Eve Langlais's Blog, page 145
May 11, 2014
Presenting Mimi Strong
From the NYT Bestselling author of the Peaches Monroe trilogy comes another charming, funny, satisfying love story. Complicated Girl crackles with the energy of Mimi Strong’s trademark wit and comedic edge.
Opposites attract when a rough-and-tumble florist meets a sophisticated, well-groomed dentist at her self-help group.
Drew Morgan looks like he stepped out of a men’s fashion magazine. He smells even better. He comes on strong the first time he meets Megan (a.k.a. Meenie), getting her away from the group so he can lay on his charm.
Meenie doesn’t have much practice with flirting, so she does the next most logical thing to get Drew over to her house. She gets a pair of pliers, yanks off her dental cap, and calls Drew on his after-hours emergency number.
When Drew shows up with his stylish leather doctor’s bag, and snaps on his latex gloves, the dental procedure goes horribly wrong and the romance goes surprisingly right.
Once Meenie’s tooth is repaired, the only thing left to fix is the enormous problem she won’t admit she has. Now that she’s in danger of losing her perfect guy, the stakes have never been higher for Meenie to finally stop being so complicated.
COMPLICATED GIRL is a complete, stand-alone novel. It’s book 2 in the Baker Street Romance series, a group of romantic comedy books with linked characters. Book 1, BLUE ROSES, is about Meenie’s sister Tina, and is also available now!
May 10, 2014
New Pack Order has released!
A cold blooded vampire.
A Lycan rogue trying to escape his past.
A human coming to grips with her new heritage.
The death of an evil vampire hybrid should have meant the end of the troubles plaguing the werewolf packs. Instead, it’s just the beginning. Despite his loner ways, a vampire will forge an unlikely bond with a shewolf and a rogue to fight the coming menace and establish a New Pack Order.
Genre: Paranormal/Werewolf Multi Partner Romance (MFM)
Marc can’t escape the memories of what he did while under Roderick’s mental control, but he can attempt to atone. He begins his quest by saving a female Lycan who needs guidance—and a mate. The problem is convincing her to accept his help, and his love.
Thaddeus has lived too long to waste his time playing the games the other vampires indulge in. However, when it comes to keeping his kind safe from the notice of humans, he’ll do what it takes to stop a madman intent on starting a war. He embarks on a one man quest to avert disaster, but along the way discovers even a killer can become a hero—and a lover.
Antonia might regret losing her humanity, but with a werewolf and a vampire at her side, she discovers an inner strength and passion to not only live, and fight, but to love, not just one, but two very special men.
‘Pack’ series order:
Book 1: Defying Pack Law
Book 2: Betraying The Pack
Book 3: Seeking Pack Redemption
Book 4: New Pack Order
*Author’s note: This series is best read in order so that you can understand unfolding events.
Excerpt:
Unlike the last time she cried for help, someone answered her call. She managed to stumble in retreat only moments before the door swung open. A tall dark figure bathed in shadows filled the doorway.
Who stood there?
The first thing she noticed was the red eyes. Glowing eyes. She moaned a fearful, “Roderick.”
The menacing shape took a step into the cell and terror melted as she beheld the vampire’s face. Not Roderick, and yet, something about him, something about his presence, his aura, was darkly familiar. The chiseled features of her abductor were anything but evil, though, and she couldn’t help a spurt of happiness he’d answered her call. Her vampire savior back again to the rescue, or her new jailor?
“Don’t fear. It’s me, Thaddeus.”
An interesting name, old fashioned and yet it suited him. “Why am I here? Why have you brought me back? Marc said he burned this place down, how is this possible?”
He arched a brow. “Me? I did nothing. I’ve never visited this dismal location before. I’m afraid this setting is of your doing. You drew me into your dream.”
“So this isn’t real?” He inclined his head, and she heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank God. Once I escaped, I prayed I’d never have to go back.”
“Neither prayer nor God has anything to do with it. My understanding is your will kept you alive until the wolf released you.”
