Heart of a Huntress: The Kavanaugh Foundation Read online

  But before he can claim her for his own, they’ll have to survive the hunters already hot on his trail, who are ready to skin them both alive…

  Warning: Definitely not for the tame at heart. But if you like your sex hot, release the animal within yourself and read on.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Dance on the Wilde Side:

  He struggled to keep the animal inside from showing in his eyes, on his face. But oh, how the animal wanted his mate. “Don’t worry. I’m going to make you scream, Tala.” He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “I want you to scream my name.”

  A raw rumble rolled in his throat and he moved to lie on top of her again, to rub against her and luxuriate in the feel of her. The heat in her expression drove him wild and he thrust his hands into her long hair, securing her head in place. His tongue attacked her mouth, wanting to possess all her tastes, all her essence. As he rubbed, she whimpered, a whimper of need and urgency, pushing him to the edge of reason. “Are you ready to scream, Tala?”

  Her eyes narrowed, but she nodded, her panted breaths making her breasts bounce to their rhythm. “We’ll see who screams first.”

  Ah, a challenge. And just the type of challenge I love. Grabbing her hands, he pulled her arms above her head and held them with one hand. She paused, motionless, as a flicker of alarm crossed her face. He ignored the hurt her look gave him. “Tala. You know you can trust me. Still, if you want me to stop…” Don’t make me stop.

  “Yeah, I know. But can you trust me?” An answering determination sparkled in her eyes and she bucked, trying to break free of his hold. The harder she fought, the tighter he held her, the brighter the shine in her eyes became.

  An amused delight pumped his blood faster. “So you want to play rough, huh?”

  She gritted her teeth and bucked, trying to throw him from her, a grin spreading over her beautiful face. At the sight of her sweating and fighting against him, the power of the animal within him rose, threatening his tenuous hold. Fangs grew and he battled to keep from shifting. “Damn, woman, you’re strong.”

  “Not sure you can handle me? Come on, Devlin. Show me what you’ve got.”

  He renewed his hold on her and, using his other hand, guided his shaft between her folds, just far enough to torment her. “Do you want me, Tala?”

  She giggled. “Do you want me, Devlin?”

  They laughed together this time and he knew he’d met his match in more than one way. His lips came down on hers and he tasted the muskiness of his pre-come. His abdomen tightened with the taste and the smell, and the wolf inside roared his need. Holding himself, he moved his cock against her clit, working it around her, over her.

  She tensed, the passion showing on her face.

  “Scream for me, Tala.”

  “No.” She panted the word, adding evidence to what he already knew. The corners of her mouth tipped upward, beckoning him to kiss them. “Make—” pant, “—me.”

  He dragged his tongue over those taunting lips, nibbling and sucking. He rubbed his dick against her, harder, enjoying the wetness spreading between her legs and onto him. “Don’t mind if I do.”

  Pushing her legs farther apart with his own, he moved onto his knees and braced against her. Her face lit up with anticipation. God, how he loved her expressions. He lifted her legs, positioned his dick and slammed into her. She grunted from the impact and wrapped her legs around him.

  “Oh, damn, Devlin. Fuck me.” Wild eyes met his, demanding more from him.

  He found her nipple and sucked, matching his sucks to the pounding he gave her, his hips lunging faster with each thrust. She arched to meet him, urging him to take her, possess her. Her pussy enclosed him, wrapping her hot wetness around him, tightening every time he drove into her, releasing when he slid back out.

  She’s so tight. So wet. She feels so good, so hot, so…mine. He closed his eyes, fighting against the inevitable, trying to make the sweet ecstasy last.

  At least until he won the challenge. “Scream my name, Tala. Scream it so everyone will hear you.”

  She squirmed, trying to break free of his hand holding hers. Soft mews of lust murmured from her, thrilling him more than he could have imagined.

  “Scream my name.”

  Just as he was sure he couldn’t hold on much longer, he heard her whisper. “Devlin.”

