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© 2009, Ann Cory Reviews For TORRID TEASERS Volume 62 by Ann Cory No reviews posted yet. Sample Chapter For TORRID TEASERS Volume 62 by Ann Cory Maura appeared lost, from every direction. And at the moment, lost in her mind as well. Miles of ominous trees surrounded her. Their dusky bark and gnarled limbs stretching, reaching, warning her to stay away or risk certain death in their evil clutches. With only pale beams of moonlight to guide her, she didn’t stand a chance of making it back to the campsite. Somewhere on her impromptu hike she’d made a wrong turn, along with every turn after that. At this point, she couldn’t see the forest from the trees, or any place remotely familiar. Ordered by her doctor to get some much needed R&R, she came up with the brilliant idea of camping. Now she was sorry she turned down the spa in the mountains. Pampered. Catered to. Peace. Heaven. For the third time during her walk, she fixed her ponytail, pulling the stray strands back into her velvet scrunchie. Maura’s legs ached and her clothes stuck uncomfortably to her skin. This was far from rest and relaxation. After wandering around aimlessly, she found a small open area to rest and unwrapped her jacket from around her waist. Dressed in khaki shorts and a white button-up blouse, she wondered how cool the night would get. At least she knew how to start a fire, one of the few skills she’d retained from her days as a Girl Scout. Her saving grace was a box of matches she’d slipped into her pocket before taking off on the hike. In a matter of minutes, a small fire blazed. It helped ease her fear of the dark, but did little for her confidence. Sleep would be out of the question. She’d have to be on high alert all night, or risk being an animal’s midnight snack. What she wouldn’t give to have her laptop or even her phone. She’d download a map or call someone to find her. No such luck now. She rested her elbows on her knees and twiddled her thumbs. Not only did no one know her whereabouts, neither did she. From her pocket, she grabbed a flattened power bar and savored it like a sirloin steak with port sauce reduction. Right now she could be indulging in a glass of vintage Pinot Noir, or running the cool texture of a French silk pie along her tongue. She just wanted to get through the night and find her way back to camp in the morning. At which point she’d pack it up and head home. There was no sense prolonging the torture of another night. She’d made a mistake coming here. It was simple as that. Now if she could just quiet her imagination, she might actually make it through the night without completely freaking out. Sounds in the distance made her muscles tense and her skin prickle. Why was she suddenly reminded of every horror book she’d ever read? Okay, you need to stay calm. To change her focus, Maura stared into the fire. She watched the flames rise, licking high into the sky, lighting up the trunks of the trees around her. Warmth fanned her face and neck as she listened to the snaps and pops the fire made. So spellbound by the tiny sparks that floated up and disappeared, she almost missed the mesmerizing coal-black eyes staring back at her from the flames. At first she worried it was an animal hunting for its evening meal, but when she looked again, the eyes had changed. So had everything else. A figure formed of a man, a man made of fire. Flames danced about his body, and wrapped around his thick, muscular thighs. They stroked his hard abs and the smooth planes of his chest. His long, black hair trailed down his shoulders and flickered out behind him. She couldn’t get past his eyes, or the way they seduced her. Maura snickered softly to herself, impressed with what her imagination cooked up this time. Had he been a stranger, she’d run away, but a man standing in the flames—definitely a daydream. One she wasn’t in a hurry to blink away. His full lips spread into a beguiling smile and she couldn’t help but smile back. She stood and admired him fully. “Well hello, fantasy,” she whispered. “I’m Seb,” the illusion stated. “Watcher of these woods.” Ah, her dream had a name and a title. Not to mention the kind of body that knew its way in the dark. “I’m an elemental and can appear in many forms,” he continued. His current form greatly intrigued her. Naked and well, hot, for the lack of a better term. A man of flames couldn’t be cool, could he? She didn’t know what to say in response. She’d never had such a realistic daydream before. Or maybe she was hallucinating? What was in that power bar? Large, sexy eyes blinked at her. The harder she stared, the warmer her body grew. His muscular arms folded in front of his fiery chest. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. I’m here to protect you, and help ease your fears through the night. What is your name?” His voice alone melted her defenses. “Maura.” “It’s a beautiful name.” She smiled, not really sure of this interaction. At least no one else could overhear her. They’d think her a nut job for sure. “Why are you so quiet?” he asked. She clicked her tongue. “I’m talking to a fantasy. Maybe I’m in shock from being lost or something.” Her gaze trailed his flaming body and stopped just below his waist. Unfucking believable! The guy had a cock the size of a—well she didn’t know what to fill in the blanks with—but huge seemed an understatement. For the first time she worried a man could be too much for her. Seb cleared his throat and her face flushed. Nothing like getting caught staring at a man’s lower region to make things awkward. “Or perhaps you have a wild imagination,” he teased. Where was an escape hatch when she needed one? “Maybe,” she replied coyly. She did have a wild imagination, and it came in handy every now and then. In her wicked mind she held plenty of sexual images to keep her sex toys in good working order. Of course, it mainly had to do with complete and total boredom in the bedroom. And it didn’t help that the majority of men she dated in the past were stuffy corporate go-getters who could only schedule about ten minutes for a quick romp before turning their attention back to their laptops. She’d also run completely out of steam as of late and needed the quick release only a battery-operated vibrator could give her. But the way this watcher of the woods sent ripples of desire through her, left her intrigued. “To tell you the truth, I could use a fantasy come true in my life right now.” He appeared pleased by her statement. “What would you want me to do, if I were just a fantasy?” Incredible warmth funneled around her and moved between her legs. “I’d say do what you will with me.” His eyes widened. “What if there is more to me than just a body of flames? Would you run if I stepped from the fire pit and held you in my arms?” Maura couldn’t remember the last time she’d done anything spontaneously. At the moment she’d welcome the touch of a stranger. Someone to fall into. She’d become so detached from her own needs that her fingers were literally aching for contact. “If you were more than a body of flames, I’d still welcome your touch.” Perhaps it was fatigue doing the talking or maybe it was a deep inner need to believe in this fantasy before her. For once she might not have to work her ass off to get a much-deserved reward. What harm would there be if she let down her guard and gave in…surrendered to this elemental man? Nothing came to mind. Except one night of red-hot sizzling sex. The mystery man stepped from the flames and she gasped at his manly form. He looked even more handsome, and larger than life. Without the flames surrounding him, his skin was a rich tawny color. His eyes were black as soot, and seemed to be fixed on her in a highly provocative way. Maura felt all her senses and all her resistance come undone. His lips curved into a proud smile. “I gather you like what you see.” She forced her head to not bob like one of those jack-in-the-box toys. The drool, however, couldn’t be helped. Discreetly she wiped the corner of her mouth. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare.” With him standing before her she couldn’t help but reach out and slide her hand along his powerful chest. Heat blazed from her fingertips and all throughout her body, but she didn’t pull back. His skin was hot, but it didn’t burn. Instead it started a blessed flicker of desire deep in her belly. It almost didn’t matter, but she had to ask, “Are you real?” “I’m as real as you want me to be.” The answer satisfied her for now. She wanted this. She wanted him. Maura reached for the buttons of her shirt. One by one she pushed them through the holes until the shirt fell open, exposing her lacy bra. She slid off the shirt and unhooked her bra, letting them both crumple to the ground. I can do this. I can give in to my wildest desires and not be afraid. I need this. With a single touch he singed away the rest of her clothing. Naked in his potent stare, she felt uncommonly confident. Ready to submit to this fiery entity before her. “Take me,” she whispered.
