Under the Blood Moon: Hearts on Fire, #1

Chapter 1

April 8, 2014

San Francisco, California

An earthquake shook the building and rattled the windows. Julia Stevens scampered out of bed, grabbing Oscar along the way, and rushed into the kitchen to hide under the table.

They both trembled in fear until it was over about twenty seconds, which felt like minutes, later. It hadn't been that strong, but it was frightening nonetheless. It was during those times that Julia was extra grateful to have Oscar by her side. He must have been grateful, too, because he licked her face before trotting back to bed. She followed right behind the dog; she had only an hour and a half yet to sleep before getting up for work.

Meanwhile, seven miles away in a hidden cavern, amber eyes slowly opened for the first time in two hundred years.

JULIA TAPPED HER FINGERS impatiently on the bar. Melanie always behaved this way—invite her out and then latch on to the first guy who flashed her a smile. Julia was not a prude by any means—she was all for the occasional hook-up—but at least she was picky. She flipped her long blond hair over her shoulder and downed her drink. Then she tapped her empty glass to get the cute bartender's attention—he was worth taking home. While waiting for her drink, she looked around the new club, Howl, to find Mel or at least someone decent to look at. There were a couple of hotties on the dance floor, but they were rubbing up against their dates. Sometimes, she'd flirt with them anyway by flashing her bedroom eyes, but she wasn't feeling sexy that night. In fact, she wished she'd just stayed home; Oscar was the only company she needed.

She turned back to the bar to have one last sip before leaving when a hand casually placed itself on her ass. She turned to slap the rude individual, but her hand stopped when she turned right into a broad chest. She was in four-inch heels, standing at six feet tall, yet she was only to the pecs on the man. She looked up into a chiseled face and eyes so deep brown that they were almost black. He was a hunk for sure, but Julia liked to be in charge. She didn’t like men who thought they could take liberties with her, no matter how attractive they were. She looked the hunk right in his dark eyes.

I think you have misplaced your hand, and I suggest you remove it, she hissed.

He leaned down, giving her a nice whiff of his musky cologne, and whispered in a husky voice, What are you going to do about it?

This, she said as she brought her knee up to his nuts. He stopped her, though, with a reflex faster than a cat's, and he held her bare knee, stroking it gently with his thumb.

He leaned in again and whispered, What else you got? He released her knee but ran his hand up her thigh until it rested on her slender waist.

You are way too forward, she spat at him and tried to shove him away, but he was like a brick wall and didn't budge.

He grinned a sexy, mischievous grin at her and cockily replied, I think you like it.

The truth was, she did, but she wasn't going to tell him that. She pushed his hand off her hip instead and stepped aside, causing the other to fall away too. She knew, though, if he'd wanted to keep his grasp on her, he easily could have, and she felt almost insulted that he hadn't. She grabbed her clutch and turned to leave the club, not really caring how Mel got home anymore. As she stepped away, she thought she heard a low growl, and she almost turned around to look back. Almost.

Chapter 2

Julia tossed and turned in her sleep; she was dreaming about the hunk. He had his hands on her hips and wouldn’t let go of her. She struggled to get control, but he pulled her into his massive chest and held on tightly. He leaned in to kiss her, and though she tried to avoid his mouth, it pulled her in like a magnet and consumed her in a fiery wave of passion. She wanted to stop him, but instead, she found herself caught in an ebb tide of desire. She could feel herself growing hotter and damper with every flick of his tongue against hers, and her lacey thong clung to her and rubbed against her sensitive and swollen pink pearl.

The stranger continued to explore her mouth while his hands moved to her ass and pulled her in closer. She felt his thick rod pressing against her abdomen, and she couldn’t help but want it. Her curious hand reached down to explore the size of him, and then she desperately craved it.

His throbbing heat stretched against his jeans as if it was about to rip its way out. He moved her hand away and pulled her top off while somehow also managing to remove her bra with his teeth. His hands and mouth roamed her full breasts with a fevered hunger, and she groaned when he took her puckered peaks into his hot and gifted mouth.

Julia felt like she was about to explode into tiny pieces if she didn’t have him inside her soon. She dug her nails into his massive shoulders, and he answered her by yanking her panties down and slipping a finger into her warm, wet cleft. She screamed with pleasure as he moved his fingers through her petals and stroked her swollen bud with a talented thumb. Then she screamed again, when he put a finger inside her hot passage.

Clutching his bare chest and digging her nails in deeper, she begged him, Take me, on a breathless whisper.

Her dream lover picked her up and carried her to her bed. At least she thought it was her bed; the room was too dark, and she couldn’t be sure. She could see him, though, and his perfect lips were heading for hers once again. As he moved in, she stared into the dark depths of his eyes, which seemed to have gold flecks dancing in them like stars. They were strange but very alluring. Her own eyes rolled back as a thick finger again plunged itself deep inside her hot, wet center. She felt herself convulse around it as it moved in and out of her with perfect dexterity, causing another flood of her essence.

You're so wet for me, he told her in a low, ravenous growl. You want more, don't you? he taunted her.

Yes, oh yes, she replied in a husky voice hazed by her passion. Slowly he began to move down her body, planting a path of scorching kisses along the way. She felt his nails raking their way down her back, and then, suddenly, he kicked her.

Julia's eyes flew open. Oscar was chasing rabbits in his sleep again and kicking her in the back. Get off, she grumbled and shoved him over.

Disgusted by being woken up at such an inopportune moment, she lay there frustrated for thirty minutes before falling back to sleep. No more pleasurable dreams came to her, though.

