Romancing the Paranormal

by Stephanie Rowe

  “Would you mind going elsewhere?”

  “As long as I’m with you, I don’t care where you take me.”

  He pulled her close and opened the door. “I plan to make you very happy you said that.” Looking up at him, she gave him the sexiest smile as he guided her into the seat. “What are you thinking?” he asked.

  She bit her lip. “That you’d better start driving.” After she pulled her legs into the car, he shut the door, and hurried around to climb in.

  He wanted to get to the cabin, now. He started the car, and hit the gas.

  * * * *

  On the way out of the bar, Scotty looked over to Zoe. “I live a ways out of town. You?”

  “You can come home with me. I’m just a few blocks down.”

  He grinned until he saw the woman across the street stop to stare at him. Long chestnut hair, beautiful hazel eyes, sun kissed skin. His heart thumped in his chest.

  Jayde’s eyes narrowed, her upper lip curling in a sneer. Then she disappeared into thin air.

  He blinked. Yup, gone.

  Zoe’s hand trailed down to his ass and squeezed. “What’s the matter?”

  “Thought I saw someone,” he mumbled. Shaking his head, he grinned over. “Don’t worry, it can’t be.” Scotty pulled her to a stop, laying a kiss on her lips. He could have sworn he heard a huff. When he pulled back, he murmured, “Lead the way. I believe I promised a feast.”

  Chapter 13

  Surprise? What can he possibly be planning?

  Isa looked over, raking her eyes down his body. The gold zipper over his straining erection called to her. She licked her lips. “I’ve always wanted to pull that golden zipper,” she taunted, remembering a dozen different fantasies about the simple opening of his fly.

  Why haven’t I gotten around to completing a single one?

  She pulled the tab down the golden teeth with a hum of satisfaction. The need to feel the evidence of his erection pulsed through her. Once free, she wrapped her hand around his cock and stroked.

  “Isa, I’m warning you, slow down. I plan to make love to you all night long.”

  One corner of her mouth tipped up. “I can hardly wait, but what’s the harm in getting you there now?”

  “Shit, none.”

  It was tempting to lean over and wrap her mouth around him, but he was driving, and there wasn’t a lot of room to maneuver.

  A groan escaped his lips and his hips rocked. Toryn pressed the gas, pushing the car faster.

  His voice was strained. “After watching you dance all night, I need you too damned bad, Isa. I can’t hold off.”

  “Don’t. We have all night,” she reminded, her eyes flashing to his.

  “We have a bit of a drive,” he warned.

  She slowed the pumping, making sure to squeeze his head with each stroke. His reaction was better than anything. He couldn’t reciprocate, and she didn’t care. Time passed, and she pushed him closer, wondering how long she could keep up the sensual torture without him erupting.

  Excitement danced over her when he pulled onto a road she knew well. Grinning, she asked, “You’re bringing me to the cabin?”

  “Only the two of us this time.” He stilled her hand, gently pulling her from his cock.

  “No one else I want,” she promised in a husky whisper.

  Clearly relieved, he answered, “No interruptions up here. Now, can you wait to finish what you started?”

  She drew a slow breath and nodded, trying to get her excitement under control.

  There was a slight tremble in Toryn’s hands. He was so rarely nervous, her anticipation grew. Isa hopped out the moment he parked and came around as he stood and tucked himself back into his pants.

  Unable to hide her grin, her brow arched as she met his gaze. “I guess I get to pull that gold zipper again.”

  He chuckled. “I wish I’d known how much you would enjoy that. I’d wear these pants all the damned time.”

  She shrugged. “Doesn’t matter what you wear. I want to uncover every glorious inch of your body every chance I get.”

  “Well, let’s go to the backyard and you can uncover whatever you’d like.”

  Her head tilted slightly, and he took her arm with smile. She followed without a word. Her breath stalled as they stepped behind the cabin. The backyard had been transformed into a magical getaway.

  Toryn released her to hold out his palm. He closed his eyes and a small ball of silver flame formed. With a wink in her direction, he blew, and the spell danced through the yard, lighting a fire in a pit before touching each lantern hung from the wildflower garland. Finally, it settled into a second pit beside a smoothed over stump with a blanket spread on top.

  “When did you do this?” she asked in awe.

  “This afternoon, with help.”

  Taking several steps into the clearing, she spun slowly. “Our own enchanted escape.”

  * * * *

  Toryn stared at the only woman he ever loved. His world was complete with her in it. Didn’t matter to him where they were, or what they did, as long as she was by his side.

  He remembered Reance’s words. He’d seen a bright future, and children. His heart swelled.

  Isa’s dazzling emerald eyes sparkled in the firelight. “You going to stand there watching all night? Or make good on your promise?”

  “Oh, I’ll fulfill that promise.” He strode toward her and took her hands. His smile couldn’t be contained as he dropped to one knee.

  Her mouth fell open as her chest heaved with a surprised breath. “Toryn?”

  “From the moment I first saw you, you held my heart. I fell for you every day and will continue to fall the rest of our lives. Will you do me the honor of being my bride?”

