MATING HEAT

MATING HEAT

Erotic Fantasy Ménage a Trois Romance, M/M/F, Shape-Shifters

Available Friday, September 3rd

Cort and Boone are best friends, working together and often loving women together. Taking a hot little blonde to a motel and sharing her is nothing new for them. The lingering thoughts of the woman are. Neither of them can stop thinking about her. When they discover Nix being held against her will, they jump into action, but it's not the kind they are normally used to. They are suddenly able to shift into huge, furry beasts.

Confused and shocked, they take Nix home only to discover Nix is an Other, as in other than human. She has powers, a life force, and a need for deep secrecy. She belong to a world Cort and Boone have never heard of but suddenly find themselves a part of. Their only problem? Someone else knows about Nix, and she's at the top of their list of most wanted. Cort and Boone and their friends have to plan fast and work even faster to save Nix and the others of their kind that are in danger. But first, they have to figure out who the bad guy is.


STORY EXCERPT

Nix knew she drew every man's attention the moment she walked into the smoky bar. The rowdy noise that had caught her notice initially fell silent. She paused on the threshold for effect, a little smirk crossing her lips.

Human males are so easy.

Throwing just a little extra sway in her hips, Nix strolled across the smoky room to the wooden bar. She wasn't in the least bit surprised when a path opened for her, men and women alike moving quickly out of her way.

"Wha—" The bartender choked. He cleared his throat, then tried again. "What can I get you, miss?"

Nix pushed her long curls out of her face, wishing just once in her life that her long, blonde hair would do what she wanted and not fly all over the place. "What do you have that's really cold?" she asked in her sultriest voice.

"Beer?"

"You can't give a fine-looking woman like this a beer, Sam," said the first man brave enough to approach Nix, stepping up to stand next to her. "Only champagne for her."

Nix knew immediately that he wouldn't do for her purposes. Besides the fact that he had an odd smell to him, she hated champagne. It always tasted kind of sour to her, and the bubbles just made her nose twitch.

Nix raised one perfectly arched eyebrow as she turned to pin the offending man with her gaze. She just stared at him until he dropped his head and moved away. Rolling her eyes, she turned back to the bartender, only to find him staring at her as if he were a deer caught in headlights.

She reached out and snapped her fingers in front of his face, jerking him out of his trance. "Something cold?" she asked again. Nix could see the effect her low, sultry voice had on the man when he dropped the mug in his hands, the glass shattering all over the floor. She just smiled.

Usually Nix enjoyed the effect she had men, especially human men. She would be lying if she said it didn't boost her ego when they fell all over themselves when she gave them just a hint of her attention. Tonight, it could be a benefit to her plans.

Tonight, Nix had every intention of finding a human male and rocking his world. She would face the consequences of her actions tomorrow. Tonight, she just wanted to forget. While the bartender cleaned up the broken glass, then hurried off to get Nix something cold to drink, she turned to survey the room.

Her prospects didn't look good. In fact, they looked downright dismal. Most of the men in the bar wouldn't even have garnered her interest if she didn't have an itch to scratch tonight.

They were too mesmerized by her presence.

Just once, Nix wanted a man who wasn't bowled over by her looks. Usually having a well-endowed chest and a tight, curvy ass, legs that went on forever, long, curly blonde hair, and deep blue eyes would be considered a blessing. Tonight? Not so much.

Her looks were what had gotten in her into this mess in the first place. However, she wasn't above using them to get what she wanted, and tonight she wanted hot, steamy, fuck-me-until-I-can't-walk sex, and lots of it.

With that thought uppermost in her mind, Nix grabbed the drink the bartender set down on the bar and started moving through the room, taking measure of each man present. By the time she had made it halfway across the room, Nix already had thoughts of leaving.

While she wanted for hot monkey sex with a complete stranger, a human at that, even she had standards. Between the smell of stale beer and cigarettes, the unshaven faces, and the leering looks she got, dismal might not even described her choices.

Just as Nix started to turn toward the door, having every intention of finding a different bar, she heard a low chuckle. The deep rumble sent a shudder of delight through her body, starting at her head and ending in her toes and hitting every erogenous zone in her body on the way down.

Nix set her beer down on the nearest table as she tried to hone in on the source of that chuckle. She tilted her head to one side and tucked her hair behind her slightly pointed ear. Then she waited.

Her reward came a moment later when she heard the voice that belonged to her rumbling chuckle. It was quickly followed by an answering chuckle, this one just as low, just as tingly, and just as sexy.

Both were coming from the low-lit area to the back of the bar. Ignoring the hands reaching for her, the crude voices calling out to her, Nix followed the sound of those chuckles. She was intrigued, and suddenly ravenously aroused.

Nix passed several tables until she reached a small set of steps leading up to what seemed like a pool hall. Several men stood around a pool table. They were a rough-looking bunch, dressed as they were in jeans and leather.

While several of them might have fit her purposes for that night, Nix was only interested in the two who had sent a shiver of lust through her body. And she spotted them almost immediately. They were impossible to miss.

One leaned back against the wall, a beer bottle in one hand. The other hand hung on his belt loop by a thumb. Faded jeans clung to his long, thick legs. His dark auburn hair fell in soft waves to the collar of his white cotton shirt. His shirt stretched tight over his chest to the point Nix could make out every sculpted muscle.

The other man leaned over the pool table, a pool cue in his hand, his entire concentration focused on the small round balls on the green felt top. From her vantage point at the entrance to the pool hall, Nix could just make out the dark chocolate brown of his eyes. Nix loved dark chocolate, and she certainly would mind finding out if he tasted just as good as he looked.

What she wouldn't give to be standing behind the sexy man at this very moment. She had no doubt with the way he was stretched out over the pool table that his tight jeans would be molding his ass like a second skin.

Nix wanted to see more, a lot more, and preferably without clothes. The beating in Nix's chest thudded faster, an unusual reaction for her. Usually, she was the one causing the rapid heartbeat. It was a sensation she wasn't sure she liked.

