OUT NOW! Chasing Kyrus - kidnapped by the Captain

Buy links below

Excerpt:

Again, as if the pirate knew what he was thinking, the arm around Kyrus' shoulders pulled him closer. He also slowed his pace, allowing Kyrus’ shorter strides to slow as well. There was a low chuckle coming from the tall man and suddenly all Kyrus wanted to do was cuddle into the man’s chest and let the world do what it would do without him. He wanted to forget what he was, where he was, and all that was going on. But just as quickly, he mentally shook himself. This pirate was no different. In fact, for all he knew, Tilbarr was probably worse than all of the bastards he had to deal with in the past combined.

But for a moment in time, he allowed himself to melt into the embrace. What harm would it be to accept this warmth for a second? Maybe even two. It had been so long since he felt anything even close to safe.

And a moment was all he received. He was swung around through another doorway and stopped in what felt like a small room. Tilbarr barked what were orders of some sort, and several of the breathing bodies pushed past him and seemed to vacate the immediate space. The air became decidedly cooler. Kyrus shivered, standing alone away from the warmth of the pirate beside him. Tilbarr’s gentle hands then pushed him down and he sat once again and he stood close behind him, as well. Did he dare to lean back into that solidness?

No. He could not keep thinking like this. How many times had he believed he found a sanctuary, some savior along his weary way? How often had he been betrayed? Sentient beings were all alike, no matter where they were in the universe. Astral Mages were a possession to be used or sold like the ConFed sheplas they traded him for.

He sat still and silent and waited.

“Captain Falland,” I trust you recognize your former prisoner.” Tilbarr’s low voice vibrated right through Kyrus’ chest.

Fuck. Falland was here? Where the hell were they, the captain’s quarters?

“I see him.” Yes, it was Falland’s voice. Shit. But he shouldn’t worry. Falland himself had told him to be quiet about what he was. He wouldn’t give him up now, would he? Maybe to save his hide, he would though.

“So, tell me, Captain, why is it that you were trying to escape with him in tow?” Kyrus couldn’t help it, he cringed with the question—a movement that would not be missed by either man. Tilbarr pressed closer.

“I was with the prisoner at the time and simply brought him with me. There was no master plan behind it, I assure you.”

Kyrus only just stopped himself from huffing at the captain’s explanation, an obvious lie. Falland had been nowhere near him “at the time.”

“Really?” Tilbarr’s tone made it clear he didn’t believe the captain’s rubbish. But then his voice seemed to change, become angry for some reason. “What were you doing being—with him?” Firm hands came down on Kyrus’ shoulders, kneading into his tight muscles. Crap. More manipulation by kindness. He wanted to shake off the hands but in the next instant wanted to escape into the arms they were attached to. Fuck but he was being needy today.

“I-I was interrogating him,” Falland stammered. Kyrus could almost imagine the captain’s sharp nose go up.

“Concerning what?” Tilbarr shot back.

The captain did sniff and ignored the question. Kyrus felt sorry for the man. For some reason he believed Tilbarr was not someone to mess with even though he had done the same thing—ignore Tilbarr’s inquiries.  Except, in this case, the heat and snap in the air was now nearly explosive. Of course, Kyrus had no reason to believe it was coming from the tall pirate. Maybe it was because he was blinded that he could discern more from voice inflection and atmosphere.

And maybe he was lying to himself too—one of the few things he was really good at.

The hands lifted from his shoulders and he instantly felt abandoned. He turned sharply as if trying to see where Tilbarr had gone, but immediately Tilbarr shushed him, gently telling him he was still there. He wasn’t leaving Kyrus alone.

Fuck.

As if that’s what Kyrus wanted. It wasn’t.

Kyrus’ cheeks burned as suddenly Tilbarr was in front of him. He must have knelt down because his voice was right there, level with Kyrus’ face. His hands rested casually on Kyrus’ knees. “So, little one, can we make a deal? Is there any reason I shouldn’t remove this visor?”

“No.” Falland’s angry voice rang out from somewhere in the room. “Don’t do that.”

“Why, Falland? Will he be able to escape somehow if he can see?” Tilbarr’s tone didn’t change at all. It stayed low and rumbly, once again stiffening Kyrus’ cock by its closeness. “If you give me your name, pet, I will take this visor off. What do you say?”

