ADVANCE REVIEW COPY
Cincinnati, Ohio
Lily Ashford
6470A Glenway Avenue, #109 Cincinnati, OH 45211-5222 This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. eBook ISBN 1-59426-533-X One Torrid Night © 2005 by Lily Ashford All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Cover art © 2005 by Stacey L. King Phaze is an imprint of Mundania Press, LLC.
This edition is an advance review copy intended for use by reviewers. If you obtained this ebook from any entity other than Phaze or the author, please notify Phaze immediately at
[email protected].
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He came to her when she closed her eyes. A magnificent warrior, offering her pleasure such as she had never imagined.
Antonia Gilles drifted in a haze of dreams. Where would he take her tonight, this man who entertained her darkest erotic fantasies? She found out soon enough. He awaited her in the marble chamber of an Italian palazzo. She entered the room slowly, hesitantly, though she could never remain timid with him for long. He stripped away her inhibitions to reveal the sultry, passionate woman inside. She walked towards him, scarcely noticing the colorful frescoes on the domed ceiling above her. His hard-muscled body was bared to the warm night air. His cock jutted proudly toward her; its thickness and length making him appear all the more dangerously intimidating. Her mouth watered at the arousing sight. And indeed, she was aroused. His mere presence caused a rush of moisture to pool between her legs. He did not speak as she neared him, but simply contemplated her with those stormy emerald eyes. Pulling her into his potent embrace, he kissed her fiercely, his mouth firm and demanding on hers. His large hands skimmed over her bare skin as his tongue parted her lips and delved into her mouth. Antonia moaned at the taste of him. The warrior lifted her off the floor and carried her to the bed, which dominated the extravagant chamber. He loomed large and imposing, staring down at her with fire in his 3
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fathomless gaze. A light breeze wafted in through the open window, ruffling the dark hair which flowed freely over his powerful shoulders. Her breath caught in her throat. He appeared a pagan god in the summer twilight. Heat surged through her, the pulse between her legs unbearable. She wanted his hard thighs pressing against her, his massive cock buried in her body. And then he was upon her, his weight crushing her to the satin sheets, his hot mouth fastening on her straining nipple. She gasped as his tongue laved her peak. It swirled around and around, sending shocks of bliss to her core. He reached down and flicked his thumb over her clit. She gave a choked gasp as her body jerked violently. One touch enflamed her. Silken strands of his raven hair brushed her hands as she clutched at his shoulders, savoring the coiled strength of him beneath her fingertips. His wet mouth tugged at her nipple as he fondled her swollen clit. Her upper thighs were soaked with the hot juices of desire. She stirred against him restlessly, moaning her frustration. He was torturing her, testing her endurance. After what seemed like an eternity, he gave her what she craved. He arched his back and drove his cock deep inside her. Antonia cried out. He was hard and huge. When she clenched her muscles around his throbbing shaft, her warrior groaned. His deep voice increased her ardor, and she pressed her erect nipples against his solid chest, raising her hips to meet his powerful thrusts. His harsh breaths rasped in her ear as he moved atop her. She wrapped her legs around his lean waist, squeezing tightly. He pressed even deeper into her body, his thrusts accelerating in their urgency. Suddenly, his handsome face contorted, and his thunderous cry reverberated throughout the chamber. His engorged cock shuddered and exploded inside her. The pressure against her clit 4
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made her own body seize with pleasure. She screamed as her release surged through her like a shock wave. *** Kelton, the former battle god of the Notte Rishta, lay upon his bed, spent and exhausted. The black silk sheets were twisted and damp with sweat and milky seed. His breathing was ragged as his body recovered from the intense orgasm. Who was she? Her face had haunted his dreams for months, but he did not have any indication of her existence. Was she real? Or merely a figment of his imagination? His cock had wrenched so fiercely in his climax that it ached. No woman had ever aroused him to such incredible heights of passion. He pushed the sheets off his heated body, moaning slightly. This was absurd. It was just a dream. Dreams should not be so utterly intoxicating. He sighed impatiently and slid off the bed to walk across the room. The open window caused the thin curtains to flutter in the breeze. He leaned his forehead against it, a slight ache in his temples. His head churned with images of her. The heavy air was warm on his already fevered skin. Kelton could not help wondering if she was out there, somewhere, burning for him, as he did for her. *** "They'll be due in three weeks. Have a nice day." Antonia repeated the words for what felt like the hundredth time that day, then watched the last patron leave the library. With a heavy sigh, she leaned against the counter, suddenly weary. She usually loved her work as a librarian, but today, all she could think about was her dream warrior. The image of him, proud and naked, flashed before her eyes. But men like that did not exist. At least not in this world. Besides, even if they did, they would not be interested in her. Though Antonia had never thought of herself as particularly 5
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unattractive, she was a shadow compared to Holly. Her cousin had always been the beauty, the star. And Antonia had resigned herself to it. She shook her head as she pulled on her sleek trench coat; she was not going to let a dream distract her. The mere idea was ridiculous. Rain poured in drenching torrents from the sky. Antonia hurried along the wet pavement, wrestling with her umbrella. The late afternoon rush was just beginning, and already the street thronged with people. Strong winds pulled the umbrella from her grasp as a sharp elbow knocked her aside. She lost her balance and braced herself for a fall. It never came. Strong hands clasped her waist, holding her against a firm chest. She exhaled a relieved breath and turned to thank her rescuer. And froze. It was him. Shock held her immobile as the warrior of her dreams gazed down at her. Though the real version appeared much more modern than in her dream. His hair was short, and he wore a crisp white dress shirt and grey slacks. But that devastatingly handsome face was the same. The face that haunted her as she lay breathless and sated. He did not release her; the warmth of his powerful body seeped through his shirt, fueling her desire. She drew a shaky breath and pulled away from him. "Are you all right?" His voice was deep and rich, a voice that commanded obedience. Only after she nodded did he release her. He leaned over, and his shoulder brushed her breast; she felt her nipple harden instantly. His scent drifted towards her, a purely masculine, woody fragrance that made her head spin. Liquid pooled 6
