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Just a quick update to let you guys know that I'm still working on Beauty and Bad Blood. Life has just been kind of a mess lately. Not only have I been extremely busy, but it feels like March and most of April was just one disaster after another. Lightning hit our house and destroyed a lot of electronics, including a brand new television. It also damaged some of the wiring, so we didn't have electricity to two rooms or our smoke detectors for a bit. Someone wrecked into our car in the parking lot and just drove off. The garage door stopped working. Two of our irrigation lines started leaking. Someone stole my credit card number AND my email address??? I could go on, but you get the idea. Things are still pretty hectic, but I'm carving out time to make some real progress on this book. My goal (plan? hope?) is to have Beauty and Bad Blood released by the end of May. This story is looking to be between 70-75k, so we'll see if I can make it happen, Cap'n. I'm also not sure if I will put this one on preorder or not. It'll largely depend on my editor's schedule, but I should know more in a couple of weeks. Until then, here's the cover and blurb!  When bodies start turning up around New Orleans with the entirety of their blood volume missing, vampires are the obvious suspects, at least at first glance. Rogue, however, doesn’t think the case is all that open and shut. As a special agent for the MOA Intelligence Division, it’s his job to find the real killer and clear his fellow nightwalkers. To do that, the last thing he needs is distractions. So, of course, the most tempting distraction he’s ever seen strolls through the door of the local bakery, not just flipping the script, but rewriting it completely. Stuck in a rut and drowning in his own insignificance, Dylan Murphy needs a change. For starters, he needs to make a clean break from his selfish and demanding mother. It’s also probably a good time to swear off men, at least until he can get his life back on track. Spending a little time in Hunters Hollow is exactly what he needs to turn things around. The small town is quiet, a little boring, and completely free of the drama that plagued him in the city. Now, if he can just stop thinking about a certain sexy vampire with penetrating eyes and a devilish smile, everything would be perfect. Navigating the ups and downs of any new relationship is challenging. Doing so while searching for a killer will test more than just their commitment. When the worst happens, and Dylan joins the list of humans to mysteriously vanish from the French Quarter, Rogue will do whatever it takes to get his new mate back safely. Even if that means becoming the very monster he’s meant to be hunting.
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Silent Knight is here! Check out this special holiday addition to the Blackhaven Manor series. It's a fun, light romance with all of the feels and none of the angst. And as always, it's free to read with your KU subscription.  Being part siren isn’t exactly a secret, but it’s not something Simon Russel likes to advertise, either. He’s not ashamed of who he is or anything so dramatic as that. But people tend to treat him differently once they realize he can manipulate their emotions. Just once, he wishes someone could see him and not the demon within. Enter Archer Knight, a former Enforcer, and the newest guard at Blackhaven Manor. Forced into retirement after a poorly executed mission leaves him damaged and disfigured, Archer figures he has a right to be a little bitter. With his scarred face and surly attitude, he’s not going to win any popularity contests, which suits him just fine, or so he tells himself. Until he meets Simon. Mix one not-so-chance encounter, a heap of holiday cheer, and a dash of misguided but well-meaning intentions in this recipe for Christmas magic. Season with love and serve with a side of awkward family get-togethers. Don’t forget the marshmallows. EXCERPT Simon’s frown deepened. He didn’t think Archer looked frightening exactly. With the severe set of his mouth, and the tightening at the corners of his arctic blue eyes, he was projecting some serious fuck-off vibes, though. Only, it wasn’t real. He might look harsh and unapproachable, but on the inside, he was kind of a mess. Tilting his head, Simon studied him more closely. Wariness and unease seemed to be the driving emotions. There was anger there, too, but it didn’t really have a direction. It felt more like he was mad at the world. Simon tensed as the weight of that statement settled over him. While he could alter the emotional state of others to some degree, he wasn’t an empath. He couldn’t feel what those people felt. Instead, he had to rely on physical and verbal