Sweet Oblivion 5: Elixir by Jordan Castillo Price

Sweet Oblivion 5: Elixir
by Jordan Castillo Price

cover art by Bryan Keller
ISBN: 978-1-59596-446-5
Genre(s): Paranormal, Dark Fantasy
Theme(s): Vampires, Gay and Lesbian
Series: Sweet Oblivion
Length: Novella

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1240

Blurb:

Wild Bill and Michael might have thought they made it out of the subterranean vampire nest unscathed, but in her anger, Silk left Michael a taste of her wrath that's impossible to shake.


It's a race against time to cure Michael of a bizarre affliction, and though the hunter and his favorite vamp have few enough friends, Bill can't ash a cigarette without burning another bridge. Now Wild Bill must decide what he's willing to sacrifice to save his lover.


His friends? His scruples? His pride?
His humanity?


Excerpt:

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

I tracked Michael's hand as it traveled down the length of me. Shoulder, biceps, chest. Lingering to trace the ink, the tribal thing over my left tit that covered up the name Deborah -- no great loss to Deb, I'm sure -- down the obliques. Wending through the six-pack. A pause to toy with the treasure trail. "What're you in the mood for?" he asked.
Most people would've answered, "Surprise me." But most people didn't have Trouble with a capital "T" for a boyfriend. "You got such a pretty mouth," I said instead. "How 'bout you spoil me with it?"
He unhitched the fly of my jeans one-handed. "That's all?"
"I'm sure the mechanics'll sort themselves out as we go along."
"That's not what I mean." He bent his head to press a kiss just beneath my navel, and his Clairol-black hair fanned over my belly. He lingered there, tonguing cryptic messages on me that made my nuts shift and the insides of my thighs go all tingly, and when he spoke again, the soft words tickled the patch of skin he'd just dampened. "I want to make sure you don't get bored."
"Do I look bored?" I nudged him in the shoulder with the stiffie that was trying to escape from my jeans.
He turned and mouthed my hard-on through the denim. He knew how to be naughty, Michael did. How to tease his way up to a moment. How to make wicked promises with a sly glance of his silvery bedroom eyes. Bored. Right. I'd have to be dead to be bored with him.
A cool breeze drifted in from the open window and raised goose bumps all over me, but I was in love with the idea of having a window open at the crack of springtime without waking up to a snowdrift for my troubles. It wasn't exactly the world's freshest air, given that Sin City with all its carbon emissions sprawled around us for dozens of miles in any direction, but it was outside air nonetheless -- warmish outside air -- and since I'd been born, bred and undead in the snow belt, I was enjoying me a little southwestern bliss.
Michael smoothed away the pebbly prickle of gooseflesh with his deft, warm fingers. "Should I close it?"
"Nah. I like it."
He peeled my jeans open and pressed a kiss to the ridge of my hipbone, and a fresh crop of goose bumps sprang up that had nothing to do with the breeze. "I like it when you suck my soul out through my piss slit, too," I suggested.
"Mmm. Romantic." He coaxed my hard cock out of my pants. It slapped against my belly, rigid and flushed. Michael traced a vein with the hot, wet tip of his tongue. His eyelids fluttered shut like he was reading my pulse. He probably was.
I ran the backs of my fingers down his cheek. "C'mon, baby, don't tease. Suck it."
I caught sight of the corner of his grin around my boner. He fluttered his tongue and bathed my cock with his warm breath, but he didn't wrap his pretty lips around it.
An arch of my back made my shaft nudge him in the jaw, but no dice. He could keep me on the brink for hours, and he knew it. He'd done it, just to see how hard I'd squirm -- and the thought of that made my cock twitch without any help from my hips. "You want me to beg? I'm not proud."
The gentle puff of Michael's silent laughter tickled my spit-wet shaft. "Uh-huh. And I've got a secret stash of Playboys in the van."
"And what, you're not gonna share?" My pride was old history, but the longer you play your cards close to your chest, the harder it is for anyone to tell whether you're yanking their chain or not. He might as well think I was a sarcastic a-hole. It was easier that way.
"You'd rather look at naked pictures? We can't have that." Michael trailed his tongue higher and stroked my slit with the tip of it. Almost too sensitive. Almost. The heat of his breath bathed my cock head, and I rocked my hips again. This time, he let me do it, sink myself deep inside his hot, wet mouth, and I reveled in the thought that whatever hell we'd been through together, Mikey and me, that this little slice of heaven was worth it.

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1240

Deception and Desire by Mina Carter

Deception & Desire
by Mina Carter

cover art by Bryan Keller
ISBN: 978-1-60521-211-1
Genre(s): Paranormal, Dark Fantasy, BDSM
Theme(s): Vampires
Length: Novella

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1239

Blurb:

Being a demon prince ain't all it's cracked up to be.
Caught between the human world and the demon one, Tiny, part-time bouncer at Moonlight & Magic, lives by his own rules. Mainly these rules revolve around keeping his head down and making sure none of his kind find out where he is... because Tiny's on the demons' most wanted list.
Not because he's done anything, but because of who he is. Prince Seren Di Lakai Telosa to be exact, heir apparent to the Demon throne. And a hunted man. If his father's men find him, he'll be dragged back to court to die of boredom. For the last three hundred years they've been grooming him to take over from dear old daddy. The only trouble is the stubborn old git could last at least another millennium.
So what's a Demon Prince to do? Get a job at Moonlight & Magic, of course, and keep his head down. Unfortunately Tiny was never good at avoiding trouble, and when delicate Vampiress Cassia storms into his life, Tiny finds himself tempted to break more than his personal rules... Demonkind and the undead don't mix well, or rather, they mix too well, with explosive results.

