This compelling story of pain and betrayal takes many twists and turns until it erupts into a shattering climax. “Driven by Lust” treads a middle ground between romance, corporate thriller, and social critique. Good, provocative read. Oleg Medvedkov Best selling Author of Dragon Who Loved Water Lilies and Other Funny Stories.
Anyone who has ever been exposed to the fallout from Suicide should read this book.
The evil that men do lives on after them – William Shakespeare.”This is a chance in a million Elin. All relationships are a tradeoff. Why should you be any different?”
Should Elin heed the words of the psychotherapist?
What promises does Jonas, the older multi-millionaire make to Elin as he pursues her relentlessly?
Obsessed with younger women, sex and money, he sees all are within his grasp if he can persuade her to marry him. .
Is Guy, her younger, wealthier lover who hovers in the background, a threat to Jonas?
Beset by insecurities and the fear of losing her, Jonas spins his web to ensnare Elin in the ever tightening sticky fibrous strands that inexorably bind her to him as she struggles to overcome her past. As the skeletons come clattering out of the closet, this powerful story lays bare the frailty of doomed relationships.
What is the Secret of the Deed?
Who accuses Elin of murder and how will she save herself?
This compelling story of pain and betrayal takes many twists and turns until it erupts into a shattering climax.
Readers o H elen Cooper and Sylvia Day will thoroughly enjoy this book.
Targeted Age Group:: 25-70
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
I was encouraged by therapists to write this story of many women which needs to be told, as obsessive love and emotional abuse are as destructive as physical abuse
Book Sample
They say all lovers swear more performance than they
are able and yet reserve an ability that they never
perform, vowing more than the perfection of ten and
discharging less than the tenth part of one
William Shakespeare -Troilus and Cressida 3.2.81-4, Cressida to Troilus
Chapter 1
________
Elin sat across from Guy Preece during a business lunch and both sets of pheromones reared up on their hind legs and reached across the table as the magnetism flowing between them reduced the room to exclude the world at large.
Six months later their paths crossed again and he made his desire for her abundantly clear, while holding out an offer of assistance as she struggled to re-establish her business venture after her long term marriage fell apart. Battered and bruised, she avoided him for yet another six months, while she had sized up the situation. How badly did she need his help?
Apparently enough to respond to his invitation to the lunch he suggested when she telephoned to feel him out.
As she walked towards him along the driveway dressed in red from head to toe. A fitting red sweater with a cowl neckline covered a fitting straight skirt. His eyes traveled down the length of her body to her long slim legs encased in sheer stockings to the red shoes with high fuck me heels.
Christ, what he wouldn’t give to race her into one of the suites and devour her, rather than sit opposite her across a dining table, set alongside the floor to ceiling windows that looked out on to a courtyard with a huge spreading pohutakawa tree that would bear its red flowers at Christmas. He caught his breath and his dark brown eyes deepened with desire as he drank in the sight of her, while he mentally undressed her. At the thought of it, he took a deep breath and his eyes burned with passion.
Elin was well aware how much he wanted her and the danger it represented to them both.
Shown to their table they dallied, selected their food from the buffet which Elin could only pick on, as she knew he was mentally undressing her.
The waiter brought the wine Guy had ordered.
“To us.” As he picked up his glass to toast them, his dark brown eyes promised the world.
Hesitantly Elin picked up her glass and felt the swelling of his cock in his well cut chinos.
This man was a major force in the business world and now he was turning his megawatt power on her. She felt her insides turn to mush as she berated herself. ‘I’m mad to place myself in this position.’ Angrily kicking herself in the backside for her stupidity, she looked at the man who was trying to get into her knickers as soon as he possibly could.
Casually yet expensively dressed, the clothes told the story. From the expensive well cut beige moleskin jeans and Timberland shoes, to the forest green cotton casual shirt. Color toned, olive skinned, black straight hair, all bespoke the manly image – the sporting man – the huntin’, fishin’ shootin wealthy man’s man.
“God, I bet he shoots ducks in season.” She could just see him sheltering in the blind waiting for the unsuspecting prey to break cover before he aimed and killed them.