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between her thighs. Antonia scowled, despising her lack of control. He straightened and placed her umbrella in her hands as his is sculpted lips curved into a smile. "I'm Kelton Barrett, by the way." He held out a large hand. "Antonia Gilles." Her voice was timid and weak in her ears. His warm hand dwarfed hers when she shook it. "A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Gilles." Heat crept into her cheeks. "Thank you. You, too." Why couldn't she think of something clever to say? He chuckled as his thumb caressed her slender fingers. "Be careful of the wind. It's strong enough to blow you away." She smiled and tried to draw her hand back, but he held it firmly. "I really have to go, Mr. Barrett. But it was nice meeting you. And thank you." Kelton nodded, his expression betraying his reluctance as he released her hand. When she reached the end of the sidewalk, she glanced behind her. He still stood where she left him, watching her intently. The wind ruffled his hair, just as it had in her delicious dream. He gave her a small smile when he caught her gaze, then turned and disappeared into the swarm. *** Kelton sat in a café, staring out at the gray, dreary day. A full cup of coffee before him remained untouched. He inhaled its warm, comforting aroma and tried to calm his racing nerves. The encounter with Antonia had left him badly shaken. His mind turned to his past, to the multitudes of women he had known intimately. Not one of them compared. Not one of them moved him so deeply. Kelton's mouth twisted. He had been enslaved for so long that he could not remember what it 7
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was like to have a woman actually touch his emotions at all. They merely touched his body and used him for their own sexual gratification. But that was over now. The last descendents of the worshippers of his cult, those who had pressed him and the other gods into service, had passed on. Kelton was free to love. Perhaps Antonia could teach him how. *** Antonia smiled languidly as she drifted off to sleep, anticipating more delicious dreams of the bronzed god. After all, she had seen him in the flesh. Such a meeting should trigger the most sumptuous of erotic fantasies. To her delight, he indeed appeared. But she knew this dream was somehow different. Guards surrounded him, forcing him to walk through a dark, cramped corridor. His hands were cuffed behind his back, and a chain linked his ankles together. His dark hair was cropped short, just as it had been today, and his body was naked. His captors led him into a vast hall, magnificently illuminated by dazzling candelabras. A striking woman sat on an ornate throne at the head of the room. She rose as he neared. "Tonight, the most handsome of my slaves will please me." He raised his head. Her icy blue eyes narrowed. "Eyes to the floor, slave. How dare you meet the gaze of your queen?" Kelton obediently looked down. "Kneel." Before he could move, the guards pushed him roughly to his knees. She called out for her lady-in-waiting. "Valencia?" The Queen slid a contemptuous, yet heated glance over Kelton's naked body. "For your boldness, you will pay." "And for our pleasure." A delicate blonde approached them, handing a snakelike whip to the queen, who accepted it with a 8
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tiny, hard smile. Then Valencia gazed down at Kelton. "Such a magnificent specimen. Thick and hard and most impressive." She tweaked his jutting cock cruelly, smiling at his grunt of pain. "You will swell further, slave." And then they beat him, the whip hissing through the air as they struck his bared flesh. His rippling back, powerful shoulders…he cried out in agony, over and over again, but they showed no mercy. Finally, they laid the whip across his firm, curved haunches, drawing blood with a blow so vicious that Antonia's own scream echoed Kelton's and jolted her awake. She lay gasping against the soft pillows, sweat beading her skin. Her eyes were wide, and she knew without looking that her face was a stark white. She threw the covers aside; there was no way she could sleep now, not after what she had seen. Had the events in the dream really happened to him? And when? How could anyone treat him so? If he were ever in her bed, she could never hurt him that way. She knew that some people took pleasure from such pain, but she did not. And obviously, Kelton did not, either. Her heart suddenly heavy, she craved to show him tenderness, to take him in her arms and make passionate love to him without pain. Antonia sighed, her lips twisting bitterly. He was above her reach. She clamped down on the sudden pain that sliced through her heart at the thought. She knew what she was; and she knew what she was not. A man like Kelton could never desire her. *** Kelton strolled across the black marble floor, removing his clothes while the white sound of the gushing faucet filled the room. Leaning over, he turned it off, the silence deafening in contrast. A soft groan escaped his lips as he sank into the steaming tub. The hot, foamy water swirled around his body; he leaned his head back, relishing the simple pleasure. He soaked 9