Excerpt:

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Tiny scanned the queue waiting to get in and the passersby in the street. A cold night, it seemed all the colder for a demon-born like Tiny. Shuddering, he hunched into the turned-up collar of his thick jacket. His gaze swept the road. A rush of jealousy -- sharp and immediate -- rose as the vampires circled like sharks waiting for a meal. If any of them wore a coat, it was for effect rather than any need for warmth. They didn't feel the cold.
"Bastards," he muttered under his breath and wondered if he could crawl inside his jacket completely. Tiny hated being cold with a passion. But then, for any creature born and bred in the warmth of one of the seven hells, cold was pure torture. The fog put a layer of moisture in the air that coated everything, the dampness penetrating deep into Tiny's bones. He was never going to be warm again -- no doubt a punishment for running away from his duties.
Shivering again, he muttered another curse about the weather as a bunch of vamps having a little tête-à-tête on the corner opposite caught his attention. He ignored his discomfort as the little group whispering between themselves didn't break up as he'd expected. Tiny flicked a glance at Misty, who had calmed down the group she had approached. The line moved quickly now.
Feeling his gaze on her, she lifted her head, silent communication passing between the partners for a second before Tiny turned his attention back to the vamps. Misty would keep an eye on the line and call in backup if needed, whilst he dealt with the circling predators intent on picking off the weakest of the human herd.
He didn't move for a moment, just leaned against the wall, his eyes sharp and alert. Vamps were predictable creatures most of the time, but occasionally one would get a kick in their gallop and try to make a play for someone in the queue, a decision which ended with them having a little chat in a side alley with Tiny or one of his colleagues. There was a running book on how high they could get vamp blood and snot on the brickwork.
However vamps weren't normally pack animals and they didn't hunt together. This little group seemed to have missed that particular memo. Tiny's eyes narrowed as two of the group sauntered across the road and engaged a trio of young women in conversation. Human women, of course; they wouldn't bother with any of the paranormals in the line.
The third was slower to approach, piling on the vampire "glamour" as he did. The vampires moved in a slick routine, separating the women, who were easy marks. They herded the last girl toward an alley, the arm of her new "friend" wrapped around her shoulders. The tall demon sighed. Vampire charm was hypnotic and she was getting it full force, her head back against the vamp's shoulder as he gazed deep into her eyes.
"Great, just what I need tonight. A fucking synchronized vampire feeding squad." Pushing off from the wall, he rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck as he readied himself for action. There was going to be blood and snot on the walls again. Perhaps with three vamps to play with he'd beat Knuckles' record...
His lips compressed as yet another vamp moved to follow the others into the alley. What was this, an all you can eat until the meal drops dead buffet? He turned, angling his walk to intercept the new player as his heavy boots crunched over the road. Then he got a good look at the newcomer and his step faltered.
She was gorgeous. She was a vampire, but she was gorgeous.
Tiny's eyes widened in surprise as his brain tried to reconcile the two words in one sentence, even as his body reacted. She was average height... the perfect height to wrap into his arms, slide his hand into her hair and tilt her lips up...
Tiny snapped out of his reverie, his eyes narrowing as he clamped down on the reaction of his body to a fine piece of female ass and forced himself to study her.
She didn't seem the "type" to be a vampire was the first thing to hit him after the immediate "I want" reaction. Vampires, especially the ones who hovered around Moonlight & Magic, played up to the stereotype: pale skin, dark hair, dark clothing... Goths with attitude, or Lestat knock-offs.
This one could have been the poster-girl for the wholesome, all-American, girl next door type. Not blonde, but in the light cast by the street lights, he could see her hair wasn't the midnight black most vamps preferred, either. Instead, it contained a waterfall of autumn colors.
She had a tan, as well -- not at all the norm for a vamp. When even a small dose of direct UV turned you into crispy critter, tanning was a high risk option. Fake tan, unless his instincts were fooling him.
Were they? Was she something other than a vampire?
For the first time in a couple of hundred years Tiny found himself holding back. He'd always been a player, watching his back and ready for action of any sort -- although in the demon courts the more pleasurable kind always came with a price -- but this was the first time he'd doubted his instincts.
Face set, he watched the vamp chick head into the alleyway after the couple and tried to ignore the seductive sway of her hips. He noticed anyway; his body had completely different ideas about the matter, his cock already at half mast in his pants. Damn vampires, messing with a guy's head. He glared at a couple of humans who cut in front of him, then walked into the alley.
Whatever Tiny had expected from tonight, it wasn't for the problem to be solved before it became a problem. As he entered the alley, he expected to find the vampires fang-deep in the girl's throat -- or other appendage of choice. He expected to have to deal with them in short order whilst trying not to get the human killed. His hand was already reaching for one of the stakes along his ribcage when the woman's cool voice drifted on the night air to him.
"Okay, honey-bun, we can do this the easy way or the hard way... No, now that was just unpleasant, wasn't it? No need for language like that at all, especially in front of a lady... Oh really? How about we don't and say we did..."
Tiny had barely a second to react as the human was thrust into his arms with a "Here, hold this," before all hell broke loose.

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1239

Wednesday's New Reviews for Changeling Press

Congratulations to all our authors!
 

New Review - CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERI - Marteeka Karland

Five Nymphs from Literary Nymphs

 

Marteeka Karland has a way with meshing dessert and desire like no other author, and I pray she has more such stories waiting in the wings.

 

http://literarynymp hsreviewsonly. blogspot. com/2009/ 09/chocolate- covered-cheri. html

 

New Review - UNICORN VALLEY (Collection) - Lena Austin

Five Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies

 

From the first sentence, Ms. Austin creates an amazing world that will make you believe in miracles. Excellent work!

 

http://romancejunki esreviews. com/artman/ publish/paranorm al/Unicorn_ Valley.shtml

 

New Review - HORSFALL: TASTE TEST - Jade Buchanan

Four Dragons from Veiled Secrets Reviews

 

With heroes who are quite literally studs it's no wonder that the heat levels fly high and quick. the deeply emotional contact [keeps] the story at a high level of intensity until the very last page of Taste Test.  

 

http://www.veiledse cretsreviews. com/TasteTest. html

 

New Review - CARNEVALE - Selena Illyria

Four Hearts from Love Romances & More

 

Tight writing, fast paced storyline and a really cool cast of characters. She definitely leaves you wanting more.

 

http://loveromances andmore.blogspot .com/2009/ 09/carnevale- hades-helmet- crew-series- book.html

 

New Review - SNOWFIRE: EXPRESS - Sophia Titheniel

Four Angels from Fallen Angel Reviews

 

Thorn and Rae connect so well together; almost as if they can read each others mind. The passion heats the pages in this entertaining read.

 

http://fallenangelr eviews.com/ 2009/August/ lindal-snowfire_ express.htm

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Monday's New Reviews for Changeling Press

Congrats to our authors!
 

New Review - BUNNY TAILS 3: HARE TODAY - Camille Anthony

Four Hearts from The Romance Studio

 

Camille Anthony has penned a unique tale of werewolves and their mating. It's lots of hot sex on every page but it's also a great love story.

 

http://theromancest udio.com/ reviews/reviews/ haretodayanthony .htm

 

New Review - BLOODLUST: NIGHTTIME MAGIC - Marilyn Lee

Four Hearts from The Romance Studio

 

The passion showcased between Dimitri and Neely was deeply intense and emotional.extremely erotic and lustfully naughty. I eagerly await her next exciting installment.

