Tales of the Darkworld 2: Hot Water

by Lex Valentine

  Sean shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Ede, I said I’m sorry,” he repeated. “Did I not say it loud enough for you? Or should I grovel at your feet to make you understand?”

  She blinked. “I heard you the first time, Sean. Groveling doesn’t help my hearing,” she said. “I just don’t understand why you’re apologizing.”

  He sighed faintly, fiddling with his shirt cuffs. “Marius and I set you and Colin up. We played matchmaker. Marius sent Colin to New York City and told him he should check out the vamp club.” Sean shrugged slightly. “I played you with the whole Queen of Kink thing and saying Carpe Noctem was too tame for you…”

  Eden’s mouth fell open again. “How did you know we would even run into each other? It’s a big club, a big city…”

  “I… we… uhh…” Sean stumbled, seemingly unable to find the right words. His expression turned dark and a little exasperated. “We just figured you would… we had a feeling… you know.”

  Eden shook her head in astonishment at her big bad brother stuttering, mumbling, and unable to express himself. Besides his need to apologize, something else bothered him, but knowing Sean, she’d only get it out of him when he was ready to tell. “Are you telling me that you and Marius had a ‘feeling’ that Colin was my mate?”

  “Well, yeah… sorta,” Sean nodded, clearing his throat uncomfortably. “Losing you was difficult for me, Eden. I struggled with your need for independence. I don’t bend easily. I try and sometimes I don’t make it,” he said, his voice bitter. “But because I’m the head of this family, and everyone looks to me to lead them and guide them, when I don’t bend enough, that mistake is much more glaring and much harder for me to rectify.”

  It dawned on Eden that Sean had never asked to be the head of the family. Diandra was the eldest, but she had thrown off the mantle of matriarch and moved to Scotland. Her leaving had probably caused the overwhelming responsibility Sean felt for his family.

  “Sean. You don’t have to be the head of the family anymore,” she told him with a soft smile. “We all have mates. Your matchmaking job is done.”

  Sean stood up and pulled her up into his arms, hugging her hard. “I’m sorry for my harshness with you, Eden. All these years, I’ve been so wrong in my treatment of you. You’re so much like me that I guess I just thought you should be me. When you didn’t want to, it hurt and angered me. I shouldn’t have treated you as I did, and I’m sorry. Making sure that you and Colin got together helped me make amends.”

  Eden hugged him back. “So all that grim displeasure you showed me the day I hit you was just an act?”

  Sean’s arms fell to his sides, and she saw that he looked a little sheepish. “We contrived a lot of things that happened that day,” he admitted. “Your busted cell phone and your car breaking down. Marius telling Colin he didn’t approve of him bonding with you. We had to make sure you had a commitment to each other and weren’t just hell bent to fuck each other.”

  Eden started to laugh. “We were hell bent to fuck each other.”

  Sean made a face. “I didn’t really need to hear that from you.” He shot her an amused look. “You disappearing for a few hours that day gave Marius the chance to try to shake Colin’s commitment to you. It didn’t work obviously. We thought you’d call Colin for help, but going to his house and showing your dragon form to him clinched things for us. We knew you didn’t need any more help.”

  Eden rolled her eyes at him. “We never did need your help. Maybe initially, to meet, but after that… it was all over for me. I got one whiff of him and lost my heart. I couldn’t ever leave him, no matter what I had to give up to have him.”

  His eyes on a large photograph on the wall, Sean said, “He’s a smart man not to ask you to give up anything. You have amazing talent, Eden. I’m sorry I never realized that.”

  “That’s okay, Sean. I get it,” Colin’s voice spoke from the doorway. His eyes met Eden’s and he smiled. “I’d follow her to the ends of the earth to have her.”

  “You may have to,” she chuckled. “I have a shoot in Africa next month.”

  Colin shrugged carelessly, coming into the room to slip his arm around her waist and nuzzle her cheek. “It’s okay. We’ll work it out.” He looked at Sean. “Thank you for the apology. She deserved it.”

