A woman surviving
on the edge of a dark frontier
strikes a sensual bargain
with a handsome stranger
hiding a dangerous secret…

In a post-apocalyptic future, creatures who’ve hidden in the shadows for millennia are freed to roam in a world shrouded in darkness. Rancher Kate McKinnon runs Sanctuary Ranch—a last refuge on the western frontier. While running herd over her cowhands and integrating refugees into their self-sufficient refuge, she escapes her responsibilities the only way she has left—via radio to pockets of other survivors. One man, Ty Bennett, is her confidante, and she thinks she might be falling in love with his deep, rasping voice. Although they’ve never met, he seems to know her heart.

On a patrol to scavenge supplies, Kate and her cowboys are surrounded by a gang of renegades intent on claiming her. Rescue comes unexpectedly by a militaristic band led by the man she’s spent so many hours talking to through the dark nights. She brings him home only to discover she’s brought vampires inside the refuge.

Already half in love with the human woman, Ty offers added muscle to her defenses and promises to move her people to safety. Fighting his own nature and appetites, he seeks redemption for his many sins but can’t control his hunger to possess Kate. Getting past her prejudice and choking responsibilities tests his seductive powers.

It’s post-apocalyptic Texas and those things that were dismissed as a bump in the night are now very real.

Kate McKinnon’s Ranch has been a sanctuary for over a hundred years. She’d protect those who came looking for help with her life. Now supplies are running low and she knows she has to make a plan to leave. It’s just very hard for her to think about.

With the werewolves, rogues and vampires out there and having to kill a wolf today, that time is coming faster than she wants.

Needing some comfort from the outside world, Kate turns to the old radio and waits for Ty Bennett to respond.

This is a favorite scene.

Kate scraped the dirt off her boots on the edge of the stoop before entering Cass’s kitchen. She gave a nod to the older woman who stood covered in flour up to her elbows, cutting biscuits from flattened dough.

She held up the bird by its feet. “What do you want me to do with this?”

Cass grimaced. “Stick him in the pot. Gotta blanche that buzzard good before I pull its feathers.”

A large stockpot filled with boiling water rattled on the old gas range. Kate lifted the lid and dunked the turkey buzzard, feathers and all, into the pot. “If anybody asks—”

Cass held up her hand. “I know. It was an old damn turkey. Coffee’s in the thermos. Help yourself.”

Kate poured a steaming cup, flashed a smile, then tromped through the house to her office, avoiding the living room. She knew she was being a little cowardly, but she didn’t think she could bear sitting in the living room with the families’ quiet chatter surrounding her. Now that the ranch hands’ bunk house had been subdivided into living quarters for the three families, she’d hoped for a little more privacy, but their noise and the sight of their haunted faces spilled over into her home as well.

So, she’d settle down to eat her meal in her office when it was ready. The large dining room table would be crowded enough with everyone eating in shifts. Not that there’d be much reason for anyone to linger. Food was scarce. Their meals meager. Soon, they’d be forced to make another run for supplies. She’d been waiting for sunshine, but the unrelenting black sky kept them trapped inside the boundaries of the ranch.

At times, the weight of her responsibilities crushed her, making her feel overwhelmed and a little scared when she thought about so many people—especially the families—arriving at the gates. She feared she couldn’t feed them, wouldn’t be able to save them in the end. To protect her heart and her sanity, she avoided knowing them too well.

So, Kate took her coffee at her daddy’s big roll-top desk and eyed the silent radio, knowing she shouldn’t turn it on and waste precious electricity. But dammit, this was her ranch house—her blood, her men, protected the people within Sanctuary Ranch.

Besides, the radio was their only link with the outside world.

She turned it on, let the old-fashioned transistors heat up, then turned the dial to tune into the band where she knew he’d be waiting. “This is KN5GST calling. My name’s Kate. Anyone listening? Over.”

A moment later, the whine from an engine sounded over the air. “This is AA3TZ. How are you, Kate?” he said, dropping the ham radio lingo.

Her hands clamped around the microphone as she held it, and she closed her eyes as his voice surrounded her like a soft, warm blanket. “Been better.”

“Any breaches?”

“One got through today. I killed it.”

“I’m sorry about that,” he said softly.

She blinked—not because tears gathered in her eyes. Just dust. “It’s okay,” she said swiftly. “He was just another monster.” She’d try to forget how young and vulnerable he’d looked, lying naked and bleeding into the dry dirt.

“Still carrying that antique gun?”

Kate’s lips curved into a grin. What was it with men? Sometimes, Ty sounded a lot like Sam. “It did the trick,” she said, trying not to sound defensive.

“How many shots did you manage to squeeze off?”

“Two.” She shivered, remembering just how close the wolf had come.

“Goddamn, Kate, what’s it going to take to get you to be more careful?”

“I know what I’m doing,” she said, glad he couldn’t see how her lower lip pouted.

He was silent for a long moment, then, “You give any thought to what we talked about before?”

Kate shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with the direction he was going to take the conversation. “I have, but I don’t know how we’d manage it. ’Sides, we have most everything we need here, at least for a while.”

“Honey, you can’t hold out forever. They can. Soon, you won’t find enough gas pumps with gas in them or cars to siphon off to run your generator. Your propane won’t last long with as many mouths as you’re feeding now. What happens when you can’t scavenge enough food to hold off starvation?”

