Bacchus

An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

www.ellorascave.com

Bacchus ISBN # 1-4199-0748-4 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Bacchus Copyright© 2006 Jordan Summers Edited by Briana St. James. Cover art by Syneca. Electronic book Publication: September 2006

This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 443103502. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

Content Advisory: The following material contains graphic sexual content meant for mature readers. This book has been rated E–rotic by a minimum of three independent reviewers. Ellora’s Cave Publishing offers three levels of Romantica™ reading entertainment: S (S-ensuous), E (Erotic), and X (X-treme). S-ensuous love scenes are explicit and leave nothing to the imagination. E-rotic love scenes are explicit, leave nothing to the imagination, and are high in volume per the overall word count. In addition, some E-rated titles might contain fantasy material that some readers find objectionable, such as bondage, submission, same sex encounters, forced seductions, and so forth. E-rated titles are the most graphic titles we carry; it is common, for instance, for an author to use words such as “fucking”, “cock”, “pussy”, and such within their work of literature. X-treme titles differ from E-rated titles only in plot premise and storyline execution. Unlike E-rated titles, stories designated with the letter X tend to contain controversial subject matter not for the faint of heart.

BACCHUS

Jordan Summers

Jordan Summers

Chapter One The pleasurer straddled Bacchus’ cock, teasing his shaft with her moist opening. He stared at her ripe breasts as she played with her nipples, popping first one, then another into her mouth, sucking greedily. It was a feat few Phantom women could accomplish. Bacchus watched, enraptured. He couldn’t seem to catch his breath as his entire body tightened in anticipation. She rimmed the head of his cock with her pussy, dampening it. Bacchus felt his fangs unfurl. The urge to bite was strong, but it was too early. Acting before the woman reached orgasm would frighten her and show little restraint on his part. It was hard enough to book a pleasurer without adding fear into the mix; their schedules remained full, with so many males to attend to and not enough pleasure workers to go around. Some men waited months for their turn. Bacchus pushed aside the sudden guilt that surfaced at the way he’d obtained this particular pleasurer. It would be a long time before Talon would forgive the extra duty he had assigned him tonight. But Bacchus had no choice. Tomorrow he would stow away on a ship destined for Earth. “Relax,” the pleasurer said in a silky voice meant to ensnare as she finally lowered her body onto his turgid shaft. Bacchus groaned as her body swallowed him, sucking his cock deep, until it nestled inside the comfort of her ribbed quim. She began to move, gyrating her hips so that the fleshy protrusions caressed his length, stroking him like tiny fingers. Only a member of the Claw Clan was blessed with such a sensual physical trait. That was why they made the best pleasurers. Bacchus gripped the furs beneath him, lacerating the inside of his mouth with a fang. Blood pooled, then poured down his throat. “More,” he bellowed. 4

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The pleasurer bit her lip, tossing her head back as she rose up and down. Her nails tore into his skin, leaving furrows of pleasure behind. Bacchus shot forward, latching onto one of her four nipples and began to suck in time with her movements. She mewed, arching her spine to get closer. Her breathing deepened as he nuzzled and laved, teasing her breast with the tips of his fangs. “Yes,” she hissed, grasping his head and burying his nose into her flesh. “Bite me,” she demanded, increasing her speed. Bacchus inhaled and closed his eyes. The scent of her blood beneath her skin wafted like flowers on a breeze. He gripped her back, holding her in place so she couldn’t change her mind and pull away. His tongue rasped her nipples twice more, then he plunged his fangs into the plump flesh of her breast and began to feed. The pleasurer screamed as her orgasm took her. All Bacchus could do was grunt, while his hips bucked in time with the draw of his mouth. When he’d sated himself, Bacchus withdrew his fangs, licking the stray drops of blood from her skin. She shuddered and her body flushed anew. The venom from his bite would ease any discomfort she might feel later. He reached for the pleasurer’s hips and began to raise and drop her onto his still erect cock, while stroking the bundle of nerves hidden at the base of her skull. The woman whimpered as her need returned. “Please,” she murmured, her red eyes filled with a mixture of pleasure and pain. “I don’t know if I can—” “More,” he bellowed, cutting off her protest. It would be a long journey to Earth, while he tried to hold his other form. He needed his senses filled and his body emptied in order to concentrate. Failure was not an option. The pleasurer’s mouth descended to his shoulder. She sank her teeth into his skin, tasting his heated blood. Bacchus roared in surprise, then came hard with a jerk of his hips. He stroked the erogenous spot on her neck and the woman followed him over the edge. She collapsed in a quivering heap on top of him, her lungs heaving. 5

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“That was amazing,” she said, sounding genuinely astonished. “Do we have time for one more?” Bacchus asked, already knowing the answer. The woman sat up and looked into his eyes. “Sorry, Blood Warrior, but you know the rules. I have to attend to the next warrior on my list.” Bacchus kept his expression neutral to hide his disappointment. Just once, he’d like to wake with a woman beside him. “I understand,” he said. “Let me get your credits.” She slipped off his body, leaving his semihard cock to rest upon his chiseled abdomen. Bacchus rose and walked to the credit unit in his quarters. He hit several buttons and a green credit crystal popped out. He turned to the pleasurer and handed the crystal to her. “Would you like to book your next session, sir?” She pulled out a device that held her schedule. Bacchus shook his head. “That won’t be necessary.” Something flashed in her red eyes. With any other woman he would’ve thought it was disappointment, but not a pleasurer. They saw nothing beyond the green of the credit crystals. He showed the woman to the door. She stepped into the corridor, a faint smile ghosting her lips. Bacchus gave her a curt nod, then closed and sealed the entrance behind her. He ran a hand through his hair, sending black sweat-soaked strands down his back and over his chest. His cock twitched, rising without provocation. He took his length in his hand and began to stroke. Bacchus closed his eyes and imagined a woman’s hands encircling his thick girth, tickling his balls. His breathing stuttered, as he drew closer to release. Unrelenting, he pumped his cock until red seed sprayed onto the floor. Bacchus stared at the sticky liquid for a few moments and wondered if it would ever create a life inside a woman’s body.

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He growled in torment and pushed away from the door, walking to his bathing chambers. With the pass of his hand, a giant tub filled with hot, steaming water. He stepped down into the bath and sat on one of the many seats circling the round expanse. Bacchus closed his eyes and allowed the water to envelop him. His people were dying. Like the Atlanteans, a race of people who settled on Earth thousands of years ago before returning back to their home planet of Zaron, Phantom males outnumbered females, but the disparity was far greater. Unless the Phantom people discovered a compatible female race capable of meeting all their unique needs and bearing their children, they as a people would eventually die out. Since Atlantean women were scarce and not a biological match, a Phantom warrior’s options were few. Unbeknownst to outsiders, four distinct groups made up the Phantom people. Each group or clan had very different abilities and selective breeding habits, but all held the title of warrior. The Blood Clan, which Bacchus called family, resembled Earth’s mythical vampires and present-day vipers. His reptilian group constituted the largest percentage of their population, followed closely by the Winged Clan, pterodactyl-like shifters, the Claw Clan, which resembled saber-tooth tigers, and the Tooth Clan, wolfbear hybrids that walked on two legs. It wasn’t Bacchus’ intention to disregard his Commander’s direct orders to remain on Planet Zaron. He had no choice but to stow away. Desperation permeated his people. Earth remained their last great hope, due to its humanoid population. There the male Phantom warriors would try to find mates. Bacchus had volunteered to be the first warrior to attempt such an enormous undertaking. The Phantom people had given him very little time, a few days at most. If he was successful, word would spread and more warriors would come. If he failed, he feared mass genocide or rebellion.

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Success and failure weighed heavily on his three hearts as he plunged under the water and began to swim. He surfaced on the other side, relishing the feel of the warmth sloshing over his body. Tomorrow, he’d leave for Earth.

***** Days later…in Los Angeles Bacchus slipped off the craft as it landed on Earth to gather supplies for the queen of the Atlantean people. The warrior flying the craft would probably notice a weight discrepancy, but would otherwise remain blissfully unaware of his presence. He’d studied as much as he could about the planet before departure. Although he didn’t feel comfortable on this new world, Bacchus knew he’d get by long enough to complete his mission. He turned his face toward the California sun, soaking in the heat. The crisp ocean air tickled his nostrils and gently caressed his hair, leaving the taste of salt upon his forked tongue. This planet was so much like Zaron, but different, more exotic in flavor. Earthlings began to arrive on the beach, shattering the tranquility of the morning. Many ran in tight formation, wearing loose gray clothing that sagged on their bodies. Bacchus watched in fascination. There seemed to be no ritual behind their actions. They neither trained for combat nor executed stealth moves. Strange, even for a primitive species. Several people passed. He followed one of the women down the wave-swept beach, taking care to blur his image in order to blend in with the environment. To the untrained eye, he would appear as a glimmer of light, a flash of sun on the sand, invisible to all until he deemed otherwise. The woman’s ass sashayed with each step she took. Bacchus considered approaching, but decided against it when a male nearby called out her name. She stopped and waited, kissing the man when he neared, then they continued down the beach.

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Bacchus needed to learn more about this planet and its people. The vidlink had been helpful, but left out much information. The only way he could make up for the discrepancy was if he absorbed the knowledge. He searched the sands for another Earth male. He couldn’t take the chance with a female. The possibility of passing on his genetic coding was too great and far too important to squander indiscriminately. The code was for his future mate. Bacchus refused to think that he might not find her on this planet. Minutes passed without new encounters. Bacchus stared down the beach, wondering if he should leave this place and go search another area. He turned to go, when he noticed another woman arrive. She glanced around, then seemingly satisfied that she was alone, began to peel off her clothing before stepping into the water. Bacchus had lain with Atlantean women, so he knew about their sexual appetites. They were tame compared to his true nature, but adventurous enough to whet his desire. But what about the inhabitants of this planet? Would joining with an Earth female be the same or better? Would her primitive reproductive system be able to handle the transformation process? Would she respond to the pheromones that a Phantom warrior expelled during mating? All good questions he could not readily answer. Bacchus’ body hardened as goose bumps rose over the woman’s creamy flesh. Her dusky nipples pebbled, drawing his gaze. She didn’t have four like a pleasurer, only two. Pity that. The woman let out a squeal of delight, which fueled his sudden hunger. He debated whether to materialize. It had been days since he’d had a woman writhing beneath him and longer still since she’d come to his bed without payment. He stepped forward in preparation. Entranced by her beauty and deafened by desire, Bacchus didn’t hear the man’s approach on the sand until he was almost upon him. Firm-framed with a shadowed jaw, the man slowed his pace as his gaze locked onto the naked female. Bacchus could hear the man’s heartbeat accelerate and sense his growing need. This was the perfect candidate, but he needed to act fast. Bacchus 9

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stepped into the man’s path, allowing himself to pass through the runner’s body, absorbing his essence, his knowledge, his experiences…his memories. The man stumbled, but righted himself before he could fall. Bacchus felt a wave of nausea, then his body settled. The information imprinted in the man’s mind flowed into Bacchus at dizzying speed, filling him with instantaneous knowledge about the planet and the customs of its people. He sifted through the man’s memories. The male’s name was Ryan Parry. He fancied himself a would-be warrior underneath his calm façade and had lost his best friend, John, a year ago. Bacchus saw a burial and a woman crying silently as a coffin was lowered into the ground. The woman, Jill, was the dead man’s sister and Ryan Parry’s fiancée—exfiancée. Another image of her popped into his mind. This time Jill was smiling and laughing as Ryan wrestled with her brother, trying to take him to the grass after he’d caught an oblong sphere called a football. Blondish-brown hair, even-tempered with a sharp mind and even sharper tongue, the woman in Ryan’s mind intrigued him. As Bacchus examined the man’s other emotions, he sensed the concern he felt over Jill’s future. Her brother’s suicide coupled with Ryan’s abandonment left her alone in the world. Anger roared to life inside of Bacchus at the man’s callousness. In an instant, he knew what he needed to do. He decided ‘twas only right that he check on the woman known as Jill to ensure her well-being, since Ryan seemed bent on fulfilling his own needs and ignoring hers. Bacchus watched Ryan approach the dark-haired beauty and speak with her for several minutes. His gaze greedily drank in her nude form. Lust rolled off him in waves, much like the Pacific caressed the shore. After a while, they seemed to reach some kind of understanding, for the next thing Bacchus knew the couple was leaving the beach, heading toward a parking lot.

