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Dirty Billionaire (The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy #1)(24) Author: Meghan March “Don’t pretend you don’t like the idea, because your body has already spoken. Let me show you.” Shaking my head doesn’t help because his questing fingers are already drawing my slickness to my back hole. My muscles twitch at the zings of pleasure. Staring up at me, he presses one finger against my asshole. I try to remain unaffected, but it’s a losing battle. I bite my lip to hold in my moan, but it escapes anyway. “That’s right, baby. I’m going to finger-fuck this tight little virgin asshole, and you’re going to come on my face while I do it.” “Oh my God,” I whisper as his touch tests and then breaches the ring of muscle. Tremors rip through me as his finger presses in. “That’s a good girl. You take it. You take everything I give you.” I don’t remember moving my hands, but they’re cupping my breasts and tugging at my nipples, desperate to spread sensations of pleasure. His finger slides deeper and b...

Mine for Now ~ Simon (The Billionaire's Obsession #1.2)(2) Author: J.S. Scott One of the men had a twitchy trigger finger and his firearm had exploded at the sound of the alarm, the path of the bullet coming so close to Kara’s head that she had felt the air ripple at the side of face. Shuddering, she wrapped her arms around herself, not really cold, but remembering with more than a touch of unease, the faces of the men and their final brutal comment as they escaped through the clinic door. “We’ll get you later, bitch!” Maddie had only seen their exit, arriving seconds after they had turned to run. Thankfully, everyone had escaped unharmed. “The nice detective should be back soon and we can affirm the police reports and get the hell out of here.” Maddie responded grimly, her eyes focused on Kara. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look a little pale.” Kara shrugged, trying to look unaffected. “A little shaken up is all. I’m…good.” Terrified. Scared shitless. But otherwise just fi...

Reckless (Forever #6)(3) Author: Priscilla West The Siren picked his guitar back up and returned to the mic stand. He started another song. I stood there watching, listening. Entranced. I was vaguely aware of other members of the band, but in the middle of such a stunning performance,, my attention only focused on him. He sang about pain and pleasure, desperation and elation. The lyrics seemed deeply personal. I vaguely wondered whether he wrote them himself and if so, where his inspiration came from. When the set ended, I felt emotionally drained. How many songs did they sing? Two? Twenty? I didn’t know. I only became aware of the passage of time when the music stopped. The male Siren unslung his guitar, tossed it backward to his bandmate, and hopped off the stage to the dance floor. Without so much as looking back toward the stage, his eyes searched the crowd and then locked back onto mine just like earlier in the set. Tension coiled in my stomach as he began taking steps in m...

Shock & Awe (Sidewinder #1)(3) Author: Abigail Roux “I’m going to take a shower,” Nick said as he threw the last spare pillow on the bed. “You want anything from downstairs first?” Kelly’s breath quickened, and he blurted it out before he could think twice. “Why Ty?” Nick stopped short and cocked his head as if he hadn’t heard right. “What?” “When you came out to me, you told me you’d been in love with Ty,” Kelly explained. He held his breath, telling himself the answer would probably make his wound throb again and he didn’t really want to know. “Why Ty?” Nick blushed and lowered his head, chewing on his lip. He shrugged. “He was . . . like this big shining beacon. For a long time I was a little in love with the idea of him. The idea of that kind of loyalty and trust for the rest of your life, you know? I think it was mostly just being young and wanting to believe in something. You know Ty. He was easy to believe in.” Kelly nodded. “Are you still in love with him?” Nick was...

Heartless (Pretty Little Liars #7)(25) Author: Sara Shepard Then the summer between sixth and seventh grade, Ali had dropped off the face of the earth for two weeks. Every time Emily called Ali’s cell phone it went to voice mail. Whenever she rang Ali’s house, the answering machine picked up. And yet, the DiLaurentises were definitely home—Emily biked by their house and saw Mr. DiLaurentis washing his car in the driveway and Ali’s mom pulling weeds in the front yard. She became convinced Ali was angry at her, though she had no idea why. And she couldn’t talk to her other best friends about it. Spencer and Hanna were vacationing with their families, and Aria was at an art camp in philly. Then, two weeks later, Ali called out of the blue. “Where were you?” Emily demanded. “I ran away!” Ali chirped. When Emily didn’t answer, she laughed. “I’m kidding. I went to the poconos with my aunt Giada. There’s no cell service up there.” Emily glanced at the handwritten sign again. As much as sh...

CEO's Marriage Seduction(8) Author: Anna DePalo He said no more, but she understood the implications. If Carter had no money, and on top of it all, was cheating on her, all signs pointed to one reason why he'd been willing to marry her. She hated coming to the conclusion her father had been right. Sure Carter had floated the idea of a prenuptial agreement, but he'd looked relieved when she—silly, romantic soul—had put the kibosh on the idea. And prenup or no prenup, Carter would have enjoyed the lifestyle to which her income and her trust fund would have made him accustomed. As if that weren't enough, for the second time, she felt like the recipient of Griffin's misplaced gallantry. He was trying to spare her from seeing the sordid proof of Carter's betrayal. "Trying to protect me, Griffin?" she challenged. "Don't you think it's a little late for that?" His expression closed. "You don't act like a woman who's just f...

The Bad Boy of Bluebonnet (Bluebonnet #4.5)(4) Author: Jessica Clare He looked over at her with a wicked grin that seemed to curve only one half of his mouth (oh heavens) and put his hand in hers. “Name’s Jericho, but you can call me J if you like. And I just so happen to be a handyman and plumber.” She found herself warming to that smile. He was pretty, with gorgeous eyes and a killer smile. Why did he ruin his appearance with tattoos and that awful hairdo? “It’s nice to meet you. Let me show you my eaves.” “Please do. I love a nice set of eaves.” He gave her hand a squeeze before pulling his away. Emily couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Why does that sound so incredibly dirty?” He mock clutched his chest and feigned putting a hand to his forehead. “Heavens to Betsy. Whatever do you mean?” She just rolled her eyes, amused. She liked this man’s sense of humor. “I showed you my eaves. Now show me what you can do with them.” “I love a challenge,” he said with a wag of his dark br...