“But who led him to me in the first place?” she sassed back. Look at her, arguing theology with a vampire.
Thaddeus laughed. “A question scholars could debate for centuries and never come to an agreement.”
“Whatever the reason, I’m glad I escaped.”
“As am I.”
“I find that hard to believe. Why would you care?”
Thaddeus stepped further into the cell, a frown knitting his brow as he glanced around the miserable room. “What Roderick did to you was vile, even by vampire standards.”
“How would you know? I haven’t told you anything.” And didn’t plan to. That part of her life was best left in the past, locked away and forgotten.
“You might not have said anything, but I’ve seen glimpses of it in your mind, and from the memories I’ve ingested.”
“Double whoa. What do you mean by seen it and ingested?”
He turned his attention from the cold stone blocks and focused his gaze on her. “Because you were once in thrall to Roderick, your mind is similar to an open book, easy to read for those of us with the power to do so.”
She grimaced. “Great. Nothing like having your worst moments on display.”
“Your secrets are safe with me.”
“I’d prefer you not have them at all. Isn’t there a way of closing the journal of my life?” Before Thaddeus got to the part where she found him attractive. Don’t think of it. Quick, hide that thought. She shoved it behind a door in her mind and locked it. “Isn’t there a mind trick I can learn to prevent you from reading it?”
“I’m afraid the only way you could close yourself off, at least to others, would be to become a thrall once again.”
Not the answer she’d hoped for. Her lips twisted into a moue of displeasure. “You mean become a slave to a vampire.”
“Not all of us treat humans with disdain, some are cherished companions. Friends. Even lovers.” He flashed a seductive smile, one that shot a sizzling heat to her lower belly and curled her toes.
This guy is so dangerous. And sexy. She tried to keep her mind on asking questions, which in retrospect seemed dumb. If she was dreaming, then his answers meant nothing, but it didn’t stop her from having an imaginary conversation. “You said something about ingesting memories. I assume you mean Roderick’s? How and why would you do that?”
“The how is not important, as to the why, simple. With his memories, even if I don’t agree, I can at least understand his actions, and find those he’s weakened.”
“Why would you want to find them? I assure you the asshats he controlled are not worth the effort.” Except for maybe Marc. Unlike the leering and creepy guys who hung around Roderick, Marc seemed to have a decent core.
“They might not be the most preferable of companions, however, they must be located, because if they aren’t, they will either all die or become slaves to those less benign than I.”
There was that dreaded fear again. Like a ball of burning acid, it hurt her chest. “A slave to someone as bad as Roderick?”
“I daresay worse. Roderick might have used you as a peon in his quest to build an army loyal only to him. But my less-compassionate brethren would use you for sick games and torture, and to start a war.”
It hit her in a moment of clarity. “But they wouldn’t go near me if I belonged to you.”
“You think me strong enough to protect you?” His lips curved in a mocking grin.
“Aren’t you?”
Thaddeus laughed. “Yes. But, the better question is, are you asking me to make you mine? To tie your life to mine until we die? Somehow, I think your wolf might object to that.”
“He does.” The growled reply preceded Marc’s entrance into the cell.
Why did it not surprise her that Marc would also make an appearance in her dream?
She tried to articulate her reasoning. “If I let Thaddeus claim me, then the other vampires can’t touch me.”
“We barely know the guy and you’d let him bite you?”
“I barely know you and yet you expect me to mate with you.”
“To protect you.”
“Just like I would protect her,” Thaddeus added. “I actually think it is a brilliant plan. Albeit, without the wolf. Personally, she could probably survive quite well with just me as her guardian.”
“Dream on, bloodsucker.” Marc took an aggressive step forward, but before things could escalate, she stepped between them.
“Both of you, stop it. This is a dream. My dream. And that means I’m the one who gets to decide what happens.”
“Really?” Thaddeus tossed a wicked smile her way. “Then I should be glad your dream has decided I should kiss you.”
