ENDURING INSTINCTS by S.J. Frost

New Release!

ENDURING INSTINCTS by S.J. Frost
Gay Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Vampires
Published by MLR Press
Length: Novel, 86,000 words
Available at MLR Press, Amazon.com, and many more.
Coming soon to print.






BLURB:

Vampire Daniel Valente struggles to live on his own, now that his master, Titus Antonius Calidus, has found eternal love with another.  Carrying mental and emotional scars, he lives in loneliness and feels as though he’s lost who he once was. 

Ryunosuke Kimura has known Daniel for hundreds of years, and loved him for many of them.  Even though he believes Titus is the only one Daniel wants to give his heart to, when he hears Daniel needs his support, he rushes to be with him. 

With Ryu at his side, Daniel’s confidence returns, and with it, he sees the enduring love Ryu has always had for him.  As they grow closer, new threats from old enemies arise, and if Daniel and Ryunosuke are to spend eternity together, they must first defeat the past.

EXCERPT: 

Daniel walked beside Ryunosuke, their pace slow as they wove around the people going in and out of stores and restaurants.  Though the holidays had passed, many of the decorations were still up, but the festiveness of them did nothing for Daniel’s mood.  He glanced to Ryu, whose eyes scanned the crowd, his posture alert as if waiting for an attack. 

Daniel extended his own senses.  No vampires around that he could tell.  But with Ryu being the warrior he was, Daniel knew he didn’t easily let his guard down.  He wanted to say it was the reason Ryu had hardly spoken to him, why they were walking side by side but felt so far apart, but the real truth was Ryu didn’t want to be out with him.  He’d made that clear with his glare when Titus suggested he go with him.

Daniel lowered his gaze to the sidewalk.  How had their relationship taken this bad turn?  It seemed Ryu was rejecting him even before knowing his feelings.  Or maybe, Ryu did know his feelings.  He knew for certain Ryu wasn’t daft enough to not have picked up on his lusting.  It could be that’s what had built Ryu’s walls.  Ryu didn’t want him and was trying to block him before he made a move that could embarrass them both.

Ryunosuke’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

“I’m not sure this is the best hunting ground.”

Daniel glanced up, looking over the crowd milling about Water Tower Place.  “No, it’s not.  But I don’t know this city well enough to know where is.  At least I’m getting to see this.”  He gestured to the castle-like Chicago Water Tower.  “I’ve heard about it, just never came to see it.”  A long sigh left him.  “It reminds me of home and all the old buildings there.” 

Ryunosuke looked at him out the corner of his eye.  “Are you okay?”

“Just feeling a little worn down.”

“I’m sure you are.  We should probably find a prospect soon and get you fed.  The night’s moving fast.”

Daniel nodded, but rather than continue walking, he moved toward a bench and sat.  Not seeming bothered by his decision, Ryunosuke sat beside him.  Daniel gestured toward the trees, still decorated with holiday lights.  “I’ll admit, I felt a bit sad at spending the holidays alone this year.  I shouldn’t have been in such a rush to leave after I was healed, but I thought it’s what would’ve been best for Titus and Andreas.  And myself as well, I suppose. But at least some of the holiday spirit is lingering.  The lights are lovely, aren’t they?”

Ryunosuke glanced at the trees.  “I guess.  I’m not really into the whole Christmas thing.”

“Well, you didn’t have it in your culture for many years.”  Daniel forced a smile, giving Ryu a playful bump with his shoulder and a wink.  “Whereas I, on the other hand, grew up as a good Christian boy.”

Ryunosuke chuckled softly.  “I don’t ever remember you being good or a Christian.”

“Maybe good is stretching things a bit, but the rest is true.  I was Catholic.  Even back when I was a whore, I’d still go to Mass.  Granted I wasn’t allowed inside the cathedral, I was too poor and my soul was already too lost in the eyes of the priests, but I’d still sit on the steps, trying to catch the bits and pieces of the sermon floating out.  Even though I didn’t understand Latin then, there was still something comforting in the words.”

Ryunosuke’s gaze was focused on the ground.  His voice left him hushed, the tone wounded.  “Remember what I told you about using that word to address yourself?”

Daniel looked at him.  “I’m sorry.  An old habit, but I’ll work to break it.”

