Samantha Anderson has been cautious over men after her boyfriend cheated on her, but things have changed when Phoenix comes into the picture. A cocky, confident, and relentless businessman Phoenix Williams comes back to the town he swore not to revisit-and that type of man Sam despised. Surprisingly, the same qualities draw Phoenix closer to her. He also treats her like a princess. But like most relationships, there are always ups and downs-their relationships tested by their pasts-the past that brings them closer, and the same past can change their lives forever.
SAM
Mom looks at my direction and smiles when she notices me approaching. "Morning, sweetie. I didn't hear you came home last night. I must be in a deep sleep when you arrived, " Mom says, pouring coffee into my mug.
"I'm sorry, mom. It was Amy's birthday party last night. I couldn't come home early because I carpooled with Maya and Garrett." I take my plate of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and two strips of bacon she offers.
She hands me a cup of coffee. "You didn't mention to me about going to a birthday party, sweetie. You also forgot to send me a message." She looks at me with her famous worried look.
I sit on the stool of our small kitchen counter and start sipping my coffee. "Yeah, you worry too much. Did forget I'm twenty-one and not a twelve anymore? Don't you have duty tonight?"
I munch my breakfast quickly. I only have twenty minutes to get to the coffee shop where I work as a part-time waitress.
"I have. I'll be here in the morning. We can have a movie marathon." Mom's duty at the general hospital as an ER nurse makes it difficult for us to catch up every day.
I roll my eyes. "Yeah. We can have a movie marathon while you're snoring on the couch."
Mom works hard to let me go to college. She took all the responsibility since Dad died in a car accident when I was fifteen. Mom didn't even date anyone and just focused on her work and me.
Dad worked as a bank clerk in a local bank in town. He was the best father I could ever wish for, but unfortunately, he was taken away from me by a tragic car accident. His car hit the tree when he was trying to avoid hitting someone who crossed the road-he was confirmed dead on arrival.
"You, silly, you always chose a boring movie, all they did were killing each other. Who will enjoy watching that kind of movie? It's too violent for me."
I roll my eyes again, stand up, and take the empty plate and mug with me to the kitchen sink. I love action movies while Mom loves drama.
"Your choice of movie is more boring, mom. If not dying of cancer, a husband cheated on her. So dramatic. I won't waste my tears for sappy movies like that."
She laughs and shakes her head-Mom is funny. She's not only my mother but also my best friend.
I go up to my bathroom to brush my teeth, re-coat my mascara, and wipe more lip gloss.
I grab my purse and my keys from the couch.
"Got to go, Mom. Get some sleep, and I'll see you tomorrow morning. I love you." I peck her cheek.
I pull my car 2014 Ford to the driveway-Mom's birthday gift for me two years ago.
Ten minutes later, I'm already in the coffee shop.
I notice many customers-most of them are college students, football players, and a few couples busy chatting with each other. Suddenly, I feel a twist in my stomach.
"Sam, get your ass in here and wear your apron. We have customers to serve." Daniel "Big D" Chase, who manages the coffee shop for five years now. A six-foot-tall and bulky standing in front of my locker wearing a scowl on his face.
"Good morning to you, too, Big D. Why so grumpy early in the morning?"
He is like a big brother to us, but, of course, he's still strict when it comes to our job.
I grab my apron from my locker and wear it. Our coffee shop is the biggest coffee shop in the area, and it's open seven days a week.
"The new owner will come to check the shop. I can be demoted or replaced by someone else, or worse lose my job." He shrugs. Worry is palpable in his deep gravely voice.
My brows furrowed. "Why would you lose your job? You've been good at it. He'll not be going to replace you, and I'll kick his ass if he'll demote you, Big D." I playfully punch his huge bicep, but he doesn't even flinch.
I've heard the buying of this shop, but I don't know who's the new owner. I don't really care for as long as I have a job and get paid.
