The Klaus Brothers Boxed Set

by penny watson

  She gazed at Sven’s hand, and an odd sensation enveloped her. His hand was waiting for her, open for her. Large, rough, safe, and gentle. Strong, brave, battered. Slowly she reached out and placed her smaller fingers into his grip.

  Two puzzle pieces snapped together. Sparkling sternschnuppen appeared around their hands, giggling and singing, binding them together in light.

  So this is what it felt like. When your heart belonged to another. When you fell into the abyss, and two strong arms were there to catch you.

  Had he ever experienced this sense of desperation?

  No, never.

  The moment she walked into the room, he knew he couldn’t let her leave. No matter what it took. He had to convince her to give him another chance. He would find a way.

  The candlelight flickered on her cheekbones, casting shadows from her lashes. Those golden cat eyes, filled with worry and vulnerability, gazed at him, and he was lost. Under the bravado and anger was that sweetness he craved. Was he too late?

  “Do you still love me?”

  She squeezed his hand. “I’m scared. I’ve never done this before.”

  “Do you still love me?”

  “I have no experience loving someone. Or trusting someone. Depending on anyone else but me.” She bit her lip.

  He rested his forehead against hers and sighed. “Andi, tell me, honey. Put me out of my misery, please. Do you still love me?”

  Her lips found his. Just one gentle kiss. “Yes. I still love you. But I need your trust. No more questioning my motives. No more thinking the worst of me.”

  Every tense muscle in his body eased. If he still had her love, he could figure out the rest.

  “Never. I swear. I know your intentions are good and pure. And I don’t need the elves in Glasdorf to read your aura for confirmation.”

  “I was wrong about a lot of things. You’re not a goofy hippie. You’re a thoughtful visionary, a man of integrity.” She touched his face. “I’m not just a tabloid reporter who feeds off the despair of others. I want more in my life, more for myself and my family.”

  “I know. And I respect the hell out of you for that.”

  “I want to take a chance on us. But I feel like I’m out of my league with this relationship business. I hope you’re okay with me having a big learning curve.”

  He smiled. He was so close. She was almost his. “That sounds reasonable. I don’t have any experience with this, either. But I have a good feeling about our chances.”

  The sternschnuppen danced around the bed, taunting him. Wouldn’t it be nice if the magik helped him out for a change? Then again, maybe it had. He flattened his palm against hers, and they watched the shooting stars spin around them and then fly all over the room.

  “Magik follows you everywhere.” Andi linked their hands together and leaned over to kiss his fingers. “These hands—your hands—are capable of great things, Sven. Your grand opening is amazing.”

  He pulled her closer to him, afraid to let her go. “Thank you. My whole family is on board with my new business, which is a huge relief. The only thing missing is you. I need you on my team.” He stroked her cheek. “You haven’t told me your opinion of my big showcase piece.” He glanced at the bed. “What do you think?”

  This was it. Had the grand gesture worked? Would she realize how much he loved her?

  She stepped back and faced the bed. Ran her hand over the carved wood. “How does it feel to make a fantasy come true? A little girl’s greatest Christmas wish blossom into vivid color? To come alive before her eyes? It must be a wonderful feeling.”

  “You tell me. How does it feel?”

  She placed her palms flat on his chest. “It feels like heaven. Like all of these years yearning for something have paid off. Wondering if I would ever find that happiness and contentment, that gift of love. And now…”

  “Now what?” Sven lifted her in his arms and gently settled her on the satiny covers. He was too impatient to wait for her answer.

  “And now I have. You made my dreams come true.”

  She sank into the jewel-toned pillows, looking like an exotic princess waiting for her mate. With her black silky hair fanned out on the bed, her lush curves beckoning, a brilliant smile on her face.

  He lowered himself on top of her. “I was worried it wouldn’t live up to your expectations.” He kissed her eyelids. “I was worried you wouldn’t love me back.”

  “I love you back,” she whispered. “The bed surpassed my expectations. It’s extraordinary. A bed fit for a princess. Too bad I’m just a New York working gal.”

  He smiled. “Oh, no. You’re wrong. You are my princess, Andi De Luca. Exotic, regal. Unforgettable. The bed is perfect for you.” He devoured her with his mouth and she shivered.

  “How can I ever thank you for this?”

  “The bed is your Christmas present, honey. I wanted it to be one-of-a-kind. I wanted it to be special.” He nuzzled her neck. “I wanted it to be my wife’s dream bed.”

  She froze. “Your wife?”