“And I’ll do what I can to help you, even if it’s just reminding you you’re so much better than that.”

A soft smile rose to Daniel’s lips.  Ryu not only defended him against true foes, but from himself as well.  It sparked hope inside him that their friendship wasn’t as broken as he thought.  He felt the need for Ryu’s touch,  throughout his body, over his skin.  Even the smallest of touches would do.  He just wanted contact from him.

Daniel offered a hand to Ryu. 

Ryunosuke looked at it, then met Daniel’s gaze, giving him a gentle smile as he placed his hand in Daniel’s.  He shifted closer to him, sitting so their shoulders and arms touched.  “I never knew you to go to church after we met.  Or maybe you did, but since it’s not a part of my life, I never paid attention.”

“I stopped going after Titus took me in.  When that other bastard owned me, the things he did made me lose all faith in a greater protector, until Titus.  After he rescued me, I saw no need to worship anything or anyone other than him.”

Ryunosuke took a breath as if to say something but slowly let it out in a sigh.

Heavy silence fell between them. 

Daniel cleared his throat but still only managed to get his voice out in a whisper.  “A lot has changed now, though.  I’ve come to accept I’m not the one he was meant to be with.  And maybe I’ve always known that, deep down, but I chose to ignore it.  He’s found his soul-mate, his eternal partner, in Andreas.  I won’t deny I still hold some hurt over it; how can I not after loving, wanting, and hoping for so long?  But I’ve also come to care very much for Andreas, and even I can see the beauty of what they have together.  And for all Titus has done for me, there’s a part of me that’s overjoyed at seeing him finally and truly happy.”

Ryunosuke squeezed Daniel’s hand.  “He would be proud of you for saying that.  You’ve grown so much.”

Daniel laughed lightly.  “Yes, it’s only taken me three hundred years or so to mature.”

Ryunosuke grinned and leaned a little more into him.

Daniel pressed back.  “And what about you?  Are you proud of me?”

Ryunosuke tipped his head back, his gaze moving beyond the water tower to look at the stars.  “I’m proud of you, too.  But, I’m also happy to hear that it sounds like you’re getting closer to moving on from him.”

“I’m not getting closer to moving on.  I’m ready to do so now.”

Ryunosuke turned his head to look at him.  There it was, that intense look in Daniel’s soft brown eyes.  Before, he only hoped he was interpreting it in the right way, wanting it to mean Daniel was attracted to him.  Daniel had dropped so many hints and clues about being attracted to him, but he felt the way Daniel talked to him now with such open honesty could be trusted so much more than the flirtations.

Daniel glanced toward the tower again.  He pulled his hand from Ryunosuke’s to rub both of his gloved hands together.  “It feels like it’s starting to get colder.”

Ryunosuke brought his gaze forward.  Or maybe he was wrong about what Daniel was feeling.  His emotions and senses got so muddled around him.  Normally he could read anyone.  But Daniel, what he was thinking and feeling, had always been an enigma to him.  It was as if Daniel could shut off his emotions at times, or he was a master at hiding them when he wanted to. 

It made sense, actually.  With what Daniel had gone through when he was young, it was probably a matter of survival to control his feelings and close himself off at times.  But then there were other moments when Daniel’s emotions shone so clear. 

Ryunosuke pushed the thoughts aside.  He hadn’t figured Daniel out in countless years.  He sure as hell wouldn’t be able to do it now.  He stood up and half turned away from him.  “I think it’s getting colder, too.  We should find a place to go in for a while.”

“I agree.”  Daniel grinned at him.  “I could do with a warm drink.”

“I’m sure there’s a bar nearby.”

A few hushed chuckles left Daniel.  “That wasn’t the kind of warm drink I was referring to.”

“I didn’t think so.  I was more thinking you might be able to pick up someone who’s already drunk for a quick feeding.”

Daniel sighed and leaned forward, propping up his head up with his elbow on his knee, his chin cupped in his hand.  “So much effort.  It’s gets tiresome.”

Ryunosuke gazed at him, words screaming in his mind to be spoken.  Should he?  He wanted to.  He could feel it inside him, the yearning to give himself to Daniel, to provide him with the life sustaining blood he needed.  But he’d already tried to get Daniel to take his blood before, and if Daniel refused it when he was injured and so desperate for it, why would he take it now?

