Lexi Ander’s Dreams Of The Forgotten

If you haven’t read a book by Lexi Ander yet, you should. She writes wonderful stories and every single book by her I’ve read so far has been lovely. I haven’t read the Sumeria’s Sons series yet, but I cannot wait to. The third book in the series, Dreams of the Forgotten, is out now and Lexi stops by with an exclusive scene for us. The scene shows Tristan and Ushna sneaking away from their responsibilities. It’s definitely NSFW so take that into consideration. After you finish reading the sexy, read all about the book and an excerpt that will make you want to know what happens next! At the very bottom enter for a chance to win one of five awesome prizes; among them copies of the book, gift cards, and swag!

Hey y’all! Amanda asked me to write a short little scene where Tristan and Ushna hide away from all of their responsibilities and spend time just the two of them. This is sexy little scene is set between Songs of the Earth and Dreams of the Forgotten, before things get too crazy, but are hectic enough that Tristan devises a plan to steal away for a few hours. Definitely not safe for work. Enjoy!

*~*~* NSFW

I stared at the note taped to the mirror in our private bath.

Meet me in the horse barn. Don’t tell anyone.

What was Tristan up to? The day had been long and the work hard, leaving me dirty and tired. All I wanted to do was curl up with Tristan. Only a couple of weeks had gone by since the ranch had been attacked and we spent any free time making sure the land was protected. By evening, Tristan and I usually fell into bed, sore and exhausted. I couldn’t remember when we last spent time together, just us, without being interrupted.

Smiling slowly, I jumped into the shower and washed quickly. The more I thought about why Tristan wanted me to meet him in the horse barn, the faster I moved. After donning a pair of sweat pants—to hell with the underwear—a T-shirt, pair of old tennis shoes I could simply my feet into, and I was half way to the door before I remembered to stuff a tube of lube in my pocket.

Sneaking through the house, everyone seemed to be doing their own thing. Gregori, Neesie, and Nathan watched TV in the living room. Corey was frying something on the stove when I slipped out the door. Night had fallen and the security lights turned on, illuminating the spaces between the ranch house and the out buildings. I crossed the distance to the horse barn, waving to the warriors who crossed my path, but I didn’t stop or chat. I attempted to look as if I was going about some forgotten chore. I considered it a win when no one stopped me.

When I slipped into the barn, I listened intently as I waited for my eyes to adjust to the low light. There was the scrape of hooves on the floor and soft snorts. Several equine heads turned to look at me, but the horses quickly lost interest, ducking back into the interior of their stalls. In the back, the office light shone. Half way there, my mouth began to water as I inhaled the delicious sent.

Stopping in the doorframe, I took in the scene before me. Randy’s desk had been cleared, a red and white checks table cloth draped over the surface. Two little glass containers held tea lights, and Tristan was unpacking a brown paper bag. By smell alone, I knew what was in the Styrofoam containers. But the food was only second to the sight of Tristan smiling softly at me.

A wave of possessiveness washed over me at the sight of his big beautiful brown eyes ringed with the green of my own eye color. A unique stamp that no other mated pairs would ever have. The symbol was solely our own, and my wolf chuffed in smug agreement. Tristan and I, the connection we had, was like no other. A lazy smirk twisted Tristan’s lips as if he know exactly what I was thinking.

He motioned to the doorway. “Close and lock the door behind you. Tonight there will be no questions from the warriors, no one checking up on us, no interruptions. Just you and me and these awesomely huge sandwiches.”

I did what Tristan asked, the smell of marinated meat mixed with scent of well-oiled leather, hay dust, and an underlying odor of the chemicals and lotions Randy kept on the shelf behind the bench where he mended tack.

He’d went to my favorite whole-in-the-wall restaurant and brought home all of my favorites. He unveiled pulled-pork sandwiches with a side of spicy barbeque sauce, jalapenos, coleslaw, and baked potatoes. When he moved to sit across from me, I snagged him around the waist, and pulled him into my lap.

