Showing posts with label #shifter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #shifter. Show all posts

Sunday, July 31, 2022

Even as the newly appointed leader, he finds himself without the one thing he thought he was sure to have. A love to call his own. #newrelease #shifter #romance #fantasy

 

 

A Beautiful Nightmare Story


 Paranormal Romance; Fantasy fiction; Shifter Romance

Date Published: August 1, 2022

 

photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png

 

Open the gates. Open your heart.

Finally, the Dunes Paw Pack has reclaimed their place as the leading den of Beta Primes. Their new young alpha, Mark Helsing is finally in position to restore order and cement his pack’s reign in the Prime Wolf Order. For Mark it should be the most profound moment of his life.

But it is not.

Even as the newly appointed leader, he finds himself without the one thing he thought he was sure to have. A love to call his own.

Grieving the loss of the one he loved, Mark is growing dangerously close to losing everything he worked so hard to attain. Forced to choose a mate to ensure not only the future of his pack, but his bloodline, he must align himself with the one woman he vowed to never give his heart to again.

With a ticking timeline and a new darkness unleashed into his city, will he risk it all or rise to the occasion?


Author's Note: Beta Rising is a standalone within the Beautiful Nightmare series. Readers of Beautiful Nightmare and Awaken will be pleased to see some of their favorite characters return, and new readers will dive headfirst into a world full of wolf shifters, vampires, and a host of others. This story is a lite enemies-to-lovers, second chance, paranormal romance complete with a happy ending.

 

About the Author 

Wife of one. Mom of three plus a Beagle.

Well, at least that's how I'm described in the confines of my everyday life.

 Writing has always been second nature to me. I spent my childhood creating short stories and my collegiate years writing for the campus paper (Go TERPS!) Jump twenty years to the present--I'm still writing. At my day job I spend most of my time writing capability briefs, white papers, proposals--you name it.

 Then one day it hit me! It was time to access my own creative power and bring to life the characters I've created in my mind.

In addition to enjoying life with my amazing family, I can usually be found with my head in a book, binging my favorite shows, and watching movies with jaw-dropping scores! Presently, I'm working on the next installment in the Beautiful Nightmare series.


Contact Links

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Purchase Link

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RABT Book Tours & PR

Thursday, September 9, 2021

OUT NOW—The Persecution of the Wolves by Lucy Felthouse (@cw1985) #paranormal, #wolves, #werewolves, #shifter, #thriller



 

Blurb:

Someone’s got it in for the Adams brothers. But who? And why?

Werewolf brothers Matthew and Isaac have lived in the peaceful village of Eyam, Derbyshire all their lives. The villagers know what they are, and have their reasons for keeping quiet. But this secrecy comes at a cost—the brothers can’t risk romantic entanglements.

Then, at the next full moon, a sheep is slaughtered on Eyam Moor, by what could only be a large animal. Even the brothers’ staunchest supporters begin to have their doubts about who—or what—could have done it.

As the brothers fight to clear their names, things are complicated by unexpected opportunities to indulge their lust. Isaac is intrigued by a handsome newcomer to the village, and a vivacious visitor is happy to offer Matthew her all.

Can the men prove their innocence, or is their centuries-old secret about to be revealed to the outside world, bringing their carefully crafted existence crashing down around their ears?

Please note: This book has been previously published. This version has been re-edited.

Universal Link: http://books2read.com/wolves    

 

*****

Excerpt:

Chapter One

Modern day Eyam

As Matthew and Isaac Adams stepped through the front door to their house, the telephone started ringing. Matthew sighed. “Typical. No rest for the wicked. I’ll answer it—you go and get ready for work.”

Isaac nodded and headed off to do as his brother advised. Matthew, the older of the two, walked up to the ringing phone and snatched it off the hook. Then, remembering the person on the other end of the line would have no idea what a rough night he’d just had, he made the effort to inject some politeness into his tone.

“Hello? Adams residence.” Isaac had told him time and time again the last part about the residence was old fashioned, that people didn’t say that anymore, but Matthew couldn’t seem to shake it.

