Hi, my name is Leia Shaw, bestselling author of the Shadow
of Destiny series – romance novels with a supernatural twist.
For my guest post at UTC today, I’ve sent the lovely host
and reviewer, Francesca, on a little trip. I figured if she wanted to get to
know Geo, the hero from Destiny Bewitched, she should speak to him herself. And
what better way than to travel to the Underworld where he’s been stuck for the
past two hundred years? Good luck, Francesca! Bwahahaha!!!
***
What I first noticed when I stepped – no, make that when
Leia pushed me – through the portal to the Underworld was the hot muggy air so
thick it seemed to stick to the roof of my mouth.
“Should’ve worn a tank top,” I said to no one in particular.
A little shiver crept through me as I took a look around. I
was surrounded by tree trunks as thick as my house.
Movement on the ground caught my eye. “Ah!” I yelped when
some kind of red-eyed mutant rat scurried across the dead grass. Above me,
leaves rustled. I dared a glance at the canopy of green.
A big, black shape stood out against the sage flora. Winged
but almost featherless, with a long neck and sharp beak, it sat utterly still
on a branch.
Then it swiveled its hairless head and stared at me, an
unsettling look in its eye – the same look I give a Hershey bar when I’ve been
dieting.
The bird let out a horrible screech then jumped from the
tree, soaring straight for me.
“Ahhh!”
A sword swiped through the air only a few feet away and the
bird flopped to the ground. My heart was pounding in my chest so hard I was
surprised you couldn’t see its outline under my shirt. The wielder of the sword
faced away as he wiped the black blood off the steel.
I took my time looking him over. Brown leather pants hugged
a firm, bitable ass. His back was bare so I watched his muscle flex as he slid
the giant sword into its sheath. It reminded me of what other things he might
have that were…giant. Heat crept to my cheeks at the unexpected thought.
He turned around to reveal a set of washboard abs that
glistened under a thin layer of sweat. His skin was smooth and tan. Did he
always work shirtless outdoors? Someone like that might make me rethink my
hatred for gardening.
His jaw was set firm and proud though a small smile played
at the edge of his lips. Warm copper eyes stared back at me, twinkling with
amusement. Probably, because I’m gawking
and panting at him like a love-sick puppy!
I cleared my throat. “Um.” My voice seemed to get stuck
somewhere between my brain and my mouth. “Thank you for saving me,” I finally
choked out. “I’m Francesca.” I stuck out my hand to shake his.
“Geo,” he answered in a sexy rumble. He shook my hand. “What
are you doing so far from home, little one?”
I batted my eyes and grinned, surprised I managed to hold
back a giggle at his pet name. “I
actually came all this way just to see you.”
His brow furrowed. “Me?”
I nodded. “I was hoping you’d tell me a little bit about…”
My cheeks burned. Damn Leia for making me do this. Was she so lazy she couldn’t
write the post herself? “About your, uh, sex life.”
A grin stretched across his handsome face. “I see.” He
stepped forward.
I stepped back.
A lion in a man’s body was the only way I could describe the
presence of this man. Caged lust. Confidence. Knowledge but with a gentle
patience. And those horns…smooth, russet-colored horns curved back from his
head, curly brown hair tumbling over them. Who knew horns could be so sexy?
“Follow me” he said, eyeing the trees around us. “It’s not
wise to stay in one place in the Underworld.”
I gulped then rushed to his side. It was hard to keep pace
with his long strides.
“So, can you tell me a little about yourself?” I asked.
“Well, I’m a demon, as you can see from the horns.” He
rubbed his hand across one though he didn’t seem pleased about it. “For now,”
he muttered under his breath. “I live here in the Underworld and keep to myself
until I can return home.”
“Is it true demons can control people’s minds?” I asked.
He stopped walking and turned to face me. “Francesca,
right?”
I gulped and nodded.
His lips quirked. “Kneel.”
Immediately, my legs gave way and I slumped to the ground.
Panicked, I tried to rise but my body wouldn’t cooperate. It was like
everything locked down, and I could only wait for his next command.
“Look at me.” His voice slid through me like a warm breath.
Slowly, I lifted my head until my gaze found his. I swear I
stopped breathing.
He took three steps then stood inches in front of me. I felt
so vulnerable, stuck on my knees while he was so tall and strong, staring down
at me. Vulnerable, but damn, it was sexy as hell.
“Open your mouth,” the voice commanded.
I was helpless to resist. My heart fluttered. Is he about to do what I think he is?
He stuck the tip of his thumb between my teeth then ordered,
“Suck.”
My god, I’d never done something so sensual in all my life.
My lips closed around his thumb and I sucked, imaging it was…another part of
his anatomy.
“Stop.”
I did and he removed his thumb then stepped way.
“Does that answer your question?” he asked with twinkling
eyes.
I answered, breathlessly. “Yes.”
He nodded. “Good.” Then he turned and started walking again.
It took me a moment to realize I was still on my knees. But
I had full control of my body again. I scrambled up then jogged to his side.
Feeling the need to bring up a lighter topic, I asked one of
my favorite questions. “Boxers or briefs?”
He arched a brow and the corner of his mouth twitched.
“Neither.”
I was sure my eyes about popped out of my head.
Geo cleared his throat and my gaze jumped to his face. Had I
just been staring at his package? I gave my head a shake. “Um, chocolate or
vanilla?”
“Both.”
Bet he could cook. My heart thudded in my chest. I’d like to
lick something chocolate or vanilla off of him.
“Hard or soft?” I asked.
His eyes narrowed. “What do you think?”
“Hard.”
He laughed and I shuddered. Damn, even his laugh was
masculine.
“Fast or slow?”
He thought for a moment. “Fast the first round then slow the
second. The first time I’d want to get out all my aggression but then…then I’d want
to take my time and savor you.” A greedy glitter started in his eyes. “Maybe
even torture you.”