Here there was no one here to see us. Tristan didn’t need to worry about another seeing him vulnerable. We’d had guards walk in on us, and our office antics the day Nathan and Neesie arrived became the cause of some good-natured ribbing from those oath-bound to Tristan. But the newcomers, the warriors who requested entrance to our tribe, didn’t see the incidents in the same light. Some whispered and gave Tristan side glances but it only took one or two reproachful remarks to make Tristan uncomfortable. Now he hesitated to touch me or to show affection, which was absolutely ridiculous. We were Lycans, touch was essential to our health. We gave and received comfort, shared joy and sorrow through contact. Even though someone didn’t claim to be emotionally hurt, those in our tribes felt the deep need, and we instantly gave comfort. No words needed. No shame… and yet, something had been said or done to cause Tristan to doubt himself. He second guessed what his instinct told him. And it pissed me off.

Tristan and I spent years barely touching because the breaking of his bond became a constant physical pain. I would paced outside his room agonized because there was nothing I could do to ease him. I held him only when he invited, but as the years passed, he invited my touch less and less, until I was sure I’d spend my life only ever as his friend. Then one glorious day, Tristan bid me to come to him, not as a friend or tribe member, but as a lover. I grasped the chance, ecstatic over the change.

I wouldn’t allow the words of a few to jeopardize Tristan’s growth. I’d teach him that to show affection, to touch when and how he wanted was welcomed and natural. Then I’d kick to the curb any who would gainsay me. I had waited for years for Tristan to be whole, to be happy, and I’d be damned if I’d let anyone take that away from him.

So even as he sat stiffly in my lap, I refused to release him. Here, next to me was where he belonged—as close to me as he could get. I’d remind him again and again until his doubt was replaced with confidence, and he no longer thought first before taking my hand.

We ate in silence, with me watching him. The light blush coloring his cheeks was adorable, and so were the small sounds of delight he made after he’d finally relaxed into me. I left the jalapenos slices alone because I had plans of where I wanted to put my mouth, and that kind of spice didn’t mix well with romantic advances. He wiggled a little when my fingertips dipped under the waistband of his sweats and glanced over his hipbone.

He tried to conceal the slight smile behind a bite of his sandwich, but he couldn’t hide from me. He never could because I saw him. I’d always been amazed at how no one else did. Tristan claimed he was plain, ordinary. Not to my eyes.

“Eat,” Tristan groused, but there was no anger behind his command.

“I think I’d like to eat something else.”

Tristan threw his head back and laughed, deep and long. “That’s a terrible line.”

“But true.” I abandoned my food so I could run my other hand over Tristan’s abdomen. He trembled under my fingers. “I think you should put the sandwich down and turn around.”

I was a bit surprised when he did exactly as I said, turning to straddle my hips. His eyes glowed golden, no white visible, and his fingernails darkened as they lengthened. Only warriors could take a third form comprised of both man and wolf. The Lupe was terrifying to see with their blood red eyes and elongated snouts. But Tristan wasn’t just any warrior. As the Alpha of alphas, he came from a long line of kings. Not only was he bigger and stronger than any Lycan alive, but he had the ability to change parts of himself. He was still learning how to control his ability and sometimes his wolf bled over into human in moments of high emotion. Some would be scared. But I wasn’t. I’d never be afraid of him, no matter what form he wore. That his control slipped now screamed his need.

A low rumble sounded in the center of Tristan’s chest, and if I placed my hand in the middle of his torso, his skin would vibrate under my palm. He cupped my face and I didn’t flinch or pull away, but leaned into his touch, holding his eyes with mine.

Not making any sudden moves, I grasped his wrists. “Look,” I bid softly. Tristan glance to where I held him then up to his own hands, and he visibly flinched, but I refused to let him go. “This is what happens when your wolf’s needs are ignored. You avoid my touch when you need me.”

“They—”

“Don’t matter,” I snarled, my ire coming to the surface drawing his gaze back to me. “When it comes to how you and I interact, my opinion is the only one that matters. What would you do if someone kept me from you?”

His growl was loud, and if anyone else had been in the room with us then would’ve backed away and hightailed it out of there. He was my mate, the man I called husband. I’d never run from him.

