Her eyes flickered with an array of emotions. He discerned surprise and happiness amid the lust. “Of course, Mattias. Yes.”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Then he ran his hand down her side and teased, “Now which would you like me to play first—you or the guitar?”
She shimmied against him, brushing her hardened nipples against his chest. Then, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his neck. “Come on, big guy,” she whispered, and led him to the bed.
* * *
A month later, he stood with her on a secluded beach, surrounded by sand dunes, as they waited for night to fall. The sun had started to set, etching vivid fiery strokes overhead.
“I don’t know about this.” Worry edged her voice. “I can’t believe you chose the full moon as the night to take the oath.”
“It’s going to be fine,” he assured her, brushing back a strand of dark hair that had fallen over her cheek.
“Please don’t let me hurt you,” she implored through wide eyes.
He took her shoulders. “Take a deep breath. Feel your surroundings.”
She closed her eyes and did so.
He followed as well. The scent of the ocean filled his nostrils while the sound of the waves soothed him. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
After she opened her eyes, he said. “Gargoyle magic is powerful. Once we take the oath, I will have stronger abilities than I do now. Danton was able to break the witch’s curse on him after he took the oath with Tracy. You will change as well. You’ll have a longer lifespan, approximately twice that of a human. I don’t know how else it will affect you, but I have hope. Trust me. We will be fine.”
She bit her lip. They’d discussed whether it could have an effect on her affliction. The moon’s magic had to be much more potent than a witch’s, though, even if she’d used dark magic.
She nodded. “I trust you.”
As the sun slipped away, Mattias led her down onto a blanket he’d spread across the sand. He undressed her and kissed all over her body. She was so responsive to his touch, nipples tightening and body arching. And when he slipped his fingers between her legs, so wet and ready.
He undressed and entered her, moaning at her delicious tightness. She was the one for him. The only one.
He pumped into her and then paused. Staring into her eyes, he gulped, ready to take the biggest step of his life.
“I, Mattias, take an oath to bind with you, Rachel. I promise to love and protect you all of my days, with all my abilities as a gargoyle and man.”
Her eyes glistened as she repeated the vow. “I, Rachel, take the oath to bind with you, Mattias. I promise to love and care for you, for all of my days.”
Silvery wisps that appeared like mist from the ocean floated around them. When they touched his skin, vibrant heat invigorated him. Magic soared through him, suffusing them with energy. He could feel it travel from his body and into hers, like it was sewing invisible threads that would connect them always.
His erection throbbed with a greater intensity buried inside her. He resumed driving in and out of her. She grabbed him as the magic surrounded and flowed through them, sealing their bond.
The intensity rose and their pace quickened. Her moans grew louder as his groans sounded more feral. When she was there, she clamped her arms around him, hips arched beneath his, as she shattered. The exquisite tightness of her pulsing around him undid him and he exploded deep inside her.
He rolled beside her and pulled her close. Their hearts beat frantically as they recovered, limbs draped around each other.
“It’s done. We are bonded, my mate.” He kissed her shoulder.
“I feel it.” Her voice sounded wondrous at the change. “I don’t know how to explain it, but I sense us connected.”
As their bodies cooled, she stared at the darkening sky. “I’m afraid.”
He held her hand. “Don’t be. Whatever happens, I’m here. I promised I would take care of you.”
She faced him, eyes full of warmth. “I know you will.”
The faint outline of the moon shone, surrounded by spatters of stars. Her breath quickened and she held his hand more tightly as she sensed the onset of the full moon. He lay beside her and held on to faith. No matter what happened tonight, he’d keep his promise to protect her.
Minutes passed as the moon’s orb glowed brighter. Her muscles tensed. He could feel her bracing herself.
As the night drew on, the moon rose, looming bright and full above them. She remained in human form.
She sat upright, still nude, and her dark hair floated around her, ushered by an ocean breeze. She appeared like a goddess under the gentle glow of moonlight on her skin.
