Reining Him In (Chinese Zodiac Romance Series Book 5)

by Rachael Slate

  “Well, I am starving.” Her pink tongue flashed across her bottom lip, one tip of a fang biting down.

  “Take whatever you need from me, love, because there’ll always be more than enough.” He gazed deep into her eyes. “And always just yours.”

  “Good, because I don’t share well.” She trapped his waist with both her hands and dropped to her knees, her pretty, pouty lips wrapping around him and suctioning deep.

  It only took two glides of her velvety tongue for him to lose it. Every last ounce of self-control, self-preservation, and self-absorption. His cum shot hot into her mouth, the energy transferring to the jīng she required to survive.

  From this moment on, he lived for her.

  She moaned low in her throat, the vibrations coaxing his cock to swell again. Daji could keep him hard for days, weeks, months. He didn’t fucking care so long as she got what she needed from him.

  No one else.

  The metal hoop clanked against the rafters as he rolled his body, shoving himself into her mouth, grunting in pleasure.

  Her lips curving in satisfaction, she rose and rubbed along his body, purring.

  “I’d say we should stop meeting in places like this, but I may have changed my mind. This isn’t too shabby.”

  “Mmm.” She traced the tip of one claw down his chest, fluttering her lashes at him. “Now, about that promise to make me scream, stallion.”

  “Untie me, baby, and we’ll shock the neighbors.”

  She raised her arm and slashed her claws through the rope.

  Lowering his arm, he winced at the resuming blood flow, but no worries. He had plenty of great circulation where it counted. Seizing her hips, he hoisted her onto his waist, sinking himself inside her. She hissed and he gripped her ass, shoving even deeper. Daji was slick, hot, and so ready for him.

  His Ice Queen had melted, had learned to trust and to love him.

  For that, he would spend the rest of his days expressing his gratitude.

  He walked them to the wall and braced one hand above her head, driving into her with free abandon.

  She whimpered, her fangs sinking into his shoulders and her claws piercing his ass. Tiny marks reflecting her claim on him.

  Nothing compared to the hold she had on his heart.

  “You may not have eaten my heart, Daji, but you damn sure have consumed it,” he growled into her ear, pumping in and out of her body.

  “Best one I’ve ever had.” She framed his face with her hands and pressed a hot kiss to his lips. “I have a new assignment for you, Price.”

  “Yeah, what’s that?” He stared into her shining eyes, at the sly, clever mischief in those copper depths, and grinned back.

  Her full lips parted, her silky tongue sweeping across them. “Make me scream.”

  “Anything else, my Queen?”

  “Yes,” she brushed her thumb across his cheek, “never stop loving me.”

  He nipped at her lips, groaning at her honey taste. “Done and done.”

  His body tightened as the sweet, floral scent and delicate beauty of the woman he loved filled his senses. The old Price might have been tied up by various women, but he’d never been connected to any of them. Never been bound, soul, spirit, and heart.

  Now, he was.

  The bond he’d avoided his entire life had become the best fucking thing that had ever happened to him.

  Price thrust deep into her and Daji’s scream rang in his ears. A grin tugged at his lips, satisfaction thrumming deep in his veins. Slanting his mouth across hers, he claimed every single one of her cries.

  He’d earned them, after all.

  Buried inside her, he drew their hands above their heads, the silk scarf binding their wrists, tying them together.

  Forever.

  *****

  nĭn hăo – formal greeting in Mandarin

  nĭ hăo – informal greeting in Mandarin

  shūshu – “uncle” (father’s younger brother) in Mandarin

  zhínǚ – “niece” (brother’s daughter) in Mandarin

  xiānshēng – “Mr.” in Mandarin

  Nonya – a traditional blend of Chinese and Malay cuisine

  chī fàn – traditional words spoken for elders to eat first

  xiǎo tùzi guāi guāi – nursery rhyme “Well-behaved Little Rabbit”

  tùzi – “rabbit” in Mandarin

  Lái Zhīdé – Neo-Confucian philosopher who introduced the yin-yang symbol

  sayang – “love” in Malay, used as a term of endearment

  yin-yang – complementary, opposing forces that when in sync, result in the balance of the Earth. When out of sync, the Earth falls into imbalance. Yin is dark, cold, water, death, female, moon, etc. Yang is light, hot, fire, life, male, sun, etc.

