by Leroux, Lucy
Rolling her eyes, Peyton nudged Matthias hard in the hip. “Enough business talk. It’s Carsonia’s first national holiday.”
Matthias took her hand. “Yes, My Queen.”
Liam echoed his words a beat later.
She giggled. “That’s never going to get old.”
The strains of a waltz began. Waving goodbye to Ethan, she grabbed her men, pulling them on the dance floor set over the flagstone tiles.
“I don’t know how to waltz as a threesome,” Liam admitted as they came to a stop in the middle of the courtyard.
She raised her arms, spinning to make her skirt flare out. “Who cares? We’ll figure it out.”
Matthias laughed and Liam shrugged, taking her hand to spin her until she whirled into Matthias’ arms.
Whoops and cheers followed. The dance was silly, completely unplanned, and occasionally awkward—and it was almost too much fun.
Soon, their friends and family joined in. At one point, Peyton jumped, leaping into Liam’s arms.
In one smooth move, he tossed her up, setting her on his shoulder. Matthias joined him so she was balanced between them. It was a dance similar to the hora, but without the chair. A few euphoric spins later, she jumped down into Matthias’ arms.
Maggie, who was dancing next to them with Jason, laughed as the crowd cheered. “When did you rehearse that?”
“We didn’t,” Peyton said, shouting to be heard over the music.
“Then how did you know they would catch you?”
She shrugged, continuing to dance. “I just did.”
Liam tugged Matthias by the hand, pulling him around her back so she was pressed between them.
“And we always will,” he vowed.
THE END
Afterword
Need another obsession? Look for FBI agent Ethan White's story in the new ‘Of Valor and Villains’ series. Coming Soon...
Read a sneak peek here!
* * *
Thank you for reading this novel! Reviews are an author’s bread and butter. If you liked the story please consider leaving one.
Subscribe to the Lucy Leroux Newsletter for a free full-length novel!
www.authorlucyleroux.com/newsletter
or keep up with her L.B. Gilbert releases
www.elementalauthor.com/newsletter
About the Author
Lucy Leroux is another name for USA Today Bestselling Author L.B. Gilbert.
Seven years ago Lucy moved to France for a one-year research contract. Six months later she was living with a handsome Frenchman and is now married with an adorable half-french toddler.
When her last contract ended Lucy turned to writing. Frustrated by the lack of quality romance erotica she created her own.
Cursed is the first of many regency novels. Additionally, she writes a bestselling contemporary series. The 'Singular Obsession' books are a combination of steamy romance and suspense that feature intertwining characters in their own stand-alone stories. Follow her on twitter or facebook, or check our her website for more news!
www.authorlucyleroux.com
Other 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.
Confiscating Charlie
A Free 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 on Most Online Retailers
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.
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, before the danger she’s running from catches up with her…and to try and heal the heart he shattered.
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.
Save Me
A Singular Obsession, Book 4.5,
Available Now
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…
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.
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?
Peyton’s Price
A Singular Obsession, Book Six,
Available now
Peyton Carson has been in love with Liam Tyler since she was nine-years-old. When he gets engaged to someone else, she’s devastated.
Shattered after the man she loves announces his engagement, Peyton does her best to pick up the pieces and move on with her life. She begins to build a life without Liam in it. But when her roommate's debt becomes her problem, she finds herself in a game too dangerous to play.
Suddenly thrown into unimaginable danger, Peyton has no way out. Unable to rescue Peyton himself, Liam asks for help from the last man he wants anything to do with—Matthias Raske.
Now, Peyton's options become clear, but her salvation comes at a price she’s not sure she’s willing to pay. Peyton must risk it all for a chance at something she's always wanted. Torn between ecstasy and the fairytale, will she overcome all the obstacles or lose her chance at forever?
Peyton’s Price is the last book in the Singular Obsession series.
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
Look for The Hex, a Spellbound Regency Short FREE on most eBook retailers
Black Widow
A Spellbound Regency Novel, Book Two,
A Radish Exclusive
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,
A Readers’ Favorite Silver Medalist
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?
Air
The Elementals Book Two,
A Readers’ Favorite Silver Medalist
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…
Water
The Elementals Book Three,
A Readers’ Favorite Five Star Read
Hellbent on seeking justice and answers for her mate’s mysterious disappearance, Serin takes no prisoners as she explores the truth. As a high-ranking elemental in ass-kicking stilettos, she embarks upon a perilous quest for vengeance.
In her manhunt, Serin encounters DEA agent Daniel Romero, who’s strangely connected to her bonded mate's vanishing. Teaming up with the officer forces Serin to accept the truth. Daniel just may be her destiny. And with time running out, Serin knows that she must protect her sisters and ignore the pull she has for Daniel. Come Hell or high water, Serin will put her life on the line to protect everyone--and everything she loves.
Kin Selection
A Shifter’s Claim Novella
Animal activist Deena Hammond had no idea the wolf cub she just rescued i
s 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.
Bound by honor to keep their existence a secret, Yogi, a wolf shifter, kidnaps Deena and brings her back to the cub's family. Knowing a hellion with curves likes hers is the ultimate temptation for the other males in his pack, Yogi stays close to Deena, fighting to keep his desire for her under control. But she just might ignite the animal within him.