Once Forbidden (The Hunted Series - 1) ((Book One))
Page 8
I’m sure my mouth gaped open at the sight. Behind me stood the most beautiful specimen of man I’d seen in a long time. He was at least a foot taller than my five-four and all of it solid muscle. His grin showed a lot of even white teeth. Not a smoker, I thought idly He had a dimple in his chin—of course, men called them clefts, but they were really dimples. “Thanks,” I said huskily in a voice I didn’t even recognize.
His eyes twinkled. “Anytime, darlin’. Who are you waiting on?”
“A cab,” I replied. “I forgot something at home.”
He studied me for a long moment. “Live far?”
I shook my head. God, he had a damn sexy voice. One of those voices that was whiskey and honey all at once. It reminded me of Rob Thomas the singer. He has a song out called Damn and he just purrs in it. This guy purred. Anyone who has ever heard that song would know exactly what I’m talking about. This guy purred when he talked. I was getting turned on by a voice. That had never happened before in my entire life!
“Not far, no. My friend and I took a cab here, and I forgot my asthma inhaler,” I explained. Great, Hailey, I thought a little wildly. Why don’t you tell him your whole life story? I felt heat rise in my face.
The twinkle went out of his dark brown eyes. Teddy bear eyes, I decided. They were teddy bear eyes. “You’re asthmatic?” he asked.
“Yes. Especially when I’m around cigarette smoke,” I explained. “So, I figured I’d go home and get my inhaler.”
He seemed to ponder that for a moment. “I’ll give you a ride,” he decided.
I have him a dark look. I wasn’t about to get in a car with a complete and total stranger—even if he was sexy enough to make me damp! I had a sudden thought of him driving himself inside me, and shivered again; this time with desire not cold. His bare chest would be rubbing against my breasts, and his hands would be in my hair, or on my breasts, or teasing my…no, I wasn’t going there. But still…maybe he’d suck my nipples. Stop it! “Um, no, that’s okay,” I said a little dejectedly. Part of me wanted to say yes. A big part of me, in fact.
He smiled gently. “You don’t remember me, do you?” he asked.
“Should I?” I asked, studying him closely. Hell, I’d remember if I’d seen this guy before!
He grinned, showing me those perfect teeth again. What can I say? I’m a dental hygienist. I appreciate a good set of teeth! “Bennett Wilmont. We went to high school together.”
My mouth dropped open. I remembered Bennett Wilmont. He was a tall geeky kid with braces and glasses. But, as I studied him, I realized that it really was Bennett. “Well, hi! Wow, you’ve changed.” Brilliant, Hailey, just brilliant. Talk about the understatement of the year, though.
“A little,” he admitted with a chuckle. “I was in the military for a few years. I worked out a lot.”
And how, I thought. He was gorgeous. His tight jeans left very little to the imagination. He was built all right. “Oh,” I said, flushing again.
He smiled and touched my cheek. “You’re cute when you blush,” he teased.
I know I blushed hotter. “Stop teasing me,” I mumbled.
He tossed back his head and laughed, then crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Would it make you feel any safer if I told you I was a cop now?” he asked in that whiskey voice.
“Are you really?” I asked, surprised. I didn’t know any cops. It sounded exciting.
He nodded. “Yeah, for a few years now, actually. But I work in Monroe, not here in Sigler. “So, how bout it? Trust me to take you for that inhaler?”
I decided quickly. What could be safer than a cop? “Sure,” I said.
What could go wrong?
Reviews
Once Forbidden & Once Bitten
...this is a recommended read for vampire lovers eager for something to sink their teeth into. The sex is steamy, the characters memorable, and the premise alluring.
- Fern, Whipped Cream Reviews -
Linked
I have this little quirk when it comes to reading ... I love evil. Evil bad boys, evil masterminds and in the case of LINKED, the all seeing evil presence. When I was approached to read Hope Welsh's recent release, I took one look at the blurb and smiled and when I then saw the cover with the evil eyes staring back at me, I almost cackled with delight. I'm new to the author's writing so I wondered if she'd provided me a story to appease my quirk and boy did she ever. Evil comes in all forms and as I began reading, I loved the characters I met, the unique storyline and I was especially happy to find one of my favorite kinds of evil - the indignant.
A great storyline with just the right amount of suspenseful flavor to keep me hooked until the end.
-The Bookish Snob- Author Belinda Boring at The Romance Reviews -
…I couldn’t wait to see what happened next to these two intriguing characters…Let alone my curiosity at the evil one.
- Christine Gasbjerg (Amazon Review) -
The Storm Within
…The characters mesh well, and the story is engaging.
- Cricket Webber (Amazon Review) -
Table of Contents
Copyright
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Author’s Note
Once Bitten - Chapter One
Reviews