Romance with Curves, page 1
ROMANCE WITH CURVES
A LIMITED TIME ANTHOLOGY
MAGGIE ADAMS
PHOEBE ALEXANDER
JOANN BAKER AND PATRICIA MASON
OLLIE DUPREE
JASMINE GRANT
RJ GRAY
STEPHANIE HARRELL
DELTA JAMES
MARIE MASON
KD MICHAELS
M. LEIGH MORHAIME
YVONNE NICOLAS
SHANNON O’CONNER
JADE ROYAL
MORGANNA WILLIAMS
CONTENTS
Killian’s Quest
Maggie Adams
Penny & Pryce
Phoebe Alexander
His Curvy Forever
Joann Baker & Patricia Mason
Love Transcendence
Ollie Dupree
Sins and Silk
Jasmine Grant
Must Love Curves
RJ Gray
Forbidden Love for Mr. Christensen
Stephanie Harrell
The Rookie
Delta James
The Alpha’s Curvy Obsession
Marie Mason
Whiskey Curves
KD Michaels
Carry You
Michelle Morhaime
A Noble’s Eternal Heart
(A Paranormal Romance)
Yvonne Nicolas
Talk Me Out Of It
Shannon O’Connor
Entanglements
Jade Royal
The Doctor’s Mate
A Ramelian Bride’s short story
Morganna Williams
KILLIAN’S QUEST
MAGGIE ADAMS
CHAPTER 1
Diana Zamaroni slid across the worn floors of her general store, Ned’s Shed and Sausage Shoppe. The lime green microfiber dusting shoes had her twisting and turning around the tables to Frankie Valley and The Four Seasons. She belted out the song to her gray-haired cat, Birdie, as he watched her from his spot near the cash register. She had just turned to make her final sweep when a fierce howling rent the air. Birdie jumped and hissed, running into the kitchen.
Diana shook her dark head at the cat, making her long ponytail whip around her. “It's just the wind,” she shouted. “Get over it.” A crash of glass in the kitchen had her scurrying around the counter mumbling curse words at her skittish cat. “I swear if you've broken…”
She came to a standstill as a body crashed against her stainless-steel island, the glass from the broken window twinkling on the floor.
“What the…” she whispered. She darted over to the unconscious form and knelt, checking for vital signs, but found none. Putting a trembling hand to her mouth, she realized the stranger was dead. She reached for the phone in her pocket. A pale hand gripped her ankle, and she screamed, falling back on her butt.
“No,” he whispered. “You run.”
She stared in mounting horror as the realization pounded her brain. Not human, a vampire.
“Run, please,” he croaked out.
She crawled across the kitchen floor, reaching in the back of a cabinet for her grandmother’s silver teapot in case there were more. The vampire tried to sit up.
“You stay away!” she shouted, jumping up to run toward the delivery door. More howls rent the air along with the sound of claws scratching against her screened-in porch at the back of the building.
“Run,” he whispered once again.
It was too late. What was coming into her kitchen was not a rabid dog or even a coyote. It was a werewolf and he was after this vamp. She didn't think she could be more terrified until that moment. No escape through the door in the back. The werewolf blocked it. She doubted she'd make it to the front.
She screamed when he lunged at her, scratching her arm. She grabbed a cast iron skillet from the stove and swatted at it. The beast barely flinched and once again made a grab for her. Diana dashed around the countertop, spying the candle lighter she used for igniting the pilot light of her ancient gas stove. She seized it as the werewolf yanked her ponytail, pulling her to him. Flicking off the safety, she lit the flame and raised her hand up and behind her, igniting the fur on his face. The wolf shrieked and let her go.
Diana saw the bacon grease can atop the stove shelf. She grabbed it, throwing it on the advancing werewolf, then jabbed him with the lighter flame again and again. He caught her wrist and squeezed, making her drop the lighter, but he released her with a scream of pain. The flames were licking through his fur. He retreated out the broken door, batting at the fire on his body.
She turned in relief, only to trip over the vampire who had crawled to her. He was laying in front of her in a protective gesture, his fangs out, but he was obviously unconscious.
Diana scooted around him. She needed help. She tried to locate her phone only to find it in pieces on the floor. “Well, hell,” she mumbled. She glanced at the vampire next to her. She had to save him. He had a lot of explaining to do.
CHAPTER 2
“What did you do?” she asked as she took in his injuries. It didn't look good for him. There was a large hole in his side, but he had opened his eyes as she gently cleaned him with soap and water.
“Silver kills,” he murmured.
She glanced at the silver teapot she had dropped when the werewolf crash through.
“No, side,” he said.
She poked gently at the spot. “Oh, a bullet.”
He nodded. “You need to go. He’ll be back.”
“Well, I can't just leave you here like this to die, or whatever you guys do,” she said in a gruff voice, although that was what she really wanted to do.
“Need blood,” he murmured.
“Will deer or pig blood do?” Living in a paranormal community like Grafton, Illinois, she had all sorts of things a regular general store didn't have.
“No. Human.”