cues, the same as everyone else. But this time, he didn’t have to guess. He could sense the storm of emotions raging inside the male as clearly as if they were his own, and the realization left him confused and unnerved. With every step Archer took toward him, those strange and unsettling feelings only intensified, and Simon balled his fists at his side to stop his hands from shaking. His heart pounded inside his chest, making a valiant attempt to climb into his throat, and he swallowed hard, trying to force back where it belonged. When that did absolutely nothing, he hooked a finger into the collar of his dress shirt and tugged at the starched material. “Are you okay?” Gigi whispered, her brown eyes filled with concern as she looked him up and down. “You’re flushed.” “I’m fine.” He pulled more insistently at his collar. “Is it hot in here?” Her brow creased, and she shook her head. “No, it’s not.” The harder his heart beat, the more difficult it was to breathe. A low, steady hum started at the base of his skull, sending faint vibrations down his spine and making his ears ring. “Are you sure?” Sweat beaded across his brow and trickled down the back of his neck. “It feels hot in here.” As he spoke, he ripped open the top button of his shirt and fanned the collar. “You’re really sure?” Fuck, he didn’t even know what he was saying anymore. “I’m really sure.” Stepping in front of him, Gigi pressed her palm to the side of his face and frowned. “You feel clammy, hon. Maybe you should sit down. I’ll get you some water.” Simon shook his head. He couldn’t explain why or how he knew, but he was exactly where he was supposed to be. “I’m fi—ahh!” He slapped a hand over his mouth to muffle his groan as the gums around his canines exploded with pain. Then, he immediately gasped and jerked his hand away, licking his lip where a long, pointed fang had pierced the skin. “Simon?” Gigi grabbed his elbow and shook him roughly. “Simon, what’s happening?” But her words barely registered, and he couldn’t have answered her if he’d tried. Mostly because he didn’t know what the hell was happening to him. He wasn’t a werewolf or a shifter or a vampire. Hell, he was barely a demon. Never in his whole life had he casually sprouted fangs for no fucking reason. Doing his best to hold himself together, he stood rigidly, his lips clamped together to hide his new hardware, and waited for Cyrus and Archer to reach the café. By the time the pair stopped a few feet from him, Simon could barely breathe.  And now for the update. You may have seen that I had another holiday story planned for the end of the month called A Merry Little Deja Vu. I don't really want to get into why, but this story isn't happening, at least not this year. Maybe next Christmas.
Instead, a new Nocturne Bay book is up next. Since this was kind of a sudden change, I don't have a lot of details right now. I'm hoping to release it at the end of the month or the beginning of January, but I haven't settled on a firm release date, and obviously, no pre-order. This will be a solo release. To my knowledge, my co-authors don't have any books planned right at this moment. I'll post another update just as soon as I have a better handle on my schedule. Until then, I wish you all Happy Holidays! The 6th book of the Blackhaven Manor series is now live on Amazon and free to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription!  It’s been twelve years since the Awakening. Otherlings are out of the paranormal closet. The whole world knows that creatures like vampires, werewolves, and witches exist. So, seeing dead people barely even rates on the freaky scale. Right? Wrong. Fritz Tolliver figures he must have done something terrible in a previous life to be afflicted with such a curse. In fact, every bad thing that has ever happened to him can be traced back to his unwanted ability. So, when a stupidly hot werewolf who’s way out of his league claims to be his mate, he should be thrilled. And he probably would have been if he hadn’t gone and gotten himself haunted by a nasty spirit on the same day. When a gorgeous male strolls into the station asking for a job—and promptly spills an entire Americano on him—Sheriff Vander Hale has a feeling it’s going to be a bad day. Then, the door opens, the wind shifts, and suddenly, his whole world changes. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his mate, no battle he wouldn’t wage, even if his enemy is technically already dead. Unfortunately, there’s just one problem with his plan. He’d go to hell and back for Fritz, but how is he supposed to fight something he can’t see?  EXCERPT Soft footsteps against the linoleum drew his attention, and he glanced up as a male who looked to be in his early twenties stumbled to a stop at the end of the counter.
