June mindlessly chewed on the end of her pen as the rain spluttered against the window.

The stormy weather was perfect for a rider's retreat, especially when combined with the moody nature of the Middlestone

Manor. It was a dark and interesting place, with old ard along the walls and rooms that felt

practically haunted. She turned her head to see Lucas Batten, another retreat guest, entered the den.

He gave her a polite smile and headed for a chair at the opposite end of the room, away from the windows.

He looked gorgeous, something June had noticed right away.

She was a romance writer and often wrote characters like Lucas,

tall, gray eyes, dark hair that swooped in front of his face.

"'You can join me,' she said, sitting up straighter. I don't bite. Needless to say, while in the

presence of Lucas, June didn't get much writing done. She wasn't sure what happened exactly,

but after an hour or so of writer talk, they were sharing a drink in the dining

room.

There had been wine left over from dinner, so they finished off a bottle.

It was late.

The storm was still raging outside, with lightning and thunder now being added to the mix as June entered Lucas's room.

It looked a lot like her room, with its four-poster bed and antique wooden furniture.

This place is amazing, she said, running her fingers across the dresser. When she turned around,

she let out a small gasp as she discovered that Lucas was standing only inches from her.

She could hear his breathing as she looked into his unusually gray eyes.

She'd forgotten that people in real life could actually have gray eyes,

that they weren't just reserved for story characters.

Their kiss was slow, with Lucas coming in at an angle while holding June's gaze.

...