The Python Place series is now available as a collection from Changeling Press.
Dimitri, Adrien, and Tyrus Terence have sworn to denounce their evil side — evil inherited by their immortal mother, Eris. The brothers created Python Place so they could feed their hunger without harming innocents, but only with the help of their soulmates can the brothers once and for all banish the wickedness inside them.
This collection contains the previously released Python Place novellas Pleasure and Pain, Hot and Bothered, and Rose and Thorn.
The following excerpts from PYTHON PLACE are for readers 18 and over.
Excerpt from PLEASURE AND PAIN:
“Why are you here, Miss Watson?”
“You invited me.”
This time he laughed rather loudly and she dropped her hand from his arm. Her attraction to him had turned to anger and she was sorry she’d ever decided to come to this hellish house.
“I believe it’s time for me to go. Good night.” She turned abruptly and walked back toward the house.
“Go at this time of night? Without a carriage or even a horse?”
She stopped, her heart pounding, and listened to his boot heels click on the cobbles as he approached. He stepped in front of her and touched his hand to her chin. He’d removed his gloves before dinner and now the sensation of his warm skin against her once again rekindled her desire.
“You came here without your family knowing, didn’t you?” he asked quietly. “And, since you arrived with a bag, I take it you’ve left the house of your fine, upstanding father the reverend?”
She jerked her chin away from his touch and glared at him. “That is not your business.”
“I don’t believe for an instant my invitation was so alluring you’d leave home for it. Tell me why you left.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I’m asking and I might be able to assist you.”
“Assist me?” She glared. “I can only imagine how after visiting this. . .this house of decadence.”
“Do you think you can be honest for all of five minutes?”
Now she was truly offended. “What?”
“Everybody in this village and all those surrounding it knows the reputation of Python Place. I’m sure you were no exception. You wanted to come here because we don’t sicken you as much as you pretend. I saw the look in your eyes that day our paths crossed in the village square. I saw that same look tonight when we were dancing. You’re a lovely woman, Hailey Watson, and I want to know you better but I can’t do that if you lie to me and hide behind this prudish fagade.”
Hailey’s head spun. No one had ever spoken to her like this before. Yes, her father had accused her of having impure thoughts, but no one had ever suggested that such thoughts were acceptable. No one had ever asked what she wanted or offered to help her follow a path she had chosen.
“Why me?” she asked, still holding his gaze. “There are dozens of women here who could offer you much more satisfaction than I can.”
“I doubt that.”
Her breath caught and she paused a moment, her gaze fixed on his, before she continued, “Why bother with me? Is it because you want to seduce a reverend’s daughter?”
Again he chuckled, genuine amusement shining in his eyes. “I’ve had reverends’ daughters before, though none quite so pure as you.”
“What makes you think I’m pure? I’m here, aren’t I?” she retorted.
“As long as you’re here, why not get what you came for?”
Her heart pounded and hot waves of passion washed over her. She’d come for him.
He placed his hands on her waist and tugged her closer. His mouth covered hers and Hailey closed her eyes and melted against him. No one had ever kissed her before and she had never dreamed it would feel this wonderful. His lips were soft yet at the same time firm and slightly moist. They moved gently against hers, asking yet at the same time demanding. When she felt the tip of his tongue against her lips, she opened her mouth to him and moaned softly. His tongue thrust against hers and she responded with fervor. Her hands gripped his shoulders, then slid up his neck to the back of his head. Clutching his thick, satiny hair, she surrendered to him completely.
When Adrien broke the kiss, she was breathless, her body throbbing with a need only he could fulfill. His lips caressed her cheek and neck. Her eyes closed, Hailey tilted her head and didn’t protest when he tugged down the sleeve of her dress so he could lick and kiss her shoulder.
“Soft,” he purred between kisses. “Deliciously fragrant and beautiful.”
Her lips parted, she allowed herself to float on a warm sea of pleasure. She didn’t protest when he lifted her in his arms. Actually she was grateful since her legs no longer seemed able to support her. Longing to taste him as well, she began kissing his neck and using the tip of her nose to gently outline his ear before she began licking and nipping that, too. The scent of sandalwood and raw male filled her and every wanton desire that had been locked inside her burst forth. For the first time in her life, she was truly Hailey, without pretense, without concern for what others thought. At that moment the only people who mattered were her and Adrien.
Excerpt from HOT AND BOTHERED:
“Tell me the truth, Pier. Do you enjoy being dominated?”
His question took her aback only because she found that, for the first time she could remember, she wanted to answer a man honestly.
“Well?” he demanded after a moment, his eyes burning into hers.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve never actually been dominated before. I’ve feigned submission to seduce men, but in reality I was the one in control.”
