Tessa McMurray and her best friend undertake the renovation of converting a castle into a hotel complete with a resident legend—Reginald the Great, rumored to have been a gargoyle warrior.

 When both women have dreams of steamy sexual encounters, they wonder if the dream lovers might somehow be real. As the renovations come to completion and Tessa prepares for hotel’s Halloween Grand Opening, she never suspects things will blaze out of control and leave her with a once in a lifetime opportunity to be with her one true love?

   An Excerpt From

DREAM LOVERS OF GARGOYLE CASTLE

© Copyright SALLY PAINTER, 2006.
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave, Inc.

Chapter One

“Are you sure about this?” Tessa McMurray asked her childhood pal, Amy Rover, as they stood beside the cab staring up at the towers and dried-up moat.

“A castle?”

“My castle,” Amy said with her voice full of surprise.

“When I agreed to come with you to England to claim your inheritance, I was thinking more like ching ching. Not this!” Tessa let her stare travel over the immense stone structure. “We could fit Northside Mall inside that. This can’t be right.”

“It’s the address.” Amy glanced at the letter in her hand, struggling with the wind insistent on whipping her red hair against her face.

Tessa grabbed the paper from her and verified the address against the weathered iron numbers on the stone column. Her stare widened past the gates to the enormous castle.

“Wow, you actually own this, Amy,” Tessa gasped, tucking her brown hair behind one ear.

Amy’s expression reflected the overwhelming feelings quaking in Tessa.

“So ye are the new Lady of Gargoyle Castle, are ye?” the cabdriver asked, plopping the last of their luggage on the ground behind them.

“Is that what it’s called?” Amy asked.

“Aye. Legend has it that the original owner passed the castle down to a Rover. And that original owner was a gargoyle. Hence the name.”

“Wow! And your mom never told you about this?” Tessa took a few steps toward the tall gates and peered through the intricate swirling iron patterns. Her attention riveted on the five-story decaying castle.

“I don’t think she ever knew. All she said was her great-uncle Francis lived in a really old place that needed a lot of repair.” Amy frowned at her.

“Ya think?” Tessa threaded her fingers through the rusty grate, pressing her face against the cold metal. “Man, this is incredible!”

“How much do I owe you?” Amy turned to pay the cabby.

“I just can’t believe no one in your family ever mentioned this.” Tessa pushed against the gates and they creaked open.

“Obviously no one knew it was a castle,” Amy called over her shoulder. “Anyway after my mom got sick, well, other things always seemed more pressing. At twelve I was more interested in my hair or sleepovers at your house than I was in family history.”

Tessa slipped past the heavy gates, noticing the stone bridge leading to the castle had crumbled in several places. She lifted her stare, searching the roofline for a gargoyle. Surely the place had at least one token of its name.

“Amy, do you think the gargoyle story—”

“Ye ladies are braver than meself,” the cabby interrupted. “I’d not spend one hour in that place.” He touched the brim of his cap and jumped into the cab.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Amy asked, standing with her long leather coat flapping about her.

“What did he mean?” Tessa asked. Her friend shrugged.

The car spun out of the circular driveway, throwing tiny brown pebbles in its path. The stacked mound of luggage toppled away from Amy, spilling onto the ground. Tessa giggled at her friend’s pose which made her look like an ad for a lost tourist. It was a perfect ending to their trip to England from their small town in Kansas .

“Maybe the cabdriver was referring to the expense of this monster? Just what am I going to do with this place?” Amy asked, scrunching her lips together in a pensive expression that made her face rounder.

“It doesn’t look like anything’s been done to it in a very long time. The maintenance alone must be astronomical. You can’t possibly keep it, can you?” She could tell by that look in her friend’s eyes that Amy was already visualizing the renovations. She brushed her clammy hands against her jeans, dreading the response.

“I don’t know, Tessa. Let’s see what it’s like. The barrister gave me this just as we left his office.” Amy produced a skeleton key from her coat pocket and held it in front of her.

“And he couldn’t tell us it was a castle because?” Tessa sighed, still unable to comprehend that Amy owned a castle! She drew the wool coat closed about her. The fog felt as though it seeped right into her body. She shivered.

“Guess he thought it would shock us? Come on, let’s see how bad it is. I mean, it can’t be that bad. It’s made of rocks.” Amy wrinkled her freckled face and gathered a few pieces of luggage.

Those were the last hopeful words spoken. The castle was in bad shape. Leaky roofs and decades of neglect greeted them in every room on every floor, except the inner room off the Grand Foyer as Tessa dubbed it. Inside, they found a room that felt like a sanctuary from the mess. It turned out to be the only decent room, which simply meant it had not been ruined by rainfall.

They set about cleaning The Sanctuary and by the third day had managed to clean several other rooms on the first floor. Amy soon had a constant flow of repairmen coming into the castle to give estimates.

“You’re determined to go through with this?” Tessa asked, taking a break from cleaning the elaborate wood and marble staircase. She plopped down on the velvet couch and a puff of dust plumed around her. “This place is impossible to clean.” She waved at the dust, propping her feet over the sofa arm.