His voice was barely a whisper now. She knew he was fading fast. He was a stranger, but he had tried to warn her, to save her. She dashed over to the teapot and grabbed it. “Okay, but if you don't let go, I will shove this teapot in that hole, and you'll definitely die,” she snapped.
He didn’t respond. She put her wrist up to his mouth. “Do it.” She turned her head away and squeezed her amber eyes shut, holding tightly to the teapot, waiting for the pain, but nothing happened.
Opening her eyes, she realized he was unconscious again and too weak to help her. With a shaky sigh, she glanced up to the kitchen counter and grabbed a paring knife from the cutting boards. “You can do this, Diana.” She let out a whimper and sliced her wrist with the knife. Blood spurted out. “Oh God, I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die,” she chanted as she put her wrist up to his mouth, pulling on his chin to let the blood run down. Within seconds, his eyes popped open, and he greedily sucked the warm blood from her veins. It didn't hurt. She thought it would, but it was more like a gentle suckle.
After a few more seconds, she tried to pull away. He grabbed her wrist in a firm grip. She yelped and whacked him in the face with the teapot. He released her. She tried to stand up, but she was woozy. He grabbed her arm again and she screamed, batting at him weakly. He simply lifted her wrist and licked her, sealing the wound.
“Thank you,” she whispered, sliding to the floor next to him.
“No, thank you,” he mumbled. “Give me a minute.” He closed his eyes again.
Diana noted his voice was stronger. Before the blood, he couldn't have even pinched her wrist. She rubbed it absently as she studied him. Chiseled features, dark black hair with a hint of gray at his temples, and his body, what she could see through his shredded shirt, was large and muscled. His body shivered.
“Are you cold?” she asked, then shook her head. He was a vampire. He was always cold.
He ticked up one side of his mouth in a semblance of a grin. “No, are you?”
“You shivered. And yes, I'm freezing.” She glanced at the thermostat and realized that wasn't the problem. The wintry December wind was blowing into what was left of her kitchen window.
“I’m healing.” He explained. “Humans usually don’t like vampires, yet you helped me.”
“Don't be ridiculous.” She shushed away his worry. “We aren't like that here. This is a small paranormal community, and we take care of each other I'm Diana by the way- Diana Zamaroni.”
He nodded. “I know. I'm Killian Arroyo.”
“You're one of the twins.” Her grandfather had talked of the birth of identical twin vamps several hundred years ago. The boys had been born within minutes of each other to the past leader of the paranormal council of the Midwest.
“How do you know me?” she said, clutching the teapot to her chest. “Why are you here?”
He raked his hand through his black hair, and the silver bullet popped from between his ribs and rolled toward her. She watched as the hole healed completely when she snatched the bullet up.
“Keep it. I certainly don't want it.” He grimaced. “As to why I’m here, that’s a bit complicated, but I came to save you.”
“Me? Why do I need saving?” Diana stood, clearing the bloody water and bowl.
He sidestepped the question as he got to his feet. “Although we were twins, my brother, the elder, became leader when my parents were killed. He has always been wary of me. He covets my power.”
“Power?”
“I'm a day walker,” he said.
She nodded. Vampires that could walk in the daylight were rare. “You said your parents were both killed?”
“Yes.”
She felt the pull of desire. Weird.
“My mother was human. She was easy to kill. My father, well, it took some cunning.”
Diana was suddenly afraid. “You killed them?”
“My brother killed my parents in order to be the leader of our region.”
“And now he’s after you.”
“I'm the only one able to challenge him, therefore I’m a threat. When I claim my mate, I will become leader.”
Diana tried to absorb everything she had been told. Her eyes wandered into the store. It seemed ages ago she’d been dancing and carefree, content with her life.
“And what does this have to do with me?” she asked, afraid she knew the answer.
“You’re my mate. Royas knows I will confront him to save my mate.”
CHAPTER 3
Diana stared at Killian's face in fascinated horror. His mate? Shaking her head, she tried to clear her mind, backing away from him.
“Don't run,” he commanded.
“I need space.” Mated to a dark haired, day walking, silver-eyed vampire? The thought terrified her.
“How did this happen? I'm nobody.” Her voice cracked, but hell, she was panicked. I mean tonight was just too much- werewolves, dying intruders, and now her mate is a vampire leader she met ten minutes ago??
Strong arms closed around her, and she struggled in earnest, pushing against his chest. She was no match for him, but she continued to fight. She felt his erection stir. “Oh my God, you're hard!”
“Stop, you're going to injure yourself,” he said. “I can’t help it. I’m not going to do anything about it. I would never hurt you.”
“Because I'm your mate?”
“Yes.”
She stopped pushing, and his arms relaxed. She noticed he looked sexy as hell, even in his tattered clothes. Her body responded to the potent chemistry he exuded. Sensual thoughts ran through her head- fantasies of Killian taking her on the floor of her kitchen. Her nipples tightened painfully, a reaction that had nothing to do with the wind whipping through her cold kitchen, and everything to do with the man holding her.
Killian noticed as well. “You are experiencing the first sexual pull from finding your mate. It will pass.”
