Behind Her Smile
by
Olivia Luck
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 6, 2016
|
~ Synopsis ~
David
and Karolina Morgan have the perfect marriage. He runs a financial empire
catering to Miami's most influential and she is the darling socialite, adored
by her husband and all those that meet her.
But
underneath the lavish home, expensive car and exquisite jewelry lies a darkness
threatening to consume Karolina. The once vivacious fashion design student has
become a shadow of herself at the hands of her manipulative husband.
Then,
with the flick of a power switch, everything changes. Karolina must learn to
fight back when she discovers her entire existence is one big sham, with dire
consequences.
Tutu. Baby’s Breath. Angelic Musings. Three very different names describing the
same thing: a delicate pink varnish that covers my fingernails. Every Monday I
have a standing manicure appointment at Breeze. The manicurist, Meryl, and I
play the same game. Perched on a black stool, Meryl clucks over my cuticles and
then asks, “How about red today? Goes well with your skin tone.” Pretending to
ponder Meryl’s suggestion, I gently retract my hands to tug off my engagement
ring and wedding band. “Red would match with a gown I’m wearing to a gala next
week, maybe we’ll try it then.” But I never switch my request. Pale, newborn
baby girl pink adorns my fingernails week in and week out.
Just once I’d
like to try something brash like fire-engine or tangerine. However I’ve learned
those colors are garish and considered inappropriate by reigning queens of
Miami high society. Heaven forbid I make waves.
With a flick or
his elegant wrist, David fills the cabin the luxury sedan with the classical
music he prefers. Not a single strand of his hair falls out of place. The crisp
corners of his heavily starched white shirt peek out from the edge of a black
tuxedo jacket sleeve. David’s initials, DM, are stitched on the French cuffs,
parallel to the cufflinks he purchased on a trip to the South of France. Every
angle on David seems to be chiseled from the image of wealth and
sophistication: classic bow-shaped mouth, straight, high-bridged nose and thick
lashes framing his ocean eyes. There are no visible imperfections in his
appearance. But I know a secret. If it weren’t for the colorist who visits our
home each month, flecks of gray would show at David’s temples.
“That dress
you’re wearing was quite the sensation.” The aristocratic timbre of his voice
works well in seducing potential clients. David Morgan is the driving force
being Morgan Financial, a financial planning service catering to Miami’s elite.
In a way, the smoothness in David’s voice was one of the first things that drew
me to him, too.
David knows
exactly how to charm his prey. Complimenting one of my original designs is my
biggest weakness. Under his praise, my shoulders straighten. Despite
everything, I still blossom under a compliment from David.
All my life I
wanted to create beautiful garments. Worked tirelessly in high school to get
good grades and earn a scholarship to college. Slung burgers at a fast food
restaurant for extra money. Then I got my prize: a partial scholarship to study
fashion at the Miami Design Institute. Finally, I went after my dream of
becoming the next Coco Chanel.
Life has a
heartbreaking way of uprooting dreams, though.
Instead of
producing fashion for Bryant Park in New York City, I’ve been relegated to a studio
in my home. It’s not so bad, designing for myself. There’s no pressure to
please anyone other than my own critical eye. Although my designs aren’t known
on the national level, I am able to showcase some of my wears at society
events. This evening I’m wearing a gown that took me a month to create – after
the initial conception. Silk. Deep plum twisted bodice and a slit in the A-line
skirt to allow a large enough range of motion for dancing. It elongates my lean
form, displays feminine curves without being overtly seductive.
“Adriana Martinez
would like to commission a gown for an inaugural ball,” I murmur. Like my
husband, I’ve trained my voice to be gentle, never jarring.
David’s carefully
styled eyebrows lift a centimeter – the barest hint of surprise. Adriana is
married to Hector Martinez, the king of a real estate empire stretching from
Key West to West Palm Beach County. Along with his wife, Hector can be found at
every charity gala, important political function and any other events deemed
important by Miami society. Now that the former governor of Florida was elected
President of the United States, the financially influential Martinez couple
will make their move toward Washington, DC. They were big donors to the
president-elect’s campaign. Seven figure donors. Adriana wearing one of my
original designs to an inaugural event could be a huge coup for what David
calls my little hobby.
“Is that so,”
David drawls.
“Adriana will be
photographed for magazines and blogs. The exposure could do well for Morgan
Financial.” Bravely I lift my gaze to David who stares at me impassively. His
emotions are getting harder and harder to read with age.