“No, it hasn’t—” The rest of her rebuttal was swallowed by lips as Thaddeus, in a blur, closed the gap between them and enveloped her in his arms—and blew all her senses.
Where Marc’s kiss was a soft, sensual exploration, Thaddeus undertook a forceful exploration of her mouth. He didn’t just conquer her lips, he plundered them.
Where Marc’s kiss woke the wolf within her and drew forth a savage need to claim and give as good as she got, Thaddeus evoked a darker sensuality, one that made her want to let him have his way. To have him take charge.
Each different in their style of embrace, yet she couldn’t have said which she preferred more. But apparently, they expected her to choose. She found herself spun from the arms of Thaddeus into those of Marc, who feathered kisses across her cheeks and down her neck, each spot he touched, tingling with awareness. If wolves could purr, she would have, instead she contented herself with gasps and tiny moans of enjoyment.
A blurring motion and she was back in Thaddeus’s grasp, his fingers digging into her hips as his tongue invaded her mouth, sliding along hers and causing her to shudder as her arousal rose in pitch.
Not to be outdone, Marc pressed against her back, his soft lips nipping at her nape. Thaddeus sucked on her tongue. Marc blew against the shell of her ear. Their bodies went from clothed to nude in her dream, the heat and hardness of their erections pressing against her, front and back. With her eyes close, she distinguished them by the touch of their hands, the feel of their bodies and the style of their kiss.
Her body heated. Her arousal spiraled and she panted. Dream or not, she wanted them, wanted them both. And here, where nothing was truly real, she could do it. Have her vampire lover and the werewolf, too, with no one the wiser. She moaned her assent, and their hands tore at her garments, touching her bare skin and…
She woke suddenly, her skin damp with a sheen of perspiration, the towel lost and the sheets twisted around her bare limbs.
*~*
Warning:Blood, temptation and violence ahead. Contains lots of nudity as well as some ménage situations. Titillation is advised.
Presented by Amira Press
Cover Artist: Mina Carter
May 8, 2014
Presenting Reece Butler and her Cowboys
Tough rancher Lila Frost is determined to prove to her parents that she can manage the Circle C Ranch while they’re away for a month. She’s desperate for hired hands, so eagerly signs up Jet Quartermain and “Houston”. Having just left the Army, Jet wants to ease into civilian life while Houston needs to recover from his injuries.
Lila’s experience with men has been limited and boring, though her fantasy life is rich. Jet’s insistence he be her master at night both arouses and annoys her. Naturally dominant men, they find her independence an enjoyable challenge. She enjoys their attention, and the jealousy shown by spiteful rivals from her past.
The stakes are raised with the possibility of pregnancy as Jet, born a bastard, insists a baby means a husband while Lila refuses to consider it. When Lila’s life is threatened all three must reconsider their pasts, the present, and future plans.
Reece Butler, a Siren author known for her Erotic cowboy ménage romances (who also happens to be attending Romancing the Capital In Ottawa, April of 2015).
Continuing the Bride Train saga in Climax Montana (contemporary)
#1: The Merry Widow of Tanner’s Ford : May 2013
#2: Having It All : Sept 2013
#3: The Bartered Bride : December 2013
#4: No Strings Attached : June 2014
Bride Train series: 1870s Montana Territory
#1: Barefoot Bride for Three : August, 2010
#2: A Contract Bride’s Triple Surprise : January, 2011
#3: Compromised Cowgirl : May, 2011
#4: A Convenient Husband : August, 2011
#5: 1 Bed, 2 Weddings, 3 Husbands : February, 2012
#6: Beauty and the Beasts : April. 2012
#7: The Badger City Gang : July, 2012
#8: Southern Seduction : November, 2012
#9: Demanding Satisfaction : March, 2013
Website: www.ReeceButler.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reece.butler.568
May 5, 2014
R.E. Butler has a new book in The Wolf’s Mate series
Lindy & The Wulfen
After a devastating blow to her already fragile self esteem, werewolf Lindy Vincent has decided to stop being the pack whore and change her life for the better. With the help of her two best friends, her alpha female, and a feisty she-wolf named Eula, Lindy starts down the road of self-improvement, happy for the first time in years.