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He followed Ryan and the woman to a nearby transport, finding pleasure despite his anger in how the man pointed things out about this strange, but intriguing world. Bacchus slipped inside the car before they pulled out onto the street. The ocean crashed onto the shore in white waves as they raced down the highway. Seagulls squawked above the water, dipping in for a quick meal amongst the shallows. A few came up with small fish flapping in their beaks, only to be swallowed a second later. Invisible, Bacchus stared out the car window amazed at the shapes and sizes of the various females wandering along the beach. Dressed in modest clothing and pleasurer attire, there was something for any warrior on this planetary oasis. Bacchus smiled as he considered the possibilities. No, he mustn’t get too far ahead of himself. There was still a chance that the females here on Earth wouldn’t be compatible with his species. Their physiology was fragile compared to the inherent dangers on this planet. How they’d survived this long he was not sure. The odor of fish and salt filtered in the air. They pulled up to a stoplight. More women rushed across the road, carrying towels and bags, their eyes hidden beneath black glasses and large hats. Bacchus was tempted to jump out and taste the blood of one of the nearby females just to see if there would be a match, but he didn’t. He already had a woman in mind. Jill. For her and her alone, he remained hidden. He replayed the memories he’d imprinted from Ryan’s mind. The man seemed at a loss when it came to dealing with Jill. He loved her, but she reminded him too much of his dead friend. So much so, that he couldn’t stand to look at her. The pain was far too great. A part of him blamed Jill for the loss of his friend. She should’ve insisted that John see a psychiatrist, even though he too had objected. If she had, maybe John would still be with them and their lives wouldn’t be in such a shambles. Bacchus shook his head at the man’s faulty reasoning. He released the lingering guilt and sadness he

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sensed, then searched Ryan’s memories for the definition of psychiatrist. Someone who tries to shrink your brain flashed in his mind. What kind of torture did this planet find acceptable? Did they really attempt to shrink men’s minds? Bacchus shuddered at the thought. He would eviscerate the first male who attempted such a thing on him. They continued driving down the coast. From what Bacchus could tell, they headed in the right direction to reach Jill’s home. That would make things much easier. He frowned when the car pulled into a hotel whose windows held crisp white shutters, which glistened in the sunlight. He arched a brow, finally understanding the agreement the couple had reached. The woman moved fast with this Earth man. Perhaps she was a pleasurer after all. Bacchus exited the car and followed the couple down a sand-colored hall to a room that faced the ocean. He felt guilty for intruding upon their privacy, but he needed to ensure that Earthlings joined in much the same manner as Atlanteans. He didn’t want his first joining with a woman to end in disaster…or death. Ryan opened the door and ushered the woman inside, shutting the portal quickly behind him. The abrupt action left Bacchus standing in the hall, staring at the door. He grimaced at the momentary inconvenience and then walked through the wall. The green room was bathed in light from the open shutters. Rich blue-green fabrics covered the bed, making it feel as if the hotel brought the ocean indoors. Bacchus watched the male stroll casually to the bathroom. Water came on a moment later. The woman looked around the room, her gaze straying again and again to the bathroom door. Bacchus laughed to himself, counting down the minutes it would take for her to give in to her curiosity. More splashing came from the shower. One…two…three. The woman dropped her purse onto the floor, then stripped out of her clothing. She’d shaved her mons, leaving a thin brown line of curls behind. She padded down the same path Ryan took, her bare feet silent upon the carpeted floor. Her ass swayed from 12

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side to side, framed perfectly by her womanly hips. She didn’t knock. She simply turned the handle and walked in. Steam bellowed out the door as Bacchus made his way toward the small room. He reached the entrance in time to see the woman grab the shower curtain in order to wrench it aside. Ryan’s hand stilled her actions. She gasped. Bacchus watched her nipples bead in response to the man’s touch. “I thought you weren’t going to join me,” Ryan said, pulling the shower curtain aside without releasing her hand. His short hair lay slicked back on his head and his tanned body glistened beneath a thousand tiny droplets. Moisture clung to his lashes, hooding his brown eyes. “You were expecting me.” The woman didn’t sound surprised. Bacchus stared in fascination at the mating ritual taking place before his eyes. Earth men were smaller anatomically than his species, but this one looked well enough endowed to please this woman, if her widening gaze was any indication. She licked her full lips. “See anything you want?” Ryan choked, then cleared the thickness out of his throat. The woman tore her gaze away from his cock and glanced back at the Earthling’s face. “I could think of a thing or two that might interest me,” she practically purred. “That makes two of us.” Ryan’s eyes lit with hunger as his gaze devoured her nakedness, focusing on her full breasts and then lower. “Come on in, the water’s perfect—like you.” Bacchus stood there, listening to their soft moans and the slide of hands over wet skin. He couldn’t see them, but the sounds were enough to drive any man insane. The ache in his groin grew to dangerous levels. If Bacchus didn’t find release soon, he wouldn’t be able to maintain his cover. He stayed for a few minutes more, sweat beading his brow and his cock hard enough to demolish walls. Bacchus needed to find Jill, and he needed to find her now. He turned to leave the room when Ryan’s words to the woman stopped him cold. 13

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“This time is going to have to be hard and fast. I hope you don’t mind.” His voice came out on a harsh growl. Bacchus backed out of the room, forcing his legs to move. He materialized as he reached the shrub-covered balcony. His hand slid into the flap concealing his cock. Bacchus nearly groaned aloud as his fingers made contact with his erect flesh. He pulled his shaft free and began to stroke hard. He clamped his jaw shut as his body tightened in preparation for his release. Blood roared in Bacchus’ ears and his vision dimmed when his seed spilled onto the concrete balcony. It took a few minutes for him to recover. By the time he had, Ryan and the woman were on the bed. He faded again, blending into the wall like a chameleon. He needed them to fuck, so he could see what transpired, and then leave while he could still walk. His balls ached despite his release. If Bacchus stayed much longer, he’d be tempted to join the couple and he knew this short-haired warrior wasn’t into sharing females. Pity, considering the woman seemed to be more than up for it. Bacchus concentrated on the man. Ryan’s memories of sex were hazy at best, diluted from alcohol consumption and apathy. He didn’t attach value to the act, only physical pleasure. Even that filtered in and out of his memory as if it weren’t worth recalling. “I’m not sure what you’re doing to me,” Ryan said, rubbing his chin against the woman’s cheek. “Do you like it?” She hesitated. “Love it. That’s the problem.” He laughed, but it held no humor. “Nothing this good lasts forever.” Bacchus held his breath, waiting to hear the woman’s response. This man was a fool to push a perfectly acceptable woman away. Were Earth men stupid enough to believe a good woman was easy to find? Did they mean so little to him that he felt he could discard them at will? The thought was unfathomable to Bacchus, given the current state his people were in. 14

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The woman ignored his words and reached out, grasping the back of Ryan’s head with one hand, sinking her fingers into his short blond hair before pulling his lips into a blistering kiss. With her free hand, she reached between their bodies and grasped his cock, parting the towel around his waist at the same time. Bacchus felt himself grow hard again. He fisted his hands. Gaining knowledge of mating on Earth would be the death of him. The woman caressed the man’s erect shaft, teasing the head with her thumb. Ryan broke the kiss, air rushing from his lungs. “Let me go. I want to taste you.” She slipped her hand free. Passion glazed her hazel eyes as Ryan slid down her body until his face was mere inches from her shaven mons. He inhaled and Bacchus found himself doing the same. The rich and spicy fragrance of female nectar filled his lungs. She was more than ready. “God, you smell so good, succulent and sweet, definitely good enough to eat. And I intend to devour you, then lick you dry.” With that, he lowered his face and began nibbling her quim. “You’re incredible. Plump, fresh and juicy like the perfect pussy should be,” he murmured between strokes. “I can’t seem to get enough of you.” He flicked his tongue over her engorged clit, exposing a small gold ring, which sparkled in the sunlight. “Please, Ryan.” She groaned, her skin glistening with a sheen of sweat. Bacchus was convinced he’d explode if he moved a muscle. He’d never seen such a ring on a woman. He wanted to explore its round surface with his mouth, slide a fang into the opening and tug. Taste the flesh beneath it. Ryan flicked his tongue over the adornment. The woman gasped, her hips rising from the bed. Bacchus knew now what held the Earth man enthralled. The ring added to her pleasure, heightening her need, made her crave his cock. “I want you to fuck me,” she begged.

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Ryan laughed, a pain-filled sound that told Bacchus the man had reached the end of his control. “I’ll do that, right after I hear you scream out my name when I give you another orgasm.” Ryan dipped his head and began to feed upon her flesh. Sucking and licking sounds filled the air, tormenting Bacchus worse than any suffering he’d ever experienced during the course of war. The woman’s body clenched and a keening cry ripped from her lungs as she bowed off the bed. Ryan drank her juices as they flowed from her body onto his chin. He teased the ring on her clit, drawing out the last ripples of release. His fingers followed the dark strip of hair between her spread thighs, petting her flesh for a job well done. Ryan reached for a foil wrapper he’d placed on the bedside table before entering the shower. Bacchus stepped closer to see what the man held. Horror filled him as Ryan slid the object over his shaft then plunged inside the woman. Bacchus wasn’t sure if sheathing one’s cock was part of the human mating ritual, but if so, he wanted no part of it. He longed to plant his seed deep inside his mate, not catch it for safekeeping. Ryan’s movements slowed as he rocked his hips back and forth, sending his shaft spearing into the woman’s entrance. “You are beautiful. You know that?” he asked on an upward thrust. She shook her head. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.” Their gazes locked. The woman giggled. “You probably say that to all the women, but it’s nice to hear.” Ryan’s brow furrowed. “No, I don’t. I say very little actually. We exchange pleasantries, perhaps a drink or two, then I fuck them once and leave. No fuss. No mess. No complications.” Bacchus stood near the wall, shocked to hear the man’s confessions. The beings on this planet were mad. That could be the only explanation for the Ryan’s actions. “So, is that what you’ve got planned for us?” Her voice quieted in anticipation of his answer. 16

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Bacchus waited too, anger surging through his body. If the man replied the wrong way, he’d materialize and make him very, very sorry. No one discarded a woman who so willingly laid herself bare. Did this fool not realize how precious they were? Ryan’s jaw clenched and unclenched a few times. Finally, he spoke. “At first, yeah.” “And now? Have you changed your mind?” He scrubbed a hand over his stubbled face. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I sure as hell don’t have a plan, if that’s what you’re asking. I don’t want to talk about it. Not when we have better things to concentrate on.” Bacchus left the room, but chose to remain close, ignoring the hunger growing inside him. He wanted to ensure the woman’s safety and well-being. The couple made love on and off, stopping only long enough to eat and shower. He knew a confrontation would occur as the need to bond grew. It was only a matter of time. Ryan and the woman slipped out of the room on the second day to stroll down the beach to the Santa Monica Pier. There was talk of taking the woman’s car up north later that night to attend a friend’s wedding. Ryan’s car would remain in the lot to keep his mileage low. Whatever that meant, Bacchus thought as he watched them go. Envy filled his chest. If they planned to take the woman’s vehicle, then Ryan would not be in need of his for at least a couple of days. Bacchus smiled as he realized his transport problems were solved. He took the opportunity to rummage through the closet, finding a pair of jeans and a T-shirt he could wear. Ryan had ordered the clothing from a place called “the gift shop” and had it delivered like their meals. It would be a tight fit, but should work until Bacchus obtained the proper clothing down the road at the open-air market at Venice Beach. He morphed his appearance to lessen the red of his eyes and pulled his long black hair into a queue at the nape of his neck. With Ryan’s imminent departure came a newfound urgency. Jill would be alone soon, whether she knew it or not.

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Bacchus slipped Ryan’s car key off his key ring, then dropped them back onto the table. He shoved some of the replicator-created money the Atlantean queen had ordered printed, so Zaronians could purchase items on the planet, into his pockets. He didn’t bother to walk through the wall this time. ‘Twas time to blend in and adhere to Earth customs. Bacchus opened the door and slipped outside. The woman would be safe in Ryan’s presence, even though the demons of guilt over not being able to save his friend haunted him daily. Bacchus understood loss all too well, but that didn’t excuse the man’s treatment of Jill. Ryan had selfishly moved on with his life by choosing to bed another. With Bacchus’ patience and assistance, Jill would move on as well. He found the car and followed the highway south, heading to the palm tree-lined area Jill called home. Driving ended up being a bit more difficult than it first appeared from viewing Ryan, but Bacchus eventually got the hang of it. He learned to wave with one hand while honking and steering with the other, just like the drivers who passed him. Bacchus still didn’t quite understand why they’d put that red octagon-shaped sign on the side of the road. It now sat in his back seat, along with a couple of orange cones, the car’s bumper and a small pine tree. It shouldn’t have been planted so close to the sidewalk, anyway. Bacchus arrived as darkness descended upon the neighborhood. Finding things in Los Angeles was difficult with its one-way streets here, no entrance areas there. He’d barely missed the man holding the “slow traffic ahead” sign. If he hadn’t dived out of the way into the pile of dirt nearby, Bacchus would’ve flattened his feet. He could still hear the man’s curses ringing in his ears and see his raised fist punching the air. Luckily, Bacchus had made it and the car was still in two pieces. He slipped out of Ryan’s borrowed clothes, folding them neatly on the leather seat beside him before killing the engine. Bacchus sat in the car for a few minutes, listening to the sounds of the night. His forked tongue darted out of his mouth so he could scent the air. The streets were relatively quiet, except for the constant hum of traffic on the

