18+ Locking emotions away is how Scorpio survived years as a conscripted killer. Now, as a Lash Watcher, he uses the same lethal skills to help his fellow warrior demons maintain peace in the realms. When a mission goes awry, he finds himself a thousand miles from home with no weapons or comms. Injured and alone, he is taken in by a group of witches who know him well.
Description:
Release Date: January 12th, 2016
Locking emotions away is how Scorpio survived years as a conscripted killer. Now, as a Lash Watcher, he uses the same lethal skills to help his fellow warrior demons maintain peace in the realms. When a mission goes awry, he finds himself a thousand miles from home with no weapons or comms. Injured and alone, he is taken in by a group of witches who know him well.
And want him dead.
Tessa’s affinity with metal makes her one of the most powerful witches in her coven. Her deepest wish is to stop the oppression of her people—a direct result of her former leader’s murder. She agrees to marry the chief of a rival coven, knowing it won’t be a love match. But she abandoned the idea of a soul-deep bond long ago. Especially one with the rough, former mercenary warrior who shows up and claims she belongs to him.
Even from behind bars, the longer Scorpio stays, the more he unsettles Tessa and she questions all she thought she knew. Choosing him will put everyone she cares for at risk. He’s nothing like she expected, and the last thing she could dare to want.
Tactical, lethal, resolute.
Haunted by a centuries-old tragedy, there’s no room in Arawn’s life for softness. Every action he takes is for the betterment of his race and the good of the realm. He leads his elite band of warriors the same way he lives his life: full on, without compromise, determined. Except for one sexy female who happens to be his subordinate.
Tenacious, passionate, tough-as-steel.
Ria relishes the duties Arawn assigns her as much as she respects the deadly combatants on her team. And she has a secret: her formidable boss is also her deepest fantasy. Years of working under his authority haven’t dulled the spark she feels, yet her passion is tempered by the hints of loss she gathers about him. His dark and sexy moodiness draws her, but he’s a hard man to approach as he keeps the world at emotional arm’s length.
Secrets laced in blood burn his battle-hardened soul.
When Ria is gravely injured in the line of duty, Arawn can no longer fight his own long-simmering feelings. But a secret, more heinous and ugly than anyone could imagine, prevents him from surrendering his heart. Despite his intentions, he and Ria forge a connection both fiery and unexpectedly tender. Yet every day brings them closer to shocking facts. Evil stirs in his blood, and hiding the truth from her will be the ultimate betrayal.
EXCERPT
Tessa
idly traced a pattern on the sheet. “What about you? Did you always know you’d
be a fighter?”
One
word, delivered with intensity and conviction. It brought her right back to his
deep voice, his huge presence, and those eyes that glimmered faintly with
flecks of gold. She wanted to keep him there longer. But she had no reason.
Thoughts and ideas jostled each other in her brain until they all faded to
background noise. He was a warrior, a survivor, a protector. Somehow that was
all she needed to know right now. She didn’t need to ask more, or ask how
Dalamos had snared him and his siblings. Kidnappings and brutality were all too
common in the realms.
Words
tumbled from her lips, as if she needed to speak to break the intense quiet
between them. “Because of your work, you ended up here. If you hadn’t landed
among us, I would have died. If not today, then last week. Her heart slammed in
her ribs. “It’s not what I expected. You’re not what I expected.”
He
exhaled a slow breath and licked his lips. “You’re not what I expected either.”
“Did
you know I was here?” she asked, her voice a whisper.
“No.”
“But
you acted like you knew me. That first night they moved you?”
“I
recognized who you are to me.” The gold in his eyes brightened.
“How?
How did you know…I mean, why did you react the way you did?” She couldn’t bring
herself to say the word. Mate. It
seemed far too intimate, and she was already crossing a line by having him so
close.
“Your
scent. I just knew it.” His molten stare mesmerized her, sparking heated
awareness low in her belly.
She
swallowed against the sudden intensity. “That doesn’t make sense.”
“Things
don’t have to make sense to be true. Think we proved that today.”
“Nothing
makes sense right now.”
He
shook his head. “Wrong.”
She
frowned. “Don’t make me even more confused.”
“You
know two things for sure.” He scooted closer and took her hand. “I will never
leave you unprotected. And I will never harm you.”
His
touch sent a warm jolt up her arm. This wasn’t a touch to protect. This was
hot, sensual, and loaded with meaning. Not daring to move a muscle, she wanted
to preserve this moment.
But
yes. She did know his words were unequivocally true. “Right. I know. And…and
I’m thankful for that. But still…you…I don’t know what to think of you.”
He
leaned a fraction closer. “Two words, Tessa. Just remember two words.” His eyes
glowed golden, stealing her breath, scorching her with their intensity.
“What?”
She doubted she’d be able to remember one word, or any word. He overwhelmed her
and right now, she wanted it more than anything.
“I’m
yours.” His hand, warm and sure, slid to her nape. “Yours.” He dipped his head
to cover her mouth with his.
She
gasped. His lips were soft and the heat rolling off his big body made her want
to tuck herself closer. He was so strong, and the gentleness he kept surprising
her with threw her world off balance. Dizzy, overloaded with the need for more
of him, she let go of any thoughts or inhibitions.
She
curled her arms around his neck and kissed him back, loving the moment he
realized she wasn’t going to back away. His free hand slid to her hip, and she
was painfully aware that all she wore was a thin tank top and panties.
He
licked at her lips, his tongue a warm, wicked invitation, and she opened for
him. He rumbled, a luscious approving sound that reached from his chest all the
way into her belly. She pulled herself closer and the hand at her hip slipped
to her lower back.
He
teased her mouth with flicks of his tongue, tangling with hers. Sliding his
hand into her hair, he knotted his fingers gently. Enough to show her his
aggression, light enough to let her push him away.
But
she only wanted to get closer. He smelled clean and masculine, and every cell
in his body radiated power. His fingertips gently stroked her neck. Those hands
could snap a neck. Gods only knew what pleasure those hands could bring.
To
her. To her? What the hell? But she
flung the thought far from her mind, carried away by Scorpio’s intoxicating
kiss. She caressed her way down his arms, learning with her fingers the ridges
and dips of biceps and triceps she’d only observed up to now. Hard huge muscles
that had lifted rocks. Lifted that wolf. Lifted her.
With
a growl, he pulled her head back and dipped to kiss her neck. His lips were so
soft, so warm and wet. She arched her back, desperate for more of any and every
sensation he could give her. Her breasts rubbed across his pecs. Digging her
fingers into his arms, she held on, all the while a delirious need built in her
core.
He
kissed along her clavicle, licking gently at the delicate ridge. Every place
his mouth touched sent heat racing across her skin. She thrust her body
forward, shameless, wanting more of his kisses anywhere she could get them.
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About the author:
Sharon Kay writes award-winning fiction and can never get enough reading time. She loves winter and black coffee, and is endlessly inspired to write kick-ass heroines and the men strong enough to capture their hearts. Sharon lives in the Chicago area with her husband and son, and one weekend the idea for her Lash Watchers and tough leading ladies formed in her head, refusing to stay quiet until she put pen to paper. Her characters tend to keep her up at night, as they banter, fall in love, and slay endless varieties of power-hungry demons.
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