Blood Moon Rising Box Set (Books 1-3): Blood Moon Rising Werewolf Romance Box Sets, #1

By Lola Taylor

Includes books 1-3 of the bestselling paranormal werewolf romance series, Blood Moon Rising.

From Book 1--Fever

When the Blood Moon rises, the wolves come out to play… and find their mates.

Danica has about given up on love. In a last-ditch attempt at finding “the one,” she agrees to a blind date through an online dating service. But instead of finding roses and romance, she finds someone intent on killing her. That is, until the mysterious, brooding Gage shows up to save her….

Gage is running out of time to find a mate. If the Blood Moon sets before he can find her, he’ll lose the rank of packmaster—and the peace within the pack he’s worked so hard to obtain. When he saves a luscious blonde in the parking lot of a bar, he has no idea she is his mate—until he Marks her with his touch.

Determined to keep her safe at any cost, Gage whisks Danica away into a hidden world full of lust, unlikely love, and treachery. Someone’s put a hit on his mate, and he’s hell-bent on finding out who, all while the Blood Moon looms closer, threatening to destroy his chances at true love forever. That is, if something—or someone—doesn’t kill the woman he’s falling for first.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lola Taylor
• Release date: Nov 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781498976756

Book preview

Fever, Protector, Betrayal

First Edition © 2014 Lola Taylor

Fourth Edition © 2016 Lola Taylor

Cover designed by Kitten of Deranged Doctor Design

Interior design and formatting by Champagne Formats

Editing by Jen of Mistress Editing

Indigo Dreamer Press logo designed by Indi99o of 99designs

Author photograph by Sara Rogers Photography

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

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Table of Contents

TITLE PAGE

COPYRIGHT

FEVER

SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

PROTECTOR

SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

BETRAYAL

SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

OTHER BOOKS BY LOLA TAYLOR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

When the Blood Moon rises, the wolves come out to play… and find their mates.

Danica has about given up on love. In a last-ditch attempt at finding the one, she agrees to a blind date through an online dating service. But instead of finding roses and romance, she finds someone intent on killing her. That is, until the mysterious, brooding Gage shows up to save her….

Gage is running out of time to find a mate. If the Blood Moon sets before he can find her, he’ll lose the rank of packmaster—and the peace within the pack he’s worked so hard to obtain. When he saves a luscious blonde in the parking lot of a bar, he has no idea she is his mate—until he Marks her with his touch.

Determined to keep her safe at any cost, Gage whisks Danica away into a hidden world full of lust, unlikely love, and treachery. Someone’s put a hit on his mate, and he’s hell-bent on finding out who, all while the Blood Moon looms closer, threatening to destroy his chances at true love forever. That is, if something—or someone—doesn’t kill the woman he’s falling for first.

All right, it was official—her date had stood her up.

Honestly, it shouldn’t surprise her. Seriously, who took someone on their first date to a bar?

And not even a nice bar. Howl was anything but swanky. With wooden floors that looked like they hadn’t seen polish—or a broom—in a decade, posters of couples in crude positions all over the walls, and the stench of sweat, beer, and sex in the smoky air, it looked like a gigantic version of a man cave.

Speaking of men, there were entirely too many rough-looking individuals here. Admittedly, it made her pause when she drove up and discovered there were more motorcycles than cars parked outside. She loved chrome and fast wheels as much as the next girl, but all the, er, decorations—animal skulls, hides, etc.—adorning said motorcycles gave her the heebie-jeebies.

She took another long sip of her beer. What the hell had she been thinking, agreeing to meet a total stranger at a place like this?

Because you’ve been lonely since Seth broke up with you and moved away.

Being the only person left in her high school town, the only one in her old circle of friends who hadn’t gone to college or gotten married, Danica had started to feel pretty damn unwanted. That definitely showed in the extra pounds she’d packed on since the Epic Breakup. Since the only people left in the small town of Moonstruck, Arkansas, were either the young or the old, it was sparse pickings for friends, and even slimmer prospects for dating. And since her empty bank account said moving was not an option, she’d turned to online dating.

