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Blood Kiss Chapter 3

Hello again Vampy Readers! This week I have Chapter 3 of Blood Kiss for you. Enjoy!
Ch 1 Ch 2 Chapter 3
Everett ate breakfast alone as he always did. When he finished, he went into his home office to work. Normally he would be on his way to Sanguis Tower. However, since he wanted to be here for Solan's arrival, he'd decided to work from home for a few hours. Opening his laptop, he began reviewing reports from the auction. They'd made an outstanding profit. And with the exception of Solan, all of the blood pets had already been successfully set up with their new patrons.
 
He looked up from his computer at a knock on his open office door. It was Hubert, the butler.
 
"Yes?"
 
"A car and an extra van will be going to pick up Mr. Solan at seven. Would you like me to cancel your blood service appointments?"
 
Everett thought about it for a moment before answering. "No. I expect to need time to ease Solan into fulfilling his duty to me. In the meantime, I'll continue to feed from Eric."
 
Hubert responded with the cheek that came from the comfort of a long relationship.
 
"It's a good thing you're known for your patience."
 
"I suppose." He was normally patient. But he suspected he might have trouble with that where Solan was concerned.
 
"And what room do you want him in so I can inform the staff?"
 
"Put him in the second primary suite."
 
"I'll have them freshen it up before his arrival. Anything else?"
 
"No, that's it for now."
 
Hubert nodded and left.
 
Everett looked at the clock. The driver would be leaving to retrieve Solan in about thirty minutes. Since the auction catalogue was already on his desk, he flipped it open to entrant number nine's page. Solan Kane. Everett looked at his picture. The headshot was a good one. Solan had the hint of a smile on his plush pink lips, while his indigo eyes sparkled. That gorgeous head of hair was bright against the black backdrop. And his neck. Smooth skin dusted with freckles drew his eye and made him think of sinking his fangs into the spot just above his shoulder. ***
Everett traced a finger over the photo. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been this eager to drink a human's blood. Although feeding could be and often was exciting and sexual, lately for him it had been perfunctory. Something he had to do merely for nutritional value, much like drinking a health shake. But Solan...
 
The way he'd sparkled on stage. His delicate features and long lashes when he'd seen him up close. The fire in his eyes and rush of blood in his veins when he hadn't gotten his way. All of it had him thirsting to taste Solan, tempting him like nothing else had in a long while. Or possibly ever. And he would be here, under his roof, tonight.
 
A fission of excitement rippled over Everett's skin. He couldn't wait.
 
* * *
 
Solan had laid awake most of the night thinking about the change his life was about to take. He was a little scared. Like the auctioneer had said, he'd never been bitten. After the veil had dropped, vampires had done lots of PR to dispel the negative stereotypes about blood drinking - that it was horrible and violent and always ended in death. Instead, they portrayed it as a consensual act that could be enjoyed by both parties. He knew that lots of people not only allowed vampires to drink their blood, but also liked the experience. That didn't ease his own nervousness about letting a vampire feed off of him for three months however.
 
Three months. He still couldn't believe it. But he supposed it was better than an entire year. Guard or no guard, if he'd have been told he had to stay with that vampire for twelve months he would have found a way to disappear.
 
But he could handle three months. All he had to do was avoid the vampire as much as possible, suffer through a few feedings and then he'd be right back home. The guy was a major crime boss. Assuming he actually took care of his business obligations rather than requiring his underlings to do everything, he'd probably be too busy to bother with Solan anyway.
 
"The car will be here to get you in fifteen minutes."
 
Startled from his thoughts, Solan looked up to see his sister standing in the doorway. "All right. I'm almost ready."
 
Three members of the house staff came into the room and collected his luggage to take downstairs. Nora went over and sat down at his vanity, watching him pull on his shoes.
 
"I should have fought harder to say no," she said with regret clear in her voice.
 
Solan shook his head. "No, you shouldn't have. Like you said, this was my fault and the consequences are mine. I don't want you to have any strife because of me. That was never my intention."
 
Nora smiled. "That sounded very mature. Maybe you're finally growing up?"
 
"Ha!" Solan playfully scoffed. "Don't count on it."
 
Once he was ready to go, they went downstairs together. His sister, who was normally so composed, looked as if she were about to cry. Again, Solan felt bad. He pulled her in for a tight hug, inhaling the familiar jasmine scent of her favorite perfume. He would miss her and he was nervous, but he put on a calm front for her sake.
 
"It's not like I'm going far away. I'll be in the same city. I'll come by soon and we'll have lunch. Everything will be fine."
 
Nora pulled back from their hug and ran a finger beneath her lashes to wipe away the single tear that had escaped. "You're right. And I know there's nothing wrong with being a blood pet. They're treated extremely well. You'll be fine. Especially with someone like Mr. Everett, who has a vested interest in making sure the blood pet system has a stellar reputation.
 
But if anything goes wrong - if he hurts you in anyway - you come straight back home. Or call me if you can't leave. I don't care what it will cost me. I'll show up with every member of this family and we'll get you out of there."
 
Solan doubted it would come to that, but he appreciated her having his back. "You're the best, sis. Thank you for always protecting me."
 
She laughed and flicked his nose.
 
"You mean spoiling you."
 
"That too."
 
Their butler opened the door. A sleek silver luxury car with dark tinted windows and a black Mercedes cargo van had pulled into their circular drive.
 
"It's time for me to go."
 
Nora gave him a kiss on the cheek and stepped back. "I'll see you soon."
 
Solan went outside alone to where the driver stood next to the open rear door of the Bentley Flying Spur.
 
"Good evening, Mr. Solan. I'm Bianca and I'll be your driver today." She smiled, revealing a hint of fangs. Vampire.
 
"Hello," Solan politely returned the greeting. He was annoyed that Everett hadn't come himself but didn't let that show on his face.
 
The driver nodded at the bags being carried out. "Are those all of your belongings or are there more inside?"
 
"That's it."
 
"Then please, " she said as she gestured to the Bentley's rear interior.
 
Solan ducked into the car and settled back on the thick leather seat. The car was nice but no different than what he was used to. The driver closed the door and went around to get behind the wheel. They idled for a moment while the staff finished loading the van behind them. Then they were pulling off. Solan rolled down the window so that he could wave goodbye to his sister. She waved back, then pressed a hand over her heart, signaling that she loved him.
 
Solan rolled the window back up, but continued looking outside. The tall pine trees lining the drive flashed by as Bianca took him away from his home. After they passed through the security gate, they were truly on their way.
 
The drive to Everett's didn't take long. Apparently, they didn't live far from one another. They stopped at a set of tall, black iron gates at the bottom of a gently sloping hill. Bianca pressed a button on the Bentley's dashboard and the gates swung inward. They drove through the open gates and proceeded up the hill.
 
When he got his first look at Everett's mansion Solan stared. His house was big but this was huge. The mansion was reddish-brown brick with a slate gray roof. The center section of the mansion stood three-stories high, with several black, wrought iron balconies. There were two-story wings on either side and off to the left of the property was a multi-car garage. Several acres of snow-covered lawn swept out behind the mansion until it reached a wooded area.
 
The driver opened the door for him and Solan stepped out onto the red and gray brick mosaic drive.
 
"Welcome to Maplewood Manor, Mr. Solan."
 
The mansion even had a name. "Thank you." Solan went up two sets of shallow steps graced with neatly manicured topiary in large stone vases on either side. The double front doors immediately swung open. A butler dressed in a dark gray suit with navy blue trim on his lapels and vest stood there. He was bald, his head smoothly shaven. And going by the unmistakable perfect skin, he was a vampire.
 
"Welcome to Maplewood Manor Mr. Solan. I'm Hubert the house butler," he greeted Solan as he stepped inside.
 
"Thank you," he said again. Solan looked around the foyer. It was a large square area, with halls leading off it on both the right and the left. The floor was cream marble with veins of gold. Directly in front of him was a large round table on which stood an elegant arrangement of forsythia and anemone in a tall copper vase. Behind the table was a grand staircase, with gleaming cherrywood steps and black railings with elaborate scrollwork.
 
Just past the staircase, was a large room that Solan thought might be the main living area. The foyer was open all the way to the second level, its ceiling inlaid with an intricate mosaic in tones of dark red, brown, and gold. An artsy chandelier made from a multitude of gold spokes tipped with spheres of warm amber light hung directly over the center of the space.
 
While Solan was gawking at the foyer, house staff went out to retrieve his luggage from the van and carried it up the staircase. They went to the right, where Solan presumed his bedroom would be.
 
A door opened somewhere to Solan's left and a few moments later, Everett, his patron for the next three months, appeared. He was in another three-piece suit. This one was a deep burgundy wine with a slight sheen. He'd paired it with a dark gray shirt and black tie. A gold tie tack with a chain and a center red jewel, and a black silk pocket square folded in a neat triangle served as posh but understated accessories. Gleaming black dress shoes completed the outfit.
 
Suits and ties weren't Solan's style, but he once again had to admit that they looked phenomenal on Everett. His tall form with broad shoulders, muscled arms, narrow waist and thick thighs must be a tailor's dream form to dress. Everett's hair was styled back from his forehead the same as it had been that night at Club Scarlet and his beard appeared freshly trimmed. And his eyes were a bright, clear blue even without the vampire glow. Solan knew that glow only appeared in the dark or when a vampire experienced strong emotion. Everett appeared so perpetually calm, that Solan wondered if anything besides darkness ever made his eyes glow.  
 
"Solan. I'm glad to see that you arrived okay."
 
He reached a hand out. Solan automatically mirrored the gesture and ended up with his hand clasped between both of Everett's. They were big and slightly rough, apparently the vampire did something more than boss underlings around. And they weren't cold - only slightly cooler than his own. Cold skin was another myth that vampire PR had refuted. Now Solan got to see for himself that it wasn't true.
 
"It was a short drive," Solan said.
 
"Yes, funny that we live so close to one another and yet we've never met."
 
"Funny," Solan agreed drily.
 
"I wish I could stay and give you a tour but I have a meeting I have to get to. I'll be back for dinner and we can talk then."
 
Solan nodded. "That's fine." Just as he'd expected. Everett was too busy to be concerned with him.
 
"This is Lydia. She'll show you around in my place. And all the staff have been instructed to provide you with anything you request."
 
A woman dressed in a similar suit to the butler's walked up behind Everett. Her blonde hair was cut in a neat pageboy, her face appeared bare of makeup, and she didn't wear any jewelry. She gave Solan a nod which he returned.
 
"Lydia will also give you my personal cell number, so if you need anything just call."
 
"I'm sure I'll be fine."
 
"Okay, then. I'll see you tonight."
 
Hubert opened the door again. After only speaking a handful of sentences to Solan, Everett strode outside to a different car and driver than the one that had brought him here.
 
Solan wrinkled his nose in confusion. He didn't know what he'd expected but it wasn't a quick greeting and an even quicker exit. He hadn't thought that Everett would bite him the moment he walked in the door, but it was a little deflating after lying awake all night stressing over blood drinking that Everett didn't seem particularly eager to get to it.
 
"Are you ready for your tour, Mr. Solan?"
 
Solan shook off his feeling of what felt oddly like rejection and turned to Lydia. "Sure, let's see this place."
Everett has Solan where he wants him now!

Blood Kiss is available for pre-order on Amazon for a special .99 pre-order price. Or, you can get it in Kindle Unlimited. I need a little more time to make the story as awesome as possible, so I've pushed the release date back a week to August 16th.

Be sure to add Blood Kiss on Goodreads. And I would greatly appreciate it if you shelved it as a vampire romance. And last, don't forget to sign up for the Christa Tomlinson newsletter so you'll be notified when Blood Kiss is available.

Thank you for reading!
Love,
Christa
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Blood Kiss Chapter 2

Hello, Gentle Readers! This week I'm back with Chapter 2 of Blood Kiss - my upcoming M/M Vampire Mafia Romance. If you missed Chapter 1, scroll down to the post below this one. This is an advanced look and not the final edited and proofed copy so there may be a few mistakes. Okay, please enjoy Everett and Solan's next meeting!
Chapter 2
The next evening, Everett set the wheels in motion to collect his runaway blood pet. He called Harumi, his second in command, into his office.
 
She came in, tablet in hand and heels rhythmically tapping on the glossy black marble floor.
 
"Harumi, get me Nora Kane's personal number. And what's the best time in my schedule tonight for a meeting?"
 
"I can reschedule the quarterly drinks and payoff meeting with the captain of the vice squad. That frees up the nine o'clock hour."
 
"Do it." He hated those anyway. The vice-captain only wanted to meet in person so he could brag to his fellow crooked cop cronies that he regularly met with a mob boss vampire. But keeping him happy was essential. Because although the blood pet auctions were legal, there were many other Sanguis Syndicate enterprises that were not. A happy vice-captain kept the vice squad off his back.
 
Harumi nodded. "Give me a minute and I'll have Ms. Kane on the line. I'll speak with the captain myself."
 
"Thank you."
 
Barely a minute after Harumi left the room, his desktop phone beeped and his receptionist's pleasant voice came through the speaker.
 