"You don't have any idea who the owner is. He's ruthless and heartless. He bought some establishments here; restaurant, night club, coffee shop, and a house on the Hillside. He already started changing management and fired staff."
I purse my lips while listening to him. He must be very rich if he bought establishments and a house at the same time.
"He got a huge share when his father died. He and his brother got equal shares of the assets. He moved here from New York since his father died, but his brother stayed in New York and managed his own business there. I heard that's where their mother stayed when their parents divorced. He is related to Hughes."
I cross my arms over my chest. "Wow! You seem to hear a lot of gossips lately, Big D." I fix my hair and walk with him inside.
"People talked around, Sam. I couldn't help but listened especially when my only job was at stake."
I feel bad about him. I grab his huge arms and squeeze them. "I'm sorry, Big D. I wish I can help, but if your job is in jeopardy, I am sure my part-time as well. I need to get to work."
He nods, and I move to the counter and check all the supplies.
The door chimes and my work starts when a college couple gets inside and sits at the left corner of the shop.
Thirty minutes before my shift ends, I take a seat for a few minutes since only a few customers left. All their orders are served and supplies are refilled.
Something wicked in Amy and Maya's smile as they walk in my direction.
"Did you know that the new owner is hot?" Amy giggles. She's my close friend, dated a bunch of guys, but as she said, nothing serious. They just want to have sex with her and grab her D cup size. Well, I can't blame them because Amy is a gorgeous blonde with blue eyes. She's sassy and sometimes blunt. Okay, maybe most of the time, but she has a good heart.
I still don't show interest.
She hits arms to get my attention. "Did you not hear me, Sam? I said Mr. Williams is hot." She shakes me and widens her eyes.
I raise my eyebrows. "So? I don't care if he's hot or cold. Our jobs here are over once he changes the management. Big D is worried as hell that he might be demoted or replaced, and all you have in mind is he's hot?"
Amy flinches because I know she needs this job.
"How did you know that he's gonna change the management?" Maya asks. Her brown eyes widened in surprise.
"Big D told me earlier. Well, not sure yet, but people talked and gossiped around. The owner changed the management in his other establishments though."
When my shift ends, I punch out and leave immediately. I send Mom a message. Amy has a plan for tonight, so I'll be alone since Maya of course, will be with her fiancé.
***
I reheat the dinner Mom left for me and eat, then I take a shower and change to PJs.
I grab my book on my study table that still half unread, get in my bed, and tuck myself in. I flip the page where I Left with a bookmark. Before I can start reading the first line, my phone rings.
I roll my eyes to see the screen-it's my ex, Tyler.
I press the answer icon. "Ty, 'sup?" I answer casually, then at the music blaring-he must be at the frat party like always.
"Sam, I can't drive home. My dad will kick my ass if he'll know I'm driving while I'm drunk. Can you come and pick me up?"
Jesus, he's such an idiot!
Why I even bother answering his call? I broke up with him because he's an idiot, a cheater, and an egotistical jerk.
"Call your friend Ty or your girlfriend to drive you home. I'm in bed already and ready to sleep." I emphasize the girlfriend, who he cheated on me a year ago.
"Sam, please. You know we're not like that anymore. My friends are already drunk." Of course, they're all drunk.
"Ugh! Send me the address. You won't call me next time, Tyler. I'm not your DD."
"Thanks, Sam, I owe you." Owe you my ass.
"Be there. Bye." I get up in bed and change my clothes.
I'm in front of the Frat house after twenty minutes. The music is still blaring from the house. I dial his number and he immediately picks up and says he's on his way out.
"Hey, Sam. Thank you for coming."
I don't answer, instead, I walk to the driver seat. He gets inside the passenger seat, and none of us start to talk while I drive silently. Until we're halfway to his home-where I lost my virginity to him.
"You're still mad at me, aren't you, Sam?" He leans his head back to the seat and rubs his temples.
I release a huge breath. "That was a long time ago Ty. I moved on and I already forgave you." I focus my eyes on the road.