Still, Nix wasn't about to give up an opportunity when it presented itself. And this one was waving bright, colorful flags all over the place. Nix expected to start hearing a band playing a "Hallelujah" chorus at any moment.

Walking up the steps, Nix slowly stepped into the low-lit area. She knew the minute the two men spotted her. Hell, she knew the minute every man there spotted her. Instant arousal permeated the air like a thick cloak of fog. But Nix was only concerned with the interested glances from the two men she had in her sights.

"Can I play?"


ADULT EXCERPT

Would you think badly of me if I suggested we go somewhere more private for that drink?" she asked, pouting her lips playfully and glancing back at Boone.

"I'm game if you are," Boone said. He glanced past her to his friend. "Cort?"

Without a word, Cort stepped forward. His hands slipped up her arms, bringing her closer to his hard body. In one forward motion, Nix was in his arms. She felt drugged by his clean, manly scent.

The next thing Nix knew, she was being whisked through the bar and out the front door. Before she had time to catch her breath, Boone lifted her into a truck and climbed in beside her. A moment later, the driver door opened, and Cort climbed in.

Nix didn't even wait until Cort had the truck started before she leaned across the seat and pushed herself against Boone's much larger body. Gathering her in his arms, Boone held her snugly. Nix felt his lips move across her cheek, eagerly seeking her lips.

A long moan of satisfaction fell from her lips when she finally felt Boone's mouth settle over hers. His closeness was so male, so bracing, Nix felt her skin prickle at his touch. This was what she had been looking for.

Nix gave herself up to Boone's kiss, savoring the raw, masculine taste of his lips. She had no doubt, just from this one simple kiss, that Boone was going to be able satisfy the ache coursing through her body.

He just better do it soon. Nix felt like her body was about to go up in flames. She scooted up in his arms, straddling his lap. Boone's hands instantly settled on her hips as he tried to pull her back into the kiss. But Nix wasn't having it. She had other places that needed to feel his lips.

Nix grinned, then grabbed the bottom edge of her tank top and whipped it over her head. She felt like she would be forever grateful that she had gone without a bra when Boone's eyes nearly bugged out of his head and a wicked grin crossed his lips.

He reached out and fondled one large globe, its pink nipple marble hard. Nix groaned at the burning touch. She grabbed his other hand and placed it against her other breast. She needed more, oh so much more.

Her senses reeled as if short-circuited when Boone leaned forward and took her nipple into his mouth. His tongue running over the hard little nub made her quiver. Nix's head fell back on her shoulders as Boone switched nipples. Her heartbeat throbbed in her chest.

"Fuck!"

Nix turned to see Cort watching the show from the driver's seat. The heat in his eyes as he gazed at her nearly naked body almost scorched her skin. She smirked, absently noting his tight grip on the steering wheel, then reached for the buttons on her jean shorts.

She knew she couldn't fuck both men in a truck. Someone had to drive. But she could certainly tease them enough to ensure she got royally fucked by both men once they got to wherever they were going.

Nix glanced up at the ceiling. Judging it to be tall enough, she scooted off of Boone's lap and stood up, bending over at the waist until her face was nearly in Boone's lap. She laughed at Boone's less than quiet protest when he reached for her and she evaded his grasp.

Sticking her ass out, Nix grabbed the edges of her shorts and slowly pushed them down her legs until they landed on the floor. She thought Boone's heart was going to beat right out of his chest when she straddled his lap again and his hands landed on her bare ass.

Nix lowered her voice, being purposely seductive. "Now, show me how you play."

She felt Boone's hands tremble against her naked skin as he began to slowly caress her. His hands moved over the curve of her ass and up past the hollow of her back to her shoulders, then back down again.

Nix delighted in the feel of his callused hands on her body. Boone seemed to know just where to touch her to get her temperature rising to a fever pitch. Nix began to wonder if she was going to make it to their destination. She couldn't remember ever being this aroused this fast.

"Touch me," Nix ordered, refusing to beg.

Boone responded by arching his eyebrow at her, demanding words. Suddenly, she was lifted and swung around, her back coming to rest against Boone's muscular chest. Hands grabbed her legs and pulled them apart to rest on the outside of Boone's.

Nix knew that the situation had moved out of her control and into Boone's when he moved his legs, spreading hers wide and opening her up to his questing fingers. Her body jerked with exquisite delight when Boone's fingers reached down to her hot center and gently moved against her clit.

She reached her hands up to clench in his hair, holding on as Boone tortured her. Nix let loose with a low cry when Boone's fingers sank into her. She couldn't keep herself from pressing down on them, wanting more.

"Damn, she's a hot little thing," Cort growled from the driver's seat. "How does she feel, Boone?"

"Fuck, she's so wet, Cort," Boone said. "I think my fingers are going to burn off."

"Gimme some."

Nix cried out in protest when Boone pulled his fingers from her body, but the look in Cort's eyes when he licked the wetness off of Boone's fingers nearly had her coming right there and then. She knew it didn't matter if they hadn't reached their destination. She was about to get fucked.

Cort growled low in his throat. Nix felt it echo throughout her body, hitting every nerve ending. Her hands clenched in Boone's hair. If she didn't get some release soon, she just might die from need. At this point, she wasn't above begging, and they hadn't even gotten to the good stuff yet.

"Please," Nix begged, yanking on Boone's hair.

"I think our girl's feeling needy, Cort." Boone chuckled.

Nix liked being called their girl. It spoke to something deep inside of her, something she wasn't quite ready to address. But the words alone were enough to drive her arousal up another notch.

Nix started moving her body against Boone's hoping to entice him to touch her again. She needed his touch as much as she needed her next breath. And she hadn't even addressed her need for Cort's hands on her body.

When Boone's fingers sank back into her, Nix couldn't stop her long wail of delight or her body from arching into his touch. Boone's fingers began a rapid thrusting into Nix until she was nearly mindless with pleasure. They could have thrown her over the hood of their truck and fucked her on Main Street, and she would have begged for more.