They worked, the advertisements said. Countless people on the commercials preached, I met my soul mate online, and we got married, like, instantly.

In hindsight, she should have known better. If history had taught her anything, it was Karma isn’t going to make it easy for you.

She smiled wryly. Karma, fifty, Danica, zero.

Taking another swig of her nearly empty beer, she looked around. For the most part, the men had watched her with curiosity, but they hadn’t come over yet. People seemed to be keeping their distance, which she found odd. She thought she looked damn cute in her tight jeggings, black ankle boots, and a black see-through tunic that showed off her black lace bra. The bra alone should have at least earned her a get-to-know-you beer from somebody. But alas, here she was, sitting by herself at a bar, waiting for a date that obviously was never going to come.

Shouting erupted from across the room as one burly man threw down his pool stick and shoved another man, nearly spilling beer all over the pool table.

From the dais near the table, a tall man stood from the shadows, his silhouette suggesting broad shoulders and a lean torso. The dim lighting revealed dark jeans, a button-down shirt, and a dinner jacket—not the typical biker bar garb the other men wore.

He also wasn’t nearly as stacked as the two guys about to go at it in front of him, yet they took one look at the man and instantly backed down.

Huh. This place was getting weirder by the second.

Danica felt her arms prickle with the sensation of being watched. She looked up to find the mystery man had stepped into the light—and was looking right at her.

Her breath caught.

Holy. Hell.

Okay, the lighting in here sucked, but she could definitely see a defined jawline, a straight nose, and light brown hair that had been styled with a bit of gel. Despite his Adonis looks and more fashionable wardrobe, he didn’t look any less masculine for it. If anything, it made him look sexier.

Danica sighed, feeling heat building below her navel.

She blinked. Wow, this was an all-time record for her. She’d gone from falling head over heels for a man in a few weeks—i.e. Seth, who’d been a jerk—to lusting for one at first sight. She blamed the fact she hadn’t had sex in six months.

But she wasn’t about to bring a man home with her tonight. She didn’t want a one-night stand. She wanted romance, flowers. She wanted the fairy tale as Julia Roberts had said.

And something told her she wasn’t going to get that with any of the guys here. Might as well cut her losses and bail.

She’d started to take another sip of her beer with the intent to finish it when that pleasant tingling sensation went up her spine. Unable to stop herself, she turned around.

The handsome stranger smiled at her.

And dammit if she didn’t smile back.

Gage’s inner wolf grinned as the luscious blonde tried covering the smile she’d flashed him. Normally, human women didn’t do it for him, but this one had a sense of spirit about her that was incredibly alluring. The fact her top left little to the imagination in regards to her plump breasts only made him harder.

God, he was so freaking horny. Ever since the mating heat had taken hold of him at the beginning of the month, his cock sprang to life at the mere sight of a little cleavage. It was like going through puberty all over again, a hell he never wished to relive. The heat had only intensified as the month drew to a close. In exactly one week, the Blood Moon would rise, sealing him forever with his mate the first time they made love.

Now, if only he could find his mate.

His best friend and bodyguard—as if he needed one—came up beside him. He was also his brother. The slightly older wolf wasn’t wearing as much metal tonight as he usually did. His ears were only partially lined with studs, and he’d taken his tongue piercing out. Ink crawled up the wolf’s massive arms, which he showed off in a black tank top, despite the chilly autumn weather. Since werewolves ran hotter than humans, due to their animal nature—and especially during mating season—they rarely worried about the change of temperature.

His bodyguard, Nikolas, nodded in the direction of the bar. You’ve been eyeing that female since she walked through the door.

And? Gage raised a brow in challenge.

Nik shrugged. And I can’t blame ya. She’s hot for a human. Got soft curves too. Wouldn’t be like banging one of our she-wolves, all hard muscle and bones.

Gage’s cock throbbed with desire at the thought of feeling the woman below him, of his hands moving over her soft, smooth skin. He’d never been with a human before. He wasn’t the type to hold back during sex, and the she-wolves were tough by nature. Humans were fragile. Breakable. He’d feel guilty if he injured a woman during love-making.