This was an extremely powerful man who had been very comfortable with his success as the CEO for one of the independent television channels. Rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous on a daily basis, he had successfully managed his reputation for being a very astute, albeit a thoroughly ruthless, businessman and a marketing whiz kid that had followed him wherever he went. His advice to the clients, most of whom were advertising agencies, who willingly gave him a major portion of their client’s advertising budgets, was to position themselves in the marketplace and add value to their product, not to get into discounting wars.
Some of his clients’ clients railed against his audaciousness. “Arrogant bastard thinks he knows it all, but shit it’s easy to dish out advice and if it turns out wrong, shrug your shoulders and tell you to try again. He sits on his ass with the money rolling in, while we take all the risks.”
“He doesn’t have to put his money where his mouth is,” were some of the comments.
“Stupid fucks,” he’d replied according to gossip and ignoring them, had resigned to start up his own television production company.
“My product is for the top end overseas market. That’s where the big bucks are, not here in NZ.”
In addition he was a property developer.
Elin looked down at his large strong hands. Very manly and oh so sure of himself, she wondered what his caresses would be like. Glancing at his strong hands which to her reflected a man in control of his destiny, she remembered the moment he had walked into the room at Williams’ home. It was the first time they met and he had brought a presence with him which simply overshadowed the other man.
His gaze held hers and mentally she could feel his mouth on her nipples and the powerful thrusting of his cock inside her.
She looked into Guy’s deep brown eyes smiling warmly at her.
“I need to get up from this table and run from here as fast as I can,” she berated herself. “He’s not conventionally handsome, but dear God he’s so charismatic.”
Desperately trying to break away from the future she envisaged if she gave into this affair, she felt like a captured bird fluttering its wings, trying to break free and fly away from the predator that had grasped it with its talons.
‘What is this attraction to him?’ The thought scampered around in her mind which was becoming more confused by the moment, with the conflicting messages it was receiving.
As he pinned her with a piercing gaze, he made no bones about his intention to come into her life and be part of it. As his soft warm voice caressed her, she mentally kicked herself. “An unreliable, emotionally unavailable married man and you’re still sitting in the chair. Don’t do it,” she cautioned herself but she took little notice. “Use your head for once, not your heart.” Buying time, she looked out the window to the ocean below and watched it rolling gently against the sand.
This was a man who was driven by lust for money and power. She was also well aware of his appetite for other women outside his marriage.
“I won’t get involved,” she promised herself knowing it would not be kept, “because I know it will go nowhere. But I need to learn what he can show me about being successful in business.” Her mind kept justifying her reasons for being there.
“I love aggressive women with brains.” His voice was seductively caressing her.
This man would not let her be dependent on him, so he would force her to stand on her own two feet. After a possessive, suffocating marriage where her independence was stifled and controlled, was this what she needed?
His magnetic attraction was enormous and he was so comfortable with his power and success.
New Zealand was populated with male chauvinistic bores. To be winners, the blokes needed a team structure to bond with. This hid a multitude of insecurities and immaturity. In the so called liberated 1980’s, the men were still treating women as second class citizens. Males were uncomfortable with femininity, women and feminism. And the women weren’t much better. Mothering the stupid sods and putting up with all their crap. Without the ability to be comfortable with the opposite sex, relationships were disasters.
“There are two kinds of men in New Zealand Elin.” Guy smiled convincingly at her, a wealth of meaning in those deep brown eyes. “The Rugby playing chauvinist and the corporate eunuch.”
She loathed the Rugby playing icons and knew he had played the game in his early years so wondered which category he fitted into; or was he intimating there was a third elite group to which he belonged?.
“To riches and fame.” Grinning he raised her glass in a toast as he lent across the table and gently picked up her hand that was lying between them. “You’re just perfect for me. You’re so feminine. We’ll find somewhere to be alone. I know my wife will leave me this time if she finds out I’m having an affair.”
Elin drew in her breath sharply. Was this really what she wanted?
“It’s difficult and the family unit means everything to me but I want you and I’ll find a way.” He continued to hold her gaze.
“I don’t want to be burned.” Warily watching him, she told herself to walk away now. Right now, before there was no turning back.
“I know. I promise I won’t let that happen.”
