by Alana Hart
“Wow,” I whispered, in awe of what I could feel. He felt that for me?
“You’ll be able to do the same too, with practice. And we have lots of time to practice. The bond grows stronger every day, soon we’ll be able to sense how the other is feeling, sending emotions almost clear enough to be heard.” He grinned, swiveling his hips.
My eyes widened in shock, I could feel him growing hard again!
“Let me show you just how fun receiving emotions can be…” he whispered, flooding me with a wave of lust so strong that I fell back against the counter, my back arching on a groan.
“You’ve convinced me…” I said, getting ready for another wild ride.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Craig
One week later…
Pushing open the newly painted shop door, the stack of boxes — balanced precariously in my arms — wobbled, as I desperately searched for a place to put them down. The shop looked fantastic. Merrie had done a brilliant job, working tirelessly to rebuild and restock in time for the grand opening tonight. It looked even better than before, mixing the previous quirky charm with a wooden, tribal feel. Thinking of my mate, I dumped the boxes haphazardly on a shelf, my body already hardening at the thought of her — her luscious body, fiery temper, and kind heart — my own personal aphrodisiac.
“There you are. Did you get them?” she asked, strolling into the room. Wearing a long flowing dress held up by tiny straps which looped around her neck, she looked like a goddess, the fabric floating and clinging to her curves. The jewel green of the dress highlighted her eyes, which seared me with a look.
“You did get them, didn’t you?” Worry clouded her voice. She had driven herself half-mad worrying about tonight. Wanting it to be perfect.
I strode over to her, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her close. I kissed the tip of her nose, laughing at her frantic expression.
“I got them, stop worrying! It’s all going to be fine — they will love you. They already do.”
“I know, I know. It’s not your family I’m worried about,” she replied, pulling a face before snuggling into my chest. “I haven’t seen Mom since…” her words were muffled, trailing off into a sigh.
“You’ve spoken, though. And Cassie is okay with everything. Hell, she even had a hand in us getting together!”
“I still can’t believe that…”
“I don’t think she thought I’d actually go through with it,” I said, chuckling.
“I’m glad you did,” she murmured, pulling back to look up at me, her arms looped around my waist. “Though, don’t ever do anything so…”
“Heroic? Selfless?” I teased, stroking her hair.
“Stupid again!” she corrected, batting my hands away, her fingers flying to her hair, checking that I hadn’t mussed the artfully pinned, and gravity defying, pile of curls.
“Magic is serious stuff. Anything could have gone wrong — if you had gotten just one word wrong…” She shivered in my arms.
“I won’t, and I didn’t,” I reassured her. “I’ll leave the magic up to you from now on, my witch. Though I’ll have to be on my toes. Can’t be giving you excuses to curse me left, right, and center!”
She swatted me, her expression one of indignant outrage.
“I would never…”
Silencing her rant, I sealed her parted lips with my own, drinking in the taste of her, rich and sweet. I would never grow tired of the taste of her, the feel of her.
“Ahem…are we interrupting something? I could have sworn the invitation said 6:00 p.m.” Pa’s voice rumbled through the shop, sounding amused.
I swallowed Merrie’s sigh, pressing a chaste kiss to the corner of her lips.
“Later, my mate,” I whispered, before turning as one to greet my family.
They crowded into the shop, the space suddenly feeling a lot smaller now it was filled with strapping bear shifters. They barreled over to hug Merrie, congratulating her, and sweeping her up in rambunctious hugs. Stepping back, I caught my Mom’s eye.
“She’s done well, son,” she said, coming to stand next to me. She looked around the shop, her expression pleased.
“I see a few of your pieces here.” She indicated a couple of the intricate wood carvings that were dotted around the shop.
“This is how it should be. Partnered. Mated. Together, you are stronger than when you’re apart.” A tear glistened in her eye as she smiled, squeezing my hand.
“I’m truly happy for you, son. Now, one down — four more to go.” Her eyes sparkled, glinting with determination.
I winced, feeling sorry for my brothers.
“Jeez, Mom. They’re not going to know what’s hit them!”
“Not if I can help it,” she said, chuckling. “Now, go help your mate. Her family has just arrived.”
