Heiress to a Curse. Zandria Munson
in for a bag of coffee beans. “I haven’t been getting enough sleep lately.”
April seated herself on one of the counter stools, crossing her long, slender legs. “Still having those night mares?” she asked.
At five-foot-seven, April was an inch shorter than Alexandra and a year older. She also worked at the Daily Sun.
“Yeah.” Alexandra sighed. “And those pills Dr. Peters prescribed aren’t helping. I think I need a stronger prescription.”
“What you need is to get out of this apartment. When was the last time you did something fun?”
Seating herself on the stool opposite April, Alexandra slumped over the counter. “I think you’re right,” she agreed.
“Of course I’m right! You’ve been working too hard. Oh, and speaking of work, did you see my Friday article?” She reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out a copy of the Daily Sun, tossing it onto the counter. “It made front page.”
The newspaper landed next to Alexandra’s head with a flop and she looked up, reading the bold black letters that comprised the headline.
Winged Creature Sighted for Fifth Time in Central Park.
April turned the paper sideways so that they both had a correct view of the image. “Some guy was filming his kids when the thing appeared. He managed to get a few shots. It’s not a good picture, but it’s proof that something is out there.”
Alexandra looked closer at the picture, which showed a huge dark shadow with wings. “It’s a wonder I haven’t spotted this thing. I have a perfect view of Central Park from my bedroom window.”
The coffee machine bell went off. April hopped off her stool, waving a hand for Alexandra to remain seated. “I’ll get it.”
She smiled her appreciation then returned her attention to the article. “A pterodactyl? I heard the same thing on the news last night. Thanks.” She took the mug from April.
April retook her seat. “Yeah, but I don’t think it’s a dinosaur.” She took a sip from her own mug. “I mean, such things don’t just appear out of nowhere, especially not in New York City.”
“Well, what do you think it is? You’re the one following the story. Have you come up with any conclusions yet?”
April looked pensive, her sleek brows furrowing together. “Either it’s an elaborate hoax, or some government experiment gone wrong. Anyway, enough talk about work. It’s Sunday. Right now you need to get cleaned up. There’s this huge fundraiser luncheon starting at twelve, and we have to be there.”
Alexandra regarded her with suspicion. “When have you ever been interested in any fundraisers?”
“Well …” She stood, adjusting her short chiffon dress. “Ever since I learned that this one is collecting money for scholarships and that all the powerhouses of this city will be in attendance, many of whom are eligible bachelors.” She checked her hair and makeup in the mirrored finish of the toaster.
“I should’ve known.” Alexandra laughed.
“Oh, and speaking of eligible bachelors, have you met your new neighbor yet?”
“New neighbor?”
“Yeah, I spotted him with some boxes while I was standing out there. He’s moving into the apartment next door, and he’s gorgeous.” She took Alexandra’s hand and pulled her from her seat then proceeded to drag her toward the front door.
On tiptoe, April spied through the peephole. “He’s there again!” she said, then motioned for Alexandra to take a look.
Alexandra followed suit and caught the blurred image of a tall man standing near a pile of boxes in the hall. A flutter of excitement danced in the pit of her belly. The only other male resident on her floor was shy Mr. Winston, who preferred the company of his eight cats to that of a woman.
“I can’t believe someone is finally moving into 13A. It’s been vacant forever,” she commented, feigning indifference.
She continued to watch him and wished her hazy peephole was a proper spyglass. She could see only his obscured image as he lifted what appeared to be a crate of books from the top of the pile. He paused suddenly and turned, his eyes riveting to her small vantage point.
Alexandra gasped and spun away from the door. “He saw me!”
April raised a brow. “Please. You’re behind a door,” she scoffed.
“I know, but he looked right at me—well not at me, but at the peephole.” She grimaced when she realized how ridiculous her claim sounded.
April folded her arms with a sigh. “Do you see what I’ve been telling you? You need to socialize.” There was a brief moment of silence then a smile crept to her lips. “And I know just how to get you started.”
Alexandra’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open in a silent protest as the other woman reached for the knob and pulled the door open. Alexandra froze, acutely aware of the tall figure glaring at them. She was going to kill April the first chance she got!
April flashed a smile then turned to the man, offering him the same gesture. “Good morning,” she chirped.
“Good morning.” He nodded.
She flounced into the hall and began chattering away. “My name is April,” she said, extending a hand. “I’m only visiting, but you’ll see me around often.”
“My name is Marius Drakon.” He accepted her proffered hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Alexandra remained in the doorway. She couldn’t help but notice how deep and rich his accented voice was—like smooth, warm chocolate spread thickly over fresh fruit. She pulled the folds of her robe tighter when his eyes moved to her.
April motioned for her to come closer. “This is Alexandra, your new neighbor.”
“Hello.” Alexandra gave him a quick smile as she accepted his hand.
“It is a pleasure,” he said quietly.
Lean fingers enclosed her slender ones. The heat he exuded was electrifying.
April’s initial assertions were all too correct—the man was positively gorgeous. He was tall, and she was forced to incline her head to meet intense, slate-gray eyes that appraised her with an undeterminable emotion. He wore a white gauze shirt and black pants, and his long dark hair fell loose over his broad shoulders. He seemed groomed into old money, and he wasn’t wearing a ring.
Silently, Alexandra cursed herself. It wasn’t every day that she encountered such a man, and today of all days she just had to be barefoot with her hair in a wild cascade from a restless sleep. She could feel his eyes trailing over her, assessing. It was almost as if he could see right through the pink terry that covered her slender curves.
“You have an accent,” April commented. “Where are you from?”
A rise of discomfort enveloped Alexandra as Marius’s attention remained fixed to her. Strangely, she was becoming quite aware of her nakedness beneath her robe. Her nipples began to tingle and harden and she was grateful that the thick material adequately concealed their betrayal. It seemed like minutes lapsed before his silver stare finally left her.
“I am Romanian,” he supplied at last. “I have only just moved to the United States.”
April’s smile brightened. “Romanian, wow, so is Alexandra. You two have something in common already,” she informed him. “Maybe you guys can discuss it over coffee sometime. She has lots of free time, you know. She is single, after all.”
Alexandra shot April a deadly look. “Well, my mother was Romanian and my father was American,” she said to Marius with a strained smile. “And I would love to tell you the story of their meeting