He was not the only one drowning, she acknowledged as his hand sought the heart of her femininity, already damp and aching with need. A moan was wrenched from her lips as a slender finger dipped into the heat of her body, her hips instinctively lifting in silent invitation.
Oh, yes. Her eyes fluttered shut. Already she could feel the delectable pressure beginning to build in the center of her womb, and her fingers tightened on his arousal, making him moan in pleasure.
“Wait, Sloane,” he pleaded, covering her hand.
She frowned. “Wait?”
“This is too important to rush,” he murmured, his lips teasing along the line of her shoulder as he gently turned her so she was lying on her side.
“Important?” she breathed in confusion.
“I intend to remember this night for the rest of my life,” he said, his lips brushing her ear as he molded himself against her back.
Sloane frowned at his words. The rest of his life? Was he implying—?
Her thoughts shattered as he gently tugged her leg up and over his hip.
Later she would worry about what he meant. For now all that mattered was the feel of his lips nuzzling at the curve of her neck, and his hands expertly exploring her full breasts, tugging her nipples into full arousal, before they were sliding down her body with wicked intent.
She swallowed a gasp as his fingers slid between her legs, parting her most intimate flesh. Then with exquisite slowness he pressed his erection deep into her moist channel.
“Oh…lord.”
She struggled to form her words only to have them snatched from her lips when his fingers discovered her clit and he stroked her in tempo with his shallow thrusts.
“Do you want more, Sloane?”
More? She whimpered, not certain she could bear more without shattering into a thousand pieces. Then he shifted the angle of his thrusts, plunging deeper, and she reached backward to dig her nails into the muscles of his hip.
“Yes.”
The rasp of their heavy breaths filled the air along with the scent of exotic male spices and passion. Sloane squeezed her eyes shut, her body moving to meet his thrusts with increasing urgency.
“Sloane,” he groaned, his hips slamming upward as his seed poured into her, triggering her own release.
She cried out in ecstasy, indifferent to their cramped surroundings or the staff that waited just outside the door.
For now nothing mattered beyond the feel of Tiege’s arms wrapped around her and the wild beat of his heart against her back.
Keeping her eyes closed, Sloane sensed Tiege slowly pull out of her body and lay her flat on the mattress. She felt as if she was floating, still lost in the heat of their pleasure.
Nestled beside her, Tiege allowed his fingers to stroke over her shoulder, tracing the curve of her breast before brushing against the necklace she’d forgotten she was wearing.
“This is glowing,” he murmured softly.
Forcing open her heavy lids, she glanced down at the pendant that was shining a bright blue.
Odd.
“What does that mean?” she demanded, belatedly realizing there was a warm light that surrounded the gem.
“I don’t know,” he murmured, his fingers absently toying with the pendant. “Maybe nothing.”
She hid a grimace as she quivered beneath the feel of his light touch. She’d just had the orgasm of her life, and already her body was eager for more. Clearly she needed a distraction.
“Jacob heard from Jian while you were sleeping,” she forced herself to say.
“What did he want?”
“He said he would meet us at the airport.”
“Good. The sooner we can hand over the pendant, the sooner we can return to Greece,” he muttered. “For now…I want to discuss us.”
She felt her heart miss a beat. Maybe more than one.
“Us?”
His fingers slid to cup her chin, tilting her head back so he could inspect her pale face.
“More specially, about our future.”
Her muscles tensed. Was this the big kiss-off? Was he about to tell her that she’d overstayed her time in his household?
“What future?” She pasted a teasing smile to her lips, determined not to allow him to see her pain. “You said I was fired.”
“I also said I had a new job in mind,” he corrected in husky tones, his gaze sweeping down her naked body.
Her mouth went dry, a strange sense of breathless anticipation tightening her chest.
“What job?”
A slow, utterly intoxicating smile curved his lips. “Mate.”
Sloane trembled, caught between shocked disbelief and a desperate hope.
“But you don’t even like me,” she breathed.
His hand tenderly cupped her cheek, his features softened with an emotion she never dreamed possible.
“I’ve craved you from the second I caught sight of you. Which was why I worked so hard to keep you at a distance.” His lips twisted with regret. “I was just too arrogant to accept that I might have met my match.”
Sloane knew exactly what he meant. Hadn’t she done her own share of denial?
And in the end, all she’d accomplished was making herself miserable.
Still, it seemed crazy to think that he’d been enduring the same torment.
“Mate.” She licked her dry lips. “You’re sure?”
“Never more sure,” he swore, lowering his head to press a slow, lingering kiss on her lips. “You are the only woman I want in my arms. Tonight and forever. Say yes, my sweet Blade.”
There was only one answer. Lifting her arms, she wrapped them around his neck.
“Yes.”
~
Tiege wasn’t happy.
After arriving in Hong Kong, he’d expected to remain just long enough for his jet to be fueled and the pendant to be handed over to Jian. He wanted to be in Greece where he could lock the doors to his villa and spend the next few centuries alone with his mate.
