Donât miss the other spooky and sensual NOCTURNE BITES, available at www.millsandboon.co.uk and wherever eBooks are sold. Titles include:
Demon Kissed by Patti OâShea
A Vampireâs Mistress by Theresa Meyers
Hunterâs Surrender by Anna Hackett
Vampireâs Tango by Michele Hauf
Her Dark Lord by Mel Teshco
Time Jumper by Connie Hall
The Prophecy by Nina Croft
Lured by Lori Devoti
Moon Marked by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom
His Magic Touch by Cynthia Cooke
The Bewitching Hour by Vivi Anna
Looking for more paranormal romance? The sizzling and spine-chilling books of Silhouette Nocturne are available at www.millsandboon.co.uk or your local bookstore.
Interested in writing for Nocturne Bites? Send your submission to [email protected]
Cole caught her scent long before she passed his door. Fruity shampoo, floral soap and sweet female sweat drew a groan from deep in his chest.
He rose from his chair, crossed the room in two strides and stood with his palms and forehead pressed to the door, his eyes closed. Aliciaâs heels thudded on the concrete walkway and her keys jingled. She stopped in front of her door, unlocked it and disappeared inside her apartment.
A month of research pointed to her being the one, but he hadnât needed any of that research the moment he met her. Heâd been drawn to her, not just as to one of his own, but with a force stronger than anything heâd ever faced. She was beautiful, yes, but so much more. She was special. Her kindness shone through like a beacon, insight glistened in her eyes, and her power was a golden aura.
His hands curled slowly into fists against the cold wood.
He wanted her so badly he shook.
Music seeped through the wall between them, something with a quick, steady rhythm to match his heartbeat. He pushed away from the door and paced the room. One quick circle. Two.
It was well past time to approach her. Heâd put off this moment for fear of failure.
He couldnât return without her. And the thought of staying away much longer was unbearable. The confines of his secret, being surrounded by strangers, existing only as a human: these things were taking their toll. His muscles longed to burn, his soul to fly across open ground. He could almost hear the wind whistling past his ears.
He stopped in the middle of the room, staring at the door.
He must take the risk. This was the moment of truth.
With a deep breath he started forward.
Alicia dropped her pack on the table as she went to the kitchen, where she filled a glass with water and gulped it down. She kicked off her shoes. Even comfortable shoes were painful after ten hours on tile floors.
She was halfway through the water when the doorbell rang.
Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she left the glass on the counter, turned down the stereo as she tiptoed past it and peered through the doorâs peephole.
She smiled at the distorted view of Coleâs face. Even like this, her neighbor was way past gorgeous.
For a moment, she considered leaving him there so she could watch him. Would he ring the doorbell again? Or would he give up?
He ran his hand across his sensuous mouth and glanced around. That mouth had been causing all kinds of erotic thoughts for months, since the first day heâd smiled at her. She wondered how his lips would feel against hers.
Alicia pushed her hair into place and opened the door. âHi.â
Coleâs amber gaze slid quickly down her body and back up. âHello.â
A shiver tripped up her spine in response.
Shifting his weight to one foot, he shoved his hands into his pants pockets as if he were a kid selling magazines. âI know you just got home, but do you mind a little company?â
He was anything but a kid, although she wasnât sure if he was closer to thirty or forty. Broad shoulders and a flat stomach on his six-foot frame did nothing to give away his age. Long, sandy hair, always a little wild, set off his tan nicely as did his golden eyes, no doubt a contact-altered shade. Except for the light scar down the left side of his face, he could easily have been a model for expensive menâs clothing.
Actually, the scar didnât detract from his appeal. It just hinted at a rugged side.
âCome in,â she said, stepping away from the open door. âWant a beer?â
âYes, thank you.â
Grinning, she walked to the kitchen and drew two bottles from the refrigerator. Sheâd certainly never met anyone as polite as Cole. Almost old-fashioned. In the three months heâd lived next door, sheâd never heard him raise his voice or his stereo, and never seen him fail to help anyone with their grocery bags if he happened to be passing by. Heâd spoken to her quite a few times, mostly small talk about the weather.