  jīng – one of the Three Treasures; sexual energy

  qì – one of the Three Treasures; life-force energy

  shén – one of the Three Treasures; spiritual energy

  qìgōng – a practice involving coordinated breathing, movement, and awareness, traditionally viewed as a practice to cultivate and balance qì

  Iron Crutch Li – Li Tieguai, Sheng’s ancestor and the hero of Rematch. One of the Eight Immortals

  Hé Qióng – The Immortal Woman, one of the Eight Immortals. Mei and Lucy’s ancestor.

  Zhongli Quan – one of the Eight Immortals. Natalie’s ancestor.

  Zhang Guolao – one of the Eight Immortals. Kassian’s ancestor

  Péng lái, Fāngzhàng, Yíngzhōu – the islands of the Eight Immortals

  Áo – a large marine turtle in Chinese mythology that carries the islands of the Eight Immortals upon his back

  yāoguài – demons who live in Dìyù and sometimes break free

  Dìyù – Hell. It contains eighteen layers.

  batik – a traditional Malaysian fabric

  wǔshù – a form of martial arts

  Kongsi – a clan association; a secret society

  Hai San – Sheng’s Kongsi

  Ghee Hin – the enemy of the Hai San

  Wen Shen – The Plague God responsible for the Red Death

  Báijiǔ – an Asian liquor similar to vodka

  Shèhúnzéi – “Spirit Thief”

  Néih hóu – a Cantonese greeting

  Yum cha – to “drink tea” in Cantonese

  M goi – “thank you” in Cantonese

  M̀h'sái haak-hei – “you’re welcome” in Cantonese

  Suanmeitang – a traditional cooling tea

  húli jīng – a fox spirit

  shuǐ guǐ – a water ghost

  nǎinai – “grandmother” in Mandarin

  Nüwa – the goddess of the fox spirits

  Yuánjiāo Island - one of the islands of the Eight Immortals

  Kun Peng – a mythological creature that can transform into both a bird and a fish

  Bahasa – language of the fox spirits

  saat saum – “pretty please” in Bahasa

  arkoun – “thank you” in Bahasa

  sthananorok – “hell” in Bahasa

  semangat – Malay for “passion”

  Aschar Mteay – “Great Mother” in Bahasa

  phaem – “sweet” in Bahasa

  sapha – “mine” in Bahasa

  Kar Svakom – greeting in Bahasa

  I loved every second of writing Price and Daji’s story. Their journey has begged me to tell it ever since I first stepped foot in a temple in Cambodia, and I’m sure you’ll find hints of that inspiration scattered throughout the book. There might also be a slight tribute to Queen Elsa of Frozen, as I’m pretty sure my daughter ran that movie in the background (for weeks) while I writing. So, this story definitely came about as a result of my adventures with my family, and for that reason, claims a special place in my heart. I love you all!

  For happy dancing and cheerleading right alongside me, thanks to my fantastic beta readers, Ashley, Nicola, Bonnie, April, and Gina.

  Karie, the world’s awe
somest PA, these books would melt into nothingness without you. Thank you for being there, every step of the way.

  I could never have gotten every word polished without my amazing editor, Kelley Heckart. Thank you!

  Thanks to NovelArt Designs for this oh-so-perfect cover. That is so Price.

  Lastly, thank you to my readers. I hope you will be as swept away on this wild ride with Price and Daji as I was.

  Rachael has explored forgotten temples in Cambodia, kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, and stood inside the Roman Coliseum. She loves studying people and cultures, current and ancient. Her appetite for romance began with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, which she later nurtured with a healthy dose of Jane Austen.