Her eyes sparkled bright as she fixed her gaze on him. “It’s broken.” She blinked. “I feel it—it—it’s gone.” She beamed and spread her arms wide. “I’m free!”
“You’re free,” he declared. He remembered the exhilaration of discovering when his curse had been broken.
She rolled on top of him and covered him with kisses. “You were right, Mattias. I love you.”
“And, I love you.” He brushed her hair out of her face and promised, “Now and forever. I’m yours.”
Author’s Note: I hope you enjoyed Mattias and Rachel’s story. I love writing about characters who believe they are misfits or unlovable, and pairing them with their perfect match.
If you could take a moment to leave a review, I’d greatly appreciate it.
If you haven’t read other books in the Underground Encounters series, a book list is at the end of the book. If you have, check out the other series. Want more gargoyles? You’ve got them! As well as witches, vampires, shifters, cops, firefighters, rockstars, and Marines. Read on or visit lisacarlislebooks.com to pick your next book boyfriend.
Next up, see a sneak peak into Tempted by the Gargoyle, book 1 of the Stone Sentries series. Read what happens the night of the eclipse of a red supermoon, when a cop crosses paths with the commander of the gargoyle shifters.
Be sure to join my Facebook group for giveaways, sneak peaks, and more goodies!
Thanks for reading!
Lisa
Tempted by the Gargoyle
Stone Sentries #1
By Lisa Carlisle
An eclipse of the red Supermoon.
Humans hype the event as a night of passion,
But, the gargoyles sense a threat...
Larissa, a police officer, wants nothing to do with the event pushing soulmates, but her friend convinces her they need a night out to move on. It will be their first night dancing since the attack. When they visit a gothic-themed club, Larissa catches an attractive stranger watching her.
Roman, commander of the Stone Sentries, patrols from a Boston rooftop. When a blast of dark magic soars past him, he attributes it to a brunette. Something about her is different, demanding all senses be on high alert.
Is she dangerous? Or is she in danger?
Roman tracks Larissa to find out...
"If you haven't read Ms. Carlisle's books, what the heck are you waiting for. Her Gargoyles are hot! Before you know it, you'll be lost in a world beyond your imagination. Full of wicked fun and tempting Alphas."
"Wowzer... she had me hooked from the beginning and there was no way I was putting it down."
"So thrilling, action packed, and romantic." "Plus, hey, it's Boston, cops, and gargoyles..."
"Omg! Omg! Let me start by saying that! This book is exactly what I have been waiting for!... These two characters had such great chemistry, that I can completely see a future for them in series form, and I for one cannot wait for that to happen!"
Tempted by the Gargoyle is perfect for fans of action-packed, steamy, and suspenseful stories.
Don't miss this Night Owl Reviews Top Pick!
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Excerpt
While surveying the city from above, a dark-haired woman on the roof caught Roman’s attention. She stood ramrod-straight and she
fidgeted with her glass. Something about her discomfort triggered his gargoyle instincts, making him observe her more closely.
When he scanned her from head to toe, he didn’t gain any insight other than how attractive she was. Her hair was rich and lush, flowing in loose waves over her shoulders. It had a burgundy tone from the various lighting fixtures around the deck. Her wide eyes searched her surroundings. What was she looking for? His gaze traveled down her body, studying how well it was encased in a form-fitting black dress. He lingered on her killer curves, fueling his imagination with sordid fantasies of what it would be like to touch them.
He snapped his eyes away. He was supposed to be gauging what had set off his senses.
Seconds later, his gaze returned to her, despite his admonition to himself. Her expression turned troubled. A strong reaction rose within him, one he couldn’t read. He rubbed the back of his neck. Something about her put all his senses on edge; he had to keep an eye on her, although he had no indication why.
She spoke to a blonde woman next to her, and he turned his head to focus on their conversation. With all the chatter in the room, he couldn’t catch it, despite his acute sense of hearing.
