Touch of Sin: Altered Hearts, #2

By Dark Rose Press

Prepare to venture into a realm where celestial beauty collides with diabolical temptation. Plumb the depths of taboo desires and sinister affections, where angels, demons, and mortals entwine in tales of love and lust and ignite an irresistible pull that defies boundaries.

 

Unveil the clandestine rendezvous and navigate the treacherous terrain between heavenly caresses and infernal possession. Within these pages, obsession, tormented love, and betrayal intertwine in a fierce dance, fearlessly challenging celestial authority.

 

Indulge in the sensual battles where desire eclipses morality. Embrace the mesmerising destinies that intertwine the divine and the wicked, leaving you yearning for more. Surrender to the intoxicating chaos as angels and demons dare to explore the forbidden.

 

A Dark Paranormal Romance Anthology

 

Featured Authors:

Allister Nelson

Alma Noir

Betty Pat

Denise James
Dusty Davis

Jessa Novak

Kyvin Titanite

Miranda Reynolds

Olivia J. Walker

R.H. Argent

R.R. Queen

S. Jade Path

S.T. May

Sangamithra Nataraj

Shawna Renée Lewis

Velian Dusk

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Rose Press
• Release date: Jan 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223420248

Book preview

A white card with black text Description automatically generated

TOUCH OF SIN title is

Copyright © 2024 Dark Rose Press

First published in Australia in JANUARY 2024 by Dark Rose Press

A catalogue record for this TOUCH OF SIN is available from the National Library of Australia

The authors of the individual stories retain the copyright of the works featured in this anthology.

All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this production may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher and copyright owner.

Cover design by Dawn Burdett

Formatting by Nicole Kay

Editing by Nicole Kay

Contents

The Devil You Know by Jessa Novak

His Queen by Alma Noir

Apocalypse 101 by R.R. Queen

Honey Like Sin by Allister Nelson

Sacrilege by Miranda Reynolds

Angelfrost by Denise James & Sangamithra Nataraj

Always My Love by Shawna Renée Lewis

Heaven’s Watcher by Dusty Davis

Falling Angel by R.H. Argent & S.T. May

Bound to the Bargainer by Olivia J. Walker

Fiery Temptation by Kyvin Titanite

Sins of the Father by R.H. Argent & S.T. May

Sin Kissed by Betty Pat

Tables Turn by R.R. Queen

XXX by Allister Nelson

The Grey Veil by Velian Dusk

May’s Angel by Jessa Novak

Tempting Fate by S. Jade Path

About the Publisher

Acknowledgements

The Devil You Know

by Jessa Novak

Heavy rain beats on the windows of the tavern. Every time the door swings open, an icy gale whips through the dining room, spraying the patrons with salty ocean mist. I shiver and move closer to the fire, dragging a damp rag along the time-worn wood of one of the long tables. The crowds have thinned out over the past hour, the stormy weather driving the local fishermen home to their warm beds and wives. But with every gust of freezing wind I glance up, praying to see Theo’s towering form or laughing blue eyes. I know he is more skilled than any mortal sailor, even in such conditions, but worry still twists my heart and dampens the hair at the back of my neck.

The last customer departs, tossing me a few extra coppers, which I tuck in my apron pocket. Thank you. Get home safe. The shipbuilder nods and pulls his hood over his face before stepping out into the night.

I distract myself with the closing chores: stirring the last of the embers in the great fireplace, washing the tankards and plates. Rain continues to pelt the roof of my small tavern, but I fret only for Theo, feeling the lump in my throat rise higher with each passing minute. I extinguish every candle, save one, so I can climb the stairs to my bedchamber. Just as I am about to ascend, a white flash illuminates the sky beyond the windows and the front door swings open, crashing against the wall. Thunder shakes the rafters.

Someone stands in the doorway, and my heart squeezes in panic before I recognise Theo’s silhouette. I cry out in relief and stumble across the room, slamming into him, desperate to have him in my arms. His clothes are soaked, but I don’t care. I press myself against the heat I can feel radiating from him.

I was so afraid. The storm...I expected you hours ago... I murmur into his chest.

