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First Kiss, First Bite - THE TAMING OF THE WOLF

Most first kisses come after all sorts of build-up and sexual tension. The characters know each other and either can’t deny their desire for the other or are terrified by it, but give in anyway.

Neither of those scenarios are true for Dashiel Thorpe, the Earl of Brimsworth, and Caitrin Macleod, our hero and heroine in THE TAMING OF THE WOLF…

On bare feet, Cait padded along the hallway and down the main staircase. The last place she remembered having her book was in the duke’s study.

She turned the corner into the study and stopped short. Standing behind the duke’s desk was a tall man, one she’d yet to meet. Most of him was hidden in shadow, but his face was lit by the moonlight that filtered through the drapes. He was a blond Adonis, tall and lean. A vague memory of him, maybe from one of her visions, created unease within her.

A small gasp escaped her throat when he turned his amber gaze her way. “I’m sorry. I dinna ken anyone was up at this hour.” She turned to leave.

“Don’t go,” he said. Then he closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath. “You needed something in Blackmoor’s study?”

“Aye, I left a book in here yesterday when I came ta find Her Grace.” She glanced quickly around the room, though she didn’t immediately see her copy of Maria Edgeworth’s Patronage. “Perhaps I left it in the library.” Perhaps I should run quickly from this room.

“Having trouble sleeping?” he asked, his tone amazingly familiar. As though he’d known her for a lifetime.

“Aye. At times, I canna get thoughts out of my head.” Why had she told him that? He probably didn’t care to hear how her visions played in her mind at all hours of the day and night, preventing her rest.

He walked around the desk and perched a hip on it. His hips were narrow, his shoulders broad. Stop ogling the man’s body, Cait. His eyes narrowed at her, as though he knew she had a secret. She closed her eyes and tried to get a vision of him, something to tell her who he was. But her mind was blank, which was more than disconcerting. Her mind was blank? That had never happened before.

“I canna tell yer future,” she muttered under her breath.

“Pardon?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

“Ah, there’s my book,” she said, smiling at him, hoping he’d believe she hadn’t a care in the world. She picked up a small, black leather book that lay on the desk behind him. It wasn’t hers, but it would have to do.

Before she could turn around, he reached out and grabbed her by the waist. She couldn’t even utter a gasp as he drew her body flush against his. Her breath stilled.

“What are ye—” she began, but he covered her mouth with his, his lips hard and urgent.
She shouldn’t let a man she’d never met before take such liberties. But he smelled so good. Felt so good. Tasted so good.


Her tongue rose to meet his as a whimper of pleasure left her throat. Her heart beat wildly as he tilted his head and deepened the kiss.

Cait had been kissed before, but never like this. Never so thoroughly that she couldn’t think straight. Never so expertly that her legs threatened to buckle. Never with enough passion that she could drown in it.

A tug to her hair sunk into her consciousness. He pulled her head back and looked into her eyes. He gently tugged, guiding her head until it leaned to the side, exposing her neck. She nearly jumped when his lips brushed feather-light down the side of her jaw as he trailed a kiss down her throat. He pulled at the neck of her wrapper and night rail until they opened, baring her shoulder to his gaze. She shivered.

When he reached the place where her neck met her shoulder, he sucked at the tender spot and then nipped her gently. It was the most sensual thing she’d ever experienced. Light-headed, she heard a moan escaping her throat. More. More, please.

He nipped her again, then opened his mouth wide and bit through the tender skin of her shoulder, jerking her instantly from the passion-induced haze.

“Ow!” she cried and smacked his shoulder. “That hurt!”

Unbeknownst to both Cait and Dash, that first meeting, first kiss, first bite – has sealed both of their fates. And what follows next is a mad dash (no pun intended) across Britain, into Scotland, complicated by other witches, werewolves, and an old suitor who still carries a torch for the beleaguered Caitrin.

Have you ever kissed someone without having been introduced?