"Mr. Everett, Ms. Kane is holding for you."
 
"Thank you, Nancy." He pushed the button to accept the call. "Hello, Ms. Kane."
 
"Mr. Everett. To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"
 
"I believe I met your brother last night. A redhead named Solan?"
 
"Yes, that is my little brother. What is he up to now?"
 
"That's what I'd like to come by tonight and discuss."
 
There was a brief pause before she answered.
 
"Of course. What time is good for you?"
 
"I have an opening at nine o'clock."
 
"Then I'll see you at nine."
 
They said their goodbyes. Everett set the phone back in its cradle and leaned back in his chair. He was one step closer to claiming his pet.
****
Solan sat curled up in one of the home theater room's big recliners. He was dressed warmly in a hoodie and sweatpants and a fire crackled in the fireplace to ward off the chill of the Michigan winter night. He had the bracelet from the night before in his hand. Mr. Everett. Remembering Mr. Everett’s tall build and aura of danger, Solan wondered what it would have been like to actually become that vampire's blood pet.
 
He wasn't normally one to fantasize about vampires and being bitten. Since the veil that hid the supernatural had dropped thirty-two years ago, vampires had always been a part of the world he lived in. They, along with werewolves, and other creatures previously thought of as myth, weren't exactly full-fledged members of human society. But they were an everyday part of life.
 
It wasn't unusual to go through the check-out line at Wal-Mart at ten o'clock at night and have a vampire as a cashier. There were whole areas of the city run by them. While some humans loved the excitement and danger of interacting with that world, Solan usually didn't give it much thought.
 
But now, he couldn't stop thinking of Mr. Everett, the dark-haired vampire with an aura of unmistakable power. The man clearly had deep pockets. He'd probably bid on and won another blood pet after he realized he couldn't have Solan.
 
The theater room door opened and Solan looked back over his shoulder, thinking it was Todd arriving for their planned double-feature movie night. But it was his sister. Her red hair - the same color as his but straightened and cut into a sharp bob - gleamed under the lights. And even this late after the dinner hour she was still immaculately dressed in a lavender sweater and gray slacks.
 
"Do you want to tell me why Mr. Everett, one of the bosses from the Sanguis Syndicate is coming here in an hour to talk to me about you?" she asked as she came down the aisle.
 
"Oh, is that who he was?" The man's commanding vibe suddenly made sense. "No wonder he could afford that bid."
 
"What bid?"
 
Solan sat up straight and swung his feet to the floor. "Don't get mad."
 
Nora crossed her arms over her chest in what he thought of as her stern big sister pose.
 
"I'm already mad."
 
"I went to a vampire club and entered one of their blood pet auctions. Mr. Everett placed the winning bid for me." He held up the red plastic bracelet to show her, twirling it around his index finger.
 
"You did what?" She stared at the bracelet, her eyes wide with shock.
 
"I just wanted to see what it was like. Todd went with me and we had fun. Plus, I set a record for the highest winning bid in the club's auction history. Not bad for the Kane genes, huh?" he asked with a grin.
 
"Oh my God." She unfolded her arms from their crossed pose and pressed a hand to her forehead.
 
"What's the big deal? I'm not really going to be some vamp's blood pet. I offered to pay the auction fee but he said no. I guess he changed his mind and he wants his money."
 
Nora dropped her hand from her forehead to glare at him. "Do you really think he's coming over here to collect a refund for a goddamn service charge?"
 
Now Solan frowned. "He can't make me be his blood pet."
 
"What world have you been living in all your life where the strong don't make the weak do what they want?"
 
She had a point. "But we're not exactly weak." His sister was the head of the Kane family, one of the top five human crime organizations in all of Michigan. That gave them no small amount of power.
 
"We're not. But we're also not in a position to go up against the Sanguis Syndicate. They could wipe us out over your little prank if they wanted to."
 
"Shit." Solan was starting to think his fun little lark might not have been the best idea. "I didn't think it would be that serious."
 
"You never do. You'd better hope we can figure a way out of this. And be prepared to grovel and apologize."
 
She spun on the heel of her chic flats and left the room.
 
 
* * *
 
 Everett rode in the backseat of the Maybach as they drove to the Kane estate. Harumi sat next to him. They used the time to work until the car stopped at a set of steel gates embellished with a gold letter K on each side.
 
"We're here," Everett said to Harumi.
 
The driver pressed a button on a call box and spoke into the speaker. After a moment, the gates opened and their driver proceeded through them. They drove down a long, tree-lined drive until they reached the Kane home. The mansion was beautiful, fitting for a family that had been in power in Michigan for decades. And somewhere inside that mansion was the young man Everett hadn't been able to stop thinking about since he'd seen him on stage.
 
His driver parked the car. He came around to open the door and Everett stepped out, followed by Harumi. The two of them went up a short set of stone steps, where the door was already open and a woman stood waiting.
 
Everett knew immediately she was Solan's sister. They had the same titian red hair and they shared similar facial features. But while Solan's eyes were a deep indigo blue, his sister's were a clear, amber brown.
 
"Mr. Everett. Welcome to my home," she said with a polite smile.
 
"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Ms. Kane. I know how busy you must be."
 
"It was no trouble at all. And please, call me Nora."
 
"And call me Everett." He gestured to the petite woman by his side. "This is Harumi, my second in command."
 
Welcome," Nora said as the two women shook hands. "Let's talk in the library."
 
She led them to a large room with two walls covered by floor to ceiling bookcases filled with books. Turkish rugs in patterns of red, blue, and gold warmed the hardwood floors. And there were several arrangements of chocolate brown leather seating. She waved them to a couch and took the chair across from them.
 
"Can I offer either of you anything to eat or drink?"
 
They both declined. Nora nodded at the servant waiting by the library entrance. At her signal, the woman stepped outside the room and closed the door.
 
Nora settled back in her chair, legs crossed at the knee, one arm draped over the arm rest. Her posture was relaxed and confident but her gaze was sharp.
 
"I have a little of the story from Solan but if you don't mind, Everett, I'd like to hear all of it from you."
 
"Last night, Solan entered one of the blood pet auctions that I host at Club Scarlet. Blood pets agree to serve as exclusive blood donors to the vampire that purchases them for one year. Most live with their owners during that year for the convenience. I placed the winning bid for Solan. When I met with him to make arrangements for our new relationship, he informed me that he'd only entered the auction for the experience and had no intention of honoring his commitment. He left after I refused his offer to refund me the auction fee I'd already paid."
 
"That sounds like something Solan would do." She leaned forward and clasped her hands together atop her knee. "Perhaps he didn't understand the gravity of such a spur of the moment decision during a wild evening out with his friends."
 
Everett shook his head. "I'm afraid that's not the case. In order to ensure that all of our blood pets are physically and mentally healthy and not embroiled in any legal issues, we require them to apply - a process that started several weeks ago. We run blood tests, background checks, etc. Which means, he's known for some time what he was getting into. And he signed a contract well in advance of the event."
 
Harumi opened the leather portfolio she carried and took out a printed copy of the contract. She passed it over for Nora to read.
 
Nora quickly scanned the document, stopping at the bottom where her brother's signature scrawled big and bold next to his typed name. "I see." She leaned forward to the coffee table between them and pressed a button on the call box that sat there. A second later the library door opened.
 
"Yes, Ms. Kane?"
 
"Please let Solan know that I want to see him in here immediately."
 
"Yes, ma'am."
 
When Nora looked back at Everett, her expression was still polite, but there were tight lines of restrained anger bracketing her mouth. "We'll get this taken care of," she said firmly.
 
They waited silently until the door opened again.
 
Everett's heartbeat quickened when Solan walked into the room and went to stand next to his sister's chair. The humans wouldn't notice it but Harumi surely did. She didn't react however. This young man was gorgeous. But it was more than that. Something about him called to Everett. Being in his presence set sparks of awareness dancing over his skin. If it were anyone else who'd pulled this stunt, he might have been content with letting them off by paying the auction fees and apologizing. But he wanted Solan. And he was going to have him.
 
"Solan. Mr. Everett has just informed me of the extensive process you completed before you entered his auction."
 
Solan looked wary. "I had to fill out a few forms."
 
"And take a blood test and get a background check. That seems like an awful lot of effort to undertake for a joke."
 
"I know and I'm sorry." He turned to Everett with his eyes big and imploring. "I apologize Mr. Everett. I realize now that what I did was out of line. I wasted your time and resources. I swear it won't happen again."
 
Everett thought Solan was cute. He stood with his hands clasped in front him, a sincere expression on his face. But the rhythm of his heartbeat was steady - not the rapid pace of someone worried or nervous. And Everett had caught a flash of defiance in his eyes before he'd hidden it. Two clues that told Everett that Solan wasn't as sorry as he outwardly appeared. Not that it mattered. He wasn't letting him off the hook with an apology.
 
"While I appreciate the sincerity of your apology, I don't want to set a precedent that our auctions are something for humans to come and gawk at like tourists. Or have them start entering them in bad faith as part of a fun night out on the town. We take them seriously, as they are vital to our survival. My clients need to know that when they bid on a blood pet, they will get what they pay for without any hassle. Because of that, I have to insist that Solan follow through on what he signed up for."
 
At Everett's insistence that he honor his commitment, Solan instantly dropped his contrite pose. That spark of defiance burned bright in his indigo eyes, no longer hidden behind pretend humility. Everett inwardly smiled. The young man clearly wasn't used to not getting his way.
 
"I understand your position," Nora said.
 
"And of course, there is the matter of someone from your house insulting the Sanguis Syndicate," Everett added smoothly.
 
Nora didn't outwardly react, but Everett picked up the tiny increase in her heart rate.
 
"I can find someone else to take my place," Solan said. "I'm sure there's lots of people out there who would love to be your blood pet. And I'll pay their salary for the year myself."
 
"Would that work, Mr. Everett?"
 
Nora had asked the question, but Everett kept his eyes on Solan when he answered. "No."
 
Solan's eyes narrowed and his blood started pumping faster. He was mad, without a doubt. Everett had to keep his fangs from sharpening hearing that delicious rush of hot liquid flowing through the redhead's veins.
 
 "I won't accept a substitute. However, I can offer a compromise."
 
"And that is?"
 
He returned his attention to Nora. "Instead of the full year he signed up for I'll accept Solan as my blood pet for three months. After that, I'll consider his obligation met. He will also be banned for life from returning to Club Scarlet and from entering any Sanguis Syndicate run blood pet auctions to prevent this from happening again."
 
Nora leaned back in her chair, considering. It was a good offer and she knew it. The Kane family wouldn't be able to stand against him and his people if he decided to retaliate with violence. She clearly wanted to protect her brother. But if she was smart - and she had to be as the head of a large criminal organization - she wouldn't risk a war over his folly.
 
"I think that's a fair compromise," she said finally.
 
Solan however, didn't agree.
 
"Are you actually agreeing to this?" Solan balled up his fists, his face flushing red with anger.
 
Nora snapped around to face her brother, her blunt cut bob swinging with the sharp movement. "Yes! You got yourself into this, Solan. Maybe now you'll start accepting that there are consequences for your actions."
 
Solan scowled at her for a moment. Then, he threw Everett a furious glare before he stormed from the library.
 
"I'm sorry about his behavior," Nora said once he was gone. "Our parents died when he was young and I've spoiled him ever since. That's not an excuse but an explanation."
 
"That's understandable. We do whatever we can to protect the ones in our care. You're older than him, right?"
 
"Yes. By ten years." Nora looked down at the contract again. "I cannot believe he-." She cut herself off with a shake of her head and passed the contract back to Harumi. "I accept your compromise and Solan will honor it."
 
She held out a hand and Everett reached forward to take it, sealing the compromise with a handshake. But before she released his hand, Nora's demeanor abruptly changed. She was suddenly fierce, her posture stiff and her gaze direct and hard.
 
"You won't hurt him?"
 
Everett understood what she was asking. And in that piercing gaze, he saw the woman who'd been in charge of a large criminal organization since she was in her twenties. He knew if he didn't answer to her satisfaction, the deal was off the table.
 
"I will not," he solemnly promised. "I only want him to uphold his contracted agreement. And even with that, I will wait until he is comfortable."
 
"I appreciate that," she said. She let his hand go, her shoulders relaxing.
 
"Let him take tonight to pack. I'll send for him tomorrow evening."
 
"All right."
 
The meeting over, all three of them rose.
 
"I'm going to leave someone out front," Everett said as they crossed the foyer. "I trust you to uphold our agreement. It's your brother I'm concerned about."
 
"That's probably for the best. He snuck out of the house on more than one occasion when he was a teenager. But don't worry. I'll make sure he's here and ready to go tomorrow evening. And again, I apologize for the trouble he's caused."
 
Everett didn't doubt that causing trouble was Solan's forte and that he would continue to do so once he was under Everett's roof. Lucky for him, he was actually looking forward to it.
 
* * *
 
"So, what happened?"
 
Todd had arrived while he and Nora were waiting for the vampire to show up. They'd blown off their movie plans in favor of going up to his bedroom to speculate on what was going to happen once he got there. Solan had left Todd sitting in the window seat when he'd gone downstairs. He was in the same spot when he returned to his room.
 
