Excerpt of Animal Instincts by Patricia Rosemoor

Dark hair whipped around features so rugged they could have been cut from granite. High cheekbones. Broad forehead. Square chin. His eyes appeared silver in the moonlight, and they glowed at me, tightening my stomach and making it hard to breathe.

Trembling, I gasped, "What just happened?"

"You got into something that doesn't concern you." Forget about it.

I started. He hadn't said the last bit out loud. There was something about him so powerful that I almost agreed.

I fought the desire to give in, saying, "I'm not forgetting about anything. Who are you?"

I felt as if he were trying to push the command into my mind.

Glaring at him, I pushed back.

"What are you?" he asked.

"Someone who protects animals."

His silence told me that wasn't exactly the explanation he was looking for. My pulse threaded unevenly as he stepped closer. I sensed both threat and something less tangible, something that made my stomach knot and my throat tighten. I'd always had a psychic connection not only with animals, but with my brother. No one else. Not until now. And this guy being able to mess with my mind went beyond any previous experience I'd had.

"Did you have something to do with the fight?" I gasped. "Where did those predators come from? What kind of power do you have over them?" It had to be something supernatural.

He stepped closer, and I sucked in a breath as his power cut through me, speeding my pulse, drying my mouth.

"You need to forget about them, Skye."

This time he said it aloud. And he used my name.

"How do you know who I am?" I demanded, my heart beating so fast I could feel it bump up against my ribs. "What were you doing here? Who are you?"

Rather than answering my questions, he reached out and slid a palm along my cheek. The touch seared me, reminding me of the time I'd inadvertently touched a live wire. Wanting to move, wanting to run, I stood frozen instead. He was so close, I imagined I could feel the heat of his body as he splayed fingers around the side of my head. My insides trembled and my breasts felt full and tight.

What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I move? Or speak?

You never saw me. You'll forget about me the moment I disappear.

Every fiber of my being longed to do what he wanted. But something in me, the thing that made me do what I do, was stronger.

"Disappear to where?" I demanded through a parched throat when I finally found my voice. "I have an excellent memory."

Appearing frustrated that I'd been able to hear the silent command, he dropped his hand. "What are you?" he asked again.