“That game is familiar to me,” he said and took her lower lip between his teeth. He nibbled gently and ran his tongue along her lip. She tried to slip her arms around his neck and pull him closer, but he grasped her hands and pinned them above her head.
“Like you, I can turn to smoke,” she breathed, though inside she felt giddy with desire. He was so strong, his eyes so intense that she felt as if she was melting into the bed. “You can’t force me to do anything I don’t want to.”
He cocked his head slightly to one side, his expression thoughtful. “You’re wrong, Pier. I can force you. But I’m not a monster no matter what my bloodline says. If you choose to stay with me, if you agree to let me dominate you, I will give you pleasure beyond your wildest dreams.”
Though his words excited her, Pier wasn’t sure she liked his attitude. Within the space of a heartbeat, she faded to vanilla-scented smoke. Almost simultaneously he changed to smoke as well, pale blue and carrying the aroma of ginger. He seemed to wrap around her, smoke mingling with smoke. Try as she might, she couldn’t escape from him.
Pier returned to solid form and found herself still pinned beneath Dimitri. He wore a self-satisfied smile that she longed to wipe off his face. At the same time she felt more aroused than ever, even if his display of power unsettled her.
“How did you do that?” she demanded.
“Obviously you’ve never been with a daemon who has fully mastered his powers.”
“I’ve never been with another daemon. The males in particular repulse me,” she snapped.
“Funny, you don’t look repulsed at the moment.”
“Get off me. Now.”
His smile faded and his gaze took on a harshness that nearly stole her breath. “If that’s what you really want, I will of course oblige. However, please be certain of your decision. If you choose to leave, there will be no second chances. Do you want to stay with me tonight, yes or no?”
“I was wrong about you, Dimitri,” she purred. He lifted a curious eyebrow and she continued, “You’re not simply arrogant. You are absolutely unbearable.”
“Is that a no?”
“What do you think?”
In a fluid motion he released her and stood. He walked to the table, picked up his glass of wine and drained it in a single swallow. His back to her, he said, “Be on your way, woman. I don’t like having my time wasted.”
Little ripples of desire coursed through Pier and she rose on trembling legs. Hell, she must be losing her mind. She couldn’t believe what she was about to do.
Dimitri turned to her, his expression hard yet lust burned deep in his eyes. Wearing only a black corset with red lacings, she approached him slowly. His blue gaze raked her from head to foot and back again. When she stood close enough to touch him, she sank to her knees, her gaze fixed on his, and said, “You thought wrong. While I’m here at Python Place, I am yours to command Master.”
His eyes gleamed with desire, yet he made no motion to touch her. Instead he circled her slowly, like a wild beast measuring the worthiness of his mate.
“While here, you will not turn to smoke unless given permission,” he said. “You will trust me to guide our pleasure.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Don’t call me Master. Dimitri will suffice.” He paused in front of her, took her chin in his hand and tilted her face toward his. “All I demand is that you speak my name with respect. Your tone and actions are enough to show reverence for your Master.”
Pier’s jaw tightened. This scenario was thoroughly arousing yet at the same time frustrating. She’d played this game with men before, but never with one who could truly overpower her. The sensation was intoxicating, frightening, something new and exciting.
“You surrender to me completely, Pier, but remember this — my pleasure is derived from pleasing you.”
“That’s how it is for us,” she murmured, unable to tear her gaze from his. “No one but another daemon could ever really know that.”
His expression softened the slightest bit and he nodded, then grasped a handful of hair at the back of her head. Though snug, his grip wasn’t painful as he guided her to her feet.
“Stand still,” he commanded. “Arms at your sides.”
She obeyed, her heart pounding with desire.
For several moments he stood in front of her, his fingertips stroking her neck and tracing slow circles over the tops of her plump breasts that swelled above the corset. His beautiful blue eyes lowered, following the movement of his own hands as they cupped her breasts and gently squeezed. His thumbs brushed over her nipples, stiff and visible beneath their satin cover.
Again his hands wandered to her neck, then her shoulders, never breaking contact with her flesh while he moved behind her. Her pulse raced and she tried to keep her breathing slow and measured so as not to reveal the extent of her arousal. After he slid down her lace shoulder straps, she felt his deft fingers unfastening the ties of her corset. Pier’s eyes slipped shut and she resisted the urge to arch her neck in pleasure. He had, after all, told her not to move.
His large, warm hands slid inside the loosened corset, warming her waist and belly, then glided upward to cup her breasts. The sensation of his kneading, stroking hands was almost magical. It surprised her that she, a daemon who had so many lovers before, could react this way to a man. But, she reminded herself, Dimitri Terence wasn’t just any man. He was immortal. Unique. Her soulmate.
