carmen esparanola

life of deprivation. This is how I lived most of my existence. Everything was always missing. Food, clothes, money. There was also a lack of affection, family and love. A life without any relatives around. A childhood and adolescence in an orphanage. And growing up in a place like this is not easy. Waiting for parents who never showed up, seeing other kids having better luck than mine. And the more I grew, the more distant the dream of adoption became, the more distant any possibility became for me. Over time, the expectation of waiting passed. Over time, seeing other children get a new start didn't hurt me as much. I arrived at that place already far from the age that families were looking for. Rebel, undisciplined and this only made my situation even more difficult. I soon entered adolescence and I couldn't be more difficult, more indomitable. I didn't like those who worked there, the other orphans, or myself. Orphan. The word reminds me of everything, it reminds me that I have no one in the world. Perhaps I never had a father, perhaps my progenitor never knew of my existence. Brothers, fortunately the irresponsible woman who brought me into the world did not have the opportunity to give birth, as she died of an overdose even though she had a hungry child crying while taking drugs. Flashes of that night insist on occupying my mind. They remind me how weak she was, how incapable she was of fighting for us. To fight for a better life for myself. Even a life for yourself. And it shaped the wild child I was, the indomitable adult I am. I know I wasn't and I'm not the best person in the world, but there's something I can be proud of: being astute. I discovered very early on that I didn't want a life of so many deprivations. Discovering that I could use my intelligence, outside of the average, to achieve better expectations for my future. And it was in a lecture, among many that were given to institutionalized people, that I discovered that the type of life I would lead would depend on me. I discovered that I didn't want anything like what I had, that I wanted to build a victorious future. “Focus on your potential.” I heard this phrase, I understood what she meant. I repeated it in my mind over and over again. I realized that I didn't have any choice about my past and present, but if it were up to me, my future would be very different from everything I had experienced up until that moment. Potentiality. Mathematics. Numbers. A facility capable of leaving all teachers astounded. Able to make me stand out in the economics course. Among contemporary students, among perhaps all those who passed through there. After turning 18 we were invited to discover the world outside those walls, we were forced to be on our own. I was already in my first semester of college when I came of age. I was already able to attract attention with my grades. And before he even had to walk through the doors of the orphanage for the last time, he already had a mentor. Antônio realized that perhaps taking me to work with him would bring many advantages, even if he tried to make me think it was because he had a good heart, that he wanted to help me. I pretended to believe him because he needed an income, he needed money if he didn't want to end up on the street, under the viaduct. But he didn't just want that. I didn't want much. I wanted the world. I knew I had the potential to do this, but to do so I needed to seize any possibility that came my way. So I was hired to work at his financial consultancy company and I was happy to work in a medium-sized company, owned by a prominent academic professor, well sought after in the financial market

billionaire heir who is also the owner of her heart, but destiny has already decided that they need to continue that love story, and when they are face to face again, the long-dormant feeling returns to the surface with all its overwhelming force. A Contract with a Billionaire will tell the story of Bárbara Alves, a tourism professional who has just won an award, and Brian Hamilton Smith, a billionaire CEO at the head of a family business, in a reunion years after separating. Attention. This story is derived from the novel CEO's: The Dispute. So, wait to see a little more of Carolina and Samuel. Get ready to laugh and be moved by the beautiful story of these two. A thousand kisses and a great read. Carla Arine It was too perfect to be real. He was all cute, shy, and knew how to make a wonderful dinner... he had to have a flaw. I'm glad I found out in time, it would have been worse if we had made a public commitment or perhaps a marriage. Yes. Only Carol knew, and fuck if that other foreigner had knowledge. — It’s here, lady — the Uber driver tells me. I open the car door and head straight to my house. Today had everything to be a memorable night. It was Carolina's final test against Samuel, and it would clearly be tense. We still don't know who the next CEO will be, but the most surprising revelation of all had already happened and I still couldn't believe it: that Brian Smith, Samuel Wilson and his uncle, Oscar Wilson, came to Brazil with the most sordid plan of all. I can't deny that I was also enchanted by foreigners, but my best friend really fell in love, even with all the madness of hating and loving her biggest opponent. But now we know why this is all. A bid. They used the lucky foreigner's power of seduction to win over my friend and were celebrating the result, taking her out of the running. What they didn't expect was that Carol would put on a show in a jump. — Fuck them! — I exclaimed, in the bathroom looking at my white face in the mirror. My eyes are already red from trying so hard to avoid the tears that want to flow. Crap! Who would have thought the night would end like this? When I left, I was sure I would spend the night in Brian's arms, in a motel or in his apartment. I had even chosen some sexy lingerie, but now, just thinking about the unfortunate thing, I want to... argh. I go back to the room and grab one of the two beers I brought from the event from my bag, trying to console myself for having fallen in love with the wrong guy. I can not believe. Another liar to my list of disappointments. Again I go to sleep alone reflecting on my mistakes. Unemployed and with a Tourism college tuition that costs almost a kidney to pay

impulsive. She had her plan mapped out, it was so simple: Finish college and get rid of her toxic father, Judge Carter. Everyone looked at her and saw her as daddy's princess. They just couldn't imagine what she had to go through to be the perfect daughter he so longed for. Everything was going well, even him. Aaron Seed. Since the day their destinies crossed, she imagined that everything would fall apart around her, she just didn't know if in a good or bad way. Aaron Seed After the death of his mother, he is forced, due to circumstances, to go live with Hanry, his father. Because he can no longer handle Aaron's rebellions, Hanry sends him to the Seed University dorm. Everything was going well, until the day he bumped into a girl. But she wasn't just any girl, she was totally different from the others. The intensity of her eyes attracted him, as he knew the darkness in them, and this only made him more curious to know who she was. However, unlike the others, the mysterious girl clearly said that she didn't want to have a relationship with anyone, especially someone like him. This only gave him reason to want to make her life a living hell, showing that, like the others, she was not immune to him. Something unexpected happens amid provocations, intimidation, discoveries and sexual tension. Aaron and Cadence find themselves completely lost in a feeling neither of them have ever had. Love. "Living life has never been so tempting and scary at the same time." Toxic Bad Boys Bad Boy Cruel Series - book I The other books in the series are completely independent, although some characters may appear throughout the stories. There will be a total of 4 books. Attention! This is a bully romance, you will find an enemies to lovers, and a relationship that is not healthy. It can cause discomfort for some people, as they approach them through provocation and intimidation. As the name suggests, there will be bullying. The author does not support this type of behavior. "IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS TYPE OF ROMANCE, DON'T READ IT!" WE WILL ALSO HAVE TRIGGER OF: Drug addiction, scenes of physical abuse, profanity, descriptive sex, dubious attitudes, illicit and legal drugs, bullying, psychological aggression, toxic parental relationship, maternal and paternal abandonment, relationships that may appear abusive and that can cause triggers. Work intended for people over 18 years of age. Welcome! This book will be a little different from the previous ones, I ask that everyone who reads it, keep an open mind to understand that everything that happens is not tolerable. We will have some themes that may become triggers for some, and that is why I ask you to read the NOTICE that was left. Again, DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE. This will be my first Bully Romance and I hope to meet the expectations of all of you readers. I just have to thank you, for all your strength and motivation, and that's why I dedicate this book to you, my reader who always follows my growth, and to you who were interested in the story

