Michelle Rowen: Wicked Kiss

MY KISS CAN KILL.

I used to be ordinary Samantha Day, but that’s changed. Now, after one dark kiss from a dangerous boy, I can steal someone’s soul...or their life. If I give in to the constant hunger inside me, I hurt anyone I kiss. If I don’t...I hurt myself.

Bishop is the one whose kiss I crave most, but if I kiss him, I’ll kill him. Then there’s another boy, one I can’t hurt. One whose kiss seems to miraculously quell my hunger. They’re both part of a team of angels and demons that’s joined forces in my city to fight a mysterious rising darkness, an evil that threatens everyone I know and love. I just wonder if I’ll be able to help Bishop—or if I’m just another part of the darkness he’s sworn to destroy....

“Why are you here, Samantha?” His deep voice, edged with displeasure, came from right behind me.

I clutched the railing tighter and squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to breathe at all, but that was kind of impossible. Even soulless, voracious monsters like me needed oxygen.

When I inhaled this time, his familiar scent—warm, spicy and totally devastating—slid over me.

Finally I forced myself to face him and my breath caught.

I’d almost forgotten how effortlessly he affected me.

Bishop’s dark brows were drawn tightly over intense cobalt-blue eyes. He towered over me—a full foot taller than my short five-two. Broad shoulders. Sinewy muscle rippled down his arms

under his long-sleeved black T-shirt, which was drawn tight

across his chest. His mahogany-colored hair was messy tonight.

I had a sudden urge to slide my fingers through it to push it off his forehead. I fisted my hands at my sides to keep from automatically reaching toward him.

The angel had had that effect on me from the first moment I met him. Uncontrollable. Compulsive. Irresistible.

Praise for Dark Kiss:

“More, please! Gorgeous angels, suspense and romance...this book has everything I love. I was pulled in from the very first sentence.”

—Richelle Mead, New York Times bestselling author of the Vampire Academy series

“Awesome story line, awesome characters...I highly recommend Dark Kiss as a must read.”

—I Heart YA Books

“A must read for all you angel/demon lovers out there... An outstanding start to this fab new series.”

—The Book Hookup

“Fantastic writing style, a sweet romance and...original and intriguing angel/demon lore.”

— diminutivemimi.blogspot.com

Wicked Kiss

Michelle Rowen

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Crave used to be a prime hangout for dangerous monsters, but tonight I seemed to be the only one here.

A week ago, I lost my best friend in the whole world in this very club. Literally lost her, in a swirling black vortex that opened up and swallowed her whole, and took her...somewhere else. Somewhere horrible.

I didn’t know how yet, or when, but I clung to that small yet resilient hope that had taken firm root inside of me: I would find her.

Carly had loved this all-ages nightclub and came here every weekend like clockwork, dancing till the place closed down. If I shut my eyes I could still see her on the dance floor, the one place she could forget her problems and let the music become her entire world.

Damn, I missed her.

But I had to come back tonight. I couldn’t wait any longer.

There was somebody I had to find who used to hang out here a lot. Somebody I’d been searching the city for. Somebody who’d stolen something from me that I needed back before it was too late.

I had no real idea when “too late” was going to be. But I had a sick, gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach that we were getting really close.

“You look way too serious, Sam,” Kelly said lightly from across the booth. “And you’re not even listening to anything we’re saying.”

“Sorry,” I began, my head still in a fog. I forced a smile to my lips and looked at Kelly and Sabrina—both blond and perky cheerleader types. I wasn’t blond, nor was I particularly perky or cheerful. But they were both good friends of mine, anyway.

Well, maybe good friends was pushing it. We usually ate lunch at the same table and we had gym class together. I think they liked me. That totally counted.

After their invite earlier today, I’d decided to join them here for a “girls’ night out.” At least, that’s what they thought it was. For me, it was an excuse to be here on the off chance I might find the boy who’d literally stolen my soul.

“Yeah,” Sabrina agreed. “Like, earth to Samantha. What’s up with you?”

“Nothing. I’m just a bit distracted tonight.”

Understatement, table for one.

Kelly took a sip of her Diet Coke and eyed the remains of the nachos that sat on the table between us. There wasn’t much left, thanks to me—just a bit of cheesy sludge and a couple soggy tortilla chips. A single jalapeño pepper remained, lying there mournfully after the battle its friends had lost.

I couldn’t help it. I was really hungry tonight. And when I was hungry I needed to eat so my other cravings didn’t kick into overdrive.

Unfortunately, the plate of nachos hadn’t helped a bit.

“FYI, we were talking about Halloween,” Sabrina reminded me. “Do you know what you’re wearing to Noah Tyler’s party?”

“Noah’s having a party?” I asked absently, keeping my eyes on the club over her shoulder while still trying my best to appear attentive.

“Yeah. And he did tell me that he really wants you to be there.” She grinned. “I think somebody’s got a crush on you.”

It took me a moment to clue in to what she meant. I cringed at the thought, and also the vague realization that Noah had been checking me out lately. I’d tried to ignore it. “He doesn’t.”

She shrugged and the girls shared a knowing look. “Whatever you say. But you’re coming, right?”

“Wednesday night?” I forced a look of interest as well as a cheery smile though I felt anything but. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

I was definitely going to miss it. No question.

They discussed their costumes. I half listened. The jalapeño pepper died a quick and painless death.

Then I stayed behind as a song came on that they got incredibly excited about and they made their way to the nearby dance floor. A sprinkle of colorful lights fell across their faces as they joined the swell of other kids dancing to the throbbing beat of the techno song—from a close bump and grind to a frenetic waving of arms and legs. I used to do a kind of uncomfortable shuffle thing when it came to dancing. I had always been hyperaware that somebody might be watching, judging, laughing. All of the above.

“Dance like nobody’s watching,” Carly always insisted.

“Did you see that embroidered on a cushion somewhere?”

She’d give me a grin. “Probably. But it’s still true. Gotta enjoy every moment because you never know when it’s going to be your last.”