  She sank to her knees, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Does that mean I get to make you my knight for real?”

  He laughed softly. “As long as you say yes.”

  Happiness nearly boiled over when she squealed, “Yes, a thousand—no a million-zillion times yes. There’s nothing I want more than to have you for the rest of my life.”

  Toryn laughed. “You have me, forever.”

  Relieved, Toryn couldn’t stop grinning. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring as he took her hand. Taking a deep breath, he met her gaze, and slipped the symbol of his love on her finger.

  She gasped when she looked at the ring. “You didn’t have to do this.” Her gaze swept through the clearing. “Any of this.”

  “No, but I wanted to.” After a pause, he blurted out, “Tell me you don’t hate all the fuss.”

  She blinked. “Hate? No, I love it. All of it. You’re always doing everything right, and sometimes I feel as though I don’t do enough.”

  “Of course you do, Isa. You are my whole world, and even if it doesn’t seem like grand gestures to you, your love shines in everything you do.”

  “I love the ring. It’s beautiful. And this—escape, it’s perfect.”

  His hands delved into her hair and he kissed her.

  Pulling back, breathless, she whispered, “Now, will you make love to me?”

  “Of course.”

  Before he could help, she pulled her dress over her head. He took it from her, dropping it on the ground. With desire coursing through his blood, he picked her up, carrying her to the fleece blanket covering the low, wide stump. Delight danced through her eyes as she shifted to her knees to pull the golden zipper.

  A laugh escaped. “Why have you never mentioned your obsession with that zipper?”

  Shrugging, she looked up at him. “You have a way of distracting me.”

  “Always share your fantasies. I’m happy to indulge.”

  Nodding, she slipped her hands into his waistband, pushing his pants down. “Love it when you go commando.” She giggled, mischief dancing through her eyes.

  Toryn’s brow arched. “That I know.” Wasting no more time, he hurriedly removed the rest of his clothes. Kneeling in front of her, he reached down to th
e scrap of black lace and yanked it from her body.

  “Oh, fuck yes!” she exclaimed.

  “Told you, I’m going to make love to you all night long. And every night after this one, for the rest of eternity.”

  “And don’t forget the days. Anytime the mood strikes.”

  “Like right now.” He lay her back on the blanket and moved over her. She wound her legs around his hips as he slid deep into her body. Staring into her eyes, he made love to his mate. Her hands caressed up his sides.

  “Love you,” he whispered.

  “And I love you.”

  Their shared climax was long, sweet, and incredible. He held himself over Isa, staring into her soul. Nothing would tear them apart.

  Chapter 14

  Nearly dawn and his body was finally sated. Scotty sighed as he stared at the ceiling. At least there was no guilt, despair, or any other negative emotion. He looked over at Zoe who was still asleep, a blissful smile on her face.

  Leave, or wake her first?

  That smile. Yup, time to leave. Other than lust, he felt nothing for her. Zoe was a test run, plain and simple. She proved he could have a wild night of sex and leave without thoughts of Saressa.

  He climbed from the bed and pulled his pants on.

  “Taking off?” she asked with a yawn.

  A brief flare of guilt went through him. “Sorry, I just—”

  “Aren’t looking for more?” She sat up and shrugged. Her expression was soft, and only slightly sad. “It’s best that way. I’m not over my last relationship, but,” her eyes skated away, “I needed to know I wasn’t a broken mess who couldn’t enjoy another man.”

  He sat down on her bed and dried the tear that slipped down her face. Her obvious pain tugged at his compassion. “Did you?”

  Blue eyes swept to his, one corner of her mouth lifting. “Very much. You gave me hope. Strange as it may be, I needed one seductive night of freedom to move on with my life.”

  “Same here.” He nudged her shoulder. “Since neither of us are looking for romance, what about a new friend?”

  “I’d like that. I’m new in town, and feel so out of place.”

  “You hungry? We can get to know each other, talk.” He shrugged. “Whatever.”

  “My first real friend in Seattle? After that amazing night, and trust me it was, an offer of friendship is too good to be true.”

  He nodded, relieved she didn’t want more. “We can be friends without fucking. Though, if you need sporadic relief I could be persuaded.” He winked at her.

  Her laugh warmed his soul. “Let’s eat. I’ve worked up quite an appetite.”

  At peace, finally. He wasn’t under the oppressive weight of Saressa, and he could have an intimate night without overwhelming emotions. Scotty’s future held unlimited potential.

  * * * *

  Dawn’s first rays peeked through the trees. Toryn woke with a smile on his lips. Isa was warm in his arms, her head rested on his beating heart. He traced lazy patterns on her skin. They were still outside, on the blanket. The magic fire still warming their sanctuary.

  He longed for their future, knowing one day they would live in Faerie, happy and in love with their beautiful son. Seattle was their home, for now, but their future was elsewhere.

  Isa’s hand curled around his waist as she shifted to press a kiss to his lips. Her radiant smile brightened his.

  “Best night of my life,” she murmured.

  He squeezed her tighter. “Same here.”

