by Joey W. Hill
He’d pictured her taller, likely because Thomas had told him vivid, heart-stopping tales of her battles with other vampires during the early territory wars. But she’d been born a vampire, and her Asian mother had apparently given her the petite build. Lady Lyssa was considered one of the most powerful and ancient vampires still living, fully in command of her faculties and abilities.
Even while cursing the memory of her dead husband, Rex, Thomas had attributed a portion of her uncanny aptitude for survival to him. An aptitude that had grown exponentially in the last fifty years due to the lessons Rex had taught as well as inflicted upon her.
She looked like a woman in her late twenties, early thirties. That impression vanished the moment Jacob looked into her eyes, a startling jade green rimmed with a solid black line around the irises. Generation upon generation of women were there, layered like rock strata. The energy of it emanated from her, mingling with her other-than-human power to influence and destroy. Despite that, the man in him noticed the bow of her lips, touched and glossed in burgundy, the way her soft black sweater clung to her upper body.
Her skirt was layers of gauze in hues of gold and green, reminiscent of a fairy. That, as well as the eyes, reminded him her father had been a Fae lord. She was a slim woman with perfectly shaped small breasts and nicely curving hips. Her slender legs teased him, a glimpse of knee or calf appearing between the points of the skirt as she moved.
Stirring and magnetic, she riveted his attention just by existing. She’d had that effect on him the very first time he’d seen her, over two years ago. But what made the strongest impression on him now was the flash of naked emotion in her eyes when she took the envelope from his hands.
My gracious lady, please accept this last offering from your humble servant. Something I know you will not go out and obtain for yourself. I give you Jacob. You and he need one another, I promise you. He will serve you well; far better than a feeble, bookish monk.
Lyssa was cognizant of Jacob’s intent study as she read, as well as every motion he made. She was used to scrutiny by humans when she chose to walk among them, but his regard was different. Far more personal, as if he was memorizing every detail of her appearance and expressions.
He’d moved a step closer, a gesture of comfort, but he respected her privacy by facing her so he looked beyond her shoulder, not down at her note. The heat of his body shimmered over her skin like the dangerous brush of sunlight.
Damn you, Thomas.
“Do you know what’s in this?” She gestured with it. He stood so close the ribbon under the wax seal fluttered against his pectoral, the light covering of hair on his chest. It made her fingers itch to stroke. To curl in and tug.
He gazed down at her with those clear and steady blue eyes. “I know it was my introduction. Thomas said I’d need it. But I didn’t read it.”
The seal had been unbroken, applied with Thomas’s particular method for the times she’d needed to be certain information was not compromised.
“I want my manicure. Where’s Max?” She straightened, not backing away. When she tilted her head, she noted his attention was distracted by the proximity of her lips. She felt his gaze there like the teasing caress of a tongue, and had to quell the urge to moisten them. Try something improper, Sir Knight, and you’ll regret it.
But would she? She pushed the sly voice away. She was used to men being overwhelmingly attracted to her. It was the vampire allure. But she liked the look of this man. She’d intended to cap off her night by finding a dinner with similar specifications. Only this one far exceeded those specifications, tempting her to skip the whole spa experience and take him home for several days. She’d chain him spread-eagle on her bed and bite, scratch and suckle to her heart’s content. While she wasn’t willing to immediately capitulate to Thomas’s recommendation of this man as a servant, she had his word she could trust him. It made her imaginings grow even more dangerously attractive.
“Max is fine, my lady. Sleeping quite deeply at his apartment, the aftereffect of his usual Chinese takeout…with a little bit of sleep aid added. I’ll perform your manicure as well as a pedicure. If you’ll permit it.”
Add to that he’d somehow convinced Martin, the security guard, that he was an approved substitute for the evening. Not an easy feat. Clearing her throat, she managed to sweep a scornful glance over him. Enjoyed the journey immensely. “What training have you had to give me a manicure?”
“Thomas taught me.”
His lips curved in that half smile again. Reassurance or humor she didn’t know, but the reaction of her body took her by surprise. A hard shudder just below the level of muscle, a simmering in her blood no human eye could see. Also unexpected was that he registered it. The smile disappeared. After a moment’s hesitation, he pulled back the curtain dividing the waiting area from the private rooms of the salon. “Please let me attend to you, my lady.”
She creased the fold of the note, frowning. Glanced down at the nail that had no polish.
Yes, her wounds healed quickly. Unfortunately, despite the myth that vampires were invincible, she could and did have bad hair days just like anyone else. One could use vampire glamour to make humans think they were seeing perfection, but it didn’t work on other vampires without an exceptional level of effort. Unable to see her own face, she missed having a human servant to ensure she’d done her hair and makeup properly. To do quick fixes on her nails between full manicures. To help her dress and bathe.