Prologue Aisling had taken longer than planned, and knew her husband would be sick with worry at home. It didn’t help she was somewhere he’d forbidden her to go. A place she swore she’d never pass through without him. She’d planned to be home before he finished work, but the day had gotten away from her. As the sun began to sink below the horizon, her thoughts focused on the shadow of fear gripping the small town of Broughshane where she lived. Reports of missing women were rising attributed to a creature said to have its eye on young women, enraptured by the heady scent between their thighs. It ushered the beast forward and compelled it so strongly, it would wait without sleep or food, for weeks. Aisling cursed herself for bringing the thought into her head. Now she’d react to any strange sound or shadow as she walked. She’d wanted to surprise her husband with her special Irish whiskey cake. Not willing to settle for just any type of whiskey, Aisling traveled to the neighboring town of Cushendun to buy a generous bottle. Her husband had asked for her hand in marriage after tasting a single bite of the cake, and often requested it. The sumptuous rewards in the bedroom were an added incentive. Beneath her feet, leaves of auburn, gold, and red laid on the rich soil like a royal carpet. A gentle breeze ruffled her long, blonde hair and billowed her skirt around her ankles. She carried a small wicker basket filled with the special whiskey, fresh-baked potato bread, and ripe red apples. Her stomach grumbled, a reminder she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Nearby, a body of water gurgled and Aisling sighed. Sitting on a rock, eating an apple, with her feet dipped in the water sounded refreshing. She looked around and up into the sky. It concerned her how quickly it darkened. If she stopped to rest she’d be late, and the cake needed to cool for several hours. Her husband liked to feed it to her in bed and nibble the crumbs that fell to her lap. Despite the rumbling in her stomach and the moisture between her thighs, she continued on. As she neared the end of the forest glen, Aisling gasped. The sound of a crackling tree branch startled her. From behind, a husky growl erupted, and she started to run. Whatever followed her, she dared not turn to look. Much to her irritation, the contents of the basket slipped out and littered the ground. She hoped the creature following her was only interested in the food. Above her, the sky blackened and made the trail difficult to follow. The further in she went, the darker the forest grew. Her foot caught on a gnarled root jutting from the ground and sent her sprawling to her hands and knees. The husky growl neared and she turned, her arms protecting her face. “Please, I beg you, spare me.” Aisling looked through the narrow space between her arms to witness a hideous face. Bloodstained teeth snapped at her. Its foul breath made her stomach lurch. Paralyzed with panic, she lay still, with the hope it would think her dead. Claws swiped at her neck and she knew it meant to kill her. A scream started from the pit of her belly, desperate to get out and alert anyone nearby, but never got the chance.
Reilly fished a dagger from his pocket and stole toward the rustling bush. He’d spotted the back end of a deer as it ran, looking for a safe place to hide. It was the first time he’d seen anything alive since he stepped into the forest. His innate sense of direction had disappeared and he hated to admit he was lost. Hungry and agitated, he ignored his rule of not bringing harm to any animal. Even a week ago, he would have starved or risked eating poisonous berries to fill his stomach, but tonight the starvation affected his brain. Days of walking through the forest hadn’t gotten him anywhere—and it hadn’t lessened his pain. It wouldn’t surprise him if he had walked in circles the way everything looked the same. Dry, desolate, barren, burned. The bush moved again and Reilly ran toward it, dagger poised high above his head. He brought it down, but to his dismay, swiped the air. The blade plunged into a dead tree stump, burnt and covered with blackened leaves. The deer had vanished. A cool breeze set in, and judging by the position of the sun, Reilly knew night was near. He rubbed his bare arms. In the distance he saw the deer again and pulled his knife from the stump. This time he would not miss. He ran forward, with legs of mush. Lack of food didn’t help his speed or reaction time. The trail wound around fallen trees until he felt dizzy. Reilly stopped and rested his hands on his knees while he tried to catch his breath. Off to his right he heard the sound of water. He followed the sound until he reached a river. The deer he’d seen earlier stood with its legs spread, drinking. It was a white doe, majestic, with a bright glow around it. Between his hunger and thirst, the thirst won out and he knelt on the pebbles. He stretched forward and cupped the water in his palm. The cool liquid worked wonders on his parched throat. After several gulps, he gazed at the luminous animal. “You win for now, but I suggest
