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© 2009, Peggy
Hunter Reviews For DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Book 1: DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH by Peggy Hunter Diamond in the Rough, Book 1 of the
Diamonds are Forever series, was an enjoyable read. At roughly 100 pages,
it's a short tale that I believe people will get pleasure from reading. These characters are charming to read
about and their sexual encounters are positively scorching.Well done
Ms. Hunter! I look forward to learning more about the other Diamond
brothers. The chemistry between Alex and Leigh was so hot that sparks were flying off the pages. If you're looking for a spicy read, this is the one you want to consider picking up. ~Night Owl Romance Sample Chapter For DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Book 1: DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH by Peggy Hunter “What can I get ya?” the bartender asked. “Scotch, neat,” Alexander Diamond replied as he leaned against the bar and looked out over the crowded ballroom. When his drink arrived, Alex tossed a few bills on the counter. He snickered softly when the bartender tucked the bills into his pocket, ignoring the fact it was an open bar. Money. It was always about money. Those who had it had no problem using it to get what they wanted. Those who didn’t had no problem taking it from those who did. So what in hell am I doing here? He belonged at his father’s eightieth birthday party about as much as a toothache belonged in a toothpaste ad. “I wish you would mingle.” Alex glanced over his shoulder and saw his mother standing at the bar. Oh yeah. He suddenly remembered why he’d agreed to attend his father’s gala event. He drained his glass and plunked it down. He folded his arms on the bar. “I agreed to be here,” he said glibly as he nodded to the bartender, a silent signal for another drink. “I never said I’d mingle.” When the bartender placed a glass of white wine in front of Elizabeth Diamond, she took a sip. “No matter how you feel about him, Edward Diamond is your father. He deserves your respect.” “My respect? Are you kidding?” Alex nodded his thanks to the bartender when his Scotch arrived. When he turned back, his mother had disappeared into the crowd. Alex bit back a sarcastic laugh as he tipped his glass to his lips. Was his mother any better than the rest of them? She’d been divorced from the old man for almost twenty-five years yet she was still his lapdog. Why? Because Edward Diamond continued to give her money. Elizabeth lacked for nothing. The old man made sure of that when he dumped her for a younger woman. Since Elizabeth married him for his money, the breakup was easy…as long as the money continued to flow. For Alex, his life went into a tailspin. Alex drained his glass and set it on the bar. When the bartender picked up the empty glass and gazed at him, Alex shook his head. He’d done what his mother wanted; he’d come to his father’s birthday bash. There was no reason to stay one minute longer. Home beckoned; he hated being away for long. “Alex!” Fuck! “How the hell are you?” Alex smiled at his half-brother. “I’m good,” he said. Zach slapped his shoulder and smiled widely. “Did you see the old man? Hard to believe he’s eighty.” Two years younger than Alex, Zach was the product of his father’s short-lived second marriage. He was a nice enough guy and had done well in their father’s multimillion-dollar business in Toronto. “Yeah,” Alex said through clenched teeth. “Amazing.” “How are things on the ranch?” Zach asked. “The ranch is doing well,” Alex replied, “but suffers when I’m not there. I was just leaving.” Zach frowned. “You can’t leave yet. Max is around here somewhere and wants to see you.” Five years younger than Alex, Max was the only son from his father’s third, and even shorter, marriage. Alex had only met him once or twice over the years. They were strangers to each other. Alex clapped his hand on his half-brother’s shoulder. “I’d like that but I really have to go.” “Not just yet,” Zach replied. “Give me time to find Max. He’s been sniffing around Dad’s administrative assistant so if I can spot her, he won’t be too far away. Besides, you can’t leave until you’ve talked to Dad.” Oh yes I can! He had no inclination to talk to his father. “Stick around,” Zach said. Alex sighed heavily as Zach shouldered his