Crimson Ta’rek is a Wulfen, a cross between a wolf and a fairy, and the only one of his kind. After casting a spell for his truemate, he finds himself in the Mortal Realm rescuing the she-wolf meant to be his. When someone from his past threatens Lindy, Crimson will show the realm why no one messes with a Wulfen’s mate.
This book contains one Wulfen with eyes only for his mate, a she-wolf trying to start her life over, and the spell that brings them together. Expect plenty of shifting, growling, and neck biting, fairy magic, and gratuitous use of the word “mine.”
* * * * * * * * * *
R.E. Butler, Author
My Website: www.rebutlerauthor.com
Tweet with me: @rebutlerauthor
FB: www.facebook.com/R.E.ButlerAuthorPage
Her Amazon Page: Click here
Bootleg Cove by my awesome editor, Devin Govaere
Young widow Willie Douglas moves to isolated Bootleg Cove on the Chesapeake Bay with her four-year-old son. Her plan—to renovate and re-open an abandoned restaurant called The Crab Pot. Almost as soon as she arrives, a handyman shows up out of the blue, offering to help. Then Amanda and Sam, two apparently orphaned teenagers, come to her door in need of help.
But it’s not just the sweltering heat that’s wearing on Willie’s already fragile emotions. Her mysterious handyman seems to know more than he’s willing to say, and Amanda and Sam are acting very strangely indeed. Willie is beginning to suspect that all three of her houseguests have a history with Bootleg Cove. She’s seeing too many things that she either can’t explain or refuses to believe. But the most shocking revelation about Bootleg Cove is still to come…
Bootleg Cove is just one of several stories in this gothic series presented by Samhain sure to offer a few chills and tingles.
Thanks for checking it out, and have a wonderful day.
May 3, 2014
April 27, 2014
New Pack Order – Sneak Peek
“I’ll never have my old life again. You told me so yourself. I’m part wolf now. It changes everything.”
“It does and it doesn’t. Just because you now have a wolf side to deal with, doesn’t mean you can’t lead a normal life, or as normal as you can expect considering you’ll need to let your other half run free a time or two a month to stay sane.”
“But only if I join a Pack and follow your stupid laws.” In the end, it all circled back to the same problem.
“Our laws are pretty simple. Mostly they involve don’t tell anyone about us and marry a wolf.”
“Or two. Or more. Kind of makes me wonder if I wouldn’t be better off with the vampire. I get the impression he probably has a harem of women.” The wolf in her head growled. “I’d probably only have to deal with him a few times a week, if that.”
His eyes widened. “You can’t be serious. You’d choose a bloodsucker over your own kind?”
“Your own kind helped Roderick keep me captive or have you forgotten?” she snapped. Dirty bastards, all of them, leering, touching, pinching, taunting. In some respects, they made her imprisonment worse than the monster himself.
“I can’t excuse what they did. Or what I did.” His head swung down, and he spoke in a low regretful voice. “All I can do is atone, starting with you. Let me help you with the Pack.”
“How?” He obviously didn’t have the power to bend the laws for her or he would have already offered.
“I’ll be your mate.”
It took her a moment to grasp his words. She eyed him up and down in his ill-fitting, borrowed clothes. Sure he was handsome in a rugged, boy-next-door kind of way. Sure she’d had some dirty thoughts since she met him, was it only twenty-four hours or so ago? God, it seemed like an eternity given all that’d happened. Still, though, she wasn’t a one-night-stand whore. “You know, I took you for a good guy, but I guess you’re like all the rest, wanting to use me.”
His brow creased. “What? No, you misunderstand.”
“You just said you wanted to claim me, as your mate, which if I remember my paranormal lore right, means marriage, which means sex. I barely know you. Why the hell would I agree to something like that?” She planted her hands on her hips and shot him a challenging stare.