you run. The next time we meet, I will kill you.” You need rest. Why not rest by the fire? He wanted to ask what fire, but heard a crackling sound behind him. Over his shoulder Reilly saw a sleeping bag next to a small stick fire. The flames beckoned to him with tiny fingerlike motions. They taunted and teased until he couldn’t resist. He fell to his knees and crawled to the sleeping bag. Reilly laid down and groaned in delight as his back thanked him in a series of cracks and snaps. His eyelids grew heavy, as if sandbags weighed them down. Exhaustion overtook him. He watched the white doe circle him. “Have you come to kill me? If you have, than do it quick, for I could sleep forever.” The deer brought its face close, but Reilly was too tired to move. * * * * Aisling listened to the stranger’s incessant mumblings until he drifted off to sleep. Comfortable she was out of harm’s way, she changed from her four-legged form into a woman. Naked and exposed, she knelt beside him. “Silly man, had you listened to my song with your heart, and not your ears, you would’ve heard my story.” She combed her fingers through his tousled dark hair. The fire made popping sounds and the red-orange flames intrigued her. She missed the way a fire warmed her limbs in the wintertime. Few things took away the chill in her bones. Aisling couldn’t help notice the traveler’s handsome face. It had a square shape to it, with good bone structure and a sturdy chin. She admired his long eyelashes, which quivered as he slept. His lips fascinated her most of all, and she wondered how they’d feel against hers. A rush of emotion flooded her body and gathered between her thighs. The sensation reassured her she was still a woman, regardless of her ability to change. “What magic do you bring here, dark stranger?” Her breath quickened as her gaze traveled the length of his body. Aisling unbuttoned his shirt and studied his strong physique. Faint ripples of muscle etched along his abdomen to where his trousers began. Her pulse pounded as she wondered about his size beneath the material. Curiously, she reached out and stroked along the crotch. In response, the material bulged. Aisling unzipped his pants and slipped her hand beneath his tattered long johns. To feel flesh again brought back faded memories of pleasure. It was something she’d once enjoyed and couldn’t get enough of. The old yearning resurfaced and she parted her knees. With her other hand she stroked her clit. A creamy film coated her fingers. Eager to relive the pleasure she once knew, she straddled his legs. His cock was hard and erect in her hand. She rested the head at the apex of her thighs, and hesitated. What if he woke and found the sight of her repulsive? What if he didn’t like the feel of her sex? Her pulse thundered. She palmed his smooth, hard cock, brought her hand back and forth. Her legs shook. A strange sensation spiraled in her gut. Ah yes, she did remember this. The blissful feel of an orgasm. The need became too much. Regardless of his reaction, it was a risk she was willing to take. Aisling slid over his cock, and shuddered when his flesh filled her up. His width spread her small slit. The stranger’s eyes opened midway, glazed over in their gray-blue brilliance. “Ah, you must be an angel from my dreams,” he murmured. She said nothing and rocked her pelvis forward and back in a slow, rhythmic motion. All her senses awakened and vied for attention. She wanted to be touched anywhere and everywhere. His eyes followed the swing of her breasts in a dreamy gaze. A lopsided grin curved his mouth. He didn’t appear to be repulsed by her, in fact his fixed stare made her feel attractive. It fascinated her how tight her nipples had become. A strange sensation to have them touched came over her. She took his hand and brought it up to her breast. He caressed her skin and traced her nipples. God, it felt better than she imagined. How had she gone so long without physical contact? Aisling rode his cock harder. The burning urge between her thighs increased, but it was welcome pain. “You feel good on my cock, angel,” he whispered. “Don’t stop.” The most wonderful feeling brimmed in her belly. She bit her bottom lip as an orgasm neared. The man’s strong hands gripped her hips and helped rock her into him. This feeling was what she longed for. Sturdy, powerful hands that made her feel safe and protected. Much as she wanted her body to stay in its charged state, she knew it couldn’t last forever. Aisling rolled her head from one side to the other, moaning aloud as she waited for the orgasm to spill over. She was so close. One glance at his clenched jaw and she could tell he needed release as well. “You truly are a beautiful angel,” he whispered. His voice sent satisfying vibrations through her body. Aisling undulated over him, her sex clenched tight around his cock. “Yes, oh yes,” she whispered. She fingered her clit until the orgasm thundered through her. Her juices rushed forth and spilled around his cock. He held her hips in a gentle manner and thrust into her until a deep grumble spouted from his mouth. She slowly moved from off his body and kissed his cheek. The stranger’s eyes closed and in seconds he drifted off. “Sleep well, weary traveler,” she whispered. “We shall see if you stay true to your word and kill me the next time we meet.” |