Lisa Fox has visited a few times before, and I love her writing! Let's welcome her back with this hunk of love!
Hi Everyone!
To celebrate, I am giving away a copy to one lucky commenter
on my blog. Head over to LISA FOX ROMANCE (http://lisafoxromance.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/knightly-desire-release-blitz-giveaway/)
between now and Sunday, March 24, 2013 to enter!
Knightly Desire by Lisa Fox
Blurb:A routine mission turns disastrous when Knight Captain Brant and his men encounter a renegade mage. Injured and near death, Brant is brought to a nearby sanctuary of the god Ison, where the chaste sisters heal all those in need.
He is given into the care of Gabrielle, a talented healer. She is young, vivacious, bold—and a mage. She is everything wrong for him, and yet their desire and need can’t be denied.
Brant lives for his duty. Gabrielle belongs to a god. The lust-filled bond between them is powerful, but forbidden. No matter the consequences, their erotic bond cannot be ignored.
An Excerpt
From: KNIGHTLY DESIRE
Copyright ©
LISA FOX, 2013
All Rights
Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.
“You’re
awake,” a female voice said and Brant jumped. He turned his head toward the
sound and found a young woman roughly twenty years his junior sitting on a
stool on the opposite side of the room. His armor, sword and shield sat on a
table beside her. “The Mother feared you would never rise.”
She was a spark of brilliant light in the otherwise barren
room and Brant hungrily drank her in, everything in him yearning to absorb all
of her vibrant energy. He took in her round face, smooth with the innocence of
her youth and marveled at the striking contrast with her wide, sapphire eyes. Those
eyes held ancient wisdom in their depths and seemed to know secrets far beyond
her years. That look, that shadow, added maturity and dimension to her youthful
appeal, making her a devastating woman. He tried to tear his eyes away, he knew
his examination was improper, but he couldn’t help himself. It had been too
long since he had gazed upon anything beautiful.
She ran her hand over her short, spiky red-brown hair as she
studied him. Her eyes trailed over him as she waited for him to respond, her
gaze both curious and sensual. Her lips parted as she lingered over his bare
chest, and when she dragged her tongue over her plump bottom lip, his cock
stirred. Visions of capturing her warm, wet mouth assaulted him, and he could
almost feel how soft her lips would be against his, how sweet she would taste.
Blistering arousal ignited in his chest, awakening all of the nerve endings in
his body, and he was suddenly, acutely aware that he was naked beneath the thin
white sheet. Her gaze traveled farther down, leaving a path of fire in its
wake, and when she paused at his waist, he almost gave in to the fierce, animal
desire.
With a silent curse, he bit down on his tongue, hoping to
temper his thundering pulse. It was completely inappropriate for him to respond
to her in this manner. Especially since he had no idea who she was or what
circumstances had brought him to her. He cleared his throat and tried to shake
off the lust racing through his bloodstream. “The Mother?” he asked, and winced
as fresh pain shot through him. “Where am I?”
“The Britnol Sanctuary of Ison,” she said, and he blinked,
finally taking notice of her robes, the red and white adornments of the sacred
Sisters of Ison. Brant let out a disgusted breath. Oh, but he was a fool
indeed. Even without the cowl of her station—which was odd, he’d never seen a
sister with her head uncovered before—he still should have recognized what she
was.
“Where is everyone?” he asked. The other sanctuaries he had
been to were bustling centers of activity, the sisters treating multiple
patients for a variety of injuries and illnesses. He seemed to be in a private
room rather than the main hall of the temple, separated from the other
patients, and disquiet settled in his chest. Could it have something to do with
the mage? He had been touched by magic, was he now…tainted? He quickly pushed
the thought aside. He was whole, weak, but still himself. He glanced over at
his newfound companion. She did not seem overly concerned about being in his
presence. He didn’t think she would be so calm if there was any reason for
worry.
She shrugged one shoulder. “Who knows?”
Before he could stop himself, his gaze drifted back down to
her mouth and unbidden desire resurfaced in his heart. There was probably a
reasonable explanation for his segregation, but their isolation tested the
limits of propriety. This woman may be a sister, however youthful her
appearance, she was obviously old enough to have taken her vows, but he was an
outsider. “Surely they wouldn’t allow a sister to remain alone in the presence
of a strange man?”
“Why not?” she asked, cocking her head to the side. The
gesture was all at once innocent and impishly wicked. “They say you are a man
of honor.” She touched the white stallion emblazoned upon his shield. “They say
that this means it is so.” She met his eyes. “Are they wrong?”
Brant’s heart swelled with pride as he looked at the
stallion on his shield. It stood for everything he believed in, everything he
fought for, held dear and would die to uphold. Honor, justice, duty. He met her
gaze. “No, they are not wrong.”
Her smile brightened her entire face and her eyes sparkled.
“Then why do you ask?”