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for a long moment before his mind returned to the only place it had been since yesterday. To Antonia. She was even more beautiful than in his dreams. Her dark eyes had caught fire when she saw him; her desire had been just as palpable as his. Her full, ruby lips had curved into the smile that had tormented his sleep last night. Her body had been soft and warm in his hands; touching her, in person, was almost more than he could bear. Her scent lingered in his memory; sweet, floral, and hauntingly feminine. Kelton longed to feel her silken ivory skin beneath his fingertips, feel those lips press against his mouth as her hands wrapped around his throbbing cock…and it was throbbing. His body ached with need; his cock was so hard that it literally hurt. Kelton reached into the soapy water and grasped it in his hand. The massive length scalded his palm with heat as he closed his fingers around it. He closed his eyes and imagined her exquisite face. Her smile. His cock swelled in his grip. Kelton gritted his teeth as he stroked himself, his strong fingers merciless. Her image swam before his eyes—her naked body writhing as she begged him to take her, hard and deep—and his strokes intensified to furious pumping. His breathing grew ragged and shallow; the salty smell of his sweat mingled with the musk of the bath bubbles. The water in the tub seemed to churn faster. How he longed to taste her, to feel her skin against his, to plunge his cock into her hot, pulsating sheath… His hips lifted off the base of the tub as he gave a sharp cry, his face twisted with absolute pleasure. The powerful release wrenched his cock from his hand and sent violent shudders through his body. Slowly, the tremors faded, and Kelton sat gasping in the soapy water. He was astonished. How had the mere thought of her caused such a colossal reaction? He carefully rose from the tub and draped a large white towel around his hips. The heated floor was comforting under 10
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his bare feet as he walked into his bedroom. His mind raced as he rubbed his body with the towel, then pulled on a shirt and ironed slacks. His yearning for Antonia was beyond endurance. He could not drive her from his mind. Tossing the towel aside with a heavy sigh, he sat down on his bed, dropping his head in his hands. He had to have her. Tonight. He couldn't wait another moment. His sudden presence would startle her, no doubt, but he would find a way to assuage her fears... He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he lay upon a massive satin-covered bed that dominated a small, intimate chamber. He inhaled. Antonia. Her musky, delectable scent lingered in the room. Her bedroom was just as utterly sensuous as the woman herself. It was draped in crimson silk with dim lighting. A stone fireplace was set into the wall across from the bed, adding a romantic feel to the room. He caught a movement out of the corner of his eye and glanced over to see a fluffy white dog staring at him from its perch on a velvet-upholstered chaise lounge. After blinking at him a few times, the dog stretched and settled itself more comfortably, apparently not bothered by the abrupt presence of a stranger. Kelton let his head sink into the soft pillow; he suddenly felt drowsy, his limbs warm and heavy. No doubt the resulting effects of the hot bath and satisfying release. All of the tension had drained from his body, and he closed his eyes for just a moment… *** Antonia glanced out the window at the coming dusk. The sun had just begun its descent, and streaks of red and orange 11
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blazed across the sky. She turned back to the counter where stacks of books sat piled over most of its surface. She would have to sort them before she started on inventory, which meant she would be staying late tonight. She'd already called Holly and asked her to feed Rosie, her dog. Antonia sighed. At least this would give her time to turn her mind from Kelton. Images from the awful dream flashed across her vision at odd times, and the pain and tenderness she felt for him threatened to overwhelm her. What did it all mean? Was she meant to be with him? Antonia dismissed the thought with a dainty snort. That was certainly wishful thinking on her part. No, she had to forget him; it had been a chance encounter, and she would probably never see him again. She turned her attention to the books as the sun dipped below the horizon. *** He couldn't move. What the hell? Kelton blinked and shook his head to clear the sleep from his eyes. What was going on? After a moment, he realized his wrists were chained to the bedposts. Shit. Suddenly alert, he sprang straight up, forgetting for a moment that he wasn't fully mobile. He was quickly reminded when sharp metal edges cut into his skin, jerking him back down among the pillows. He cursed at the pain as he shifted on the slippery satin, trying to settle himself more comfortably. But in this position, it was damned hard. A warm breeze drifted over his body; someone had opened a window. Antonia. His senses tingled. That meant that she had been in the room. She had to have noticed him lying on the 12
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bed… The air caressed his bare legs. He furrowed his brow. Where the hell were his pants? "Ah, the prisoner is awake," a low, feminine voice came from the shadows. He started in surprise. Panic rose within him as he struggled to sit up, but once again, his bonds rendered him helpless. "I wouldn't try that, if I were you. You'll only hurt yourself." The speaker moved into the light, but she was not Antonia. A tall, blond woman stood before him. Her entire being shone with a golden beauty, a Valkyrie come to life. "Valencia." His eyes narrowed. She smiled and cast an admiring eye over his prone form. "How flattering. You remember me." He flinched as her sharp nail ran lightly down the bottom of his foot. "I have been looking for you, noble warrior. You were the greatest pleasure we ever had in the Darkness." Her touch sent an involuntary shudder through his body, not of desire, but of utter disgust. He did not want her hands on him. "Why do you seek me?" She arched a brow. "That much is obvious, is it not? I want you, helpless and begging for mercy." Her lips curved in a thin smile, and he was reminded of a slithering snake. "I am no longer a slave, Valencia." He hissed through gritted teeth. His stomach churned with loathing as her fingers crawled up his leg. "Your people may be gone from this world, Kelton, but I am Second to the Queen of the underworld. Surely, I have leave to take what I wish." Her gaze fastened on his thick cock. "And you are still the most impressive specimen of man I have ever seen. You will please me well, just as you did all those centuries 13
