Or so she thinks, until she takes a look through her telescope and sees a naked, tattooed man on the balcony across the courtyard. Hawke is mysterious, the bad boy she knows will bring only heartbreak. He has been watching her, and that makes him all the more enticing.
But when a mysterious and anonymous text message dares her to do something bad, she must decide if she is really the good girl she has always claimed to be, or if she’s willing to risk everything for her secret fantasy of being watched.
Is her mystery man the reclusive billionaire with a wild side or the darkly dangerous bad boy?
Excerpt:
“You’re a good girl intent on doing the right thing,” Nicolas mocks, his tone implying that the opposite is true. “That deserves a reward, doesn’t it?” This question is also slathered with sarcasm.
He’s angry with me and I don’t know why. My discomfort increases.
“I returned a lost phone.” I slide closer to the door, seeking to put more distance between us. “I don’t need a reward.”
“But you want a reward.” Nicolas’ eyes gleam. “A new purse, perhaps?” He waves his long slender fingers at my purse. “I can give you that.” His gaze drops. “Or would you like new shoes?”
I frown down at my feet. What’s wrong with my shoes?
“Perhaps you’d prefer to have use of my limo and driver,” Nicolas continues, his voice cold and businesslike. “I’m wealthy, Miss Carter. What do you want?”
If he offered me a reward with genuine gratitude, I might allow him to buy me a new purse, but he isn’t happy about making this offer.
“Okay, I’ll tell you what I want.” I cross my arms in front of me, fed up with his bullshit. “The next time someone does something nice for you, I want you to say thank you.”
Nicolas blinks, his eyelashes obscenely thick and long. “Is that all?” His voice is edged with irony.
“No, that isn’t all.” My rage boils over, fed by guilt and disappointment and betrayal. I gave him my loyalty. He should deserve it. Damn it. “Introduce yourself when you call that someone. Ask her when it is convenient to meet with you.”
Nicolas’ eyes widen. He’s shocked I’m talking to him this way. Well, he should brace himself. I’m not done with him yet.
“Don’t make her wait on a street corner as though she’s a two-bit hooker. Pick her up at her workplace.” I glare at him, wondering how I ever found him attractive.
Nicolas smiles and the mystery is solved. The man is drop dead gorgeous. “I was kind of a jerk, wasn’t I?” he admits sheepishly.
“No, you weren’t kind of a jerk.” I won’t let him off that easily. “You were a complete asshole.”
Nicolas stares at me. I meet his gaze squarely, not hiding any of my irritation. His lips twitch. Is he laughing at me? I narrow my eyes even more and his shoulders shake. My fists clench, the temptation to jab him in the eyeballs compounding by the second.
Nicolas throws his head back and barks with laughter, breaking our silent standoff. “He’s right.” His eyes sparkle with mirth. “You’re priceless.”
I don’t know who he is and I don’t ask. I doubt I’ll like the answer.
Now that Nicolas is no longer in such a pissy mood, his good looks improve even more, the skin around his eyes crinkling, his lips curling upward. “Let’s try this again.” He leans forward and I breathe deeply, filling my nostrils with his expensive cologne. “Hello. I’m Nicolas Rainer.” He holds out his hand.
I glide my palm against his and his fingers wrap around mine. His grip is solid and sure, an embrace a woman can rely on. This, at least, is as I expected.
“Thank you for retrieving my phone,” he murmurs. “I appreciate it.”
“I would have done that for anyone, Mr. Rainer.” I eye him warily, not trusting his sudden amiability. “Clearly,” I mutter under my breath.
His eyes glow. He heard me. “Call me Nicolas, please.” He releases my hand. “I’m…” He shifts in his seat, appearing uncomfortable. “I’m not accustomed to people doing nice things for me without wanting something in return.”
This heartbreaking confession deflates all of my anger and bolsters my battered opinion of him. “That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Red streaks across his cheeks. “It doesn’t excuse my actions.” Nicolas meets my gaze, holding it. “I’m sorry.” Sincerity reflects in his eyes. “If I ever act like that again, tell me.”
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20705741-sinful-rewards-1
Purchase:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sinful-Rewards-Billionaires-Bikers-Novella-ebook/dp/B00I7V89H0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405105182&sr=8-1&keywords=Sinful+Rewards+1%3A+A+Billionaires+and+Bikers+Novella
AUTHOR BIO:
Cynthia Sax's stories have been featured in Star Magazine and on Real Time With Bill Maher. She lives in a world where demons aren't all bad, angels aren't all good, and magic happens every single day. Although her heroes may not always say, "I love you," they will do anything for the women they love. They live passionately. They fight fiercely. They love the same women forever.
Cynthia has loved the same wonderful man forever. Her supportive hubby offers himself up to the joys and pains of research. He receives a daily briefing on what every character is doing. You can also learn what Cynthia Sax's characters are doing by visiting her website at www.CynthiaSax.com or emailing her directly at Cynthia@CynthiaSax.com.
She loves writing fated to mate romances because this is her personal experience with love. She fell in love with my dear wonderful hubby at first sight and 20 years later, they're still very much in love. This is what she wishes for her characters and for her readers.
Author links:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3292466.Cynthia_Sax
http://cynthiasax.com/
https://twitter.com/CynthiaSax
https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.sax
GIVEAWAY
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--1 eBook copy of any story from my backlist - Cynthia Sax
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