Every word he said was true. Eventually, they’d all have to leave Sanctuary. But not now. She wasn’t ready to let go just yet.

“Kate, the wolves are getting hungry enough to risk facing the armed men inside your game fence. When they’re inside, you’ll be the one who’s corralled.”

Kate knew in her gut he was right. But how could she abandon a hundred years of tradition—of McKinnons on Sanctuary Ranch? “I don’t have enough big trucks or men to protect a convoy for any distance.”

“I’ve been thinking about that problem, and I might have a solution for you. Let me get back to you.”

“All right.” She squeezed tighter on the mike. He’d pestered her about leaving, harangued her about her recklessness. Now, he’d say goodbye. Just like always.

“You doing okay?” she asked, wanting to extend the conversation.

“I’m fine. Stay put tomorrow. I’ll talk to you tomorrow night. Out.”
Devlin, Delilah. Her Sanctuary (Texas Vampires Book 1). Kindle Locations (111-148) Kindle Edition.

A trip to town for supplies is the catalyst that changes everything for Kate. She makes an agreement with Ty who has many secrets after he saves her and her men from rogues.

This is a quick read with plenty of action, sizzling heat and oh those secrets. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

5 Contented Purrs for Delilah!

Delilah Devlin

Up until recently, award-winning author Delilah Devlin lived in South Texas at the intersection of two dry creeks, surrounded by sexy cowboys in Wranglers. These days, she’s missing the wide-open skies and starry nights, but loving her dark forest in central Arkansas with its eccentric characters and isolation–the better to feed her hungry muse! To Delilah, the greatest sin is driving between the lines because it’s comfortable and safe. Her personal journey has taken her through one war, many countries, cultures, jobs and relationships to bring her to the place she travels now–writing sexy novels that hold more than a kernel of autobiography and often share a common thread of self-discovery and transformation.

Delilah Devlin is a prolific and award-winning author of erotica and erotic romance with a rapidly expanding reputation for writing deliciously edgy stories with complex characters. Whether creating dark, erotically-charged paranormal worlds or richly descriptive historical stories that ring with authenticity, Delilah Devlin “pens in uncharted territory that will leave the readers breathless and hungering for more…” (Paranormal Reviews) Ms. Devlin has published over 140 erotic stories in multiple genres and lengths.

A woman surviving on the edge of a dark frontier
strikes a sensual bargain with
a handsome stranger
hiding a dangerous secret…

In a post-apocalyptic future, creatures who’ve hidden in the shadows for millennia are freed to roam in a world shrouded in darkness. Rancher Kate McKinnon runs Sanctuary Ranch—a last refuge on the western frontier. While running herd over her cowhands and integrating refugees into their self-sufficient refuge, she escapes her responsibilities the only way she has left—via radio to pockets of other survivors. One man, Ty Bennett, is her confidante, and she thinks she might be falling in love with his deep, rasping voice. Although they’ve never met, he seems to know her heart.

On a patrol to scavenge supplies, Kate and her cowboys are surrounded by a gang of renegades intent on claiming her. Rescue comes unexpectedly by a militaristic band led by the man she’s spent so many hours talking to through the dark nights. She brings him home only to discover she’s brought vampires inside the refuge.

Already half in love with the human woman, Ty offers added muscle to her defenses and promises to move her people to safety. Fighting his own nature and appetites, he seeks redemption for his many sins but can’t control his hunger to possess Kate. Getting past her prejudice and choking responsibilities tests his seductive powers.

Note:
This story was previously released under the title Undeniable. It has since been revised and expanded.

I haven’t read too many vampire stories lately so when I saw this one it intrigued me.

In this post-apocalyptic future their are many new and different dangers. One that plagues Kate McKinnon regularly is werewolves. They come in their wolf form and go after her cattle. Cattle she needs if she has any hope of feeding the people who have come to her for sanctuary.

Sam and Danny are her two ranch hands who have been with her since before her father died. Then there’s Ty Bennett, who she’s only communicated with on the short wave radio. He’s been trying to get her to evacuate the ranch to his location where they would be better protected.

Kate is stubborn and the ranch is all she has. After a difficult encounter with one of the wolves, she gets on the radio, wanting, no needing to hear Ty’s voice.

Once again holding him off as far as relocating, she prepares to do a run for supplies the next day. That run will change many things.

This is a favorite scene.

Kate jerked at the familiar deep tones of his voice. Her startled glance found Shep’s.

His eyes were narrowed in his lined face, and he shook his head. “You know him?” he whispered harshly. “Might be some kind a trick.”

“This is Ty Bennett,” the man outside said.

Kate closed her eyes and sank against the wall, feeling like her entire world was spinning out of control. In fact, the room did tilt beneath her boots, How could this be?

“Kate,” the man outside said, “the cavalry’s here, sweetheart.”

Ty held his breath as the slender figure descended the church steps. Although garbed in a long duster and wearing a cowboy hat that cast shadows over her face, he could tell a lot about the woman he’d come half the state away to rescue. Her slender shoulders were square, her chin held high.

The smart-mouthed woman he’d talked to endless nights looked brave—and brittle as glass.

The closer she came, the more his body tightened.

“She’s prettier than I expected,” Diego murmured as he stepped behind him.

