Lusting (Carnal Sins Of Noah Trilogy #1) Read online

  UPCOMING BOOKS

  BY S. K. ERVIN

  Carnal Sins Of Noah TRILOGY

  Book 2: LONGING

  Book 3: LOVING

  Text © 2016 S. K. Ervin

  Book Design by S.K. Ervin

  Cover design by S.K. Ervin

  Cover image by Subbotina Anna and A. S. Inc/Shutterstock.com

  CARNAL SINS OF NOAH and all related characters and elements are ™ and of © S.K. Ervin.

  Carnal Sins of Noah Trilogy Publishing Rights © S.K. Ervin

  All rights reserved.

  Carnal Sins of Noah: Lusting is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, 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.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the author.

  ISBN-13: 978-1515273974

  ISBN-10: 1515273970

  CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

  North Charleston, South Carolina

  ♥♥♥

  For all of the hopeless romantics, who believe that love is worth fighting for.

  Above all, keep loving one another earnestly

  since love covers a multitude of sins.

  -1 Peter 4:8

  CONTENTS

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Chapter One

  An alarm clock rang loud in the cramped space, breaking through Alexis Monroe’s deep, peaceful sleep. I don't want to get up, I want to stay in my bed and sleep for a few more minutes.

  But instead, she swung her arm across the bed to stop the annoyingly loud ring with a disgruntled moan and threw the covers off.

  Today’s a brand new day!

  Excitement slammed through Alexis as she realized what today was! Looking toward the clock, she noticed she was right on schedule. 5a.m. She had time to go for her run, shower and make it to Kane Enterprise, just in time!

  I sure as hell don't want to be late to this meeting.

  She’d been waiting a very long time for this day to arrive and everything was going to work out perfectly, there was no doubt about it.

  Alexis rushed to the bathroom with a pep in her step, turned on her music and listened to her favorite pop song, as she brushed her teeth. Music always rejuvenated her, better than a day at the spa.

  Alexis sang and danced along with the music, as she finished up, pulled on her tank, yoga pants and sneakers.

  Grabbing her iPod, she played her workout mix, slid the iPod into the pocket of her yoga pants and zipped it in securely before leaving her cozy, yet, tiny condo.

  She headed out of the complex to the jogging trail that ran around the Grenada golf course, which was across the street from her complex. This isn't my typical jogging spot, but, I can use a change in scenery today.

  The late fall morning air in Coral Gables, FL was refreshingly cool, as the wind burst through the palm trees lining the trail. Alexis took a deep breath of fresh air and stretched before she started her daily 2 mile jog. The route nestled in between rolling fields of green grass and a glittering lake that caressed the sun’s rays.

  I should make this my main jogging trail.

  Alexis lost herself in her music, as she jogged, until she felt her thighs burn, begging her to stop.

  Finally coming to a walk, she glanced down at her new Apple Watch Sport her dad got her for her 25th birthday, to see how far she’d jogged.

  2.8 miles! Not bad.

  It was almost 6a.m. and now she had to rush home and get ready for the meeting that meant everything to her. Alexis turned to move off the track when someone came barreling into her from behind, sending her flying toward the ground.

  Arms flailing, she try to reach for anything to stop her imminent fall and failed miserably, when two steely hands gripped her arms. Not roughly, but tight enough to stop her face from planting itself on the ground. Turning around, the smart retort that she had lined up ready to shoot, got stuck at the very tip of her tongue.

  My goodness!

  The man was breathtakingly gorgeous. It had to be a sin to be that good looking. If she was the type that believed in the Greek gods, she would say that he descended from Zeus himself! Or Ares rather.

  "I apologize, I wasn't looking where I was going." She found herself saying in the barest of whispers.

  Was that my voice? Hmm. That won't do. Alexis cleared her throat and looked into his gorgeous blue eyes and continued, "Though, you should've been paying attention, as well. You had to have seen me ahead of time."

  The man’s face was still blank and his hands were still holding her up, though her feet were planted firmly on the ground. No complaints here.

  His eyes narrowed slightly, as he scowled. "I was paying attention. It was you who decided to stop all of a sudden and move into my way."

  The deep timbre of his voice vibrated through her entire body, sending delightful little shivers tingling throughout. Then she looked at his scowling expression and that cured her of the strange affliction she was feeling toward this insanely sexy stranger.

  Alexis shimmied out of the man’s steely grasp and watched his hands fall beside him.

  Shaking her head, she looked up at the man, "Well, even if that’s true, you shouldn't have been following me so closely."

  His scowl couldn't have gotten darker. Guess he's not used to people talking to him this way. Well too bad!

  "Ms. Whoever you are, you weren't going that fast and I had decided to pass by you. That’s why I was so close. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have more important things to do than to argue with a woman. Have a better day." And without giving her time to respond, he turned abruptly and left.

  Alexis bristled at his sexist comment. More important things to do than to argue with a woman, my ass. What you need to do, is pull that stick out of yours! She made a face at his retreated back, then turned and headed home. She wouldn't let him ruin her day. It was too promising and full of self-appreciation. A day that would change everything for her. Yes, she would brush his offensiveness away like a piece a lint she found on her shirt and embrace the tranquility of finally getting what she’d always wanted.

