Unbound by Sara Humphreys (Part 7) - Free Newsletter Serial

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“You’re beautiful.” Zachary held her gaze, and her stomach fluttered at the unspoken invitation that lingered in the air. He leaned closer and dropped his voice to a gravelly whisper.

Chapter 7   Zachary had never been so fucking confused in his entire life. He’d thought that once he found his mate, life would get easier, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Being with Annabelle was a lesson in patience, self-control, and exquisite pleasure, all of which he’d experienced in full force that morning in the shower. Everything had been going along perfectly, and feasting on her gorgeous body was, quite simply, one of the hottest sexual encounters of his life—because it wasn’t merely physical. The pleasure was intensified by their intimate emotional connection, and watching her come apart the way she did was sexy as hell. Then it all changed on a dime. Something happened. He felt the shift in her energy signature, and even if he hadn’t, the look on her face would have been more than enough to bring their encounter to a screeching halt. Her expression was a combination of sadness and regret, and it slammed into him with gut-wrenching force. She’d come to him in the shower and made it crystal clear that she wanted to be with him, but then moments later, Annabelle had buyer’s remorse. She clearly regretted being intimate with him, and it made Zachary feel like absolute shit. While she got dressed, he spent his time scolding himself for being so selfish and stupid. The girl was running scared, and what did he do? He kept pushing the mating thing like an arrogant alpha Amoveo man. What the fuck was wrong with him? If Tatiana were here, she’d smack him upside the head and tell him he was being a dick. He stole a glance at Annabelle as they walked along the road toward town. She was wearing a blue sundress that he’d conjured up for her and looked every inch the beautiful young woman she was. Her long hair was wavy and wild as it fluttered in the breeze, reminding him again of a mermaid, but the angry red spots on her shoulders gave him pause. “You’re getting sunburned,” Zach said. He nodded toward her shoulders, and even though he wanted to run his hands over her smooth skin, he resisted. Sticking his hands in the pockets of his board shorts, Zach cleared his throat and turned his attention back to the buildings ahead. “We can grab some sunblock at the market, and some aloe would probably be a good idea too. That looks like it’s going to hurt.” Annabelle didn’t answer but simply nodded her agreement. She’d barely said a word since emerging from the bedroom, and Zachary didn’t know how to get her to open up. He considered reaching out to Dominic and Tatiana but decided against it because Dominic would never let him live it down. As they walked into the center of town, music drifted out of the local cantina next to the beach. He stole a glance at Annabelle. Her attention had also been captured by the lively tune and intermittent laughter from customers. “Sounds like a lot of fun in there. Actually, I thought there would be a lot more tourists here.” “Nope. It’s the off season, and the college kids aren’t on break right now. From what I gather, spring break is the busy season, but there are still a few intrepid travelers like the two of us around.” “I could use a little fun,” she said, turning her green-eyed gaze to his. “The food isn’t half bad, either,” Zach said. “I grabbed lunch in there right after I arrived, and it was great—real authentic Mexican cuisine.” They stopped at the corner and he pointed to the main building across the street. “The police station is in there, along with every other official office of this one-horse town. How about after we file your report and you make your phone call, we come over here for a bite to eat and some music. If my Spanish is on point, they have a band playing here tonight starting at six.” The Jet Ski vendor on the beach captured Zachary’s attention and an idea bloomed. “That’s only a few hours from now, and if sitting at the bar isn’t your thing, we can rent a WaveRunner and hit the ocean. Are you game?” “Well…” Annabelle shielded her eyes from the bright afternoon sun and looked from the cantina to Zachary. She dropped her hand and gave him a smile. “I suppose we do have to eat, don’t we?” “We do,” he responded quietly. Her green eyes smiled at him, but he sensed a wariness behind them, which only made him more determined to get her to trust him. He captured her hand in his and ran his thumb over the top of her fingers softly. Her eyes widened briefly and the unmistakable shimmer of desire fluttered between them. “Do you trust me?” “To pick out a restaurant?” she asked with a teasing lilt in her voice. “Sure.” “It’s a start.” Zachary winked and pulled her with him toward the police station. The smile that bloomed over her face lit up her green eyes and made them glitter like emeralds in the sun, and Zachary was certain he’d never seen anyone more beautiful. “Let’s go.” With Annabelle’s hand firmly clasped in his, Zachary led the way into the building. The inside was almost as hot as the outside; the only difference was the occasional rush of air from the giant metal fans perched in the corners. An officer at the front desk, who spoke remarkably good English, directed them to the second floor. As they climbed the wide staircase together, Zachary noticed Annabelle’s grip tighten, and her energy signature swirled with anxiety. When they reached the top of the stairs, Zachary pulled her aside and leaned on the balcony railing that overlooked the main lobby. Gathering both of her hands in his, he pulled her close and rasped his thumbs along the inner edges of her wrists. She sucked in a shuddering breath and gave him a forced smile. “You okay?” Zachary kept his voice low and glanced at a young mother and her toddler as they walked past. “I can tell how anxious you are.” “Am I that transparent?” “Not exactly.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “Your energy signature, which is kind of like a spiritual fingerprint that only Amoveo can see, is swirling around me right now like a storm cloud. I just want to make sure you’re okay before we head in there. That’s all.” “You’re amazing, do you know that?” Annabelle looked down at their joined hands and whispered, “I wish I could stay with you, Zachary. I really do. I haven’t felt this safe since before my mother died.” “If my friends were here, they’d tell you that you can’t fight fate, and believe me, they tried. Especially Dominic. Hell, he’s even more stubborn than I am.” He inched closer and tangled his fingers with hers. “I want you to stay, and you’re telling me you want to stay…so why not do what we both want?” “Sometimes what we want and what’s right are two different things.” She squeezed his hands tightly before lifting her face to his. “Believe me, I wish things could be different.” Zachary was about to press the issue, when a voice behind them interrupted their conversation. “Can I help you?” The man’s voice, laced with a thick accent, echoed around them in the cavernous hall. “Señorita?” This conversation isn’t over. Zachary touched his mind to hers and couldn’t help but smile when her eyes widened from the intimate connection. “Hello, officer.” Annabelle slipped her hands from Zachary’s and stepped around him with her hand extended. “I’m so relieved that you speak English.” “Sí.” The friendly man laughed and shook their hands enthusiastically. He was short with a thick, stocky build, barely two inches taller than Annabelle, and his salt-and-pepper hair was cropped in a military cut. Dark eyes were set in his round face, and he had a thick mustache that reminded Zachary of a caterpillar. “Yes. Of course. We have many Americans visit our beachside town, and I find that my English is better than their español.” “My girlfriend was mugged yesterday, and we’d like to file a report.” Zachary stayed by Annabelle’s side and didn’t miss the shift in her energy signature when he identified her as his girlfriend. He found himself feeling oddly protective of her, even in the presence of a cop, and the need to claim her as his was overwhelming. “All of her money and identification was in the bag the guy took, and even though the money is likely gone, we thought we might luck out and someone might turn in her passport.” “Of course. I’m Detective Vargas.” He gestured to the open door behind him. “Come with me.” They sat with Detective Vargas for over an hour while he took Annabelle’s statement and all of her information. The man was patient and highly detail-oriented, wanting to know every single bit of information Annabelle and Zachary could give him. In spite of the somewhat run-down office and antiquated computer, Zachary could tell that Vargas was an effective cop. “I believe we have everything, Miss Johnson.” Vargas smiled and reached for some documents he had printed out. “Here’s a copy of your statement—this one is in English—and you’ve given me the address of the home you are renting, so I will notify you if your belongings turn up.” However, his smile fell when he turned back around and his gaze fell upon Annabelle. “Is something wrong?” “No.” Annabelle smiled tightly and fiddled with her bracelet. She shifted her position in the wooden chair, which creaked with her movement. Every warning bell went off in Zachary’s head while he studied her, because she was all tweaked up again. She flicked her gaze to Zachary briefly and then to Vargas. “Do you have a phone that I could use, Detective? I need to call my friend back in the States and ask her to wire me some money. I’ll call collect, of course.” “Of course, young lady. Give her this address. We have a Western Union location downstairs, and it will be open until seven o’clock.” He pointed to a smaller office that was adjacent to his. “My associate is not here today. Feel free to use his phone, Señorita Johnson.” Annabelle nodded and smiled at the two men as she rose from her chair, but Zachary didn’t miss the sudden flutter in her energy signature when Vargas called her Señorita Johnson. Zach watched her disappear into the office and shut the door behind her, and tension settled in his shoulders. She was definitely lying about her name. His mouth set in a firm line and he swore under his breath. Why would she lie about that? “I have printed out the information for the U.S. consulate. It’s several hours’ drive from here, but if your girlfriend’s passport isn’t found, she’ll need to be issued a new one.” Vargas punched a few buttons on the keyboard of the computer, then swore in Spanish and banged the side of the monitor. “Pinche mierda!” He let out a sound of frustration. “I am sure the effort will be well worth it. Your girlfriend is quite lovely, Señor McKenna.” “Yes,” Zachary answered absently while he continued to watch Annabelle through the office window. She kept her back to them, and he could tell she was talking to someone on the other end of the telephone line. He turned back to Vargas and nodded. “She is something else.” “Forgive me for saying this, but it doesn’t seem like you know each other very well.” Vargas leaned back in his chair and folded his hands in his lap while eyeing Zachary intently. “How long have you been dating?” “Why do you ask?” Zachary kept his tone even and smiled. “Just curious.” Vargas’s eyes twinkled. “Call it a hazard of the job, I suppose.” “We’re still in the getting-to-know-you phase.” Zach met Vargas’s stare and those alarm bells started to go off again. He smiled and sat casually in the chair, trying to act as though the questions about their relationship weren’t highly uncomfortable. “Of course, figuring each other out is half the fun. Wouldn’t you agree?” “Sí.” Vargas laughed and wagged a finger at Zachary while giving him a knowing look. “And if you find the right girl, you can continue to try and figure her out for the rest of your life. I’ve been married to mi esposa for almost thirty years and I’m still trying to figure her out.” He let out a sigh and turned around the double frame on the desk. One photo was from their wedding day and the other looked to have been taken quite recently. “She is still as beautiful as the day I met her.” Zachary nodded and smiled while the detective regaled him with the story of how he met his wife. While Vargas spoke, Zachary looked at the two pictures, taken thirty years apart, and a sense of longing filled him. It was true that he and Annabelle barely knew each other, and it pissed him off because if she had her way, they never would. Zach glanced over his shoulder at Annabelle, who had just hung up the phone and immediately captured his gaze. His gut tightened with need from that one look from her, and in that moment, Zach knew he would do whatever he had to in order to get Annabelle to stay with him.   *** The conversation over lunch was surprisingly easy. She’d panicked back at the police station when the detective used her phony last name. It dawned on her that if they did find her passport, it would have her real name—Annabelle Caedo—in black and white. At this point, she was praying they wouldn’t find it. Grace was sending some money, which Annabelle would use to buy a bus ticket to the American consulate. She was worried that Zach would press her for more information about what she was running from, but he didn’t. He did, however, regale her with stories about the Amoveo and his friends back at the ranch in Montana, and Annabelle was riveted. These people were not the monsters her family spoke about. In fact, the more she heard about the Amoveo, the more it sounded like the Caedo were the monsters. Annabelle took a swig of her beer and sighed contentedly as another warm ocean breeze floated over her. They sat at one of the paper-covered tables right on the edge of the beach, and even in the shade, it was hot as hell. Zachary had been right about the food; it was amazing, and the portions were enormous. “You’re not finishing yours?” Zach asked after wiping his mouth with the napkin and tossing it onto his empty plate. “Didn’t you like it?” “I loved it.” Annabelle rubbed her belly and leaned back in the plastic chair. She smirked and let out a short laugh at the way he was staring at her food. “Do you want the rest? I’m stuffed.” “Are you sure?” Zach shrugged and gave her a sheepish grin. “What can I say, I love to eat.” “By all means.” Annabelle gestured to her plate and giggled while she watched Zach switch her plate for his. “See? This is why I’m convinced God is a man. You eat like a horse and don’t have an ounce of fat on you. If I so much as look at a doughnut, I gain ten pounds.” “You’re not one of those girls, are you?” Zach’s fork stopped in midair and he gave her a doubtful look. “If you tell me that you think you’re fat, I’m gonna throw you in the ocean.” “No, but I’m not skinny, either.” Annabelle sipped her beer and couldn’t help but smile at Zachary. He was finishing off her food in record time and kept glancing at the glittering ocean, as though warning her. “Whatever. I’m somewhere in the middle. Kind of average, I guess.” “You’re beautiful.” Zachary held her gaze, and her stomach fluttered at the unspoken invitation that lingered in the air. He leaned closer and dropped his voice to a gravelly whisper. “And believe me, Annabelle. There is nothing average about you. Aside from the fact that you see visions and are mated to an Amoveo stud.” He winked playfully, which only made her giggle harder. “You are also the most frustrating, fascinating woman I’ve ever met.” Looking into his eyes, she knew how frustrated he was, because she was feeling the same way. How could the universe or fate or whatever put the two of them together? It was like some kind of twisted Romeo and Juliet situation—and it hadn’t worked out very well for those star-crossed lovers. The jukebox came suddenly to life, breaking the spell. Silence hung between them while music filled the air, and she replayed the events of the past twenty-four hours. “It’s funny, you know.” Annabelle sighed and tucked her windblown hair behind her ear while looking out over the ocean. “I feel more comfortable with you than I’ve ever felt with my own family. Most people make me nervous because I know that I might get a glimpse of their memories. I mean, most of the time I can block the visions, but sometimes they slip past me.” “That must have made waitressing a little rough.” He pressed his lips together and gave her a sympathetic look. “Pick up someone’s plate or glass and see part of their past? Talk about a crappy tip.” “It was hard at first because I really had to work at stopping the visions from slipping inside my head. I usually can keep them at bay unless I’m really tired or not focusing, then I can get blindsided.” She gave him a pointed look. “Which has been happening a lot lately.” “Are they always about the past?” “They were.” Annabelle stilled and her hand immediately went to the bracelet. “Until this morning.” “What did you see?” Zach’s brow furrowed and he leaned both elbows on the table, his entire demeanor changed. “It was a vision of the future?” “Yes,” she said quietly. “We were…in the water.” “And?” He folded his hands and pressed his mouth against them, trying to hide the cheeky smirk. “What were we doing?” “Nothing.” She giggled. Annabelle held his heated stare as memories of the vision flooded her mind, and her body tingled in all the right places. He might not have been able to read her mind, but based on the look on his face, he knew exactly what they were doing in that vision. “Just swimming.” “Right.” Zach leaned back in his chair and picked up his beer. “You’ll tell me eventually.” “Well, aren’t you sure of yourself.” “Not really, but there are a few things I am sure of.” “Like what?” “One: you are my mate.” Placing both elbows on the table, he leaned closer and the muscles in his stubble-covered jaw flickered. “Two: I’m more attracted to you than any other woman I’ve ever met, and all I can do is think about being inside of you and burying myself so deep that I don’t feel anything but you.” Annabelle’s heart skipped a beat and her blood hummed with awareness as she met his predatory stare. Keeping his voice low, he whispered, “And three…your last name isn’t Johnson.” Panic raced through her and she stared at him, not quite sure she’d heard that last part correctly. All of it had her head spinning, but that final statement brought everything else to a screeching halt and she knew her time was running out. There was only one choice left. As soon as the money came through from Grace, Annabelle would get out of Loreto. However, seeing the determined look on Zachary’s face, she knew he wouldn’t let her go. She was going to have to slip out like a thief in the night while he was sleeping, and that made her feel even shittier. Before she could respond, the waitress came over and stood between them. “Finish?” she asked. “I take?” “Gracias.” Zachary nodded and pointed to the empty plate in front of Annabelle, the one that had been his. “She practically licked the plate clean.” “Hey!” Annabelle tossed her napkin at him and shot him a look, trying to be mad but failing miserably. She was doing her best to ignore what he’d said, but she knew he wasn’t going to let it go. “That’s mean.” “Can I help it if you have a hearty appetite?” He tossed money on the table and wiggled his eyebrows at her. “You’re my kind of woman.” “I’ll pay you back.” Annabelle looked at the money and then at him. Given everything that was going on, it was probably silly to worry about money. Hell, after all the ways Zach had helped her, the least she could do was pay him back. “I told Grace, the friend I called at the police station, where I am, and she’s wiring me some money later today, which will solve part of my problem. It will be there by seven tonight, and then I can pay you back. In the morning, I’ll get myself to the consulate so I can get a new passport. I should be able to get back to the States in a few days.” Zachary looked away, and something that resembled disappointment flickered briefly over his face. Vanishing as quickly as it had come, he stared out at the water for a few minutes and then looked over at the little Jet Ski rental hut on the beach. “Maybe…but you’re here now.” Zachary pushed his chair back and stood up, jutting a thumb toward the beach. “What do you say we rent a Jet Ski and take a ride out to that island?” “Island?” Annabelle squinted and looked out at the seemingly endless ocean. Scanning the horizon, she looked to the right and finally spotted a small island that she’d never noticed before. “What’s on it?” “Detective Vargas was telling me about it. No one lives there, but tourists and locals head over there for little day trips. He told me that he and his wife have spent some time there.” He trained those gorgeous eyes on her and a smile played at his lips. “What do you say? You up for a little adventure? He said there’s a lagoon with a waterfall. Why not make the most of our last day together?” “Waterfall?” Annabelle swallowed hard. Just like the vision. She should say no. She should tell him she wanted to wait for the money to be wired in and then go get her own hotel room. That was what she should do—not what she was going to do. “Okay.” Sucking in a deep breath, she rose to her feet. “Let’s go.” Smiling, Zach took her hand in his and led her onto the sandy beach. While he haggled with the shirtless guy renting the Jet Ski, Annabelle had a silent argument with herself, running over the nine million reasons why she shouldn’t be with him. And all of them were silenced the instant Zach flashed her that handsome dimpled smile. One day, she thought. What harm could it do to share one day with him? Annabelle tightened the life vest and waded into the water, then climbed on the back of the Jet Ski and wrapped her arms around Zachary’s waist. “Hang on,” he shouted above the din of the engine. “Wait a minute.” Annabelle squeezed him around the waist. “Please don’t let me fall off this thing.” Zachary smirked at her over his shoulder, and without saying a word, he revved the engine. Annabelle yelped as the machine raced out through the waves and bounced over the water. Clinging to Zachary like her life depended on it, a smile bloomed across her face. For the first time in her life, she wasn’t fixated on the past or the future. All either of them had was the here and now.   ***

