Desires at War: Primal Shifters Book Two
When the humans became animals, the animals became humans. Shape-shifting humans. And the African lion, the pinnacle of hunters in the wild, replaced man as top dog in the Serengeti. The disparaged spotted hyena, often the more tenacious and successful predator on the savannas, was the lion’s natural enemy. Becoming human didn’t change that. It only made it worse.
Months as a POW leaves lion shifter Fix Ainran struggling to recover, but he can’t get the curvaceous Caryn Plumar out of his mind. Yet the beautiful daughter of the hyena Chairman only torments the disabled former soldier with heated trysts before pulling away.
No matter how much she desires Fix’s touch, Caryn’s obligations involve more than fighting for an independent hyena state in a land ruled by lions and fraught with war. She must sacrifice any chance of happiness and freedom by marrying within the clan to ensure her safety.
Unable to stay apart, Fix and Caryn defy societal rules and risk their lives as they battle enemies, search for the truth about his captivity…and fall in love.
EXCERPT
As if she wasn’t miserable enough, the clouds cracked opened and rain poured down in sheets. She groaned. Rainy season in the savannas meant weeks of uncertain weather, and she’d stupidly left the palace without an umbrella or poncho. Before long, the rain slicked her clothes to her skin and plastered her hair to her neck. Halfway to her car, she stopped and simply stared up at the gray skies. Was this a sign?
Nothing but a toy. Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes, immediately washed away by the rain. A clap of thunder muffled her sob.
A voice called out her name, and she glanced over her shoulder. Soaked from the rain, Fix pushed hard on his wheelchair, head down. Strands of wet sandy-red hair fell over his eyes.
“Screw you!” she yelled into the strong wind, not even sure he could hear her.
His chin lifted, and his gaze burned fierce. She could’ve sworn she saw anguish in those piercing lion eyes, and her resolve wavered. No, just her imagination. After whirling around, she sprinted across the parking lot, her waterlogged sandals sending rain splatters up her bare legs. Approaching her car, she fumbled in her purse, digging for the remote.
A hand clutched her wrist, and she gasped, jerking back. Like a second skin, Fix’s wet T-shirt outlined his wide shoulders, broad chest, and wiry biceps.
“No,” he growled. “Don’t leave.”
“Let go of me!” She clawed at his fingers.
“Stop it, Caryn.” With lightning speed, he grabbed her other wrist. “I can explain.”
She twisted, her wet locks of hair slapping against her face, but his grip merely tightened. She yanked against his hold. “Fix, stop. You’re hurting me.”
He released her at once.
Staggering into her car, she glared at him. “I’m not interested in being a member of your pride. Not my style.”
Strain etched his chiseled features. “Please don’t leave. I’m not involved with Zuri.” He wiped rainwater from his eyes. “Zuri has a boyfriend. She was just trying to help me.”
“Help?” Caryn barked out a sharp laugh.
He dragged a hand through his drenched hair, slicking it back. “She thought by making you jealous, you’d realize…”
His pained stare fell to his legs, and Caryn’s heart stopped cold. She pressed a fist to her mouth. How could she have been so clueless? She should never have let him leave her garden angry. She hadn’t meant to give him the impression he was any less of a man.
Bracing his fists on his legs, he exhaled deeply. “It was stupid of me to play along with Zuri. But I wanted you to see that I’m still a desirable guy, even with—”
Caryn swooped down and cupped his face in her hands. “You are a desirable guy,” she said. “Too damn desirable. That’s the problem.”
His gaze met hers, and his lips parted slightly. A blinding bolt of lightning split the sky, and a clap of thunder reverberated around them.
“Maybe we should take cover from the storm,” he said, reaching to open the back door of her car. He cocked his head, eyeing her from head to toe. “You’re soaked, Ms. Plumar, did you know that?”
She looked down, her thighs visible through her now sheer dress. “I take it you can see everything?”
“Oh, yeah.” His slow grin left her breathless. “And lacy bras are a total turn-on for me.”
Her knees weakened, and she clutched the door handle, struggling to control her conflicted feelings. Didn’t he understand where this could lead?
“Come on, baby,” he urged. “Let me warm you up.”
His deep, sexy voice lit a fuse inside her. More than desirable, this man was downright dangerous. Damn straight he knew exactly where this could lead.
But would she follow?
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ABOUT KIRA
Kira enjoys studying love, sex, and relationships, and has a thing for shapeshifters, demons, mythological gods, the fae, and chocolate cake. As a romance writer, she explores somewhat atypical pairings and settings and can’t help adding a twinge of societal awareness to her works, but the focus is always on the developing romance, passion, and happy endings. Some of her books are erotic romances, but you won’t find any hard-core BDSM. Kira prefers her hero and heroine to share the power and share the love.
You can find Kira at www.kirashayde.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
