We Were Lovers Once

By Madelynne Ellis

Former artist's model, Sophia Melrose has come to bid farewell to a past lover, only to have her old desires reawakened by his mesmerising son.

Gabriel Hawksmore has long been fascinated by the enigmatic Mrs Melrose. Now, at his father's wake he finally has the opportunity to act.

 

As old memories and past passions are revived, Sophia and Gabriel collide to form some scorching new ones.

 

This short story was first published in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF HOT ROMANCE.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Incantatrix Press
• Release date: Jul 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781501492044

Madelynne Ellis

Madelynne Ellis is a multi-published British author of erotic romance. Her novels and short stories have been published by a variety of houses both in the UK and US. She is best known for her Regency set novels for pioneering British erotica publisher Black Lace, but also enjoys writing contemporary and paranormal settings. Her aim is to deliver scorching, character-driven stories that enchant, torment and don’t shy from darker aspects of life. Madelynne lives in the UK.

Book preview

We Were Lovers Once

Madelynne Ellis

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About the Book

WE WERE LOVERS ONCE ~ Gabriel Hawksmore has long been fascinated by the enigmatic Mrs Melrose. Now, at his father’s wake he and Sophia finally meet. As old memories and past passions are revived, Sophia and Gabriel collide to form some scorching new ones.

We Were Lovers Once, was first published in the Mammoth Book of Hot Romance.

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We were lovers once…

I know that Ray is gone. I feel it inside me, as if a tight choking grip has suddenly been released. I knew it before the phone rang and a lady with a voice like splintered glass told me so. Twenty-five years. I hadn’t seen him in twenty-five years and still I knew the moment he passed. It was as if in that moment all the bonds we’d formed were suddenly ripped away. And yet, I’m standing here in my black garb and sensible old lady shoes having read the numerous cards that adorn the wreaths and he’s standing right in front of me, just exactly as I remember him—a pretty youth, sultry and self-possessed.

Dark unruly hair casts shadows across his narrow face and partially masks the hypnotic silver of his eyes. He’s slightly uncomfortable in his pin-stripped suit. It’s not black, I note, but dandyish navy blue with a black band around the sleeve. Ray would certainly have approved, particularly of the starched white handkerchief that peaks suggestively from the breast pocket.

Mrs. Melrose, it’s so nice to meet you at last, this oddity extends a hand encased in black leather. Murderer’s gloves. Ray always wore gloves in public too. He hated people touching his skin and leaving microscopic traces of themselves behind, as if such contact could somehow detract from his genius.

Ray was a genius, and a menace. And I loved him, for all his quirks and foibles, but like everything that burns so brightly, the passion between us was never destined to