PerrinThe carpet was soft beneath my back as I pulled Lo to me, welcoming her light weight on my chest. She kisses me softly, her lips warm and the heat of her body rivaling the small fire crackling behind us. “Are you sure you’d rather not wait to see the bedroom?” I ask.Lo pause, as if she hadn’t considered that. “You mean there’s more?”“We’re obviously not going to sleep in the kitchen…”She nips at my lip playfully. “I’m serious! You did everything?” I had the sudden, uneasy feeling that she was put out, despite her smile. “Not everything. I didn’t touch any of the spare bedrooms, which now I guess includes a nursery.”She smiles, then kisses me again, her pleasure evident as her lips pressed harder, pulling away with a delightful smacking sound. “Well. Before I get too carried away–”“Isn’t that the point? This is ours, after all–”She swats at my chest and sits up, straddling my hips. I wiggled mine suggestively and she swats again, grinning. “I’m serious. Can you let me fi

Jesamine“This show sucks.”“I know, but my feet are tired. Let’s watch another episode.” That much was the truth. Gowan had me walking three times a day after Perrin left each morning. Not only did our recent discussions about leave me even more exhausted than usual, but the child in my stomach was actually growing now. Delayed of course, according to Jennivah, but he was growing. Slowly and steadily draining every inch of energy I had within me.“Fine. But if that weird vampire with the guy-liner comes back on, I’m out,” Jack whined.“You’re just mad because he’s so good looking.”“The casting is stupid. They don’t even look like brothers.”Jack and I have been holed up here most afternoons. I finally got a TV, thanks to much prodding from Gowan. While he trains and does whatever physical exercise in the afternoon, Jack and I relax. Over the course of the last week, we’ve settled into a surprising routine. When Gowan’s not here, Jack’s here. When Jack’s doing his own physical therap

Deidre No. No no no. I had no time to consider the implications of the Chiyad Beta Challenge. No. I had to focus. Think think think! I withdrew from my husband’s office under the guise of unfinished work and returned to my own. I close the office door behind me, barely able to breathe. What had I just agreed to? Was this completely insane? Taking over for Mistra? No. This was stupid. No! It was the only reasonable option. I had to honor her. What was I thinking? This was insane. Memories swirled to the surface, dense and unstoppable like ink added to water. I fought to stave off the haunting vision of Sienna’s face, but it was no use. Like weeks before, the memories flooded into my mind, this time crisper; more intense, long-forgotten details materializing before me with stunning clarity. Years before A knock sounded at the door. “May I come in?” Said a soft, melodic voice. “Luna?” I rose reflexively. “You shouldn’t be out of bed–” She waved a dismissive, gentle hand

KiraHis skin was warm, his chest smooth. Hardened with surprising muscle. Could books really do that to someone?His lips were on my neck, his hands pressing my lower back into the hardness at his waist. The moan that escapes me is loud–harsh–filling the room with charged intensity. His hands grip my ass, squeezing me into his hips.I’m whimpering. Whimpering. Hoping that he touches me.When he inserts a finger I can’t stop the sound from escaping my throat. I’m no longer in charge. It’s as if he has complete control over me, his fingers coaxing everything he wants and everything I want to give.The sound of his zipper and our breathing is the only thing that fills the room. His pants drop to the floor and he pries my legs open, demanding entry with his–“KIRA?”The pounding of the door rattles my senses. What the–“KIRA!” For fuck’s sake. I squint, looking to push the hair from my eyes only to realize my hand is between my–Fuck. I was having…Goddess damnit.“Coming!” I shake my h

DeidreIf this night wasn’t already surreal, I wouldn’t have believed it. Here, in the depths of a cave, I would meet him. Finally, after all these years.Jason had shielded me from duty as much as possible–but this trek? Hiking here every night? It was…“Ready?”No. That much was clear. But I nodded.One last steel gate stood before us, and Mistra held a key aloft from her pocket. I eyed her cautiously, pointing a thumb over my shoulder. “Are the three gates not enough?”Her lips pursed before answering. “Yes. Though this one is a… a formality.”I blinked. “Excuse me?”“You understand that he’s nearly twenty-four years old, correct?”I sputtered. Had time really gone that quickly? “Of course I do.”“Then you’ll understand,” she drawled, “that he’s entitled to his privacy.”“Privacy?” I spat, on uneven footing both physically and mentally. “How much more private could it get in here?”“Sienna wished that he live with the dignity he deserves,” Mistra said smoothly, but her eyes flashed