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Lost by Jocelyn Michel

ebook, erotic, m/f, paranormal, Publisher: Changeling Press, Series: Wild Things, vampire Add Comment

Lost by Jocelyn Michel

Lost

Wild Things, Book 7
by Jocelyn Michel

Changeling Press

eBook ISBN: 06368-02046

Cassidy Kerrigan is in Ireland, home of her ancestors, determined to prove the existence of leprechauns. As always, Andrei Dinu, her guide/cameraman/protector is with her, and together they use every trick in the book to lure and secure the wee folk. But leprechauns are the masters of trickery, and it will take more than one Irish lass and her vampire lover to snare one.

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Chapter One

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Soaked by Jocelyn Michel

ebook, erotic, Jocelyn Michel, m/f, paranormal, Publisher: Changeling Press, Series: Wild Things, vampire Add Comment

Soaked by Jocelyn Michel

Soaked

Wild Things, Book 6
by Jocelyn Michel

Changeling Press

eBook ISBN: 06287-02020

Cassidy Kerrigan is in Norway filming a new episode of Wild Things. Accompanied by her hunky guide/cameraman/vampire lover, Andrei Dinu, she seeks the Kraken of ancient lore. But the gorgeous northern lights quickly reveal that more than sea monsters haunt the Norwegian waters. And when they encounter unexpected danger in the form of other mythical beings, Cass has to fight to save her man.

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Chapter One

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Stalked by Jocelyn Michel

ebook, erotic, Jocelyn Michel, m/f, paranormal, Publisher: Changeling Press, Series: Wild Things, vampire Add Comment

Stalked by Jocelyn Michel

Stalked

Wild Things, Book 5
by Jocelyn Michel

Changeling Press

eBook BIN: 06145-01973

Cassidy Kerrigan is once again in search of a myth for her prime-time monster hunt Wild Things, this time for the Yeti of Nepal. Relying heavily on her hunky guide/cameraman/vampire lover, Andrei Dinu, she climbs a mountain in the Himalayas in the worst of weather conditions. Not only do they find prints of a Yeti, they run into two evil vampires who make those prints in order to lure innocent explorers, hikers, and climbers up their mountain. Is Andrei strong enough to take down two vampires out for revenge?

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Chapter One

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Cursed by Jocelyn Michel

ebook, erotic, Jocelyn Michel, m/f, paranormal, Publisher: Changeling Press, Series: Wild Things, vampire Add Comment

Cursed
Wild Things, Book 4
by Jocelyn Michel

Changeling Press

eBook BIN: 05772-01850

Cassidy Kerrigan has reluctantly left her computer to assume the role of host for a brand-new prime-time monster hunt called Wild Things. Along with Andrei Dinu, her guide/cameraman/vampire lover, she visits an Egyptian pyramid that is supposedly cursed. Will they encounter the depravity, pestilence and catastrophe that are the supposed fate of all who dare enter?

