Lucas Fides has inherited his Victorian family’s auction house, good looks and a keen, passionate mind. But he has far less control over his body’s desires than his business, hiding an illicit and unspoken love for his boyhood friend and dependent, Valentine. As a result, Lucas suffers recurring, deeply erotic dreams, where a mystery lover demands and guides his sexual responses.<br><br>When the auction house runs into financial difficulty, Valentine introduces a new client to Lucas. Gideon Arnaud is a mysterious and charismatic man who seems to scorn society’s restrictions. He offers Lucas a spectacular collection of jewels for auction and also his intense, seductive attention. He appears to know more about Lucas than any stranger should. Affronted by Gideon’s bold pursuit, Lucas puts up a spirited defence, despite being increasingly exhausted by his dreams. His heart is already committed to Valentine, even if he thinks it’s his secret alone. When Valentine announces his engagement to Lucas’s sister, Lucas’s pain and frustration are almost intolerable.<br><br>Torn between his need for Valentine’s comfort and the determination to avoid Gideon Arnaud’s disturbing presence, Lucas becomes more vulnerable by the day, until his loneliness forces his desire out of his dreams and into the light of day. The consequences will change his life forever.

Precious Possession

“What are you saying?”My voice was hoarse,and I wrenched my head away from him.“You have never met me before.I decide when I’m ready for whatever I want to do.”


He shrugged.He looked a little angry now,as if he hadn’t expected my resistance to him.“And you will decide you want to join me,very soon.It’s what you want,what you crave.I make no secret of the fact that I want to be your first,and you will giveme that honour.I demand it!”


“You demand it?”Then I felt the anger rise up in me,too.“You will demand nothingof me,for you talk a wild,uncouth nonsense,and you touch me without my permission,and you assume a familiarity with me that I allow to no one!”I knew I was shouting—I wondered why Valentine didn’t hear me and rush back in.“My first?What does that mean?How patronizing and offensive will you be,Arnaud,before I callmy people to have you thrown out of my home?”


Chapter 5