"He wouldn't agree to let me out of the contract. But he offered a compromise."
 
"Which is?"
 
"I only have to be his blood pet for three months. After that time is up, he'll release me, but I'm banned from entering his club and auctions for life."
 
"Are you going to do it?"
 
Solan wanted to say no. He really did. But he nodded in answer to Todd's question. "Yeah. I don't want to make any trouble for my sister. This isn't her fault. And he made it clear he considered what I did an insult to the Sanguis Syndicate by the Kane family. So, he'll definitely retaliate in some way if I don't agree to it."
 
"Wow. You're going to live with a vampire and let him drink your blood every night. That's hot."
 
"Shut up." Solan grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it at Todd, who laughed and caught it. "It's not hot. And it won't be every night unless he wants me to pass out from anemia."
 
Someone knocked on the door.
 
"Come in!" he called out. The door opened. Solan wasn't surprised when his sister walked in.
 
"I did hope to be able to negotiate your way out of that. But with your signed contract and him concerned about both his business and saving face there wasn't much I could do. You understand why I had to agree, don't you?"
 
"Yeah, I do. I may not act like I have a brain some of the time-."
 
"All of the time," Todd muttered behind him.
 
"But I understand how our world works. Heaven forbid a crime boss have his honor besmirched," he said rolling his eyes. "I guess I wasn't thinking beyond the fun of it. I'm sorry for potentially bringing trouble down on your head."
 
Solan reached out to give her a hug. He loved his big sister more than anyone. She'd raised him along with taking on the massive challenge of becoming head of the Kane family after their parents' death. Solan knew he was a brat who frequently exasperated her, but he'd never caused her this much aggravation. Thankfully, she didn't seem to be mad at him. She returned his hug, giving him a tight squeeze.
 
"Good. And as a crime boss myself, I'd have done the same thing if I were in his shoes." She leaned back and flicked the tip of his nose. "Troublemaker."
 
"Ouch." Solan grumbled and rubbed his nose.
 
Nora grinned. She let him go, moving to the door. "He'll be here tomorrow evening to pick you up so you need to be packed and ready to go by then."
 
"Got it."
 
"And Solan?"
 
"Yes?"
 
"Don't leave the house until he arrives. He left a guard behind to watch you and I don't want there to be any issues because of a misunderstanding about where you were going."
 
After Solan agreed to stay put, she left the room, closing the door behind her.
 
Solan groaned and went to stand in front of his walk-in closet. For a rich person, he didn't own much. Recent drama with a vampire aside, his life was normally fairly simple. He preferred to stay out of organized crime society with their parties and social life that let them pretend they were some sort of aristocrats and therefore had no use for fancy clothes.
 
"What the hell am I supposed to take to go and live with a vampire crime boss for three months? I own club clothes, jeans, and sweats."
 
"Whatever you do, make sure you pack your nice underwear," Todd teased with a grin.
 
Solan snorted. "All my underwear are nice. But unless he's doing my laundry, Mr. Everett won't ever be blessed enough to see them."
What do you think of Chapter 2? I loved Everett calmly going after what he wanted while Solan brattily tried to get out of it. Next week, Chapter 3! Blood Kiss is available for pre-order on Amazon for a special .99 pre-order price. Or, you can get it in Kindle Unlimited on August 9th. Be sure to add Blood Kiss on Goodreads. And I would greatly appreciate it if you shelved it as a vampire romance. And last, don't forget to sign up for the Christa Tomlinson newsletter so you'll be notified when Blood Kiss is available.

Thank you for reading!
Love,
Christa Pre-Order Blood Kiss Sign up for Newsletter Add Blood Kiss on Goodreads

Blood Kiss Chapter 1

Hello and Happy Friday! Today I bring you the first chapter of Blood Kiss, my upcoming M/M Vampire Mafia Romance. This is an advanced peek - which means it's not the final edited and proofed version. So if you come across a mistake or two just pretend like you didn't see it. ;-) Happy Reading!
Chapter 1
"I can't believe you're doing this."
 
Solan grinned at his best friend. "I've always wanted to see what these auctions are like. What better way to find out than to enter one myself?"
 
Always the practical one, Todd shook his head. "I'm sure there were at least five different ways you could have found out the answer to that question that didn't involve putting yourself up for sale to be a vampire's blood pet."
 
"True. But those ways wouldn't have been as fun."
 
He'd been curious about the blood pet auctions for some time. When he'd heard that Club Scarlet was hosting one, he'd decided to sign up. It was an exciting idea. Something to break up the everyday boredom of his life. He'd been thrilled when he'd received his acceptance package, welcoming him into the Club Scarlet auction program. Now, he was backstage waiting for the final approval before the auction began.
 
"Okay, Mr. Kane. Your second round of tests all came back clear," one of the assistants said. "You are good to go."
 
Solan nodded. "Thank you."
 
He and Todd headed off to the hair and makeup area. A stylist waved at him so he went to her chair.
 
"I haven't worked on someone with your coloring in a while. Had to snag you before anyone else did." The stylist tied a small white bib around his neck to catch makeup spills. "Do you normally wear makeup?"
 
Solan shook his head. "Only the occasional lip gloss."
 
"Okay, then. You'll need something to define your features under the bright stage lights but I'll keep it simple so you feel like yourself."
 
"Sounds good," Solan said. He sat still as she brushed powder over his face and dusted a peach blush over his cheekbones. She applied a soft bronze eyeshadow, brown eye liner, and dark mascara that made the indigo blue of his eyes pop. The makeup artist finished with a sheer rosy lipstick.
 
"Perfect," she said. "Now for your hair."
 
"I want it up when I first go out but I want to be able to take it down while I'm on stage."
 
"Oooh, you're dramatic. I like that."
 
The stylist ran a brush through his long red hair that hung past his shoulders until the waves were soft and full. Then she gathered up the entire mass, twisting it into one long coil. She wrapped the coil around itself, forming a bun at the back of his head that she secured with a long silver hair pin.
 
Solan looked at himself in the mirror when she was done. "I love it! Thank you."
 
"You're welcome. Good luck out there." He left her chair, happy with the results of his look. The last step was to change into the outfit that all the entrants wore. A black, short-sleeve shirt with a deep scooped neckline - to show off their necks obviously - and slim black pants. Once he was changed, Todd settled on a stool out of the way while Solan bounced on his toes behind the curtain, waiting his turn.
 
"Entrant number nine, you're next."
 
Solan drew in a deep breath to calm the last second nerves that tried to pop up. He slowly let it out and stepped through the curtain onto the glossy dark wood stage. The auctioneer stood behind a podium on the other side. Solan strolled to the center of the stage and faced the crowd, a light smile on his lips. He put one hand on his hip and let the other hang down loosely by his side.
 
"And here we have entrant number nine. He's twenty-six, a natural redhead, and he's never been bitten. This prospective blood pet enjoys evenings out as well as staying in with a good book. Number nine is type AB and he loves a good steak."
 
As the auctioneer read off his attributes, Solan turned in a slow circle, giving the vampires in the club a look at all his goods. He returned to his original position when the bidding began.
 
"Do I have fifty-thousand dollars for this luscious strawberry?"
 
"Fifty thousand!" someone called out.
 
It was hard to see faces in the audience with the bright lights above him, but Solan saw the vampire who made the first bid. He was attractive enough. Tall, broad shouldered with blond hair cut short and neatly parted to the side. Immediately after his bid, a woman's voice called out fifty-five thousand, but she was too far back for Solan to see her.
 
The bidding went on, but the amounts weren't high enough for Solan. Reaching up, he pulled the pin from his hair. With a slow shake of his head, the long, wavy red locks uncoiled and fell down around his shoulders to his upper back. He leaned his head to the side, letting his hair drape down one side while he bared his neck on the other.
 
There was a stunned hush before the bidding resumed at a frantic pace. And then a deep voice rose over the shouts of both the bidders and the rapid-fire barking of the auctioneer.
 
"One hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars."
 
Solan smiled. Now that was a good bid. He straightened, running his fingers through his hair. He couldn't see the person who'd just bid. They were too far back for him to determine anything other than a tall figure in a dark colored three-piece suit. More bids came in, flying past the one hundred seventy-five thousand dollar offer.
 
But then that deep voice rang out again with a bid far above any other.
 
"Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars."
 
Someone gasped. The auctioneer actually fell silent for a moment. No one offered a competing bid.
 
After the brief pause, the auctioneer started up again. "I have three hundred and fifty thousand going once. Going twice..."
 
Solan bit his lip, waiting with breathless anticipation to see if anyone would try to outbid the man in the dark suit that apparently had very deep pockets.
 
The gavel banged against the podium.
 
"Sold! Entrant number nine to Mr. Everett for three hundred and fifty thousand dollars! Congratulations, Mr. Everett."
 
The audience applauded. Solan bowed slightly in the direction of the man who'd just bought him for a ridiculous amount of money. He calmly left the stage, while inwardly jumping with glee at the high price he'd managed to get for himself.
 
 * * *
 
EVERETT STROLLED THROUGH the club, ensuring that everything was running smoothly for tonight's auction. Cocktail servers moved throughout the room, delivering drinks. Staff members passed out the catalogue of blood pets to bidders who hadn't arrived with their own copy. The catalogue was a glossy book with head shots of the attractive humans up for sale, accompanied by a paragraph listing their attributes and blood type.
 
Auctions for blood pets fell under sex work in the organization he was a member of and as such were part of his domain. Although he'd only had his own pet a few times over the years, he enjoyed these auctions and the purpose they served. Both parties got what they wanted from them. The pets were paid extremely well in addition to the gifts, clothes, and housing they received from their vampire owners. And the owners had the convenience of a willing human to service their blood needs at all times. With a blood pet, there was no need to use a blood service, purchase blood bags, or troll the nightlife looking for someone to drink from. And if both parties were amenable to it, the vampire and pet could have an intimate relationship as well.
 
At a starting bid of fifty thousand dollars for each blood pet, only the wealthiest vampires in Dear Lake were able to enter the Club Scarlet auctions and make a purchase. And every buyer was thoroughly vetted. If there were ever any complaints from past pets - physical or emotional abuse, drinking too often, or the discovery of the ultimate crime - draining a blood pet - they were barred from entering Everett's auctions for life. And for vampires, that was a very long time.
 
There were fifteen humans on the auction block tonight. Everett didn't have any intention of bidding himself. That is, until entrant number nine walked through the curtain. The slim redhead strolled to the center of the stage. He was beautiful, no doubt about it. And the almost haughty expression on his face said that he knew it. From the way many vampires' heartbeats accelerated it was clear that a fierce bidding war was about to begin. The auctioneer opened with the usual starting bid of fifty thousand dollars. Immediately a paddle went up.
 
Everett didn't enter the bidding. He wasn't in the market for a blood pet. He was too busy. Running the sex trade arm of the Sanguis Syndicate took up a lot of his time. And he was satisfied with the blood service he used. Eric, one of their donors, came to his mansion once a week. Everett fed. Eric left. No muss no fuss. There was no reason for him to bid on this gorgeous young man.
 
He remained in the shadows, silently watching the process. The bidding was wild, increasing in five thousand dollar increments with such speed that the auctioneer could barely keep up. And then entrant number nine took his hair down. With it loose, Everett saw that it wasn't simply red. It was bright - the color of flames in a winter fireplace with streaks of burnished gold that sparkled under the stage lights. Number nine let those lush, wavy locks swing to the side as he bared the long, pale line of his neck. A momentary hush fell over the crowd before the bidding resumed, even more fast-paced than before. Without consciously planning to, Everett stepped forward.
 
"One hundred and fifty thousand dollars," he called out.
 
When a few of the vampires saw who'd bid, they lowered their paddles and settled back in their chairs, dropping out of the bidding war. A few remained however. A brunette woman in a silver evening gown. A blond man in a tweed jacket and cream turtleneck. And a bald vampire with a jeweled monocle tucked against his right eye. Everett was confident that he could beat them all.
 
He let a few bids go unchallenged before he called out his next offer. "Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars." Shocked silence followed his bid. Yes, he would pay that and more to have access to the strikingly handsome figure on stage for one year. The three who were still bidding conceded by placing their paddles face down in their laps. Everett swept his eyes across the room as the auctioneer called for the final bid. No one moved, every paddle was still.
 
"Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars going once. Going twice..."
 
The auctioneer let the anticipation hang in the air. Everett waited patiently.
 
"Sold!"
 
The lovely redhead bowed in his direction. Everett nodded back, his eyes tracking his new pet as he left the stage. He stayed where he was. An attendant would bring him his prize soon enough.
 
* * *
 
BEHIND THE CURTAIN, an auction assistant waited for Solan. At her prompting, he held out his left hand. She clasped a red plastic bracelet labeled with Mr. Everett around his wrist.
 
"That might have been the highest winning bid we've ever had in the club," she said in awe.
 
"Really?" Now that he was out of view of the wealthy vampires, he couldn't help but bounce with excitement at the bid amount.
 
