Free B00XXAC6U6 EBOK by Caris Roane Page A

look at Regan. And it didn’t help at all that she kept making her cooing sounds because she was enjoying her food. She might have a well-developed spiritual side and spent most of her time teaching in her fae retreat, but she was also extremely sensual.
    She loved life, loved good food, and she adored sex.
    He took a big bite of sour dough bread, hoping the flavors would mitigate her exquisite scent.
    No such luck.
    “You okay?” she asked.
    “Not even a little.”
    She chuckled. “This soup is to die for. My compliments to your housekeeper. And the bread, well, what can I say … heaven.”
    “She’ll appreciate your compliments.”
    When the meal was over, he did a quick clean-up of dishes. Regan brought the empty bowls, plates and spoons to him, but remained very quiet.
    Glancing at her, he thought he understood why because he was feeling the same thing. He’d be piercing her vein soon and given the reality she was a blood rose, besides her seductive scent and their past history, sharp desire ran through him.
    The heightened color on her cheeks as well as her flowery-lime scent spoke its own tale.
    By the time he hung up his dish towel, he felt like a kid on a first date.
    He caught her hand in his. “How about we get this over with before one of us explodes.”
    She giggled. “I feel ridiculous, Ian, like I’m sixteen. I’m so nervous and we’re not even doing anything.”
    He leaned close and spoke against her ear. “No, I’m just going to pierce the veins of your wrist. That’s all.” He rubbed his nose against her cheek, then pressed his lips to hers very gently.
    When she pulled back, he stared into glimmering, doe eyes. “Where do you want to do this?” she asked.
    “Out on the walkway if you’re game. I want to feel the fresh air flowing off the mountain.”
    “Sounds wonderful.”
    They had this in common, a love of the outdoors. Civilized life had a lot to offer, no question about that. But give him a full night spent in one of the Nine Realms’ many beautiful forests, and he was a happy man.
    Of course, the last time he’d hiked for a few hours with Regan had been one of the happiest of his life. The rest, all which had happened at Raven’s Overlook, he wouldn’t think about right now.
    Instead, he took her hand and led her through the living room to the sliding glass door and out onto the walkway overlooking Dark Gorge.
    The air was fresh and cool, even chilly. But he felt hot from stem to stern and he knew it was because of Regan. His drive toward her had his sex ramped up, no question about that. Yet, this felt like more, like a new kind of power had begun to flow through him, a steady vibration of energy and heat, making him glad he wore only the tank right now, and not the Guard coat. He was warm enough as it was with the leather pants and thigh boots. The cool winter air helped as well.
    Even Regan didn’t seem cold as she leaned against the sturdy wood railing and settled her gaze on the forested cliff opposite. It was early December now, not quite winter, but his elevation was low enough he rarely saw snow at his cliffside home. But the mountains were capped permanently now at least until mid-March, even April, depending on how cold the season would prove to be.
    He moved next to her, then gently took her wrist in hand.
    She met his gaze, hers as direct as ever. “You can feed as well if you need sustenance. You know I’m willing.”
    He nodded, but his chest tightened as he looked down at her. What he really wanted to do was take the vein at her throat. But the thought of drinking from her neck hardened an already stiff arousal. At least the leathers kept him snug and not too exposed, but he had it bad.
    He caught her chin and kissed her again, another soft touch of his lips to hers. “Thank you. And I’ll take you up on your offer.”
    She shifted to make reaching her wrist a simple thing. He lifted her slender arm until he had the right angle above the collection of veins