by Joey W. Hill
Her skirt was layers of gauze in hues of gold and green, reminiscent of a fairy. That, as well as the eyes, reminded him her father had been a Fae lord. She was a slim woman with perfectly shaped small breasts and nicely curving hips. Her slender legs teased him, a glimpse of knee or calf appearing between the points of the skirt as she moved.
Stirring and magnetic, she riveted his attention just by existing. She’d had that effect on him the very first time he’d seen her, over two years ago. But what made the strongest impression on him now was the flash of naked emotion in her eyes when she took the envelope from his hands.
My gracious lady, please accept this last offering from your humble servant. Something I know you will not go out and obtain for yourself. I give you Jacob. You and he need one another, I promise you. He will serve you well; far better than a feeble, bookish monk.
Lyssa was cognizant of Jacob’s intent study as she read, as well as every motion he made. She was used to scrutiny by humans when she chose to walk among them, but his regard was different. Far more personal, as if he was memorizing every detail of her appearance and expressions.
He’d moved a step closer, a gesture of comfort, but he respected her privacy by facing her so he looked beyond her shoulder, not down at her note. The heat of his body shimmered over her skin like the dangerous brush of sunlight.
Damn you, Thomas.
“Do you know what’s in this?” She gestured with it. He stood so close the ribbon under the wax seal fluttered against his pectoral, the light covering of hair on his chest. It made her fingers itch to stroke. To curl in and tug.
He gazed down at her with those clear and steady blue eyes. “I know it was my introduction. Thomas said I’d need it. But I didn’t read it.”
The seal had been unbroken, applied with Thomas’s particular method for the times she’d needed to be certain information was not compromised.
“I want my manicure. Where’s Max?” She straightened, not backing away. When she tilted her head, she noted his attention was distracted by the proximity of her lips. She felt his gaze there like the teasing caress of a tongue, and had to quell the urge to moisten them. Try something improper, Sir Knight, and you’ll regret it.
But would she? She pushed the sly voice away. She was used to men being overwhelmingly attracted to her. It was the vampire allure. But she liked the look of this man. She’d intended to cap off her night by finding a dinner with similar specifications. Only this one far exceeded those specifications, tempting her to skip the whole spa experience and take him home for several days. She’d chain him spread-eagle on her bed and bite, scratch and suckle to her heart’s content. While she wasn’t willing to immediately capitulate to Thomas’s recommendation of this man as a servant, she had his word she could trust him. It made her imaginings grow even more dangerously attractive.
“Max is fine, my lady. Sleeping quite deeply at his apartment, the aftereffect of his usual Chinese takeout…with a little bit of sleep aid added. I’ll perform your manicure as well as a pedicure. If you’ll permit it.”
Add to that he’d somehow convinced Martin, the security guard, that he was an approved substitute for the evening. Not an easy feat. Clearing her throat, she managed to sweep a scornful glance over him. Enjoyed the journey immensely. “What training have you had to give me a manicure?”
“Thomas taught me.”
His lips curved in that half smile again. Reassurance or humor she didn’t know, but the reaction of her body took her by surprise. A hard shudder just below the level of muscle, a simmering in her blood no human eye could see. Also unexpected was that he registered it. The smile disappeared. After a moment’s hesitation, he pulled back the curtain dividing the waiting area from the private rooms of the salon. “Please let me attend to you, my lady.”
She creased the fold of the note, frowning. Glanced down at the nail that had no polish.
Yes, her wounds healed quickly. Unfortunately, despite the myth that vampires were invincible, she could and did have bad hair days just like anyone else. One could use vampire glamour to make humans think they were seeing perfection, but it didn’t work on other vampires without an exceptional level of effort. Unable to see her own face, she missed having a human servant to ensure she’d done her hair and makeup properly. To do quick fixes on her nails between full manicures. To help her dress and bathe.
The fact of the matter was, whether or not a reflection was needed, she liked being attended. Thomas had teased her about it, once he’d known her well enough to know when she was in the mood to be teased. He would have known this was not one of those moments.
The monk had relied heavily on her regard for him and her sentiment about his passing. It did not mollify her that he’d been right on both counts. While she knew she was taking petty revenge on the man who should not be the target of her ire, she couldn’t stop herself.
