Available January 29th, 2008
PRINCESS OF THIEVES
Demons of Dunmore Series
by Gia Dawn
ISBN-10: 1599984113
ISBN-13: 978-1599984117
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Read reviews here.
Candles by Studio3b based on Princess of Thieves
Cross a lawyer with a tale-spinning thief and throw in three meddling fairy godmothers. Result? Magical mayhem, hidden evils and dangerous desire!
Snapdragon, Pansy, and Rose have their hands full as Allard Dunmore meets the woman of his dreams—or rather nightmares—in the impish thief, Jo. When her father goes missing, she enlists Allard's aid to find him. And she won't take no for an answer.
Sparks fly and love sizzles when Jo kidnaps Allard and attempts to force him to help her. Despite his best intentions, Allard is drawn into the web of dark secrets and heretical writings that revolve around the renegade Jo and her mysterious missing father.
As ancient evils chase them, and even allies become enemies, the couple must learn to rely on each other to find the hidden truth. When Jo herself goes missing, Allard's worst fears are realized. How can he face losing the lawless beauty he has come to love? Is he finally willing to put his doubts aside and believe in her at last?
EXCERPT:
Allard watched Jo stab at the meal, knowing she choked down each and every bite. He was torn between the urge to wrap her slender body in his arms and whisper words of comfort, and the overpowering need to shake some sense into her stubborn little head.
“I would have thought a master thief like yourself would have no trouble stealing enough to eat.”
Her chin jutted up. “I manage well enough. But there are others who need.”
Allard felt her indignation. So that was why she was so damned thin. She gave most all of her spoils away. “Is that how you justify your choice of careers? It makes it right if you serve the needy?” He was interested in her answer.
“I don't justify anything.” She continued to pick at her plate.
“What about those you steal from? Do they not need? Deserve the rewards of their labor? You deprive them.” His lawyer's mind was getting the best of him, trying to pick her words apart to discover the hidden truth of her.
“I trade when I can.”
That got his attention. “And what do you trade, princess?” He didn't know if he really wanted to hear the answer. If she traded herself—
“You think I'm a whore.” There was a condemning twist to her mouth.
“I admit the thought did cross my mind. Are you?” he demanded when she settled to silence again. He didn't know why he cared. He'd known many women who sold themselves for a living. He'd paid them handsomely and enjoyed their services on many a lonely night.
She gave a bitter laugh. “Do you want to trade, Dunmore? My body for your work?”
Those amazing lavender eyes held a challenge Allard could not resist. He bared his teeth, no pretense of humor in the gesture. The surge of need rose between them again, and he let it sink into his awareness, a tide of want that settled hard between his legs.
He could sense her nervous attraction. Her hand rose again to her throat. If she did sell herself, she hadn't done it often. In fact, he thought, as he watched the blood surge up her beautiful neck and into her cheeks, he was willing to bet she had never sold herself at all.
“Would you agree?” The question slipped from his lips to hang heavy in the air. He slid his finger down the valley of her breasts to rest at the edge of her bodice. A small movement to either side would have his hand cupped across one tip. The anticipation of palming one tightly pearled nipple kept Allard poised on the edge of the chair. “Say the word and the deal is done,” he whispered in her ear, giving into the urge to nuzzle her creamy skin. It was soft from the bath and lightly scented of sandalwood.
Her eyes grew huge, the pupils swelling to almost eclipse the lavender rim. She ran her tongue across her lips and Allard froze in expectation. “You would not be cruel.” The phrase came out more like a plea.
Allard's smile softened. “I am not a cruel man.” When she gave a slight nod of agreement, he still hesitated. “Was that a yes?”
She nodded again, lowering her eyes. “Yes.” He could feel her tremble when he lifted her chin once more.
“And now you will tell me the truth.” He ran his thumb over her lower lip. “Have you traded yourself in the past?”
She swallowed when he moved his hand to cup her nape, allowing the other to inch slowly over one breast. The nipple was big and swollen beneath his palm. “N-no,” she stammered as he pulled her head back, baring her neck even more.
