs also his twin.
And Iâm stuck in the middle.
Trevor She was always my fantasy come to life and
I knew even at sixteen that girls like her were rare.
Soft, feminine, sweet to her core -
she was my complete opposite.
I knew how to keep her away when we were young,
but Iâm finding it hard to keep her out of reach
when everyone is pushing us together.
My sister can never know the things
I plan to do to her best friend.
Renee Harless, her husband, and children live in Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She studied Communication, specifically Public Relations, at Radford University.
Growing up, Renee always found a way to pursue her creativity. It began by watching endless runs of White Christmas- yes even in the summer â and learning every word and dance from the movie. She could still sing Sister Sister if requested. In high school she joined the show choir and a community theatre group, The Troubadours. After marrying the man of her dreams and moving from her hometown she sought out a different artistic outlet â writing.
To say that Renee is a romance addict would be an understatement. When she isnât chasing her toddler around the house, working her day job, or writing, she delves head first into a romance novel.
Author Links
Title: Devil
Series: Savage MCâTennessee #1
Author: Jordan Marie
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: June 5, 2018
Blurb
He is my biggest temptationâ¦
Logan is a complication I didnât count on.
I need to stay awayâtoo many lives depend on it.
One wrong move and everything around me will crumble.
But his graveled voice calls to me.
His wicked smile takes my breath.
His whiskey colored eyes intoxicates me.
His heated touch seduces me.
And his hard body promises hot nights beyond my dirtiest fantasies.
Saying yes, would be wrong.
But being wrong feels so good.
Pre-order Links
$2.99 for a limited time
Author Bio
USA Today Best Selling Author Jordan Marie, is just a simple small town country girl who is haunted by Alpha Men who talk in her head 24 hours a day.
She likes to create a book that takes you on an emotional journey whether tears, laughter (or both) or just steamy hot fun (or all 3). She loves to connect with readers and interacting with them through social media, signings or even old fashioned email.
Join her newsletter to stay up to date as well as take part in giveaways and just let her know how you feel about her books!
Author Links
Don’t Cheat Me One month after Nora’s violent induction to the dangerous supernatural side of Detroit, she’s finally settling into her new life as the underworld’s token human. All she wants to do is mind her own business, enjoy her new friends, and stay safe. But that’s easier said than done when she’s such an enigma to everyone around her. Thanks to her unique psychic abilities, she’s garnered a reputation for being mysterious and powerful. When the alpha of a local werewolf pack asks her to help him figure out who is stealing from him, she can’t say no, even though getting involved in pack business could have deadly repercussions. While tangled up in a heap of werewolf troubles, Nora can’t quite shake her old vampire problem, either. Henry is practically stalking her, Parker is breaking down the walls around her heart, and Nora’s blatant fear of the blood-sucking monsters is a delicious temptation for the natural predators. Nora’s succubus friend, Cecile, believes throwing her a “coming out” party into underworld society is the best way to solve all of her problems, but Nora disagrees. If the vampires and werewolves don’t kill her, Cecile’s party planning definitely will. This is book 2 in the Nora Jacobs series and should be read after book 1. It is a slow burn reverse harem series. -- EXCERPT: “Hey, sexy, how about you bring a shot of Angelfire and that pretty little ass over here.” I pour a shot of the fey alcohol and bring it to the tactless man with a forced smile. As I take the cash he lays out on the counter, he grabs my arm and pulls me close. “You know, I’ve never had a human before—they’re not usually worth my time—but I’d make an exception for you.” I yank my arm back. “Not interested, thanks.” I start to walk away, so he quickly downs his shot and asks for another. “What’s the matter? Think you’re too good to bed an underworlder?” I smirk as I fill his shot glass with another round of the light blue liquid. “Nope. Just too good for cocky assholes.” I don’t have time to regret running my mouth off before the man has me by the throat and is pulling me across the counter to his seething face. “I’ll show you manners, human. You’re