*WARNING: THE FOLLOWING IS UNEDITED AND MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 18*

“Your arrival marked the coming of the storm. No living soul outside the beast has ever stepped foot on these premises during his turning. They will wonder if it was you who brought the hard winter.”

Rose tried to ignore the whisper of truth in its words. Yes. They would blame her, but that was nothing new. What worried her was whether they would blame the beast.

She wanted to go to him. Needed his touch. She clenched the banister. Two nights of torture, of waiting. She wanted him, all of him.

“It is an unholy obsession.” The wraith grew closer. It’s chilled fingers scraped along her spine leaving ice in their wake.

Was it speaking of her obsession or its own? Terror ran along her nerves. She knew it was the wraith. He needed to feed in order to grow stronger.

“Rose.” The Beast’s throaty voice banished the fear from her mind. Warmth and lust coiled in her stomach.

“Sir.” She dipped her head but couldn’t tear her eyes away from his descent.

Dark black hair was pulled back in a tight tail. Loose tendrils touched his cheeks where not even a five o’clock shadow remained. His jaw was firm and full sensual lips begged for her kisses. She had it bad. He watched her with an unreadable expression. Would he dismiss her? Her stomach twisted. She’d disobeyed him. Would he send her away?

He stopped within a breath’s reach and reached out to curl one strand of her hair around his finger. “Are you still so brave, my sweet Rose? Will you truly give your body to the devil himself?”

“You’re no devil.” She meant it despite the tremble in her voice.

His thumb brushed her lip and she let a soft sigh escape her mouth. “That remains to be seen.” He dipped his head and she met his lips for the softest kiss she’d ever imagined. His tongue teased and tormented hers until a moan slid from her throat.

So you have been warned. Over 18s only

Ruthless Beauty

(c) 2009 Kim Knox

“Rachel…”

Warm breath brushed against her breast. She twisted against the mattress, pushing down the weight of the sheets and blankets. Half-lidded and still groggy from sleep, her eyes focused on the hazy gold of the surrounding light and on the naked dark haired man licking the underside of her breast.

“What the—“

He sucked her nipple into his hot mouth, his teeth grazing the hard nub and it broke her words. Sensation rioted through her flesh. He looked up and his silver-cast eyes glittered. The hot curl of lust tightened in her belly as he tugged at her nipple with strong, white teeth and she couldn’t help the escaping groan. Her stranger grinned, something wicked and her heart thudded. He was beautiful, sculpted perfection and she knew him. He was the stranger from her fantasy.
She sucked in a quick breath. A dream, she was in a dream.

“Want me to fuck you, do you Rachel Sutherland?” His strong hands gripped her hips as he knelt over her, his breath hot over her belly. She ached for him to sink lower, for his mouth, his tongue to find her pussy. “What me to take you?”

“Yes…” The word escaped on a gasp.

His tongue teased over her mons and he held her down as her hips bucked. “My first taste will be kind.” His breath brushed warm over her sensitive skin and his silver eyes fixed on her. They glittered and fire rushed through her blood at the wicked promise shining from him. His words teased her. “A single memory to soften what is to come.”

A decade had been more than kind to him, turning Tyler from a dark and mysterious bad boy, to a sexier than hell man.

When had he cut his hair? Her stomach did an odd twist. She missed the shoulder length cut he’d sported a decade ago. What did you think would happen? Ten years is a helluva long time to stay away from home.

Home.

Megan sighed and looked away from her past, eying the live band playing in the corner. They were good and whatever kept the crowd moving gave her something else besides Tyler’s ass to stare at.

Familiar heat at the memory of that long ago lightning storm raced through her body. Longing that no amount of distance could burn away ate at her and now she decided to come back. Why?

“Long time Megan.” The low husky drawl sent shivers down her spine.
Megan took a deep breath and looked at the man who’d haunted her for a decade.

He looked more handsome now than ever. Damn. “Tyler. You’re lookin’ good.”
He leaned against the rail in a careless pose, thumbs hooked in his pockets. It took an iron will to keep her gaze from traveling any lower. Hot-blooded dreams had kept her tortured since she’d left. Long nights in foreign deserts under unfamiliar stars.

Dark gray eyes pierced her to the soul. “I can definitely say the same thing, darlin’.”

That soft drawl shivered along her skin.  Her face warmed. “Would you like to join me?” She wanted to be smooth. It came out shy and broken.
“How about a dance?” He held out his hand.

This was the moment. If she touched him, she’d know, wouldn’t she? Her fingers tingled. Somehow she found the nerve and nodded. His hand wrapped around hers. The tingle turned to comfort, steadying her worn nerves.
She reached for her beer.

“Leave it, honey. I’ve got something far better in mind.”

Megan hesitated. “I don’t leave my drink.”

“I’ll get you another one. My word.”

Damn. He got her. Never had Tyler gone back on his word. He guided her to the dance floor.

Time stood still and Megan was dancing with Tyler, again in his arms, just like the night of the thunderstorm. She laid her head against his shoulder and let his hips lead the way. The bad boy had become a man. It ached to know she’d missed the change.