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freeways in the distance. Nearby dogs barked as underground sprinklers sprouted to life. Bacchus could hear stereos thumping alien music, couples making love, murmuring television sets, yet no ocean. His ears strained as he searched for the gentle lapping of the distant waves. There it was, buried beneath the cacophony of existence. He stepped out of the vehicle, his feet falling silently on the pavement, and faded into the darkness. Shrubs lined Jill’s small yard, creating a green wall of privacy around her little white home. Fragrant flowers surrounded the windowsills, their red and yellow blooms adding a burst of color to the otherwise plain palette. Neat and obviously well tended, the space was cozy and seemed to fit the personality Ryan assigned to her. Curious, Bacchus allowed his image to solidify. He stood in the shadows, searching the windows for any sign of life. Would she look like the woman Ryan created in his mind? Would she have short brown hair and a pixie face? Then Bacchus saw her. Like taking an Atlantean energy blast to the gut, the air rushed from his lungs in a whoosh. Jill flicked the light switch on, illuminating her fair skin under the soft glow. She’d changed her hair since Ryan had last seen her. It was now shoulder-length and blonde, without a trace of the brown that had been there before. Tiny boned but long of limb, she moved with the grace of a gazelle as she walked from room to room, lights twinkling on in her wake. She stopped in the main area, a rolled magazine grasped in her hand. Jill brought the pages to her mouth and began to sing into it. She tossed her head back as she held a long note, while her hips swayed in time to the beat. Bacchus stared, gaping, unable to look away. Blood rushed from his head straight to his cock as she dropped the magazine and bent over to pick it up off the floor. She held it in her hand, carefully unfurling it, before placing it onto a side table. Bacchus knew without looking that his eyes glowed red to match the heat churning inside him. He could feel the color as it surged through his body, demanding release. 19

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The need to possess this woman was strong, but he fought his instincts. He couldn’t exactly march in and demand she mate with him. He didn’t even know if it were even possible. Beyond that, Bacchus knew he would scare her to death in his current condition and that was the last thing he wanted. He needed Jill to come to him willingly in order for the blood bond to work. This was going to take careful planning, not a direct assault. He hated the idea of deceiving her, but what choice did he have? The future of his people depended on his success with this fragile woman. Tiny lines bracketed her mouth as she pursed her lips into an “O” and began to whistle. The sound tore through him, slicing into his flesh while imbedding in his soul. His gaze remained locked on her enticing lips as they puffed out in order for her to blow. Bacchus longed to cover her mouth and capture the sound, draw it deep into his body for safekeeping. His three-inch fangs unfurled without warning. Sudden hunger beat at his brow. He brought his hands to his temples and rubbed as he followed the curve of her mouth down to her chin and over to her throat. Bacchus could hear her blood pumping just below the surface of her milky skin. It called to him, demanding that he taste her essence. Bacchus swallowed hard, fighting the urge to mark her as his own. He needed to be sure Jill and the other females like her were compatible with his people. The only way to do that was to get close, but not tonight. Tonight was for observing. A breeze filtered over his skin. He watched her for another two hours. She sat on the couch, laughing at a television show he didn’t understand. The yellow cartoon characters appeared to be some kind of family with a particularly unruly son. Bacchus glared at the screen. If that boy were his child, he’d spend his time in the fields picking crystals until he learned how to behave and stop mistreating his sister, Lisa.

*****

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Jill watched her favorite show, feeling the quiet press in around her. John had brought the house to life with his raucous behavior. Always one to pull childish pranks, he kept her in stitches of laughter during his visits. She missed him dearly, but the pain wasn’t quite as acute as it had been. Even Ryan’s sudden desertion nine months ago didn’t hurt as much as she’d expected. Jill wasn’t sure what that said about their relationship and her feelings for him. This was the man she’d planned to marry, after all. She had always thought that she’d been in love with Ryan, but lately… The skin on the back of her neck prickled and heated, something it had been doing for the past hour. Jill glanced out her living room window into her front yard. Darkness met her, the shadows clinging to the bushes particularly dense for this time of night. Her eyes strained to penetrate the inky mass. No movement came beyond the hiss and spray of the sprinkler system. There was nothing to explain the sudden wave of hyper-awareness coursing through her body or the heaviness in her breasts. She gave the darkness one last glance, before dismissing it as an overactive imagination and settling back in her chair. She looked down at the front of her shirt, noting her pebbled nipples. This was one more indication that she needed to get out, start dating again. Jill pursed her lips in thought. Perhaps, she’d look into moving. She wasn’t sure where she’d go yet, but a change of scenery would probably do her some good. It would certainly be easy enough to sell the house, since she was only a few miles from the beach. With the money she’d make from the sale, it wouldn’t be a problem to start over. Maybe she would even take the time to get back into her original field of study, herpetology. Not that there was anything wrong with training and breeding dogs, but the job wasn’t the same as working with amphibians and reptiles. A particularly funny line from the TV show drew her back from her musings. Jill laughed, temporarily forgetting about her plans and her earlier apprehensions.

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***** Bacchus left Jill’s house after she went to bed. Tonight, he’d organize for his approach much like he prepared for battle, with one exception. This war, more than any other, would determine his future and the fate of the Phantom race. He drove north for several miles, his mind on Jill. The open window delivered cool air to the inside of the car, but did little to diminish his need. He was so caught up in planning for their first meeting that Bacchus almost missed the woman’s muffled screams in the distance. He hit the brakes and the car skidded to a stop in the middle of the road. Bacchus listened, his heart pounding in his chest. Silence ensued. Had he imagined the cries? Bacchus pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. He glided out of the seat, his tongue testing the air for danger. It took two turns to the right, but he found what he sought. The trail of sweat and fear was faint, but he’d be able to follow it. Bacchus got back into the vehicle and swung it around. A mile later he found the darkened alley where a woman lay crouched on the ground. Her knees were cut, along with her hands. Bruises marred her pretty face. Her eyes watered as shock took hold and left her shaken. The men had ripped her skirt, leaving her exposed, covered in nothing, but her underwear. A group of men surrounded her, taunting like a pack of hungry dogs. Her shirt hung from her limbs, the buttons torn from their threads. Bacchus caught snippets of the conversation, something about pulling a train, which made no sense, since they were miles from the railroad tracks. No one in the nearby houses came to her rescue. It was as if they didn’t hear her cries. Or didn’t want to. Televisions were turned up to their highest volumes and radios blasted distorted songs. Bacchus’ forked tongue slithered out of his mouth once again. He tasted sexual need, along with depravity. So they planned to fuck this helpless woman once they finished beating her. Anger boiled inside him. Bacchus pulled the car into the alley and 22

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stopped, cutting the engine and the lights as he stepped out. His feet were silent upon the uneven ground as he moved closer to the men. “Are you lost, man?” one of the men asked, noticing his approach. “No, I’m aware of my surroundings,” he said, causing the men to shoot confused glances at each other. “Then what are you doing here?” a dark-haired, pock-faced man asked, stepping toward him in a manner Bacchus was sure was meant to be threatening. The man had no way of knowing the creatures that he’d faced in battle in order to prove himself a warrior. His stern stance was little more than an annoyance that Bacchus could easily dispatch with no effort whatsoever. “This isn’t a safe neighborhood to be in,” he continued, aggression oozing from his pores. “I can see that,” Bacchus said. His gaze flicked to the each man, before focusing on the woman who wept silently, her brown eyes a mixture of pleading and fear. The beast inside Bacchus rejoiced. A good fight would alleviate some of the sexual tension strumming through his body. “I think you should leave, if you know what’s good for you,” the young man said, pulling up his shirt to show Bacchus the gun hidden in his low-riding pants. A bullet couldn’t penetrate his flight suit, but it could leave a nasty hole in his head. Bacchus doubted any of these men were good enough shots to pull off that feat. Even so, he wouldn’t give them the opportunity to try. He felt his power flow. He knew his eyes would blaze red in the darkness like a demon from their religious texts. He heard the men gasp and then they stepped back. In the next instant, Bacchus’ fangs unfurled and venom shot ten feet, spraying three of the men in the face. Screams rang out as the men wiped their eyes. The toxins would temporarily blind them while he took care of the others. Bacchus roared, blurring his image until he was a nightmare come to life.

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He surged forward as the young man who’d been speaking earlier reached for his weapon. He pulled the gun out and fired repeatedly. The rounds penetrated a wall nearby, sending plaster raining onto the ground. Bacchus grasped the man’s fingers and squeezed. The man screamed. A loud crunch filled the air as the bones crumbled and snapped. He kept his grip on the man long enough to pull him forward. The man’s terrified wails increased when Bacchus sank his fangs deep into his throat and began to drink. He struggled for a second more, then went limp in surrender. His blood tasted sour on Bacchus’ tongue. Something tainted his body. Bacchus dropped the man onto the ground with a thud. He’d remain paralyzed for the next few hours due to the tiny bit of venom he’d purposely expelled when he bit him. Bacchus turned to face the final three, only to see two of them swivel and run. The third stood his ground, a knife clutched beneath white knuckles. “Come on!” he shouted. “I’m not afraid of a vampire. I have a cross.” He pulled his shirt open to show Bacchus the large silver chain around his neck, grasping it like a talisman. The hypocrisy of the move did not escape him. Bacchus threw his head back and laughed, licking blood from his fangs as he did so. The young man’s taste triggered his hunger. He fought the need for satiation. “Do you expect me to fear the metal pressed against your chest, when you do not?” Bacchus asked. “Vampires can’t look upon crosses. It hurts them.” The man glanced around as if help would suddenly appear. Bacchus brushed his clothing. “I did not know that,” he said, disappearing, only to reappear behind the man. The brush of breath on his neck was the only warning the man received as Bacchus plunged his fangs into his jugular. The man tried to stab him, but Bacchus’ hand shot out, catching the weapon before it could do any damage.

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He retracted his fangs to speak. “You really shouldn’t have done that,” he said, before gripping the man’s chin and craning his neck for better access. Bacchus drank until he sated his hunger. The rich fiery taste of blood filled every cell in his body. He stopped when he heard the man’s heart stutter, although he had no moral qualms when it came to killing. Bacchus bent the knife blade with little effort and dropped it onto the ground with his drowsy attacker. He’d think twice before he pounced upon a stranger again in a darkened alley. The woman remained on the ground, her eyes wide with horror. She bled from so many places it was hard for Bacchus to concentrate. He took a couple of deep breaths, his body fading and solidifying repeatedly while he wrenched back control. The smell of blood permeated the air like copper perfume. Finally, he stilled, his mind firmly back under his command. “It’s okay,” he said, holding his hand out in a soothing gesture. Bacchus lowered his voice. “I won’t harm you.” She whimpered and hunkered down in an attempt to make herself smaller. Bacchus forced his fangs to furl. He hadn’t intended to scare her, but he knew there was no helping her without a fight. He needed to get her home, so that her family could get her medical attention. Bacchus didn’t think the men had sexually assaulted her, but the shock of the beating wouldn’t wear off anytime soon. “Do you live around here?” he asked. The woman glanced up tentatively, eyeing his mouth as if she didn’t trust what she’d seen. Bacchus relaxed. Soon she would doubt her recollection, which was for the best. She’d been through enough. “I live a couple of blocks over,” she said, taking shuddering gasps of air and clutching her tattered clothes to her chest. “Let me take you home.” She glanced around at the men on the ground. “They were going to rape me.”

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“I know.” Bacchus clenched his fists. “They will not harm you again or I will return and finish what I started.” The threat was clear for all to hear. The men whimpered in response. “Are they going to die?” “Not tonight, but they will if they continue on this path of destruction.” He shook his head. The instinct to kill was tempting. This wasn’t the first woman to suffer at the hands of these men. Others had not been nearly as fortunate. Bacchus had tasted the truth in their veins. He knew he could have killed them easily, but he wasn’t here to battle an enemy, however deserving of death. He thought about Jill and his three hearts began to pound. He was here for an entirely different kind of fight, one that involved domination, submission and ultimate survival. “Please, come,” Bacchus said before he changed his mind and sentenced the men to death. He led the woman to his car, supporting her with a hand at her elbow. He opened the door for her and waited for her to step inside. “I’ll be right back. Wait here.” Bacchus strolled back to the incapacitated men. The three blinded ones wept in fear as they heard his purposeful footfalls, while the fourth and fifth lay supine, unable to move, their black eyes wide with fright. “If I ever see any of you around this woman again, I won’t be so merciful the next time.” Bacchus allowed his fangs to unfurl as he bent over the paralyzed man. Venom clung to the sharp tip, dropping onto the man’s white shirt. “Blink if you understand me,” he snarled. The man blinked rapidly, tears filling his eyes. “Good.” Bacchus smiled, flicking his forked tongue into the air. The two men who’d run earlier hid not far from the alley. He could hear their rapid heartbeats. They would return and gather the remaining five, not that he cared after what they’d done to the woman. The behavior was abhorrent. Bacchus didn’t understand this planet. With all the resources here, including healthy women, why did they take so much for granted?

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He pictured Jill. He did not have such a luxury and for once in his life he was grateful for that small gift.