He runs his fingers through my hair. It’s alright, I’m here now. His voice rumbles against me, deeper than I remember. The sound of it alone makes me tighten low in my belly.

My lover grips me by the shoulders and pulls me just far enough away to tilt his head down and press his mouth to mine, demanding. I yield, parting my lips so he can slide his burning tongue against mine, claiming me. He slides a hand to grip the back of my neck, anchoring me to him, while the other wanders down to cup my ass. Thus fused, we move toward the nearest table, and he hoists me up on it, rucking up my skirts in the same smooth movement.

His lips move to my jaw and throat. I feel as if flames are licking my skin as he works his way lower. His deft fingers undo the laces of my bodice so he can graze his teeth along the tender flesh of my breasts. He catches a nipple and bites it. I cry out in pleasure, bordering on pain.

Theo has always been a skilled lover, ensuring I enjoy every encounter, but this time, he exudes desperate ferocity. It soaks me between the legs before he even touches me there. I’ve missed you, I gasp.

You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this, he whispers into the skin between my breasts. He kneels, ducking his head, and yanks my ass forward so I’m sitting at the edge of the table. Draping a leg over each shoulder, he trails kisses up my inner thigh. The tip of his tongue darts out to taste my most sensitive spot, and he holds me in place when I jump at the contact.

You’re so wet for me.

My only reply is a wordless moan as he fastens his mouth on me. I am overwhelmed, arching my back to tilt my hips to him and letting my head fall back. He frees a hand so he can slide a finger inside me and work me until my breath comes in gasps and I’m fisting his rain-darkened curls. He coaxes a climax from me that rips a guttural scream from my throat and leaves me shaking. I splay out on the table where fishermen were eating supper just hours ago. I thank God the storm drowns out my cries, or the neighbours might think me in danger.

When I still he wastes no time, scooping me up in his sailor’s arms and carrying me upstairs so he can throw me on the bed. I scramble up to help him peel off his wet shirt, drops of the ocean glistening off his muscled chest and stomach. Waves of heat continue to roll off him. I can’t remember him ever being this warm, and I can’t remember ever wanting him more.

Removing my dress becomes a struggle, and he reaches down to take the homespun fabric in his hands and rips it from my body. I don’t care; I have other clothing. He unbuckles his leather belt and I reach up to yank off his trousers, revealing his stiffened cock. Meeting his gaze in the flickering candlelight, I circle my tongue around the tip of his manhood. He groans, but after a few moments he withdraws, pushing me down so he can press the length of his naked body against me.

I want you, he breathes in my ear.

I’m yours.

My lover grips the head of his cock and slides it into my slick entrance. I moan as his girth stretches me. The fullness is exquisite. He thrusts, increasing the tempo as he pushes deeper and deeper. His breath grows ragged and I place my hands on his chest, his heart pounding under my palm.

I’m close, he grinds out, teeth clenched.

Come in me, I gasp. His fingers wrap around my neck, tightening just enough to drown out everything but him, inside and all around me. My walls contract around him and we peak together. I swear I see red sparks crackle over our bodies as he spills his seed inside me. Once he’s spent, he withdraws and collapses beside me.

I gulp for breath and feel my heart slow as I am overcome with exhaustion. The last thing I see before I succumb to unconsciousness are his eyes flashing in the dark.

***

I awaken first, the warm light of morning slanting through the shutters. My lover sleeps on his stomach, and as my mind sharpens, I focus on his appearance. Last night, I thought rain and poor lighting darkened his curls, but dry and in the sun they are just as inky. Theo has golden hair.

The markings on his back are different, too. While Theo’s are light, raised outlines of feathery wings along his shoulder blades and spine, these are black and sharper, harsher lines.

He isn’t Theo.

My attention snaps to the wooden door as it creaks open, and Theo himself steps in, the daylight illuminating his blonde curls. I clutch the bedclothes to my chest, fire rising in my cheeks. Before I can stammer out an explanation or apology, my bedmate wakes and sits up.

Theo. He nods and stretches, his voice casual.

Karthas. Theo grinds out, his hands fisting at his sides. He looks at me. Elsa, this is my Fallen brother.

I gape, looking back and forth between the identical men. If Theo is