 

http://theromancest udio.com/ reviews/reviews/ nighttimemagicle e.htm

 

New Review - WOLF HUNT 1: URBAN WOLF - Marie Treanor

Reviewed by Love Romances & More

 

I loved this mix of futuristic and the paranormal.characte rs that leap off the page and a plot that keeps you turning the pages. Hot, sensual, sizzling love scenes.

 

http://loveromances andmore.blogspot .com/2009/ 09/wolf-hunt- 1-urban-wolf- by-marie- treanor.html

 

New Review - BLOOD & MAGIC - Mychael Black

Reviewed by Love Romances & More

 

If you enjoy some tenderness and sexual tension that simmers throughout the pages, then grab BLOOD & MAGIC. You will be drawn into a story so rich, it is almost lifelike.

 

http://loveromances andmore.blogspot .com/2009/ 09/blood- fire-book- 1-in-series- by-mychael. html

 

New Review - SEDUCED BY DARKNESS (Collection) - Lacey Savage

Reviewed by Love Romances & More

 

Ms. Savage is an amazingly talented writer who keeps her readers enthralled.satisfyi ng love scenes that will have you panting along with the characters.

 

http://loveromances andmore.blogspot .com/2009/ 09/seduced- by-darkness- by-lacey- savage.html

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Time Twisted Collection by Treva Harte

Time Twisted (Collection)
by Treva Harte

Cover art by Bryan Keller

ISBN: 978-1-60521-216-6
Genre(s): Paranormal, Action/Adventure, Dark Fantasy
Length: Collection

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1238

Blurb:

Adrift in time...

Marisha loses her job, then it looks like she's about to lose her life to a couple of street thugs. The last thing she expects is to be rescued by a lusty medieval Lord -- and an equally lusty -- Dragon? And what's her old buddy Tim doing in her bed? Eventually she'll have to choose -- one man, one universe, one time -- but for now it makes for an interesting foursome.

Over two centuries separate Mercy Ward from the man who haunts her dreams. When this century's grief becomes more than she can bear, she slowly begins to remember... another time... another life... another love...

Samantha wishes she could lead a life like her good buddy Moira's -- a life filled with temptations, and no reason to refuse them. Moira wishes she was in Samantha's shoes -- or, better yet, out of Sam's shoes and in bed with Samantha's husband Phil. One wish can change a lifetime...

"In every relationship, the partners have to grow and change. We just take the concept to extremes." When Lucy tells C.J., a world famous athlete, he's her mate and he's one of those urban legend mutants who transform... well, she's sexy and he's interested, but he's not that interested. Is he?

This collection contains the previously released novellas Out of Time, His Mistress, Intimate Choices, and Turns.

Excerpt:

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

She stood on tiptoe, reaching for what she craved. Damn, he was hard as steel and she didn't mean his armor. But he was too tall. His cock was jutting forward but hit her too high to let her rub against him where she wanted to. Oh, she wanted to desperately.
She dug her fingers into his shoulders this time and began to inch up his legs, like someone might try to climb up a pole. She heard him grunt, once, and then his hand reached under her rear and pushed her up further. Her legs encircled his waist at last, his strong hands steadying her exactly where she wanted.
Who said they were from the Dark Ages? This guy was bright. Bright enough to figure out exactly what she wanted and take care of things. She was feeling something really hard. Marisha slid her hungry clitoris against a thickening shaft. Thank God he wasn't wearing mail. Yeah. Oh, yeah. That was just hard man. A great deal of man.
Marisha pushed her hands into the tight auburn curls on his head. She loved the way his hair felt, crisp and tickling the palms of her hands. She loved the prickly rasp of his not-quite-shaved face. She bit the strong chin and then went back into an open-mouthed, slow kiss. His kiss had started all this. She wanted more. The man was quite a kisser.
He grunted and then, with a quick twist of his hands, he pulled her dress up above her waist. Marisha waited, half-eager, half-nervous. Nothing more happened at first.
He didn't touch, he just looked. When was he going to do something?
Realization hit. He was doing something. An exciting something -- exciting for them both. His breath rasped as he stared. As she stared back, Marisha squirmed. Her nipples were tight and eager. She was already wet, but his gaze was getting her wetter.
He must know how aroused she was. What was he planning to do next? When had she ever waited for a man to do anything? "Take my dress off." She tugged at it.
"All off?" He sounded startled.
Didn't he ever have sex naked? She'd never read any history about what happened when medieval knights had sex. Maybe that was too kinky for them. Well, he could learn something new because they were getting naked. From what she could tell so far, she definitely wanted to see this guy in the raw.
Marisha ran her hands over his shoulders then let them drift down to his ass. Mmmm. Nice ass. Tight, muscular and tailor-made for her hands. She was hallucinating beautifully.
His cock dug into her. This hallucination was getting even better. "Yes. All off. Then start on your own clothing."

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1238

Come vote for Shifter Sisters!

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Mate Marks: Pulse by Kate Hill

Mate Marks: Pulse
by Kate Hill

cover art by Reneé George
ISBN: 978-1-60521-131-2
Genre(s): Paranormal
Theme(s): Interracial
Series: Mate Marks
Length: Novella

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1236

Blurb:

Long ago a Roman soldier fell in love with a Kushite noblewoman and changed sides to serve her. Bound by an ancient magic to protect her, Marc Claudius failed in his duty and was cursed with immortality, awaiting the rebirth of his lover and a second chance to fulfill their burning passion.
In the modern world, Amina has always felt strong ties to the past. Teaching a night class in history, she is enraptured by a handsome foreign student. When looking into Marc's intense, dark eyes, she can't control her desire. This man arouses yet haunts her, but when he reveals their timeless bond, will she accept his confession or deny a love that has burned for over two thousand years?