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Chapter Two Bacchus arrived on Jill’s awning-covered doorstep early the next morning, toting a briefcase containing notes on Ryan and her brother, John that he’d scribbled the night before. They looked professional at first glance, but wouldn’t hold up under scrutiny. He prayed to the Goddess that she wouldn’t ask to see them. He bought the proper clothing for the part he planned to play, so it should be easy enough to use Ryan’s memories and work his way inside Jill’s home. There was no guilt, only anticipation. His people were counting on him, on this mission to be a success. Their lives depended on it. He tightened his hair in the queue, then pressed the button on the side of the door. Ding-dong, the bell chimed, echoing throughout the structure. Silence pervaded. Bacchus frowned and hit the button again. He heard the pad of bare feet across the floor a second before a sleepy voice called out from the other side. “All right, all right, I’m coming. Keep your shirt on.” He looked at his green button-down shirt and tweed jacket. The clothing was different from what he was used to, but comfortable nonetheless. And, most importantly, it concealed his flight suit below. Bacchus glanced in the nearby windowpane to check to see if the sunglasses he’d purchased at Venice Beach hid the red of his eyes. They were dark, but not too dark. He wouldn’t need to remove them during their conversation and they would effectively conceal the color. His body radiated heat from being in such close proximity of Jill, sending his pheromones into the air. He inhaled, catching their unique scent. Not now. Not yet. He pleaded with his body to remain in control. If they became too strong,

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they’d render him helpless against his baser instincts and send Jill into a human version of heat.

***** Jill peeked through the spyhole at the tall man standing on her front porch and then opened the door, a can of pepper spray tucked safely behind her back in the waistband of her sweats. She hoped he wasn’t selling vacuum cleaners or whatever salesmen hocked these days. She ran her free hand through her disheveled hair, trying to push it out of her face. Loneliness kept her awake until two in the morning. She spent the rest of the night tossing and turning in an attempt to dispel the nightmares, which ranged from finding John’s body, to snakes biting her repeatedly. Logically, Jill knew she’d done everything she could for him, but logic had little effect on her emotions. She’d give anything to hear her brother’s voice one more time. Why hadn’t he called if he needed help? He didn’t have to kill himself. Nothing in this life was that bad. Jill blinked against the sunlight, cracking one eye open to stare at the stranger. She did a double take as his handsome Greco-Roman face came into focus. Hair, dark as a raven’s wings, swept over his shoulders and down his back. His pale skin defied the Southern California sunshine, creating a luminous glow. He stepped closer and dwarfed the doorframe. “May I help you?” she asked, craning her neck to peer into his face. Her heart stuttered as she got a good look at him. Talk about a wake-up call. The man stared at her for several seconds, his gaze piercing behind his medium-tint shades. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking from the expression on his strikingly unique face, so Jill gave up trying. It was impossible to form coherent thoughts before her morning cup of coffee. He was probably just another out-of-work actor, like the majority of Los Angeles’ population. Or so she told herself to keep a mental distance between them.

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“I said, may I help you?” she repeated, suddenly getting a whiff of a delicate, yet spicy fragrance emanating from his skin. It seemed to envelop her, filling her lungs and permeating her pores. He smelled so good…like fresh-baked cookies on Christmas morning. She had the sudden urge to unwrap him and start nibbling. She shook her head to clear it and dismissed the fanciful thoughts. Skin didn’t smell that way. Maybe it was his cologne or there was something floating in the air along with the Southern California smog. Jill inhaled again and her head swam like she’d taken too much cold medication. Except she wasn’t ill and hadn’t taken a thing other than aspirin the night before. Her hand flew to her temple and she rubbed, trying to clear the dizziness away. The man’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her, and then unexpectedly he smiled. “Are you all right?” he asked, knowing full well the effect he was having on her. Jill felt the power of that dazzling predatory grin all the way to her toes, which were now curled beneath her bare feet. She steadied herself. “I’m fine. Probably need to eat something.” “Good, then it is I who may be of assistance to you,” he said, a strange accent punctuating his words. “You brought me food?” she asked, confused. “No.” She frowned. Was that a forked tongue in his mouth? He seemed a little old to jump into the piercing and mutilating crowd, but this was L.A. Jill took a breath and blew air up to brush her bangs out of her eyes. “Look, I’m sorry, but I don’t need a vacuum cleaner or a bible. Or whatever else you’re selling today. I have enough crap already.” Especially now that she’d inherited John’s belongings. The man continued to study her, but didn’t reply. She thought she saw him shudder, and then the fragrance came again. This time stronger.

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Jill’s heart missed a beat and her face flushed. Blood filled areas that hadn’t seen use in a year. Her nipples peaked beneath her T-shirt and moisture dampened her panties. She was no longer dizzy, but still felt lightheaded and that was after one smile and a little cologne. Someone should bottle him and call it “Ode to Sex”, she thought. Hadn’t she just considered getting back into dating? You can’t start with a door-to-door salesman, no matter how good he looks, the little voice inside her head warned. The fact that it was right held little consolation. She glanced at the stranger once again. Jill bet this guy made lots of sales when he actually turned on the charm. She wasn’t about to stick around and find out. She didn’t think her resistance was strong enough. “Have a good day,” Jill said, pushing the door closed in a sudden panic. His hand snaked out and caught the edge before she could finish the job. She pushed harder, but it was like trying to move a concrete pillar. “I believe you misunderstand my intentions,” he said. “I am not here to peddle wares.” It wasn’t his intentions that worried Jill, as her clit began to throb in time with her pulse. She scratched at her arm to relieve the sudden fever burning beneath her skin. What was wrong with her? She didn’t act like this—ever. It didn’t matter how powerful the physical attraction turned out to be. What did he mean anyway? He spoke strangely. The formality behind his sentence construction gave her pause. Misunderstand his intentions? Peddle wares? “Look mister, if you don’t leave I’m going to be forced to phone the police.” “Many pardons, but I must have a word with you.” What bus dropped this guy off? He shifted and her gaze swung past him and landed on the car parked in the driveway. She’d recognize that vehicle anywhere. It was Ryan’s 1968 vintage muscle car. What in the hell happened to it? The bumper was dented and a jagged scratch ran down the side of one of the doors. “How?” She gasped, staring at the car as her heart plummeted to her knees. “Where’s Ryan? What’s happened to him? Tell me,” she pleaded, no longer concerned 31

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with her safety, only her ex-fiancé’s welfare. He was her last connection to her brother, John. She couldn’t lose Ryan too, even though Jill knew in her heart she already had. The man’s brow furrowed. “Is he…?” Her voice trailed off and she braced herself for the worst. “No, he’s not dead. If you allow me to come in, I’ll explain everything.” Her sigh of relief was audible, but she still eyed him with suspicion. Who was this man? How did he know Ryan? Where was he and why had Ryan given him the car? She needed answers and didn’t think she’d get them if she left him standing on the porch. “Come inside and tell me what happened.” Jill moved one hand to the small of her back, resting it on the tiny can of pepper spray, before stepping aside to allow him to enter. The knot in her stomach grew from fist size to boulder in the span of a second. Ryan would never give up his car without a good reason. He and her brother had restored it together. It was his main link to the past, since he’d dropped contact with her. “Can I get you a cup of coffee Mr…Mr.?” “My name is Bacchus.” “That’s quite an unusual name.” He tilted his head. “I am an unusual man.” That he was, if first impressions were any indication. Jill arched a brow, but didn’t comment on his response. “Take a seat in the living room, I’ll be right back.” She pointed to the blue room on the left, carefully holding her pepper spray can out of view of her visitor. “I need to make some coffee before I expire from lack of caffeine. Would you like some?” “That would be acceptable.” She walked into the kitchen, keeping Bacchus in her peripheral vision while she scooped heaping mounds of ground coffee beans into the filter. The aroma of French roast filled the air as she poured water into the carafe and flipped the switch to brew.

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Jill ducked into the bathroom while the coffee percolated and brushed her hair, foregoing makeup for the natural look. Why she bothered, she didn’t know. Yet she felt compelled to do so. She peeked out the door to make sure Bacchus was still where she had left him. He sat on the couch, his gaze fixed at a point somewhere on the wall. Suddenly his attention snapped to where she stood. She froze, trapped in his gaze, powerless to escape. Her body tingled and her skin stretched taut. Jill knew she should be scared or at least a hell of a lot more concerned about safety than she was at present, but instead she remained languid and giddy, like she didn’t have a care in the world. Working with animals gave her good instincts. And Jill’s gut told her Bacchus would never her harm her, but that didn’t mean that she wasn’t going to watch him closely. His strange scent clung to her. It was as if he were still standing next to her, when Jill could see him clearly in the other room. Bacchus blinked, releasing her from the spell, and she stepped back into the bathroom. It took her a couple of beats to catch her breath. Had she ever been this attracted to a man? The word no filtered through her mind. Yet as stunning as he was, Jill felt something deeper swirling below the surface than lust. The connection moved beyond the physical into the realm of emotions. Of course, that was utterly impossible, considering she’d just laid eyes on him and didn’t believe in love at first sight. Still, there was no denying that there was something happening between them that defied easy explanation. Jill finished getting ready, then slipped back into the kitchen. A few minutes later, she entered the living room, carrying a tray with a coffee decanter and two mugs on it. The bittersweet aroma filled the air as she placed the tray onto the coffee table. Jill took a seat in the wicker chair opposite Bacchus before offering him sugar and cream. “I prefer to drink it black,” he said, lifting the cup to his lips. “Be careful. It’s hot,” she warned, watching in fascination as his forked tongue dipped into the steaming brew a couple of times before he tipped the cup to his mouth 33

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and drank it down like a shot of tequila. Jill glanced at her cup and watched the steam rise. He should be screaming, holding his tongue, sweating or at least turning red. Instead, Bacchus looked perfectly normal. Well, as normal as a guy with a tattoo on his neck and a forked tongue could look. The word barbarian came to mind. So did reptilian, the herpetologist in her thought. It was odd how some people reminded you of an animal or in Bacchus’ case, a reptile. Strangely, she found the association kind of sexy. Despite reservations, Jill was intrigued and perhaps a tiny bit envious of his “thumb your nose at society” attitude. Bacchus seemed a walking contradiction, with his buttoned-down conservative clothes and counter-culture appearance. He held an air of danger that made her think he’d witnessed more than his fair share of violence in his lifetime. Yet, she could tell he was doing everything in his power to put her at ease. The thought made something in the vicinity of her heart melt. Jill didn’t realize she was staring until Bacchus smiled at her. “Sorry,” she said, a second before her face flushed. Shocked by her behavior, she glanced at her feet to regain her composure. Jill had never been forward when it came to men. As anti-feminist as it was, she liked the man to make the first move, to take the lead, to be the dominant one. The last thought brought more heat to her cheeks. Maybe it was time for a change in thinking. “Don’t be sorry. I like it when you look at me.” His voice rumbled in his chest, sending vibrations straight to her clit. Jill’s head shot up and her eyes widened. Was Bacchus flirting with her? Would it be so bad if he was? Her heart thumped loudly in her chest and she shifted. Suddenly, Jill wished she’d taken the time to put makeup on. What was she thinking? She shouldn’t be worried about her appearance, when Ryan was in trouble. Jill shook her head to clear the clingy cotton wool sensation from her mind. “You came here about Ryan,” she said, reminding him as much as herself.

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His smile faded a little. “Yes, I came to tell you that he’s decided to go away for a while.” “I don’t understand. What do you mean?” Jill stood and began to pace. She didn’t wait for an answer from Bacchus. “I knew this was going to happen. He’s been acting strange ever since the funeral. At first, he came around all the time, then his visits became sporadic. After a while, he just stopped coming altogether. I don’t suppose he told you that we used to be engaged.” Sadness tinged her voice. “He shared that information with me,” Bacchus said, looking suddenly uncomfortable. “I don’t understand why Ryan would tell you that he was leaving and not tell me. I mean, we haven’t spoken much over the last several months, but it seems odd he’d up and go without a word. He must really trust you, if he shared all this with you.” “Jill,” Bacchus said her name so softly, she almost didn’t hear him. “I’m sorry. I know this must be painful to hear.” “No, I was expecting something like this. I mean, it sucks, but I’m not really surprised.” Her fingers fluttered nervously. He reached out and clasped her hand, halting her movement. Heat shot from his fingertips up her arm and into her nipples. Jill jerked her hand away in shock. His nostrils flared momentarily. Other than that tiny reaction, he seemed unaffected. “Please sit down. I know this is hard, but it was Ryan’s choice. I’m sure he’ll eventually contact you after he’s settled.” “Settled? Settled where?” She felt her stomach drop. “He’s not alone, is he?” “No,” Bacchus said without inflection. Jill had suspected Ryan had moved on with his life, but hearing that he’d met someone special brought the ugly truth home. She started pacing again. “Are you sure he’s okay?”

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“I have no doubt he’s safe. He’s currently with his new…” “Lover?” Her mouth twisted painfully on the word as it scalded her tongue. “Where?” Jill plopped down in the chair opposite the loveseat when her legs threatened to give out. “Are you sure you have the right man?” she asked, already knowing the answer. If she’d had any doubts, they ended the second she saw the car. But if Ryan’s car was in her driveway, then how was he planning to leave the area? “She has a car,” Bacchus replied as if she’d asked the question aloud. “The rest of answers will come in due time from Ryan himself, but first I need to get a little background from you.” Her brows knit. “Me? Why? Are you some kind of attorney? Or doctor?” Bacchus didn’t answer. He simply moved to his briefcase, popped the clasp and proceeded to remove several documents with Ryan’s name plastered across the top of them. “Your ex-fiancé is a very troubled man.” Jill sighed. “I know. He hasn’t been the same since John’s death a year ago.” “Depression is dangerous if left unchecked.” Bacchus nodded. “He misses your brother and has been unable to fill the empty space his death created.” “He’s not the only one. You talk as if you’re speaking from experience.” She threaded her fingers together, and then placed her hands on her lap. “Like most people, I do know what it’s like to lose something you hold dear. I’m also well aware of the despair that one feels when you lose hope.” Jill knew Bacchus was telling her something important, but decided not to press for more information. It wasn’t any of her business. Besides, she didn’t think he’d elaborate anyhow. “Would you like another cup of coffee?” she asked instead, focusing on a benign subject. He nodded. “Please.” He held his cup out for her.

