Midnight Surrender (Touched by Midnight - Book 3)
The Excerpt
“What binds us is stronger than vows and deeper than eternity.”
She trembled, her gaze dancing nervously away. “You speak in riddles.”
“No, in truths. Look at me, Cassie.”
She couldn’t, suddenly afraid—of what he might say, of what he might see in her unguarded gaze.
“Look at me.”
His command as hard to resist as a physical force, Cassie turned toward him, painfully aware of her flushed cheeks, but he didn’t notice them. His attention fixed upon her eyes, drawing her in with a mesmerizing power, relaxing her denying tension, calming her anxious fears.
Looking into his compelling stare was like falling into her soul.
(. . . and a nibbly bit more . . .)
“We are one, Cassie. You are mine now. Can you deny it?”
She sucked in a fragile breath and whispered, “No,” because she could feel it even if she couldn’t explain it. “I-I don’t understand.”
“You don’t have to understand. You only have to believe.”
The swirl of his power engulfed her senses, teasing her with strange prickles of awareness—of him as a man, of him as more than just a man. That was where confusion arose. What else was he? What could give him that kind of control over her sensibilities? Because she lived the life of a journalist, asking questions and seeking answers, it went against her grain to blindly accept what was before her—even when under a smothering pressure to do just that. She blinked hard and struggled against his spell.
“W-what are you doing to me?”
It seems like it’s been ages since we’ve spontaneously gathered together (minus one member from the other side of the state) for plotting, revising, and just plain visiting in a small-town diner and comfortable living room. What a wonderful way to refuel the creative engine. Now, I have no excuse not to finish my edits! So . . . what have you been writing – no excuses!
He is mezmerizing! He drew me in so I didn't want to look away. She's doing good to be able to focus at all. Excellent, engaging characters! Tweeted. Just finished a short story for a Dragonblade anthology, and am working on finishing book 3 in my Welwyn Marriage Wager series. Never a dull moment--two novellas due October 1, so my August and September are full. Enjoy your retreat with your pals!
ReplyDeleteIt's a tightrope to walk making truly dark characters still appealing. But it's my favorite kind of job!
DeleteI'm a teeny weeny bit envious of your next few weeks. Sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteAnd your snippet was great. intense. intriguing. strong ... just a pleasure to read.
Thank you, Iris!! Yes, I am a lucky writer to have found such a loyal and supportive group of friends!
DeleteAn excellent scene! This is the kind of compelling vampire I want to read more about. Tweeted.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't reread it in like forever so I was pleasantly surprised to find it still rocked!
DeleteLove how atmosphere can be so conducive to writing. Great snippet.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeff!
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