  As a writer of scorching hot fantasy romance, Rachael blends the lines between mythology, reality, and fantasy. In her worlds, you’ll encounter strong, sexy alpha males and the capable women who challenge them. If her heroines can’t meet their heroes toe-to-toe, then they’ll bring them to their knees.

  No matter what torture she puts her characters through, true love will always prevail. Love is, after all, the most powerful force on Earth, and beyond.

  Rachael holds an Honours BA in anthropology, as well as a CELTA. Her secret indulgence is her passion for baking, which she offsets with her addiction to running (she’s completed four marathons). She resides on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada, with her husband, two children, cat, and dog.

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  Psst! Do you love free books? Subscribe to my newsletter and receive my scorching hot novella, Rematch, for FREE! If you haven’t taken a bite of my Chinese Zodiac Romance Series yet, then this standalone novella is the perfect start!

  Rematch is the perfect blend of Beauty and the Beast meets the Island of Misfit Toys. Add in the mix one cunning Matchmaker, a mischievous spirit animal (Cat), and the devilish Monkey King, and you know Rematch will take you for a wild ride.

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  Thank you for reading!

  Much love,

  Look for these titles, available here.

  CHINESE ZODIAC ROMANCE SERIES:

  BOOK 1: TRANCING THE TIGER

  BOOK 2: REMATCH

  BOOK 3: BY THE HORNS

  BOOK 4: MATCH ME LATER

  BOOK 5: REINING HIM IN

  BOOK 6: MATCHING DRAGONS

  BOOK 7: IN WOLF’S CLOTHING

  HALCYON ROMANCE SERIES:

  BOOK 1: MOON BORNE

  BOOK 2: EARTH BORNE (DARK LORD OF THESSALY)

  BOOK 3: WICKED LORD OF THESSALY

  BOOK 4: BRUTISH LORD OF THESSALY

  BOOK 5: MASTERFUL LORD OF THESSALY

  BOOK 6: UNTAMED LORD OF THESSALY

  BOOK 7: LOST LADY OF THESSALY

  BOOK 8: WATER BORNE

  Want more Chinese Zodiac Romance? Read on for an exclusive sneak peek at the first chapter from Book 7, IN WOLF’S CLOTHING:

  She’s spent her life concealing her identity

  Ling Tse, Chosen of the Sheep, has carefully constructed the world around her, masking her true nature from those who would exploit her spirit animal. When bad boy Cao strolls into her shop, she knows to brace for trouble, but she didn’t anticipate just how many problems he would cause. The stone he brought to trade could save humanity, or the gem could doom the world. Burned before, she’s vowed never to trust one of his kind, but something in his alluring smile dares her to.

  He’s determined to peel back the layers

  Eight Immortal Cao Guojiu senses something off with Ling the moment he steps into her shop. When the store blows up, leaving Ling in his protection, there’s more at work—and at stake—than the simple rock he offered to trade with her. Though he’s spent centuries atoning for his wild past, he’ll have to employ every wicked seduction to gain Ling’s trust, and her heart. Because only together can they have a shot at turning the tide and saving humanity.

  Nowhere left to hide

  When the secrets of the past unravel, Ling will have no choice but to come out of hiding. Joining forces with the fierce rogue Cao to locate the other valuable stones means opening her heart to possible betrayal, but the intense blaze between them demands her every surrender. If they can brave the world together, they’ll learn that the best place a sheep can hide is in her wolf’s clothing.

  The stone sank, heavy in Cao Guojiu’s pocket. One tiny piece of rock held the power to save the world, or to destroy it. And right now, it was sitting in his pocket, about to be traded.

  Not for world peace or any fancy bullshit, but for a simple name and address.

  Didn’t that make him the biggest jackass.

  He grimaced and strode through the shop doors, wrinkling his nose at the stench of cheap, flowery incense and the clang of the overhead bells. The tightly-packed souvenir store screamed the hoarding tendencies of its owner, but he didn’t care. He hadn’t come to buy any cheesy mementos.

  Cao wove through the narrow aisles, down the steep staircase, to the steel door at the back. He rapped once. No answer, so he knocked again.

