Burned by Darkness - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,60
eating Tayla’s scones from now on but me,” he snarled.
“Baine,” she breathed in protest, feeling a jolt of excitement at his touch.
Levet tilted his head to the side, studying her with open curiosity.
“Is this true?”
“I wouldn’t put it in those exact words,” Tayla said, making no effort to pull away from Baine’s possessive grip. Why would she? This was precisely where she longed to be. “But I do plan to stay with Baine. I was hoping you would remain here and keep a watch on the house.”
Levet’s gray eyes widened in pleased surprise. “Moi?”
“Of course.” She offered a gentle smile. This tiny demon had been a loyal friend, and regardless of Baine’s less-than-complimentary opinion, Tayla would never forget his kindness.
“You do have a budding business to run,” she pointed out.
“I do,” he preened, puffing out his narrow chest. “But first I have a small duty to perform.”
Tayla was almost afraid to ask. Sometimes Levet’s duty could get him in serious trouble.
“What duty?”
“There is a young fairy in London who is waiting to be rescued. My days as KISA are not yet over.” Reaching up, Levet grabbed Tayla’s hand and pressed a brief kiss on her finger. “Au revoir, ma belle.”
Before Tayla could demand details, Levet was giving a flap of his fairy wings and heading toward the star-sprinkled sky.
“KISA?” Baine demanded as the gargoyle swiftly disappeared from view.
“Knight In Shining Armor,” she explained with a small smile.
Baine snorted. “Let’s go home.”
“Yes,” she breathed, her heart swelling with happiness.
Grasping her hand, he lifted her fingers to his lips, pressing a scorching kiss to her knuckles before he was urging her into his waiting portal.
They were briefly surrounded by a thick darkness before they were stepping out of the opening into Blaine’s private bedroom. Instantly her tension eased.
Being in Baine’s lair always made her feel safe.
Cherished…
And deliciously aroused.
Hopefully sensing her ready desire, Baine tugged her across the mosaic-tiled floor.
“I have a surprise for you,” he murmured.
Tayla smiled as anticipation tingled through her body. “I don’t suppose it includes your bed and…” Her words trailed away as she caught sight of the bag that was placed on the edge of the mattress. “My suitcase?”
Brushing his lips over her brow, he urged her forward. “Open it.”
Slowly moving forward, she halted at the edge of the bed and lifted the top of the suitcase. Peering inside, she felt a stab of confusion.
“It’s empty,” she said.
“Exactly.” Stepping forward, Baine reached to close the suitcase and shove it off the bed. Then, with gentle hands, he turned her to meet his smoldering gaze. “No more packed bags. No more escape plans. You’re here to stay.”
Her heart melted. He remembered.
Was it any wonder she loved him so desperately?
Holding his gaze, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Forever?”
He grasped her hips, tugging her against his stirring erection.
“Forever.”
Tayla sighed in pleasure as Baine lowered his head to claim her lips in a kiss of searing demand.
After trying to avoid her fate for the past twenty-five years, she was done running. From this moment on, she was staying exactly where she belonged.
In the arms of her dragon…
The End
KILL WITHOUT MERCY (ARES SECURITY)
by Alexandra Ivy
PROLOGUE
Few people truly understood the meaning of ‘hell on earth.’
The five soldiers who had been held in the Taliban prison in southern Afghanistan, however, possessed an agonizingly intimate knowledge of the phrase.
There was nothing like five weeks of brutal torture to teach a man that there are worse things than death.
It should have broken them. Even the most hardened soldiers could shatter beneath the acute psychological and physical punishment. Instead the torment only honed their ruthless determination to escape their captors.
In the dark nights they pooled their individual resources.
Rafe Vargas, a covert ops specialist. Max Grayson, trained in forensics. Hauk Laurensen, a sniper who was an expert with weapons. Teagan Moore, a computer wizard. And Lucas St. Clair, the smooth-talking hostage negotiator.
Together they forged a bond that went beyond friendship. They were a family bound by the grim determination to survive.
CHAPTER ONE
Friday nights in Houston meant crowded bars, loud music and ice-cold beer. It was a tradition that Rafe and his friends had quickly adapted to suit their own tastes when they moved to Texas five months ago.
After all, none of them were into the dance scene. They were too old for half-naked coeds and casual hookups. And none of them wanted to have to scream over pounding music to have a decent conversation.
Instead, they’d found The Saloon, a small, cozy bar with lots of polished wood, a