I let go of a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Any
last words about, um, sex? Specifically, rough sex?”
He paused a moment and stared at the ground in
thoughtfulness. “For me, rough sex doesn’t equal violence, or even dominance.
It’s passion. The intensity of not only the shared lust but the emotion behind
it.” He looked up and gave me a smoldering look. “Do you think it’s sexy that a
man could be so hot for you that he rips your clothing to shreds just to get at
your body quicker?”
Holy Jesus! “Yes.”
He moved in close to me. I could feel his hot breath against
my forehead. My stomach plummeted as I waited for his sensual words.
“You know when it gets to that point, don’t you, Francesca?
When the woman says, ‘to hell with it, gimme all you got,’ and she doesn’t care
if there’s a pointy rock shoving into her back. Or if there’ll be bruises on
her arms where he’s holding her down. Or if her lips are raw from the harshness
of his stubble. She can’t feel any of that anyway. And if she can, it turns her
on.”
It was turning me on right now!
“Because it reminds her of how bad her man wants her.”
Yes, yes, yes! My chest heaved as I stared into his soulful
eyes. Kiss me, damn it. My lips puckered.
He leaned in. I held my breath.
“Alright, dove,” he said, abruptly. “It’s been a pleasure.”
What? I shook my head to break the spell. Over so soon?
Geo gestured behind me. I turned and recognized the hazy
shape of the portal door. He’d walked me in a circle? Tricky demon.
He took my hand and brought it to his lips. “Francesca.” He placed
a warm kiss on my wrist and I almost fainted.
“Safe travels, dear one.” He gave me one last sexy grin then
disappeared as I walked through the portal.
A cold feeling crept over me as I returned home. I didn’t
like that door one bit. I rubbed my arms and shivered, but I couldn’t seem to
wipe a goofy smile off my face. I remembered is warm lips against my arm. Maybe
it was just me, but I think he lingered. Now to write that blog post.
Excerpt – 18 and over
His wide eyes told her he’d probably never heard music
come from a machine before. She recognized the song. I
Put a Spell on You by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Somebody in the
Underworld liked 70’s rock. Go figure.
“I love this song.” She placed the tape player on the bed
and stood up, feeling a little reckless, a little free. Must be the wine.
The lead singer’s throaty voice and the heavy beat fit
the dim room. The song was gritty and raw just like the Underworld. She looked
at Geo, laid back in the chair all big and bad, strong and silent. He’d never
looked so sexy.
Definitely the wine.
“Dance with me,” she commanded.
His brows lifted.
“Come on.” She grabbed his hand and tugged.
With a smirk, he let her pull him to his feet.
“Just put your hands here and here.” She guided his hands
to her hip and shoulder but he yanked out of her grip.
“I know how to dance, woman,” he growled. Then he plopped
both hands on her low back, just above her backside, and yanked her up against
his body.
She gasped. His arousal pressed hard against her abdomen.
Taking the lead, he moved them to the music, grinding
against her in a most indecent way. He bent his head and inhaled her hair then
let out a savage groan.
Oh my.
All that caged lust was focused on her. Could she handle
a man like Geo? His fingers dug into her exposed skin where he’d slipped them
under her waistband – his hands like a fiery brand. She swallowed hard.
When the guitar solo came on he bent her backward and she
fell, dropping her head, trusting him to hold her as she arched away,
presenting her chest. His growl of approval seemed to vibrate straight to her clit.
Roughly, he pulled her up and she slammed into his chest with both hands. He
gazed down at her, panting, his eyes dark with lust. Her hands shook until she
stilled them on his shoulders.
His fingers moved lower, grasping her bare ass and
squeezing. Her knees trembled and threatened to give way. Then he lowered his
mouth to her ear. She canted her head to the side, thinking he was going to say
something, but instead he bit down on her lobe.
“Ow.”
“Be still,” he ordered softly then licked the small sting
away.
Oh my Lord, I’ve freed the beast.
His mouth skimmed along her neck, licking, kissing. Goose
bumps rose over her skin. He nipped the side of her jaw and she jerked. A
shiver shook her. He was so unpredictable – so dangerous. And she’d never been
more turned on.
“Did you put a spell on me, little witch?” he rasped in
her ear. “Am I yours?”
Mine? God I want to say yes!
She could barely find her voice. “Something tells me you’re not the type to
belong to anybody.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m beginning to
doubt that.
Destiny Bewitched
by Leia Shaw
Deemed “trailer trash” by humans and the daughter of the most disgraceful family of witches and warlocks since the Puritan age, Samantha is used to fighting her own battles. When her younger sister is taken to the Underworld, Sam doesn't hesitate to rescue her. To survive the harsh land, she makes a deal with a demon — the most dangerous of creatures in the realm. Even with those lustrous horns, Geo is as hot as the hell she's stuck in. Fighting nasty beasts in a supernatural version of the gladiator games is easy compared to falling in love with a man who has no future to offer.
AUTHOR Bio:
I began my writing journey while I was stranded at the airport waiting for my delayed flight. I browsed the Border’s kiosk and grew frustrated that I couldn’t find the “it factor” — the perfect combination of alpha male-ness, ass-kickery, strong females, magic, and sex. So I spent the next four hours on an airplane writing my first book on scraps of paper and an airsick bag (which thankfully I didn't need to use).
Now I spend too much time in my head, plotting evil villains and the hot men (and women) who ruthlessly kill them. I think far too much about fae politics, dragon power games, and how fast werewolves can change forms. But writing my paranormal romance series has given me a productive place to express those dark places in my mind.
I live in New England with my husband and two kids. Though I will go to my grave denying it, my husband insists I would be thrilled if he suddenly sprouted fangs.
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