Chapter One

“Do you believe in curses? Many archeologists have answered that with a no and then paid the price after they excavated the tombs of the pharaohs. In fact, there are numerous documented incidences of bad luck, sickness and even death following digs, with the most famous being those related to the opening of King Tut’s tomb. It’s easy to assume coincidence is to blame, but what if there really are curses that do not differentiate between thieves and well-intentioned explorers? On this episode of Wild Things, I will explore the Pyramid of Sunrua in an attempt to find out once and for all if such curses are real.”
My cameraman/guide Andrei Dinu motioned for me to move a little to the left — to get a better shot, I assumed. I obliged, tripping over something in the process and quick-stepping to keep from losing my balance. Did he laugh? Hell yeah.
I glared at him. “You did that on purpose!”
He nodded, unfazed by my temper. “A little humor never hurts, and the stumble totally works as part of the curse mumbo-jumbo.”
“So you don’t believe in them?”
He snorted. “No.”
“Hmph!” I turned my back on him and headed into Sunrua, one of the major attractions in Shurdan, a necropolis in Egypt. Also known as the Sun Pyramid, it had a smooth exterior instead of the well-known step sides, and was a big tourist draw.
Andrei followed me, of course. It was his job to film my adventures as host of the television series conceived by me. Though I’d never intended to be this involved with the project, my estranged father, Sean Kerrigan, had insisted I be the star. As CEO of Earth Broadcasting Network, that was his right, of course. But I knew the real reason he’d made his demand — to get back at me for cutting him out of my life, something I’d done as payback for him dumping my mom.
“Built by Pharaoh Hami — Er, Hammon — Damn it.” I made a face at the camera. “Built by Pharaoh Ham-a-nur-ran, the pyramid may have taken as long as seventeen years to build.” I paused in front of a wall into which hieroglyphics had been carved. “I don’t have a clue what this says…” I pointed at my backdrop and smiled sweetly at the camera. “But there’s a plaque here that translates it for us: Cursed be he who enters here. To him shall come depravity, pestilence, and catastrophe.” I stared into the lens for several seconds for the drama of it, before slashing my hand across my neck to kill the shot. “Could it be any hotter in here?”
“This is a desert.”
“Yeah, well, please remind me how hot the sun can get next time I mention filming anywhere camels are the preferred mode of transportation.” I walked straight to an ice chest Andrei had brought along and dug out a bottle of water. After guzzling down half of the ice-cold contents, I offered it to Andrei without thought. He rolled his eyes, silently reminding me that he didn’t drink anything but blood. Warm blood at that. Did I mention that Andrei was not just my cameraman and guide, but also my vampire lover? We’d met in Romania while filming my first shoot, and it had been sex at first sight. Somewhere along the way, I’d fallen in love. Unfortunately, vampires couldn’t reciprocate, or so Andrei claimed. At times I wondered if he was wrong, since his actions consistently told a different story.
“I guess this is all we can do until tonight.”
“Yeah. How’d Beau ever wrangle permission to film in here after dark?” Andrei referred to Beau Truman, my prissy producer.
“He didn’t. I did. Had to fuck the Minister of Antiquities and everyone on his staff, but what the heck. That’s show biz.”
Andrei’s eyes narrowed, further proof that he cared for me, at least in my opinion. He, however, claimed all men, dead or alive, were territorial. “You did not.”
“You’re right. I didn’t. But what would you do if I had?”
My lover visibly relaxed. “I think a good spanking would be in order.”
“Ooh. Promises, promises.” I pretended to dig an appointment book from the flapped pocket of my red button-up safari shirt, now damp with sweat. Holding an imaginary pencil, I asked, “When are you available?”
That made him laugh. “How about now?”
I glanced at the tourists and guards milling about. “Too many witnesses.”
“Or not.”
One second he stood right there; the next he was a blur that reminded me no one could move like a vampire on a mission. We wound up in a side room I hadn’t even noticed. He set down the camera and shut the door behind us. My eyes didn’t have time to adjust to the dim lighting before Andrei went for my leather belt and the zipper of my khakis. I pushed him back. “Are you insane?”
“No, Kerrigan. I’m horny.”
Though I was too, I slapped his hands away. “There’s a time and a place for everything. We’re in the middle of an investigation.”
“What better way is there to piss off a mummy than to fuck in his tomb? Talk about disrespect.” He yanked my pants to my knees, dragging my bikinis down with them. I tried to get away, but only went far enough to see if the door was locked. I realized it was and also noted that a box fan was blowing to keep the area cool.
That was a good thing, I thought, guessing we were about to make a little heat. “What room is this?”
“Our headquarters for tonight, and I have the only key.” He held it up with a sexy grin.
I knew I’d lost the battle, but didn’t let him in on that. If he thought I’d drop everything — my undies included — every time he snapped his fingers, it was clearly time to teach him a little respect. Or so I thought. Andrei apparently thought I was the intended student. In one smooth move, he tossed me over his shoulder and strode across the tiny room. I felt like one of those female Olympic ice-skaters who gets tossed around by her partner as my guy simultaneously manhandled me and sat in the only chair in the room. Suddenly I was on my tummy and lying across his lap, my bare butt in the air. He pushed my pants down to my ankles, squeezed my ass, and then smacked it with his flattened palm.
Since I’d forgotten about the promised punishment, I squealed my surprise. Smack! Smack! My pussy creamed just as Andrei had known it would. This type of heaven, er, activity wasn’t new to us. Smack! Damn, I was already about to pop. How humiliating. Smack! Smack! Smack!
Pleasure slammed me a nanosecond later. With my tangled hair obscuring my view of the stone floor, I grabbed the legs of the chair and rode out the waves of passion. Andrei never stopped until I lay there gasping and limp as a mummy’s shroud. Then he laughed, clearly congratulating himself on a job well done that did nothing but make my job harder.
Incensed, I squirmed to get to my feet. I saw that the leg of his khaki pants had a wet spot on them. Pussy juice. Well, it served him right. “Sometimes you’re an asshole, Dinu, you know that?”
“I may be a vamp, but I’m still a guy, okay? And of all the words in the English language, you would use that one.”