Yet the thought of making her dizzy with pleasure never left his mind as he watched the woman down the rest of her beer and snag the bartender to cash out her tab.

Nik chewed on his lip ring. So I take it you’ve had no luck with the last were-princess I brought you, Your Highness?

Gage scowled. He knew Nik was aware he hated being called that, which was exactly why Nik did it. Sometimes, he was as childish as a pup. I’ve… met with all the princesses you’ve brought me, but alas, I have yet to mark any of them. Saying it aloud like that, voicing the possibility he might lose his pack because of some stupid law, turned his blood to ice.

He swallowed past the lump in his throat.

Nik studied him, then elbowed him lightly. Think nothing of it. You’ll find your mate before this month’s Blood Moon sets.

I have to, Gage muttered darkly. An unmated packmaster was not worthy of calling himself a King of Wolves. After at last claiming the position of Alpha over Malachite (a.k.a. that sadistic son of a bitch) only this past month, Gage couldn’t afford to be demoted for the sheer fact he couldn’t find a worthy female to be his mate. But he didn’t get to choose—the magic in his blood did.

His attention snapped forward as the woman, casting him one last look, donned her jacket and purse, then started walking toward the exit. His blue eyes trailed her, unblinking, his heart speeding up. He took a step forward, and Nik grasped his arm.

Best let that fish return to the sea, he said. Your efforts are better spent on courting other royal she-wolves going through their Fevers, considering the circumstances.

I know.

Still, he found himself leaning toward the woman, wanting to go with her.

What was the matter with him?

A dark figure moved within the shadows, detaching itself from the wall and following the woman out the door.

Gage’s hackles rose. Excuse me, he said, shoving Nik’s hand aside as he stepped off the dais and toward the door.

Nik swore then rubbed his temples. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Following a gut instinct and feeling half-mad for it, Gage continued his deliberate pace toward the exit, senses wired for danger.

Then he heard her scream.

Danica had gotten all of two steps outside before this shadow lunged out of nowhere and pinned her upside the building.

Skull meet cinder block, she thought as pain exploded along the back of her head.

Disoriented, she scrambled to pull her keychain from her pocket and give this asshole a face full of mace, but he pinned her arms above her head in one massive hand. His elbow drove into her windpipe, threatening to crush it.

God, this guy is super-strong. Can steroids do that?

She struggled to remain calm as her lungs screamed for air.

The man was tall with a dark coat and hat that hid his face.

All but his eyes. They seemed to glow gold, but that was impossible. It had to be the dim lighting and a combination of being a little buzzed and probably having a concussion. She stomped her heel on the man’s foot, but he never so much as flinched. She started to bring her leg up, with the intention of kneeing him in the groin, but he pressed his full body weight against her, stopping her cold.

Ah, ah, ah, the man purred in a scratchy voice. This doesn’t have to be difficult.

What… doesn’t? she gritted out, afraid to ask.

Dumb, Danica.

He grinned, showing the points of fangs. All his teeth looked like they’d been filed to a point, and his gold eyes blazed brighter. Your death.

Fear took over, throttling her heart rate.

He chuckled, then ran his hot tongue over her cheek, making her cringe. You looked lovely tonight, by the way. Thanks for dressing up for me.

What was he talking about?

The realization hit her with the force of a two-by-four. Oh, my God. He was supposed to be my date!

She’d never actually met the stranger she’d been talking online with for two weeks now. He’d seemed so understanding, so perfect.

Should have known better.

Now, for her stupidity, she was going to die out here in the woods, after he’d done God knows what to her.

Hmmm, he purred. She could feel his bulge against her thigh, turning her stomach. I wish I had more time. Might be fun to fuck a queen.

Queen? Now, she knew this guy was crazy.

The man licked his lips. Any last words, sweets?

Danica trembled, her brain paralyzed by terror. It occurred to her how much more she could have done with her life if she’d only had more time. She felt stupid for taking it all for granted. But most of all, she felt angry. Really, really angry.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to end. It was supposed to end sixty years from now, with her spending the last years of her life with the man she loved.

