Guest Author - Maggie Walsh and Maxi's Glass Heart

Welcome Maggie Walsh back to my blog as she shares a bit of her upcoming release, Maxi's Glass Heart

Maxi is a small shifter who has escaped a controlling brother and has come to Sanctuary in hopes of disappearing and finding a new life and his mates. As he begins to settle down in his new home and his new job, Maxi begins to make some friends. Something he has never had before. Maxi is happily surprised when he meets both of his mates on the same day.

Valor is a very large and sexy fae warrior, and Travis is a gorgeous wolf shifter who is in Sanctuary as a trainee at the facility. When the three meet, they go off to try to get to know each other, but something Valor says has Maxi worried and he shifts into his creature and takes off. He has had enough pain in his life and he is unwilling to stand for anymore.

After his mates find him and they clear the air, the three have a passionate night together, but that too turns out to be a moment of pain for Maxi. Once his mates are done having their fun with him, they immediately take off without giving Maxi a second thought.

After a week away, Valor and Travis return from a mission to try to talk to their mate and apologize for just leaving him like they did, but they find that Maxi is not receptive to what they have to say. Maxi takes off and Valor and Travis follow him. When they find him a few minutes later, they are both confused when they realize Maxi has no memory of them.

When Maxi is then taken by someone from his past, Valor and Travis have to find him before they lose their mate forever. And if they do find him, they then have to convince the little cutie that they are his mates.

Available Feb. 9th, 2017 at: www.bookstrand.com

 To follow Maggie or contact her : 

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e-mail: maggiewalsh68@yahoo.com

“I’m sorry,” Maxi whispered. “I should have let you finish and not run halfway through your sentence.”

Maxi stood there silent as he looked between both of his mates, neither of them saying a word. Maxi wondered if he had something on his face the way they were both just standing there not making a sound. He turned his head back and forth between them, then followed their gazes. Looking down his body, he couldn’t believe he hadn’t realized he was standing before his mates buck naked. And their gazes were locked on the hard cock jutting from his body.

Maxi sighed in annoyance and put his hands on his hips. When neither mate moved or averted their eyes, he started snapping his fingers. “Hello. My eyes are up here. Jeez, you two act like you never saw a cock before. Okay, okay, I get it, I’m naked and hard, but show a little control, people.”

“You’re very beautiful, mate. Stunning actually,” Valor said in a deep, husky voice. A shiver raced through Maxi’s body from the sound. He didn’t think the timbre of Valor’s voice could get any deeper, but it did. And, boy, was it sexy as hell. He could feel a bead of pre-cum escape the tip of his already painfully hard cock.

“Yeah, well, thank you, but do you think you could stop looking at me like that for a few minutes so that we can get past this drama?” Valor raised a brow at him as a smirk touched the corner of his mouth, and Maxi narrowed his eyes.

“Yes, I realize it was self-inflicted drama, but...whatever.”

Travis cleared his throat, bringing their attention to him. “Do you both think we could get past this little misunderstanding and move on?”

“Okay, but either you both need to get those clothes off so I’m not the only one standing here naked for this conversation, or someone needs to give me a shi―” Maxi never got to finish his statement as he stood in awe of how fast both men shed their clothes and now stood before him in all their naked glory. A whimper escaped his lips as Maxi’s gaze freely roamed over miles of muscled, taut skin, so perfectly molded and hard. Maxi raised his brows in amazement. That’s not all that’s perfectly hard. Hot damn. Was that an actual cock hanging between his fae mate’s legs or a fucking third leg? At least now he had his answer as to whether the fae was big everywhere. His hole clenched with the thought of that massive man-meat sliding into him.

Travis fidgeted next to him and Maxi turned his attention to him, and another whimper came out. Travis was also well gifted in the cockatiel area, as well as the sculpted body. Maxi licked his lips in appreciation as naughty thoughts of running his tongue over every inch of their bodies crossed his mind.

