***** "And the kiss last night?" he asked, stepping closer until she could feel the warmth of him so near. Katrina clutched the roses, heart pounding, feeling the butterflies rising in her. His eyes held her, intense and filled with an emotion she couldn't name. "I don't regret it," he murmured. "I meant every bit of it, and I'd love to—" Katrina didn't let him finish. She pulled him close and pressed her lips to his, unable to resist any longer. He responded immediately, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her close. His kiss was slow and deep, full of a passion that set her on fire. ****** King Karl of Xylonia, known as the masked king, is feared by all. Cursed at birth to die at 25, he hides half his face behind a mask, leaving everyone wondering what lies beneath. Ruthless and cold-hearted, he never expected to fall in love—until Katrina enters his life. Katrina, a slave-princess, is treated like a servant in her own home because she was born outside of marriage. When her father can't repay his debt to King Karl, he offers his eldest daughter in placed of his youngest daughter, claiming she has a magical touch that heals with a simple massage. Intrigued, the king agrees. But Katrina was never the chosen one, and the healing power is a lie. As the king starts to fall for her, Katrina is trapped in a web of deceit. How long can she keep her secret before the vengeful king uncovers the truth? And when he does, will their love survive—or will the mask of the king hide a fury that could destroy them both? Contain 18+ scenes detailed explicit content. Hot Romance, Dark secrets. #Not your regular Dark-Romance novel#