  The head of the Antaeus family nodded his dark head. “You’re right. She did.”

  He left the room, closing the door behind him. Eden turned into Colin’s arms. “You heard it all, didn’t you?”

  He nodded. “Who would have thought Sean Antaeus had it in him to apologize?” he said, his expression showing his surprise.

  Eden wound her arms around his neck. “Even an Antaeus can admit to being wrong.”

  He bent his head to kiss her. “If we didn’t have a houseful of guests…” he growled.

  “Oh, yeah? What would you do?” she teased him, rubbing her body against his.

  “Show you the real difference between kink and vanilla.” He nibbled the side of her neck and she shivered as desire swept through her.

  “Uh, oh. Why do I get the feeling that I’m in hot water again?”

  “Maybe because that’s where I like you… bathing me in your fire, turning the pool into a hot tub while I’m deep inside your hot… wet… pretty… pink… pussy…”

  A deep, quick kiss punctuated each of his words, and Eden melted in his arms. “Will they miss us?” she panted, pulling at his clothes.

  “Who cares?” Colin kissed her, his tongue dancing with hers. “I love you.”

  “I love you too,” she managed to whisper before his mouth took hers again. They sank down on the bed, forgetting about everything but each other.

  Downstairs, Sean and Marius kept the guests entertained. No one else noticed how long Colin and Eden went missing from the party. However, the guests did notice one odd thing… Sean and Marius silently toasting each other and grinning wickedly with Alfred Stone.

  About the Author

  Lex has been writing stories and poems ever since she could hold a pencil. A few years ago, she got caught up writing in an online paranormal serial story. The story was very intense and a challenge to her writing skills. As she began to write more and more, fans of the story and her blog readers began to encourage her to submit her writing. Lex lives in Orange County, California with her long haired musician husband and her teen aged daughter. Lex loves loud music, reading hot stories, reading her friends’ blogs and hanging out with them, enjoys building her own computers, and has a propensity for having very weird vivid dreams about Nikki Sixx.

  Author Website –http://www.lexvalentine.com

  Series Website: http://www.talesofthedarkworld.com

  Author Newsletter - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/talesofthedarkworld

  Author Blog – http://www.sunlightsucks.com

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  Enjoy a glimpse from Tales from the Darkworld 1: Shifting Winds

  By Lex Valentine

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  Her lips curved into a seductive smile. Maybe she would just have to discover the truth of that old adage about big men. Declan was certainly handsome enough. Black hair that shone like a raven’s wing. Golden eyes that glowed as if lit by a fire within. Sun bronzed, supple skin. Beneath the baggy robe, she knew he had a tall and muscular body, the kind that l
ooked best in a faded pair of jeans and a tank top that showed off his biceps.

  “Buy me a drink?” she purred, deciding to start as she meant to go on. She was horny. He was hot. Seemed like a match made in heaven to her.

  One dark brow winged up. “It’s an open bar. I’ll get you whatever your heart desires,” he told her in a voice filled with innuendo.

  Deciding the drink wasn’t necessary; Elysia stopped him from turning away by putting one hand on his arm. He looked back at her with a question in his eyes.

  “What if my heart desires something other than a drink? Will you get me that?” Her eyes held his boldly.

  Declan’s face became a mask of pure masculine desire. He cupped her elbow, just as he had three years ago at the convention, steering her toward the lobby. Once they were away from the crowd, he pushed back his hood and bent toward her. “Do you know what you’re doing, Elysia? What you’re inviting?” he growled softly.

  Elysia smiled at him, reaching up to stroke her fingers over his hard jaw line. His skin felt hot to the touch. Her whole body tingled and she could hear his heart beating, feel the rush of his blood in his veins. She drew in a breath, the scent of his blood tart and crisp in her nostrils, like biting into a Granny Smith apple… Her fangs slid from their sheath as her panties grew damp. Yes, Declan Antaeus was definitely the right choice. Her body already wanted him fiercely. None of the men at the ball would satisfy her now. Besides, backing down after coming on to a man like Declan wasn’t wise because he was easily the most powerful man at the party, both professionally and physically.

