Touched by the Tyrant: Dinosaur Lovers (1)

By Arrow Atlas

Fans of Laurann Dohner’s edgy New Species series or anyone whose curiosity is piqued by “dinosaur erotica” writers Alara Branwen and Christie Sims won’t want to miss this Tyrant!
Sally Marks isn't equipped to handle a flat tire on a near-deserted road, so she thanks her lucky stars when protective hunk Cord Allen stops to help her out. She’s attracted to his body and his manners, but Cord claims he’s interested but unavailable.
Sally doesn’t credit Cord’s claim that he’s heading out on a special mission, until she’s picked up by military researchers and asked for her help. Cord has participated in a secret genetic alternation experiment involving rare samples of dinosaur DNA. He survived the procedure, but he’s almost unrecognizable, now: more ancient predator than gentleman. But, the unique beast he has become knows what it wants, and he's asking for Sally.
Sally arrives to find the new Cord is more T. rex than nice guy. She wants to help, but his predator has every intention of claiming his chosen mate, publically and very thoroughly. Can Sally deal with nosy scientists, interested (and interesting) military officers and an erotically possessive, anatomically impressive dinosaur in her quest to follow her instincts, and her heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arrow Atlas
• Release date: Jan 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310862137

Arrow Atlas

Friendly Canadian communications chick, have been writing for a while but just started submitting and self-publishing. I like fuzzy pets, nachos and juicy books, and all three at the same time is even better!Tried my first piece on Amazon with the three-month exclusive thing (I know, I know) but Smashwords is treating me much better!

Book preview

Touched by the Tyrant: Dinosaur Lovers (I)

Copyright 2013 Arrow Atlas

Published by Arrow Atlas at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. I ask that you not re-sell or give my work away to other people. If you would like to share this book, please purchase an additional copy. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting my hard work.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

About Arrow Atlas

Other Books

Connect

Prologue

She ran across ground so hard and cracked her sneakers barely scuffed the surface. She had a head start, and she was quick on her feet… for a human.

The beast behind her ran on two feet as well – two clawed feet below legs above them as powerful as springs, propelling it with a gait as balanced as a lion’s and with longer strides. It looked top-heavy, if you hadn’t seen it move, or were distracted by its powerful jaws, or the cold intelligence in its reptilian green eyes. Maybe you’d been mesmerized by the shifts of its powerful tail, sinuously and restless, its feather-like scales iridescent in the white-hot desert light.

The woman knew from experience that the beast could easily out-sprint her and outmatch her over the distance. That knowledge wasn’t going to stop her from running, though. She had her pride, and she wasn’t planning to be caught standing still.

She ran as lightly as a jackrabbit, zigzagging to avoid the largest cracks or outcroppings of rock where snakes might be sunbathing.

But then, over the sound of her own breaths, she heard it: the unmistakable pulse of something very large hitting the ground very lightly. The beast’s power was such that there was a pause, a delay between those sprung claws striking the ground as the big body moved parallel to the ground. From the side, or when it carried her, its deadly grace was remarkable, she knew.

But she wasn’t watching, she was running. She picked up her own pace, stubbornly determined. Her throat was growing dry and her hair blew behind her like dusty, curling ribbons in the dry desert wind.

The rhythmic pulse grew closer, like the thump of a helicopter’s blades. The beast’s tail would be balanced behind it, the great head forward like an arrow, pointed in her direction.

The roar that echoed in her ears was close, and triumphant. Reaching her would be easy, and they both knew it.

Dammit, she coughed, her throat dusty, but she didn’t stop running. In fact, she zig-zagged more wildly, making her movements less predictable. This particular beast was unwilling to trample her by accident. She was taking advantage of that fact, and the thought made her grin, fiercely.

A hard, dry band wrapped around her waist and her still-running feet were no longer touching dry dirt. She was angled forward, bent over that restraining grip. Great gliding strides took her weight effortlessly. She felt as much as heard the beast’s rumbling growl of frustration and possession.

It shifted her weight higher, over its shoulder and turned westward. There was a canyon a mile or so distant, and it would be taking her there. Below the horizon there was even a tiny stream and a few stunted trees.

She wasn’t surprised they would end up there. In spite of herself, she felt wetness between her thighs at the memories of the last time. They’d been alone except for desert birds wheeling above, shaded from the glaring sun.

The beast growled again, and this time the sound held a note of anticipation. His mate might have been displeased with him earlier, but soon, now, his desires would become hers, too.

Chapter One

Sally Marks leaned against her sidelined car, seriously hoping the strangers in this area were friendly: she and her decrepit old hatchback were going to rely on their kindness. Sally had one pancake-flat tire and zero cash for a tow.

She could have called her sister for help, maybe. But, the last thing Sally wanted to do was worry the sister she was on her way to help. Plus, a heavily pregnant woman with the same level of automotive aptitude as Sally wouldn’t be much help even if she wrestled her two-year-old into the car to come to the rescue. Connor was probably poised to shove something up his nose right now. Joanne wouldn’t need to have her heart rate raised any higher over a text message about her little sister’s roadside emergency.

So Sally was about to take her chances. On the bright side, she was a healthy, medium-sized woman – as able as any other to defend herself. She was no fainting flower even on a regular afternoon. After a long day’s drive in a car with a busted front door and no air-conditioning, and now a flat tire a mere hour from her destination, she felt ornery enough to kick just about anyone’s ass if they gave her trouble.

Sally popped the hood and propped the doohickey into place to signal that she hadn’t just pulled over for a pee break. She shaded her eyes and squinted for oncoming traffic. Hopefully she’d look friendly enough to help, but not to harass or murder. The sun was heavy on the horizon and she wasn’t spending a night in