“Hello, Matthew? It’s Richard.” The village vicar’s voice, even though he’d only spoken four words, sounded strained, almost panicked. “You boys just get back?”

“Yes, a moment ago. Why, what’s up?”

“I, uh… I got a call. A dead sheep has been found up on the moor. Not just dead. Mutilated. Like an animal attack.”

An unpleasant feeling wormed its way under Matthew’s skin and his stomach flipped. “Oh?” He paused, then figured he had nothing to gain by not saying the next words he wanted to. “You don’t think it was us?”

The vicar’s gasp was instant, one of genuine surprise. “Lord, no! Absolutely not. I just phoned to let you know and I was wondering if you’d come up there with me and take a look? You and Isaac are probably more qualified than anyone else in the village to tell what did this.”

“Isaac has to work. He just went to get ready. But yes, I’ll come up. I’ll let my brother know where I’m going, then I’ll be straight over. Are you at the rectory?”

“Yes. Okay, I’ll see you soon. Thanks, Matthew. Bye.”

“Goodbye.”

Matthew hung up the phone with another sigh. The horrible feeling that had crept under his skin and taken over his gut seemed as if it was there to stay, and it was never a good sign. The vicar’s news was surprising, yes, but he also had an inkling it was going to spell trouble, or at the very least inconvenience for him and his brother.

Pulling in a deep breath in an attempt to calm his jangling nerves, Matthew walked upstairs and towards his brother’s bedroom. The door was closed. He knocked. “You decent?”

“Yeah,” Isaac replied, “close enough.”

Matthew stepped into the room and looked at his brother. He was half-dressed, almost ready for his shift at the doctors’ surgery, where he was a general practitioner. “Sorry to interrupt, mate, but that was Richard on the phone. Someone’s found a mutilated sheep up on the moor, and he’s asked me to go with him to check it out.”

Isaac paused with one arm pushed into his shirtsleeve. “He doesn’t think—”

“No. He was quite adamant about that. He just thought we’d be able to help figure out what did it. I explained you’ve got to go to work, though. I’m going to head across there now and go up with him.”

“I could phone in, let them know I’ll be late.”

Matthew held up his hand. “There’s no need, brother. Relax. Just go to work and help the sick people. I’ll let you know what—if anything—I find out.”

Isaac opened his mouth, then closed it again, apparently having thought better of whatever he was going to say. He continued to dress. “All right, I will. But make sure you let me know what happens. Send me a text or something, and I’ll phone you as soon as I have a gap in between patients.”

Matthew grimaced. He hated texting. Hated mobile phones, actually. Technology was one of the things he disliked most about modern-day life, though it was a necessary evil. It solved as many problems for him and his brother as it created, so he dealt with it as best he could. Fortunately, Isaac had always had an affinity with computers and phones, so he tutored Matthew.

“Yes, all right. I’d better go and find my phone first then, eh?”

Smirking at his brother’s rolled eyes, he left the room and headed for his own bedroom, where he thought he’d left the device the previous night before he and Isaac had headed for the caves. On spotting the mobile phone—which Isaac often made a point of telling him was akin to a brick—he grabbed it, stuffed it into his pocket, and made his way downstairs.

Retrieving his keys from the hook by the front door, he called up to his brother. “I’m going now, Isaac. I’ll see you after my shift at the pub. I’m working until closing time.”

“Okay. Don’t forget to keep me posted.”

“I won’t.” As if he could forget. The dead sheep was going to be a big thing, he just knew it. The vicar might not think he and his brother had anything to do with it, but some of the other villagers might. When there was no proof either way, just his and Isaac’s word, it was understandable, really. Since he and his brother changed into wolves every full moon, it was a natural conclusion to draw. Particularly since wolves had been extinct in England for over five hundred years.