Dirty Billionaire (The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy #1)(27) Author: Meghan March The press keeps firing questions, and Creighton answers them in vague generalities. He skillfully dodges the ones about JC, but he never looks away from me while he does it. I swear I hear the camerawoman directly in front of me sigh. When we climb into the limo, I’m feeling very uncertain about this whole thing. My plan only included using Karas as leverage to free myself from the disaster with JC, along with the added bonus of having some phenomenal sex. But now that the wedding is over, I have no idea how this is going to work, despite his promise earlier. I think part of my problem is that Creighton’s motives are still a complete mystery to me. The sex can’t be anything out of the ordinary for him, so is this all nothing more than a billionaire’s whim? But that look he’s still giving me as we speed toward the airport, that soft one hinting at more going on behind the surface? What the hell is that? I...

Played by the Billionaire(6) Author: Alexia Adams “We haven’t really met. My mom, who is the Supreme Ruler of Interfering Mothers, signed me up with an Internet dating site. There was actually one guy who seemed a bit interesting. He’s an architect who’s traveled the world and now wants to share his life and love of travel with the right woman.” “Is that your dream? To travel the world?” “Actually, my dreams are bit more home-based. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve wanted a big family. I had ten dolls I used to call my babies. I took those dolls everywhere. It was quite a sight.” “You can’t want ten children! That’s barbaric.” “I’d settle for four or five now. Of course, my mother keeps reminding me I’ve left things rather late.” “Do you have lots of brothers and sisters?” “No, it was only me and my mom. My dad…well…he wasn’t around. I do have tons of cousins—one of my aunts had eight kids. I was so jealous. They were always laughing and yelling. It was so quiet at my house....

Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(8) Author: Lorelei James Layla bit her lip. “Then you’ll have to fake it, A, because the consequences of me lying to Murphy and trying to slide you under their noses as a real Domme?” She shuddered. “Not only will Murphy be mad at me for weeks, it could jeopardize his job. If they think I, a lowly sub, can manipulate him into letting anyone into the club, then they won’t trust his judgment. In the bar, or with club business, or with club members.” Her eyes shimmered with tears. “So you see the position I’m in.” Guilt sideswiped her. She’d never intended to put Layla at risk. “Okay. I’ll do it. If you tell me what to do. What are my options?” “No chance you’ll pick up a female sub just out of curiosity?” Ainsley shook her head. Not something on her sexual wish list. Layla glanced around. “More members will show up, but if you insist on a man, you’re screwed.” “Please don’t use that phrase in this context, okay?” “There’s only one guy I know who...

Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(5) Author: Lorelei James “Murphy had been a Dom for a decade at that point. He’d never considered taking on a sub fulltime until he met me. His brother Rafe is a counselor. After my meltdown I spent time talking to Rafe alone, and with Murphy. While all this soul searching stuff was going on, I fell in love with Murphy.” She sniffled. “Totally, completely in love with the gentle giant who had such a code of honor that he didn’t touch me at all.” “How long did that last?” “Six months. Murphy took me to clubs where I could see other kinds of play. Play where a Dom administering pain was a preface for sexual pleasure for the sub. Without getting into too many details, it made me hot. And wet. Two things I’d never felt when the whip scored my skin. When he saw my reaction, he knew I was ready to experience the difference with him. It changed my life. So, the long answer to your question is no, Murphy would never abuse me. He gets me. He loves me. We g...

Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(2) Author: Lorelei James A short set of stairs ended at a wide landing. The door was manned by security on Friday and Saturday nights. Because security and anonymity were paramount to club members, Ben was surprised the door was propped open with a barstool and he could wander in, unimpeded. The large main room, decorated in gold and red, harkened back to brothels in the Wild West. An ornate horseshoe-shaped bar dominated the back corner. The floor to tin ceiling barback consisted of gilded mirrors and glass shelves. A sizeable brick and slate fireplace took center stage on the opposite wall. Several old-fashioned velvet, leather and brocade couches were placed in a semi-circle in front of it. Other chairs and loveseats separated the outer space into individual seating areas. Room dividers also created intimate, hidden spots. At the far back of the room was a hallway that split into two sides. The high-pitched whine of the vacuum cleaner stopped a...

Dirty Billionaire (The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy #1)(22) Author: Meghan March Creighton pulls on a pair of lounge pants—I have no idea where those came from—and settles into one of the chairs in the sitting room portion of the master suite. I take the chair opposite him. “We need to lay out some ground rules.” I’m not sure I like the sound of that, because I assume what he really means is that it’s time to lay out Creighton’s rules. But what did I really expect? That I’d have some sort of bargaining power here? My leverage disappeared when I signed on the dotted line. I know it, and he knows it. Then again, we both want something from the other, which I suppose puts us on sort of even footing. Except . . . not really. He has the billions and I just have me. You can cover a girl with fancy makeup, false eyelashes, hair extensions, stage-worthy clothes, and strip off my extra ten pounds by starving me half to death, but it doesn’t change who I am at heart. I’m still a girl from E...

Teased (Captured by the Billionaire #3)(5) Author: Julia Sykes “Do you want some more champagne?”  Jake asked kindly. “Yes, please,” she gratefully accepted.  But there were no longer any waiters circulating the room with drinks trays. Jake placed a finger under her chin, lifting her face so that her eyes met his.  “I’m going to go find us some drinks.  Will you be okay here for a few minutes?” Mallory wanted to go with him, but she didn’t want to seem like some needy child who had to be monitored at all times.  So she schooled her face to an impassive expression and nodded that she would be fine.  She felt a pang of panic as he walked away, but pride made her stay put.  Hovering at the edge of the room, she tried her best for nonchalance. “So you enjoy wax play, then?”  Mallory jumped at the sudden proximity of a deep, Irish-accented voice.  She turned and found herself staring up into a pair of cold black eyes, which were peering out ...

Teased (Captured by the Billionaire #3)(2) Author: Julia Sykes But then they parted before her, and she had to hold back as gasp at the opulence of what lay on the other side.  The walls of the spacious room had been draped with deep red velvet curtains.  Gilded, intricately-worked wood emerged from the top of them, glinting in the dull light of the enormous crystal chandelier.  The domed ceiling had been painted with a map of the known world dating to the sixteenth century, the continents delineated in golden brown hues. The luxurious room was filled with men and women in lavish costumes like Jake’s and Mallory’s.  Only some of them were already in various states of undress.  Mallory tried to force back her blush as she watched one man biting a woman’s br**sts, which had spilled out of her tight golden corset.  Another man’s c**k was being teased by a cruel-looking woman who was wearing men’s trousers and boots.  Mallory was overwhelmed by the sump...