Embarrassment on a redhead led to ruddy cheeks, and while the color wasn’t attractive, the fact he could blush and duck his head and stare at his restless feet was. “I wasn’t suggesting—That is—” He let out a heavy sigh. “Listen, I wasn’t offering so I could get in your pants.”
“I’m not wearing pants.”
Wow, amazing how his pale skin could turn a brighter hue than his hair. He cleared his throat. “I, um, that is, I wasn’t offering as a way of getting sex. What I’m suggesting was a bite exchange.”
“What would that do?”
“In our world, it’s seen as a mating mark. The exchange of blood and saliva between two Lycans of the opposite sex creates a type of bond, a mating bond. It’s how women used to get trapped in claimings. You don’t have to have sex to do it, although I hear it makes it more pleasant. Just a bite between us will do the trick.”
“You really don’t paint a pleasant picture of pack life if women can be forced like that.”
“That doesn’t really happen anymore. Especially not in the well-run packs.”
“But it could.”
He nodded. Brownie points for him, he didn’t lie to placate her.
“So, what you’re saying is you want to bite me. And have me bite you. This helps how? I thought you said the law was two or more.”
“It is, but, with at least one, there might be less pressure on you to jump right into a second, especially given how new you are to the whole Lycan deal.”
“And what do you get out of it?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re in effect marrying a woman who won’t have sex with you.” At least not quite yet. She’d perhaps insist on a few dates and dinner first. Or at the very least a shower.
He shrugged. “I won’t lie and say I wouldn’t like to be your lover. I’m extremely attracted to you. I would hope in time that perhaps, we could become something more. But if we don’t, then that’s your choice. Twenty-four hours ago, I was just about ready to give up living. Then I met you. Now, I’m not so keen on throwing in the towel. I’m beginning to wonder if perhaps there’s a way I can make amends for what I’ve done and start over. Maybe hope for a future.”
“A future with me? The girl who’s done nothing but hassle you since we met. You do remember I kicked you in the balls when you told me about the whole ménage thing right?”
His lips curved into a smile, and his eyes twinkled in a way she’d come to enjoy since meeting him. “Would you believe the fact you’ve still got the spunk to fight back after what you’ve been through is what I find most appealing?”
“Yeah, because it wasn’t my naked boobs or fat bottom keeping your attention.” As soon as she said it, she realized how it sounded. What is wrong with me? Am I now fishing for compliments? Appalled, she stared at her dirty, bare toes.
“The packaging is nice. Very nice.” He tilted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “But, I’m thinking it’s what’s inside the package that’s gorgeous. And the more I see, the more that belief is reinforced.”
“Says a man who’s not really seen me lose my temper.”
“But has seen you come out of an awful situation with spirit and courage.”
“Who smells like a gym sock left in a bag too long.”
“Like I said, it’s not just the outside I see. I. See. You.” He angled his head and his lips brushed hers. A light, fleeting kiss. One that ignited something in her.
Given all that had happened and still remained unclear, she should have pushed him away, slapped him or kneed him again in the groin. But there was something about the contact, something about the spark it lit, a sense of rightness, a flare of passion and a need to feel…alive.
I survived. Maybe, despite everything, it’s time I celebrated that fact.
Coming May 11th…
April 22, 2014
New Pack Order…coming May 11th
The tingle in her fingers woke her, like hundreds of teensy, tiny pinpricks. Not painful, but not exactly pleasant either. Had the end come? Was her body preparing to shut down and send her to the ever after?
She peered at her fingers still wrapped around the rusted rods, the skin bathed in a sprinkle of moonlight. The odd sensation continued. Her skin prickled, then burned, and before her horrified gaze, hair sprouted on the back on her hands. Thick, lush, dark hair.
Her mind babbled; Oh my God. This can’t be happening. While she could only watch in disbelief, the presence now driving her body pulsed in excitement. It practically laughed with joy even, as the uncomfortable stinging turned into stabbing needles.