Excerpt:

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Kheb stepped into the garden and shrugged off her thin linen robe, baring her body to the moonlight. Pausing by the edge of the square pool, she stretched her arms skyward and closed her eyes for a moment.
It felt so good to stand here, naked, free and alone. The past days had been stressful and she had no doubt the worst was yet to come.
At her mother's request, she had traveled from Kush to meet with a Roman official. Rome already had control over Egypt. Though her mother had sent her to discuss peace, Kheb knew she would have to report back to the Kandake, the Kushite Queen, that it was impossible. She found the Romans to be falsely polite, condescending and power hungry. Despite their semblance of respect for the Princess, she knew her people wouldn't be safe from their greed. Unless the next few days revealed a drastic change in their stance, her people would soon be engaged in battle with these pale invaders with eyes as hard and sharp as the weapons they carried.
Kheb lowered her arms and sighed deeply, glancing down at the fullness of her lush brown breasts. She stroked them lightly with her long, slender fingers.
Though still a young woman, she was already a widow and it had been too long since she had known the touch of a man. For the past few years since her husband's death, she hadn't thought much about the pleasures of the flesh, until she had arrived in Egypt.
He had prompted these lustful thoughts. From the moment their gazes locked, she'd felt a tightening in her belly and a desire she'd never known before. Not even her husband, in their most intimate moments, had quickened her pulse like this man had done with a mere look.
These feelings were wrong. The man who inspired them was Roman and soon to be her enemy. Why, then, did he make her nipples tighten and tingle? Why did the thought of his hands on her body make her burst into flames? Even now the soft flesh between her legs ached with need.
She swept her thumbs over her nipples, making them stiffen even more. In her mind his hands caressed her. She imagined his finely shaped lips sliding over the spiky peak of her breast and the sweep of his tongue teasing her until she trembled.
The sound of water rippling in the pool made her look up and when she did her heart nearly stopped beating.
He waded out of the shadows at the end of the pool from where he'd apparently been watching her. He strode closer and paused waist-deep in the water.
Kheb stared for a moment, unable to tear her gaze from his water-slicked torso. The man was absolutely beautiful -- lean and sinewy with broad shoulders and a chest that looked as if it had been carved from stone. The moonlight and water accentuated the ridges of muscle in his flat belly and Kheb licked her lips.
Of course he had no business here and even less business staring at her with such a hungry look in his gleaming black eyes.
Her first reaction was to cover herself, but she had no reason to hide. She was a noblewoman and he a mere soldier. A Roman soldier.
Straightening her shoulders and lifting her chin, she said coolly, "What are you doing here?"
"Admiring the view."

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1236

Eve Aizawa 1: Deus Eve Machina by Lizzie Lynn Lee

Eve Aizawa 2: Deus Eve Machina
by Lizzie Lynn Lee

cover art by Reneé George
ISBN: 978-1-60521-256-2
Genre(s): Futuristic, Action/Adventure, BDSM, Cyber-Punk
Series: Eve Aizawa
Length: Novella

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1235

Blurb:

Eve is back.
New mission. New body. New bad boy lover.
One scorching hot fling.
In the Imperial Sigma-Ren’s underground world, Stepan Aleksandrov is the kingpin of all gangsters. When Stepan’s only heir, Olga, commits suicide while being interrogated by the government, Central Command sends Eve to impersonate Olga as live bait. Olga’s fiancé, Aleksei, is currently holding a secret list that could bring down the whole syndicate, and Centcom wants Eve to recover it.
Lex Savage, a prime alpha and renegade mercenary, is commissioned to kill Eve by Stepan’s rival. But after one look at Eve, Lex changes his mind and offers her a deal -- his protection in exchange for Eve giving him her body. When a bad girl meets her match, the world around them must brace for the explosive impact…

Excerpt:

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

In a normal situation, if I found a man sneaking into my bedroom, the first thing I would do would be to grab my plasmafrag and blast the son of a bitch to dust for trespassing on my property. But since I was now undercover as Olga Aleksandrov, I decided to react like Olga would do in this kind of situation: I screamed like hell.
A high-pitched noise cut through the air, storming to the ceiling. The intruder tackled me onto the bed. He crushed me with his weight while his large hand covered my mouth, silencing my wails. "Ssh, be quiet. I'm not going to hurt you."
My uninvited guest seemed unhappy about the ruckus I'd made. My bedroom walls were paper-thin, and my neighbors could hear my scream; that was if anyone cared anyway. My apartment building stood in the heart of Zamora district, the ghetto of ghettos. Nobody gave a shit about anyone but themselves. Still, he didn't like me screaming.
I writhed, but he locked me good. His palm tightened around my face, making my jaws hurt. This guy was definitely augmented and fitted with the biomechatronics system. He had bionic strength and agility.
And so had I. This blank, the bioengineered body I was wearing, had also been augmented for this mission. Since I was impersonating Olga Aleksandrov, I couldn't risk blowing my cover by knocking him back. Well, not until I found out who the hell this guy really was.
I stopped writhing, schooling myself to look terrified. I looked straight into his eyes, surprised to find my uninvited guest had the most gorgeous blue eyes I had ever seen. They were large and shockingly blue, accentuated with the thick, lush lashes that didn't belong with his rough features. His jaw was chiseled, balanced with a prominent nose that was in perfect proportion with his face. He'd shaved his head clean. A nanoenhancive barcode tattoo was etched behind his left ear; it twirled, flashing a thirteen-digit code that marked him as a guild member or something. I thought this guy was a hunter, or a mercenary of some sort.
"Are you calm now?" His voice was deep and resonant, dark as his skin. Each syllable was punctuated in throaty, male rumbles. Fucking sexy. I nodded, keeping up my act.
"I'll take my hand away only if you promise not to scream." I nodded again. He blinked. The thick lashes swept down and up like a dancer's fan. "Okay." He removed his hand, eyes narrowed. He seemed ready to muffle me again the moment I decided to scream my head off. "That's better." He looked pleased when I kept the bargain. "I can't stand hearing a woman's scream." His dazzling white smile turned into a leer. "Not unless she has my cock inside her."
Well. "Who are you?" I tried to detangle from him.
He wouldn't let me. It seemed he was having too much fun with me under his mercy. He made a tiny gesture with his free hand. "Name is Lexius Savage. But you can call me Lex."
Lex Savage? What kind of parents named their son Lex Savage? It sounded as phony as a porn star's stage name. "What do you want from me?"
"I know who you are, Emily, or shall I call you Olga Aleksandrov?" Lex gave me a reprimanding headshake. "I see you've been a bad girl, Olga. Faking your own death in that boat accident, just so you won't have to marry your fiancé Aleksei."
I inhaled a sharp breath, pretending I was shocked he knew my secret. "Did he send you to bring me back to New Moscow?"
"No. Boris Kumarin did."
"Kumarin?"
"He called a hit on you."
That surprised me. Boris Kumarin was the rival of Olga's father -- Stepan Aleksandrov. Stepan was the Pakhan, the kingpin of the Vory v zakone, Russian mafia, who ruled the New Moscow system. My employer, Viper, a military counter-intelligence agency, briefed me that Kumarin was the one who helped Olga escape. I didn't expect Kumarin would be the one to call a hit on her.
"So, Kumarin sent you?" I tried to look indignant. "What are you waiting for? Kill me. I'm not afraid to die." I bluffed, of course. If a hitman were sent to kill someone, he wouldn't introduce himself and make acquaintances with his victim. I knew this man wanted a double-dealing. Perhaps he wanted a bigger payout than Kumarin had promised.
Lex shot me a cynical kind of smile. "Changed my mind. Kumarin put a lucrative price on your head. Mercs are coming for you whether you like it or not. If you make a deal with me, I'll protect you. I'll keep you safe from them."
Hmm, just like I suspected. "I don't have money. If I did, why would I live in a place like this?"
"Why do you think I want your money?"
"Everyone wants money."
"I don't need your money."
"Then what do you want?"
Lex brushed his fingertips on my cheek. "It's you I want. I want your body."

