by Aislinn Kerry
Liquid Silver Books
ISBN: 978-1-59578-881-8
Fate Dobrzynski hates and fears werewolves more than anything else on earth. But when she finds out that her vampire friends face starvation unless they can expand their feeding grounds, she’s determined to do anything she can to help — even if it means making a deal with Gabriel Cardenas, the alpha of the local were pack.
Gabe hates vampires as much as any were, but when Fate comes to him, he can’t resist the opportunity to prove that she has nothing to fear from his kind. Even if it comes at the cost of allowing bloodsuckers to feed on his territory.
Fate and Gabe find unexpected fellowship with one another. As Gabe shows her that weres can be trusted, Fate introduces him to kink and a side of himself that he never knew existed. But Gabe’s wolves are none too pleased about having a human woman brought into their pack. With Gabe’s focus on the vampire threat outside their doors, will he miss the danger lurking under his own roof?
Excerpt
Fate stared up at him, something not-quite-angry in her gaze, and Gabe waited to see what would come of it. She was breathing hard, slightly out of breath, though she hadn’t done anything to exert herself.
It was fear, of course. But when he tried to put distance between them and give her back some sense of security, she said, “Wait,” and reached out. She put her hand to his chest, warm, pressing firm and steady.
Gabe looked down at it, spread wide above his heart, pale fingers like stripes across his tanned skin. He couldn’t have been more shocked if she’d hugged him. He glanced up at her, seeking an answer. “What–”
“Hush,” she said again, exasperated. He shut his mouth and waited to see what she meant to do.
Her gaze was very intent on him, her expression determined. She flexed her hand, fingertips pressing into his skin. Her other came up and spread across his waist and ribs.
His heart gave a hard thunk as her touch sent ripples through him, and then picked up speed. He knew this feeling, tense and waiting, poised on the brink of excitement as he watched his rehabilitation finally take and one of his animals make a sudden step forward in improvement. He felt like he was in such a moment again. If touch was what Fate needed to begin exploring the path to recovery, he wouldn’t protest.
And if he were honest, it didn’t truly surprise him. She struck him as the sort of woman who, once she made up her mind to do something, didn’t do it by halves. She seemed the sort to tackle any problem directly, with force of will and fierce determination to carry her through. He held still beneath her touch, allowing her to meet and fight this battle, if she was prepared to do so.
He was not prepared at all when she leaned in and pressed her mouth to his.
He grabbed her by the arms and tried to move back. She followed after him, her lips soft and coaxing, her body melting to fit against his despite his resistance. Her hand came up and curled on his shoulder.
He lost his breath at the feel of her kiss. It seemed to take an inordinate amount of effort to turn his face to the side. Her lips grazed his cheek. “Fate,” he choked.
She gave a sharp sigh and tried to jerk him back to her, her face set with resolve. He held her back, though his heart was galloping. “No.” He tried to make his rejection gentle. “This isn’t what I asked you here for. This isn’t what I want from you.”
Oh, that was a lie. He wanted it. Her body was warm against his and she was so fierce, even when she was frightened. Even now, when he held her back and told her no, she stood strong and sent him a scathing look as she tossed her hair over her shoulder.
“Don’t flatter yourself. You don’t think I’d throw myself in your arms just because I thought you expected it, do you?”
He couldn’t help but smile. “No. I don’t imagine you would.” She’d take a swing at him first, he was certain.
“Then you’re going to have to come up with a better excuse than that,” she said, and drew him in again.
He tried to grab her again, to stop her. But instead of curling around her arms and pushing her back, his hands found their way to her face, cupping her cheeks. His lips parted for her and they were kissing, truly kissing.
She tasted bright and clean and beautiful. Her arms curled around his shoulders, drawing him in against her. He was still naked from his transformation and very aware of the soft curves she pressed to him.
She kissed him unlike any Were woman ever had. There was an openness to her touches, a simple honesty in the way she responded to him. Were mating was always meshed up with politics, especially for an alpha. If he mated with a Were woman, it gave her status and prestige within the pack. He’d turned down propositions from many because they’d only been attracted to the position he could give them. Even if they weren’t after him for his status, he always had to wonder if they might be.
But Fate–Fate was human, and she kissed him with a wholehearted intensity that left no room for concerns about pack, status, or politics. He could lose himself in her.