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ago." He did not reply. His mind screamed as the panic mounted. He knew what was coming. A whip materialized in her hands. He braced himself for agony. But to no avail. Kelton could not suppress a cry as the leather struck the tender sole of his foot; the pain was too fierce. Valencia smiled, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Splendid, Kelton. Louder, if you please." The whip hit his other foot. The whole sole throbbed with the blow, and Valencia laughed merrily at his shouted curses. *** Antonia looked up when she heard the agonized cries. Slowly, she rose from her kneeling position, cautiously peering toward the darkened staircase. Her heart raced. There was an intruder in her house. She glanced down at Holly, who still lay unconscious on the kitchen floor. Rosie frantically licked her pale, drawn face. Fear settled in her stomach. She was the only one who could confront the criminal. She steeled herself for the encounter to come, resolutely marching up the stairs. She paused only when she approached her bedroom door. When she pressed her ear to it, there was nothing but silence. Drawing a deep breath, she threw it open. The scene before her echoed her nightmare. Kelton lay upon her bed, his wrists chained to the posts with metal cuffs. His shirt was torn open and his legs bare, his pants in a heap on the floor. The blond woman from her dream—Valencia—stood above him, a whip in her hand. She looked up when Antonia entered. "Well, what have we here?" Valencia's eyes slid up and down her body. Antonia swallowed as terror stole her breath. "You. You 14
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were that vile creature in my dream." "I beg you pardon?" "You…whipped him. Until you drew blood." She inhaled shakily. "I'd never seen anything so awful." She shook her head, trying to clear the image from her mind. Her gaze shifted to Kelton, whose chiseled features twisted in pain. And in the blink of an eye, her fear dissipated into pure, unadulterated fury. She stalked to Valencia and tore the whip from her hands. It went flying as she tossed it across the room. "How dare you?" she thundered; her face heated as it flushed with anger. The blonde's dazzling blue eyes narrowed. "Is that a challenge, mortal? I don't think it wise to—" "You have not only trespassed into my home, but you attacked my cousin and now you are hurting the man I love. I cannot allow that." Antonia no longer registered her own actions. She lunged at Valencia and tackled her to the floor, hoping to make her pay for what she had done to Kelton. Her vision blurred to a haze as she battled with the woman, and as the moments ticked by, and she grew frantic. She couldn't see anything! Suddenly, a piercing scream rang out. She staggered backward, landing on the floor against the wall, as her eyes cleared. Breathing heavily, she glanced around the room, but Valencia was gone. Kelton lowered his arms gingerly, wincing as blood returned to them. Valencia's chains had disappeared with her, leaving him free but stunned. He had never seen anything as astonishing as what Antonia had just done. A candle lay in pieces on the floor, a scorch mark staining the plush carpet. The Dark was a cold place; even the fire there was ice to the touch. And there was nothing the gods of the underworld feared more 15
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than genuine heat…Valencia would leave him in peace. The man I love. The words resonated through his mind—without a doubt, the most precious words he had ever heard. Antonia turned to him, and he waited for her to rail and rant and demand to know why he was here. But her eyes held something that he could never have expected. Tenderness. She did not speak, but merely turned away and walked into the bathroom. Kelton tried to lie still, his feet hot and throbbing. He knew that welts were spreading across his skin; he had experienced this all too many times before. Antonia returned after a moment, carrying a small tube. She sat down on the edge of the bed and lifted his right foot onto her lap. Cradling it in her hands, she gently daubed the swelling sole with lotion. It stung. She glanced up at his sharp intake of breath "I'm sorry if it hurts you." The first words she had spoken to him tonight. Her voice was soft and gentle. He was dumbfounded. She did not find it at all curious that a strange man was in her house? Antonia concealed her distress as she salved Kelton's wounds. It was not an easy task, for she had just received two shocks at once. First, the man she had been dreaming of for all these months, the man she had actually seen in the flesh for the first time just yesterday…lay in her bed. And second, her nightmare had come true. Dreams and nightmares, all in the space of a few short moments…both had come to pass. That terrible image flashed through her mind again: Kelton on his knees, his head bowed as the tall woman beside him swung the whip in her hand. The strap struck his firm rump; his sculpted lips parted as an anguished cry escaped his throat. His handsome face contorted 16
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in pain from the savage blow. She shuddered. And then she recalled what she had seen as she entered her bedroom. Kelton lay stretched out across her bed, his powerful arms restrained with thick metal cuffs. The muscles in his shoulders flexed as his body tensed. And that woman… Antonia felt nauseated. The moment must have brought back hideous memories of past abuse. She frowned. But which past? The hall in her dream had looked like an Egyptian throne room, an image from a Hollywood film. "Who are you?" He opened his eyes at her sudden question, the intense emerald eyes boring into her. "You know who I am. Kelton Barrett. We met yesterday." Her eyes narrowed dangerously. Was he lying to her? Was her dream just nonsense? But it couldn't be. She had seen the expression on his face when Valencia struck him. Pure agony. "You've haunted my dreams for months, Kelton." She paused, unsure. "I'd like to know who you are." He paused for a long moment. When he spoke, it was hesitantly, as if he knew she wouldn't believe him. "I'm the battle god of the cult of the Notte Rishta, an old cult. We came long before the Romans." He sighed. "But our own people betrayed us. They made a pact with the underworld and imprisoned us, forcing us to serve them. We became genies, of sorts." "Genies?" Kelton sighed, his face suddenly weary. Antonia almost wished she hadn't asked. "One wish to whoever summoned us." "And how did they summon you?" "They offered a blood sacrifice in the way of the old cult. 17
