The DaCostas of Pérola, 1
The stress of an unwanted arranged marriage had sent Raquel to Alexandre’s bed, and his drugging kisses and scorching touch had kept her in it. But when their one night of madness results in a surprise pregnancy, Alexandre demands that she marry him. Having personally experienced the stigma of illegitimacy, Alexandre wants to protect his unborn child at any cost. But he makes one thing clear—love is off the table! After escaping one arrangement of convenience, Raquel is not prepared to enter another one—particularly one lacking any prospect of love.
Would love heal their wounded hearts, or would Alexandre’s troubled past tear them apart?
Excerpt:
Raquel DaCosta grimaced as she downed her drink before sliding off the stool.
It was Friday night and Club M was packed to the rafters with people, all swaying to the loud music bursting from the speakers. Dim lighting made visibility poor, but no one seemed to care. In fact, it was the perfect setting for letting down one’s hair and dancing their problems away.
And that was exactly what Raquel wanted to do. She wanted to dance like the people around her—mindless and carefree. She wanted to throw her hands up in the air, and let the music take over her body.
She’d only imbibed one glass of whatever the bartender had poured her, but it was already taking effect—filling her with courage that she didn’t have, but desperately needed. Delicious heat sizzled through her entire being, easing the tension that had plagued her for days. Her blood began to thump in sync with the loud music, and her feet moved on their own accord, carrying her toward a group of women who were dancing like there was no tomorrow.
She began to move her hips, raising her hands over her head, not caring that the action lifted the hem of her brown dress up to her thighs, the material stretching across her well-rounded buttocks. The seductive music wove a spell over her, and she willingly surrendered to its call as she began to dance in earnest.
Raquel didn’t know how long she danced but when someone grabbed her hips and pulled her against a hard body, her eyes flew open.
“No.” Immediately her hands flew out, slapping the meaty paws off her hips.
The beady-eyed man grinned wolfishly before reaching for her again. Raquel jumped back, only to be grabbed again.
“Hey!” Slapping his chest, she tried to push him away, but he didn’t budge. Instead, he jerked her toward him, grabbing her arm.
With a gasp, she fell against his chest, crying out when he squeezed her bottom. Fear shot through her. “Let go of me!” Raquel punched his chest, eliciting a curse from the man but his hold on her didn’t loosen. She struggled in his embrace, panic bubbling in her veins as his arms tightened around her.
Suddenly, she was torn out of the man’s arms and pushed behind a tall body.
While she squinted at the back of her rescuer whose broad shoulders blocked her view, she heard a man’s cry, followed by the sound of punches before a couple of bouncers gathered around her savior. When the bouncers dragged her unwanted admirer away, she sighed with relief.
Anita was right, Raquel thought. It wasn’t wise to stay alone in a place like Club M where, it was whispered, after midnight the party became an orgy. She should have gone home with Anita, who as soon as they arrived at the club, had to return home because her mother had suddenly become ill.
“Are you alright?” The deep bass of the man’s voice sent a hot shard of heat scything through her as Raquel stared up at her gorgeous rescuer.