“Keep looking at me like that, mate, and I’m going to lay you down right here and ravage you,” Travis promised.

“I’m about to ravage you both,” Valor added and stepped closer.

Maxi felt a heat at his back as a hard chest pressed up against him and strong arms wrapped around his waist and began to stroke his stomach. He felt lightheaded and leaned back, welcoming the touch. Maxi’s eyes closed when Valor’s large hand grazed his left nipple. Gods, it had been too long since he had felt the touch of a man.

Another set of hands were placed on his hips and a feather of a kiss crossed his lips. Maxi opened his eyes, but his lids remained heavy with desire. Travis stood before him, his lips a mere inch from Maxi’s own. Travis leaned in and took his mouth in a slow kiss.

A second set of lips pressed against the side of his neck, as they started a path of torturous nibbles and licks up to his ear. His lobe was tugged slightly by teeth and he moaned. Travis took advantage of the slight opening of his lips and slid his tongue inside, tangling it around Maxi’s.

Maxi raised his hands and wrapped one around the heads of each of his soon to be lovers, pulling them closer. He loved being surrounded by these two hot men. And he especially loved being the center of their attention. Sure he was the center of his brother Parker’s attention when the man was around, but that was in a completely different way. Parker was always telling him what to do and what not to do. He always demanded things of Maxi and made his life hell. If he didn’t listen to Parker there were always consequences. Maxi had to do everything for his brother, like a maid. He was so sick of being alone or with Parker. So sick of no one ever caring for him or about him.

But these two men, his mates, were making him feel very wanted, if the press of two hard cocks against his heated flesh was any indication. Damn, where was a nice fluffy bed when you needed one? But then again, the forest had its own advantages.

A large hand wrapped around his cock and began a slow, steady stroke from base to tip. Maxi whimpered from the sensations that were consuming his body. Another hand cupped his sac and rolled it ever so gently, as Travis pulled back from the kiss. “Does both of our hands on you feel good, little sprite?” Travis asked in a whisper against his lips.

“Oh, fuck yes. Being the cream in the middle of this cookie is better than being the chip,” Maxi answered breathlessly.

Travis and Valor both chuckled. “What does that mean, mate?” Valor asked and nipped at the side of his neck again.

“I love chocolate chip cookies. Not too big on cream-filled ones, but maybe I need to reassess that thought, because being the cream is fucking fantastic.”

“See now, I love the cream. Especially the kind I can make shoot from my beautiful lovers,” Valor replied in a husky voice. The vibration of it against his flesh had Maxi’s cock weeping with need.

“Someone likes the idea of you tasting his cream, Valor. The scent of your arousal is making my wolf need a taste of that cream as well, little sprite,” Travis said, then dropped to his knees before Maxi.

Valor stopped stroking his shaft and Maxi felt Travis’s hand wrap around the base right before a wet tongue lapped across the tip. He moaned from the pleasure it gave him and he pushed his hips forward, wanting more. Travis didn’t disappoint. He took the tip between his lips and sucked gently as he speared his tongue into the small slit, pulling more of his essence from Maxi’s body. Maxi thought his head was about to explode from the attention of his two mates, and he didn’t think it could get any better, but then it did.

New Bear Mountain --- PRINT BOOKS

Two new collections of my Bear Mountain titles are now in PRINT!  I know there are still folks out there who prefer a "real" book versus an electronic one -- so here you go :)

Click to purchase

Volume THREE Includes Books 9 - 11

A Beta for Two Bears
A Sheriff for Two Bears
Finding His Two Bears

Click to Purchase

Volume Four Includes Book 12 - 15

Cherished by Two Bears
Mated to Two Bears
A Marine for Two Bears
A Wolf for One Bear

And for those of you who might want the older Volumes 1 & 2 -- 

here are the links for those as well:

Click to Purchase

Volume One Includes Books 1 - 4

Bound by Two Bears
Claimed by Two Bears
An Omega for Two Bears
Promised to Two Bears

Click to Purchase

Volume One Includes Books 5 - 8

A Second Chance with Two Bears
A Stag for Two Bears
Redemption for Two Bears
Surrendering to Two Bears

My Coffee Addiction

Guest Author - A.M. Halford and Wrench in the Engine

Welcome A.M. Halford to my blog as she shares a bit of her new release, Wrench in the Engine.