 

Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1392572/unbound-by-sara-humphreys-part-7-free-newsletter-serial

Unbound by Sara Humphreys (Part 6) - Free Newsletter Serial

New to UNBOUND? Missing an issue? Click here to catch up!

On a growl, Zachary’s eyes widened and he whispered, “Verto.” A cloud of static surrounded them, and a split second later, Annabelle’s dress vanished and she was nude before him. She gasped at the surprisingly erotic sensation of the fabric disappearing from her body.

Chapter 6   Annabelle swallowed the mouthful of toast and placed her fork on the plate. She couldn’t tell him the truth, but she also knew that she couldn’t withhold everything, so she opted for a bit of both. “My mother died about ten years ago, and after that, my father and I moved in with his cousins. We were left broke by my mother’s medical bills, and we didn’t really have a lot of options because my dad got laid off—again.” “I’m sorry.” Zachary’s voice was gentle and filled with compassion. “How old were you when she died?” “Twelve.” Annabelle’s eyes stung with tears at the memory, and she blinked them back, not wanting to weep in front of him yet again. She held up her wrist and smiled at him briefly before looking away. “She gave me this bracelet on my twelfth birthday, right before she died.” “I had a feeling it was special to you.” He took a sip of his juice and pointed at her wrist. “You fiddle with it every time you’re nervous or uneasy.” “Silly, huh?” Annabelle let out a short laugh and adjusted the sterling silver bracelet before leaning both elbows on the counter. It was a bit unsettling to have someone she just met see her so clearly. “Anyway, my cousins live on what could best be described as a commune in northern California. It was okay at first, but after a while it got…weird. I only stayed as long as I did because of my father, but a couple of weeks ago things changed.” She took a deep breath and stopped herself from saying anything else, because she didn’t trust herself not to tell Zachary everything. She wanted to. Annabelle wanted to come clean and tell him exactly who she was, but she couldn’t. Even though she knew Zachary wouldn’t hurt her—the truth would hurt him, and that was unacceptable. He’d been nothing but kind, sweet, thoughtful, and charitable. How on earth could she tell him who she was? He would hate her. “What changed?” Zachary’s jaw set and his lips pressed together in a tight line as a dark cloud passed over his face. “Did someone hurt you?” “No,” Annabelle said quietly. “Although I was worried about what would happen to me if I stayed. To be honest, the place is what most people would consider a cult. I’d been wanting to leave for a while, and recently I finally got up the courage to run away.” She shrugged and looked away from him before taking a sip of her orange juice. It wasn’t a total lie…not really. “They don’t take kindly to deserters and would do almost anything to get me to come back. My cousins are kind of obsessed with their beliefs, and let’s just say I don’t agree with them.” She glanced at him briefly before smoothing the fabric of the dress he’d given her. “Not anymore,” she added quietly. Her fingers curled in her lap, and a tickle of awareness flickered up her spine while he studied her intently. “Not at all. In fact, they couldn’t be more wrong, and I’m never going back.” “Okay, you don’t have to go back,” Zach said slowly. He wiped his mouth and tossed the napkin on his empty plate. Placing both hands on the counter, he leaned across it while holding her gaze. “So why come to Mexico? Why a whole other country?” “I dreamt of it.” Annabelle’s voice was just above a whisper while she revealed more than she planned to. “The beach, here at the house, it’s the same one from the dreams I’d been having. I guess I thought that if I came here. then I’d get some clarity or something.” “So much for that,” Zach said with a smile. He let out a curt laugh and pushed himself off the counter before taking the dishes and putting them in the sink. “All I did was give you more questions.” “Perhaps.” Her voice was barely audible. “I also came here because I knew I’d be safe. It’s crazy, isn’t it? I don’t know how I knew that, but I did. I didn’t know what I would do when I got here or where I was going to stay, but deep in my gut…I had no doubt that I’d be safe. In fact, I’d never been so totally certain of anything else in my life.” Annabelle’s gaze wandered over his well-muscled back, and she ground her teeth against the sudden twinge of need that throbbed through her from the mere sight of him. She crossed her legs and stifled a moan as she watched him move. He was graceful and sleek, just like the lion she’d seen in the vision. Powerful. Dangerous. Protective. The man was all of those things rolled into one, and even though her head was telling her to run, her heart was whispering for her to stay. “I’m safe with you, aren’t I?” “For now.” Keeping his back to her, he braced both hands on the sink, and the muscles in his shoulders bunched. Then Zachary turned around, leaned his hip against the edge of the sink, and captured her gaze. Holding her stare, he stalked slowly around the edge of the counter until he was only about a foot away from her. Hands at his sides, he let his eyes drift over her from head to toe in one long, languid pass. He studied her with the hungry look of a predator, and it made Annabelle’s heart skip a beat. “Can’t say for how long…but for now…you’re safe.” “For now?” Her voice sounded far away and her body felt heavy with need. Annabelle gripped the sides of the stool, worried she’d lose her senses, jump Zachary’s bones, and fulfill every erotic thought she’d had about him. Her bare feet slipped on the rung of the stool, but she righted them quickly and held on for dear life. “What do you mean, I’m safe with you for now?” “Well, you see, Annabelle…” Zachary inched closer so that her knees brushed the fabric of his shorts, which were doing little to conceal his growing erection. “Right now, I’m going to take a cold shower and get dressed. Then you and I are going to go into town so we can file that report. That sounds safe, doesn’t it?” Annabelle nodded, unable to form a coherent sentence, worried she’d do nothing but moan like the horny creature she’d turned into. Zachary’s lips tilted at the corners, and then, with lightning-fast speed, he reached out and grabbed the sides of the stool, covering her hands with his far larger ones. His lips were just inches from hers and his distinct masculine scent filled her head, making her dizzy with desire. Breathing as though she had just run a marathon, she held his stare and didn’t dare move a muscle. “Then when we get back…” His deep voice was filled with sinful promise. “You won’t be safe. Do you know why?” Annabelle shook her head almost imperceptibly. “Because I’m going to strip you naked and spend the rest of the night finding out how many different ways I can make you scream my name.” Without another word, Zachary turned and disappeared into the bedroom. Annabelle, her body shaking with lust, adrenaline, and all-­out carnal need, stared at the closed door. She had never wanted another man the way she wanted Zachary. He was forbidden, dangerous, sexy, protective, sweet, and masculine, all rolled into one. The sound of the shower running captured her attention, and she imagined him in there. Naked. Wet. Soapy. She pictured herself there with him. Running her hands down the slick skin of his stomach until finally reaching the part of him that she so desperately wanted to see. “Oh my God,” Annabelle groaned. She closed her eyes and let out a shuddering sigh. “What the hell is the matter with me?” Nothing at all, baby. Zachary’s sexy voice surrounded her on a purr. But if you keep that up, I’m not gonna wait until we get back. “Holy shit.” Annabelle’s face heated with embarrassment and her eyes flew open, expecting to see him standing in front of her. However, the room was empty and the bedroom door was still closed. Annabelle slid off the stool and stood on unsteady legs. “Zachary?” she said with a squeak. Why don’t you join me? His voice swept along the edges of her mind like a caress, and she could practically feel his hands on her. There’s still plenty of hot water. What’s happening? Annabelle shuddered as her mind touched his, and a smile of wonderment spread across her face. She moved closer to the bedroom door and her fingers curled around the doorknob. Eyes closed, she rested her forehead against the cool wood surface and reveled in the erotic sensations that fired through her body from the intimate mental connection. How is this possible? Well, since you asked—the playful sound of his voice made her smile grow—it’s because you are my mate. All Amoveo can use telepathy, but it’s especially important for the mating process. Most humans can’t communicate telepathically. But you aren’t like most humans, are you, Annabelle? No. I don’t suppose I am. Annabelle turned the doorknob and pushed the bedroom door open. She stood there for a moment, debating whether or not she should do what she wanted to do, what her body was begging her to do. The sound of the shower running urged her forward until she was standing right outside the bathroom door, which was open just a crack. Steam spilled out and wafted over her in damp waves. She pushed it open and stood for a moment in the doorway. Can you hear all of my thoughts? Only what you want me to hear. Annabelle’s heart raced with anticipation and lust while she watched the blurred image of his tall, naked body through the tempered glass of the shower doors. But whatever we say to one another this way is protected, Annabelle. No one else can hear telepathic communication between mates—even if we aren’t actually mated yet. Turn around. Annabelle’s voice, even in her mind, sounded as turned on and needy as her body felt. She watched as his form stilled before turning around and facing her. He ran one large hand over the glass, swiping away the fog, so she could see him more clearly. But it wasn’t enough. Now open the door and let me in. The door to the marble-lined shower opened slowly, revealing Zachary in all his wet, soapy, naked glory. Just as she’d imagined. Only better. His hair was