“How can you avoid that?” Her question lay between them like a small grey cloud on the horizon.
Half of her wanted this man now yet was afraid to open her heart to him. His intense gaze pinned her down and she responded like a moth drawn to the flame, knowing the danger and destined to burn itself. Was this to be her fate before she finally gave up her neuroses?
“I used to see him in the corridors at Channel Ten,” a business acquaintance had told her. “He was a cold, arrogant bastard, who used to stride past anyone who wasn’t important in his eyes. They simply didn’t exist for him.”
It was hard for her to equate that stony faced bombastic bastard of the world of television, with this man who sat opposite her. The ruthless mogul who’d trampled people into the ground in his rise to the top, and his need for power. However, his history was well documented. Just pick up any business magazine.
Was this the same man who sat opposite her and caressed her with his soft voice, his large capable hands gently cradling her smaller ones?
Would he be caring and gallant with her? This was the promise he was making to her now but she was well aware he expected the game to be played with his rules. ‘Well see about that,’ she thought as his velvety words washed over her.
“I know you felt the vibes at our first meeting twelve months ago. Did Williams tell you I tried to find you through him?” he asked, turning on the charm.
Williams had been a vindictive business acquaintance who had been furious at the rapport between Guy and Elin when he invited him to a business luncheon, and had vented his spleen on her afterwards.
“No. He wouldn’t do that. What did he say about me?” This would be interesting.
“He wasn’t kind.” Guy grinned and his warm brown eyes twinkled at her.
“I’ll bet he wasn’t. He wanted me to manage his business and have an affair with him. I walked away from it all.” Shuddering at the memory of the coldest, cruelest man she’d ever met, Elin withdrew her hands from Guy’s
“He’s certainly the most difficult person I’ve ever dealt with in business and I have met many.” Guy assured her. “I was too vulnerable to be associated with him at that time.” Toying with her glass, she jumped when he took it from her and lifted it to his lips. “It’s been hard out here on my own and I don’t want to be your plaything.”
“You’re special,” he assured her. “I don’t know why but you are. I can’t forget you.”
“Oh please,” emotionally she drew back at the old line. “I need support now, not trouble.”
“I’ll give it to you,” he promised sincerely, meaning it at the time.
“Look I know about your affair with your secretary and numerous other young things.” She might as well bring it all out into the open.
“Yeah, I had a hot heavy affair with her for two years,” he freely admitted. “Did you see the movie Fatal Attraction?” Waiting till she nodded he continued. “It was like that. She was a part time model as well. Did you see the Lace lingerie ad in the newspaper this morning?” Elin nodded again. “That’s her. She nearly had a nervous breakdown over me.”
The smile washed away from her face. The way he had delivered that last sentence it was almost a boast.
Already knowing the reply, she asked, “What’s her name?”
“Jackie. I’m unlucky if she rings me once a year now.” Nonchalantly he brushed his past lover aside.
Elin flinched at his words. What a cold, callous thing to say about someone he had been so deeply involved with. Withdrawing her hand, her mind raced. ‘Christ I don’t know if I want to be involved with this man.’
“I have such a rapport with you.” He toyed with her fingers lying on the table by her wine glass. “I feel as though I’ve known you forever. I love talking to you. I want you.”
Power oozed out of him. A mind as keen and sharp as King Arthur’s sword Excalibur, which he had used to cut and slice his way through the corridors of power he had dominated, was now focused on her. What chance did she have?
Looking closely at him again, she knew he was not to be trusted but for her that didn’t matter as some deeper emotion reached out its tentacles to ensnare her in its web. The strength of steel beneath the surface, combined with undercurrents of his overstated need for her, reached out and drew her in.
Somehow he overwhelmed her and she couldn’t eat any more, so put her fork down, the food on her plate hardly touched.
“I’ll get your coffee. How do you take it?” he queried, rising from the table. She found this such a disarming gesture; one that reached out and tenderly plucked at her heartstrings.
“Cream and one sugar please.” Watching him go up to the buffet table, she considered running out now before it was too late.
Returning he placed her cup in front of her, sat down and smiled as he lifted his own. “I don’t want to leave. I want to stay all afternoon.” Reluctantly he glanced at his Rolex watch, “But I have to, I’ve got an appointment.”