Grave Peril (The Dresden Files #3)(40) Author: Jim Butcher "Yeah?" I asked. "What's that?" "I have partaken of thee. I am what thou art," the Nightmare whispered. He flicked his wrists toward me. "Ventas servitas." Wind roared up in a sudden fury and hurled me from my feet, back into the air. I collided with Rudolph and Stallings as they ran forward. We all went down in a heap upon the ground. I lay there stunned for a moment. I heard the Nightmare walk out. It just walked past us, footsteps calm and quiet, and left the room. We gathered ourselves together slowly, sitting up. "What the hell?" Rudolph said. My head hurt, in back. I must have slammed it into something. I pressed a hand against my skull, and groaned. "Oh, stars," I muttered. "I should have known better than to give him a straight line like that." Stallings had blood running out his nose and into his greying moustache. Flecks of red spotted h...

Grave Peril (The Dresden Files #3)(38) Author: Jim Butcher "Neat," Bob said. "And she could have been everywhere in question?" "Yeah," I said. "Yeah, she could have been." "Means, opportunity, motive." "Damn shaky logic, though. Nothing I could justify to the Council in order to get their back-up, either. I don't have any proof." "So?" Bob said. "Hat up, go kill her. Problem solved." "Bob," I said. "You can't just go around killing people." "I know. That's why you should do it." "No, no. I can't go around killing people, either." "Why not? You've done it before. And you've got a new gun and everything." "I can't arbitrarily end someone's life because of something they may have done." "Bianca's a vampire," Bob pointed out cheerfully. "She's not alive in the classic sense. I'll ge...

Marrying for King's Millions (Kings of California #2)(10) Author: Maureen Child Julie sat beside him, but they might as well have been in two separate cars. He felt her nerves like a living thing in the limo and he was feeling just cold enough himself to do nothing to dissuade them. She should be nervous, damn it. Hadn’t been his fault they’d had to trek to Mexico to clear up her past before someone in the media found out. He closed his eyes as that thought settled in tight. He could just imagine the field day the press would have blasting this little piece of news across the front pages of their rags. The King family name would be trashed and any hopes he had of moving his winery into the upper echelon of the business would have to be put on hold for years. He simply wouldn’t allow it. He’d worked too hard, come too far for his plans to be disrupted by an oily Frenchman with a penchant for greed. Slanting a look at the woman beside him, Travis watched her face as she stared ...

Every You, Every Me Author: David Levithan 1 It was your birthday. The first one after you left vanished were gone. When I woke up, I dreamed thought about other birthdays. Ones where we’d been together. Like two years ago. Freshman year. When I had you all to myself. I asked you what you wanted and you said roses, and then you said, “But not the flowers.” So I spent weeks gathering presents: a polished piece of rose quartz, White Rose tea, a ceramic tile I’d bought at the White House in fourth grade featuring the Rose Garden. A novel called Rose Sees Red, a biography of Gypsy Rose Lee, a mix of songs by bands called Blue Roses, the Stone Roses, White Rose Movement. Then I rigged your locker with pulleys, so when you opened it, all the objects rose. I’m not sure you got that part, not until I told you. But you were so happy then. This was before happiness became so complicated. This was when you could ask me for something, I could give it to you, and the world would be right. And...

Forever with You (Wait for You #5)(27) Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout Brock’s hand squeezed her shoulder “That’s what your father was saying,” I said. “You’ll really like that.” “I think so,” Jillian replied, but the lack of excitement caused me to doubt that she believed it. I glanced at Brock, but he was staring down at her bowed head with a frown. “If you have any questions about the campus or whatever, I’ll be glad to help you,” I offered. Approval settled into the lines of Andrew’s face. “That’s a good idea, actually. Jillian, you could go out to get coffee with Stephanie.” She nodded without looking at me and, well, I could tell that was probably not going to happen. An awkward silence fell, broken by Brock. “You’re not in class today?” Jillian shook her head. “Nope. I had an exam, and I finished early, so I’m done until later this afternoon. I thought I’d stop by.” “Admit it. You heard I was back and you came to see me,” he teased, and I bit down on my lip as blood rush...

Shopping for a Billionaire 4(2) Author: Julia Kent Time machines are soooooo underrated. If I had one and was given one chance to go back in time and fix anything I wanted, I would go back to the moment Greg announced those g*y prejudice credit union shops and say no. (Yes, I know I’m supposed to say I’d go back in time and kill Hitler or stop the burning of Joan d’Arc, but I’m kind of shallow right now.) No time machine. No giant sinkhole to swallow me up. Not even a psychotic cat who can pee on James’ foot and give me a reason to escape. Only— Declan. He walks into the meeting and gives everyone a gracious smile with frozen eyes so cold you could use them in a camp cooler for a long weekend and still have cold beer. “I apologize for being late. I was detained.” “You make it sound like you had no choice, son,” James says with a low chuckle. Andrew and Declan share a look that reminds me of Amanda and me, minus the lip biting and grimaces. “It felt like it,” Declan growls. Ja...

Drop Shot (Myron Bolitar #2)(4) Author: Harlan Coben Tennis needed new blood, and Duane Richwood was the most exhilarating transfusion to come along in years. Courier and Sampras were about as exciting as dry dog food. The Swedish players were always a snooze-a-thon. Agassi’s act was growing wearisome. McEnroe and Connors were history. So enter Duane Richwood. Colorful, funny, slightly controversial, but not yet hated. He was black and he was from the streets, but he was perceived as “safe” street, “safe” black, the kind of guy even racists could get behind to show they are not really racists. “Just check this baby out, Myron. This spot, I’m telling you, it’s … it’s just …” Tunwell looked up, as though searching for the word. “Fantastic?” Myron tried. Ned snapped his fingers and pointed. “Just wait till you see. I get hard watching it. Shit, I get hard just thinking about it. Swear to Christ, it’s that good.” He pressed the PLAY button. Two days ago Valerie Simpson had sat in t...

Captivated (Club Destiny #4.5)(25) Author: Nicole Edwards Since that moment, Haley had probably called him daddy no less than fifty times, and he seemed to eat it up every single time. Lucie couldn’t blame him. This was a huge milestone for the two of them, and she was just happy she had the opportunity to witness it for herself. After all the heartache she had caused, seeing the bond between father and daughter grow stronger every day didn’t make her guilt lessen any, but she was grateful for the choice she finally did make. “She’s asleep,” Kane whispered, breaking Lucie from her thoughts. Glancing over, she noticed that Haley was, in fact, asleep, propped on Kane’s shoulder, her teddy bear tucked beneath her arm. Glancing over at the television, she noticed the closing credits were rolling down the screen. Damn, she had missed most of the movie thanks to her wandering thoughts. Lucie climbed out of the bed and started to reach for Haley, but Kane waved her off easily. “I’ll carr...

Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders #1)(5) Author: Lorelei James Trevor spread her cheeks wide and rammed into her cunt in one rapid stroke. “Christ, woman,” he growled, “you’re wet. You must really like sucking cock.” A feminine grunt. “Stop talking and f**k me harder. I’m close to coming.” “Bossy. I don’t know if I like that.” “Punish me then. God. Do anything. Just make me come.” “Maybe this’ll help you along.” Trevor whacked her ass. Four sharp blows on each deeply tanned cheek. The woman started to climax. Loudly. Shrieking like a wheezing donkey. Thrashing like she was having a seizure. Colby wondered how much of her reaction was real. Talk about cynical. Spurred on by her enthusiasm, Trevor f**ked her with such ferocity the bathmat skidded sideways across the floor. Colby watched the scene before him dispassionately. He should be raring to join in. He wasn’t. In fact, his c**k had already gone completely limp. A sad situation at thirty-one; he was sick of trolling for pu**y....

Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12) Author: Lorelei James Chapter One The sound of leather hitting flesh was music to his ears. He pulled his arm back and snapped his wrist, the movement fluid and familiar. The long leather tail of the bullwhip connected with her quivering flank and a sharp crack echoed back to him. She released a low-pitched grunt but remained still, staring at him with defiant brown eyes. Stubborn. Again he lifted his arm. He put more force behind the blow, hitting the same spot, but harder. Her whole body quivered. “For Christsake, quit f**kin’ around with her. Throw a goddamn rope around her neck and make her come.” Ben McKay squinted at the lone cow, her hooves mired in the mud. He sighed, spurred his horse through the creek and stopped ten feet in front of the immovable cow. After switching out his whip for his rope, he twirled and let fly. The loop circled her neck and he tugged to tighten it. He’d done this so many times he didn’t have to spur his hors...

Yuletide Baby Surprise (The Alpha Brotherhood #4)(14) Author: Catherine Mann “Thank you,” Mari said, then mouthed at Rowan, “Mama-flage.” After they’d placed their order for swordfish with cachupa—a mixture of corn and beans—Mari leaned back in her chair, appearing far more relaxed than the woman who’d taken refuge in his suite the night before. She eased the sunglasses up to rest on top of her head. “You look like you’ve had a couple of servings of grogue.” Grogue was a sugar cane liquor drunk with honey that flowed freely here. “No alcohol for me tonight, thank you.” She lifted a hand. “My turn to watch the baby.” “I don’t mind taking the night shift if you’re not comfortable.” She raised a delicately arched dark eyebrow. “Somewhere in the world, a couple dozen new moms just swooned and they don’t know why.” “I’m just trying to be helpful. You have the heavier presentation load.” She stirred sugar into her coffee. “Are you trying to coerce me into kissing you again?” “As I ...

Dirty Billionaire (The Dirty Billionaire Trilogy #1)(15) Author: Meghan March “You’re taking that flight to New York either way, aren’t you?” she asks. I squeeze my eyes shut. I’m backed into a corner, and I don’t see a way out other than these two very crazy options laid out in front of me. I have no idea what I’m going to do. Still, I have to do something. I have no other choice. With a deep breath, I reply, “Yes. I’m taking the flight to New York.” I would have made an excellent warlord. I see. I want. I conquer. I keep. Anyone who gets in my way is removed by whatever means necessary. I’m not afraid to take chances, and I’m sure as hell not afraid to make waves. The only time I let something go is when I’m damn good and ready, and there’s no guarantee I’ll ever be ready when it comes to the woman I’m waiting on. The last six days have done nothing but strengthen my determination to have her on my terms. I’ve made myself comfortable in a leather wingback chair in Room 1...

Teased (Captured by the Billionaire #3) Author: Julia Sykes Chapter 1 Mallory’s stomach was in knots as she walked tentatively through the hotel foyer, Jake leading her by the hand.  He was gripping it firmly, stilling her trembling fingers.  How could he look so calm and cool when she was a mess of nerves?  Mallory peeked up at him, taking him in. His eyes twinkled down at her, two points of blue-green light standing in contrast to the black mask that covered the upper half of his face.  Jake looked more than just cool and collected; his graceful, fluid movements coupled with his heavily muscled physique gave him an aura of power and danger.  This was only enhanced by the fact that he was dressed as a sixteenth-century Venetian nobleman.  He wore a black leather jacket with stitched vine-like patterns at the collar and cuffs over a simple white tunic.  The top of it had been left untied, and it fell open to reveal his chiseled chest with its sprin...

Hard and Fast (Fast Track #2)(14) Author: Erin McCarthy “Come again?” Suzanne asked, gripping the sides of her treadmill as she stared at Imogen. “What do you mean Ty decided you shouldn’t have sex? What the hell happened? I didn’t even know you were with him last night.” “Well, he needed a ride after he and Nikki broke up. We were talking and he kissed me and we decided to have sex.” When she said it out loud, it all sounded rather dubious. “Then he drove my car to his place and said we shouldn’t have sex. Then he borrowed the book and I left.” Imogen looked around the gym to make sure no one had heard what she had just said. The gym they were at was a haven for race car drivers, and one of them could be wandering by at any given moment. It was originally why she had chosen it, at Suzanne’s recommendation, but now she was thinking it wasn’t all that wise. “Wow. That’s weird. Just weird. How was the kiss? Did he suck or something? Maybe he was embarrassed.” “He didn’t suck.” Not i...

Grave Peril (The Dresden Files #3)(33) Author: Jim Butcher Darkness. Drip of water. Creak of building, above me. Nothing. I put the tuning fork in my duster pocket. Then I turned back to the van, closed the distance quickly, and hauled open the side door, leveling my rod on the inside. A blanket-wrapped bundle, approximately Lydia-sized, lay inside the van. One pale hand lay limp outside of it, my talisman, scorched-looking and bloodstained, wrapped around the slender wrist. My heart leapt into my throat. "Lydia?" I asked. I reached out and touched her wrist. Felt the dull, slow throb of pulse. I let out a breath of relief, pulled the blankets from her pale face. Her eyes were open, staring, the pupils dilated until there was barely any color left in them at all. I waved my hand in front of her eyes and said again, "Lydia." She didn't respond. Drugged, I thought. What the hell was she doing here? Laying in a van, covered up in blankets drugged and place...