  He opened his eyes and almost lost his grip on what little control he had left. The look of desire, want, need…of love…in her eyes stirred him to the core. He couldn’t imagine his life without her. “Louder. Don’t just say my name. Shout it like you mean it.”

  She panted, gasping with each lunge as they rocked together on the bed. “Devlin.” She said it louder, with meaning.

  “More.” He let go of her arms and parted her folds to pinch her clit. She jerked, another orgasm racking her body. “Scream.”

  Throwing her head back, she flattened her hands on his chest. “Devlin!”

  He rammed into her stronger than ever before and she cried out at the force of his thrust. They scooted to the headboard, bumping her head against the wood. But she didn’t complain.

  He bent over her and took a breast in his hand, still inside her, never wanting to leave her. “God, that’s a beautiful sound. Do it again, Tala.”

  “Devlin!” She screamed his name louder, longer, digging her nails into his back, fixing his body to hers. “Devlin!”

  The exhilaration flowing through him found its way to his heart and he couldn’t resist any longer. His physical control was no match for the emotions bursting inside him. At last he climaxed with a howl ripping from his throat. Fighting the animal within him no longer, he lowered his head, opened his jaws and sank his fangs into her shoulder.

  “Ow! Shit!”

  The strength she’d shown earlier was nothing in comparison to the strength she now used to toss him off her. Scrambling from the bed, she stumbled backwards until she struck the dresser. She sank to the floor and leaned her throbbing shoulder against the solid oak. “Ow! Damn it all to hell and back. You bit me!”

  Devlin rose up on one elbow, blinked at her as if trying to focus, and swung off the bed. “Tala, let me explain.” His amber eyes slowly gained more brown.

  Tala gripped her shoulder, blood oozing onto her hand. “Are you nuts? What do you think you are? Some kind of animal? You bit me!” She grabbed an old T-shirt from the dresser and stuck it on top of the wound.

  “You said that twice already.”

  She scowled at him, his remark stoking the volcano threatening to erupt from within her. If he thinks I’m angry now…

  He winced. “I know. I’m sorry. I should’ve prepared—”

  “Get away from me.” She attempted to calm the mix of pain, shock and—God help her—lust trying to overwhelm her brain, but couldn’t. “Why the hell did you bite me?” Does it really matter? She gave it a moment’s thought. Yeah, the why does matter.

  “I didn’t mean to. I just got carried away in the moment.” Pushing his hair away from his remorseful face, he beseeched her. “Tala, please, listen to me.”

  He inched nearer until she stuck out a hand to stop him. “Please listen? What next? ‘Please let me go for the jugular this time?’ Would you like me to lie still while you finish the job?” Keeping her eyes glued on him, she grasped the furniture and hauled herself to her feet. I can’t believe it. This guy bit me! Gritting at the pain, she snatched up her robe in the process, and headed for the bathroom.

  Devlin started to follow her. “Oh, no you don’t. You stay where you are. Or get the hell out. But don’t you dare follow me.” She thrust her finger at him in a threatening jab and stalked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

  Tala fell against the door and tried to catch both her breath and her sanity. What the hell just happened? One minute I’m getting laid and laid good. Okay, laid great. And in the next, I’ve got teeth in me. Had their rough play gotten out of hand? She crossed over to the sink to stare into the smal
l oval mirror above the basin and frowned at her white complexion. Sure, I’ve had rough sex before and even a little biting, but this is wild. Too wild. With two fingers, she gently removed the robe and blood-reddened shirt to examine the injured area. Two major holes flanked a row of smaller indentations with similar marks in another semi-circle below. Looks like an animal bit me.

  Reaching for a washcloth, she wet the soft cotton under the faucet and gingerly dabbed at the gashes. The sting shot down her shoulder and into her arm. I will not cry. I will not cry.

  “Tala? Are you all right? Do you need my help?”

  Is he kidding? “Never mind. I’ll take care of myself.”

  Tala continued cleaning the area until the bleeding finally slowed down. She fumbled through her medicine cabinet, located the rubbing alcohol and poured some onto the cloth. Inhaling a long one, she held her breath and placed the alcohol-soaked material on her shoulder. A quick yelp escaped her before she could stop it.