“Oh,” the guy breathed. “Um, hi.” He lifted his hand in a stiff wave. Dressed in a red vest with a matching tie over a white button-down, he looked ridiculously out of place in the grungy station. He wore his dark hair a little longer on top and spiked with probably half a gallon of styling gel, but the look suited him, and it highlighted big, wide-set eyes the color of fresh cinnamon. Eyes that could drown a man, that could pull him under so that he never wanted to surface. Vander turned to Hardy and nodded. Okay, he’d give the deputy this one. Fritz was absolutely stunning. Bringing his attention back to the newcomer, he softened his smile. “Hello, I’m Sheriff Vander Hale.” “I’m—oh, I almost forgot!” He rushed over to the waiting area, which consisted of four folding chairs and two tiny, square tables. Grabbing a familiar-looking paper cup, he held it up like an offering. “I brought you coffee.” Pleasantly surprised by the gift, Vander grinned. “I appreciate that.” “Americano.” Fritz stared at the cup with a furrowed brow. “I think it’s black. I don’t know. Emrys made it.” So, the little pixie was in on this scheme as well. Fritz must have made quite the impression for so many people to be pushing for Vander to give him a job. At that point, he half expected to start receiving calls from every person the guy had even briefly interacted with in town. “I’m sure it’s fine.” In the eight years since he’d been going to the hotel café, Emrys had yet to make him a bad cup of coffee. “Thank you.” “Right.” The guy ducked his head as his cheeks flushed an alluring shade of pink. “Well, here you go.” Still staring at the floor, he stretched his arm out as far as he could reach to offer the cup again. Vander barely managed to choke back his laughter. Damn, the kid was a fucking mess, but in a sweet, endearing sort of way. He was beginning to see what all the fuss was about. Stepping forward to take the drink, he didn’t anticipate that Fritz would decide to bring it to him instead. They collided in the middle of the waiting area, crushing the flimsy cup between them. Coffee exploded from the top like a geyser, spraying directly into Vander’s face and sloshing down the front of his uniform. “Oh. My. God.” The blood drained from Fritz’s face, leaving him deathly pale, and he took several steps away on trembling legs. “I’m sorry. Shit, I am so sorry.” If possible, his eyes grew even bigger. “Shit, I didn’t mean to say shit.” Then, he dropped his head and whimpered. “Just shoot me now.” Whew! It's been a wild ride, and I'm so excited to announce that the Nocturne Bay Series, co-authored with Aja Foxx, Dani Gray, and Lisa Oliver will be releasing November 14th!!   Ryo Castle’s only goal in life is to be invisible. He’s spent years perfecting the art, never doing anything to draw attention to himself, and he’s grown quite content with being alone. So, he’s not entirely sure how he let himself be talked into attending a masquerade party for the opening of the new nightclub in town. It’ll probably be fine, though. After all, what’s the worst that can happen? With more than three hundred years to amass a considerable fortune, Andre Vasso lives a life of luxury and indulgence. Yet, he’s always felt that something was missing, some vital piece that would make his world complete. He just didn’t know what that was until a gorgeous mouse shifter with big green eyes literally falls at his feet. Ryo comes with more baggage than an airport carousel, but Andre doesn’t mind. No matter how long and winding the road, he’s determined to give his mate the life he deserves. But first, he’ll have to convince Ryo that the only thing standing in the way of their happily-ever-after is his own insecurities. A task that might prove easier said than done. I'm also ridiculously pleased to tell you that Dead Over Heels, the 6th book in the Blackhaven Manor series will be releasing on November 26th!  It’s been twelve years since the Awakening. Otherlings are out of the paranormal closet. The whole world knows that creatures like vampires, werewolves, and witches exist. So, seeing dead people barely even rates on the freaky scale. Right? Wrong. Fritz Tolliver figures he must have done something terrible in a previous life to be afflicted with such a curse. In fact, every bad thing that has ever happened to him can be traced back to his unwanted ability. So, when a stupidly hot werewolf who’s way out of his league claims to be his mate, he should be thrilled. And he probably would have been if he hadn’t gone and gotten himself haunted by a nasty spirit on the same day. When a human male strolls into the station asking for a job—and promptly spills an entire Americano on him—Sheriff Vander Hale has a feeling it’s going to be a bad day. Then, the door opens, the wind shifts, and suddenly, his whole world changes. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his mate, no battle he wouldn’t wage, even if his enemy is technically already dead. Unfortunately, there’s just one problem with his plan. He’d go to hell and back for Fritz, but how is he supposed to fight something he can’t see? Beauty and Bad Blood: Hunters Hollow, Book 2, will be up after that. I'm not 100% sure when that will release yet, but I'm tentatively shooting for mid-December. Finally, I'll be finishing up the year with a new Christmas story. A Merry Little Deja Vu will release on December 23rd and I'm pretty excited about this one!  And lastly, I hope everyone had a fabulous Halloween! We didn't get as many trick-or-treaters as usual this year, but we still had fun dressing up and taking silly pictures!