Everyone looked at her and saw her as daddy's princess. They just couldn't imagine what she had to go through to be the perfect daughter he so longed for. Everything was going well, even him. Aaron Seed. Since the day their destinies crossed, she imagined that everything would fall apart around her, she just didn't know if in a good or bad way. Aaron Seed After the death of his mother, he is forced, due to circumstances, to go live with Hanry, his father. Because he can no longer handle Aaron's rebellions, Hanry sends him to the Seed University dorm. Everything was going well, until the day he bumped into a girl. But she wasn't just any girl, she was totally different from the others. The intensity of her eyes attracted him, as he knew the darkness in them, and this only made him more curious to know who she was. However, unlike the others, the mysterious girl clearly said that she didn't want to have a relationship with anyone, especially someone like him. This only gave him reason to want to make her life a living hell, showing that, like the others, she was not immune to him. Something unexpected happens amid provocations, intimidation, discoveries and sexual tension. Aaron and Cadence find themselves completely lost in a feeling neither of them have ever had. Love. "Living life has never been so tempting and scary at the same time." Toxic Bad Boys Bad Boy Cruel Series - book I The other books in the series are completely independent, although some characters may appear throughout the stories. There will be a total of 4 books. Attention! This is a bully romance, you will find an enemies to lovers, and a relationship that is not healthy. It can cause discomfort for some people, as they approach them through provocation and intimidation. As the name suggests, there will be bullying. The author does not support this type of behavior. "IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS TYPE OF ROMANCE, DON'T READ IT!" WE WILL ALSO HAVE TRIGGER OF: Drug addiction, scenes of physical abuse, profanity, descriptive sex, dubious attitudes, illicit and legal drugs, bullying, psychological aggression, toxic parental relationship, maternal and paternal abandonment, relationships that may appear abusive and that can cause triggers. Work intended for people over 18 years of age. Welcome! This book will be a little different from the previous ones, I ask that everyone who reads it, keep an open mind to understand that everything that happens is not tolerable. We will have some themes that may become triggers for some, and that is why I ask you to read the NOTICE that was left. Again, DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE. This will be my first Bully Romance and I hope to meet the expectations of all of you readers. I just have to thank you, for all your strength and motivation, and that's why I dedicate this book to you, my reader who always follows my growth, and to you who were interested in the story. Welcome if this is your first contact with any of my work! We will learn the story of Aaron Seed and Cadence Archeron.

ENEMIES TO LOVERS – AGE GAP (10 YEARS) – FORCED COEXISTENCE – PCD REPRESENTATIVITY – HOT SCENES “She didn’t represent anything he wanted, but she was everything he obsessively desired.” Michael Swartz is the richest banker in the country. A handsome, seductive, intelligent and well-connected man. At 33 years old, he has immeasurable wealth, high prestige and numerous women. Until a twist hits him like a wind hitting a house of cards. Counting on the help of the only woman who seems immune to his charm, Michael will need to adapt to the new reality or, otherwise, succumb to it. "My Arrogant Banker" is an intense adult romance, with explicit hot scenes. Indicative rating: 18 years old. PROLOGUE - "A Small Final Affront" MICHAEL SWARTZ The pungent smell of candles mixed with the cloying perfume of flowers grew more unpleasant by the minute. It was almost unbearable, and I couldn't wait to leave. But it had a good side. In the background, a soft voice filled the room, chanting "Insensatez" to my complete delight. I had handpicked the soundtrack for the wake. He hated Bossa Nova because he considered the style "too popular". That was the fun... That room playing only Tom Jobim, João Gilberto and Toquinho was a small final affront. Oh, why were you so weak? So heartless? Ah, my heart, whoever has never loved Does not deserve to be loved — My condolences. — Thank you — I replied for the hundredth time. Or thousandth? I lost count of how many times the simple dialogue was repeated that gray afternoon, with one variation or another. - My feelings. - Thanks. — Your father was a good man. Worthy. Exemplary. - Thanks. My mother had left many years before, causing everyone to come directly to me to offer condolences. The eldest son of the late banker Abraão Swartz. The luxurious coffin hovered like a tourist attraction in the adjacent hall, with hundreds of crestfallen people passing by it, amid prayers, laments and tears. And me? I didn't feel anything. Absolutely nothing. A huge emptiness ravaged my chest as I tried to search my memory for any memory that would live up to the "good", "worthy" and "exemplary" praise. —Thirty-three years, the age of Christ. What's it like to be the richest and youngest banker in the country? — Gabriel stopped next to me, an almost imperceptible smile on my twin's lips. Like me, Gab didn't care about the family's Judaism. “I haven't stopped to think about it yet,” I replied, smoothing my black suit, expelling any imaginary dust from the expensive fabric. — How not? Damn, Michael... Now that the old man is finally dead, the Swartz Bank is in his hands,” he whispered, nudging me with his elbow. Like me, Gab didn't give a damn about the dead man in the next room. Unlike us, our cousins ​​were tearful on one of the leather sofas, heads down, looking genuinely saddened by my father's death. I wouldn't judge them. The other Swartz did not receive the same "warm" attention that Abraham gave his children. In fact, few people knew about the cruel treatment given to Gab and, in particular, to me, throughout my childhood and adolescence. The firstborn. How I hated the word... "The old man is finally dead." Gabriel's sentence resonated like an echo, pulling me out of that pit of indifference and torpor, spreading waves of heat through my insides. Slow and sneaky like venomous snakes. — Cheer up... — insisted Gab. — Besides the position and the money, there’s one more reason to celebrate, brother