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Newborn lambs, deer; it was truly barbaric." His brow furrowed, as if lost in thought. "But now, we're finished with that. We serve ourselves and live among humans, moving from place to place, so that no one ever learns… of our immortality." "I see." So he was a god. She felt she should be shocked, but she wasn't. "How did you get here?" Kelton smiled. "I thought of you." "That's it? You just thought of me and landed in my bed?" "Well, it took some concentration. I willed myself to end up in your bed, even though I didn't know what it looked like." Before she could say anything else, the door flew open. "Toni?" Holly's eyes widened when she saw Kelton lying half-naked on the bed. "Oh, I didn't know…" Antonia was on her feet in an instant, taking her cousin in her arms. She had nearly forgotten about Holly in the chaos. "Thank goodness you're all right!" Holly still looked a bit dazed—whether from the attack or the sight of Kelton in his glory, Antonia wasn't sure—but she hugged her back. "What happened?" Antonia tucked a strand of fair hair behind her cousin's ear, thinking quickly. "You tripped over Rosie and hit your head. I wasn't quite sure what to do." "Oh." She rubbed at the bump on her forehead. "And, um, who is…that?" And why is he half-nude in your bed? her eyes asked silently. "He's, well…he's—" "Her boyfriend," Kelton finished. Surprise flickered across Holly's face. "Boyfriend?" She suppressed an astonished smile. "Toni, he's not exactly your usual—I mean, he's not the type who would normally—" Who would normally even give me a second glance, Antonia 18
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thought. She knew exactly what her cousin meant to say. She narrowed her eyes but said nothing. Holly shrugged. "Okay, well, you two have fun. I'm going home to sleep this off." She raked one last glance over Kelton's body and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. Antonia let out a long breath before slowly walking back to the bed. "Who was that?" His voice was soft. "My cousin." "She didn't believe me when I said we were lovers." "No." Kelton laughed, the sound low and silken. "If only she knew…" Antonia's mood lightened immediately. Her fingers began to stroke his foot again. She slid her fingertips past the swollen arch to the ball of his foot, kneading gently. He sighed contentedly and leaned his dark head back against the pillows, closing his eyes. She spread his toes with her fingers and pulled each one in a mild stretch. Kelton groaned and she smiled, for she suspected the sound was from pleasure, and not pain, for once. She broke the comfortable silence. "Kelton? Who is Valencia?" "The principal lady-in-waiting to the Queen of the underworld." She gazed at him for a long moment. "What did I do to her? Why did she vanish?" His eyes opened. "You don't remember?" She shook her head. "I couldn't see…I saw the look on your face, and I lost my temper." "I'd say so." He chuckled. "You threw a burning candle at her. Her greatest fear." 19
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"Oh." Antonia was astounded at her own reaction; she should not be taking this so well…and yet, she was. She trusted him, believed every word he said. She glanced down at her lap, marveling at the weight of his bronzed leg. He was a massive man, his body thick with sinew and muscle. But every part of him appeared crafted with grace and elegance. From the powerful shoulders to the large, wellformed foot she held in her lap, he was utterly glorious. And he lay helpless in her bed. Did she dare? Antonia glanced at him; the deep emerald eyes were closed again, the dusky lashes fanned out against his chiseled cheekbone. Slowly, she kissed the pad of his foot and moved his leg off her lap. She felt a shudder pass through him at the feel of her lips on his skin. But a mere tremor was not enough for her. She wanted seismic activity. Kelton did not open his eyes as she silently climbed across the bed. In fact, he did not move at all. Until her lips enfolded his cock and sucked. Once. It was as if the one tug had sparked all the nerve endings in his body, for his eyes flew open as he drew a sharp breath. Antonia enjoyed his response immensely, and she set about devouring him. His already enormous cock swelled as she sucked greedily. Low grunts escaped from his throat, setting fire to her own body. Her tongue ran up and down the underside of his bulging cock as she drew him deeper into her mouth. He was smooth and hot and throbbing. She licked him slowly, sensuously, savoring his taste. When he arched his hips against her mouth, straining for release, she drew back. Kelton groaned, his frustration etched on his handsome 20
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face. "A bit too greedy, my darling," she purred. "Antonia, please," he rasped, reaching for her. "No." She scooted back on the bed. "Don't touch me, please. Just let me taste you." She wanted to pleasure him until he was mad with ecstasy. Kelton hesitated for a moment before obeying. He leaned back against the pillow and watched her, hot desire plain in his keen gaze. Antonia crawled along the bed until she reached his face. She pressed a palm to his muscular chest as she leaned down. He growled when she kissed him, his firm lips immediately molding her mouth to his. But after a moment, she pulled away. She rained kisses all over his bronzed body. His massive shoulders, his chest, his rippling stomach…but she deliberately ignored his jutting erection. "Antonia," he groaned her name, his deep voice shaking with need. She reached down and wrapped her fingers around his pulsating cock. She enjoyed the sight; her small hand holding the massive, throbbing shaft; the slightest pressure could make him moan with pleasure. Except the pressure she exerted was not slight—she squeezed tightly. Kelton's shout resonated throughout the room. The bed shook as his body convulsed in a wrenching orgasm. A stream of seed spurted onto his rippling stomach, and his arms bulged and strained against the thick bands. As Antonia watched him, the ache between her own legs grew more intense. She wanted him there, plunging into her, over and over again. But she would have to wait. His harsh breaths drew her attention back to him. His eyes were closed, again, and he looked completely sated. She pulled herself up 21