Yuletide Baby Surprise (The Alpha Brotherhood #4)(6) Author: Catherine Mann “Okay, if you’re sure I won’t break her.” She chewed her bottom lip. “But let me sit down first.” Seeing Mari unsure of herself was strange, to say the least. She always commanded the room with her confidence and knowledge, even when he didn’t agree with her conclusions. There was something vulnerable, approachable even, about her now. He set the baby into her arms, catching a whiff of Mari’s perfume, something flowery and surprisingly whimsical for such a practical woman. “Just be careful to support her head and hold the bottle up enough that she isn’t drinking air.” Mari eyed the bottle skeptically before popping it into Issa’s mouth. “Someone really should invent a more precise way to do this. There’s too much room for human error.” “But babies like the human touch. Notice how she’s pressing her ear against your heart?” Still leaning in, he could see Mari’s pulse throbbing in her neck. The steady throb...

His Obsession (The Owners #2)(10) Author: Sam Crescent “I can imagine sinking my dick into her—” Stephen’s cup shattered on the table top, and he lunged for Tate. Sean and Lucas stopped him with their hands on his arms holding him back. Cadeon moved closer. “Do you feel the burn? The gut-clenching agony of thinking of another man touching her? Do you feel the need to claim her to make sure no man can mistake who she belongs to?” Cadeon asked. Stephen was breathing hard to try to control himself. Staring at Tate he saw the other man smirk. “No offense, Stephen. Ursula is hot, but I love Rebecca. I don’t want your woman. We were trying to show you how you felt.” “I don’t feel like that. I don’t like you talking shit about her.” He denied everything coursing through him. For so long he’d believed he didn’t feel any part of the possession the other men at the club felt. The sound of his phone ringing interrupted his thoughts. “I’ve got to get that.” Lucas and Sean let him go, slowl...

Yuletide Baby Surprise (The Alpha Brotherhood #4)(9) Author: Catherine Mann For Issa. “Open the door and you’ll find out.” * * * Three hours later, Mari watched Rowan close the hotel door after the police. Stacks of paperwork rested on the table, making it official. She and Rowan had temporary custody of the baby while the police investigated further and tried to track down the employee who’d walked away from the cart. Issa slept in her infant seat, secure for now. Mari sighed in relief, slumping in exhaustion back onto the sofa. She’d done it. She’d played the princess card and all but demanded the police obey her “request” to care for the baby until Christmas—less than two weeks away—or until more information could be found about Issa’s parents. She’d agreed to care for the child with Rowan Boothe, a doctor who’d saved countless young lives. The police had seemed relieved to have the problem resolved so easily. They’d taken photos of the baby and prints. They would look into t...

Yuletide Baby Surprise (The Alpha Brotherhood #4)(3) Author: Catherine Mann Some of the heat must have shown on his face because she snapped out of her shock. “You have got to be joking. You can’t honestly believe I would ever make a move on you, much less one so incredibly blatant.” Damn, but her indignation was so sexy and yeah, even cute with the incongruity of that Santa hat perched on her head. He couldn’t stop himself from grinning. She stomped her foot. “Don’t you dare laugh at me.” He tapped his head lightly. “Nice hat.” Growling, she flung aside the hat and shrugged out of the hotel jacket. “Believe me, if I’d known you were in here, I wouldn’t have chosen this room to hide out.” “Hide out?” he said absently, half following her words. As she pulled her arms free of the jacket to review a rumpled black suit, the tug of her white business shirt against her br**sts sent an unwelcome surge of arousal through him. He’d been fighting a damned inconvenient arousal around this...

Forever with You (Fixed #3)(33) Author: Laurelin Paige Then his mouth was back at my clit, flicking and dancing along my tight ball of nerves, and it was his fingers inside me, rubbing along my wall, stroking me in just the right place. “Fuck yeah, right there.” My leg muscles tightened and my lower belly tensed as the pleasure built within me. The first wave of cl**ax washed over me unexpectedly, much faster than I wanted it to. “It’s not enough,” Hudson growled. “I need you quivering and out of your mind.” I couldn’t argue if I wanted. He renewed his assault with invigorated passion, adding a third finger, stretching and filling me with skilled strokes. He reached his other hand up to massage my breast through my clothes. I ached to feel him skin-on-skin but didn’t want to interrupt his rhythm to undress. Instead, I arched into his kneading palm while my h*ps bucked under his artful ministrations. Damn, I was soaring again, so soon. My legs shook, my knees knocking against Hud...

The Last Juror(21) Author: John Grisham The Judge shrugged and said, "So? He's here. What's the difference?" There was not a trace of concern in his voice, and I knew I was nailed. "Preparation for one thing. A witness has a right to be prepped." "I believe he's the newspaper editor, is he not?" "He is." Lucien Wilbanks was walking toward the jury box as if he might take a swing at Harry Rex. He said, "Your Honor, he's not a litigant, and he will not be a witness at trial. He wrote the stories. Let's hear from him." "It's an ambush, Judge," Harry Rex said. "Sit down, Mr. Vonner," His Honor said, and I took a seat in the witness chair. I fired a look at Harry Rex as if to say, "Nice work, lawyer." A bailiff stood in front of me and said, "Are you armed?" "What?" I was beyond nervous and nothing made sense. "A gun. Do you have a gun?" "Yes...

The Lying Game (The Lying Game #1)(11) Author: Sara Shepard Emma wrenched away. The tube of lipstick had definitely fooled her. Then, she realized something else—Madeline had called her Sutton, just like Charlotte’s dad had. “Wait a minute,” she blurted, struggling to find her voice. “I’m not—” Charlotte cut her off, her gaze still on Madeline. “Even if Sutton knew it was you, it’s still poor form. And you know it.” She had a sarcastic voice and a penetrating stare. Although Charlotte wasn’t the prettiest in the crowd, she was clearly the alpha. “Besides, since when do we do things like that with them?” She pointed at Gabriella and Lilianna, who lowered their eyes sheepishly. Madeline fiddled with the leather strap of her oversized watch. “Don’t be such a hater. It was spontaneous. I saw Sutton and just . . . went for it.” Charlotte stepped a tiny bit closer to Madeline and puffed up her chest. “We made up the rules together, remember? Or do those tight buns you wear to ballet cla...