His voice was seductive and boy did he know how to use it while pinning her with his hooded gaze, which she found so damnably attractive. Instinctively drawing back, she felt as though she had been zapped by some more highly evolved being skilled in the art of mind power. At that moment he had the pulling power of Antonio Banderas with everything such an encounter promised. Feeling the heat rising from her sexual domain, she reached out to grab her glass of water and took three large sips hoping to put out the fire that promised to consume her.
‘The bastard knows what he’s doing,’ she panicked and found it disconcerting as she sat there steaming.
Lingering, stealing yet another fifteen minutes, they rose and strolled out of the restaurant. As they walked to their respective cars he put a hand on her arm. “I want to kiss you but its too open here.” The main road was just beyond the bushes lining the car park.
“I know.” She looked up at his eager face.
“Stay with me for a moment,” he begged and opened the door to a large burgundy Range Rover.
Hesitating, her heart beating like a frightened bird’s caught in the mouth of a feral cat, he sensed her reluctance.
“Please,” he implored.
Doubtfully she looked at the high four wheel drive. “These vehicles aren’t made for high heels.”
“I know.” He helped her in tenderly, then walked around to his side and climbed in himself.
Gesturing at the interior, she queried archly to buy time and quell the panic she felt. “All part of the manly image? Very much the huntin’, shootin’, fishin’ successful business entrepreneur?”
“Something like that.” He drew her to him and covered her mouth with his.
Shocks ran through her. Feeling as though she’d been invaded she tried to draw back. Pulling her closer, he penetrated the shields she’d built around herself. His mouth clung to hers and she felt desperately afraid. Suddenly a feeling of revulsion arose.
“God you’re lovely,” he muttered as she felt his wet mouth surrounding hers. “I desperately want you.”
She launched into a nervous meaningless conversation to cover the rising panic she felt. Anything to avoid the physical contact he was intent on. Pulling her to him again, he drew her into a long wet kiss that seemed to go on forever. Embraces that she would come to know so well, and fear.
She felt trapped by sexually driven Scorpio exuding a sensuousness that threatened to overwhelm her own Piscean vulnerability.
Drawing back nervously she reached for the door handle as he said, “Oh Elin,” and wriggled in his seat. Again she felt the repulsion and panic rise. Looking at her watch she lied to him, “I have an appointment. I’m late.” Flinging open the door, she climbed out and fleeing to the safety of her yellow Japanese pot drove away leaving him stunned.
Perplexed he watched her go then started his motor, quietly confident. He always called the tune and he was determined to have her.
Chapter 2
__________
“We’re going to get soaked,” Andrew muttered as he parked the Pajero SUV in the parking bay outside the auction rooms.
“Do you want to forget it?” Elin queried as she peered out the windscreen at the driving rain.
“No. We’re here now. Let’s go in,” he replied as he turned off the ignition and looked up at the leaden sky where grey clouds scooted along and the high winds buffeted anything that got in their way. A piece of flyaway newspaper whirled through the air outside the car and landed limply on the pavement.
“God Dad, do we have to go into the stupid auction?” the young voice whined from the back seat.
“Do as you’re told.” Andrew turned around to look at his son Chris, who was sulking in the back seat. The last thing the child wanted to do was look at boring furniture. This wasn’t an eleven year old’s idea of fun.
“Just get out,” he was ordered by his father.
They clambered down, laughing at the typical cold, blustery and wet October weather in Auckland as they quickly dodged through the puddles and avoided the now sodden paper attempting to tangle itself around their feet. They gratefully ducked into the auction room where the warmth from many bodies heated the damp air.
“Elin.” She turned to find the person who had called out her name. Scanning the crowd, her gaze alighted on a waving hand.
“Oh, it’s Phoebe.”
Chris scowled as she waved back to her friend. “Go to your Dad over there whilst I chat to her for a moment.”
“Don’t leave me with him,” he whined.
“Chris, do as I say.” She firmly pushed him towards his father. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Immediately he glared back at her but moved over to his father who was looking at a large white lounge suite.