Now, she’d never get a chance to meet him.

She thrashed, but that only made Crazy drive his elbow harder into her windpipe. Her lungs screamed for oxygen as she tried clawing at his hands, but she might as well have been scraping at cement for all the good it did her.

Yeah, I have some last words, a deep voice said from behind the man. Get your paws off her, Onyx.

The man didn’t spare a glance over his shoulder. He smiled. Well, if it isn’t the King of the Moonstruck Pack himself—Gage Johnson.

Danica peered past Onyx’s shoulder, and her eyes widened. It was the handsome stranger who’d eyed her from the dais like she was a piece of candy he couldn’t wait to eat.

That intense heat spread below her navel, warming her despite the chill Onyx’s death threat had left in her bones.

What the hell was wrong with her? Clearly, she was caught up in the middle of some gang-related violence, and she was horny?

It had to be something they’d done to the beer. So help her, she was never having another drink again.

Gage stepped forward, one deliberate step at a time. You’re on my soil, Onyx. What’s a Nightshade wolf like you doing all the way out here, I wonder?

Just passing by, Onyx replied smoothly, still not letting up on her throat. Stars started to sparkle at the edge of her vision. Soon, she’d black out altogether. She clawed at Onyx’s hands, but his attention was fully on Gage.

Gage cracked his knuckles. You must think I’m pretty damn stupid to believe that.

Onyx’s toothy grin widened. Almost as stupid as you leaving your mate unprotected.

Gage’s eyes flicked to her. What are you talking about? Let’s get real. She’s human.

Onyx shrugged. Your loss. He took advantage of the other man’s surprise. He threw Danica down hard, swinging out with his other hand, fist angled for Gage’s jaw.

Gage’s reflexes were crazy; he ducked and followed up with an uppercut that connected with Onyx’s chin, sending him staggering back.

Onyx wasn’t down for the count for long. He lunged at Gage, snarling, getting in a swipe at the man’s ribcage before Gage blocked his assault and decked Onyx hard across the cheek.

Danica watched in morbid fascination from her lovely view on the ground as she waited for her world to stop spinning. Her temple had connected with someone’s bumper on the way down, making her whole face hurt from the impact.

The men moved in blurs. Onyx’s hat flew off, revealing the outline of a pentagram on his neck. A word was scribbled at its center in another language.

Gage yowled as Onyx raked his nails—which had morphed into claws—across his face, leaving behind marks. They healed as fast as they’d been received.

She blinked. That had to be her imagination, something brought on by the terror flooding her veins and the tampered beer.

She had to do something. She couldn’t just lie there, helpless. Getting to her feet, she grabbed her keychain. Hey, asshole!

Onyx looked over with a snarl, and she let the pepper spray fly.

It hit him square in the eyes. He howled with fury, clenching his eyes shut while he stumbled about blindly for a few seconds.

Gage wasted no time. He seized the man’s head.

Danica realized with dread what was about to happen. No!

As Gage started to twist, Onyx grabbed something from his pocket and threw it at the ground. A pillar of black smoke went up, crackling with purple electricity. Gage cursed, shaking out his hands.

The smoke billowed for a bit, then it was sucked backward into the object Onyx had thrown on the ground. It was a silver locket, which split apart the moment the smoke cleared.

Onyx was gone.

Danica stood there, trembling so badly she thought she might shake herself apart. Holy crap. Did she just see that? A scream slowly built in her throat, but it never came. Her legs gave out, and Gage rushed forward to catch her.

He pulled her to him, tucking her head against his chest. I’m sorry, he muttered against her hair.

What… was that? she blubbered.

A cloaking charm, he said gravely.

She pushed away from him, shaking her head and stumbling about. He reached to steady her, but she stepped out of his grasp. Cloaking charms, packs, wolves… What the hell are you?

You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, love, Gage murmured with a hint of humor.

So, my date from hell just up and vanished into thin air?

Something to that effect, yes, he said without hesitation.