  “Tala, please. Let me help you.”

  She ignored Devlin’s knock on the door as well as his words. Tears came to her eyes, and she stuffed the bathrobe’s collar into her mouth to stifle her cry. Gripping her robe with all her strength, she waited for the pain to lessen.

  “Tala, are you all right? Answer me or I’m going to break down the door.”

  Oh no, he didn’t! She’d thought she was angry before. But the fury boiling over in her now put her previous ire to shame. How dare he threaten me! First, he tears up my car, then he bites me like some caveman—or more like a sabertooth tiger—and now he has the nerve to threaten to break down my door?

  “Devlin, back off or I’m going to bite your balls off.” Crap, would he think that sounds as sexy as I do? Her mind was on kinky sex when she’d just been bitten. Was she as crazy as he was? She threw the blood-soaked cloth to the floor, grabbed the bandages from the medicine cabinet and plastered on a quick bandage.

  “I’m worried about you, babe.”

  A red stain spread across the bandage. Enough was enough. She’d put herself in danger with this stranger long enough. Determined, she swung open the door.

  She registered Devlin’s surprised expression as she charged at him, relishing the fact that he moved as fast as he could to get away from her. He’d gotten dressed in the meantime, and his shirt flew open in his attempt to get out of her way. But she kept at him, punching her finger into the middle of his solid chest.

  “I told you to back off and I meant what I said. And don’t call me babe. I’m no one’s babe. Especially not yours.”

  When the craving takes hold, the only thing to do is ride it out…

  Midnight Craving

  © 2010 Lolita Lopez

  Midnight Vice, Book 1

  Patrolling Houston’s gritty supernatural underbelly has its perks. For Isla Alvarez, it’s working alongside nephilim SWAT Officer Jace Lane. Ruggedly handsome and possessed of mad skills, Jace embodies everything she’s ever wanted.

  Unfortunately, the demonic blood pumping through her veins keeps them separated, since relationships between human descendants of archangels and demons aren’t actively encouraged. Staying away from him, though, is impossible after she winds up on the receiving end of a nasty sexual-compulsion curse, courtesy of a sadistic vampiress. Suddenly Isla is overwhelmed with a life-threatening lust only Jace can sate.

  Jace’s principles were once strong enough to resist his longing for the alluring Isla, but in the face of her desperate craving, his desire breaks free—leaving him wondering if she’s not the only one affected by the spell. He’d be more than happy to satisfy Isla’s increasing need for sexual release, if they weren’t in a race against time to reverse the curse before it turns deadly.

  For Isla, it’s not just her life she’s worried about losing. It’s her heart.

  Contains wicked-hot shower sex, raging-hormone-induced naughty language, driving under the influence (of overwhelming lust) and smiting of demons and vamps.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Midnight Craving:

  Jace sagged as his feet finally touched solid ground in what appeared to be a parking garage. He hated teleporting. It just wasn’t natural for bodies to move through time and space like that. It was also an irksome reminder of the stark differences between them. While demons and archangels could appear anywhere at will, only the descendants of demons inherited that trick. It had to do with the laws of temptation.

  Isla patted his back and told him to breathe. He shot her an annoyed look. Before he could offer a snappy retort, his eyes landed on the silver ’69 Chevelle SS right behind her. “Whoa!”

  “My baby.” A broad grin on her face, Isla fished a key ring from her pocket and unlocked the passenger door. “It was Daddy’s project car. He never got around to fixing it up while he was alive. Took me years to learn enough to do it myself.”

  “Why have I never seen this before?” Jace ran his hands over the wide black racing stripes on the hood. “I would have noticed this in the parking lot at work.”

  Isla shrugged. “This is my pleasure vehicle. Besides, it’s just easier to skip between work and home. If I wasn’t so damned tired, we’d make chase like that, but I just don’t think I have the energy today.”

  At her weary tone, Jace gave her the once-over. She looked a bit deflated and haggard around the eyes. “I don’t want you expending yourself, Isla. Renata’s likely to put up a hellacious fight. You’re going to need your strength.”

