Dedication
To my wonderful family and the support they’ve always given me. You guys rock.
Also a big shout out to Sasha Knight for taking a chance on me.
Chapter One
Helias Proper, Aurion
2099—year of the sun goddess
Dashael Rhyder sauntered through Gallery Sabine’s front entrance, kicking Mara Sheppard’s heart rate into overdrive. Enough sexual magnetism oozed from the bad-boy fae thief to flood a small village.
A heavy sigh tumbled from Mara. What the hell have I gotten myself into?
“There he is!” Iridescent wings fluttered against Mara’s cheek when Piper, her overeager sprite companion, leapt from her shoulder.
So much for our low profile. Corking her exasperation, Mara pinched a wing between her fingers, stalling Piper in mid-flight. Amethyst eyes shot fury down at her.
“Easy on those things. They’re attached, you know.”
Mara ignored the sprite and resumed her covert inspection of Dashael. He prowled through the crowd, his loose, easy gait attracting every female gaze in the room. No wonder—the cut of his dark suit emphasized a body built for a woman’s enjoyment. Broad chest and shoulders tapered to a lean waist and long, powerful thighs. Subdued track lighting brushed his close-cropped ebony hair with a neon blue glow.
Clear to see why most faes fancied themselves superior to the human race. Aside from being magical descendants of the old gods and goddesses first inhabiting Aurion, the faes were the walking embodiment of physical perfection. Dashael Rhyder was no exception to the rule. If he weren’t a fae—the enemy—she would chuck her self-imposed celibacy right then and there.
“Hello?” An irritated buzz vibrated from Piper, jolting Mara from her trance. “Remember me?”
“Unfortunately,” Mara said, deadpan. She leveled a hard glare on the sprite swinging between her fingers. “And you best remember what’s at stake here. If you screw this up, I’m kicking your butt.”
Piper gave her pink hair a sassy flick. “Good luck. My butt is barely an inch wide.”
Bragger. Mara checked on Dashael’s progress towards the glass-topped bar set up in the farthest corner of the gallery. “Okay, I’m going in.” She gave her sprite companion a warning glare. “You keep out of sight.”
A frown pinched Piper’s tiny face. “But Queen Nalia said I should—”
“Don’t care,” Mara butted in, her tone adamant. “If he sees you, he’ll know something’s up.”
Adopting a sullen pout, Piper shoved her arms over her chest. “What about our partnership?”
“That was your delusional idea, not mine. Now be a good girl and hide in a plant or something.” Releasing Piper, Mara fluffed her hair and stared at her quarry’s broad back.
To bait a thief, you provide an exclusive gallery opening with priceless art and wealthy patrons on display. To hook a fae, you tempt him with the allure of hedonistic sex.
Mara popped the top hook closure on her tight leather bustier with a deft flick of her finger. Smiling grimly, she crossed the room.
Dash leaned his hip against the bar and reached for the Fairy Sex Fizz the bartender slid in front of him. He knocked the liquor back and hid a grimace. Yep, far too sweet and lacking any kick. Only reason he occasionally stomached the red fruity concoction was because its name amused the hell out of him.
At least real fairy sex provided more fizz for the bang, thank the gods. Plunking the glass down, he rested an arm along the bar and scoped the people milling about the cavernous brick-walled room. The residents of Helias defined his ideal mark—they never left home without first donning their entire jewelry box.
Gems in every color imaginable dripped from ears and wreathed necks. The blue diamond ring attached to the woman farther down the bar would easily pay off his house. Not a bad place to start.
Dash slid a tip towards the bartender.
“This seat taken?”
Engrossed with his prize waiting at the end of the bar, Dash ignored the question.
“Yoo-hoo…anyone home?”
A sharp poke in his biceps punctuated the obnoxious singsong voice. Dash turned. The air sucked from his lungs. Riotous blonde curls rippled in a luxuriant fountain towards the most incredible pair of breasts in all creation. Holy sweet goddess.
With effort, Dash dragged his focus upward. The woman’s sultry blue eyes twinkled devilishly, and his overactive libido fired into hyper drive. This is what happens when I go three weeks without sex. Miracle he could function.