slicked back off his face, giving those glowing amber orbs center stage. He was handsome. She knew that already, but she hadn’t quite seen that intense look of desire before, evident in the sharp angles of his cheekbones and chin. The water streamed over his body in rivulets, showing off every well-sculpted muscle. Her gaze wandered over him slowly until finally landing on the pronounced evidence of his desire. His cock, thick with need, jutted out from a neatly trimmed patch of hair. It was rigid and standing at attention, as though begging for her to touch it, to take it in her mouth so she could make him moan. She’d been with men before. Well, maybe not men; they were more like boys. She’d had only two fumbling sexual experiences with two guys she’d met at her waitressing job, but both had left her unsatisfied, and neither turned her on even a fraction of the way Zachary did. Hell, she’d barely touched him, and every cell in her body lit up with electricity just from one look. Annabelle sucked in a shuddering breath and took in the wickedly erotic sight of Zachary, while letting her gaze drift over him from head to toe and back again. Her body hummed with desire and every single inch of her skin tingled with anticipation, but for the life of her, she couldn’t get herself to move any closer. “I did as you asked.” A sexy lopsided grin played at his lips. His hand curled around the base of his cock and started to stroke. “Now tell me what else you want, Annabelle.” “You,” she whispered. Annabelle took two steps toward the shower, standing just a few inches from the open door. Watching his hand slide up and down his swollen shaft was erotic and empowering. It turned her on to know she had that kind of effect on him. Water sprayed over her when it bounced off Zachary, and she could swear she heard it sizzle when it touched her heated skin. Her heart raced and threatened to pound right out of her chest while she continued to hold his predatory gaze. “I shouldn’t want you. It doesn’t make any sense.” Her voice quivered with anticipation and she inched closer still. “And yet…here I am, unable to think about anything except having your mouth on me.” On a growl, Zachary’s eyes widened and he whispered, “Verto.” A cloud of static surrounded them, and a split second later, Annabelle’s dress vanished and she was nude before him. She gasped at the surprisingly erotic sensation of the fabric disappearing from her body. The static made her skin tingle, and her sensitive nipples tightened with the rush of electric air. If Zachary didn’t touch her soon, she’d lose what little dignity she had left and start begging. As though reading her mind, one strong hand reached out, cradled her neck, and pulled her to him. Annabelle sighed with pleasure and relief when his lips covered hers, and she opened to him immediately. His tongue drove into her mouth, demanding and taking everything he wanted, and she met his challenge with equal fervor. Linking her arms around his neck, she stepped into the shower with him and moaned at the feel of her breasts pressing against his chest. Paying thorough attention to her mouth, Zachary closed the shower door with one hand and kept the other firmly wrapped around her waist. The hot water sprayed over them, and she shivered when the bare flesh of her back hit the cool marble of the shower wall. “You want my mouth on you, isn’t that right, Annabelle?” Zachary murmured between the kisses he trailed down her throat. She nodded her agreement but couldn’t bring herself to speak amid the flood of sensations that swamped her body and mind. One hand cradled her head, while the other drifted over her breast and tweaked her nipple before cupping the mound in his greedy hand. “Do you remember what I promised you?” Zachary lifted his head and captured her gaze with his as he trailed his fingers down her rib cage, along the dip of her waist and the curve of her hip. Her hands curled over his shoulders as she lifted one leg and wrapped it around his hip, opening herself to him. Annabelle let out a quivering breath when she felt his fingers brush over her belly. Tight with anticipation, she stifled a moan and her body jumped when his fingers slid between her folds and over her clit in a gentle pass, teasing her with what was to come. I said I would make you scream my name. I remember. Her reply touched his mind while she held him to her, urging him closer, wanting him to delve deeper. She made a small sound of pleasure and rolled her hips when he slid two fingers inside her, making her pussy clench. Yes. Oh my God. “That’s it. You’re so wet for me, baby.” Zachary slipped his fingers in and out of her, while his thumb rubbed her clit in small torturous circles. “Your pussy is so fuckin’ tight, but I have to taste you. I want to watch you come, Annabelle. I don’t want you to see or feel anything but pure pleasure.” Before she could respond, Zachary dropped to his knees, trailing kisses over her breasts and belly as he went. Annabelle leaned against the wall and threaded her fingers through his wet hair, watching him kneel before her. He wrapped one hand around her waist, and the other slid down her thigh before lifting her leg and draping it over his shoulder. “You’re so beautiful,” Zachary murmured. His eyes glowed up at her brightly, and Annabelle tightened her grip on his hair as he blew gently over the swollen, sensitive flesh. “Every fucking inch of you feels like it was made just for me.” “Do it,” Annabelle practically begged, and her body thrummed with unsatisfied lust while she squirmed against the slick tile wall. “Eat me. Oh my God, please put your mouth on me.” “That’s it.” He nipped the soft flesh of her inner thigh before laving the love bite with his tongue. “Tell me what you want. I fucking love hearing you say it.” Annabelle whimpered and her hips pumped toward him, eager to have him fulfill the wickedly sinful promises. It didn’t matter who they were or where they came from. All that mattered was what was happening in this moment. Zachary’s hand clutched her knee to his shoulder, and the other rasped up the slick flesh of her thigh before brushing his thumb along the edge of her pussy. Mate. The word scraped along her mind at the same instant his hot mouth covered her pussy. Annabelle screamed his name as his talented tongue flicked her clit in swift stokes and alternately slid between her folds. Her body sagged against the wall and she held his head to her while he continued his assault. Lust coiled deep inside her and the orgasm began to crest with excruciating pleasure. Everything came to a tight, torturous peak when Zachary dipped two fingers inside her hot channel and suckled the tiny bundle of nerves, taking her right over the edge. Annabelle’s back arched, and she cried out his name as a toe-curling climax ripped through her body from head to toe. Eyes closed, she struggled to catch her breath and barely registered that the water was still beating over the two of them in a hot, steady stream. Her leg slid from Zachary’s shoulder and a dreamy smile covered her face as she felt him languidly kiss his way back up her exhausted body. “I told you I’d make you scream,” he murmured. Zachary grinned and kissed the corner of her mouth. “I always keep my promises, and I’ll never lie to you.” The smile fell from her face and her body stilled as his words hit her with unintended force. He’d never lie to her, but she sure as hell lied to him, didn’t she? Annabelle’s eyes fluttered open and immediately clapped onto Zachary’s. His brow knitted with concern and his entire demeanor changed when he recognized the shift in her. “What’s wrong, Annabelle?” He cradled her face with both hands and brushed wet stands of hair off her forehead with his fingertips. His voice dropped to a concerned whisper, and he rested his forehead against hers, which only made it worse. “Are you alright? Did I hurt you?” Annabelle fought the tears that threatened to flow and shook her head adamantly. Once again he had shown nothing but tenderness, and his only concern seemed to be for her and her comfort. Zachary still had a raging hard-on, but that obvious need was immediately pushed aside when he noticed she was upset. Annabelle covered his hands with hers and let out a slow breath while gathering the courage to tell him the truth. Looking into his earnest hazel eyes, she knew she had to tell him who she was…but she just couldn’t do it. She knew she was being a coward. She wasn’t just afraid of what Zachary would think of her—she was afraid of hurting him too. What good would it do to tell him that she was Caedo? Did it really matter? She wouldn’t be staying with him or being his mate, because it would be too dangerous for both of them. No. Annabelle resigned herself to maintaining her silence, if only to protect him. “It’s okay.” Zachary pressed his lips to her forehead before reaching over and shutting off the water. He grabbed a fluffy green towel from the shelf just outside the shower and wrapped it around her quivering body with his trademark tenderness. Annabelle gave him a smile and opened her mouth to say something, but he held up his hand, preventing her from uttering a sound. “Listen. I get it. You don’t have to say anything. Things are moving really fast and I’m feeling kind of off my game too. I’ll leave you some clothes and a bathing suit on the bed, and after you get dressed, we’ll head into town and find out if anyone turned in your bag. Then we’ll find a phone so you can call whoever you need to call.” Then without another word, Zachary grabbed a towel before leaving and closing the bathroom door tightly behind him. When the door clicked shut, she let out the breath she’d been holding and slid down the wall to sit on the cold, wet tile of the shower floor. Hugging her arms around her knees, Annabelle shivered from a combination of emotional overload and damp, cooling flesh while she struggled to get herself focused. She’d wanted to stop him from leaving. To tell him everything and have him gather her back in his arms, but that would be selfish. Annabelle knew she had to let Zachary go, even though the mere idea of it broke her heart. She wasn’t a fool, and she hadn’t fallen in love with him overnight, but damn if she wasn’t on her way.   ***