Ty didn’t bother to say he’d noticed, too. He’d already been fighting an unexplainable attraction to the sassy voice on the radio, but he thought she’d be older. The woman walking toward him was shaping up to be a delicious surprise.

When Kate stopped several feet away, he noted the edge of her jacket tucked behind her holster and the suspicion glinting in her eyes. A shotgun barrel poked out a window of the church behind her.

A smile curved one corner of his mouth. Good girl. Someone was watching her back.

Kate stood motionless but swept his men with a quick glance as they dismounted their vehicles and waited beside them for direction. When her glance came back to him, her expression was stony. “You might have mentioned you were coming for a visit,” she said, her voice tight.

Her husky inflection tugged at his cock. The game had begun.

Knowing she was easily riled, he decided to bait her. He didn’t like her scared—angry, he could handle. He lifted one brow. “And I thought I told you to stay put.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t follow orders very well,” she said, her tone dead level.

Diego snorted behind him, and Ty knew his buddy was laughing his ass off.

Kate lifted her chin toward the convoy. “Now, a person might wonder how men such as you came into possession of military vehicles.”

“A person? You wondering how, Kate?” he drawled.

“Maybe I’m just a resourceful kind of guy.”

Her nostrils flared, and her lips tightened. “And I’m just wondering what else you might be, Ty Bennett.”

That’s when he saw the hint of vulnerability in her gaze—and a glint of hope. This woman had lived a nightmare and needed what he offered worse than she knew. “Kate, we’re ex-military living at old Fort Davis in the Davis Mountains. Before things went to hell, we were part of a border patrol outfit—light infantry.” Some of it was true. What he left out would have to wait until she knew him better.

Kate’s lips relaxed a fraction. “Why no uniforms?”

“We were mustered out of the service when the post closed.”

“They left behind functioning equipment?”

“They were in a hurry. Everything was abandoned. We’ve taken over the camp.”

“Is this everyone? All your people?”

“I left men behind to guard the post.”

Her breath gasped softly. “Only men?”

He read her panic and decided to sidestep the issue for now. Concentrate on the pluses. “There’s a sturdy fence, a mess hall, food in storage to last a large unit months, an artesian well, and plenty of land to cultivate…everything a community needs to survive. We have room for you and yours, if you’ll come.”

“There are only half a dozen women at the ranch—three are married,” she said faintly.

“We won’t take what’s not offered.” The quiet, firm tone of his voice was meant to reassure her, but he knew she’d seen too much to trust blindly.

Her jaw flexed, and she looked away. “So, how’d you know it was me in there?”

“I sent out scouts in advance of the convoy. They saw you enter town, hit the grocery store like kamikazes, and then steal gas at the station. I don’t believe another female in this area would be so brazen. We got here as quick as we could when those bastards chased you here.”

She shot him a pointed glance. “Your timing was amazing.” Again, suspicion colored her tone.

He forced himself to keep his tone even. He didn’t like how skittish she was, how untrusting. It damn near broke his heart. “Remember, I didn’t expect to find you here. You were supposed to sit tight,” he said, baiting her again.

Kate snorted. “Like I said—”

His lips twitched. “Yeah, I know. You don’t follow orders well. That’s gonna change.”

Her dark eyebrows shot up.

Before she could answer the challenge he’d thrown down, he continued, “Katie, you can’t stay on Sanctuary Ranch any longer. You know it. Those men inside know it. You’re living on borrowed time until the werebeasts take down your fence.”

“It’s my ranch, my home,” she said through stiff lips.

“Maybe someday you can come back to it. For now, you need to get yourself and all those people depending on you somewhere safe. I’ve brought the trucks and the men—we can get you out of here.”

She drew a deep breath, and her hands clenched into fists. “Why, Ty? Why would you do this? You don’t even know me.”

He formed his lips into a lop-sided smile. “You won’t just let me be the Lone Ranger riding to the rescue?”

“I don’t believe in heroes anymore,” she said, her voice thickening. She blinked against the moisture filling her eyes, her sorrow and disillusionment etched in her strained features.

Ty gave her time to get herself under control but didn’t look away to give her any privacy. Every tear, every worry, every delight she held inside would be his. From this moment onward, he’d never let her hide.
Devlin, Delilah. Her Sanctuary (Texas Vampires Book 1). Kindle Locations (299-349). Kindle Edition.

Things heat up very quickly between Ty and Kate and I really love the verbal sparring they do.

I really can’t say much more about this without giving away too much of the story. I will say that Ty’s secret is a game changer.

Action, intrigue and a sizzling relationship. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

5 Contented Purrs for Delilah!

Delilah Devlin

Up until recently, award-winning author Delilah Devlin lived in South Texas at the intersection of two dry creeks, surrounded by sexy cowboys in Wranglers. These days, she’s missing the wide-open skies and starry nights, but loving her dark forest in central Arkansas with its eccentric characters and isolation–the better to feed her hungry muse! To Delilah, the greatest sin is driving between the lines because it’s comfortable and safe. Her personal journey has taken her through one war, many countries, cultures, jobs and relationships to bring her to the place she travels now–writing sexy novels that hold more than a kernel of autobiography and often share a common thread of self-discovery and transformation.