Lady enchantress arched an eyebrow. A grin tugged at Dash’s mouth. Forget stealing jewels, his evening held much riper promise. He pulled out the empty stool. “Please, take a seat.”
“Gee, thanks.”
He didn’t miss the sarcasm in her voice. Time to make amends. “Forgive my rudeness earlier. I was…distracted.”
She glanced towards the woman at the end of the bar. “I noticed.”
Their arms brushed as she wiggled onto the stool. Her scent wafted around him. Luna flowers—nectar of the fairies. Its sultry spice always sent his head into a spin. “She’s a business acquaintance, nothing more. You, on the other hand, hold my complete attention.”
“Lucky me.” She hooked one high heel over the glowing white Lucite tube circling the foot of the bar. Her miniskirt rasped as it hitched higher up her well-toned thigh. The sound nearly destroyed Dash’s composure.
“Jeez, you weren’t kidding about giving me your complete attention.” A tiny smile tipped her lush mouth. “The way you’re checking me out, I might as well be wearing nothing but my pink silk panties.”
Lust uncurled in the pit of his belly at that mental image. “I love pink.”
“Bet you look adorable in it.”
“I mean on a woman.” He managed a chuckle despite being so turned on he could pound nails with his erection. Sassy females were his biggest weakness. Thank the gods he usually didn’t encounter any problem sweet talking them into bed.
Utilizing the fae magic at his disposal, Dash stirred a slight breeze across the bar’s glass surface. A cocktail napkin fluttered free of its stack and floated into the dip between her generous cleavage. Cheap parlor trick—but he’d die if he didn’t touch her soon.
“Allow me.” He reached for the napkin and his fingers brushed over petal-soft skin.
Her full, kissable lips parted on a tell-tale hitch and awareness bulleted between them.
Hot anticipation rolled through Dash. Before the night ended, this delectable woman would be sprawled naked in his bed, screaming his name in pleasure.
“See anything worth taking home?”
Several seconds passed before Dash realized she referred to the art on display—unfortunately. The pad of his thumb grazed her silky skin one last time. “Perhaps.” He crumpled the napkin and tossed it aside. “You?”
“Not sure.” She nodded towards the wall behind him. “Any thoughts on that sculpture?”
He turned his head and grimaced at the hulk of scrap metal suspended over the bar area. Amazing what passed for art these days. “Yes—it’s ugly.”
Her tinkling laugh floated over him. “Good. For a minute there, I worried my art appreciation classes were a total waste of money.”
“Ah, you’re a student of the arts.” He angled his thigh so it brushed hers, a light, teasing touch. “Perhaps you’d enjoy seeing the pieces in my private collection.”
“Let me guess.” She rested her chin in her upturned hand and contemplated him, her mouth curving in mischief. “There’s a velvet painting of frolicking nymphs and naked pixies hanging over your bed.”
Dash couldn’t bridle his gr
in. “Actually, it’s a velvet painting of satyrs and frolicking nymphs.” Everything inside him reveled in their flirtatious banter. Good gods, when was the last time a woman engaged his head and his body? “If you don’t believe me, come see for yourself.”
One pink-polished fingernail traced the ring of condensation left by his drink. She worried her bottom lip, casting her eyes down. “I’d love to, but…”
He reached for her hand. So delicate and fair compared to his. Caressing his thumb over the center of her palm, he laced their fingers together. “You’re more than safe with me. I promise.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about.” She wiggled closer, her soft breath fanning his cheek. Her fingers untangled from his and tiptoed across his knuckles. “My inner good girl always takes a hike when she’s alone with a sexy fae.”
Hypnotized, he stared at her lips. Kiss her. Now. “Good girls are highly overrated.”
“Famous last words.” Eyes glinting with challenge, she hopped off the stool. “You’ll eat them later, when you’re begging my naughty side for mercy.” With a smoldering look, she turned and strutted away.
Mara worried her trembling knees might give out before she reached the display of rose quartz sculptures.
