The Devil's Lover: Be Mine Or Be Lost Forever

A stifling wave of heat washed over Juliana Fowler, making it impossible for her to catch her breath.

She blinked through the fog in her mind. Was the air itself on fire? Why couldn't she cool down?

It took everything she had just to open her eyes. As her vision focused, a shadowy figure began to approach her.

Before she could recognize who he was, cold fingers grabbed her chin. "Who brought you here?"

Her thoughts tangled and distant, Juliana instinctively pressed her face into his hand, tears threatening her words. "It feels like I'm burning inside..."

Braydon Morgan watched her in silence for a moment, and then pulled away and started for the door. In a panic, Juliana reached out, desperate to stop him.

"Please, don't leave." The coolness of his skin dulled the fire raging in her veins, and she couldn't stand the idea of losing that relief.

Braydon paused, peeling her hands from his arms.

He had come with a purpose, business on his mind, but he hadn't counted on finding a woman obviously drugged and desperate.

Suddenly, Juliana latched onto him again, her grip even more frantic. "Help me..."

Her awareness faded in and out, but instinct drew her toward the comfort his touch provided.

When he looked at her eyes, wide and full of innocence, something inside Braydon snapped. He tossed her onto the mattress. "You wanted this."

Any pain was lost on Juliana. As he hovered over her, she only clung to him more tightly, needing his cool presence.

Each kiss he placed on her skin left her breathless, soft sounds escaping her lips. Garments fell one after another, landing in a messy trail beside the bed.

She was swept away by a torrent of longing, her body moving in rhythm with his, legs looping around his arms as he drew her closer.

Out of nowhere, a jolt of pain shot through her, making her clamp down on her lower lip, eyes brimming with tears.

Without warning, he sank his teeth into her chest, claiming her with wild intensity.

Juliana squirmed beneath him, fingers clawing desperately at his arms as she tried to steady herself.

Night faded away, swallowed by darkness.

When morning arrived, Juliana surfaced from her dreams, confusion clouding her thoughts. Someone's arm was heavy across her chest.

Broken flashes from the night before drifted through her mind. She turned, heart pounding, only to find a stranger beside her. The color drained from her face.

She realized with horror she had spent the night with a man she did not know.

A tremor ran through her as she inched his arm away, and then moved to slip from the bed. The instant her feet touched the floor, pain rippled through her, drawing a gasp from her lips.

One glance at the man reassured her—he seemed sound asleep.

Gathering each discarded piece of clothing, Juliana dressed with trembling hands and crept out, hoping not to wake him.

Moments after she slipped away, Braydon