serving as an escape valve from this world that has become increasingly crazy. I'm currently writing the Born into the Mafia series, but there are several other stories running around in my head. Stay up to date with the latest news by following me on Instagram: @lunaoliveiraautora Kisses! Important notices! A Babysitter for the Cowboy Triplets is a unique book, a light cliché romance, in which, unlike my Mafia Born series books, the main characters are not involved in any illicit activities. The dramas that you will find in the plot will be linked to a nanny going crazy in order to control three nine-year-old boys, whose mission in life is to scare away all the nannies who approached them, all caused by a complex of maternal emotional abandonment. It's a romantic comedy, very fun, with breathtaking hot scenes. It has erotic content, therefore, it is recommended for people over eighteen years of age. The secondary characters, Jonh and Emily, will get their own book in the future, but I don't have a date for that release yet, as there are still other stories that will be written first. You will see a little bit of Lucrécia, Nando and Natasha from the book Minha Mexicana, because although this book is not part of the mafia universe that I created, all my characters, good citizens or not, live in the same universe in general, meeting between books, occasionally. That's it, I hope you enjoy reading and fall in love with my cowboy. Kisses! Synopsis Clara Mancini is Brazilian, the youngest of ten siblings, and a veterinary medicine student. She gets an exchange scholarship to study in Austin, Texas, and moves there. During the summer holidays, needing a temporary job to pay her bills, she ends up offering to be a nanny for three little pests, children of the cowboy, owner of Fazenda Olhos D'água. Sam Mackenzie needed a nanny to take care of his three sons, Jason, Jacob and Joshua, and when the agency's last nanny runs out of his farm after the boys stuck gum in her hair, Clara presents herself as the solution. of your problems, at least during the summer holidays. The triplets don't make it easy for Clara, but what they didn't expect is that at the trick school they studied, Clara had already been expelled for knowing too much. Between one prank and another, in this delicious romantic comedy, Clara wins not only the hearts of the triplets, but also the heart of the cowboy

womanizer, cynical and sarcastic, he is divorced and father of a little girl. After the separation he never got involved with any woman, he runs away from serious relationships like the devil on the cross. Valentine Messano is an orphaned and broken girl. She inherited her parents' small farm. She is alone in the world and hides the pain of grief through her tough personality. All she wants is to recover part of her father's land that fell into the hands of the Bertholo family. The problem is having to deal with the farmer who took over Valentine's father's land. Because in addition to being a police chief, he is also an aloof brute with a sharp tongue who uses his police power to try to get her back on track. To make matters worse, he is considered the city's sex symbol. In order not to lose a bet, however, Carlo proposes to Valentine that they pretend to be in love and dating and, in exchange for this, he will return the Messano lands. She agrees, risking falling in love with someone she should hate. But when police chief Carlo Bertholo discovers that Valentine is in danger, he will do anything to save her, risking his own life to protect her. 1 They walked away from everyone to start over. They left their lands to start a new life. They believed they would get rich, that they would enjoy comfort and a safe home for generations to come. That nothing else would shake them. Neither illness nor suffering nor insecurity nor uncertainty nor dilemma. They would inherit the land. And so, year after year, descendants, children, grandchildren would follow. There would be no doubt, they would continue the land's legacy until the end. Until the last one of them dies. It was their destiny. That's why they left their home. That was also why they transformed the small shack built in the middle of the woods into a good place to live. And that was the legacy they would leave for her, the only daughter, the heir. The one that was born with the destiny of continuing to keep alive the dream of the first of them, the dream of the pioneer. From her father. Who arrived in that land with nothing in his pockets. Only with hunger and despair. In front of the tomb of her parents, buried on the farm, Valentine observed with tears in her eyes the red plain, the charred bushes, the immense trees, the foams of clouds in the blue sky. So many living things around her, and she, faced with death, alone, the only heir, the legacy of the farm and the legacy of the family, the legacy of her blood that now depended solely on her. Before she died, her father said: There is more than these acres. Years ago, her mother got involved with another man and gave him land that was mine. Forgive me, daughter, we are not perfect. Her mother made a mistake, made a mistake, I didn't give her the attention she deserved. In fact, I was the one who made the mistake. But the lands she gave away, I want them back. A kingdom could not remain fragmented. Valentine no longer had her family, and it was her father's deathbed request that kept her company every day since she lost them. Now, at twenty-three, she was determined to fulfill her father's last wish. She would have her lost lands back. *** The earth slipped through her fingers and fell slowly like a delicate rain of dry grains. The manager managed the medium-sized property and the cowboys handled the cattle. Valentine, therefore, didn't work, didn't move a straw, didn't get his long fingernails dirty with dirt. But the time had come to face his father's rival. In fact, with his adopted son. Nothing would make her give up on taking back the land her mother gave to her lover.

the eyes are sucked into the pit of hell, since upon catching a glimpse of his soul, that of the unwary is lost. At 41, the widower and father of a baby is a wounded, vengeful and violent man. Years ago, his parents and little brother were murdered by land thieves. He was born to bring chaos and destruction, but also to profit and enrich himself, piling up money stained with white powder. He is an international drug trafficker who uses his farm as a front for his illicit businesses. During a storm, the farm's barn is invaded by a thin and frightened figure. Mariana is a homeless woman who fled her hometown because of her stepfather's attempts at sexual harassment and her mother's passivity. A misunderstanding causes Romeo to believe that Mariana is a boy and ends up giving her a job on the farm. An unexpected friendship emerges between them. However, when Romeo discovers the truth, that Mariana is a girl, his anger gives way to an intense feeling that turns into obsession. He desires her furiously and possessively, wanting the sweet virgin in his bed, but on her terms. He will make her beg to have him. More than that, Romeo will start a war to protect the girl rejected by everyone except him, the man who will build an altar to venerate her. An altar surrounded by walls and protected by armed gunmen. Because he refuses to let her go. Chapter 1 The open clearing around the dense forest was illuminated by the moonlight and the headlights of pickup trucks. The heavy, humid air hung over the men gathered there. Nature camouflaged them under the wide and vast crowns of trees with gnarled trunks, the foliage intertwined like spider webs. The sound of their voices mixed with the noise of nocturnal animals. Shadows spread here and there like specters in solemn expectation. Romeo was the last man to get out of the pickup. Every time he left the farm to resolve a pending matter, the earth shook beneath the feet of those who had unwittingly forced him to leave beyond the barbed wire fence of his stud farm. Dry leaves groaned beneath the leather boots, the worn soles also crushed twigs, some of them stained with blood, they crunched human bones from shallow graves dug years ago. Romeo stood before the three men dressed in frayed shirts, worn jeans, and worn-out boots. The overgrown hair, the unkempt beards, the sun-baked skin. All of them, without exception, with their heads down, shoulders hunched, humble and finished. Spreading his legs apart, he assumed a position of dominance, but he did so only to absorb the moment, the bonds of tension, the smell of fear, a mixture of dried sweat and fresh urine. Piss stains on the pants of one and the other, certainly, of the most lucid, of those who knew what happened when Romeo emerged from the darkness of his own life. Wherever he went, chaos accompanied him. Chaos and shadows. The abyss and the bitterness.