“Hm. Morgan
Financial would be a secondary beneficiary. Your design would be the shining
star.” David shifts smoothly in the cream leather seat, now one eyebrow cocked
in my direction. My heart thuds in my chest. Is he angry because, for once, a
sliver of the spotlight may shine on me? “No matter. Let’s see if you can get
yourself invited over to the Martinez compound. You’ll present the idea of a
couples dinner at our home.”
“Certainly,” I
agree. David doesn’t have to convince me on this point. Adriana is one of the
most tolerable people David strongly encourages me to engage with socially.
David’s
expression doesn’t betray any underlying irritation that Adriana may garner
interest in my work. The tension in my chest abates and I sink further into my
seat, good posture be damned. David reaches across the armrest dividing the
backseat of the car, places a hand on my forearm. “Soon you’ll be receiving
requests from all over South Florida. My wife, the fashion designer.” His lips
flicker upward as though the prospect amuses him. “I support it, so long as
your career doesn’t eclipse the time we spend together.”
“No, of course
not.”
The diamond
tennis bracelet clasped around my wrist pinches my skin, drawing my attention
to the glimmering jewelry. David slips two fingers between my skin and the
stones, stroking the delicate skin there.
“Do you remember
when I gave this to you?” He asks huskily.
“How could I
forget?” With my free hand, I finagle David’s hand to clasp our fingers
together.
“Remind me,” he
teases.
“It was right
before we were married. You had the wedding planner deliver it to the bridal
suite with a note.” Briefly, my eyes shut as I remember the emotions of our
wedding day five years ago. Heady anticipation coursed through my veins that
day. Never in my life had I known that type of excitement. I blink my eyes open
and find David watching me raptly. A stoic mask conceals whatever he remembers
of our wedding. Forcing myself to smile, I tug his hand to my chest where my
heart rate has slowed to a gentle cadence.
“At the time,
this bracelet was the most magnificent gift I had ever received. You’ve managed
to outdo yourself dozens of times over.” I allow my expression to soften. “No
one spoils me like you do, David.”
A cloud of Armani
cologne wafts around me as David leans closer. He releases my hand, only to
drag his fingertips along my cheek. David presses his warm lips against mine in
a short kiss. “You’re the one who spoils me,” he croons.
It happens when
David shifts back into his corner of the car, so quickly I’m sure he doesn’t
think I notice. But I see it. David’s eyes flicker to the driver, making sure
that he’s watching the show. If I’ve learned anything in the five years I’ve
been married to David Morgan, it’s that appearances are of the utmost importance.
~ Links to Buy ~
Amazon ** Amazon UK
~ About the Author ~
Olivia Luck lives in the middle of America with her loving husband and her obsession with writing. She wrote her first romance novel at age eight. When she’s not reading, editing, or writing, you can find her in the kitchen learning to cook. Olivia loves to travel and spend time with her family.Amazon ** Amazon UK
~ Review ~
~ Rating ~
Behind Her Smile was an engaging read full of lies, deceit,
love, abuse and control. I definitely got more than I was expecting from this book.
What starts as a whirlwind romance for Karolina and David ends up being a guilded cage. Trapped in a marriage she no longer wants to be a part of Karolina goes through the motions of being the dutiful wife. Appearances are everything. Fearing what the consequences will be if she steps out of line.
David. What can I say about David. I never really took to him. He was a character that regardless of the circumstance I couldn't sympathize with. Even in the early stages of his relationship with Karolina, I often wondered why she chose to stay with him and why she allowed herself to be ruled by David's needs, wants and desires.
Now Alec most definitely caught my attention and held it throughout. When he is first introduced his cryptic words to Karolina almost screamed a warning. One that she does not heed nor look further into. His patience, adoration and respect for Karolina was commendable.
As the story progresses we watch the decline of David and Karolina's relationship and the budding of a friendship between Karolina and Alec. Though eventually the lines start to blur and feelings are revealed.
I found David and Alec's treatment of Karolina to be like night and day. When David's business dealings start to crumble all of his lies, deceit and orchestrated plans are revealed sending your mind whirling with even more questions and for me more disgust toward David.
Let's just say that karma pays all of these characters a visit and those deserving of punishment receive theirs and those truly deserving of love and happiness are rewarded.
~ About the Author ~
Get in touch with Olivia, she adores emails: olivialuckauthor@gmail.com
~ Connect with Olivia ~
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