  Just one more step. “Uh-huh.”

  He saw the joy in her eyes. The elation on her face. She tangled her legs with his and wrapped her arms around his back.

  “This would make the perfect marriage bed.”

  Sven growled his consent. “Yes, it would. How do you feel about sharing it with me? Sleeping with me every night?” He could feel her love showering upon him with a cascade of magik stars. Bright and radiant.

  “It sounds like the sweetest adventure.”

  Text From Andi De Luca Klaus to Sven Klaus:

  Dear Mr. Klaus, I would like to request an interview. Please respond at your earliest convenience.

  Text From Sven Klaus to Andi De Luca Klaus:

  I’m sorry to inform you that my schedule is swamped. No time for interviews. My apologies.

  Reply From Andi De Luca Klaus:

  Do I need to remind you my nickname is PIT BULL? Just checking.

  Reply From Sven Klaus:

  No need to remind me. Do I need to remind you that LIONS are bigger than PIT BULLS? Just checking.

  Reply From Andi De Luca Klaus:

  That’s disappointing. I made chicken cacciatore. With fresh oregano and basil. I guess I’ll have to eat it all myself.

  Reply From Sven Klaus:

  I am sort of hungry.

  Reply From Andi De Luca Klaus:

  How hungry are you?

  Reply From Sven Klaus:

  I forgot to eat lunch. You know how I get…

  Reply From Andi De Luca Klaus:

  I know. Ulrich told me you were working on Dietmar’s new design. How’s it coming along?

  Reply From Sven Klaus:

  Fantastic. Also, thanks again for the feature piece you did about multi-sensory toys. Didi was stoked he got quoted in the interview.

  Reply From Andi De Luca Klaus:

  I made him a star. He owes me.

  Reply From Sven Klaus:

  Maybe I can squeeze in a quick snack.

  Reply From Andi De Luca Klaus:

  Well, if you agree to an interview, I’ll provide refreshments. That’s my best offer.

  Reply From Sven Klaus:

  You’re tempting me, De Luca.

  Reply From Andi De Luca Klaus:

  If you change your mind, I’ll be waiting. At our “special” interview location.

  Reply From Sven Klaus:

  Where exactly is our interview location?

  Reply From Andi De Luca Klaus:

  Our bed.

  Reply From Sven Klaus:

  Maybe my schedule is lightening up.

  Reply From Andi De Luca Klaus:

  Also, I’m wearing my “special” interview outfit.

  Reply From Sven Klaus:

  What exactly is your special interview outfit?

  Reply From Andi De Luca Klaus:

  The sheet.

  Reply From Sven Klaus:

  How about that? My day just opened WIDE up. I’d be ha
ppy to grant you an interview. See you in about 3 minutes.

  Reply From Andi De Luca Klaus:

  Make it in 2.

  THE END

  About the Author

  PENNY WATSON is a native Pittsburgher whose love of romance started at the age of twelve when she discovered Gone With The Wind in the middle school library. This resulted in numerous attempts at a first novel involving a young lady with windswept hair who lived in a tree house.

  A biologist by training, Penny has worked at various times as a dolphin trainer, science teacher, florist, and turfgrass researcher (don’t ask). After taking time off to raise her two spirited children, she decided to rekindle her passion for storytelling. Now she gets to incorporate her wide array of interests—including gardening, cooking, and travel—into her works of fiction.

  Penny lives outside of Boston with one fly-fishing crazed husband, two lively Filipino kids, and a wiener dog.

  Please visit Penny’s website and blog for more information about her upcoming releases.

  More Titles

  by Penny Watson/Nina Clark

  Apples Should Be Red

  “Hilarious and sweet, a delightfully romantic gem of a story.”

  —Laura Florand, Bestselling author of The Chocolate Series

  Recipe for Thanksgiving Dinner:

  Start with sixty-two-year-old politically incorrect, chain-smoking, hard-cussing curmudgeon.

  Add fifty-nine-year-old sexually-repressed know-it-all in pearls.

  Throw in a beer can-turkey, a battle for horticultural supremacy, and nudist next-door neighbor.

  Serve on paper plates, garnished with garden gnome.

  Tastes like happily ever after.

  Penny Watson presents an over-fifty romantic comedy novella. 21,000 words. Story includes copious profanity and botanical references.

  Purchase Apples Should Be Red

  The Klaus Brothers Series

  “Sweet Magik will surely help readers get into the Christmas spirit…suspend disbelief and go along for a ride to the North Pole.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  What if the legend of Santa Claus is real? What if Santa has five strapping sons who help him run his empire? Five single, sexy sons looking for romance?

