Shifter Magnetism
Stormie Kent
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Multicultural/Interracial
Publisher: Loose Id
Date of Publication: June 9, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-62300-328-9
ASIN:
Cover Artist: Valerie Tibbs
Book Description:
Someone is killing witches in Coldwell. Voluptuous witch, Leila Barclay, isn’t expecting to be drawn to a sexy enemy wolf shifter, Nic Lobo and be targeted by a murderous sorcerer in the same night. Her savior is the very same wolf shifter who turns out to be a detective. To save her life, they exchange pieces of soul magic. Leila knows it’s forbidden, but she really wants to survive. Now she's irrevocably tied to the shifter and changing in ways she has never expected. Plus, she and her savior must catch the murderer, before he catches her.
Detective Nic Lobo is on the trail of the supernatural serial killer when he meets his mate. His taboo witch mate. He stops the killer from taking Leila's life, but now he has to keep her alive, stay away from his Pack and her Council, convince her they belong together, and catch her magical stalker. Failure isn’t an option because Nic has already lost himself in Leila.
Excerpt:
Nic walked
around the outside of Club Entourage looking for anything suspicious. He had a
memory scent of the killer from the other crime scenes. He didn’t smell the man
in the normal smells outside the club. There were other unsavory scents,
especially behind the club near the garbage. Of course no alley would be
complete without the pungent odors of urine and vomit.
Nic braced
himself to enter the club. Shifter males gave off heightened hormones human
females were susceptible to. In a highly charged sexual environment, to human
females already attempting to attract bedmates, he was the equivalent of a tall
glass of water to a person lost in a desert.
He passed the
coat check, descended the club’s stairs, and tried to blend in with the crowd.
His Western-wear shirt, jeans, cowboy boots, and cowboy hat stood out more than
he’d anticipated against all the vampire costumes.
He mingled,
dodging grasping hands and caresses. When he was positive the killer wasn’t
inside, he took up a station against the bar, which allowed him to see the
entrance and up onto the balcony. He hadn’t noticed any curvy witches, but it
was early in the evening.
“Howdy, cowboy.”
He glanced at
the slender redhead dressed as Venus at his side. Her incense-and-musk perfume
assaulted his nose. She held a glass of champagne and smiled at him through
lips that were a little too red. Normally the color made him think sensual
thoughts; hers just reminded him of blood.
“Ma’am.” He kept
his gaze neutral.
Her smile lost
some of its luster. He looked away and caught a flash of gold near the
entrance. He focused on the luscious sight before him. It took everything he
had not to straighten, cross the room, and capture the woman at the top of the
stairs.
She was
exquisite. Her hair fell to her shoulders in wild, natural brown coils adorned
with a thin gold braided headband. The golden undertones of her medium-brown
skin were set off by flawless makeup and the gold accents trimming the barely
there costume. And it was barely there.
The dark brown
gladiator costume was held up by gold straps that matched the embroidery on the
cleavage-baring neckline. Wolf-shifter females were tall and sleek, but this
woman was lushly curvy. Her waist dipped in under the body-hugging costume, and
her hips flared out, hiking up an already short hemline. She wore gold bangles
at her wrists and a short crimson cape. Her legs were full and tantalizingly
encased in high-heeled gold gladiator sandals that laced up to her knees.
She was sexy as
hell, and she knew it. She posed with her body angled to the side, one bent leg
slightly in front of the other, and a hand resting on her hip.
There was a hush
as she paused at the top of the landing. She scanned the crowd nonchalantly, as
if every eye wasn’t on her. Then she stepped down to the next step. His mouth
opened slightly as he watched her body move under the costume. He might have
drooled a bit. The wolf in him was close to the surface, and he swallowed a
growl as he noticed a tall blond man dressed as a race car driver move forward
to greet her at the bottom of the stairwell.
“How dare she?
He’d better not dance with her.”
He’d forgotten
the woman next to him. The redhead moved into the crowd and made her way toward
the blond race car driver. Nic watched as the female gladiator, guaranteed to
star in his most lascivious dreams tonight, shunned the hand of the man in
front of her and strutted toward the bar. She never looked at Nic, and he was violently
disappointed.
She stopped next
to him, pressed her palms to the bar, and leaned forward. “Rum and cola,
please.”
His already
stiff cock throbbed at the throatiness of her voice. She smelled divine. The
soft floral hint of her perfume didn’t overpower the scent of the woman
underneath. He could lap up every trace of the tantalizing fragrance from her
skin and other places hidden on her body.