“We shall see,” she said at last, sweeping past him.
Afterword
Did you enjoy reading this? Was it a true pleasure to spend time with Joey’s characters? If you feel it was, then she asks that you do one simple thing in support of her future work. Please share that experience with at least one other book-reading friend who hasn’t read her. Or mention her on a Facebook page, at a book club meeting or online forum, on Twitter, in an Amazon or GoodReads review, or wherever you feel comfortable. You, the pleased reader, are the best marketing strategy an author can have. If you do just one of those things to spread the word about her work, she will be very grateful! And thank you again for taking the journey with her characters.
Ready for More?
Check out Joey’s website at storywitch.com where you’ll find additional information, free excerpts, buy links and news about current and upcoming releases for all of her books and series.
You can find free novellas and shorts that revisit her series characters on her website. Just look under the Books drop down menu and choose the Cantrips series page. While the Cantrips volumes are compendiums of her vignettes you can purchase, if you scroll beneath the volumes, you will see the free standalones, available in all the popular download formats.
Want to know all the places you can talk to Joey, Joey’s fans, and find more free content? Visit storywitch.com/community or click the Community link on the website menu. You can also review current and past editions of her monthly newsletter for information on upcoming releases, book signing events, contests, and more.
About the Author
Joey W. Hill writes about vampires, mermaids, boardroom executives, cops, witches, angels, housemaids…pretty much wherever her inspiration takes her. She's penned over forty acclaimed titles and six award-winning series, and been awarded the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Erotica. But she's especially proud and humbled to have the support and enthusiasm of a wonderful, widely diverse readership.
So why erotic romance? “Writing great erotic romance is all about exploring the true face of who we are – the best and worst - which typically comes out in the most vulnerable moments of sexual intimacy.” She has earned a reputation for writing BDSM romance that not only wins her fans of that genre, but readers who would “never” read BDSM romance. She believes that's because strong, compelling characters are the most important part of her books.
“Whatever genre you’re writing, if the characters are captivating and sympathetic, the readers are going to want to see what happens to them. That was the defining element of the romances I loved most and which shaped my own writing. Bringing characters together who have numerous emotional obstacles standing in their way, watching them reach a soul-deep understanding of one another through the expression of their darkest sexual needs, and then growing from that understanding into love - that's the kind of story I love to write."
Take the plunge with her, and don't hesitate to let her know what you think of her work, good or bad. She thrives on feedback!
Where to find Joey W. Hill on the Web
On the W
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Twitter: @JoeyWHill
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GoodReads: JoeyWHill
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E-Mail: [email protected]
Also by Joey W. Hill
Arcane Shot Series
Something About Witches
In the Company of Witches
Daughters of Arianne Series
A Mermaid’s Kiss
A Witch’s Beauty
A Mermaid’s Ransom
Knights of the Board Room Series
Board Resolution
Controlled Response
Honor Bound
Afterlife
Hostile Takeover
Willing Sacrifice
Soul Rest
Knight Nostalgia (Anthology)
Nature of Desire Series
Holding the Cards
Natural Law
Ice Queen
Mirror of My Soul
Mistress of Redemption
Rough Canvas
Branded Sanctuary
Divine Solace
Worth The Wait
Truly Helpless
Naughty Bits Series
The Lingerie Shop
Training Session
Bound To Please
The Highest Bid
Naughty Wishes Series
Part 1: Body
Part 2: Heart
Part 3: Mind
Part 4: Soul
Vampire Queen Series
Vampire Queen’s Servant
Mark of the Vampire Queen
Vampire’s Claim
Beloved Vampire
Vampire Mistress
Vampire Trinity
Vampire Instinct
Bound by the Vampire Queen
Taken by a Vampire
The Scientific Method
Nightfall
Elusive Hero
Night’s Templar
Vampire’s Soul
Vampire’s Embrace
Non-Series Titles
If Wishes Were Horses
Virtual Reality
Unrestrained
Medusa’s Heart
Novellas
Chance of a Lifetime
Choice of Masters
Make Her Dreams Come True
Threads of Faith
Submissive Angel
Short
Snow Angel