“Then why should I tolerate the same?” I whispered, my gaze dropping to his lips. His wolf’s teeth had dropped, the sharp tips peeking through his full lips. “You will touch me when you want, and those who have something to say about it can find another tribe to call home. This is ours. Our land. Our ranch. Our tribe. Our home. I refuse to allow anyone to make you self-conscious of how you interact with me. If you want to kiss the breath out of me in the middle of yard then you will. You are mine.”

Tristan gave a low beastly rumble, the word yes hissed before he lowered his lips to mine. Always aware of his strength and his strength, Tristan gentled his touch. Even though I felt the potential for violence in him, with me he remained tender. What he craved from me was different from what he gave me. I ate at his mouth, bruising and demanding. He melted in my arms, surrendering to me with a need for my dominance that bordered on visceral. Slipping my hands down the back of his sweat pants, I grabbed the globes of his ass and squeezed before I urged him to stand.

I pushed his pants down and because Tristan, like me, had high hopes for the evening, he’d gone without underwear. His cock bounced in front of me, the tip already leaking copiously. I couldn’t wait, I had to have a taste. Grasping the base, I licked along the underside collecting his precum on my tongue before a sucked the head into my mouth. My tongue swirled around the flared rim before my mouth sank down along the hard length. When my lips met my fist, Tristan whimpered above me, his fingers carded through my hair, his claws scraping against my scalp.

A shiver worked its way up my spine, and I pulled Tristan to stand closer within the V of my thighs. Releasing the base, I held onto his hips, keeping him from thrusting into my mouth. I bobbed slowly up and down his length, but I didn’t want him to find release in my mouth. I need to be buried inside his heat. Tristan was agreement when I finally drew away, my lips numb and jaw throbbed with a delicious ache.

Tristan tore the shirt over his head, kicking off his ratty shoes in order to get the sweats off from around his ankles. He shuffled awkwardly towards the huge battered couch Randy kept for those afternoon naps he didn’t think anyone knew he took. I undressed just as quickly and grabbed the lube from my pocket. The look Tristan shot over his shoulder as he knelt on the cushions, holding the backside of the sofa almost stopped me in my tracks. That one glance told me how much Tristan wanted me, needed me, and at the moment I felt like… I don’t know. How could I say in a couple of words how it felt when I’ve been blessed beyond my dreams? How I stood at the precipice of everything I could want in this life, and it was all mine. I wanted to lift my head to sky and roar out my pleasure, to announce to all this glorious, powerful man belonged to me,and none living would ever have him?

“I want to see you when I take you.” I thrilled at Tristan’s shiver at my demand.

Popping the lid to the lube, I coated my fingers as I knelt, moving in between his knees before I set the bottle close at hand on the floor. Tristan’s eyes were still bright and golden, but his teeth and claws had retracted. When I took his already kiss swollen lips, he met me with an open mouth, his tongue searching for mine. I teased him, coating his entrance with slick, and making him squirm before I began to prepare him properly. Tristan’s arms clutched me about the chest, his fingers digging into the muscle below my shoulders, and I reveled in every pinch of pain as him moaned and writhed underneath me.

Tristan tore his mouth away, panting hard, the pupils of his eyes huge and dark. Before his could beg or demand, I slowly pressed my rigid length into him. His heat wrapped around me, his body holding me tightly as Tristan lifted his legs. I moved so he could grip his knees, opening his body up to me, his head thrown back, and his mouth wide as he panted. Using the arm of the couch to hold myself above Tristan with one hand, I grasped his cock in my slick hand.

The position was the best, but neither one of cared. I moved within Tristan, and he urged me in his rough voice to go faster, harder. I couldn’t last, but I wanted to Tristan to come before him. I shouldn’t have worried because even as I was devising a way to push him over the precipice, Tristan came. His pearly essence coated my hand and perfumed the air of the enclosed office even as he gave an abrupt shout of pleasure. His body clenched my cock and breath shuddered out of me as he dragged me along with him. After giving a low moan, I shoved deep and came, coating him on the inside, leaving behind my scent so everyone would know—he was mine.

“No. Not yet.” Tristan kept me from pulling out and urged me to sprawl on top of him. The couch was only so wide, and it seemed neither of us wanted to be parted just yet, even if we wouldn’t be going far from each other.

