Bouncer Round 6 #2

Title: A BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARE

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Word Count: 90,000

Query

A captive girl learns to see the prince inside the beast in A BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARE; a figurative and contemporary retelling of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

Although Angelina has just graduated high school, she has an honorary PhD in stoicism. With suppressed memories of the loss of her twin demanding to resurface, Angelina's set on finding an emotionless, distracting job. So when she meets passion-exuding Haithem right before a critical job interview, she flees from his kiss without so much as a “We’ll be in touch.”  

That very night Angelina finds herself chased by a stranger who knows her name. Waking up on Haithem's yacht, it seems her plans for simple may have just taken a turn for the seriously complicated. While his looks might tempt Angelina to the point of near insanity, Haithem's behaviour is just plain beastly. It's a shame she can't seem to make herself want him any less. Haithem claims her abduction is a misunderstanding, and vows to return her home. But after disobeying Haithem, Angelina runs below deck and into the clutches of a much greater monster. To protect her, Haithem may have to do the one thing that could destroy her; keep her forever.

With nothing to hold her suppressed memories at bay, blissful distraction beckons in the form of Haithem's tantalising body. That's if he will get off his moral high horse long enough to let her have it. When the walls begin to cave on Angelina, Haithem offers something she had not believed existed - understanding. As Haithem's facade of indifference slips, Angelina aims her sails for his 'west wing'; his closely guarded heart. But when opportunity arises Angelina must decide what she is really prepared to sacrifice for love...

First 250

What are my weaknesses?

Well, what a ridiculous question. One that had too many answers that were not the ones I should have been searching for. I drew a deep breath and studied the screen of the laptop I was beginning to think was taunting me with its practice questions.

Coming to the Cafe to study before my interview may not have been the best idea. Between the fresh coffee steaming in front of me, the gossiping mothers at the next table, and the sweet air that promised all kinds of delectable's I definitely should not be eating, my preparations had fallen as flat as my confidence.

Concentrate Angelina, only forty-five minutes to go.

The air puffed back out my lungs in a long whistling sigh. I reached for the coffee, my gaze drifting from the steaming cup warming my palms. Huge dark brown eyes collided with mine. I blinked. They did not move on. They did not look past me. If anything they focused in. Like a hook sinking into something inside me, they tugged at me gently like a fish. His large body straightened, turning ever so slightly towards me. Breath rushed from my chest. People moved around him, but he stood fast.

The cup hovered at my chin, caution ringing in my ears like a bell. I sprang back to life, lowering my eyes and jolting forward. Piping hot coffee splashed my chest.