Bailey and Trevon jumped back. Their eyes wide in fear or awe, he wasn't sure which. He stood off his hands and knees completely naked and glared at Trevon. He didn't blame him for following through with what their people did when a Khimairan turned primal, and Dante had turned. By all rights, Trevon should have killed him before now. He did what he should have done, but he was going to do it through his mate...and that was less forgivable.
"How can this be?" Trevon's voice shook with emotion fear, hurt, and guilt. Dante couldn’t be sure which was prevalent.
Dante didn't even know it was possible to come back, but he suspected his alpha magic had a great deal to do with it, so that's what he'd tell them. "Alpha magic is strong within me." There was just no other explanation. For as long as any remembered primal meant death. Though an alpha had never gone primal before now.
Trevon stood taller, and his eyes didn't glance away as Dante stared him down. He couldn't predict how Trevon might react. He could easily go for the knife and follow through anyway out of fear perhaps.
Instead, Trevon nodded, his jaw clenched in anger, and he hoofed it up the stairs. Dante thought about calling out to him, but he had a more pressing need just then. The man needed space, time to adjust to what he'd almost done.
"Are you back? Really?" Bailey's eyes actually watered. His insides clenched in anticipation. She was the most beautiful being he'd ever seen.
But he was done waiting. He truly would not go primal again. He had to bond with her so he never put his race in jeopardy. His alpha magic might not work a second time. "I am back." He stepped toward her, moving between the wide cage bars that had housed his beast, slowly closing the distance. If she ran, he'd catch her. His lion flashed teeth in his head, wanting her to run. He almost wanted to encourage it, but this was too important. He needed her to understand how much more he'd ask of her.
"I wasn't...I mean..." She stepped back. Her form fitting tank top revealed a healthy amount of cleavage.
"You were here every day." He knew everything she'd done, remembered every word she said. "You didn't give up after all you have already been through."
"I couldn't. They already had." She swallowed hard, and Dante watched her neck move. He wanted to lick her skin starting at her neck. He let his gaze wander over her form until he found her eyes again. She didn't flinch, didn't look away, but took another step back.
Dante hardened. The rush bringing his lion closer to the front. The way she moved back, how she'd helped him, handled him, hell, stood up for his entire race taking down the Bellers and still stood between Dante and death with another Khimairan, how could he not desire her? When the Leo zodiac glyph had branded his skin, he accepted it, but a little part of him was unsure how this little petite, mouthy female could possibly be his. Yet here she stood, after everything. No complaints. No words of payback. She was perfect. Dante had moved her all the way against the wall, one step forward to her one step back. Her hands crossed in front of her as if she didn't know what to do with them, which pushed her breasts up for a truly inspiring view.
"What are you doing?" she asked. But her pulse had quickened, and he could smell the scent of, her female musk, sweet and spicy. She desired him.
Dante stopped inches from her. He could nearly taste her lips, all he had to do was bend over to take them. "Trevon was right. You are my mate." Though he didn't like how she found out; he had wanted to introduce her slowly to it. What was done was done, and it would pave the way for him to see this through. She would be his.
"I'm human. I can't be an alpha's mate. I'm not one of you." Her words stumbled out fast and her hand was pressed against his chest as if she could keep him at bay. Laughable little female. She could no more stop the spark between them than he could. Her palm was so soft and he hardened to a nearly painful erection.
Dante bent down, his lips centimeters from hers. He teased them both. He wanted to taste her so badly, but she had to agree. He wouldn't force her. After everything she had already done, he believed he could have her. "You will be. Have you not wanted me from the start? Do I have no effect on you, little one?"
She gasped and oh how he ached to taste her next one.
"Tell me, Bailey. Do you not want me? If you tell me to stop, if you can truly say you have not thought about us, desired me, then I will back away." He kept his voice low, even, wanting to seduce her to saying yes. "We belong together. Answer me."
Her fingers circled the mark on his skin, but he didn't think she noticed as he stared down into her hooded eyes. Her lips parted. "I do want you, Dante."
He smiled and his beast fell back, knowing they would get what they wanted. "And have you wanted others like you want me?" Dante pushed himself against her, trapping her between the wall and him. His need evident between them. Another gasp left her lips, and he felt hot along his. She was a tease...everything about her teased him, begged him, and his mind raced with all the ways he could have her spread out before him.
"No," she whispered. She licked her lips and glanced down at his mouth, then back up to his eyes.
"You have brought sanity back to the beast, Bailey, let me show you how a beast would repay such a favor." Dante ground himself into her, drawing out the pleasure that came with her fabric rubbing against him. He nearly growled at the very thought of impaling her balls deep. It would soon be her sheathing him, on all fours.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Bailey nearly groaned as his erection rubbed against her. Why did he have to be so damn tempting? Two could play at the game. "And this repayment. How would it affect me...a mere mortal?" Dante traced a finger over the flesh of her breasts, following the dip of her tank top. Gooseflesh followed despite the pure heat radiating between them.
"You will not be a mortal when I'm through with you. You are mine. I will claim you in every way. Your life irrevocably tied to mine." He rubbed his face against her, almost like a cat.