  Sweet Inspiration

  Klaus Brothers Series #1

  Nicholas Klaus is a master pastry chef, a strict disciplinarian, and the eldest son of the legendary Santa Claus. One look at café owner Lucy Brewster sends him into an unexpected tailspin of lusty desires. When Lucy is injured, Nicholas makes a decision that catapults both of their lives into turmoil…

  Lucy Brewster, the free-spirited proprietor of Sweet Inspiration, has a flair for concocting sugary confections but no time for adventure. She gets more than she bargained for when she awakens in the North Pole—rambunctious elves, a fitness-obsessed Santa, and the man of her dreams.

  Does she have what it takes to become the next Mrs. Klaus?

  Sweet Magik

  Klaus Brothers Series #2

  “To borrow a little German, this book was wunderbar.”

  —Romancing Rakes

  Oskar Klaus’s job is killing him. Not even his favorite hobbies (extreme snowboarding and browsing old bookstores) are enough to snap him out of his funk. It’s not easy living in the shadow of four successful older brothers and a father named Santa. Little does he know that a kiss on New Year’s Eve is about to turn his life upside-down.

  Kiana Grant’s Manhattan life is a world away from her childhood in Oahu. She traded sunsets and surfing for a respectable career in library science, but Oskar Klaus is a temptation that’s hard to resist. Before she knows it, she’s in the midst of an outrageous adventure in the North Pole, dealing with mischievous elves, wicked demons, and a devastating attraction to Santa’s youngest son.

  There’s just one problem—a bitter elf hell-bent on revenge threatens the future of everyone in the North Pole, even Santa himself…

  Sweet Adventure

  Klaus Brothers Series #3

  Sven Klaus, Chief Toy Designer for Klaus Enterprises, will protect his family at any cost. He’s prepared to battle the most threatening adversaries to do it—frost flowers, snowstorms, Yeti. And beautiful tenacious tabloid journalists.

  Andi De Luca’s reporting career is built on lies—about corrupt politicians, greedy Hollywood stars, and Bigfoot. Now she’s determined to uncover the truth about Klaus Enterprises, and she always gets her story. Even if it means revealing her own secret desires to Santa’s son.

  After all the lies and deception are exposed, will Andi and Sven survive this North Pole adventure? Or will YETI MAKE THEM DEADY?

  Penny Watson presents a 45,000-word holiday fantasy romance, #3 in the Klaus Brothers Series. Includes paranormal phenomena, Christmas spirit, and yes…an abominable snowmonster.

  Lumberjack in Love

  “The delicious beard! The magnificent log! This city-girl-meets-lumberjack tale is a crazy sexy hairy delight.”

  —Carolyn Crane, author of The Disillusionists Trilogy

  City slicker Ami Jordan was just dumped by her back-stabbing boyfriend, has no job prospects, and can’t find a decent cup of coffee in the entire state of Vermont. The last thing she needs is a sexy bearded lumberjack complicating her life. Even if he’s smart, talented, and has the hottest ass she’s ever seen.

  Tree house builder, environmental champion, and Bulldog owner Marcus Anderson has no patience for flatlanders with an attitude. But when landscape designer Ami Jordan shows up at his log cabin, he suddenly develops a hankering for a high-maintenance city gal. Now his house looks like a jungle, his recycling is in disarray, and his libido’s on fire.

  He’s a lumberjack in love.

  Purchase Lumberjack in Love at Amazon.

  Download FREE EPILOGUE for Lumberjack In Love

  Check out the new children’s series

  by Nina Clark and Sara Pulver…

  Lucy the Wonder Weenie!

  “Lucy is sure to tickle the funny bones of young kids and wiener dog-lovers of all ages.

  The bright, charmingly wacky illustrations build the perfect world for a wiener dog with a newly-found superpower.”

  —Pam Smallcomb, author of Earth to Clunk

  Lucy the Diva Doxie irritates her family with an obsessive licking habit. Then one day she consumes a pile of magic beans and something extraordinary happens. She transforms into Lucy the Wonder Weenie. After adopting her new super hero persona, Lucy makes a startling discovery. Her bothersome habit has the power to comfort tearful children and create laughter, love, and joy.

  Because every dog’s a superhero.

  Purchase Lucy the Wonder Weenie.

  Visit Nina Clark’s website.

  Check out the Wonder Weenie blog.