Desire by Blood

by Schroeder, Melissa

  “I assume you know about bonding now.”

  She nodded, the pleasant warmth he’d created with the kiss draining out of her. She did not want to know why he could not bond with her. She knew. She just did not want to hear why from him.

  “When my sister-in-law was taken, Neal tortured her until she died. My brother felt everything his wife did, then he died. It was horrible.” He looked at her. “I did not want to think of dealing with that myself. I could not see myself opening to someone as Demetrius did.”

  She opened her mouth, but he set his finger against her lips. “I did not understand until tonight.”

  “Truly?” she asked. “It isn’t because I was abducted? Maybe you are just feeling guilty.”

  “It isn’t that, or the fact that you are carrying my child.”

  “If you…what?”

  He sighed. “You did not know? Saint said you might.”

  “You mean your cousin knows I am…?” She waited for him to nod. “How does he know?”

  “He has the sight. He says you will someday, too.”

  She opened her mouth then closed it.

  “I am trying to tell you I love you, and I don’t want to discuss what kind of abilities you are going to have,” he said in a shout. “Seriously, Cordelia, do you do anything normally?”

  “I find being normal boring.” She sighed, her heart fluttering around the idea he had just shouted at her. “Do you truly love me?”

  He nodded. “The moment I thought I lost you, that I might never see you again, I wanted to die. I knew that living without you was not an option. I needed you.”

  “Oh, Nico.” Tears clouded her vision.

  “I would like to bond with you.” He shook his head. “I need to bond with you.”

  He slipped onto the floor in front of her, taking her hands in his. He kissed them.

  “Yes, Nico, I will bond with you.”

  “You do not know everything. By doing this, you bind our life forces together. I will only feed from you for eternity. And, if one of us dies…the other will too.”

  “I know, and I don’t care.”

  He smiled, that smile that always curled her toes.

  “No turning back now, Cordelia.”

  She shook her head. “Never.”

  Nico pulled her up off the bed, then turned her around. He made quick work of her clothes and she soon found herself back on the bed, both of them naked.

  “You have the most luscious flesh.”

  She sighed as she felt the scrape of his teeth against her skin. It felt as if he would devour her any minute, but he kept nipping at her, teasing her.

  “I do not know how I will ever be able to resist you.”

  He slid down further, taking first one nipple, then the second into his mouth. They were sensitive to the touch, and she gasped. He paid no attention. Instead, he kissed her stomach and then looked up at her with a smile. Without breaking eye contact, he kissed her again. Her heart felt as if it would burst. Then, he continued on, and she lost herself in the pleasure he gave her. With his mouth and his hand, he took her over the edge into erotic bliss again and again. By the time he slipped up her body again, she felt spent. He pulled himself up to his knees.

  “Cordelia, look at me.”

  It took all her strength to open her eyes. When she did, she found him holding a dagger.

  “We are to become one, until the ending sun,” he said as he cut his index finger. He placed it on her lips. Without taking her gaze from his, she sucked the blood from him. The sweet, salty taste of it filled her.

  He did not wait then. He entered her forcefully, thrusting so fast and hard the massive bed shook. Soon, she felt another release explode within her, and he shouted her name as he poured himself into her.

  * * * *

  Hours later, they still lay in bed, embracing. Satisfaction filled him. Nico now knew what his father had talked about. Having a mate, a bonded mate, was what a man needed to be complete.

  “Nico, how long have you known I was carrying?”

  “A week.”

  Her head shot up, smacking his chin. Even in the dim light he could see Cordelia’s eyes narrowing. “What do you mean a week?”

  “It might have been more.”

  “Nicodemus Blackburn, I cannot believe you did not tell me.”

  She turned to leave him in the bed alone, but he grabbed her and pulled her back into his arms. He kissed her on the neck as she struggled against him.

  “Please, you have to forgive me, Cordelia.”

  “Why should I?” she asked grumpily, but she did move her head to the side to give him better access to her neck.

  “Because I love you.”

  “Hmpf.”

  “And you love me.”

  She sighed. “There is that.”

  He quickly switched their positions. She was under him, giggling, as he kissed her neck once again.

  “Say you forgive me or I will torture you until you do.”

  “Alright, I give up. I forgive you.”

  He pulled back and looked down at her. Her curls were a tangled mess across the pillows. Her eyes were still filled with laughter and heat, and she was smiling at him.

  “Say it again, Cordelia.”

  Her smile turned coy. “I love you, Nico.”

  “I love you too, Cordelia. I will spend the rest of our lives making sure you know just how much.”

  “Really?” she asked as she grinned up at him. “How are you going to do that?”

  “Watch me,” he said as he moved down her body.

  It was the last coherent words either of them said for hours.