Instead he’d discovered a limo waiting for him that whisked him across the crowded city to a home hidden behind high brick walls and several layers of security. His mood wasn’t improved as he was led by a uniformed servant to the elegant office at the back of the house and left to wait for nearly twenty minutes.
Usually he would have appreciated the floor-to-ceiling bookcases that lined the walls, along with the stunning view of the nearby beach.
Not today.
Dammit. He’d done his part, hadn’t he?
Time to enjoy his reward.
The memory of Sloane sleeping on his bed, her naked body covered only by a thin sheet, seared through his mind. He’d hoped to be done with this exchange before she woke. She was still getting used to the idea of being his mate.
Now he had to worry she would wake up and freak out because he wasn’t lying beside her.
At last there was the sound of approaching footsteps, and Jian entered the room looking fresh as a fucking daisy in his designer suit while Tiege was rumpled, jetlagged, and casually dressed in jeans and a cashmere sweater.
“What the hell is going on?” Tiege groused, tossing the necklace on a lacquer table. “I told you I would meet you at the airport to give you the pendant.”
Jian smiled as he slowly strolled toward a door behind the large desk. “I needed to show you something in private.”
Tiege clenched his hands as he followed his friend. “Dammit. Hurry up. I have a beautiful mate waiting for me.”
“Mate?” In the process of unlocking the door, Jian glanced over his shoulder in surprise. “Congratulations.”
Tiege felt a tingle of pleasure race through him. Mate. It still stunned him.
He’d seen how close his brother had been to Portia. And a part of him had always envied their relationship. But he hadn’t truly understood just how deeply he would be connected to Sloane.
It was as if she’d filled a hole he hadn’t realized existed.
“I don’t wa
nt your congrats,” he muttered, plagued by a restless ache at being separated from Sloane. “I want to be in bed with my woman.”
“You’ll want to see this.” With a dramatic motion, Jian shoved open the door and waved Tiege into the shadowed sitting room.
With a roll of his eyes, Tiege stepped over the threshold and glanced around the room that he abruptly realized was filled with the various Masters. Obviously there was a powerful spell that had muted their presence. Otherwise he would have sensed them from the minute he’d entered the house.
His lips parted to demand an explanation, only to snap shut when he realized the Masters had turned their chairs to face the front of the room, where a male with dark eyes and dark hair was dressed in casual slacks and a white shirt, leaning against a marble fireplace.
The Master of Akana.
Tiege shook his head. The last time he’d seen the male he’d been lying unconscious, his hair faded to a deep red and his skin a sickly ash color.
“Holy shit,” he breathed, glancing toward Jian who’d moved to stand at his side. “How did you wake him?”
“He just woke about eight hours ago and Taka brought him back here,” Jian said, folding his arms over his chest. “I’m assuming you did something with the pendant that broke the magic surrounding him.”
“I…” Tiege bit off his denial, suddenly remembering the soft glow that’d surrounded the gem after he’d had sex with Sloane. When Leila had claimed the magic would only work for a woman, he’d assumed it had to be cast by another Succubus. Now he realized the power could easily have been triggered by their lovemaking. A Succubus, after all, was a sex demon. Aware of Jian’s searching gaze, he gave a shake of his head. “Don’t ask.”
Jian’s lips twitched. “I don’t need to.”
Tiege nodded toward the male who’d disappeared centuries ago. “Does he remember what happened?”
“He doesn’t know who attacked him, or how he ended up in the Oubliette.”
Tiege muttered a curse. Once again his hope that they would have some evidence against Marakel was doomed to disappointment.
“What does he remember?” he demanded.
Jian leaned to speak directly in Tiege’s ear. “He remembers having a vision.”
Tiege felt a chill of premonition inch down his spine. “Did the vision have anything to do with the Obsidian Throne?”
Jian nodded. “He says he witnessed the Throne smashed beyond repair, and Marakel kneeling at the feet of an angel.”
Tiege grimaced, any hope of returning to his private villa with his mate completely destroyed.
“Oh…shit.”
~ * ~
The adventure began with four other enthralling stories in the Masters of Seduction series!
Look for MASTERS OF SEDUCTION (Volume 1)
The first four-book box set is available now in ebook, trade paperback and audiobook.
Each novella is also sold separately as an ebook single.
Click HERE to purchase
~ * ~
About the Authors LARA ADRIAN is a New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author, with nearly 4 million books in print worldwide and translations licensed to more than 20 countries. Her books regularly appear in the top spots of all the major bestseller lists including the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Indiebound, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, etc. Reviewers have called Lara’s books “addictively readable” (Chicago Tribune), “extraordinary” (Fresh Fiction), and “one of the best vampire series on the market” (Romantic Times).
Website: www.LaraAdrian.com
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/LaraAdrianNews
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DONNA GRANT is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. The author of more than 20 novels spanning multiple genres of romance, Donna's latest acclaimed series, Dark Kings, features thrilling immortals who are dark, dangerous and irresistible. She lives in Texas with her two children, a dog, and three cats.
