Aislinn Kerry » All that Glitters

by Aislinn Kerry
Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-921-2

Running from a nightmare… falling into the arms of a monster…

Kynan Pritchard has come to Paris to start a new life, one free from the gruesome nightmares — and the accusations of insanity — that have plagued him from childhood. He’s used to a hard-luck existence, but when a stranger comes to his aid, he thinks maybe that luck is changing. Aneirin is strong and brave, everything that Kynan wants to be. And Kynan falls for him. Hard.

But Kynan’s nightmares are about to become reality, and not even Aneirin can protect him from the monster who’s stalked him across the continent. The gwrach-y-rhibyn threatens everything–Kynan’s life, his sanity, even his love for Aneirin.

To defeat her, Kynan will have to risk becoming the very creature he hates.

Reviews:

Uniquely Pleasurable: “a distinctive, appealing rhythm, an easy, fluid style, and an atmospheric setting in the dark underbelly of the Parisian world. The author has a good eye for the details of the surroundings in which she has placed her protagonists and has created two distinctly different characters with a lot of appeal.”

5 nymphs from Literary Nymphs Reviews: “The story was captivating and had me wishing for a few more pages about these fascinating characters. All that Glitters is a wonderful story that lovers of the genre will enjoy immensely.”

4 hearts from The Romance Studio: “a spicy, somewhat suspenseful love story that will pull the reader in and keep them turning the pages.”

Excerpt

I am drawn from sleep by butterfly touches against my cheek. I wake contented rather than fearful, and my eyes flutter open.

I’d thought it was Aneirin’s fingertips that I felt, but it’s not. He has bent over me, his hair falling over my face, and brushed a gentle kiss across my cheek. I make a small, strangled sound. Aneirin draws away immediately and his face flushes–with remorse perhaps, or chagrin, or embarrassment.

I push myself across the bed, away from him. “I can’t,” I cry brokenly. “Nye, I can’t do this. I can’t give you what you want from me.”

He stares down at me, and some of his color begins to fade. “What do you think that is, Kynan?”

I swallow my fear, and my pride. “You want me to forget what you are. You want me to pretend things are like they used to be, but I can’t. I can’t forget it, Nye.”

“I know,” he whispers. He traces his hand along my cheek. “I didn’t like lying to you, mo charaid. I didn’t like pretending to be something I’m not. I’d rather not go back to that. I would have you love me as I am, or not at all.”

“It’s not that simple.” I sigh. He wants all or nothing, and I can give him neither. I love him still, but not as he desires. I can’t give him all, but I can’t deny my heart and pretend I feel nothing, either.

“Isn’t it?” He strokes the side of my face again. I shiver beneath his touch. He leans over me again and I try to slide away, but I have nowhere to go. His lips brush mine, warm and soft. I cry out, only half in protest. I want what he offers and my desire is stronger than the strength of my will.

“It’s too hard, Nye.”

He slides his fingers through my hair. “I only offer comfort. Take what you will of it.”

I shake my head. “Don’t, Nye, please. I want–”

He pauses, then draws back a fraction. “What do you want, Kynan?” he breathes against my mouth.

“Too much.”

Flames leap in his eyes and he closes the distance between us. This time, there’s no hesitation in his kiss. He slips into my mouth, draws me into his, and the heat swamps me. It would take more strength than I have to resist. I curl my arms around his neck and lose myself in his kiss.

I’ll regret it later; I’m sure of it. But for now, for just this moment, I need the comfort that he offers. I’ll take it, and suffer the consequences later.

His touch is gentle. When I shiver beneath him, he draws me close against his chest, thinking I’m cold. I’m not; I’m filled with the warmth of his touch. It’s the sweetness of it that makes me tremble. I am remembering the first time he kissed me like this, trying to make me forget the horror of my nightmares. I remember the way he kissed me then–the way he’s kissing me now–and I forget about my anger and hurt and fear. He is Aneirin, the man who saved me from roughs and nursed me to health, the man who held me in his arms and let me cry on his shoulder, who put me back together when my nightmares left me in pieces. I remember only that he is Nye, and he is the man I love.

He draws back suddenly and stares down at me, trembling. “I’m sorry,” he whispers, hoarse. “Kynan, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t–” He starts to turn away.

“No,” I say. “Don’t.” But this time, I’m not asking him to stop. I fist my hands in his hair and drag his mouth back to mine. “Don’t leave me alone, Nye, please.”

“Are you sure?” he asks. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

I wrap my arms around his back and roll with him. His eyes widen with surprise, then close when I frame his face in my hands and press our mouths together. “Just kiss me.”