Whimsical Seduction: Crimson Moon Hideaway

By Robbie Cox and Crimson Moon Hideaway

A stoic elf and a quirky fairy equal a comedic battle of wits. For Mason Wentworth, the perfect vacation was spent alone with a thick book and several cups of hot tea. And silence. Plenty of silence. Kiki Stanford loves to have a good time and hates seeing others waste such a fun-filled resort as Crimson Moon Hideaway, especially when they could be enjoying themselves with her. When an introvert is forced to mingle with an extrovert more than arguments heat up between them. The question is can they avoid killing each other long enough to discover the fire between them? One-click Whimsical Seduction and watch as the fireworks explode!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Celtic Hearts Press
• Release date: Apr 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201202439

Book preview

Crimson Moon Hideaway

Whimsical Seduction

By Robbie Cox

Crimson Moon Hideaway: Whimsical Seduction

By Robbie Cox

First Edition

Copyright © 2021 by Robbie Cox

All rights reserved

Cover art by Beautiful Mess Graphics

Editing by CTS Editing

Formatting by CJC Formatting

www.robbiecox.com

This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are strictly products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be reproduced in any form, except in assisting in a review. This book may not be resold. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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To those who dared to live in the moment.

Chapter One

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I CAN HELP with that, sir, a young lad, barely in his twenties by the look of him, called out as he rushed over to help Mason Wentworth out of his sedan. The slender but muscular kid pulled a luggage cart behind him, his short, blond hair bouncing slightly along his forehead. Have you been to Crimson Moon Hideaway before?

Mason brushed off some lint from his dress shirt, lint no one else would probably notice, but which drove him crazy every time he glanced down. No, he replied, straightening and tucking a strand of his dark hair behind his pointy ears. I have not had the pleasure. Do you receive quite a few guests? He stood there, watching as the young man pulled his luggage out of the trunk of his car, stowing it on the luggage cart.

We do at that, the kid said, nodding his head a little as he placed a smaller bag on the cart. We haven’t been open long, but it’s amazing how word travels among the paranormal community. He placed Mason’s briefcase on top of the others and straightened back up. Everyone needs to get away from the world and relax. Pointing to the briefcase, he added, Hopefully, you won’t be opening that too often. We have quite a few amenities here for you to enjoy. Just about anything you can think of actually, from ziplines to a casino to the redwoods surrounding us.

Mason stiffened, his back straight as he stared at the kid with disdain. I am not here for activity, he said, but rather to work in quiet. If there is time, I’ll do some reading. I’m not really one for frivolous uses of my time.

The kid closed the trunk as Mason passed the keys off to the valet. Now me, I’m all about frivolous activity, he said to Mason with a wink. As a matter of fact, there’s a mermaid lifeguard here who I’m hoping will allow me to be a little frivolous with her if you know what I mean.

Mason rolled his eyes. Why did people have to be so droll? I do, and no, I’m not looking for anything quite so carnal. A glass of sherry, a book on history, and some light work near your fireplace will suffice.

Whoa there, my friend, the kid said, eyes wide as he leaned back a little. Don’t go getting all crazy like that. Crimson Moon Hideaway is a tame resort. He chuckled as he continued to pull the cart into the main lobby. I’m just joking. I’m sure you’ll find exactly what you need here. How long are you staying?

Does this kid ever cease talking? I just got through saying I wanted peace and quiet. Mason let out a sigh as he followed along behind the bellhop. I intend on staying until Sunday. I figured four nights to be enough relaxation to refocus and get back to work.

As he spoke, he glanced around the front of the resort, absorbing the redwood exterior, the large stained-glass windows, the hustle of the employees. Jianna had done quite well getting this place up and running for the paranormal community, a place where all supernatural beings could come and enjoy some time out of the real world, be themselves, whichever way that went, and let loose for a bit. When Mason had discovered Crimson Moon Hideaway, he knew he needed to see the place for himself, a place where he didn’t need to wear a glamour that hid his elvish features. For a short time at least, he was free to be who he truly was and not a sham.

Just before he stepped through the front door, he spotted a young blonde staring at him, her sparkling blue eyes almost matching her tender smile. She wore the craziest outfit, which is really what caught Mason’s attention at first. It was a frilly, yellow skirt that flowed at the hem with a pinkish top with flared sleeves and bright red three-inch heels. She seemed to wear no makeup, which he thought odd considering her wild attire but which he actually preferred.

