Stolas: A Dark Soul Series Novel

by Randi Cooley Wilson

  Why am I so reactive to him?

  Slowly he bends down, piercing me with an amused expression. “And here I was, completely impressed with myself that I had a beautiful girl naked—and wet—within five minutes of meeting her,” he seduces.

  “That a record for you?” I quip.

  I offer a shy grin, unable to stop myself.

  “It would seem so.”

  “Maybe you’re just having an off year,” I surmise.

  Tristan stares at me with an obvious sadness that stretches over us. “You have no idea just how off.”

  My eyes trace his lips. I start to speak, but he abruptly cuts me off when his hands lift to my face, cupping my cheeks.I stop breathing and my eyes widen at the unexpected motion.

  At his touch, a warmth runs through my veins, igniting something foreign within me. His thumb lightly brushes a drop of rain off my bottom lip, and I watch with a rapidly beating heart as he brings the thumb to his mouth and sucks the bead of water off, watching me the entire time.

  “It’s been . . . interesting meeting you, Serena.”

  My name sounds like a test on his lips.

  He releases my face and takes a step back, roughly sliding his hands into the front pockets of his soaked jeans.

  I swallow, regarding him for a moment longer.

  “You too, Tristan.”

  “See you around, raindrop.”

  THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE to thank who made this one possible. It truly does take an amazing team to be able to pull off publishing a novel. So, if you’ll indulge me. . . .

  To my husband and daughter, thank you for loving me and sharing your time with the characters I write and being understanding of my deadlines. And for bringing me coffee and eating pizza twice a month, at least. This is my dream, but it wouldn’t be perfect without you both.

  Sarah Hershman, and the team at Hershman Rights Management, thank you for your ongoing love and support.

  Rick and Amy Miles, and the entire Red Coat PR team, thank you for allowing me to be part of the author family.

  Regina Wamba at Mae I Design, thank you so much for the perfect covers! And for just simply being amazing all around. Just add me to your stalker/fan club

  Victoria Schmitz at Crimson Tide Editorial, what can I say Tiny Dancer . . I lurve you. The end. Thank you for your patience and guidance with this story. I’m so glad we finally got to work together and enjoyed every moment of it.

  Liz Ferry at Per Se Editing, as always, thank you for coming into my life and polishing my stories so they shine. You always have my back, a kind word, and the best interests of my characters and stories at heart.

  Christine Borgford at Type A Formatting, thank you for making the interiors of my books always look as amazing as the exteriors, and for always fitting me in at the last minute.

  Eli Hewitt, thank you for being on the cover and looking hot as H-E-L-L doing it!

  Meg A. Watt at LitBuzz, you’ve become an amazing friend who always seems to know when I need a little extra love and encouragement and for that, I thank you, dear friend. And thanks for keeping me alive with coffee, chocolate, and your beautiful face!

  Janelle Rhiannon, my friend, my critique partner, and toward the end on this one, my calm energy. I simply adore you and am so glad you came into my life when you did.

  Sara Dustin, thank you for just always being you. I love you, lovebug.

  Chasity Michele Rece, thank you for reading this in advance, as a mental health professional, and guiding my sensitivity to mental health conditions and those who live with them daily.

  A HUGE thank you to Randi’s Rebels. Y’all are the best reader group a girl could ask for. You keep me sane when I need it, provide me with endless book recommendations, and fill my days with man candy and laughs. Especially on this one y’all. Rebels Rock!

  Special shout-outs to: Valerie Rose, who named Hendrix; Beckie Davies for naming Tazia; and Tamara Harris, who named Akeldama.

  Thanks to my family and friends, I love you all.

  To the readers, as always, thank you for reading my stories.

  Thank you for continuing to take chances on me and the stories I write.

  Thank you for trusting me with your imagination.

  I’m honored to be part of your literary world.

  RANDI COOLEY WILSON IS A bestselling author of paranormal, urban fantasy, and contemporary romance books. Randi was born and raised in Massachusetts, where she attended Bridgewater State University and graduated with a degree in Communication Studies. After graduation, she moved to California, where she lived happily bathed in sunshine and warm weather for fifteen years.

  Randi makes stuff up, devours romance books, drinks lots of wine and coffee, and has a slight addiction to bracelets. She currently resides in Massachusetts with her daughter and husband, and their fur-baby, Coco Chanel.

  Visit randicooleywilson.com for more information about Randi or her books and projects.

  Twitter: @R_CooleyWilson

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorrandicooleywilson

  Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/RCooleyWilson

  Randi’s Rebels: www.facebook.com/groups/randisrebels