 

Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1392571/unbound-by-sara-humphreys-part-6-free-newsletter-serial

Unbound by Sara Humphreys (Part 5) - Free Newsletter Serial

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Zach’s entire body went rigid, and for a second he forgot how to speak. She looked like a Greek goddess. Fresh faced, beautiful, and sexy as hell.

Chapter 5   Zachary swore under his breath and stuck the shell in his pocket before running after Annabelle. He was cocking this whole situation up in a big fat way because he had no idea what he was doing. All he knew was that he had to stop her before she ran off and got herself lost or worse. She had no money and no identification. Where the hell did she think she was gonna go? The heat of the early morning sun fired over him the instant he stepped foot on the sand, and panic filled him when he found the beach empty. He ran past the privacy fences that lined the sides of the property, and as he approached the water’s edge, a wave of relief flooded him when he spotted her. She was about thirty feet down the beach to the left, sitting in the sand with her face buried against her knees. His sense of relief was swiftly replaced with concern when he realized she was crying. Shit. He’d made her cry. Nice move, asshole. He ran one hand through his hair and approached her cautiously, trying to figure out what the fuck he was supposed to say or do. The woman was obviously in some kind of trouble and on the run from someone or something, and he went and dumped all the shapeshifter and life-mate stuff on her. Wait a minute. Zachary’s eyes narrowed and he studied her more closely. Running over everything in his mind, it dawned on him that she hadn’t seemed terribly surprised about the revelation that he was a shapeshifter—an Amoveo. Annabelle was more upset—or shocked—about being his mate than anything else. Could she already have known about the Amoveo? No way. The only humans who knew about the Amoveo were the Caedo, and there was no chance she was Caedo. He’d encountered plenty of those jerk-offs over the past year and they were nothing like Annabelle. All of his thoughts were swept aside when the sadness edging her energy signature rippled over him in jagged strokes. Her long hair fluttered off her back and the red highlights glinted in the sun as her shoulders shook. Her arms hugged her legs and she kept her face buried against her knees. The woman looked utterly and completely alone, and in that moment, he made himself a promise. No matter what happened, regardless of whether or not she wanted to be with him, he would help her. That had to be his top priority. Hadn’t he just told Dominic that it wouldn’t be fair to bring a human woman into the Amoveo world? He had to help her with whatever mess she was running from. Then, after that, they could deal with the whole life-mate thing…or not. From this point forward, Zachary’s number one concern was to help Annabelle. But to do that, he had to get her to tell him what kind of trouble she was in. He stopped about three feet away and looked around, grateful that no one else was out on the beach this early. There were more people farther down by the town beach, but it looked like most of these houses on the strip weren’t occupied at the moment. “Annabelle?” Zachary kept his tone gentle, worried that he’d upset her enough already. “Look, I know I just dumped a bunch of crazy stuff on you, and I’m sorry. I guess finding you here like this just caught me off guard. I never really believed I had a mate, and to be honest, I wasn’t even looking for mine. So if you don’t want to pursue it, that’s fine. But you can’t sit here all day. Come on.” She didn’t answer and kept her face turned away from him. She sniffled and her shoulders shuddered with a deep breath, as though she was doing her best to get her tears under control. Damn it. He could take anything, absolutely anything, except hearing her cry, because it made him feel helpless and out of control. As a Guardian and Amoveo warrior, there wasn’t anything worse. “Listen, come back to the house and let me make you some breakfast.” Zachary stepped closer and extended his hand. “Come on. I promise I won’t say another word about the mate stuff or being an Amoveo unless you ask me about it.” Annabelle sniffled and turned to face him. His heart squeezed in his chest when she looked up at him with a tearstained face and watery eyes. She swiped at her cheeks and glanced at his extended hand, obviously weighing her options—which weren’t many. “I won’t ask you about it,” she murmured. Her pale green eyes latched onto his and her voice took a serious tone. “I can’t, Zachary.” Zachary nodded. He wouldn’t push her on the subject, but he sure as hell was going to get her to tell him what kind of mess she was in. In order to do that, he had to get her to trust him. “Understood.” Zachary waggled his fingers at her and jerked his head toward the house. “Come on. Breakfast first, and then I’ll take you into town. We’ll file a report about the robbery and you can find a phone. Maybe someone found your bag or wallet or something and turned it in. Hell, it could be down at the local police station right now.” He put one hand to his heart and made the sign of an X over it. “I promise I’ll behave myself.” “You’re going to cook me breakfast?” Annabelle shielded her eyes from the sun. “And then we go to town? That’s it?” “Scout’s honor.” Zachary held up one hand and waved the other at her. “Deal?” “Deal.” Annabelle placed her hand in his and held his gaze as he pulled her to her feet. Her body brushed his briefly, and he fought the driving need to pull her against him while keeping her fingers wrapped in his. A smile played at her lips as she leaned close and murmured, “Were you ever actually a Boy Scout?” “Nope.” Zachary smirked and started walking backward, pulling her with him as he moved toward the house. “I should have known.” Annabelle laughed and shook her head as she withdrew her hand from his. She folded her arms over her breasts and sliced a sidelong glance at him while they walked. “You don’t strike me as the Boy Scout type, but you did a fine job of helping a wounded stranger.” “I wonder if there’s a badge for that?” Zachary stuck his hands in his pockets and captured the shell between his fingers. She laughed softly, and the sound of it whispered through him like a warm breeze, instantly putting him at ease. Damn if that wasn’t the sexiest sound in the world. As they rounded the corner of the privacy fence along their section of the beach and went into the house, Zachary knew nothing was ever going to be the same. When he turned around to shut the slider, he spotted a few bikini-clad women strolling along the beach past the house. Normally, he would be making a beeline out there in an effort to get one or more of them into his bed…and now the idea of it seemed ludicrous. The notion of being with any woman other than Annabelle was off the table. “Would you mind if I took a shower?” Annabelle’s voice brought him out of his thoughts. “Even if I have to put this dirty dress back on, at least my body will feel clean.” “What?” Shaking his head, he spun around, feeling embarrassed for even looking at those girls. “Oh, yes. Sure. The bathroom is off the bedroom, and there are clean towels on the shelf.” “I’ll be on my way soon enough.” Annabelle had a knowing smile on her face as she looked past him to the women at the water’s edge. Her pale green eyes flicked back to him. “And you can get back to your vacation.” Without another word, she went to the bathroom, leaving Zachary standing alone in the living room feeling like an awkward teenager. He swore under his breath and headed into the kitchen to make breakfast, wondering if he could manage to fuck up anything else. While Annabelle showered, Zachary whipped up two omelets with tomato and cheese, fried up some bacon, and managed a few slices of toast too. He was plating all of the food when he heard the bedroom door click open, but he didn’t have to turn around to know she was there. Her energy signature drifted through the room and wrapped around him like a blanket with oddly familiar ease. “Have a seat.” Without turning around, he tossed the pans in the sink and grabbed two glasses from the cabinet before pouring them both some orange juice. “I hope you’re hungry, because I made plenty.” Glasses in hand and with a smile on his face, Zach turned to face her but was rendered speechless by the sight before him. Annabelle’s long hair was wet and wavy and spilled over her bare shoulders temptingly. Her lush, curvy body was clad only in one of the green towels from the bathroom, showing off her gorgeous legs in the most cruelly seductive way. Her creamy, ivory skin glistened with moisture, and she nibbled her lower lip in an adorably shy gesture as she clutched the top of the towel with both hands. Zach’s entire body went rigid, and for a second he forgot how to speak. She looked like a Greek goddess. Fresh faced, beautiful, and sexy as hell. “I—I washed my dress in the shower and hung it up to dry. I looked around for a bathrobe, but I couldn’t find one.” Her cheeks flushed and she lifted one shoulder. “Maybe I could borrow one of your shirts or something? Just until my dress is dry.” Zach blinked and shook his head, realizing he was standing there staring at her with his mouth open like a fucking moron. “Shit. I’m such an idiot.” Laughing, he placed the glasses of juice on the breakfast bar next to their plates. “You don’t have to do that. I can get you something to wear.” “Oh no.” She shook her head adamantly. “I don’t want you to go to any more trouble.” “It’s no trouble.” Zach winked. A sense of excitement fired through him. He could use his visualization ability to conjure up something for her to wear and kill two birds with one stone. Annabelle would get clothing, and he would get closer to earning her trust. He stepped around the counter while looking Annabelle up and down. She clutched the towel tighter and inched away as he moved closer, until she backed into the wall. Zach leaned close enough to feel the heat wafting off her gorgeous skin and whispered, “Trust me.” “Wh-what are you going to do?” Her eyes widened and her gaze flickered over Zach’s face. “Well, even though you look gorgeous in that towel, I’m going to give you something else to wear.” He tilted his head and held her stare while he tucked a long strand of wet hair behind her ear. He felt her shiver beneath his touch and his grin widened. “I think a little dress in the same shade of green as your eyes would be perfect.” A smile played at Zach’s lips as he stepped back and held out his arms. “Verto,” he whispered. A split second later, the room filled with static electricity and a pale-green sundress appeared in Zach’s right hand. Annabelle’s eyes grew as big as saucers, and for a moment he worried she was going to cry, but his fears were abated when a huge smile cracked her face. “Oh my God,” she murmured. She reached out with a quivering hand and grasped the soft fabric between her fingers before turning her eyes to his. “How did you do that?” “Since you asked…it’s part of being an Amoveo.” Zachary stepped closer and placed the garment in her hands. “It’s called visualization, and as you can see, it comes in very handy at times.” He stepped back and raised both hands in a sign of surrender before going back into the kitchen. “But like I said before, I’m only telling you stuff if you ask me.” “Thank you,” she whispered. Staring at the dress in her hands, she shook her head and let out a slow breath before turning her face to his. “You are unexpected.” “Yeah, well, so are you.” Zachary gave her a curt nod and went to the sink and started cleaning the pans. He needed to do something to get his mind off the way she looked. What he really wanted to do was strip that towel off her and spend the rest of the day making love to her. He flipped on the faucet and let the cold water run, hoping it might put out the fire brewing in his gut. “Now, go get dressed so we can eat, because if you keep hanging around me wearing only that towel, I can’t promise that I’ll continue to behave myself.” The door of the bedroom shut, and Zachary let out the breath he didn’t even realize he’d been holding. His entire body was stretched tighter than a drum, and it took Herculean strength not to devour her right then and there. One thing was for damn sure: the next time he used his visualization skill, it was going to be to get her naked, not to get her dressed. A few minutes later, she emerged in the dress that, quite literally, had been made just for her. The fabric clung to every curve and showed off her full breasts, narrow waist, and ample hips with torturous perfection. Zach gave her a tight smile, trying not to think about peeling the dress off her. Giving him a shy smile, Annabelle sat on the stool and dug into the omelet. They ate in silence for a few minutes before he finally broke it by acknowledging one of several elephants in the room. “So are you going to tell me who you’re running from?”   ***

