Swan Princes and Amber Kell

Stephani Hecht and Amber Kell have teamed up to create a series of six books. Loosely based on childhood fairy tales the Cob Brother Stories explores the lives and loves of six brothers who are cursed to live as swans until they find their true love. Each story will intersect with other fairy tales. Spells, princes and fairy godmothers dominate this series of six until each of our fair, feathery princes reaches their happy ending.

Here is the second part of an excerpt of the 1st book The Ash Swan. For the first part of the excerpt go here:

Brian shifted nervously side-to-side silently praying to any god who’d listen that Landon wouldn’t notice his telling condition. At the same moment Brian became painfully aware that Landon had yet to speak. He merely continued to stand there, although he did lift one brow as if to say, well?

“I wanted to return your things to you,” Brian rushed out.

“You told me you would be back in one day. Unless I’ve forgotten how to count, I’m pretty sure today makes two,” Landon finally said, his even tone revealing nothing.

Damn if it still didn’t make Brian fidget more. It also sent a fresh wave of desire over him. Which shocked the hell out of him since he normally didn’t go for the bossy, dominate types.

“I know and I’m sorry. I got called into work yesterday. I would have called, but I didn’t have your number.”

“A situation which will be remedied today.”

A little thrill blossomed in Brian before he reminded himself that guys like Landon didn’t fall for losers like him. Landon probably only said that to be polite.  Landon stood to the side. “Come in.”

Brian’s obeyed, entering the apartment and standing awkwardly as he watched Landon shut the door. He continued to stand there like some kind of mute, statue as Landon slowly approached.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about you these past two days,” Landon said.

“You have?”

Landon chuckled. “Why do you sound so surprised?”

“Usually guys forget my name the instant I leave their place.”

As soon as he made that admission, Brian wanted to curl up into a ball. Terrific! Now he sounded like a loser and a slut.  He should have just cut his losses and mailed the clothes back. At least then he would have been able to save a smidgen of his dignity.

“Then those men are idiots because you are anything but forgettable,” Landon said as he reached out and ran his fingers over Brian’s chest.

Brian’s heart began hammering again, this time for a completely different reason. He found himself locked in Landon’s dark-eyed gaze as the air grew thick with sensual tension.

“I’ll bet you say that to all the guys you fish out of ponds,” Brian teased to cover his nervousness.

“Only the good looking ones.”

Of its own accord, Brian’s gaze shifted to the hallway, which he hoped led to the bedroom. His body ached so bad and he knew the only one who could answer his needs was Landon. Repercussions be damned, but he wanted to spend the rest of the night being involved in all kinds of dirty, sheet play.

Landon must have surmised his thoughts, because he gave a slight shake of his head and said, “Not yet.”

“Why, not?” Brian asked, his attention still focused on the hallway.

“Because I want to get to know you first.”

That got Brian’s attention. His gaze snapped back in Landon’s direction as confusion hit him like a cold, bucket of pond water. “What? Why?”

“You intrigue me.”

“I’m nothing special. Just your ordinary bike courier.”

Landon’s fingers trailed up and began to slowly trace the outline of Brian’s lips. “There’s nothing ordinary about you.”