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Their fingers brushed as she poured, but this time Jill didn’t pull away. “So how do you know so much about Ryan? Are you two friends?” “I suppose you could say I’ve been inside his mind,” he said cryptically. “Wow, I can’t believe it.” She finished pouring and sat the carafe down. “Believe what?” Jill handed Bacchus the mug. “I can’t believe that Ryan sought professional help. He hated the psychiatrist I sent John to. Called him a quack for not realizing how depressed my brother was at the time. Ryan kept going on and on about shrinking heads and all that bull. I’m sure he thought he was helping John, but the truth is, my brother didn’t want our help. What’s that old cliché? You can lead a horse to water… Now all we have left is guilt and what ifs.” She paused, then plunged on. “The truth is, Ryan blames me for John’s death.” Bacchus peered over the top of the coffee cup at her. The steam curled over his glasses like ghostly shadows. He didn’t so much look at her as look right through her. Jill fidgeted under his close scrutiny. “Ryan may not express it well, but he cares about you very much. I know this to be so. He worries that you’re allowing your life to slip by without truly living.” “If he cared about me so much, he wouldn’t have thrown away our relationship nine months ago.” “He was a fool,” Bacchus said. Jill shook her head, feeling renewed warmth flood her face. “That’s not true. Everyone deals with death differently. Ryan chose to run away. But if it’ll make him feel better, you can tell Ryan that I have a full life.” She waved her hand around to indicate the house. Bacchus cocked his head and stared at her. “If you don’t believe me, then look around you.”

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He snorted. “We could argue semantics, but I think you’ve already proven my point by getting so defensive.” “How dare you! Who in the hell—” Bacchus held up his hand to halt her words. “When was the last time you went out with a man?” Jill put her mug down with a clink. “I don’t see how that has anything to do with Ryan’s state of mind.” “It helps if I can get to know the people close to the individual I’ve absorbed.” “Absorbed? Like a sponge? That’s a strange way of putting it, but I think I understand.” She curled her legs under her body and sat back. “I haven’t dated anyone since Ryan left. I wasn’t exactly in a hurry to get back out there after a death in the family and a broken engagement.” Gosh, she sounded pathetic to her own ears. What must the doctor think? Jill glanced at his face. For a second, she could’ve sworn he looked pleased, but the expression disappeared so quickly, Jill decided she was mistaken. Why would he care if she dated, when it was Ryan they were discussing? At least she thought that’s who they were talking about. Jill reached behind her and adjusted the can of pepper spray. It’d slipped and had started to jab her. That done, she took a sip of coffee. “When was the last time you had sex?” Bacchus put his cup down and leaned closer. Jill choked and her eyes started to water as coffee threatened to come out of her nose. “Now, wait one minute. That is none of your business.” She sat straighter, not liking the direction the conversation was going in. “I’m all for giving you information that may help Ryan deal with his grief or, more appropriately, his guilt, but my sex life is off limits. Got it?” Bacchus sat back abruptly. “Fine. If you don’t want to help, say so. He’s staying away for your benefit, not his own.”

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Jill felt heat radiate from the tips of her ears. This whole line of questioning made her uncomfortable. Not so much from the questions as from her answers. Had it really been a year since she’d had sex? She cringed inwardly and debated whether to lie, but knew that wouldn’t help Ryan or her. Jill straightened in her chair and met Bacchus’ gaze. “It’s been a year, give or take a month.” Ryan hadn’t touched her after John’s death. “So, it’s true that you’ve put your life on hold.” It wasn’t an accusation, only a statement of fact. “I prefer to think of it as regrouping.” She scooted closer. “Surely as a psychiatrist you, of all people, understand that.” “I do indeed, and I find it admirable, but Ryan and I worry that you aren’t taking care of your needs.” “We aren’t talking about me. This is about Ryan, and it sounds like he’s taking care of his needs just fine. I have adult toys to take care of mine. I also have a job I love, training and breeding dogs. I keep up the house. It’s not much, but I think I’ve done a pretty good job with it. I may not use my degree, but I’m happy.” She hated having to defend herself. She was happy, damn it. Or at least she was starting to feel happy again. Jill didn’t need a therapist telling her otherwise. No wonder John had fought her tooth and nail against going to see one. “What was your field of study?” Bacchus asked. She laughed at the sudden change of subject, grateful for the reprieve. “I’m surprised Ryan didn’t tell you. He loves shocking people. I have a degree in herpetology.” “You study reptiles?” There was genuine interest in his voice and something flared to life in his eyes. For a second, they’d looked as if they had turned red, but that was impossible. A play of sunlight, she thought, dismissively.

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“Most people fear reptiles, particularly snakes. This includes Ryan. Their first reaction is to want to kill the creature. If only people understood how necessary reptiles are to the ecosystem, they’d think twice before they destroyed them.” “You don’t fear them? Not even a little?” “No, I find them fascinating. I always have. Their ability to survive and adapt to the planet, despite catastrophic changes to the atmosphere. It’s miraculous really.” “You sound like you wish you could be a reptile.” She shrugged. “Sometimes I think it would be cool. It would certainly be easier to live without all the emotional baggage.” “I’m not sure that would be enjoyable. When that element is missing, life feels somewhat incomplete.” She laughed. “Are you speaking from experience?” “Perhaps,” Bacchus said, a secretive smile ghosting his sensuous lips. Jill felt herself drawn toward him and had to force herself back. “Reptiles are fascinating creatures,” he said, getting back to their previous subject. “Each has its own unique personality and behavior patterns, much like humans.” “Yes, exactly. I’ve always told John and Ryan that. They laughed at me.” Jill grinned, tucking a hair behind her ear. “Not that it really matters now. I don’t study reptiles anymore, only dogs. Man’s best friend and all that. They’re easier to handle and you don’t have to move out of the area to find a job.” “I see no dogs here.” Bacchus glanced around the room. “Are they in your backyard?” “No.” She snorted. “There isn’t exactly enough space to breed dogs here at my house. If you hadn’t noticed, I live on a piece of property the size of a postage stamp. The owners of the animals rent space at a kennel and give me access so that I can do my job.” “Sounds like an acceptable arrangement.”

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“Believe me, it is. I’m only responsible for them during breeding periods and obedience training.” They lapsed into silence for a few moments, each enjoying the others company, while they drank their coffee. Bacchus was the first to speak. “Do you have many friends? Any prospective lovers?” “Like I told you earlier, it’s been awhile. I’m a pretty private person. I keep a busy schedule between my job and…” Waiting for Ryan to return. Jill stopped short of admitting the truth. She had spent the last year on hold, while Ryan had moved on. It was foolish. She’d been foolish, but not anymore. She met his questing gaze. “The things you mentioned aren’t always easy to come by, Dr. Bacchus.” “Perhaps that will soon change.” His innocent words sent tingles along Jill’s spine, leaving behind dark carnal thoughts and tempting erotic images. She squeezed her thighs together to stave off the sudden hunger building inside her. It would be so easy to lean forward and press her lips to his mouth. Would Bacchus taste as exotic as he looked? Would he take command like she longed for a man to do? Instead of acting upon her urges, Jill shrugged noncommittally. “We’ll see.”

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Chapter Three Bacchus couldn’t keep his eyes off the woman before him. She was everything Ryan thought and more. Much more. In Ryan’s mind, Jill was someone whom he counted on to be there whenever his life fell apart. It was selfish of him. So selfish in fact, that he’d actually gone out of his way to run men off who expressed interest in her. That was the main reason behind his marriage proposal. He hadn’t wanted anyone else to have her, but that sentiment ended with John’s suicide. Bacchus supposed he should thank Ryan someday for his vigilance. The man’s actions had kept another from claiming Jill…until now. He curled his fingers around the coffee mug to keep from reaching out and touching her. She’d straightened her messy hair while the coffee brewed. The thought that she cared enough to do so for him gave Bacchus pleasure and renewed hope. She may feign indifference, but inside a storm brewed and he planned to fuel the winds. “I’d like to observe you at work if I may. Ryan gave me a great deal of information about your skills, but I prefer to witness them firsthand. It would help me understand the dynamics of your relationship.” “I suppose that would be okay,” she said hesitantly. “I still don’t see the point, since he’s already moved on.” Bacchus released a heavy breath, then met her gaze. “He wants you to be happy, Ms. Tanner. He has a new love and wants the same for you.” Bacchus straightened the sleeve of his jacket. “I am here to make sure that happens.” “What? I’m confused. Ryan hired you for me?” “Not exactly. Let’s just say he directed me to your location.” Bacchus finished the coffee, allowing her to digest what he’d told her. She had a sharp mind and it wouldn’t take long for her to jump from one conclusion to another. He’d planted enough of a 42

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false trail to lead her in circles for at least a few hours. Long enough for her to get used to having him around. Bacchus spread his arms wide, taking up much of the loveseat he occupied. He crossed his ankle over his knee and sat back to wait. Jill remained silent, staring off into space. Her white teeth worried her bottom lip and her brow drew down over her eyes. He could tell her mind churned beneath the calm façade. Bacchus could see her emotions flitting one after the other over her porcelain features. He needed to gain her trust and fast. It wouldn’t take long before the Atlanteans left and sent a ship back for him or, more likely, the Phantom people would grow impatient and dispatch a transport—if they hadn’t already. If that were the case, there was no telling when they’d departed and could be here at any time. The Atlanteans might be an efficient people, but the Phantoms were desperate. He had to act fast. Bacchus took a deep breath, scenting his pheromones again in the air. Damn, his body had crossed into mating mode without his consent. How could this be without testing for compatibility? He wasn’t sure how the tiny molecules affected a human, but he knew they had the power to entrance an Atlantean woman, making her malleable and willing. Much like his saliva could intoxicate with one swipe of his tongue. Phantom women only scented such things from their mates. Jill had already experienced a tiny bit of euphoria and that was before he’d stepped inside the door. He needed to get Jill out of her house, but he wanted to remain in her company. Finally, Bacchus broke the peace. “I mentioned observing you at your job earlier. Do you have to go to work today?” She nodded absently, before replying. “There’s a bitch in heat that I need to stud today.” Her eyes widened almost imperceptibly and her pupils dilated, whether from the pheromone or the job ahead, Bacchus wasn’t sure. She slipped her legs out from under her. “Tomorrow may be a better day. I have basic obedience classes scheduled.” “No, I think today would be far better for my purposes.”

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“Suit yourself.” She rose from her seat. “I need to catch a shower. I’ll be out in ten. Do you mind waiting on the porch?” “Not at all, if it adds to your comfort.” Bacchus allowed Jill to lead him to the front door. The gentle swish of her hips left him aching. He stepped out onto the porch and a moment later she shut the door. He waited, listening to her retreating footsteps. The second he heard the door to the bedroom close and lock, he raced around to the backyard, which was surrounded by shrubs for privacy. Bacchus slipped out of his newly purchased clothes and dissolved in the sunlight, passing through the back door before heading down the hallway, straight to her bedroom. Jill removed her top as he entered the room. A can labeled pepper spray was tucked in her sweats. She set it on the dresser. He frowned, doing a quick search of the memories he’d absorbed from Ryan. Bacchus smiled as he realized what the canister contained. She’d armed herself before opening the door. Smart woman. His respect for her grew by the second. She faced away from him toward the bathroom door, leaving Bacchus an expansive view of creamy skin as her spine sloped its way down toward her ripe ass. He swallowed hard, willing his fangs to remain retracted, and fought to keep from materializing. He followed her long-fingered hands as they hooked inside the waistband of her sweats and then tugged enough to clear her womanly hips before pooling at her feet. She stepped out of her clothes, leaving them lying on the floor. Goddess bless! His cock rose like a phoenix, hardening and throbbing to the point of pain. She turned then to reach inside a nearby drawer. Bacchus caught his first glimpse of her breasts. They were small, but firm. The pinks of her nipples flushed and puckered against her skin as if she sensed his eyes upon her. Her breathing deepened, and she looked around before bringing her fingers to the pointed nubs and pinching the tips. A low moan struggled out of Jill’s throat and 44

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her head dropped back as she played with her breasts. A flush started at her cheeks and spread over her body, giving her a rosy glow. Bacchus knew she couldn’t see him, but he held still all the same. His mind blanked as she teased her nipples. He wanted to rush across the room and push her hands out of the way so he could cover the cream-colored flesh with his mouth, feathering it with his forked tongue. He followed the gentle swell of her breasts down her flat stomach and onto her mons. Pale curls covered the delicate folds, hiding the feminine treasure from his gaze. Jill released her breasts with a frustrated sigh, then went back to gathering the items she needed for her shower. Her gaze darted to the door time and again to ensure it remained secured. He really couldn’t blame her for being nervous. He didn’t exactly come off as harmless. It pleased him she was intelligent enough to lock the door for her own safety, even after she’d asked him to step outside. Bacchus noticed a cell phone amongst the items she’d gathered and grinned to himself. Jill stroked her arm. Bacchus followed her movements in a trance. He flicked his tongue out, gathering her scent, impressing it on his body until he knew he could find her anywhere in this city. She walked the few steps into the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Bacchus told himself to leave, give her the privacy she sought, but he couldn’t. Without encouragement, his feet traveled the short distance separating him from the woman who now held his complete attention. Bacchus stood for several moments, staring at the closed door, listening to the steady ping of water. His body trembled and muscles ached as he fought to control his desire. Finally, he passed through the locked door. The second his eyes focused, his breath froze in his lungs.

