Hi all,

today, I’m here for a double treat, as Jessica Collins came by and brought with her Anabelle and Aleksandr, the couple from the story Stealing Beauty, from the Fairy Tales after Dark Series.

So, let’s get our guest to talking, and let’s start with Jessica for a quick round.

Favorite sound: My husband’s voice

Least favorite sound: Animals crying

Best song ever written: Heroes by Peter Gabriel

Worst song ever written: Let’s get it started by the Blackeyes Peas – UGH!

Favorite actor and actress: I don’t have a favorite actress, so I’ll give two actors: Robin Williams & Robert DeNiro

Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? (It can be anyone living or dead): My dog. I’d love to see what it’s like to be completely pampered.

What turns you on?: A true Alpha male – strong, sexy, dominant at times, yet gentle when he needs to be

What turns you off?: People who can’t appreciate a different opinion

Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date: Sorry, your sister was better.

Oh God, that’s wrong on so many levels… Let’s move on, before I get seriously pissed. I mean, seriously?????

Anyway.

Now, before we start our chat with the Hero and Heroine of Jessica’s story, let’s see what that is:

She wants him. He needs her. This time, it’s the Beast who’s going to attempt to tame the Beauty. Desire… danger… a whole lotta heat – this isn’t your childhood fairy tale.

A stubborn beauty….

Anabelle Lehala just wants to spend time with her best friend, finish law school, and provide a good life for her and her father. Her world is knocked upside down when she meets a mysterious, captivating stranger who tempts her like no one before. Refusing to be just another notch in his belt, Belle forces herself to stay away from him at all costs.

An egotistical beast….

Rich, powerful, and handsome, Aleksandr Wolfe has been accustomed to getting whatever he desires. That is, until he meets Belle. Immediately captivated by her, Aleks can’t understand why she won’t give in to the obvious mutual desire between them. Helpless to stay away from her, Aleks wonders if she’ll be the one thing he can never have.

The fight for her life….

When Anabelle finds herself in danger after refusing the advances of Gabriel Avenant, a man who believes she is his and his alone, Aleksandr vows to protect her. As their attraction grows, they each must decide if they are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice—their hearts.

Now that we know how the story goes, let’s know better the heroes in it.

Anabelle and Aleksandr, thank you for coming with Jessica today, and agreeing to have this chat with me. So, let’s start easy with your full names, please.

Anabelle Lahela and Aleksandr Wolfe

Have you ever had a nickname?

Belle: My nickname has always been Belle. Most people don’t actually know my first name is Anabelle!

Aleks: Aleks is the most common. I’ve also been called The Beast – that’s probably the… nicest… of the nicknames I’ve been given.

Belle: He’s right. For a couple of weeks there I only referred to him as “the asshole”.

Aleks: Yeah, or “arrogant bastard”. That’s always been my favorite.

Profession.

Belle: I own a Burlesque bar called Lily’s and just finished law school.

Aleks: I run the real-estate company, Beast Enterprises.

Are you happy about your life?

Belle: Absolutely. Everything somehow turned out perfect for me. I never thought it would have been possible.

Would you change something about it?

Aleks: Yeah, more books. (Winks at Belle, who blushes.)

Have you ever thought your life would be made into a book?

Belle: Never. I mean, I’ve always wanted the fairy-tale romance, but I never imagined anyone would want to hear about my life.

Your thoughts on love.

Aleks: I never believed in it before. Now, I realize it’s both the most amazing, and scariest, feeling out there. I never realized how much you could hurt when someone else hurts.

What would you change about yourself?

Aleks: Nothing.

Belle: (Gently hits his arm). He wishes he weren’t so jealous! As for me… I’m the perfect one (laughs).

Your quirky habits.

Aleks: She has the cutest little snore when she’s in a deep sleep.

Belle: I do not snore!

Aleks: (Laughs) Ok.

Which talent would you like to have?

Belle: I wish I had a better singing voice. The women who work for me can choose to sing their own performances. I envy them. Especially my friends Claudia and Sirena.

The quality you most like in a man/woman.

Aleks: Intelligence, emotional strength, humor, and the ability to admit when they’re wrong.

The trait you most despise

Both together: Stubbornness!

On what occasions do you lie?

Belle: Why don’t you take this one, hmm?

Aleks: No. Nope. I learned she’s like a bloodhound when it comes to lying. Even just fibbing. She always knows! It saves me a lot of trouble to just be honest.

Belle: And by honest, you mean “Don’t do anything I’d have to apologize for?”

Aleks: Absolutely, kotik.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what would you like to be?

Belle: I’d like to come back with all my memories, and try to find him all over again.

Aleks: Yeah, but how ‘bout we not re-live what we’ve been through, huh? At least, not all of it.

What kind of impression do you make on people when they first meet you? Is that accurate?

Belle: That’s a good question! I think people find me open and happy. I get along with people easily.

Aleks: My answer would be the complete opposite of hers. People find me serious and harsh. Before they’ve even met me, they know not to piss me off.

Is there anything you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done?

Aleks: Go shark diving. A cage. Great Whites. It would be awesome.

Worst and best thing that happened to your life.

Belle: All of that’s actually in our book. I’d tell you now but don’t want to ruin the surprise.

The worst thing you’ve ever done to someone and why.

Aleks: Think I knew what was best for them. It almost killed us. Literally.

What are you most afraid of?

Aleks: Losing her.