“I have to give it a shot, Tessa. It’s all I have. I spent my entire savings on Mom’s funeral last year.” Tears choked her.

Tessa was quick to divert the conversation. Amy had suffered right along with her mom for over seventeen years, perhaps this might be good therapy for her friend even if getting the funds might be a challenge. She looked about the room.

“It’s going to cost a fortune, Amy. Where are you going to get the money?”

“I’m applying for a loan and hopefully a grant. I might need to start a preservation fund, seek donations, and even sell souvenirs to raise money.”

“Or sell some of these furnishings. You have a lot of paintings. Have you had a chance to take inventory just in the entrance? I’m not the one with the interior design degree, but everything here is old and very ornate. I imagine it’s worth a small fortune.”

“I agree. I have a few calls in for appraisers. And one of the bankers I spoke with told me about this lottery fund that supports historical renovations.”

Tessa knew her friend would do whatever she could to avoid selling off any of the furnishings, but she would make sure to mention the possibility again if Amy was serious about this project.

“So you’re going to do this then?”

“I want estimates and I want to see what the bottom line is. There are some philanthropists who fund castle renovations. Most also provide a historian to assist with the details. I have an appointment with an agent who represents some of those groups.”

“You’ve been busy. I had no idea. Guess I’ve been doing so much grunge work I didn’t notice. You know, I read somewhere that they call homes that are in bad repair crumbling castles. Of course in your case, it’s literal,” Tessa laughed, but Amy shot her a worried look.

“Once we get it cleaned up a little more, the bank’s going to send a rep out to assess the entire property. There’s like a hundred acres with this estate. It’s so much to try and comprehend. But once that’s done, we’ll know what they can loan toward restoration,” Amy informed her.

Tessa just stared at her best friend. It would take millions of dollars. How did Amy think she could accomplish all this?

“Don’t look at me that way. I already told you I’m moving here and making this a tourist attraction, maybe even a hotel. I think it’d be best to have our suites on the third floor. That would be almost halfway. And then we can divide the rest into rooms with private baths, of course. And I’ve been thinking we could do daily tours on the lower level, repair and expand the gardens, rent space for garden clubs and enthusiasts. 

"Oh, and there used to be a stable and remnants of an old tennis court. One of the repairmen mentioned building a golf course. There certainly is enough land. Also, we could cater to weddings as well as conferences and business meetings. There’s great earning potential here, Tessa. Should more than defray operating expenses, leaving us with a decent living while helping to preserve a piece of history. But I need you to be my partner in this. With your creative marketing ideas and my business background we can make a go of it. I know we can. What do you say? Fifty-fifty.”

Tessa just stared at her lifelong friend, knowing when Amy set her mind, there was no dissuading her. Still reluctant to commit until they knew the bottom line of what it would all cost, Tessa wanted to wait and see if anyone was willing to give definite commitments for loans and grants. If she became a partner, she’d then share the responsibility of all the debt not covered by restoration funding. That was more debt than anyone should ever assume.

“How can it possibly pay for itself?” she finally asked.

The clanging bell echoed from the foyer and she frowned at Amy, knowing it was yet another estimate waiting to walk through the double doors.

“That’s what the business advisor ringing the doorbell is going to explain.” Amy started across the expanse.

“I can’t believe this.” Tessa stared after her friend. The last thing she wanted to hear was how much more work this decaying trap was going to require. “Too bad none of these guys are cute,” she mumbled.

“Is that all you ever think about?” Amy glanced back at her and then hurried to answer the door.

“Pretty much.” Tessa took a deep breath, wishing she had a man. It had been too long. She headed toward the underground kitchen to prepare lunch. It looked as though it would be another long day. She had hoped once Amy began getting estimates she’d realize castle restoration was a lost cause, but it had only incited and convinced her friend this was what needed to happen.

“Amy probably sees this as a design challenge,” she mumbled. While Tessa had no immediate plans since she’d been laid off from her job at the marketing firm, she’d thought this trip to England would be a good diversion. A place for her to think things through. Especially since it’d only been six months since her breakup with Dan. The hurt was still raw. Even distance hadn’t managed to help her heal. Would she ever trust another man? Amy had insisted a change of scenery would do wonders.

Tessa released a deep sigh and looked about the kitchen.

“Stone and more stone.” She stared at the stone walls, floor and ceiling. An overhead row of windows just above the cabinets gave the only light to the room. She made a mental note that the electricians needed to repair this room first. She opened the refrigerator door and retrieved enough foodstuffs for the makings of a salad.

Her thoughts turned back to Amy’s enthusiasm for the hotel. It was so unexpected. Tessa shook her head, nothing she said seemed to discourage her best friend. Washing the lettuce, she mumbled under her breath and looked out the windows that rose above the ground and into the sky.

Muffled voices outside the windows drew her attention as several men walked past. No doubt more estimates would be forthcoming. She sighed and watched the parade of pant legs as the men walked back and forth. That’s all they needed. She chopped up the vegetables using more force than necessary. Absently she wondered why Amy’s project was making her so angry. How could Amy ask her to take on so much debt? It was just impossible. Eventually her friend would realize this was a money pit. She paused. What would she do if Amy announced the bank had approved loans for restoration?  