Delilah Devlin is a prolific and award-winning author of erotica and erotic romance with a rapidly expanding reputation for writing deliciously edgy stories with complex characters. Whether creating dark, erotically-charged paranormal worlds or richly descriptive historical stories that ring with authenticity, Delilah Devlin “pens in uncharted territory that will leave the readers breathless and hungering for more…” (Paranormal Reviews) Ms. Devlin has published over 140 erotic stories in multiple genres and lengths.

On Memorial Day, he will stand by her side when she visits her husband’s grave, but he wonders if she’ll ever see him as anything more than her husband’s best friend and the man who accompanied his body home for burial…

Navy SEAL, Chris “Zig” Bykowski, has done his duty to his best friend’s wife by being there to help whenever she or her son needed him. However, now, he has the feeling she wants to put distance between herself and the SEALs who watch over her as the widow of a fallen teammate. Though painful, because he’s grown to care for her, he will let her go, knowing she needs closure to move on with her life.

Andi Westall has picked up the pieces of her shattered life after the death of her husband, Ozzie. Although she knows it will be painful to break away from the SEALs who have given her their support, she is ready to cut ties and move on past the painful memories. However, fate has another idea. When she discovers that she may have a stalker, the only person she knows to confide in is Ozzie’s best friend, Zig. When Zig and the team rush to the rescue, she finds that accepting their aid and continued friendship isn’t as hard as she’d imagined.

While the team works to figure out who is stalking her, Zig insists on sticking close to keep her safe. One night of tearful remembrances ends with her waking up to discover that she wants more from Zig than just his protection. Whether this is love or simply need is something she’ll have to figure out before they both get hurt.

On their last mission Chris “Zig” Bykowski promised his best friend and teammate Ozzie that he would take care of his family should something happen to him. Zig hasn’t gone back on that promise, even now when Ozzie’s son, Jeremy, is able to do most of the chores he does for Andi.

In spite of her feelings for Zig, Andi knows it’s time to push him away. He deserves to have a life beyond taking care of her. She knew he was coming over, he comes over every leave he has. She was surprised to see flowers on the counter near where he was preparing breakfast for them. Unfortunately they weren’t from him and now she’s scared.

This is a favorite scene.

Then she saw the red roses wrapped in hunter green tissue lying on the counter. Had he brought her flowers? Her body went still.

Zig noted the direction of her gaze and blinked. “I didn’t bring them. They were on your porch when I arrived. No card.” Then he pressed his lips together as if stopping himself from saying anything more.

Andi frowned. The flowers were beautiful, but added to the other “gifts” she’d received of late, she was more than a little alarmed. The last two incidents hadn’t frightened her, but this one, arriving at her doorstep, did.

“You have an admirer…” he murmured, his gaze going back to the skillet filled with fluffy eggs.

“I think…” She paused because she didn’t want to say it. If she did, Zig would likely decide he had to do something about it, and this wasn’t his problem to fix. Still, she had Jeremy to consider, and being stubborn about her independence didn’t mean she had the right to risk his safety. She glanced toward Jeremy and was relieved to see him with his nose stuck inside a graphic novel. She moved closer to Zig and whispered, “I think I have a stalker.”

He blinked then turned to the stove, switching off the burner and placing the pan on a cool ring. After preparing one plate with toast, bacon, and eggs, then piling the rest of the meal on one plate and slipping it into the microwave, he slid Jeremy’s plate in front of him. “Buddy, eat up. Your mom and I are going outside to talk.”

Jeremy nodded, his gaze locked on the plate. For her son, food topped anime and baseball. He’d be good for a few minutes by himself.

Zig pulled off the apron, draped it over a chair, and then indicated for Andi to precede him out of the room. Once they were outside on the front porch, he turned to her, his arms folded over his chest. “What’s going on?”

Feeling a little chilled despite the balmy morning, Andi rubbed her arms. “It’s probably nothing.”

“Let me be the judge.”

When she frowned at his words, he held up his hands. “I’m just here to help. You froze when you saw the roses. Do you know who left them?” he asked, speaking slowly.

She’d always liked his deep tones and the way he held so still when he listened to what she said. She blew out a breath. “I don’t. It started last week—”

“Something started last week…? A week…and you didn’t call me?” His blond eyebrows lowered, darkening his blue eyes.

“I thought it was nothing. Besides, you didn’t get back into town until Thursday. I wouldn’t have been able to reach you anyway.”

He closed his eyes for a second then lowered his head to lock his gaze with hers. “Tell me.”

Good Lord, he’d never used that tone with her before—all alpha, kind of hard. A shiver worked its way across her bare arms, and she rubbed them again. “You know I’m teaching at the University, on base.”

He nodded. “Night classes.”

“I’m part of the Workforce Education Solutions department. I’m teaching some basic job search classes—how to complete a resume, what to expect in your first days on the job sort of thing.”

“Helping people processing out of the military, I assume.”

“Mostly, but also some spouses looking to reenter the workforce take my classes, too.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I teach at night, and sometimes, I hang around to proofread resumes or give advice. It’s crazy really. Sure, I worked managing a temp agency early in my marriage, but it’s been years since I was out there. Still, they hired me.”

“Why wouldn’t they? You’re smart. You have the receipts.” The corners of his lips curved, but his gaze was still steady.

She appreciated that he was giving her time to describe her worries. “Anyway, early last week, I went to my car in the faculty lot, and there was a note under my windshield wipers. It said something like, ‘You bring sunshine everywhere you go.’ Then something else… ‘I’d like to soak up all your rays.’” She rolled her eyes. “It was like a bad high school love note.”