Now, on to Thanksgiving! I've been waiting until I have something concrete to share before posting another update, but unfortunately, I'm still kind of in limbo right now. By this point, a lot of you have probably heard about the Nocturne Bay series I'm writing with Aja Foxx, Lisa Oliver, and Dani Gray. I had planned to make my "official" announcement today, but I think the word has kind of spread by now. LOL!  We don't have a release date yet, but I can tell you that all books in the series will release on the same day and they will be coming very soon! As for Dead Over Heels...I fucked up. That's all I really know to say at this point. The muse just stopped talking to me for a while. It happens, and it's frustrating. Then, I had to put it aside to work on some other stuff, which was fun and exciting, but not conducive to getting Dead Over Heels finished. Once I got my groove back, the characters kind of hijacked the story, and this book is definitely going to be longer than I had planned.  So, where does that leave us? Late. That's where. I'm stupidly behind, and I'm sorry. I promise I'm working as hard as I can, though, and I'm hoping to have Dead Over Heels out within the next couple of weeks. The next book in the Hunters Hollow series is still coming, but obviously, it's going to have to be pushed back a little. I'm thinking closer to middle of December rather than end of November. With any luck, I will have some definitive news and dates to share by the end of the week. Fingers crossed. Until then, I hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween, and remember, calories from Halloween candy don't count. :-P  Yep, it's time for another update! As we head into fall here in Texas, I just want to say that I hope everyone had an amazing summer! Mine was, in a word, chaotic, but I'm so glad I got to spend some quality time with my family. Especially since my oldest just moved halfway across the country to start his grownup life. I miss him like crazy, and the house is so quiet without him, but I'm also excited for him to start this new adventure! So, once upon a time, I said that Prince Orrin Nightstar would be getting his book next in the Blackhaven Manor series. Well, that was true...until this clumsy, neurotic mess stumbled into my head and demanded a book of his own. Right. Freaking. Now. Meet Frederick. He prefers to be called Fritz. Not Fred. Not Freddy. Just Fritz, and it's pretty fitting since his brain always seems to be on the fritz. He worries a lot. He can barely walk and breathe at the same time. And he has a pretty big secret. One that his mate, Sheriff Vander Hale, doesn't quiet know what to do with. Dead Over Heels will be releasing soon. Right now, I'm tentatively shooting for October 7th, but I'll be sure to post again if that changes. After that, I have something really fun planned for Halloween!! It's kind of a secret at the moment, but look for more information coming very soon! A lot of you have asked about the next Hunters Hollow book. Braeden's best friend, Dylan, is up next in Beauty and Bad Blood. I don't have a release date for you yet, but I'm shooting for the end of November. I have a couple of other projects that I hope to fit in before the end of the year, but I think this is enough to be getting on with, so I'll save that for the next update! Hey everyone, I just wanted to drop a quick update. It's been a rough month for me. Life has been a bit chaotic, and my mental health hasn't been the best. I'm feeling much better now, but I had to take some time away from writing, so of course, I'm a little behind. Don't worry. We're not talking months or anything. Just a couple of weeks. Angel and Anarchy, the first book in the new spin-off to the Blackhaven Manor series, will now release on or around June 15th. (Just depends on how long Amazon takes to review it.) While the Hunters Hollow series does share the same world as Blackhaven Manor, and some previous characters from that series will make an appearance, you can read these series completely independently of each other. There will be no crossover storylines. No plots that start in one series and pick up in another. So, I think that's it for now, but more updates coming soon! Until Next Time, XoXo - Arden  Coming June 10th Slinging drinks in New Orleans' French Quarter isn’t the most glamorous job, but Braeden Burke loves the lights, the music, and the excitement. As a long-time believer—even before Otherlings had waltzed out of the paranormal closet—spending his nights flirting with gorgeous werewolves and smooth-talking vampires isn’t exactly a chore. His life is easy, colorful, and for the most part, free of drama.