"Yep. And Mr. Everett is awesome. I think you'll have a good time as his blood pet. After you get changed, an assistant will take you to him."
 
She waved him off and Solan went to the dressing area to change back into his own clothes and return the hair pin. He thanked the stylist for her help.
 
"Thank you. The hair pin trick worked exactly as I hoped it would."
 
"You're welcome. Happy to help."
 
Todd stood up from his stool when he went up to him.
 
"Holy shit." Todd's green eyes, bright against the warm brown of his skin, were wide with amazement. "I heard how much that guy bid for you. Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars! I hope your blood tastes like Chardonnay for that amount."
 
Solan laughed. "Come on, it's time to go."
 
Another staff member waited for him at the exit. They left the back area and she escorted them to his buyer.
 
"Here you are, Mr. Everett," she said holding out her hand to indicate Solan. After a polite smile at them both, she returned to the back.
 
Now that Solan was standing directly in front of his buyer, he could see what he looked like. Solan was tall at five ten, but the vampire was a head and then some taller than him. He had dark hair, a neatly trimmed low beard, and crystal blue eyes. Like all vampires, the irises had a dim glow in the dark light of the club and his skin was smooth with a slight, almost golden sheen and not a single blemish. He looked to be about thirty-five, but there was no way to tell how long he'd actually been alive. And the way he wore that three-piece suit. It should look stuffy, but on him the style was stern yet elegant. The man gave off an air of danger, making a shiver run down Solan's spine. He wondered if it was simply because he was a vampire or if he was a criminal of some sort. Maybe it was both. Regardless, this man was gorgeous. It almost made Solan regret what he was about to do.
 
"Hello entrant number nine."
 
"It's Solan."
 
The vampire nodded. "Solan. Hello. Shall we sit down and discuss-."
 
Solan cut him off. "Actually, I came to tell you that I won't be going home with you tonight or any other night. I only entered the auction for fun."
 
A dark eyebrow rose.
 
"For fun?"
 
"Yeah. I wanted to see what it was like."
 
"I've already paid the auction fee and I'm prepared to transfer your initial payment of the bid amount to the holding account set up for you."
 
"I can refund you that fee," Solan said with an unconcerned shrug. "And I don't need the money you would have paid me." He signaled to his driver to come over, who up to that point had been standing near the entrance to the club. "Isaac, make a transfer to Mr. Everett's account for the auction fee. I believe it's five percent of the winning bid so seventeen thousand five hundred dollars."
 
The driver pulled out his phone.
 
"Sir, what name and account would you like me to send the transfer to?"
 
"I don't want his money," Mr. Everett said in a tight voice.
 
Solan shrugged. If the guy didn't want a refund, he wasn't going to force him to take it. "Okay, then. Well, it was nice to meet you, Mr. Everett. Bye!" Figuring a quick exit was the best strategy, he grabbed Todd's hand and pulled him along to the club's exit. Once they were outside, he laughed as they ran to the car.
 
"Can you believe it?" he breathlessly asked. "Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars for a vampire to be my sugar daddy and drink my blood for a year." Solan leaned against the car door, waiting for their driver to catch up.
 
Todd reprimanded him but he was grinning too. "That was wild. You know that vampire is probably pissed that you backed out of your contract."
 
"Maybe. But it was worth it. That was the most excitement I've had in months."
 
 * * *
 
EVERETT WATCHED AS the beautiful young man disappeared from his club. "Who is he?" he asked the driver. He could wait and find out the identity of the redheaded minx who'd left him high and dry from the catalogue later but he wanted to know who he was right now.
 
"Solan Kane," the stocky middle-aged man answered. "Younger brother of Nora Kane of the Kane family."
 
Everett recognized the name. "Thank you," he said with a nod.
 
The driver excused himself and followed after his employer.
 
Although Everett was angry at the stunt Solan had pulled in his club, his fangs sharpened with excitement at the thought of chasing him down. Solan didn't know it, but he'd just become his prey. And he would be fulfilling the contract to become his blood pet.
 
Warren, a fellow boss of the Sanguis Syndicate, came over from the bar with a drink in his hand. "What the hell just happened?"
 
"Apparently, I won a blood pet who had no intention of fulfilling his contract."
 
Warren's dark eyebrows shot up. "You're kidding."
 
"I'm not."
 
"And you just let him go?"
 
Everett cast his friend a look.
 
"Ah, I see." Warren grinned. "Good luck on your hunt."
 
One of the vampires who'd been bidding against Everett for Solan - Rupert Davies, the monocle wearing one - joined them.
 
"I overheard what entrant number nine said. Unbelievable! Are humans allowed to enter the auctions as a lark?"
 
"No, they are not."
 
Rupert put a beringed hand to his chest, shaking his head as if he were completely scandalized. "I think I'm glad I lost out on that one. I wouldn't want the hassle of dealing with this situation. But I'm sure you'll take care of it."
 
Indeed, he would. He knew who Solan was. Which meant he knew where he would be. He would deal with him later. Right now, he had an auction to run.
And so it begins! What do you all think? Solan is a cheeky little thing isn't he? I hope he's ready for Everett to track him down. I'll be posting Chapter 2 next Friday and Blood Kiss releases August 9th in ebook and paperback. I hope you're looking forward to it!

Love,
Christa
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Coming Soon... Blood Kiss!

Hello everyone! I'm excited to announce that I have a new M/M paranormal romance coming soon. Blood Kiss is a vampire mafia romance and today I'm showing you the cover! Want to know more about this steamy vampire romance? Keep reading for the summary and an excerpt.
No Price Is Too High To Pay When A Vampire Is Determined To Claim His Mate

Vampire Everett has zero interest in purchasing a human to meet his blood needs. As a crime lord in the Sanguis Syndicate, his nights are too busy to have time to care for a human in exchange for their blood. Until a gorgeous redhead steps onto the auction stage. Suddenly, Everett is willing to bid any amount to win the charming young man for himself.

Solan entered the blood donor auctions as a lark. But things quickly turn serious when he meets the glowing blue gaze of his tall, stern vampire patron. Solan fights his attraction to Everett, determined to complete his contract without any physical or emotional entanglements. However, the sensual intimacy of sharing his blood with Everett, of feeling his fangs pierce his neck, might derail all of Solan’s plans to resist him.

Bound together by a contract, passion slowly begins to burn between the vampire and his pet. But will that passion be enough to keep them together once their contract comes to an end?

 Blood Kiss is an M/M vampire romance. It has a spoiled but loving mob prince, the stern vampire who adores him, blood drinking hot enough to melt your e-readers, and a guaranteed Happily Ever After.  

Tags: Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Organized Crime, Slow Burn
Heat Level: High/Explicit
Content: Violence, Blood Drinking
Excerpt
"Are you saying that I can feed from you?"

"Yes."

After his answer, Solan's heart thundered as if he had a galloping race horse in his chest. He'd just agreed to let Everett drink his blood. That wasn't what he'd expected to happen when he'd charged down the stairs half-cocked but he didn't backtrack. Not even when Everett stared at him for a long moment, as if he was waiting for him to change his mind. When Solan didn't say anything, Everett nodded, accepting his answer.

"Are you scared?" Everett asked.

"No," he lied.

"Good. Because there's nothing to be afraid of."

Everett went over and sat on the couch. Solan's eyes skittered away from the way his dress pants hugged his muscular thighs.

"Come and sit down," he said patting the spot next to him.

Solan joined him, sitting stiffly with his back straight and hands tightly gripping his knees.

"Relax," Everett said softly.

Solan tried to do so, but he didn't manage to do more than slightly loosen the death grip he had on his kneecaps. He looked at Everett, allowing a little of his nervousness to show. "Will it hurt?"

"Yes. But only for a moment. After that, a relaxing feeling will take over."

"I won't enjoy it."

"Hmmm." Everett made the noncommittal noise as he reached for the buttons on Solan's night shirt.

Solan flinched back. "What are you doing?"

"I need to take your shirt off."

"Why?"

"I prefer not to have your collar jabbing me in the nose while I feed. Is that all right?"

Solan thought about it for a moment. What Everett said made sense. And he didn't know how messy the feeding would be. Taking his night shirt off would keep any of his blood from dripping on it. He nodded. "That's fine."

Everett slowly slipped each button from its hole. He pushed the pajama top off Solan's shoulder first before removing it completely. He didn't pay much attention to Solan's bared chest. All of his attention was on his neck.

"I need to remove this as well," he said in a voice gone low and husky.

He pressed a thumb to the back of the tracking collar and it popped open with a quiet click. The collar fell from Solan's neck. Everett caught it and set it aside. When he looked back at Solan, his eyes were glowing nearly as bright as they had when he'd carried Solan from Warren's club. He brought a hand up, gently cupping the back of Solan's head and tilting it to the side. Their thighs pressed together when he moved over and leaned in. Solan tried to stay calm but his heart was pounding. This was really happening.

Soft breath brushed over his skin first. Then came twin pinpricks of pain. They were quickly replaced by a warm, shivery sensation that started at the site of the bite and flowed throughout his entire body. Everett's lips formed a tight seal on Solan's neck. When he took the first pull on his vein, Solan was hit with an unexpected wave of deep pleasure.

"Ah!" He gasped aloud at the shock of it and his head fell back, baring all of his throat. Everett growled, the sound vibrating against his skin. He moved closer, held Solan tighter. Every time Everett sucked, a ripple of exquisite tingling sensation went through Solan. His nipples tightened, his stomach lifting behind his navel. And fuck. He was hard, his cock straining against the front of his pajama pants. He clenched his fists, jamming them against his thighs in an effort to resist the instinct that urged him to reach up and hold on to Everett.

And then, the sucking stopped. Everett stayed there for a moment after he withdrew his fangs, breath hot against Solan's neck. He licked over the spots where he'd bitten, sealing the wounds. Solan bit his lip, holding back the moan that wanted to slip free at the feel of Everett's warm, wet tongue lazily sliding over the sensitive spot on his neck. He remained quiet and still, trying not to call attention to his body's responses to Everett drinking his blood. He would die if Everett saw his erection.

After what felt like an endless amount of time, Everett finally raised his head. His eyes were still glowing and there was a single smear of blood at the corner of his mouth. As Solan watched, Everett swiped his thumb over the spot, then sucked the digit into his mouth. To his surprise, his cock throbbed at the sight of Everett savoring that final drop of his blood.

Solan hid his arousal behind the shield of a smugly voiced question. "How do I taste?"

"You taste hot."

Unimpressed, Solan rolled his eyes. "All blood is hot."

"I don't mean the temperature. You taste like fire." Everett's glowing eyes dropped to his mouth. "Wild and hot. But also sweet."

Solan's skin was suddenly too tight. And they were sitting too close to one another, their thighs still warmly pressed together. His heart rate sped up. Belatedly remembering that Everett could hear it, Solan again tried to calm his body down. He leaned back, out of their shared space.

"I'm not kissing you," he said baldly. Kissing Everett would be a bad idea. A very bad idea. He decided in that moment, that as long as he was here, he was not going to kiss Everett. Ever.
Blood Kiss releases August 9th. I'm not doing a pre-order for this one, but you can add it on Goodreads. Be sure to add it to your vampire romance shelves on there too!
And if you'd like to be notified when Blood Kiss is available, you have three options. Sign up for my newsletter, follow me on Bookbub or follow me on Amazon.
Newsletter Signup Follow on BookBub Follow on Amazon Thank you for reading! I can't wait to share Everett and Solan's story with you.
Love,
Christa

The Sergeant - First Chapter

Sergeant Logan Pierce: He leads his squad with cool efficiency, taking down rough criminals while keeping his team safe. But behind closed doors he sets a darker part of himself free. As a Dom, he’s controlled many submissives, but never had one for his own. That’s because there’s only one man he wants: Officer Clay Foster.

Officer Clay Foster: Over the years he’s noticed his Sergeant’s secretly admiring glances and suspected his attraction. One night, with one kiss, he’s proven correct. Clay dives headlong into the rough passion of BDSM that Logan introduces him to. He submits to Logan’s control, accepting the sweet shackles that bind him to his Sergeant. But secrets, both his and Logan’s, force him to leave the newfound safety of his Dom’s arms.

Logan refuses to let go of what he’s wanted for so long, Clay as his own, proudly wearing his collar. Can he safely guide Clay through the obstacles that separate them until he can claim his submissive once more? Sergeant Logan Pierce walked back into the police station with his team. Everybody was laughing and relaxed as was usually the case after a successful callout. Their SWAT team was the best on the Houston Police Department and one of the best in the country. Logan’s gaze was drawn to one of his scouts, Corporal Clay Foster. He liked to keep an eye on his boys, his scouts in particular. They had one of the more dangerous jobs, moving first into critical situations to scope them out for the rest of the squad. He wanted to make sure they were handling the stress of their position. But that wasn’t the only reason he watched Clay.

His scout smiled as he described the look on the gunman’s face when he’d realized he was surrounded by SWAT.  The entry team blocked his way out the front. He hadn’t been aware of Clay and his other scout, Corporal Quan Pham, at his back. His face was so full of amazement when he spun around and saw them that Clay’s order to get on the ground had been tinged with laughter.