Oh yes. It would be wonderful to see again. There was nothing the pirates could learn from his name. Nothing. Besides, he wanted to see Tilbarr’s face. “Kyrus, sir. My name is Kyrus.”

“Mmmmm, Kyrus. I like that name.” He leaned closer. “Thank you, pet.” Those warm hands reached up to the visor, pressing the deactivation button and gently removed the heavy piece of metal.

“You’ll regret this, Tilbarr.” Again, Falland’s voice growled.

“Why…” Tilbarr sucked in his breath, his eyes going wide when Kyrus gazed up at him. Shit, Kyrus thought. That’s right. His eyes were an iridescent purple. A color few beings ever had. He had honestly forgotten all about that. It had been a while since he had seen himself. He tried hard to avoid his reflection. He had seen enough of the freak. And whether or not the color was associated with Astral Mages, he had no idea. But it would raise more questions, that was for sure.

BUY LINK Smashwords

                     Amazon

 

Cover Reveal - Chasing Kyrus - Kidnapped by the Captain

 Kyrus

I've been kidnapped by Tilbarr, Pirate Captain of the infamous Wolf, and dragged aboard his ship. And judging by the way the big, muscled, beautiful man is staring at me, he just might be thinking about keeping me.

Really not a good idea. 

Because I'm an Astral Mage, better known as a "Soul Giver", a race of beings who can attach wandering life forces energies to any source. Basically, I bring the dead to life, a power the Confederated Authority, the governing body for civilized planets, want to totally control. So, for years they have been hunting down and seizing Astral Mages and whisking them off somewhere. And me? They say I am as pure as they get. The very reason the ConFed will stop at nothing to possess me. TilBarr doesn't seem to understand the incredible danger he's in by not turning me over to them.

Tilbarr

There is something about Kyrus that deeply stir me. I have never ever before wanted to keep a prize I've stolen. And the ConFed? While overwhelmingly powerful and hell-bent on capturing Kyrus, it's not only them I am concerned with. The threat to Kyrus doesn't only come from outside the Wolf. Well, no matter. I will fiercely protect my prize. Even if it means giving up everything. My ship, my crew and even my life. 

Out next Friday, April 7, 2023

This was published originally under the title of The Astral Mage. It has been revised and rewritten.

THE NEIGHBORS - An MM Vampire Story

 

Danny always thought the dark empty house next door was a great place for vampires to live. Even his friends thought it had to be haunted.

But then the neighbors moved in. The very hot neighbors.

They were brothers who, Danny swore, were barely older than he was. And the eldest one, Gabriel, was enough to send Danny to his knees. Literately. Good God, tall, dark and ridiculously handsome, Danny’s vivid imagination ran wild. Gabriel’s devilish smile had Danny thinking some very un-high school- like thoughts. 

Yeah, yeah, Danny was still a high school student. But he was eighteen and graduating soon.

Then one night, the brothers strangely magically appeared when Danny was being viciously attacked, rescuing him by scaring the assholes off. Really scaring them. Which had honestly been a little weird. Then the next day, those same assholes began spreading the rumor the brothers were something unnatural. Vampires, they whispered around town. 

Huh. Vampires. Danny kind of liked the whole idea of being bitten by a sexy vampire. And Gabriel was all kinds of that. Maybe Danny was going to have to do a little bit of investigating...

OUT 2-24-23

Read more HERE

His Fake Boyfriend - COVER REVEAL

 

Blurb:

Noah is Griffin Colewater’s best friend and absolutely no one knows him better. Certainly not any of the parade of girlfriends he’s had over the years. Even his most recent, Lauren, whom he has been with the longest.

And just broke up with.

Does it make Noah a terrible friend if he’s just a little bit thrilled about that?

It doesn’t really matter, though. Griffin is the oldest son of the owners of Colewater Properties, a multi-gazillion dollar hotel conglomerate. He is also next in line to take over when his father retires which makes Griffin the most sought-after bachelor in the city. So, another girl is right around the corner.

The issue? Griffin’s mother claims to be desperately tired of his playboy antics. She is demanding Griffin settle down with a wife and family “or else”. Being that Griffin has never actually been able to please his mother in anything, Noah doesn’t understand Griffin’s hopeless mission to make that happen now.