Belle: Well, geeze, I was going to say spiders! Haha.

What do you value the most?

Bella: My family.

Aleks: same.

What is in your refrigerator right now?

Aleks: I have no idea. All I know is when I want something, it’s there within the hour.

Belle: That’s not true. You’ve cooked for me before.

Aleks: Yeah, but not in a while. There could be a dead body in there and I’d have no idea.

Favorite dish

Belle: Chicken Francaise over pasta. With lots of extra Francaise sauce.

Aleks: A dry-aged Filet Mignon with creamed spinach.

The perfect night out

Aleks: Dinner – and then rushing back home for desert. (Grabs Belle, kissing her neck). Mmmmm I love the way she tastes.

Belle: Aleks! OMG!

The perfect vacation

Belle: I like adventure. Doesn’t matter where – the great, wide, somewhere is perfect for me. Anyplace we can explore!

What would you change about the other?

Belle: He still has a bit of a temper.

Aleks raises his eyebrow at her and begins to speak, but she cuts him off.

Belle: It’s ok, I have it mostly under control.

What do you like about the other?

Aleks: She’s my match in every way. She’s smart, and driven. She’s incredibly funny, and sexy. She’s…. she’s mine.

Your first thought and impression when you first met?

Belle: (Laughs.) Hot asshole. I thought “Must. Stay. Away.” That worked great!

Aleks: That’s funny. My first thought was “I must have her.” Worked perfectly for me.

What would you do if:

someone tried to blackmail you. How easy or difficult would it be?

Aleks: Good luck with that. Not only would my lawyers go after you, I would as well.

You arrive home to find your door unlocked and slightly ajar, and you’re sure you locked it on your way out.

Both look at each other, anxiously.

Belle: I’d… Let’s just skip that one.

You wake up to find a poisonous spider on your pillow next to his/ her head.

Belle: Scream and make him kill it.

Aleks: Oh, so I can get bitten by a deadly spider while you sit there screaming?

Belle: Yes.

You wake up in a room and bed you don’t recognize.

Aleks: That’s happened more times than I can count.

Belle slaps his arm.

Someone told you today that the other is destined to fulfill a great prophecy.

Belle: I’d tell them to buckle up. It’s going to be a bumpy ride!

Thank you both for being here today, it was a pleasure to have you, all three of you!

Here’s an extract:

He looked at her for a moment before continuing, voice low. “Let’s be honest for a moment, shall we? I’ve been fantasizing about you since the first night we met, and I can feel your eyes on me whenever I’m near you.” He paused a moment, tongue darting out briefly to lick his bottom lip. “We should just fuck and get it out of the way.”

Belle stopped breathing. She wanted to take him up on his offer — she had never wanted to sleep with a man as badly as she wanted him.

“Mr. Wolfe, let me make one thing perfectly clear. I own a club. I deal in attraction. You wouldn’t get a call back.” Belle narrowed her eyes back in a challenge. Ok, so she lied a little, yet he needed to know there wouldn’t be anything between them, no matter how often she thought about it.

“It that so?”

“Yes,” she huffed out a breath, proud of herself for staying strong against his attempts at her.

He stared at her for another moment, his penetrating gaze holding her in place. He stood, walking around the desk towards her, fingers on his left hand grazing the edge of the dark wood.

His face remained impassive, but his eyes, his eyes looked — calculating.

                Oh, no. I know that look. I created that look. Belle moved to stand but Aleks was too quick. He leaned forward, a hand on each side of her chair, entrapping her in the small space. The earthy scent she was beginning to grow fond of flooded her nostrils. The muscles in his forearms flexed as he gripped the chair, and the heat from his body warmed her as he leaned forward, dangerously close into her personal space, forcing her head back against the leather.

“Women have pretended to say no to me before. Seems I always change their mind.”

His arrogance was the cold water she needed to focus. She wasn’t about to let him intimidate her. “Pretended? You’re such a prick. I’m not other women.

Belle held his gaze as his look darkened, blue turning cerulean, a slow smile forming on his face.

“Mm hm,” he uttered, not convinced. His voice dropped as he continued, “Tell me, did you think about it the other night? Me fucking you against the wall? Or perhaps you’re thinking about it now — being bent over my desk as I take you from behind?” He wouldn’t release her gaze, pupils dilating as he spoke. His facial expression, his voice, his sheer intensity, all mixed with his words; he was devastating.

                “The only reason those thoughts cross my mind is because I have to listen to you talk about them.” She hated feeling the blush creep across her cheeks. He reached with one hand to stroke her cheek with his thumb, his fingers wrapping towards the back of her head.

“Your cheeks turn such a pretty shade of pink when you lie to me, Belle.” The touch sent a jolt through her body as a breath caught in her throat. She knew he heard, being so close to her. He leaned down into her, close enough she could almost feel his chest on hers. He placed his lips next to the ear opposite his hand and she felt his warm breath on her. His masculine scent engulfed her.

“Consider your challenge accepted. You will say ‘yes’ to me, Belle. In fact, you will beg for it.”

“I — I don’t recall offering you a challenge, Mr. Wolfe.” Her voice had sounded raspier than she had intended. She resisted the temptation to lean her face into his.

“You saying no is the challenge. You can tell yourself you won’t give in. You can try to resist me all you want, but it won’t work. I always win.”

If you want to red the whole story, here’s where to find it and pre-order it:

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