"Would I turn into one of those Beller creatures? They use your blood, right?" She didn't want to ruin the mood, but this was some serious shit. He couldn't just expect her to be all horny and let whatever happened.
Dante moved back to look into her eyes, though the pressure of his body against her stayed the same. "Bailey, you will never be one of them. They use dark ritual magic and devour Khimairan blood, turning themselves into a monster. We will be bonded. For as long as I live after we are truly mated, you will live as well. If you die, I would die with you."
"I'll be a shifter?" Her heart slammed into her chest. Did she even want to be one?
"No. You will simply be you, just beautiful forever." He grinned, flashing teeth. A predatory glint lit his eyes. "One of us cannot be without the other. Everything about you, other than death will remain the same and perhaps you will have my mark."
Relief filled Bailey and her body softened against his. She bit her lip, rose an eyebrow, and moved her hips forward.
Dante growled. "I'll take that as a yes?"
"Yes. How many more hints do you need, thick-headed feline?"
His response—he ripped her tank top off her body, taking the bra along with it. Cool air met her nipples and they pebbled. He stood naked in all his glory before her. Fully erect and watching as she slipped her pants off. Once she kicked them free, he was there, lifting her. She wrapped her legs around his, aching for him. She couldn't believe how much she wanted him. It was as if his very smell made her yearn. "I'm not this kind of person you know." Her voice came out sultry even to her ears.
He slammed her back against the wall. He pulled her hair loose and it tickled her shoulders as it fell around her. "A sexy woman? The female who caught my attention. The mate who is driving me wild. You are all of those things and more." He bit into her neck and a zing of pleasure slipped straight to her core. She bucked into him. She wanted everything he was willing to give her. Yes, she'd thought poorly of the Khimairans, but that was before she knew everything. Dante had been there whenever she needed him, he believed in her, and they had alrea
dy been through so much. If she just gave herself over, she fully believed love could come for them. He was the kind of guy she'd hoped for in the long line of relationships past. Honorable. Brave. Completely not boring. And nothing like her father. Dante would be there when Bailey needed him. She believed she could count on him.
"I'm usually not so easily swayed into a man's bed." She bit him back right above his collarbone. He growled and rocked his hips into her, the tip of him sliding along her wet crease. She moaned. It felt so damn good.
"Good thing I'm not just any man." He lifted her arms and pinned them above her head as her legs held his waist. He didn't even sweat her weight on his. She'd heard shifters were much stronger than regular people, and even their beast counter parts. It was sexy as hell how he could just hold her weight with so little effort. The hooded look in those golden eyes made her feel wanted. He had such fierce passion, and he wore it on his sleeve. Dante's head slipped down, and he took a sensitive peak into his mouth. Bailey arched into him, closing her eyes as pleasure coursed through her. She wiggled trying to get him into her, aching to be filled. Yes, he was large, but if she truly was his mate, her body would accommodate his. And she relished the idea of him all the way inside her.
Dante's other hand slipped down her tummy as he suckled her, over her mound, and two fingers entered her, stretching her. It felt so good, she thought she'd die if she didn't get release soon. She rode his fingers, urgently needing more. He sucked her nipple harder, and she moaned. He let her breast loose as his fingers slid in and out of her. Damn, it felt so good.
"You are soaked for me...so wet...so needy. I think I'd like a taste." Dante removed his hand, and she pouted, opening her eyes as he slid the two fingers into his mouth. His eyes blazed into hers as he licked her off his fingers.
"I think you want to torture me." Bailey grinned, breathing heavily. Her body squirmed as he moved against her, trapping her firmly on the wall. Even if he let her go, she didn't believe she'd fall he had her so tight.
"I have no desire to torture you, only to claim you." His voice dropped an octave. He clenched his jaw moving himself just below her opening. "Tell me what you want."
In the heat of the moment, Bailey didn't think or worry, she let herself go. "I want you inside me."
Dante growled as he entered her to the hilt. She gasped as he filled her, arching her back. She could feel the heat of him inside her, the pulsing of his need for her. The edge of orgasm was within her grasp. She bucked against him, and he let her arms loose to grab her hips.
Her pleasure increased as he lifted her hips then slammed them back down. She dug her nails into his back, and he gasped. He pushed in and out of her over and over until Bailey thought she'd lose her mind, her orgasm hanging just out of reach. She wanted to fall over that edge so badly it nearly hurt.
He pulled them both to the ground, stopping long enough to flip her over on all fours.
"Kinky," She said and looked back at him over her shoulder.
"Do you know how fucking beautiful you are right now?" He bit part of his lip as his eyes roamed over her body. Bailey felt the heat of a blush reach her cheeks.
Dante grabbed her hips, moving slowly out of her, then slamming back in. He pushed her back down so her ass arched fully up to him. Over and over he pounded into her.
She moved her hand over her nipple and squeezed the peak. Damn it, she was so close. "I want to cum."
Dante grabbed the back of her long curls and wrapped them in his fist, pulling her head all the way back, exposing her neck. He pulled back and slowly filled her until he could go any further. Bailey could feel the first spasms...right there...so close.