Geraniums. They were her favorite flowers. I used to like giving you flowers. She liked it, because she smiled the same way a little girl would smile when she received the most awaited Christmas gift. The arrangement was always on Fridays, when we could go out for dinner after I got home from the company, or when we just stayed at home, enjoying the things we were achieving as my uncle's company, where I worked, was rising in the market. It was a shame that he was no longer by my side to see everything I had achieved. It had been five years since she left. So young, so beautiful. I still remembered how I received the news, how I swore my heart would never beat again. I was in the company, of course. As always happened in recent times, and our biggest reason for arguments. Not exactly fights, but arguments. Isis didn't want a rich husband, she wanted a present man. When we met, we were just law students, idealistic and wanting a better world. In fact, she was a little disappointed when I abandoned the idea of ​​becoming a public defender to help my uncle in his construction material company, which had started with a few small stores and had become one of the biggest brands in the industry. It was never my dream, but I was a recent graduate and newlywed, wanting to start a family. We lived in a thirty-five square meter apartment, all falling apart, and I was ambitious. My uncle's proposal for me to help him fell from the sky while I was studying for competitive exams. Isis passed hers, and I fell behind, because I never had time to study. More than that, I started to enjoy what I was doing with my uncle and wanted to stay. I helped him with contracts with partners, suppliers, in almost everything. He had no children, just two nephews of exactly the same age – me, who was his older brother's son, and my cousin, who was his sister's son –, and we both became his right-hand men. And it was exactly for Isis's dream that I lost her. She actually went into the public defender's office, took the case of a poor man, who was accused of killing his boss, and was murdered because she beat him. A shot to the chest is what took her from me. Murdered. The word still seemed too unreal to me. It wasn't the kind of thing that happened to two normal people. With two people who loved each other and had plans for a future. That they were planning to have children and... No – I interrupted my thoughts myself. We could talk about it, but I knew it would take some time. Even though we were both thirty-two, my life was too focused on work to have room for anything other than Isis. And even her, I knew I was neglecting. I never got a chance to apologize to you for that. I never got a chance to say goodbye. Standing in front of her tombstone, with the damn geraniums in my hands, I couldn't even cry. It had been a while since my tears seemed to have dried up. And I hadn't been to the cemetery for a while, but it was her birthday, and I never missed it on that date. April 30th. Five years ago it was the worst day of the year for me. The one about her death too, but her birthday... she loved it. She liked to celebrate, whether with all her friends – and she had many – or just with me, at a romantic dinner. On the day of her death, he had fallen on a Friday. The flowers I bought, as our tradition, were never delivered, because she was killed in the underground parking lot of a building, where she had gone to visit a client's wife. That was how her story ended. Our history. I placed the flowers on the grave, in silence. What could I say? She wasn't there. It was just a grave, with the remains of what my wife once was. I crouched down, just to play her name, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. I spent a few moments there and was already walking towards the exit when my phone rang in my pocket. It was Fernando

Why are you talking to me?" I met Waylynn Jennings when I started working for the rodeo circuit as a bullfighter. A bullfighter was the crazy man who chased bulls around the rodeo arena when the riders fell off the bull or jumped when they completed their ride. To keep the bull rider safe, the bullfighter would then get the bull's attention to ensure the rider could exit the arena without harm. That's where Waylynn's father, Jude, came in. Jude was a six-foot-two powerhouse who could run like the wind. He took me under his wing and showed me the ropes when I was just a kid looking to make money. And after eight years as a bullfighter, I could finally see the end on the horizon. I originally took the job as a bullfighter because it paid a good amount of money. So I kept the job because it made me money, it worked well with my schedule at Valentine Ranch, and I could choose where I wanted to go and when I wanted to work. Which was a necessity when it came to going to college full time. Which led me to meet Waylynn for the first time. Jude Jennings brought his daughter, Waylynn, with him to her first rodeo. At the time, Waylynn didn't like being there. Her mother and Jude had recently divorced and she had been a bitter bitch to anyone who showed her any kindness. And I, who didn't really care who she was, hadn't shown her the slightest bit of attention when she was around. Which, in turn, angered her even more. Now, eight years later, she still had chutzpah when it came to getting me in trouble. To make matters worse, she even started going to the same damn school as me. Attending the same damn classes. Honestly, I wasn't sure if she started the classes because of me and wanted to annoy me even more, or because she really wanted to be an architectural engineer. Whatever the reason, to this day she still didn't like every bone in my body. And I thought she was the hottest thing I'd ever seen. Even though I never acted on the feelings she invoked in me. “I'm talking to you because I know this bothers you,” she said. I grimaced. "What are you talking about?" I asked. Kasey came out of the back room with the phone to her ear and her bank bag in her hands. She looked like she had swallowed a lemon. “Sure, that’s fine,” Kasey said, holding out her seat bag to me. "Here." I took it, offered Kasey a smile, and turned to leave the coffee shop. Kasey mumbled something under her breath as we left that she sounded suspiciously like 'fucking idiot', but I didn't turn around to be sure. “She’s sweet,” Waylynn said. “What did you do to her to piss her off?” I mumbled something under my breath and turned left onto the main street, the road where the bank was, and started walking quickly. It was a vain attempt to get Waylynn to stop following me. Did not work. She just sped up. "What was that?" she repeated, easily keeping pace alongside me. Thinking it wouldn't hurt for her to know, I decided to tell her. “We met when I came back to Kilgore,” I said. “I was in a bad time. I did some bad shit. Fucking around. Kasey was with me most of the time. When I was finally able to get back to normal, Kasey had to go. I broke up with her and went to college right after that.” Waylynn hummed in understanding. “So you pissed her off because she was in love with you and you broke up with her,” she guessed. “And now, you have to see her every day, and she's still in love with you.” I had no idea if that was the case or not. I knew she didn't like me very much, though. “I have no idea,” I said as I made my way to the bank door. “But I don’t see her every day.” When I opened it, I wasn't surprised to find her still beside me. She stood next to me as I began filling out a deposit slip and counting the money she would deposit for Desi and Candy. “That’s a lot of money,” Waylynn said. “I…” “Hands up!” I felt my heartbeat slow and looked over my shoulder at the man who had just walked through the bank's front door. I felt like a fucking idiot for not charging today. Normally, I keep it.

