Christmas at Thorncliff Towers
A Cursed Princes Novella
Marina Myles
ISBN: 9781601832863
Release Date: November 24, 2014
Book Description:
The Werewolf’s Servant
Thorncliff Towers is done up for Christmas, secure against wind and wolves. But Karina Petri is shut out, too, and the gypsy witch wants what’s inside. She envies the gifts, the feast, the pretty clothes, of course. But her true desire is for the love of Constantin Stoica. Her smolderingly handsome childhood friend agreed to serve Lord Draven after his brother was caught stealing last year. He suspects Karina was involved—and it would take more magic than she possesses to make him forgive…
Constantin has always been drawn to Karina’s dark curls, flashing eyes, and reckless ways. But trusting her has proven dangerous before, and this night holds more to fear than most. The wrong decisions could cost him his job, his safety—even his life. But letting Karina go could cost him his heart…
Excerpt
Scooping up a
few pieces of bread, Karina slipped out the back door. With the aid of the
cane, she made her way to the stable house where the windows glowed a bright
orange.
Hearing the
crackle of a fire, she entered uninvited. Constantin had his back to her.
Shirtless from the waist up as he’d been when she spied on him earlier, he was
busy brushing a pewter-colored mare. The chore set his tendons into a fluid
stretch and his biceps into a rippling bulge.
Karina shut the
door with a loud clatter. He whirled around—his foul expression softening as he
perused her new appearance.
“Karina. You
look…nice.” Then he seemed to remember that he was angry with her. Resuming his
task, he spoke in an icy tone. “I came here to be alone.”
She ignored his
comment. “I brought you some bread since you missed dinner.”
“Thank you,” he
said curtly. “Leave it on the workbench, please.”
She did and
strode toward him. Gathering her courage, she released the cane and touched his
solid shoulder. “Do you like my dress?”
He snatched a
look at her but then avoided her eyes. “It’s beautiful.”
“You hardly saw
it. Come. Take a long look.”
Gulping, his
stare swept over her tiny waist, rounded cleavage, and elegant hairstyle. “You
look very—different.”
She smiled
seductively. “Is that a compliment?”
“Yes.” His voice
was a growl. “You’re stunning.”
Motivated by the
jealousy she felt over his connection with Lydia Brentwood, Karina slid both
hands up his chest and laced her fingers behind his neck. “You’ve always been
my friend, Constantin. But I missed you in another way when you left our Gypsy
camp.” She paused. “Did you miss me?”
He untangled her
fingers. “I’ve missed your companionship. That’s all.”
“Is that all
I’ll ever be?” Frustration coated her voice. “A companion? A friend?’
He held her by
the arm and she could swear she saw agony in his forest-green eyes. “We lost
our parents at a young age,” he said. “That’s why we became friends, Karina. We
had that in common.”
“You never
thought I was pretty?”
“I’ve always
thought you were beautiful, but you scared me. I had to grow up and be a father
figure to Viktor. I couldn’t afford to let your rebellious ways distract me.”
“So that’s the
reason…” her voice trailed off.
He released her
arm and anchored his hands on his hips. “You were constantly defying authority
and getting into mischief. I was too straight-laced—too responsible—to join
in.”
“Sometimes
opposites attract,” she suggested. “Besides, you’re a grown man. Are you still
scared of me?”
His gaze dropped
from her eyes to her mouth. Attraction replaced the agony in his stare. He
moved closer. “I’m not afraid. But I am lonely.”
“I can see why,”
she murmured. “The smug people at this mansion lack the Gypsy fire you’re
accustomed to.”
Their lips
hovered inches apart. A whisper of air slipped into Karina’s mouth as she
parted her lips. Constantin nearly kissed her. But then he stepped back.
She wasn’t
giving up that easily. “I liked the feel of your hand on my leg,” she purred.
“If you let me touch you, I can erase some of that loneliness.”
As slow as a
ribbon flutters in a quiet breeze, she feathered her fingertip up his arm.
Under her touch, his skin burned as hot as lava. She knew in that moment that
he was going to kiss her.
With eyes
blazing with desire, he craned his neck forward and clamped his mouth to hers.
Karina’s whole world changed in that moment. Responding to his warm lips, she
pressed herself to his chest. And when he allowed his tongue to slip forward,
her heart thrummed wildly.
“My God,” he
said gruffly. “You smell like summer rain.”
Their bodies
stayed molded together by pure lust. The feel of his muscles and his
intoxicating scent reminded Karina that she’d never want any man but him. Would
Constantin make her his tonight?
About the Author:
Marina Myles’s love of books began as soon as she read her first fairy tale. During her college days, she received degrees in English Literature and Communications—and enjoyed the unique experience of being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.
Now that she lives under the sunny skies of Arizona, she hasn’t left her glamorous life behind completely. After all, she gets to divide her time between her loving family, her loyal Maltese, and worlds filled with fiery—but not easily attained—love affairs.
Visit her at www.marinamyles.com
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