Which makes the huge charity bash his parents are throwing a bit problematic. His mother is insisting on meeting Lauren. Yep. Griffin has yet to tell her he’s single again. And he insists he’s not going to. Instead, Griffin does something insane. He hires a fake girlfriend. Yah. A fake Lauren. Well ― not fake. She’s a ‘Lauren’, too. But that’s not the point. Griffin asked Noah to provide the “girlfriend for months” knowledge to Lauren number two so she could pull this whole ‘girlfriend’ thing off.

Honestly. What can go wrong with that?

Everything.

Because Griffin is not only Noah’s very best friend in all the world, Noah is also so crazy in love with the man, he hurts. A stupid stunt like this could reveal that very thing and freak Griffin’s parents out so badly, he’s sure they will gift Noah with cement boots and personally pitch him off the pier themselves. But the bigger problem in Noah’s mind? Griffin is totally not gay and if he ever found out Noah’s true feelings?

Damn.

Griffin would more than likely be the one mixing the cement.

 

COVER REVEAL - The Ex's Boyfriend

Mark has always been a Dominant. The Top in every relationship. Just ask Leon, his very ex-boyfriend, because that’s what he told Mark he was.

Okay, Mark’s only had the one relationship so the ‘always’ was a reach, but it didn’t matter. It was more than over with now, and Leon was long gone. That is until Leon felt it necessary to show off his new boyfriend, a gorgeous mountain called Rogan, by evidently telling him that Mark was stalking, bullying, badgering, harassing and get this, abusing him.

“He’ll kill you, Mark, because he loves me and wants to protect me.”

From who? Skinny little Mark? What a joke. Because all Mark has ever done was exactly what Leon told him to do and that now included staying as far away from Leon as he could get. But how can he do that when Leon is hell-bent on proving all the lies he’s told Rogan about Mark were true, and by any means possible except the actual truth? Thankfully, it seems Rogan’s not quite as clueless about Leon’s wild imagination as Mark has always been. In fact, the big, beautiful man has come to Mark’s rescue a couple of times and has made it clear, Leon and he are not a thing. At least, not anymore.

Which is good since Mark is going to need Rogan’s help. Mainly because something else is out to get Mark. Something not Leon.

This something isn’t even human…

OUT October 29

The Ex's Boyfriend - A Ghost Story

 Blurb:

Mark has always been a Dominant. The Top in every relationship. Just ask Leon, his very ex-boyfriend, because that’s precisely what he told Mark he was.

Okay, Mark’s only had the one relationship so the ‘always’ was a reach, but it didn’t matter. It was more than over with now, and Leon was long gone. That was until Leon decided he wanted to show off his new boyfriend, a gorgeous mountain called Rogan, by evidently telling him that Mark was stalking, harassing and get this, abusing him.

“He’ll kill you, Mark, because he loves me and wants to protect me.”

From whom? Skinny little Mark? What a joke. Because all Mark has ever done was exactly what Leon told him to do and that now included staying as far away from Leon as he could get. But even that crashed and burned when Leon became hell-bent on proving all the lies he's told Rogan were true, and by any means possible except the actual truth. Thankfully, it seems Rogan’s not quite as clueless about Leon’s wild imagination as Mark has always been. In fact, the big, beautiful man has come to Mark’s rescue a couple of times and has made it clear, Leon and he are not a thing. At least, not anymore.

Which is good. Because something else is out to get Mark. Something not Leon.

This something isn’t even human…

Excerpt:

They took the elevator to the sixth floor and headed cautiously down a deserted hall. Okay, maybe it was only Mark who walked warily. Rogan marched slightly ahead of him and seemed to barge down the hall with his chest puffed out like some storybook bodyguard protecting the prince.  However, no apparitions flew out at them this time, no lights exploded trying to kill them. When they got to Mark's apartment, Rogan snatched the set of keys Mark dug out of his pocket and opened the door of 612 and attempted to turn on the light.

“It doesn’t work,” Mark remarked. “It never has.”

As if that might have been important in the whole scheme of things, Rogan turned to him. “Really? Why?”

“I have no idea. They have never been able to fix it, either.”

