Title: Steel Lily
Author: Megan Curd
Genre: Dystopian
Expected Release Date: 20th August
EXCERPT
I’d never seen anyone
like him in Dome Four. His jawbone was strong, his cheekbones set high. His
nose was regal and straight and when my gaze reached his eyes, my breath
caught. Stormy blue-grey eyes that reminded me of shale returned my gaze with
seemingly genuine curiosity, if not a bit of humor. Strips of colored fabric
were woven into his dreadlocked hair, giving it a wildly unique appearance that
suited him. His smug expression made me realize he was enjoying this.
“Are you finished
checking me out? If you’re not, that’s okay; I allow every new woman I meet a
free five-minute gawking period. After that, it’ll cost you.”
Blood rushed to my
face. I tore my eyes from his magnetic gaze and watched as he took a worn
leather strap off his wrist. He pulled back his dreadlocks–deep brown streaked
with blonde–into the strap. His devilish grin pulled his eyes tight at the
corners. He was trouble incarnate. Trouble I may very well want to get into,
given the right circumstances.
“You’re at five
minutes and thirty seconds now,” he said in a purr as he leaned in toward me. I
felt his breath against my cheek, and my heart raced. “I’m going to start
taking payment, and I choose how that payment is issued.”
Before I could
respond, Alice stirred groggily beside me. She rubbed her eyes as she sat up.
“Where are we?”
“Good question,”
piped Jaxon. “One that your friend here failed to ask, but it could have been
because I rendered her speechless with my good looks.”
Alice moved to get a
better look at him, but he emphatically covered his face, as though he were a
vampire trying to block the sun. “Don’t look at me!” he cried, then grinned as
he winked at me. “I don’t want to make two ladies swoon in such a short period
of time. How would I entertain myself tonight?”
“You’re not that handsome,”
I argued mulishly.
“There’s drool on
your chin. Either you’re physically unable to keep your mouth shut, or I caused
you to forget how. Since when I found you, you were drool free, I’m going with
the assumption that it was me.” He fished in his pocket and offered me a piece
of white silk. “Here, a handkerchief for your trouble.”
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