The fact of the matter was, whether or not a reflection was needed, she liked being attended. Thomas had teased her about it, once he’d known her well enough to know when she was in the mood to be teased. He would have known this was not one of those moments.
The monk had relied heavily on her regard for him and her sentiment about his passing. It did not mollify her that he’d been right on both counts. While she knew she was taking petty revenge on the man who should not be the target of her ire, she couldn’t stop herself.
“We shall see,” she said at last, sweeping past him.
Afterword
Did you enjoy spending time with Joey’s characters? If you did, then we ask that you share your experience with at least one other book-reading friend. Or mention the book on a Facebook page, at a book club meeting or online forum, on Twitter, in an Amazon or GoodReads review, or wherever you feel comfortable. You, the pleased reader, are the best marketing strategy authors can have. If you do just one of those things to spread the word about our work, we will be very grateful! And thank you again for taking the journey with our characters.
Ready for More?
Check out Joey’s website at storywitch.com where you’ll find free excerpts, buy links and news about current and upcoming releases for all of her books and series.
Love her series and want more? Revisit your favorite characters through FREE novellas and short stories, available on her website. Just choose the Cantrips (Vignettes) menu item on her website and find them in all the popular download formats. You can also go under her Books menu to choose Cantrips (Compilation) and buy the compendium volumes of these stories.
Here are some other places to find out more about Joey and her work!
Website: storywitch.com
Facebook: JoeyWHillAuthor
Twitter: @JoeyWHill
GoodReads: JoeyWHill
Pinterest: jwhill23
YouTube: youtube.com/storywitchpress
Bookbub: bookbub.com/authors/joey-w-hill
Amazon: amazon.com/Joey-W-Hill/e/B001JSCIW0
E-Mail: [email protected]
About the Author
Joey W. Hill writes about vampires, mermaids, boardroom executives, cops, witches, angels, housemaids...pretty much wherever her inspiration takes her. She's penned over forty acclaimed titles and six award-winning series, and been awarded the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Erotica. But she's especially proud and humbled to have the support and enthusiasm of a wonderful, widely diverse readership
.
So why erotic romance? “Writing great erotic romance is all about exploring the true face of who we are – the best and worst - which typically comes out in the most vulnerable moments of sexual intimacy.” She has earned a reputation for writing BDSM romance that not only wins her fans of that genre, but readers who would “never” read BDSM romance. She believes that's because strong, compelling characters are the most important part of her books.
“Whatever genre you’re writing, if the characters are captivating and sympathetic, the readers are going to want to see what happens to them. That was the defining element of the romances I loved most and which shaped my own writing. Bringing characters together who have numerous emotional obstacles standing in their way, watching them reach a soul-deep understanding of one another through the expression of their darkest sexual needs, and then growing from that understanding into love - that's the kind of story I love to write."
Also by Joey W. Hill
Arcane Shot Series
Something About Witches
In the Company of Witches
The Problem With Witches (A Knights of the Board Room Crossover)
Daughters of Arianne Series
A Mermaid’s Kiss
A Witch’s Beauty
A Mermaid’s Ransom
Knights of the Board Room Series
Board Resolution
Controlled Response
Honor Bound
Afterlife
Hostile Takeover
Willing Sacrifice
Soul Rest
Knight Nostalgia (Anthology)
Nature of Desire Series
Holding the Cards
Natural Law
Ice Queen
Mirror of My Soul
Mistress of Redemption
Rough Canvas
Branded Sanctuary
Divine Solace
Worth The Wait
Truly Helpless
Naughty Bits Series
The Lingerie Shop
Training Session
Bound To Please
The Highest Bid
Naughty Wishes Series
Part 1: Body
Part 2: Heart
Part 3: Mind
Part 4: Soul
Vampire Queen Series
Vampire Queen’s Servant
Mark of the Vampire Queen
Vampire’s Claim
Beloved Vampire
Vampire Mistress (VQS: Club Atlantis)
Vampire Trinity (VQS: Club Atlantis)
Vampire Instinct
Bound by the Vampire Queen
Taken by a Vampire
The Scientific Method
Nightfall
Elusive Hero
Night’s Templar
Vampire’s Soul
Vampire’s Embrace
Vampire Master (VQS: Club Atlantis)
Non-Series Titles
If Wishes Were Horses
Virtual Reality
Unrestrained
Medusa’s Heart
Novellas
Chance of a Lifetime
Choice of Masters
Make Her Dreams Come True
Threads of Faith
Submissive Angel
Short
Snow Angel