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beside him and rose on her knees, running her finger along his cheek. Before she could blink, Kelton had her imprisoned against his chest, his powerful arm wrapped tightly around her. Antonia lay rigid and shocked in his embrace. "Kelton?" He did not answer. He merely pulled her even closer, though such a thing was hardly possible. "What are you…what are you doing?" She gave a breathless whimper when she thought of exactly what she wanted him to do. He turned his face toward her and opened his eyes. His intense gaze pierced her; he stared into her eyes with an expression so primal that it made her tremble. "You're not afraid of me?" "No, of course not. Why would I be?" She scrambled out of his hold and turned to meet his eyes fully. "Because I'm a stranger." Her eyes traveled down the length of his sumptuous body stretched across her bed. "I told you, Kelton. I've dreamed of you for months. Lush, passionate dreams." She gazed at him tenderly. "No, you are not a stranger to me." She reached for him, pulling the fabric of his shirt back to caress his bare shoulder. "We've spent the entire evening in your home, Antonia." "Aren't you enjoying yourself?" He smiled, a wicked, devastating grin that made her insides melt. "Of course. But I'd like to take you out. On a proper date. Tonight." Her eyes widened. "That really isn't necessary, Kelton. No one would believe that I'm your—" His smile faded and he laid a finger over her lips. "Enough. I believe this nonsense is Holly's influence." 22
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"But I—" His green eyes narrowed dangerously. "You're stunning, Antonia. If you could only see what you look like with your hair flowing over the pillow, your face flushed, your mouth swollen with passion." He traced a finger over her lips as he gazed at her with a tenderness that she had not known he could display. She sighed. "All right. If you insist." "I do." Searing intensity blazed in his emerald eyes. Antonia climbed off the bed and reached down to pick up his trousers. She shook them out and tossed them over the edge of the mattress before striding towards her closet, where she surveyed the available options with a frown. She needed something worthy of Kelton, something that would make him breathless with desire. After a few moments of rifling through the hangers, she came across a slinky pink sundress with tiny yellow flowers scattered all over it. Antonia smiled. If the sexy dress didn't make Kelton hard and hot for her, nothing would. Stripping off her jeans and cotton blouse, she pulled on the dress. It felt soft against her skin, the silk whispering as it slid over her body. She glanced in the mirror; the neckline was dangerously low, revealing more than a hint of cleavage. Her mahogany hair was still in a rather severe bun, so she pulled a few strands loose to frame her face. When she was ready, she glanced out into the bedroom. Kelton sat on the edge of her bed, fully dressed. Though his shirt was still in tatters. "We're going to have to stop at your place, or people will think I ravished you." He chuckled. "You did." As she approached, his gaze sharpened, and she felt his eyes drifting over her body. She glanced at his face and saw the raw longing there. The air sizzled as he stared at her, and Antonia hastily broke the silence. "Shall we go?" 23
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He nodded, then hesitated, and she saw a muscle flex in his cheek. Of course. His feet must be sore from the blows he had suffered. "Do you think you can walk?" "I suppose we'll see." He gritted his teeth and touched his foot to the floor. She heard him suck in a sharp breath, but he clenched his jaw and nodded. "Are you sure? We don't have to go if—" In an instant he had closed the distance between them and wrapped his muscular arms around her. She laughed as he looked down and raised a roguish brow. Her warrior was just fine. *** Antonia tried to focus on Kelton as she drove, but her mind swam with questions and nagging doubts. He directed her to his house, and she pulled up in the driveway. While she waited for him to return, the questions made her head spin. What did the dreams mean? And why did he want her? Sighing inwardly, she decided to broach the topic once they arrived at the tiny seaside café Kelton had suggested. Kelton slid into the passenger seat and grinned at her, clad in a fresh white dress shirt that contrasted sharply with his golden skin. She couldn't resist smiling back and running her tongue over her lips as she examined him. At the café, the hostess seated them outside, where they had a magnificent view of the ivory sands below, and beyond that, the vast, endless ocean. "This is lovely, Kelton." His sensual mouth curved into a smile. Her skin tingled with instant awareness. How could a man have such a powerful effect on her? Even in her dreams, his touch had scorched her. She watched him as he motioned the waitress over and ordered a bottle of merlot. 24
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Kelton felt Antonia's eyes on him, but he couldn't gauge her thoughts. She appeared rather serious at the moment. Still, she was beautiful as the candlelight danced across her face. His heart lifted at the mere sight of her. She treated him with a caring gentleness that he had never known before. He couldn't fathom why she thought she wasn't his type. She was everything he needed. "So, there's something I don't quite understand." Her dulcet voice startled him out of his reverie. He lifted a brow expectantly. "The dreams. Did you send them to me?" Kelton contemplated her for a long moment. "No." Her brow furrowed in confusion. "Then where did they come from? I don't understand." He shrugged. "I don't know, beauty. There are forces in this world that even I can't comprehend." He reached out and ran a finger along her delicate jaw line. "But I'm glad they brought you to me. I thought you were only a vision." Her eyes widened. "You dreamed of me?" "Of course. You cannot imagine what feverish, torturous nights I've passed, Antonia, able to touch you only in my dreams. I craved to feel your warmth against me, but all I got was a fleeting illusion." She stared at him, stunned. "You wanted me?" He frowned at her tone; there was the shy, timid girl, again. Not the Antonia who had controlled and pleasured him so effortlessly, a confident, passionate woman in her prime. "Yes. And I still want you." He grinned wickedly. "And as soon as we're done here, I'll have you." And you'll see how much I yearn for you, he thought. "What do you think? It's a perfect night for a walk on the beach." Antonia smiled, the apprehension fading from her exquisite 25
