The Cost of Eternity (Eternity, Book One)

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An Excerpt From: THE COST OF ETERNITY

Copyright ? SHAYLA KERSTEN, 2007

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing,
Inc.

?He?s sleeping again,? Tomas said as he encountered
Lorcan in the hallway.

Lorcan followed the older man?s gaze as Tomas eyed his
robe. Impatient to check on Kevin, he had risen quickly and hadn?t bothered
to dress. ?Did he eat??

Tomas lifted the cover from the empty plate. ?Quite
well. I?m surprised he was able to finish it. He looks as if he hasn?t
eaten much lately.?

Lorcan nodded. His gaze moved from the empty plate to
linger on the door to Kevin?s room.

?I doubt he would hear you if you checked on him,? Tomas
said, continuing toward the kitchen.

Lorcan smiled at his retreating back. Tomas could read
him too easily. When he slowly opened the door, the light from the
fireplace was more than enough for his unnatural eyesight. Closing the
door, he moved on silent feet to the bed.

Sprawled on his back across the mattress, Kevin was
oblivious to his watcher. Gentle snores punctuated his sleep while the
covers, bunched at his waist, revealed his broad chest.

Lorcan?s hungry gaze roamed over the wide shoulders, the
fair skin and the small rosy nipples before he pulled up the blanket. The
room was warm enough, but it hid temptation.

Lorcan?s heightened sense of smell caught the fragrant
traces of herbal shampoo. He couldn?t resist running his fingers through
Kevin?s bright blond tresses, still damp from the shower. The scent
transferred to Lorcan?s fingers. Bringing them to his lips, he feathered
them over his mouth. A small groan escaped.

He wanted to bury his face in the young man?s hair, feel
the strength of the hard body against him. The desire to mark Kevin, drink
from him, taste him, was powerful. The itch of his gums warned Lorcan he
should leave. The need to feed was strong and looking at him made it worse.
Lorcan forced himself to turn away.

?Hello??

The whispered word took Lorcan by surprise. ?I?I?m
sorry. I didn?t mean to wake you.? He turned back. The deep blue eyes
peering at him in the darkness sent a sharp tremor of desire through him.

?It?s okay. I need to thank you. I have a little money.
For?for the food, the room??

?You don?t need to pay me.? Lorcan knew he should excuse
himself and leave but he couldn?t resist. Perching on the edge of the bed,
he risked the temptation. ?You don?t owe me anything.?

?You stopped them??

If Lorcan?s hearing hadn?t been keen, he wouldn?t have
heard the whispered words. ?I couldn?t let them hurt you.?

?You could have been hurt?or worse.?

?Not likely. They were bullies and cowards. Confronted,
their kind always scatter. I wish I could have kept you from being
injured.?

?It could have?would have been worse, if you hadn?t.?
Kevin bit his lip, a frown wrinkling his forehead. ?I could?you know??
Kevin?s hand moved across the blankets to Lorcan?s thigh as the young man?s
gaze darted toward Lorcan?s groin.

Lorcan?s fantasy of Kevin?s mouth wrapped around his
dick flashed through his mind. Shuddering in the darkness, he hoped the
young man wouldn?t be able to see it, feel it. He was desperate to take
Kevin up on his offer but he shouldn?t.

Intending to push the hand away, his hand held Kevin?s
instead. ?It?s not necessary. You don?t have to do anything you don?t want
to.?

?And if I want to?? The voice trailed off. The darkness
couldn?t hide the heat of the blush spreading across Kevin?s face and
chest.

Lorcan couldn?t think of an answer. Rational thought was
no longer possible. The touch of Kevin?s hand sent searing heat through his
thigh, straight to his groin. His fingers tightened on Kevin?s as Lorcan?s
breathing changed to panting. With his mind screaming warnings of past
loss, he leaned toward Kevin, toward the full lips, the fragrant hair, the
broad chest. The slight flare of desire in Kevin?s eyes was all he needed
to drown out the dark memories for now.

?