Buy and Pre-Order Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/mating-heat

ALPHA BORN

ALPHA BORN

True Blood Mate 2

~COMING SOON~

Alpha Caleb Redding spent 20 years trying to bring his first love back into his life. When he finally devises a plan, the Council of Elders agrees to it but they add their own stipulations. In order for the mate covenant to happen, Caleb has to agree to give up his clan and alpha status, submitting to Grayson.

Alpha Grayson Cane has watched Caleb from afar, never able to touch him or speak to him due to clan conflict. It's been a heartache that has stabbed at him for 20 years. When a peace treaty comes in the form of a mate covenant between their two clans, Grayson is all too eager to agree, especially when he learns that Caleb must submit to him.

But when the vampire mediator sent to broker the peace agreement disappears, will their second chance at being together also vanish? And what happens when Grayson accidentally mates the vampire while trying to save his life? Will Caleb have to give up his clan, his alpha status, and his dream of being with Grayson? Or will being alpha born have its advantages?



STORY EXCERPT

"Alpha Redding and his contingent have arrived."

Alpha Grayson Cane looked up from the map he was going over to see his second in command, Taylor Cane, who was also his brother, standing off to one side of him.

"Very good," Grayson answered. "Please remind everyone that this is a peaceful gathering. I want no aggressive moves from anyone." Taylor nodded and started to turn away. "Taylor, has the coven leader arrived yet?"

Taylor looked back, shaking his head. "No, alpha, there's been no word from his contingent yet."

"I want to be informed the moment he's spotted." Grayson curled his upper a lip, a small growl escaping before he could stop it. "I don't trust those bloodsuckers any farther than I can throw them."

Taylor nodded. "Understood."

Grayson shook his head. "I can't believe the council is sending in a vampire to mediate a peace agreement between werewolf clans. They must be out of their fucking minds."

"They are the council, alpha," Taylor said. "I imagine they can do just about anything they want."

"They're trying to make peace between the clans. Bringing in a vampire is more likely to start a war between us all." Grayson's lip curled again, this time in distaste. "I can't stand the little suckers. They'll stab you in the back while smiling at you. Sick little freaks."

Taylor chuckled slightly. "Better not let the peace mediator hear you say that."

Grayson rolled his eyes as he folded up the map he had been looking at. "I'd better go greet Alpha Redding before he throws a temper tantrum. No telling what he's likely to do if he isn't greeted properly."

"Grayson, you really need to keep your comments under control. You know as well as I do that Alpha Redding has excellent hearing."

Grayson chuckled. He knew that. He was counting on it. The quickest way to piss Alpha Caleb Redding off was to poke at his pride. It was also the quickest way to piss Grayson off but he wasn't about to admit that.

Grayson and Caleb had been rivals for several years. Getting the two of them in one place without a fight was practically a miracle. Brokering peace between their two clans would be an act of God.

Once upon a time, Grayson and Caleb used to be friends, best friends. Hell, they were more than best friends. Grayson received his first kiss from Caleb, his first blow job. He had his first sexual experience with Caleb.

That all ended when their fathers both died in a challenge to the death, thrusting Grayson and Caleb into the mantle of leadership. Their clans had always had a tentative relationship anyway. The death of both alphas led to a long standing feud that the Council of Elders was now trying to end.

Grayson waited until Taylor walked away before drawing in several deep, calming breathes. He had seen Caleb several times over the years but always from a safe distance. He was about to see the man close up for the first time in what seemed like forever.

Grayson knew he needed to calm down his racing heartbeat before Caleb heard it. Taylor wasn't lying. Caleb Redding had better hearing than anyone Grayson had ever met. He'd know immediately that Grayson was unsettled by this meeting.

Once Grayson felt he had himself under control, he started toward the middle of the small clearing they were meeting in. He could see a small group of people moving about just on the other side, out of the light cast from the small torches lit in the field.

The plan was for each clan to be on either side of the field and meet in a small circle of light the middle, neutral ground. Only the two alphas and the mediator could enter the circle. All others had to stay outside the circle and on their own side. Any breach of this plan would be met by strong sanctions by the council.

Grayson could see a tall figure break away from the group across the field as he entered the circle. The closer the man walked, the more of his features were revealed until he stood in the light just inside of the circle.

"Hello, Grayson."

Grayson swallowed hard before answering. "Hello, Caleb."

"It's been awhile, hasn't it?" Caleb asked.

Caleb folded his hands behind his back and started slowly walking around the circle. Grayson caught just a hint of tension in the man's shoulders as he walked past a torch. He wondered if this meeting was as hard for Caleb as it was for him?

"A few years at least," Grayson replied, hoping that his voice didn't convey the trembling he could feel in his body. To be this close to Caleb and not able to touch him, smell him. It was hell.

"I've seen you at the yearly Lyken Gatherings," Caleb continued. "You're looking good. Alpha life must be treating you right."

"It's okay."

"Just okay?" The slight lift of Caleb's eyebrow shot right to Grayson's cock. He remembered that mysterious way Caleb had of looking at him as if his answer was the most important thing in the world. It used to drive Grayson crazy.

"It is what it is." Grayson shrugged, trying not to let Caleb know how effected he was by the man's mere presence. They were on different sides of warring factions. They were enemies. What they had before they could never have again. It was too late for that. It had been too late the moment their fathers died in battle.

"Do you think this will work?" Caleb asked as he waved his hand around the circle.

"Do I want it to work? Yes," Grayson answered. "Do I think peace is possible between our two clans? Honestly, no I don't. There's too much history between our clans for them to settle this peacefully."

Under any normal circumstances, Grayson never would have been so honest with his thoughts but this was Caleb. Grayson had to believe that some of the man he cared about all of those years ago was still inside of the hard man he saw standing before him.

Caleb clasped his hands behind his back again, nodding his head as he started walking. "I'm tired of fighting, Grayson. I'm tired of watching my clan die little by little over something none of us had anything to do with. The fight was between our fathers, not us."

Grayson's breath caught in his throat at the misery he saw in Caleb's green eyes when the man looked over at him. "We need to end this."