She laughed, sounding more than a little loony. This whole night had taken a turn toward the insane. She never should have come here.

Somebody slipped something into my drink, Danica said. That’s it. I’m having some kind of hallucination. About creepy dude, my hot rescuer—

You think I’m hot? he said with a smile.

She shrugged. You can’t be real, so why the hell not? Yes. You’re hot. With a capital H. She looked around and found her keys lying a few feet away. Falling to her knees, she snagged them, then used a car hood to help pull herself up.

Where do you think you’re going? Gage said, following her.

To the ER, she said, trying to remember where she’d parked. It shouldn’t be hard. She was one of the few people who’d driven a car. I need to get a blood test, see what kind of drug this is.

Your blood is fine, Gage said, grabbing her arm.

She jerked free and rounded on him. Don’t tell me it’s fine! I just freaked out and thought someone tried to kill me!

That’s because someone did try to kill you!

Oh, right. So says the hallucination. I’m probably standing out here right now talking to myself.

This is no dream.

She stared at him. He looked so serious.

And so delectable.

Damn, my imagination can cook up a stud.

Her eyes dipped to his mouth. She swore she heard him take in a sharp breath, then his eyes darkened and flashed gold.

Her mouth went dry. I have to get out of here.

She started to turn again when Gage grabbed her, this time by her bare wrist. Wait. You’re not safe.

No shit? I’m in the middle of nowhere, I’ve clearly been drugged, and I should probably—

All the warning she had was a strange tingling along the back of her hand before blue light lit up the area, shooting straight out of her.

Danica shrieked. What’s happening?

Gage swore, staring at her hand. It can’t be…

Danica held her breath, staring at the light, too afraid to move. This couldn’t be happening. Light didn’t just shoot out of people’s skin.

But it sure as hell looked like that was what it was doing. It was gone as quickly as it came, dissolving into a pretty, shimmering crescent moon marking. What the hell? she muttered when she’d recovered enough of her senses. She examined her hand, turning it every which way. Licking her thumb, she rubbed it against the mark. It won’t come off! What the hell is this? she said, her voice ratcheting up in pitch.

Gage sighed, looking grave and awed at the same time. That, my dear, would be the Blood Moon Mark.

Am I supposed to know what the hell that means? Danica said, tasting panic.

It means, Gage said, pulling her to him and staring down into her eyes, that you are my mate.

"Excuse me, I’m your what?"

Gage stared at the Mark. I don’t believe it. This can’t be possible, he murmured. You’re human.

Right now, I’m apparently high, the woman said, and I need medical treatment.

You need to come with me. He had no idea what the hell this meant, but he knew he would be a fool to stay here. There was a chance Onyx could come back to finish the job.

Gage started to pull her away when she dug in her heels and pulled back. Whoa, cowboy, I’m not going anywhere with you.

Her willfulness was not unlike the she-wolves he bedded. It was one of their more enticing traits. The promise of a challenge only served to pump more blood south of his navel. Do I have to pick you up and carry you?

She crossed her arms. I dare you.

Shouldn’t have done that.

He reached under her knees, lifting her into his arms as if she weighed no more than a feather.

Hey! She struggled, and he tightened his grip. What do you think you’re doing?

You did dare me, he said, smiling slightly.

Put me down! Help! A few men—all weres—came out of the bar, took one look at them, and chuckled.

Oh, my God, she said, digging her hands into her hair. I’ve decided to have date-night in psycho central. You’re kidnapping me. You’re going to kill me.

I’m not going to kill you, Gage said, rolling his eyes. But that other man might.

This is a dream, she said, not even listening to him. That’s it… I’m dreaming. This can’t be real. Nothing this effed up would happen to me in real life. My life is boring. Predictable. Safe.

Gage sighed in agitation. Well, for someone who’s supposedly so ‘safe’ and ‘boring,’ you sure do cause a lot of trouble.

She scowled at him, but he smelled the desire wafting off her like perfume. His sex quivered, putting a hitch in his step. God, if he didn’t hurry up and get her home—and away from him—then he might just set her in the nearby grass and take her then and there.