What troubled the brunette? An instinct to protect her kicked in. The pull toward her was compelling, a sensual onslaught that overpowered him.
Remember why you’re here.
He stepped back, both mentally and physically separating himself from the woman, and shielded himself behind the bar. That compulsion was one he’d never experienced, and not knowing what it meant bothered him all the more. All the uncertainty about tonight had him on edge.
Turning away, he gulped in the cool night air. It invigorated him for only a moment. What hit him next almost knocked him off his feet—a sudden whoosh of energy. It blasted past him with immense force and power, indicative of dark magic.
A gut feeling made him turn to locate the brunette, and he scrutinized her. He sensed something unusual about her than the other humans on the roof. Was she the source of that dark magic? He opened a mental link to communicate with Arto.
There’s a woman on the roof I’m going to keep an eye on.
Is she in danger? Or is she dangerous? Arto asked.
Good question. That’s what I plan on finding out. I sensed dark magic and will investigate further.
His triggers were now on full alert. Whoever she was, he wouldn’t let her out of his sight. Not until he figured out who—or what—she was.
And why she had that effect on him.
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About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Lisa Carlisle loves stories with dark, brooding heroes and independent heroines. For much of her professional career, she’s written non-fiction — but she’s discovered writing romance is the most fun. Her romances have been named Top Picks at Night Owl Reviews and All Romance Ebooks.
When she was younger, she worked in a variety of jobs, moving to various countries. She backpacked alone through Europe, and lived in Paris before returning to the U.S. She owned a bookstore for a few years as she loves to read. She’s now married to a fantastic man, and they have two kids, two cats, and too many fish.
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Acknowledgments
As always, I am so grateful to everyone who helps make each book possible, helping me shape the ideas in my head into a story. Huge thanks to my fellow authors, critique partners, editors, beta readers, ARC readers, Street Team, and you, the reader! Thank you for spending time with me in these worlds with characters I love.
Book List
Stone Sentries
Meet your perfect match the night of the super moon — or your perfect match for the night. A cop teams up with a gargoyle shifter when demons attack Boston.
Tempted by the Gargoyle
Enticed by the Gargoyle
Captivated by the Gargoyle
Underground Encounters
Steamy paranormal romances set in an underground goth club that attracts vampires, witches, shifters, and gargoyles.
Book 1: SMOLDER (a vampire / firefighter romance)
Book 2: FIRE (a witch / firefighter romance)
Book 3: IGNITE (a feline shifter / rock star romance)
Book 4: BURN (a vampire / shapeshifter rock romance)
Book 5: HEAT (a gargoyle shifter romance)
Book 6: BLAZE (a gargoyle shifter rockstar romance)
Book 7: COMBUST (vampire / witch romances)
Book 8: INFLAME (a gargoyle shifter / witch romance)
Book 9: TORCH (a gargoyle shifter / werewolf romance)
Chateau Seductions
An art colony on a remote New England island lures creative types—and supernatural characters. Steamy paranormal romances.
Darkness Rising
Dark Velvet
Dark Muse
Dark Stranger
Dark Pursuit
Highland Gargoyle
Gargoyle shifters, wolf shifters, and tree witches have divided the Isle of Stone after a great battle 25 years ago. One risk changes it all…
Knights of Stone: Mason
Knights of Stone: Lachlan
Knights of Stone: Bryce
Seth: a wolf shifter romance in the series
Knights of Stone: Calum
Stone Cursed
Knights of Stone: Gavin
Night Eagle Operations
A paranormal romantic suspense novel
When Darkness Whispers
Berkano Vampires
A shared author world with dystopian paranormal romances.
Immortal Resistance
Blood Courtesans
A shared author world with the vampire blood courtesans.
Pursued: Mia
Visit LisaCarlisleBooks.com to learn more!
LisaCarlisleBooks.com
For more info, visit www.lisacarlislebooks.com
TORCH: Underground Encounters 9 Page 17
