He leaned closer, looming over her. It was only then that she realized she’d backed up against the wall, her gaze locked to his wicked mouth and all of the sinful things it was saying.
“I don’t want to touch you. I don’t want to taste you,” she whispered and shut her eyes. It was no good. She could still see him, that lean body caging her in, the muscles in his arms rippling as he pressed both hands flat against the wall on either side of her hips.
“Liar.”
A silky whisper. In her ear. A curious, whimpering sound came from her throat.
He took her hand. Pressed it against the ripple of his abdomen. Honoria’s eyes shot open and locked on his.
It was the perfect opportunity. All she had to do was turn her hand just so and press the tip of the needle into his body. But something stopped her. Perhaps the silky-cool feel of his skin beneath her hand. Or the look in his eyes as he stared down at her.
His mouth was close to hers. She barely felt his fingers trailing through her hair, tugging a soft curl over her shoulder. All she could see was that mouth, with its sensual lips, and the slight lopsided dimple as he smiled. A sinner’s mouth. A demon’s mouth. Tempting her with all manner of ungodly acts. His breath stirred over her face, caressing her cheeks.
Honoria could barely breathe for the pounding of her heart. This was madness. She’d never felt like this before, not even with the exquisite, practiced flirting of the blue bloods she’d encountered at Vickers’s house. Blade was nothing like them. Rough. Raw. Virile. The kind of man who would steal a kiss and not take no for an answer. The kind of man who could capture her heart…and crush it in his fist.
This was dangerous. And yet for the first time in her life she wanted to throw caution to the wind and simply take what he offered. To just be a woman who wanted to forget about all of her burdens, her worries, and simply be young and carefree for once in her damned life.
I want to know what he tastes like. I want to be kissed.
She stared up at him. And all at once, the willful part of her nature erupted from its cage. Damn it. What harm could one kiss do?
Acknowledgments
Thanks as always to wonder-agent Jessica Faust and all of the folks at Sourcebooks who helped to push this manuscript into something resembling a book. To my editor Leah Hultenschmidt, who cuts right to the heart of the matter and sees what I can’t, to Danielle for all the PR efforts and my poor copyeditors who have to deal with the cockney.
A huge debt of gratitude to the ELE for keeping me sane, especially my font of wisdom, Kylie Griffin, and my CPs Dakota Harrison and CT Green who get to wade through the manuscript before anyone else ever sees it. To all of my local supporters and family, who continue to put up with my hermit-like ways and proudly support the book. And to Byron, who makes all of this possible and gets excited over the little things with me.
And finally, to my readers. Thanks for coming on the ride with me.
Are You In Love With
Love Stories?
Here’s an online romance readers
club that’s just for YOU!
Where you can:
• Meet great authors
• Party with new friends
• Get new books before everyone else
• Discover great new reads
All at incredibly BIG savings!
Join the party at
DiscoveraNewLove.com!
Kiss of Steel
by Bec McMaster
When nowhere is safe
Most people avoid the dreaded Whitechapel district. For Honoria Todd, it’s the last safe haven. But at what price?
Blade is known as the master of the rookeries—no one dares cross him. It’s been said he faced down the Echelon’s army single-handedly, that ever since being infected by the blood-craving he’s been quicker, stronger, almost immortal.
When Honoria shows up at his door, his tenuous control comes close to snapping.
She’s so…innocent. He doesn’t see her backbone of steel—or that she could be the very salvation he’s been seeking.
“McMaster’s wildly inventive plot deftly blends elements of steampunk and vampire romance with brilliantly successful results. Darkly atmospheric and delectably sexy…”—Booklist Starred Review
“A leading man as wicked as he is irresistible… Heart-wrenching, redemptive and stirringly passionate…”—RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars
For more Bec McMaster, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Heart of Iron
by Bec McMaster
No one to Trust
Dangerous. Unpredictable. That’s how people know the hulking Will Carver. And those who don’t like pretty words just call him The Beast. No matter how hard Will works to suppress his werewulfen side, certain things drive him beyond all control. And saucy Miss Lena Todd tops the list.
Lena makes the perfect spy against the ruling Echelon blue bloods. No one suspects that under the appearance of a flirtatious debutante lies a heart of iron. Not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man she can’t wrap around her finger and the one man whose kiss she can never forget. He’s supposed to be protecting her, but he might just be her biggest threat yet…
“Edgy, dark, and shot through with a grim, gritty intensity, McMaster’s latest title adds to her mesmerizing steampunk series with another gripping, inventive stunner.”—Library Journal Starred Review
“McMaster’s second London steampunk book dazzles and seduces…will leave readers breathless.”—RT Book Reviews Top Pick of the Month, 4.5 Stars
For more Bec McMaster visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Forged by Desire
by Bec McMaster
Look for the fourth book in Bec McMaster’s highly acclaimed London Steampunk series, coming in late 2014
The captain of the Nighthawk guard has a deadly mission: capture a steel-jawed monster who’s been preying on women. Capt. Garrett Reed hates to put his partner Perry in jeopardy, but she’s the best bait he has. Little does he realize, he’s the one about to be caught in his own trap…
Perry has been half in love with Garrett for years, but this is not exactly the best time to fall in love—especially when their investigation leads them directly into the clutches of the madman she thought she’d escaped…
Praise for Bec McMaster:
“Bec McMaster brilliantly weaves a world that engulfs your senses and takes you on a fantastical journey.”—Tome Tender
“[McMaster’s] descriptive powers are flawless and her ability to draw the reader in is unparalleled.”—Debbie’s Book Bag