  Back at her apartment, Alexis showered and dressed in a navy blue pencil skirt and a long-sleeved white satin blouse that fit her to perfection. She slid simple pearl studs in her ears, piled her thick curls in a sophisticated bun, as she headed toward the door and stepped into her Navy blue, Jimmy Choo pumps. Grabbing her matching purse and the folder with her business plan in it, she gave herself one final primp and then marched out of the door. Taking deep breaths, she strolled toward her black Maxima and slid into the driver’s seat. You can do this Alexis Monroe! You've been waiting years for this day. Don't get nervous now, you got it in the bag. She gave herself another pep talk. It seemed like she needed a lot of those lately. But, today was one of the most important days of her 25 years! Taking another deep calming breath, she started the car and drove downtown to Kane Enterprise. It was one of the main bu
siness branches of Kane Banking. With a little luck and all of the hard work she'd put in, in the last 4 years, Alexis hoped it would be enough. She took off work just for this 30 minute meeting that was 'oh so important' to her…and she wasn’t going to waste it.

  Driving the 15 minutes, she pulled into the parking garage, parked and got out.

  Walking toward the entrance of the massive, classically designed building with big bold words KANE ENTERPRISE, Alexis straightened her shoulders and walked through the glass doors with enough confidence and poise that would have made any king or queen jealous. Striding to the front desk, she gave Delphine, the brunette receptionist, her name. The receptionist, smiled and told her to take the elevator all the way to the top floor and the receptionist there, would be with her shortly.

  Top floor?

  With an inside shrug, Alexis followed the woman’s directions and took the elevator all the way to the top floor, where a gorgeous red-head, Sydney, met her when the elevator doors opened.

  "Good morning Ms. Monroe, welcome to Kane Enterprise. Please have a seat and you will be seen shortly." The beautiful woman smiled warmly, as she led her to the sitting area, which gave Alexis a spark of hope. The staff seemed genuinely nice. Hopefully the businessman she had the appointment with was just as nice.

  “Would you like any refreshments while you wait for Ms. Paige to show you to his office?” Sydney asked.

  “No, thank you,” Alexis replied with a small nervous smile. “Very well, Ms. Monroe.” Sydney accepted and went back to her desk.

  Alexis sat on a beautiful, cream leather sofa in the waiting lounge. The tables beside the sofa had all the latest business magazines on it. She was reaching for one when someone called her name.

  "Ms. Monroe, I’m Sasha Paige, please follow me."

  Alexis turned toward the voice. The pretty dark-skinned woman, Sasha, dressed in a light gray skirt suit, waited for her with a smile. Yes, this is going to be a good meeting. Everyone’s smiling here. Getting up, Alexis followed the assistant to an office with solid wood doors and then opened it for Alexis, waving Alexis inside.

  "Please have a seat, Mr. Kane will be with you shortly." The assistant informed and turned to leave.

  "Wait! Mr. Kane? As in the CEO, Mr. Noah Kane?" Alexis asked breathlessly.

  The assistant smiled brilliantly, "Yes, Mr. Noah Kane."

  "But…isn't he too busy to see me? I mean, this is just something…so…so small." Alexis stuttered. She was baffled the billionaire CEO would want to sit with her, to go over her tiny business plan. She was getting nervous again, extremely fidgety.

  "Well, Mr. Kane prefers to meet all who are starting businesses through him. Don’t worry, he’s a very fair man, Ms. Monroe." Sasha informed her politely, before closing the door behind her, leaving a nervous Alexis staring at the closed door.

  Alexis groaned.

  I truly hope he’s nice.

  She didn't know much about the billionaire CEO, other than the rumors that hinted he was a hard-working, self-made billionaire who stayed to himself most of the time, and was very stern. She certainly hoped her business plan passed his inspection. She turned and looked around Mr. Kane's office, to get a feel of just who that man was. It was sparsely furnished, but, with a rich taste in decor, one barely noticed. The large desk had papers and folders stacked neatly, pens in a cup with the name Kane on them and a computer; that was it. The big black leather seat opposite hers looked like a throne, it was so huge. She imagined Mr. Kane being a giant wearing a jeweled crown and laughed.

  "I hope I'm not interrupting." A baritone voice stated. A familiar, baritone voice.

  Alexis barely stifled a scream, when the deep voice interrupted her thoughts and then jerked her head toward the masculine voice, as she stood to greet him.

  "You!" she accused before she could stop herself.

  "You," he addressed back, his handsome face already starting to frown.

  "I'm waiting on Mr. Kane, I have a meeting with him. Are you one of his assistants?" Alexis asked, frustrated to see the guy who ran her over this morning, leaning against the door, scrutinizing her. Alexis took the time to do the same.

  He was tall, easily 6’3 and well-muscled.

  He had jet black hair with a slight curl to the ends, worn longer than most guys.

