How deep does love run? Deeper than the ocean? Deeper than memory? Deeper than magic?
Following their plan to save Atlas, Madly and Jackson return the spirit of Wolfhardt to his prison beneath the sea. But even the best laid plans couldn’t account for the surprises they find. This time, Lore aren’t their only challenges.
Madly is special in ways no one could have guessed and dark forces seek to control her. They want her power, but first they must weaken her. They need her beaten. Vulnerable. Near death. And alone. But that task isn’t an easy one with Jackson at her side. The strongest of their kind, the only way to separate Jackson from Madly is to destroy his love for her, to erase it from his mind. And his heart.
Is it possible to steal Jackson’s love from Madly? Or is their love the only truly unbreakable thing?
My review of the Madly series can be found HERE!
And here is a steamy excerpt to fog up the windows ;)
Although I didn’t say a word, didn’t make a sound, Jackson knew what I wasn’t saying.
“Come here,” he said, opening up arms that I could barely see.
Emotion tightening my chest, I walked into Jackson’s embrace and laid my head over his heart. Within his strong hold, nothing felt hopeless, everything felt possible, and I needed a big dose of that optimism.
As he stroked my hair and spoke softly, I felt the world slowly return to rights.
“We’ll stay here for a while tonight in case Leviathan is still looking for us. Then, in a few hours, we’ll find a distraction we can use to get us past the shield. Once we’re back in Slumber, we’ll find the next Lore and return them. By then we’ll have a plan and we’ll save your family and the rest of Atlas.”
It sounded so logical, so simple. So…do-able. “Promise?” I mumbled quietly, knowing he could make no such promise.
I raised my head to look up at him. He traced his fingertip from my temple down my cheek to my lips, brushing them lightly. Bending his head to mine, he whispered across my mouth, “Trust me.”
His kiss was like a warm breeze, barely there, and then he lifted his head to stare down into my eyes. I couldn’t see him clearly, just the bits and pieces the shimmering light illuminated. It made the water droplets on his skin and in his hair glisten like diamonds, even the ones that clung to his lashes.
“Don’t do that,” he groaned quietly.
“Do what?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“Look at me like that.”
Desire rippled through me. “Like what?”
“Like you want to lick all the water off me.”
“Is that how I’m looking at you?” I knew I was being coy.
“You know it is.”
“So what if I do? What if I want to touch my tongue to every drop of water on your skin? Is that such a bad thing?” As I spoke, I leaned back a bit further and let my eyes rove his face and chest. A single droplet ran from the hollow of his throat down the center of his chest. Reaching out, I caught it on the tip of my finger and stuck it in my mouth. I heard Jackson gasp seconds before he crushed me to him.
His lips on mine were flames that spread through me like wildfire. His arms tightened around me. One big hand splayed between my shoulder blades, the other on my butt. Both pulled me toward him, pressing me against him in the most intimate way. I could feel his hardness against the soft part of my belly and lava poured down my legs.
He ground his hips into mine and his moan tickled its way all the way up my tongue, sending a shiver down my back. Reaching up, I threaded my fingers into his short hair and held him close, wishing he could devour me, and I him. I ached for Jackson in ways I’d never ached for anyone, ached for him in places I didn’t know could ache in such a way.
I was panting, rubbing my body against Jackson’s when he tore his mouth away from mine and held me at arm’s length. I could hear his heavy breathing. I could feel his desire for me like a thickness in the air. It filled the cave, warmed my skin.
Want to know more about Jackson? I know I do!
Jackson Hamilton
Age: 19
Born: November 4
Place of Birth: Atlas
Parents: Deceased
Description: 6’6”, black hair, blue eyes
Q: What are your favorite foods?
A: It’s food. I don’t eat it to enjoy it. I eat it to stay strong.
Q: So there’s nothing that you like outside its nutritional value? Nothing you like just because?
(pauses)
A: Chocolate.
Q: Chocolate?
A: Chocolate.
Q: That’s kind of strange for a guy, isn’t it? Isn’t that sort of a girl thing?
A: I don’t care. I like it. It tastes good.
Q: Black.
Q: Because you have to wear it all the time in Slumber?
A: (shrugs) Maybe.
Q: What are you favorite activities?
A: Chasing Makos.
Q: What’s a Mako?
A: It’s the fastest shark. It keeps my skills sharp trying to catch them. Not to mention that they fight back. And their death…Damn, they’re sharp!
Q: What do you like to do on dry land?
A: (pauses) I like the forest. Especially at night. On patrol, I like to go there and just listen. The sounds keep me alert, but they’re also much different than the sounds we hear normally in Atlas or in the water. Obviously. But I like them. They remind me of rain.
Q: Rain?
A: Yes. That’s not something we get to hear often either. It didn’t take me long to discover that I like that sound, though. I never mind it when it rains.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Madly?
A: (laughs) Look, I’m still a guy. Do you really want me to answer that?
Q: Okay, physical characteristics notwithstanding, what is your favorite thing about Madly?
A: Her heart. She has more heart than any ten Mer I know. I’d do anything in my power to make sure she never loses that, to make sure it never gets broken.
...and if you want to know the music that inspired Madly and the Jackal visit: http://pl.st/p/23178828299
About M. Leighton
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*****Giveaway*****
M. Leighton has graciously donated a swag pack with a bracelet, bookmark, and postcard and a Hooked on Jackson T-Shirt. In addition, I am giving away an eBook of Madly and the Jackal.
These are three separate prizes. Only US & Canadian entrants and you must be over 13 to enter!
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