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1235

Last Call Europe: Chocolate Shock by Selena Illyria

Last Call Europe: Chocolate Shock
by Selena Illyria

cover art by Reneé George
ISBN: 978-1-60521-297-5
Genre(s): Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Theme(s): Interracial, Shapeshifters, Elves, Dragons & Magical Creatures
Series: Last Call Europe
Length: Novella

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1237

Blurb:

All romanced out, Love Fairy Alastrina is tired of putting together happy couples. All she wants is a little bit of "me time" to forget her job for one night. She strides into Last Call: London looking for some action.

Chocolate Shock: Heat packed sexin' -- no baggage required or desired.

Rebellious leopard shifter Garrison Fredricks may be the answer to all her needs. Some sexy talk and a bit of action is just what the love fairy ordered. Only problem is he has a teensy-weensy little secret that may piss her off. And a Love Fairy pissed off is not a good thing.


Excerpt:

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Garrison's beer arrived. He took a pull from it and slouched in his seat, still bored, still restless. The door opened and out of habit he glanced toward the entrance, only to have his breath catch in his throat. His heart skipped a beat and then sped up. Warmth flowed over him as his body tightened. His cock hardened and pressed against his jeans.
"Oh, fuck me," he groaned, as he watched the woman in the tightest jeans he had ever seen stroll into the bar and wind her way gracefully through the crowd. She had a corset that showcased her high breasts and a small waist. Her ass made him want to bite his bottom lip to hold back the moan threatening to escape.
She was a tiny thing with riotous dark brown curls streaked with pink. When she turned around, he saw her face. Her features were delicate with a small pert nose. Her lips were full and tempting, slicked with shimmering pale pink gloss.
Blow job lips, he thought, and he wanted those lips on him, covering his body in sweet love bites before she sucked him off 'til he shot his load down her throat. His cock jumped as the fire burning within him became an inferno lapping at his veins.
His leopard scratched at the flesh bars of its prison, wanting to go up to the woman it desired and mark her with its scent. She made things worse by turning back toward the bar, giving him another glimpse of her perfectly rounded ass. The corset left a wide strip of skin exposed above the waistband. Her perfect mocha skin was adorned with a colorful tattoo done in glittering pink ink. He had to strain his eyes to make out the glyphs and symbols on her lower back.
"Lean over some more, love. Give daddy a good look at what it says," he urged softly. As if she heard him, she stuck her ass out further and he sucked in a breath as his pulse pounded in his ears and need roared through him. He had to shake his head to clear the lust wrapping around his mind like a gossamer web.
He squinted to see better and read the tattoo.
"Fairy Alastrina, daughter of Elan, servant of Labhaoise." He stroked his chin, his fingers slightly burned from the abrasion of his stubble. Half of his brain saw opportunity to bring a genuine Fairy to Eros, and the other half wanted to fuck the living daylights out of her.
"Alastrina." He tested her name on his tongue. The sound of his voice came out husky with the edge of a purr. An image rose of him pounding into her pussy as she cried out in ecstasy before he came himself, spurting his seed deep inside of her as he called out her name, and he swore. Their sweat-slicked bodies moved and ground against one another as they started yet another round.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck," he chanted. This was not what he needed. Tomorrow he would be going to see Eros. A meeting with him was draining. The love god liked to pick and poke at Garrison's mental shields. It was a game of chicken because Garrison would be doing the same. Five hundred years of servitude to Eros had taught him all of the god's weaknesses but no way to exploit them, although Eros knew all of Garrison's weaknesses and abused them every opportunity he got.
One of his weaknesses was standing a few feet away. This night was either gonna be hell or heaven. He wouldn't put it past Eros to send him a sexy little gift in the form of this Fairy. Whether it was a trap or not, he was going to fall into bed with her. The question was how. There were others who had noticed her arrival. One of the bolder admirers strode up to her. Before he could even open his mouth he was shot down and sent on his way, a deep red flush of embarrassment on his cheeks for his trouble.
"Mmmm, sassy, I like that." Garrison sat back and watched as, one by one, men and even a few women went up to curry her favor. After the fourth person was sent away he couldn't help but wonder why they all wanted a piece of her. She was gorgeous but there had to be something else. He decided to test a theory.
With great concentration he dropped his mental shields a sliver and tasted her power. It was like the sweetest, thickest honey. There was a hint of spice, an indefinable quality that made its potency richer, more seductive to the palate. Power rolled off of her in waves.
Understanding dawned on him all at once; she was a Love Fairy. Legend had it that to be touched or even come in contact with one could bring you good luck in the love department. They weren't hitting on her. They were asking for her services. He felt bad for them but most of all he felt sad for her. Must be tough never being off the clock to some people. Then again, he could understand how she felt. He was at Eros' call night and day. Didn't matter where he was, who he was with or what he was doing, if Eros summoned him Garrison had to go.
As he studied the woman, his desire burned through him. Instead of doing his usual saunter up and try his luck routine, he decided to wait and see what developed. If he played his cards right, there would be no need for him to do anything.

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1237

Wednesday's New Reviews for Changeling Press!

Congratulations to all our authors!
 

New Review - WILD THING - Lena Austin

Five Nymphs from Literary Nymphs

 

The creative genius of Lena Austin's characters continues in this well written, fascinating and humorous installment. This is a splendid story that I enjoyed immensely.

