I am so happy to be the Valentine’s Day leg of The Gazillionaire and the Virgin tour for The Gazillionaire and the Virgin!!! With this novel, Lisabet turns everything you imagine on its head. This story has so much more to it than meets the eye, as I will let her explain. As well, there is a decadent excerpt–hello suit fetish!!!–and a contest! Lisabet will take over from here…
I only pretend to be a good girl.
On the surface, I do everything required to satisfy people’s expectations. I pay my taxes. I meet my deadlines. I stop at red lights. I say “please” and “excuse me”, even to the most boorish people. I write thank you notes when I receive a gift. I want people to consider me a useful, productive, conformist member of society.
It’s all an act. In fact, I revel in subversion.
What good girl would pen filthy books like mine? Even writing erotic romance, I’m always pushing the envelope. I make my editors squirm. Superficially I follow the rules, but I’ll bend them so far they come close to breaking. Tell me a particular genre doesn’t allow certain content and I’ll try like the devil to slip it in. I’m not even aware of this, much of the time. The imp of the perverse has a powerful hold on my subconscious.
My new novel The Gazillionaire and the Virgin may be the most subversive tale I’ve created. On the surface, it follows all the rules of romance. It focuses on the development of a serious love relationship between the main characters. As is common in romance, they irritate one another during their initial meeting, but are still inexplicably attracted. They end up having sex, without really planning to do so, then gradually fall in love. Obstacles appear, both internal and external, and they break up. The conflict is resolved and they live happily ever after.
Think you’ve read this book a million times before? Think again.
The hero isn’t a strong, self-confident, muscled hunk who can make a woman come twelve times without even entering her. Instead, he’s a brilliant but socially awkward agoraphobic with a touch of OCD, inclined to anxiety attacks. Oh, and he’s a twenty-nine year old virgin. He’s not the gazillionaire, either—it’s the heroine who has all the cash. She’s bossy and ambitious, unfashionably curvy, with curly red hair that’s always a mess. Despite her assertiveness, she’s sexually submissive, though no one in her life knows this.
The hero’s a Dom—a virgin Dom at the start of the book, but with a lot of porn and internet research to draw on, not to mention his vivid fantasies. The heroine thinks she’s too busy for more than casual sex. As you might expect (I don’t want to totally trash every expectation) the hero changes her mind.
Blurb
Silicon Valley entrepreneur Rachel Zelinsky is not a woman who lets pleasure interfere with business, but when she meets reclusive genius Theo Moore, she can’t resist his geeky appeal. Though Theo’s knowledge about sex derives from extensive research and a stash of kinky porn rather than real-world experience, he is Rachel’s first true Master—and the first man to truly touch her heart.
“I’ve always been a fan—Lisabet Sarai’s erotic fiction is certain to captivate, dominate, and leave readers begging for more.” ~ Alison Tyler, best-selling author of erotic BDSM memoirs Dark Secret Love and Even Deeper.
Excerpt
I decide to drive myself, and choose the BMW for its aura of unobtrusive luxury. One look at my red Lamborghini, I suspect, and Theo Moore would run away screaming. Cruising up to his attractive but unremarkable building at exactly six, I pull into one of the parking spots labeled “Visitors”. My pulse, I’m annoyed to notice, is elevated, and my cheeks feel hot. Do I look as flustered as I feel?
A quick check in the rear-view mirror reassures me. My understated make-up enlarges my eyes and shrinks my rather prominent nose. Gold-plated combs sweep my unruly curls away from my temples into a semi-elegant cascade. Matching gold earrings dangle from my earlobes almost to my bare shoulders. My strapless gown of teal satin hugs my bust and hips like it was made for me—which of course it was. I practice a confident but non-threatening smile. Good evening, Theo. I’m so glad you decided to come.
The minutes tick by, but there’s no sign of him. Should I climb up to his door and ring? Or wait for him to work up the courage to come out by himself? Does he realize I’ve arrived? Is he watching out his window? Or cowering in his room?