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face. "It is a gorgeous night, warm and balmy. Yes, I think I'd like…a walk." Her low, silky laugh floated towards him, and his cock hardened painfully. What was it about this woman? He simply could not resist her; nor did he want to. *** When they walked out into the night, Kelton took her hand in his. Antonia smiled. His large, warm hand dwarfed hers and she felt utterly delicate and feminine. She glanced over at him. He looked every inch a god in the pale moonlight. But then that horrible image flashed before her, again. Kelton on his knees. And she had to know the truth. "Kelton?" He turned to her and smiled. "About the dreams. I—" His brow furrowed in concern at her hesitation. "What is it, beauty?" "I had a bad dream. A nightmare. About you." "Oh?" Her voice dropped. "That woman—Valencia—and the Queen…they were beating you, Kelton." He stopped; his handsome face went blank. "You saw that?" She lifted a trembling hand to his cheek, feeling the rough stubble under her fingertips. He captured her hand and brought it to his lips. "It really happened?" He nodded. "Long ago." "But—" "Our people used the Queen's power to enslave us. She took a taste of me as her due, and she, like many others, had…dark fantasies." He shook his head. "Oh, Kelton. I can't stand to imagine—" 26
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Kelton placed a finger over her lips. "It's over." He smiled. "One glance at you, and all the horrors of my past disappear." She gave a tremulous smile. "Really?" He nodded and took a step forward. "Come. It's too beautiful a night to waste." They walked along the beach until they found a quiet, isolated stretch, where he stopped and wrapped his powerful arms around her from behind. She felt his chin rest on the top of her head and his chest expand in a contented sigh, as they gazed at the waves slapping gently against the shore. His warmth surrounded her, and Antonia had never felt so utterly fulfilled. So complete. After a long moment, he turned her in his arms and lowered his lips to hers, kissing her deeply as he lifted her off her feet. She laughed. "Kelton, what in the world are you doing?" "You'll see." He carried her as he continued to nuzzle and kiss her, and after some time, they came upon a secluded stretch of sand, where he leaned over and placed her carefully on her back. Antonia giggled. For a moment, he stood in the gleaming moonlight, staring down at her, his expression hungry. Kelton was mesmerized. If she only knew how he wanted to devour her… "Come here." She tugged him down beside her, dark eyes gleaming. The timid woman who had made a brief appearance during dinner was swept away. In her place was the sensual, erotic goddess who set his blood aflame. Kelton could hardly breathe as he stared at her; the silver light of the moon shimmered on her ivory skin. He sank to the sand beside her and reached out a hand to touch her hair; it was silk beneath his fingertips. There were only a few errant strands around her oval face; he slowly pulled the pins out, one by one, 27
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until her thick mahogany hair tumbled over her shoulders. He sat back and smiled—she looked as if she had just risen from a night of intense passion, with her hair disheveled and her lips still swollen from his fierce kiss. Kelton felt his breath quicken at the sight; his cock strained against his pants. With a fleeting thought, he rid them both of their clothes, and his arousal sprang free. She leaned forward, and he felt her warm breath brush his ear. "Make love to me," she whispered. His mouth twisted, his chest clenching sharply. "I don't know how to make love, angel. All I know is pain." "Then I will show you." "Really?" Antonia smiled at the hope revealed in his emerald eyes, then kissed the tip of his perfect, patrician nose. "Of course." "How?" Her smile widened. "Just kiss me." He lowered his lips to hers and she returned the kiss, firmly, purposefully. Her fingers wove through his dark hair in a tender caress, gently squeezing the nape of his neck. A shiver traveled down Kelton's spine as her delicate hands leisurely explored his back. Her body was soft beneath his, her breasts pressed to his chest. He could feel her clit hard and swollen against his cock, and he reached down and squeezed it gently. Antonia inhaled sharply. "Kelton," she whimpered. He gave her a playful scowl. "You tormented me while I was bound and helpless. I think vengeance is in order." He rolled the nub between his thumb and index finger, and hot liquid seeped from her body, drenching his fingers with her arousal. Her breathing grew urgent as he fondled her, but he did not relent. He pressed down, and she lurched involuntarily. 28
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"Please!" Kelton smiled and idly continued to stroke her. While rubbing her clit with his thumb, he slid a finger inside her pulsating sheath. Antonia cried out. He nearly groaned himself—the wet heat of her body made his cock throb and burn. Finally his control snapped and he succumbed to his desire. He had wanted her for so long, that the pleasure nearly overwhelmed him. Withdrawing his fingers, he placed the head of his cock at her opening and thrust powerfully, savoring the feel of her hot, soaked pussy clenching around him. Her long legs gripped his waist, and he pushed his cock further into her slick passage. Antonia made a low, throaty sound of pleasure that nearly drove him to the edge. Kelton drove his hips against hers, pumping rhythmically as the tangy, pungent scent of the ocean wafted over him on the warm breeze. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she clung to him, panting and moaning. When he could no longer hold back, he released a great cry as his cock erupted; his massive body bucking and thrashing as ecstasy held him prisoner. Finally the spasms subsided and he slowed his hips, then pulled out, noticing the milky seed that trickled down the inside of her soft thighs. Gasping, he laid his head on her breast. She stroked his hair as his breathing slowed to normal. After a few long moments, he spoke. "That was love?" "You tell me. Do you feel any pain?" "Yes," he answered, lifting his head from her chest. He smiled at her stricken gaze. "I feel pleasure so intense it hurts." Antonia's face relaxed into a soft smile. "I'm glad, Kelton." "So now I know." "Indeed." "You didn't come." 29
