We are so excited that Jennifer Probst has decided to share with us the prologue of Dante’s Fire and give one lucky winner a signed copy of Searching For Perfect. Thank you Jennifer for celebrating 6,000 likes with us!!!
Click here to read our 6-Star Review of Searching For Perfect.
Releasing August 26
Synopsis
It’s Time To Meet A New Kind Of Hero…
Dante Stark has a dark secret–a legacy left to him by his father which is both a blessing and a curse. A traumatic experience as a small boy gave him special powers of healing, but it comes with a price. Destined to wander the world alone to heal others, he’s accepted his fate. Until Selina Rogers forces him to confront his deepest fears, erotic desires, and question his capacity to love.
Selina Rogers has made a name for herself at Inferno Enterprises. She’s tough, confident and prepared to succeed. She’s also built a world she believes is safe, until she’s attacked and then saved by a masked stranger. As he helps her heal physically and emotionally, she becomes fascinated by his overwhelming power and gentle touch. Determined to show Dante the love he’s been denying himself, Selina surrenders her heart, and dreams of a future with the mysterious man who completes her.
But will his dark legacy destroy them…or save them both…
Prologue
Dante Stark lifted his hands and pressed palms flat against the windowpane. Trees bent to the will of the storm, and the sky remained dark and unfriendly overhead. Rain streamed down in misty rivulets, pattering the glass. The chill soothed the sting of his skin, but he was used to the burn and barely felt the discomfort anymore.
It was over.
Of course, it had barely begun. A few dates. The promise of something more. Her smile was sweet, her demeanor gentle, but after a few evenings of him disappearing with no explanation, the foundation was already beginning to crumble. She stared at him with wariness now, the slight frown marring her brow as if she now greeted a stranger.
And she did. Because the half-truths he had to tell to keep his secret always got in the way. It seemed everything in his life was both a blessing and curse—the women he began to care for turned suspicious and pulled back. It was the price he had to pay to keep the dark legacy that some might see as a gift. Perhaps, it was. But right now, it didn’t feel that way.
Dante dragged in a breath and leaned his forehead against the smooth glass. He couldn’t do this to himself any longer. Or to them. He needed to accept the truth about his destiny.
He would always be alone.
It was safer. Kinder. No more hurt or false promises. No more lies. Loneliness, yes. But loneliness he’d always been able to handle.
He clenched his fists, refusing to wince at the soreness. This time, he’d do things differently. Inferno Enterprises was close to opening, and he’d planned to take a CEO position, hoping to bury himself in the blessed void of hard work. But his instincts warned him the move could be dangerous. He’d be in the spotlight, and would need to be involved in constant meetings, travel, and deal with the press. If he wanted his secret to remain safe, he had to stay on the sidelines. A place where he wouldn’t be noticed, yet able to keep an eye on everything.
A humorless laugh escaped his lips. He was about to launch a billion dollar Property Empire and couldn’t even claim it as his. God, life was cruel.
“Playing the brooding billionaire again?”
The mocking voice behind him made him groan. “I’m not in the mood, Chase. Leave me alone. How the hell did you get in here anyway?”
“My extra key. I sensed you needed an intervention.”
“Go away.”
Chase chuckled. “So you can cry against the window and rage about your fate in life? You disappoint me.”
Dante lifted his head. Damn. “Even you can’t deny me a few minutes of misery. Not only did I fail at another attempted relationship, but I’ve got to hand my newest corporation over to you.”
Chase studied him from the shadows. His friend was the only one who knew about his secret, and the only person in the world Dante trusted. They’d been working together for years, with Chase taking the lead as the face of the company while Dante was able to stay in the background. Most of the executives and financiers only knew Dante as a name on paper, but Chase was the main contact.
“Sara was never right for you,” Chase said. “You need a woman with some fire.” Dante raised a brow and his friend laughed. “Sorry for the metaphor.”
“You always sucked at creativity.”
“Not my forte. I’m better being the Alfred to your Batman.”
Dante laughed and turned from the window. “You’ve never cooked or cleaned in your life.”
“True. And you don’t have any cool machinery either. Kinda boring. But at least I’ll get to play with Inferno. I’ve already got my eye on some of the hotties we hired.”
Dante shook his head. “Work and play don’t mix, and we both know it. Keep to the clubs you like to frequent.” With his streaky blonde hair, light blue eyes, and smooth charm, Chase was a magnet to women and enjoyed them all. Many times in multiple pairings. His sexual escapades were widely known and he never lacked for partners. Dante envied his freedom and ability not to care.
“You’re no fun. I’m the symbol of discreetness. Maybe if you got laid more often you wouldn’t try to ruin my happiness. And theirs.”
“Maybe if you didn’t get laid so much you’d have a better shot at holding down a real relationship.”
Mock hurt carved out his elegant features. “I have real relationships. They begin each evening and end at dawn. Besides, it would be selfish to limit myself to one woman. Too many would miss out on the incredible opportunity for multiple orgasms.”
Dante grinned. “Why do I bother? Just concentrate on getting Inferno launched successfully.”
“Of course. Is my office cool?”
“Yes. A wet bar, exercise room, and a private bedroom. Mahogany desk, like you requested.”
“Excellent. While I’m enjoying the benefits of CEO stardom, where will you be?”
Dante rubbed his forehead. There was only one place he could assume a role where he knew everyone, everything, and was still invisible. “The mailroom.”
Silence fell. Then Chase burst into laughter. “Oh, this is too good. You’ll be delivering mail while I’m in the executive suite. This is poetic. You really are a fucking superhero.”
“Screw you. I’m still the owner and your boss. Now get your ass to work and out of my apartment.”
Chase was still laughing when Dante walked away. Maybe it was better this way. He’d lay low, be the eyes and ears of Inferno, and not have to worry about any mysterious disappearances or suspicious questions.
Yes. It was better to be alone.
Author Bio
Jennifer Probst is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of both sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her novel, The Marriage Bargain, was the #6 Bestselling Book on Amazon for 2012. Her first children’s book, Buffy and the Carrot, was co-written with her 12 year old niece, and her short story, “A Life Worth Living” chronicles the life of a shelter dog. She makes her home in New York with her sons, husband, two rescue dogs, and a house that never seems to be clean. She loves hearing from all readers! Stop by her website at http://www.jenniferprobst.com for all her upcoming releases, news and street team information.
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Giveaway
Signed Copy of Searching For Perfect
Saucy Southern Readers 