Rogan grumbled a string of profanities against landlords as he pulled out his phone. “Hey Raptor. Flashlight.” The phone shot out a bright beam and Rogan shined it into the apartment. “Where is a switch that does work?”

“Right here.” Mark glanced around the apartment before he tiptoed over to the switch in the kitchen and turned it on. The apartment lit up enough to see that everything was normal―so to speak. The destroyed TV was right where it had been when they left, debris still everywhere. Not the chaos Mark had walked into with Leon, but shivers of that time chased through him as well. “What I don’t get is why you don’t even have a scratch on you.”

“That is a mystery,” Rogan murmured. “What’s even more an unknown is why you were basically sliced in the first place. Cut, I would understand. But sliced?” He walked over to the large, jagged piece laying against the wall, the piece that had been laced with blood but no longer appeared to be and picked it up. “This should never have been sharp enough to do that.” He brought it over for Mark to see.

“Fuck,” Mark whispered as he gazed at the piece of plastic. “It’s… like a knife.” And it was. The six-inch, razor-edged side appeared paper thin, to the point of it being see-through. As if someone had purposely honed it down to that sharpness. “But… didn’t it have blood on it?”

Rogan narrowed his eyes and glared back at the plastic as if it had just lied to him. “You’re right. It did. Exactly my point.”

“Which is?”

Rogan glanced briefly at Mark. “This isn’t right. I mean, how does something like this even happen?” Rogan’s lips pursed together.

“So, what are you saying?”

“I’m not sure.” Rogan gazed down at Mark. “And I don’t like not knowing. I will find some answers. That I promise.” He sighed. “Now what do we need to take with us so we can get out of here?”

Mark packed a backpack while Rogan kept watch. Mark would have thought it laughable if he wasn’t so panicked. It was one thing to be bullied by Leon. Quite another by a ghost.

“The extra apartment key is in the kitchen drawer,” Mark told Rogan as he threw the backpack over his shoulder.

Rogan immediately reached over and grabbed the backpack. “Go get it. I got this.”

Heat climbing Mark’s face he walked quickly to the drawer. “I can carry it. I’m not a princess.”

Rogan smirked but remained silent as he adjusted the backpack and held out a hand to accept the key. “Thanks,” he said, winking at Mark when he dropped the key in his hand.

“I don’t know what you plan on doing but have at it.”

Rogan grimaced as if he were guilty of something and shook his head.

When they arrived at Mark’s dad’s house, Rogan insisted on walking Mark in. “I didn’t keep you safe like I promised. He deserves an explanation.”

“Are you kidding me? I’m not some fragile teenager on a date. Besides, I can take care of myself.”

“I know that. But security is my job, and I should have…”

“Should have what?”

“Known.” He knocked on the door.

“Known? How? Why?”

But Rogan remained silent. Except it was clear he was battling something in his head.

“Whatever,” Mark mumbled. “Just… I can take care of myself.” Mark went to knock as well but the door flew open in front of him, Mark’s dad standing on the other side.

“What the fuck is going on out here?” Rob snarled, startling both Mark and Rogan.

“Sir!” Rogan nearly shouted back, gaining the older man’s attention. Then he lowered his voice probably realizing how loud he was being. “Mr. Corda. Sorry to wake you…”

“What the hell happened to you?” Rob grabbed Mark and pulled him into the house. “Why the bandages?” He turned his attention back to Rogan. “Why is my son covered in bandages?”

Mark took immediate offence. “Dad, I’m standing right here! Ask me!”

“Um… sir…” Rogan interrupted. “it’s a long story.”

The Ex's Boyfriend excerpt

 

He slammed the glass back down and started to walk toward the door, but, oh fuck, Ben was front and center.

Pissed.

As.

Hell.

“Where you going, Mark?” He knew his name? Crap. Course the idiot said it like he was spitting out an obscenity.

Mark figured he really didn’t expect an answer.

He moved around Ben and kept walking, hoping, praying, the dumb drunk would give up.

Ben grabbed Mark by the arm again and swung him around, twisting his arm behind and up Mark’s back, forcing Mark into Ben’s chest.

Guess not.

“Hey! Fucker! I was talking to you!”

Ben was tall. And big. So, Mark had to shift his gaze up to see the man’s face.

