First Kiss Friday – An Excerpt from “Fangs and Fists 2: Grit” by Kate Hill

Today on First Kiss Friday, we welcome Kate Hill and an excerpt from her erotic paranormal romance novel, “Fangs and Fists 2: Grit.”

Werewolf gladiator Grit faced his own mortality in the arena, only to be resurrected by a demon. Grit now lives a shadowy existence as one of the soulless, remembering only bits and pieces of his former life. Nonetheless, he recognizes evil and knows he must fight for the future of his young son, as well as the rest of the world.

Zari, a vampire warrior, helped Grit escape the tower where he had been imprisoned. She had feelings for Grit when they'd first met, but at the time he had been mated to another wolf. Now that he's on his own, they're free to explore their feelings as they fight side by side as part of the rebellion against the demons. In the midst of war, their love grows, but danger is everywhere.

Haylen, the demon who resurrected Grit, offers a bargain that may save or destroy the rebellion. Whatever the outcome, Zari and Grit intend to face it together and explore the once forbidden passion between them.

First Kiss Excerpt

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

He shook his head and lifted a hand to her cheek, though he dared not touch her flesh. She was a living woman, one with a soul. He knew that many humans, ignorant of magical species, believed vampires and even werewolves lacked souls, but that wasn't true. Grit had a soul once and lately he had a spark of hope that he would one day reclaim it.

His hand still hovered close to her face. He was about to lower it when she leaned her cheek into his palm. Drawing a deep breath, Grit ever so gently caressed her smooth skin, careful to avoid scratching her with his steel claws.

"You're beautiful," he said.

"And I think you're a little lonely." She reached up and took his hand.

"I don't expect you to want me."

"I never --"

"I'm tainted. Used."

"Join the club. No one is perfect."

"But I'm the only among you who is soulless."

"Grit, listen to me. You were resurrected by a demon, but you've proved you're no longer fully under his control. You're reclaiming your soul. Margie believes the more experiences you have, the more you remember and the more new memories you make will help you find the soul you've lost. It's still here." She placed a hand to his chest and his heart leapt again. "You just have to find it. I'll help you."

"You don't have to --"

"I know I don't have to. I want to. You're not the only one with desires."

He wondered if he looked as surprised as he felt.

"You can't possibly --"

"Why not?"

"I'm not just one of the soulless, I'm also a wolf -- or at least I was." Since his resurrection, he hadn't been able to shift shape. "I'm told that our kind don't generally

mix. That's probably half the reason tall, thin and arrogant over there dislikes me so much." Grit glanced toward Christian who stood next to Margie on the other side of the roof, his arms folded and his gaze fixed on Grit.

"You want to let other people's biases dictate how we feel about each other?"

"Of course not."

"Then shut up and kiss me."

Grit didn't need to be told twice. He slipped an arm around her slender waist and tugged her close. His mouth descended on hers.

Zari looped her arms around his neck and pressed even closer to him. At first, Grit kept his mouth closed -- a chaste kiss from a man who was new to emotion. Aside from orders and killing, he had few experiences to remember. At first he'd been little more than a reanimated corpse, connected only to his demon master, who was either incapable of strong emotions or unwilling to share any he might have with his creations.

With the fuzzy return of his memories came emotions as well, and while some were painful, others, like the ones Zari stirred in him now, were beyond pleasurable.

Her soft lips moved sensually against his and Grit responded in kind. He opened his mouth and tentatively traced the shape of her lips with his tongue. She moaned and those delicious lips parted. Her tongue met his and they danced.

Grit tightened his hold on her, practically lifting her off the ground...

“Fangs and Fists 2: Grit” is available through:

Changeling Press