"How?" Grayson asked. "A mediator is not going to be able to end the animosity between our clans, no matter how fucking good he is supposed to be. There's been too much damage, Caleb."

"We need to make a mate covenant between our clans."

Grayson gapped, his mouth dropping open in shock. "You want us to marry members of our clans together to insure peace? Have you lost your mind since I last saw you?"

"Not at all," Caleb said. "I believe it is the perfect resolution to our problem. If we bring our clans together through a mate covenant then we would essentially be one clan."

"One fighting clan," Grayson snapped. "And who do you think is stupid enough to go along with this plan of yours? What two idiots would even agree to it?"

The potent look Caleb gave Grayson made him start shaking his head before the man even spoke. It was his greatest wish and his biggest nightmare.

"Us."


ADULT EXCERPT

"Prove you can be submissive to me, Caleb," the man whispered hoarsely. "Suck my cock."

Caleb readily opened his mouth and allowed Grayson to push his hard length inside. He doubted Grayson knew how much Caleb really wanted this. It had nothing to do with being submissive. He craved the feeling of Grayson's cock in his mouth.

Caleb groaned as drops of pre-cum exploded across his tongue. The taste of the man hadn't changed in twenty years, that was for sure. Caleb remembered it like it was yesterday, sweet, tangy, and entirely too addictive.

Caleb closed his lips around Grayson's cock and sucked as much of the man's length into his mouth as he could. No matter how much he swallowed, Caleb was pretty sure a couple of inches remained.

He did his best to make up for that by pulling off the man and licking the sides. He even went as far as to bend down and suck Grayson's balls into his mouth before moving back to the tip of his cock again.

"Oh yeah, just like that," Grayson groaned. "Fuck, your mouth feels like heaven, Caleb."

Caleb grinned around the shaft in his mouth then went back to the job at hand. The small slit on the head of Grayson's cock intrigued Caleb, especially the small drops of pre-cum that seemed to be constantly leaking from there.

Caleb gripped the base of the hard organ and licked at the slit like an ice cream cone. He could feel Grayson's body shudder with each swipe of his tongue and hoped he was arousing Grayson as much as he was aroused.

"Enough!" Grayson suddenly growled as he pushed Caleb away.

Caleb sat back on his heels and looked up at Grayson as he licked his lips. He bemoaned the loss of the man's cock in his mouth but he was pretty sure it was going to be somewhere else real soon if the pinched look on Grayson's face was anything to go by.

"Get rid of your clothes," Grayson ordered.

Caleb felt his legs shake as he stood up and moved over to his pile of clothes. He turned to face Grayson as he undid his jeans and pushed them down his legs. He couldn't help but smile when he heard Grayson's deep inhale as his naked body was revealed. Caleb hadn't bothered with underwear.

Still, Grayson's biggest surprise was yet to come. Caleb came to the peace meeting with a plan in mind. He knew if Grayson agreed to the mate covenant he'd end up getting fucked at some point. He was prepared and then some.

Caleb cocked an eyebrow at Grayson. "Where would you like me, Alpha Cane?"

Grayson's upper lip curled as he growled, the sound rumbling through the quiet chamber. Caleb felt pretty sure that Grayson was nearing the end of his control. Part of him thrilled at the prospect, his skin tingling with anticipation.

Another part of Caleb had to be tamped down. The alpha wolf in Caleb demanded that he attack and make Grayson submit to him, that he should be the top wolf. It would be a battle of wills to see if Caleb could control that instinctual part of himself.

Grayson pointed to the bed of blankets he'd made. Caleb could feel Grayson's eyes follow him across the room almost like a caress along his naked skin. Caleb almost stumbled as he stepped onto the blankets and knelt down on his hands and knees, the desire to grab Grayson and wrestling him down to the bed almost more than he could take.

Caleb didn't remember this need to dominate Grayson when they were together all those years ago but they weren't alphas then. That must be why the need was there now and not then. Caleb gritted his teeth as he lowered himself down onto the blankets. He needed to maintain control at least until Grayson claimed him. He could deal with the fallout after that, when he was alone.

"Fuck, I figured out your plan, Alpha Redding," Grayson said. "You're going to kill me and take over both clans."

Caleb wiggled his ass, knowing without a doubt that Grayson's eyes were on the black butt plug in his ass. "I wanted to make sure I was prepared to submit to you, Alpha Cane. I'm your second in command now and I'm supposed to anticipate your needs before you have them."

Grayson's response was a cross between a chuckle and a snort. "I think you'll make a very able second in command."

Caleb yelped when Grayson's hand came down on his ass then quickly turned red with embarrassment. He couldn't ever remember anyone smacking his ass. He certainly never heard a yelp come out of his mouth before.

Grayson was going to think he'd turned into a weenie in the last twenty years. Caleb was sure of it. The trembling of his body didn't help any but Caleb couldn't seem to stop. He almost slanted his ass up to receive another smack just so he could feel Grayson's hand on his body.

He got his wish when Grayson's hand stroked down the middle of his back to where the butt plug sat. Caleb's head reared back and a strangled moan slipped past his gritted teeth when Grayson began fiddling with the plug, wiggling it.

"Grayson!"

"Do you like that, Caleb?" Grayson asked. Caleb was mollified by the fact that Grayson's voice didn't sound too steady. He didn't want to be the only one feeling out of control right now.

"Wish it was you," he said instead, because he did. As much as he needed to dominate Grayson, he also needed to feel the man's cock pound him into the blankets below. Caleb had been planning for years to be exactly where he was right now.

"It's the alpha's duty to see to the needs of his clan members."



True Blood Mate Series: http://www.stormyglenn.com/truebloodmateseries.htm

HEART SONG

HEART SONG

True Blood Mate 1

~COMING SOON~

Ten years ago, Darren Hart was rescued from a fall by a gorgeous man that tells him an outlandish tale. Once he returns to civilization, his memories blur and he begins to believe the voice in his head is a figment of his imagination.