  “I’m not a child, Declan. I know exactly what I’m doing. Do you need me to spell it out for you?” She tilted her head to one side inquiringly, wondering if he would take her up on her offer or if this was just a game to him.

  His lips quirked. “Yeah. Maybe I do. After all, I’ve wanted you for a long time.”

  Ghost Redeemed

  By Mary Winter

  Available Now from Pink Petal Books

  http://www.pinkpetalbooks.com/index.php/Bookstore/Mary-Winter/Paranormal-Romance/Ghost-Redeemed.html

  Shay’s stomach flip-flopped. Looking at Kyle standing just outside her bathroom door, a boyish grin on his face, made her wonder what would happen if she invited him to join her. She’d planned on taking a shower, figuring that would be the easiest way to wash the wound on her back. But with Kyle there, she wouldn’t need to go to such lengths. Then again, maybe she would anyway.

  She stepped back and opened the door, suddenly nervous about her plan. “I guess you’re right,” she said, trying not to sound too eager. “I will need some help.” Turning from him, she pulled her shirt over her head. She swore she heard Kyle’s swiftly indrawn breath. She glanced into the mirror and saw the angry red gash start just below her shoulder blade to disappear beneath her bra clasp. She reached around her and unfastened the hooks. Her peach lace bra hung loosely on her shoulders, and she noticed Kyle trying hard not to look at her breasts in the mirror.

  She slipped the lingerie from her shoulders. “The peroxide and some antibiotic ointment are in the medicine cabinet.”

  Kyle opened the mirrored panel. She watched, noticing the light glow surrounding his skin. If it weren’t for that, he’d look completely normal standing in her bathroom, reaching for the brown plastic bottle of peroxide. He grabbed several cotton balls and turned his attention to her back. His movements seemed slow, as if he had to think about each action.

  “This is going to sting a little. There’s not much I can do about that.” He unscrewed the lid of the peroxide bottle and doused a cotton ball. “Are you ready?”

  “I’ll be fine,” she said. His fingers brushed her skin, and tiny shivers darted from the touch. Her nipples pebbled, and she resisted the urge to cover her breasts with her hands. A soft fizzing sound filled the bathroom, and then the wound stung. Shay sucked in a quick breath and gritted her teeth.

  “I’m sorry.” Kyle continued to dab the cotton ball on the wound.

  “It’s okay,” Shay ground out. She reached in front of her and wrapped her fingers around the towel rod on her shower door. Clenching her fingers around it, she focused on breathing in and out to distance herself from the sting of disinfectant on her wound.

  His motions slowed, and she heard the soft clunk of the bottle on the counter. The trash bag rustled as he tossed the cotton ball into it. The room closed in. She became aware of Kyle standing behind her, his body just inches from her. The thudding of her heart sounded loud in her ears. She longed to turn around and see him, but didn’t, afraid of the desire she would see in his gaze. Keeping her eyes down, she waited.

  He touched her. His fingers slid across her shoulder, a feather light touch against her skin. Tiny sparks danced at the contact. Telling herself he was a ghost did little good, as heavy warmth filled her limbs. His hand skimmed her side, barely touching the side of her breast. She wanted more. Him. His cock. Her lips parted.

  “Kyle,” she breathed.

  “Shay.” His other hand reached around to palm her breast, a light touch that soon had him standing against her. The ridge of his cock pressed against her buttocks.

  Her knees went weak. She leaned against his strength, not wanting to get used to his warmth surrounding her. The fact he was a ghost mattered little. Some part of her mind rebelled, but she refused to listen. Right now, still aching from the fight and heart-sore from her best friend’s death, she wanted his warmth, his strength surrounding her.

  She shifted her weight. Her ankle protested, and she quickly moved her weight to her good foot.

  “Let me help you.” His hand slid down her back, to her hip. “Turn around and wrap your legs around me.”