[Siren Classic ManLove: Erotic Alternative Futuristic Sci-Fi Romance, M/M, HEA]

Steven, the head mechanic of the pirate ship Galaxia, is frustrated that he is unable to repair the ship's engines on his own. He’s further irritated when his captain hires outside help to assist him.

Chris is one of the two original creators of the engines used on the Galaxia, but he’s been retired—so to speak—for years now. When Steven arrives requesting his help, Chris is instantly intrigued by the young man and takes the job just to get a chance at him. Before they can even start, however, the Galaxia comes under attack by the military, and Chris is identified as a deserter.

With no choice, Chris joins the crew and sets out to find a way to fix the engines and avoid his own arrest. During the trip, Chris and Steven must come to terms with their mutual attraction—and whether or not to act on it.

BUY THE BOOK

You can find A.M. here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMHalford

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMHalford

Website: www.amhalford.com

Chapter One

Steven glowered as the ship entered planetary orbit with Maris. The ocean-covered planet was like a blue-green jewel nestled against a black velvet blanket. Its two moons, Lara and Ula, created the perfect accent and, of course, controlled the tides. If this were a leisure trip to the beautiful planet, Steven may have been in a better mood. Instead, all he felt was irritation and defeat.

Having to rely on outside help to fix the engines was the last thing he ever wanted. He’d put his entire being into keeping the Galaxia’s engines running smoothly at peak performance. Now, because of numbskulls, he was experiencing the first true crisis in his career as the pirate ship’s head mechanic.

“You ready?” Tony asked. The short navigator had promised to accompany Steven onto the planet to find this Chris guy the captain said could help them repair the Galaxia. Steven wasn’t so sure about that. Unless the guy could build an entire engine from scratch.

“Like I have a choice,” Steven grumbled as he moved down the corridor to the cargo hold. They were taking one of the main shuttles down. The Galaxia was far too big to enter and exit the planet’s atmosphere.

Tony patted him on the back encouragingly. “Hey, worst case he’s a deadbeat we can tell to get lost.”

“Enough,” Craig ordered. “Chris lives on the island Aerwyna. It’s small, but popular with tourists due to the reefs surrounding it. We’ll be landing directly on the island, near his place of residence and work.”

Steven stepped into the shuttle as Craig continued to give orders and ensure everyone understood their part to play. The party going down consisted of four men: Steven, Tony, Craig, and Darrel. All Steven had to do was talk to this guy and get him to agree to work on the Galaxia’s engines.

After taking his seat on the shuttle, Steven strapped himself in and slid his earpiece into place. He had a gun at his hip, but he doubted he’d need to use it. The planets in the Tri-Paradise system were ungodly peaceful. People came here for vacation. Still, it had become a habit to carry a weapon even before he signed on with Sidney and the Galaxia. Palming the cold metal of the pistol, he sighed as Tony took the shuttle out of the hold and sped toward the planet.

The small ship jolted and jerked, flames licking at the outer hull as the atmosphere lit with the friction of entry. Once they slowed enough due to drag, the flames flickered out and Tony steered them in the direction of their target.

Steven ignored the gasps and awed sounds from his crewmembers as they all looked out the windows. He never wanted to come here in the first place. Why did this Chris have to be on a fucking ocean planet? He couldn’t be on a developed planet? No, he just had to be in the one type of place Steven hated the most.