He had not even noticed her hair was the color of spun honey, but now that it had almost dried, it spilled in a golden fall across his arm. Mmmm, he thought, her other curls would be golden, also. And if he knew his women, her breasts would end in proud pink tips.
He liked pink and gold. He ached for pink and gold.
“That is a very good thing.” He tried to pull down her bodice and cursed when the shawl hid her skin. It quickly landed in a pile on the floor.
A whimper floated from her lips as he bared the nipple to the light. It was pink.
Beautiful, dusky, rosy pink. He rolled it between his fingers and watched as she bit her lip against the pleasure. He plucked it once again before dipping his head to nibble at the pebbled flesh. She shook at his touch and he felt the moan that rumbled in her chest, but she did not let one sound escape her.
Allard lifted his head to see her eyes clamped tightly shut and her hand knotted into a fist at her throat. He knew she wanted, he could smell the sweet desire that drifted from her flesh, but she was unwilling to admit it, too afraid to let herself go.
With a sigh of regret, Allard tucked her so soft breast back into the gown. This was a deal he would not keep. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest as he untangled his fingers from Jo's hair and bent to pick up the flimsy shawl and wrap it around her shoulders again.
Jane Seville would be proud of him, he thought, wanting to kick her lovely ass. He had learned. Coercion almost amounted to force, especially since he knew how much Jo was willing to give for her cause.
Jo blinked one eye open in confusion. “Did I do something wrong?” Her words were half muffled, quiet and concerned.
Allard traced a finger down her cheek. “I will not trade my services for sex.”
She grabbed his hand and placed it again on her breast. Her own fingers were as cold as ice. “I need you to take this case. Please, whatever you want.”
“Princess—”
“Why on earth do you call me by that silly title?” A spark of defiance blazed in her eyes.
Much better, Allard thought. “Princess? You are my most fascinating princess of thieves.” He chuckled when her mouth opened and instantly shut again.
She frowned and pressed his hand harder against her still turgid nipple. Allard wanted to scream in frustration. And then he wanted to mouth that tender flesh again, dragging his lips lower and lower until he could feel her golden curls wet against his cheek as he slipped his tongue into the heat and need of her. Then he wanted her to return the favor in full and greater measure.
“You will come to my bed, make no mistake about that,” he assured her, allowing his thumb to rasp over her breast. Her breath caught in her throat and he knew he was making progress, so he let his other hand drop to rest at the top of her thigh. Her hips jerked to meet his touch. This time the cry escaped her. “So, you want as much as I do.” His fingers slipped between her legs and he rubbed them slowly against her, feeling for the outline of her body beneath the heavy folds of cloth.
His own breath caught when she shifted her legs apart, ever so slightly pushing back against his hand. “My princess,” he whispered as he finally let his lips take hers.
Peppermint candy. She still tasted of peppermint, clean and fresh. Allard drank deep of her, thrusting his tongue hard into her mouth as his hand slid faster against her sex. He fumbled at the material, searching eagerly for the knot of her clit, rumbling his satisfaction into her mouth when his fingers finally found the spot he sought.
An answering sound whispered from her throat, as her arms twined around his neck and she opened freely to his embrace. Her tongue answered the demand of his as he continued the kiss. His cock roared to brand new life, his balls tightening in expectation, warring with his conscience as they never had before. But it was a glorious war. He felt more alive than he had in months, aroused and intrigued and amazingly happy.
Then his mind turned to more important matters as he felt Jo's body begin to shake.
“Say my name,” he demanded, pulling his mouth away. “And do not dare say Dunmore.” His hand stilled. She buried her face in his neck.
“Allard,” he urged again, giving her a bit of the touch she needed. “Say it.”
“Ah—” she whispered, letting her teeth scrape his skin. “Allard.” So soft he could barely hear it.
“Louder,” he commanded, increasing the pressure on her clit again.
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"Witty, engaging and charming, Gia Dawn’s world is a delight to visit!" ~ Bianca D'Arc
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Coming to Samhain Publishing on January 29, 2008!
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