 

Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1392570/unbound-by-sara-humphreys-part-5-free-newsletter-serial

Unbound by Sara Humphreys (Part 4) - Free Newsletter Serial

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A split second later, his strong arms linked around her waist and his hard body pressed against hers as he materialized behind her. She let out a squeak as he nuzzled her neck and murmured, “There’s still so much to show you.”

Chapter 4   Sand squished beneath Annabelle’s bare feet as the fog lifted, bringing the beach outside the rental house into focus. She was dreaming again. Just like the dream she’d had with the lion, but this time felt different somehow. Everything was brighter, sharper, and more clearly in focus. The sun was rising above the ocean, giving the entire area a golden hue, and it was absolutely beautiful. Letting out a relaxed sigh, she closed her eyes and allowed the sun to warm her skin. It feels so real, she said out loud to the empty beach. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was awake. Standing at the water’s edge with her hands clasped behind her back, she tilted her face to the sky while the water rushed over her feet. Or it could be heaven. Maybe I’m dead? Annabelle? Startled by the sound of the familiar voice, Annabelle spun around and found herself face-to-face with Zachary McKenna. He was as stunningly handsome in the dream as he was in real life. He stood about six feet tall, with a lean muscular build that was on full display. A dusting of dark blond hair covered a well-sculpted chest, and a slightly darker trail disappeared into his gym shorts. A smile curved her lips. Hell. If she was going to dream about her sexy rescuer, it was no surprise he was shirtless. His short, spiky blond hair was even blonder in the sunlight, and his hazel eyes emitted even more warmth than they had last night. He was a deadly combination of sweet and sexy. Savior and sinner. Hello, Zachary. Annabelle’s smile broadened as he strode toward her. Given her intense attraction to him, it was no wonder she was dreaming about him. After all, hooking up with an Amoveo shifter in real life wasn’t exactly a possibility—not for a Caedo, anyway. The Amoveo hated the Caedo family, and she couldn’t blame them. I guess my subconscious is working overtime. How so? Zachary asked in a low, sexy tone she felt all the way down to her toes. Damn. As soon as she’d figured out what he was, Annabelle should have gotten the hell out of there… But where would she have gone? Besides, she’d never been more attracted to another man in her entire life. It was as if he had a direct line to her libido. All he had to do was look at her and it made her wet. Zachary moved closer until he was standing directly in front of her, with only a few inches separating them. She wanted him to touch her, to run his fingers along the bare flesh of her arms, but he didn’t. He did stand close enough for her to feel the warmth of his body ripple along hers. What a tease. Do you know where we are? Zachary’s lips tilted, and he reaching out and wound a strand of her hair around his finger while holding her stare. Have you ever walked in the dream realm before, Annabelle? From what my family tells me, it can be quite stimulating. Annabelle froze. For a moment, she’d allowed herself to forget who and what Zachary was. Perhaps this sexy little dream wasn’t actually a dream at all. Apprehension flickered up her spine. She knew that the Amoveo were dream-walkers, but how and why could she be dreaming with him? Was he really here with her, or was this simply her subconscious working things out? What do you mean, the dream realm? Her hand went to the chain around her wrist, her fingers immediately seeking out and finding the disk bearing her name. In the familiar soothing gesture, she worried it between her fingertips while studying him intently. This is a dream. I know I’m dreaming, which is weird, but I know it’s a dream. Are you frightened? he asked, releasing the lock of hair and looking contrite, as though he’d said too much. I would never hurt you. Please give me a chance to explain everything. I thought that if I came to you tonight, in the dream realm, it would help you to understand. I tried before when I was in my Lion Clan form, but you didn’t or wouldn’t see me. A smile bloomed across that handsome face, revealing an adorable set of dimples. At least, not until tonight. No. She shook her head furiously. I—I can’t stay here. If they find me, then they’ll find you. You’ve been so kind to me, and I’d never forgive myself if you were hurt because of me. Who? Zachary tucked the strand of hair behind her ear before brushing her cheek with his thumb. Closing her eyes, she pressed his hand to her cheek, and an overwhelming feeling of safety filled her. This man, whoever or whatever he was, would never hurt her. She didn’t know how she knew that. She just did. Zachary would keep her safe…but at what cost? Who are you running from, Annabelle? You can trust me. I can’t tell you. Shaking her head, she backed toward the water and pushed his hand away. They’ll kill you, Zachary. I’m not that easy to kill. Undaunted, Zachary stalked toward her and winked. Annabelle stopped when her legs were submerged in water halfway up her calves. Before she could respond, Zachary linked his arm around her waist and tugged her body tight against his. A gasp laced with desire escaped her lips when his taut form pressed against her far softer one. Her hands instinctively settled on the bulging muscles of his biceps, and she let out a shuddering breath when he leaned down and nuzzled his lips against her ear. In between butterfly kisses, he whispered, I’m sure you’ll find out that I’m too damn stubborn to die. You don’t understand. She dug her fingertips into the unyielding strength of his arms, and even though she wanted to protest, she couldn’t form a coherent thought. Lust fogged her brain and weakened her body. Annabelle’s head drifted back and she moaned while he trailed kisses down her throat. You’ll die if I stay with you, she whispered. See, baby. That’s where you’ve got it all wrong. His gravelly voice, edged with need, surrounded her. Zachary lifted his head and tightened the arm around her waist before cradling her face with his other hand. I’ll die if you don’t. Holding his stare, Annabelle let out a needy moan at the very moment his mouth slanted over hers. His tongue slid along the seam of her lips and she opened to him, greedily accepting all he had to offer. Linking her arms around his neck, she tilted her head, deepening the kiss and surrendering to the erotic feel of him. Kissing him deeply, she threaded her fingers in his hair and groaned when he slipped his leg between hers, putting pressure on exactly the right spot. Breaking the kiss, Zachary’s hands drifted down her back before settling over her waist. Annabelle smiled, lost in the luxurious sensation of his body. Her eyes fluttered open, and she stilled when her gaze captured his. Zachary’s hazel eyes had turned into a pair of exotic, glowing, amber orbs. They were the same exact eyes as the lion’s from her other dreams—which was both fascinating and confusing. That’s so cool. A smile cracked her face and she trailed her thumb along his lower lip, which he promptly flicked with his tongue. Why are your eyes glowing? They’re just like the lion’s I saw in the dream and the one I saw in the vision when I touched your shirt. You get visions? Zachary’s brow furrowed and his voice dropped to just above a whisper. What did you see when you touched my shirt? Lots of stuff. Annabelle gave him a shy smile and lifted one shoulder. Sometimes I get visions when I touch an object that was just touched by somebody, but it almost always happens when it’s something they’re actually wearing. I’m usually able to block the visions out unless I want to see them, but lately I’ve been pretty distracted. Of course, Zachary murmured. You’re human, but you have psychic ability. You’d have to in order to be— Hey. This is my dream. Annabelle tugged him against her playfully. You didn’t answer me. Why are your eyes glowing like that? They are the eyes of my clan—the Lion Clan—and they only shift when I’m angry or really turned on. He waggled his eyebrows at her, which made her laugh out loud. Her hands settled on the small of his back, and her fingers drifted over the top of his ass. And that’s only the beginning, Annabelle. When you wake up, I’ll show you that—and more. Yeah, right. Annabelle rolled her eyes. This is just a dream. How on earth are you going to know what I dreamt about? Shit. His brow furrowed and he let out a sound of frustration as his eyes shifted back to their human hazel. Holding her close, he rested his forehead against hers and slid one hand over her butt. I’m not doing this right. It’s my dream, so isn’t it really me who’s not doing something right? She popped up on her toes and nipped his lip playfully. This part feels pretty right to me. Aha! Zachary pulled back and slipped out of her arms before looking frantically around the sandy beach. I know how to show you, well, at least begin to show you. What are you doing? Annabelle gathered the skirt of her sundress in her hands to keep it from getting soaked. She watched him curiously as he scanned the sandy shore before finally finding what he wanted and scooping it up. Zachary? Here. Moving closer to her, Zachary brushed the sand off the shell and held it up for her to see. The heart-shaped shell was an unusual shade of brown and pink with white streaks rippling through it. It looks like a heart. Annabelle grinned at him and was about to take it from him when, to her surprise, he broke it in half before handing one piece to her. Tomorrow morning, to prove this isn’t just a dream, I’ll give you my half. An adorable dimpled grin cracked his face. Then you’ll have my whole heart. Your heart? She laughed and shook her head. Curling her fingers around the smooth shell, she looked at him curiously as he backed away. Why would you give me your heart, Zachary? You don’t even know me. Because it belongs to you, Annabelle. The gray mists rolled onto the beach and curled around them. As Zachary was swallowed by the thick lavender fog, his voice surrounded her. It was yours from the moment you were born. You are my mate.   *** Annabelle woke up with a jolt, forgetting for a moment where she was. Pushing herself to a sitting position, she swung her legs over the side of the couch and rose carefully to her feet, her body still sore from yesterday. Looking around the room, everything came roaring back into focus and it took her a moment to realize she was holding something in her hand. Her entire body stilled as the dream from last night came rushing back one piece at a time. Zachary had been in the dream with her and told her he was Amoveo…and that they were mates. But that was crazy. This entire experience made Annabelle feel like Alice in Wonderland, and with every minute, she was sliding farther down the rabbit hole, with no end in sight. Lifting her hand, she slowly uncurled her fingers. What she saw lying in her palm made her heart skip a beat. It was the shell Zachary had given her in the dream. Annabelle ran her fingertip over the smooth surface of the brown-and-white shell that did indeed look like half of a heart. She swallowed back the lump in her throat and curled her fingers around the tiny gift once again. Holding it against her chest, Annabelle felt her heart beating a mile a minute, and she squeezed her eyes shut as the world started spinning. “How is this possible?” she whispered through trembling lips. A million different ideas swirled through her head at once. In the dream, Zachary said she was his mate. Didn’t he? She was human. How could she possibly be the mate of an Amoveo? It didn’t make any sense. Not only was she human—she was Caedo. “Annabelle?” Zachary’s voice interrupted the quiet, and Annabelle let out an undignified squeal before turning to face him. Standing to her right, wearing only the same pair of gym shorts he’d had on in the dream, he looked dead sexy. His hair was adorably messy and reminded her of a little boy with bed head. He moved closer, stalking toward her with a predatory look in his eyes. She knew she should run. These shifters were dangerous, weren’t they? At least, that’s what she’d been told. The Amoveo killed humans. They were savage, vicious creatures that would sooner tear your heart out than look at you. Zachary smirked, bringing out one of the dimples in his cheeks, and she almost laughed at the ludicrous notion. The Amoveo she’d heard about were nothing like this man. He was kind, sweet, sexy, and doting, and as she stared into those smiling hazel eyes, Annabelle didn’t want to be anywhere but here—with him. Clutching the trinket to her chest, she looked at him through wide eyes, uncertain of what to do or say. With a dimpled smile, Zachary reached out and took her hand in his. The heat of his flesh against hers made her breath hitch in her throat, and memories of their kiss in the dream realm filled her mind. While holding her stare, he gently uncurled her fingers and placed something in the palm of her hand. He covered his hand with hers and whispered, “Verto.” An odd tingling sensation rippled through Annabelle’s hand and up her arm. It wasn’t painful; it felt like static electricity surrounded her for a few seconds. “There.” Zachary dropped his hands to his sides, but remained just inches away from her. “Now you have my whole heart.” Annabelle flicked her gaze to the contents of her palm and let out a sound of wonder. The shell was no longer in two pieces but merged into one. Lying in her palm was a perfectly shaped heart, just like the one from her dream last night. She was about to batter him with about a hundred different questions, but before she could, everything around her spun and a tidal wave of images filled her mind. Annabelle and Zachary making love in a lagoon, with a waterfall behind them. Their naked bodies were intertwined, and she heard her own laugh when Zachary swept her into his arms and dunked her under the rushing water. This wasn’t a vision of the past, as she’d always had—it was a vision of the future. As the vision faded and the room came back into focus, Annabelle swayed on her feet and would have fallen over if Zachary hadn’t grabbed her. Everything was becoming more confusing by the second. Her cheeks heated with embarrassment from the erotic images, and even as she tried to push them aside, her body continued to respond to him. Of course, being plastered against Zachary’s rock-hard torso wasn’t helping either. Her hands were pinned between their bodies, and the muscles of his chest rippled against her enticingly. Her nipples peaked into sharp points and heat pooled between her legs as she stifled a moan. Annabelle’s body felt totally and completely out of her control and all she could do was feel. “You had a vision, didn’t you?” he asked quietly. Zachary’s fingers pressed into her upper arms as he held her against his body, which was hardening by the second. He swept his thumb along the curve of her bicep and kept his voice just above a whisper. “What did you see?” Annabelle blinked. “How did you know about my visions?” “Last night.” Zachary tightened his hold on her as his gaze skittered over her face. “You told me about it in the dream realm. Remember?” Annabelle’s body quivered from a combination of fear, lust, and confusion. Holy shit. It had been real. The dream. She had told him about her visions last night in the dream that wasn’t exactly a dream. She squeezed the shell she held in her hand and returned his heated stare. Thank God she hadn’t revealed her true name or that she knew about the Amoveo. The cold hand of fear trailed up her spine, and she swallowed hard as she stared into his face. He was looking down at her with a concerned expression. What would he do when he found out who she really was? “I—I’m not sure what’s going on.” Her tongue flicked over her lower lip, and she struggled with how much she should tell him. “Last night…the dream…that was all real? You know about my visions and…?” “Yes.” Zachary nodded and rested his forehead against hers. His hands loosened their grip on her arms before drifting over her shoulders and trailing down her back. “And I told you that I’m an Amoveo from the Lion Clan…and that we are mates.” “This is crazy,” she whispered in a quavering voice. Annabelle shook her head and pushed him away, effectively extricating herself from his grasp. “I can’t be your mate, Zachary.” “Oh really?” He narrowed his eyes and folded his arms over his chest, giving her a lopsided grin. “So it’s totally okay that you are a psychic human who dream-­walked with a shapeshifter last night, but it’s not acceptable that we are mates?” “No…I mean…yes.” Annabelle let out a growl of frustration and backed farther away from him. “I don’t know what I mean. Everything’s all mixed up and I don’t know which end is up.” “That’s okay…I do.” Zachary’s grin broadened just before he whispered, “Verto.” Annabelle’s hand flew to her mouth as she watched Zachary shimmer, as if he were underwater. Static filled the air, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished into thin air. She’d heard about this particular Amoveo ability but didn’t really believe it was real…but, boy, oh boy, was it ever real. A split second later, his strong arms linked around her waist and his hard body pressed against hers as he materialized behind her. She let out a squeak as he nuzzled her neck and murmured, “There’s still so much to show you.” Her hands settled over his, which were resting on her lower belly, and her head lolled back as he sprinkled kisses along her neck. Annabelle’s eyes fluttered closed and she let herself sink into the intoxicating mix of sensations. The warm, wet feel of his lips on her throat was as enthralling as the hot length of his rigid cock pressing against her lower back. Soft met hard. Steel met satin, and her head spun. This was crazy. Everything she’d ever been told about the Amoveo was terrifying, and yet everything she felt for Zachary was exhilarating. He was Amoveo. She was Caedo. They were sworn enemies with nothing in common—except for the way they made each other feel. Annabelle knew she couldn’t stay and that there was no future with him. All she had was the here and now. And the here and now felt pretty freaking great. She spun in his embrace and linked her arms around his neck before pulling his face to hers. He groaned, his tongue seeking entrance into her mouth, and she opened to him willingly. He tasted like sin, seduction, and sex, and Annabelle couldn’t get enough. One hand cradled the back of her head and his fingers tangled in her hair as he angled her head, taking control of the kiss. He licked and suckled, taking all she had to give and more. Annabelle whimpered as little zings of pleasure whipped over her and the delicious flare of lust tightened between her legs. Clinging to him, Annabelle arched back, giving him clear access to the sensitive flesh of her neck. She wrapped her leg around his, seeking some relief from the throbbing pressure that only he could satisfy. While he licked and nibbled his way down her neck, one hand settled under her knee and hoisted her leg higher. Annabelle gasped as her clit rubbed against him and sent ripples of pleasure through her body. He brushed his lips over hers as he tangled his fingers in her hair, scraping them along her scalp in a slow, seductive stroke. Zachary urged her to look him in the eye while he continued to rock her against him with one undulating pass after another. With her body on fire, her mind raced with a hundred different reasons why she shouldn’t be doing this. Here she was dry-humping a man she’d known for less than twelve hours…and not just any man. An Amoveo shifter who would probably kill her if he knew who she was. But all of that, every shred of doubt, each shaming whisper, was drowned out by the tsunami of sensations her body was experiencing beneath Zachary’s touch. However, every thought was driven from her when she found herself staring into a pair of glowing amber eyes. The eyes of the lion. “This is who I am, Annabelle.” Zachary’s voice was tight with desire. His hand curled around the crook of her knee, he lifted her leg and rocked his hips against her while his other hand pressed against her back, holding her to him. Annabelle’s body quivered with lust, need, and anticipation, making her feel like a rubber band that was pulled too tight. One wrong move and she would snap. He placed a kiss at the corner of her mouth and whispered, “Now tell me. Who are you running from?” Annabelle froze in his embrace, and her body went from hot to cold in a split second as reality came crashing down around her. Shaking her head slowly, she pressed her hands against his chest and pushed him away from her as her leg slid down his. He didn’t try to stop her, but his eyes continued to blaze brightly at her with that predatory stare. “I can’t do this. I can’t be with you,” she said in a surprisingly steady voice. Annabelle opened her hand, removed the shell, and held it out to him. “And this is not mine to take.” Zachary took the shell from her but said nothing as she turned and ran out the sliding glass doors to the beach.   ***

