Every lifetime, Luc breaks the rule: Never fall in love with a mortal.

But when the immortal Luc meets Izzorah, he experiences peace like he's never known...peace that lingers far beyond their brief encounter. After Izzorah's injury and the failure of synthetic cures to match his rare alien blood, Luc saves him, risking disclosure of a secret identity.

Exposing immortal blood to the mortal world could awaken an ancient threat that has hunted Luc's kind for millennia. Immortal blood not only heals mortals; it resurrects their dead. But will Izzorah want him once he discovers the man behind the mask?

To survive among humans, Izzorah conceals both his near-blindness and his uncommon gift, the power to read emotions. Luc's loneliness and desperate yearning for love break Izzorah's heart. How can he not risk showing his true self to the man who saved him? But will Luc embrace the truth behind Izzorah's mask?

In a universe where love and survival collide, their bond could transcend time itself. But first, they must confront the truths that threaten to tear them apart…

A first time gay sci fi romance happy ever after (workplace, forced proximity, forbidden love, age gap).

See trigger warnings at the top of my website menu. Be aware: I don't tell you a character fears heights; I craft my words so you feel their turmoil deep within.

In this scene from Forbid My Heart, Izzorah has just had a "discussion" with Luc about a horse named Purkinje. That led to Luc promising to take him back to his homeworld for a visit. But Izzorah is dead set against going. As a reminder, Izzorah is a Kin, a feline humanoid with catlike ears and eyes, fangs, and claws beneath human nails. The ability to interpret changing emotions by their scent is literally his superpower.

Thank you

Izzorah sat opposite Luc, hand on Luc's heart, and breathed in the varying scents of his lover. Luc's will stood between them like a living creature, solid as the walls around them. He might mean every word he said. He might be able to kill the Falehla tzesar. But keeping them safe on Felidae?

How could anyone do that?

Izzorah remained silent. He would not dishonor his lover by arguing the point. He hadn't won agreement about not going home, but he could deal with that later. He would have to approach the subject from a different angle.

He lowered his ears and set them outward, showing submission instead of willfulness.

Luc smiled, and his scent showed he thought he'd won.

Springing forward, Izzorah grabbed him and then flattened Luc against the bed. He clamped his fangs on the tip of his lover's chin.

A tart spark of unease scented the air. "Um...Rah?"

Purring in response, Izzorah kept his teeth against Luc's skin.

"This is a good bite?" Luc's mixed scent revealed curiosity.

Izzorah released him and sat astride Luc's hips. "Ehh nim shree."

"Ah. A love bite." Luc reached up and brushed back a lock of Izzorah's hair. "You were being playful."

Holding Luc's gaze, Izzorah bent forward and lightly nipped Luc's lower lip, nibbled the upper one, and then scraped his fangs across the tip of Luc's nose. He kissed it, then moved back to hover above his mouth, their gazes still linked. "I was bite-thanking you."

"You're welcome." Luc rubbed one of Izzorah's ears between fingers and thumb, and Izzorah leaned into the touch. "What did I do to deserve that kind of thanking? Because I definitely want to do it again."

"You listened to me. I was missing Purkinje, and you helped me feel better."

"I'll always listen. I'm sorry about your horse, love. Buying you another horse might not help, because it wouldn't be Purkinje, but maybe we..." Luc's voice trailed off as Izzorah slid claws through Luc's curls. Luc sighed in pleasure, and sank against the bed as if melting into it. "Mmm. I like it when you use your claws like that."

"Good. I like touching you." Izzorah took a small lick across Luc's lower lip, gave another gentle nip, and then licked him again. "I think you need to be thanked some more so you know how much I appreciate you. Maybe I should tongue-thank you too." The delicious scent of warm brown sugar and melting butter revealed Luc's rising desire. "You taste of salt, sex, and male." He purred, placing his mouth close to Luc's ear. "I'm going to bite-thank and tongue-thank you all over."

Forbid My Heart is free, and what happens in the story is the catalyst for Ring of the Dragon. No signup required. Just click and read. Forbid My Heart