“You turn me down,” Ben ground out as he gave Mark a little shake, sending searing pain through his trapped arm. “and now you’re just ignoring me?”

His words were more than slurred and, unfortunately, the liquor was making him bold, and Mark just could not break free. “Let go, you asshole! You’re fucking drunk.” He wanted to tell him he was hurting him but stopped short of blurting that out, thinking Leon would somehow hear. Or Rogan would. “Leave me alone.”

“I don’t think so, you fucking tease. Swinging that ass of yours and then laughing when someone takes notice.” He managed to grab one of Mark’s butt cheeks with his other hand.

“What are you talking about? I don’t do that…”

“Yes, you do. Pretending to be with that guy who just left? He doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

This was definitely becoming more problematic. “Let go…” Mark struggled harder even though it hurt his arm, but then Ben stopped as he brought his face down into Mark’s.

“But don’t worry, I’ll take care of ya.” Ben laughed and leaned over to kiss Mark’s throat.

Mark thrashed again and shouted, “Get off me, you asshole!”

Suddenly Ben jerked back and glanced over to a man who had just stepped up.

“Come on, Ben,” the newcomer whispered. “You’re making a scene again. Why do you get like this? Let the guy go. They’re going to call the cops.”

“This is the guy I told you about…” Ben slurred.

Say what, now? The guy he talked about? Oh shit…

Mark kicked at Jimmy distracting Ben enough to let go. Mark was able to push Jimmy back and ran. But Ben came after him and somehow grabbed him by his hair. Mark swung around with all his might, hair painfully ripping from his head. “Let go!” he shouted as he once again batted Ben’s hands away.

But Ben wasn’t giving up. Mark pitched himself to the side to avoid Ben’s left fist and unfortunately slammed into a tall table, knocking it over as he went down, glasses and liquid going everywhere. Several people who were standing at the table had to step back, one of them screamed as glass broke. Mark made it to his feet, intending to get away, except Ben was there with a fist to Mark’s stomach and Mark was back on the floor on his ass.

Even in pain, he had to get up. But Ben was again making for him so he rolled, risking being cut by broken glass, thinking to avoid the man. Except Ben moved faster than a drunk man should be able to. He knocked Mark all the way down and pinned him to the floor on his stomach by sitting on Mark’s thighs.

“Damn, Ben,” Jimmy ground out from somewhere off to Mark’s left. “Downstairs you might be able to do this kind of thing, but not up here.”

Mark twisted to try to dislodge the drunk. Unfortunately, besides being big and strong, the man was also heavy, and Mark just could not shake him. Except, suddenly, with a frantic twist of Mark’s body, Ben’s weight was gone. There had been a scuffle and Ben was no longer grinding Mark into the floor.

Mark wasn’t going to wait around and find out what the drunk had in store for him next. He once again scrambled to his feet and swung around just in time to see Ben coming off Rogan’s fist and flopping to the floor himself.

Rogan?

Mark was too shocked to even move as a disappointed groan came up from the people around him.

“When someone says no,” Rogan growled down at Ben who sat rubbing his jaw, probably not even comprehending what had happened. “They mean no.”

Ben glared up at Rogan and hissed. “You fucker!” he shouted as he shot to his feet and came at Rogan. But a raised knee at the exact right moment put Ben back on the floor with an uff, rolling in pain, clutching his privates.

Ben’s friend, Jimmy, stepped up and told Rogan he would take Ben home. Then he turned to Mark. “Look, Ben’s just drunk right now. He’s… well, different when he’s sober.” Shaking his head, he bent over to the groaning Ben, helped him to his feet and took him away. This time, they actually left the building. It was then Mark saw the bartender standing off to the side and wringing his hands.

“Should I call the police?” he fretted. “I would much prefer we don’t because they already hate this place…”

“No,” Rogan commanded the bartender, but then glanced at Mark. “Unless you want to press assault charges. You have plenty of witnesses.” The big man’s gaze darted around the group still gathered, a scowl on his beautiful face.

Mark shook his head. “No. I don’t want to press charges.” He should though. He was shaking, his body hurting all over, from his hair to his stomach to his abused and surely bruised ass. This is the guy I was talking about… He was being stalked. Oh God. Was this how Leon felt? His heart panged hard with guilt.