  Toryn rolled to face her, and propped his head on his hand, staring into her sleepy emerald eyes.

  “I suppose this means we should start thinking about a wedding.”

  A nervous laugh bubbled free. “Soon. First I need to tell you something.”

  “Go on.”

  “I asked for your parents’ blessing the other morning. Reance had already talked to Aeryana. She sends her love, and approval. Reance blessed the ring.”

  She twined her fingers in his. “How long have you been planning this?”

  “Since we came back from San Francisco. I had a jewelry smith make the ring.”

  She pressed her lips over his heart. When she looked back at him, he gently pulled her face to his for a sweet kiss.

  “There’s another thing. This I didn’t plan, but Aeryana wants us to seal our vows the same time she seals hers to Reance.”

  Her nose wrinkled. “Tell me that doesn’t involve sex in front of a royal audience or anything, and I think I can manage that.”

  Toryn chuckled. “No. It’s very similar to a traditional marriage, but no god is mentioned, and magic is involved. It’s mostly ceremony. Faerie court will be there, at least two kingdoms’ worth.”

  Her brow wrinkled. “You mean I’ll be introduced as the princess?” She closed her eyes briefly.

  “Many people know about you. It’s only a matter of time before they find out exactly who you are.”

  “Good point.”

  “Our ceremony can be whatever you want. I’m not a noble, and most of us don’t ever have a ceremony, even if we find our mate.”

  She looked at her ring with a frown. “Do you not want a wedding?”

  “I do, as long as you do. What better way to prove to everyone you’re mine and I’m not ever letting you go?”

  Her eyes sparkled. “When?”

  He frowned. “That, I don’t know for sure. I should have asked, but I was much more interested in asking you first.”

  “I’m yours no matter what. Of course I was going to say yes.”

  He kissed her again. Then promised, “I’ll always love you.”

  About Brandy L Rivers

  Brandy L Rivers is the author of the Others of Edenton and Others of Seattle series. There are more Others of Edenton and Others of Seattle books in the works.

  As an avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home-mother. She has a file full of manuscripts she plans to edit and put out there eventually.

  She lives in Western Washington with her husband and three kids, where she is already working on future stories in each of the series and several other projects.

  To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my

  Website – Facebook - Twitter

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  Also by Brandy L Rivers

  Others of Edenton

  New Beginnings

  In Too Deep

  Shadows Fall

  Shadows of the Past

  Falling Into Place

  Fated Love

  Breaking Free

  Mending Scars

  Labor of Love

  Light in Darkness

  Others of Seattle

  Nights Embrace

  Storm Mistress

  Accepting Fate

  Red Queen

  Stand Alone Contemporary Romance

  Heart on Fire

  Coming Soon

  Others of Seattle

  Changing Destiny

  Late 2015

  Return to Synopses

  From Hell to Breakfast

  By

  Cynthia St. Aubin

  From Hell to Breakfast

  Copyright © 2015 Cynthia St. Aubin

  All Rights Reserved

  The book contained herein constitutes a copyrighted work and may not be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, or stored in or introduced into an information storage and retrieval system in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or herein-after invented, without the express written permission of the copyright owner, except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Cover designed by Scarlett
Rugers Design, www.scarlettrugers.com

  Formatting by Bob Houston eBook Formatting

  www.facebook.com/eBookFormatting/info

  Dedication

  For Team Crixus. The very fact that there is a Team Crixus makes me want to turn a cartwheel, eat cotton candy, and ride a purple llama. Don’t ask me why these seem like life-affirming activities.

  Acknowledgements

  It’s a tricky business, making a reader fall in love with a character, and not a responsibility I take lightly. Do it well, and another human being now has a stake in this character’s future, and may or may not leap across the lunch table, threatening—in the kindest way possible—to throttle you to death if the ending you gave said character isn’t the one they wanted. (This is both the coolest and most frightening feeling ever, by the way). When I knew that giving Crixus an unhappy ending in Matilda’s story was the only way to begin writing his, I spent a week hiding under my desk, fearing the fallout.

  I wasn’t disappointed.

  There was no question I needed to engage some of my most ardent Team Crixus supporters to ensure that I did our favorite demigod justice in From Hell to Breakfast.

  So, for Casey, Emily, and Kiki, beta readers extraordinaire…thank you for taking the time to make sure I didn’t cock this up. Wait, can I say the word “cock?” in an acknowledgement? Oh well. In for a penny. Cock, cock, cock!

  On with the show.

  Prologue

  It was a shame she had to kill him.

  Specimens like this one were rare. Beautiful, brilliant.

  Believing.

  Talent was one thing. Actors, musicians, writers, painters, poets—all the men she fed from had it to one degree or another.

  But this body…well. She wouldn’t soon forget the way he felt beneath her. Inside her.

  A rockstar in every sense of the word.

  Her hand tightened around his tattooed throat, his pulse a delicate throb beneath her fingers. With each beat, she took something new: his life force, his vitality, his creativity. They all belonged to her now. He filled her blood with songs the world would never hear. At last, he was hers alone to enjoy.