nothing but an insect in my world. A plaything. And now you’ll be mine. I’ll have you begging for death for all eternity.” His thoughts are scarier than his words. He plans to follow through on his threat. He knows many fey in the winter court that keep human pets. He’s never seen the appeal, but now he wants nothing more than to humiliate me and make me suffer. And maybe he’ll eat me once he’s bored of the torture. His grip is so strong I can’t breathe, but before I start to see spots in my vision, Wulf and Nick rip me apart from the psychotic winter faerie. Wulf has me behind him, using his body to physically shield me, while Nick has the faerie laid out on the bar by his throat. The man is wailing in pain, and it takes me a moment to figure out it’s because Nick’s buried a dagger in the man’s shoulder, hilt deep. Judging from the screams of pain, the dagger is made of iron, which is poisonous to faeries. “What was that about begging for death for all eternity?” Nick asks. “Is that how you like to play?” “But she’s human,” the faerie cries, as if that justifies his actions. Wulf growls at this, and his whole body begins to shake. I place a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to calm him down. I’ve heard that werewolves like physical touch, and a gesture to tell him I’m all right should help with his protective instincts. I’ve never seen a werewolf shift, and I don’t really want to see one now while he’s pissed and I’m trapped behind a bar with him. I want to say something soothing, but honestly, I’m too scared to get any words out. That faerie has a dark, twisted mind. “She is an employee of this club and Terrance’s only clan,” Nick says. The fey’s eyes pop wide open. “She’s his clan?” “His first.” Nick nods. “And he’s especially fond of her. So I would advise you to leave her alone. In fact, I bet you’re a dead man walking once Terrance figures out you’re the asshole who put the bruises around her neck.” Nick’s eyes do that thing they do when he gets really pissed. The pupils turn into vertical slits. It’s freaky looking. He also emits some kind of power. I can’t really explain it. I don’t know what kind of underworlder Nick is. It’s rude to ask, and he’s never offered the information up. But it’s something totally badass that scares even the nastiest underworlders. Mr. Creepy Fey Man is squirming under his grip, looking like he’s about to piss himself. “I’m sorry,” he whines. “I didn’t know who she was. I’ll leave. Just let me up before Terrance comes.” “Maybe we should leave him pinned to the bar for a while,” Wulf says, making the fey’s eyes go wide again. “That’ll send the message that Nora is off limits, which might appease Terrance.” I can’t help the way my mouth falls open. “You’re not serious.” Wulf gives me a grim look. “This man disrespected Terrance’s staff. That won’t go unpunished—house rules.” “Terrance will kill him for touching you, unless we punish him first,” Nick adds, backing up Wulf’s claims. They’re not kidding. They plan to keep this guy staked to the counter the way he is. The underworld runs on a different set of rules. It’s brutal and dangerous. If I want to survive it, I need to learn to stomach the darker side of it and trust those who have my well-being at heart. “Okay,” I say, since both Wulf and Nick seem to be waiting for my approval. It’s not that hard to agree, considering how evil the man’s thoughts were. “Let’s leave him for a while.” “Put a sign on him so everyone knows,” Nick says. Wulf writes a note on a pad that says I touched the human girl. He puts it on the faerie’s chest. “Hold this, and don’t drop it.” The man grips the message and holds it against his chest where everyone who gets close can read it. But he’s squirming, swearing, sweating, and hollering about the pain. I have no doubt it hurts. Nick has no sympathy for him. “Shut your mouth,” he says, touching the dagger’s hilt and twisting it ever so slightly, causing the faerie to scream in real agony. “This is a tender mercy. Stop whining, or I’ll put this dagger through your heart to shut you up.” I’m not surprised when the faerie shuts his mouth and keeps his discomfort to mild whimpers from then on. If Nick had looked at me the same way he looked at that guy just now, I’d find a way to forget about the pain, too. Author Bio: Jackie May is a pseudonym for a husband and wife writing team. Josh and Kelly live in Phoenix, Arizona with their four children and their cat, Mr. Darcy. Jackie May is their only daughter. (And she keeps asking for her cut of the profits since we’re using her name.) GIVEAWAY! |