by T. S. Ryder
"Yes. Gavin and I are figuring everything out. We're still not entirely certain why I was able to get pregnant by him, though. The nearest we can figure is that his drinking my blood actually stimulated some of the dead, for lack of a better term, systems in his body."
Gavin came through the door. He smiled at Aria, then gave a small bow towards her father. "Mr. Taylor. Sonya. It's good to see you both again. And you, beautiful one. How are you feeling?"
"Sore, and I'm feeling a little cooped up. I thought that you and I should go for a little ride while Sonya and my dad were here to watch Elizabeth…"
She rose her eyebrows and gave him a sexy grin. He couldn't drink from her until she was fully healed, but that didn't mean she wasn't craving some snuggling and kissing. She'd heard that most women lost their libido after having a baby. Not her. While she certainly wasn't interested in sex right now, that didn't mean she didn’t crave physical intimacy.
Gavin grinned back at her. He went over to Sonya and gently took Elizabeth. "It's been hours since I saw this little cupcake here. I can have fifteen minutes with her first, right?"
"Of course."
A grin crossed her face as she watched Gavin rocking Elizabeth. The smile on his face made love swell in her chest like a hot air balloon, making her whole body feel lighter. If she had any doubts about Gavin, they all disappeared the moment she first saw him hold their baby. He was so gentle with her, so cautious and caring. She knew he'd do anything for Elizabeth. And her.
The baby fell to sleep quickly in Gavin's arms, and he settled her into his crib. "Are you sure that you two can stay with her?"
"Of course." Sonya smiled. "Go. Have fun."
Gavin scooped up Aria and headed for the door. Aria laughed, throwing her arms around his neck. She thought about telling him she could walk, but decided she liked being carried. The air was fresh and clean outside. Aria pulled in deep breaths, enjoying the feel of the sun on her face. Gavin nuzzled into her neck as he crossed to the garage.
He settled her into the limo, then called for a driver. Aria curled herself under his arm as they headed out. The last few days had been very sleep-deprived, and she found herself drifting off, rather than embracing him. Gavin carded his fingers through her hair, further relaxing her.
"Are you awake?"
"Barely."
"I wanted to give you something."
Aria pulled herself up and yawned. "What?"
Gavin grinned at her. He kissed her gently, grasping her hips. "You know, this is the same car that Elizabeth was conceived in. Who would have thought that pure animal lust would have turned itself into something so beautiful?"
"Animal lust?" She laughed. "Come on, really? Is that you trying to be romantic? Because I have to tell you it's not working."
"Not even the beautiful part?"
Aria shrugged. "Okay," she admitted. "Maybe that part."
"Good. Because I wanted this to be romantic. I know that it's traditional to have it in a bit more of a splashy setting, but considering this is the first place that you and I… Well." Gavin reached into his pocket, pulled out a small velvet box and pressed it into her hands. "Open it."
Aria's heart jumped around erratically. She was almost afraid to open the box. If it was what she thought it was… but what if it was disappointing? And if it wasn't what she thought it was? She swallowed hard and cracked it open a smidge. The sparkle inside had her opening it all the way. She gasped.
The ring was made of white gold with two pearls in its center. One was black, the other white. An 'S' of tiny diamonds separated them, and a cluster of three gems lined either side.
"This… this is beautiful."
Gavin grinned. "Aria Taylor. I love you. Will you marry me?"
"Yes. Yes, of course!" Aria kissed him hard, then grinned as he slipped the ring on. Of course, it fit perfectly. Gavin never missed anything.
Her eyes welled as she looked at her ring and then up at her king.
Gavin saw the tears and jumped, startled. "Are you okay?"
"Yes." Aria kissed him again. "It's just… it's everything I wanted. And we almost didn't have it. If we hadn't found a way past our differences…"
"Shhhh." The king pressed a finger to her lips. "We did. And nothing will ever come between us again. I promise."
*****
THE END
About T.S. Ryder
If you’re in for hot-as-hell vampires and shifters, you’re my girl. There’s nothing paranormal that I don’t like or write and I’ll give it all I’ve got to bring beasts and hot men (preferably both :) ) to life for you.
I love writing stories about sexy and protective alpha males and the strong women they love. My stories are always full of steam and I generally throw in a fair amount of action.
So kick back, get comfortable, grab some chocolate and tea and fasten up your girdles for some extra smoldering hotness. Enjoy!
Please check my author page for the latest news and releases.
Selected Other Books by T.S. Ryder
The Shifter's Prisoner
This was one delicious hunk of a dragon and she wanted a taste.
Ever since Asa lost his wings while protecting his king, he’s had his motorcycle as a poor replacement. Now he needs a maid to care for his home. And he knows exactly whom he wants. The girl with the fiery red hair.
Easy enough. All he needs to do is ride in with his Dragon biker gang and take her.