“Did you keep it?”

“For a day or two. I checked the handwriting against my students’ when they turned in their papers, but nothing stood out, so I tossed it. Then last night, I found a pretty gold bracelet attached to my car’s doorhandle. I was too spooked to take the time to remove it until I got home. It’s gold all right—eighteen karats. And now the flowers—at my house?” she said, hissing the last word.

He reached out and rubbed his hands on her upper arms, up and down. The warmth of his palms seeped into her skin, and her knees weakened just a little, making her sway toward him. She found herself leaning against his body, her face turned to the side, one cheek pressed against his chest. He wasn’t nearly as tall as Ozzie had been, but he still topped her by a few inches. His arms were just as strong as they slowly rose and encircled her.

They stood together for a long moment, and she felt his breath feather her hair. It had been such a long time since she’d felt a comforting embrace…

“I need to hit the hardware store again,” he said softly. “I want you both to come with me. I won’t leave you alone here. The flowers were fresh. He might be watching now.”

She jerked back and glanced up into his eyes. “Do you really think I should be worried?”

“I honestly don’t know. Three gifts. One on your doorstep. It’s too much of a coincidence. I’m betting it’s the same guy, and I don’t like the fact he found out where you live.” Once again, his hands moved, this time to her shoulders, which he held gently. “Humor me. We can make a day of it. Maybe hit the store for what we’ll need to harden the security around this place, and then take Jeremy to the batting cages at the park.”

She nodded. “Okay.” When he drew away, she wished he hadn’t. She’d enjoyed feeling his strength and warmth pressed against her. But when he stepped back, his jaw hardening, she realized this was for the best, and that she was maybe reading more into his embrace than what it really was—a friend’s comfort. When he turned away to open the door for her to reenter the house, she felt as though a rubber band snapped her back into awareness of the fact that this was Zig.

This morning, she’d been determined to figure out a way to push him gently out of their lives because she needed to move on. Now, she knew she was in real trouble. Zig was a very attractive man—tall and muscled, with thick blond hair and ice-blue eyes. She’d have to be dead not to notice. Still, the last thing she wanted to do was to cling to him. Hell, he might let her because he felt responsible for her after Ozzie’s death, but he deserved more. He should be out finding the woman who was meant for him, not hovering over a woman five years older than him who had a half-grown child. He deserved a woman who’d give him all her “firsts”—her first love, her first child.

So, maybe she’d let him watch over them this one last time. Let him do the things he needed to in order to make them safe, and then she’d let him go, pushing him out, if she had to, no matter how hard it would be to see him leave.

Besides, she wasn’t even sure what it was she felt. Only lately had she really begun to react to his presence. She’d always known he was handsome and well-built—all of the SEALs on Ozzie’s team were. However, Zig was the leanest, with a runner’s body that was so densely muscled, so well-honed, that watching his muscles flex as he did the most mundane things around the house and yard made her sigh.

Not that he was trying to attract her. But it had been a long damn time since she’d been this aware of a man’s body, and he’d been driving her crazy for a while now. With him following her into the house, she was only too aware of the movement of her hips.

Damn, hussy, she warned herself. She moved forward more stiffly, forcing a smile when she entered the kitchen. “Hey, Jeremy, after we eat, Zig needs to pick up some things at the hardware store.”

Jeremy’s glance went to Zig. He was already smiling, envisioning another manly adventure.

“We’re all going,” Zig said. “After we get what we need at the store, how about we hit the batting cages at the park?”

Jeremy fisted his hand and pulled it sharply inward. “Yes! I’m almost done eating. I’ll go get my bat and glove.”

She followed her son with her gaze while the sound of the microwave beeped behind her. Better to look there than to glance at Zig again. Now, she knew what it felt like to stand inside his embrace and breath in his sea-fresh scent. She felt silly for feeling a little shy.

The slide of a plate across the counter drew her attention to him. He’d divided the food onto two plates.

“Better eat up. It’s going to be a long day.” He gave her a crooked half-smile—so familiar and dear. He’d worn it every time he’d shown up unannounced, trailing Ozzie into the house.

She lifted her chin. “You don’t have to do this, you know.”

He raised his eyebrows. “What? Feed you breakfast? I’m just returning the favor. You’ve cooked for me a million times.”

She pressed her lips together and dropped her gaze. “You don’t have to take care of us. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself and Jeremy.”

Zig leaned over the counter and used a finger to lift her chin until her gaze locked with his. “Andi, Ozzie asked me to watch over you both, but I’m not doing this because I made him a promise that I would. I want to be here, for you.”

Andi’s eyes widened a fraction, and she licked her lower lip before she could stop herself. Damn, if she didn’t wish he’d kiss her.
Devlin, Delilah; Authors, Paradise . Hot SEAL, In His Memory. Kindle Locations (195-269). Kindle Edition.

Of course Zig calls in the rest of the team and as they investigate, more things add to the suspense.

I love the way this slowly and steadily moves into the relationship they both want and need. When Andi and Zig finally get together they melt the pages with the heat. Even better, Jeremy and his team heartily approve.

I love these multi author series and I will be reading all of these.