 

*****

Author Bio:

Lucy Felthouse is the award-winning author of erotic romance novels Stately Pleasures (named in the top 5 of Cliterati.co.uk’s 100 Modern Erotic Classics That You’ve Never Heard Of), Eyes Wide Open (winner of the Love Romances Café’s Best Ménage Book 2015 award), The Persecution of the Wolves, Hiding in Plain Sight, and The Heiress’s Harem and The Dreadnoughts series. Including novels, short stories and novellas, she has over 170 publications to her name. Find out more about her writing at http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk, or on Twitter or Facebook. Join her Facebook group for exclusive cover reveals, sneak peeks and more! Sign up for automatic updates on Amazon or BookBub. Subscribe to her newsletter here: http://www.subscribepage.com/lfnewsletter

 

Release blitz organised by Writer Marketing Services.



Thursday, August 12, 2021

New release #paranormalromance #bookblitz Read a #teaser from Sought, @AlineHunter @RABTBookTours #wolf #shifters

 



The Wolf's Den, Book #3

Paranormal Romance

Date Published: August 13, 2021

Publisher: Renrut Publishing



There can be light in the dark...



Shane Heyward left everything behind to find his mate. He struggled for months, following his wolf to her location, guided to a place where supernatural beings exist and thrive. Despite being capable of leading his own pack, he chose to join one. When he finds his mate by accident, he's shaken by the truth. Not only is she blind, the wolf within her is completely feral. If he can't help her take control of the beast, she'll have to be destroyed.

Luna Lowe was forced to leave her previous pack after she shifted, attacked, and almost killed two members—one of which was her sister. She's ashamed of her behavior, wondering if death is preferable to living alone, when the male she believed abandoned her due to her lack of sight arrives.

As Shane and Luna come together, he learns her history. His female was wronged, and the insult has to be dealt with swiftly and harshly. As he takes charge and seeks retribution, reverting to his Alpha nature, everything will change—for both of them.





Excerpt

"Don't you dare be ashamed of the way you respond to me." Shane knew the moment Luna's excitement changed to mortification. Since he didn't want that, he lifted her hand and skimmed his lips over her knuckles. "Whatever you're thinking about, I can do. In fact, I'd like to do whatever you're thinking about and more."

She drew a ragged breath, and he glanced at her.

Her cheeks were rosy and pink, matching her full lips.

Damn it to hell.

Her light touch was tentative but curious. He imagined what her fingers would feel like drifting over his back and chest. He wanted to experience them buried in his hair. She kept her nails neat and tidy, but they were just long enough that he'd notice if she buried them in his flesh. He'd find out how that felt soon enough. She had to accept the mating and him first. Afterward, when she felt comfortable, there were so many things he wanted to do to her.

He was a deviant bastard.

A new fragrance filled the air.

When he placed it, he almost pulled over, so he could face her dead-on.

She was still aroused, but she was also extremely upset about something.

"If you mate me, you're stuck," she whispered. "There's no going back."

She didn't think she was worthy of him. He'd realized that when she'd asked him if he hadn't come to her because she couldn't see. She'd had months to think that very thing. By now, she likely believed he'd abandoned her because she wasn't good enough.

He'd let her get away with a lot, but never that.





About The Author

Aline Hunter has written stories featured in horror magazines, zombie romance anthologies, and flash fiction contests. Her work has a dark undertone, which she credits to her love of old horror films, tastes in music, and choices in reading, and has been described as “full of sensual promise,” “gritty and sexy,” and “a breath of fresh air.”

You can visit her online at www.alinehunter.com


Contact Links

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Blog

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Mewe


Purchase Links

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iBooks

Smashwords

Universal Link Books2Read



RABT Book Tours & PR

Friday, January 29, 2021

His gentle caresses felt so good, Cassie didn’t want him to stop. Read a #teaser from new #shifter #romance as @GaleStanley visits the blog with The Omega's Temptation @changelingpress

 


The Omega's Temptation by Gale Stanley

 

Omegas rank dead last in the pack. Tired of being low man on the totem pole, Axel leaves the pack to live with the humans. He hides his identity, gets a job, keeps to himself, and is lonely as hell until he meets Cassie. Axel is smitten, but there’s no way he can reveal his secret.