Oops. Andrei’s obsession with that particular part of my anatomy had resulted in many a sleepless night and more than one day of me wishing for a pillow every time I sat. “Don’t get any ideas. We are not going there. In fact, we’re not going anywhere else below the belt until this shoot is over. I’m trying to be professional here. You are not helping.”
His smile slipped a notch. “You mean you’re not going to do anything about this?” Andrei cupped his bulging fly.
With a smug smile, I deliberately pulled up my bikinis and pants in answer, loving his obvious disbelief when I zipped, buttoned and belted.
“You’re going to pay for this.”
I smirked. “Bite me.”
“If I did, you’d never be satisfied with any other man.”
His serious answer shocked me. I’d only been teasing. “That’s already the case and you know it.”
Andrei just shook his head.
“Would you bite me?”
“No.”
“Please. I want you to. Just once and not very deep, though. I don’t want to be a vampire; I just want to know what it feels like to be fanged by one. According to legend, it’s a trip.”
“First, it would take more than my bite to change you. And second, I’ll only do it if I get to pick the spot.”
My heart skipped a beat. I’d tried talking him into this before, but to no avail. “Deal.”
He slid his tongue over his front teeth. Wicked sharp fangs popped into view. “Drop your drawers, Kerrigan.”
I instantly began unbuckling the belt I’d just buckled. The button and zipper followed. I moved to Andrei, who once again pushed my pants and bikinis down to my knees.
“Bend over the chair.”
I did that with some reservations and only because of our deal. “Where, exactly, are you going to bite me?”
Andrei chuckled.
“Speak, Dinu. I’m feeling a little vulnerable, here.”
Instead of answering, he dropped to his knees behind me. I felt his fingers on my butt cheeks, spreading them open wide. A sharp prick of pain on the inside of the left one made me gasp and fall forward. “Ow!”
“You thought it wouldn’t hurt?” I felt his mouth on the nicks. His tongue swirled. Suddenly, I wanted him so badly my knees went weak.
“Fuck me now!”
“No way. It’s my turn.” He released me and stood.
I straightened and whirled on him. “Fuck me, Dinu.”
“No.”
“Damn you.” My frantic hands fumbled with his clothes. Finally freeing his cock, I pointed to the chair. “Sit.”
He did. I went down on him, licking and sucking that hard prick until he groaned and came, rapidly working my mouth. I swallowed his cum and got to my feet. He stood too, and closed his fly. “Thanks, baby. I needed that.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. What about my turn?”
“You already had one.”
“But –”
“Later, Kerrigan. We’ve got work to do now. The mighty pharaoh is bound to be good and pissed, so the place should start hopping soon.”
Knowing he was right, I gave in with a sigh and straightened my clothes so I could zip, button and buckle yet again. “I won’t forget that you owe me.”
“Counting on it.”
I walked to the wall and looked at a diagram of the pyramid interior. “This place is nothing but creepy, and I have a feeling we’re going to regret this investigation.”
“Please tell me you don’t believe in this shit, Kerrigan.”
I gave him a look. “I didn’t believe in vampires, either, but here you and your dick are.”
He winced. “Touché.”
“So where’s our stuff?” I looked around for our bags.
“Under the table.”
I peeked there and saw them. “Let’s get ready.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Andrei got to work setting up the laptop we’d use for surveillance of the pyramid once we planted cameras here and there. I intended to focus my investigation on the center vault, thinking that would probably be the hub of any paranormal activity we encountered. Once everything was in place, I stepped outside to check on the tourist status. With the sun sinking in the western sky, we were almost alone in the dusky dark. I watched the last bus leave. A guard walked over and exchanged a few words with Andrei, who’d joined me.
“Good luck.” His thick accent colored his English.
“Will we need it?” I asked.
“Most definitely.” With a grin and a salute, he left us.
It seemed as if night settled over the pyramid almost immediately, bringing with it an inky-black sky full of familiar constellations. I stole a moment to think how amazing it was that every culture shared those heavens and even made up stories about the stars twinkling so high above us. I could see why. They looked huge in the desert and held such mystery. As did Sunrua, the reason I turned on my heel and made myself go inside. The air still felt stuffy there and had a faintly musty smell that made me wrinkle my nose.
“What’s wrong?”
Andrei’s echoing voice made me jump. For some reason, I shivered. “Nothing. Ready to explore?”
“Yep.” He darted into our headquarters. I followed, taking the time to check out the computer monitor. Our four infrared cameras were up and running, each providing me with views of long, brick-lined corridors. Andrei picked up his personal movie camera. We shut off the light and left, by plan heading through the dark for the center of the massive pyramid.
Though this was only my fourth shoot, I’d been to some exotic places. None had made me as nervous as this one. I thought that had a lot to do with being indoors, so to speak, instead of on a mountain, in a rain forest, or beside a volcano. I didn’t like the idea of being scared with no place to run.
Somehow I kept it together, motioning for Andrei to follow as I made my way. Consulting a handheld GPS by flashlight, I led us steadily into the depths of the pyramid. Corridors popped up everywhere and would’ve thrown me off track if I hadn’t had my eyes on the prize. While I walked, I talked about Egypt’s rich history, mentioning lesser known pharaohs instead of the ones everyone knew about.
I then focused on our lusty subject, if the colorful artwork in his pyramid was anything to go by. Though the hieroglyphic carvings looked like all the others I’d seen in books and magazines, a closer inspection via my trusty flashlight revealed that many of them depicted sexual acts that did nothing for my raging libido. “Fuck me now?”
“No.”
I rolled my eyes at his uncharacteristic dedication to duty. Andrei lowered his camera and motioned for me to look at one particular carving. I did, groaning when I made out a woman getting nailed in the ass by her guy. “We could do that.”
“Or not,” he retorted. “I’m thinking our sex probably didn’t bother the old man after all.”
“Old man? Ham joined the spirit world when he was twenty-two.”
“Ham, huh?” Andrei grinned at the impromptu nickname. “What’d he die of?”
I frowned, for the moment distracted from my needy pussy. “I don’t remember coming across that in my research. I guess no one knows.”