Chapter 3

April 9, 2014

Julia couldn't concentrate at work the next day. Her mind took her back to the mysterious stranger and her dream each time she tried to compile the accounting firm's budget. She saw his enticing eyes instead of the numbers on the pages before her. Finally, she gave up and told her assistant good-bye for the day. She headed home and masturbated twice.

Around 7:30, she headed back to Howl. She didn't see her mysterious stranger, but she did see Melanie in the arms of a cute Hispanic. She returned Mel's wave; apparently, she got home—or to someone's home—the night before just fine. As she watched the couple dance, she almost felt envious. It had been a long time since she'd felt a man pressed against her like that. Well, it had been a week or two.

An hour went by, and there was still no sign of him. She was just about to give up and go home when a familiar musky scent floated over to her. She looked to her left first but didn't see him, so she turned her head to her right, and there he was. He was standing in a dark corner and staring right at her. She quickly looked back down at her drink; she didn't want him to think she had been looking for him. Suddenly, she could smell the musk, and she knew he was there beside her. She could feel the heat radiating off his towering presence, and it made tingles run down her spine.

You came back to me, the stranger declared with amusement in his voice.

She looked up into his eyes, which were amber flecked after all, and haughtily replied, You flatter yourself; I came in for a drink.

Your glass has been empty for at least thirty minutes. You could have left by now if you wanted to, he observed with a smug grin. Dance with me.

Julia looked up at him; he was even taller than before since she wasn’t wearing high heels. She guessed him to be at least six-foot-five, and that was a big turn on for her.

Who are you? she whispered with an arched brow.

I'm Seth, Julia. It's nice to formerly meet you, he answered with an easy smile.

Surprised, she could barely stammer out, How-how do you know my name?

He gave a low chuckle. I asked. Now, let's dance. I like this music. He held up his arm for her.

Curious about the large man, she took his meaty arm and let him lead her onto the dance floor just in time for a slow song. She put her hands up on his shoulders as his wrapped around her waist. She looked up at him and studied his features, wondering why she let him be in control. He was being a gentleman at that moment, but he hadn’t been one the night before.

He’s probably just another wolf in sheep's clothing.

Chapter 4

Julia was surprised at how well Seth could dance. He was very lithe and easily matched her own graceful moves. She had to admit, to herself only, that it felt good to be pressed against him during the slow songs—just like in her dream.

She stared up at him out of curiosity. There was something about him—something raw and powerful—and it made her desire to know him better.

Where are you from? I've never seen you around before, she questioned.

He looked down at her and lightly touched her cheek. Nowhere special. I've lived just about everywhere.

Hmmm...that really doesn't answer my question. Okay, well, what do you do?

He gazed into her eyes and played with a strand of her hair. You're very beautiful, you know? You must be a model or actress, right?

Julia chuckled at his assessment. Hardly. I'm just a boring accountant; I'm a partner in a local firm.

That sounds nice—he looked around them at the other couples—Listen, I have to get going, but I look forward to seeing you again. He leaned down to plant a soft, sensual kiss on her lips. Then he left her there on the dance floor with her mouth gaping.

Hey, who's the hunk? Melanie asked as she ran up to her.

Julia thought about it for a moment; she really didn't know. He didn't tell her his last name, and he dodged her questions about what he did for a living and where he was from.

She looked at her friend and sighed, I'm not sure.

Huh...I would like to take a bite out of him; you're one lucky bitch. Well, gotta get back to Juan. He's taking me to dinner. She, too, took off and left Julia standing alone in the same spot. She decided it was time to go home.

Julia fished in her purse for her car keys, having no idea that she was being watched. Yellow eyes scrutinized her from the shadows of the trees and the night. Then they looked up at the cloudless sky. There was a quarter moon that night, and the blood moon was on its way. That didn't give him much time.

Chapter 5

The night was thick with fog, and the chill in the air made her shiver. It was deathly quiet, and she could only make out shapes that she hoped were trees; she knew she was lost.

Suddenly, she heard a whisper on the fog. Julia, someone called to her. Julia, I'm here for you.

She thought she saw a shape moving toward her, so she turned and tried to run, but her legs were frozen. She opened her mouth to scream for help, but nothing came out, and the massive shape was right in front of her. She put her hands up in self-defense, but warm, strong hands unexpectedly grasped her arms and pulled her into a tight embrace. Soft, sensual lips took hers captive and drowned her in a passionate kiss. It was Seth.

Julia struggled to break away from his kiss. What are you doing here, and where are we? she gasped.

He murmured in a deep, seductive voice, It doesn't matter. Before she could ask more questions, he plunged his tongue back inside her mouth and silenced her.

Julia pummeled a fist against his concrete chest, and he finally set her mouth free. You didn't answer my question. You haven't answered any of them. Who are you? she barked.

He planted blazing kisses on her delicate neck while whispering to her, I'm your fantasy lover, Julia. Then he pulled her nightgown up and over her body.

I'm in the woods in my nightgown? Odd that she didn't feel cold anymore, despite being naked. She did feel shy, though, and not in control of the situation, which she didn't appreciate. Julia liked to be in control in every part of her life.

Just as she was about to protest, she felt his naked body and his thick, swollen shaft pressed against her. Then his hand was on top of hers while his other grasped her bare ass. He put her hand on his steely rod and guided it up and down his length in slow, steady strokes. He was huge, and it made her shamefully grow wet.

Julia found herself enjoying the feel of him and took over, playfully teasing his thick tip with its lubrication, moving her thumb around it in slow circles. He groaned in pleasure and drew a rosy tip into his mouth. When he nipped her gently, she saw an explosion of stars behind her eyes, and she squealed with delight while pulling fistfuls of his