Walking a Tight Trope: Blackhaven Manor, Book 9
Paranormal M/M Romance
42K+ Words
42K+ Words
In love with the idea of love, Oliver McKenzie has made a career out of crafting swoon-worthy romances. He doesn’t need to work at the café in Blackhaven Manor, but the daily interactions fuel his muse and provide him with an unlimited supply of inspiration. He just never imagined he would find his own happily-ever-after within the hotel walls.
Contracted to build a gazebo for the upcoming royal wedding, Jarrett Crawford assumes it’s a job like any other. He’ll find out the details, order the supplies, and finish with time to spare. It doesn’t occur to him that the meddlesome dragon who owns the place is setting him up for the hardest fall of his life. But that’s exactly what happens when he meets Oliver.
When his new mate comes under psychic attack, Jarrett, of course, takes it personally. While he might be ill-equipped to fight a battle of the mind, he’ll risk everything to protect his elf.
Even his own life.
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EXCERPT
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, savory soups, and buttery breads wafted from the trunk of the willow, flooding his mouth, and making his stomach grumble. He detected something else as well. Subtle, overshadowed, but captivating, nonetheless.
He inhaled deeply as he approached the counter, trying to isolate and identify the scent. It was unique, yet memorable, dark but simultaneously comforting, like cool, misty mornings in the mountains. If he had to put a name to it, he would say it smelled like…moonlight.
And his entire fucking body was reacting to it.
His heart beat harder and faster. Blood roared in his ears. His dick swelled behind his zipper, and electricity sizzled through his veins. Tension knotted the muscles in his back and shoulders, and every step he took felt heavy and uncoordinated.
A predatory growl built in the back of his throat, a deep, hollow rumbling that vibrated his vocal cords. Time slowed. Sounds faded. Colors became sharper, more vibrant, and suddenly, his entire world revolved around the stunning elf staring back at him from behind the counter.
Goddess, he had the sweetest, most infectious smile, the kind that made his big, cerulean eyes dance and crinkle at the corners. Glossy, blue-black hair fell in pin-straight curtains around an angelic face, the dark strands creating a striking contrast against his porcelain complexion.
“Good morning.” Even his voice was beautiful, like the soft harmony of wind chimes. “What can I get for you?”
Jarrett didn’t answer. He couldn’t. All thoughts had emptied from his mind, leaving only innate instinct to guide him.
Oliver’s smile faded, and his eyebrows drew together. After a few seconds of awkward silence, he tucked his hair behind one elongated ear and reached his hand across the counter.
“I’m Oliver McKenzie.”
Jarrett’s subconscious took over, the part of him that still remembered some semblance of human manners, and he accepted the proffered hand in a gentle grasp. Even though he knew he should say something, still, no words came to him. Only a general idea of longing and possession that was more feelings than actual thoughts.
And at the center of it all was the lovely creature standing in front of him.
He inhaled deeply as he approached the counter, trying to isolate and identify the scent. It was unique, yet memorable, dark but simultaneously comforting, like cool, misty mornings in the mountains. If he had to put a name to it, he would say it smelled like…moonlight.
And his entire fucking body was reacting to it.
His heart beat harder and faster. Blood roared in his ears. His dick swelled behind his zipper, and electricity sizzled through his veins. Tension knotted the muscles in his back and shoulders, and every step he took felt heavy and uncoordinated.
A predatory growl built in the back of his throat, a deep, hollow rumbling that vibrated his vocal cords. Time slowed. Sounds faded. Colors became sharper, more vibrant, and suddenly, his entire world revolved around the stunning elf staring back at him from behind the counter.
Goddess, he had the sweetest, most infectious smile, the kind that made his big, cerulean eyes dance and crinkle at the corners. Glossy, blue-black hair fell in pin-straight curtains around an angelic face, the dark strands creating a striking contrast against his porcelain complexion.
“Good morning.” Even his voice was beautiful, like the soft harmony of wind chimes. “What can I get for you?”
Jarrett didn’t answer. He couldn’t. All thoughts had emptied from his mind, leaving only innate instinct to guide him.
Oliver’s smile faded, and his eyebrows drew together. After a few seconds of awkward silence, he tucked his hair behind one elongated ear and reached his hand across the counter.
“I’m Oliver McKenzie.”
Jarrett’s subconscious took over, the part of him that still remembered some semblance of human manners, and he accepted the proffered hand in a gentle grasp. Even though he knew he should say something, still, no words came to him. Only a general idea of longing and possession that was more feelings than actual thoughts.
And at the center of it all was the lovely creature standing in front of him.