Until fate throws him a curveball. It was supposed to be his day off. Instead, Zarrik Cox is called in to investigate the murder of a high-ranking member of the Ministry of Otherling Affairs. Tracking down the only witness to the crime is easy. Discovering the vulnerable human is his mate is a complication he wasn’t expecting. He might be a nephilim, but he’s no angel, and he’s damn sure no one’s savior. But with a killer on the loose, and Braeden caught in the crosshairs, there's no limit to how far he'll go to keep his new mate safe. The 5th Blackhaven Manor book is now available on Amazon and free to read with your KU subscription! I've loved Emrys since he was first introduced in Purrfect Harmony, and Cyrus is the perfect mate for him. Fair warning: this hellhound is growly, sexy, and he says fuck A. LOT. I tried to rein him in, I really did, but he's impossible. ;-) PIXIE LITTLE LIAR: BLACKHAVEN MANOR, BOOK 5There’s a heaviness to the air, the kind that makes the hairs on the back of Emrys Whitehill’s neck stand on end. Something is going to happen. Something big. Something that will change him forever. Despite his powers of precognition, however, a hellhound walking into the hotel to arrest him for a crime he didn’t commit is the one scenario he never saw coming. As a seasoned bounty hunter, Cyrus Rathborne thought he had experienced it all, but realizing his most recent target is his mate throws him completely off his game. While he can’t deny the connection, Emrys is wanted for the murder of a royal, and he won’t let those big innocent eyes deter him from doing what is right. Yet, the more he gets to know the sweet pixie, the harder it is to shake the feeling that the guy might actually be telling the truth. He should have trusted his instincts. It soon becomes clear that someone is determined to make Emrys disappear—permanently—and the only thing standing in their way is him. Transforming from hunter to protector, Cyrus will risk everything to keep his mate safe, because what started as just another job is now the one mission he can’t afford to fail.  EXCERPT“Enough.” Emrys didn’t speak loudly, but everyone present turned to stare at him. Once he had their attention, he pushed his chin-length hair back from his face and nodded a couple of times. “I appreciate that you want to protect me, but let’s be real for a second. Nothing you say is going to change anything.” His gaze flickered to Cyrus, his resolve manifesting piece by visual piece. “I’m assuming there’s evidence against me, and you didn’t just pull my name out of a hat.”
Fuck, Cyrus hated this, but his mate was right. Nothing anyone said would change the facts. “There is evidence.” Emrys regarded him for another moment, then nodded again. “I’ll go with you.” “What?” Kol shouted. “Em, that’s a really bad idea.” “You didn’t do anything wrong,” the other male—Simon—added. “You don’t have to go,” Skye said, still calm and collected. Emrys gave her a sad smile. “Thanks, but I think I do. I know I didn’t kill anyone, and the best way to prove that is to just cooperate.” With only the smallest amount of hesitancy, he strode around the counter, coming to a stop mere inches from Cyrus. “Besides, my mate won’t let anything happen to me.” It was naïve, far too trusting, and also absolutely fucking correct. No one would lay a hand on his mate, except for maybe him. Preferably both hands. Without any barriers between them like those preppy white chinos that hugged Emrys’ ass like a second skin. Cyrus bit back a groan. Gods, he was so screwed. “Okay.” Emrys bobbed his head a couple of times, then pushed his wrists together before offering his hands up to him. “Do you, uh, need to restrain me or something?” That really shouldn’t have been as sexy as it was, but his cock apparently hadn’t gotten the message. Down boy. “No, I’m not going to restrain you.” Gently, he curled his fingers around Emrys’ wrists and pushed his hands back down to his sides. “Oh, okay.” An adorable frown pulled at his lips. “Sorry. I’ve never been a suspect before. I don’t really know how this works.” He held his hands up again. “Are you sure you don’t want to tie me up?” Fuuuck. Cyrus bit back another groan when his dick jerked against his zipper. Gods, it was going to be a long drive back to New Orleans. Grin and Bear It: Blackhaven Manor, Book 4 is live a little early on Amazon! As always, it's available to read with your Kindle Unlimited subscription. Happy Reading!  