  THE END

  Coming in 2013

  Seduction by Blood

  All of the London is convinced Jack the Ripper has returned to London, but Malik knows better. He knows the familiar scent of a Made, one that has survived longer than he should have. But, while he is pursuing the killer, he cannot keep his mind on it completely. Mrs. Diana Simpson has become too much to ignore. From her haughtiness, to the simmering passion he sees lurking behind the pain in her eyes, he recognizes his mate.

  Diana has accepted this new part of her life, but she is not ready to bind herself to any man, human or vampire. Her first marriage left much to be desired and she is not ready for that disappointment again. Still, each time they are together, the passion they feel explodes and neither of them are ready for the repercussions of their actions. Especially when the new killer sets his eyes on Diana.

  Enjoy this unedited excerpt from Seduction by Blood:

  His breath feathered over the fine hairs of Diana’s neck. The scent of him wrapped around her, teasing her senses, tempting her. In this moment, he could ask her to do anything and she would follow his command. How could this man do this to her?

  “I have tried to stay away from you,” Malik said, his voice deepening over every syllable. He has an upper crust English accent, but there something else there. Something that hinted at dark desires and forbidden needs. Two things she should not even think about.

  She did not turn around, could not. If she did, she would definitely make a fool of herself.

  “Oh?” she asked.

  A beat of silence and she continued to look out over the street but not truly seeing anything. She closed her eyes the moment she felt his finger against her shoulder. She shivered.

  “Yes. I am not good for you.”

  No man was. No man would be. She had given up on the idea of happily ever after the night of her wedding.

  “You have decided you are no good for me, so nothing will happen?”

  Why did she ask that? She didn’t want him. Not truly.

  “Nothing should happen. Not between someone like me and a lady like you.”

  Of course not. Men did not want her, not really. At least he was honest.

  “I understand.”

  “I do not think you do, Diana.”

  He slipped in front of her. When she continued to look onl
y at his chest, he gently placed his finger beneath her chin and raised it until her gaze met his.

  His light green eyes were brilliant with need, one she had never seen in a man before. Not for her.

  “I said that is should not happen,” he said leaning closer. His breath feathered over her lips. “I did not say it would not happen.”

  He brushed his mouth over hers. She closed her eyes as he slid his hand around her waist and pulled her closer. His body heat surrounded her as he deepened the kiss. She trembled, not from fear but from the lust that pulsed through her blood.

  About Melissa Schroeder

  From an early age, Melissa loved to read. First, it was the books her mother read to her including her two favorites, Winnie the Pooh and the Beatrix Potter books. She cut her preteen teeth on Trixie Belden and read and reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird in middle school. It wasn’t until she was in college that she tried to write her first stories, which were full of angst and pain, and really not that fun to read or write. After trying several different genres, she found romance in a Linda Howard book.

  Since the publication of her first book in 2004, Melissa has had close to fifty romances published. She writes in genres from historical suspense to modern day erotic romance to futuristics and paranormals. Included in those releases is the bestselling Harmless series. In 2011, Melissa branched out into self-publishing with A Little Harmless Submission and the popular military spinoff, Infatuation: A Little Harmless Military Romance. Along the way she has garnered an epic nomination, a multitude of reviewer’s recommended reads, over five Capa nods from TRS, three nominations for AAD Bookies and regularly tops the best seller lists on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

  Since she spent her childhood as a military brat, Melissa swore never to marry military. But, as we all know, Fate has her way with mortals. She is married to an AF major and is raising her own brats, both human and canine. She spends her days giving in to her addiction to Twitter, counting down the days until her hubby retires, and cursing the military for always sticking them in a location that is filled with bugs big enough to eat her children.

  You can connect with Mel all over the web:

