Sundown & Serena Read online

  Devlin looked surprised, but then he beamed. “Good,” he purred. “I was worried you did love Nick. I like our arrangement very much, Serena.” He took my hand, and kissed it. “I’d let you be mate to one of the bears, if you wanted, or T, if he asked for you. But from what I know of you, and them, it wouldn’t be a good match if you stayed working for me.” He paused, and then laughed out loud, his rich tone making me shiver. “But then again, what do I know? Probably no one who knew me or Sar years ago thought we’d end up Oathed to each other, or be happy living together at Hayden.” He took my hand. “Come on, little dove,” he said, moving away. “I can hear the New Year counting down.”

  I followed him, feeling happy and a little excited about what this New Year would bring.

  We arrived back at the party, with only seconds to spare. “Go to him,” Devlin whispered, indicating T. My handsome dhamphir was standing alone near the doorway, as if he planned to make a hasty exit as soon as the clock struck midnight, and everyone’s attention was on their date. “I should not be saying this, as it’s not in my best interest. But I’m a romantic at heart.”

  I shook my head. “I told you he’s angry with me.”

  “He’s not, he’s jealous,” Devlin said conspiratorially. “But he does care for you, Serena.” He embraced me from behind, leaning in close. “He’s much like his father, covering hurt with cold words. Don’t let him push you away.”

  “He doesn’t like my blood,” I confided. “I gave it to him one night, and he didn’t seem to enjoy it.”

  “Wereblood isn’t a born appreciation for a vampire, it’s an acquired taste,” Devlin interrupted with a chuckle. “T is only a few years old in experience, though he looks an adult. Remember that he’s not as mature as he looks, though Danial instilled a good deal of responsibility into his son in the short time he was a child.” He paused, then gave me a push in T’s direction. “Go and try for the gold, Serena. T deserves happiness and so do you.” He walked past T with a smile, hurrying to Sar’s side as the clock struck midnight.

  I went to T, clasping his hand in mine. He turned to me, a scowl on his face. “Aren’t you busy?” he said coolly.

  “Only if you’re available for a kiss,” I said lovingly, slipping my arms around his neck.

  T held his cool expression for another moment, then his face softened, as he hugged me, then planted a kiss on my forehead. “Happy New Year.”

  I took his face in my hands, then kissed him for all I was worth, as sensuously as I dared. When we parted, we were both breathing hard.

  Devlin’s right. I deserve to be happy. “I want to be with you,” I said, throwing caution to the wind. “If you don’t want my blood as part of the deal, it’s okay. But I really like being with you, T.”

  T let out a sigh of relief, then hugged me hard. “I want to be with you too, Serena. The blood issue...if it doesn’t bother you, it doesn’t bother me.”

  I kissed his cheek. “Good. Do you want to leave?”

  “Not yet,” T said with a dazzling smile, taking my hand. “We have some dancing to do, my sweet fox.”

  “I like the sound of that,” I giggled, following him to the dance floor.

  “You know I’ve never heard you giggle before,” T said with a happy smile. “I hope you’ll resolve to do more giggling in the New Year.”

  “I promise,” I teased. “If you’re around to provoke me by calling me your sweet fox.”

  He brought me in for a kiss. “I will be,” he murmured lovingly. “I promise you, my sweet fox.”

  THE END

  About the Author

  Tara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, horror, suspense, action-adventure, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She is the author of the paranormal action-adventure Lash series and the vampire romantic suspense Promise Me series. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice.

  www.tarafoxhall.com

  Other works by the author with Melange Books, LLC

  Return To Me

  Surrender to Me

  The Origin of Fear in Spellbound 2011 Anthology

  Night Music in Midnight Thirsts II Anthology

  Partners in Midnight Thirsts II Anthology

  Kink in Wicked Christmas Wishes Anthology

  The Oath in Wicked Christmas Wishes Anthology

  Bedtime Shadows Anthology

  Make Me Behave Anthology

  Latham’s Landing, An Anthology

  The Oath

  Her Frozen Heart, in Frozen Anthology

  Night Music, a Novella

  The Promise Me Series

  Promise Me, Book 1

  Broken Promise, Book 2

  Taken in the Night, Book 3

  Taken for his Own, Book 4

  Promise Me Anthology, Book 4.5

  Immortal Confessions, Book 5

  Her Secret, Book 6

  Point of No Return, Book 7

  Lost Paradise, Book 8

  Dark Solace, Book 9

  Eye of the Storm, Book 10

  Tempest of Vengeance, Book 11

  Sundown & Serena, Book 12

  Coming Soon

  Hope’s Return—Promise Me Series, Book 13

  Also Available

  From Melange Books

  Promise Me

  ‘Promise Me' # 1

  by Tara Fox Hall

  When young widow Sarelle McGarran finds the vampire Danial Racklan unconscious and hurt in her woods, intuitive concern quickly becomes passionate love. Together Danial and Sar work to overcome their own past heartbreaks, their vastly different lifestyles, and Danial's relentless enemies. Yet Danial needs more; an Oath of forever. But can Sar give Danial his greatest desire?

  Also Available

  From Melange Books

  Luna

  The Luna Chronicle #1

  by S. C. Dane

  Beth was raised as a responsible member of human society. Then she meets Alec, a mysterious stranger, who knows by her scent that she is a rare Luna, the only being who can ensure the future of his wolf-pack. When human beings injure Alec, Beth retreats from the stagnant safety of her human world and surrenders her fate to the wolf-man.

  Beth's and Alec's love for one another ignites the power of the Luna that courses through her veins, and she must learn the laws of being wild wolf if she is to live with Alec and his pack. But they are not the only wolf-people who covet the blood of Luna, and she must learn to harness the consuming power of her Luna and use it to safeguard her new family, even if it means giving up the very thing she was born to protect. Set in the countryside of Maine, this novel unfolds as Beth surrenders her body to its absolute essence while she is protected by the loyal wolves she is destined to love. But their world is not only precious, it is also perilous, and her freshened passion for life just may be the catalyst for her death.

  Also Available

  From Melange Books

  The Oath

  A 'Promise Me' Tale

  by Tara Fox Hall

  Within weeks, vampire Danial Racklan has captivated young widow Sarelle and drawn her deep into his dark, dangerous world. Confessing his love, Danial has asked for Sarelle's Oath, a formal binding between vampire and human lovers. But while a promise of everlasting love sounds like Heaven to most young women, Sarelle has agonized over the decision for months, unsure of taking the final step of Oathing to Danial. Yet this Christmas Eve, Sar impulsively decides to speak the vow that will change her life for all time.

 

 

 
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