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Ignited by Jocelyn Michel

ebook, erotic, Jocelyn Michel, m/f, paranormal, Publisher: Changeling Press, Series: Wild Things, vampire Add Comment

Ignited
Wild Things, Book 3
by Jocelyn Michel

Changeling Press

eBook BIN: 05663-01814

Cassidy Kerrigan has reluctantly left her computer to assume the role of host for a brand new prime-time monster hunt called Wild Things. Relying heavily on her hunky guide/cameraman/vampire lover, Andrei Dinu, she climbs Mount Ruapehu, one of the world’s most active volcanoes in search of Vulcan, Roman god of fire. Though lame and grotesque, Vulcan has a way with women. Can Andrei protect her from the wily god’s snare?

Chapter One

“I’m standing on the rim of Mount Ruapehu, in North Island, New Zealand, and it’s a beautiful day, although as you can see there is snow on the ground a little farther down the mountain. Ruapehu is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, with a major eruption every fifty years or so. We’re here in hopes of meeting Vulcan, Roman god of fire and volcanoes. According to locals, he is more than myth. He is alive and well and often spotted on this very mountain.”
“How old were you when you fucked for the first time?”
Rudely yanked from my godly musings, I glared at my cameraman/guide/ vampire lover, Andrei Dinu, who was supposed to be filming the opening to my third adventure as host of Wild Things. So far, all he’d done was distract me. “Could you be any less professional?”
“It was a simple question. There’s no need to get defensive.”
“I am not defensive. I just don’t want the editors to hear what you asked or my answer while they’re working on the shoot. We’re the subject of enough steamy gossip as it is.”
Grinning and with a twinkle in his ice-blue eyes, Andrei lowered his camera and turned it off. “Speak to me.”
“Do we really have to do this now?” I glanced into the massive volcano, which was ringed by damp rocks, and winced at the sight of the steam that rolled out of it. Was the thing about to blow? If the sweat trickling between my breasts was any indication, it was hot enough to. And what about the other tourists milling around within earshot? Andrei drew enough attention as it was, both male and female, which I blamed on his gorgeous body and blatant roguish air. Or maybe it was his clothes. Whatever, hearts pined for him no matter where we went, beginning with my gay director, Beau Truman, who drooled when Andrei walked into the room.
Today my vampire wore insulated black ski pants and a matching jacket that showed off his physique, plus some sturdy hiking boots. He looked so yummy I could have eaten him right up. I, on the other hand, was a little the worse for the conditions — shivering cold when I was anywhere except on the rocky rim of the volcano and scorching hot when I stood there. Worse, my long black hair, which I habitually straightened, had gotten just damp enough for my natural curl to kick in, which gave me a fairytale princess look. All I lacked was a tiara and a glittery pink tulle prom dress.
“I’m thinking you could use a break, and I really would appreciate your stepping away from the edge of that thing. Because if you take a tumble, there is no way in hell I’m jumping in after you. Vampires do not like fire.”
“So you’ve said.” Mischievously, I faked being out of balance by swaying my upper body backward and flapping my arms. Andrei reached me in two strides, grabbing my jacket with both hands and jerking so hard I fell into his embrace, laughing.
“Cut the crap, okay? I just lost ten years off my life.”
“Which is nothing to an immortal.” I realized he seemed honestly scared. “Okay. Sorry. I’ll behave.” Taking his hand, I led him several yards away from the peak. A couple of hikers decked out for the winter weather instantly took my place. “This looks like a good spot to take five.”
We sat on a flat rock. Andrei handed me a thermos of hot coffee.
“I had sex for the first time when I was sixteen.” I poured some and sipped from the lid. “My partner in crime was Jerry Hoover, aged nineteen.”
“Where were the two of you?”
“At his grandparents’ farm, supposedly looking for pinecones in the woods. Christmas was just a month away, and I wanted to spray paint them gold for a wreath. I was very crafty back then.”
Andrei snorted. “You’re very crafty now, too. Daddy dear is going to flip when he realizes your new series is actually quite good.” Sean Kerrigan, my estranged father and CEO of Earth Broadcasting Network, had probably appointed me host of Wild Things so he could watch me fall flat on my face. I, of course, intended for it to top the charts and not just because I’d come up with the concept. I wanted to get back at him for dumping my amazing mom for a twenty-something bimbo.
“Why, thank you. We got the pinecones and then stopped to rest under an ancient oak tree. Somehow I wound up naked in the fallen leaves. Jerry, however, kept his clothes on, though his fly was wide open.”
“Drink.” Ever since I’d passed out while searching for the giant anaconda a few months back, Andrei had been really anal about keeping me hydrated. It was starting to get on my nerves, but I drank more coffee anyway. “Good,” he said. “Keep talking.”
“Not much to tell. Jerry had no technique, as in zilch.”
“Few nineteen-year-olds do.”
“Yeah, well, he was painfully amateurish. Twisted my nipples like they were caps on a beer bottle, and then he sucked them way too hard, too. He also left a couple of love bites where anyone could see them, which is so not cool. Dad would’ve had Jerry’s dick on a silver platter if he’d known how perpetually horny the guy was.”
Andrei hooted. “Go on.”
“When he got tired of my tits, he started exploring me below the waist. May I say here that three fingers stuffed up a dry pussy hurts? Jerry had no idea what he was doing, and neither did I, so the whole experience was a bust.”
“No climax, then?”
“Are you kidding? He probably thought my clit was a birth defect. We did it three times over an hour, and every single time, he came in two pokes, leaving me very disappointed. What a nightmare.”
“It’s a wonder he didn’t turn you off sex altogether.”
“For real. And the amazing part? He actually wanted to stick that dick of his in my ass! I’d never even heard of such a thing back then.”
Andrei shrugged. “I honestly can’t blame him for that. Your ass is pretty amazing. Who’d you do it with next?”
“Mike Turpin. I was seventeen; he was twenty.”
“Ah. Tell me about you and Mike.”
“Well, we also did it in the woods, only not lying on a bed of crackly orange leaves. We were inside his work van. He delivered flowers to help pay for his college tuition. Occasionally the owner let him drive it home so he could wash it and refuel.” Andrei swept his longish brown hair out of his face, better revealing his eyes. I thought of how they glowed in the dark, just one of many vampire traits I adored. “We both got naked. He played with my clit; I played with his dick. He had me stretch out on my back with my head hanging out the double doors. Supposedly so I could give him a blowjob. But because I couldn’t really move, he pretty much wound up fucking my mouth. Have you ever choked on cum?”
“Can’t say that I have.”
“It was a nasty surprise. I thought he was wearing a condom. I mean, I saw him put one on.”
“Bet you never did that again.”
I felt my cheeks heat. “Actually, I did. A lot, in fact.”
“Because?”
“When we got done, he licked my pussy. That was a first for me.”
“First what? Oral sex or climax?”
“Both. And I loved it.” I glanced around, noting that most of the other people had moved on. A quick look at Andrei’s crotch revealed a definite bulge. “Do my stories turn you on?”
Andrei laughed. “Let me count the ways.”
“Too bad. Break’s over.” I jumped up and walked back to my rock, swaying my hips like a supermodel on speed with every step. He groaned, but caught up with me. He raised his camera and counted down to showtime. I noticed that we were now the only tourists on the rim as we began again.
“Vulcan, also known as Hephaestus in Greek mythology, was lame, which made him appear grotesque to other gods and goddesses. But he was still a hit with the women, marrying Venus and fathering several children. Vulcan is said to have made much of the amazing equipment of the gods, from winged helmets to his very own chariot. And he also built automatons of metal to work for him.” I turned to look down into the steaming volcano. “I can’t say that I blame him for taking a break from the flames. If his forge was half as hot as Ruapehu, then he was probably a sweaty mess, too.”
Smiling, I deliberately gathered my riotous curls in one hand at the nape of my neck and lifted them as if to cool my skin. Andrei moved in for a closeup that would reveal not only my glowing flesh, but my stylish red ski duds, the jacket of which was unzipped to show off a couple inches of cleavage. He did that at the request of Beau, who was probably sitting at the bar in the ski lodge on Mt. Ngauruhoe, sipping a hot toddy. Beau wanted me to flaunt my “charms,” as he called them. I felt like a fool.
“Enough!” I held out my hand to keep Andrei back and turned to look for a new spot on the rocks, which seemed to be a little icier than before. A double take of my surroundings revealed why: the sky spit snow so small that the steam from the volcano instantly melted it. No wonder I hadn’t noticed. All the skiers down below would love a fresh layer of fluffy stuff. Me, not so much. Though I adored the mountains, they didn’t need to be snowcapped to thrill me. “It’s snowing! Did you know it was going to?”
“Not for sure, though everyone I talked to when I was getting our gear together warned me to pack survival equipment. Apparently the weather conditions are highly unpredictable, and hikers are sometimes — Damn it, Kerrigan! Be careful.”
“Always.” I scrambled for better footing and almost fell anyway. The rocks now appeared glazed, and the snow already seemed to be falling faster. “I’d like you to get a couple of shots in this. It’s absolutely gorgeous even if it is a nuisance.” I flung out my arms, pretending to love the flakes feathering my face and even stuck out my tongue to catch a few, highly aware of Andrei filming my every move. When I thought he had plenty of footage, I slashed my fingers across my neck to kill the shoot. Enough already. I was freezing my butt off and needed a stiff drink. “Let’s catch the lift down to the parking lot and go back to the lodge. We’ll look for Vulcan tomorrow.”
“Now you’re talking.” Andrei put the camera into its case and handed it to me. Then he grabbed our bags, which contained the equipment we’d originally intended to use during the night, watching and waiting for the god. So much for that. I’d come back tomorrow when the sun was shining again. Tonight I wanted to sleep with Andrei in a nice warm bed.
I let my guy take the lead as we began our trek to the chairlifts, marveling that the lower we got on the mountain, the more snow there was on the ground. It actually covered up the tracks of other tourists. Andrei’s advisors hadn’t been lying when they told him weather on Ruapehu could turn on a dime. Indeed it could. But we made it to the lift all right and with the straps of our bags draped uncomfortably over us and our laps full, settled in for the ride down. I could just make out the ski trails far below, but saw no skiers. I also spotted the parking lot, which was now empty except for our rental car. We seemed to be the last people on the mountain, which was odd. Even the tiny coffee shop by the parking area appeared dark and deserted. Did everyone know something we didn’t?