A frisson of
power brushed against his wolf, signaling he was in the presence of a magical
being. He concentrated.Witch. Hell, he stood lusting after a curvy witch
wearing a dress so short he swore he could see the shadow of her ass under the
back hem. She was everything the Brain Surgeon would be looking for. She was
the reason he’d been drawn here.
His wolf was
also telling him she was everything it was looking for.
He stared.
Finally, she looked up. Her eyes were large in her pretty face. She smiled, and
he focused on the fullness of her dark red lips. Her teeth peeked through, and
in his mind he saw her biting her plump lower lip just before stroking him
slowly with her soft palm. He suppressed a shudder.
He took one of
her hands from the bar and held it. “I’m Nic.”
“Leila.”
He smiled. “May
I buy your drink, Leila?”
“It depends.”
Her tongue peeked out to lick her upper lip slightly.
He followed the
action with his gaze. “On what?”
One corner of
her mouth lifted, and pure mischief entered her eyes. “What I have to do to
earn it.”
His mind
immediately went to Leila on her hands and knees as he pounded into her from
the rear. “How about a dance?”
He really
shouldn’t. Technically he was on duty. He had to touch her, though. He tugged
on her hand lightly to draw her toward the dance floor. She held his gaze as
she slowly peeled her body away from her pose leaning against the bar. Should
watching her perform the simple action give him such visceral pleasure?
All around them
couples gyrated to the blaring pop music. Nic made room for the two of them on
the floor. He pulled her close and moved with her to the beat of the music. She
swayed sensuously, making it seem a natural extension of the dance when she
slid against him. Everywhere they touched, little pinpricks of awareness
cascaded along his skin.
He held her
flush against his chest, guiding her body the way he wanted it to go. It was
easy to dip low and wedge his thigh between her legs. She rode him, undulating
and moving fluidly as he tilted her back and cradled her, drawing her near
again. Even among all the humans, he could smell her desire.
His reaction to
her was strong. Almost too strong. He brought his mouth closer to hers. His
wolf demanded he take her mouth. It didn’t understand human convention that
forced his human half to play by civilized rules and not devour her on the
spot. This woman made him want her on every level. It demanded he take her.
Mine.
He caught the
costumed race car driver’s hand before it could land on her arm. He couldn’t
quite suppress the growl that spilled over from his throat. Nic squeezed the
man’s hand back, and its owner winced. He felt the surge in her magic, heard
her whispered words, and fought the calm that tried to descend over him. He
never released the other man.
“Hey, what’s
happening?” Race Car Driver looked slightly dazed.
Nic smirked in Leila’s
direction. “I think you overdid it.”
“The extra push
was for you,” she mumbled. “Hal, what do you want?”
Maybe she should
have used the calming spell on herself. She stared hard at the other man, one
hand on her hip. If her brown eyes had contained any more fire, Hal would have
combusted on the spot.
“You’re
embarrassing yourself. This type of getup is for our bedroom only.”
She’d been with
this clown? Anger and possessiveness flowed through Nic. He didn’t want this
man anywhere near Leila. Nic applied more pressure until the other man was
contorting to keep Nic from breaking his wrist.
“That’s enough!
Nic!” Leila’s voice was frantic as she pushed against his arm.
He looked at
her.
She shook her
head. “Hal and I aren’t together anymore. Not that it’s any of your business.”
He was appeased
she’d said the last part so low it was likely only he’d heard her. He eased the
pressure on the guy’s hand and wrist. He’d stay between them, though. If good
ole Hal tried anything, he’d be more than happy to break a few of his bones.
She made a
chopping motion toward the sweating Hal. “We’re over, Hal. Or did I suddenly
lose a few pounds? Go away. I don’t like you.”
Nic released the
man with a shove. “Take her advice and stay away.” He watched as Hal stumbled
back among the ring of gawkers.
“You.”
He turned back
to Leila as she poked him in the side.
“I’m going to
say this in a whisper because I’m assuming by all the growling coming from your
throat you have pretty good hearing. What you did was unnecessary. I can defend
myself.”
“Don’t ever try
to control me again.” Witch.
“Try not to need
to be controlled. What am I saying? There won’t be a next time. We’re complete
strangers. Hopefully this will be the last time we ever meet.” She turned and
pushed her way through the crowd.
He admired her
ass as she walked away. He loved the way she placed one foot almost in front of
the other, so each hip cocked with every step. He could watch her walk all day.
He came to his senses when she was swallowed up in the crowd. He moved then. He
wouldn’t crowd her, but he would follow her. She was wrong. She’d be seeing him
very soon.
OUT OF ALL the
men to meet tonight, Leila would run into a shifter. She didn’t know what his
animal was, yet she was sure she wouldn’t like it. Arrogant man. Sexy beast.
