Ready to STEAM up your summer reading list?
Take one hot, alpha male scientist, add a smart and sassy female psychic, toss them into an
exotic jungle and a sizzling affair is bound to happen? Right?
Well... it's not that easy...These two lovers have a supernatural connection and a ghost of an ancient shaman is trying to warn them of danger, while a deadly evil lures them into the jungle and threatens their lives. Will the be lost, separated forever? = One steamy erotic adventure.
His Lost Mate is available for a ***SPECIAL discounted PRE-ORDER*** rate!!!!
BLURB:
He lost her
once hundreds of years ago... Now he must battle a new entity. Will he lose her
again forever?
Archaeologist
and psychic Lauren Halpern is determined to uncover an ancient mystery in
a sultry and exotic jungle, but everything is getting in her way. Deven
Chandler, the drop-dead gorgeous leader of their excavation is a serious
distraction she does not need, and she's desperately trying to guard her heart.
But the heated passion between them is undeniable, and they simply cannot find
a way to stop the inevitable. Lauren senses the supernatural connection between
them holds a secret deeper than the hot sex they're trying to resist. And
Deven, the scientist that he is, simply won't believe her esoteric beliefs or warnings.
Once they
tumble into a sizzling affair the real trouble begins. From the ancient ruins,
a ghost of an ancient shaman lures them deeper to into the jungle where lies
the deadliest evil of all. When danger arrives, can Deven learn to trust her
and risk everything to save her?
HIS LOST MATE was previously published under
the title WILD JADE and has been revised and updated.
EXCERPT:
“We have
to leave tonight,” Kayab said, clasping Cimi’s hand. He didn’t dare look at her
or she’d detect the fear in his eyes—and a Mayan warrior never showed fear.
Kayab was not afraid for himself. He was afraid for Cimi.
Sitting
on a rock ledge above the lagoon, Cimi dangled her feet in the cool water. “Why
now, Kayab?”
“It’s
too dangerous to stay. Your father said we must leave tonight, when Chac meets
with the shamans in the temple. They will be praying to the gods until morning.
We’ll be far away by then.”
She
stared up to the heavens and sighed. “I know we have to go. I didn’t think it’d
be this soon. I hate leaving my father, my friends, this forest…”
Kayab
glanced around the lagoon. What had once been a roaring waterfall only a few
seasons ago was now a thin trickle. Surrounding the lagoon, the giant ferns,
orchids and palmettos had browned or withered and the tall, lush trees were now
spidery, brittle branches.
In the
village, the maize crops barely produced enough food for their people. Chac,
the ruler, demanded more offerings to the storm god to bring the rains. The
storm god was angry, only more blood would satisfy him. The thought made
Kayab’s stomach churn.
“Our
last afternoon in our secret place,” Cimi said with a teasing grin as she slid
one delicate toe up his leg. Then she slowly stroked her hand up and down his
thigh. He shivered and felt his loins stir and his shaft grow hard. How could
she be playful during these dangerous times?
Restraining
his desires for a moment, he untied a leather pouch secured to his belt. He
removed a small object wrapped in a black woven cloth and tied with a thin
branch of violet orchids. The orchids he had found at the far end of the
lagoon, still thriving on a dead mahogany tree. It had to be a sign of hope
from the gods. “Cimi, I have a gift for you.” He handed her the package. “Open
it.” He’d carved the owl himself and had Muan, Cimi’s father, bless it with
special powers of protection.
Cimi
unwrapped it. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered as she turned it over in her
hand. “An owl made from jade.”
“It will
protect you from harm. Keep it with you always.”
“But
women are not allowed to own jade. If someone sees this, they will take it from
me.”
“Then
hide it, but keep it close to you.”
“I will,
Kayab. I promise.”
Kayab
rose and touched her cheek. He breathed in her musky feminine essence blended
with the fragrant jasmine blooming around the lagoon. One of the few flowers
not yet killed off by the drought.