Betrayed (Forbidden #3)(30) Author: Melody Anne “I really am hungry,” she croaked out, and the tremor in her voice made him feel much better about being rejected yet again. “Then I will feed one hunger,” he said before a big smile overtook his lips. “And then I’ll feed the other.” She said nothing as he turned to leave, but he felt her follow him from the room and then from the cabin. As they strolled back toward the lodge, Byron found himself seeking McKenzie’s hand. She didn’t try to pull away from him as they walked along the trail. He held the door for her as they entered the small restaurant, and they were soon seated on the back patio, deck heaters warming the area, the smell of pine trees filling the air. “This is pretty amazing, Byron,” she said with a sigh as she looked out into the dark gray of the night. The moon was nearly full, illuminating the hills, but there wasn’t much of a view at this time of night. “In the morning, this place is spectacular. I love sitting on...

Blood Song (Raven's Shadow #1)(20) Author: Anthony Ryan Sighing he tucked the scarf into his sleeve and sent a silent plea to the Departed to see the pair safely to wherever they were going. He made his way back to the camp, lost in thought. He had to decide what to tell Master Hutril and needed time to consider his lies carefully. Scratch scampered ahead of him, snapping at the snow joyfully. It was a silent ride back with Master Hutril, Vaelin was the only boy in the cart. He asked about the others and received only a grunted response: “Bad year, the storm.” Vaelin shivered, suppressing panicked thoughts about his comrades, and climbed onto the cart. Hutril started off with Scratch scampering after in the deep ruts left in the snow. Hutril had listened to Vaelin’s story in silence, staring expressionlessly at Scratch as Vaelin stumbled through his partially invented account. He stuck mostly to the same story he had told Tendris but left out Makril’s visit the night before. Hut...

Beauty's Kingdom (Sleeping Beauty #4)(2) Author: Anne Rice “Now tell me, do you love your master?” I said. “I want to know your secret soul.” “Oh, yes, Lady Eva,” she said breathlessly. “I never knew such happiness at Court.” And then she let it all slip out again. “I don’t care if the Queen never calls me back to the castle. Please, you must let me remain here. I don’t want the Queen to come back.” I cradled her bowed head in my hands. “What am I going to have to do, whip you myself here and now? I would never have unsealed your lips if I’d known you were so foolish, so disobedient. You know what is permitted and what is not permitted,” I said. “The Queen decides where slaves live and whom they serve. You can reveal your soul to me with a wiser choice of words, you know that!” I lifted her chin. She bit her lip despairingly as she looked at me. I winked at her. “I’ll do everything,” I whispered, “to see you remain with Tristan.” She flung her arms around me and I allowed it, ...

Surrender (Surrender #1)(5) Author: Melody Anne His mistresses were nothing more than employee’s and that’s how he treated them. They got paid very well, offered a severance package, and in-turn, he was kept satisfied. It was a win-win for both parties involved. The frozen expression that Arianna Harlow held while looking at him made him think she wasn’t going to work out as his next employee. He was taken aback by the slight stab of disappointment that thought made him feel. Though he’d actually never been turned down by anyone he offered a job to, he expected it to happen eventually. Surprisingly, there were women in the world who felt… uneasy about this kind of arrangement. He honestly couldn’t decipher why. After all, he was doing nothing but cutting out the obnoxious dating part of sex. Why not cut to the chase and tell her exactly what he wanted for himself and expected from her? It made everything so much simpler. Arianna held a broken, yet spirited look in her eyes, like h...

Lucy March About The Author      Lucy March lives in southern Ohio with her husband, two daughters, two cats, five dogs, and one best friend. Visit her at www. lucymarch. com. Bibliography   Title   Series/Type    - Book 1: A Little Night Magic  romance Previous: Dan Brown Next: Morgan Rice Read more: Read Lucy March Books read online free

Yuletide Baby Surprise (The Alpha Brotherhood #4) Author: Catherine Mann One Dr. Mariama Mandara had always been the last picked for a team in gym class. With good reason. Athletics? Not her thing. But when it came to spelling bees, debate squads and math competitions, she’d racked up requests by the dozens. Too bad her academic skills couldn’t help her sprint faster down the posh hotel corridor. More than ever, she needed speed to escape the royal watchers tracking her at the Cape Verde beachside resort off the coast of West Africa, which was like a North Atlantic Hawaii, a horseshoe grouping of ten islands. They were staying on the largest island, Santiago. No matter where she hid, determined legions were all too eager for a photo with a princess. Why couldn’t they accept she was here for a business conference, not socializing? Panting, Mari braced a hand against the wall as she stumbled past a potted areca silk palm strung with twinkling Christmas lights. Evading relentless p...

Persuader (Jack Reacher #7)(8) Author: Lee Child "Which makes him huge," Eliot said. "If this guy from LA is prepared to fly all the way back east to meet with him, he's got to be a couple of rungs up the ladder. And anybody a couple of rungs above this LA guy is in the stratosphere, believe me. So Zachary Beck's a top boy, and he's fooling with us. Rug importer, drug importer. He's making jokes." "I'm sorry," I said. "I never saw him before." "Don't be sorry," Duffy said. She hitched forward on the chair. "It's better for us if he isn't the guy you saw. We already know about him. It's better for us if you saw one of his associates. We can try to get to him that way." "You can't get to him head-on?" There was a short silence. Seemed to me there was some embarrassment in it. "We've got problems," Eliot said. "Sounds like you've got probable cause a...

It's Complicated (Her Billionaires #5)(36) Author: Julia Kent “It’s called My Bed.” “I like that movie.” “You’ve seen it?” “No. But I caught a great preview of it today.” “Maybe we could turn it into a drive-in viewing. You know, under the stars?” Something in him had cracked, too—the way he shifted and held his body was more intimate. She stretched up and kissed his lips lightly. He blinked hard, then jumped a bit. Reaching into his pocket, he checked his phone. “A patient.” “It’s your day off!” she protested. “VBAC. She really wants to make this happen, and I promised I’d come in…” He raked his hair with one hand. “Damn it.” “I get it.” Exhaustion she’d been ignoring asserted itself at the opportunity, reminding her that she really needed some rest, and a shower, and to eat something. And she wanted to spend five hours on the phone with Laura, squeeing about Dr. Perfect. Dr. Air Fucking Perfect, now. “What are you doing Tuesday?” “I’m off.” “Then come…over.” He was ...