Distributed Release Upcoming I fell in love with your rope skills. I stayed because, somehow, he took my heart and made it his. Callum Valentine didn't want to listen. So again? When a man is calling a woman fat in front of your desk, it's kind of hard not to intervene. Especially when the prettiest creature in town is called fat. Desi just wants to be left alone. After an ugly divorce, she thinks she is free. So her ex takes it upon herself to continue making her life miserable, giving Desi no choice but to take it or leave. In fact, her bags were almost packed when Callum stuck his nose into the most embarrassing spectacle the town of Kilgore had ever witnessed. The moment he declares her his and off limits, everything changes, and definitely not for the better. As if things couldn't get any worse than being called a pitiful, fat heifer in front of the hottest man she's ever seen, Callum has to go and say she's his, and they have to play a game she doesn't have. sure you want to be playing. But before her eyes, things change. And suddenly the rules of the game are not clear. And they're crossing boundaries that none of them see coming. Chapter 1 Why does chocolate need to make you fat? Why can't celery make you fat? - Desi Desidara's Secret Thoughts Dragging divorces. What's more boring than seeing your ex-husband date the woman he cheated on you with? Or, more precisely, being there. Although he didn't see me, thank God. I look down at my lap, hoping beyond hope that if I don't maintain eye contact, that means he won't...but I should have known better. Mal Stevens and Marjorie Christmas are idiots. If they could find a way to make my life harder than it needs to be, they would. Even worse, they would embarrass me if they could. That is, when they walk, they torture me mercilessly. “Well, hello, Desi-Massa,” I hear my recently divorced ex-husband practically scoff. Desi-Massa. God, if there was a way to exclude one word from human language, it would be the word 'mass'. About a year and a half into our marriage, when I started to gain weight, Mal started using creative and inventive words to remind me that I wasn't six anymore. Even worse, he shared these words with his now-girlfriend, who is also delighted every time she uses the word and I recoil. I slowly look up, I know what I will find when I do. Mal's cruel gaze focuses solely on me. “Hi, Mal,” I say softly. "How can I help?" His lips lift into a sneer. “You can help me by telling my father that you no longer need money.” My eyebrows rise. “I can't,” I say. “If I don’t have money from you, I can’t pay for the house, and you know it.” A payment on the house he forced me to buy. A house payment that, if I could, I would give up in a heartbeat. The only problem is, no one in their goddamn mind wants to buy two thousand acres and a ten thousand square foot house. Hell, I don't even know why the hell I agreed to buy it, but here I am, up to my eyeballs in debt, with a slim chance in hell of unloading a house I neither want nor need. “Yes,” he scoffs. “You keep telling yourself that. And I will continue to write checks every month for ridiculous reasons.” He pauses. “I hope you like next month’s check.” I grimace, not knowing what to say to that. “Do you want to know why?” Marjorie practically laughs. No, I don't. I have a feeling they are going to share the information with me whether they agree or not. So I just sit there, patiently waiting for them to ruin my day even more. “Oh, she doesn’t look happy, Mal.” Marjorie laughs. I want to punch her in the throat, with the hand that still has the tan from my wedding ring. Too bad I hadn't said ring yet, otherwise I was sure to rub it in her face. At this point, I'm truly okay with Mal. The only problem is that Mal thinks I'm still swayed by him. Honestly, I'm not. I am upset. Angry that I wasted a year of my life dating him, and two years of my life married to him. Even more, I wished I hadn't thought he'd be a good father when I first saw him with his nephew. If I was being honest, it was Mal's nephew who first caught my attention. He was two years old and wore boots, a cowboy hat and spurs. He was riding a horse and fell. I, being an educational person by nature, had gone to help the little cowboy. And that cowboy stole my heart, along with his uncle about ten seconds later. Unfortunately for me, I didn't realize that his uncle was the player that he is. I also hadn't realized what kind of spoiled brat he was either.

the cumulus. Come on, you are the only son he has, be the best in his final moments of life, they told me. Your nurse, to be exact. The kind and patient woman who has been taking care of the old man these past three years. They will tell me, she is a professional, she is paid for this. She is paid for this, but she has a lot of professionals who beat the old people they are paid to take care of. Returning to the crux of the whole mess, I went there. I took a breath a few minutes ago and entered my father's room. He was there, lying on that huge bed, looking obviously sick, with his eyes heavy, half-open, without having the strength to even keep them fully open. Okay. I sat on the edge of his bed, he tried to smile, which was a strange and chilling scene. I didn't feel sorry, I felt goosebumps. But I went, I asked myself to be a good son during his last moments as I was advised. — Hi, dad — I said, half automatically. It's not like I consider the word "father" very symbolic. It's almost like calling a lady "ma'am." It's automatic. - Wanted to see me? He gave a small sigh that made him cough sharply and again, chilling, I even glanced at the door to shout to Tina, his nurse, if necessary; but the old man recovered and tried to laugh. No comments for the attempt. I felt like I was in Saw 3, one of the films that Lucy, my writer friend's wife, forced us to watch once. — You're a good son, Nathan — were the old man's first words, which didn't surprise me. If we're going to make a list of what it means to be a good son nowadays, I really am. I haven't killed anyone, I've never been arrested, I've never hit a woman, I've never taken drugs, I've never been the rebellious type who creates chaos because my father is rich, nor am I vengeful either; I just sometimes drink a little too much, and I lived with some disturbed friends when I was younger. But that didn't even make me a bad son. Besides, I didn't make excuses for my ok with taking over the old man's place after he quits. “Thank you,” I replied, believing those were the words of a man who knew his impending hour. The bell was going to ring announcing his turn in the line of the dead at any moment. So I asked again: — Did you ask to see me? The answer took a long time to come. He was silent and still for almost too long. So long that I thought, for a second, that he had died. Creepy again. But he spoke. “I've always wanted grandchildren,” he said, almost making me laugh. But I controlled myself. — I always wanted you to be happy, in the way I wasn't. Conversation! There are final moments like that. The old man had a model next to him every month, this always appeared in magazines and on Instagram; Just tell me: how was he not happy? — My last wish in life — he continued — is to see you married. I would like more than anything to see you happy with a good woman by your side. I don't want to die knowing that my failed marriage to your mother may have messed you up. Nathan, you are a good son - he repeated. — I want to see you happy and, I tell you, from my experience...