She wasn’t going
to deny it. His beautiful, sharp features spoke of his Latin roots. Over six
feet tall, broad shouldered, and darkly tanned, Nic was a hard man to resist.
When she’d gotten closer to the bar, she’d felt the tingle in her limbs
alerting her there was a magical being nearby. Nic’s shifter pheromones
explained the immediate attraction she’d felt for him. Shifters were primal,
carnal beings. Women of almost every species found it hard to resist them.
Leila stomped up
the steps to the coat check. She’d worn a light trench coat since she really
was indecently exposed. The only reason she’d decided on the costume was for
revenge. She looked around at her frenemies staring at her from across the room.
She smiled and pinky waved at the bitches. Their mouths fell open before they
turned away.
Earlier in the
day, she’d peered down from her hidden spot decorating the club’s balcony at
Deidre, Amy, and Li, who were doing the same in the main room below.
Deidre had
tucked a strand of her red hair behind her ear before marking off an item on
her checklist. “Ooh, I can’t stand her. What did Hal ever see in her?”
Li’s wimpy
behind had chimed in too. “She dresses in such bright colors. It’s so gaudy.”
“And she’s too
big for all those colors,” Amy had said.
When the women
laughed, Leila’s hand had begun to glow a faint blue neon as energy swirled and
gathered in her palm. She’d contemplated just hitting them with a mild spark.
It wouldn’t have hurt…much. She’d closed her hands and eyes slowly, and the
energy ball had dissipated. She couldn’t do it then. She wouldn’t do it now,
either. Her grandmother had always warned her about being careful with the
intent behind her magic. Using it for petty revenge would rebound against her.
She’d thought
the women were her friends. Their conversation proved how wrong she’d been.
They were just jealous, anyway. Each of their boyfriends had hit on her in the
last twelve months. She was fat all right. PHAT—pretty, hot, and tempting.
She’d settled on
the gladiator costume rather than the more conservative nurse she’d planned to
be for the costume party. She’d wanted all eyes on her, and they were.
Including the shifter’s.
She sensed him
watching her. She looked around as she put on her trench. She didn’t see him.
Why did he have to be a super-alpha jerk shifter? She and the sexy Latino
should have been headed back to her place right now. She could still feel every
place he’d touched her. Her pussy continued to throb. Her nipples rubbed
against the constricting fabric of her bra.
What a waste.
Shifters and witches didn’t mix. At least not in this town. Coldwell had one
hard-and-fast rule for its magical inhabitants. She’d been raised to believe
shifters were crude and animalistic, fae were untrustworthy tricksters,
immortals were meddlesome and coldhearted. The list went on and on. Even humans
were said to be dangerous, fearful, and judgmental. Her mother hadn’t been too
happy when she’d decided to associate with them.
She thought of
her former friends and ex-boyfriend. Maybe her teachers had been right. Having
personal relationships with other species was unwise. What would Deidre have
done with the knowledge if she’d known Leila was a witch? She shuddered.
Everyone knew to
stick to their own kind. She’d learned her lesson. She and the shifter were a
bad idea. So it would be another lonely night with just her and her vibrator,
Sam.
The club was in
a renovated warehouse at the edge of town. The parking lot was lit brighter
closer to the club and dimmer farther back where she’d parked. Walking all
alone in a poorly lit, deserted parking lot was the price she paid for wanting
to make an entrance. She could just hear her mother asking her if she intended
to be a mugging waiting to happen.
Her mind turned
back to Nic, and she stopped. She’d promised herself she would take a chance
with the next guy she felt chemistry with. But a shifter? Did it matter? She’d
felt the desire between them. It was a smoldering fire all over her body, and
she couldn’t deny it. If she was honest, prejudice had forced her out of the
club and away from Mr. Hotness. A woman confident in her sexuality would go
back.
The hint of
magic touched her before the sound of footsteps did. A hand closed around her
mouth just as a black-clothed arm wound around her neck. She was jerked back
forcefully. Heart racing, she struggled. She scratched and pulled against her
assailant. Her nails slid off the fabric. Quickly, she reached for her power.
It surged within her, bright and familiar. She was about to give this bastard
the shock of his life, then run like hell.
Except her power
began to dim almost immediately. He didn’t release her. He dragged her deeper
into the shadows. Her limbs began to tire first, and her head hurt. Her power
faded. Was he sucking it from her? She tried to struggle, but she was so tired.
Her eyelids drooped and closed despite her attempts to stay alert.