***
Merrie
After passing me around like a rag doll and squeezing all the breath out of me, Pa — I was to call him that, he had told me, but only if I wanted to, Ralph and Ryan finally put me down. Staring up at their handsome faces, a glow of contentment infused me. They had accepted me straight away, with no reservations, and made me feel like part of the family. Since moving in with Craig, we had split our time between the shop, his cabin, and visiting his family. It had been the best week of my life, so far. The best hours were…well, Craig was insatiable. And imaginative. I blushed, realizing the men were staring at me with knowing looks.
“Life is good, eh, Merrie?” Ralph asked, smirking.
He smirked a lot. It suited his dark, bad boy looks, though. Sinfully handsome. Ryan, on the other hand, was a lot more like Craig in looks, rugged, with golden hair. A bit too serious, though. Someone needed to fix that. I wonder…
“Merrie!” Cassie’s voice reached me through the mountain of men.
Cassie. I smiled, loving the many memories I now had of my sister. My smile dimmed as I swallowed nervously. That meant…
“Where is she?” My Mom’s voice asked, sounding puzzled.
Not really my Mom, remember? But I couldn’t forget the memories of her drying my tears every time I scraped my knee, tucking me into bed at night, chiding me for spending too much time daydreaming and not enough studying. Memories from every lifetime. As if hearing my thoughts, Craig appeared at my side, putting his arm around my shoulder. Of course, he could feel me — the emotion I must be spilling down the bond. We had been practicing, and now I could send, as well as receive. It made life very interesting, such as the time when I had been in the shower, thinking about him, and the next thing I knew he was pressing me against the tiles, thrusting deep as I…
He growled, tightening his hold.
“Merrie, please stop sending in front of your Mom,” he requested, his voice hoarse.
I clamped my memories closed.
“Ah, there you are.”
The crowd parted and a tall, elegant woman walked toward us. With dark, inky-black hair flowing loose around her shoulders, her generous curves, and creamy white skin were accentuated perfectly by the cut of her black pantsuit.
“Mom,” I said, my hands trembling. “This is Craig…my mate.”
Mom held out her hand, watching Craig carefully.
“Lucinda. Call me Luci, since we’re now family.”
Craig took her hand, his large one engulfing her more delicate bones.
“Pleased to meet you,” he replied, then his eyes widened in shock.
“Yes. I see now. The Mother of All has chosen well for our Meridith. You’ll definitely do,” she released Craig’s hand, smiling up at him. Turning to me, she took my hands, pulling me in for a hug.
“You have been blessed, daughter,” she whispered, kissing me on the cheek. “May you find true happiness in this life. I hope you’ll forgive me for wronging you. I didn’t mean…we just didn’t know what to…”
“Stop, please,” I said, kissing her cheek. “You did what you had to. And look,” I swept a hand around indicating the room, the
people, “at everything I now have. This is how it was meant to be, how it was meant to happen. I forgive you, though truly, there is nothing to forgive.” I hugged her to me. “Let’s celebrate, there are some people I would like you to meet…”
I watched as the people I loved talked and laughed, the packages of bear claws that had been forgotten, opened, and devoured. Next to me, Craig was talking to Ralph, and I groaned inwardly as I listened in.
“Who’s that? Is she single?”
“Cassie? No way, Ralph. Hands off. Merrie would kill you!”
“Nah. Merrie’s a sweetheart. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind…”
“Yes I would, Ralph,” I interjected. “She’s way too much woman for you.” I slid my hand into Craig’s back pocket, squeezing his firm ass.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ralph spluttered, his face twisted comically.
“Just, no,” I repeated firmly, sending a wave of lust down the bond to Craig.
5, 4, 3, 2…
Craig stiffened. Turning, he looked at me, a lustful glint in his eye.
“We’ll be right back,” he muttered to Ralph.
Without waiting for an answer, Craig grabbed my hand, pushing me toward the back of the shop.
“That kitchen table has some good memories…” he growled, clicking the door shut behind him and stalking toward me. He licked his lips.
“Get on the table, my naughty witch. I want to taste some more of that honey…”
Oh yes, please.
More Paranormal Romance collaborations from the Hart
Saving Her Bear by Alana Hart & Michaela Wright - Click HERE to buy
Taken in by the Pack by Alana Hart & Jazzmyn Wolfe - Click HERE to buy
Read Amy & Ryan’s story in My Duty to Bear (The Everson Brothers Book 2) buy HERE
Promised: True Mates Book 1 by Olivia Arran
She's fighting for her freedom...she never counted on finding her true mate.