One of the city's biggest businessmen, Henry Bueno, collects enemies wherever he goes and is used to having women throw themselves into his arms. At thirty-five, he has a rule not to engage with or hire single mothers as his secretaries, as he believes they are trouble magnets and never put work first. With a degree in administration, Vitória did not hesitate to accept the first job opening that came up. Executive secretary, she needs to juggle work and her five-year-old daughter. Everything was going well, until her boss, from one day to the next, fired her for a futile reason. She hates him and doesn't hide it from anyone. He “seems” to agree with this feeling. But how can you keep the rules when your body reacts to the unknown? Is it possible for love to be born between clashes and arguments? PROLOGUE I don't usually care about this intuitive nonsense, but the moment I found out my secretary had a son, I should have dismissed her. If I had done that, I wouldn't be on the verge of collapsing right now. It's not just a fucking meeting, it's something we've been planning for months, after all, we're about to close a million-dollar contract and I don't have the necessary documents because my dear secretary told me at the last minute that she wouldn't be able to go to work. , because your brat woke up sick. If she had informed me in advance, she could have found a way to organize all the documents and even ask someone from the board to help me. She didn't answer my dozens of calls, I searched her entire desk and couldn't find the folder with the necessary documents. Result? I had to postpone the meeting, this is terrible for our image. I walk to the minibar in my living room and grab a shot of very strong cachaça, at that moment, I need alcohol in my blood. I drink the liquid that burns down my throat. Angrily, I throw the glass at the wall next to the door, which opens seconds later. ─ Damn, were you trying to kill me? ─ João enters, looking at the broken glass on the floor. ─ What happened to take your anger out on the poor glass? ─ The meeting with that multinational company had to be postponed. ─ Why? ─ Because Larissa didn't come to work, she's not answering her fucking cell phone and I have no idea where she put the folder with the documents that were supposed to be shared with them. ─ I unbutton my suit, sitting down in my chair. ─ There was no way to do it without these documents? ─ No, all the important information that would make a difference in the negotiations was in them. I can't believe all this shit is happening, something tipped me off about hiring her but I was innocent and ignored my intuition. ─ There must have been an emergency, she has been working with you for months and I don't remember you commenting on any problems ─ he says thoughtfully, sitting down in front of me. ─ I received a message from her informing me that her son woke up sick in the morning, so she was going to take him to the emergency room and wouldn't be able to come to work. If only I had been warned in advance..

Love is in small attitudes. Look, smile, understand and care. Davi Blanc's future position as CEO is threatened by his own father and the partners of Fábrica Blanc, because he is single. With no intention of getting married until he takes over the family business, as he couldn't bear the idea of ​​being like his father and not having time for his partner, Davi acts on impulse so as not to lose the position to someone else, he invades the interview room of her company and makes an unusual proposal to a candidate. At the height of her youth, the dreamy and hard-working girl just wanted to enjoy life. Aline was just nineteen when she became pregnant. Despite the circumstances, the girl accepted her destiny and when her baby turned five months old she decided to take a different path in life, after all, she was a single mother. It was supposed to be a common job interview at the Blanc Chocolate Factory, but she was surprised with a frightening offer: Accepting to be Davi Blanc's wife. However, the relationship is put in check when one of the partners becomes suspicious of the setup they have gotten into, threatening Davi's position as CEO. But he shows that what was supposed to be a marriage of convenience ended up turning into love. PROLOGUE I've always wondered if our lives are destined to happen a certain way since we were born or if the outcome of our future is based on our choices. Talking about destiny is complicated, because we will always insist that our life is the result of what we choose. Now, looking at the still sealed pregnancy test, with my heart beating desperately in my chest, already knowing that it will be positive, even though my period is only a day late, I mentally ask myself if this pregnancy is part of my destiny since Was I born or was it the result of an inconsequential choice? I feel my eyes filling with tears. Everything in my life seemed to be going wrong. Being pregnant was just one of the problems she would have to face. And look, he had turned nineteen exactly a month ago. ─ Take this test soon, Aline. ─ I face Márcia, my friend who is there to give me strength in this desperate moment. do you know what is funny? Many people have the courage to open their mouths and say that during sex, no one remembers the problems. I want to know who remembers the problems when we are at the height of pleasure? Who's going to remember anything, whether good or bad, when you're fucking good? Ah, to hell with the world. Screw people. The body is mine. It's my life, my problems are mine. And the only one who solves everything is me. I wipe the tears running down my face and take a deep breath before getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom. Telling my mother won't be a very easy task, especially since I came to live with her two days before my birthday, just because I was angry with my father, for leaving my stepmother and finding another girlfriend in less than two weeks. It's the first time I've done this kind of thing, so I follow all the steps in the exam box.

the two of us, as he was very cunning. And he played dirty. After he proposed to Lara, I decided to leave Brazil, it wouldn't do me any good to see the woman I secretly loved marrying another man. Destroyed, I decided it was better this way. I lived in Los Angeles and had a small photography studio, it was the profession I loved, I was passionate about art, during these years living here, I made a fortune. But, in Brazil, my father had a construction company, which Fernando ran, but I found out from my mother that it was already on the verge of bankruptcy. As soon as I was notified about her death, I returned to Brazil immediately, since our mother only had the two of us, and now she only had me. When I found out about her death, my heart hurt, I felt her loss, it was a piece of me that was gone forever, I called the family lawyer, informed him about what happened, and asked for help. I wanted to know more about the accident, although, knowing Fernando, he must have run the light. We were twins, but so different from each other, not only in appearance, but in personality as well. Fernando was blond, and I was dark-skinned, but we had the same blue eye color. As our family members said, one was the spitting image of his father; another, from the mother. Since our first anniversary, competitiveness began between us and most of it was on his part, Fernando cried over everything and, of course, that meant he got everything he wanted. He was smart and got away with everything he messed up when we were teenagers. And, when we reached adulthood, he was considered by people close to him as the evil twin, when our father passed away, he left him as president of the construction company, because Fernando, from a young age, was involved in the family business and was engaged to the woman he was with. I was in love, of course he knew, I had opened my heart to our mother, and he certainly listened. Fernando was like that, he wanted everything I wanted, when he couldn't get it, he took the force. Despite everything, Lara fell in love with him. And somehow I accepted it, but something inside me never accepted it. I admitted that I lost and accepted my defeat. I looked at the storm that would soon hit. After a few words from the priest, I felt my mother's hand squeeze mine as she sobbed quietly, I raised my gaze and saw Lara with moistened eyes, her expression was closed, after looking at me, she lowered her head, she was alone in a corner. Her slender body in a black dress, her pale hands holding her rosary, the engagement ring on her finger did not go unnoticed; She and Fernando already lived together before they even got married, I looked at her and remembered the first time I saw her. It was the birthday of a mutual friend we had, in the middle of the party, we were introduced; While talking, I asked her out, but she told me she already had a boyfriend; at the same time, Fernando arrived at the party. I'm sure she was embarrassed, because he showed it off, wanting to show me that once again he was the winner. After the coffin was lowered into the grave, we said goodbye, my mother got in the car and I said goodbye to her. I looked around looking for Lara, I saw her walking slowly with her cell phone in her hand, I walked quickly and caught up with her. She noticed me approaching and stopped, looking at me. — Lara, hi! — I saluted, stopping in front of her.