Mine for Now ~ Simon (The Billionaire's Obsession #1.2)(14) Author: J.S. Scott She rolled her eyes. “I don’t need more. I have several drawers filled with lingerie. I could go without doing laundry for a month. I’ve never owned so much lingerie in my entire life.” “I’ll still get you more. If what you have is as sexy as the pair I just destroyed, it won’t last long.” His voice was hoarse with a touch of warning flowing through his words. His warm gaze caressed her partially clad body, lingering on every inch of bared skin. She shuddered, imagining Simon ripping off various articles of lingerie in a fit of passion. “You can’t ruin all my lingerie. Those things are expensive.” “I didn’t hear you complaining a few minutes ago.” His voice was hot, sultry and filled with a promise of things to come. “I’d buy lingerie for you every day if what just happened is the result. Hell, I’d buy it for you just to see you smile.” Kara’s heart skipped a beat, her chest aching from unexpresse...

Out of the Silent Planet (Space Trilogy #1)(22) Author: C.S. Lewis In spite of the cold - which made him often dismount and take a spell on foot - he did not wish for the end of the journey; but Augray had his own plans and halted for the night long before sundown at the home of an older sorn. Ransom saw well enough that he was brought there to be shown to a great scientist. The cave, or, to speak more correctly, the system of excavations, was large and many-chambered, and contained a multitude of things that he did not understand. He was specially interested in a collection of rolls, seemingly of skin, covered with characters, which were clearly books; but he gathered that books were few in Malacandra. "It is better to remember," said the sorns. When Ransom asked if valuable secrets might not thus be lost, they replied that Oyarsa always remembered them and would bring them to light if he thought fit. "The hrossa used to have many books of poetry," they added....

Lullaby (The Watersong Quartet #2)(31) Author: Amanda Hocking “So you finally ate?” Penn smiled, walking into the room. She stared at Gemma with a bemused expression. “I told you she would come back,” Lexi said proudly as she went over to Gemma. “You did, but she’s a mess,” Penn said. “She’s fine, you nitwit. It’s not her blood,” Lexi said as she pushed Sawyer away and looped her arm around Gemma’s shoulders. “Whose blood is it?” Sawyer asked, sounding confused. “That’s a very good question.” Penn walked up to Gemma, standing directly in front of her. Gemma just wanted to collapse and sob. “Where’s the body?” “The body?” Gemma asked, dazed. “Yes, you killed someone and ate their heart,” Penn said, as if it should be obvious. “Now, where is the body?” “I, um…” Gemma gulped back her vomit and tried to think. “I don’t know. It was outside a steakhouse in town. It happened in the alley next to it.” “A steakhouse?” Penn turned to Sawyer. “Do you know where she’s talking about?” ...

Jane Austen Bibliography   »  Pride and Prejudice   »  Emma   »  Lady Susan   »  Sense and Sensibility   »  Persuasion About The Author Jane Austen (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics. Austen lived her entire life as part of a close-knit family located on the lower fringes of the English landed gentry. She was educated primarily by her father and older brothers as well as through her own reading. The steadfast support of her family was critical to her development as a professional writer. Her artistic apprenticeship lasted from her teenage years until she was about 35 years old. During this period, she experimented with various literary forms, ...

Cerulean Sins (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #11)(15) Author: Laurell K. Hamilton I stopped talking. All of our men were staring at me, except Damian, who was hugging me for all he was worth. "Ventriloquism," Jason said, from the other side of Jean-Claude, "it's the only answer." Jean-Claude nodded. "A miracle indeed." Then he turned to Musette. "All, save one, pales before your beauty, Musette. How could I offer anything less than something beautiful to grace your loveliness?" Her gaze turned back to me. "Is she not a beauty to equal mine?" I laughed. Damian's arms tightened enough that I had to pat his arm so I could keep breathing comfortably. "Don't worry, I've got this one covered." I don't think anyone believed me, but I did, honest. "Musette, I know I'm pretty, I can admit that, but compared to the otherworldly triplets here, I am not the most beautiful person on our side." "T...

Her Hometown Hero (Unexpected Heroes #2)(2) Author: Melody Anne “You know, we are horrible, horrible people,” Eileen said with a wicked grin, enhancing the slight wrinkles on her face. “How else was I supposed to get her home?” Bethel asked. “She’s so dang stubborn and thinks she can make it all on her own in some big city. It’s time for her to come home and settle down. Besides, I am a frail old woman.” The twinkle in her eye and the weekly dancing lessons she took belied her words. She did a mean cha-cha. “Frail, my foot,” Eileen scoffed. The two women had been friends for over fifty years, and neither of them could get anything past the other. “Still, I don’t know about all of this. If Sage finds out—gets even an inkling of what we have planned . . .” “It’s worth the risk, my dearest friend,” Bethel said. She called Martin and Maggie so the foursome could put Joseph Anderson on speakerphone and they could all go over the plans again. If Sage had known what was brewing, she woul...

Survival's Price (Saurellian Federation #3.6)(3) Author: Joanna Wylde Closing her eyes, she rubbed against him once more, enjoying the extra friction from the fabric covering his erection. She could feel the thong going even further up her ass, slipping up between her labia. She stroked him once more, purring, and then opened her eyes. He watched her, his face suffused with blood and his eyes filled with wonder. “To what do I owe this honor?” he asked, his voice unexpectedly smooth. She cocked her head at him, growing ever more pleased with her new discovery. Despite how he must be feeling, he controlled himself. It intrigued her. She wanted to make him lose that control, teach him what it meant to have a woman use him. She would, too, before she finished. “I don’t know,” she said, giving him a winsome smile. “There’s just something about you, I guess.” She half expected him to burst out laughing, the line was so pathetic. His face grew thoughtful instead, and then he smiled....

In High Places(28) Author: Arthur Hailey 'I was hoping,' Dan said, 'that somebody who mattered might come forward to help him.' A hurrying copy boy put ink-wet proofs of early closed pages on the city desk. Woolfendt paused. Behind the domed forehead his incisive mind clicked pros and cons. Then, decisively, 'All right,' he announced, 'I'll give you another twenty-four hours. That means one clear day to find a guy on a white horse.' 'Thanks, Chuck.' Dan Orliffe grinned, turning away. Over his shoulder he called, 'It would have been cold on that mountain.' With nothing specific in mind he had gone home then for a late breakfast with his wife Nancy and afterwards driven Patty, their six-year-old daughter, to school. By the time he returned downtown and had parked outside the Immigration Building it was close to ten o'clock. He had no special reason for coming here, having interviewed Edgar Kramer the day before and gained not...

