BLURB:
I used to believe in love.
Before him, that is. Before Ezra Steel.
His business takeover of the restaurant where I worked did two things. It cost me my promotion and forced my pulse to race with only his slightest glance. Ezra Steel was the cause of all my problems and my biggest distraction. The twisted tension between us was a thread winding ever tighter until it finally snapped, and I gave into temptation.
That kiss didn’t quench the fire between us, and one night together somehow led to a trip to the romance capital of the world, Paris. A dream.
I couldn’t stop my heart from falling, and I allowed myself to hope. But good things don’t always happen to good people. And Ezra made sure I knew that. My world crumbled, and my hope turned into hate. It’s a strong word. But Ezra deserved it.
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Excerpt:
He’s cool and collected, and I’m about ready to collapse under the stress of this situation. Astrid would kill me if she knew that this bully of a boss had gotten under my skin so badly. And I’m sure Suki would have a word to say, too.
“Please, reconsider my shifts. Then I wouldn’t have to look for another job,” I say as defiantly as I can.
“Why should I? You’ve not listened to what I’ve asked. You’ve defied me and pushed back on everything about Steel.” He rears back and gives me a moment to catch my breath.
“Ezra, please. I am a good worker, it’s just… it’s…” I can’t finish my sentence because words seem to be failing me, distracted by the situation.
“Who told you my name, and what makes you think we’re on first name terms?” His eyes are so dark, so dangerous, and all I can think about is kissing him.
His lips, his mouth… What did he say?
“I’m sorry, Suki, and it just…” I pull my lips behind my teeth to stop me from saying anything more.
He stares at me, and I wait, expecting the words ‘your fired’ to fall from those lips I can’t stop looking at.
“If you’re struggling, perhaps we can come to some sort of arrangement.”
“Like what?” His offer feels like a trap, but I can’t help being interested.
“Use your imagination.” He looks down at me, his eyes travelling over my body, and all I can think about is what he looks like under that shirt.
What?
My mind catches up with his words, but one thing I don’t need is any more imagination. Is he really looking for sex here?
My mind goes into overdrive, and I can’t take my eyes off of his lips.
Is this a test? What sort of arrangement?
I take a breath and push up on my toes, my lips gently brushing his. The electricity of that caress sends a bolt of need through me that short-circuits my brain. I lean further into the kiss, and my arms go to circle his neck.
Passion takes over, and my body gives in, but as I deepen the kiss, eager to get lost in the man that makes me so mad I want to scream, he pulls back.
“Hmm.” He pulls my wrists from around his neck, his fingers branding my skin with his touch, and leaves them by my side. “Good to know what you’re prepared to do for your job.” His tongue licks the corner of his lips.
Mortification washes over me as he turns towards his desk, but as soon as I catch the smirk on his face, anger replaces all the emotions running through me.
“You jerk.”
“Be careful, Belle.”
“You’re nothing but a sleaze. Is this part of the Steel experience, too? Part of your control-freak rules,” I shout.
“I did nothing here. This was all you. And I remember ending it. Although I didn’t expect you to taste so sweet.” He takes a seat.
Embarrassment and disappointment cloud my head, and all I can think of is bursting into tears. But I won’t give him the satisfaction. I wait for another second and see Ezra ignore me standing here, completely devastated at what just happened.
I catch the door as I leave and slam it as hard as I can. As I march through the restaurant, I grab at the pins in my hair and rip them out. Who cares? I can’t work here anymore. He’s made a fool out of me, and I can’t come back here and pretend that didn’t happen.
My hair spirals out of the bun as I storm through and out into the fresh air. The tears sting my eyes as I race towards the tube. People stay out of my way, and I’m relieved. I probably look a little mad, and I am. Mad at Ezra, but more than that, I’m mad at myself. Because as angry as I am, I’m upset that he rejected me, and admitting that kills a piece of me.
I wanted to kiss him. I wanted him to kiss me back, and after he’s been so inflexible and cruel over a few shifts, so harsh, I should have more respect for myself. But there’s something between us that’s undeniable, and it’s mixing everything up in my head.
The tears rush down my face as I relive the humiliation, and I vow not to let Ezra Steel get the better of me again.
https://mybook.to/SweeterThanSinRDL
MEET RACHEL DE LUNE:
Rachel writes emotionally driven contemporary romance.
She began scribbling her stories in the pages of a notebook several years ago and still can’t resist putting pen to real paper. What ifs are turned into heartfelt stories of love where there will always be a HEA.
Rachel lives in the South West of England and if she’s not writing HEAs, she’s probably reading them. She is a wife and has a beautiful daughter.
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