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Jill stood behind a clear shower curtain, her soapy hands gliding up and over her long legs in luxurious strokes. She hummed as she reached for a sponge and caressed the soft material over her breasts. Her nipples stabbed toward the water as if anticipating its warm lick. The spray covered her skin, leaving it glistening under the morning light. She rotated back to front, rinsing the suds from her body. She looked like a nymph under a waterfall, tempting, alluring. Bacchus curled his fingers into fists to keep from releasing his cock. His fangs unfurled, saliva dripping along their length as he bit down. Blood filled Bacchus’ mouth, exploding his senses. He swallowed it and still he watched. He couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away. She continued to wash, moving on to her hair, which turned light brown from the water. When Jill dropped the soap and bent to retrieve it, Bacchus knew he had to leave or risk losing control and attacking her. He took one last look at her heart-shaped ass, kneading his palms with his fingertips like he longed to knead her ample globes. Her dewy quim dripped from the shower, the pink flesh pouting in open invitation. His cock would feel at home there, sinking into her flesh again and again, filling her with his thick length and crimson seed until she screamed in capitulation. Bacchus closed his eyes, imagining the sound of her whimpering cries filling his ears. He had no doubt that the resonance would shatter his hearts. Bacchus departed quickly before he did something stupid, like join her. He dressed methodically, covering his flight suit with the clothes he’d purchased. His cock remained hard as Zaronian marble and would stay so until he sought his release inside this remarkable Earth woman. By the time Jill had dried and dressed in preparation for work, he’d regained a modicum of control.

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“Ready?” she asked, a cheerful smile planted on her lips as she stepped outside onto the porch. She swept her purse up onto her shoulder and walked toward the garage door. “More than you know,” he muttered to himself, before handing her the key to Ryan’s car. They drove in silence north on the 405 to the 101, following the freeway to the Topanga Canyon exit and made a left into the hills. Bacchus watched as the houses thinned, leaving woods and hillsides behind. She drove higher, winding their way deeper into the canyon. Several minutes later, they reached the kennel Jill’s clients rented. She pulled her car into the gravel lot and parked. Dust swirled around them before clearing. Dogs barked in the background. Several other vehicles dotted the area. Part of Bacchus had hoped they’d be alone, but he knew that was a bad idea, since his control hung by a single strand of Zaronian yarn. He followed her along a dirt path leading to rows of buildings, which housed the kennels. The sound grew as they approached the pens. He saw people in a nearby field handling different breeds of dogs. The animals obeyed their hand-signaled orders…most of the time. Bacchus smiled, enjoying the change of scenery and watching the lighthearted play between the animals. Leaves rustled in the trees surrounding the compound. Sun dappled the ground. The earth smelled richer, more pungent, fertile even. Or maybe it was his newly attuned mating senses kicking in. He turned to Jill. “Where do you have to work today?” “The breeding pen. After I’m done with the dogs, their owners will come and get them to take them home.” “Where is this pen you speak of?”

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She nodded in the direction of a red building located toward the back of the property. It had a sloped roof and massive sliding doors, which flanked its sturdy sides. A smaller door stood at the far end for easy access. “We keep the bitches that are in heat back there. It doesn’t stop the males from smelling them, but it does prevent any unwanted pregnancies. Can’t have Fido knocking up a twenty thousand dollar dog.” “I suppose not,” he said, slightly confused by her statement. “After you.” Bacchus flipped his wrist, rotating his hand in a common Earth gesture. Jill started down the path in front of him. Bacchus’ gaze strayed repeatedly to her perfect ass cupped beautifully by a pair of denim jeans. His hunger began to rise. This wasn’t good. Bacchus didn’t know how long he’d be able to hold off touching her. He wanted Jill to come to him or at least welcome him into her bed, into her body. How did one get a human to do that? So used to seizing what he wanted, Bacchus didn’t know. They reached the shed that housed a smaller chain-link kennel. Several dogs paced within their individual pens. The scent of feminine heat overpowered Bacchus. They may be a different species, but their need permeated the air, tickling his nostrils, stroking his inner beast. His gaze darted from dog to dog, their whimpering sounds tearing at his control. His skin began to burn as the urge to fuck this woman stretched his muscles taut. Jill walked over to one of the pens and hooked a leash on a large tan female. She led the dog to a nearby pen located away from the prying eyes of the other animals in the room. She allowed the dog to slip into the small twelve by twelve wooden-fenced area, and then turned to Bacchus. “I’ll be right back. I have to go get the stud.” She turned before he could answer and left the building. Bacchus stared at the bitch, her need rolling off her in waves. “I feel your pain,” he whispered low and soothing to the dog. “At least your discomfort is about to ease, while mine continues to grow.” 48

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A deep bark sounded behind him, Bacchus turned as Jill walked back into the building leading the largest dog he’d ever seen. He searched Ryan’s memories for dog breeds, but found no point of reference. “Don’t you think he’s a little large for her?” he asked pointing to the much smaller female, who now whimpered at the change in the air. The other females followed suit. The male on the leash pulled hard, trying to reach the females in the nearby kennels as Jill fought to lead him to the pen. She laughed. “They’ll fit together just fine.” “He’s enormous. What kind of dog is that?” Bacchus asked, watching the play of small muscles beneath Jill’s shirt as she tried to hold the animal steady. “It’s an Anatolian Shepherd.” “A what? ‘Tis more like a horse.” He blinked. “The beast is mammoth.” Jill smiled. “Yes, he is, and quite determined at the moment.” She jerked him away from the other females, pointing him toward the pen where the bitch now danced anxiously. The dog caught the female’s scent and strained to break free, nearly dragging Jill to the gated pen. He’d already started to drool by the time she’d slipped the leash from his collar. Freed, the male bolted toward the female before Jill stepped out of the pen. “He’s anxious,” she tittered, running her hands along her pants. “Can you blame him, when her heat calls to him?” Jill blushed. “I suppose not, when you put it that way.” “Do we leave them now?” Bacchus asked his voice growing husky. He prayed she said yes, since his control hung by a Zaronian spider’s web. “We can’t.” She shook her head. “I have to make sure they breed.” His cock spiked in his pants and Bacchus knew he was in trouble.

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Jill stepped to the chest-high wall and peered over the top. She watched the male stick his nose in the female’s sex and begin to lick. Maybe it was her long dry spell or the present company, but she seemed to feel every strong lap of the dog’s long tongue as he moved, trying to position himself behind the female. The bitch growled and whipped around to snap at him, but he remained undeterred. The male continued to drool and pursue her dripping entrance. His tongue’s strokes took on new urgency. The female turned her tail to the side to clear his way, but moved when he tried to mount her. Like any female worth her salt, she didn’t want to make it too easy on the male. Jill didn’t hear or see Bacchus move, but she knew the second he stood behind her. Heat rolled off his body, along with that enticing scent. Her eyes remained locked on the stud as he became more and more aggressive, cornering the female, so he could continue to consume her juices. Drool dripped from his muzzle, nearly causing him to foam at the mouth. Her face flushed as Jill realized watching the animals do their mating dance with Bacchus here turned her on. There was something about an aggressive male dominating a female that made her insides melt. He didn’t ask permission, he simply took what was in front of him. She knew that kind of thinking belonged in the Dark Ages, but she couldn’t help how she felt. Jill’s womb contracted as Bacchus slid a hand along her arm, leaving gooseflesh in his wake. The stud took that moment to clamp down on the bitch’s neck and mount her. His enormous blood-red cock, the size of which rivaled that of some men Jill knew, unsheathed and began to stab at the female’s sopping entrance, while he grasped her sides firmly with his front paws. The stud growled when she tried to pull away. Jill’s breathing deepened and her panties drenched as she watched him thrust his six-inch shaft forward and slide home. The bitch whimpered as his cock stretched and filled her. Jill barely noticed Bacchus’ lips graze her throat as the stud’s hips began to piston in and out of the bitch. He fucked her hard, his breath coming in heavy pants. The female

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yelped, scrambling to escape. The stud held her firmly in place, refusing to release her as his cock began to swell and knot, ensuring she couldn’t move until he’d pumped her full of his seed. Bacchus’ free hand stroked down Jill’s side until it reached the front of her jeancovered pussy. His finger pressed in, unerringly, finding her clit. She gasped as fire shot through her body. “You like watching them, don’t you?” he nibbled on her ear, his forked tongue teasing her lobe. “I-I…it’s my job,” she practically moaned the words. Jill didn’t see Bacchus smile, but she felt it as he licked along the column of her throat to her nape. When he reached the sensitive spot at the base of her neck, he nipped her. It wasn’t a gentle rasp. The bite was meant to remind her that this particular male was just as dominating as the one in the pen fucking the bitch. Jill’s knees came close to buckling as Bacchus opened his mouth and locked onto her neck, holding her in place with his unusually sharp teeth. He breathed onto her skin and the lips of her sex seemed to swell in response. He swiped her with his tongue and the ache between her thighs became relentless. For a second, Jill thought she’d come on the spot. Bacchus suddenly released her nape, but continued stroking her with his hand. “I think it’s more than a job to you,” he murmured, increasing the pressure against her clit. Her eyes nearly rolled back in her head. “I think watching the dogs fuck turns you on, makes you burn for the forbidden.” He kissed her throat, his lips lingering over her pounding pulse. “I know it’s making me hot,” Bacchus added, shifting his hips until she felt his hard shaft nudge her ass. “This is crazy. We don’t even know each other.” “Don’t we?” he asked, pure seduction in his voice. “I feel as if I’ve known you for a lifetime.”

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Jill swallowed the pleas that hovered on her lips. She wasn’t about to beg this man to take her. He was a stranger. The reasons to reject his advances floated through her lust-filled mind, yet none stayed long enough to break the spell. Her body wanted Bacchus, even though logic told her it was wrong. She burned and ached for the pulsing shaft, cradling her bottom. Jill knew she was a grown woman, responsible for her own happiness, so why not have casual sex? That’s what this was, wasn’t it? Even as she considered the thought, Jill realized nothing about this encounter felt casual. In fact, she got the impression it was anything but casual to Bacchus. She brushed the thought aside as her eyes locked onto the animals. Growling and whimpering in even measures, the dogs continued to pant and fuck, their long pink tongues lolling out of their mouths. The stud’s cock remained firmly knotted inside the female. The bitch strained forward, her tail held to the side as he drove into her with renewed fervor. Every glide of the dog’s shaft produced an answering throb between Jill’s legs. It wasn’t hard to imagine Bacchus kneeling behind her in a similar position, spearing his cock deep inside her flooded pussy. Sweat trickled between her breasts and she bit back a groan.

***** Bacchus’ tongue soothed the area he’d bitten, his saliva coating the tiny marks. Jill leaned back into his chest, her breathing coming in short gasps. He could see the outline of her hard nipples as they strained against the thin fabric of her T-shirt. Her perfect ass nuzzled his rock hard cock, while he continued to finger her clit. Color rose in her cheeks as she neared orgasm. He refused to relent, his finger circling her denim-covered flesh. Bacchus wished like hell their clothing would disappear. He knew she’d allow him to take her right here if he asked. And he was tempted.

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The dogs’ relentless panting would drown out their own mating cries. He glanced around the area. Concrete covered the ground. Bacchus could take her standing, bent slightly at the waist for deep penetration. His gaze fastened on the frenzied animals, who remained locked together, facing opposite directions as the male’s seed pumped endlessly into the female. Bacchus closed his eyes, trying to control his hunger. This was not the time or the place to do what needed to be done. He heard a slight pop and glanced at the pen. The stud slipped free, his blood strewn cock still exposed and throbbing. “‘Tis done,” Bacchus whispered in Jill’s ear. “Now it’s our turn.” Jill turned, her face holding a multitude of questions. “If you don’t want this, now is the time to say so.” Somehow, if she wished it, he would find the strength to walk away. That realization stunned him. No longer was this solely a mission for the Phantom people. Sometime over the last few hours it had become personal. She didn’t reply. “Good!” He flicked his finger against her clit and felt the tremors rush through her body as her orgasm slammed into her. She whimpered much like the bitch in the pen. Soon he’d have her crying out in earnest.