I knew that what I’d said today would need to be repeated often, and I would. Leaning up on my elbow, I stared down in to his sweaty face, his brown hair damp enough it almost looked black. His eyes were back to his normal brown encircled by the emerald green. I brushed a thumb over his swollen lips and he playfully nipped the tip.

“Promise me you’ll quit worrying about what others think of us. Touch me when you want. Kiss me however you desire. If you want to take me into the pantry because you want my lips around my cock, then you’d better drag me in there. And when you come, don’t you dare stifle your scream because that is mine and only mine. Every noise you make belongs to me and no one, absolutely no one, has the right to take that from me.”

A slow wicked smile split Tristan’s lips. “The pantry you say?”

Thank you for stopping by and reading! Good luck in the giveaway!

Blurb:
For Tristan and Ushna, nothing comes easy and with each passing day the challenges grow and the dangers multiply. The safe home they are building for their family and tribe is threatened from all sides, and the peace they seek is being torn apart by enemies and internal strife. Tristan dares not reveal his condition to any but those closest to him, all the while he’s plagued by dreams he cannot remember upon waking…

And over all of it hangs the knowledge that his time with Ushna is running out. Because Ushna already has a Flame awaiting rebirth, and though Tristan would die to protect that bond, he constantly struggles against his beast who demands they bind Ushna to their side.

Excerpt:
Ushna’s Lupe, the third form of half-man and half-wolf that all Lycan warriors used for battle, pushed forward as his need to protect took over. Short, fine, black hair burst through his skin under my hands as his chest and arms thickened, his face elongated, and his mouth filled with jagged teeth. Even with fingers tipped with razor-sharp claws, he was careful as he delicately held me in his protective arms. He growled loud and long in warning.

The light switched on, flooding the room with blinding white light. I heard Gregori in the background yelling in anger, followed by a hollow thumping noise, and wounded yells. I scented who’d invaded our bedroom before I gazed over Ushna’s shoulder.

Several weeks ago, Elder Koller had made a call to pull childhood friends of ours, Stanley Kendall and Jory Swaine, from California. The suggestion had been made after the Magi Triad had tried to kidnap both Gregori and Ushna, and the elder knew these two were men I trusted. We had been expecting them at any time, and I would’ve laughed at their antics if I wasn’t worried Ushna would eviscerate our friends.

Gregori, his red hair wild, clad only in blue sleep pants, had a fistful of Stan’s dark hair and a foot planted in the middle of his back, bowing Stan over backward. Gregori wielded a shoe like it was a Sumerian sword and beat Jory with it. Jory tried to defend himself against the onslaught of the shoe and fight off the two guards who were attempting to subdue him.

“You stupid idiots!” Gregori yelled at the top of his lungs. “You could’ve hurt him, you oversized oafs! What’s wrong with knocking?!”

Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.

“Ushna is going to eat you and I should let him! It would remind you to respect your alpha!”

Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.

“Senseless overgrown children!”

Half a dozen guards filed into the room, taking charge of Stan and Jory, relieving a bedraggled Gregori. Scowling furiously at our friends, Gregori gradually crawled onto the bed, talking soothingly to Ushna, who hadn’t stopped growling. I ran my hands down his fur-covered back to soothe him.

“Everything is okay, Ushna,” Gregori cooed.

I cupped my hands around his face, gazing into his ruby red eyes. “I’m okay,” I whispered to him. “Come back to me.”

He released the Lupe, and Ushna the man emerged, the harsh and horrific features melting away. His body shuddered, muscles clenched and convulsed as his control returned.

It’d been years since I’d seen our two friends. Where Stan was dark, Jory was light. Stanley Kendall had wavy dark brown hair that roughly covered his brow, but didn’t quite touch his collar. His eyes were so brown they were virtually black. He sported a couple days of growth on his chin and cheeks. The stubble looked good against his bronzed skin.

Jory Swaine, on the other hand, had short blond hair, was clean shaven with bright turquoise eyes and golden skin. Stan was broader through the chest with his athletic build while Jory was leaner. Both wore leathers; Jory’s pants where loose, hanging low on his hips and revealing the waistband of his boxers, while Stan looked like he was poured into his.

