Territory - Prequel Read online

  “And dangerous,” he supplied.

  They walked in amiable silence a few moments, their feet crunching in the snow, before Dell stopped and turned her to him. “No more secrets love. Nothing between us ever again. Preferably, that would include clothing as well.” He winked at her and pulled her close.

  Chloe caught her bottom lip between her even teeth. “Dell?”

  He leaned down to kiss her cheek then nuzzle her neck, “Mmm?”

  “I have one more secret.”

  He stilled, before slowly lifting his face to frown at her.

  “I,” she began then flushed. “Christ, how do I say this?”

  “Say it,” he demanded.

  “I snuck into town last week. I met with someone,” she felt his body tensing against hers. “He…”

  “He?” His teeth were clamped together and the word came out on a growl.

  “I needed his help. I was having problems, and I couldn’t go to you.”

  Dell frowned down at her. “You sought out another male rather than coming to me?”

  She shook her head vigorously, “It wasn’t like that Dell I just needed his…”

  “His what?” Dell demanded harshly, his eyes darkening dangerously. “Did he touch you?”

  Chloe backed up a step, “Yes, but…”

  Dell threw back his head and growled ferociously.

  Chloe backed up further, “Dell stop! You’re being an idiot!”

  He dropped his head and stalked her, “Where did he touch you?”

  Her cheeks flamed and at the telling sign Dell lunged. He caught her around the waist and yanked her into him as one hand gently fisted her hair. “You let him touch you intimately,” he accused on a snarl.

  Her cheeks bright with indignation, Chloe relaxed in his hold. “Yes. He’s my doctor.”

  Suddenly, Dell’s angry sneer disappeared. His nostrils flared and he inhaled deeply, his brows furrowing in concern, “Are you well?”

  “No,” shoving at his chest until he released her she stalked a few paces from him before she turned and lifted her chin, “I took a pregnancy test Dell.”

  His mouth fell open and his eyes grew wide. He was frozen for several long moments before his lips slowly curled into a wide smile. “Pregnant?” He rushed to her and lifted her into his arms, spinning in a tight circle. “We’re going to have a baby?” He pressed his lips to hers and pulled back to yell, “WE’RE GOING TO HAVE A BABY!”

  “Dell!”

  He dropped his delighted eyes to hers.

  “We are not having a baby.”

  Trepidation stole over him only to be quickly replaced by fear. “We’re…”

  A brilliant smile split Chloe’s features as she lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck, her lips found his and instead of kissing him she whispered against his mouth, “We’re having two.”

  Exclusive Excerpt

  Skin Walkers: Conn

  by

  Susan A. Bliler

  Aries kept her head down as she was led down the long narrow corridor. She rubbed at her arms in an attempt to ward off the chill that had crept over her when she’d envisioned the damp cold cell she anticipated being kept in.

  Conn pulled her to a halt and grabbed the front of his shirt, ripping it open and sending buttons bouncing on the linoleum floor. He pulled his arms free and wrapped the shirt around Aries’ shoulders. “Sorry if it smells bad.”

  It still held warmth from his body and Aries pulled it tighter around herself, whispering a “thank you” before noticing the earthy, spicy scent she now knew to be his. She inhaled deeply finding an odd comfort in the scent even as her eyes slid to stare at the form fitting white under shirt that clung to his chiseled torso like a second skin.

  His arms were huge, bulging with thickly corded muscle. The deep tan of his skin only added emphasis to the stark contours. Several scars resembling claw marks marred one rounded shoulder. Aries wondered if the same creature was the one to leave the long scar down his face as well. She liked the scar on his face it made him seem fierce. Hell, he’d seem fierce without it.

  She was led out double swinging doors as they entered what appeared to be a fancy hotel lobby before she was steered to a glass elevator. Conn followed her in, his hand still clamped—not roughly—on her arm.

  As they rode up, Aries lifted her head to stare at the beautiful manor and out the large picture windows that dotted the front of the building. It was night time, dark outside, and the lights were low and dim inside. In the night she could just make out thick fluffy flakes as they drifted gently to the earth. She sucked in a sharp breath.

