by Lucy Leroux
The ploy had worked. Shortly after, Crispin had made it official with an announcement in the times. Now the day was nearly upon them.
“I don’t care where the wedding is as long as it’s not in London. In fact, if it weren’t for my business at the Lords and your meetings with your attorney Callaghan, I would say let’s never go back.”
Amelia reached up to put her arms around him. “You know, I could attempt to conduct most of my business with Callaghan via correspondence. The mails are fairly reliable between here and town.”
His grin was wry. “If only the Lords would agree to take my vote by mail as well…” He narrowed his eyes at her cluttered desk and made a decision.
“Gideon. What are you doing?” she asked, laughter in her voice as he pulled at the bodice of her gown, undoing her laces.
“Well, whenever we make love on a desk, it’s on the one in my office. It occurred to me just now we’ve never made love on yours.” He squinted at the delicate wooden legs. “It should bear your weight; otherwise, it wasn’t worth the blunt I paid for it.”
He pulled her forward and tugged her gown over her head before adding “If it collapses, we’ll never order from that carpenter again.”
Amelia pursed her lips before leaning in and melting into his embrace. He set her down on the desk’s surface, his hands on either side of her face.
“Don’t you have more estate matters to attend to? I thought the miller was coming up to the house today to discuss the improvements he wanted to make.”
“I spoke to him yesterday and delegated the rest to my estate manager. He’s an astute man.”
She laughed. “He better be, since I hired him.”
Gideon gave her a wicked smile. “Yes, well, now that things are running smoothly here at Tarryhall and the other estates I thought it time I loosened the reins a bit and focused on us…”
He moved to stand between her legs, but his face was sober as he studied her beautiful face. He could spend a lifetime looking at her—several lifetimes if he had his way.
“I believe it’s time we started working on a daughter. Little Martin should always be with little Amelia, don’t you think?”
Tears shone in Amelia’s crystalline blue eyes. “Yes, they should always be together,” she agreed, a tear spilling over and running down her cheek.
He kissed it away and held her tight for a long moment.
He still thought about his cousin. The awareness that he owed his happiness to a great loss still weighed on him at times, but like Amelia, he believed Martin would have been happy for them.
In fact, he knew it for a fact. Shortly after returning from Devon, a solicitor sent him a letter written by his cousin. It was to be delivered only if a specific set of circumstances was fulfilled—his marriage to Amelia. His cousin had written others to fit different conditions, but the solicitor had been instructed to destroy the alternates.
He sometimes wondered what those other letters had said, but he was grateful for the one he’d received. Martin had known…so many things. Including that Gideon would need his blessing to be completely at peace with the happiness he’d found with his wife.
There was a poignancy to their lovemaking that afternoon. Amelia held him tight inside her body, her hands up around his back, their touch as desperate and possessive as his own.
Pulling her close, he came inside her, the lowering sun filtering through the window, lighting up his love for her in a warm glow.
No longer restless for adventure or thirsting for justice, Gideon had found his fate and succumbed headlong. In Amelia, he had found love, trust, and passion.
They held each other for a long time after, making promises and vows he knew would be kept, the way only soulmates could.
* * *
The End.
About the Author
Lucy Leroux chose love.
USA Today Bestselling author Lucy Leroux moved to France for a one-year research contract. Six months later she was living with a handsome Frenchman and six years later is happily married to him…and still in France.
When her last employment contract ended Lucy turned to writing. Frustrated by the lack of quality romance erotica she enjoyed reading she set out to create her own. Her stories feature heroines who are smart, brave, and resourceful. She enjoys writing men who are thoughtful and slightly obsessive alpha males.
Her ‘A Singular Obsession’ series is a combination of romance erotica and suspense that feature intertwining characters in their own stand-alone novels. Four are completed and additional three books are planned. Follow her on Facebook or twitter for news and updates.
www.authorlucyleroux.com
Books by Lucy Leroux
Making Her His
A Singular Obsession Novel, Book One #1 Amazon Erotic Suspense Bestseller Feb 2016 & A Readers' Favorite Finalist SIZZLE CATEGORY
For almost five years, Alex has had one obsession. Her name is Elynn.
Alex Hanas couldn't believe that after so many years as a widower, his father was getting remarried. To make matters worse, the American gold digger had a kid—a daughter named Elynn. After months of avoiding it, Alex goes to brunch with every intention of giving his father's new family the deep freeze. But he can't pull it off with Elynn's anxious green-grey eyes locked on him.
That was the day his life changed.
Four years later, Alex is as close to Elynn as a stepbrother can be. But that's not enough for him. He wants more...and he's done waiting.