 

Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1392569/unbound-by-sara-humphreys-part-4-free-newsletter-serial

The Rebel (Keepers of the Promise #3) by Marta Perry

Review:

Central Pennsylvania, current day. Restless and adventurous, Amish Barbie Lapp has been stepping out among the Englisch. Minister Benuel Kauffman doesn’t approve of her choices, but he can’t deny the positive influence Barbie has on his wayward teenage sister. As Barbie is drawn to the kindness beneath Benuel’s gruff exterior, the mementos she finds in a dower chest given to her by her grandmother, Elizabeth, provide the insight she needs to decide whether to fully embrace the Amish way of life or leave it behind for forever.  

Lancaster County, 1960. As working farms for the Amish become more scarce, Elizabeth Lapp’s husband, Reuben, tries to persuade her that they would be better off moving north. But the prospect of leaving her close-knit community of family and friends frightens Elizabeth. Can she muster enough love and faith to leap into a new life? 

Two women from one family, separated by decades, both find that the ultimate adventure takes place in the heart.

 

 

 

 

 

My Review:

I was impressed that I enjoyed this book as much as I did but I really sympathized with the fact that you get a larger portion of self discovery in this book. It wasn't hard imagining yourself being a person who is considered an outsider and doubting your place among people in a community you have been a part of your whole life and wondering if you belonged there or not. There was much more emotional depth and exploration and I really liked that about this installment. The Rebel by far was my favorite. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

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Received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley Publishing.

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Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1392568/the-rebel-keepers-of-the-promise-3-by-marta-perry

Dirtiest Secret (S.I.N. #1) by J. Kenner

Review:

The memory of Dallas Sykes burns inside of me.
 
Everyone knows him as a notorious playboy, a man for whom women and money are no object. But to me, he’s still the one man I desperately crave—yet the one I can never have.
 
Dallas knows me better than anyone else. We bear the same scars, the same darkness in our past. I thought I could move on by staying away, but now that we’re drawn together once more, I can’t fight the force of our attraction or the temptation to make him mine.
 
We’ve tried to maintain control, not letting ourselves give in to desire. And for so long we’ve told ourselves no—but now it’s finally time to say yes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Review:

Fans of Kenner's books will recognize Dallas from her Stark series but its not necessary for anyone that hasn't read those books to read those first to understand this book. Dirtiest Secret is separate from the Stark series.

Dirtiest Secret would have been a five star read for me if there hadn't been so much indecisiveness in it. Dallas knows who he is and he knows his mind, he's never been so unsure and his constant unwillingness to engage and put his mental car into drive prevented me from being able to do the same. I kept wanting him to put his big boy pants on and do something but he just seemed to remain in neutral. Unwilling to go back and unwilling to go forward. This caused a lot of frustration for me because he had so much potential to really go places and explore areas we haven't seen before. 

That being said its not a bad read at all because its fantastic and I'll stand by that but I wanted more. I wanted Kenner to push barriers and break through to new and unexplored depths. I am still enthralled and enticed but I am still longing for more. I am hoping that the following books will give me what I am longing for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Penguin Publishing.

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Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1392566/dirtiest-secret-s-i-n-1-by-j-kenner

Til Death Do Us Part by Amanda Quick

Calista Langley operates an exclusive “introduction” agency in Victorian London, catering to respectable ladies and gentlemen who find themselves alone in the world. But now, a dangerously obsessed individual has begun sending her trinkets and gifts suitable only for those in deepest mourning—a black mirror, a funeral wreath, a ring set with black jet stone. Each is engraved with her initials.
 
Desperate for help and fearing that the police will be of no assistance, Calista turns to Trent Hastings, a reclusive author of popular crime novels. Believing that Calista may be taking advantage of his lonely sister, who has become one of her clients, Trent doesn’t trust her. Scarred by his past, he’s learned to keep his emotions at bay, even as an instant attraction threatens his resolve.
 
But as Trent and Calista comb through files of rejected clients in hopes of identifying her tormentor, it becomes clear that the danger may be coming from Calista’s own secret past—and that only her death will satisfy the stalker.

 

 

 

 

 

My Review:

Til Death Do Us Part was an enjoyable read although I would have categorized the book under mystery and not romance. My reasons for that is the fact that our h/h felt emotionally disconnected from one another. There's passion in between them but there's no emotional reference, they only feel like they're going through the motions instead of actually feeling what is going on between them. That doesn't take away from the rest of the story but it does leave you feeling a little unfulfilled as their relationship continues. That's the only thing that I wanted more out of the story about. The rest of the adventure, the problem solving, and discovery was interesting and fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Penguin Publishing.

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Original post: kkmalott.booklikes.com/post/1392560/til-death-do-us-part-by-amanda-quick