  His vivid blue eyes reminded her of the deep waters of Curaçao she’d visited, during her summer vacation, two years ago. His nose was perfectly straight, and it lead to sinfully full lips. Lips that made her want to throw caution to the wind! Can lips get any sexier? Hell, even his clean shaved jaw was sexy! Alexis boldly explored him with her eyes, from his wide shoulders to his toned arms and chest beneath his starched white shirt and smart blazer. His torso looked lean and good god his legs were thick with muscle, hiding inside his perfectly fitted pants.

  Where do they make men like this?!

  She had to stop herself from looking at that secret spot and forced herself to look back at him. He was no longer frowning at her. His intense blue eyes sparkled with amusement, though she couldn't be sure because his face was expressionless. A man made of stone. Like a Greek statue. A very handsome, perfectly sculpted, Greek freaking statue.

  "Ms. Monroe, I presume. Please have a seat." He ordered, as he released his casual pose against the door and prowled across the office toward the big, black leather chair behind the desk.

  No, no, no! What was he doing? That seat was for Mr. Kane. She was supposed to meet with Mr. Kane, not this sexy, barbaric stranger who liked to run people over.

  As if reading her thoughts, Mr. ‘Barbaric’ sat, leaned over the desk and steepled his fingers while staring at her.

  His dark blue, intense stare requested entrance into her soul, wanting to know all her deepest, darkest secrets.

  And damn it if she didn't want to tell him all of hers! After a moment, he grinned. A devilishly handsome grin that did things to her, that she wanted no part of it.

  "Well, Ms. Monroe, you are in luck...I am Mr. Noah Kane."

  Alexis’s world tilted and she thought she was going to faint. There was no way he could be Mr. Kane.

  He was too young...too handsome... and too damned rude. Her well thought out business plan was going to fail...and all because she argued with the damned billionaire CEO on his morning jog. She knew he was going to give her a hard time.

  Well I came this far...I’m not going to give up my dream just because he wasn't paying attention and wanted to be an ass! No way in hell.

  Chapter Two

  Noah sat across from the tempting Ms. Alexis Monroe and grinned. He could tell she wasn't taking the news, that he was indeed Mr. Noah Kane, well at all.

  Her cheeks were flushed with a pretty blush and she was breathing deeply trying to calm herself. The telling tick of the vein in her neck, told him her heart was racing. And she closed her eyes, covering those expressive chocolate orbs of hers. Those same orbs that slayed him earlier this morning, when he accused her of being the reason she almost got run over by him.

  He remembered how her perfectly curved body was briefly pressed against him and had to take a deep breath himself, to calm his racing pulse.

  She was undeniably gorgeous, with a tart tongue.

  He would love to tame that fire he’d glimpsed earlier this morning.

  From the moment he left her on the jogging trail, he couldn't remove her from his thoughts. He couldn't stop thinking about those gorgeous lips that pursed in disapproval or the way her arms folded across her chest pushing her luscious breast up for his eyes to feast on.

  Noah gave his head a tiny shake, to bring himself out of his thoughts, and looked up at Ms. Monroe to find her eyeing him warily. He was glad she couldn't read his mind.

  "Well, Ms. Monroe, let's talk business, shall we?" he asked, though it was more of an order.

  She took another deep breath and handed him the folder she’d had a death grip on. "Here’s my business plan. I've been working on it a little over 4 years until I was sati
sfied and then went over it twice more with my attorney. I think it’s a very sound plan and hope you would give it a fair chance."

  He could tell that she believed he wouldn't be fair, but, he didn't take offense. She simply didn't know him. And maybe…he could use that to his advantage.

  "I see. So this isn't something you thought of on a whim? A fantasy that you would lose interest in within the first year?" He asked mildly, as he looked over her business plan, then glanced at her briefly, before returning to the papers in front of him.

  He had to refrain from bursting out laughing.

  She probably needed a come down. No doubt too many people catered to her every whim.

  Her eyes narrowed slightly as she spoke through clenched teeth, 'I can assure you sir that my plan has been well thought out. As I've said, it has taken me quite some time to perfect it to the best of my ability. I’ve busted my ass and will see it through."

  His eyes crinkled in the corners again, firing Alexis's temper.

  Was he laughing at me and my plan? Oh what a jackass! She had to bite her tongue so she wouldn't say anything that could cause him to deny his help. She needed this. And unfortunately, that included needing him to see the value in her plan. Play nice Alexis. At least for the next 20 minutes.

  Noah Kane looked through her folder with a blank expression. She watched nervously and was frustrated, not knowing what was going on in his egotistical mind.

  After what seemed like an eternity, he finally closed the folder, steepled his fingers again, bringing them to his lips and stared at her.

  "Well?" she asked nervously, when he continued staring at her with his dreadfully blank expression.

  The corners of his lips turned up in a smile that enhanced his devilish good looks.

  Dear god, the man had dimples in both cheeks! Her fingers itched to reach over to caress those twin little devils, but that wouldn’t be appropriate.

  She needed to get a hold of her emotions. Now!

  She waited, impatiently for his response.