“If you keep glaring like that, you’ll never convince Chris to help,” Craig teased. Steven glowered at the first mate. He didn’t see what his expressions had to do with anything. The only reason he was even doing this was because Sidney had ordered him to seek this guy’s help himself.

“Two minutes until arrival,” Tony shouted behind him.

Sitting up, Steven braced himself for what was going to be a humiliating process. He could see the island of Aerwyna in the distance, quickly getting bigger as they approached. It didn’t even look that populated! A small resort stood on the western-facing beaches, and a small village sprawled out behind that.

Steven felt himself tensing at the memories the sight was dragging up. He hated island villages! He just knew as soon as that door opened and the salty sea air hit him, he was going to be sick.

Tony brought the ship to a smooth landing on an airstrip just outside the village, and once the engines were off, he opened the doors. Steven’s stomach heaved as the fresh air rushed in. Why did it have to be an ocean planet?

“You going to be okay?” Craig looked amused standing in front of the ramp as it lowered to the ground.

“Let’s just get this over with,” Steven managed to grumble out between shallow breaths and trying not to gag.

“Right,” Craig said with a laugh. “Darrel, you stay with the shuttle. We’ll be back soon, hopefully.”

Oh, they’d be back as soon as Steven could get the information from the man. He didn’t need his help to actually fix the engines. He just needed his knowledge. For that exact reason, he’d brought a holographic schematic of the damage. All this Chris guy had to do was show him what needed to be done and how, and he’d be on his way. No reason to make this more complicated than it already was.

They got a small land vehicle, a primitive jeep-looking thing, from a rental desk stationed in the airport, and Steven sat in the backseat. He ignored the flirting couple in the front. Tony was talking about how he wanted to go swimming, while Craig obviously just wanted to see the navigator wet. Steven couldn’t understand the desire to be intimate with someone. Having someone so close to his personal space made Steven uncomfortable. Sure, he had the craving to let loose every now and then, but he’d never wanted one of those faceless fucks to hang around.

As they got closer to the village and resort, Steven spotted a large repair hangar and his hopes were piqued. Maybe this guy was worth his salt after all. Steven even recognized the company’s name on the side of the building. Laser Aeronautics was a chain of mechanic shops scattered across the cosmos. They had a reputation for only hiring the best.

It took Steven a moment to notice they were driving right past the large building and down to the docks. What the hell was going on? Why would a starship mechanic be found down here?

When they came to a stop outside a small shack, Chris’s Boat Repair painted in green on a wooden sign hanging above the door, Steven felt his temper flare. Was this some kind of sick joke? A boat mechanic? Had Sidney lost his ever-loving mind?

With a sigh, Steven climbed out of the vehicle only to duck down when a shot rang out above his head. He pulled his pistol from the holster at his hip, spun around, and took aim in the direction the shot came from in one fluid motion. His breath froze in his lungs and his heart went silent as he waited for another sign of hostility.

“Easy!” Craig shouted, raising his hands. Tony was standing beside him, his own weapon drawn. The navigator looked deadly as he scanned their surroundings. “Chris, we just came to talk!”

“I thought I told you and your brother to forget I exist.” The rough voice that preceded the man who walked out onto the small front porch had Steven frowning. The man sounded as if he’d spent his life shouting, his voice hoarse from years of overuse.

“Yeah, well, we have a problem with the Galaxia’s engines.” Craig sighed.

“Then it’s a problem for your mechanic,” Chris said, lowering the rifle. Now that the threat had been diminished, Steven stood from his crouched position behind the vehicle and took the man in. He was sturdily built, obviously a man used to hard, physical labor. His dark, full beard had two streaks of gray starting at the corners of his mouth. His black hair was thick, but again there was gray coming in at his temples. His steel eyes were narrowed, small wrinkles giving him even more signs of his age.

“That would be me,” Steven said, stepping forward and placing his pistol back in the holster. “I’m Steven Smith, and we need to talk.”