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Embraced by Jocelyn Michel

erotic, Jocelyn Michel, m/f, paranormal, Publisher: Changeling Press, Series: Wild Things, vampire Add Comment

Embraced
Wild Things, Book 2
by Jocelyn Michel

Changeling Press

eBook BIN: 05588-01790

Cassidy Kerrigan has reluctantly left her computer to assume the role of host for a brand new prime-time monster hunt called Wild Things. Relying heavily on her hunky guide/cameraman/vampire lover, Andrei Dinu, she travels down the Amazon River in search of the giant anaconda. What they find is something far more dangerous. Will Cassidy’s wits and Andrei’s strength be enough to save them?

Chapter One

The Amazon rainforest, so dense around us, blocked all fresh air but somehow managed to let in enough noon sunlight to dazzle me. Unfortunately, I couldn’t wear my designer sunglasses at the moment. I had to focus on my camera screen while Andrei Dinu, my guide/cameraman/bodyguard walked ahead of me, hacking a path through the tangled vines and undergrowth with a gleaming machete. Strictly speaking, he should’ve been doing the filming. I was the host of Wild Things, not him. But while fit enough, I’d only been able to swing the machete for twenty minutes before I handed it over. Andrei, on the other hand, had been at it for over an hour, ruthlessly clearing our path without breaking a sweat.
Today we searched for the giant anaconda, the second so-called monster on what we hoped would be a very long list of mythical or not-so creatures. Werewolves were the first. I hadn’t been able to prove their existence, or so I’d told the world. In actuality I’d met some, but I didn’t blow their cover. Why? I had my reasons.
As for my current quest, a ginormous reptile said to viciously bite and then squeeze the life out of its prey, locals swore it was the length of a football field and wide as a road. I sincerely hoped not. Stumbling across one half as big would be scary enough. Yeah, I definitely had mixed feelings about our goal.
Wild Things had actually been my idea, though I’d written up my premise with a hunky male host in mind and not city-girl me. Sean Kerrigan, my estranged dad who was also Earth Broadcasting Network CEO, had nixed the plan, instead insisting I, Cassidy Kerrigan, would have to helm the series myself or forget about it. Payback for my ignoring him and his brand-new wife, a woman younger than me? Undoubtedly. So it was do this or quit my job, and just like everyone else I had bills to pay. Besides, I couldn’t let Dad win our battle of wills.
Though my guide and I trekked on dry land at the moment, the anaconda was a water snake, which meant we’d find one there if such a thing existed. Unfortunately, we’d been forced to abandon our boat a couple of hours earlier. It had bogged down in a shallow area, and no matter what we tried, wouldn’t budge. Andrei thought we were close enough to walk to where we needed to be, a narrow inlet that supposedly had a nest of the giant snakes.
Not for the first time, the digital video screen at which I stared went sort of gray. I adjusted the angle, hoping it would help. It didn’t. Suddenly exhausted, I stopped for a sec to catch my breath. I should’ve been sweating buckets, but wasn’t. Even stranger was the fact it wasn’t just the screen going wack. My surroundings had begun to fade and close in on me. I blinked once, twice, in an attempt to clear things up. Instead, my world went from gray to black.
* * *
Water gushed into my stupor sometime later. Sputtering, I opened my eyes and saw Andrei’s face inches from mine. “Welcome back.” He gave me a half grin, but I saw worry in those baby blues of his. I realized I was in his arms.
Disoriented, I wrapped mine around his neck and tried to figure out where I was. I saw the jungle, of course, and realized we were up to our necks in a stream or lake or something. Over my shoulder, water cascaded noisily from a cliff overhead.
Andrei brushed a strand of hair from my eyes. “How do you feel?”
“A little out of it.” Without warning, he ducked us under the water again. I struggled for freedom, but he didn’t let go or let me up for several seconds. Then we broke the surface with me sputtering. “Are you trying to drown me, Dinu?”
“No, I’m trying to bring down your core temp. Sorry I let you overheat. Sometimes I forget how fragile humans are.” Dinu was the stuff of myths, himself, as in a real vampire. Ironic, considering it was my job to prove or debunk such folktales. Andrei had revealed himself to me in Romania while we searched for the werewolves who proved to be his lupine brothers. Since I’d had a thing for him from minute one, it was easy to promise all of them my silence. Unfortunately, Andrei’s feelings for me remained a mystery. But who cared? I was perfectly happy just being with him. And all our wanton sex? Icing on a very yummy cake.
“I’m fine now. We can get out of the water.” I looked around me rather anxiously, trying to see the give-away ripple of a deadly snake or a school of piranhas.
“Sure?”
“Absolutely.”
Andrei obediently headed to the nearest grassy shore. Since the water depth went down the closer we got, I realized I was still dressed. “You couldn’t have stripped me first?”
“Wasn’t time.”
“Great. Now I get to wear wet clothes for the rest of the day.”
“We’ll let them dry in the sun for a while. Shouldn’t take long.” Seconds later, he set me on my feet by our gear. Without delay, he dug into one of our bags and pulled out two bottles of water. He handed one of them to me. “I want you to drink all of this, and then I’ll give you the other one.”
I groaned. “I’ll slosh.”
“Your body needs it.”
“Fine.” Rolling my eyes, I opened the bottle and chugged down half of the tepid water inside it.