Rogan took the few steps to Mark. “Are you alright?” He asked as he reached down to pull up Mark’s pants. Had they been hanging down? How fucking embarrassing. Then, boldly, as if the two of them were lovers, Rogan ran his fingers through Mark’s hair a few times. “It’s a little wild,” he explained.

Overwhelmed, Mark finally slapped his hands away and stepped back, not liking at all his body’s reaction to the man’s touch. “Yes, I’m fine…” His voice was hoarse, mainly because he was fighting back tears. He ran his own hand over his hair and glanced up at Rogan. “Th- thank you for…” But the fact he needed rescuing was upsetting. Something Leon would certainly hate and be all over him about if they were still dating. Which they weren’t of course, and hadn’t for some time. Still, he glanced around, fearing the man had to have witnessed the whole thing because he always did and would slam Mark with some condescending judgement of Mark’s character.

And, oh fuck, there he was, sneering at him from behind Rogan. Mark’s heart dropped.

“You are so wretched, Mark,” Leon seethed. “God, why did I ever think you were hot?”

Rogan grimaced and spoke immediately through clenched teeth. “Leon, shut up!”

“Shut up? Shut—up? Me? He’s supposed to be a fucking Dominant, Rogan. A man in charge. All he is, and he proved it just now, is sad and pitiful! And you’re supposed to be my boyfriend! Why the fuck are you off rescuing trash like this?”

“Leon, go sit down. I mean it.” He turned his head slightly to meet the much smaller man’s gaze. “Now.” He barely raised his voice at all, but the commanding tone had a shiver chasing up Mark’s back wishing Rogan’s commands were aimed at him instead. He could hardly breathe as he gawked at the taller man. What the hell was happening to him? Damn it. Leon was right. Mark had no control over anything. Even his own body. And who was he kidding? Neither Leon nor Rogan missed Mark’s “reaction”. Because Leon was now just glaring at Mark, trying hard to murder with his eyes. While Rogan raised an eyebrow and smirked.

Bastard.

It was time to get the hell gone, away from this madness. “I have to… Damn. I just have to go.” Mark turned and ran toward the exit. Once he got outside, he continued to run, just in case someone followed him out.

But who would follow him? Certainly not Leon.

And not Rogan.

Thankfully, his apartment was only about a couple blocks from this downtown bar. Which was another reason Mark had questioned Leon’s intentions. Why make sure Mark knew he would be at a club essentially just down from where Mark lived? It just seemed so… contrived.

Fuck! Why did he think meeting up with Leon would have been any kind of a good idea, no matter what the lying son of a bitch had in mind? What a fucking nightmare tonight turned out to be. And it had nothing to do with the knowledge Leon wasn’t coming back to him. He no longer wanted him. Far from it. Not after that huge, ridiculous fiasco back there. Mark had never known Leon to be so cruel, so flat out evil.

Of course, if he were being honest with himself, he knew that wasn’t necessarily true either. Leon had been anything but loving toward the end of their relationship.

He slowed to a walk and just breathed in the cool night air. It was better this way. It was totally finished. No more questions. Mark would no longer avoid Leon at work either. He would do his job and ignore the man. It was the only good outcome from this.

Why, Leon? Why did you do that? After everything we’ve been to one another?

Five minutes later he arrived at his very dated apartment complex and dug in his pocket for his key. There had been talk of a total renovation or even demolition of the place since it was in a fairly prime location for some modern, expensive high-rise to go in. It would be just his luck to get kicked to the curb by his landlord too. As it was, he could afford the rent of his one bed, one bath tiny little space. Just big enough for one. Because, after all, he was alone.

Fuck, he hated alone.

COVER REVEAL - The Superior Jewel

 Blurb

Ryan  was shocked when he saw the man who had rescued him from a psychotic co-worker three months ago, a man Ryan had been having very sexy dreams about ever since, standing on the same yacht as he was. Learning the man's name was Jansen Branwyth should have rung a few bells, but Ryan was never one to keep up with the rich and powerful. Now this big, gorgeous man seemed to be in hot pursuit, relentlessly and expertly backing a confused Ryan against a hard wall. Deliciously turned on by the man's erotically suggestive flirting, Ryan finds himself now in competition with his former, very beautiful girlfriend, vying for Jansen's attention. As the heat ramps up, so does Ryan's self-doubt, forcing Jansen into making it perfectly clear who he intends on taking with him off the boat, even if he must chase down, subdue and throw that certain someone over his shoulder to do it.