When she noticed him looking at her, she winked and blew him a kiss, causing him to stiffen even more as he leaned back as if she had invaded his personal space. Shaking the intrusion off, he followed the bellhop toward the front desk where he could sign in, brushing past a short brunette who rushed past him on her way outside. He was eager to get to his room and away from the crowded lobby until things settled down a little.

You go ahead, Mr. uh…wow, sorry, I forgot your name.

Mason looked at the kid, about to tell him he couldn’t forget what he had never been told but decided against it. Wentworth. Mr. Mason Wentworth.

The kid pointed to himself as he dipped his head slightly. Justin Mayfair here. Pleased to be of service. As I was saying, you go ahead and check in. I’ll wait right here until you have your room number.

Thanks, Mason said as he turned toward the front desk, glancing around him as he did. Exposed redwood throughout decorated the walls, while large crystal chandeliers dangled throughout the lobby. The check-in desk sat to the left of the front doors with a long counter made from the same redwood. As he stepped up to the counter, he withheld a sneer as a dwarf wearing black pants and a white shirt along with a vest holding a faint gold appearance with black lines patterned throughout stepped up to help. It was a little too flashy for Mason’s taste, but he supposed there were others who found it appealing. But a dwarf? Really? Mason’s family despised dwarfs for too many reasons, all of them old grudges held from a period when life was far rougher and deadlier.

Welcome to Crimson Moon Hideaway, the dwarf said, a smile barely visible through his thick, bushy beard and mustache. His hair was the same color as the mop on top of his head, a thick mess hanging around his scalp and down his back. How can I help you today? He had a round mushroom-shaped nose and the darkest coal eyes Mason had ever seen with thick sausage-like fingers at the end of short, thick arms.

Leaning on the counter, Mason said, I have a room reservation. My name is Mason Wentworth.

He watched as the dwarf pounded his thick fingers onto a keyboard Mason suddenly felt sorry for while watching a computer screen. Ah, yes, Mr. Wentworth. Have you right here. Staying until Sunday morning. Nice. If you need a late checkout, just give us a call. Our concierge desk is right over there. The dwarf pointed to the other side of the front doors, and Mason turned to see where the stout man pointed, surprised to see an elf standing behind the desk. Perhaps there would be someone for him to talk to after all. If you give me a second, I’ll get your keycard for you, and then Justin can show you to your room. We have you on the fourth floor, so it should be fairly quiet, even though your room overlooks the pool. There is also a garden on the roof that many people find relaxing to stroll through or just to sit and enjoy the fresh air. He glanced over at the elf on the other side of the front doors. I know how you elves like your quietness and plant life. He smiled, but Mason couldn’t tell if the dwarf was truly being helpful or snotty. He held out Mason’s room key, still smiling.

Choosing to ignore the comment, Mason took the key and turned away from the other man, moving back to where the bellhop waited for him. Just before Justin started walking toward the elevators, Mason glanced once more around only to see the blonde he noticed outside standing just inside the doorway, watching him, a smirk on her face. The brunette who had shoved her way past him when he entered the lobby stood beside her, also watching him.

Mason stood there for a moment, staring at her, confused as to what the woman’s problem could possibly be and why she gawked at him as if he were on display. He didn’t recognize her, that much he knew. He had a perfect memory for that sort of thing, never forgetting a name or any other minor details others found insignificant. With a shake of his head, he turned, noticing Justin staring at him.

The boy shrugged. It’s Crimson Moon, he said. Who knows what that’s all about? Then he grinned. Maybe your weekend won’t be as quiet as you thought.

Mason watched as the bellhop turned and headed for the elevators. God, I hope that is not the case. I just want to read, get a little work in, and be left alone. Who comes to a resort to make new friends? He blew out a frustrated breath and followed Justin across the lobby. He just wanted to be left alone. Why would people not just leave him alone?

Chapter Two

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KIKI STANFORD BIT her lower lip as she watched the elf walk away. Someone is a little on the stuffy side, isn’t he? As he entered the lobby, she saw her friend, Deedee Hewett, push past him in her search for Kiki, the short brunette oblivious to the gorgeous tree of a man she just passed. It didn’t matter, though. He seemed just as oblivious of her, lost in his own stuffiness.

What’s got you so odd-looking? Deedee asked as she neared Kiki. You got this funny look on your face like you discovered a new ice cream flavor or something.

I just find it funny that someone who seems so stiff can be so damn good-looking, Kiki answered, still staring at the doors to the lobby entrance. He’d be my flavor for this trip if he didn’t appear so formal.

Get outta here, Deedee said, her eyes wide.

No, you get outta here, Kiki said back, giggling.

No, you get outta here, Deedee repeated one more time as she turned to see if she could spot the man. "Where