Andrei didn’t let me stop. “Every last drop.”
I made myself drink the rest of it. Andrei took the empty bottle and handed me the second one. I opened it and managed a couple of sips, which was honestly all I could get down.
“Kerrigan…”
“I promise I’ll do it, but you’re going to have to give me a minute. I can’t hold any more.”
“Okay.” He glanced around. “There’s a shady spot. I’ll spread a blanket while you take off your wet things.”
With a sigh of resignation, I skinnied down and joined him under a tree. The broad leaves of a tropical plant provided extra shade. The diversity of greenery in the rain forest absolutely amazed me. And with ninety percent of the Amazon basin unexplored, no wonder new species were discovered every year.
With his gaze glued to my face, Andrei nodded for me to get comfortable and began to toss aside his own clothes, which he draped over tree limbs to catch the sun’s rays. When he stepped out of his boxer briefs, I said, “Whoa!”
“What?” he asked, clearly baffled.
“You don’t have a hard-on.”
“You almost died of heatstroke, Kerrigan. It would be a little inappropriate, don’t you think?”
“Your dick is politically correct?”
“On occasion.”
I hooted at him and began hanging up my clothing alongside his. In my experience, his cock stayed at the ready, a vampire trait I totally loved.
Now naked, I located my bag and dragged out the spare bikini panties and sports bra I’d packed. Though they weren’t exactly sexy as lingerie went, they made better sense on an outing like this. Besides, it didn’t take much to arouse my guy. But he ignored me and donned black boxer briefs before spreading out a sleeping bag for us. When I sat on it, he sat next to me and handed over the water I hoped he’d forgotten. Then he laid back, one arm tucked under his head. His keeping his distance between us unsettled me a bit. “You don’t want me anymore?”
Andrei glanced my way in visible disbelief. “How can you ask? We’ve fucked every way but upside down a dozen times a day since we’ve met.”
I smiled, remembering. “Sorry. I guess I’m a little insecure. I mean, I’ve never dated a vamp before, and you haven’t been particularly vocal about your feelings for me.”
“Actions speak louder than words, baby.”
Yeah, but a good fuck doesn’t necessarily mean there’s real emotion involved.
“Drink.”
I did, tipping up the bottle to halfheartedly swallow another lukewarm mouthful. Andrei closed his eyes as if he might be wanting to nap or something. That was a first, though vampires did sleep, just not as much as regular people. So far, I hadn’t discovered very many differences between vamps and humans beyond superior physical speed and strength, sexual tenacity, and the blood-as-food thing. Oh, and his eyes glowed in the dark. “Andrei?”
“Hm?”
I stretched out beside him. “Are you really dead?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have a soul?”
“It flew the coop decades ago.”
I frowned. “Excuse me?”
With a sigh, he turned on his side in my direction. “After most people die, their souls split off from their bodies and go to Heaven or Hell. In my case, my soul left my body before I actually died, leaving me a soulless immortal.”
“Was this because a vampire killed you?”
“It was because a vampire bit me. Big difference.”
“He gave you a virus?” I asked, remembering some fictional theories I’d read.
“No one alive or dead really knows exactly what causes the soul malfunction.” He shrugged. “Or if they do, they’re not telling.”
“Is there no hope for you?”
“Why? Are you trying to save me, Kerrigan?”
“The quest for a cure would make for a very exciting episode of Wild Things.”
“Wouldn’t it?”
I noticed he’d sidestepped the question, but let it go. If he didn’t want to talk about vampirism, I sure wasn’t going to press him. “How long until dark?”
Andrei glanced at his watch. “Hours yet. What do you want to do?”
“How much farther is it to our hot spot?” I referred to the Amazon River inlet credited with the most recent anaconda sightings.
“Couple of miles. Thought we’d set up camp on the riverbank.” I shivered at the thought, a reaction Andrei noticed. “Why do you put yourself through this? And do not tell me it’s to prove something to your dad.”
“But it’s the truth.”
“Bullshit. You’re a strong, smart, independent woman and a lot on the ball. I don’t believe for one second you’re doing this for pop.”
“You think I’m strong, smart, and independent?”
With a growl of impatience, he got up to check the status of our clothing, still damp from the smudgy look of it. “We’ll give them another thirty minutes, and then we’re out of here. I’m ready to get this over with.”
“You don’t think we’ll find the snake, do you?”
“Nope.”
“Then why’d you come along?”
“To keep you out of trouble.”
“Could you be any more of a grump?”
He stopped banging around our makeshift oasis long enough to give me a sheepish shrug. “I’m little stressed, okay?”
“Because?”
“It’s hot as hell, we’re surrounded by venomous insects and poison plants –”
“Your ailing girlfriend’s half naked?”
“Well, yeah.”
“News flash, Dinu. I’m not –”
“Ailing?”
I shook my head, rose to my knees and reached back to unhook my bra. “Half naked.”

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Fanged by Jocelyn Michel

ebook, erotic, Jocelyn Michel, m/f, paranormal, Publisher: Changeling Press, Series: Wild Things, shapeshifter, vampire, werewolf Add Comment

Fanged
Wild Things, Book 1
by Jocelyn Michel

Changeling Press

eBook ISBN: 978-1-60521-731-4

Her assignment? Prove or debunk once and for all the werewolf myth. But the weather doesn’t cooperate, and when rain drives them into a cave, Cass begins to suspect that Andrei is more than he seems. Can mutual passion overcome her fears? And what will happen when the werewolf of myth proves to be much, much more?