Still, would it hurt to offer?  There was a chance Daniel could say yes, wasn’t there?  Clinging to the thin hope, Ryunosuke turned toward him again.  He lowered his voice.  “You could always take from me.” 

He saw Daniel tense and regretted letting the words have voice.  His mind raced to find a way to smooth over the offer, to make light of it and ease the discomfort he caused Daniel.

“Okay.”

Ryunosuke startled inside.  Daniel didn’t…he couldn’t have…it must’ve been a trick of his mind.  “What did you say?”

Daniel slowly rose to his feet.  He faced Ryunosuke, standing eye to eye with him.  “I said ‘okay’.  If you truly mean it.”

“Of course I do.  I’m surprised, that’s all.  I didn’t think you’d want me.”

Daniel pulled off his glove to touch Ryunosuke’s cheek, wanting to feel Ryu’s skin beneath his fingertips.  He caressed down, settling his hand on Ryu’s chest.  “When it comes to trust, of everyone in the world, of everyone I’ve ever met, only you’re on equal standing with Titus and Andreas in my heart, mind, and soul.”

Daniel’s words wiped any response from Ryunosuke’s mind.  He never thought he’d hear Daniel say he trusted him as much as Titus.  And Daniel’s voice, sensuality overflowed from each spoken word.  This wasn’t flirting.  It was seduction.

Ryunosuke laid his hand over Daniel’s resting on his chest, curling his fingers around it.  “I don’t know what to say.  Thank you.”

“You don’t have to say even that.  In the things you’ve done for me, the care and kindness you’ve given me, those say everything.”

Ryunosuke slid an arm around Daniel’s lower back, drawing him in so their bodies pressed together.  His voice left him in a husky whisper.  “Do you want to go back to the house?”

Daniel shook his head.  “I’m too anxious. I don’t want to wait even the time to get back.  I want to do it right now.”

“I guess we could do things true vampire style.  Find a private place, down an alley or somewhere.”

Daniel gripped Ryunosuke’s hand and started walking.  “Let’s go.”

Copyright 2011 by S.J. Frost

New Release: NATURAL INSTINCTS by S.J. Frost

Now available at MLR Press. 

NATURAL INSTINCTS by S.J. Frost
M/M vampire erotic romance novel
Published by MLR Press
Available in all ebook formats and in print.






BLURB:

Andreas Nikandros has one focus, to kill the vampire he believes murdered his sister, and he knows with their greater strength, the surest way to kill a vampire is to become one.  As a zoologist, he’s used to looking at the world from a natural standpoint, but when he sets out on a quest to find a vampire to Turn him, what he finds in Titus Antonius Calidus is the last thing he expected.  Titus has lived for over a thousand years, and in that time has only ever given his heart to one man.  As they follow their natural instincts, they discover something truly worth living forever for, each other.

EXCERPT:

*In this scene from Chapter 1, Andreas Nikandros goes to the restaurant, La Rose Rouge, to confront the vampire he believes murdered his sister, and also meets vampire Titus Antonius Calidus*

“Do you have a reservation, sir?” she asked.

“I do. It’s under Nikandros.” Andreas smoothed his pale blue button-down shirt and flicked his hand at nonexistent lint on his black pants, feigning patience while she opened a ledger to check for his name.

She inclined her head in acknowledgment and turned to show him into the restaurant. “Would you prefer the bar or the restaurant, Mr. Nikandros?”

Andreas followed her through an arched doorway. “The bar, please.”

Dark red carpeting flowed before him, and he couldn’t help but think the color had been wisely chosen. Round wooden tables covered in white linen and booths of cream colored leather seats filled the space. Small chandeliers hung down from the cathedral ceiling, their light causing tiny rainbows to dance off the walls trimmed in a gold leaf border. To the far right on a half circle stage, a string quartet played Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”

Andreas noticed eyes turning from conversations and meals to him, many holding open appreciation, others a hunger beyond physical attraction. He was used to being looked at in the first way. His medium build lined in fine musculature, his hair of loose black curls, eyes of blue-gray, and delicate facial features provided him many admirers. Though in this place, being an attractive human was like being an injured gazelle within a lion’s sight.