Ushna turned a furious gaze on Stan and Jory, who were standing in the farthest corner, appearing chastised and contrite. “What in the hell were you thinking!” He roared at them. Gregori and I made shushing noises, but Ushna continued to rumble.

“Ah… surprise?” Stan offered weakly, slightly confused.

“Ushna, it’s okay; they didn’t know,” I said.

Ushna snapped his human teeth at our friends. I swear if we’d been alone, I would’ve jumped and taken him right there.

“Xenres, are you injured?” Corey Bahar was the first to swear a blood oath to me. He’d been Captain until this unexpected growth of the tribe and now he was the newly appointed Arms Master of the Royal Guard. In private, he was most adamant in the use of my title, Xenres, which meant prince in our language. Corey didn’t take his sable gaze off Stan and Jory as he approached me. The man looked like he’d been up for hours with his braided blond hair gleaming, clothes pressed and tucked. Did he ever sleep?

Jory chortled at Corey’s words, which caused Gregori to throw a shoe and bean Jory in the head.

A string of curse words exploded from Jory. “Dammit, Gregori! What the hell was that for?” He rubbed the sore spot.

Gregori didn’t answer. Corey’s question was all it took to make Ushna start snarling again as he ran his hands over me, checking for obvious injury. Gregori rubbed small circles on Ushna’s back. I grabbed his hands and craned my head around to get him to look me in the eye, to see me.

“Hey, hey! I’m okay. I’m not hurt.” I kissed his hands.

“I want Nathan to look at you.” Ushna’s worried gaze continued to study me. Nathan Janick, my brother and the resident doctor, had meticulously cared for me during my pregnancy so far.

“All right.” I knew nothing less would appease him.

Stan watched our exchange. The longer he listened, the more confused he appeared. “What’s the big deal?” He crossed his arms, scowling hard. He and Jory had acted as they normally would around us, with carefree roughhousing.

I grabbed Ushna’s attention before he could bark back a reply. We’d purposely kept my pregnancy within my inner circle. I hadn’t left the Clearwater area, which was my territory. When I needed to go to town, I wore a ring Gregori had made for me, a ring of illusion that had hid my swollen stomach. I didn’t meet with outsiders without it.

We hadn’t told Stan and Jory. All communication had gone through Elder Janus Koller, who’d recruited them to work for the Elder Council in the Enforcement Division. Neither Ushna nor I had spoken to these two before now. Needless to say, we hadn’t anticipated their surprise.

“Master Corey,” I calmly said, “we’re all right. I’m sorry we woke you.” I needed privacy for the talk we were going to have with our old friends.

Corey gave a slight bow. The expression on his face let me know we would be revisiting the issue of posting guards outside the bedroom. I had been successful at convincing Corey that the small group of warriors staying in the house was enough security. We didn’t need someone standing on sentry duty in the hallway. To appease Corey, I had even agreed to allow an armed detail to shadow me around the ranch when I left the house. This stunt of Stan’s and Jory’s would make Cory feel vindicated in his original assessment. I would have to talk quick at the next security meeting to keep the arrangements the way they were now.

“It was no bother, Xenres.” Corey shot Jory a hard look when my friend snorted a laugh. He appeared to be gauging whether Jory was being disrespectful to me or making fun of him. “I won’t be far if you need me,” he said before closing the door behind him.

Jory tried to hide his smirk by rubbing a hand over his face. I knew what was coming before he opened his mouth. “Damn, Tristan. You’ve got people bowing and scraping to you. What’ve you been doing?”

About Lexi:
Lexi has always been an avid reader, and at a young age started reading (secretly) her mother’s romances (the ones she was told not to touch). She was the only teenager she knew of who would be grounded from reading. Later, with a pencil and a note book, she wrote her own stories and shared them with friends because she loved to see their reactions. A Texas transplant, Lexi now kicks her boots up in the Midwest with her Yankee husband and her eighty-pound puppies named after vacuum cleaners.
Website: http://www.lexiander.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexi.ander.9
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LexiAnder1
Blog: http://lexiander.blogspot.com/
E-mail: lexi.ander.author@gmail.com

Buy Links:
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