Free on Kindle Unlimited
Confiscating Charlie
A Singular Obsession Novelette, Book 1.5, Available Now
Noah Masters is looking for his future. He never expected it to find it in her.
After After crashing and burning his racing career Noah Masters has to figure out what to do with his life. His cousin Alex suggests he find a way to channel his creative energy in a way that doesn’t involve him putting his life in danger.
Then Noah meets his step-mother’s teenage sister Charlie, and he finds he doesn’t have to risk his life to find his future—he just has to risk his heart.
Free Everywhere
Calen’s Captive
A Singular Obsession, Book Two, Available Now
Calen is a good man from a bad family, but when the girl of his dreams falls in his lap can he do the right thing and let her go?
Calen is the son of an Irish mobster, but he’s rejected his legacy and has made a name for himself as a club owner. After years of hard work, he has the life he’s always wanted. Almost.
Then his father asks him to take a meeting with a rival crew. It’s too important to say no. Reluctantly, he drives out to the middle of nowhere to meet them. There to negotiate for reparations, he sees an innocent girl being held against her will—someone who looks very familiar.
Unwilling to leave the girl to a fate worse than death, he demands she be included as part of the deal. Maia is forced to stay with Calen for her safety, but she soon finds out he has ulterior motives for protecting her.
Free on Kindle Unlimited.
Stolen Angel
A Singular Obsession, Book Three, Available Now
Sergei Damov is in love with someone who isn’t interested in him, but he’s determined to change that.
Sergei has pined for months, waiting for his assistant to turn around and see he’s the perfect man for her. But Ada only sees him as her boss. Until one night when they both have to work late and the office is deserted…
It doesn’t happen right away, but soon Sergei has Ada right where he wants her—in his bed. Then demons from his past resurface, and he brutally pushes her away before the darkness inside him can consume them both.
But Ada isn’t about to let herself be used. Soon she turns the tables on him and disappears, leaving a mystery in her wake. Why was Ada working under an assumed name? Not just with him, but at every job she ever held?
Using every resource at his disposal, Sergei desperately searches for her, b
efore the danger she’s running from catches up with her…and to try and heal the heart he shattered.
Free on Kindle Unlimited.
The Roman’s Woman
A Singular Obsession, Book Four, Available Now
When Gio Morgese meets Sophia, he realizes the "nice guys finish last" adage might be true...and he's done coming in last.
A well-ordered life and quiet existence is not working out in Gio’s favor. Less aggressive than his alpha male friends, he's led a circumspect life and married early to gain the domestic bliss he's always craved. But marriage to the wrong woman has ensured all of his plans blew up in his face.
Perplexed and a little jealous, he watches from the sidelines as his closest friends succumb to love, giving up their playboy lifestyles for the family life he’s always wanted for himself. Aware that something has to change before he ends up bitter and alone, he resolves to let down some of the walls that went up after his divorce.
Then he meets Sophia, a full-figured goddess completely unlike anyone he’s ever known. Against a backdrop of jealousy and deceit, Gio soon realizes that finding love is one thing. Holding onto to it is something else.
Now he’s saying and doing things he’d never imagined he would do. But there are some things—and some women—worth fighting for.
For Gio, the right woman is worth everything.
Free on Kindle Unlimited.
Save Me
A Singular Obsession, Book 4.5, Coming Soon
He left to save himself, but ended up losing her…
Two years ago Eric Tam left Las Vegas, his career in shambles. Now he’s rebuilt his life, but it’s conditional on one thing—he can’t go back. Until he gets the one phone call that changes everything. His former lover, the one he still dreams about, is in trouble with their mutual boss.
It’s been years since Andie saw her first love, Eric. And she definitely doesn’t want to see him now, not when her life is a complete mess. But unlike Eric once did, her problems aren’t going away. She’s trusted the wrong people. Soon it becomes clear it’s not just her job on the line. It’s her life…
Free on Kindle Unlimited
Take Me
A Singular Obsession Prequel Novella, Available Now
FBI agent Jason White has found his dream girl in Maggie Tyler. The only problem…she may be a criminal.
* * *
How to land the girl of your dreams:
Step One: Spill hot coffee all over her.
Step Two: Accidentally touch her inappropriately while trying to clean the coffee.
Step Three: Convince her to go out with you anyway.
Step Four: Woo her with ice skating and vintage Street Fighter games.
Step Five: Drag her downtown and accuse her of breaking the law.
*For instruction on how to lose the girl of your dreams see step five above.
* * *
Take Me is a standalone prequel novella in the Singular Obsession series. It takes place before the events of Calen’s Captive, A Singular Obsession Book Two, but can be read at any point in the series.