He pushed down the front of the corset and guided it over her hips and thighs. Squatting, he lifted one of her feet then the other and tossed the corset aside. As he stood slowly, his hands roamed from her calves to her shoulders. Again he walked in front of her and stepped slightly away, a half smile on his full lips. His gaze swept her blatantly and Pier’s heart soared.
“You’re so beautiful I could eat you alive,” he said.
“Will you?” she ventured.
His smile became almost sinister yet incredibly sensual. “All in due time.”
Excerpt from ROSE AND THORN:
“So now you know,” Tyrus said and Hailey gasped in surprise, turning to him as he approached, his bare feet silent on the grass. He wore only breeches, his sculpted torso exposed and long, dark hair loose about his shoulders.
“I know you’re an evil, lecherous creature and I know what you did that night in my room.” She curled her lip and rose to her feet, anger battling with fear inside her.
She couldn’t help the rage she felt knowing he’d invaded her privacy, nor could she stop the fear coursing through her at standing alone in the moonlight with a daemon.
“I didn’t do nearly as much as I wanted to,” he admitted, his glistening gaze upon her.
He continued walking toward her and she backed up until she felt the tree trunk behind her. When he stood mere inches away, so close that she felt his breath on her lips, caught the delicious scent of sandalwood and saw the pattern of dark, curling hair on his chest, her heart leapt.
In spite of her anger, fear and confusion, she experienced an even stronger emotion. Passion. It rushed through her, heating her very blood, dampening her pussy and turning her nipples to stiff, aching peaks of desire.
“I have no idea what you mean, sir,” she said with more calmness than she felt.
“Yes you do. I can practically smell your lust.”
“Get away from me.” She tried to move but he braced a hand on either side of her head, trapping her against the tree trunk.
“I should. A woman like you can bring nothing but trouble.”
“Me? Trouble?” she snapped. “You’re the demon. The fiend.”
“Daemons aren’t always fiends and reverends’ daughters aren’t necessarily angels.”
“How dare you!”
“Yes I saw you touching yourself, Abigail.” He leaned even closer and spoke into her ear, his voice a husky whisper, “I heard you call my name.”
“Get away!” She shoved him hard and immediately wished she hadn’t. The sensation of his rock-hard, hair-dusted chest against her palms stoked her desire.
He moved back slightly, but grasped her hands and trapped them against his chest. To her surprise she felt his heart thumping against her hands. Why had she thought an immortal creature wouldn’t have a heartbeat? His body felt remarkably human and so virile her knees went weak from the contact. Before she realized what she was doing, she tightened her fingers in his chest hair, stroked the steely muscles and relished the warmth of his flesh.
Licking her lips, she tilted her face toward his. If he’d looked at her with his usual arrogant expression, she would have fought him. Instead he wore a look of raw, almost desperate lust.
“I’m going to kiss you, Abigail,” he said.
“Are you asking?” she breathed.
He shook his head slightly and bent so his mouth hovered over hers. “No I’m telling you.” His lips claimed hers with a firmness that left no room for protest. Not that she wanted to protest. Everything about him made her tingle from head to toe. With Tyrus she felt more alive than she ever had in her entire boring, sheltered life.
The feelings she had for this creature were wrong, yet she could no more control her desire than she could stop her heart from beating.
His tongue traced the shape of her mouth then parted her lips and thrust inside her mouth, exploring with rough yet tender strokes. Her tongue met it hesitantly at first. Waves of passion washed over her. She’d never imagined a mating of tongues, of licking and tasting a man so intimately. Of course she wasn’t a child and knew all about mating, or at least she thought she knew. Understanding the steps meant little when faced with actual experience.
No words could adequately describe the sensation of a man’s hard, warm body pressed close to hers, or the feeling of his steely arms wrapped around her, embracing her so tightly she forgot where her body ended and his began. Nothing had prepared her for the marvel of his wet tongue stroking and caressing hers.
The ache between her legs became so acute that she needed something to appease it and that something pressed hard and ready against her. As if reading her mind, he took one of her hands and guided it lower until she cupped the enormous bulge in his breeches.
Abigail gasped with surprise and stiffened a bit, but he refused to stop kissing her. His lips and tongue moved against her more aggressively until she relaxed, her mouth open wide, accepting every thrust of his tongue. Lost in sensation, she closed her eyes. Slowly she stroked his cock and for the first time wished to feel it without the restraints of his clothes. Dare she?
She released him only to tug down the waist of his breeches. His thick, hard, satin-skinned cock sprang free and she curled her fist around it.
“Mmm,” she purred, scarcely believing what was happening to her. Did this daemon have her under some kind of spell or had all the years of restraint finally caught up with her?
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I really enjoy your mix of genres. I would also like to delve into the more romantic-erotic short story, but find doing this within limited story length is a real challenge. Well done.