Sinful Rewards by Cynthia Sax
(Sinful Rewards #1)
Published by: Avon Impulse
Publication date: July 15th 2014
Genres: Adult, Romance
Synopsis:
Belinda “Bee” Carter is a good girl; at least, that’s what she tells herself. And a good girl deserves a nice guy—just like the gorgeous and moody billionaire Nicolas Rainer. He is everything she wants in a man.
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?
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?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20705741-sinful-rewards-1
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Excerpt – G rated – Sinful Rewards 1
Our
third floor condo overlooks a tiny park wedged between three high-rise
buildings. Neither the wrought iron fence nor the thick green hedge surrounding
the green space impedes my view.
It’s a view any Chicago
socialite would trade her string of Tiffany pearls to enjoy. Nicolas Rainer,
the condominium complex’s enigmatic owner, sits on the wooden bench positioned
closest to our condo, his traditional black wingtips planted solidly on the
ground, his finely groomed head bent over one of his tablets.
Papers
and electronic devices radiate from the left and right of his long lean body.
These are carefully arranged in the same pattern every morning, smallest to
largest devices, lowest to highest stacks of paper. Today is Wednesday, which
means one of the stacks consists of invoices, printed on thin yellow paper.
Tomorrow is Thursday. There’s an additional stack of papers on Thursdays,
widening the orbit around him.
The
billionaire bachelor’s routine is the same every week, rigid, unbending,
reassuringly consistent. It was Nicolas’ predictability that first snagged my
attention, piquing my interest. In a world battered by broken promises and
casual encounters, he’s a man a woman can depend on, can trust not to change.
Then
I watched an old interview Cyndi found online and I was lost. While my roommate
mocked Nicolas’ curt, blunt responses, mimicking his voice and mannerisms, I
saw the loneliness reflecting in his eyes, the hole in his soul. Having seen
the same expression in my mirror, too many times, I knew we were meant for each
other.
He’s
mine. He simply doesn’t know this yet. I gaze at him with a warmth in my heart.
The sun’s rays shine on Nicolas’ wavy black hair. Streams of gold dance over
his fashion model good looks, his high cheekbones, his deep even tan. His navy
blue suit is formfitting, his white shirt immaculate, the design on his tie
subtle. Light reflects off his metallic cufflinks, adding a touch of shine, a
hint of sparkle.
Nicolas
frowns at the tablet, lines of concentration etched between his dark eyebrows.
He’s likely working on another one of his projects. His net worth is
mind-boggling, his financial success a source of legend. When he finally
realizes I’m perfect for him and we marry, I won’t have to choose between
helping my cash-strapped mom or indulging my love of fashion. I can do both,
guilt-free.
And
Nicolas will marry, maybe not tomorrow, but some day. His company develops
properties, maintaining ownership of these prime locations forever. He’s lived
in the condominium complex since it opened, worked with the same management
team since he founded his company.
His
personal relationships won’t be any less stable. I’m not in a rush to wed—I
have my own career to establish—but I won’t waste my time on someone who is
afraid of commitment. I won’t make my mom’s mistakes. It is forever or nothing
for me.
I
suspect Nicolas thinks the same way. There’s only one obstacle standing in our
way—he doesn’t know I exist.
Excerpt – R rated – Sinful Rewards 1
“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.”
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.
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:
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--$12 Gift Card to Bookseller Of Choice (Amazon/B&N/ARe)
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--1 eBook copy of Breaking All The Rules - Cynthia Sax
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