Welcome to this week’s MFRW Book Hooks blog hop!
Time is flying. It’s the second week in November already. November makes me think of Thanksgiving. And Thanksgiving makes me think not of turkey and pumpkin pie but (forgive me) about dominance and submission. My first experience with BDSM was during a Thanksgiving vacation visit with the man who would become my Master. Those four days were life-changing. For one thing, if not for that Thanksgiving sojourn, I suspect that Lisabet Sarai the author would not exist.
My first novel, Raw Silk, was an attempt to capture the intensity and depth of that D/s relationship. It was a wild sexual fantasy. Then in 2016 I wrote a serious romance featuring characters who had many characteristics in common with my Master and me. The Gazillionaire and the Virgin is much more realistic in tone than Raw Silk. It doesn’t have a Thanksgiving scene—but it always brings back memories.
Blurb
She’s the billionaire. He’s the virgin. Still, he knows how to make her melt.
When Silicon Valley entrepreneur Rachel Zelinsky meets reclusive genius Theo Moore, she has a single objective —a deal to incorporate his AI software into her company’s popular virtual world. She finds Theo to be arrogant, sensitive and socially awkward, but his aura of power speaks to her carefully-hidden submissive side. Confused and aroused, she falls under his geeky spell.
Theo Moore can’t be bought. His past battles with poverty make him deeply suspicious of the billionaire CEO, though Rachel’s voluptuous curves and brilliant mind embody his ultimate fantasy. Too bad his knowledge about sex derives from extensive research and a stash of kinky porn rather than real-world experience.
Rachel may be Theo’s first lover, but Theo is her first true Master. One word from him, one touch, and she surrenders to bliss. It seems that love and complementary desire may harmonize their differing values, until Rachel’s unwitting violation of Theo’s trust tears them apart.
The Hook
I’m not expecting him to call Thursday afternoon. The trill of my phone interrupts me as I’m giving Diane instructions for tomorrow. Still, the sound of his voice kindles a warm joy in the pit of my stomach as well as a wetness between my legs.
“Hello. Rachel?”
“Hi, Theo. What’s up?”
“I want you to come early tomorrow. Around noon.”
“I—um—I really can’t. I’ve got an all-day meeting up in San Francisco, some investors from India.”
“Cancel it.”
“What? I can’t do that. These guys have come half-way around the world to talk to me about a franchise deal. Think of the potential profit! More than a billion people, a soaring GDP, and Internet growth that’s doubling every year…”
It’s the wrong thing to say. I realize this the moment the statement’s out of my mouth.
“So you care more about money than about me.” Not a whining complaint, but a dry statement of the facts, at least as Theo sees them.
“No, of course not, but I can’t put my personal life above my business…”
“You should.” I can picture his face, the stubborn set of his jaw as he retreats, distancing himself from me. “But never mind. Of course you’re too busy. I should have expected that.”
“Wait! Wait, don’t hang up, Theo.” I struggle to keep him engaged. “What’s so important about tomorrow noon?”
“I want you to meet my sister. Ellen. She’s free for lunch tomorrow.”
“Can’t we do it Saturday?”
“She’s flying to Jamaica for a two-week vacation with her partner Saturday morning.”
“What about when she gets back?”
“She doesn’t want to leave without talking to you. She says she’s worried about me, worried about our relationship. She’s afraid you’ll hurt me, break my heart.”
I’d never hurt you, I almost say, then understand I’m doing so at that very moment. And it feels horrible, like a knife twisting in my gut.
The wheels turn in my mind. Seeming a bit cool to the Indians might actually work to my advantage. And I really don’t want to disappoint Theo. “Hmm. Maybe I can reschedule the conference for Monday. I suspect they’d enjoy having a free weekend in the city… This means a lot to you, doesn’t it?”
“Ellen’s my only family. If you’re going to be my girl, the two of you should get to know each other.”
Am I your girl? I want to ask, but Diane’s still in the room, eyeing me curiously as she listens to my side of the conversation. “Okay, okay. I’ll see what I can do. Can I call you back in an hour?”
“Sure. Talk to you in an hour. Thank you, Rachel.”
“Well, I’m not sure yet. I mean, whether I can reschedule to Monday.”
“Thanks for trying at least. And Rachel?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t make your conference too early Monday. I plan to keep you up late Sunday night.”
Available in ebook and audio. Find the buy links at https://www.lisabetsarai.com/gazillionairevirginbook.html
Be sure to visit the other authors participating in today’s Book Hooks!