That comment snapped her back to attention, and she pushed out of his arms. Hands on hips, she found she was no longer aroused, but angry. “Are you telling me you did this to me? Why am I your mate?”
He shrugged. “You just are. Your body, your soul, your mind knows it's true. We are drawn to each other.” His arms reached up to gently massage her shoulders. “I feel it, too.”
Diana put some distance between them. She needed it.
“I would normally court you,” he said, his voice low, seductive. “I would gently bring you to my bed. You would know the sensual touch of the man who will love you, take care of you, keep you safe forever. Unfortunately, there is no time. You need to believe me now.” He closed the distance between them, then cupped her cheek in one of his enormous hands, his intense eyes willing her to recognize the truth.
Diana shivered with need as his hand ran down her neck. She should move away. The feel of his cool hand caressing her collarbone, as he ran his right index finger over and around to the special spot right between her throat and her shoulder was intoxicating.
“Ah, Diana, how I would love to continue,” he kissed her softly on her forehead and stepped back. The spell was broken. “But now is not the time.”
She stumbled against the kitchen counter, her face an expression of astonishment and embarrassment. She believed him. No one had ever made her feel so wanton with a simple touch. Whatever the reason, she was his mate.
Killian was beside her in an instant. “Careful, my love.” Looking down at her footwear, he grimaced. “What in the hell are those?”
Oh God she'd completely forgotten she was wearing dusting shoes! Leaning down, she stripped them off quickly, throwing them towards the sink. “It doesn't matter.”
He caught one, examining it closely. “Ingenious!” He bashfully admitted, “I’m a bit of an inventor. Until my brother decided to assassinate me, I had led a rather quiet life.”
Diana rubbed her forehead in consternation. “You talk like his betrayal doesn’t bother you.”
“I know you're confused right now. This is a lot to take in. But you must know,” he said, his lips nuzzling her temple. “That you are mine, and I protect what is mine.”
A soft flutter against her now bare feet had Diana jerking away. She marched across the room to grab her cat, forgetting lack of footwear until she stepped on glass.
“Ow!” she cried, hopping on the other foot only to injure that as well. Birdie dashed back into the store.
In a flash, Killian was at her side, pulling the glass out, licking the blood from her toes. Satisfied that she was healed, he stepped away. “I need to rest. I should be fully recovered in a few hours. You will stay here by my side.” He nodded arrogantly. “Where do you sleep?”
Diana bristled. “Don't tell me what to do. I am my own person, even if I am your mate.” At his pointed look, she acquiesced. “My apartment is up the back stairs.”
“I apologize for my bluntness,” he said humbly but with a twinkle in his eye. “I want you badly. Your scent, your blood, makes me…”
Diana blushed, but changed the subject. “Where's Birdie?” She looked to find the cat had wandered back into the general store and was sitting at her favorite place near the cash register. Satisfied her cat was safe, she turned out the lights. Killian lifted her and started up the stairs. “What are we going to do about Royas?”
“There's no sense worrying about it now. It’s dawn and he will have to sleep. I need to as well, to recover my full strength. Normally, I would simply confront him, kill him. But I have you now, so we run. Contact who you must and get the people out. I’ll figure it out from there, understand?” His look brooked no dissent.
She nodded complacently as he sat her down upon entering her room. “I mean it, Diana,” he commanded as he walked into the bathroom. “Stay here. Don't make me chase you down, there's no time.”
“Are you sure about this?” she said. “Running doesn’t seem like the answer.”
“We don't have a choice. I don't know who is with me and who's against me. I don't know how many he will be bringing. It's best to retreat for now.”
She nodded and closed the door, then grabbed her slippers and ran down the stairs. Technically, she wasn't disobeying. She was walking to the edge of the square where the giant bell resided. It had been placed there years ago to warn everyone when danger was coming. She climbed the stairs and reached up as far as she could, grabbing the rope. She tugged with all her might, the familiar clang ringing loud and clear through the night. In a flash, vamps, witches, shifters, and humans were surrounding her.
“Trouble?” Carlton Sparks, owner of the local hardware store, asked. She nodded and hurried to explain. She felt Killian’s gaze upon her, ready to pounce from the window, but he needn't have bothered. He may not know who his friends were, but she did.
CHAPTER 4
“I told you to stay put,” Killian growled as she came back into the bedroom.
“I won't stay put because you command it. Besides, I had to alert everyone.” Diana tried not to notice just how sexy he was lying there on her bed, fresh, clean, and smelling of man. He was also naked and hard as a rock.
She turned away, began rifling through her dresser, grabbing her flannel pajamas and warm wooly socks. She headed into the bathroom. “You better get used to me telling you no,” she remarked over her shoulder. “I'm pretty independent.”
With that, she slammed the door, locking it. Turning on the shower, she quickly divested herself of her clothes. She shrieked as a cool hand moved down her back. “How the hell?” she started to ask but was silenced with his scorching kiss. In a flash, she was lifted into the shower, the warm water caressing her skin… or was that Killian?