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Chapter Four Bacchus didn’t want to drive all the way back to Jill’s home. She’d change her mind before they got there. He couldn’t allow that to happen. He recalled the hotel near the Santa Monica Pier where Ryan had taken the dark-haired woman. It wasn’t far from here. Jill quickly kenneled the dogs and phoned the owners to let them know they could pick up their prized pets. Her face remained flushed and her fingers trembled as she locked the gates and made notes on nearby paperwork. Bacchus waited for her to finish. She dropped the pen into the holder and turned to him. He said nothing as he reached for her, tugging her hand and leading her toward the car. “Where are we going?” “A white-shuttered hotel on the beach,” he said, slipping behind the wheel after settling her in the car. With a few quick directions from Jill, he pulled out of the lot. Her expression was dreamy, due in part to the orgasm, but also because of the intoxicating properties in his saliva and pheromones. The biological properties couldn’t force a woman to join. They only enhanced her pleasure, made her more pliant. In the end, the choice was hers whether to act upon the sensations. “Are you happy here in this place?” Bacchus asked. “You mean Los Angeles?” He nodded. “Yes.” “It holds a lot of memories for me—not all good.” Bacchus tilted his head. “If you had a chance to leave, would you?” Her face scrunched. “I suppose it would depend on where I was going and who I was going with,” she said, adding a small smile.

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They drove through the canyon then headed south on Pacific Coast Highway. It wasn’t long before Bacchus pulled under the familiar awning that held the entrance to the hotel. A valet jumped out from behind a stand and rushed toward their vehicle. He opened the door for Jill first, then strolled around in front of the car to take the key. Bacchus handed it to him, no longer needing it, since he had every intention of staying here until he could convince Jill that they belonged together. Ryan would return in time to find his vehicle more or less in the condition that he’d left it. Bacchus caught up with Jill in a couple of strides and clasped her elbow. A minute later, they’d rented a room using Jill’s ID and the cash he’d borrowed from the Atlanteans. He led her down the hall past Ryan’s old space, not able to sense the man or his new love. Bacchus hesitated for a moment, then continued on. He walked to the door numbered 17, opened it and stepped aside, waiting for Jill to enter. She turned and faced him, her hand resting upon his chest, her fingers rubbing carelessly over the loose button on his green shirt. “I’m not sure we should be here.” Her blue eyes widened and her gaze darted in and out of the room in indecision. Bacchus lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles one by one. “We will not do anything you do not wish.” He lied, knowing he could make her want until her only option would be surrender. Her mouth parted as he kissed her fingertip. “It’s been a long time,” she said, her voice breathless. “We can take things as slow as you like,” he said, praying to the Goddess for strength to follow through with his promised words. Afternoon sunlight spilled through the window, bathing the carpet in a buttery glow. The clean room housed fresh linens and crisp white towels. Even with the balcony doors closed, he could still smell the ocean air. 55

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Jill glanced into the room once more, before meeting his sunglass-covered gaze. She reached up a second later and removed the shades from his face. Bacchus stiffened, not sure how she’d react. Jill blinked as her eyes locked onto his face. “Your irises are red. Really red. In fact, they’re almost glowing. I could’ve sworn they were a different color earlier. Are you having an allergic reaction of some kind? Was it the dogs?” “No,” he said, afraid to move. It wasn’t the dogs causing the sudden change. The mating frenzy was upon him. Bacchus’ jaw clenched as he battled for control over his thirst for blood. “I wear contact lenses,” he groaned. “Red’s an unusual choice.” She stared in wonder, not fear. “Not a look I’d have gone for, but you can pull it off.” Bacchus released the breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding. “Like I said earlier, I’m an unusual man.” She smiled, her blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “So you keep telling me.” A maid passed by them in the hallway. Jill’s gaze followed the woman until she was out of sight, then she turned back to Bacchus. “I guess it’s now or never.” “That is more correct than you know.” He could sense a ship nearing the planet. It was one of the many genetic defense systems built into his people. At first, he’d thought it was the Atlanteans, but now Bacchus knew that wasn’t the case. The signature was different in Atlantean transports. His people had lost patience, like he’d feared, and sent a crew to check on him. They must have left a day after his ship had departed. The Phantoms would be upon them in a matter of hours. He had this afternoon, or perhaps less, to convince Jill to come with him. That is, if she turned out to be as compatible as he hoped. There was only one way to make that determination. Bacchus sent up another silent prayer to the Goddess to make it so.

*****

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Jill slid her hand down his chest until her fingers curled into the waistband of his pants and then stepped into the hotel room, tugging him behind her. She still couldn’t believe she’d allowed Bacchus to bring her to this place. Maybe Ryan was right. It had been a year since she’d taken her needs into consideration and she really wanted this man. Bacchus intrigued her more than anyone she’d met. It wasn’t just his snakelike qualities, even though they appealed to the herpetologist in her. It was something more, something deeper that she saw burning in his red eyes. Bacchus looked at her as if she were truly precious to him, not just a warm, willing body that he could fuck and forget. That look and the emotions driving it was what propelled her over the threshold and kept her enthralled. The scent emanating from his skin filled the small space of the room, leaving her heady and more than a little dizzy. Her fingers released his waistband, only to grasp his belt. She worked the leather through the buckle, ignoring the trembling of her hands. He eased her grip, pulling her into his arms. His lips descended onto her mouth and he began to plunder, curling his fingers into her shirt until he fisted the material. In the distance, Jill heard a rip, but ignored it as her tongue reached out tentatively to caress the forked muscle in his mouth. She retreated away from the alien tickle. It was strange. It had been a long time, but Jill had never forgotten the basic flavor of a man. Bacchus tasted different than anyone she’d ever kissed. His saliva seemed flavored like some exotic Asian dish. His lips teased her until she acquiesced. Their tongues dipped and twisted, feeding each other’s need. Jill pulled back. Bacchus’ eyes flashed red and his breathing labored, much like her own. Her ripped shirt dangled precariously on her shoulders. She shrugged and the material fell to the ground. His gaze devoured her, taking in the slope of her small breasts tucked safely inside lace cups. “Remove it,” he ordered impatiently.

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The command went from her ears straight to her pussy. Jill pictured the stud as he stalked the bitch earlier. Now she knew what that dog felt like. The urge to flee and fuck was equally as strong in her mind. Jill’s nipples beaded and her womb clenched. She wanted it all, not just a few seconds of domination, but would Bacchus play along? “No,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Bacchus’ gaze narrowed and he inhaled before licking the air. Strangely, the action reminded her of a serpent again. He closed his eyes and grinned. “If you want me to force you, that can be arranged.” He exhaled, his face flushing as he stepped closer. She took a step back. “You liked the way the Anatolian Shepherd dominated the bitch, taking what she so readily offered.” He took another step forward. “Are you offering me your quim, Jill? I would like nothing more than to lap your juices before devouring your essence. My cock is far larger than the dog’s appendage. It will fill you until you have no doubt who possesses you.” Jill backed away as the flames of his words licked at her pussy. She bit her lip to prevent professing the truth. She did like the way the stud took the bitch. Watching the natural aggression of the male turned her on more than she felt comfortable admitting. Hell, more than she thought it should. Who’d have believed that straight-arrow Jill would be such a kink? Certainly not her ex-fiancé, Ryan, who hadn’t fucked her in any other position but missionary while they were together. Jill shivered. She shouldn’t have gone so long without sex. The thought entered her mind as she took another step. Her legs hit the back of the bed, effectively trapping her. Jill debated whether to scramble over the top, but doubted she’d make it before Bacchus reached her. As if reading her mind, he lunged, spinning her around and pinning her abdomen onto the mattress. Jill kicked. She didn’t know why. Something dark and hidden within her demanded he go all the way, force her compliance. His teeth clamped onto the back of her neck and a growl rumbled from deep within Bacchus’ chest. 58

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She didn’t remember his incisors being quite so sharp a minute ago, when he’d nibbled on her lip. He bit down and her pussy gushed, taking the fight right out of her. Pressed to the bed and unable to move, Jill couldn’t prevent Bacchus from stripping away the rest of her clothes. She was beyond turned on. She wiggled her butt to dislodge him, but the action only seemed to entice him further. Her breath came out in short pants as he released her neck in order to pin her hands above her with one fist. Jill turned her head to the side to see him. Bacchus looked wild with passion, damn near insane. The black of his pupils narrowed until they were mere slits in his eyes. She was far too gone to make sense of the change. She felt his free hand move between their bodies and begin to work at his clothing. Within a couple of minutes he’d managed to strip down to a thin red suit that appeared to cover his entire length. “Do not move,” he barked the command. Jill wasn’t about to go anywhere. He released her long enough to slide out of the…was he wearing long underwear? Jill frowned, but thought it went right along with the other strange dichotomies she’d witnessed in his behavior. The second he pulled the material away from his lower body, her mind ceased to function. Good God! Look at the size of that thing. The man could give Priapus a complex. Jill’s eyes rounded to saucers as she drank in the sheer beauty of Bacchus. He’d removed the queue holding his hair. The black tresses fell loose down to the center of his back. The tattoo she thought started and ended at his neck snaked down the left side of his body like a black lightning strike. She wet her suddenly dry mouth. “I am not sure I’m ready for you.” She nodded to his cock. His lips quirked. “You will be by the time I’ve finished preparing you.” “Is that a promise?”

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His face parted on a grin, flashing startling white teeth. “You can count on it.” Bacchus stepped forward, muscles rippling with each footfall. Jill remained on her stomach, while her eyes drank in every inch of his perfect body. “What are you going to do?” His gaze turned feral. “I thought I might start with fulfilling your fantasy.”

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Chapter Five “M-my fantasy?” “Yes.” He nodded. “You know the one that began at the kennel.” Jill started to get up. “That’s okay.” “Don’t move!” He dropped to his knees behind her until his face was level with her ass. “What do you have planned for me?” He smiled, his eyes smoldering with intent. This time Jill thought she caught a glimpse of some major canines in his mouth. She blinked, looking again, and they were gone. Bacchus grabbed her legs and spread them. He leaned forward and took a long swipe with his forked tongue over the globes of her bottom. Jill’s heart thumped in her chest as she craned her neck so she could watch him. He pressed his nose into her cleft and inhaled. She tried to wiggle away, but he growled, clamping his hands down upon her hips with bruising strength to hold her in place. “What are you doing?” “Dominating you,” he said, spreading her pussy lips with his thumbs and sticking his face into her wetness. Jill groaned at the eroticism of the action. His delicious tongue slithered out, flicking, teasing her entrance. She gripped the sheets and fought to keep from pushing back. “You taste like Zaronian moon cakes,” he said, his lids lowering over his demonic eyes. He nudged her knees out, opening her further. Jill flushed. She’d never been this exposed to a man. Bacchus actually looked drunk as he breathed her in, his eyelids fluttering closed in ecstasy.

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Without warning, Bacchus dipped forward, spearing her with his tongue as he began to lap in earnest. Her need escalated and her hips began to move of their own volition. His teeth caught her clit and worried it gently until Jill was convinced she’d lose her mind. He ignored her moans of pleasure and continued to feast. “Please,” she begged, rocking back, trying to get closer, reaching for that elusive peak that Bacchus refused to help her scale. He released her clit and continued to thrust his tongue inside her, the forked end curling into her G-spot with unerring precision. “More,” she cried out, clawing at the sheets. Bacchus laughed, the tremors torturing her flesh as effectively as a flogging. He rose above her, his gaze locked onto her face. Jill didn’t care what he planned to do. She needed to come. Her head thrashed until she felt his lips graze her nape. She whimpered, her domination fantasy coming to life in her mind. A second later, Bacchus sank his teeth into her flesh. Jill opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out. He thrust inside her at the same moment his lips drew on her skin, sucking hard. The dual invasion tumbled Jill over the edge, her orgasm shattering her like a clay pigeon. Glorious sensations swamped her, making the world as she knew it, spin off its axis. Bacchus rolled his hips forward and his cock kissed her womb. Jill mewed beneath him, senses exploding, her attention narrowing to the spot between her legs. He released her neck. Moisture she assumed was sweat trickled down the side of her face, but she was too gone to care. Bacchus chased it with his forked tongue, catching the droplets before they hit the sheets. “I knew it,” he said, murmuring in her ear as he thrust like a rhino behind her. “I knew you were the one to save my people—to save me.” Jill had no idea what Bacchus was talking about and, for now, she didn’t care. Her pussy burned from the repeated pounding, but the building need replaced any real 62

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pain. She didn’t know sex could be like this. Bacchus had all but ruined her for other men. Her head swam as he licked her neck again, then whispered, “Now that I have claimed you, there will be no other men.”

***** The taste of Jill’s blood flooded Bacchus’ mouth, sending him nearly into spasms. This was it. She was the one. Jill was the first in a long line of Earth women who would save his people from extinction. Thank the Goddess. He nuzzled her neck as he claimed her body. His cock ached for release, but he couldn’t allow it until he’d performed one final test. Jill neared delirium as he sank his fingers into her hips. “Are you still with me, my eshe?” My life. “Yes,” she squeaked and closed her eyes as he thrust forward, loving the feel of her body clasping his cock. Jill had come to his bed willingly, without the exchange of credits. Bacchus had no idea how different the act of joining would feel until this moment. The sheer beauty of it caused unexpected emotion to clog his throat. “Good,” Bacchus rasped, willing his form to shimmer and fade. He knew once he passed through her body there’d be no turning back. If Jill was a match like he believed, she’d start to take on the characteristics of his Blood Clan people within minutes. He sent up a single prayer, then flowed through her body as his cock pulled out, then thrust back in. Jill gasped, opening her eyes in surprise. “How did you do that? I didn’t even feel you roll me over.” “It is a gift.” Bacchus smiled, happiness radiated deep within his heart. She was it. Earth was it. This planet would be the Phantom people’s salvation. He eased out of her quim, then slid home. She panted as she sat up to straddle his thighs. Her small breasts bounced with his jerky movements.

