No More Masquerade — Angel Payne; Victoria Blue

Behind every good man...is the love of an even better woman. Those were just pretty words before I met Claire Montgomery. Before my fairy queen burst into my life, I didn't recognize the bastard in my morning mirror--but her love has given me the strength to face the impostor, even embrace him. My tower in the clouds is no longer a sentence of isolation; it's a jumping point to the stars. With Claire at my side, I'm the king I always wanted to be, the Killian Stone I always dreamed of becoming. Which means for once, I want the mask guarding my secret to stay right where it is. If you want the grown-up fairy tale...learn to love the dark side. Profound sentiment. Wish I could get on board with it but the prince in pinstripes has other ideas. Life has been a dream since Killian burst into the ball offering the perfect fit--his heart and mine, not the shoes, the car or the jewelry--but the treasures have become his armor, hiding the man I yearn to know. I refuse to open his little velvet box until he opens himself, letting me see even the dark hallways of his soul... Until he lifts all his masks for me. Master of the masquerade... Fate has always bowed to my bidding. I should have known it was just picking its time to exact the best revenge, to reveal the secrets that will destroy everything. Without my disguise, am I still the man Claire fell in love with...or another penniless prince vying for an unattainable dream? Mistress of his ruin? He always told me to be careful what I wish for. By demanding his truth, have I not only demolished the dream we had...but the man I've loved more than any other?