 

Excerpt

The Omega's Temptation (Utopia 3)
Gale Stanley
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2021 Gale Stanley

 

When Axel finally pulled back, he left Cassie breathless. She’d initiated the kiss, but she’d never thought it would be so intimate, so electrifying. Axel felt it, too. He looked into her eyes while he smoothed his hands over her back, her arms, wherever he could reach. His gentle caresses felt so good, Cassie didn’t want him to stop. It had been a long time since a man had touched her like this. Her panties grew damp as arousal pulsed between her thighs. What’s happening to me?

 

“Oh, Axel. I haven’t felt like this in a long time. You make me feel like a woman again.”

 

“I’m glad,” he murmured. “You make me feel like a man, Cassie.” He captured her mouth again and deepened their kiss. His tongue stroked Cassie’s until she was dizzy. Kissing had never felt like this with Benjamin.

Axel slid the rough pads of his fingers under Cassie’s top. He smoothed his palms over her breasts, fondling them and teasing her nipples ever so slightly. Cassie’s stomach did flip-flops and she felt tension build inside her.

Axel whispered in her ear. “This might be wrong, but you’re so fucking tempting.”

 

“How can it be wrong when it feels so right?” His touch lit a fire inside her. His voice, husky with passion, fanned the flames. Every square inch of her body was hot for him.

 

As they kissed, Axel urged her to stand. It felt good to press her body to his. Cassie wrapped her arms around him, pushing her breasts against his chest.

Axel slid his hand under the hem of Cassie’s shorts. Cassie expected him to stroke her aching pussy, but his hands came back around her waist. Doesn’t he want me?

 

Cassie parted her thighs, and ground herself against him, trapping his hard bulge between them. Oh he wants me. He’s afraid he’ll scare me off. 

 

Buy Links

 

Changeling Press:

https://www.changelingpress.com/gale-stanley-a-199

 

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QJR24ZD

 

Apple Books:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1544799533

 

Barnes and Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-omegas-temptation-gale-stanley/1138466816?ean=2940162997351

 

Kobo/Walmart:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-omega-s-temptation

 

Happy Reading!

 

Author Bio and Links

 

Gale Stanley grew up in Philadelphia PA. She was the kid who always had her nose in a book, her head in the clouds, and her hands on a pad and pencil.

Some things never change.

 

Website | Blog | Twitter | FaceBook | Instagram | Pinterest

 

 


 

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Read a #teaser from guest author @LJLongo 's new release #paranormalromance Freeing the Witch @evernightpub


I’ve written the entire Heart of the Mountain series to prove to my partner and roommate that I can write more than super dark m/m fantasies. So, if they’ve had to listen to me complain for six months about shy people in love, it’s their fault. The challenge was to take an Enemies to Lovers and explore it with genuinely sweet people. Watching this witch and wolf learn to love not just each other but themselves has made this one of my favorite stories (and probably my best to date).

FREEING THE WITCH by L.J. LONGO






Emaula Whispel thought she’d be happy if she could live outside her mother’s magical stone tower, but when Emaula starts working as a chef at her friend's trading post, she becomes smitten with Porter, her co-cook. Now Emuala’s magic is obsessed with possessing this quiet, charming wolf, and the budding witch has to fight to control her powers and her lust, to prevent her new friend from becoming her accidental victim.

Porter was created to serve witches by opening doors into their dreams, and he is neither surprised by nor afraid of Emaula’s magic. What startles him is that this powerful witch genuinely seems to care for something as lowly as a wolf. Now all Porter has to do is prove his love for her is not an enchantment, before her mother takes away everything Emaula holds dear.


WHERE TO BUY

Evernight Publishing

Smashwords


 Read a teaser:



Time was strange in the dreams. Minutes could be hours. Hours could pass in seconds.

And somewhere someone was trying to reach him. Someone wanted him and had taken measures to have him. Was is the little girl? The Munawn’s daughter. She’d be all grown-up now and remember him fondly. She must have extraordinary power to reach him.

A light came on under a door, hemming the edges with a low purple light and filling the room with that melancholic tint. The one who had shaved her hair and wore black gemstones that glowed purple. Porter knew her name, but he refused to think it. He wanted nothing to do with them. He had been turned out. He wasn’t allowed to think of them anymore. He didn’t have too.

