Viktorâs kiss took Maddie by surprise. It shouldnât have. Wasnât it natural to kiss to seal an engagement?
But the kiss did surprise her. And then it overwhelmed her, his lips coaxing a response that radiated throughout her body. They took possession of hers, insisting on the two things sheâd said only that morning she wasnât capable of.
Submission and trust.
But then, like with so many other things in her life, the rules did not apply to Viktor Beck.
She found herself melting into him, no thoughts for self-preservation or holding anything back.
And he accepted her surrender with a forceful masculine desire that belied any claim for a lack of passion between them.
He devoured her mouth, his arms coming around her, his hands pressing her body flush with his.
Maddieâs knees would have given out, but Vikâs hold on her was too tight.
The kiss was Viktor Beck staking claim to the woman who promised to marry him and give him his dreams.
Lucy Monroeâs
RUTHLESS RUSSIANS
Passion is in their blood
As boys, they came from Russia to America to make their fortunes. Now formidable opponents in the boardroom, Viktor Beck and Maxwell Black are about to make the biggest acquisitions of their lives by marrying two of San Franciscoâs most notorious heiresses! Beneath their suave American exteriors beat the passionate hearts of fearsome Cossack warriorsâand their intended brides are about to give them the battle of their lives!
In AN HEIRESS FOR HIS EMPIRE October 2014
A tabloid sex scandal means Viktor Beck can put his plan in motion and marry heiress Madison Archerâthe key to taking over her fatherâs business and building his empire. But even this ruthless Russian is not prepared for his wild bride to be a virgin!
In A VIRGIN FOR HIS PRIZE November 2014
Formidable CEO Maxwell Black is about to make his ultimate acquisitionâ socialite Romi Grayson! She has something he wants, and his need for controlâin all areasâmeans he wonât rest until his ring is on her finger and the innocent Romi is warm and willing in his bed!
LUCY MONROE started reading at the age of four. After going through the childrenâs books at home, she was caught by her mother reading adult novels pilfered from the higher shelves on the bookcase ⦠Alas, it was nine years before she got her hands on a Mills & Boon® Romance her older sister had brought home. She loves to create the strong alpha males and independent women who people Mills & Boon® books. When sheâs not immersed in a romance novel (whether reading or writing it), she enjoys travel with her family, having tea with the neighbours, gardening, and visits from her numerous nieces and nephews.
Lucy loves to hear from her readers:
email [email protected] or visit www.LucyMonroe.com
For Judy Flohr, a very special reader who I have long considered an honest friend. Itâs sort of amazing to me that youâve been reading and sharing your love of my books since the very first one, THE GREEK TYCOONâS ULTIMATUM, back in 2003. When Iâm doubting myself, or the story, I know I can re-read your emails or online reader reviews and remember why I write and that maybe Iâm not so bad at this after all.
THANK YOU!!!
Hugs and blessings, Lucy
CHAPTER ONE
MADISON ARCHER SET HER morning coffee down, hot liquid spilling over the rim, as she read her Google alerts with growing horror.
Madcap Madison Looking for New Master?
Archer Heiress into Heavy Kink
San Francisco Bad Boy Dumps Very Bad Girl
The articles made lurid claims about a lifestyle and relationship between Maddie and Perry Timwater. A completely nonexistent relationship.
The fact that Perry was the source caused the coffee to sour in Maddieâs stomach.
His supposed exposé of their fictitious relationship claimed she was a submissive with a serious pain fetish and need for multiple partners. She gritted her teeth on the urge to swear as she read it was her inability to remain faithful that forced Perry to end things between them.
Maddie wouldnât mind ending Perry right that minute. Betrayal choked her.
How could he have done this?
He was her friend.
Theyâd met their freshman year at university. Heâd made her laugh when sheâd thought nothing could. Not after her epic fail trying to get Viktor Beckâs attention. Sheâd started university with a broken heart and Perry had helped her paste over the cracks with friendship.
Sheâd helped him pass his accountancy courses. Heâd played platonic escort for her and sheâd provided him entrée to Jeremy Archerâs worldâan echelon above his own.
But never, not once, had their friendship ever taken a turn toward something heavier.
Pounding sounded on her front door. âMaddie! Itâs me, donât freak.â Then barely a second later, the double snick of locks sliding back was followed by the door swinging wide.