Grim's Gem

Grim:
Losing loved ones is nothing new to me. Life is short and seems even shorter for the people I love the most. I refuse to lose anyone else. I have dedicated my life to saving people in need. My brothers will always come first, though. Until I see her bruised and beaten on the side of the road. I vow right then and there to heal her and protect her. After one night with her under me, I know I want this woman in my life forever. Unfortunately, when I wake to find her gone, I worry she doesn’t feel the same. That will not stop me, though. I’ll find her and prove I can be whatever she needs, and maybe, just maybe, she can be the one who heals me.

Jade:
Men… why do we need them in our damn lives, anyway? They think they can take take take with no consequences. I only trusted one man in my life; now he’s gone and I’m left missing my dad every day. Against my better judgment, I let someone badger me into dating again. One silly little date quickly turns into one of the scariest moments of my life. Then I’m stuck racing through the woods, down a country back road, with ripped clothing and no hope of getting back home. Or so I thought. When I hear a motorcycle in the distance, I run faster, harder. Not another man, not now. But when he pulls over and gives me soft but concerned eyes, I melt just a little. It doesn’t take me long to fall for his charms, but sexy rough bikers don’t go for women like me. So once again, I ran the next morning. I didn’t realize I was leaving such a big part of my heart with him.. Or that I was taking a very big part of him with me.

Note: Previously published as Deathwatch Beetle by Jaycee Wolfe. This is a second edition of that title, and has undergone significant edits while the content/plot remains largely the same.