In High Places(21) Author: Arthur Hailey He was conscious of a rumbling sound. Surprised, he became aware that Senator Deveraux was chuckling. 'Young and green, I think you said, my boy.' The Senator paused, chuckling again, his waistline heaving quietly. 'Well, you may be young, but certainly not green. What's your opinion, Sharon?' 'I'd say you got caught out, Granddaddy.' Alan was aware that Sharon was looking at him with respect. 'And so I did, my dear; indeed I did. This is a smart young man you have found.' Somehow, Alan realized, the situation had changed, though he was not sure in which way. The only thing he was certain of was that Senator Deveraux was a man of many facets. 'Very well; so all our cards are face up on the table.' The Senator's tone had changed softly; it was less ponderous, more as if directed to an equal. 'Let us suppose that everything you allege is true. Is this young man on the ship still not en...

Dead Beat (The Dresden Files #7)(12) Author: Jim Butcher "What?" I asked. He blinked, slowly. Then he said, "Harry. This is an X-ray I took two months ago. Notice the lack of anything wrong." "So?" I asked. "It healed, right?" He made an exasperated sound. "Harry, you are dense. Bones don't do that. You carry marks where they re-fused for the rest of your life. Or rather, I would. You don't." I frowned. "What's that got to do with wizard life span?" Butters waved his hand impatiently. "Here, here are some more." He slapped up more X-rays. "This is a partial stress fracture to the arm that didn't get shot. You got it in that fall from the train a couple nights after we met," he said. "It was just a crack. You didn't even know you had it, and it was mild enough that it just needed a splint for a few days. It was off before you were ambulatory." "What's so odd abo...

Brave New World(35) Author: Aldous Huxley "Perhaps we had better go on," said Miss Keate, and moved towards the door. "And this," said the Provost a moment later, "is Hypnopædic Control Room." Hundreds of synthetic music boxes, one for each dormitory, stood ranged in shelves round three sides of the room; pigeon-holed on the fourth were the paper sound-track rolls on which the various hypnopædic lessons were printed. "You slip the roll in here," explained Bernard, interrupting Dr. Gaffney, "press down this switch ..." "No, that one," corrected the Provost, annoyed. "That one, then. The roll unwinds. The selenium cells transform the light impulses into sound waves, and ..." "And there you are," Dr. Gaffney concluded. "Do they read Shakespeare?" asked the Savage as they walked, on their way to the Bio-chemical Laboratories, past the School Library. "Certainly not," said the Hea...

Every Last Breath (The Dark Elements #3)(14) Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout Clasping my cheeks in his large hands, he said something too low and too quick for me to understand as he tilted my head back and kissed me. There was nothing soft about it. His mouth was on mine, the metal ball in his tongue clanking off my teeth as he pressed me into the door. He tasted of something sweet and the bitter tang of alcohol was still on his tongue. Little shivers of pleasure raced through my body as I moaned into the kiss. My hands slid up to his shoulders and my fingers dug into his smooth skin. The kiss was doing crazy stuff to my senses, obliterating my common sense when the lower half of him pressed against mine. And it felt like it had been forever since I felt this. The sweet wildness that came from a single kiss and the release and freedom of finally letting go, of complete and utter acceptance, of having what I wanted, what I yearned for. The immediate and absolute rush of desire so pot...

Every Last Breath (The Dark Elements #3)(9) Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout Shoving another slice of bacon into my mouth, I eyed him. “Oh, do you now?” “Yeah. Your shit is complicated. I got you, but I know what’s really going on there, so I’m about to go all come to Jesus with you.” Setting his fork down, he leaned over and whispered the “truth” in my ear. I jerked back, his words echoing—no, actually taunting me—and anger rose in me swiftly. I glared at him, my hand tight on the fork. Something about what he said was so true I wanted to kick it back in his face. “I don’t want to talk to you about this.” He chuckled. “Whatever floats your boat.” Ignoring him, I devoured the rest of my breakfast, then I got up and dumped the plate and silverware in the dishwasher. When I faced him, he was still grinning. I crossed my arms. “Where’s Roth?” “He’s out.” I waited and there was no answer. “Doing what?” “Things,” he replied. “Demon duties.” Sighing, I leaned against the counter. “Yo...

Every Last Breath (The Dark Elements #3)(12) Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout “I know,” he agreed softly. I wanted to punch an Alpha in the face! Like fists of fury types of punches. “We could’ve saved lives. I can’t even...” I took a huge gulp of the mocha, hoping that would calm me down. It really didn’t. “What else did they say?” He rested his arms on the table and leaned in. “My father was able to negotiate some time from them. They’re giving us until the New Year to deal with the Lilin, unless the Lilin does something that has the risk of exposure. We have Wardens out now searching for it.” My brows flew up. To be honest, I hadn’t thought they’d give us any time. I could easily see them giving us two hours. I wasn’t surprised to learn of the whole exposure thing, though. The Alphas had decreed long ago that humankind could never have real, hard-core proof that a Heaven and a Hell existed, that they must believe in a higher power based on faith alone. I didn’t understand that th...

Every Last Breath (The Dark Elements #3)(6) Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout But then Roth had shown up, and as a demon, he was in the no-soul category. At first, I’d loathed his very existence, and looking back, it had a lot to do with how his words and actions made me question everything the Wardens had taught me. By nature, demons weren’t something you’d invite in for dinner, but not all of them were the wretched creatures I’d been conditioned to abhor to a near-fanatical degree. They had their purpose, too. Every second I’d spent with Roth, I’d fallen a little harder for him, and I’d shared so much with him before he’d sacrificed himself to save Zayne from the fiery pits of Hell. I’d thought I’d lost him then, but he’d returned—only things had been different between us when he had. Roth had distanced himself, to protect me. To shield me from Abbot. Then there was everything that had happened with Zayne. I’d been raised with him, spent years idolizing and loving him from afar. For...

In High Places(15) Author: Arthur Hailey The old man flushed but continued doggedly, 'I say we should maintain our independence – at whatever cost.' 'To the point, no doubt, of repelling a nuclear invasion,' James Howden said icily. Coming after Perrault, Nesbitson's words had seemed like a dismal, chilling shower. Now, with controlled anger, Howden added, 'Or perhaps the Defence Minister has some means of doing so that we have not yet heard about.' Bitterly, in his mind, Howden reminded himself that this was a sample of the unseeing, obtuse stupidity he would have to face in the weeks immediately ahead. For an instant he pictured the other Nesbitsons still to come: the cardboard warriors with aged, faded pennants, a Blimplike cavalcade marching blindly to oblivion. It was ironic, he reflected, that he must expend his own intellect in convincing fools like Nesbitson of the need to save themselves. There was an uneasy silence. It was no secret in Cabine...