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Excerpt from Infernal by Kate Hill Available now from Ellora's Cave! Dulcie stepped into the large, brightly lit kitchen. Though she disliked how bright humans kept everything, she’d grown accustomed to their preferences. Matthew had little difficulty with it, having been raised by a mortal family. Still, the sun irritated his eyes so much that during the day he usually wore sunglasses. He stood by the sink, talking to one of his hospital’s fellows, Nancy Brenner. Dulcie smiled, glad Nancy was there. For the first time that night, she sensed Matthew relax. Nancy had no idea her boss wasn’t human, but Dulcie doubted it would matter. She was a pleasant young woman with a full, freckled face, kind brown eyes, and the pudgiest fingers Dulcie had ever seen on someone so slim. She was a good friend to both Matthew and Dulcie. Yet Nancy didn’t capture Dulcie’s attention at that moment. Matthew did. Even after eight years of marriage and a string of previous affairs, Dulcie thought he was the most attractive man she’d ever seen. Though not perfectly handsome or a pretty boy, he possessed magnetism that outshone classic looks. Well over six feet and rangy, he moved with the grace of a great cat, fluid but with underlying power. Impeccably dressed in a dark blue designer suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and long, lean legs, he leaned against a countertop as he talked. The red silk tie knotted at his throat made Dulcie quiver as she thought about what he’d probably do with that tie later in their bedroom. The clean cut of his dark, curly hair formed a perfect square against his smooth, strong neck. His high forehead looked almost primitive, yet the sapphire eyes beneath shone with keen intelligence and decency. His nose—straight, slightly snubbed—was his cutest feature, and his mouth was his most erotic. He turned to her and smiled. “We were just saying now would be a great time to get out of here,” Nancy murmured to Dulcie. “Sounds like the best idea I’ve heard all night,” Dulcie replied, glancing at Matthew as he slipped the wine glass from her hand and placed it on the countertop. He whispered close to her ear, “I told you this was a bad idea.” “Yes, you did.” Dulcie tilted her head against his shoulder. “At least the night is still young.” “Well, I’m going while the going’s good.” Nancy edged her way toward the door. “See you tomorrow, Matthew. Dulcie, maybe we can get together for dinner at the end of the week?” Dulcie waved to her. “I’m there.” Once Nancy had gone, Dulcie looked up at Matthew. “Want to go outside for a minute before saying goodbye to our charming hostess?” “I detect sarcasm in your voice.” “Do you blame me?” “Not in the least,” he whispered, his voice only audible to her keen vampiric hearing. “Lana is a jealous snob. Always has been. Robert’s not too bad. I can almost condone his affair with Jacqueline.” They stepped through the sliding glass doors onto a concrete porch tastefully decorated with white lawn furniture. The Blacks had just built the large, suburban home, but Dulcie thought the spacious Colonial Matthew had renovated looked much more attractive. She’d been thrilled to move out of her condo and in with him after their marriage. He’d added on a studio for her, completely surrounded by glass picture windows since he knew how much she loved to paint by moonlight. As they walked through the Black’s dark backyard, shadowed even more by trees, a soft-rock love song drifted from the CD player inside the house. “Sound familiar?” Dulcie slipped her hand into Matthew’s as they walked behind some tall bushes. “How can I forget?” He drew her into his arms. “The song we danced to at our wedding. Care to dance it again?” Smiling, she nodded and drew a deep breath at the touch of his hand on her waist. He grasped her other hand and led her in gentle, swaying motions across the grass. His movements slowed as he tilted her face up to his for a kiss.

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