Now, Darren is a successful veterinarian who believes he is just a bit crazy. After years of therapy and medications, he has learned to live with the sexy voice in his head. He even carries on conversations and occasionally fantasizes about the voice. When he's attacked, Darren doesn't know what to think but when the voice comes to rescue him in the form of the most gorgeous man he's ever met, Darren is positive he's lost his mind.

On the run from a killer, Darren has to come to terms with the fact that the voice is real and has a name. Asher Stone is the alpha of a werewolf clan and claims that Darren is his alpha mate. Can Darren believe in Asher's promise that they were meant to be together or will an unknown assailant kill him before he realizes that being the alpha mate is what he desires most in the world?


STORY EXCERPT

"I'm heading home, Dr. Hart. Is there anything you need before I leave?"

Darren Hart glanced up from the papers he was working on to smile at the perky little blond. "No, Chrissy, I'm good. I'm just going to finish up this paperwork, do another pass through the kennel, then head home myself."

"Don't stay to long, Dr. Hart, you need your rest as much as the rest of us."

Darren chuckled. He held up his hand, two fingers pressed up and together. "Scout's honor."

"You were never a scout, Dr. Hart." Chrissy giggled.

"No, but I wanted to be." Darren chuckled again, shaking his head as he looked back down at the papers on his desk. "They had some awesome uniforms."

"Okay, on that note, I'm out of here." Chrissy laughed. "Night, Dr. Hart."

"Goodnight, Chrissy, drive safe. I'll see you Monday, bright and early."

Darren listened to Chrissy leave, the distinct sound of the front door locking behind her. He liked his veterinarian assistant. She was a good kid, if a tad giggly at times.

Still, choosing her before she finished school to be his assistant was one of the best decisions he ever made. Chrissy worked hard, loved the animals they worked on and she seemed to have a special affinity with them.

The biggest plus was the Chrissy never gave Darren any crap about being gay. Darren made it clear about that the day he hired her. He wanted his workplace to be a happy place to work.

He refused to work with people that would put him down or make fun of him because he was gay. He had enough of that in school and growing up. Now that he owned and operated his own veterinarian clinic, he refused to deal with it if he could help it.

"She really is a cutey, isn't she?"

Darren rolled his eyes, refusing to answer the voice in his head. He knew it was a figment of his imagination. The doctors said so, every damn last one of them that he'd been forced to go to since he first heard the voice.

Logically, Darren knew the voice was a psychosis due to the head injury he suffered ten years before while on a hiking trip. At first, he'd taken the medications the doctors prescribed him but after awhile he decided to just live with the voice. He hated the medications. They made him woozy, filled his head with a fog that made it hard to do just about everything.

Not taking the medication meant the voice was always there. Sometimes Darren listened and talked back, usually when he was tired or lonely, but frequently he just tried to ignore it.

"Not talking to me today, Dary?"

"I'm working."

"You work too hard, my love."

"I am not your love!" Darren gritted his teeth trying not to scream in frustration. He'd been over this before with the voice in his head, the voice that was kind enough to give himself the name Asher.

A part of Darren found it strange that the psychosis in his head had a separate personality from him considering it was all in his imagination. Maybe he had a split personality or something.

"Ah, but you are my love, Dary. You will always be my love."

"Asher, look, you--"

Darren's head snapped up when he heard a noise outside his office. Dropping his pen to his desk, he climbed to his feet and walked to the doorway of his office. Looking left and right, Darren couldn't see anything out of place.

A short walk down the hallway took him to the lobby of his veterinary clinic. The lights were off but there was enough light shining in from the parking lot that he could see a small cardboard box sitting several feet outside of the doorway.

"What the hell is that?" whispered to himself, forgetting that his voice could hear him speak.

"Darren, what's going on?" Asher asked.

"There's a cardboard box outside the front door."

"Darren, stay inside," Asher virtually shouted into Darren's head. "Don't open the door."

"It's just a cardboard box."

Darren walked to the door and reached for the lock. It wasn't unusual for people to drop kittens or puppies off at his front door during the night. He was used to it and figured it was just another box of pets.

But as he started to unlock the door, a shadow crossed the pavement from one side of the building. Darren paused and tried to get a better look. He couldn't quite make out what it was but it seemed to have four legs.

"Darren, what's going on?"

"I think there's something outside, a dog maybe."

"Please, Darren, stay inside."

Darren rolled his eyes and unlocked the door, pushing it open. "You're being ridiculous. It's just a dog or something. Besides, if there are kittens or puppies out here you know I can't leave them there."

Darren started to step out the door when the shadow suddenly took shape and it was the biggest damn dog Darren had ever seen. A shadow from the other side of the building caught Darren's attention as it stepped into view. Damn, the dog had a friend.

"Okay, maybe going outside isn't such a good idea."

"Darren?"

"Those are the biggest damn dogs I have ever seen." Darren looked a little closer through the glass as the two dogs growled at him, baring their teeth. "Actually, I don't think they are dogs at all. Asher, do you think it's possible for wild wolves to be this far inside the city limits?"

"Darren, please, love, don't go outside."

"Yeah, I'm thinking staying inside is a good idea."

Darren could feel the relief coming through from Asher. He always thought it was strange that he could feel Asher's emotions when the man was a figment of his imagination.

"Tell me what you see," Asher said, "exactly what you see."

"I told you, there's a cardboard box sitting outside the door. I started to open the door but these two huge dogs came from the side of the building."

"Okay, just stay inside," Asher said, "you should be safe there."

Darren nodded even though he knew it made no sense to answer someone that didn't exist. Still, having the voice in his head worry about him made Darren feel a little better, more comforted and not so alone.

"Oh my god, no!" Darren cried out, pressing his hand against the glass as he watched one of the large animals reach into the cardboard box with its snout and lift out a small puppy with its teeth. The poor puppy whimpered and struggled in the strong jaws.

"Darren?"

"It's a box of puppies and that… that thing is hurting them." Darren's heart pounded frantically as the dog shook the puppy roughly. Darren started to push the door open but the other dog lunged at the door, snarling and snapping its jaw at him. Darren jumped back and slammed the door closed. "Damn!"

