Persuasion Book Novels & Stories

Erik realized just then that he had barely tipped the iceberg when it came to the wonderful and interesting qualities this woman possessed. "Who is your favorite writer?" Pearl asked Phoebe. "Austen, for sure." She said. Pearl smiled. "Yes. She was an phenomenal writer. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorites." Pearl said. "Oh yes. Mr. Darcy. The man that ruined all men for every woman, for hundreds of years later, even. That's why I love literature so much. One thing, one person created in a woman's mind has the ability to affect the lives of so many for centuries later, just because of how she was able to write about it." Phoebe said. Auggie looked at her adoringly and kissed her hand.

"I'm serious. This is the kind of book people stay up all night reading. This is the kind of book that gets passed around book clubs like contraband. The marketing team is going to lose their minds." The book came out three months later under the title Temptation Island. The cover was a tasteful shot of a villa at sunset, a woman's silhouette in the window, a man's shadow falling across the threshold. The marketing campaign called it "a searing exploration of desire, marriage, and the lies we tell ourselves." Bookstores couldn't keep it in stock. Reviewers called it "unflinching" and "provocative" and "the kind of book that makes you question everything you believe about love."

My heart hammered against my ribs, I could feel the heat radiating from his chest, smell the clean, expensive scent of his cologne, it was intoxicating and terrifying. How could this man, this stranger, affect me so much with just his presence? My body was betraying me, "Let go of me," I breathed, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "Not yet," he murmured, "I know what's happening, Sophia. Mr. Hawthorne has another woman for months. He proposed this 'open marriage'. So I ask you, why shouldn't you have a man of your own? A powerful man. A man who can give you anything you want, anything you wish to reclaim."

Nathan sneered, "If you're here to explain that phone call, forget it. Sophia, I didn't expect you to be such a good actress, fooling even me." Sophia didn't argue further. Grace had told her that continuing to clash with Nathan would only do her harm. Arguing with a man is useless; the most important thing is to change his perception of you. And the quickest way for a man to develop affection is to make him feel pity for a woman. Sophia's voice carried a hint of pain as she sighed, "There's nothing to explain. I lost control of my emotions. It's my fault." Nathan said nothing.

“I’m sorry, but it’s true. Men think wiggling their eyebrows at us or doing what you were doing is sexy, but really, it isn’t, especially when you’re dressed like that.” I shrug and slump on the bed next to her. “I just thought it was romantic, you know?” She leans over to the side of the bed and pulls out a romance book from under the pillow. “Use this. It’s the best manual for what girls really like.” I take the book and study the cover. A man is kissing the neck of a woman whose blouse is slightly off her shoulder. “Blah,” I say and toss the book to the side. I actually think I’ve read it before.

"Only one way to prove that." "Careful, wife." I warned, my voice low and teasing. "I always rise to a challenge." She laughed softly, her gaze falling to the book she’d closed. "Do you know what this book’s about?" I glanced at the title again, pretending to think. "A family, right? Something about poverty and resilience?" She nodded, seeming a bit surprised though she had found the book in the beach house, probably assuming I've never read it. "It’s about overcoming tough beginnings and finding beauty in broken places. It’s sad but also hopeful." Her voice softened and she looked thoughtful.

Her perfect breasts floated, a siren's lure calling to him. He was hard in a heartbeat. Hard and ready to take her every way he knew how. It wasn't her pale skin or the music playing in the background that got to him. It wasn't the way she'd set the scene or the fact that he knew she wasn't just willing, she was determined. He could have resisted all of that, even her slightly pouting lips. What he couldn't resist was the book she was reading. She'd set out to seduce him and had gotten so caught up in a textbook on nuclear fission that she hadn't even heard him walk into the bathroom.

Then, with a low chuckle, he said, "Or… do you want me to stay and finish what we started?" My breath hitched yet again in this exact position. For a second, I did not move because part of me—maybe more than just part—wanted him to. Realising what he meant, I stepped away from the doorframe, breaking the tension and making space for him to leave. As I walked toward my bed and he headed for the door, he chuckled. "Pride and Prejudice? "It's nothing more than a well-written case study in vanity and self-deception." His voice was laced with that usual mix of arrogance and amusement.

“Here you go. Pride and Prejudice. First edition. Just as you described.” Jasmine reached for it, but he pulled it back, his fingers brushing hers. “You know, I’ve been wondering something,” he said, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “Why does a girl like you care so much about a book? You don’t seem like the type to get worked up over something so trivial.” She glared at him, her cheeks flushing. “It’s not trivial. It’s important to me. Now, can I have it?” He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming.

"It doesn't change the fact that the son of his greatest enemy is going to marry the girl for whom he sacrificed his life" "Yes, but the girl for whom he sacrificed her life has been saved several times by the son of his greatest enemy, so all things considered, I would say that they are all up to the task. Also, since when do we start to worry about what other people, living or dead, think of us?" "Good point. I think my power of persuasion might be getting to you" "I was just explaining the facts, Travis" "Which is key to good persuasion" "Ah ... So that's how you got me to say yes?"