Chris held up his right hand, and Steven had to remind himself not to stare. Flipping him off was a cybernetic hand. The mechanics extended up to his arm and stopped at his shoulder. Instantly Steven looked down and noticed beneath his swim trunks, his right leg was also a cybernetic prosthetic.

“Oh come on,” Craig beseeched. “Just hear him out.”

“Fuck off,” Chris said with a snarl as he turned and headed back into his shop.

Steven growled and chased after the man. There was no way in fucking hell he was going to be turned down now that he’d come here. Screw this guy. He was going to help them even if Steven had to force him.

“Hey, you.” Steven grabbed the man’s shoulder, spun him around, and slammed him against the wall. He might not look it, but Steven was a mechanic and was quite strong. “I don’t care what issues you have with Sidney and Craig, but I’m here to find a way to fix the Galaxia’s engines. So you’ll swallow your fucking attitude and listen to me.”

The man laughed, throwing Steven for a loop. He loosened his grip on the man, and that proved to be a mistake. Chris flipped their positions, his mechanical hand digging into Steven’s throat. “I built those engines. Why the fuck should I have to fix them now?”

“What?” Steven gasped. This man built the Galaxia’s engines? But that couldn’t be right. Struggling, Steven met Chris’s hard steel eyes and froze. Something stirred inside him as he looked at that cold gaze and felt that prosthetic hand squeeze around his throat. Something primal that he shouldn’t be feeling.

“Hey, that’s enough,” Tony said with a growl, a gun appearing at Chris’s temple. “We don’t need you so bad that I’ll stand by and let you kill one of our crew.”

My Coffee Addiction

New Release - A Homecoming for Two Bears, Bear Mountain Book 18

Ronan's story is finally here!  Killian and Finn are finally making it home after their stint at med school -- I know so many of you have been asking about this story, but they needed time.

Also -- this book delves a little more into Project Zed and where that will be going.

While Killian and Finn loved the idea of being sent away to med school by their alpha, the idea of leaving their mate behind wasn’t ideal. Doubling up their course load whenever they could wasn’t getting them done fast enough. When Ronan shows up at their dorm one night, lustful and needing, they take what’s offered wholeheartedly.

After years of near misses, Ronan finally confronts Killian and Finn and demands their touch. Yet once it’s done, he struggles with his feelings. Hearing the words his vile fathers beat into his head doesn’t help, either. Unable to cope with what he’s done, he returns home to lick his wounds.

Torn between their duty to their alpha and their need for the mate they adore, Killian and Finn stay back to tie up their loose ends before they return home to build a life for them and their future family.

If they can convince Ronan to join them before their world explodes.

Twisted E-Pub  * Amazon  *  Smashwords  *  Bookstrand  *  iTunes

But now… now that he was here, potentially only a few doors away, his insecurities came into play. What if they saw him and weren’t happy he was there? What if they sent him away?

What if… what if they weren’t alone?

A growl rumbled up his throat at the thought of another being with his bears. A young human female walking past looked up at him, her eyes growing large. Apparently, he hadn’t done a good job of hiding the sound. She kept moving, rather quickly, as he spied her over his shoulder, watching her scramble away. Once she was gone, he turned back to face forward and got another whiff of their scent.

His cock thickened even more…

Finish what you’ve started.

One step came after the next. He passed door after door, the aroma thickening in his nose and calling him onward. When he sensed it at its strongest, he paused before a closed door. Ronan turned to face it… but couldn’t find the strength to lift his hand and knock.

After all he’d just put himself through… he was chickening out now?

“Hey, excuse me,” a female’s voice rang out beside him.

Ronan tilted his head and looked down at a blonde. He supposed the humans would consider her pretty. “Can I help you?”

She both grinned and frowned at the same time, an odd mix of curiosity and irritation filling her features. “I need to get to the door you’re in front of.”

“Oh,” he murmured and stepped back slightly.

