Paulina Anghel, a powerful vampire from Romania, is called to New York City to assist with an uprising of vampires. The furthest thought from her mind is a romantic entanglement. Yet one innocent touch from the lion shifter, Oba Izem, sets off a chain reaction of emotions that has her both leery yet hopeful to believe: after nearly two millennia, she’s found her mate.
Pride leader, Oba Izem, is focused on clearing up the matter with rogue vampires which inadvertently involves his sister. Upon meeting the esteemed Paulina Anghel, desire sweeps through him like wildfire over a dry savanna. Knowing she’s his mate, he’ll convince her their union is worth more than anything in existence.
As they explore their desires while battling an enemy, will their chance at a future be cut short before it even begins?
More From Monsters of New York
“Are we now going to address whatever this is between you and me?”
“Do you think that’s wise?”
“Maybe, maybe not, but I don’t like ignoring something that’s obviously there, and you’re not denying that there isn’t.”
“No, I’m not denying. Although I cannot explain it.”
“Yet. Maybe it needs more investigation.” She playfully quirks a brow.
I laugh. “And how do you propose we go about that?”
“Oba, really? Do you know how long I’ve been in existence?”
“What a lovely way to describe being alive. No, Paulina, I do not know your exact age. What does that have to do with this situation?”
“Because I have been on this earth for one thousand seven hundred and fifty-six years. And over those years, I’ve taken many lovers. Some I enjoyed, some I didn’t. Some I grew close to, some I'd go so far as to say I loved. But of those lovers, no one had ever made me breathless with just a touch. Tell me you weren’t affected and I’ll drop it. We’ll simply be acquaintances.”
I hold her intense gaze. “No, Paulina, I can’t say I was unaffected. Touching you sent a rush of desire through me unlike anything I too had ever felt. I wanted to continue touching you, but I feared I’d lose control and ravage instead of revere.”
A strangled laugh escapes her. “I’m no one to be revered.”
I move quickly so she’s backing up against the desk, and I’m only a breath away as I lean over her. I set my glass down next to hers as energy crackles between us. Even as she appears to remain poised, the racing of her heart tells me otherwise, and it thrills me. “You are. I may not know your entire history, but I know enough about your family, about you, that you’re someone to be admired and respected. Cherished even.”
I start to raise my hand, wanting to touch her, but I don’t dare without her permission. Paulina surprises me by capturing my hand with hers and bringing it to her cheek. The same rush of heat, of desire burns through me, and I close my eyes, embracing the feeling. But then I hear her moan, eliciting a low growl from me as my eyes snap open, and I focus on her.
“What do you feel?” I whisper.
“Warmth,” she murmurs. “Want. Urgency. And you?”
“Desire I’m trying too hard to contain. May I kiss you?”
“You’d better.”
I frame her face as my mouth descends on hers, and that instant contact shoots lust through my entire system. I groan into her mouth as that urgency she mentioned takes over. And she seems to have no objections as she too takes her fill. While my mouth continues to devour, I release her face to hold her waist and lift her onto the desk. Her legs wrap around me as her hands link around my neck, keeping me close.
My body burns and my cock swells in my pants as my animal nature tries to dominate, urging me to sink into her wet heat and never relinquish its hold. Nothing has ever felt so powerful.
Suddenly, I feel the tiniest prick to my lip, and when I pull back, I see Paulina’s canines extended, a drop of blood being swiped away by her tongue.
“My apologies. I … I…”
“Got carried away.” I run my thumb along her lower lip, and she sucks the digit into her mouth. “Paulina,” I moan, resting my forehead against hers. “How easy it would be for me to also get carried away. To tear off these barriers and bury myself deep inside your body.”
“That sounds divine.” Her fingers tickle my skin as she tips her face up to capture my lips, licking into my mouth, and driving me wilder than my lion can handle right now.