Clay ran his fingers through his hair, the short black curls slightly flattened from his helmet. Logan looked away. He didn’t want anyone to catch the expression on his face as he imagined running his own fingers through that silky hair. He’d desired Clay for a long time, but lately it had grown to the point that it was on his mind whenever they weren’t working.

Clay was definitely attractive with those dark curls. His face was clean shaven and lightly tanned. Long, dark lashes framed blue eyes that were so bright he had to control his reaction the first time he’d looked into them. And Clay’s mouth made him think of all sorts of things that were inappropriate for the work place, especially the sweet curve of his bottom lip. The strong line of his jaw and the hard body that he carried with such confidence kept him from being pretty. And he was tall, only a few inches below Logan’s own height of six foot three. He filled out the dark SWAT uniform very well. Corporal Clay Foster was a mix of beauty, strength, and brave intelligence that had intrigued him for years.
The group split up as they reached the locker room areas. The two women on the team went one way, the rest of them another. Lockers banged and gear bags dropped to the floor as they got ready for showers. Houston was hot and muggy, even in early spring. Carrying fifty pounds of gear wasn’t conducive to staying cool and dry in the heat. There weren’t enough showers for everyone to use all at once. So, as he always did, Logan let his team go first. He sat on the bench in front of his locker, giving kudos or advice to his men and going over the night with them while he waited.

When shower finally opened and no one was in line before him, Logan grabbed his soap, shampoo, and a towel and stepped into the stall. Yanking the curtain back, he turned on the water full blast. Logan stood underneath the hot stream, letting the water ease the final bit of tension from his muscles. He never completely relaxed after a callout until this moment, when his whole team was back safe and he was alone in the peace of a hot shower. After taking a few moments to enjoy the feel of the water, he washed up quickly. He was eager to get something to eat and get home.

When Logan came out of the shower bay, he saw the locker room was empty but for one person. Clay sat on a bench, fully dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, engrossed in his phone.

“Clay, what are you still doing here?”

The other man looked up. “I wasn’t up to going out with the rest of the bunch. Kinda wanted some quiet. But I’m hungry so I’m trying to figure out where I want to eat before I leave.”

Logan realized this could be his chance to be alone with Clay for a little while. “You can come with me if you want. I’m headed over to Lucy’s. It’s quiet and the food is good.”

Clay smiled. “That sounds perfect. Thanks for the invite, Sarge.”

Logan tried not to get excited. They were just going out for a meal. But he couldn’t deny that he was happy to have Clay to himself.
 
As he’d predicted, Lucy’s was quiet. The place was a small family-owned restaurant off the beaten path of most downtown foot traffic. It did a steady business, but was mostly frequented by people who, like him, were looking for a quiet place to relax as they ate. The comfortable seating, low lighting, and homey décor all helped build that atmosphere. He handed his menu to the server after placing his order and spoke to the man across the table from him.

“So what’s up, Clay? Everything alright?”

Clay looked at him over his glass of water. “You didn’t ask me along just so you could analyze me, did you, Sarge? Because I’m alright.”

Logan’s lips twitched but he didn’t smile. “No, I’m not trying to analyze you. Just opening that door if you need it.”

Clay set his glass down and leaned back in his chair. “Nah, I’m good. But thanks.”

Logan nodded and let the subject drop. They spent the next few minutes going over some of their recent operations, breaking them down and discussing anything they could have done differently. They reviewed often, with everyone sharing their input. Logan was their team leader, but everyone’s opinion was valued. That’s how their team worked and it was how they continued to get better.

The server came back and put their plates down in front of them. Logan glanced at his food in appreciation. He’d ordered a thick steak, new potatoes, wild rice, green beans, and dinner rolls. He caught Clay staring at him as he picked up his knife and fork.

“You’re really going to eat all that?”

Logan grinned. “What can I say? I’m a big boy.”

Clay ran his eyes over the width of his chest and arms. He looked back up at him. “Yeah. You are.”

Logan froze for a moment. That sounded like Clay was flirting with him. He wasn’t sure how to respond. For one, although he suspected Clay was bi-sexual, he wasn’t positively sure. Second, they worked together. Third, he was Clay’s superior. There could be serious repercussions if he took Clay’s comment as a flirtatious remark and it wasn’t. Since they had a whole meal to get through, he decided to let it pass. He gestured at Clay’s plate. “I see you’re eating light.”

Clay laughed and cut up a piece of his grilled chicken. “We’ve got a PT test coming up. It’s not as easy for me to stay in shape as some of you,” he said with a pointed glance at Logan.  “Besides, one bite of all those carbs and I’m headed down to the cage, trying to get a flak vest in the next size up.”

Logan shook his head in amusement. It was true that he was big and muscular. He’d been stocky his whole life and started putting on muscle in high school to play football. Clay was well muscled too, just in the long, lithe way of a swimmer. The conversation slowed as they ate. Once they were done, they settled back with satisfied sighs.

Clay rubbed his stomach. “Man, you were right, Sarge. That was good.”

Logan took a last drink of his water. “Glad you enjoyed it. You’re welcome to come here with me anytime.”

Clay smiled slightly. “Strange you never had the team here. Or that we’ve never eaten alone before.”
Logan arched a brow. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

Logan looked directly at Clay for a moment before he answered. “Maybe I was saving it for the right time.”

Clay’s eyes widened slightly and he looked like he was about to say something. But just then, the server came up to ask if they need anything else. She dropped their check when both men turned down dessert. Logan reached for it. “I’ve got it.”

“Thanks. You sure know how to take care of your team,” Clay joked.

Logan didn’t say anything to that. If only Clay knew how much he really wanted to take care of him.

Outside, they headed to their cars. They both drove dark, unmarked Dodge Chargers issued by the Houston Police Department. Logan closed his eyes as the cool night breeze blew Clay’s scent back to him. He inhaled deeply, stifling a groan as he took that wonderful scent down into his lungs. Clay always smelled so good. Logan wanted to grab him and rub his face against Clay’s skin and just breathe until he couldn’t smell anything else. But at the rate things were going, that was never going to happen.

Clay turned to him, thanking him for dinner once more. Logan accepted his thanks, and then hesitated. Clay waited, looking at him with an expectant expression. Logan wanted to approach him, to let him know he was interested but he just didn’t know if that was wise. With an inward curse, he let the moment pass—again. “Good night, Clay.”

A frown creased Clay’s brow before he said good night too and went to his car. Logan opened his car door and got in. He started the ignition, determined to ignore the disappointment in his chest.

***
The sound of gym shoes squeaking on mats and boxing gloves connecting with bodies was loud, echoing in the large space. His team wasn’t on rotation this week, but they were still in house getting in some training. Today they were boxing. They had guns, but you never knew when you’d be in physical combat with a suspect. Knowing how to fight had saved their asses more than once.

Clay was on the blue mats with Jody, one of the two women on their team. He was teasing and taunting her, trying to make her lose her cool. Logan knew that wasn’t going to happen. Jody had the most stoic personality of all of them and she stayed calm in every situation. That trait served her well as a sniper. She didn’t get flustered, she didn’t hesitate, and she didn’t miss. Jody caught Clay with a hard jab to the ribs and he stopped playing around. Logan watched their technique for awhile, making sure they kept their guards up and didn’t telegraph punches. But, eventually, his attention and his eyes wandered.

They weren’t required to stay in dress code when they weren’t on rotation. As a result, they all wore a mix of HPD sweats, tees, and their own clothes. Clay had on nothing but a pair of baggy blue gym shorts and sneakers. His torso was bare and Logan greedily ate up the sight of his sweat slick skin. The Navy anchor tattoo on Clay’s chest was familiar, he’d seen Clay without his shirt plenty of times, but Logan’s gaze still lingered there for a moment. Clay spun out of Jody’s reach but she stayed with him. So did Logan. He kept watching, his eyes moving down to take in how low Clay’s shorts hung on his hips, revealing the dip in his lower back. Logan imagined running his tongue along that spot, licking up the sweat beaded there.

Clay danced away from Jody so he was facing Logan again. Logan’s eyes were immediately drawn to his stomach and the soft line of dark hair that trailed down from his navel, disappearing into his shorts. Logan wanted to run his fingers down that path and along the curve of his hipbones. He knew that skin would be sensitive and he wanted to see Clay shiver at his touch. His imaginings were stopped from going any further when someone cleared their throat next to him.

“You look pretty intense, Sarge. Taking mental notes?”

Logan started and looked to his left. His senior assistant, Senior Corporal Carlos Ortega, was sitting in the folding chair next to him. His friendship with Carlos went back to before they’d joined the force and Carlos was one of the few in the department who knew he was gay. He answered his question with calm nonchalance.

“Just watching.”

Carlos snorted. “I bet.”

Logan ignored that.

“I hear you took Clay out to dinner last night.”

Logan rolled his eyes. “I didn’t take him out to dinner. We just went to get something to eat.”

“And you weren’t wishing it was something more?” Carlos looked at him with his dark steady gaze.  “I doubt that, especially with the way you’re about to pitch a tent just sitting here, staring at him.”

Logan scrubbed his hand over his forehead. “Fuck, man. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Lately, I can’t stop thinking about him.”

“Maybe because you haven’t dated anybody in over six months. Why don’t you go for it? If you don’t, eventually you’ll be checking out his ass when you’re supposed to be watching his back. Have fun explaining your wood then.”

Logan cut his eyes at Carlos. His friend was right, he hadn’t been with a guy for some time. But this wasn’t the time to discuss it. “Shut up about his ass, Los.” He noticed Clay and Jody were done. “And be quiet before someone hears you.”  

Clay stepped off the mat and came over to them. “Sarge, I don’t think it’s right I have to fight a girl. They are the weaker sex after all.” He threw a taunting smile over his shoulder at Jody.

“Do I need to remind you about Operation Chimney Sweep?” Logan asked.

Chimney Sweep was an operation where they served a warrant on a female suspect dealing X and meth out of a ridiculously innocent looking house with a huge red chimney. Turned out the woman was an MMA fighter when she wasn’t dealing drugs. She played docile until Senior Corporal Mike Dorsey was close to her and had put his gun away to cuff her. Then she went ape shit, punching and kicking with a fury that brought him down. Logan hadn’t wanted anyone to take a shot with her so close to Mike, so they ended up using the Taser to subdue her.
Jody snorted and came up next to Clay. “Keep talking shit and maybe I’ll break your nose like that crazy woman did to Mike.”

Clay held his hands up in front of his face. “You’re so mean, Jody.”

She laughed and headed off to the locker rooms. Clay stayed behind. He took his head gear and gloves off. “We look good out there, Sarge?”

“You did.” At Carlos’s snort, Logan cleared his throat and corrected himself. “You both did.”

Clay grinned. “Thanks. Jody’s got a mean right jab. Caught me right in my fucking ribs.” He raised his arm to peer down at his side. “Probably gonna bruise and be sore as hell.”

Logan stared at that smooth skin. He wanted to reach out and run his fingers along it, soothing any hurt that Clay might feel. But he couldn’t. For many reasons, he couldn’t. He dragged his gaze away.

“You know better than to tease her like that.”

Clay laughed. “Yeah but it’s too much fun.” He plopped down in the seat next to Logan to watch the next members of the team take their turns on the mat. “So what are you guys over here talking about?”

Carlos looked at him with a shit eating grin on his face. “Camping. Sarge is worried about where he’s gonna pitch his tent.”

Clay glanced over at him. “You’re going camping, Sarge? Where at? I know some good places.”

Logan gave Carlos a dirty look before he answered Clay. “I’m not going anywhere. But Corporal Ortega here is about to go take his turn on the mats. Right, Los?”

Carlos got up and cracked his neck. “Whatever you say, boss.”

Clay watched the big man gear up. He got a vibe like he’d just interrupted a conversation about something other than camping. He was curious, but he didn’t ask. “Why aren’t you taking him on? He needs to pick on someone his own size.” Carlos was big and muscular like Logan. It was why they were the breachers on their team, both strong enough to swing the heavy battering rams with enough force to bust open nearly any door. And with his shaved head and dark, watchful eyes, Carlos was pretty intimidating. Logan was intimidating as well, but in a different way. His military bearing, strong jaw, and sharp hazel eyes let you know that he was in charge. Even his hair obeyed him, the dark blonde strands rarely straying from their proper place. Clay ran a hand over his own hair, which as usual was a mess of curls all over his head. He was sort of tempted to touch Logan’s hair to see if he used hairspray to keep the side part so neat, but he didn’t quite have the nerve.

Logan laughed. “Mike is doing just fine.”

Clay snorted. “Guess he learned from that broken nose.”

They sat and watched the sparring, comfortably making observations until everyone was done. Clay liked that he could be so easy going with his sergeant. He’d been under the command of some real dicks during his time in the military and police force.   

The last pair stepped off the mats and Logan stood up, ending their conversation. “You’re all dismissed. Clean up and get out of here. Make sure you get plenty of rest. Endurance training in the morning.”
Clay groaned along with everyone else. No one liked the long runs with all their gear on, but they were a necessary evil. Carrying all that equipment, armor, and weapons wasn’t easy, especially in the Houston heat, but they had to keep their bodies conditioned for it. Clay got up and followed the guys back to the locker room to shower and change.