He laughed. He couldn’t help himself. Her whole aura
demanded it. She may be innocent, but she was also a tad bit too flirtatious
for a sister. When the sisters took their vows, they gave themselves to Ison
alone. He wasn’t much of a follower, but he did know that Ison was a jealous,
possessive god. Brant decided he would do well to remember that—for both their
sakes. He forced his face back into seriousness and tried to assume as
commanding a tone as possible considering he was lying in a sickbed. “Bring me
the Mother. I wish to depart.”
Her smile widened and his blood heated. He had seen
beautiful women before, he had mingled with and even romanced some of the
refined ladies of the royal court, but none had ever stirred in him the longing
that she inspired. It was thrilling. “Oh, I don’t think that’s going to
happen,” she said, her tone playfully admonishing. “You were quite wounded when
your men brought you here and we vowed in His name to heal you. The Mother is
not going to let you go until she feels that is done.”
That was not the answer he wanted and he bristled at the confinement.
He needed to get back to his men. That mage had been gathering an army. He
needed to make sure that the threat had been eliminated, that everyone was
safe. He was almost certain that he had succeeded, but there was always a
chance that the man still lived, still posed an immediate and terrible danger.
“I’m fine.”
She laughed, a joyful sound that filled the entire room.
“Are you? Well then, stand up.”
He couldn’t believe his ears. Was she actually challenging
him? He was so shocked, he almost laughed. “What?”
“Come on,” she said, humor and mischievousness and deep
knowing in her blue eyes. “Stand up. Prove how well you are.” She rose to her
feet and extended her hand to him. “If you can take even two steps, I’ll get
her for you.”
She was teasing him. He shook his head in disbelief. And he
was enjoying it! “Why do I have to prove anything to you?”
She smiled. “Because, Sir Knight, I am your keeper until you
have recovered.”
“You?” he said, and this time he did laugh. “You’re barely
old enough to be your own keeper.”
“I am older than I look and we both know that wisdom is not
reliant upon age.” She raised an eyebrow and her smile transformed into a
smirk. “And you have not gotten out of that bed.”
He told himself that he was not being baited. He was going
to get up, prove to her how fit he was and end this ridiculous game. And he was
fine. Mostly. Fine or not, he had to get back to his men and resume his
command. He wrapped the sheet around his waist and rose from the bed. His legs
folded beneath him.
She was by his side in an instant, holding him up. She
hugged him tightly and the soft, floral scent of her filled his head. He
breathed deeply, taking in her delectable fragrance. Her body moved against
him, lithe and firm under the heavy, shapeless robes, and the fire that had
been simmering in his blood flared back to life. He wrapped his arm around her
waist, drawing her closer. Her smooth, white skin flushed a rosy pink and he
could feel her breath catch. His eyes fastened on her mouth and hunger descended
upon him in a wave of lust. She lifted her chin to him, her pink lips slightly
parted and he leaned into her, accepting the unspoken invitation. The warm
flutter of her breath tickled his lips and long buried desires swept through.
He wanted to drink in her heat, her beauty, her feminineness, things that were
forever missing from his life. His cock awoke with deep, throbbing need and his
eyes drifted shut as everything in him yearned for one tiny taste of heaven.
The door opened and Brant started at the sound. The Grand
Mother entered the room, frowning mightily as she took in the scene and the
girl froze in his arms. The Mother’s steely-gray eyes fixed on the sister and
he felt her twitch. “Gabrielle, attend,” the Mother commanded, and his
beautiful keeper deposited him on the bed and went to the Mother’s side. “I
believe it is your turn to stock the warehouse?” she asked, and Gabrielle
flicked him a last look before nodding and leaving.
When the door shut behind her, the Mother turned her
attention on him. “Welcome to the Britnol Sanctuary of Ison, Sir Brant,” she
said. “I trust you are finding it comfortable here?”
Her voice was sharp with disapproval and it only deepened
Brant’s regret for his actions. He had come into this house of a god and tried to
take what didn’t belong to him, what he had no right to claim. “Mother,” he
said, inclining his head to her. A formal bow would have been better, but it
was the best he could manage. He did not think he could stand up again without
help. “Thank you for taking me into your house of healing. I am in your debt.”
The Mother inclined her head in return. “We do our sacred
duty here,” she said, and then met his eyes.
Brant heard the warning loud and clear. A warning he was
ashamed to have to receive. He had tarnished his own honor when he tried to
take advantage of the young sister. It was not a mistake he would make again,
no matter how much his desire for her enflamed his blood. She was not his for
the taking.
About the Author:
World-renowned neurosurgeon, jet fighter pilot, secret
member of American royalty, seducer of legions of beautiful, outrageously sexy
angels and demons and vampires and werewolves and the occasional pirate, Lisa
Fox has done it all…in her own mind. In reality, she can generally be found at
her desk with a cup of coffee close at hand. Or maybe a martini. It really
depends on the day.
Feedback, comments, opinions, words of wisdom, chocolate
cake and the addresses of super hot men are always appreciated and encouraged.
Please feel free to contact Lisa any time.
Website:
www.lisafoxromance.com
Twitter:
@LisaFoxRomance
Thank you so much for having me over!
ReplyDeleteIt is always a pleasure!
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