The door creaked open, and Porter winced. Whether he wanted them or not, one of them was coming through. He didn’t have much choice. Or at least, he wouldn’t when he saw her.

The light poured into the room, flooded it with the scents of spring, vanilla, and lavender and bluebells. Intoxicating, lulling. The smell of a beautiful woman who wanted him. The fragrance of an herb sachet dropped into cold water on a hot day and stirred.

“Oh, Emaula.” Porter hadn’t smelled any magic in the tea he’d sipped as a sign of good faith. Just like him to misread a person and get bespelled. He wished Sock had come down with him. Sock wouldn’t make that mistake.

Porter struggled against the weight of her dream world and lifted himself slowly on one arm. She hadn’t fully opened the door, yet. Was just peering through, shyly.

Emaula was not a woman; she was the moon. The shadows of the world curled around and concealed half her face, leaving only the paleness around her starlight blue eyes and the soft darkness of the purple light.

Now was the time to stop her. To say something mean. To beg her to stop. To remind her of her oath. Or to … to—

Emaula divested the darkness. Unveiled her lovely face. Freed her hair, such a fine pale gold that it shone in this dream world, illuminated her thin pink lips. Porter had forgotten how beautiful the witches could be. How the sight of them stole breath, sanity, free will.

The woman could swear there was no harm in her. How could he be harmed by her? When now all he ever wanted in the world was her.

She met his gaze and smiled timidly. She stepped into the sea of sheets and pillows, delicately moving through the luxurious silks toward his body. The black silk wound around him shimmered under the radiance of her body. His stiff cock suffocated and strained under the sleek material.

The witch would get what she wanted. He had enough experience with witches to know they always did. These women could be cruel. They could be unbelievably kind, as well. And he honestly didn’t know which was worse.

He did know there was no point in defying her. No point in not taking what pleasure he could. No point in being mean to the mistress. Had that been one of The Munawn’s mantras? Or another wolf’s good advice?

Emaula knelt beside him in the bed, her hands modestly on her knees, her eyes big and earnest. “Porter, is this all right?”

He didn’t understand.

Was she asking permission? No witch did that. Had to be a trick.

He wasn’t sure what she was so embarrassed about, but she was damned cute when she was. She twisted her hands through the sheets as if she had to keep herself from touching him. “Is … is this all right?”

Was it all right? What the hell kind of question was that for a witch to ask a wolf? He wasn’t going to upset her by saying no.

The witch stroked his thigh through the sheet. His cock, already damningly stiff, pulsed at the nearness of her hand. That ought to answer her question.

He didn’t even think he wanted to say no, but how could he know the truth here? When she controlled the world? When just watching her come into the room had reduced him to nothing but a hard cock and the inner monologue of a scared puppy?

“Porter. Will you say something, please?”


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


L.J. is a queer author, a feminist, and a geek with an MFA in writing Popular Fiction. L.J. has an annoying tendency to ship everyone, disappear if no-one is supervising, and struggles with everything except making up stories.



Find L.J. online:

Website: Gracefulindecency.com

Facebook: @L.J.Longo713

Twitter: LJLongo

Thursday, July 25, 2019

When veterinarian Emily Brownstone, 55, finds a poisoned wolf on the roadside, she doesn’t realize the chain of events that will follow. New release #PNR from @SuzyShearer and @evernightpub


A Wolf's Tale
by Suzy Shearer

Heat Rating : Level 2
Word Count: 33,527


BLURB:
When veterinarian Emily Brownstone, 55, finds a poisoned wolf on the roadside, she doesn’t realize the chain of events that will follow.

Someone is trying to kill off the native wildlife, and Emily’s action in saving the wolf will threaten her life, but will also bring her the man of her dreams.

Tate Collins, 57, can’t believe his luck—he’s finally met his soul mate after all these years. All he has to do is tell her his secret—and it is a big one! He just hopes she won’t freak out when she finds out he spends a lot of his time running around on four legs! 

But even if she does accept him, will they find each other only to be torn apart by the danger that threatens the wildlife—and Emily?