Pedro is a lonely man, who just got out of a complicated relationship and was determined not to get involved with anyone else, especially seeing his ex-girlfriend with another man . But everything changes when he saves a resident who was being attacked in the back of the hospital and ends up taking care of her. But at the request of his friend Alejandro, he ends up approaching Amanda, whose memory of the night she was attacked has been affected. But fate surprises him, when in the midst of the care, he ends up discovering feelings for her, a resident. It was after 3am when I opened my wallet and took out a cigarette, before walking out of the hospital to relax. I had attended to two children today, who were in critical condition, and at the end of the day the bill was always left for me, as I feel emotionally damaged, shaken, by situations like this. At this time, although the hospital was still full of patients, the parking lot was the only place here where I could smoke without being disturbed, but that was what I thought, until I saw Jenny's car enter the parking lot as soon as I lit up. the cigarette. Our eyes met for a split second before she looked away. Even from a distance you could see that she was accompanied, the tattooed arm next to her was easy to notice, the line for her had already moved. I put out the cigarette and walked to the other side, just so I wouldn't have to see her walking into the hospital hand in hand with her new partner. Well, be happy, right? She is an incredible woman, she deserved the world, not me. I entered the furthest part of the hospital and lit my cigarette. Exactly two days ago, smoking was the only thing I did, what I used to do just for fun is now becoming my companion for solitude. I took two drags on my cigarette and looked at the very few stars in the sky. In just under two hours the sun would rise and I would complete my 32 hours on duty. At least once a month, I did this. It was a way to feel less alone, working. A faint scream sounded from the other side of the alley, in the dark part, and I ran inside looking for who it was. — Is there anyone there? — I shouted, searching. Two shadows catch my attention, a tall and strong one that cornered the smaller shadow, it looked like a woman. Another scream sounded again, this time more muffled by the larger shadow's hand. I threw my cigarette on the ground and ran over there to help. - Hey, what are you doing? — I shouted as I approached them. The man acted quickly when he saw me, threw the woman towards the rubble and ran. — Come back here, you bastard! A light reflected on his shoulder, allowing me to notice the color of his hair, but the woman's groan stopped me from going after him. I stopped next to her and held her, she was bleeding a lot from her head. - Are you well? — Even though we saw very little of her, you could see how hurt she was. She moaned in response, making me worry. - Bastard! — I looked around for help, but found nothing — Come, I'll help you. I took the woman in my arms and ran into the hospital as quickly as I could, Jenny was still at the reception when I came in screaming for help. — A stretcher, please!!! The hospital staff were quick and managed to take her to the emergency room quickly, but the blood that was flowing from her head worried me. While the emergency room doctor evaluated her, I did the same. The cut on her head was superficial, but she moaned every time she cleaned it. Luckily, it wasn't anything serious, despite the amount of blood she lost. — Doctor, can you come here for a moment? — One of the nurses called me. I walked towards her. — Of course, did something happen? — I started to remove my gloves while I listened to him. — Sir, this girl is one of our residents — I looked at her carefully — I will have to inform the director that someone attacked her. My gaze fell on the woman lying on the stretcher, still moaning in pain. She is a resident. This information surprised me, since I had never seen it around here

When you hear some phrases constantly, you start to attach it to your own thoughts, often becoming an absolute truth. “Life is too short to spend it suffering” or “she wouldn’t want to see you happy” were some that I had absorbed for myself. I had gone through grief five years ago, and for at least three, everyone said the same thing, that it was time to get over what happened. Maybe it would be easy for everyone to say that, but only those who suffered knew the time needed to start improving in relation to that. But after they insisted so much, there I was, living my singleness intensely for two years. — Hey, Beto, look at that couple — I nudged my cousin who was next to me at the bar and pointed to two women in a corner of the club who were talking. — Beautiful, but we have to see if they are accompanied... — We can find out about this up close. — I slapped his shoulder with the back of my fingers and started pulling him towards the pair who were talking. — Hello. — I raised the bottle I was holding, in greeting. — I saw you on the other side, and I thought I could offer you a drink. I looked at the fingers of the two women, who were without a ring, and I smiled even wider at them. It was my lucky day. — Of course you can, dear — the blonde, who seemed to be taller than the other, gave a little wink and a sideways smile, full of mischief. I purposely bumped my shoulder into Beto, to celebrate the girls we had found, but he didn't seem very happy. — And why are two hotties like you in a club alone? — I brought the bottle to my mouth as soon as I asked the question. — We hadn't found anyone we liked yet. I glanced at Beto who was starting to talk to the other woman, dark-skinned, very pretty too. My cousin could sometimes be a bit grim, and I had to be firmer when pushing him towards someone, but I believed that with that one, he would do well. - And you? I could be with some if I wanted... — Oh, I've already been with one tonight, it was fun — I gave her a sideways smile, provocative in the way I knew they liked. — So you're one of those celebrities who pretends to be a club stud... — she also brought her own bottle to her mouth, looking at me sideways, with a very exaggerated intention of seducing. — Some people consider me that way, but I would say I'm a free person, that's all. - I like people like that. — She ran her tongue around the mouth of the bottle as she looked at me. I wouldn't judge the way she used to get a look, but that a few years ago wouldn't have made me excited to talk to her at all. But as they say, time changes people, and there I was giving her a sideways smile, being – or pretending to be – seduced by her move. — So, do you want to dance? — I pointed to the dance floor, where several people were jumping to a beat where it was impossible to distinguish the lyrics from the song. She accepted and we went to the dance floor, leaving our bottles on the bar counter. The music was engaging and even hot, especially when I had a hot woman like that dancing for me.