  “Closed,” a lilting feminine voice chimed from inside.

  Yeah, screw that. He twisted the handle and shoved the door open. Slipping inside, he blinked into the dim chamber. The eight-by-ten room smelled like an old storage locker. Musty and dank. Not at all the headquarters of the elite supplier he’d anticipated.

  A figure seated at the large wooden desk huffed. “I said we’re closed.” The woman didn’t bother glancing up at him as she slapped a sticky note on top of the wobbly stack of binders in front of her, pushed them aside, and bent to the floor to procure a new stack.

  He edged forward and halted in front of the desk, crossing his arms. “I heard you were the best and I’m in need of your services.”

  “Sorry, but I’m booked up this month. I might be able to pencil you in next month, Mr.…” She lifted long, thick lashes to peer at him. “Oh, no.” Intense distaste flashed in her doe-like eyes and she pushed her black-rimmed glasses further up along her slender nose. “I don’t deal with Immortals. Please leave.”

  He stiffened. What the hell was her problem? “We’ve never met. How do you even know who I am?” He didn’t go out much, and he certainly had never encountered this saucy butterfly before.

  Her eyes flicked to the wall behind him and she bit her lip. “It doesn’t matter.”

  Arching a brow, he spun. A dozen or so pictures had been taped to the wall, several speckled with darts. He recognized the other Eight Immortals, along with a few others he didn’t know.

  And yep, in the bottom right corner, was his face. A blue dart stuck into his right eye.

  “Nice aim,” he droned, shifting back toward her.

  She flinched but didn’t say anything.

  Weird. What the fuck had he done to deserve that dart? “Look, as far as I’m aware, I’ve never wronged you, and all I’m asking for is your help. In exchange for a hefty recompense.”

  “I don’t want your money, or your business. Get out.” Crimson bloomed across her cheeks, drawing out an exotic touch to her beauty. />
  He narrowed his eyes and studied her. Most people would never shoot her a second glance. Not with those thick glasses concealing her porcelain bone structure, that glossy hair resembling black silk drawn into a tight bun, and the baggy, green wool sweater entombing her like a snowsuit even though this room wasn’t cool or drafty.

  She was hiding something.

  The hairs on the back of his neck pricked. The Matchmaker had told him that this woman, Ling Tse, was the only one who could help him. That she would so adamantly refuse made zero sense.

  Time to play hardball.

  She puffed at him again and stuck her focus onto her stack of binders. Didn’t even wait for him to leave. Just assumed he would.

  Well, he hadn’t come this far to be turned down. Luckily, he happened to have something up his sleeve he was certain she wouldn’t be able to resist.

  Cao leaned forward, quirking his lips as he pulled the apricot-sized blue stone from his pocket. Two of its edges were flat, suggesting it was a shard of something larger. And even more perilous. “Well, I guess you wouldn’t be interested in this either, then.” He placed the stone on top of the pile, directly in front of her nose, but not removing his fingers.

  Her rosy lips parted.

  Check mate.

  Whistling, he stuffed the rock into his pocket and strolled out the door.

  “Wait.”

  Ignoring her calls, he strode up the stairs toward the maze of aisles.

  Ling’s light, tapping footsteps chased him, stopping a few feet from him. “Let me see that again.”

  “Oh, this?” He casually withdrew the valuable gem, flicking his wrist toward her.

  “Where did you find it?” Her eyes widened and she extended her fingers toward his palm, as though the rock was a tractor beam drawing her in.

  Just as she was about to make contact with the gem, he tsked. “Ah, uhn.” He snapped his hand back inside his pocket. “You said you wouldn’t do business with me, so I’ll happily find another interested party. I’m sure there are plenty.”

  Tapping her foot, she folded her arms across her chest, revealing the round curves of her breasts hidden by that monstrosity of a sweater. He swallowed hard as his ballocks tightened at the tempting glimpse of her femininity. “Are you going to play with me or are you going to offer me a deal?”