“What are you doing?” The squeaky voice floating from the vase of lilies situated on the table drew a scowl from Mara.
“You really don’t get this low-profile thing, do you?”
“I’m staked out in a calla lily. How much lower can I get?” Piper plopped her elbows on the snowy white lily’s curved petal and shook her head, dispelling a yellow cloud of pollen from her hair. She pointed in the direction of the bar. “He’s on the hook. Why did you walk away?”
“To keep him on the hook.” And keep her cool.
Okay, mostly to keep her cool. After the ridiculous line of bull she’d baited Dashael with, he was primed for reeling in. She just hadn’t counted on getting so…into the role-playing.
No question about it, her self-imposed celibacy was chomping her in the ass.
“If Queen Nalia were here—”
“She isn’t.” The words gritted between Mara’s teeth like iron filings. Nalia preferred coercing others into doing her dirty work. Gave her more time to concentrate on lives she could ruin back in Zalan. “And if you bring up her damn name one more time, I’m stuffing a sock in your mouth.”
Piper snorted. “Like you’ll find one small enough.”
Mara narrowed her eyes. “I wear a size eight. Worried much?”
Piper squeaked before ducking inside the lily. At first Mara assumed she’d finally succeeded in getting her point across. Until she felt the bold heat of someone’s hand splayed dangerously close to her buttocks.
She looked over her shoulder and was treated to an extreme close-up of Dashael’s supreme hotness. The display’s spotlights highlighted his rugged features, delineating his strong jaw with its shadow of stubble. He was the definition of raw, masculine power.
And gods above—incredibly alluring.
Mara stifled a sigh. Why couldn’t he be a Kifiter, the race of faes occupying Zalan Proper? With them, discerning the males from the females proved problematic. No such luck with Dashael Rhyder. “You’re a Maddoc fae, aren’t you?” She already knew the answer, but better he verified the information so she didn’t accidentally blow her cover.
“Your frown tempts me to lie, but it wouldn’t be very honorable of me.” He leaned closer, his musky scent playing havoc with her sanity. Fingers caressed her bare midriff. “Is my being a Maddoc undesirable for some reason?”
Hell yeah. She just couldn’t let him know it. Not if she wanted to pull this off.
“No way.” Mara swiveled until she bumped hips with him. Her hand stole inside his jacket and stroked the fine linen covering his firm chest. Wow, male pecs. She’d forgotten what they felt like. “I hear Maddocs can make love hours on end without coming up for air. Is it true?”
He lowered his head until his lips tickled her earlobe. “Sher ’tian, no one’s complained about my stamina yet.”
Mara shivered. “Sher ’tian?” She pulled back and arched an eyebrow.
“It’s an ice glacier found in the seas of Mer’daca. Forgive the improvisation—you’ve yet to grace me with your true name.”
She didn’t take the bait. “Ice glacier?” Jeez, he needs some better pick-up lines. “How…um…romantic.”
Dashael curled a lock of her hair around his finger and stroked it across her lips. “When the moonlight hits Sher ’tian, the entire glacier sparkles like a mesmerizing diamond.” His eyes darkened from deep, caramel brown to almost black. “Men have grown mad staring too long at her beauty. Is that what you’ve done to me?”
“Mara,” she blurted in answer to his questioning look. Damn it, why did I give him my real name? His bedroom eyes and musky scent were turning her brain to mush, obviously.
“Ah, lovely Mara. One taste of your beauty is worth a lifetime of madness.” He leaned down and brushed his lips softly over hers.
His kiss ended almost before it started, but it packed one hell of a wowza factor. Mara clutched his shoulders, her knees wobbling like they had been injected with jelly. Crimson and white sparkles riddled the air surrounding them. She’d been around enough faes to recognize the residual effects of their magic.
Son of a bitch. She jerked away from him and balled her hand into a fist. How typical—give a Maddoc fae an inch, and next thing you know your panties are hugging your ankles.
Loud sneezes shook the calla lily, snuffing Mara’s ire.
“What’s that noise?” A frown tugged Dashael’s eyebrows towards the bridge of his nose. He peered over her shoulder.