Andreas followed the hostess as she turned to the left, leading him through another arched doorway to the bar. The dark wood floors and walls made the space feel warmer than the cool formality of the restaurant. It also allowed for darker shadows.

The hostess departed, and Andreas headed for the long bar. As he reached for a stool, a hand clapped down on his shoulder. He turned, and though he considered himself fairly tall at six feet, his eyes were only level with the chin of the man beside him. Andreas was positive the guy wasn’t a vampire, though he might be an ogre, if such things existed. At this point, with how his vision of “the real world” had been shaken, he didn’t doubt the existence of anything.

Andreas tipped his head back to look into the man’s eyes, and with a backhanded slap to the other’s wrist, knocked the beefy hand from his shoulder. “Hands off.”

The large man reached for him again, snatching him by the upper arm. “My boss wants a word with you.”

Andreas stared at the man in disbelief. He’d been in the restaurant for less than five minutes, and already he had caught Renart’s attention? The guard started walking, leaving Andreas no choice but to go with him. From the guard’s purposeful march, Andreas guessed their destination was a booth taking up a back corner that allowed for a clear view through the doorway to see all who entered the restaurant.

His gaze fell on the man occupying the booth, and he knew from his sister’s descriptions he was Renart. With his dark brown hair pulled back in a tight, short queue, his sharp, raptor-like features were pronounced. Andreas couldn’t deny Renart was attractive, but there was an aura around him enhancing Renart’s physical appearance. The vampire sat with an air of complete control, power, and dominance.

The guard brought Andreas to a halt at the table’s edge. Andreas watched Renart’s deep brown eyes move over him. He chanced glancing away from Renart to the group gathered round the booth: three males, two females. The predatory look in their eyes gave them away for what they were, and also, he didn’t think Renart would flank himself with humans. Two of the males stood side by side whispering to each other. Watching them, a tremor of unease went through Andreas.

Neither of the two males looked like they could be far beyond twenty years-old, or in actuality, couldn’t have been older than that when Turned. One had a purposely messy cut to his brown hair, the other wore his blond hair in a short, neat style. The brown-haired one had features rugged and angular, but no less handsome than the softer face of the blond. Andreas’s gaze darted back to Renart when he caught movement from him.

Renart leaned his cheek on his fist, an amused smirk on his lips. “I know who you are, and I can make a guess as to what you’re doing here, Andreas Nikandros.”

Andreas steeled himself against the sound of Renart’s voice, deep, smooth, and tinted with a French accent. How many times had Adrienne said the sound of Renart’s voice alone was enough to melt her? Now having heard it, he understood better.

Andreas adopted a posture of arrogance and let out an indignant snort. “I would hope you could figure it out since I used my real name to make my reservation, and my purpose for being here should be fairly easy to guess considering this is a restaurant.”

Renart’s smirk broadened. “Not only is your scent similar to your sister’s, but your sharp tongue is also. That was one of my favorite things about her and all the various ways she was skilled with in using it.”

Andreas stared at him in cold silence.

“Ah, but that was before her tragic death,” Renart continued, his voice nonchalant. “And now here you are, her distraught little brother coming before me on some misguided sojourn for revenge. I am correct, no? That is why you’re here.”

Andreas fought to control the muscles in his face from contorting with rage and maintained a neutral expression as he looked into Renart’s eyes. “Actually, I’m looking for a master.”

Renart let out a chuckle. “Are you now? Why does that sound so very unbelievable considering I know how dear you were to Adrienne, and I gather your feelings toward her were the same.”

Andreas shrugged. “I warned her more than once that if you play with vampires you’re bound to get bit. But she didn’t listen, and now she’s gone because of it. I don’t have the same delusions she did, thinking she could make a beast like you love her. I know what I’m walking into, and I can handle it.” On his final word, Andreas fought to not put a hand over his heart to calm the hurt from speaking of his sister in such a way.

“Oh, you’re good.” Renart sat forward and placed his hands on the table. All amusement vanished from his expression. “But I can smell your pain with every word you spit out. And while this display is mildly entertaining, I can’t continue to breathe in that sweet scent you carry just like hers.” Without taking his gaze from Andreas, Renart flicked his hand toward the brown-haired male. “Troy, take this toy out back and instill in him the importance of never returning here again.”