way into the crowd. Okay, so he’d stay until Zach brought Max back. The least he could do was chat with his youngest half-brother. Then, damn it, I’m out of here! Alex turned back to the bar and smiled when he found another glass of Scotch sitting there. He leaned his elbows on the bar and took a sip of his drink. “Is this seat taken?” Alex’s gaze slid over just in time to see the petite woman, with ridiculously blue eyes, scamper up onto the stool. “It is now,” he replied, his eyes washing over her from the red stilettos on her feet to the long honey-colored hair that cascaded over her bare white shoulders. The strapless red sequined dress she wore accentuated her breasts and cinched tightly around her tiny waist. Though Alex didn’t want to acknowledge the fact, his cock stirred and tightened against the fly of his pants. Alex offered a lazy smile. “I’m Alex.” She nodded. “Leigh-Ann,” she supplied. “But my friends just call me Leigh.” “Am I a friend?” Delicate shoulders shrugged. “I guess you could be.” “All right, Leigh.” He hesitated to give her an opportunity to protest. When she didn’t, he went on. “Can I get you a drink?” “No thank you,” she replied politely. Alex shrugged and turned his attention back to his drink. “But there is something you could do for me.” Alex’s gaze went back to her. “What’s that?” he asked as he raised his drink to his lips. “Will you fuck me?” Alex struggled not to spit the Scotch out of his mouth. He raised his fist to his lips as he choked down the fiery liquid. Satisfied that it went down, Alex gasped for air and turned to the woman. “Excuse me; I think I misunderstood what you just said—” Leigh cocked her head to one side as she gazed up at him; her blue eyes darkened slightly. “I don’t think so.” “But I thought you asked me to…” his voice trailed off. “Fuck me,” she said. “Yes, I did.” Alex snorted. “Is this some kind of joke?” “Not at all,” she replied nonchalantly. “I’m surprised you’d ask. Most men would jump at the chance. God knows, I’ve been hit on enough tonight,” she said in disgust. “So you figured you’d hit on me?” She shrugged. “Why not?” “Have you considered the fact I might be in a relationship?” “If you are, it’s news to me.” Who the hell was this woman anyway? “You know me?” “I know of you,” she supplied. “You’re Edward Diamond’s eldest son. You own a ranch in Manitoba.” Alex’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her. He ignored the fact his cock was in overdrive. “Go on.” “You’re a loner. You don’t like complications, hence the fact you aren’t involved with the family business. That’s not to say you don’t enjoy the company of women, but you prefer to keep it casual.” She hesitated. “How much more do you want to know?” All right. She had him pegged. But what of her reasons? “Why do you think I’d want to fuck you?” Long eyelashes fluttered. “I don’t. That’s why I asked.” Alex watched her closely, looking for any signs of deception. She was a beautiful thing, could probably have any man here tonight. So why target him? There had to be more going on inside that pretty little head than she was willing to admit to. That was his sensible side. The side that told him to be careful, very careful, when it came be being anywhere near his father. There was no telling what the old man was capable of. He’d pulled many stunts in a bid to bring Alex back to the fold…to where the old man could keep his thumb on him. Still, there was something different about this woman. No doubt, she had an agenda but he knew instinctively his father had nothing to do with it. And Alex could not ignore just how alluring she was. His cock hardened the moment he heard her soft, almost lyrical voice. He imagined his mouth on hers, his hands on her breasts, and her legs wide open for him as he rammed his cock inside her moist pussy. But still… “Look, Leigh-Ann,” he began, “you’ll have to forgive me for being hesitant. I’m not used to women approaching me like this—” Blue eyes blazed as she popped off the barstool. “Its Leigh-Ann now, is it? So much for thinking of you as a friend.” “Well, shit, I don’t even know you.” She poked a finger into his chest. “Be honest,” she said. “You just don’t like a woman approaching you. Alexander Diamond prefers to think of himself as the hunter…the one who bags women. God forbid a woman should make the first move.” Well, okay, Alex had to concede she was partly right. He