Caressed by the Edge of Darkness Excerpt

Caressed by the Edge of Darkness - Excerpt

~ The music floated through the air, gentle as a caress. It beckoned to her soul, luring her deeper into the shadows. Every powerful note, heartfelt and striking. Entranced, she followed the sound up a wide, dimly lit staircase to the third level landing and a set of tall double doors. The entry was ajar, allowing light to cut a faint slice into the dark. The music, like a mystical force, and she was helpless but to obey. Jordan quietly tip-toed forward and peeked inside.

The ceiling was cast in moonlight and stars as clear and crisp as the desert night sky outside. The twinkling lights from above mixed with the colorful glow of the city below, making the room shimmer. A black, glossy, piano demanded her attention, and there Gabriel sat. Silhouetted in profile, he played. His gloved fingers moving across the keys with such care and erotic grace, Jordan stifled a longing moan. To feel his fingers caress and stroke her in the same away…

“Ms. Culver, will you join me?”

Caught. Her cheeks heated from embarrassment while every inch of her body began to tingle. Knock it off. I’m not interested in him in that way anymore. He’s a vampire. I don’t want a vampire.

Fake it till you make it, right? Well, she’d lie to herself a million times if that’s what it took for her to finally believe it. She had to squash her attraction to Gabriel. It was the only way she could move on without looking back and without regrets.

Armed with denial, Jordan entered the room. The enormous room was empty with exception of the piano, a dark brown leather chaise and a gold-platted bar cart.

“Did you write this?” she asked, noting the lack of sheet music.

Gabriel slowly nodded, his head gently bobbing along with the notes.

“It’s lovely,” she whispered, once again swept away by the beautiful melody.

“It sounds like you.” His words had been low and soft, but they filled the room and echoed in her soul. Had he written this song for her?

Gabriel’s lips pulled up into a half smile before he slammed the piano closed. The hard, abrupt boom rattled her bones. Weakened, she stumbled to the chaise.

“Would you like a drink?” he asked. In a flicker of movement, he stood beside the bar cart.

Why not? “Bourbon, rocks, with a—”

“Twist and cherries on the side.”

Jordan flashed him a smile. “You really did your homework.” She could have sworn she heard him say, Knowledge is power, but he hadn’t spoken.

Gabriel came to her side, a glass in one hand and a tiny bowl of maraschino cherries in the other.

“I don’t know if I should be flattered or creeped out by your attention to detail,” she said, taking the offerings.

“I’d suggest flattered.”

Holding her drink up in toast, she laughed. “Flattered it is then.” And then took a sip. Closing her eyes, she held the liquor on her tongue and savored the robust flavor. She missed the warmth and the subtle vanilla notes. The simple things. She’d let out a low, pleasured sigh and relaxed back against the leather.

The air around her shifted. Opening her eyes, she met Gabriel’s powerful gaze. Hunger swirled with treacherous passion. He knelt before her, his wide shoulders tense, his powerful legs bent as if he were ready to pounce. The beast poised to ravish the beauty. His heavy hands settled atop her thighs, the cool leather touch burned her bare skin. Anticipation racked down her spine and curled her toes.

Holding her gaze captive, as if daring her to ask him to stop, Gabriel leaned forward and boldly edged his fingers up to frame her hips. Inches separated them, his heat enveloped her and, god, he smelled like crisp winter air and dangerous male. ~

Description: 

Hardened by centuries of torture, former blood slave, Gabriel Erhard, is driven by an insatiable need to destroy his enemies. Violence darkens his battered soul, leaving no place for mercy in his world. Gabriel’s only desire is vengeance—until he finds her.
Seized by vampires, bound as a slave, and placed on the auction block, Jordan Culver is instantly entranced by the dangerous male who claims her. Jordan’s new captor vows to set her free, but his haunted gaze burns with savage desire and his wicked kiss makes her crave his touch and...complete surrender.
While Gabriel battles his enemies, he will break every sacred law to achieve his ultimate goal—uniting the Outcast Society and creating a new vampire Clan. But the distracting human with mesmerizing violet eyes jeopardizes his plans. With every soft whisper she evokes his tormented memories, testing his sanity and challenging his every boundary. Can Jordan help him overcome the miseries of his past and find a future with her?