“I must caution you,” James said. “A compliment is forthcoming.” She was surprised into a laugh. He stared down at her steadily. His gray eyes were warm. “Last time, you requested adequate warning.” Her cheeks heated under the weight of his gaze. “Very well. If you insist.” “You look beautiful this evening,” he said. Her smile of amusement faded. For all his absurdity, he was heart-meltingly serious.” RomanceProper RomanceBrooding Hero Book:A Lady of Conscience Source: A Lady of Conscience
“He narrowed his gaze and looked down at the ground, spotting a good sized rock, he picked it up and bounced the weight in his hand, looking back at the trees. Then, without ceremony, flung it into their shadows. The reaction was immediate. Branches twisted, limbs snapped forward like claws, snatching at the stone with frantic hunger. The trees fought each other, scraping and screeching in dry, fibrous snarls. A savage ballet of predators without prey. A curl of grim satisfaction touched his mouth. 'Nasty little fuckers, just like everything else in this place.' And if the trees were this alive… the sprites inside them would be worse” Dark FantasyMake BelieveEpic Fantasy RomanceBrooding Hero Book:Make-Believe Source: Make-Believe