Excerpt of Barbarian Mate

This excerpt of Barbarian Mate is unedited and may differ from the final version, which releases on May 2, 2007 from Ellora’s Cave

An Excerpt From: Barbarian Mate
Copyright © LA. DAY, 2007

Barbarian! The word burst from Eliza’s lips. Anger and frustration flooded her within as she watched the warriors dismount in the center of the village. A clanswoman came forward and escorted the bedraggled captives to the community lodge. Thoughts of what Bruton may have done with the captives tainted her joy at seeing him. Turning the reins of his stallion over to a young boy, Bruton ducked into his lodge ignoring the females. Eliza rolled her tense shoulders, jealousy was not an acceptable emotion for the future Liberian Priestess but she feared that was what was burning in her chest. Had Bruton coupled with any of the females? She squared her shoulders and raised her chin. It did not matter, for her only interest in the barbarian was for his seed. Eliza thought of walking into the village to gather the seed she required, but now her pride would not allow it. She considered a rival clan, another seed giver but her stomach rebelled at the thought. No. It was Bruton’s seed she wanted.


She stepped out of the shadows, her chin tilted up and her gaze boldly seeking his. She would not let him see her fear, her vulnerability. She had a mission to accomplish and she would do it before returning successfully to her clan. Her steps faltered as he rose to his feet in the water. A glimmer of water shimmered across the contour of his powerful chest. She hesitated a moment as something else bobbed out of the water near him. It was the head of his rod, bursting out of the river as if it were a serpent sighting prey. She gulped at the sight, and then continued on her journey. Slowly, she approached the bank and he stood his ground, making no move toward her. Their gazes collided and his dark eyes gleamed with an inner hunger, clearly bespeaking of his want of her body. A slight breeze ruffled her hair and carried the scent of pine laced with testosterone. It filled her lungs and her nose flared, breathing deeply of the heady scent.

Ducking her head beneath his ardent gaze, she dipped a bare toe into the cool water, setting off ripples that once more drew her gaze to him. Eliza’s hands shook as she reached for the tie that held her rawhide skirt in place. She had watched him at his bath on many occasions she had seen others as well but now, she could not recall any of them. His masculine perfection scattered her thoughts. She tried to speak but instead a gulping sound erupted from her mouth. She licked her dry lips.

“Come, my princess. Come take what you want,” his deep voice was husky, huskier than she remembered.

With one arm extended, he beckoned her to his side. She stood mesmerized, transfixed as the sinewy muscles of his chest and arm rippled. Do not form a bond with the seed giver. The elder mother’s words repeated in her head. How was she to take what she wanted from so powerful a male? She had been told that male flesh was weak but it did not appear so to her. The size of his bicep rivaled that of her thigh. It was apparent that forcing him was no option. Finally, managing to swallow the lump in her throat, she tilted her head arrogantly, untied the skirt and let it drop. With feet slightly apart and knees locked, she stood proudly, naked before him, hoping he could not see her fear. The heat of his gaze traveled slowly from her breasts to groin and she had to fist her hands to stop them from covering her nakedness. His fiery gaze flickered back to hers.

“Your beauty rivals that of a goddess. Come to me,” his silky voice commanded and enticed. After a moment, she plunged head first into the welcoming cover of the water.


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