In honor of Valentine's Month...
I will be giving away a copy of The Taming of the Wolf to one lucky commenter*. Winner will be announced at 11:00pm (EST) this evening on this blog.
Please check back to find if you won!
*US and Canada only
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ALSO!!! DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!
As you know by now, or may know by now - Leave a comment on our blog and you will be entered to win other drawings throughout the month. Also, EVERY commenter gets an entry in the drawing for a
GRAND PRIZE
pack of more than
TEN SOURCEBOOK ROMANCES!!!
The more you comment, the more chances you have to win.
Good luck!
Happy Valentine's Month and Happy Reading to all the winners!

Comments

  1. Okay, so what was the book she picked up? :) I know it's not important to what happens next, but I was curious! :)

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  2. Have I ever kissed someone without being introduced? Yes! I was barely twenty-one and in a nightclub with three girlfriends betting on who might be the best kisser amongst the guys. We drew straws (drinking straws). I lost and had to march up to the group's choice, kiss him and walk away. Good move. We dated for a good six months. Oh, my jealous friends.

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  3. I've never kissed anyone without being introduced but - man! What a set-up for a book!

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  4. Now I know why Deb tells us to never send in a partial! That was a fantastic teaser! And I'm wondering the same thing Terry is...what was the book? Did they have romances back then?

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  5. Ahhhh...lovely excerpt! Naughty nibbles and love bites and a shattering first kiss ; )

    I've been kissed before being introduced, but with a man like Dash...no introduction needed : )

    US Resident, GFC Follower, Subscriber

    gcwhiskas at aol dot com

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  6. Umm... That would be a no. Great teaser, though!

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  7. Terry ~ LOL. The book she picked up instead was Dash's 19 century version of a "little black book". In the 18th century there was a book gentlemen could actually buy that gave them all sorts of information on the whores in and around Covent Garden. Names, addresses, descriptions, specialties, etc. The real book was actually out of print (and the publishers jailed) by the time this story occurs, so we made this book Dash's creation. A little journal of debauchery. Imagine Cait's surprise when she opens it. ;)

    Kat ~ That is a GREAT story!! I bet he didn't know what to think.

    Margay ~ Thanks! It was really fun to write. (And the same scene is told at the back of The Wolf Next Door - but that version is through Dash's eyes.)

    Carolyn ~ LOL on the partial. They did have romances back then, but that certainly wasn't what Dash was reading.

    Virginia ~ Dash does make his own rules, alpha Lycan that he is. :)

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  8. Cheryl ~ Yeah, would be a "no" for me too. LOL.

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  9. Yes. And that's all I'm going to tell you...
    Love the truth behind the book! And love the excerpt!

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  10. No...nothing as exciting as that for me...sigh.

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  11. I've never kissed anyone without being introduced first. Hell,I married the 3rd boy I ever kissed! LOL I loved the excerpt for Taming the Wolf! I want to read that story.

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  12. Love love LOVE this book!! It's my favorite of the four, and that's saying something!
    As for the kiss . . . um no. Sadly, I'm just not that interesting ;)

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  13. I have this book on my kindle (along with the rest of the series) because one of my bff's said that I had to read them. I can't wait to get the time to do it. Don't count me in for the drawing - just wanted to say that tthis does come highly recommended:)

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  14. Does she realize what she's holding later leading to an oops moment or does he take it from her? I have to know!! lol

    As for the kiss...no, but the possibilites of the concept leaves the mind boggling.

    DragonStar1974@aol.com

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  15. I have never kissed anyone without being introduced. I don't think it is something that I would ever do, but who knows.

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  16. Joanne! ~ You're holding out on us. ;)

    Cindy ~ I don't think I'm that daring either in real life. :)

    Stacie ~ I'm glad you enjoyed the excerpt. And marrying the 3rd boy you ever kissed is sweet. The heroines of both our July and September releases IN THE HEAT OF THE BITE and NEVER BEEN BIT both end up with the 1st men...er...vampyres they've ever kissed. ;)

    Erin ~ You are very interesting. ;)

    Maria ~ That's so wonderful to hear! I hope you enjoy all four books when you get the time to read them.

    Stephanie ~ You'll have to read to find out!! Just kidding, she does manage to abscond with the book and DOES open it, shocking her to no end.

