Starstruck: Hunter – Michelle Lauren

Author: Michelle Lauren
Liquid Silver Books

In a city where danger never sleeps, love strikes when you least expect it…

PASSION. Death hunts celestial star Miranda Snow. When she crashes to
Earth, where humans kill her kind for their energy, survival depends
on police informant Noah Benson. His touch melts her defenses. His
demons threaten to destroy her.

BETRAYAL. Ten years ago, Noah lost everything in one night: his
freedom, his friends and all hopes of a future in his chosen career.
Now he is driven by revenge against the man responsible, a ruthless
killer determined to claim Miranda –something Noah refuses to let
happen.

LOVE. Faced with an impossible choice, can he protect Miranda or will
he lose her for good?

EXCERPT (PG-13)  (Warning: Brief Nudity)

The mission had officially gone to hell in a flaming hand basket.

Not only did Joel get away, but since the microphone in Noah’s shirt
had malfunctioned, the police didn’t have enough evidence for a
conviction. What a colossal waste of time. I should have just beaten a
confession out of him.

Noah unlocked the door to his room and reached for the light switch.
Nothing happened. Too late, he remembered he hadn’t paid the rent yet.
This was the motel manager’s way of reminding him to pay up or do
without. He crossed the stained carpet and grimaced when his boots
crunched over a roach.

He shed his shirt and started unbuckling his jeans as he stumbled into
the bathroom.

Right now, all he wanted was to clean up, then fall into bed and
forget tonight ever happened. The showerhead gurgled, then spat out a
stream of icy water that quickly turned scalding. Noah ignored the
pain as he thrust his head under the spray.

His mind returned to the fallen star. Joel had a dozen hunters
tracking its energy trail. They would probably make a capture by dawn.

And I will have another innocent life on my conscience.

The knowledge weighed on Noah’s mind. After toweling off, he pulled on
a pair of gray sweatpants and a black cotton T-shirt. On his way past
the window, something in the motel building’s pool caught his
attention. He looked closer and gasped.

A naked woman floated facedown in the water, long black hair spread
around her. Instincts took over as he leapt onto the fire escape and
rapidly descended the stairs. Water soaked all the outdoor furniture
and chunks of concrete littered the ground.

Something more than her must have fallen in the pool to cause that
much damage. He dove into the water and gasped. It was freezing.
Grasping the woman around the waist, he pulled her to safety and
stretched her body beside the pool.

Ignoring her nudity, he scanned her for injuries. Her cuts were still
fresh. Blood trickled from a gash on her forehead and she sported a
black eye. He checked her arms and relaxed slightly when he didn’t
find the usual needle marks he saw on jumpers. At least this isn’t
drug related.

“Hey lady, can you hear me?” Grasping her wrist, he felt for a pulse.
Sluggish, but it was there. He pinched her nose and blew air into her
lungs. He started chest compressions, but she didn’t respond. “Come
on, fight!”

He lowered his mouth to continue CPR. The soft lips came alive beneath
his as the woman sputtered. Her body jerked, and she rolled onto her
side, expelling water from her lungs. Noah reached out to steady her.
He blinked in surprise when she shrank away from his touch.

“I won’t hurt you. Don’t move. I’ll go call an ambulance.”

Thick lashes fluttered and hazel eyes pinned him before he could move.
She had the largest pupils he had ever seen, like those sported by
characters in anime cartoons. When she tried to sit up, he overrode
the effort by placing a hand on her stomach.

With the immediate danger over, Noah suddenly became aware of the
intimacy of their position. His eyes drifted down her body, lingering
on the swells of her breasts and the dark areolas of her nipples,
visible through the cottony curls plastered to her chest.

“Is this heaven?”

Her voice, husky and rich, rolled over his senses. It took a moment
before the question registered. It surprised a laugh from him. Noah
shook his head. “Far from it, sugar. This is Neptune.”

“Oh. What constellation is that in?”

His blood froze. “What did you say?”

She touched her temple, drawing his attention to the ring glittering
on her left hand. “Something hit me when I was leaning out the window.
I must have fallen.” Her expression morphed from confusion to terror
as she stared at him.

“Where do you live?”

She pointed a trembling finger at the sky, cementing his suspicion:
she was the star. His eyes closed. Of all the places she could have
landed, why here? Should he contact the police? At least they would
place her in protective custody. Then again, that was worth about as
much as Confederate money these days. Noah knew from experience that
Joel didn’t mind spilling a little blood to get what he wanted.

“Where am I?”

“Earth. I guess you’ve heard of it?” he said drolly when she gasped.
He got the feeling that she would have run if she’d had the strength.
He purposely gentled his voice. “Don’t worry; you’re safe with me.
What’s your name?”

“Miranda.”

Leaning forward, he captured a tear as it slid down her cheek. It
shimmered on the tip of his finger and crystallized. Amazing. “My name
is Noah. Whoa!”

He caught her as she fainted. He scanned the area, realizing for the
first time how exposed they were. “Come on, sugar. Let’s get you
inside.”

He carried her up the fire escape to his room and settled her on the
bed. Moonlight streamed over her body, highlighting her delicate
features. Unbidden, a memory leapt forward, that of pale eyes begging
him for help. With grim resolve, he focused.

Ten years ago, he failed to protect a star. He would not fail again.
He would protect this one no matter what. His lips ghosted over hers.

“You’re safe with me. I promise.”

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Tags: Michelle Lauren, Paranormal Romance, Romance, starstruck - hunter
Posted under: Futuristic Romance, Paranormal Romance, Romance