Chapter One

I slowly turned, overwhelmed by my exotic surroundings. Instead of the smog, pricey boutiques and crazy traffic that were LA, I saw intricately carved barns, restored peasant houses and a castle straight out of a Dracula movie. Romania. Wow. It was hard to believe that barely a month ago, I’d sat across the desk from a couple of producers at Earth Broadcasting Network, pitching my idea for a new series that I’d called Wild Things. The concept? A rugged male hunk of a host would tramp all over the planet in search of world myths to prove or debunk them. Since there were already primetime monster hunts out there and EBN preferred an R rating, I’d stipulated that his only companion must be a sexy female guide/photographer. If our pair had the right chemistry, our targeted demographic would watch every week just to find out whether or not they’d hooked up.
How could I have guessed that the network CEO, my estranged father Sean Kerrigan, wouldn’t green light the pilot unless I took on the role of host? Me, the klutz who’d never even slept in a backyard tent. A chauvinist in the throes of a midlife crisis, Dad had dumped my mom for a younger model eight months ago. I’d ignored him ever since — no visits, no phone calls, no texts. And if we passed each other in the hall, I kept my shoulders squared and my eyes straight ahead. Was this his way of getting back at me for all the cold shouldering? I was sure of it. Could I have simply blown him off? Not with my rent, car payment and credit card debt. I was overdue for a killer idea, and this was definitely it. So now I fumed, even though I stood smack in the middle of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
“Cass! There you are.” My prissy director, Beau Truman, motioned for me to join him in front of the castle, which I knew dated from the twelfth century. Yeah, I’d done my homework and might actually have appreciated this incredible opportunity just a little if I hadn’t known my jerk of a dad was behind the scenes, yanking my strings.
I walked over. “Morning, Beau.”
“How are you feeling, luv?”
“Fine, so far.” I lied, of course. At the moment I didn’t have butterflies in my stomach, I had bats — big ones — which made sense, I guess. Transylvania was just a stone’s throw away.
“Good. I want to introduce you to your gorgeous guide.” Though Beau winked, he looked at me a little anxiously, probably because I’d confided my doubts about surviving in the wild. Not that I wasn’t physically fit. I was, thanks to another bill that had to be paid — gym membership. I also had camera skills, a result of my college degree. But I didn’t have a clue how to find and protect myself from wolves, or in this case werewolves, the terrifying myth that was my first quest. Just getting to Romania had been challenging enough. I’d have to rely heavily on my guide to get me where I needed to be and keep me safe.
Beau led me to a tan Land Rover that had definitely seen better days. The driver’s door stood open. Behind the wheel sat a good-sized guy with one weathered boot planted on the ground. From the back, I could see that he had shaggy dark hair, wide shoulders and long legs. He wore what I’d call safari gear, as did I — khaki pants with lots of pockets and a button shirt with the kind of sleeves that I could push up and secure with a tab. Mine was OD green; his was red. I liked his better.
“Andrei, this is Cassidy Kerrigan. Cass, Andrei Dinu.”
My guide got out of the vehicle and turned to face us. Nothing could’ve prepared me for his eyes — glacial blue with long, thick lashes. I’d have killed for peepers like that. Mine were almost as black as my hair. Not unusual for the “Dark Irish,” but definitely not the blue-eyed blond look I’d always admired.
As for the rest of Andrei Dinu — the tall, well-proportioned, muscular rest of him — well, my pussy zinged to life. Annoyed, I ruthlessly quelled my lust. If there was ever going to be a time to ignore my sexual impulses, this would be it.
I offered my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Andrei shook it, checking out my French-tipped nails. Feeling dwarfed by his height and slightly intimidated, I jerked my hand away and stuck it behind my back. His expression never changed, but I got the distinct feeling he disapproved. His cool appraisal, which started at my ponytail and traveled to the toes of my snazzy new hiking boots — pink camo, no less — pretty much proved it. That rankled. Though I was only five-three, I had as much heart as he did, and no woman on the planet had ever been more determined to succeed.
“Andrei has worked for Televiziunea Română for years, so he has extensive filming and recording skills. Even better, he was born in this area. And though he’s booked up through next year, he made time for us.” Beau positively simpered. “We’re damn lucky to get him.”
“I’m sure we are.” I faked a smile. “So what’s the plan?”
“The two of you will leave as soon as possible and head into the Transylvanian Alps where the most recent werewolf sightings have been reported. Take as long as you need to get me something good. I want scenery, interviews, danger. This series is going to rock!”
“You bet.” Impulsively, I turned to my guide, who hadn’t said a word. “Do you believe in werewolves, Dinu?”
“Yes.” His slight accent made him all the sexier.
“Have you ever seen one?”
“I’ve seen many.”
Hadn’t expected that. He looked so down to earth, and I’d planned on debunking the werewolf mythology. My professional façade slipped a notch. “No shit?”
“No shit.” He gave me a half smile. I took note of his beautiful teeth, which had surely been professionally whitened. That surprised me most of all. His messy hair screamed low maintenance.
“Are you telling me they exist?”
“I am.”
“Great! Wonderful!” Belying his words, Beau shot me another anxious look. I got the distinct feeling he had doubts about my success as hostess of Wild Things. Well, that now made three of us. “I need you kids to stand by the Rover so we can film the intro. Better yet, can you slide behind the wheel again, Andrei? Sit like you did before with one leg out of the truck. Ooh, yummy.”
Beau, who clearly had a crush on Andrei, stepped out of the shot. “Okay, baby. In five, four, three…” He silently completed the countdown to action with his fingers. The EBN camera began to roll.
“Hello, I’m Cassidy Kerrigan and this is Wild Things!” I threw out my arms to encompass the scenery. “Welcome to Romania. For the next few days, I’ll be exploring the Transylvanian Alps in search of the mythical werewolf. Only one cameraman will accompany me, documenting my every move in the wilderness. How will this LA chick survive? Stay tuned to find out.”
“Cut! That was excellent. Beautifully done. Let’s do a couple more for good measure, okay?”
I nodded. We did four more takes, with me varying my intro each time.