    Virginia ~ I can't see myself doing it either. But you're right... anything can happen. :)

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  17. I have to say yes!! I live in South Louisiana where Mardi Gras is BIG!! We use to go to almost all the parades in New Orleans and to get those roses you have to kiss a stranger to get one:) Other than that I don't think I have ever kissed anyone that I did not know at least a few days!!

    This really looks like a great read.

    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

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  18. That was a tease. Now I really have to go and order the book. I did kiss someone I was not introduced to first and we have been together for ten years now and have four kids. Sometimes that first kiss is the one.

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  19. Is it hot in here or is it just Dash? He can kiss me without an introduction any day (or night). Not sure about the biting thing, though. Ouch!

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  20. Judy ~ I hadn't even thought about Mardi Gras!! What a great story that would make (if I didn't write Regency era romance.)

    Melissa ~ I think that is the best story ever!! Congrats.

    Olivia ~ LOL. You know, those werewolves and biting kinda go hand in hand. ;)

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  21. And knowing my past as I do, lol, I thought I was the wild child. You just stopped me cold on my tracks. Heard the screeching sound did you? Guess, I'm not as wild as I once believed. I'm shattered!!! Nope, never done that.

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  22. I have to agree with Olivia. Werewolves and biting go hand in hand.
    I love some of that built up tension in the books. It makes you want to keep reading. I know when that is going on I dont want to put my book down.

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  23. Opps. I was trying to agree with Lydia. My laptop cut some of the comment off. That is what happens when the mouse pad is really sensitive. It was suppose to say. I have to agree with Lydia, Olivia. Biting does go hand in hand. That is where some of that tension builds up. Love that.

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  24. Nice excerpt, and a great kiss. I can't say I've kissed anyone without being introduced, unless you count that Donny Osmond poster.

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  25. Melissa ~ Too funny. I've had comments cut off too. Usually it's when I'm using my 'smartphone' however. ;)

    Anita ~ You crack me up. Next time I see you, I'll imagine you and your old Donny Osmond poster. LOL.

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  26. Now days my Valentines are my 2 grown children and my 16 yr old grand daughter. I send all a card as I don't get to see them all.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  27. Nope, no kisses when I first met someone, but WOW, I loved Dash!! This whole series has been incredible, but he's snagged a special place in my heart...and he was just perfect for Cat. Gah, now I feel a reread coming on!!

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  28. I can honestly say I have not kissed someone I didn't know. :-)
    Loved the excerpt.

    Larena

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  29. MissKallie ~ That's great.

    Melissa ~ He wouldn't be perfect for everyone, but he was perfect for Cait, you're right. Of course, the same could be said for her. ;)

    Larena ~ I think you're definitely in the majority here.

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  30. Good excerpt. No, I haven't kissed someone I don't know.

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  31. I've never kissed a man I didn't know (that's my story and I'm sticking to it), but then I never met a blond adonis in the duke's study...

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  32. Lydia--I have done that on my phone to. I have a habit of laying my thumb down and it lands on the mouse pad, doing its own thing. Bad habit. Especially when you are typing.
    My other half read this and laughed. He said he must have done something right on that first kiss. B-)
    I am also curious as to what book she picked up?

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  33. She ~ I think for the most part, that really is the best policy. ;)

    Amanda ~ I think the lady doth protest too much...? LOL. Alas blond Adonis' who are acquaintances of dukes ARE hard to come by in real life.

    Melissa ~ LOL. The book she picked up was Dash's journal of carnal exploits. Neither of them are very happy when she reads a couple of entries. ;)

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  34. .....OK.....

    After dropping all the names in a baseball cap and letting my son shake and mix them up... he drew the winning name.

    StacieDM ~ please send me an email at Lydia@lydiadare.com along with your mailing address and I'll get your copy of THE TAMING OF THE WOLF sent to you.

    Hope you enjoy it!!

    Thank you all for the comments today. :) ~ Lydia

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  35. Way back in the day, we presented
    a b-day cake to a sports favorite
    who we had never met. I was the recipient of a very nice kiss!

    Pat Cochran

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  36. That would be a no for me too. I'm to big of a chicken.

    sstrode@scrtc.com

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  37. Wonderful excerpt! Thank you so much for sharing!

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