Free on Kindle Unlimited.
Trick’s Trap
A Singular Obsession, Book Five, Coming Soon
She's a gamble he's willing to take.
When world-class poker player Patrick Tyler meets his match, Tahlia, in an underground game, he's immediately drawn to her swift talent and striking beauty. But it’s not long after their meeting that she mysteriously disappears. With nothing but a bloody crime scene as a clue to her whereabouts, she’s presumed dead.
* * *
Or so he thought...
* * *
A chance encounter changes everything.
* * *
Alone, afraid, and homeless, Tahlia needs Patrick now more than ever. Feeling compelled to help, he throws her a much-needed lifeline--a lady's choice card game. When Tahlia’s family finds out Patrick’s plans, they will stop at nothing to get their hands on her. Will Tahlia be able to protect him from her family or will this game of high stakes end in the most devastating loss?
Cursed
A Spellbound Regency Novel, Available Now
Isobel Sterling is a governess with a lot of secrets—including an uncanny ability she's been hiding her whole life. Until the day arrives when she has to use it to save herself from a madman. But first she has to master it. Fast.
Governess Isobel Sterling feels fortunate to have found a safe haven in the Montgomery household. The children are kind and The Lord and Lady of the house leave her alone. Her life is as good as it can get, until the day mysterious visitors arrive from abroad.
At first Isobel is flattered by the single-minded attention she receives from their handsome young guest, Matteo Garibaldi. At least she is until girls in the village begin to disappear. Isobel has a terrible suspicion that the disappearances are linked to the darkness she can see growing behind Matteo's eyes. Filled with dread she does everything possible to avoid his company—until she is locked in with him for the night
.
Free on Kindle Unlimited.
Look for The Hex, a Spellbound Regency Short FREE on most eBook retailers
Black Widow
A Spellbound Regency Novel, Book Two, Coming Soon
He wants to bring her to justice, but the secrets she holds may be the end of him.
Shattered by the death of his cousin, Gideon Wells, the Earl of Flint, is determined to prove that his widow is the one responsible. When Amelia Montgomery finally returns to town on the arm of her new lover, Gideon vows to bring her to justice. But getting close to her sparks a hunger that he can’t ignore. As he begins to uncover the truth about Amelia, he encounters an evil more sinister than he ever imagined. Can he destroy the threat or will he suffer the same fate as his cousin?
Writing as L.B. Gilbert
Fire
The Elementals Book One, Available Now
A kick-ass heroine with pyrokinetic abilities and a license to kill. Enter Alec...vampire, scholar, and worst of all—fan. What could possibly go wrong?
Diana, the fire Elemental, is nearly burned out. Tired of traveling the world and losing innocent lives, she's slowly slipping into a depression that may consume her. But when she discovers that a child's life is in danger, she feels compelled to help. However, teaming up with one of the most powerful vampires in North America is the last thing she wants to do.
Academic scion, Alec Broussard prefers his studies over the opulent and vicious lifestyles of vampires. And when he learns of another missing child, Alec can't shake the suspicion that his coven may be to blame. Joining forces with an Elemental may be his only hope to save the child and clear his coven’s name.
As Diana and Alec work together to save the children, they must relinquish their prejudices and trust one another. In time, Alec is wearing down the walls around her. But just when their friendship intensifies, Alec's future is threatened. Now, it's up to Diana to save him before it's too late. Can this Elemental find the fire within her to protect him once and for all?
Free on Kindle Unlimited.
Air
The Elementals Book Two, Available Now
Despite being the junior Elemental, Logan’s never had to worry about failing a mission before. Not until an overgrown and annoyingly attractive shifter comes along.
Being an Elemental is in Logan’s blood. Hers is the gift of Air, a vast power she’s still struggling to control. Then a Were named Connell hunts her down. His wolf is missing, and he blames her.
A den of werewolves is the last place Logan wants to be. The testosterone alone is enough to make her choke. But she has a mystery to solve. She will find out who is stealing wolves even if kills her.
Unfortunately, that’s exactly what the enemy has planned…
Free on Kindle Unlimited.
Kin Selection
A Shifter’s Claim Novella Part of the Myths and Magic Box Set, Available Now
Animal activist Deena Hammond had no i
dea the wolf cub she just rescued is a shifter—not until the Werewolf sent to recover him kidnaps her.
Saving a wolf cub from an animal testing facility changes everything for Deena Hammond, a feisty and dedicated animal activist. Determined to protect the innocent animal, Deena's shocked when the cub shifts into a small toddler right before her eyes.