"What?"

"You're going to think I'm crazy, Ash." Darren almost laughed at his words considering he was talking to a voice in his head. "I think these things are trying to trick me and get me to come outside."




ADULT EXCERPT

Darren was mesmerized by the sensual glint in Ash's baby blue eyes as the man slowly lowered his head. He captured Darren's lips in a deep, spine tingling kiss that rocked him all the way down to his toes.

Darren groaned at the strong heady taste of the man kissing him filling his mouth. He grabbed the front of Ash's shirt and pulled him closer, needing more contact with Ash's body. The feeling of Ash's hard body against his was heaven. Darren bent his leg and pressed his knee against the outer edge of Ash's waist. His hands clenched in the fabric of Ash's shirt as the man's body pressed closer against him.

Darren wanted more. He tugged on Ash's shirt, pulling on him. He groaned, the tingles shooting throughout his body at the touch of Ash's hand moving down his body almost more than he could handle.

Ash gripped Darren's hips and pulled him closer. Darren shuddered when he felt the thickness of Ash's hard cock push against the apex of his thighs. He moved, crying out when his cock smashed against Ash's.

He looked up at Ash, the heat smoldering in the man's eyes burning into him. When Ash moved his hand and gripped his ass cheek, Darren couldn't help but arch up into the man's body. The sensations brought on by the man above him were just too great to ignore.

"Dean," Ash rasped out, "why don't you and the pups go get something to eat?"

"Yeah, it shouldn't take us too long to find something," Dean replied.

Darren glanced up to see Dean gathering the puppies up in his arms and carrying them out the door, shutting it behind him. He wanted the man gone so he could get busy with Ash but he was concerned about letting the puppies out of his sight.

"Uh, he won't--"

"The pups couldn't be in safer hands, Dary," Ash murmured between kisses along Darren's neck and jaw line. "I promise."

Darren tried to reply, to make some intelligent response other than a strangle moan but the blood was draining from his brain and pooling in his groin with each touch of Ash's lips on his sensitive skin.

"Ash… Ash, I--"

"Shh, Dary, I have you," Ash whispered. Darren groaned and arched into the hand Ash cupped around his aching cock. He shuddered when he heard the soft rasp of a zipper being pulled down. Cool air hit his shaft before it was quickly covered by Ash's hot hand. "I'll take good care of you, love."

"Oh, I dreamed of this," Darren whispered raggedly. "I dreamed of your hands on me. It's been so long and all I've had is the voice in my head to jerk off to. It's--" Darren suddenly gasped and sat up, pushing Ash's hand away to bury his head in his hands as he groaned.

"Oh my god, I've been jerking off to the voice in my head." Darren never felt more embarrassed than he did at that moment. For years, he'd been jerking off to the sexy voice in his head… and the voice was real!

"And you wouldn't believe how sexy that was, Dary." Darren resisted the hands that pulled him back for just a moment then cuddled into Ash's broad chest, burying his face against the man. "And just a little bit dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Darren frowned then tilted his head back to look up into Ash's smiling face. "How could that be dangerous?"

"That voice thing goes both ways, Dary. I can hear you just as you hear me. I can also feel you like you feel me." Ash's smirk seemed to be directed more at himself than Darren. "I'd be sitting in a meeting or something then all of a sudden I'd be was horny as hell, you sweet voice murmuring to me, every aroused emotion you had hitting me like a ton of bricks. You can't imagine how many times I've left a meeting right in the middle of it to go jerk off in my bathroom."

Darren started to chuckle as the image of Ash running from a meeting to go relieve himself in the bathroom filled his head. He didn't quite feel so bad knowing that he affected Ash just as much as the big man affected him.

"So, this bond thing goes both ways then?"

"Yeah, it does," Ash said, frowning slightly. "Does that bother you?"

"No, it's just a little hard to get used to. I'm remembering everything I said to you, all the stuff I shared with the voice. It's a little embarrassing, you know?"

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Dary. We are bonded, we share everything."

"Yeah?" Darren liked the sound of that. He wanted someone special to share everything with. He hated being alone, although as he looked back, he never felt truly alone as long as he had the voice in his head talking to him.

"Yeah." One corner of Ash's mouth lifted up in a small smile. "If you remember back, I didn't just listen to you, I talked to you too. I shared my deepest desires with you, even if you only thought I was a voice in your head."

"I just can't believe you're real."

Ash chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. Darren closed his eyes and groaned when he felt Ash's hand move down his body to wrap around his cock again. "I'm very real, Dary."

Darren couldn't believe how fast the touch of Ash's hands on his body could take him from normal to hot and horny in a matter of seconds. The man barely had to touch him and Darren felt like he was going up in flames.

"I want… I want…" Darren wasn't sure how to ask what he wanted. He wasn't even sure if he should ask. He wasn't even sure what he wanted. According to Ash, they had been getting to know each other for years, shared their deepest most intimate thoughts with each other. Yet, they just met in person.

Darren shuddered when Ash's hands pushed down the back of his pants and between his ass checks, Ash's fingers skimming over his puckered hole. "Soon, Dary, soon I will take you here and make you all mine."

Darren wanted it now! He wanted the hard cock he could feel pressing against him to pound into his ass. His sensitive hole quivered at the mere thought. Darren started panting. He needed so bad.

"Ash, please!"



True Blood Mate Series: http://www.stormyglenn.com/truebloodmateseries.htm

FIRE DEMON

FIRE DEMON

Available Now!

Tehmper is a fire demon, devoted to hunting down Shayâtîn. One such mission leads him to Gabe, his mate. He bites Gabe and claims him. But convincing Gabe to return to Jinnistan is harder than Tehmper thought. When more rogue demons attack, trying to take Gabe, it's all Tehmper can do to convince Gabe to leave with him, especially when the man is so angry over the destruction of his home.

When Tehmper and Gabe are met at the portal gate by the ruling Amir and his personal guards, Tehmper has no choice but to turn his mate over or risk Gabe's life. He vows to do everything in his power to free Gabe, even if it means returning him to the surface world. But can he save Gabe before the Amir turns him into royal consort, or will Gabe lose his head to the executioner's axe?