An agonized scream made its way out past her abused vocal cords. Pain. Holy fucking hell, the pain. Antonia dropped to her knees with a jolt, but that simple bruise was nothing compared to the agony lighting every nerve in her body. She toppled over and hit the floor on her side, body thrashing. Awareness retreated as she hid in the little room she’d built for herself in her mind for when Roderick visited. She hid in her safe spot and left her dying body alone. Well not entirely alone. The entity in her mind exulted in the pain and changes. It encouraged her to remain hidden. So she did.
When the door to the cell opened, she never even noticed, but the wolf now dominating her body did, and it lunged for freedom.
Coming May 11th…
April 12, 2014
Heroic Abduction is HERE!
He’ll do anything to be her knight in purple armor.
Genre: Science Fiction / Alien/ Fantasy Romance
Bucking family tradition, Dyre is determined to become his planet’s first hero, even if it breaks his mother’s heart. He sets out on numerous quests to save the universe, however his altruism never seems to turn out quite as expected. Who knew doing the right thing was so hard?
In between saving those who don’t want his help—and the chaos that follows—he rescues a damsel in distress. She doesn’t appreciate his heroic abduction, and even worse, once Dyre gets to know the outspoken human, he entertains less than noble thoughts about ravishing her.
It takes only a couple of comical mishaps, some hot kisses and danger for Dyre and his human damsel Betty to discover their happily ever after—and thank the stars for a heroine who ends up saving this hero, and the galaxy, from his chivalrous side.
*
Each book in the Alien Abduction series can be read as a stand alone but for total reader enjoyment, it is recommended you read them in order.
Book 1 – Accidental Abduction
Book 2- Intentional Abduction
Book 3 – Dual Abduction
Book 4 – Mercenary Abduction
Book 5 – Heroic Abduction
Excerpt:
Facing the approaching crowd, who slithered up steps carved into the rock on the other side of the mountain, Dyre couldn’t wait to tell them he’d beaten back the beast menacing them. Freed them from their reign of terror. He’d be a hero. They’d honor his name, not that he performed his good deeds for recognition. Just knowing he did the right thing was gift enough for him.
Beaming his widest smile, and showing his finely sharpened teeth, Dyre held his arms wide open and announced, “Good aliens of this planet, I, Dyreokulan, mighty Kulin warrior of the planet Aressotle—” He left out the part where his own family had exiled him because he’d renounced their mercenary ways. “—have saved you from the monster plaguing your life and taking your virgin daughters.” The swarm of tentacled aliens rumbled. He bowed. “No thanks are required. I am pleased I could provide my assistance.”
Speech said, he clasped his hands together and waited for the cheers. The applause. Maybe even the slobbery hug of an ecstatic mother able to bring her female child home.
A low grumble went through the crowd, a discontented sound that swelled in treble especially when a multi-armed female, looking remarkably like the one he just saved, pushed her way to the forefront and screamed, “There’s the imposter who stole my sacred spot.”
“And her accomplice who broke our lucky chain of sacrifices,” bellowed a male with a wave of his numerous appendages.
“Capture them so that we might feed on their bodies and appease the gods,” yelled another.
Uh-oh. Not yet another incident where the right thing was ill received. Dyre seemed to have issues with that. Of more concern were their claims. Had he saved an imposter? Was she not a virgin?
Turning to the female he’d rescued, Dyre caught her backing away, her appearance shimmering. The fuzzy edge of her shape made him blink.
“Stupid, cheap, malfunctioning piece of crap,” she grumbled as she slapped at her chest.
Before Dyre’s disbelieving eyes, the prodigiously ugly female disappeared only to be replaced by an even odder appearing one.
Boasting light-hued flesh with short, cropped almost white hair was a two-legged humanoid with only two breasts. Dyre gaped at her. Where was all her color? Her extra arms? Razor-sharp teeth or claws?
“What in the universe are you?” he asked.