Chapter Two

   Tessa slept on the worn leather couch, grateful for the wide selection of linens she had found and laundered. Amy had chosen the long fainting couch near the fireplace. Each night they settled down with quilts, attempting to stay warm in spite of the drafts and unreliable switching on and off of the ancient furnace complete with all kinds of pops and groans.

    Tessa relaxed into the makeshift bed, letting the aches in her muscles give over to the extreme exhaustion of the day. Releasing a deep sigh, she soon drifted off into a fitful sleep. Her dreams were filled with shadows and sounds.

    A man’s voice called from the mist. She sat up, rubbing her eyes and straining a blurry stare in the direction of the voice.

    “Who is it?” she asked, surprised she wasn’t frightened by the intruder.

    “Someone who wants to please you. Any way I can. I know yer deepest longings and live to bring them to ye.” The promise rode on a Scottish accent across the room. Heated pulses throbbed to her groin.

    “Any way?” Tessa asked, uncertain she had heard him right.

    “And every way. Come.” The shadow near the door extended a hand.

    Groggily, she slipped from the couch, dragging the thick quilt around her with bare feet slapping against the marble floor. What was she doing? Was she crazy? Some stranger had broken into the sanctuary and was offering her sex. She should be scared, but that deep sexy voice dripped with titillating promises she simply had to taste. After all, it was just a dream. She’d had dreams before where she’d been aware they were dreams, but usually those had been nightmares where she’d ended them immediately. This was new. Excitement pulsed through her.

    She lifted a trembling hand and slipped it into his large one. The waning moonlight cast silver streaks through the tall windows, and when he shifted slightly the eerie brilliance fell over his face. Strong, handsome. If the rest of him was like that… Her heart skipped a beat. He closed the distance between the clasp of their outstretched hands. Stepping into the moonlight, his tall, muscular physique revealed shoulder-length dark hair, a strong jawline and a bold nose. What more could a girl ask for in a sex dream?

    Her breath caught in her throat when she moved her gaze down his height. He was naked! Tessa mentally shook herself. Of course he was naked! This was her erotic lack-of-sex dream and if she wanted to dream him naked, then she damn well would dream him naked. Heat roiled down her abdomen to her clit with a quivering pulse sending moist heat rushing between her legs, drenching her panties. Oh yes, it had been a long time since she’d had one of these dreams.

    “Oh my, you’re so magnificent.” She lifted her other hand to stroke his bronzed face. “This all seems so real. You feel real.”

    “As real as ye want.” He turned and pushed the door open. It moaned under the effortless shove and she jerked around to make sure Amy had not awakened.

    “She still sleeps,” he said and tugged Tessa through the open door.

    “Where are you taking me?” she asked, suddenly questioning her impulsiveness.

    “To my bedchamber. I want to kiss yer body, every little crease, every delicious part.” He paused on the first step and turned to face her. “I am going to fulfill every fantasy ye ever had.”

    The fire in his eyes made her pulse spike with wild excitement. His promises melted all second thoughts.

    “Who are you?” she asked again and followed him up the staircase, still clasping the strong hand. Tight, slightly indented buttocks and powerful thighs moved through the scattered light. She held her breath waiting for him to emerge from the shadows and the dappled light to illuminate his body again. Her breath caught in her throat when the light fell over his sleek body. Powerful and naked. “W-Who are you?” she asked again.

    “I’m the one who’s going to fuck ye until ye scream in ecstasy.

Things That Go Bump In the Night VI
Dawn Madigan , C.S. Chatterly , Sally Painter

Dream Lovers of Gargoyle Castle By Sally Painter
As if renovating a crumbling castle isn't enough, Tessa and Amy have to contend with two gargoyle statues that just won't stay in one place.

But the dreams at night are erotic bliss. Convinced the dreamy orgasmic encounters with the sexiest bit of tall, dark and delicious to ever utter a Scottish brogue are a product of her sex-starved waking hours, Tessa is shocked to discover that Amy has her own nocturnal visitor. But as Halloween draws near, a time when all things are possible, Tessa discovers what goes bump in the night isn't necessarily all in her dreams.

Every Witch Way But Loose By C.S. Chatterly
For police sergeant Brogan O'Halloran, life is about as simple as it gets in the sleepy English village of Oak Glen. That is, until Halloween night, when a call to investigate a prowler at an abandoned castle leads him to a beautiful witch named Laura Moonwind. Before they can say "enchanted", the castle comes alive and holds them hostage. Brogan and Laura are showered with magic as reality takes a back seat to a bizarre and sensual broom ride into — and beyond — their wildest fantasies.

Full Moon in Virgo By Dawn Madigan
Gypsy witch Aniki Sándor is determined to track down a Sex Magician who's been kidnapping virgins, always on Halloween. Smarting from being turned down for the FBI's Criminal Thaumaturgy Division, she'll prove to the Bureau that they're a Federal Bunch of Idiots for rejecting her!

For years, FBI Agent Rick Spade has been after the kidnapper himself. He's more than surprised to discover Aniki working the case. In order to protect her, Rick must teach her sex, discipline and magic—before the kidnapper finds her.

And Halloween is just two days away.