STORY EXCERPT

Tehmper slowly lowered his Demonas Amaté to the ground and squatted down next to him. He reached out and stroked the back of his hand across the bloody puncture wounds in the man's neck, smiling at how deep they were. They would not heal easily. This was good.

While he did not wish to inflict pain on his Demonas Amaté, the deep wound would ensure that no one approached his mate in a manner that was not wanted. He would be safe until Tehmper could return for him.

"Tehmper."

Tehmper acknowledged Zayne with a small inclination of his head, but he was loath to take his eyes off the other half of his soul. He'd waited years to meet his Demonas Amaté. He didn't want to leave him so soon, even if he knew he needed to.

"We must go before more surface dwellers arrive," Zayne said. "I can hear them coming."

Tehmper nodded. He could hear sirens coming in their direction and knew they didn't have much time. "Did you gather the body of the surface dweller?"

"Clagh and Storym took the body through the portal with Tuloq."

"Very good." He did not want his Demonas Amaté to be blamed for the killing. He knew how the surface dweller's laws worked. With a dead body and an unconscious man, both found in an alley with signs of a struggle, he had no doubts his Demonas Amaté would be suspected of the killing. Tehmper couldn't allow that.

Tehmper gently caressed his Demonas Amaté's face one last time and then reached for the necklace around his neck. He placed the golden chain around the man's neck and smoothed it down his chest. The red stone in the center of the intricate pendant glowed brightly for a moment, then slowly faded to a dull red.

Satisfied that his mate was safe and that he'd be able to find him anywhere on the surface world, Tehmper stood to his feet. He took one last look at the gorgeous man at his feet, then turned to join his clan brothers.

As he walked toward the temporary portal erected by one of his brothers, Tehmper could feel Zayne's eyes on him. He turned to look at him. "What?"

"You have claimed the surface dweller?"

"He is my Demonas Amaté."

Nothing else needed to be said. Even Zayne would understand what that meant. They were warriors, demon hunters. They spent their entire lives hunting and either killing or capturing rogue demons. Their one solace in their battles was theirDemonas Amaté, their demon mates. Tehmper just found his.

"And you choose to leave him on the surface?"

"You doubt my loyalty to this mission?" Tehmper snapped. He clenched his fists at his side and glared at his brother.

"No, of course not," Zayne said quickly. "I doubt the merit of leaving your mate on the surface. He should be brought to our world where he will be safe, not left here for any Shayatin to find."

"I have marked him and given him my amulet," Tehmper said. "He will be safe until I can return for him. No rogue demon will get to him." Tehmper smiled. "Besides, he vanquished Tuloq. He can hold his own or he would not be a fit mate for me."

"He will not be truly safe until you claim him fully and bring him below to Jinnistan."

Tehmper stopped suddenly and turned. He grabbed Zayne by the front of his shirt and slammed him against the nearest wall, lifting him a few inches off the ground. "He is my mate. I decide when he comes below and when I will fully claim him."

"Tehmper."

Tehmper dropped Zayne back to his feet and let go of him. "My Demonas Amaté is not your concern."

"You are my brother, Tehmper," Zayne said as he smoothed his shirt down, sending Tehmper a small glare. "Of course your Demonas Amaté is my concern. He became part of our clan the moment you marked him."

"Then let us finish this mission so that I may return to claim him."

Tehmper could hear Zayne chuckle as he followed behind him. He frowned. Zayne was the comedian of their little group. He was always cracking jokes of one sort or another. While Tehmper usually found it amusing, this time his mate was involved. And that was never a joke.

He could feel the curious gazes of his brothers as he stepped through the temporary portal and into their world. Tehmper ignored them. He had a mission to complete and a mate to claim. He did not have time to assuage their curiosity.

Tehmper nodded to the guardians who watched over the portal in Jinnistan. "Please inform the council that we have retrieved Tuloq, and he is alive to stand judgment."

"Very good, Djini," one of the guardians said before turning away and taking off down the large stone steps to the portal gate.

Tehmper turned back to the gate and watched as Clagh and Storym passed their prisoner off to the guardians. Tehmper wasn't surprised when Clagh followed after them when they left with Tuloq to take him to his cell where he would await judgment. Clagh didn't like leaving things for others to handle.

"Please inform the Amir that I wish an audience with him," Tehmper said to another guardian. The man nodded and walked away. Tehmper turned back to face Storym and Zayne. "Will you join me, brothers?"

Storym cocked his head to one side, looking confused. Zayne just grinned as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Our illustrious Tehmper has found his Demonas Amaté, and he left him on the surface."

Tehmper knew demon hunters were taught not to show emotion from an early age. They were warriors. They couldn't afford to show emotion. It is almost a point of honor with them, which was why the stunned expression on Storym's face surprised Tehmper so much.

"You left your Demonas Amaté on the surface?" Storym asked.

"I couldn't very well bring him below, considering the situation," Tehmper replied. "We had a mission to complete. Now that Tuloq is secure, I have requested an audience with the Amir. I will petition for formal admission of my Demonas Amaté into our clan."

"You know that if this man is your Demonas Amaté, his joining our clan is the only acceptable solution," Storym insisted. "You cannot be separated from your Demonas Amaté once you've claimed him."

"I am aware of this." Even now, Tehmper could feel the need to claim his mate crawling through his body like a hundred little ants scurrying about under his skin. He itched, ached. He gritted his teeth to retain his control. "I will have my Demonas Amaté, but I will have him in the proper manner."

"You really want to wait for the formal ceremony before you claim him?" Storym asked. "Can you wait that long? Your craving for him will start interfering with your judgment if you don't claim him."

"I will make no mistakes where my Demonas Amaté is concerned."

"I do have one question," Zayne said. "He is a surface dweller. Do you think he will willingly accept your claim?"

"He is my Demonas Amaté," Tehmper replied. "I have already given him my mark. He does not have a choice."