STORY EXCERPT:  
"There’s an injured animal on the road, but I can’t lift it by myself. Could you help me please? I want to put it in the rear of my car."
The two men exchanged a look, and Emily felt apprehensive. The look seemed like some silent conversation between them. She didn’t like it, but there was nothing she could do now.
"Injured animal. What sort?"
"A wolf."
Another looked passed between them, and Emily felt the hair on the back of her neck stand. They seemed to be communicating with just body language and looks. It freaked her a little. Before she could tell them to forget about it, they pulled their four-wheel drive to the side of the road and got out. Both men quickly went to the fallen animal. They whispered something to each other and turned to her. Emily could see they were extremely worried and upset, rather more than you’d expect.
"Ma’am, it’s pretty dangerous to put a wild wolf in your car. Why don’t you let us take it?"
Oh, oh.
Suddenly Emily realized these two could be poachers and here she was handing over a beautiful wolf to them. The trade in illegal wolf pelts was still happening and rather lucrative.
Firmly she said, "If you get it onto the back of my jeep, I can check it out and sedate it if necessary. I’m a vet."
Of course, Emily hadn’t practiced full-time for a few years. She’d retired but ran a small practice from her home. Still, she always carried an emergency kit in her car. The taller of the two men seemed to hover over her, and Emily began to back away to the jeep.
"I really think you should let us take it."
His voice was not quite menacing, but it had enough force to make Emily very nervous, but she was determined these two wouldn’t intimidate her and take the wolf.
"No. It needs medical attention."
He stepped very close to her. Regretting her decision to ask for help, she touched the back of the jeep. Casually putting a hand behind her, she groped inside for something heavy in case they attacked her. The shorter of the men leaned toward the other and whispered. The tall one glanced down at her, and he took a couple of backward steps.
© Suzy Shearer 2019
LINKS - WHERE TO FIND SUZY:                                                        


A FEW LINKS WHERE TO BUY:
Angus and Robertson: https://www.angusrobertson.com.au


BIO:
Renaissance woman, best-selling and Award winning author Suzy Shearer writes contemporary and paranormal erotic romances filled with mature and interesting characters. Her books always feature older heroes and heroines; ranging from mid 40s to 60s. The heroines are usually confident plus-sized women who are proud of their curves. Suzy feels it's important for readers to connect.

Suzy also wants her readers to understand just because people are older doesn't mean they aren't intriguing, desirable, open to challenges and willing to experiment. They may be older but not always wiser. Remember sexy isn't just for the under 30s.

A Buddhist and artist, Suzy lives in the Lake Macquarie region of NSW, Australia with one very spoilt dog and two equally spoilt cats keeping her company. When Suzy is not writing, she is usually painting - an accomplished watercolour Artist her subjects range from portraits and animals to nudes and landscapes. She is also a quilter, toy maker, sculptor and potter.
Suzy's Art





Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Captured and tortured by shifter hunters, Ryder wakes to the gentle care of Evie Thomas. #midweektease #romance #PNR



#Midweektease is from Siren Publishing
Book three of
The Venn Pack in Love
Captive Wolf

When Ryder Venn sets out to do a favor for his alpha brother, Joshua, he thinks it’s just an ordinary day. Little does he know the horror and adventure that awaits him. Captured and tortured by shifter hunters, Ryder wakes to the gentle care of Evie Thomas.
As Ryder Venn falls in love with the mysterious girl who nurses his wounds and feeds him, Evie discloses her reason for being part of the hunter’s group. 
As Evie reveals her identity and plans to Ryder, they fall into a heated and passionate love affair. 
Meanwhile, the shifter hunters plot to force Ryder into cage fighting. The trouble is just who or what will they make him fight?
Deep in love, Ryder marks Evie as his mate.
Gorgeous Ryder will do anything for her.
Lovely Evie will do anything to free him.