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Antonia laughed, the sound low and sultry. "I think we can still remedy that." The ache between her legs was intense, and she yearned for release. She reached for his hand and tried to guide it back down to her swollen, throbbing clit, but he drew away and wrapped his arms around her. After pressing a hard, firm kiss to her lips, he rolled over onto his back, taking her with him. "Have you tried this before?" "Tried what?" Antonia's eyes widened with shock as he briefly dipped a finger into her sheath, then stroked it through the crease of her derriere, massaging their juices into her anus. "I take that as a no." His emerald eyes watched her intently as he repeated the motions of his hand. She questioned him with her dark gaze. He merely smiled. Then she felt his finger press gently against her. "Kelton, I don't know—" "Shh, you'll like it, I promise. Just relax." His deep voice was soothing, reassuring. The pressure increased slightly. "Ready?" She wasn't at all sure about this, but she nodded nonetheless, and he slid his finger inside, slowly, carefully. Antonia gasped at the burning sensation. The unfamiliar fullness inside her was painful. "It's all right, sweetheart. The pain will pass." He kept his hand completely still for a few long moments, until finally, the stinging faded. She moved slowly, relieved to find that it didn't hurt so much. She pressed down against Kelton's questing finger cautiously. He understood, thrusting gently to see how she responded. Antonia inhaled sharply, enjoying the sensations more and more as the moments passed. She had never felt this type of pleasure; it was surreal and exotic. 30
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Kelton began to thrust harder, and she moved her hips to meet his strokes. The warm night breeze did little to cool the sweat on her skin as she leaned her head back, moving to the rhythm of Kelton's finger inside her. Her breathing quickened, and she clutched his powerful arms for support as shocks of pleasure spiraled through her body. A wild shriek ripped from her throat. Kelton held her shuddering frame against him as the orgasm claimed her. *** Kelton was silent as he followed Antonia into the house. His heart was heavy; he felt for her in a way he had never expected to feel for a woman. It was absurd, he knew, since he had only been with her for one night. But he realized that she had pierced his heart much earlier than tonight. In his dreams, she had given herself to him freely; passionately. As no other woman ever had. And he had given her his heart. Kelton's chest tightened. Regardless of his feelings for her, he could not remain here for long. It was always this way; he could never stay in one place for long, lest the humans realize that while they aged, he appeared exactly as he had been a decade ago. He could not risk rousing their suspicions. "Antonia." He reached out and grasped her slender wrist. She turned to smile at him; an intimate, tender smile that wreaked havoc on his body. His heart clenched painfully. "You know that I can't stay." Antonia lifted a delicate brow. "For the night? Oh, well, that's not a prob—" "No, I meant—" He raked an impatient hand through his hair. "Remember what I said about moving from place to place?" Understanding dawned in her eyes and she smiled sadly. "All we can do is enjoy the time we do have, Kelton." Her voice 31
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was soft as she reached out to touch his cheek. He closed his eyes. How could he ever bear to give up this woman? And he would have to, eventually. But his time with her would be a moment of fire in the cold, dark shadow of eternity. Though his heart ached at the thought of losing her, he was grateful for that moment, at least. "I suppose you're right," he said, opening his eyes with a resolute smile. "Of course I am. Unless my dream warrior wants to mount a siege against fate." She smiled. "And I don't think even you're capable of that, darling." "No, but I am." Antonia started at the booming voice that resonated from her bedroom. Kelton pushed past her and peeked inside, astonished. A shining silver aura surrounded the dark-haired man standing next to the bed. "Cairbre?" The man smiled. "Been a while, no?" He walked over to Antonia and touched her forehead. Kelton watched, shocked, as she staggered, then fainted. The other man caught her smoothly. Anger rose in Kelton's chest. "What did you—?" "I defeated fate," Cairbre said simply, then carried the unconscious Antonia to the bed and carefully put her down. Kelton's eyes widened in shock. "But how? I don't under—" "I honored our promise to the humans, Kelton." The other man smiled sadly. "And so I could not release you from your servitude, even when you were abused." Kelton opened his mouth to speak, but Cairbre shook his head, his hypnotic sapphire eyes determined. "This is my gift to you, since I could not help you when you needed me. This woman fills the void inside you—I can feel it. And her love is deep and sincere. May you pass a blessed 32
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eternity with her." "What? What are you talking about?" Though Kelton suspected he already knew. Cairbre smiled. "When she wakes, she will be immortal." *** Antonia woke to sunlight streaming in through the windows. She blinked sleepily, trying to gather her wits—a task that proved to be more difficult than usual. What in the world had happened to her? Kelton lay beside her, his heavy leg nestled between her thighs, his green eyes watchful and alert. She sat up and reached for the glass of water on her nightstand, shaking her head to clear the grogginess. "What happened? That man walked toward me, and I just…" He grinned. "You're immortal." She choked and sputtered on the sip she'd just taken. The glass slipped from her fingers to land with a thump on the table. "But, I—" She gasped and turned aside to cough. "How?" She asked, when she'd finally caught her breath. "He's Cairbre, the king of our pantheon. It's in his power." He leaned over and brushed her lips with a tender kiss. "But does it matter? We have eternity together." Antonia smiled and burrowed into his warm embrace. Indeed, they did.
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Lily Ashford
About the Author
When it comes to the old adage that girls are made of “sugar and spice, and everything nice,” Lily firmly believes the spice part. Sugar is all very well and good, but too much is bad for you. Spices are healthy, remember. And who says girls always have to be nice? Men, especially alphas, can benefit from a little rough handling. And like so many others, Lily loves nothing more than a powerful, commanding alpha. Lily writes traditional contemporary romance and erotic romance, but “One Torrid Night” is her first published story. A devoted animal lover, pets make frequent appearances in her stories. Also, she is addicted to all things sensual; fragrance, moonlight, and mystery make the most erotic encounter even hotter… Visit Lily on the Web at: www.LilyAshford.com!
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