âCold?â Maks purred, pushing even closer. âLet me warm you.â
âIâm not coââ But Gillian wasnât allowed to finish the thought.
His mouth covered hers in a kiss that demanded full submission and reciprocation.
Her bodyâthe same body that had shied away from his every touchânow capitulated without a single conscious thought on her part. She sank into him while her mouth softened under his, allowing him immediate access to the interior.
Like the marauder his ancestors had been, he took advantage, his tongue seeking hers out with sensual intent. The hand on her throat slid down to her shoulder and then lower.
His triumphant growl was both animalistic and unbearably exciting.
This man might have all the urbanity expected of a prince on the outside, but underneath beat the heart of a ruthless Cossack. He wanted nothing less than everything.
At his command and in his bed!
Crown Prince Maksim Yurkovich and his royal cousin
Prince Demyan know exactly the price of duty.
Having already sacrificed so much,
what is one more thing to them?
Tied to women by necessity, itâs hard to say who is
more surprised by the fiery strength of their desireâ the Princes or their brides.
But when the sheets cool on the marriage bed
who will winâ¦Queen or country?
Read Crown Prince Maksimâs story this month in
ONE NIGHT HEIR
And next month discover how far Prince Demyan will go to do his duty in
PRINCE OF SECRETS
LUCY MONROE started reading at the age of four. After going through the childrensâ books at home, she was caught by her mother reading adult novels pilfered from the higher shelves on the bookcaseâ¦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: e-mail Lucy [email protected], or visit www.LucyMonroe.com
Recent titles by the same author:
NOT JUST THE GREEKâS WIFE
HEART OF A DESERT WARRIOR
FOR DUTYâS SAKE
THE GREEKâS PREGNANT LOVER
Did you know these are also available as eBooks?Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk
In sincerest gratitude to my readers,
who have stuck with me through the droughts brought on by my momâs final illness and subsequent death, my own health issues and the many other challenges life offers us mortals. Your support and encouragement mean so very much to me and have blessed me truly beyond measure. Love and hugs to you all!
With particular thanks to Ms Gillian Wheatley of
London for suggesting visual inspiration for my hero. XOXO
The necessary legal caveat: while Ms Wheatley shares
a first name with the female protagonist in this book, Gillian Harris is not fashioned after her or based on Ms Wheatley in any way. Any similarities are purely coincidental and unintentional by the author.
FURY RIDING HIM like an angry stallion, Crown Prince Maksim of Volyarus let loose with a punch-cross-hook kickboxing combo against his cousin and sparring partner.
Demyan blocked, and the sound of flesh hitting pads mixed with his grunt of surprise. âSomething the matter, your highness?â
Maks hated when his cousin, older by four years and raised as a brother with Maks in their familyâs palace, referred to him by his title.
Demyan was well aware, but the older man liked pushing buttons, especially during their workout sessions. He said it made the sparring more intense.
Today would have been sufficiently punishing without the added irritation. Not that Maks warned Demyan of that. His cousin deserved what he got.
âNothing wiping the smug look off your face wonât take care of.â Maks danced back before driving forward with another fast-paced, grueling combo.
Well-matched in stature and strength, they both kept their six-feet-four-inch frames in top physical condition.
âI thought tonight was the big night with Gillian,â Demyan said, scrambling in a way he rarely did during their sessions. âDonât tell me you think sheâs going to turn you down?â
âIf I were going to ask, sheâd say yes.â And a day ago that certainty had given Maks a great deal of pleasure.
Now, it just taunted him with what he couldnât have. Namely, Gillian.
âSo, what is the problem?â Demyan demanded as he went on the offensive, forcing Maks to defend against a barrage of punches and kicks.
âHer medical tests came back.â
âSheâs not sick, is she?â Demyan asked, sounding sincerely concerned.
Coming from a man with a reputation for cold ruthlessness, it would have shocked anyone else.
But Maks knew how much Demyan cared about their family. And for the last eight months, the beautiful, sweet Gillian had been moving closer and closer to joining that group.