***

Logan headed out of the station after making sure everyone on the team was gone. At least he thought everyone was gone until he saw Clay standing at the door, staring outside.

“What are you doing?” Logan stepped up beside him.

“It’s raining.”

Logan looked out the glass doors. “I see that.” He laughed. “You jogged to work today, didn’t you?” Clay jogged nearly every day they weren’t on call and he didn’t have to haul all his gear. “C’mon, I’ll take you home.”

Once they were in the car, Logan didn’t have to ask for directions. He knew where each one of his team members lived. They headed up Dallas Avenue to Clay’s loft apartment. He pulled into a space and put the car in park. But Clay didn’t immediately say thank you and leave. He turned to Logan with an impish smile on his face.

“Be honest, Sarge. Do you like the endurance runs?”

“No, I hate them.” He looked at Clay with a sideways smile. “Sometimes I’m tempted to take them off the training rotation.”

Clay laughed. “That makes me feel better. You never complain about them, but now I know your secret. You’re just as human as the rest of us.” He gave him a conspiratorial wink. “But don’t worry, I won’t tell the others.”

Twenty minutes later, they were still in the car. Logan had long since turned off the engine and the rain had slowed to soft drops falling against the windshield. They’d talked about everything from work to baseball to their respective careers in the military. Logan served in the Marines and did two tours in Iraq while Clay had been all over the place in the Navy. Now they were both quiet, their heads lolling against the headrest.

Clay’s eyes drifted closed. Logan knew he should tell him to go inside and get to bed. But it was such a rare, private moment between them that he didn’t want it to end. Instead, he took advantage of the opportunity to study Clay. As always, the sight of that curly black hair made him smile. The length of his hair was within regulation, barely. He knew part of the reason Clay kept it that long was to thumb his nose at their captain. Captain Hayden was constantly talking about the image of HPD and SWAT. He didn’t approve of Clay, with his longish hair and playful personality, at all. But Logan loved Clay’s hair and hoped he’d never cut it. His eyes drifted down to the other man’s mouth, that full bottom lip even poutier than usual as he relaxed. Logan thought about kissing him, wondering what Clay would do if he sucked that lip into his mouth. In his head, Clay would respond to him, kissing him back eagerly.

He looked back up and saw that Clay’s eyes were open, watching him. They held eye contact for a long moment. The air in the car turned electric, tension crackling between them. Logan’s heart pounded. This moment couldn’t be ignored. He could apologize and send Clay inside. Or he could do what he’d wanted to do for so damn long. The decision was easy. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to Clay’s. They were warm and soft, just as he’d imagined they’d be. Logan pulled back, waiting to see Clay’s reaction. When he didn’t say anything, Logan kissed him again. This time, Clay returned the kiss with a light touch of his lips.

Logan took that as encouragement and brought their lips together for several more kisses. Logan was surprised it was happening. His heart raced as they kissed in the warm, dark car. He kept things relaxed and easy, letting Clay know they could stop whenever he wanted.  He ran his tongue across the seam of Clay’s closed lips, wanting him to open up so he could get a real taste of him. Clay’s eyes drifted closed again and he parted his lips, allowing Logan to sweep inside. He stroked his tongue slowly against Clay’s before exploring the warm sweetness of his mouth. Clay’s tongue darted out once to touch his. He was hesitant, almost shy. Logan’s body tightened, his shaft hardening as he gently coaxed him to play more. He curled his tongue against Clay’s and soon Clay was following his lead, licking into Logan’s mouth in slow, deep kisses.

Neither of them spoke. It was silent except for the sound of the rain and their quiet breathing as their lips clung and released again and again. Logan fought to keep the kiss soft and slow, pushing back his urge to control Clay’s mouth and touch his firm body wherever he could reach. Then Clay whispered a breathy little moan as he relaxed further into the contact. The sound touched off something deep inside Logan, made him want more. He brought his hand up, sliding into those silky curls and cupping the back of Clay’s head, holding him in place to deepen the kiss. He thrust his tongue inside to tangle with Clay’s, swirling against it in a hot, slick slide. Logan groaned as he kissed him faster, harder. Clay was right there with him, kissing him back with just as much intensity.

Logan slid his fingers down until he held him by the back of the neck, pulling Clay up against him until their chests touched. Clay gasped and pressed even closer to him. Logan smoothed his other hand down Clay’s back, feeling the solid warmth of him through his t-shirt. But Logan didn’t dare touch him anywhere else. Not there in the car and not without discussing things with him first. He pulled back slightly, looking at Clay to see if he was showing any reluctance. What he saw were eyes wide, sparkling with desire and lips swollen from his kisses. There was no sign of hesitation on his face. Logan dove right back in, sucking at that full bottom lip that had been teasing him for years. Clay’s hands came up to his chest and Logan thought, Yes. Touch me. But then he realized Clay was pushing him away.

Logan released him and watched in confusion as Clay grabbed his bag from the car floor and snapped, “Goddamnit!” He slammed out of the car and stalked off towards his building.

Logan sat there in disbelief before he banged his head against the steering wheel. What the fuck? He hunched over the wheel for a moment, trying to figure out what just happened while willing his hard-on to go down. Eventually, his body calmed but he was still clueless about Clay’s abrupt exit. He knew he wasn’t going to figure it out sitting there in the dark by himself, so he started the car and drove home.

***

Logan pulled into the garage of his two-story, brick faced home. It was a little more than he needed, but his parents gave it to him when he returned from overseas. They said he was doing them a favor since they traveled all over the country in their retirement and didn’t want to worry about maintaining the home. He tried to buy it from them, but they turned him down. Instead, they asked him to take over visiting his grandfather in the Texas Hill Country. That was no chore. Logan loved his grandfather and enjoyed visiting him as often as possible. It was his grandfather, a former Marine himself, who influenced his decision to join the Corps. His grandfather was also the first person Logan came out to just before he’d enlisted. He had accepted Logan and told him there was nothing wrong with being gay. But as a young enlisted he should keep it quiet. All these years later he was still following that advice. Sometimes it made sense to him, the police department culture wasn’t always welcoming to gay men. But sometimes he was ashamed of himself for not being upfront about who he really was.

He got out of the car and went in through the kitchen. It was a large room with windows that let in plenty of light during the day. The whole house was really too big for one person. He looked forward to sharing it with someone someday. Tossing his keys on the butcher block island, Logan went through the mail he’d brought in with him. Nothing was important enough to hold his attention. He headed upstairs to his bedroom.

The many kisses with Clay were still on his mind. He couldn’t help but worry he’d made a huge mistake. He was Clay’s superior and he’d made a sexual advance on him. Fuck! That hadn’t been smart on his part. But he’d wanted Clay for so long. And in the warm cocoon of the dark car, he’d let his guard down, forgetting all the reasons that he shouldn’t pursue his fellow officer.

Logan carefully unpacked his bag and secured his weapons. He undressed then flopped onto the king sized bed. He couldn’t stop thinking over their moments in the car. Seriously, what the fuck? Where had he gone wrong? Clay had seemed to be into him, responding just as sweetly as he’d always imagined. Logan had either gotten too heavy with the way he’d deepened the kiss, or Clay realized it wasn’t a good idea to make out with his superior. His male superior.

Logan blew out a frustrated breath. He wanted Clay so bad that whenever he was near, his fingers ached with the urge to grab him and pull that slender body up against his own. However, he wanted Clay for more than just one or two nights in bed, which meant that if he did win him for his own, eventually he would have to come clean about his … preferences. If Clay wasn’t into that and it scared him off, Logan would be left with the knowledge that he’d run off the one man he wanted to build a relationship with. Clay already bolted after their kiss tonight, which didn’t bode well for the possibility of future sexual activities. Logan had to walk a fine line between what he should do and what he wanted to do if he pursued Clay.

As Logan thought about their kiss, his erection came surging back. Clay’s mouth had been so warm, his tongue soft. Logan wanted to kiss him again. He wished he still was. Logan’s eyes closed and his hand drifted down his belly to grab his cock through his boxers as he thought about what else could have happened in the car.

In his head, he heard Clay whisper how much he liked Logan’s mouth as he gave that sexy little moan again. Logan would have whispered back, “Let’s see what else you like,” before kissing his way up Clay’s jaw line to his ear. He’d nibble the rounded shell of his ear before sucking the tender lobe into his mouth and biting down sharply. Clay would gasp at the pleasure-pain, his body arching towards Logan’s as he sought more of the same.
Logan’s imaginings had grown into a full-blown vision behind his closed eyelids and his cock head was already slick. There was no way he would be able to fall asleep without giving himself some relief. He pushed his boxers down his thighs and gripped his naked cock as his fantasy played out.

“Did you like that, baby?”

“Yes. Do it again,” Clay moaned.

Logan shook his head as he moved down to lick at the rapid pulse beating in Clay’s neck. “That’s not the way this works. You don’t get to issue demands.” He bit down on the spot and sucked the warm skin into his mouth before releasing it. “Understand?”

When Clay nodded, Logan grabbed one of his hands and brought it to his chest. “Touch me.” Clay complied, stroking his hand over the muscles of Logan’s chest before moving up to massage his shoulder. Then his hand swept back down Logan’s torso, hesitating when it met the hem of his shirt. Logan smiled when Clay looked at him as though asking permission. He liked that. “What, baby? Tell me what you want.”

Clay bit his lip before whispering, “I want to touch your skin. I want … I want to touch your cock.”

Logan slid his hand up Clay’s throat and pulled him close enough for their lips to touch. “Then go ahead,” he whispered back. Logan pressed his lips to Clay’s just as the other man’s fingers lightly rubbed against his stomach. They hesitated, dancing across the skin before moving down and opening Logan’s jeans. Clay trailed his fingers up Logan’s cock and he groaned. Logan was hard and aching, trapped behind his boxers. When he felt Clay tugging at the material, he lifted his hips slightly so he could drag his underwear down enough to free him. Clay’s hand wrapped around his shaft and Logan rewarded him by sucking that earlobe back into his mouth, biting down just a bit harder than he had before. Both men moaned. Logan moved back to Clay’s mouth, kissing him deeply, their tongues rubbing against each other as Clay stroked his fist up and down Logan’s cock.

Logan broke their kiss to speak against Clay’s lips. “Faster. Make me come.” Logan thrust his hips up as Clay tightened his grip and sped up his pace. The precum pearling on Logan’s cock aided his slide through Clay’s fist.

Logan grabbed Clay by the back of the neck again to pull him into a rough kiss, their lips smashing together as he felt his orgasm building low in his stomach, his balls tight and ready to erupt. This time, Clay broke their kiss as he leaned up to whisper in his ear, “Logan, I want you to fuck me.” Then he rubbed his thumb across the slit on the head of Logan’s cock before squeezing him tight. Logan threw his head back against the headrest, groaning long and deep in his throat as his orgasm came barreling up his shaft …

On the bed, Logan’s hips rose over and over as he fucked into his fist, his hot cum shooting out of his cock to cover his fingers and stomach. “Fuck!” He stroked himself a few more times until all the tension drained from his body. He lay there on the bed, gasping for breath. His decision was made. That small taste wouldn’t let him go back to desiring Clay from afar. He reached down and grabbed the shirt he’d dropped earlier to wipe himself off.

He had to have Clay.

The Sergeant is Book 1 in the completed The Sergeant Series. Available on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited
Read The Sergeant on Amazon Amazon International Links

STRONG - Arch City Guardians Prequel - 1st Chapter

Once St. Louis’s greatest superhero, Lieutenant Vince Strong has now retired to civilian life. With his newfound free time, he finds himself reminiscing about Jace – the perfect and gorgeous submissive that he pushed away years ago. When Jace returns to town after a ten-year absence, he reignites the fierce love and passion that Vince has never been able to forget.

Determined to correct the biggest mistake of his life, Vince sets out to win Jace’s heart once more. Before he can do so however, a previously defeated foe reemerges. Carrying a grudge hardened by hate, his old enemy threatens to destroy everything and everyone Vince cares about – including Jace.

Vince will do whatever it takes to earn a second chance with the only man he’s ever loved. But Jace is reluctant to give himself to the man who broke his heart. Can these reunited lovers find their way back to each other or will past hurt and the menacing threat of a vengeful villain keep them apart forever?
"Last night a number of St. Louisans received quite a scare when a section of the Metro Link bridge they were traveling over collapsed. Thankfully, a couple of our local superheroes were on the scene with the save. Here's exclusive footage from Channel 8 News."
 
Vince stepped onto the treadmill in his small home gym. Pressing the Start button, he began a steady walk while the morning news played on the TV mounted to the wall. He watched with narrow-eyed concentration as Helios - the most powerful superhero in St. Louis flew in and caught the front of the light rail train before it could plunge to the ground below. Helios had averted the initial disaster.
 