Willow has always heard the warnings: never stray too far from the village lest the savage Dragons take her. But would it be so bad to escape her miserable life and abusive parents?
Being a Dragon’s property isn’t exactly what Willow had in mind but she has no choice. And Asa, with his powerful body, muscly arms and cocky grin ignites sparks in her core. Sparks that quickly roar to flames…
But there is a dark magical presence in the Dragons’ city. An outcast fairy wants Willow to perform a blood sacrifice that will allow him to rule the world…
Can Willow keep herself safe when she becomes a target?
Will Asa release his inner beast to go to the end of the earth for Willow?
Can Willow and Asa heal their wounds and find love and passion at last?
The Shifter's Secret Baby Girl
A single mom who’s never heard of shifters PLUS a bad beast with a secret PLUS a child who might be in danger…
Marguerite Ward never thought she’d be a single mom. But her little girl Elena is her life. Everything is fine. Until Elena starts shifting into a wolf pup in the middle of the night…
Marguerite wants answers. And there’s only one person who can give them: the man she had known for only one night.
The one with the dark eyes, proud and haunted, and the crooked smile. The one whose name had dripped off her tongue like honey...
Everett Roxton has been shifting into a Wolf ever since a scientific experiment. He doesn’t need complications or commitments, especially when it comes to women. He just wants to live a normal life.
But he’s about to come up against his greatest trial when the woman he’s never quite forgotten returns.
Can he face his two worst fears: Returning to the scientist who turned him into a beast?
And letting a woman into his heart?
The Shifter's Catch
A Dragon who needs an heir. A girl who needs money. Sounds like a match made in heaven. Unless they end up dead…
Prince Edan never wanted a mate. But now that his brothers are killing each other, he’s the only one who can produce an heir. So when he meets a woman who makes his fires burn blue, he doesn’t think twice.
His Dragon spreads its wings and flies her away to his kingdom.
Isobel has only one dream. One that costs money she doesn’t have. So when she meets a rich stranger who offers her a job, she’s ready. Except she doesn’t realize that the job is to have his babies…
But the vibrations of the universe have spoken. And by the way, it’s pretty difficul
t to say no to the delicious hunky Dragon and the sheer dominance that radiates from him.
What Edan doesn’t know is that Isobel has a gift: She can see the ghosts and demons that are threatening the kingdom.
But as the feelings between Isobel and Edan deepen, can she still see?
And will he unleash his flames for her when she becomes bait?
Selected for the Vampire King
Love is weakness. Humans are fragile. Can this vampire King resist his heart’s desire?
Tindra isn’t looking for love. All she wants is a day off work. And that’s exactly what signing up for the vampire-human matching program gets her. What she didn’t expect is to be chosen by the vampire prince, Thor, which could be a dream come true…
Except she’s more interested in the king…
Vampire King Rollon has been alone for centuries. But when he smells Tindra’s intoxicating scent, he wants to do nothing more than sink his fangs into her, taste her blood… and engage in other forbidden pleasures.
Tindra’s off limits though. She belongs to his son.
Not that it matters. Humans are too fragile, too short-lived to get involved with.
But Thor has a surprise in store…
And an old enemy resurfaces…
Can Rollon keep his dark desires to himself?
Will Tindra survive when she becomes the enemy’s target?
Can there be a future for a human and a vampire king?
Sold to the Shifter
A curvy Panther Shifter with a secret PLUS the baddest Lion Shifter in the pack PLUS one, no TWO evil enemies with no mercy…
Panther shifter Jamie has grand ideas of love and romance. Until her manipulative mother sells her to a lion shifter. He’s hot, he’s huge, he’s all muscle. Hmm, how to make the best out of a bad situation?
Ryan is the biggest, baddest shifter in the Alpha’s Guard. His job is to protect the pack. He doesn’t have time for dating nonsense. So an arranged marriage seems practical.
What he’s not prepared for is how her delicious curves make his heart stutter in his chest. How she makes his protective instincts kick into high gear. She’s his. His alone.
But Jamie has secrets.
And the pack is in danger.
The enemy is coming.
Forget trials or justice. Ryan’s out for blood.
Can he protect his mate?
The Vampire King's Nanny
A curvy romance writer paying off her debts PLUS a sexy vampire king healing his heart PLUS a child with special powers…
Vampire king Thomas needs a woman. Not for himself, but to take care of his daughter. But when he purchases a human with curves better than Marilyn Monroe, all he can think about is drinking her delicious blood…
Adrielle is a romance writer struggling with her past. To pay off her debts, she sells herself and her virginity at an auction to the highest bidder. Who happens to be a vampire king. An insanely attractive one. But no, she’s definitely not going to lust after her captor!
