Burn For Me (Phoenix Fire #1)(101)

Cain kissed her. Her lips were open, so perfect, and his mouth pressed against her.

This is happiness.

The thought whispered through his mind. The same thought he’d had months before, right on the same beach.

Then another followed it, a vow he’d made to himself.

I will be better.

He’d protect the child, cherish him or her … just as much as he cherished Eve.

In the distance, Cain heard the faintest echo of a wolf’s howl. His head lifted.

“Cain?” Eve questioned softly. “Your eyes …”

He knew the fire lit them. But the fire wasn’t just about rage. Not anymore. He smiled at her and said, “I’m good with the plan.”

More than good. The plan was pretty f*cking perfect to him.

Eve hugged him, squeezing tight.

Over her shoulder, he stared off into the distance. The howl was gone. Pulled away by the crash of the surf. But he’d heard it, and Cain knew what would make the perfect wedding gift for his bride.

He just had to track that wolf… maybe he’d call in a blood debt for that job. That vamp Ryder did still owe him.

Cain smiled … and began to plan.





Keep reading for excerpts from

the next two books in

Cynthia Eden’s

Phoenix Fire series



Once Bitten, Twice Burned

Available Summer 2014



and



Playing With Fire

Available Fall 2014




There was nowhere for her to run. She was pinned to the thick stone behind her and trapped with him in front of her. She shoved her head back against the stone as she tried to put a feeble distance between them, and unfortunately for her, that move had the effect of exposing more of her throat to him.

“You can’t be real,” she whispered. “Your teeth … your eyes … none of this is real. They drugged me. I’m hallucinating.”

If only. Poor lady. She’d had no clue about the monsters that walked in this world, not until Wyatt had tossed her into hell. “Just … hold still. It’ll be … over soon.”

Just a few sips.

“No!” She screamed then rammed against him, a blow that was surprisingly powerful. Powerful enough to send him stumbling back five feet.

His ass hit the floor because he’d never expected that kind of attack from her. Humans weren’t strong enough to toss vamps around like that.

The intercom crackled. “Ah now, Sabine, that wasn’t part of the deal. I told you that if you provided nourishment for my guest, then we’d discuss your freedom.”

Her chest heaved. A nice chest, he noticed, even through the rage and hunger. Full breasts.

“I’m not nourishment!” she yelled as she glared into the two-way mirror. “You can’t do this to me! I have rights!”

“Your rights don’t exactly apply here.” Wyatt didn’t sound concerned. Why would he? The guy had the might of the U.S. military backing his little “experiments.”

The worst f*cking mistake the paranormals had ever made was coming out of the closet. But some idiots just couldn’t keep quiet. They’d shown themselves to humans. Gotten tired of living by the old ways—or hell, maybe even technology had been to blame. Too much advancement. Cameras everywhere. Eyes always watching.

It was hard to hide the beast inside when big brother was always spying on you.

So they’d come out, and freaks like Wyatt thought they could harness their paranormal power. Use science to make magic into their weapon of choice.

“If you aren’t cooperating, Ms. Acadia, we can always take you back to your cell.” Wyatt’s voice lowered. “Guard, retrieve—”

“I don’t want my cell! I want to go home! I want—”

Ryder pounced. In an instant, he had her in his arms. He twisted her hands and secured them behind her body. She was struggling, definitely using more than just human strength, but he was prepared for her. She wasn’t getting away.

“I won’t hurt you,” he told her, hoping the words weren’t a lie. Sometimes, the bite could bring a woman pleasure. A better release than sex.

Sometimes, the bite could bring pain. Worse than torture.

He didn’t want her to hurt.

His mouth was desert dry. His fangs fully extended and aching. He could already taste her.

I just want her.

His tongue swept over her neck. Sampled, then he sank his teeth into her throat.

The woman—Sabine—gasped against him. Her body arched into his as the first tender drops of her blood spilled onto his tongue.

“Make sure the recording is operational.” Wyatt’s voice seemed to come from so far away. “I want to get every bit of this.”

But Wyatt and what he wanted didn’t matter. Sabine’s blood was on Ryder’s tongue, and her blood …

Her blood.

It was like nothing he’d ever tasted in all of his four hundred years of existence. Not just warm—the blood was hot. Spicy. Rich with flavor. He wanted to lap it up, to savor it.

To gorge on it.

His hands hardened on her. He’d meant to take just a few drops.

He wanted to lift his head away. Wanted to so badly but…

Her blood was too good.