ROUGH, TOUGH AND TUMBLE 1: HUNG AT DAWN
by Kate Hill
Format(s): Ebook
Heat Level: Erotic
Pairing(s): M/M/F
Genre/Themes: Shapeshifter
Length: Novella
Publisher: Changeling Press
Cover Art: Zuri
ISBN: 978-1-60521-489-4
Purchase Links: Changeling Press
Related Books or Books Set in the Same Universe: Aspectians
Blurb:
Rough — Sefu, a hunky pro fighter in the Aspectian arena where contestants battle in a variety of forms, faces death after being gored by his latest opponent.
Tough — Tiago, a mysterious career criminal, awaits execution in a high security prison where his shapeshifting powers have been neutralized.
Tumble — Zandra, a pleasure shifter who has mastered the art of seduction, entertains a dangerous client who wants more from her than sex.
Dr. Apriyn brings together these three seductive shapeshifters for a time travel experiment that hurls them into the old west where sex and violence reign supreme. While defending a town threatened by outlaws, the trio discover each other’s talents, in bed and out.
The following excerpt from HUNG AT DAWN is for readers 18 and over.
The energy field faded and they found themselves standing in a small, fenced-in graveyard at dusk. The barren, dusty land extended for miles around them and in the distance stood several wooden buildings.
Zandra glanced down at her pendant and murmured, “The year is 1880.”
Thumping sounds drew their attention, growing louder with each passing moment.
“What’s that?” Zandra asked, her eyes wide.
Glancing behind them, they noticed two humans astride two beautiful chestnut horses.
“Horses!” Sefu said. “I love horses. They’re magnificent animals.”
He stepped away, removed his clothes and closed his eyes. Breathing deeply, he recalled every detail of the horses he’d known. Though he usually changed into hunters, such as lions and bears, he’d once fought as a wild stallion in the arena. He loved the strength and speed of horses. Something about running free on four long, powerful legs provided a rush such as he’d never felt before.
Within moments he stood, his form reassembled into that of a big black horse.
“He’s good,” Tiago remarked, admiring Sefu’s equine imitation. “Now it’s our turn. I only caught a glimpse of what those people were wearing but I’ll figure something out until we get a closer look.”
Tiago quickly shed his clothes. Though unable to speak in his current form, Sefu saw quite well and couldn’t keep his eyes off Tiago. The man’s tight, slender body with its solid muscles, hard planes and the sexy curve of his backside aroused him greatly, which probably wasn’t a good thing while in the form of a stud.
Thoughts of sex faded when Tiago attempted to change. Years in prison had taken its toll after all. Rather than a smooth change, when Tiago closed his eyes and breathed into the shift, a look of pain crossed his face. He trembled and a light sweat broke out over his body before his flesh reassembled, giving him the appearance of being fully dressed in a shirt, trousers and scuffed boots.
When he finished, Tiago swayed slightly. Zandra instinctively reached out to steady him and their gazes locked.
“You all right?” she asked.
He scowled and stepped away. “Just out of practice. It’ll come back fast enough.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” she said softly. “You should mount.”
Tiago’s head snapped toward her, his jaded expression replaced by one of surprise. “What?”
“Mount Sefu, I mean the horse.” Her eyes narrowed. “Did you think I was making an offer?”
If Sefu had been in his human form, he’d have laughed. Instead he snorted and stomped his foot in amusement.
Muttering under his breath, Tiago approached, but paused with a hand on Sefu’s shoulder.
“You should have shifted into a smaller horse,” Tiago said, but managed to grasp Sefu’s mane and swing onto his back. The dark-haired shifter’s hard, lean legs pressed to Sefu’s sides, giving him an inkling of they’d feel wrapped around him during a fuck. Again Sefu snorted and shook his head. Now wasn’t the time to think about sex, yet it was difficult since he hadn’t fucked in several months. He’d trained hard for his last fight and like many gladiators, he believed that building up sexual energy empowered him in the arena.
Zandra, who had shifted into wearing boots, trousers, a shirt and a cowboy hat, approached and Tiago gave her an arm up. Her legs weren’t as long and hard as Tiago’s, but they were strong as well and felt so good against him that he moaned.
“Is it too much weight?” Tiago asked.
“That didn’t sound like a moan of pain to me,” Zandra said with a giggle.
“And you’d know of course.”
“Do you think you can refrain from mocking my profession, at least for a while?”
“I don’t know. If I’m ugly I should at least be humorous.”
“That ugly comment bothered you, didn’t it?”
“Not really.”
“I was just trying to give you a comeback. I don’t really think you’re ugly.”
“Doesn’t matter to me what you think.”
“If you say so.”
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