“I don’t hear anything.” Mara shifted, blocking his view of the trembling flower arrangement.
Dashael cocked his head, his handsome face set in fierce concentration. “Right there,” he exclaimed when Piper sneezed again. He tried brushing past Mara.
Panicked, she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him hard enough their teeth clinked together. That stopped him, and the furious sneezes from the calla lily. Groaning, he tangled his hands in her hair and slid his tongue deep inside her mouth. He tasted of cherry brandy and dark pleasure. The drugging allure of sex pounded over her in intoxicating waves.
If he kissed this good, imagine making love with him. No, she didn’t want to imagine that. Definitely not.
His tongue slowly retreated. “Mara, Sher ’tian…” He nipped her bottom lip between his teeth in a gentle tug. Unable to stop it, she moaned.
“Come home with me,” he murmured in a husky whisper, “and show me no mercy.”
Another sneeze issued from Piper.
If the sneezing doesn’t do her in, I will. Hoping to distract Dashael from the sound, Mara dug her nails into his broad shoulders.
“Does that mean yes?” Humor and lust gleamed in his eyes.
Trailing her hands down the delicious contours of his chest, she nodded. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
His mouth curled in wicked invitation. “My life is in your hands, Sher ’tian.”
If he only knew.
Fingers trembling, Mara handed the coat attendant her electronic ticket. After a brief glance at the locker number, the woman stepped to the wall of glass cubicles and inserted the ticket.
“Ready?”
Mara jolted at the sound of Dashael’s deep baritone close to her ear. Damn it, not good. An oversexed nympho was supposed to jump out of her clothes—not her skin—whenever a man invaded her space. “Almost. She’s getting my bag now.”
The attendant returned with her heavy black leather satchel in tow.
“I see why you insisted on checking it,” Dashael said dryly when the bag settled on the counter with a thud. “What the devil’s in there? An anchor?”
Mara slung the satchel’s long handles over her shoulder and tucked it securely against her. “I prefer being prepared.”
Dashael’s dark eye
brows lifted. “For what?”
She wet her lips before giving him a smoldering look. “Anything, lover boy.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed with a hard swallow. Mara mentally high-fived herself. Finally, the oversexed nympho made a comeback. “Ready whenever you are.”
With Dashael leading the way, they exited into the humid night. Moisture immediately beaded the back of her neck and crept towards her shoulder blades. She swept her hair into a loose pile atop her head and pinned it there with her hand. At the moment, she’d give just about anything for the crisp bite of Zalan’s northern winds.
Dashael’s fingers stroked along her damp skin. “Hot?” His voice slid like warm honey, making goose bumps dot her arms.
“It’s a furnace out here.” She flicked the lapel of his well-tailored jacket with her fingernail. “You must be sweltering.”
“I’ll shed the suit soon enough.”
The reminder put a stumble in her step. His palm cupped her elbow, steadying her.
“Damn crack.” She mumbled several more complaints, making a show of frowning at the pavement. He gave her arm a light squeeze and she risked a peek at him from the corner of her eye, catching the tail-end of his knowing grin.
A valet jogged up, distracting Dashael. He dug for his ticket and Mara dragged in a deep breath. Sooner this fiasco ended the better.
It seemed an eternity passed before the valet pulled up in a sleek black Riato tricked out with gleaming chrome side fins. Dashael lifted the passenger door and helped her inside. She sank into the butter-soft leather seat with a soft moan of pleasure. Thievery obviously paid well.
Dashael sauntered to the driver’s side and climbed behind the wheel. His dark gaze traveled to her as the hatch doors clicked in place with a faint hydraulic hiss.
The magnitude of the situation slammed into her with alarming clarity.
Great, trapped in a cramped enclosure with a dangerously seductive Maddoc fae—one whose very existence would change her life forever. No pressure there.
“You seem tense.” He stretched an arm across the center console and caressed her knee. Miraculously she didn’t jump. A hint of concern shadowed his face. “Change of heart?”
Lover Enslaved: Thieves of Aurion, Book 1 Page 1