 

http://literarynymp hsreviewsonly. blogspot. com/2009/ 09/wild-thing_ 07.html

 

New Review - AT DROGAN'S COMMAND - Selena Illyria

Reviewed by Love Romances & More

 

Ms. Illyria is a talented author who captures your attention.If you enjoy a rollicking fun read on a hot summer evening, then grab AT DROGAN'S COMMAND and get ready for the ride of your life.

 

http://loveromances andmore.blogspot .com/2009/ 09/at-drogans- command-hades- helmet-series. html

 

New Review - HORSFALL: TASTE TEST - Jade Buchanan

Reviewed by Love Romances & More

 

I want more, more, more! This is a must read by Ms. Buchanan! I'll be reading this story again and for months to come!

 

http://loveromances andmore.blogspot .com/2009/ 08/horsfall- taste-test- by-jade-buchanan .html

 

New Review - BAD ANGELS: BURN - Belinda McBride

Four & ½ Cherries from Whipped Cream Reviews

 

Ms. McBride takes the world we know and love and populates it with magical creatures galore. And then she sets it on fire. An emotional and intensely erotic story, this is a sure-fire hit.

 

http://whippedcream 2.blogspot. com/2009/ 08/bad-angels- burn-by-belinda- mcbride.html

 

New Review - SNOWBOUND: LIONSBLOOD - Marteeka Karland

Four Hearts from The Romance Studio

 

With a strike of her pen, author Markeeta Karland gives us a taste of her wit and humor with this futuristic story of the Lionsblood.

 

http://theromancest udio.com/ reviews/reviews/ lionsbloodkarlan d.htm

 

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Four Hearts for Bunny Tales-- Hare Today by Camille Anthony

Bunny Tails 3: Hare Today

Camille Anthony
Paranormal erotic romance
Available from <Changeling Press
ISBN: 978-1-60521- 264-7
September 2009

Camille Anthony has penned a unique tale of werewolves and their mating. It's lots of hot sex on every page but it's also a great love story. Vance and Ouida are the stars who shine throughout. Ouida would make a lovely porn star but she also shows us some true grit when the time for play is over. This is a tale filled with humor, eroticism, and a little suspense. Overall rating: Sensuality rating: Explicit Reviewer: Dee Dailey September 22, 2009   Read the whole Review here: http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/haretodayanthony.htm

 

 

Lena Austin

http://www.LenaAustin.com

Writing blog: http://depravedduchess.blogspot.com

Recipe and Pagan blog: http://third-infinity.blogspot.com

Low Carb Diet blog: http://fatfrogdiary.blogspot.com

 

Sundown Investigations Collection by Cat Marsters

Sundown Investigations (Collection)
by Cat Marsters

cover art by Sahara Kelly
ISBN: 978-1-60521-172-5
Genre(s): Paranormal, Dark Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Collections
Theme(s): Interracial, Ménage, Bisexual and More, Vampires, Werewolves, Shapeshifters, Elves, Dragons & Magical Creatures
Series: Sundown, Inc.
Length: Collection

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1234

Blurb:

You've never seen this side of New York City before...

Faeries and vampires have been at war for centuries, but in Manhattan an East Side Story plays out as renegade vampire Maria and Unseelie seer Ruarc clash in a blaze of passion.

Fifteen years ago in Australia, a young shapeshifter named Daisy lost her heart to an Alpha werewolf. Now Adam is back in her life and uncovering all her secrets, but can she ever accept his love again?

Lucky always thought she had a normal life -- well, as normal as can be in the fashion industry. But when an incubus and his evil twin start haunting her dreams in the hottest way, she begins to wonder what's hidden in her own past.

Kat thought her dancing career was over when she was bitten by a wild cat on safari in Africa. But every full moon her shape changes, and a terrifying shifter is on her trail. She takes solace in the arms of the gorgeous Wolfe, but now that the mating fever is on her, will he be enough to satisfy her, or will she need to take more than one shifter to her bed?

Sundown Investigations, where we take personal care of all your needs.

Excerpt:

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

For the second time in as many weeks, the water glass on Ruarc's desk shattered.
"Chloe," he yelled.
A whimper was his reply. Ruarc stood up, sighing, and left his office for Chloe's. When he opened the door, it was to see her sprawled across the desk, totally naked, luscious thighs spread for the man driving his thick cock into her.
"You know," Ruarc said, leaning in the doorway, "a less tolerant boss might complain about you two having sex on company time."
"That's... because..." Chloe panted in reply, "he wouldn't... be invited... to join in."
"This is true," Ruarc said. "However he also wouldn't, and this is crucial, be unable to keep a water glass on his desk for fear of it breaking whenever his colleagues felt like doing the naughty."
"Sorry," Chloe gasped.
Ruarc rolled his eyes. He'd already had the windows in the whole office replaced with some techno substance that wouldn't shatter so easily. He'd told the workmen it was because they were going to be recording loud music there. Not because they had a siren on staff.
"Do you want to?" Alexius said, in between thrusts.
"Want to...?"
"Join in?"
His cock stirred. "I have work to do."
Chloe sat up, rubbing her pert breasts against Alexius's chest and pouting at Ruarc. "For fifteen minutes? You look so tense." She beckoned him closer. "It's good for what ails you."
Ruarc glanced out at the main office. They still didn't have a secretary, so if anyone came by there'd be no one to greet them... which was pretty unprofessional. But...
"We'll both lick you," Chloe said, and Ruarc was unfastening his fly before he'd even thought about it.
Chloe wriggled to her feet, Alexius's cock popping out of her, and went to her knees by the leather chair facing the desk as Ruarc took a seat there.
"You don't mind?" Ruarc said, glancing at Alexius as Chloe rubbed her breasts over his thigh.
"I'm Greek," he said, as if that explained it. Which Ruarc supposed it might: Alexius's father was an Olympian god, and in his day it had actually been fashionable to take a male lover.
Chloe's tongue danced over Ruarc's cock, which leapt to attention. He closed his eyes and eased his legs further apart as Alexius knelt down and joined in the fun. Theoretically, Chloe and Alexius were a committed couple, but they were also highly sexual beings who often relished a third party.
Since Ruarc had been instrumental in the forming of their relationship, he was often invited to be that third party. He rarely refused. Hell, it wasn't as if he had the time to go out finding his own thrills.
Alexius's tongue found Ruarc's balls, and he sighed. Although, maybe he ought to try. They were both excellent lovers, but...
...he so often felt like a third wheel.
Right then Chloe took him fully in her mouth, which she could open unfeasibly wide, and he let out a gasp. Having one mouth on him was stimulating enough, but two was incredible. While Chloe sucked him deep, Alexius ran his tongue in circles around Ruarc's balls, making him see stars. His hands clutched the arms of the chair. His toes curled. "Sweet merciful --"
Ruarc of the Unseelie! To me, now!
His eyes flew open at the voice inside his head. The coldest, most commanding voice he’d ever heard.
The Queen's voice.
Chloe's fingers massaged the base of his cock and it took him a second to formulate his reply.
On my way, my lady.
Chloe looked up at him, her lips still framing his penis. She'd heard the mind-spoken words. A frown creased her perfect brow. Who are you --?
"I have to go." Ruarc pushed her away from him, nudged Alexius with his knee. They both looked up at him with frowns and wet lips. Hell, he wanted to stay here and get his cock sucked! "The Queen wants me."
"We want you," Chloe teased.
Ruarc groaned. "Don't. I really have to go." Not for the first time, he wished he had a telekinetic talent. He knew plenty of fae who could dress -- or undress -- themselves with a thought. He had to shove himself back into his clothes, willing his hard-on to go down. It didn"t take much effort. The thought of visiting the Court always put a damper on things.
He straightened his tie, wondering belatedly why he bothered. It wasn't as if the Queen would care, or even notice.
"Have fun," Chloe said, already back in Alexius's arms.
"Doubtful."
"Good luck," Alexius offered, more sensibly.
"Thanks."