“How are you darling?” Airy kisses were blown as the friends embraced and Phoebe gestured to the person standing next to her. “This is Jonas Cunning. I’m helping him redecorate his lovely home and thought we might find some pieces here today.” Phoebe turned to the man and introduced them. “Jonas, this is my dear friend Elin.”
Elin’s gaze lighted on an elderly, short, balding, stocky man with a barrel chest, sizing her up with the coldest most calculating look she had ever encountered. Mentally she drew back from him. My God, this was the man Phoebe had spent the last six months promoting to Elin for a relationship.
“He looks like Mr Magoo,” she’d told Elin laughingly, “but he’s a multi-millionaire and has a beautiful home.”
“So what,” Elin had been offended at the suggestion. The man was in his late seventies, she in her late forties. What on earth could they have in common? “What the hell does his money matter? I’m not for sale Phoebe.”
“After your life with Morris you need security.” Phoebe had only been concerned for her future.
“I know that but the price has been too high already, I’m not prepared to be another sacrifice,” Elin had retorted tartly.
“He’s lonely and wants to be with a younger woman,” Phoebe had laughed.
“Well he can find another one.” Elin had quickly rejected the suggestion and now she was pleased she had.
Sure he was beautifully attired in expensive Italian designer clothes and Bally shoes with his glasses perched on his nose but he made Elin feel so unwelcome as they chatted. After ten minutes, she hastily made excuses and left after promising to stay with Phoebe in the very near future, as her friend had recently moved away from the city.
She watched the bidding listlessly because the chill of the wet winter day was seeping into and pervading her bones, despite the warmth of the assembled crowd indoors.
“You should have bought that white lounge suite Andrew,” she shot at him as they departed.
“It’s the very thing for an eleven year old ragamuffin who can’t stay clean for ten minutes.”
Three weeks later, the phone shrilled while she was having breakfast at home. Hurriedly swallowing a piece of toast she stretched out her hand and picked up the receiver.
“Elin?”
“Hi Phoebe. Thank you once again for the wonderful weekend.” Musing on the time spent with her friend two weeks prior, she turned on the kitchen tap and rinsed the cup and plate with her free hand. Bending down she stacked them in the dishwasher.
“We thoroughly enjoyed it.” Phoebe assured her. “The reason I’m calling is that I’m going over to Jonas Cunning’s home to try and collect the rest of the money he owes me. He’s being very difficult about it. I would like you to see what I’ve done there and I know you are looking for a place to move into. I told you his young friend Melanie is moving out as she has bought a place of her own and I thought you might like to have a chat with him. Although he doesn’t need the money, he likes the company.”
“Mmm.” Elin thought about it and remembered the cold stare. “Look I’ll meet you there and have a look but don’t mention anything just yet.”
“That’s fine with me. See you at two o’clock,” and they hung up.
The house was situated down a mediocre street in Remuera, one of Auckland’s more elite suburbs. Parking outside she walked down the narrow driveway flanked with rose bushes on one side and a tall wooden fence painted a soft grey/blue on the other. Stark in their beauty, the roses looked lonely to Elin as there were no borders of other flowers such as lobelia, alyssum or even woodland poppies to soften the effect.
Little did she know the prickly relationship she would enjoy with these barbed beauties as they reached out to grasp her clothes in the future?
Hardly the mansion Phoebe had made it out to be but then she was prone to exaggeration, it was quite a modest home with a gabled roof onto which a second story extension had been added. The surrounding houses were nondescript and Elin wondered if this was an indication of the lifestyles inside them.
The exterior of Jonas’ home was painted white and trimmed in the same grey/blue as the fence, which was a very pleasing effect. Knocking on the front door, she waited with some trepidation and was pleasantly surprised when Jonas opened it greeting her warmly.
“Welcome to my home, come in, come in.” His face beamed as his hand reached out to grasp her arm, drawing her over the threshold and inside.
What a difference. Surprised, Elin allowed him to lead her across the marble tiles while she took stock of him attired in white shorts and polo shirt. Devoid of all the trimmings he seemed to have shed his coldness.
A black & white marble credenza held a white vase full of fresh flowers. To the left of this stood a snarling black porcelain panther, expressing himself in a frozen moment of time. Softly draped pink curtains tied back with tassels, framed white painted French doors which opened on
to a deck with a spa pool set in it. Over a small surrounding fence she could see a carefully tended garden.