Her eyes cracked
open when she heard the growl. She sighted a gray blur. A large wolf barreled
toward them, teeth bared. Her attacker released her, and she dropped to the
ground, unable to support her weight. Her entire body tingled and throbbed as
hands did when they fell asleep. Behind her she heard running feet and snarls.
She knew Nic was
the wolf. She felt it deep within. She mustered her final bit of energy. “Nic.”
Would he leave
her there? She didn’t want to die in the parking lot outside a stupid costume
party. She should probably be grateful he’d run her attacker off. Would she
have been as helpful, or would she have seen a shifter fighting and fled the
scene, shaking her head about how violent and beastly they were?
The thoughts
grew vague as her mind fogged. Her heartbeat, loud and slow in her ears,
reminded her she was alive. She willed her limbs to move, but they remained
useless. She was going to slip away, a nameless victim killed within rows of
cars, discarded and alone.
Suddenly, a wet
nose nudged her cheek, then her hand. She opened her eyes enough to see the
large gray wolf. Tears welled. Nic hadn’t left her to die alone. He shimmered
before her, and she watched in awe as bones contorted, popped, and reformed. It
appeared painful and somehow grotesquely beautiful.
His magic
pressed against her, and she absorbed a bit. She couldn’t help it. She knew she
was close to dying. She’d be ashamed of the forbidden act later.
“Sorry.” She
wouldn’t steal any more of his energy.
Nic squatted
before her, beautifully naked. “Don’t worry. You need it. I have to get you to
a hospital.”
He lifted her
into his arms. She felt so weak. So empty. More tears slid down her cheeks as
his face blurred and wavered before her.
She needed a
supernatural healer, not a hospital. “Mama Tui.”
“You need
medical—”
“Medicine can’t help
me. I’m dying.”
“You won’t die.
I won’t let you.”
His voice was
determined. Somehow she believed him. He moved swiftly in the dark. Her eyes
closed, and she forced herself to focus as she was jostled. He opened the door
to a black SUV and deposited her on the passenger seat.
“Did it help
when you touched my spirit wolf before?”
Was that what
she’d done when she’d repurposed his life energy? “Yes, but I shouldn’t have.
It is forbidden to take someone’s energy the way I did, and I don’t know what
damage I’ve caused.”
He took her hand
in both of his. Warmth traveled up her arm, and she realized she had been cold
since he’d released her.
“My wolf didn’t
mind. He liked it.”
Before she could
protest again, he shifted, and she automatically reached out and absorbed a
little more of his magic. The pressure in her chest eased, and her head
cleared. She only took a little, but it was enough. She could make it to Mama
Tui.
Able to focus
again, she watched as Nic pulled on a shirt and pants. Where had he hidden
clothes? She missed the warmth from his body. She was so cold.
“Better?”
She nodded. He
closed her door before walking around the SUV to the driver’s side. He pulled
his cell phone from the glove compartment and dialed.
“This is
Detective Lobo. There has been an attack at 4902 Talen Lane.”
He was a
detective. If he hadn’t been there, she would be dead now. Was it his role as a
policeman allowing him to help her? Or was it something intrinsic about Nic?
Was this wolf a better person than most witches she knew? He’d come back for
her, gathered her up, and was helping her get help. He’d even allowed her to
steal his magic without trying to kill her.
She stared at
him as he made his call. His midnight hair was cut close on the sides and longer
on the top. His golden skin stretched taut across his strong jaw as he rattled
off information and orders over the phone. His hand dwarfed his cell phone.
Ending his call,
he glanced at her. His deep brown eyes showed his concern.
“Thank you,
Nic.”
“We’re a few
miles away from the healer.” He slid his hand along her arm and then released
her to grip the wheel.
So he wasn’t
good with gratitude. He would have hers forever.
Copyright ©
Stormie Kent
About the Author:
Stormie Kent is the author of romance with paranormal, science-fiction, and contemporary elements. She resides on the east coast of the USA, and spends many of the most enjoyable hours of her day reading and writing. Her books are filled with rugged shifters and warrior men who seek their destiny with the women who fiercely love them. Stormie has imagined a world of magic and adventure, where you might just have a passionate encounter with a witch, wolf shifter, warlord, or space pirate. All you have to do is pick your pleasure.
Stormie Kent is the author of romance with paranormal, science-fiction, and contemporary elements. She resides on the east coast of the USA, and spends many of the most enjoyable hours of her day reading and writing. Her books are filled with rugged shifters and warrior men who seek their destiny with the women who fiercely love them. Stormie has imagined a world of magic and adventure, where you might just have a passionate encounter with a witch, wolf shifter, warlord, or space pirate. All you have to do is pick your pleasure.
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