ADULT EXCERPT

Tehmper licked his lips. "Now?"

"No, not now." Gabe laughed. "Right now you have some claiming to do. We can talk later." Gabe's eyes roamed over as much of Tehmper's gorgeous body as he could see. "Much, much, later."

Gabe scooted back on the bed and crooked his finger at Tehmper. The flames that licked along Tehmper's arms darkened to a deep scarlet red. Gabe could only hope that it meant Tehmper was aroused. He certainly was.

Tehmper climbed onto the bed. Gabe groaned and dropped his head back against the pillows when Tehmper started to lick up the inside of his calf. Tehmper's tongue felt hot against his skin, smoldering, like an actual flame flickering along his body. And Gabe loved it.

He gripped the sheets in his hands and spread his legs wider as Tehmper climbed farther up between his legs. He could feel Tehmper's lips move along his knee. His body trembled as Tehmper licked his thigh, moving closer to Gabe's aching cock.

Gabe almost cried out in protest when Tehmper moved beyond his cock and started licking around his abdomen and bellybutton. Each touch of Tehmper's lips on his skin made Gabe tremble. He ached.

"Tehmper," he whimpered.

A hot ache grew in the back of Gabe's throat as Tehmper raised his head and looked up at him. His cheeks heated under the heat of Tehmper's gaze. His heart took a perilous leap at the deep need he could see in the dark depths of Tehmper's eyes.

"Tehmper," Gabe said as he held out a hand to the man.

Tehmper moved up the bed until his body covered Gabe's from head to toe and then some. There seemed to be a sort of awe in Tehmper's eyes as he brushed the hair back from Gabe's face. His touch was oddly soft and caressing.

"My Demonas Amaté," he whispered almost reverently.

Gabe's heart pounded in an erratic rhythm. "Yes."

Tehmper's mouth covered Gabe's hungrily. It was surprisingly gentle for all of its furiousness.Tehmper moved his mouth over Gabe's, devouring, demanding a response that Gabe gladly gave.

Gabe was conscious of every spot Tehmper touched. Gabe's hands slipped up Tehmper's arms, bringing him closer. He tugged on the buttery-soft material of Tehmper's shirt. He wanted it gone. He wanted to feel their bodies press together with nothing between them.

Tehmper grinned and moved to the side of the bed. Gabe's breath hitched in his throat as Tehmper stood up and started taking his clothes off. The man was simply magnificent, all hard body and lean muscle.

Each patch of skin revealed made Gabe's heart hammer faster. When Tehmper stood naked before him, Gabe could only stare in wonder. He couldn't believe a man so beautiful could be all his.

Tehmper pointed to the white silk outfit that Gabe wore. "Are you going to keep wearing that?" he asked. "While I am pretty sure I could work around it, it might interfere with our plans."

Gabe chuckled and sat up. He quickly pulled the vest off and tossed it over the side of the bed. His face flushed as he reached for the nearly none existent underwear he wore and pushed them down his legs.

Tehmper growled and launched himself back onto the bed. The small flicker of scarlet flames along his body grew larger. Gabe took that as a good sign. At least, he hoped it was a good sign.

Gabe grunted when Tehmper pulled him roughly, almost violently, to him. He felt his body molding to the hard contours of Tehmper's body as if they were made to go together. Two halves of the same whole, as Tehmper said.

Tehmper's hands were everywhere, moving along Gabe's body and leaving a scorching fire behind. Gabe felt his blood surge from his fingertips to his toes. His heart thudded noisily within him.

Tehmper's hand moved down between Gabe's thighs, his fingers brushing against Gabe's puckered entrance. "You will have me?" Tehmper whispered. He seemed to be peering at Gabe intently, as if his entire world hung on Gabe's answer.

Gabe's only response was the rapid beat of his pulse and spreading of his thighs even farther apart. The next time Tehmper's fingers moved over him, Gabe lifted his hips. Tehmper's touch was light and painfully teasing as he pressed one finger into the sensitive hole, sending currents of desire through Gabe.

"Oh, yes, yes," Gabe groaned, his body instinctively arching toward Tehmper as he felt another finger push into him. "More."

Gabe reached for Tehmper, one hand caressing the strong tendons at the back of Tehmper's neck. The other hand moved over Tehmper's chest. The flames that leaped along Tehmper's body moved to him, flickering along his hot skin.

Gabe knew he was already stretched enough to take Tehmper. That had been seen to in the harem. With Tehmper's added touch, he was raring to go. Gabe gripped Tehmper's shoulders and pulled on them.

"Please, now, Tehmper," Gabe pleaded. "Take me now."

He gasped as Tehmper pulled his fingers free and lowered his body over his. Tehmper's eyes stared into his as the flames leaping between them grew. Gabe inhaled softly when he felt Tehmper's thick cock start to slowly push into him.

Time stood still, the world around them disappearing. Gabe held Tehmper's gaze as he was slowly impaled on the thickest, longest cock he ever remembered having—not that he had that many, but damn!

Finally, Tehmper seemed to be in all of the way. Gabe grew worried when Tehmper's eyes closed. He face looked agonized, as if he were in pain.

"Tehmper?" he murmured.

Tehmper's eyes opened and Gabe gasped. They were bright, shining red, the whites of Tehmper's eyes totally gone.

Gabe worried that something was wrong until Tehmper growled and grabbed his hips, lifting Gabe's back end off the bed. There were no slow loving or gentle movements. One moment Tehmper seemed frozen in place, and the next he pounded into Gabe like he had suddenly been released from his paralysis.

Gabe could barely catch his breath. His entire body hummed with the need for release. Every time Tehmper looked at him, Gabe's heart turned over in response. The desire burning in Tehmper's gaze blazed red hot, and it was all for Gabe.

"Demonas Amaté, I must…I must bite you to complete the bond."

Gabe groaned, knowing what was coming, and arched his head back, baring his throat to Tehmper. He felt Tehmper's hands tighten on him just as sharp fangs sank into his body. The sweet pull of Tehmper's mouth matched the thrust of his cock.


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