Before He was Tamed, He was Ruthless: A New Prologue – Seduced by Passion

I’m excited to share a BONUS PROLOGUE to Seduced by Passion with you. See how Raph transformed from the optimistic, adoring young man in Love or Loyalty, to the cold, calculated billionaire we meet at the start of his and Xiomara’s journey to happily-ever-after.

So pour a glass of wine, get comfy, and dive in.

Seduced by Passion Prologue

Raph sat in the tan leather chair, staring at the naked woman in his bed, her auburn hair fanned across her face. He’d awakened not long ago to find her snuggled against him, her smooth leg slung over his, and her arm over his chest as if he was hers to claim. For the last ten minutes, he’d been debating whether he should ask her to leave, or if he should just walk down the hall and spend the rest of the night in one of his guest bedrooms.

He’d found her at The Painted Lady, perched on a stool, picking at a Caesar salad, and scrolling through her phone with a half-empty glass of Chardonnay beside her plate. He’d needed a drink—maybe two—and the familiarity of his favorite downtown bar after another sixteen-hour day at G3. She’d been attractive enough: polished and professional, with manicured nails, a black sheath dress and ivory blazer, and classic black pumps.

She was a pharmaceutical sales representative, she’d explained after he’d slid onto the stool next to hers and signaled the bartender for his usual Macallen, neat. She had been in town for a convention and was supposed to be heading home to Miami in a few hours, but the storm raging outside, bringing heavy rain and dangerous winds, had grounded flights across the Bay Area. She was just searching for an affordable hotel room, and was starting to think she’d have to beg the manager to let her sleep behind the bar, she’d said.

To ease her pain, Raph had bought her another drink. Then another. And by the end of the night, she was writhing and moaning under him in complete satisfaction.

Now, watching Brittany—or was it Bethany—asleep in his bed, Raph felt the familiar hollowness that followed these superficial encounters. Sure, the conversation had been easy enough, and she was just his type: here today, gone tomorrow. But she was only meant to be a temporary distraction, and now that it was over, he wanted her gone from his apartment and the controlled solitude that had become his sanctuary.

Rain hammered against the floor-to-ceiling windows—the storm that had grounded flights still raging over the Golden Gate City, a relentless drumbeat that matched the dull throb in his head. He glanced at his watch and wondered what his mother would think of him—throwing a woman out in weather like this at three o’clock in the morning.

Raph sighed heavily and wiped his hands down his face. That sliver of decency he’d been unable to completely snuff out over the last few years wouldn’t let him stoop so low. He’d sleep in the guest room, of course, let her have his bed until morning, then send her on her way with coffee and a polite goodbye.

Raph pushed himself up from the chair and was halfway to the door when he heard his phone vibrating on the nightstand, the soft sound barely noticeable against the muffled howling wind outside. Quickly grabbing it, he moved to the windows on the far side of the bedroom before answering, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Rapheus, is that you?”

“Dr. Constantinou?” Raph’s heart began beating double-time. He pressed his free hand against the cold glass as he listened to his grandfather’s doctor––his words both a source of comfort and pain.

“Thank you for calling, Dr. Constantinou— No, no, don’t apologize about the time, you were right to call me first. I’ll let them know. We’ll be there as soon as we can.” His hands were shaking as he hung up, and his mind was already making a list of everything he needed to do before flying to Santorini. First and foremost, he needed to call his pilot, then his brothers, his mother, Declan…

“Hey you.” The woman’s voice made him turn. She’d propped herself up on one elbow, her hair tousled, the sheet slipping to reveal the soft curves that had seemed so appealing a few short hours ago. “What are you doing out of bed?”

“Hey, I just— I have a—” What the hell am I doing? The call had him frazzled—he didn’t owe her an explanation. Raph took long strides across his room toward his walk-in closet. “I need you to leave,” he stated blankly, leaving little room for misinterpretation. Throwing her out wasn’t his first choice, but after Dr. Constantinou’s news, it was the only option.

He watched her expression shift from provocative to alarm as he crossed the threshold.

“What? Now?” she asked as he pulled on a pair of black sweatpants folded at the edge of a divan.

He reentered the room and stood beside the bed, looking at her with what he hoped resembled a remorseful smile. “Something came up last minute.”

“Must be something important,” she muttered with sarcasm.

“Very important. It really is,” he added, bending to give her a consolatory kiss on the forehead. “I’ll book you a suite at The Ritz-Carlton.”

Her eyes widened. “The Ritz-Carlton? Are you serious?” She sat up fully, the sheet pooling around her waist.

“Is that not okay?” he asked, turning his attention to his phone still in his hand. Is she really going to argue with an offer like that?

“No— I mean of course it’s okay, I just… It’s the middle of the night and you want me to get out of bed and go out in this weather?”

“Don’t worry, I’m texting my driver now. He’ll be in the garage in five minutes, no need for you to get wet.” At least not on my account…

“Raph, I thought…”

“Look B, I’m sorry to push you out so unceremoniously, but I’ve got some really important calls to make.” He lowered his phone, sat on the edge of the bed next to her, and rested his hand on her leg, brushing it with his thumb. “Believe me when I say I wish it wasn’t like this, but it’s one of those things that really can’t wait. I have to get going. I’ll book you a suite for two nights—just in case your flight is still delayed tomorrow.”

“Oh, Raph, you really don’t have to do that.”

I’d buy the whole damn hotel if it would get you out of here faster. “It’s my pleasure. My ‘thank you’ for such a great night.”

She smiled bashfully, her skin flushing, reminding Raph for just a moment why he’d sat next to her in the first place. She was beautiful, and interesting—he’d give her that—but he’d wanted nothing from her beyond sexual gratification.

He cupped her chin and kissed her pale lips—brief, practiced. “This was fun. Thanks.” And with that, Raph stood and walked out of his bedroom, his finger swiping through his contacts, his heart and mind already across the Atlantic with the man who’d been more like a father than a grandfather to him.

Behind him, he heard the rustle of sheets and the pad of bare feet on hardwood. Soon she’d be gone, and he’d be alone again.

Just the way he preferred it.

Get lost in this hot and steamy first book in the Billionaire Island Brides series, and fall in love with Raph and Xiomara as they make their passion-filled way to happily-ever-after…