Damn this mating Fever!

He walked on with determination. His queen deserved more than a roll in the grass, even if most she-wolves didn’t mind it. He had to remind himself she was not a she-wolf—at least, not yet, though she would start exhibiting the traits of one since being marked. Besides, he wanted her to want to mate with him. Call him old-fashioned, but he’d always had this image of true love and finding the one to spend his life with. Maybe this was his chance.

That is, if this wasn’t some cosmic mistake.

Once they got to his Audi, he tucked her into the backseat and slid in beside her. She didn’t go in easily; she kicked and shoved the whole time. It was cute.

When they were inside, he locked the doors right as she was reaching for the handle. She pulled, but nothing happened. Is this the part where you break out the knife?

If he rolled his eyes one more time, they were going to roll right out of his head. For the last time, I’m not a serial killer.

Then you’re a rapist.

No.

Drug lord?

Really? We’re going to play this game?

This isn’t a game. This is serious! Why are you laughing?

Lord help him. Maybe he should have let Onyx knock her out to save his sanity. He wasn’t even sure mating was worth this.

She crossed her arms, pouting and looking all the more adorable for it. The fact she looked adorable while being such a pain in the ass only irked him more. I’m not laughing at you, Gage said with all the care of speaking to a temperamental child. You’re just overreacting.

Overreacting? Are you kidding me? I’ve been drugged and I’m having kidnapping fantasies!

Just keep telling yourself that, sweetheart, he muttered, growing impatient. He pulled out his phone and pressed 1 on his speed dial.

Nik picked up on the first ring. Hey, there, Master. Need me to bail you out of trouble with the little lady?

Onyx was here.

What? Nik growled. Gage heard footsteps—the wolf was probably on his way out now. What the hell is a Nightshade wolf doing here?

That’s exactly what I’d like to know. We’re in the car. Hurry.

We?

… The girl and me. I’ve marked her.

There was a moment of stunned silence. Nik swore, then the line went dead. A few seconds later, Nik climbed in the driver’s seat and revved the engine. Crescent Manor, my liege?

Yes, Gage clipped. His thoughts were too overrun by the girl to reprimand Nik’s use of a royal title.

Tires spun as Nik gunned the gas pedal. The woman toppled over, and Gage steadied her. She looked up at him through her dark lashes. Her eyes were green, the color of summer grass. Staring up at him, she looked so vulnerable. He resisted the urge to pull her closer when she cleared her throat and blinked, then moved back over into her seat.

Nik pressed a button on the dash and a wall of tinted glass rose up, separating the front from the back.

Gage almost begged him to keep it down, to not leave him back here with this crazy woman whom he was starting to doubt more and more was his mate. Too late, the glass closed shut. Gage looked at the woman, who sat staring straight forward with a blank look on her face and her arms crossed over her chest. You’re oddly silent.

That’s because I’ve decided I’m dreaming. And nothing can happen to you in a dream, right?

Gage felt pressure start to build between his brows. What he wouldn’t give for some aspirin right about now—or a very stout drink.

He caught movement from his eye. Her hands, which were piled in her lap, were trembling.

His eyes softened. Of course she was scared. The poor woman had been viciously attacked, and now she thought she was drugged. Given the situation, he would probably overreact too if he were in her shoes. The strange sense to chase her fears away and make things better overcame him. With too many other things on his mind to think about it, he reached over and grabbed her hands, taking them into his own. Her hands were so delicate compared to his, so soft.

Don’t be afraid, he said gently. I will not harm you.

Why else would you take me if not to have your way with me? she said simply, though he caught a quaver in her voice.

He winced. I promise you, my lady, I have no intention of hurting you.

She stilled somewhat, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. I need water to help flush this stuff out of my system.

You’re not drugged, he insisted, but I’ll have Mary give you some ice water once we get to my house. I’ll have her draw a hot bubble bath for you, as well.

She stared at him, mouth open in shock. "You have servants?"

He looked away. Yes. It comes with the title.

Are you like a CEO or something?