5 Contented Purrs for Delilah!

Delilah Devlin

Up until recently, award-winning author Delilah Devlin lived in South Texas at the intersection of two dry creeks, surrounded by sexy cowboys in Wranglers. These days, she’s missing the wide-open skies and starry nights, but loving her dark forest in central Arkansas with its eccentric characters and isolation–the better to feed her hungry muse! To Delilah, the greatest sin is driving between the lines because it’s comfortable and safe. Her personal journey has taken her through one war, many countries, cultures, jobs and relationships to bring her to the place she travels now–writing sexy novels that hold more than a kernel of autobiography and often share a common thread of self-discovery and transformation.

Delilah Devlin is a prolific and award-winning author of erotica and erotic romance with a rapidly expanding reputation for writing deliciously edgy stories with complex characters. Whether creating dark, erotically-charged paranormal worlds or richly descriptive historical stories that ring with authenticity, Delilah Devlin “pens in uncharted territory that will leave the readers breathless and hungering for more…” (Paranormal Reviews) Ms. Devlin has published over 140 erotic stories in multiple genres and lengths.

A colonist living on a lonely Martian plain receives her new mate, a man culled from among the newly transported convicts…

NOTE:
This 7600-word erotic, sci-fi short story was originally published in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF FUTURISTIC ROMANCE, but has since been revised and expanded.

So I’m trying to go through some of the books I bought and haven’t had the chance to read and this one came up. I’ve had it for quite a while and it was about time I read it.

The book is set on Mars where a Mars-Tech Company has set up a place to farm and raise animals away from the overpopulated and polluted Earth. Mary had gone through rigorous training to be eligible for this parcel of land she calls home. The package also includes a mate now that harvest is near.

The mates selected for the pioneers would be prisoners looking for a better life than an Earth prison would afford. Mary’s mate would be arriving on the transport today, she just hoped he wouldn’t have a violent nature.

This is a favorite scene.

In another time and place, he might have enjoyed the adventure, travelling months to reach this desolate planet, testing his mettle against the elements for his own satisfaction against whatever obstacles arose from living on another world. However, he’d left behind a mess. One he was fated never to repair. Everyone he knew and cared for left behind forever. Lost.

“Your room’s in here,” the woman said, her soft gaze lingering on him.

She likely wondered if he was a half-wit, he’d stood there so long, staring at nothing.

“Drop your bag beside the bed. You can put away your things later. We have work to do.”

Colm said nothing, but stepped past her, making sure to brush an arm against her, just to see how she reacted— see whether her hand would dart to the chip. Her quick, indrawn breath and startled gaze told him a lot. She was every bit as aware of him as he was of her. But her hands remained at her sides. Satisfaction warmed him. Here was something he could work with. Perhaps he could convince her to toss away the chip. And soon. The memory of the sharp pains it invoked, seeming to tap every single nerve with fire and pressure and agonizing cramping, was enough to nauseate him.

A prisoner now, and for the rest of his life, he determined in that moment that he wouldn’t be seen as such by at least one person on this wretched planet.

He dropped his bag beside the narrow cot. As stark as any prison cell, at least the room had a window, although the hardware surrounding it told him there would be no escape. Not that he had anywhere to go if he did manage to slip away.

However, just the thoughts of walking freely in the outdoors, of swimming in the stream he’d seen that perfectly divided fields of wheat from oats, were enough to keep him thinking about breaking out.

“We work until the sun sets,” she said, her voice oddly gruff.

The sweet note it had held when she’d spoken with the commander was gone. But then, from the way the other man had eyed her up and down and given her unsolicited advice, perhaps they knew each other.

The thought bothered him more than he wanted to admit. He was already feeling possessive of his new jailer. “Tell me what needs to be done,” he said, dropping his voice to infer he was ready to do more than labor in the fields. “I’m here to help.”

Her cheeks pinkened, and she turned, bending to pick up a pack on the floor then striding toward the door. “Let’s just make sure water’s making it to the plantings. We’ll walk the fields.”

And walk they did. Colm was amazed at the size of the tract she’d been handed. On Earth, land this rich, this verdant, was so rare only the very wealthiest could afford it. And yet here, as far as he could see, stretched gold and green fields filled with fragile bio-gold.

He and his new mistress carried all-service tools slung over their shoulders, which changed with a click from a shovel head to a pick, depending on the need. At mid-day, she unearthed crusty protein wafers and bottles of fresh water from the bottom of her pack.

He grimaced at the stale taste, but did have to admit the food satisfied his growling belly. Then back to work they went, with the woman walking between neat rows to inspect plants for wilt or disease, although every grain brought to Mars had been specially engineered to suit the soil and climate.

“That’s odd,” she whispered, bending closer to one wheat stalk. She tipped it with her finger and drew away with a small insect perched on the tip.

Peering over her shoulder, he noted the frown bisecting her brow. “A ladybug?”

“This insect’s not scheduled for release. It shouldn’t be here.”

Colm shrugged. “Perhaps it stowed away with the seeds when they were shipped.”

Still staring at the tiny round bug, she shook her head. “Makes me wonder what else might have. I’ll have to report the sighting.” She tucked the insect deep into her pants pocket.

“Do you really think the company can control every element of this world?”

“They have to try,” she said softly. “There’s a fine balance here, between all elements of the environment.”