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1234

Almost Home by Kate Steele

Almost Home
by Kate Steele

cover art by Reneé George
ISBN: 978-160521-257-9
Genre(s): Paranormal
Theme(s): Werewolves
Length: Novella

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1233

Blurb:

Something is out there... waiting in the dark.
For Shannon, nighttime has always inspired fear and fascination. She longs to discover its mysteries, but some deep-seated instinct has, up to now, kept her safe inside when the sun sets. When her car breaks down a mere quarter mile from her house, rather than choose to spend the night confined within the safety it offers, she braves the moon-drenched shadows and comes face to face with her destiny.

Excerpt:

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Aran vaulted from his horse with such skill Shannon felt only the barest of jolts to mark the sure impact of his feet upon the sandy ground. Waking from an exhausted doze, her apprehension returned anew, and sheer panic caused her to once again pull against the restraints at her wrists and ankles as she was carried in his hard, unyielding embrace.
From the folds of the enveloping cloak that had shielded her from the harsh rays of a sun that pitilessly presided over this vast desert into which she had been abducted, she could see unexpected splashes of color. Shaking her head, she managed to dislodge the hood from where it rested over her brow. With her vision now unimpeded, she gasped and stilled at the sight of what lay before her.
An oasis, green and lush with date-bearing palm trees, grass and other growing things, was spread out in a circle around a pool of azure-tinted water that sparkled under the receding light of the setting sun. Nestled amidst the tangled growth was a white tent, its fabric sides rippling with the breeze that played over the water and through the trees.
Without pause, Aran strode toward the tent, and Shannon's eyes widened. Being confined in an intimate space with this man was the last thing she wanted. "No! Let me go!"
"Quiet. I have not given you permission to speak." The terse, no-nonsense warning in Aran's voice caused Shannon to press her lips together against further protests.
When he was in dominance mode she knew better than to press her luck. Considering what she'd already done, she'd be lucky to escape unscathed. Running from Aran had been foolish, but what else was she supposed to do? She would not stand idly by and let him include another woman in their relationship. Having a harem might be an accepted practice among his people, but did he really believe she would accept such a thing?
Aran swooped through the tent's entrance, and despite the closed, angry look on his face, deposited her gently on a colorful mound of rugs and pillows. "Do not move from that spot," he ordered and retreated outside. Hearing the sound of his voice a moment later, she knew he was seeing to his horse.
Wanting to run, but knowing there was nowhere to go, Shannon maintained the position in which she'd been left and tried to relax. It was impossible. Her body was tense and her muscles tight. Even her toes and fingers curled and released in an unconscious display of high-strung nerves. Unable to stay still, she angled herself into a sitting position and with shaking fingers began plucking at the knots of the silken ties at her ankles.
As she worked at her restraints, she became aware of another feeling, one that had been creeping up on her from the moment Aran had essentially taken her captive. Arousal. It insidiously wormed its way in and around any other emotion that assailed her, heightening and clarifying the knowledge that being tied up was not nearly as unpleasant as she might wish it would be -- especially in this situation. Needing Aran's touch was the last thing she wanted and yet she couldn't deny that fact that her dread of what he would do to her was mixed with more than a little anticipation.
At his return, his eyes narrowed in disapproval. With a practiced move he drew a knife from his boot and Shannon gaped at the sight of the glinting silver blade. Aran approached and knelt beside her. "Hold still," he bade her and with two swift cuts the silk split and the knife was returned to its sheath. She was freed, but it was a short-lived freedom. "Wrists," he tersely insisted, holding out his hand.
With the barest of hesitation, she held out her hands, watched him carefully examine her wrists then froze in astonishment as he pulled a pair of softly padded leather cuffs from the back of his waistband. Before she could utter a word or make a move to escape, the cuffs were on, and she was gently pushed to her back. Aran then pulled her arms over her head, and the cuffs were clipped to a short, light-weight chain that had been attached to the center tent pole. Once more she was effectively restrained, and the time for paying the piper was at hand.
"Aran, please..."
"Silence. I don't want to hear your excuses," he growled and began stripping her.

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1233

STEAMY NIGHTS is Joyfully Recommended!

Congratulations to Marie Treanor!

 

She said:

I don't think I've got around to boasting about this yet, but I'm thrilled to bits that Patrice at Joyfully Reviewed made Steamy Nights a Recommended Read for September :)

http://www.joyfully reviewed. com/reviews/ RRs/Sep09RR/ steamynights. MT.html

Here's a bit of what she said:

"Mix time-travel devices plus 19th century technology, throw in a strangely named scientist/adventure r who's a ringer for David Beckham (with Dr. Who's personality) , add sleazy, ruthless villains and peculiar odd-balls, then set him up with a love interest that's a fusion of fallen angel/girl-next- door, and you still won't quite grasp it all until you actually read Steamy Nights."

"[Caratacus] made the entire narrative hum with thrills, excitement, and heat.  Miri compliments his wild, boyishly chaotic energy, driving the story with a quixotic insanity that never quits.  Whatever direction this story takes, it works and will never leave you disappointed even when you feel left behind.  I'm reserving a special slot for Steamy Nights on my Recommended Read dance card, and so should you."