  Shay started to turn. “But you’re a gh—” Words died when she saw the naked hunger in his eyes. He wanted her, his gaze sweeping over her bared breasts.

  “Perfect,” he whispered, covering one with his hand. He brushed a thumb across a distended nipple, and Shay closed her eyes. His free hand slid over her back, down to her ass. Pulling her against him, he urged her to wrap her leg around his waist.

  She complied. The first touch of his hard cock against her coaxed a low moan from her throat. She wrapped her arms around him and brought her other leg around his waist. He easily lifted her, carrying her out of the bathroom.

  “Where’s your bedroom?” He glanced down the hall, before looking back into the living room.

  The Purrfect Man

  By Mary Winter

  Available Now from Pink Petal Books

  http://www.pinkpetalbooks.com/index.php/Bookstore/Mary-Winter/Paranormal-Romance/The-Purrfect-Man.html

  “I’m sorry.”

  The masculine words sounded truly remorseful, and it took Althea a moment to realize she was dreaming. “It’s okay,” she automatically replied, though she knew not who this man was or why he apologized to her. In fact, she couldn’t really see him. Instead, it seemed as if she still lay in bed, though the edges of the room seemed fuzzy. An effect of the sinus medication, she wondered, but she’d never had dreams like this before.

  Gradually, her surroundings became visible. A man sat on the foot of her bed. Though he didn’t move, she sensed an inherent lithe grace in his form.

  “Wha--?” she asked, coming out of a medicine-induced fog. “Who are you?”

  Tawny hair crowned his head and feathered over his shoulders. His brilliant blue eyes held warmth. A straight nose divided his face, leading to the fullest, most sensuous pair of lips she’d ever seen on a man. He wore no shirt, and the view of his chest nearly took Althea’s breath away. Matching tawny hair dusted his pectorals, and then arrowed over a work-hardened set of abs and disappeared beneath the waistband of a gray pair of sweat pants. His feet were bare.

  She blinked at the sweat pants. Until that modern piece of clothing, she expected him to be dressed in historical clothing. She didn’t know why. She saw only his body; he hadn’t even spoken yet. Still, something about his manner, the w
ay he sat with his hands resting on his muscled thighs brought back images from a bygone era. She chalked it up to the timelessness of the dream state.

  He moved closer, the efficiency in the way he inched toward her pillow reaffirming her belief that this was a man unlike any she’d met. After settling himself next to her hip, he trailed his fingers over her arm. The caress, so light, reminded her of the way she’d petted the cat on her porch.

  “I’m Dante,” he said. Reaching out, he brushed his thumb against her lips. “So beautiful. So warm.” He bent over, replacing his thumb with his lips. Gently he kissed her, drawing her deeper into the dream, into him. His lips coaxed, nibbled, ate as daintily as a cat enjoying a tasty morsel. With his tongue, he traced her lower lip.

  Althea parted her lips to allow him entrance. Dante’s answering moan sent warm shivers darting through her body. She wrapped her arm around him, tangling her fingers in his silky soft hair. His hard body pressed against hers, and arousal drew her nipples into tight beads. She wanted to be devoured by him, to feel his lips on every inch of her flesh. Allergies forgotten, she clung to him and slid her other hand down over his muscled back to his buttocks. This was a dream, after all.

  And thank goodness it was a dream. Her body hungered for the touch of flesh against flesh. Reaching for him, curling her fingers around his biceps, something awakened deep inside. She’d ignored the months of celibacy, hadn’t really thought about them, but now, the need to make up for lost time drove her. She moaned as he deepened the kiss. Passion flared in her blood. She wanted him—her dream man. Now.

  A quick tug pulled her shirt free of her jeans. His hand splayed across her abdomen. His touch branded her. He laid her back on the bed, tugging at her T-shirt. She released him long enough for him to pull it over her head. He unfastened her bra and slid it off her shoulders.

  Althea reached for him once more. She wrapped her fingers around his hard biceps and pulled him to her.