“I’m a human, dum-dum.” Her clear green eyes rolled with evident disdain. “Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of my kind?”
“Human?” His eyes widened. “As in an Earthling barbarian? But how? Your kind is not on the approved list of galactic travelers.”
“Yeah, like that stops people from smuggling us off planet,” she snorted. “And could we discuss this another time, say like when we’re not being chased by an angry mob.”
Dyre cast a glance over his shoulder. Hmm. Good point.
He turned back to offer his assistance only to see the human had already put her feet into motion. Since Dyre had no set direction, he followed the Earthling female as she raced down the mountainside, her nimble feet leaping from rock to sandy surface to boulder.
Despite his questions about her presence on this planet, Dyre couldn’t help but admire her agility—and her trim buttocks. She might sport a less-than-pleasing coloration—which a dip in a violet-hued dye would fix—but, encased in tight slacks, her rounded and plentiful rear end was most pleasing to watch, as was the occasional glimpse he got of her jiggling mammary glands.
Bounding down the incline, he caught up to the female and kept pace—as well as started a conversation. “So, where are we going?”
“I don’t know about you, but I am escaping.”
“To where?”
“Does it matter?” she huffed, sliding a bit on some loose gravel. “So long as it doesn’t have angry aliens, I’ll consider it an improvement.”
“Might I inquire as to how you found yourself tethered on the hillside?” he queried, ducking as a spear went flying overhead.
“No, you might not,” she sassed back. “Now, would you shut the hell up and leave me alone? Or better yet, since you’re the one who messed up my plan, why don’t you stall the mob chasing us while I get away?”
“My lady desires a rescue?” The hero code had an entry for just such a request.
Dyre halted in his tracks and whirled to face the oncoming horde, just in time to bat away another spear.
“What are you doing?” yelled the human.
Did she suffer from short-term memory loss? “Rescuing you. Fear not, pale maiden, I shall hold back the invading forces while you flee to safety.” A glorious task for a hero.
“Are you for real?”
What a strange question. “I am not a holographic image if that is what you are asking. Quick, make your escape while I stall the advancing enemy.”
A peek over his shoulder saw her standing still. She sighed. “Of all the stupid things.” Soft fingers clasped his arm and tugged. “Don’t just stand there, you idiot. Let’s go.”
“Go?” He cast a glance forward at the tentacled aliens who didn’t move down the mountain as quickly as he and the human. It seemed they weren’t quite as fleet of foot, but they wielded wicked spears. He deflected another one with the flat of his sword. “But I thought you wanted me to protect your retreat?”
“So did I, but apparently a little thing called my moral conscience won’t allow me to let you die. I’m just as confused by it as you are. Now would you get your big purple feet moving? We’ve got a spaceship to reach.”
“A new objective.” His expression brightened. “Lead the way.”
Sprinting after the female, who seemed determined to confuse him with her ever-changing quests, he couldn’t help but think he preferred this new plan. While dying as a hero sounded great in theory, it was also kind of final, for him at least. At least this new request might see him living a touch bit longer, giving him a chance to do more good, and aid the female, who now bore an interesting pink flush to her cheeks as she panted.
He approved of the subtle color, but also noted what it meant. The lady tired. Dyre could help with that.
Tucking his pistol back in its holster, he then used his free hand to grip the female around the waist and hoist her over his shoulder. She showed her immediate appreciation by pounding him on the back, easing some tense muscles, and trying to alleviate his burden by screaming, “Put me down.”
How generous of her, but not needed. He’d trained with worse weights. She was feather-light in comparison. “While your desire to not tax my prodigious strength is kind, fear not. I can carry you. Simply lead me in the right direction, and I shall take you to safety.”
And perhaps earn a boon, like a kiss. Pale or not, the female did possess a tempting mouth—when it wasn’t yelling.
*
He’s big, he’s purple and he wants to be a hero, not a mercenary. What a shame he’s got bad genes working against him.
Giving away more cool stuff
Have you met the newest purple hunk?
Heroic Abduction is here.
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