STEAMY NIGHTS By MARIE TREANOR

  

Available Now from Changeling Press
 

Many thanks to the wonderful Patrice! 

Marie

 

Marie Treanor

Haunting Romance

www.MarieTreanor. com

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Damon's: Blind Date by Sophia Titheniel

Damon's: Blind Date
by Sophia Titheniel

cover art by Reneé George
ISBN: 978-1-59596-504-2
Genre(s): Urban Fantasy
Theme(s): Elves, Dragons & Magical Creatures, Gay and Lesbian
Series: Damon's
Length: Novella

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1231

Blurb:

Life for a waiter at the most glamorous and hip multi-racial club of all the West Coast should be just that: hip and glamorous. Not for Jesse, though. The only human waiter in the club, he watches the special nights of Damon's slide right past him, without having the courage to ever take advantage of any of that.
When Damon finds out that Jesse's not only closeted, but still a virgin, he and Alyan set him up on a blind date with Alagos, a skilled habitué of Damon's nights, who wants nothing more than to introduce Jesse to the thrills of sex and bondage. After an exhilarating first time, Jesse realizes he can't get enough of Alagos. He's going to do his best to break Alagos of his "no strings attached" rule and win the Elf's heart -- one blind date at a time.

Excerpt:

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

"Damon?"
Damon turned around, smiling once he saw Jesse, one of the club's best employees. "Yeah?"
"There are people demanding a Wednesday special, despite my trying to explain I can't get them a Speed Dating card tonight. I don't really know what to do anymore."
"I'll take care of it," Damon said with a smile. "Where are they?"
"Booth seven," Jesse said, gesturing toward the back of the club.
Damon gave a cheeky wink to Alyan and pressed a soft, wet kiss on his lips. "Don't go anywhere."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Damon breezed toward the back booths, and Alyan turned to Jesse.
"Night's going smooth so far?" Alyan asked, walking back to the bar with him.
"Despite people not knowing the calendar, yeah, it's going fine." Jesse answered with a smile as they both slid behind the bar.
Alyan liked Jesse. He knew Damon couldn't understand the kid's shyness, especially because Jesse was outrageously good looking -- to be a human, that's it. Jesse had that fair complexion that could've almost passed him for one of Elven kind, had his nose and cheekbones not been dusted with freckles. He was tall, not as tall as Alyan, but close enough, and his shoulders were broad, the result of hard manual labor and gym work. And despite all that, and working in one of the classiest clubs in all of LA, where the most beautiful singles from all species came to mingle and pair up, Jesse stayed in the background, shaking cocktails and mixing drinks and generally being polite and professional to everyone, but still only in the background.
Alyan knew it drove Damon crazy. Damon just couldn't comprehend how someone could not want to enjoy himself, how could anyone lack the confidence that he oozed from his every pore. If Damon had a fault, it was his inability to put himself in someone else's shoes. Alyan understood Jesse's plight, probably better than most people. Alyan had spent his centuries-long life feeling awkward, out of place and uncomfortable in his skin while everything around him changed, everyone adapted but him. Meredith made fun of him, in that exasperated, patronizing but loving older sister way, but Alyan just couldn't get past his own issues.
Jesse, in many ways, was very similar to Alyan, even if the reasons behind his attitude were different. And Alyan didn't know exactly which reasons he had, but he still felt for him. Jesse wasn't that comfortable around Alyan yet, even though he'd warmed up considerably since the very first weeks. Alyan wished he could sit the kid down and talk to him. To say what, he had no idea yet, but he just felt as though part of the loneliness most of his kind were used to feeling, because of the burden and gift of immortality, was crushing their bartender.
"When is your night off?" Alyan asked as he started on mixing himself a Screaming Orgasm. The bar was mostly quiet, thankfully, the perfect moment to try and start a conversation.
"Ah, it was gonna be tomorrow, but I told Damon I could work anyway, since Teleon is sick."
Alyan gave him a curious glance. "You've been here every night this week. Surely you want to chill out tomorrow?"
"I don't really have anything to do," Jesse said with a small shrug, turning to give Alyan a smile as he slid a glass his way, so that Alyan could pour his cocktail into it.
"Hey gorgeous, can I buy you one?"
Both of them turned to see a beautiful female Elf, her hair thick, red and wavy, her eyes sparkling blue, leaning across the bar and sliding a bill across it to Jesse. Jesse blinked, as though he didn't really get the implications behind her request. He glanced back at Alyan, then gave her a smile and passed her a shot of tequila. "No, but this one is on the house."
Alyan barely restrained from rolling his eyes a little, and kept his smile to himself. The female Elf gulped down the shot, holding Jesse's gaze seductively before sliding off her stool and pushing herself closer to him. "What time do you get off?"
"Way late," Jesse said, his tone apologetic. He glanced back to Alyan, the look in his eyes sort of desperate, and Alyan quickly cottoned on.
"Jesse, can you come here a moment?"
The female Elf slouched away with a pout, and Jesse took a sigh of relief as he downed what was supposed to be Alyan's drink. "What was that about? She was a knockout."
Jesse blushed slightly, but avoided Alyan's eyes as he finished the cocktail, mumbling something under his breath that could've been anything.
Alyan frowned, perplexed, but before he could get in a word, Damon was back, his hand sliding in the back pocket of Alyan's jeans.
"Hey there," Damon whispered, kissing the side of Alyan's neck.
"Hey. All sorted?"
"Yeah, I had Kalvin kick them out," Damon said indifferently, his grin glowing brighter as Alyan rolled his eyes at him. "Come on."
"Where?"
"Meaning business."
Alyan snorted. It was one of Damon's codes. Sometimes his boyfriend (his boyfriend, didn't that make him giggle like a schoolgirl) was a few cards short of a full deck. Damon was crazy about noir movies and gangster flicks, and he found it immensely amusing that every time there was a night club scene, after you'd seen all the crowd and the dancing people and scantily-clad waitresses, there were always the back rooms where the people in black were "meaning business."
Damon had a lot of these impromptu crazy eureka moments, and Alyan had learned to give in to whatever he came up with. They were what made Alyan fall in love with him in the first place. "Right," he said, grinning at Damon and clasping their fingers together. "Jesse, you okay --"
"I'll take care of the bar," Jesse finished easily, smiling at them.
"You're awesome," Damon beamed. He tugged on Alyan's hand, and before Alyan could actually inquire if Jesse was doing okay, he was dragged away by Damon toward one of the back rooms.

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1231