“Is there no room in these plans for surprises? For a natural progression?” Her head canted as she studied his face. “You’re an odd man, Colm. Everyone knows the dangers imminent when things and people are given free will.”

Colm breathed deeply, pulling his gaze from her curious one. He knew she wondered about him, where his loyalties lay.

Phobos rose large on the horizon. She glanced toward it, shielding her eyes as the sun peeked around the edges of the asteroid. “That’s the last orbit for the day. We should head back before night falls.”

Colm’s body tightened. His own indoctrination had included training to please his new master. After all, farmers must be kept happy. He wondered if she would avail herself of his training tonight or would opt to get to know him better first.

He tamped down his excitement, but already blood surged southward, thickening his cock. A chance to lie with her, to lose himself in lust, was too tempting a thought. Could he tempt her to forget her natural reticence? “I’m trained, you know. I could give you a massage. Draw your bath…”

Her head swung his way, green eyes narrowed. “Let’s get this straight. I don’t need a servant or a sex worker. I need a partner. You aren’t obligated to pleasure me. So long as you pull your own weight, I’ll be satisfied.”

He suppressed a grin at her terse tone. “And what if I have needs, ma’am?”

Her jaw clenched. “You have a hand. Use it.”

She stomped away, but he couldn’t help smiling. He’d noted her heightened color. He’d shocked her. Now, she was thinking about the coming night and all the delightful possibilities.
Delilah Devlin. Red Dawn (Kindle Locations 118-164). Delilah Devlin.

This is a relationship that starts to sizzle almost immediately and then a sort of friendship begins.

I loved this short, it had laughter and tears with some kindle melting heat.

5 Contented Purrs for Delilah!

Delilah Devlin

Up until recently, award-winning author Delilah Devlin lived in South Texas at the intersection of two dry creeks, surrounded by sexy cowboys in Wranglers. These days, she’s missing the wide-open skies and starry nights, but loving her dark forest in central Arkansas with its eccentric characters and isolation–the better to feed her hungry muse! To Delilah, the greatest sin is driving between the lines because it’s comfortable and safe. Her personal journey has taken her through one war, many countries, cultures, jobs and relationships to bring her to the place she travels now–writing sexy novels that hold more than a kernel of autobiography and often share a common thread of self-discovery and transformation.

Delilah Devlin is a prolific and award-winning author of erotica and erotic romance with a rapidly expanding reputation for writing deliciously edgy stories with complex characters. Whether creating dark, erotically-charged paranormal worlds or richly descriptive historical stories that ring with authenticity, Delilah Devlin “pens in uncharted territory that will leave the readers breathless and hungering for more…” (Paranormal Reviews) Ms. Devlin has published over 140 erotic stories in multiple genres and lengths.

A former Navy SEAL is teamed with a feisty ex-Marine to provide protection for a Greek tycoon’s daughter to make sure the bride gets safely to her destination wedding…

Former Navy SEAL, Trigger Matthews, now a special operator with Justin Ballard’s Black Knight Security in New Orleans, is teamed with a feisty ex-Marine as part of the protection detail for a Greek tycoon’s spoiled daughter. The prickly woman proves to be a challenge he’s eager to explore.

Due to her uncanny resemblance to their client’s daughter, Cassandra Locke is tasked with being a “decoy bride”, a job that sees her going through some matrimonial hoops while fighting her growing attraction for her partner for this operation. Together, they create diversions to make sure the real bride has a chance to prepare for her coming nuptials.

Both loners, and unaware of the fact that they are indeed lonely, Trigger and Cass find out they have many more qualities in common, including an inability to stay away from each other. As the real bride’s day draws closer, they learn that she’s more than a girl born with a silver spoon in her mouth and find unexpected friendships along the way.

When Trigger arrives at the New Orleans home for his assignment, his boss Justin is waiting for him. He hadn’t been give the details yet other than high end bodyguard.

Cass isn’t entirely pleased with her assignment. She understands why she was chosen, but the whole preparation thing, well…let’s just say it wasn’t something she’d normally do.

Both Trigger and Cass feel an initial pull but Cass is having none of it.

This is a favorite scene.

The woman at the center of the conversation sat silently, her head bent. But what Trigger could see of her mouth told him that she wasn’t a happy girl. Her lips were pressed into a thin line.

When her father cupped her chin, she smiled, her love for him in her eyes.

Trigger almost felt sorry for her. Something was clearly off. She wasn’t a happy bride, not like his friend Hawk’s new wife, Kalea, who had faced a cartel that had kidnapped him to make sure he made it to his wedding.

Not even as happy as his buddy Rooster’s girl, Casey, who should have been sick and tired of weddings, given that wedding planning was her job, but she was happy with Rooster, sickeningly so, as far as Trigger was concerned. He gave a little shudder. Weddings weren’t his thing. Putting down roots with one woman for the rest of his life…? Well, he’d obviously never met the right girl.

Didn’t look like Eliana Rosi had met the right man either.

“So, your decoy bride will live here for the duration, yes?” Mr. Rosi said.

“Along with her bodyguard,” Justin said.

Trigger blinked and glanced at Justin, who gave him a nod. Sounded cozy.

“Vehicles will leave and arrive at the same time,” Justin continued. “Our decoy will be seen, dressed as your daughter, in her vehicle, so that your daughter can be spirited to the establishments she wants without any undue attention.”