Thorne McIver is no ordinary bear shifter. He’s the monster whispered about in the dark, the beast feared in battles, and for hundreds of years, he’s used his formidable gifts to protect the royal families of the paranormal world. So, when he’s tasked with escorting the elven prince to a council meeting at Blackhaven Manor, he figures it’s just another assignment. Until he meets a stunning human who fills in all the pieces he didn’t know were missing. When he’d first started working at the hotel, Wren Covey had been a mess. He’d known almost nothing about Otherlings, their culture or rules, and everything had terrified him. Barely a year later, there’s not much he hasn’t seen, and hardly anything fazes him. Or so he thought, because nothing could have prepared him for being the mate to a genuine living legend. When an attack on the hotel tests his already divided loyalties, Thorne finds himself torn between love and duty. Though honor-bound to protect the prince, his instincts will always be to put his mate first. Now, he’ll have to find middle ground and figure out how to do both, or his happy ending will be over before it even begins. ExcerptTired from the journey, annoyed about his argument with Orrin, and frustrated over the situation with Wren, he grunted when he heard the knock at the door. Shutting off the water, he exited the shower, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around his waist as he stomped out of the bathroom. Ten feet from the door, his steps slowed, and his anger at being disturbed abated when a bright, earthy scent hit him like a wrecking ball. It reminded him of rain in early spring, when the days were still slightly chilled, and the winds gusted, sweeping away the last remnants of winter. There was only one being on earth who carried such an alluring fragrance, and he was the last person Thorne expected to be standing outside his room. He took a deep breath, groaning quietly as the scent invaded his nose and made his head swim. Then, he arranged his expression into a mask of indifference before opening the door. “Can I help you?” Wren stared up at him, his mouth slightly open, and his eyes so big they dominated his round face. The tip of his tongue darted out to wet his lips, and he looked down, only to jerk his head back up to meet Thorne’s gaze again. Though it looked like he might several times, he didn’t speak, but his shoulders rose and fell with every shallow breath. His heart pounded frantically, the sound loud enough that Thorne probably could have heard it even without supernatural senses. A thin sheen of perspiration coated his brow, and the scent of anxiety soured his natural scent until it was the only thing Thorne could smell. Putting it all together, he mentally sighed. His mate was absolutely terrified of him. Abandoning all hope of remaining neutral, he softened his expression and let his lips curl into a subtle grin. “Wren, right?” He spoke quietly, trying to be as unintimidating as he possibly knew how. “What can I do for you?” “I, uh…” He swallowed hard, his gaze raking over Thorne’s bare chest, all the way to his hips before snapping back to his face. “I’m…supposed to…” When he trailed off and made the same trek with his eyes again, Thorne had to fight back a chuckle. “Would you like to come in?” “No!” Wren practically shouted at him. Once he realized what he’d done, his eyes grew impossibly bigger, and the look of abject horror on his face was borderline comical. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I—” “So, you do want to come in?” “Yes.” He shook his head. “I mean, no.” He stopped again, frowning. “Can you please put some clothes on?” Thorne couldn’t stop himself that time. He laughed. “All the indecent parts are covered.” It was an interesting development. While his mate still wreaked of nervousness, Thorne also detected subtle notes of desire. “Please, come in, then you can tell me whatever you were sent here to tell me.” When Wren didn’t move, he reached out, keeping his movements slow and unthreatening. Placing his palm against the back of his mate’s shoulder, he applied a gentle pressure, encouraging rather than forcing him across the threshold. “There,” he said, closing the door to prying eyes, “that’s better, right?” Wren huffed. “Not really.” Dragon it OUt: Blackhaven Manor, Book 3As some of the last remaining dragon shifters in the world, Uriah Maddock and his siblings are regarded as something akin to royalty in the paranormal community. It’s one of the main reasons their hotel has become such a coveted destination for Otherlings. All he wants, though, is to be left alone. He’s not looking for love or romance. In fact, he actively avoids relationships and all their damning consequences. Too bad his meddling sister didn’t get the memo. Kit Meyers is pretty sure he’s hit rock bottom when his car breaks down in the small, mountain town of Echo Falls. He has no money, no place to live, and no prospects. When a not-so-chance encounter leads him to the infamous Blackhaven Manor, he figures he’ll stay for a few weeks, earn some cash, then head back to the safety of the road. But all that changes when he meets a surly dragon shifter with wounded eyes and even more baggage than himself. Uriah can’t commit to a houseplant, let alone to being someone’s mate. Convinced that Kit is better off without him, he’s prepared to leave everything behind if that means the skittish human will be safe and happy. Yet, as the days pass, he keeps finding new excuses to stay, until he’s finally forced to admit that he’s not going anywhere. Especially when he realizes he’s not the only dangerous person in Kit’s life.  