She faced the door and knocked… and then glanced over her shoulder with another smile as she awaited someone to answer. This smile was a bit seductive. Too bad she didn’t have what he was looking for.

It took a couple of seconds to realize… if he’d picked the right door…

It swung open, and he got his first glance at Killian. He gazed down at the girl, a smile spreading over his face…

Ronan’s heart thundered in his chest. That smile was enough to make him ache with need. Yet Killian had never smiled at him like that… not that Ronan had ever given him a reason to.

“I was hoping I could take a look at your notes from yesterday’s lecture. I missed class,” the woman said.

“Sure,” Killian said before his stare lifted, and he caught Ronan’s. The smile faded. “What’re you doing here?”

The woman turned to stare at Ronan, too.

“I… I had to come.”

Killian brushed past the woman and grabbed Ronan’s shoulders, a fierce look of worry crossing his face. “Is something wrong?”

Ronan felt the heat of Killian’s hands on him, and he struggled to think, let alone speak.

“What is it?” Killian demanded, his features twisting with concern. “Are you okay?”

Ronan nodded, his tongue too tied to speak. His stare roamed over that handsome face. That face he’d missed so much.

Killian moved closer—a half step—but it was enough to make Ronan fight back a groan. His mouth was hungry to taste Killian’s. He licked his lips, almost feeling the brush of Killian’s over his.

And then he looked down and remembered they weren’t alone.

“She needed your notes,” Ronan spat, feeling her stare burning on him. It would be hard enough for him to admit why he was there. He didn’t need an audience.

Killian stood a little straighter and cast a glance over his shoulder. “Right.” He grinned at the girl. “Let me get those for you.” And then Killian took Ronan by the arm and tugged him inside the room…

Where Finn lay across his twin-sized bed reading from a textbook. He was shirtless, and his feet bare. Only a pair of jeans were slung low on his hips. Ronan had a few seconds to take in the sight before Finn was off the bed and charging forward.

“Why are you here?” Finn asked as Killian shuffled through papers on his desk.

Finn was too close. Too hot. Too everything. Ronan licked his lips again and stared at Finn’s. Oh, how he wanted to plant a kiss on those lips and catch up on all he’d missed while the pair were away.

“I, ah,” he started, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. He looked to the door and saw the woman leaning in, her stare and composure leading him to believe she was being nosy as hell.

Killian grabbed a set of papers and handed them to the curious co-ed. “Here you are.”

Without looking at Killian, she asked, “When do you need them back?” She stared at Ronan, a half smile playing over her lips.

“I’ve already typed them up,” he said. “Keep those.”

“Who’s your handsome friend?” she asked, her smile widening.

“Nobody,” Killian said, urging her back with the door.

She grinned wider. “I’d say he’s definitely somebody… to you both.”

“Goodbye,” Killian said, sounding irritated.

She pouted slightly, but it didn’t stop Killian from shutting them inside and away from the world. “Explains a lo—” she said before the door slammed in her face.

Killian spun to face Ronan. “Why are you here?”

Can’t a guy come and see his mates? Ronan shook his head. Mates would imply he’d accepted them as such. He didn’t. He wasn’t like his brother, Tyler, ready to bow down to a couple of betas. He was a beta himself, not an omega. Nor was he human.

His bear roared within. His animal knew the truth, even if he wanted to ignore it.

“Ronan?” Finn urged.

“Nothing’s wrong,” he finally said, but then he stopped before he said too much. Before he admitted he was there because he missed the pair of them. It had been too long since the last time he’d seen either male. Early the morning before last, the distance and length had grown unmanageable.

It had driven him to risk danger just to see them.

“There has to be a reason why you crossed treacherous territory to come here,” Killian said as he stepped closer.

“There is,” Ronan murmured, fighting the mounting need within him.

“What is it?” Finn asked, stepping closer.

Ronan lifted a hand and encircled the back of Finn’s head. “This,” he said seconds before he forced his lips on Finn’s.

