Snake Charmer (Confessions 1)
by Kate Hill
(M/M Erotic Paranormal Romance)
Blurb
Skye: I’m a lone wolf, but I’ve left the forest to fight against demons who’ve taken over the world. Right now I’m with a pack in Baltimore, but their alpha respects my ways. I take assignments from him, but I live alone and fight alone — until the night I’m attacked by a swarm of bat demons and a hot little snake dancer jumps in to back me up. For me, it’s lust at first sight, but it’s more than that. I think this adorable little tough guy is my mate, even though he’s not a wolf.
Erik: I’m called Snake Charmer. Dancer. Contortionist. Spirit twin to an alien serpent who has always been my protector. My life has been a series of horrors with some beautiful experiences tossed in. I’ve learned to be independent, especially after my best friend and I were brutalized in an attack that left her dead. Now I’m out for revenge, and it’s brought me to Maryland, directly into the path of a gorgeous werewolf who makes me feel things I never dreamed of. It can’t last, though, and nothing, not even desire this deep, will come between me and my vendetta.
Warning: While set in a futuristic paranormal reality, Snake Charmer includes references to previous child abuse, rape, and murder that may be triggers to some readers.
Excerpt:
“Do you feel like telling me something about yourself now?” Skye gazes at me with those amber wolf’s eyes. It’s like he can see through me. That’s the thing about werewolves. With their heightened senses and their instincts they’re like living lie detectors. And it’s not that I’ve lied to him at all. I just haven’t offered complete answers, and that’s my choice.
“What do you want to know?”
“Where to start.” Skye grins and spins his stool halfway and back. He meets my gaze again. “You said you do an act with hoops. Is it for fun or a professional thing?”
“Both.”
“And where do you perform?” Skye prods. It’s obvious he’s trying to be patient.
“Nowhere at the moment.”
He chuckles softly and scratches his beard. “I’m handling this wrong. Why don’t you tell me what you want to tell me and we’ll go from there.”
“What makes you think I want to tell you anything?”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re a pain in the ass?”
“Often. You haven’t told me much about yourself, either.”
“Dude. I’ve brought you right into my den.” He opens his long, muscular arms.
Drawing a breath, I turn my attention to my food. Looking at him makes me hungry for something else. Right now I don’t have the time or the strength for that. Who am I kidding? If he kissed me right now, I’d be all over him. Fuck the bruised kidneys and cracked ribs. If I merge fully, it will kick my healing into overdrive, but I haven’t done that since the last fight. It nearly killed me. When I’m physically weak, it’s harder to merge, but merging accelerates healing. Like everything else in life, it doesn’t make sense. When you need something most, it’s hardest to get.
“Why aren’t you nearer to your pack?”
“That’s easy. I’m a rogue wolf.”
I’m not familiar enough with werewolves to understand that term.
“Also called a lone wolf,” he explains. “I don’t mind my brothers and sisters, but I like to be on my own. Alpha Forest uses my skills, but leaves me alone. It’s a good deal for me.”
“I get that.” I trace the rim of my water glass with my fingertip. “I’m sort of a lone wolf, too.”
“You’re not wolf. What are you? The doctor knows. I could get it out of him.”
“That’s nice. He helps us out and you threaten him for information.”
“Or you could just tell me.”
From Changeling Press
https://www.changelingpress.com/snake-charmer-confessions-1-b-3032
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Social
Interesting match up between the two
She’s determined not to tell him a thing, isn’t she? I wonder why.