Kiss of Heat book three in Lora Leigh's Feline Breeds series. The series tells of the escape from the Genetic Council labs where animal DNA was blended with human embryo to make a better fighting machine. When the labs are exposed, and the "experiments" rescued, the "Breeds" have petitioned the Government for recognition and protection as humans, not animals.

Sharra has survived for only one thing; to kill Kane Taylor. Ten years ago Kane Taylor had been the only one to ever bring her pleasure in the labs attempts to create a second generation "Breed" When he left and she was told he wasn't coming back it broke her heart, but when she lost the baby she carried, his baby, and nearly died, she vowed if she couldn't live for love the she would live for hate and become the very thing they had tried to create, an unstoppable killer.

When she steps out of the darkness and Kane discovers she still lives, having been told she died in a fiery explosion that leveled the Lab, he only knows he has to make her realize that he did not leave her voluntarily, nor did he know she still lived. That he has mourned for the past ten years thinking her dead.

Five months later as head of security at the Breeds fenced compound, he still does not understand her continued distance, but she does. Somehow, the night they spent together all those years ago, imprinted them and she knew he was her mate, something she was determined never to admit nor submit to. As a "Breed" she has many of the characteristics of the animal DNA she shares, including the mating heat, and the need for a life mate, and he is hers even if he doesn't know it.

With attacks on the compound from outside by people who want the abominations' removed from existence, and the need for new housing to shelter the shattered members from the Genetic Council Labs, Kane has his hands full, but he still can't get Sharra out of his mind.

Will Kane ever be able to get Sharra to acknowledge his love for her, and hers for him? What is the dark secret she's keeping from him? Will they ever be able to put the past behind them?

A very sexy novel, full of erotic scenes and page turning suspense. A great addition to an already intriguing series.

Synopsis
They've waited a decade to come together. Long years filled with unbearable pain, and soul-wrenching torment that have changed them both. Left wounds that have laid their souls bare. Wounds that stand one chance of healing - if only they could stop fighting each other long enough for the truth to work its healing balm.

Kane, a relentless warrior, lost more than his heart to Sherra in a night of mating passion that marked them both for life. But news of her death ripped his soul apart. For years he has fought to avenge the death of the woman he loved more than his own life, by revealing the deceit and cruelty of the Council that created the Breeds.

But Sherra didn't die. In a cruel and evil twist she was convinced by her sadistic handlers that the man she had given her body, heart and soul to had betrayed not only her, but the child she carried - and lost.

Amid the rapidly escalating violence against the Feline Breeds, Kane and Sherra learn that there's more to mating than just the "heat", just as there's more to love than just the sex...

Note: This is a revised and expanded version of the story originally released at Ellora's Cave in May 2004.