Yago has everything he ever wanted: success, money and a considerable turnover of women in his bed. At just twenty-one years old, the boy still has a lot to enjoy. However, a surprise of fate will throw his life off track: A child inside a basket with a note saying that the child is his. Júlia works as a production assistant to pay for her nutrition studies. The last thing she expected was to take care of a baby along the way. However, as soon as the toothless smile opens and the little fingers close around hers, Julia knows that she won't be able to turn her back and leave the most clumsy father in history to take care of the child alone. She will just need to keep her heart out of the game, after all, the child is not hers, much less the handsome, womanizing father. CHAPTER 1 | YAGO I accelerate my drumsticks to reach the peak of the song. Melissa continues spewing the lyrics in the most intense way possible. The girl is awesome in every way. It was the best choice to bring her into the band seven years ago. Nicolas was the only one reticent about it, but I know that even he agrees that she brought that extra something that everyone said was missing. The Dawn Giants are badass. With a movement of my head, I toss my hair to the side so that it ends up falling into my eyes and I slow down, as the beat demands. Everyone does the same and the sound drops, leaving only Melissa's voice in evidence to close with a flourish. I stretch my back and watch Nic and Ramon do the same. Seven shows in four days. We're moving at a frantic pace, and I'm definitely not complaining. This is the future I always wanted. I put down my drumsticks to grab the water bottle and drink the entire contents in one go. I throw the packaging on the floor, without really caring, and a little blonde, wearing a huge headset, comes out from behind the side curtain, walking low to where I am with two full bottles in her hand. Now is the time for Mel to interact with the audience, so no one is paying attention to her. Except me. The jeans hug the slim waist. The inclined position makes me see her round, appetizing breasts peeking through the V-neck of her tight white shirt. I look up, seeing long, blonde hair tied up and hidden by the production equipment on her head. I forget where I am and my focus is only on her. When she's up close, I notice that she doesn't wear makeup, and yet she's beautiful. — Hi, kitten. — I put on my best smile, happy to have just chosen my company for the night. I try not to get involved with anyone in the production, after all, women are like gum, and traveling with me can be a problem, but, for this blonde, I will make an exception. However, her reaction is not what I was expecting. She looks at me, rolls her eyes and returns her attention to the floor, completely ignoring me. The girl exchanges the empty packaging for the full one, turns around and continues walking low, quickly disappearing from my field of vision. How have I never seen her before? Which is no surprise, we have a powerful band here, and for that, the production behind it is enormous. We are always renewing those who can't take the hassle. This must be new to the team and with a boyfriend. Certainty. After all, in recent years, I've realized that it's very difficult for a single woman not to surrender to my smiles. That's why she didn't return my greeting. I don't mess with compromised ones. I leave these rolls to Ramon. — Do you want more? — Mel shouts, and the crowd goes crazy, which makes my attention return to the right place: the show. — It's hot in here, isn't it? — She rips off her fucking blouse, leaving her with an almost transparent bra. Holy shit! She's doing it again. My eyes fly to Nic. I know he doesn't approve of our vocalist's

Do you want to read a little of a new story by the author? Chapter One Five Years Later Chapter Two Did you like this story? Continue reading by clicking here> https://amzn.to/46wdoSs Acknowledgments About the Author Dedication Dedicated to João Paulo, Larah and all the Marias. Synopsis A widowed father marked by losses. A girl in debt who agrees to be a contract bride. Italo Brandão was known as the Wheat Baron. What he had in money he lacked in patience. Authoritarian, he remained at work or secluded in his mansion and barely dedicated time to his daughter. Betina had a streak of bad luck. With her company bankrupt and full of debt, she had to move. When packing her things she found a photo of her rich godfather and on the back a message that said: when you need me, look for me. She needed it... a lot. She gathered up her courage and traveled, but discovered that the man had died and that the one in charge of the business in her place was his rude, arrogant son, scarred by life and devoid of empathy, who sent her away without even listening to her. . Destiny takes its turns and even though his immeasurable fortune could buy any woman, Ítalo needed Betina's help and decided to propose a deal: pretending to be his bride for a month, in exchange he would give her the amount needed to leave. What the Baron didn't count on was that with coexistence, feelings and truths hidden by time would make the positions reverse. Chapter one Betina — A toast to my misfortune. — I raised the glass to the waiter who was looking at me sideways and cleaning the counter a few meters away. The handsome man, who didn't seem to know how to act, gave me a shake of his head and pursed his lips in what resembled an awkward smile. I downed the glass of tequila and the drink went down, doing the job I was looking for when I entered that bar in the middle of the afternoon: to make me numb. What decadence! The employees seemed to still be starting to prepare for the night shift and I was already feeling drunk, lonely, broke and sad. A mixture that never worked out very well. My eyes filled with tears that I clumsily wiped away and pulled down my gray pencil skirt, which perfectly matched the expensive white shirt I was wearing. I was only twenty-seven years old and before that terrible afternoon, I had a lot of money to buy those clothes, as well as a lot of success with my finances and investments, but that wasn't how I saw myself at that moment. My company went bankrupt. Before becoming that failed woman, I owned a chain of clothing stores. I started with little and in two years, with a lot of work and the right choices, I became big, but I had to close one by one to pay for my mother's expensive treatment... which was of no use. A week ago she had left and left me an orphan, in addition to struggling to keep me after closing the last store. It was a rapid rise in business and an equally slight fall

Now listen, Shay. You have to promise me. No more being depressed, okay? It's my birthday. The least you can do is act like you’re having fun.” Chelsea pushes me through the entrance of the chic Beverly Hills hotel bar, her hand on my elbow and her head tilted toward me. Jen and Angel are ahead of us. The three are dressed to the nines, with stiletto heels, colorful clothes and teased hair. They look fantastic. A flock of flamingos looking for single men. I'm the crow of the group, all in black and with a sense of humor to match. I'm only here because we're celebrating Chelsea's birthday. If it were up to me, I would be at home, in bed, with the covers pulled over my head. The things we do for our friends. “I’m having fun,” I lie happily. “That club we just left was so fun.” She squeezes my elbow. “Maybe you should say that to your face. That smile is tragic. Stop thinking about the idiot. Hearing the nickname she gave my ex, I shudder. “Please don’t call him that.” “He deserves to be called much worse. Stop defending him. And every time you miss him, remember there are plenty of fish in the sea.” “Do you know what else is in abundance in the sea? Trash." “Listen, the only way to get over a man is to get over a new one. That will fix things. “I need a new man like I need a cockroach infestation.” She cackles in disapproval. “Don't let one bad apple turn you away from the whole apple tree. You'll find Mr. Right eventually. In the meantime, let's find Mr. Well Endowed so you can let off some steam. We follow Jen and Angel, entering the lounge. Outside, it's a typical Los Angeles summer night, the air balmy, the palm trees swaying and the stars twinkling, but here it's cool and dark. All of the city's upscale hotel bars have the same intimate, night-lit atmosphere. candles. It's as perfect for a negotiation meeting between studio executives as it is for a couple of married lovers to have a cocktail before retiring to their room. What's different about this place – and the reason Chelsea chose it – is that has a reputation for being the hangout for the richest men in town. If I've heard it from her once, I've heard it a thousand times: “It's just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as it is with a poor one.” She might be looking for love , but I'm looking for peace of mind. My ex was hell for my sanity. I look back at the dark-haired man in the booth against the wall. He's still looking at me. The hunger in his gaze makes my heart beat faster. When he licks his full lips, a small shiver of desire runs through my body. But I look away and flip my hair over my shoulder. The last thing I need right now is the attention of a hot stranger who seems to be the cause of many women's therapy bills. I already have my own demons to deal with. I don't need another one. Cole he brunette is interesting. T Not because she's pretty, although she is. But there are a million beautiful girls in this city. Los Angeles is known for its beautiful women. What makes her interesting is the way she behaves.