Read it Free with Kindle Unlimited! ExcerptUriah resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he returned to his desk. He didn’t like conducting interviews, and he certainly didn’t have the knack for it that Skye did. However, he wasn’t completely useless. Besides, as much as it pained him to admit it, if he did decide to take over the new hotel, his sister had a point. Hiring a new staff would be one of his first duties, so he might as well get used to it. He took a moment to straighten his black T-shirt and smooth any wrinkles from his dark-wash jeans. Then, he tidied up his desk as best he could without disrupting the work he’d been doing. On the bright side, if he did the interviews, maybe he could talk Skye into finishing the inventory. A soft knock sounded at his office door just as he settled down in his desk chair. A young woman with a pixie cut in a startling shade of bubblegum pink entered the room when he waved her in. She approached his desk cautiously, her hand shaking when she passed him what he assumed was her application and resume. He skimmed it quickly, asked her a few appropriate questions, then hired her on the spot—pending a background check—to replace one of the missing housekeepers. Sadly, the next three interviews didn’t go nearly as well. One guy had spent the entire interview flirting with him. Another young lady had been so terrified she had actually burst into tears and ran from the room. The other male had been decent, but unfortunately, Uriah had no choice but to send him away when he realized the kid was only sixteen. An hour later, he had conducted eleven interviews and only managed to find one more member for the housekeeping staff and one porter. He didn’t even know if they needed another bellhop, but the girl had been sweet, and she’d clearly needed the job. For all his bravado, by the time he reached the last name on the list—according to the two-word text Skye had sent him—he was starting to remember why he didn’t do interviews. Tentative, muffled footsteps reached his ears first, followed by a nervous cough and a long, shuddering sigh. Goddess, he could smell the anxiety wafting in the air, and the guy hadn’t even reached the office door yet. Taking pity on the poor soul, Uriah arranged his features to appear as non-threatening as possible. As the footsteps crept closer, however, the scent began to change, gradually deconstructing all of his careful preparation. The nervousness was still there, still the most prominent fragrance, but it was now tinged with something sweet and almost earthy. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, couldn’t place the scent, but it was the most intoxicating thing he’d ever smelled. It called to him, beckoned him closer. As if lassoed by some invisible line, he found himself halfway out of his seat by the time the newcomer reached the threshold of the doorway. That close, the scent hit him like a battering ram, nearly knocking him off his feet. If that wasn’t bad enough, it emanated from the most gorgeous man he’d ever seen. Thick, wheat-colored curls haloed a round, youthful face with soft lips, a petite nose, and big, mesmerizing eyes the color of cinnamon. A baggy shirt and loose-fitting khakis flared around a slender, narrow frame, and the little bit of exposed skin on display looked too pale, too delicate. Mine. That single word boomed inside his head, finally shaking him free of his hypnotic state. His mood plummeted, his emotions spinning from elation to fury in the span of seconds. And to think he’d actually believed his lying, conniving, meddling sister. “Practice my ass,” he grumbled under his breath. “Umm…Mr. Maddock?” The young man came forward a couple of steps. “I’m—” “Sit,” Uriah barked, cutting him off and pointing at the armchair in front of the desk. “Oh. Right. Okay.” He hurried to do what had been asked of him. Sparing him only a passing glance, Uriah stalked past him and marched toward the door. “Stay there,” he commanded. “I’ll be back.” “Is there a problem?” Even in his anger, his instincts wouldn’t let him leave the room without offering some type of comfort to his mate. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” He still couldn’t bring himself to look at the guy. Instead, he stared through the open doorway and growled. “I just have to go murder my sister.” |
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