  It’d been six years since she’d last seen snow, and she’d missed it more than she ever could have imagined. The sharp sting of tears at her eyes had her lifting a hand and placing it on the glass of the elevator. She could almost feel the snow in her hand. She didn’t know that Conn watched her curiously.

  The elevator went up to the third floor and stopped before the doors slid open. They exited onto a beautiful navy carpet with gold designs that covered the expanse of the third floor. The hall was long with dark oak doors alternating on either side of the hall. Again she couldn’t help but feel that the estate felt more like a luxury resort than the hide-out for Walkers….whatever in the hell a Walker is!

  At the end of the hall Conn pulled a key card from his pocket and scanned it quickly on the security sensor. The door didn’t beep, simply clicked open.

  Conn placed a hand on Aries’ shoulder to keep her from entering. He strode past her and inspected the room before turning to her, “It’s clear.”

  Outside the door, Aries balked. Her mind was going a mile-a-minute. She’d seen a grandiose staircase in the center of the building. Her eyes flicked to the door knob. If she jerked the door closed, it might just buy her enough time to make it to the stairs. But it’s fucking freezing outside. Even if I did escape, I’d die of exposure.

  The corner of Conn’s mouth lifted, “You might make it to the second floor, but that’d be it. The manor houses many Walkers, and at least one of my men is quartered on each floor.”

  When Aries didn’t move Conn’s smile disappeared, “Not to mention that the drugs are still in your system and you haven’t eaten. Your too weak Aries, don’t try it.”

  He was right, but it didn’t keep her from lifting her chin defiantly and contemplating slamming the door in his face just to piss him off.

  Dissatisfied with her lack of movement Conn dropped his head to eye her, the lines of his body now taut with challenge, “You have two seconds to get your ass in this room.”

  Aries’ voice was soft, “And if I don’t.”

  Conn did something than that surprised and shocked her. His typically angry features broke into a heart stopping smile, revealing perfect white teeth and an air of youth that made him, for once, seem not so harsh, but his next words dispelled any hope. His challenge was simple. “Find out.”

  Aries pulled his oversized shirt tighter around her before stepping into the room.

  Conn locked the door behind her before crossing the room and drawing the blinds closed. The suite was elegant. Dimly lit lamps dotted the main sitting room and a small chandelier hung over a cherry wood table to her left in the small dining and kitchen area.

  Conn pointed down the only hall in the suite. “Bathroom’s at the end of the hall and your room is on the right. There should be clothes on the bed. I suggest you shower while I prepare dinner.”

  Aries’ teeth caught her bottom lip. “I thought I was going to the holding cells?”

  Conn frowned down at her, “How do you know about the holding cells?”

  She dropped her eyes, “You mentioned them in the car.”

  Conn snorted before crossing into the kitchen and turning on the faucet to wash his hands, “Aries, I’m tired, I’m starving,
and I’m cranky. I suggest you get in the shower before I decide to give you one myself.”

  Her brows drew together as she frowned at his back.

  He turned then, “Did I forget to mention that I’m horny?”

  Aries felt her cheeks flame and she turned to quickly walk down the hall. She heard Conn laughing at her quick retreat.

  Down the hall she flicked on a light in what Conn had deemed to be her room to discover an interior as exquisite as any she’d ever seen. A large canopied bed sat against one wall while large cherry wood furnishings adorned the room. The muted tan and soft yellow of the drapes and carpet, were also reflected in the satiny bed spread and array of pillows on the bed, giving the room a warm homey feel. A fire blazed in a hearth across from the bed and next to the sole window in the room.

  Aries crossed to the window and peered out. She found the mechanism to roll the window open and quickly did so before popping the screen out. She was leaning halfway out the window when she jumped at Conn’s voice.

  “There’s no way down.”

  Aries pulled back into the room sheepishly, “I know… I wasn’t…” She held up her hand and it was full of already melting snow. “I just wanted to touch it.”

  About the Author

  Susan Bliler, a Legal Services Investigator for the State of Montana, has been writing since college.

  She is a graduate of the University of Great Falls, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies and minored in Criminal Justice.

  She lives in Great Falls, Montana with her husband and two dogs (labs).

  Susan is currently at work on her new series, Skin Walkers.

  Visit her at SusanBliler.com for exclusive excerpts of soon to be released works.