These Sinful Delights

These Sinful DelightsElizabeth Bardot These Sinful DelightsCopyright © February 2023 by Elizabeth Bardot.All rights reserved. Printed in Australia. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations em- bodied in critical articles or reviews.This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.For information contact : [email protected] and Cover design by Wynter DesignsFirst Edition :10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Author NotesPlease note that this book is a mafia romance so it will contain depictions of violence and crime that you would expect within these worlds – including violent deaths of secondary characters.There will also be mentions of past sexual assault and a brief on page aspect that happens towards the end of the story (chapter sixty-one) with one of the male characters though it is not intense.Please also be aware that this story contains in depth discussions of infertility and pregnancy loss (off page, in the past) from the female characters past and then within the harem it will discuss in detail the process of IVF.This depiction was done intentionally based on my own personal experience with IVF and wanting to include infertility and IVF as a representation in the romance world so those of us who have gone through this can read about happily ever afters with our own journey.Though this is a dark romance, I tried to keep it on the lighter side with fewer triggers – I hope you enjoy!For every woman who has been a warrior of infertility, pregnancy loss, dealt with womens issues in your hormone cycle and felt as though no one believed you or was on your side; and to my fellow IVF warriors.I see you; I feel you and I am sending you all the baby dust and happy endings that you deserve.This book, this world, with the subsequent books, is for you. OneElsieThe bass from the club echoed into the street as I stood in line waiting for entry. I was alone. I was free. The divorce was finalized. Done. I was officially a single woman again.Most women would celebrate with friends, but I didn’t have many and I had no interest in being around another person tonight. I was here for one purpose only.To dance, to hook up with a hot guy and celebrate my newfound freedom. The bouncer shifted, his eyes glancing in my direction to indicate I could go in.As I walked down the stairs the music grew louder, and I realized I didn’t even know what was playing. I wasn’t exactly a young woman now but thirty wasn’t ancient, unless you asked the twenty somethings these days. I’m not up to date with the latest trends on social media and music playing in the clubs but I didn’t care.I was free. The club was dark, strobe lights flickering, and the floor was so sticky that my small kitten heels felt like they would become glued down if I stayed still.I pushed my way through the crowds, surveying the club and the candidates inside. Rapture was one of the hottest places around Sinclair Bay, affectionally known by the locals as Sinners Bay; and if you believed the local rumors, it was owned by the mafia.Not that I cared about that, hell I wouldn’t say no to a morally grey bad boy tonight. A few men near by raked their eyes over me, taking in the slinky red dress. I wasn’t dressed like the young women here; I had no interest in dressing like I was twenty.My dress was more appropriate for a black-tie event than a club, but I wanted to feel sexy, classy. The floor length gown opened with a slit that rose all the way to my hip, exposing the cute little unicorn tattoo I had on my thigh.The gown had thin straps and a sweetheart neckline that exposed just enough breast that it was sexy but not too much. My bare back was exposed, giving glimpses of my tattoos; fairies and dragons, the colours a stark contrast to my skin.I ignored the men leering, they didn’t look like the kind of man I wanted as my one-night stand. If I was going to do this, I wanted whoever it was to be something special.I was on the hunt, and I wouldn’t leave until I found my prey. I made my way over to the bar, deciding to set up a little nest in the corner to watch the floor.I noticed a vip section up a set of stairs, the people sitting around private tables, women on the laps of men who clearly were flashing money around like they were kings.My ex had been like that. Always loud and flashy. I waited patiently, watching the bodies pushing against each other as they tried to get their orders of cheap vodka and raspberry.One of the bar tenders caught my eye, a young handsome man who had a cocky look that said he left here with a new woman every night.“What can I get you, gorgeous?” He purred, his blue eyes piercing mine. I smiled, looking at the top shelf.“Scotch. Straight up. The most expensive one you have.” My years of bar tending in my youth told me he would probably charge me top shelf for a cheap one, thinking I was already drunk, but he surprised me by getting a glass of the Laphroaig.“Anything else, gorgeous?” He said as he placed it in front of me, a mischievous glint in his eye.“No, thank you.” I said as I handed him my card. He shook his head.“On the house.” He winked and I grinned, seeing his game. The guy was a charmer and knew how to play his cards right, but I wasn’t there for a bartender.I