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Secrets, Volume 22: Dark Whispers,  December 2007 Red Sage Publishing ISBN: 978-1-60310-002-1 Erotic Romance Anthology Format: Print   Includes Breathless by Rachel Carrington Lark Hogan is a martial arts expert who has been trained to handle almost anything, except for the death of her sister at the hands of a madman.

Seeking vengeance, Lark sets out to stop him,  but though endowed with special gifts, she knows she can’t do it without help.  Zac is a mystery and a dangerous ally for Lark. He is a mercenary, an independent wizard who lives life only for himself, loving no one. The last thing he wants to do is help this sexy, lethal woman who  confronts him, even if she knows what he is.

Confronting a common enemy, Lark and Zac battle their own demons as well as their own powerful attraction, and when sex gives way to love, this couple will fight to the death to protect what they’ve found.

 This diverse collection of stories runs the gamut from first-person narrative fantasy to hot-and-steamy contemporaries. There's plenty of heat within these pages, plus a good dose of romance. The authors deliver well-paced stories that will entertain.
~ Romantic Times, 4 Stars

Breathless features two very strong characters in Lark and Zac. Their arguments and fights set the backdrop for their white-hot passion. A very strong adventure and a nasty villain round out this exciting paranormal tale. The action and steam will leave the reader Breathless.

This Secrets anthology once again combines excellent stories from varied genres. They are all well-written and passionate. Each story is filled with nicely drawn characters and settings.

All four tales are winners, so highlights will be particular to each reader’s taste. For a sampling of erotic fiction, these are first rate. Fulfill your fantasies and steam up your evenings with Secrets, Volume 22.
~RRTErotic

The heat is on when Secrets releases its latest erotic romantic anthology. The four enjoyable novellas run the gamut of sub-genres, but share in common strong characters leaving the audience breathless.
~ Harriet Klausner

Secrets 22 is everything you could possibly want or need in a good story. Though varying in degrees the combination of these four authors is nothing short of Perfection and the end is never more final than this one.
~ BrandyWine Enchanting Reviews

 

 
Red Sage Publishing

He drummed his fingers on the table top. “What could be so important you wouldn’t listen to your father’s advice?”

“Will you stop bringing him into this, please? You act as if you know him.”

He gave a short bark of laughter which made her eyes narrow. “I can see we really didn’t do our homework, did we? Lark, Lark, Lark. Never,” he leaned closer, violating her personal space, “and I mean never, confront an enemy you don’t know.”

“Are you my enemy then?” She issued the challenge with a spark in the ebony pools of her eyes.

His wine glass skidded across the table, and he rested his palms flat against the scarred wood. “What else would I be?”

“I didn’t come here to fight you, Zac.”

The way she said his name ignited a fire in the pit of his stomach.. His cock responded with another powerful surge, a violent demand for release. Shifting on the wooden bench, he cleared his throat. “No, you came on a fool’s mission—Diaz’s mission.”

If his words surprised her, she didn’t show any emotion. Her restraint continued to amaze him. “I’ve heard you have potent gifts.”

He certainly didn’t need her to remind him, but if she thought he was in the do-gooder business, then his assumptions about her lack of knowledge were accurate. “Yes, but they’re mine. They belong to me, and I use them only when I choose—not because of someone’s need for a hero.”

She chuckled low, surprising him even more. The intimate sound of her laughter was as compelling as a naughty whisper. “You talk as if you know my father. If so, I’m sure you knew his views on helping your fellow man.”

Zac’s teeth clamped together so hard his jaws ached. “I did, and he would never expect me to help with a cause I don’t believe in.”

For a long moment, she only stared at him. Then, she shoved his glass back toward him. “Finish your wine. It’s expensive.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’ll pay the tab.”

“Diaz won’t stop until he’s taken over the world…or we stop him.”

Shit. He didn’t want to sit here with a gorgeous brunette discussing the nasty bastard who intended to make all of their lives miserable. He’d crossed paths with the monster over fifty years ago, and he’d give up anything to be able to rewind that day.

“Diaz makes sure everyone knows about him, and he’s always had grandiose dreams. He hasn’t succeeded yet. So what makes you so hell-bent on stopping him?”

A loud, harsh sigh rent the air. “He killed my sister.”

Not surprising. Zac managed to look appropriately sympathetic. “My condolences.”

“You could give the bastard a run for his money when it comes to coldness,” she returned.

“You don’t get many places in this world by having a heart of gold. Sorry.”

“So, I’m wasting my time then?”

He ignored the still, small voice whispering in his ear—the tiny conscience he’d shut out years before when he’d learned the world wasn’t his friend and even his closest friends couldn’t be trusted anyway. “You already know the answer.”

Lark slid out of the booth and walked around the table. She moved with the lethal grace of a jaguar, her curvaceous body packing a powerful punch in black leather. She placed one hand on his shoulder, and he tipped his head back to see her face.

What she did next surprised him, and he was rarely surprised.

She cupped his face, and Zac had just enough time to catch his breath before she gently traced his mouth with the tip of her tongue. He forgot how to breathe, and when the vixen pressed her lips to his, he didn’t really require the knowledge. Every nerve in his body went on high alert. He rose up to deepen the kiss, but she pulled away.

Her long black hair sifted over her shoulders, and she gave him a sultry wink. “If you change your mind,” a gold-embossed card landed on the table, “you know where to find me.”

As she walked away, Zach’s raging erection told him he’d go looking for her.

Copyright © Rachel Carrington, 2007

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