Title: Betrayal—Choosing Family Book 3
Author: Jennifer Raines
Genre: Contemporary romance
Book Blurb:
They are wary of trusting, but … passion has its own rules.
Marketing manager, ANNA TURNER promised reliable, affordable childcare to co-workers under pressure. Proud of negotiating the perfect lease for her employer, a hostile takeover of the building steals her ideal premises.
Architect and property-developer, HUNTER THOMPSON, smells betrayal on his father’s breath. An old pattern, but this time his old man plans a hostile takeover of a building owned by the family who raised Hunter as a second son. Hunter out-manoeuvres his father, buying the building himself.
Attending an industry cocktail party, Anna hears Hunter say her magic word, “architect”. Revealing her ideal childcare centre plan to him, Anna discovers Hunter tore up her precious lease. Anna is breathtaking in her rage. Intrigued, Hunter offers a new lease, with the opportunity to work together.
Hunter can’t risk long term. Anna doesn’t do hook-ups—ever. Hidden within their whirlwind romance and growing trust, secrets resurface with devastating consequences. Anna’s mantra—‘I share myself, you share yourself, if you want to get into my bed’—may not survive.
Excerpt:
“Come in,” Antonio Perez beckoned Anna into the room.
Hunter’s assessment didn’t change when she stood in the open doorway. Anna Turner delighted in leaving clues to distract rather than inform. He’d seen other businesswomen wear charcoal pant suits and cream shirts. Anna’s deftly applied minimal makeup and elegant silver necklace were further statements she was a professional. No knuckleduster rings in the office. The plum-coloured boots were probably a stock item for creatives. But her tousled gamine haircut looked like she’d tumbled straight from bed.
At five in the afternoon for pity’s sake.
“Take a seat, Anna,” invited Antonio Perez. “Hunter tells me you and he have already met.” Perez’s mouth had tightened when Hunter first mentioned it, confirming Anna had told Perez about their first meeting before Hunter had admitted it.
“I’ve had that pleasure.” A pleasure akin to being nibbled to death by ducks from her steely glare. She sat with one leg crossed over the other, leaving him on the outer.
“Hunter’s bought The Hariri building where we hoped to locate our childcare centre.” Antonio rubbed his hands together. “He’s discovered we were on the point of signing a lease with the managing agent and has a proposal for us.”
“That’s”—her throat moved as if she was swallowing expletives, then she moistened her luscious, water-proof, bruised-plum-lipstick lips—“interesting.”
“I hope it’s more than interesting.” Hunter was beginning to enjoy himself. “In fact, my goal is a mutually beneficial business arrangement.”
“He’s offering us a deal on a childcare centre.” Antonio came around to sit on the front of his desk.
Anna stilled, as if listening with her whole body. She had the quality of testing the air for the mood, of being able to sniff authenticity from error.
And I’m never fanciful.
“I’ve told Hunter you’re the lead on this deal. I’ll be guided by your advice.”
“What’s the deal?” She was still direct and prepared to pluck truth from an inferno.
“Once Hunter explained his reason for being here, we agreed you and he should continue the conversation.” Antonio smiled, while creating the professional space for him to veto Hunter’s scheme if Anna expressed any doubts. Any solid working arrangement earned Hunter’s respect. Antonio and Anna’s bond was diamond-hard.
“Should we make an appointment?” Anna stood.
“I’m free now.” Hunter followed her into the hall.
“My office is this way—” she began.
He placed a hand on her arm, allowing him to steal a whiff of her perfume. Gardenia perhaps? He’d been unsure at the cocktail party. Too many fragrances in too crowded a venue. In the bar, he hadn’t been close enough. Her appearance was a statement on so many levels, but he’d need to nuzzle her throat or hair to uncover this secret. “I saw a bar downstairs.”
She looked pointedly at his hand. “It’s a bit early to drink.”
“They serve coffee and tea.” He moved his hand, but her scent had fortified him. “Probably hot chocolate.”
“This is not a reprise of the other night, Mr. Thompson.” Her words were chipped ice.
“Call me Hunter. Your boss has suggested I run my proposition past you.”
“Antonio used the word ‘proposal.’ Let’s stick to that, shall we?”
“I didn’t know about your lease when I purchased the property.” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth. “More importantly, neither did the owner. There was a miscommunication with his managing agent.”
She snorted.
“The previous owner is an honourable man who came to me as soon as he learned you’d been cut loose.” Hunter figured he wouldn’t emphasise the Hariri surname, given Anna knew Casildo.
“And you’re going to kiss it better?” She was lemon tart.
“I’m happy to kiss any part of you better.” He couldn’t hide his grin. “It’s more correct to say, I now have the facts and am prepared to negotiate.”
“Are you negotiating with all pending leaseholders who’ve lost out?” She’d be brutal in a corporate boardroom, yet had chosen a career in the creative arts.
“Yours is the only outstanding lease according to the previous owner.”
“What’s the catch?” She continued down the hall. “Why change your plans for us?”
“Suspicion is a terrible thing, Anna. And beneath your negotiating skills.”
“What’s your interest in honouring previous leases?”
“Raed has an enviable reputation in the business world. He was forceful in challenging me on this.” Hariri Senior had agreed with Hunter, after Hunter presented the facts. “I’m offering you a different deal because while I appreciate his desire to keep his reputation, I’m not responsible for the error. However, I planned a childcare centre long-term.” More importantly, Casildo’s father was committed to having one long-term because he was a father and a grandfather, as well as a long-term supporter of a woman’s right to work. "But I currently have only a few staff who need one.”
She stopped, arms crossed. She hadn’t forgiven him. “The press release said you’d be using that space for a new headquarters.”
“Don’t believe everything you read in the business pages.” Hunter didn’t like lying, but this secret wasn’t only his to share. “I can achieve what I want with the other floors.”
“How do I know you’re genuine about a childcare centre?”
“You check the development plans I’ve submitted to council.”
The plans included a childcare centre and drawings for a remodelled separate floor, which looked remarkably like a doubling of Hunter’s existing office space. An elaborate ruse to throw Nick off the scent, but thwarting Nick Richardson was the main game. Targeting Casildo’s father simply because Hunter regarded the Hariris as his family was—as Cas would say—the action of pond scum.
“I will.”
“Wise woman.” Hunter nodded.
Where had she learned suspicion?
He knew his teachers intimately.
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What makes your featured book a must-read?
Betrayal is a page-turning, enemies to lovers contemporary romance. It includes one of a kind characters who will linger in your heart, steamy chemistry and unexpected twists before Anna and Hunter find their happily ever after.
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Author Biography:
Australian Jennifer Raines writes sensuous contemporary romances set mainly, but not exclusively, in Australia—think Malta, Finland, New Zealand or ? A dreamer and an optimist, her stories are a delicious cocktail of passion, mutual respect and loyalty because she still believes in happily-ever-afters.
Social Media Links:
Website- https://jenniferrainesauthor.com