He snorted. If she was pretending not to know anything about the Underworld, she was doing a good job. Then again, most humans weren’t aware of the supernatural creatures that walked the earth alongside them. Something like that, he said.

She seemed to be calming down, her curiosity taking over. If you’re such a big shot, what was a guy like you doing in a bar like that? It didn’t exactly scream opulence.

That was the beauty of it, Gage said, letting go of her hands now that they’d stopped shaking. He leaned back in his seat and stared pensively out the window. I came from a normal family. I had to fight my way to riches and power. I guess I wanted to be reminded of home.

She cocked her head at him, blinking as if surprised. The way her blond hair shone in the moonlight coming through the window… Was she aware how beautiful she was?

He blinked. First, he thought she was crazy, now he was getting all sentimental over a little moonlight? The Fever sure did behave in strange ways.

What’s your name? he asked, trying to distract himself.

She swallowed, staring back at him unblinkingly. Danica. Danica Williams.

Gage Johnson, he said, offering her his hand. She stared at it, then reluctantly took it. At the last minute, almost as an afterthought, he brought it to his lips and kissed it. A pleasure, Danica.

She shivered. Her jacket had been nearly ripped off during the assault, as had her sheer tunic. Her lace bra exquisitely showcased her luscious breasts, which rose and fell as her breath quickened.

Without meaning to, he found himself leaning in toward her, his hand reaching for her waist.

Her pupils dilated. He could smell the lust coming off her as surely as his own suddenly saturated the car. She licked her lips as his mouth hovered closer to hers.

Might as well enjoy the fantasy right? she whispered, closing her eyes.

He stalled. Oh, he could give her a fantasy, all right, as he had many she-wolves. Fantasies were what he specialized in. Except for tonight.

Squeezing his eyes shut while he composed himself, he leaned back against the seat.

She opened her eyes and blushed when she realized he wasn’t about to kiss her. Falling back with a humph, she crossed her arms and said, Weird. What type of fantasy doesn’t allow you to control it?

He groaned. This was going to be a long night.

An uncomfortable—albeit lust-charged—silence stretched between them for the rest of the drive. Danica had no idea what to believe right now. Part of her thought, Break the windows, stupid! Get the hell away from this guy! and the other part was content believing this was some kind of half-baked fantasy her drug-addled brain had cooked up. After all, there weren’t such things as men with glowing eyes, claws for hands, or razor-sharp teeth. It had to be drugs. In a few hours, she’d probably wake up to the sound of her alarm, press snooze a half dozen times like she usually did, and finally drag her ass out of bed to barely make it to her day job from hell.

She sighed, leaning her head against the cool glass. In a way, the fantasy was fun, if not confusing. It was the most excitement she’d had in a long time, like something out of a movie or one of the romance novels she read where the handsome knight showed up to save the beautiful princess. If only someone would save her from her loneliness. She didn’t like to admit it, but she missed Seth. No, not Seth necessarily, as a boyfriend. She missed the friendship she’d had with him before they decided to try dating and things went to hell.

That weird prickling sensation went off inside her head, and she looked over to find Gage staring at her. He looked away at the last moment. She crossed her arms, smiling smugly. I caught you.

What? he said, trying to sound bored.

I caught you staring.

I was looking out your window.

Because yours wasn’t good enough?

He gave her a bland look, at which she smiled wider. She stared at her hand. What kind of guy kissed a girl’s hand? She thought that kind of stuff only happened in movies. Her loins tightened as a shiver of desire rolled through her, and she decided to do what she did best when she was nervous: ramble. So, were you, um, raised around here?

Up north, in Kentucky.

Oh. I’ve never been there.

He smiled, casting her a sideways glance. You’ll have to go there someday.

With you? she wanted to ask, but kept her mouth shut. The thought of going off alone somewhere with her knight in shining armor made her sex tingle with anticipation. Her shoulders started to relax. This dream was kind of fun, like a date. Typical. She could only get a date with a dream guy.

How sad is that?

Are you from Arkansas? Gage asked in that deep, silky voice. Lounged in the seat with the top