Coming February 26

Read more!

The Superior Jewel - coming soon!

 It's coming!

A new Superior Jewel! I have added more than 40,000 words to this book and it will be coming out soon. Here's a little unedited taste.

Odd. Ryan wasn't answering.

Jansen had told Ryan he would call him right back. Well, not right back. He just wanted to get to somewhere quiet and that, thankfully, had come sooner than he thought it would. Negotiating with Leon, the man who owned the property he had come to see, had become difficult. Especially when the man started drinking. Leon had insisted they continue to talk over dinner, and he picked one of the noisiest bars Jansen had ever been in. But once Leon started downing one whiskey after another, Jansen no longer felt it appropriate to talk business. But extracting himself from the situation was hard. It had been Ryan’s phone call that had been the tipping point for him. Jansen quickly called a cab for Leon and then took himself to his hotel. Now, in his lonely suite, he wanted to simply hear Ryan’s sweet voice and voice mail was not doing it for him.

Where was Ryan? Why had he called? Was he in trouble? Did he need his Bathman? Jansen chuckled but then sobered. Did he? Shit.

He glanced at his suitcase. Should he chuck this deal and head home?

He tried Ryan again and this time it went straight to voice mail.

Oh, that’s it. His phone probably died. He imagined Ryan running around trying to find his phone cord. Too cute.

God, he missed him. He had been so excited when he thought to order breakfast, lunch and dinner for him for the two days he was to be gone. It was probably the reason for the call tonight. It was about the time his packages would have arrived. He had made sure of the time, knowing Ryan would be home.

But then there was Micky. Again, so strange. Showing up like that again on Sunday evening.

“You’re back. What did you forget this time?”

“Oh! Mr. Branwyth! You startled me. I didn’t expect you here.”

“It is my office.”

“Yes. I know, it’s just…”

“What?”

“You’re so rarely here at this time, is all.”

“And you are?”

Micky had shrugged. “Sometimes.”

“I see.” But Jansen really didn’t. There was no reason for Micky to be putting in extra hours.

“I heard you ordering food. You have any plans for dinner? I mean maybe you and I…”

“Micky don’t go down that road again. We’ve talked about it. You are my employee and it’s inappropriate.”

“I was just asking you about dinner. No one should eat alone.”

What had slammed into his memory at that moment was Ms. Christy inviting him to dine at hers and Ryan’s table on Friday aboard The Superior Jewel. Those had been her words too.

“You don’t mind, Ryan, do you? No one should eat alone.”

Ryan had been so adorable then, choking on his liquor. Jansen’s liquor. Jansen hadn’t yet realized at that moment that Ryan was clueless Jansen was only after him and not his so-called-friend, one Ms. Cheyenne Christy. Jesus, what a night that had been. The hunt, the chase and… oh! The capture. The spoils go to the victor.

And wow, he had been more than victorious that night and the night after.

He smiled from the memory.

“I was ordering food for Ryan Madison to be delivered to his apartment.” He checked off the last restaurant he had on his list after pressing end on his phone. He smoothed out the sheet of paper laying on his desk that also held Ryan’s address. He had actually taken it off his Driver’s License but had felt guilty about it. He ended up asking Ryan for it after he came out of the shower, begging really.

“You mean that man in the bathroom this afternoon?”

“Yes. I’m in a relationship with him. It’s new and fragile. Two days old. So,” He glanced up at Micky. “I am not eating alone.” He smiled. “I am dreaming of the time when I am back from this business trip and eating, drinking, laughing with Ryan.” He shook his head so lost in feeling.

“After two days? You have known this guy for only two days!”

Jansen glanced back at Micky a little surprised at his reaction. “No. More like three months. I don’t expect you to understand. I don’t even understand completely. But he was lost to me for three months. He disappeared on me. But then, like an angel, there he was. On board my new boat, The Superior Jewel. Just this last Friday. God, what a sight. And to think I almost didn’t go. I am so thankful I did.”