But the underworld she is brought to isn’t safe. Vampires are not the only beasts roaming the darkness here… and the child she is supposed to babysit appears to have special powers…
Soon, Adrielle discovers that behind Thomas’ cold and emotionless outside, he is hiding a heart full of pain. Can he fight the beast that has its claws wrapped around his heart?
Can he keep Adrielle safe?
Can he love a human against all odds?
The Shifter's Secret Twins
What do you do when your one-night stand turns out to be your new shifter doctor?
Single mom Lana Flores needs a distraction. Badly. So when she meets a hot and bossy guy twenty years her senior at a ball, she doesn’t think twice. Shame she’ll never see him again after their hot night together.
Until she meets her new doctor.
Simon Wolfe is a world-renowned doctor leading a breakthrough study using shifter blood. Plus he’s a shifter himself. An incredibly gorgeous one. In the bedroom, he is king. The only women he doesn’t sleep with are his patients. That would be so unprofessional.
Until Lana.
She’s way too young for him. Not to mention his patient. But she makes his Wolf howl.
She needs his help though. And not only because he’s the best doctor. Her cute little twins have starting shifting into wolf pups. Apparently the sperm donor was a shifter. Maybe the doctor can help track him down?
But Lana and Simon are in for a surprise. And before they know it, all bets are off…
Single Dad Shifter
A kidnapper falling for her latest target PLUS a single dad shifter who needs a nanny PLUS lies, betrayal, manipulation and… love?
Billionaire dragon shifter Grayson Alexander lost his wife due to lead poisoning. Ever since, he’s been lobbying against the mining industry, which is getting dangerous.
To make sure his twins are cared for while he works to create a better future, he’s looking for a live-in nanny. And he’s just found the perfect woman…
Arabella’s on a mission. She's been hired to kidnap Grayson’s children to force him to step back from politics. What she hadn’t counted on is that the guy’s the hottest target she’s ever had.
His sun-kissed skin, steady eyes and sharp jawline make her want to… Stop! She should focus on the mission.
But it’s already too late.
Before she knows it, Arabella finds herself entangled in a web of lies. How can she complete her mission and save the twins at the same time? How will Grayson react when he discovers her secret?
The Shifter's Hostage
A curvy gal with hidden powers PLUS an insanely sexy dragon shifter PLUS dangerous creatures looking for their next target…
Lydia is a curvy restaurant manager who doesn’t need unfriendly customers. Least of all the arrogant, but unfortunately extremely sexy billionaire who keeps sending back his food.
But when she’s suddenly attacked by a bunch of demons, the billionaire might just be the only one who can save her. Even if that means he has to keep her hostage in his fancy mansion. Just her luck…
Ian Orkney a.k.a. “The A**hole” wants everything to be done exactly his way. But behind his self-built wall is a man who has lost everyone he loved.
What he really wants is a mate and children. But that means he’d have to reveal the secret he’s been keeping for almost three hundred years: He’s the last of the dragons. His job is to protect the world against demons. And his newest project involves a human. An incredibly sexy one.
Not that that matters.
He could never love a human.
Right?
The Vampire King's Mate
A sexy vampire king trying to control his inner beast PLUS a feisty virgin who doesn’t want love PLUS a danger from the past that can destroy the future…
Vampire king Adam is called “the Blood Bringer”. Built like Goliath and frightening as hell, his bloodlust and temper turn his inner beast into the devil when he finishes off his enemies.
But the most powerful vampire in the world is also lonely. His bloodthirsty reputation means that everyone fears him. Except this spunky and feisty virgin. Could she be the perfect woman for him? Can she stop him from becoming the devil?
Wanda isn’t afraid of anything. Abused and abandoned, she’s not afraid to speak her mind, defend herself or spit the sexy vampire king in his eye.
There’s only one thing that scares her to death: Love.
But when Wanda’s broken past comes back to haunt her and her life is in danger, Adam might be the only one who can save her. Can he control the berserker blood rage that turns him into a mindless killing machine? Does he even want to? Will Adam and Wanda get a chance on love?
The Shifter's Detective
What is a detective supposed to do when the insanely hot suspect she’s investigating starts kissing her… and more?
Detective Lucy is over the moon. She just got her first undercover assignment. She’s n
ot going to screw this one up. Until she finds herself naked with the shifter she’s meant to investigate.
Levi Bennet and his Coyote pack are not your regular shifters. They live in the bad part of the city, where the police have no power and a shifter must flash his canines to get what he wants. Which Levi, by the way, is happy to do.
But strange things are happening in the city and the Coyotes are being held responsible. And soon Lucy and Levi find themselves entangled in a web of danger, lies, and murder.
Can Lucy keep her one-night stand a secret at the police station? What will Levi say when he finds out Lucy’s a cop? And what will Lucy do when she finds out she’s… pregnant with a suspect’s baby?