Guest Author - Victoria Vallo and Assassin's Touch

Welcome Victoria Vallo back to my blog -- today she's sharing a bit of Assassin's Touch.

Yuri has lived his entire life with no freedom, no choice. His situation only worsens when he finds out he’s being given to an assassin. He wanted to escape and explore the galaxy, but not as a killer’s plaything.

Korac wanted Yuri the moment he saw his beautiful face. He gladly cut his price for the chance to spend a month with the breathtaking young man writhing beneath him. Only imagining a few weeks of pleasure, Korac strikes the bargain, clueless as to just how perfect they truly are for each other.

But they’ll soon find out just how strange fate can be, and how quickly one touch can change everything.         

Twisted E-Pub: http://tinyurl.com/assassinstouchVV

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6ROYW1

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N6ROYW1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/696902

Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/assassins-touch-mm  

After watching his target for five minutes, Korac felt confident enough to begin pumping the gas in slowly. It was heavily concentrated in the tiny cylinder he held, and it would take several minutes for it to be dispensed. He kept his gaze on the tiny screen and watched the man’s chest rise and fall. It was almost ten minutes later when the man’s breathing stopped. Korac waited five more minutes, not satisfied until he saw blood dripping from the man’s nose. He got out his sensor and slid its probe through another vent hole. He checked life signs three times, each coming up negative. He logged that in the device and labeled it with the man’s initials. He’d transmit it on a secret channel once they were away from the system.

Korac made his way out carefully, though in his desire to return to Yuri he took one corner a bit fast and cut his leg on some jagged metal. He cursed and carried on, one thing clear in his mind.

He had to win Yuri over at all costs. The fact the man could already distract him so much while working told Korac that he’d already fallen too far to walk away.

Yuri sat reading a data pad when Korac returned. He looked up right away, his expression wary yet relieved. Had he been worried about Korac? It seemed possible. Korac got them in the air and away from the planet before returning to Yuri.

“You all right?” Korac asked as he sat down by Yuri.

“Me? You just went out on a dangerous mission. I should be asking you that,” Yuri said.

Korac shrugged. “Wasn’t dangerous. I was very careful.”

Yuri eyed his leg. “That’s blood.”

Korac looked at his torn pants and examined the cut through the tear. “It’s nothing.” But then he had an idea. He yanked his boots off and dropped his pants. “But you can patch me up real quick.”

To Korac’s surprise, Yuri actually rose and returned with a med pack. He knelt and looked at the cut before starting to clean it. “Is he dead?” Yuri asked softly.

“Yes.”

“How did you do it?”

Korac hesitated. “You want to know?”

Yuri shrugged. “Just curious.”

Korac started to say something, then stopped. When Yuri didn’t press him, he said, “Hey, Yuri?”

Yuri looked up from what he was doing.

“Are you afraid of me?” Korac asked.

“You promised not to hurt me.” Yuri rubbed healing ointment into the cut, the skin already healing over the superficial wound.

“Not what I asked.”

Yuri swallowed, which Korac had discerned he did when he was thinking or questioning his own actions. “I guess I am. A little.”

“I don’t want you to be. You aren’t taking me seriously because I started talking about love within an hour of meeting you, but I know what I want when I see it. And I go after it. It was just about how beautiful you are, at first, but I really like you. Everything.” He watched Yuri put the supplies back in the med pack, his gaze averted shyly, and then Korac leaned down and captured Yuri’s chin in his hand. “I want you. I won’t take you back to that nightmare of a life. To that bastard who treated you like chattel. I won’t give up when it comes to you, Yuri.”

“Don’t I get any say in this? Get to be more than chattel?” He sighed. “Doesn’t my happiness matter?”

“I plan on making you very happy.”

Yuri pulled out of his grip. “How would you know what will make me happy?”

“I know what makes you sigh. Makes you moan.” In a whisper, he added, “What makes you come.”