I get more annoyed by the second. I am considering honking the horn, which I know will embarrass him, when he appears on the second floor landing. I recognize him by his height and bulk. Otherwise, he’s transformed.
In the custom tailored tuxedo, he’s distinguished and elegant. The sleek black trousers cling to what are obviously powerful, muscular legs. The jacket highlights his broad shoulders and trim waist. Not fat, oh no! He moves with unexpected grace, as if the formal clothing bestowed a sort of gravitas to subdue his usual gawkiness. With his dark hair slicked back from his forehead, he looks like some international man of mystery. The spectacles just heighten the impression of intelligence and sophistication.
Holding the rail of the gallery that runs along the second floor, he scans the parking area.
“Over here, Theo,” I call out of the open window.
He jumps at the sound of my voice. I think he’s about to bolt, to flee back into his condo and slam the door. I can practically see the struggle going on in his body. I hold my breath, waiting for the outcome. Finally he raises his hand in a feeble wave, and fumbles his way down the stairs. The strong, self-assured man of a few moments earlier has vanished. But I remember him. That’s the Theo Moore I need to cultivate.
He makes it to the car. I press the auto-release and the door swings open. “Hi, Theo. Come on, get in. We’re running somewhat late.”
He ducks his head, folds his long limbs and maneuvers his massive body onto the leather upholstery. After fastening his seat belt, he focuses his attention on the blinking, teak-inlaid instrument panel. He neither greets me nor apologizes.
With a shrug, I trigger the ignition and back out onto the road. “You look fantastic, by the way.”
“I feel ridiculous. Like some performer in a circus. Or maybe a trained seal.”
“I’m sorry you’re uncomfortable.” I swing the car out of his complex onto El Camino Real. “In a way, I guess this is a kind of performance. The tux really looks great on you, though. You’re going to impress the donors. And that’s what’s important, isn’t it?”
“I suppose so.” He slumps into the bucket seat, sulking.
With a sigh, I address myself to the task of driving. It’s not far from Palo Alto to Mountain View, but the Saturday evening traffic is insane. Is it any wonder I prefer Santa Cruz? If Theo doesn’t feel like making conversation, that’s fine. I won’t be distracted.
A traffic light turns red just as I’m about to slide through. “Oh, damn!” I glance over at my passenger, embarrassed by my lack of patience. “Sorry. But I wanted to get there early enough to greet the first guests.”
I’m surprised to discover that Theo’s staring at me.
“You look beautiful,” he says, his voice low and earnest.
“Um—what?” I gun the engine as the light flashes green, bolting ahead of the other vehicles.
“Your hair. Your dress. The color suits you. It makes your skin look like polished ivory.”
Huh? “Ah—thank you, Theo. I guess we’ll make an attractive couple. Never hurts when you’re pitching to the beautiful people, right?” I force out a chuckle.
He does not respond. Theo Moore really doesn’t really understand the dynamics of polite conversation.
***Lisabet has a full short story about Theo and Rachel over at her blog, to celebrate the day of love. Comments on that post count as entries in the blog tour, too!
***
In short, if you like your romances predictable and similar to one another, you’ll hate this book. On the other hand, if you’re in the mood for something different, something original and irreverent, something—well, subversive—go get yourself a copy of The Gazillionaire and the Virgin!
Ebook Buy Links (Print coming soon!)
This post is part of my Gazillionaire and Virgin blog tour, running from February 1st to 15th. Leave me a comment on this post, including your email address, and I’ll enter you to win a $50 bookstore gift certificate (first prize) or a print copy of the new book (second prize). Visit all the stops for more chances to win. You’ll find the full list here:
About Lisabet
Lisabet Sarai occasionally tackles other genres, but BDSM will always be her first love. Every one of her nine novels includes some element of power exchange, while her D/s short stories range from mildly kinky to intensely perverse.
You’ll find information and excerpts from all Lisabet’s books on her website, along with more than fifty free stories and lots more. At her blog Beyond Romance, she shares her philosophy and her news and hosts lots of other great authors. She’s also on Goodreads and finally, on Twitter.