Andreas lunged for Renart. He hardly twitched forward before Troy and the blond male snatched his arms. He felt their sharp fingernails, already grown into their predatory claws, sink through the thin fabric of his shirt and into his skin. Knowing that struggling would only attract the attention of other vampires, Andreas silently glared at Renart, and then walked as the vampires pulled him toward the back of the bar and through a swinging door to the storeroom. One of the females squeezed between them and the rows of shelves holding bottles of wine and various alcohols to a steel door. She shoved it open a fraction of a second before he was thrown toward it.

Andreas stumbled into the alley, reeling to catch his balance. He whirled around. A fist smashed into the side of his mouth. The force knocked him to the side and the ground. He landed hard, his body rigid with shock and pain.

Andreas struggled to suck in a breath, then lost the little bit of air he gained when a sharp-toed boot slammed into his ribs. He curled his body into a ball. Through his pain, laughter deafened him. Andreas lay still, waiting for the next strike to come. His mind moved far too sluggishly in forming a plan for escape, and it seemed fixated on one thought: he’d failed.

A voice broke through his thoughts and over the laughter.

“Children, children, look what you’ve done.”

The laughter ceased.

The rich baritone spoke again. “Clearly you’re undeserving of such a fine treat.”

Andreas sensed the other vampires moving away from him. He opened his eyes to see them standing in a cluster near the wall of the restaurant, their gazes fixed beyond him. He couldn’t help but think they resembled a pack of hyenas when forced to bow to a lion, unable to do anything but watch as their prey was stolen from them.

Andreas felt a presence standing over him. A hand touched his shoulder and pushed him onto his back. Andreas’s gaze traveled up long legs clad in black pants to a steel-gray silk shirt and over each button to the top where two were open to reveal ivory skin. He looked at the slender jaw, the high cheekbones framed with platinum-blond hair, and met the silver stare of the other.

Troy took two quick steps forward. “Back off, Calidus! He’s ours!”

The blond vampire snatched Troy by the arm, muttering under his breath. “Troy, no. No one’s allowed to call Lord Titus that.” His voice dipped lower, though Andreas still caught him mumbling the word “ancient.”

Troy shook off the other’s grip. “I know who he is, Isaac, and I don’t give a shit. That piece is ours!”

Titus looked up from Andreas to Troy. With fluid grace, he stood, his gaze locked on Troy. Even without the gaze focused on him, Andreas could feel the lethal threat radiating from Titus.

Troy slunk back toward the door. “Don’t think I won’t tell Lord Renart about this.”

“I’d be grateful for the favor,” Titus said.

Troy backed through the door, Isaac and his companions mimicking his movements.

Titus kept his gaze on the door until it closed, then brought it back to Andreas. “And now for you.” He bent over him and dipped the fingers of one hand into Andreas’s hair near his temple, drawing them through the curls. “Let’s get a better look at you.”

Titus slipped his hands under Andreas’s arms and, with the ease of lifting a small child, hauled him to his feet. He spun Andreas around, holding him under the light hanging above the backdoor and looked into his eyes, drinking in their blue-gray hue.

“Like the sea before a storm,” Titus said softly.

His strength returning, Andreas got his feet under him and moved to take a step back. Titus dug his fingers into Andreas’s upper ribs, stopping him. Andreas stood eye to eye with him, his heartbeat quickening. “Titus, that’s your name?”
Titus tipped his head closer to him, his lips a fraction from Andreas’s. “Titus Antonius. And yours?”

Andreas took a breath, inhaling Titus’s exhale. “Andreas Nikandros.”

Titus bowed his head, bringing his nose closer to Andreas’s neck. “A Greek name.” He lifted his head, his eyes focused on the rivulet of blood coursing from Andreas’s bottom lip to his chin. “Maybe you carry ancient blood also.”

Titus touched the tip of his tongue to Andreas’s chin and licked up the red line, a deep groan rumbling from his throat as he did. There was a sweetness to Andreas’s blood, just as his natural fragrance had betrayed, and the energy and virility of his essence sent a euphoric rush through Titus.

S.J. Frost
http://www.sjfrost.com/