A noise brought his head up. It came from behind him. A door opening, bolts sliding, hinges creaking, and then a small gasp and muffled cry. Was some other captive being thrown in to be tortured? Dread flooded his foggy mind. Was he going to be tortured again?
He closed his eyes. Maybe if they think I’m still unconscious they’ll leave me alone.
A dull clunk nearby sounded as if someone put down a plastic container. Something else scraped the floor as it was placed alongside the metal chair.
Ryder pushed down panic. He didn’t know how to withstand more torture.
Gentle fingers traced a path along his cheek, and a soft wet cloth was dabbed onto his forehead. Water from the cloth ran in a swift rivulet down his face and his thirst drove him to try to catch the precious liquid with his swollen tongue. It tasted vaguely of antiseptic, but he desperately licked at it.
A female voice whispered, “You’re awake. You must be in such pain. I want to take care of you, but I can’t free you, not yet, anyway. Here, drink first. Not too quickly or you’ll be sick.”
A plastic cup of some kind was pressed to his mouth. It hurt, but he opened his eyes and drank, gulping the water.
“Slow down, there’s a lot, and I’ll bring more. I’m going to wash you now. I’m sorry if it hurts, but your wounds need dressing or they could become infected.”
The voice belonged to a pretty young woman. In his fog of pain, Ryder registered that and her dark wavy hair pulled back in a thick braid that fell over her shoulder as she bent. She tossed it down her back and dragged a bucket closer after placing the cup on the floor next to a tall bottle of spring water.
Ryder gazed at her almost stupefied with relief he wasn’t going to be tortured.
She brought out a white cloth from the bucket, squeezed a little water from it, and then proceeded to clean him up. From head to toe she worked on him, soothing, calming the injuries, rinsing the cloth, bringing more water in the cup to his lips for him to drink.
She moved around the back of the chair and washed the sticky stuff from his hands and wrists.
“What is that—on my hands?” his voice scratched out.
She moved closer to his mouth, leaning over his shoulder. “Blood, you’re bleeding in lots of places. I have to do something about your genitals. I’m sorry. I have some cold water by the door. You need them cooled.”
Ryder grimaced. “No.” Shame filled him. Bad enough I’m naked, but an unknown girl washing me…down there…
She slipped a cool, delicate, hand around his face. “Yes. I must. I’ll take care. Close your eyes. Think about the ocean, a river, somewhere beautiful you know.”
She moved away.
Ryder jerked as his balls were cradled in cool hands and then surrounded in cool water. She must have been holding a bowl under him. A wet cloth traced the underside of his balls, all the way to his ass and then back again, until it could go no farther as the young woman wielding it reached the edge of the cutaway in the seat. Ryder swallowed a sob. The tender way she washed him made everything worse. Her care made him feel like crying, and he didn’t know why.
She brought her cloth, freshly squeezed of cool water, to his flaccid cock, and washed him. She brought the drinking water and gave him more to drink, and then she used splashes of it on the burns that dotted around his stomach.
She stood back after giving him another drink and searched in the button-down thigh pocket of her cargo pants. She brought out a tube and a bubble pack.
She squeezed the tube, and smeared the white cream that wormed out over his cuts and burns. Then she popped a couple of tablets from the bubble pack, and made him take them.
“They’re pain killers. You need them. Drink more.” She ran a gentle hand over his forehead after he’d swallowed down the tabs.
They scraped his sore throat. He gulped more water, trying to stop the feeling that the tabs had stuck halfway down to his stomach.
The girl put down the cup of water and squeezed out the last of the cream from the tube. She went around to his wrists tied behind him.
Her soft touch on his wretched wrists soothed him anew, and a sigh escaped him. “Thank you for this, for the care and water.”
She murmured softly, “I couldn’t see you in this condition. It broke my heart.” She came to kneel in front of him. “I wish I could do more. I’m going to bring you food later. I have a lot of leeway here. I convinced Steve—that’s the leader of this hunter group—to let me tend you, only because of my association with his new deputy.”
Ryder gazed at her. She’d switched on a low light that sat on a table in one corner to look at his wounds, and he could see her eyes, the color of harebells, appraising him with a mix of concern and tenderness.
“Where am I?

Copyright Elodie Parkes, Siren Publishing


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