Wolf Shifter Kara Smith is on the run from her old pack. Her only goal – to escape the man she has been promised to and live on her own terms. The problem is that her chosen protector – the Alpha of the Colstone Wolf Pack – is sexy as hell, making her wolf sit up and pant, begging for a taste. Definitely not part of her plan.
Alpha James Colstone has given up any hope of finding his true mate, the other half of his soul…until sassy Kara walks through his door. Desperate to claim her, to touch and possess her gorgeous curves, he has to convince her he’s not only good for protection duty…that he can give her so much more. But Kara doesn’t trust easily anymore. What's more, her intended is hunting her – and he'll do anything to get her back.
Will James' dominance scare Kara away...or will she learn that with the right man, true freedom lies in surrender?
**This book is intended for readers 18+ and comes complete with a HEA**
Buy “Promised” now HERE
Visit Olivia Arran’s author page on Amazon
Keep reading for an exciting excerpt from another book in the Alana Hart collaborations series.
Bearly a Chance by Alana Hart & Sophia Barron
His hidden nature tore them apart.
Could it be their key to a second chance at love?
Aria turned back toward the dining area, only to catch Ben’s bright gaze locked on every move she made. Gran and Delilah were nowhere in sight, but from the whispers coming from the kitchen she guessed they were debating that age old question: Tea or Coffee. She wondered for a moment how Ben had managed to carry Gran to the kitchen so soundlessly. Then the heat she saw flooding Ben’s gaze as he watched her erased all thoughts of Gran and tea and coffee from her mind.
He stood so broad in the walkway between the living room and dining room that there was no way to squeeze past him without coming into contact with some part of him. Instead of trying to slip by, Aria stopped half a foot from him, nose to chest. She looked up, crossed her arms and waited. The wry grin that twisted his lips didn’t earn him any points in her book. She shot a pointed glance diagonally toward the kitchen, loath to speak and wake Faith. His eyebrows drooped low, as if he was thinking. Aria tapped the toes of one foot lightning quick, tossed a glance back toward her baby girl. Still asleep, but not for long if Ben started talking in his growly voice mere feet away from her bed.
He must have caught the meaning in her glance, because his expression lightened, and for the first time since he’d burst into the shop to save them, a real smile played on his lips, killer dimples and all. Damn him, and damn those dimples too. Faith totally has his smile. With a solemn nod and a faint grin, Ben turned and headed to the kitchen.
Aria had no idea how to deal with this Ben. This grown up, responsible, sexy Ben. He looked like her geeky, engineer Ben, but bigger, brawnier and a hell of a lot sexier.
And more protective. This version of Ben didn’t seem like he’d abandon anyone, for any reason. Aria looked forward to finding out exactly what happened that fateful night. Her gaze was inevitably drawn to the curves of his butt, encased in tight, well-worn jeans. She wondered if the rest of him had filled out as well as the vision before her suggested.
A soft tsk drew her gaze away from his behind, and she felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment when her eyes met his. The dimpled grin and twinkling blue eyes peering back over his shoulder suggested he didn’t mind her ogling him in the least.
Damn, this day was shaping up to be more than its share of interesting for sure.
Buy “Bearly a Chance” now HERE
Coming soon…
The next series from HARTFELT BOOKS is MEN IN CHARGE.
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***
About the Authors
Alana Hart
Alana Hart is an American romance writer who decided that writing with friends is better than writing alone. Hartfelt Books brings together a huge group of sweet and steamy romance authors, collaborating on a new line of books that will have your heart pounding.
When she’s not skyping and sharing her latest collaboration on googledocs, she’s typing away in her local coffee shop with a hot chocolate, complete with marshmallows and extra whipped cream, on hand. She claims it makes her happy ever afters that much sweeter!
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Olivia Arran
Olivia has been an avid reader since childhood, devouring page after page by torchlight, hidden under the covers in her bed. As an adult, she still reads voraciously but also enjoys penning her own tales of romance.
Steamy, paranormal, strong alpha heroes, feisty heroines – Olivia writes what she likes to read, and hopes you like it too!
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he Everson Brothers Book 1)