“Now you’d better hit the road. Good luck.” Beau blew us a kiss and moseyed off, clearing the way for his assistant to take over and the cameraman to film our departure. I noticed that Beau kept a lustful eye on Andrei from a distance.
I checked that all my bags were in the Rover before walking behind it to get in on the passenger side. By then Andrei had shut his door. He reached for the key in the ignition, but didn’t start the engine. “Sure you’re up for this?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Romania isn’t very forgiving, and you’re obviously…” He shrugged one shoulder.
“What?”
“Soft.”
“Excuse me? I work out every day.”
“Not that kind of soft. I can see you’re physically fit.” His blue eyes swept my body again, this time lingering on my breasts before dipping lower.
I felt another tingle deep inside and hated him for it. Not that I could blame him for my lust. But his cool demeanor definitely added to his mercenary charm. I’d never met a man so blatantly rugged, with such an air of danger about him. “Just drive.”
With a shrug, he twisted the key. The motor roared to life, and our quest began. Having studied a map, I had a pretty good idea where we were headed and how long it would take. I also had a GPS with our path programmed into it. I reached to plug it into the cigarette lighter port.
Andrei gave me a look. “You won’t need that.”
“Then we’ll label it Plan B.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t you trust me?”
“Trust has nothing to do with this. I believe in being prepared.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’d rather be tanning?”
Had I somehow given myself away? “My original concept specified a male host, so my being here is unexpected.”
“This show was your idea?”
“Yeah. Why?”
He just shook his head.
I bristled. “Trust me, eighteen to thirty-five year old Americans will love this series.”
Again, Andrei didn’t comment. Frustrated, I focused on the scenery, which soon evolved from rolling hills to enormous mountains. As the Land Rover negotiated the climbing, ever-worsening roads, the air became noticeably thinner and cool enough for me to slip on a jacket. Then it began to rain, not unexpected for the season, but something I’d hoped to avoid. The Rover lurched from left to right, more than once sliding in the dirt that was quickly becoming mud. At one point, we got stuck, which required both of us to get out and push — me from behind, and Andrei from the side of the vehicle with one hand on the steering wheel. Mud splattered my pants when the Rover finally shot free.
Two hours into the drive, I made Andrei pull over so I could pee behind the rocks. By the time I got back into the vehicle, I was soaked. I glanced at the GPS, which I’d pretty much ignored since he seemed so confident. Realizing we’d gone way off path, I turned to him in alarm. “Are we going in the right direction?”
“Yes.”
Not a bit reassured, I reworded my question. “Do you know where we are?”
“Exactly.”
Hmm. What could I do but trust him? Though it was only noon, it felt like much later. I blamed the storm clouds hiding the sun. When I least expected it, Andrei turned the Rover onto a rocky path leading into thick, dark woods. He drove a couple of hundred yards, barely dodging the encroaching trees. Tall and thick, they enhanced the feeling of midnight, and I couldn’t suppress a shiver. If werewolves existed, they’d be in these woods.
Abruptly, Andrei braked the Rover and killed the engine. Deafening silence resulted. “We walk from here.”
“How far?”
“About three miles.”
“In the rain?”
“Unless you brought your umbrella.”
That reply infuriated me. “Don’t be a jerk. It was a simple question. Do we wait for the rain to stop?”
“It already has.”
Oh. I got out of the Rover and walked around to the back, noting that the trees, scary as they were, actually served a useful purpose. The evergreens, especially, formed a canopy that would shelter us somewhat in the case of another deluge. Andrei joined me and began unloading the bags, which I’d purposefully kept down to four. He gave me the lightest backpack and a bag that I knew held first aid, filming paraphernalia, and food. I put on the backpack and draped the strap of the other across my body.
Andrei shouldered the other bags, both quite heavy, one of which had a machete mounted on the outside of it. “We can do this two ways. You lead; I film. Or I lead, and you film.”
So Beau had told him I had talents. Good. “You lead. I don’t want to bother with the GPS, and without it, I’m lost as a golf ball in high weeds.”
Was that really a grin tugging at the corner of those amazing lips? The change in his looks was startling. Andrei handed me the full spectrum camera, which filmed in visual, infrared and ultraviolet modes. “Familiar with one of these?”
I looked it over, nodded, and settled it into place using the shoulder mount. “After you.”
Without a word, he turned and headed into the trees. Since it was now dark enough to film in night vision, I flipped the switch to infrared and took off after him. The trees quickly became a boring blur of mossy trunks, low limbs and tangled vines that either snagged my clothes or tripped me. Searching for something more interesting to shoot, I focused for a sec on Andrei’s butt, which filled out those safari pants of his perfectly and then some. His muscled thighs simply added to the view, which was one the females in my intended demographic would definitely enjoy. Not long after, Andrei turned to see if I was still behind him. That gave me a glimpse of his bulging fly. Wondering if he was getting off on this adventure or on me, I naturally filmed that, too. I mean, what horny woman wouldn’t? A huge drop of rain suddenly hit me right between the eyes. Another hit the top of my head. “Oh no.”
Andrei stopped and looked up, though he couldn’t have seen much in the dark. “Do you want to try and set up the tent here or take shelter in that cave we passed?”
“What cave?” At that moment, the sky opened up. And though the trees sheltered us somewhat from the icy rain, I knew we’d be freezing in seconds. More important, I did not want to risk the camera, which had cost a small fortune. “Cave! Cave!”
Andrei pivoted to our left without a word, leaving our not-so-beaten path to forge his way through the wilderness. Fully intending to give up filming and protect the precious camera, I realized he’d drawn the machete from its case and now swung it to clear the way. Holy shit, what a sight! Cotton shirt tightly stretched over back and arm muscles, rippling with every swing; amazing ass that begged to be touched; long legs, solid as tree trunks.
No wonder I creamed my bikinis and kept on shooting even though I fell flat on my face not once, but twice.

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