Secrets of Stone

Once upon a time, there was a girl who dressed up and went to a big party at the palace. When she was there, she met a prince. They danced and fell in love… Damn good line. Too bad I don't believe a word of it anymore. My name is Claire Montgomery, and I'm not a princess. I'm a fighter. I worked hard to earn my place on the emergency image repair team for one of the biggest public relations companies in the country. We've been called to the renowned Chicago headquarters of Stone Global Corporation, where it's our job to clean up a heap of the Stone family's filthiest laundry. Our success will be the biggest victory of my career. I'm on my game. I'm ready. Why doesn't ready include a contingency plan for Killian Stone?

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 imposter, even embrace him. 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. But the treasures he bestows 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... Fate has always bowed to my bidding. I should have known it was just picking it's 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?

What came first? The princess or the shoes? And does it really matter? There's a lot of baggage attached to that answer. My name is Margaux Asher. Yes, that Margaux Asher. The attitude icon. The bitch in the latest heels. The princess of the PR game-at least until last winter, when Mommie Dearest revealed a secret she's been hiding since birth. My real father is one of the world's richest men. Dream come true, right? Like I said…baggage. And now, Michael Pearson wants to help open it. Michael. My six-foot-three, golden god of a dilemma. He's patient, indulgent-and don't get me started on his passion-but he wants too much. He wants the secrets. What would he say if he really knew them? What would he do if he learns…I'm no perfect princess? Someday, my princess will come… The apple never falls far from the tree? Depends on who you ask. I'm Michael Pearson. Son of an apple farmer. Now, I'm working for one of the country's most prestigious PR firms- And I'm the sap who's fallen for the boss's daughter. It doesn't matter that the rest of the world vilifies Margaux. I see she's just a terrified girl, yearning for a place where she's loved-but every time I volunteer for the job, she pushes away. It makes me more determined to give her a magic kiss, setting her free to finally see the truth. I don't want her to be perfect. I just want her to be mine.