“Come
swim with me.” He was sorely hard now. If he didn’t get into the cool water
soon, he’d take her, but he did not want to rush this precious time.
After
removing his beaded necklaces, he untied the leather belt and pouch then
dropped the black cloth wrapped around his waist in a pile on the rock. He
stood naked before her, studying her expression. Although violence and
starvation had been common in the village for many years, he expected Cimi to
show fear about leaving, because they would be breaking the laws of their
ruler, Chac and the gods. But he didn’t see any fear in her eyes. She was
braver than he or Muan thought. She seemed to think exile was more of an
adventure, so unlike a Mayan woman. He loved her strength and innocence.
Silently,
he beckoned her to follow him. Her sultry look and her parted moist lips said
she wanted him too. He stepped to the edge of the rock and dived into the pond.
The
water was cool, but did not ease the throbbing heat in his loins. When he
surfaced, he flung his long hair out of his face, spraying water droplets in
all directions.
Standing
naked at the edge of the stone ledge, her dark hair cascading down her back, Cimi
offered him a full view of her firm, small breasts. When she cupped her breasts
and massaged them, he struggled for breath as if the gods were stealing the air
from his chest. Then her hand slid down her belly and stroked between her legs.
He froze
and gazed at her in disbelief. She had never been so bold. “Come be with me,
Cimi.” He groaned like a wild animal.
She
dived into the water and swam to him.
Grasping
her arms from under the water, he pulled her to him, kissed her hard and
hungrily. The water made her skin slick and smooth. He felt the curve of her
breast, the roundness of her buttocks, felt her arms reach around his neck and
cling to him.
“Cimi. I
burn for you.” With his lips, he caressed her neck, her breasts, then sucked
her nipples until he felt her body quiver. Her hand covered and guided his,
pushing his hand down between her legs. Her urgency inflamed him.
When he
found her slick folds, she moaned and arched her hips into him.
His
fingers probed and opened her, sliding inside her sex. She sucked in her breath
and rocked against his hand. As her moans became louder and her body trembled,
he knew she was ready. With a whimper, she shoved his hand away, gripped his
shaft and pressed it against her sensitive flesh. For a moment, he thought he would
lose all control.
“Now,
Kayab…take me.”
Kayab
lifted her legs around his hips and drove into her, thrusting deep and hard as
Cimi dug her fingers into his shoulders.
The cool
water sloshing around their heated bodies didn’t cool the fire building within
his erection, but he held back while her soft cries of pleasure increased with
each thrust.
Focusing
to keep his control, he held her gaze, then her body jerked and Kayab supported
her tightly while she soared in ecstasy. Then he plunged faster and deeper as
his sensations grew, his muscles tensed and passion claimed him. He flung his
head back, groaned and his body quaked his sexual release.
While
his body continued to pulse, he held her close and waited for his strength to
return. When he slid from her body, Cimi moaned in protest. Her hands caressed
his chest and she kissed his neck. “Kayab, lie with me in the grass.”
“Oh my
beautiful Cimi.” He kissed the top of her head. “It is late. We must go back or
we will be missed.”
“Why
don’t we leave the forest now?”
“Your
father said we don’t dare leave before the evening meal or Chac will have the
warriors track us.” He stroked her cheek with his fingers, kissed her hard,
then scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the shoreline, where he laid
her on the grass. Living in exile was a frightening choice for a young woman,
but the risk to stay was great. Even the daughter of a shaman was not safe, but
he and the jade owl would protect her.
Seeing
her naked stirred his shaft again. She noticed his erection and giggled. He
loved making her laugh. “I burn for you, Cimi.” But their playful afternoon was
over. They had a long and frightening night ahead of them. “We must go now.
Don’t be afraid. I promise, I’ll always protect and love you.”
A slight
breeze stirred the dried grass and ferns surrounding the lagoon and long
shadows crisscrossed the trail back to the village. Kayab and Cimi quickly
dressed.
“After
the evening meal,” Kayab instructed, “meet me at the small northern pyramid. It
will be safer to escape at night.”
