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Tropes and potential triggers include: graphic sex, multiple appendages, dominance, fighting, verbal abuse, physical abuse (off the page), and punishment (off the page).
Please read at your own risk.
Introduction
Eva is a beautiful woman trapped in an unhappy relationship and looking for a single night of fun. Slade is a serpentine monster happy to oblige, but he senses there could be more between them than a one-night stand, and is determined to find the woman of his dreams after she disappears from his life.
This story is the introduction to the world of Monstrocity, and there will be lots more to come. Tempted: The Fallen contains a happy(ish) for now ending, as well as a continuing mystery that leads to an eventual happily ever after.
Chapter 1
Eva
This is my one and only chance.
Adan is out tonight and, miracle of miracles, he took all his bodyguards with him. I think I was initially supposed to go along, but I told him I didn’t feel well and went to bed early.
I even managed to make myself vomit, just to prove how sick I was. Now I’m here alone, and Adan won’t be home until tomorrow morning. He didn’t even check on me before he left, which says more about our relationship than I ever could.
He simply assumes that I’ll spend the night under the covers, miserable and alone. Why would he ever suspect that I might break the rules? I never have before. But if I’m ever going to get a fun night without him, this is my shot.
I pull my hair into a long ponytail, slip on my favorite jeans, and toss on a black leather jacket and boots. I need to blend into both the night and the normal population—for once, I don’t have to wear an evening gown or a cocktail dress.
For the final step in my transformation, I grab a ball cap and tuck it low over my forehead. There are cameras in the lobby of my building, Eden Towers West, and if Adan ever thinks to check them—though why would he?—I don’t want him to recognize me. I take the elevator down, hustle through the lobby, and slip out the door.
I walk five blocks and then hail a cab and pay in cash I stole from his wallet a few days ago. He never counts his money—a luxury of wealth—but even if he decided to, he won’t know how much he had.
He’s careless about that sort of thing. He can afford to be. On the other hand, Adan checks my phone religiously, and my allowance goes straight to our shared account, so he’d definitely notice if I took and paid for a rideshare that way.
The cab lets me out right in front of the bar, where a silvery light over the door announces that I’ve arrived at Babel Lounge. The doorman lets me in with barely a glance, and I linger in the foyer for a moment, taking it in.
The club is exactly what I want. Low lights, quiet jazz music, classy cocktails. Not skeezy, but also not the kind of place where anyone would know me. A mix of humans and monsters, everyone minding their own business in booths or mingling at the bar.
I grab a small table in the back corner and order an old fashioned with an extra cherry. I lean back with a sigh, relaxed for the first time in…months? Years? I can’t remember.
All I know is that this is the kind of place Adan would never deign to step foot in. A place where monsters are welcome and his favorite, $300-per-bottle scotch isn’t served. A place where no one knows me, no one cares what I’m doing. I’m just an anonymous human woman, here for a drink.
I finally let myself smile. I actually did it. I snuck out. And even if Adan eventually finds out and I have to face consequences, it will have been worth it.
I’ll make sure of that.
When my drink is half gone and the last of my nerves have settled, I let myself check out the other patrons. Most of the tables are taken by couples and throuples, but there are loners here and there, especially at the bar.
One in particular catches my eye.
I’m 5’10” in my bare feet, and I clear 6’0” in these boots. But I can tell, even from afar, that he must have a good six inches on me, if not more.
He’s humanoid, but definitely not human, sporting an exquisite three-piece suit and snakeskin markings on his exposed flesh. It’s hard to tell in the dim light, but I think his eyes are yellow, and thin snakes sprout from his scalp, intertwined with the dark hair he has pulled into a man bun.
His jaw is chiseled, his lips are full, his nose is proud and straight. In a nutshell, he’s hot like fire and I perk up at the sight of him.
I stare for a moment, wondering if I’ve ever seen someone this good looking before. The way his hair is pulled back makes the light hit his cheekbones, which are high and sharp. My nipples harden beneath my shirt, letting me know that whoever he is, my body wants to get to know him better.
As I watch him, he turns and our gazes lock. I stare for a minute, feeling a pull in my stomach. He’s as hot from this angle as he was from the side. Oh, yes. I definitely need to meet this guy.
He’s exactly what I’m looking for.
I raise my glass to him and he approaches my table.
