Seducing the Billionaire JM Stewart
(The Blue Room Series, #1)
Publication date: August 6th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Erotica, Romance
When her ex leaves her with a wounded ego, curvy tech writer Jenna Mancini sets out to prove to herself that she’s just as sexy as any size six. With an invitation to Seattle’s hottest new club, a place that promises no risk, no commitment, no holds barred, she sets her sights on the one man who can help her test her theory—the only man at a sex club who doesn’t participate.
Billionaire Hunter Thane has a secret only a select few know: a fear of being touched. A rough childhood has left him scarred, inside and out, and he’s resigned himself to a life alone. So while he can’t deny he finds Jenna incredibly sexy, he’s determined to save her from the disappointment of an encounter with him.
Jenna is every bit as determined to push all his hot buttons and see if she can crush his iron-clad will…
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EXCERPT
“Because you don’t participate.” Her gaze searched his face. After a moment, she moved farther into the room, stepping up to the pool table in the center. As she walked around it, she reached into the pockets, tossing the balls onto the table. “May I ask why you don’t?”His shoulders slumped. He couldn’t keep side stepping around this, but he had no desire to watch her expression when he told her the truth. “Encounters with me are…complicated. Most ladies come here looking for fun. That’s the whole idea of this. Something carefree and frivolous. Our motto is ‘no risk, no commitment, no holds barred.’ I’m not any of that.”
“It’s not a bad thing to be the serious sort, you know.” All the balls now atop the table, she leaned over, stretching to reach the triangle. “Why host a party like this then? Why stay?”
“Because I want things I can’t have.” Damn. He shouldn’t have told her that, either, but the feeling nudged him. The desire. The need. To finally let it all go. Hell, even his therapist encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone.
“Such as?”
“Nothing. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.” Heart hammering in his throat, he crossed to the rack hanging on the wall opposite the table and pulled down a couple of cue sticks.
Jenna remained silent, and a sick sensation twisted in his stomach. Any second now she’d voice the question in her eyes. Some part of him said he ought to be honest with her and let the chips fall where they may. Except he knew how this would end. He’d tell her his long list of rules, then have to watch her leave when she decided she no longer desired an evening with him.
He’d tried once before, at Liam’s insistence. The woman had gotten so frustrated with him she’d stormed out in a huff. And who the hell could blame her?
When he turned, cue sticks in hand, Jenna smiled at him. It was an awkward smile, one filled with tension, with all those things they weren’t saying, but a smile nonetheless.
She nodded in the direction of the pool table beside her. “You any good?”
Relief flooded his chest. God bless her for not pushing. “Spent a lot of time in here in high school. I should warn you. I’m pretty decent.”
“Then you have yourself a game, cowboy, because so am I.” She winked and moved around the table, studying it. “I grew up with one of these. Mom thought it would keep us kids out of trouble.” She glanced at him, brows raised. “Tell me. Do you want to participate?”
Damn. Her and her questions.
“I’m only the host.” He waved a hand in the air. “My house and all that.”
She returned to the head of the table and leaned over it, lining up her shot. A quick flick of her wrist sent the multicolored balls flying in all directions. Three balls sank in various pockets, and she straightened. “I’ve got solids. And you said that before. Now tell me the real reason you’re here.”
Author BioJM Stewart writes heartfelt contemporary romance. Whether the heat level is sizzling or sweet, her stories are always deeply emotional. Her heroes are strong but sensitive (no alpha jerks here!), and her heroines are more Cinderella than Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Recently transplanted, she now lives in a small town in Texas along with her husband, two sons and two very spoiled dogs. When not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking and playing computer games. As a sensitive soul with a romantic heart, she believes in angels and hopes everyone finds their happily ever after.
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