“Good, good,” Mr. Rosi said. “I have enemies who would use her against me. Also, there have been kidnapping attempts…both here and in Greece. I want her kept safe.”

“The men I have watching over Eliana are experienced. They are both highly trained. We’ll keep her safe.”

Mr. Rosi sighed and turned to Eliana. “I am leaving you in their care, koritsi mou.” He tapped the end of her nose. “Behave.”

His daughter wrinkled her nose. “Naí, Ba-ba.”

Mr. Rosi pushed up from his seat, and everyone stood. “Your people will have the run of the house,” he told Justin. “I bought this place when Eliana first came here for university. Stefan,” he said, nodding at his security guy, “will provide you with a list of employees…the cook, the groundskeepers, the maid, Eliana’s driver.” His gaze went to Cass. “She will need to wear sunglasses. Her eyes are not a lovely deep brown like my girl’s.” He shrugged. “You resemble her, physically, that is good. But it’s all in the attitude, my dear.”

After he, Eliana, and his chief of security left, everyone took their seats again. Justin drew a deep breath. “One week, folks. That’s all this is.” He glanced at Cass. “Get with her tonight and see what she plans for tomorrow. She’ll provide your wardrobe.”

Cass nodded. “Will do. Was it just me, or did she seem a little less than delighted about her upcoming nuptials?”

“Not our business,” Justin said, grimacing. “Don’t blame her. I read up on this Vasili Pachis. He’s twenty years her senior and bald. I’m sure her father arranged it.”

Trigger leaned forward. “So, we’ll be staying here in the guest house…together?”

“You and Cass, yes. Gabe and Levi, here,” he said, nodding to the other two Black Knight operatives, “will be staying in the main house. Don’t let her out of your sight, guys. Also, we’ve loaded software to the computers in the guest bedroom beside Eliana’s and in this cottage, as well as two handheld devices, so that you can monitor the security cameras.” He stood. “I’ll leave you to unpack and get settled. I’m only a phone call away. Gabe’s got the lead.”

After he left, Gabe and Levi headed to the main house, and Trigger trailed behind Cass as they returned to their vehicles for their bags. He wasn’t sure how he felt about sharing the cottage with her. Sure, this was just a job. It shouldn’t matter that his roomie was a beautiful woman. It wasn’t like they’d be sharing the same bedroom. Still, he counted back the number of months it had been since he’d shared a bed with a woman. Too many.

“Don’t get any ideas,” Cass said, glancing over her shoulder.

“Ideas?”

“We’re sharing a house. That’s all. I don’t do relationships.”

“Do you do friendships?” S

he huffed a breath. “None with benefits.”

Straight to the point. He admired her for it. He just wished his dick would get the message. He’d been in a mild state of arousal since he’d first seen her.

When she reached her car, a dark green Camry, she turned. “For me, this is the job from hell.”

“Why’s that? Sounds easy. All we have to do is babysit.”

“You do. I have to play act. I’ll be attending fittings for a wedding gown, shopping for bridesmaids’ gifts…” She gave a shudder. “My worst nightmare.”

“You have something against weddings?”

“They’re a waste. All that money, and for what? An hour-long ceremony in a dress you’ll never wear again?”

He enjoyed watching her changing expressions. Every thought telegraphed before she said a word. Right now, her wrinkled nose and twisted lips displayed disgust. She’d make the worst poker player, and an even worse liar. He rather liked that about her. “I think your eyes are pretty,” he blurted. Then clamped his lips shut. He hadn’t meant to say that out loud. “I mean, Mr. Rosi seemed to think your eyes weren’t as pretty as Eliana’s…” His cheeks heated. Fuck, could he just stop? She was looking at him with narrowed eyes. “Um, yours are blue.”

Her eyebrows rose, and she pressed her lips together.

“I’ll just…” he pointed at his car, “get my things…”

As he walked away, he heard her chuckling softly.
Devlin, Delilah. Hot SEAL, Decoy Bride (SEALs in Paradise). Kindle Locations (122-168). Kindle Edition.

As these two spend more time together the sparks fly even as some fall for the bait.

Intriguing, fun with some action and sizzling heat. I’m kind of hoping we see Gabe and Eliana again in these books I’d like her to have a happy ending and not the one her father chose for her.

5 Contented Purrs for Delilah!

Delilah Devlin

Up until recently, award-winning author Delilah Devlin lived in South Texas at the intersection of two dry creeks, surrounded by sexy cowboys in Wranglers. These days, she’s missing the wide-open skies and starry nights, but loving her dark forest in central Arkansas with its eccentric characters and isolation–the better to feed her hungry muse! To Delilah, the greatest sin is driving between the lines because it’s comfortable and safe. Her personal journey has taken her through one war, many countries, cultures, jobs and relationships to bring her to the place she travels now–writing sexy novels that hold more than a kernel of autobiography and often share a common thread of self-discovery and transformation.

Delilah Devlin is a prolific and award-winning author of erotica and erotic romance with a rapidly expanding reputation for writing deliciously edgy stories with complex characters. Whether creating dark, erotically-charged paranormal worlds or richly descriptive historical stories that ring with authenticity, Delilah Devlin “pens in uncharted territory that will leave the readers breathless and hungering for more…” (Paranormal Reviews) Ms. Devlin has published over 140 erotic stories in multiple genres and lengths.