liked being the alpha male but that whole hunter thing was way off-base. “Look, don’t get all freaked out on me,” he said, hoping to calm her down. “I’m not freaked out,” she said tightly. “I’m just sorry you’re reading more into this than you should.” Alex noticed her gaze went to the crowd. Her eyes darted back to him. Clearly nervous, she offered a strained smile. “I’ve got to go,” she said. Alex frowned. “Wait a minute,” he said. He wasn’t ready to let her disappear just yet. But she was already fading into the crowd. Damn! Alex sighed as he signaled the bartender for another drink. He had a sinking feeling this was going to be one long night. “Hey, bro!” Zach said as he slapped Alex on the back. “Told you I’d find Max.” Alex turned toward Zach and his kid brother. He stopped short when he saw Max’s arm draped around Leigh. She looked stressed; the smile on her face didn’t reach those incredible blue eyes. “Good to see you, brother,” Max said jovially. “Hell of a party for Dad, huh?” “You could say that.” Truth be told, he’d had enough of dear ol’ Dad’s party long ago. He’d have left if it hadn’t been for the petite blonde his youngest brother was now holding close. “Have you met Leigh-Ann Percival?” Max asked as his arm flexed, forcing her into a tight hug. “She almost got away on us,” Zach said, “but Max caught her just as she was going to disappear into the crowd.” Alex gazed at Leigh, noting she kept her eyes focused on the floor. “She’s Dad’s administrative assistant,” Max supplied. “And she’s damn good at her job. If you want something, just ask Leigh-Ann.” Her friends called her Leigh. Clearly, Max wasn’t considered one of them. Why? There was no mistaking that he liked her…a lot. At twenty-nine, Max was second only to his brother, Zach, as the most eligible bachelor in Toronto. Women fell at his feet on a daily basis. Why wouldn’t Leigh want Max in her bed? And why would she choose Edward Diamond’s most elusive son to hit on? There was more to this story than she’d been willing to share and Alex decided to stick around to find out just what she was up to. Judging by the way she was squirming, she wanted to escape his youngest brother’s grasp. Alex’s interest in the lovely woman deepened. He wasn’t about to let her get away now. “Leigh,” he said, smiling widely. “The stool you vacated is still available. Have a seat.” Max looked astonished. “You’ve already met?” “Yes,” Alex replied. “We chatted earlier.” “I’d really rather not,” she said as Max finally released his hold on her. “In fact, I’m sure Mr. Diamond needs me.” When she would have backed away, Alex grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. “Nonsense. I’m sure Dad can manage without you for a few minutes.” With his grip on her arm and his brothers blocking her path, Leigh had no choice but to take a seat on the stool beside him. His hand fell from her arm to her thigh, careful to keep his touch light but making sure she knew she was to stay put. “Shit, Alex,” Max said. “So fucking good to see you. It’s been what? Two or three years?” “I wasn’t keeping track,” Alex replied, “but yeah, it’s been awhile.” He’d had no inclination to keep up with his half-brothers. When, at twenty, his father delivered an ultimatum, either he remain a part of the Diamond Empire or walk away with nothing, Alex chose to walk away. He had no interest in keeping the ties that bound him to the Diamond fold. When he bought the ranch in Manitoba, he’d severed all ties with his father and, as a result, with his half-brothers as well. His hand warmed as he continued to hold Leigh in place on her stool. Her skin heated under his touch, driving him to look at her. When his gaze collided with hers, he couldn’t help but notice the strained look on her face. He leaned over and whispered into her ear, “Are you okay?” “No,” she replied. “I want to get out of here. The sooner, the better.” “Do you still want me to fuck you?” Leigh winced. “I hate that word.” Alex frowned. “What word?” Leigh’s face pinched, her face flushed to a beautiful pink. “That word. Fuck.” Alex chuckled. “You’re the one who said it first.” “I know,” she said. “I just wanted to get your attention.” “You got it,” he replied. “But I want to know if you meant it.” “At this point, I’m willing to negotiate,” she said. “Just get me out of here.” “All right,” he said as a slow song began to play. “Just follow my lead.” |