Her attention swung back to the interior as Jonas led her forward. On the right was the living room with a deep cushioned sofa and armchairs in pale blue, cream and peach fabric grouped around a large low black & white marble coffee table, which sat in front of a large open fireplace. A tall crystal vase on the mantelpiece held an arrangement of silk flowers.
“I see you did purchase something from the auction.” Elin gestured to the table and credenza.
“Yes, yes. We also bought two grey leather sofas.” Beaming with pride, he pointed to one that had been placed alongside the dining area with its mahogany Regency setting. The walls had been painted a soft pink and the carpet was silver grey, one of Elin’s favorite colors. Proudly leading her through to the breakfast room, she was surprised to find chintz floral curtains framing the windows and matching cushions on the dining room chairs. It was a very pleasant but surprising choice for a bachelor’s home. A soft feminine touch which she attributed to Phoebe.
“No, no,” Jonas protested when she mentioned it. “This was my choice, she wanted green velvet.” In Elin’s opinion his choice had been perfect as it was a small area and velvet in any color would have been overpowering, especially with the built in cupboards of mahogany. A pity the kitchen had not been revamped as the cupboards were out of date and created a jarring note, letting down the overall effect.
“It’s very soft and pretty,” she told him. “I particularly like the chintz effect.”
At which Jonas beamed with pleasure.
Nina, another friend of Phoebe’s dropped in. Then Jonas’ nephew Jerome arrived and they all sat down for coffee. The atmosphere was congenial and everyone was relaxed. A staircase led up to the second story with the main bedroom, bathroom and landing.
“The stairway to heaven,” Jonas laughed gesturing towards it. “I’ve bought a new bed, but I’m not moving in there until the lady I want in my life shares it with me.”
“Do you have anyone in mind?” Nina enquired.
“Not yet but I’m not waiting much longer. Time’s running out. I’m seventy six years old in February.”
“Well Jonas, you can put me on your list of probables,” Nina joked with him.
“I’m sure a lovely mature lady would love to share your home with you Jonas,” Elin assured him.
“I don’t want anyone my own age,” he retorted smartly as his face lit up mischievously. “They’re all boring. I want a lovely young thing.”
“God, she’ll wear you out Jonas,” Jerome leaned forward and picked up another biscuit.
“That’ll be the day. I’m still running my own company. She’ll have trouble keeping up with me,” and they all joined in the laughter.
Jonas was a gracious host and kept pressing food and drinks on them. He was obviously enjoying himself and as everyone began to make a move to leave, he suggested they all dine out together that night.
About the Author:
I am a slightly off the wall author and my novel The Magdalene Conspiracy, a religious mystery/thriller in the style of Dan Brown, was pretty successful. The second book in the Nicolina Fabiani Series THE IMMORTAL MADONNA is now published and doing well. I am currently working on the third book in the series. Watch my website yvonnecrowe.com for updates.
I refuse to be constrained by genres and have five other published novels which has led to AN OBSESSIVE LOVE, HER LIFE IN PERIL, DIAMONDS THAT KILL and FROM SERBIA WITH LOVE being written.
Readers have commented that my writing is controversial, compelling, descriptive and evocative, and they become involved with the characters. What more could a writer ask for?
I am unable to restrain myself from becoming emotionally involved in humanitarian issues, as well as with my clients, readers and it comes through in my stories.
I currently live in my hometown in Auckland, New Zealand and love to travel to other countries and have been to Europe many times, as my very talented partner Harald,who designs my covers,is from Germany. This has given me the opportunity to fall in love with historical landscapes and their cultures, and also indulge in three of my passions, good food, wine and great conversation.
I have gleaned many ideas and settings for my stories by traveling to well known cities in Europe, and also through the small villages, each with their own special story, which have enabled me to create believable and sympathetic characters.
Currently I teach English to Muslim immigrants from Iraq. Both of these experiences were so enlightening, giving me an insight into the spirit and courage these people, whom I admire tremendously and respect, portray in their everyday lives and their story is so compelling I will be writing a novel about their lives.
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