Unfortunately, more sections of the bridge began to break apart and crumble. One by one, the other cars on the train began to tip over as well, dragged down by the awkward angle and dead weight of the car before it. Helios rushed to halt the domino effect of falling train cars. But he couldn't hold them all up at once. The superhero was fast and powerful, but there was only so much he could do on his own.
Luckily, Sonica arrived in the nick of time to assist. Using her powers of teleportation, she was able to clear the train of all passengers, freeing Helios up to push the train off the bridge back onto a safe section of the light rail track.
 
The footage ended and the newscaster appeared on screen, a smile on her pretty face. "Helios and Sonica save the day once again."
 
Vince was relieved to see that the two heroes had been successful. He was well aware there might have been a much different outcome if Sonica hadn't arrived in time. The close call served as proof that he was on the right track with the project he was starting. In fact, he was taking a big step with that project today. As the broadcast moved on to weather, his phone dinged with a text.
 
Verifying that we are good to look at the first location at eleven a.m.
 
He texted back a quick affirmative that he would be there, then walked for the remainder of the newscast. Once the channel began to play a reality court room show, he turned off the TV, hit stop on the treadmill, and stepped off.
 
It was almost time for that eleven o'clock appointment. Vince grabbed his wallet and tablet in preparation for leaving, but before leaving the house, he remembered there was something he wanted from the hall closet. There was a notebook where he'd jotted down ideas when the inspiration for this project first came to him several years ago. As he pushed holiday decorations, light bulbs, and a bulk package of paper towels aside in search of the notebook, a box that he hadn't seen in years caught his eye. The notebook momentarily forgotten, he reached for the slim leather box and slowly picked it up.
 
Memories, both sweet and painful, came to him when he raised the lid. Inside the box lay a red, brushed-metal submissive's collar. He'd kept the collar all this time even though he hadn't seen the person it was intended for in nearly fifteen years. Jace Morgan. The man he'd loved and hoped to spend the rest of his life with. Jace was his perfect match. Sweet, caring, smart. And gorgeous, with warm, sherry-brown eyes, smooth brown skin, and a delicate face. Jace had always been especially beautiful when he was kneeling submissively or handcuffed to Vince's bed.
 
Another memory of Jace rose to the forefront of his mind as he traced a finger over the cool metal of the collar. That of his tear-stained face yelling at Vince to get out.
 
Vince sighed regretfully. He closed the lid and shoved the box back into its place in the rear of the closet. It wasn't as easy to shove the memories away, but he had years of practice doing so. Checking the bottom shelf, he found what he was looking for - a one-subject spiral notebook with a faded blue cover. Notebook in hand, he shut the door to the closet and headed out for his meeting.
 
As Vince steered his big SUV out of his subdivision, he glanced at the dashboard clock. He had time to stop for a coffee and still arrive ahead of schedule for his meeting. Already anticipating his favorite hot drink, he headed to Cafe Morgan, the local coffee shop he often frequented.
 
Inside Cafe Morgan, it smelled as wonderful as always. Coffee and sugar and baked goods combined into a warm scent that immediately relaxed him. It was after the morning commuter rush so the coffee shop wasn't too crowded. But the reputation Cafe Morgan had for delicious beverages and food meant that there were several tables with customers and a short line of people at the counter.
 
Vince knew what he wanted to drink, but he wasn't sure which breakfast pastry he wanted. He focused on the chalkboard menu high on the wall, reading the specials for the day as he slowly approached the counter. When it was his turn to order, he looked down from the menu and at the barista. His mouth dropped open in surprise at the person in front of him.
 
Jace.
 
Jace was in a similar state of shock, staring up at Vince with his eyes wide.
 
"Jace. You're here." His comment wasn't a groundbreaking conversation starter, but it snapped Jace out of his freeze. The other man cleared his throat before speaking.
 
"Yes. Gran decided to retire and I moved back to take over as owner of the cafe."
 
"It's good to see you," Vince said sincerely while still struggling to recover from his surprise.
"You as well."
 
Jace looked down for a moment. When he raised his head again, his expression was one of professional politeness.
 
"What can I get for you today?"
 
Remembering why he was there and that there were people waiting behind him, Vince placed his order. "I'll take an iced Americano and a chocolate croissant."
 
The careful politeness to Jace's expression eased somewhat, and a teasing twinkle appeared in those familiar brown eyes.
 
"You still have a sweet tooth, I see," Jace said as he pressed the correct buttons on the cash register.
 
Vince smiled. "I do."
 
Jace returned his smile but didn't say anything else as Vince tapped his credit card on the card reader.
 
Although he had a dozen questions to ask Jace, he stepped to the side to allow the next customer to order. He visited Cafe Morgan at least twice a week and he was on friendly terms with Rose Morgan, Jace's grandmother. But she hadn't mentioned anything about retiring or Jace returning. It wasn't unpleasant seeing the man he loved and had hoped to spend the rest of his life with. But the unexpected suddenness of Jace's appearance had thrown him for a loop.
 
From the corner of his eye, Vince watched Jace help the next customer. He looked good. Still slim, with a bit more definition in his chest and arms. At forty, his face was smooth and unlined, but there were a few sprinkles of gray in the dark hair that he wore in short natural curls. And the lovely smile that Vince remembered came readily to his face as he conversed with each customer. He was completely caught up in watching Jace until someone spoke behind him.
 
"Excuse me, I need to grab a napkin."
 
Realizing he was blocking the table of napkins and sugars, Vince apologized and moved out of the way. He went to stand by the windows that looked out onto the street, giving himself something besides Jace to watch while he waited. Cars drove by, people going about their normal business while Vince stood on the other side of the glass, emotionally rocked.
 
Jace, his Jace, was back in town. He'd never wanted to let him go. Now he was in the same room as him for the first time in fifteen years. He didn't know what to do or what to say. No, he did know what he wanted to say. But he doubted Jace wanted to hear I still love you. Come home with me so we can talk from the man who'd broken his heart.
 
"Iced Americano and chocolate croissant for Vince."
 
The voice that called out to him wasn't the one he'd hoped to hear. A Cafe Morgan employee handed Vince his order when he reached the counter. Jace had disappeared into the back. Disappointed that he wouldn't see his former lover again but realizing that was probably for the best, Vince dropped his tip in the jar and left with his coffee and pastry.
 
Ten minutes later, he pulled into a parking lot to meet with Caleb, a young tech genius who'd agreed to come in on his upcoming project. Caleb was waiting for him in front of an empty storefront in a small shopping center. The young man was dressed in jeans and a yellow plaid flannel shirt. His bright blue hair shone in the morning sun.
 
"Good morning," Caleb greeted him.
 
"Morning," Vince tipped the cup of iced Americano in a small salute as he returned the greeting.
 
Caleb eyed the cup. "You went to Morgan's. I love their coffee."
 
"Best in town," Vince replied. "So, what do we have here?"
 
"First, I just want to say that I think it's awesome that you're starting a superhero team."
 
"Thank you. I think it's long past time that we had one."
 
"Second, all the places I have for us to look at meet most if not all of your criteria. The location here makes it a weaker choice, but the interior could make up for it."
 
"I can put up shields and encrypt phone and internet lines going in and out, but I think it will be difficult to maintain any real level of secrecy here."
 
Vince looked over the space with a critical eye. It was flanked by a nail salon on one side and an Ethiopian restaurant on the other. "I see what you mean. It won't take long for locals to notice that there are superheroes in the area with unusual regularity and start wondering what's up."
 
"And is secrecy a main priority?"
 
"It is. But let's look inside first before we discount it outright."
 
Caleb entered the combination on the key lock box and a compartment fell open to release the key to the building. They stepped inside. It was clean but the air was stale and musty, signaling that the building had been closed up for some time. The one room shop looked structurally sound and the previous occupants had left their shelving and display cases behind.
 
"We can set up a fake store with stuff no one wants to buy and work out of the back."
 
Caleb led the way behind the service counter to the back. It was a large area, probably used at one time for a combination storage and employee break room. There was a bathroom, a manager's office, and that was it.
 
After only a quick glance, Vince shook his head. "This won't work. I want a bigger space so it's not cramped when we have multiple team members on-site. This feels too closed in."
 
Caleb tapped something on his tablet. "I'll put this one in the No column but hold off on getting back to the realtor until we've looked at the other options."
 
Vince nodded. "Sounds good. Let's ride together to the rest of the locations so we can discuss them as we drive."
 
They went back outside and after locking up, got into Vince's SUV. Caleb tapped his tablet screen a few times and directions issued from the speaker. Vince pulled out of the parking lot following the directions.
 
"I really like the idea of a superhero team," Caleb said. "What made you come up with it?"
 
Vince smoothly navigated through the streets of St. Louis as he answered Caleb's question. "When I was an active superhero, I had two non-enhanced Airmen assigned to work with me. Having a support team made my job easier. But now, since none of the superheroes in St. Louis are military or government backed, they all work as individuals. There are no partnerships or team-ups and I think that's detrimental both to them and the city. I don't know if you saw the news this morning, but Helios was in a tough spot last night."
 
Caleb nodded. "I saw."
 
"If the heroes were already organized onto a team, we could have sent someone with him or dispatched backup as soon as it looked like he needed help. Instead, we were lucky that Sonica noticed the situation on her own and showed up right before things went south. That was too close a call with too many lives at stake."
 
"I'm sure the people on the train were sweating bullets while waiting to be rescued."
 
"A team of heroes will help eliminate some of those close calls. And the sooner we get started the better. It'll take time - both to get everything set up and to decide who to bring in on the team."
 
"Yeah. I'm going to need to order lots of technology in order to monitor where and when we're needed and keep records of villains and their activity."
 
"Exactly. It might be six months or so before we're officially up and running."
 
In five hundred feet, turn right. Your destination will be on the left.
 
They'd arrived in an area where there wasn't a lot of foot traffic. But it wasn't so sparsely populated that the appearance of vehicles coming and going would stand out. They drove down a side street, headed for an abandoned fire station.
 
"I like that it's out of the way from the main road," Vince said as they drew closer.
 
"This location was suggested by Ignite," Caleb supplied that information as they turned into the cracked and weed-choked parking lot. "I'll be able to set up shields here that are a lot more effective than at the store front spot."
 
Vince parked and looked out the windshield at an old fire station. "It makes sense that a firefighter pyrokinetic superhero would suggest an old firehouse for a headquarters. Let's check it out."
 
They got out of his SUV and went up to the tan and white brick building. Caleb checked his phone for the code he'd been given from the real estate agent that would open the electronic lock. He punched it in, the lock beeped, and a light turned green. Caleb opened the door and moved aside for Vince to enter first.
 
The firehouse was a lot bigger than the store. It was a long building with a high ceiling, made to accommodate fire trucks and emergency vehicles. And in the rear, a loft level held a small kitchen and room for lounging. With such a large, open space, they'd have plenty of room for their operation.
 
"It needs work but it's a good space." Caleb stood in the middle of the room and turned around in a circle. "The command station could go here in the center."
 
"I like it," Vince said. Even empty, with some of the dry wall missing or damaged, and every surface covered in a thick layer of dust, he could see the potential. Unfortunately, he wasn't one hundred percent focused on reviewing the location. He couldn't stop thinking about the fact that this morning he'd come across the collar he'd intended to give Jace and not an hour later, run into Jace himself. Vince didn't believe in fate, but he couldn't overlook the uncanny timing of the two events. Should he reach out to Jace now that he'd returned to town? Did Jace want him to reach out?
 
"Are you all right?" Caleb asked, his forehead creased with concern.
 
Vince snapped out of his musings when Caleb asked him a direct question. "Yes." At the other man's doubting expression, he made an effort to shake off the memories flooding his mind and answered with more detail. "This morning, I ran into someone I knew from years ago."
 
"An old flame?"
 
"What makes you assume it was an old flame?"
 
"Seeing a former teacher or casual acquaintance wouldn't cause the emotions you're giving off."
Vince sighed. Of course. Caleb was an empath. Naturally he would sense the turmoil he was feeling at seeing Jace again. "Yes, he was an old lover," Vince admitted.
 
"Why did you guys break up?"
 
Vince gave a bare-bones explanation to the end of his relationship with Jace. "We dated during the early years of my superhero career, but as time went on, I grew worried for his safety being associated with me. And I was gone a lot, rushing off to save the day at all hours of the day and night. I didn't think it was fair to him that I wasn't able to give myself one-hundred percent to our relationship."
 
"So, you pushed him away." Caleb accurately guessed.
 
"I pushed him away," Vince confirmed. A pang hit deep within his chest as he remembered the day he'd told Jace they had to stop seeing each other. "He left town immediately after our breakup. Today was the first time I've seen him in fifteen years."
 
"Wow. No wonder you're rattled."
 
Vince didn't bother to deny that he was rattled as Caleb was clearly reading his tumultuous emotions. "Yes, I'm rattled. But this task is important."
 
He looked around the old firehouse with renewed focus. There were offices, a locker room, and plenty of space to set up a workout and training area. "I like this location much better than the first option. But I'd still like to look at the others before we make our final decision."
 
Caleb nodded. "Okay, let's go and check them out."
 
