Book Promo & Giveaway: The Sinner’s Bargain by Claire Contreras

The squeak of the
bedroom door opening alerted Amara 
of his presence. She’d learned to sleep lightly, always expecting his
unannounced visits. Squinting her eyes as unwanted light from the living room
seeped in, she propped herself up on her elbows.

“What
now?” she croaked, as Colin’s figure approached her bed.

He thought it was
his prerogative to visit her at any time he liked.  According to him, he could do with her as he pleased. He
hadn’t touched her, though. Even after a full week, he still hadn’t touched
her. She wasn’t sure if she should be upset or thrilled about that, but the
uncertainty didn’t last very long. Amara had bigger things to worry about, like
her mother’s health and the fact that she still had to go to Wicked, Méchant’s
American company, without Colin finding out.

It wasn’t the
fairytale she’d dreamed up for herself when she’d imagined being with him
again…probably because she wasn’t with him at all. It felt more like she simply
existed in his world, but nothing more.

 “Just checking to see if you’re still
here,” Colin responded, as he reached the foot of the bed and sat down heavily.

“Where would I
go?” she asked, leaning up on her elbows to look at him. Even though she
couldn’t see him clearly in the dark, she saw his shrugging movement.

“I don’t know. I’m
not sure what women who sell their bodies for money are in the habit of doing,”
he said. His tone was lighter now, but still had a bite to it that made her
cringe.

“Maybe you should
go home and ask Molly.”

Colin was quiet
for a while. “Why did you do it? Why didn’t you ask me for help if you needed
it?”

Amara sighed and
plopped back onto her pillow. She could smell the alcohol and cigar smoke on
his breath. The only time he wasn’t hostile toward her these days, was when he
was drunk,  often enough now,
especially at night. She probably didn’t owe him an answer—it’s not like he actually cared—but
she spoke nonetheless.

 “Things aren’t always what they seem,
Colin. You of all people should know that.”

He shook his head,
exhaling loudly. “We used to tell each other everything, Amara.”

 “Not everything. Not really.”