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“This is more like it,” Jill said, rising onto her knees so she could take control of the rhythm. Bacchus leaned forward until his mouth made contact with her rose-colored nipple. It pebbled against his tongue, stabbing the roof of his mouth as he began to suckle. Jill’s soft cries grew in volume. Sweat dripped down her body, leaving a salty residue behind. Her movements became faster as she bounced up and down on his shaft, riding him into oblivion. Bacchus clenched his jaw and he reached for her clit. He flicked the bundle of nerves with his nail and sent her into orbit. Jill screamed, her body convulsing above him in a massive orgasm. He grasped her hips and thrust, once, twice, three times before his seed burst forth like a dam, showering her womb with life. He bellowed in relief and triumph. They lay entangled, Jill draping his body in feminine warmth. He stroked the length of her back, relishing the gift of their newfound connection. When Bacchus could finally focus, his eyes met a matching pair of red orbs. His breath caught as joy and a far deeper emotion embraced his three hearts. She was the most beautiful Earthling he’d ever seen. Bacchus corrected himself. Jill was the most beautiful Phantom woman he’d ever gazed upon. He rolled her beneath him and slowly rocked his hips until his cock hardened inside her. Bacchus glided gently in and out of her pussy, while feathering Jill’s face with kisses. “You have made me so incredibly happy. I never dared dream the Goddess would bless me with one such as you,” he said. Jill blushed, then reached for his head so that she could guide his lips to her mouth. The clinch was long and drugging as they savored each other’s unique flavor. “I’ve never done anything like this,” she confessed. “In a way, you’ve brought me back to the land of the living.”

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“And I intend to keep you here…if you’ll have me.” Insecurity suddenly filtered through his voice. Would she turn him down after all that they’d experienced together? Jill smiled and kissed him again. “How can I say no to a guy with a forked tongue?”

***** They made love over the next two hours, sometimes fast and furious, while at others, slow and sensual. Bacchus’ cock remained perpetually hard as he positioned himself once more to enter her body. He was about to thrust forward, when a chime sounded in his flight suit. He’d run out of time. Jill turned and looked at the pile of clothes on the floor. “Was that your phone?” “No.” Bacchus lifted Jill off his body and set her gently beside him. “I have much to tell you and very little time to do so.” She frowned. “Is that your pager?” He glanced at his suit. “Something like that. Listen, my eshe, remember how I told you that I would need your cooperation when it came to helping Ryan?” She nodded slowly, her expression beginning to grow wary. “I did not lie exactly, but Ryan is not the only one who needs help. I do too.” “What aren’t you telling me?” She sat back, her gaze locked on his face. “Oh God, you’re not married, are you?” “I would not have lain with you if I were joined to another. And now that I have, there will be no others.” “Well, that’s good to know.” She blinked in confusion. “What exactly do you mean by joined? Forget it.” She shook her head, running a quivering hand through her hair. He smiled, not bothering to hide his fangs. Her eyes locked onto his mouth, previous questions forgotten. “Are those fangs?” “Yes.” He opened his mouth, allowing his fangs to unfurl completely.

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“Jeez, that’s freaky. I can’t believe a dentist would do that to you,” she muttered, refusing to face what was right in front of her. Bacchus heard the tremble of uncertainty in her voice. “I know this will be a lot to accept at one time, but Ryan is on his way north to attend a wedding with a woman he just met. I believe he will eventually ask her to marry him, but he will need to know that you are happily settled first. That is where I come in.” “Okay, but I’m still not following you,” Jill said, frustration growing in her tone. “I am not from here,” Bacchus continued. “Neither am I. Most people I know are not native Californians. It’s no big deal. Are you from the Midwest or something?” “Not exactly. What I’m about to tell you is going to be hard to comprehend.” He tensed, watching her closely. “Try me.” Bacchus took a deep breath and released it. “I am what you’d call an alien.” “An illegal alien?” “In a fashion.” He flashed a bittersweet smile. “I’m from a distant planet called Zaron. I came here on a mission to test the compatibility of humans with my species. I must return there soon and let them know of my success.” “You lost me at Zaron.” Jill pressed her back against the headboard and her eyes widened in what he could only describe as disbelief and fright. “This is why I don’t date. What is it with me and men?” she muttered to herself. “First Ryan and now you. Go figure. What are you still doing here? Are you waiting for me to wish you bon voyage?” She glanced at him, then around the room, searching for a means of escape. “You do not understand.” “Oh, I understand. You think you’re an alien, who came to Earth for some human nookie. Wow, and I thought being dumped by my fiancé was bad.” “I do not like it when you compare me to him. We are nothing alike.”

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“I wouldn’t say that. You’re both pretty good liars.” She snorted. “You mentioned Ryan was safe, is that true?” she asked, edging her way off the bed. Bacchus frowned. “I would not harm him. I know what he means to you and what you mean to him. I understand the concept of family far more than you’ll ever know. Ryan is quite well. You have my word that he has found his mate.” Her eyes narrowed. “You’ll forgive me if I choose not to believe a man who says he’s from another planet. You’re obviously off your meds.” “I speak the truth. I want only your happiness. I can prove what I say.” “What are you going to do, beam yourself to the bathroom and back?” Jill snapped. Bacchus ignored her insulting question. This was going far worse than he’d hoped. “I must know something, before I present my proof.” “What’s that, Mork?” “My name is Bacchus.” “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” “First, let’s suppose everything I’ve said is true.” She hesitated. “Okayyy.” “Did you really mean it when you said that sometimes you wish you could be a reptile?” Jill balked. “That’s not what I thought you were going to ask. I take it your question has something to do with the fact that you’re an alien.” “I’m serious. Please answer the question.” “Yes, but I haven’t dreamed about that since I was a kid. To think otherwise is just crazy. I know it can’t happen,” she said, hugging her knees to her chest. “Surely, you don’t really believe it’s possible, do you?” Her voice quavered. Bacchus didn’t answer, instead he said, “It’s time for you to see the truth.” Jill whimpered. “Please don’t kill me. I promise I won’t tell anyone about you.”

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Bacchus flinched as if she’d struck him. “I could never harm you. As a warrior and your mate, I would lay down my life to protect you. Now come, there’s something you must see.” Bacchus stood and held his hand out to Jill. She hesitated, then realizing that she had no alternative, took it. He led her down the hall to the bathroom. The skin at the base of his skull began to itch. Quarg! The Phantom ship was near. He placed his hands on Jill’s shoulders, and then slowly rotated her toward the mirror. She gasped. “What happened to my eyes-ss?” she lisped as fangs unfurled in her mouth. “What’s-ss happening? What did you do to me? Why do I have a lisssp?” He turned her to face him. “I did exactly what you wanted me to do, what you’ve wanted a man to do all your life. I dominated and claimed you all in one act. Tell me it isn’t what you wanted.” He refused to let her hide from the truth. She opened her mouth and closed it several times before speaking. “I admit I may have fantasized about wanting someone to do that, but this-ss…” her voice trailed off. “I don’t know what to think of this-ss.” “Do I displease you so much that you can’t see what’s before you?” his voice cracked as he brushed the hair away from her face. “No.” “I know I have not been forthcoming, but believe me when I say I know you better than anyone. I’ve passed through you, absorbing your hopes, dreams and emotions. I know what lies in your heart. And now, thanks to that exchange, you know what lies in mine. Look deep and you’ll find my love,” he said, daring her.

***** This wasn’t exactly what she’d wished for. She obviously should’ve been more careful in her wording, but the truth of his statement was there when she searched. Bacchus did love her. Jill sensed his emotions and witnessed the life he’d lived before they’d met. She’d felt his bone-deep loneliness and his pain, along with the joy of discovery that came the moment he’d laid eyes on her.

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It would take a while to get over his deception, but could she really turn her back on a man who’d lived with a level of honor that rivaled that of medieval knights? No… Jill closed her eyes on the truth, then opened them once more. Wasn’t she the one who’d said it was time to start living again? Hadn’t she thought a change of scenery might do her good? Jill chuckled to herself to stop the rising panic. Traveling to another planet was about as far of a move as she could envision. She couldn’t believe she was about to ask this question, but couldn’t seem to stop herself. “What would I do on Zaron?” Bacchus’ eyes lit with hope and her heart clenched. “Considering our clan, the Blood Clan, is reptilian in nature, I think you’d fit right in with our healers.” “What about—us?” Jill asked, not sure what answer she was hoping for. “I will spend my lifetime attempting to make this up to you. It is not in my nature to deceive, but I had to find out the truth without scaring you away. So many counted on me to succeed.” “I can’t say that I’m not scared,” she said honestly. “I know. As your mate, I can sense your fear and it pains me greatly. I would give anything to take it away and have you look upon me like you did hours ago.” In her heart, Jill knew it would happen. “What’s going to occur now?” she asked, strangely exhilarated at the prospect of starting a new life. This would probably all turn out to be a fantasy, but what if… “A ship is near. It will come and pick us up after it drops off its cargo, then we’ll return to Zaron.” “What is it dropping off?” she asked, already knowing the answer. “More warriors.” “I don’t know if I can do this,” Jill whispered.

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Bacchus touched her chin, tilting it until their gazes met. “I would not have chosen you, if your heart had not chosen me first.” Jill turned back to the mirror, tears floating in her red eyes. “My appearance is going to take some getting used to,” she said, sniffling. Not that she was a big mirror queen to begin with, but a girl didn’t walk around everyday with three-inch fangs sticking out of her mouth. She’d scare the hell out of Ryan the next time he saw her. Would she ever see him again? Did it matter? No, rang clearly in her head. “We have all the time in the galaxies,” Bacchus said, nuzzling her neck. She knew that she needed to move on with her life. Her brother, John, would’ve wanted that for her. “Will I get to visit John’s grave?” she asked, her lip trembling. “Anytime you wish, eshe. We can return to Earth for regular visits. You can even keep your house, if that is your wish.” “Sss-wear?” Bacchus smiled. “I swear.” Jill frowned at her rumpled reflection. Their lovemaking left her blonde hair mussed and her face slightly flushed with residual passion. She looked so different with red eyes and fangs. Yet inside, she still felt the same. She held the same thoughts she had before the—what had Bacchus called it? Transfer? Thanks to the exchange, which was slowly sinking in, she knew he told the truth about Ryan. She’d seen his new girlfriend in Bacchus’ memories as clearly as if she’d been watching a movie. Tears filled her eyes as she realized Ryan finally found the happiness he’d been searching for after John’s death. Perhaps, it was time for her to pursue her own destiny. Jill turned the faucet on and splashed her face with cool water, then met Bacchus’ gaze in the mirror. “Are you a reptile or a vampire?” “Some would say both, but I would say neither.” “Will my fangs-ss go down?” she asked glowering.

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He reached out hesitantly. “I will teach you how to control them and many, many more things as your powers grow.” “Powers-ss? As in plural?” Jill’s eyes widened as she tapped on her new teeth with the tip of her nail. “This isn’t the end?” Bacchus smiled. “For us, eshe, this is only the beginning.”

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Epilogue Bacchus awoke slowly as skin caressed his chest. The dream of having a woman of his own was so vivid that he almost believed he could smell her feminine fragrance. A second later, hair tickled his nose and he brushed it aside, coming awake fully. Jill lay next to his body, her soft length curled against his chest, seeking warmth. He grinned, pulling her close and tucking her under his shoulder. How many years had a dreamed of having a woman in his bed until dawn? One hundred? Two? Bacchus couldn’t remember. All he knew for certain was that the happiness he felt was not an illusion born out of loneliness. Jill was here and had been by his side for several months now. She’d settled into work quickly and had fast become one of their best healers—a feat that did not surprise him given her passion for the subject matter. Bacchus kissed the side of her head. Jill shifted, then muttered, “Is it time to get up already? I don’t smell any coffee.” Her lids dropped once more. Bacchus laughed, hugging her. He hadn’t been able to convince her to leave planet Earth without the ground beans she craved so dearly. He’d even had to bring her coffeemaker along, even though he had told her that it wouldn’t work on Zaron. It had taken him a while to create a machine that would replicate the bitter brew, but now that he had, Jill expected him to make it for her every morning. His lips brushed her face. ‘Twas a small price to pay for the joy that she brought to his three hearts.

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About the Author I'd like to say I’m the life of the party, a laugh-a-minute kind of gal, and outrageously cool, BUT that would be a slight fabrication. I’m actually a thirty-something, ex-flight attendant with a penchant for huge bookstores and big dumb action movies. I prefer quiet dinners with friends over maddening crowds. Happily married to my very own Highlander, we split our time between two continents. In my spare time...LOL...I’m kidding, I don't have any spare time. The hours of my day are spent writing, and when I’m not doing that I’m thinking about writing. I guess you could say I have a one-track mind.

Jordan welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

Also by Jordan Summers Atlantean’s Quest: Atlantean Heat Atlantean’s Quest: Exodus Atlantean’s Quest: Redemption Atlantean’s Quest: Return Atlantean’s Quest: The Arrival Gothic Passions Tears of Amun

Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

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