 * * *
 
Jace worked the next hour of his shift in a daze. He helped customers, restocked the bakery case, and wiped down table tops on autopilot. Every task was completed while his mind was focused on Vince. He'd expected to run into his ex on his return to St. Louis at some point. But he'd only been back in town for a week! Seeing his former lover this soon had thrown him off his game. He should have had more time to prepare - as if all the years he'd been away weren't enough.
 
Through his shock, he'd noticed that his former Dom looked as good as he had the last time he'd seen him. He was as muscular as ever, his chest and biceps firmly filling out the short-sleeve, powder blue Polo shirt he wore. His handsome light-brown face was a little sterner than Jace remembered and there were scatterings of white in the black of his short hair and goatee. But his dark eyes were the same, as were the full lips that had once kissed over every inch of his body.
 
The towel he was using to wipe down the table slowed as he went still, remembering the passion he'd once shared with the tall, handsome superhero. Their nights together had been fast and rough, slow and sensual, and everything in between. He could see Vince in his mind's eye, hovering over him, a roguish grin curling his lips and twinkling in those dark eyes before he did everything in his power to send Jace to the highest ecstasy.
 
His fingers tightened on the damp towel. He was perilously close to getting lost in memories when the door opened and a big group of people in athletic wear and carrying yoga mats entered. Grateful for the save, Jace shook off the bittersweet flashback. With a polite smile, he returned to the counter to give the group the attentive and friendly service that kept customers coming to his Gran's coffee shop.
 
****
 
When the manager arrived on the floor for her shift later that afternoon, Jace took off his apron, tired and ready to leave for the day. After carefully counting down his drawer and filling her in on stock levels and other details, he was out the door.
 
The sun was bright overhead, a slight breeze stirring the warm air. When he slid inside his car, the seat and steering wheel were hot. He turned up the air conditioner before he put the car in gear and pulled out of the lot.
 
Jace drove down the familiar streets of his hometown. Some things had changed over the years. The candy shop where he and his friends had hung out after school was still there but with a different sign than the one he remembered above the door. The local library had been torn down and rebuilt from the ground up. And the trees lining the sidewalks were taller. But it was still home.
 
It wasn't long before he pulled up to his Gran's house, where he was temporarily staying in the converted garage apartment at the rear of the property. Before heading to his place, he jogged up the stairs to her house to fill her in on how the day had gone. He knocked on the door, waiting only a few seconds before his grandmother came to open it.
 
Rose Morgan was as stylish as always. Her long, silver hair was styled in a thick braid draped over her shoulder, her makeup was carefully applied in warm summer hues, and she wore a hot pink apron over a yellow blouse and tan capri pants.
 
"Hey, sweetie. Come on in."
 
Jace stepped inside, then followed as she went down the short hallway to her large, sunshine yellow and white kitchen. A delicious smell filled the air, wafting from the many pastry covered cooling racks on the counter.
 
"What are you doing baking all this?" Jace asked as he eyed the pastries. "You're retired."
 
Rose laughed. "I'm retired from baking for money. But you'll never get me away from my babies," she said as she patted one of her two stainless steel ovens.
 
"Of course not," Jace agreed with a fond smile. His grandmother loved to bake and had passed her love and knowledge on to him. He sat down at the table. "Vince came into the cafe today," he said as he watched her bustling around the kitchen. She froze for a second before going to the fridge and taking out a tub of sour cream.
 
"Yes, it's Wednesday. He's usually ready for a cup of good coffee by the middle of the week. Better than the stuff he makes at home."
 
Jace's eyebrows rose. "He's a regular there? And you didn't tell me?"
 
"I didn't? I must have forgot."
 
Jace seriously doubted that. His grandmother rarely forgot anything. It was unlikely she'd forgotten something as important as the man her grandson had once been romantically involved with coming into her cafe on a weekly basis.
 
"Gran."
 
"Okay, I didn't forget."
 
"Why didn't you tell me?" There had to be a good excuse for the omission. His grandmother wouldn't have kept the secret for any malicious reason, he knew.
 
"Because I didn't want you to spend any time dreading his eventual appearance while you were focused on taking over the cafe. I thought it best to just let it happen without the days of worry beforehand. Here, have some Zeljanica."
 
She put a saucer with a rolled pastry and a dollop of sour cream on the side in front of him. Jace dipped the Zeljanica in the sour cream and took a bite. The pastry was flaky and warm and he tasted savory spinach and eggs in the filling. "It's good." Of course it was. Anything that came out of his grandmother's oven was delicious.
 
She beamed. "Thank you! It's a Bosnian dish. My neighbor served them during her turn hosting our card night and I had to try the recipe for myself." She sat down across from Jace. "So is the Zeljanica good enough for you to forgive me?"
 
"There's nothing to forgive. You're right. Seeing him would have happened no matter what and a warning would have just made me worry. I'm glad that first meeting is done and over with and I didn't have to stress about it beforehand."
 
Rose leaned back in her chair with an air of relief.
 
"Good. What did you think when you saw him?"
 
Jace shook his head. "Nope. Gran, I love you but we are not having that conversation." He stood up from the table with his empty plate in hand. "But I will take another piece of Zeljanica for the road."
 
****
 
Jace went the short distance to his apartment, munching on a second piece of pastry lightly smeared with sour cream as he walked. When he made it inside, he immediately went to change out of his work clothes and wash up. Dressed in a T-shirt and soft jersey shorts, he flopped onto the couch and stretched out on his back.
 
Vince, his one-time lover and Dominant, had been right there in front of his face. The pain from their break up had wrecked him for a long time. Especially since he'd had the feeling that Vince was planning to ask him for a commitment more permanent than boyfriends. And then out of the blue - bam! - he'd said they had to end it. Jace hadn't understood where the breakup had come from. He'd known that Vince's work as a superhero was dangerous and accepted that he wouldn't have as much time with him as he'd liked. But Vince had been adamant that their relationship wouldn't work.
 
After that awful night, his first instinct had been to get out of town. He couldn't stand to see Vince appearing on local TV newscasts and social media on a daily basis, flying around the city being a hero while he was emotionally raw from their breakup. So, he'd moved to Atlanta where his mother and step father lived, taken a job in a popular cafe chain, and finished his culinary training there. He'd learned a lot in Atlanta and over the years moved up the corporate ladder at work until he was in charge of his own location. His job had been fulfilling and he'd built a life he was happy with down South, but when his grandmother called to tell him she was retiring and wanted to pass her coffee shop on to him, he'd returned to St. Louis without hesitation.
 
Now he was back, and seeing Vince again had shaken him more than he cared to admit. He tossed an arm over his eyes, blocking out the lights in the living room, but not the memories of that night...
STRONG - An Arch City Guardians Prequel Novella will be available May 3, 2022. The ebook version will be up for free download on my website or on Amazon for .99. Don't miss it!
[image error] And don't forget to check out BLAZE & DR. Z - books 1 & 2 in the Arch City Guardians superhero romance series!
Read bLAZE Read DR. Z

An Excerpt from STRONG!

Feb 15th! STRONG - Arch City Guardians Prequel Novella. Lieutenant Strong - ACG Director - fights for a second chance at love with the man he let get away years ago.

Second Chance
Return to Hometown
Coffee Shop Fluff
Light Kink

Jace locked the door after Vince left. He leaned against it, the cool glass soothing the burn of embarrassment on his forehead. Could he have been any more obvious? Inviting Vince to stay in the coffee shop after close. Laughing at everything he said. Promising to save his favorite sandwich for his next visit. And what was that snap of jealousy he'd felt when Vince had mentioned someone named Caleb?

He sighed and pushed away from the door. You'd think he'd be angry at Vince for shoving him out of his life and choosing life as a superhero over being with him. Or at the very least, he could have felt cool indifference for a man he hadn't seen in nearly a decade. But no. The second they were in the same room together he had to smile and flirt and show off his ass when he walked past him.

Apparently, after all these years, he wasn't one hundred percent over Vince.
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My 2022 Plans

Hello and Happy 2022! We’re a month and some change into a new year and I wanted to share with you what I have planned for my publishing schedule. First, I will be continuing with the Arch City Guardians superhero romance series. Books one and two – BLAZE and DR. Z – are currently out on Amazon. STRONG, the prequel to the ACG series, will be released next week on Feb 15th. It will be on Amazon for .99 and free to download on my website. And BEAST – ACG Book three – is coming at the end of March.

Be sure to check out the Arch City Guardians page on my website where I have all the good stuff like book summaries, reading order, bonus stories, superhero character power stats, and more. Yay, for sexy and fun superhero romance!
ARCH CITY GUARDIANS In other Arch City Guardian news, I’m starting a story podcast for BLAZE! I will read Danny and Jordan’s story a chapter at a time and share them with you in weekly podcast format. You will be able to listen to the BLAZE story podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Google, and my website. This is a project I’ve wanted to do for a long time and I’m so excited it’s finally coming into being. The trailer is out now and episode one drops February 16th.
Also on YouTube, I have a channel where I talk about all things romance - both the genre and in fandom. I've got lots of topics & fun trivia quizzes lined up, so I would love if you would pop over to YouTube and give me a look-see!
CHRISTA TOMLINSON YOUTUBE I’m also working on a fantasy romance web serial. The tentatively titled Warriors of Agymah is a fantasy romance set in an fantasy/futuristic Egypt-esque world. Did you catch all that? Lol. Just imagine a fantasy Egypt with Afrofuturism aesthetics. Originally intended as a BTS Jikook alternative universe fanfiction, I decided to write and publish it as an original work instead.

WoA features two main characters – Ghalen and Cevon – who are conscripted into their kingdom’s army for an eleven-year service. As warriors, they will battle other kingdoms and fight demons from the world’s super villainess. During their time of service, they build a found family with five other warriors. Oh, and they fall in love! But it won’t be easy as there are rules, politics, and enemies determined to keep them apart. There will be fighting, fun, intrigue, and sexy times in this one.

WoA will post on my website as a free weekly serial. It will also be available on Tapas, Archive of Our Own, Radish, and WattPad. Once the first chapter goes live next month, I will have all of the links available for you.

Tentatively on the schedule is the third and final book in the Between the Ropes professional wrestling romance series. Finally! This one isn’t set in stone on the schedule. If I am able to get it out, it will be at the end of the year. If not, expect it at the beginning of 2023. As you’ve probably guessed, BtR Book 3 is the story of FPW’s world champion Garrett and the talented tweener Kenji. I’ve got an outline, several thousand words, and a cover all ready to go so I’m really hopeful I’m able to finally bring their story to life.  

Last, I have plans to start some Omegaverse stories. I really do love that sub-genre and I’ve got so many A/B/O ideas bubbling in my brain. So, expect a serial on Radish that will then be published wide once its complete.

And that’s my 2022! I’m excited to share all of these stories with you. Please look forward to them!

Love,
Christa

CHRISTA TOMLINSON NEWSLETTER Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to receive updates and release notifications for my 2022 projects.

Coming Soon... STRONG!

Coming soon – STRONG – a new installment in the Arch City Guardians superhero romance series! I’ve written a prequel novella, featuring Lieutenant Strong, the director of the ACG team. In STRONG, you’ll discover the backstory of St. Louis’s beloved retired superhero as well as how the Arch City Guardians came to be.

I want everyone to be able to try this romance to see if reading about superheroes falling in love is their thing, Therefore, STRONG will be available on Amazon for .99 (the lowest price I can set) and on my website as a free download.

I think you’ll really like Vince and Jace’s story. They’re lovers who get a second chance at a relationship nearly a decade after Vince made the difficult decision to end things between them in order to keep Jace safe. Vince has always regretted doing so, but when it came to Jace’s safety he was willing to make that painful but necessary sacrifice.

It’s a decision we’ve seen superheroes have to make over and over again. And it’s valid! They just want to keep their loved ones safe which is admirable. But what about once the danger to their loved one has passed? Can they get a second chance at love?

STRONG is coming soon! I don’t have an official release date, as I’m currently in the process of moving and I’m staying flexible as my schedule changes. But in the next couple of weeks, you’ll see a post pop up with STRONG Now Available! I hope you’ll look forward to it.

Thanks for reading.

Love,
Christa
A Superhero Fights for a Second Chance at Love.

Once St. Louis’s greatest superhero, Lieutenant Vince Strong has now retired to civilian life. With his newfound free time, he finds himself reminiscing about Jace – the perfect and gorgeous submissive that he pushed away years ago. When Jace returns to town after a ten-year absence, he reignites the fierce love and passion that Vince has never been able to forget.

Determined to correct the biggest mistake of his life, Vince sets out to win Jace’s heart once more. Before he can do so however, a previously defeated foe reemerges. Carrying a grudge hardened by hate, his old enemy threatens to destroy everything and everyone Vince cares about – including Jace.

Vince will do whatever it takes to earn a second chance with the only man he’s ever loved. But Jace is reluctant to give himself to the man who broke his heart. Can these reunited lovers find their way back to each other or will past hurt and the menacing threat of a vengeful villain keep them apart forever?

STRONG is the prequel novella in a steamy superhero romance series. Fans of comics and movies who want to see their favorite heroes kiss will love this series!

Superheroes
Return to Hometown
Second Chance
Coffee Shop Fluff
Light Kink
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