  “And supplies.” Isla walked around and popped the trunk.

  Jace whistled as he took in the stockpile she had hidden there. “And here I was worrying we’d have to hit up headquarters for a resupply.”

  Smiling, she snatched a backpack from the trunk and shoved it into his hands. “I’d prefer it if you didn’t open any of the demon-vaporizing powders and potions in there. It’s windy and a face full of that shit really stings.”

  Jace nodded as he rifled through the backpack and considered the finer points of fighting demons with a half-demon at his side. He pulled out a handful of bullet clips. “I’ll stick to the modified rounds.”

  “Good choice.” Isla slammed the trunk closed. “Vamos.”

  Jace slid into the passenger’s seat and exchanged some of his vampire-killing weapons for demon-vanquishing ones. The car roared to life, his seat vibrating beneath him. He heard the snap of Isla’s lap belt and glanced over.

  Her eyebrows lifted. “I’d buckle up if I were you.”

  Jace didn’t have to be told twice. He dropped the clips in his lap and grappled for his lap belt. He’d barely snapped it in place when Isla pressed the clutch and gas and shot out of the parking space. She sped down the curving levels of the garage, wheels squealing, feet moving back and forth between the pedals with the barest of pauses.

  When they reached the exit facing out on a busy downtown street, he expected the vehicle to stop—but it didn’t. Eyes wide, he pumped an imaginary brake. They raced onto the street, the tail end of the Chevelle swinging wide before it snapped straight. Miraculously, they fit into the tiniest space between speeding cars. “Jesus Christ!”

  “Calm down,” Isla chided, her hand effortlessly guiding the gear shift as she depressed and released the clutch. “You know I can see things.”

  “I don’t care.” Jace gripped his lap belt and eyed the dashboard. He cursed the lack of airbags. “For all we know, the curse has fucked with your radar. I’d like to not find out you’re off by a few seconds when we’re T-boned by a semi.”

  Isla rolled her eyes and zipped down the bustling street toward a northbound I-45 on-ramp. He breathed easier at the thought of more space for her jarring maneuvers but his relief was short-lived. She punched the gas, moving through the gears as she tried to outrace the semi barreling toward them in the merging lane. Like a bat out of hell, she swerved onto I-45, cutting a hair’s breadth in front of the semi and sliding across two lanes of traffic to an opening.

  “Where the hell did you learn to drive
? The James Bond School for Stunt Drivers?”

  Isla snorted. “I wish.”

  The Chevelle gained speed quickly, bypassing the already-speeding vehicles surrounding it. Isla weaved the car in and out of traffic, making up lost time in their pursuit of the demons who had firebombed his Tahoe. Jace didn’t have to ask where they were heading. The last house on the list wasn’t actually in Houston but on the shores of Lake Woodlands, an extremely wealthy enclave just north of Houston. Unless the Porsche was stopped by one of the Midnight Vice patrol units, it was almost a given the demons would beat them to Renata’s last hideout. And that was a bad thing.

  Isla flicked on the stereo. She picked up the iPod stuffed into the console organizer straddling the floorboard hump and plugged an adapter into the cigarette lighter. Seconds later, eighties pop—German eighties pop—filtered through the speakers.

  “‘99 Luftballons’?” Jace couldn’t help but laugh. “Weren’t you still in diapers when this came out?”

  “Yeah. Not so much.” Isla checked her rearview mirror. “I didn’t make my debut into this world until three or so years after this song hit the big time.” She frowned at him. “But, really? You’re going to laugh at my choice of music? Dude, how many times have I heard you belting out ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’ in the showers at work?”

  Embarrassment gripped his chest. Was he really that loud? Who else had heard him singing? “What are you doing hanging around the guy’s locker room anyway?”

  Isla giggled at his defensive tone. “Well, you know me, Jace. I’m all about the sausage fest.”

  From anyone else, he would have been appalled, but from Isla it was par for the course. He barked with laughter.