It’s kind of sad that I almost forgot how to spell “peek”… It’s been one of those weeks.
Anyway, I thought for something different this week, I’d share an excerpt from my immortals novel Timeless, which I’m currently revising for resubmission to a publisher who gave me a number of notes and suggestions for changes. So without further ado (at least I know how to spell that):

Now was the time to tell her. Whether she believed him or threw him out, she had to hear the truth. He took a deep breath and said calmly, “I’ve known you far longer than that. I’ve loved you for hundreds of years.”

Her face creased, and she backed away from him. Terror and anger filled her eyes. “That’s insane!”

“Gwen, please.” Belief appeared unlikely; still, he couldn’t give up now. Not knowing this might be his final chance to be with her. “Do you believe in reincarnation?”

She folded her arms over her chest. “Yes.”

“Then how hard is it to believe you’ve known me in other lives?” he persisted.

“We don’t remember past lives.” She bit her lip, and doubt replaced the fury in her eyes and expression.

She did recall something! Carefully now. He took a step toward her. To his relief, she didn’t move away. “They aren’t past for me,” he explained. “I’m immortal, Gwen. I’ve been as you see me now for over nine hundred years. In that time, I’ve known you in eight other lives.”

“You’re crazy.” The words held no rancor.

“Am I?” He reached for her, and she rewarded him with the acceptance of his hand on her shoulder. “Look inside yourself,” he urged. “You feel I’m telling the truth. You know the truth.” He dropped his hand to hers. “Please believe me. It’s no accident that we met when we did.”

Her eyes looked into his. “I must be insane. How can I believe you?” With a shuddering breath, all tension left her body. “I do, though. I dreamed it. I’ve dreamed about you.” She shook her head. “It sounds nuts. All of it. Even so, I do believe you. Those dreams I’ve had… The woods in the painting in your apartment, and on the cover of that book. We were there, weren’t we? I dreamed them.” She paused. “Either I’m as crazy as you, or those dreams mean you’re telling the truth. I think you’re telling the truth.”

Oh, thank heaven! His heart soared. She believed! He pulled her back into his arms and kissed her again. She offered no resistance.

Already aroused, he tried to be slow. His hand found her breast again as if of its own volition. This time, she sighed and relaxed against him.

He took his mouth from hers long enough to say, “I love you, Gwen.”

Stunned, she stared at him. “You what?”

“I love you,” he repeated. “I’ve loved you for hundreds of years. It doesn’t matter what name you’ve had or what physical form; you’ve always been you, and I’ve always loved you. I understand if you can’t yet return that feeling, after everything you’ve been through, but please.”

She hesitated. “I—in my dreams, I know I loved you. Right now, though, I’ve only known you a little while.” A sigh escaped her. “I care about you. I think that’s the best I can do.”

Happiness rushed through him, bringing a broad smile to his face. “That’s more than enough.” He kissed her again. “Please, Gwen.”

A teasing smile touched her lips. “Please what?”

“Let me make love to you.” Although their acquaintance had been short and he knew she would be reluctant, he had to ask. He had no other way to save her now. Despite her fear of touch, despite the short time they’d known one another, he had to persuade her. Her transmutation to immortality had to occur before the Purists found them, and that could happen in only one way. “I know it’s soon, and I know you’re afraid, but please. I want to feel you against me.”

Slowly, she moved her hand down to his cock and squeezed lightly. “I guess you do.” She looked at him uncertainly. “Are you sure? You know how screwed up I am. Do you really want to be involved with me?”

“Darling Gwen, I’ve loved you for nine hundred years,” he replied. “And I’ve waited decades to feel your touch again. The events of this life are only one brief part of you, and they change nothing of how I feel.”

She looked skeptical. “You must have had other women touch you.”

“Yes,” he admitted. “I am, after all, human, and nine hundred years is a long time. I’ve loved no other, though, and I have wanted you all this time.”

She stared at him. “In nine hundred years, you never loved anyone else? Forgive me if I find that hard to believe.”

“What about our other lives?” she wanted to know.

“You were always taken from me before we could make love.” He kissed the side of her neck. “You say we’ve known each other too short a time, and that you’re too ‘messed up’ to love me. You know that isn’t the case. Right now, I understand your fear and reluctance. I promise, I will be patient with you from now on. Please let me make love to you now. I couldn’t stand it if I lost you again before we have the chance.”

Although he tried to hide it, his desperation rang in his tone. Let her say yes. Dear gods, let her say yes so he could keep her with him this time.

She didn’t answer, and he was certain he would turn him down. Finally she said, “I’ve never been with anyone. Not in this life, at least. I don’t know about the others.”

Her admission astonished him. “You were engaged.”

“Yeah. That’s what pissed Cole off so much, and that’s why he cheated on me. I wanted to wait until we married. He didn’t.” She touched his cheek. “Maybe I wasn’t waiting for marriage. Maybe I waited for you.”

“Then…?” He held his breath, waiting for her answer.

She turned away. “I don’t love you, Rhys. I can’t. Not so soon.”