  www.melissaschroeder.net

  twitter.com/melschroeder

  facebook.com/melissaschroederfanpage

  www.facebook.com/groups/harmlesslovers/

  www.facebook.com/groups/harmlessbookdiscussion

  Or email her at: Contact@MelissaSchroeder.net

  Other Books by Melissa Schroeder

  Harmless

  A Little Harmless Sex

  A Little Harmless Pleasure

  A Little Harmless Obsession

  A Little Harmless Lie

  A Little Harmless Addiction

  A Little Harmless Submission

  A Little Harmless Fascination

  A Little Harmless Military Romance

  Infatuation

  Possession

  Surrender

  The Harmless Shorts

  A Little Harmless Fling

  A Little Harmless Kalikimaka

  A Little Harmless Surprise

  A Little Harmless Gift

  Once Upon An Accident

  The Accidental Countess

  Lessons in Seduction

  The Spy Who Loved Me

  Leather and Lace

  The Seduction of Widow McEwan

  Leather and Lace—Print anthology

  Texas Temptations

  Conquering India

  Delilah’s Downfall

  Hawaiian Holidays

  Mele Kalikimaka, Baby

  Sex on the Beach

  Getting Lei’d

  Bounty Hunters, Inc

  For Love or Honor

  Sinner’s Delight

  The Sweet Shoppe

  Her Wicked Warrior

  Connected Books

  Seducing the Saint

  Hunting Mila

  Saints and Sinners—print of both books

  The Hired Hand

  Hands on Training

  Cancer Anthology

  Water—print

  Stand Alone Books

  Grace Under Pressure

  The Last Detail

  Her Mother’s Killer

  A Calculated Seduction

  Telepathic Cravings

  Coming Soon

  A Little Harmless Fantasy

  Southern Sins

  Craving

  A Little Harmless Ride

  Relentless

  A Little Harmless Secret

  Rereleases Coming Soon

  The Sweet Shoppe: Cowboy Up

  The Sweet Shoppe: Tempting Prudence

  Going for Eight

  Chasing Luck

  Please enjoy the first chapter of Melissa Schroeder’s compelling paranormal series, The Cursed Clan.

  CALLUM: THE CURSED CLAN

  As Laird, Callum Lennon feels he has always failed to protect his cousins. Callum’s impulsiveness caused the death of his father and the experience has scarred not only his body, but his soul. From that point on, he made sure to always go with the more logical choice in every matter. When his younger cousin Angus finds clues that might help break the curse, Callum begrudgingly hires Phoebe Chilton to investigate. Callum doesn’t like bringing outsiders into their family affairs. Their life would become fodder for the tabloids if anyone were to find out about the curse. It doesn’t help that the instant he meets Dr. Chilton he’s attracted. But, he doesn’t really have a choice because she might be their last hope.

  An expert in archeology, Phoebe has always been dwarfed by her parents’ shadow. Their high standards had her in college by thirteen and earning a second PhD by twenty-two. But her career and her broken marriage have left her needing something more than just diplomas and degrees. She wants to prove that her interest in legends, especially Celtic legends, is as important as her parents’ work. When the Lennon family contacts her, she sees the opportunity to win a massive research grant. With a long-time rival breathing down her back, she jumps at the Lennons’ offer her, hoping it will ensure her the grant. But uncovering the Lennon family secrets, and her attraction to Callum, could prove more than she can handle.

  Forces outside the family are determined to ensure that they fail. When an old enemy threatens both the well being of the clan and the fragile new love, Callum will have to choose between believing his mind or his heart.

  The Cursed Clan:

  Callum

  Prologue

  Scotland, 1746

  Death would be too kind for the Clan McLennan.

  Donedella McWalton clutched her husband’s faded plaid to her chest. Even as fear slithered down her spine, she knocked on the door to the witch’s remote cottage. As she waited, a chilling gust of wind stole through the thrashing branches of the winter-bare trees.

  From above, an owl screeched. She shivered. Before her nerves settled, the door creaked open. Donedella saw no one standing before her. She hesitated in the gaping doorway, which earned her a disembodied cackle.

  “Come in, my lady,” an ancient voice called from behind the door.

  Donedella’s heart skipped a beat. Bolstering her courage, she skittered over the threshold, eyes darting around the room. With only the light from the hearth’s fire, it took a moment for Donedella’s eyesight to adjust. No bats hung from the ceiling. No potion boiled over the fire. But as the flames danced, the shadows moved and dread twisted through her.

  “You are Lady Donedella.”

  She jumped at the sound of her name and toward the voice. Donedella had imagined the woman to be older, scarier. But this woman was not much different from herself. The kerchief on her head covered what looked to be a mop of curly gray hair. Her simple peasant clothing draped over her generous figure. Even as Donedella noted the normal dress, she sensed dispassionate study from the woman who earned her keep off the misery of others.

  Donedella nodded.

  The witch walked forward, her steps sure and steady. She stopped within an inc
h of Donedella.

  “You want to kill someone?”

  “Nay.” She shook her head. “That would be tae easy, tae nice.”

  The old woman humphed and paced away. Donedella watched her, wondering if the witch would do what she requested. Or could. This witch was her last chance. Her last hope. Without the woman’s help, the vile McLennans would ‘ner pay for their crime. Panic raced through her, curdling her stomach. She swallowed the bile in her throat.

  The witch glanced over her shoulder, and Donedella almost gasped. The cold, calculating gleam in the other woman’s eyes sunk into her bones, chilling her from the inside out. She fought the shiver that raced down her spine.

  “For this you shall pay...handsomely?” The smile she flashed Donedella had nothing to do with pleasure.

  Drawing in a deep breath, she nodded. “Aye. I’ll pay anythin’ to have my revenge on the McLennans.”

  The older woman glanced at the plaid Donedella held. She’d almost forgotten she’d brought it. “I see you have the plaid. You know what you are asking? You know that this curse is not done lightly?”

  Before she could allow her conscience to get the better of her, Donedella let the pain of the last four months bubble up inside her. The death of her beloved, the murder of her sons, and the ending of their clan as they knew it was too much to bear. Even as she knew that the spell she sought would condemn her soul to hell, she could not stop the hate. It swept through her, whirled into her heart, into her soul, demanding vengeance.