“You mean…? That boat you bought? You were going to send me.”

“Yes. But you needed the night off.” Jansen smiled. He just couldn’t believe his incredible fortune. He had been irritated Micky had suddenly become busy that night. He had been counting on him going. But it turned out to be a blessing.

“I’m so sorry. I should have…”

“I’m not. It was perfect timing.”

“But… you had been looking for him? For three months? I don’t understand.”

Was he upset? “I rescued him one afternoon, actually saved him from an attack. In the bathroom!” Ryan had been so beautiful, so vulnerable. And Jansen had been so damn pissed. That asshole who had intended to… well, thankfully it hadn’t happened. Ryan had been hurt, but Jansen took care of that, too. “But then he disappeared before I could get his name. I searched for him. For three months.”

“I remember. You kept going back to that lawyer’s office.” Micky rolled his eyes.

Now why in the word was he angry about that? “Yes. I thought I would see him again. But I never did. Not until this Friday.” But then what was he doing chattering and going on? All he had wanted to do was order the food to be delivered by time Ryan got home tomorrow and get home himself. It was going to be a long day on the road. But it seemed he was bubbling over. He just couldn’t help talking about his Ryan. “Anyway, I’m off.” He stuffed the paper with Ryan's address in his top drawer and stood. “I’ll be leaving early in the morning. I need to get home, have a bite to eat and get to bed.”

Micky’s eyes flashed and for a moment Jansen expected the man to ask if he wanted company. He was always borderline flirting with Jansen. He had consistently ignored the other man, believing he was overthinking the behavior. But ever since he had met Ryan, Micky’s conduct was no longer unclear. Jansen needed to shut it down every time he felt it surfaced. He had been wrong not doing so before this.

“I can see you’re drained,” Micky said. “I’ll close up, get the lights. You go on.” Then he smiled. It had seemed genuine. And since it was the truth, Jansen was exhausted, he allowed it, smiling himself.

And now here he was, hundreds of miles away staring at his phone regretting he had come in the first place. But abandoning the deal at this point didn’t make sense. He would try again tomorrow.

Jansen tried three more times to get in touch with Ryan before he went to bed that night, left messages all three times, and then two more times in the morning before he headed out to meet with Leon.

“You look tired,” Leon gruffed as he took a sip of coffee from his mug.

“Didn’t sleep well. Did you get through the proposal?” He was itching to try Ryan again. He could understand that he most likely had to plug in his phone overnight, maybe forgot to turn it on. It was early, probably before Ryan had to get up, when Jansen tried the first time this morning. Perhaps he had been in the shower. But Jansen was now nervous, and he wanted to try again because Ryan would be at work at this point. It was Tuesday and he needed to hear Ryan’s voice. For real. Why was his phone still off?

Was there a problem?

“Jansen?”

Jansen jerked and glanced up at Leon. “Sorry!” Shit. The man had been talking and he hadn’t heard a word. “Like I said. I didn’t sleep well.” He took a large sip from his coffee and attempted to focus.

“You were a million miles away.”

Not a million. Just a few hundred. 

COVER REVEAL - Graham's Rescue

BOOK 3 of the Oletti Shifters
  

“You’re pregnant, Graham.”

 Wow. Life has tossed Graham a lot of curveballs, but he never expected to hear those words. Then, just as Graham and his fated mate, Hyden, are getting used to that amazing news, someone from Graham’s past returns and kidnaps him, threatening the very future they want to build. Turns out Graham is an Oletti, a bloodline of wolf shifters that seems to be part of an ancient prophecy, one that speaks of a hidden magical spring of water that can restore the earth and all that is in it. A power some would kill to possess. Except, in the wrong hands, it can also turn humans and shifters totally away from what, and who, they truly love, tearing families and even fated mates apart.

 Unfortunately, Hyden has been forced to drink this water so no one is coming to rescue Graham. It’s now up to him to not only save himself, his unborn child and his fated mate, but very possibly the world as they know it. But superhero capes are hard to come by and he never liked himself much in tights. Still, with the help of his Oletti powers, this should be something he can do, right? Oh, Great Wolf, let this be something I can do...

On sale now. Go HERE for more

 Book 1 - Hyden's Law  Free 

 Book 2 - Mates, Inc.