Marked. Lydia Parks

      

      A month of research pointed shapeshifter Cole to nurse Alicia Ortiz as the only hope for his people’s survival. Yet he hadn’t needed any of that research the moment he saw her. Her kindness and power shone as strongly as her beauty, and Cole had to fight his desire for her. His duty was to convince Alicia to embrace her heritage, not give in to his passion. But even though it may mean failing his mission, Cole could not resist the urge to claim her as his own…

      Marked

      Lydia Parks

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

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      Don’t miss the other spooky and sensual NOCTURNE BITES, available at www.millsandboon.co.uk and wherever eBooks are sold. Titles include:

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      Looking for more paranormal romance? The sizzling and spine-chilling books of Silhouette Nocturne are available at www.millsandboon.co.uk or your local bookstore.

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      Chapter One

      Cole caught her scent long before she passed his door. Fruity shampoo, floral soap and sweet female sweat drew a groan from deep in his chest.

      He rose from his chair, crossed the room in two strides and stood with his palms and forehead pressed to the door, his eyes closed. Alicia’s heels thudded on the concrete walkway and her keys jingled. She stopped in front of her door, unlocked it and disappeared inside her apartment.

      A month of research pointed to her being the one, but he hadn’t needed any of that research the moment he met her. He’d been drawn to her, not just as to one of his own, but with a force stronger than anything he’d ever faced. She was beautiful, yes, but so much more. She was special. Her kindness shone through like a beacon, insight glistened in her eyes, and her power was a golden aura.

      His hands curled slowly into fists against the cold wood.

      He wanted her so badly he shook.

      Music seeped through the wall between them, something with a quick, steady rhythm to match his heartbeat. He pushed away from the door and paced the room. One quick circle. Two.

      It was well past time to approach her. He’d put off this moment for fear of failure.

      He couldn’t return without her. And the thought of staying away much longer was unbearable. The confines of his secret, being surrounded by strangers, existing only as a human: these things were taking their toll. His muscles longed to burn, his soul to fly across open ground. He could almost hear the wind whistling past his ears.

      He stopped in the middle of the room, staring at the door.

      He must take the risk. This was the moment of truth.

      With a deep breath he started forward.

      Alicia dropped her pack on the table as she went to the kitchen, where she filled a glass with water and gulped it down. She kicked off her shoes. Even comfortable shoes were painful after ten hours on tile floors.

      She was halfway through the water when the doorbell rang.

      Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she left the glass on the counter, turned down the stereo as she tiptoed past it and peered through the door’s peephole.

      She smiled at the distorted view of Cole’s face. Even like this, her neighbor was way past gorgeous.

      For a moment, she considered leaving him there so she could watch him. Would he ring the doorbell again? Or would he give up?

      He ran his hand across his sensuous mouth and glanced around. That mouth had been causing all kinds of erotic thoughts for months, since the first day he’d smiled at her. She wondered how his lips would feel against hers.

      Alicia pushed her hair into place and opened the door. “Hi.”

      Cole’s amber gaze slid quickly down her body and back up. “Hello.”

      A shiver tripped up her spine in response.

      Shifting his weight to one foot, he shoved his hands into his pants pockets as if he were a kid selling magazines. “I know you just got home, but do you mind a little company?”

      He was anything but a kid, although she wasn’t sure if he was closer to thirty or forty. Broad shoulders and a flat stomach on his six-foot frame did nothing to give away his age. Long, sandy hair, always a little wild, set off his tan nicely as did his golden eyes, no doubt a contact-altered shade. Except for the light scar down the left side of his face, he could easily have been a model for expensive men’s clothing.

      Actually, the scar didn’t detract from his appeal. It just hinted at a rugged side.

      “Come in,” she said, stepping away from the open door. “Want a beer?”

      “Yes, thank you.”

      Grinning, she walked to the kitchen and drew two bottles from the refrigerator. She’d certainly never met anyone as polite as Cole. Almost old-fashioned. In the three months he’d lived next door, she’d never heard him raise his voice or his stereo, and never seen him fail to help anyone with their grocery bags if he happened to be passing by. He’d spoken to her quite a few times, mostly small talk about the weather.

      This was the first time he’d dropped by.

      Alicia had just about decided he was gay. She knew she wasn’t a knockout but, at twenty-nine, she was still relatively young and she had a good figure. Hard work kept her weight down. Most single guys in the complex had asked her out within the first month of moving in. Cole hadn’t even hinted at being interested.

      He stood in front of the overused orange living room suite watching her approach with more than a hint of interest.

      Why the sudden change? Maybe he’d broken up with someone and was just getting over it. Or maybe he was incredibly shy.

      He accepted a beer and waited until she dropped onto the sofa before sitting in the chair. His forearms, exposed by rolled sleeves, roped with muscle as he twisted off