Website: www.DonnaGrant.com
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/11h8lRr
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LAURA WRIGHT is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who is passionate about romantic fiction. Though she spent most of her life immersed in acting, singing and competitive ballroom dancing, when she found the world of writing and books and endless cups of coffee she knew she was home. Laura is the author of the bestselling Mark of the Vampire series and the USA Today bestselling Bayou Heat paranormal romance series, which she co-authors with Alexandra Ivy. Laura lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two young children and three lovable dogs.
Website: www.LauraWright.com
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ALEXANDRA IVY is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose popular paranormal romance series include the Guardians of Eternity, Bayou Heat (written with Laura Wright), and her newest series, the Sentinels. After majoring in theater, she decided she prefers to bring her characters to life on paper rather than the stage. Alexandra lives in Missouri with her family.
Visit Alexandra at: www.AlexandraIvy.com
Other Books by Lara Adrian
Midnight Breed Vampire Series A Touch of Midnight (#0.5): Click here to download for FREE
Kiss of Midnight (#1): Click here to purchase Kiss of Crimson (#2): Click here to purchase Midnight Awakening (#3): Click here to purchase Midnight Rising (#4): Click here to purchase Veil of Midnight (#5): Click here to purchase Ashes of Midnight (#6): Click here to purchase Shades of Midnight (#7): Click here to purchase Taken by Midnight (#8): Click here to purchase Deeper than Midnight (#9): Click here to purchase A Taste of Midnight (#9.5): Click here to purchase Darker after Midnight (#10): Click here to purchase The Midnight Breed Series Companion: Click here to purchase Edge of Dawn (#11): Click here to purchase Marked by Midnight (#11.5): Click here to purchase Crave the Night (#12): Click here to purchase Tempted by Midnight (#12.5): Click here to purchase Bound to Darkness (#13): Click here to pre-order Stroke of Midnight (#13.5): Click here to pre-order …and more to come!
Masters of Seduction Series Merciless: House of Gravori: Click here to purchase Priceless: House of Ebarron: Click here to purchase
Phoenix Code Romantic Suspense Series Cut and Run: Click here to purchase Hide and Seek: Click here to pre-order
Historical Romances Dragon Chalice Series Heart of the Hunter (#1): Click here to download for FREE
Heart of the Flame (#2): Click here to purchase Heart of the Dove (#3): Click here to purchase Dragon Chalice Boxed Set: Click here to purchase
Warrior Trilogy White Lion’s Lady (#1): Click here to download for FREE
Black Lion’s Bride (#2): Click here to purchase Lady of Valor (#3): Click here to purchase Warrior Trilogy Boxed Set: Click here to purchase
Standalone Titles Lord of Vengeance: Click here to purchase
Other Books by Donna Grant
Dark King Series Dark Heat
Darkest Flame
Fire Rising
Burning Desire
Hot Blooded
Night's Blaze
Soul Scorched (June 30, 2015) Dragon King (novella, August 25, 2015) Passion Ignites (November 3, 2015) Smoldering Hunger (December 29, 2015)
Chiasson Series Wild Fever
Wild Dream
Wild Need
Wild Flame
Wild Rapture
LaRue Series Moon Kissed
Moon Thrall
Moon Struck (July 20, 2015)
Moon Bound (September 29, 2015)
Rogues of Scotland Series The Craving
The Hunger
The Tempted
The Seduced
Other Books by Laura Wright
Mark of the Vampire Series Eternal Hunger
Eternal Kiss
Eternal Blood (eSpecial) Eternal Captive Eternal Beast
Eternal Beauty (eSpecial) Eternal Demon
Eternal Sin
Bayou Heat Series Raphael & Parish (Book
s 1 & 2) Bayon & Jean-Baptiste (Books 3 & 4) Talon & Xavier (Books 5 & 6) Sebastian & Aristide (Books 7 & 8) Lian & Roch (Books 9 & 10) Hakan & Severin (Books 11 & 12) Angel & Hiss (Books 13 & 14) Rage & Killian (Books 15 & 16)
Wicked Ink Chronicles (New Adult Series) First Ink
Shattered Ink
Cavanaugh Brothers Series Branded
Broken
Brash
Other Books by Alexandra Ivy
Guardians of Eternity Series When Darkness Comes
Embrace the Darkness
Darkness Everlasting
Darkness Unleashed
Beyond the Darkness
Devoured by Darkness
Bound by Darkness
Fear the Darkness
Levet (novella) Darkness Avenged
Hunt the Darkness
Darkness Eternal
When Darkness Ends
Sentinels Series Born in Blood
Blood Assassin
COPYRIGHT
MASTERS OF SEDUCTION VOLUME 2
© 2015 by Obsidian House Books, LLC
Cover design © 2014 by CrocoDesigns
PRICELESS: HOUSE OF EBARRON
© 2015 by Lara Adrian, LLC
BOUNDLESS: HOUSE OF DROHAS
© 2015 by Donna Grant
DAUNTLESS: HOUSE OF TREVANION
© 2015 by Laura Wright
RECKLESS: HOUSE OF FURIA
© 2015 by Debbie Raleigh
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the Author.
Masters of Seduction Volume 2: Books 5-8: Paranormal Romance Box Set Page 25