Dante spoke as he moved himself nearly all the way out, "Soul to mate, might to light. Bound in fate, bound in bite." Dante bit into the back of her neck and pushed himself fast and fiercely inside her. She rocked as best she could against him with her back arched so far back she was up off the ground, her fingertips barely holding herself up. Heat spread inside her, white hot liquid. A ball of pressure formed in her chest as Dante slammed in and out of her, over and over again as the hot liquid rushed faster and faster until sweat beaded along her brow. A burn began on her chest as spasms convulsed her body and orgasmed with the burn, rushing wave after exquisite wave until she was spent. Reality crashed into her. Dante groaned, stilled, growled, and his seed spilled inside her.
Both of them gasped for air as he let loose his fist. Her hand came up to the stinging burn on her chest. A brand. It didn't hurt really, but it was warm to touch. She outlined it with her fingers. It was the same glyph she had felt and seen on Dante.
Dante rolled them over, him still inside her. He wrapped his strong arms around her. Bailey tilted her head up to him and asked, "What is this?"
He smirked. "It's my mark."
"What does it mean?"
"It's the glyph for Leo, my mark, and now your mark. It's what binds us soul and life. Your life is tied to me irrevocably." He squeezed her tight and let go to move a strand of her hair from her face.
"I guess this means I have to stick around and run my aunt's shop."
Dante didn't say anything. His eyes lit up, and he kissed her so softly, a mere ghost of his lips. "Guess that means I can mate you any time I want—in the front of the shop, the back, or even against the portal." Dante smiled showing white teeth. There was something calmer about him, as if some part of him had settled.
"Pervert."
He laughed and kissed her forehead. Something in Bailey's heart shifted as she stared into his deep gaze. She'd always be able to rely on him...connected in life, in soul. They wouldn't always agree, but she knew deep down into the bottom of everything she believed, he'd never give up on her any more than she'd give up on him.
Thank you for reading this Zodiac Shifters romance.
A shifter’s mate is in the stars... Welcome to Zodiac Shifters, a collection of books with an astrological spin on love. From Aries to Virgo... discover all-new tales of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Zodiac Shifters features New York Times, USA Today, and other bestselling authors. Each month expect new releases based upon the twelve astrology signs. Happily Ever After... it’s our promise to you.
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Sneak Peek
Shot Through the Heart (A Zodiac Shifter Paranormal Romance)
By Dominique Eastwick
Continue reading for a sneak peek...
An hour later, he leaned against the bed of his truck staring at the stars above. The final moon in Virgo. For more years than the Christian calendar counted, he’d lived by the moon and its movements from one sign to another. A loud creak from the front door brought his attention forward. Silhouetted by the soft backlight of the station, his angel stood. She stretched before staring up at the sky, head thrown back.
“I did wonder if you were ever coming out,” he said, careful not spook her.
Her head snapped down, and her dark, almost black, eyes met his. “Why are you still here?”
“Were you hoping if you waited long enough I’d be long gone?” His answer came after a very pregnant pause. For some reason that amused him. Pushing off the truck, he met her at the bottom of the steps. “I see you did.”
“Is there something you needed?”
“I hoped you would join me for a drink. Perhaps dinner?”
“I don’t know you.”
“Archer Galanis.” He reached out a hand she stared at the hand before shoving her hands into the pockets of her suit coat. She had to have experienced the burn like he had. If he wanted her in his bed, he needed to think like she did. From what he had been told she expected honesty but, as a lawyer, liked to surprise people with the she facts she had. “Burned didn’t it.”
“Excuse me?”
“Our touch sparked like a match.”
Her eyes widened. “Perhaps dinner would be a nice idea.”
“How about the bar on the corner?” He didn’t want her changing h
er mind. “The Tidewater?”
“Anywhere but the Tidewater. Too many cops and lawyers.” She glanced at her watch. “There’s an all-night diner on the main route south of town.”
“The Silver 24?” Though he had driven past the small silver restaurant, he had never thought to go in.
“That’s the one. The eggs are horrible, but the coffee is amazing.”
“Can I give you a lift?” he asked.
“No. I’ll meet you there in fifteen. Order me some pancakes and a decaf coffee.”
“So the pancakes are safe?”
“Very.” Her smile hit him square in the chest. “See you in a bit.”
Jumping into the driver’s seat, he met his own reflection in the rearview mirror. Fuck. What was he doing? He hadn’t felt this much interest in over a thousand years. And he had been heartbroken for centuries after it all fell apart. He didn’t need involvement, didn’t want it. But, damn, he wanted her.
Releasing October 2017
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Paranormal Romance:
Dark Burn (Fated & Forbidden series)
Credence (Moon Dragons #1)
Shifting Scales (Siberian paradox #1)
Trouble with Elves series:
Fantasy romance standalone novellas following the trouble with elves, high heat romance.
Ribbon of Darkness
Tempting Clover
Steele Your Soul
A Hint of Cayenne
Untamed: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Leo (Dark Khimairans Book 1) Page 9