"I'm really sorry, Sam. It was just a one-time thing. She's not like you-she seduced me, and I was half drunk. When you broke up with me, I dated her for a free fuck. I missed you though."
He sounds sincere, but he still cheated on me.
I stop the car in front of his house and wait for him to get out, but he doesn't move.
I look at him and furrow my brows. "Why are you-"
Before I can continue, he grabs my head and crushes his lips on mine. I'm still dumbstruck to react.
He kisses me hungrily, wet, and with pure rage. I can still taste the beer on his lips. I like how he kissed me before, but now I feel nothing but disgust.
I push him away, but he doesn't budge. I push him again, instead of letting me go, Ty cups and kneads my left breast.
This is wrong.
I slap him, and that's when he stops kissing me.
He narrows his eyes at me with full of anger. He kisses me again and bites my lower lip-a taste of sweet and metallic floods my mouth.
I push him again.
This time, he pulls himself away. "What the fuck, Sam? Are you fucking anyone already?" he asks with pure anger in his voice.
I don't realize tears are already falling from my eyes. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and that's when I see the blood from his bite.
"Get out of my car, Tyler!" I yell at him. "Before I'll call the cops and complain you of harassment." My voice cracks in the end.
"You're not going to do that, Samantha. You know my dad is a lawyer. You'll just lose your case and will be humiliated in the end. I already fucked you, why can't I fuck you again, huh?"
I push him on his chest. "Get out of my car Tyler! I should never go there to pick you up and drive you home. You trick me, asshole. Get out of my freaking car!"
He opens the passenger door and gets out. "My offer still stands, Samantha." He slams the door shut that makes me startle on my seat.
I drive away still crying from what he did to me. I was so stupid and didn't think before going to pick him up. I don't realize I'm not driving my way home.
Slowing down, I check my surroundings-I'm in front of the building that has a gym logo. The parking area is almost empty aside from the three cars are parked.
I stay for a while since I'm not blocking the driveway. I check my phone-no one call and gets out of the car.
The evening breeze touches my skin, making me shiver. I lean against the hood of my car and wrap my arms around me. My tears dry, but I'm still sniffing.
"Are you okay, miss?" A deep husky voice asks behind me that makes me jump.
My hand flies to my chest and turn to the voice from my back. My eyes widen. My jaw drops. Everything around me disappears, leaving just me and the man in front of me.
Heartbroken, Charleigh Wrylee, a charming and driven associate architect, dedicates her life to her career. She grabs the opportunity when a new project promises her a promotion. Bryce Chase is a tough daddy and a great baker with only two goals in life-raising his child and managing his cake shop. But things change when he runs into a new girl. Even though their interests don't align, it turns the heat between them, pulling them together like magnets. Will they be able to set their issues aside and follow their hearts instead? Or will they rather stick to what they're fighting for; his shop and her promotion? *** Sometimes hiding the truth comes with a great price. That's what the quiet and preserved Arizona Sky realizes after meeting Tripp Wrylee- a hardworking overconfident CEO of a top architectural firm. She finds herself doing things she never thought she'd do- marrying a man she barely knows and leaving her the next day. Three years later, he comes back, asking for a second chance, filling the husband's role he left empty, bringing out the other side of him that Ari never knew he had. Things between them become surreal until his job is at risk, their relationship is in hot water, and the people she loves are against their relationship, but something between them is maybe worth saving.
"Why did you bend over, Maverick?" "Because you told me to, assh*le." "I'm so tempted to f*ck you right now. You're the most exquisite woman I've ever been with, the only beautiful thing I see and have." "Then what are you waiting for? Just punish me already!" *** MAVERICK As a working college student, I struggle to make ends meet until a stranger approaches me with a proposal-- to be his employer's wife for an enormous sum of money. Knowing the cash will help me pay my grandmother's medical bills, I accept the offer with a demand-- just a marriage of convenience, no intimacy. It's too late to realize I'm marrying the charming and gorgeous to a fault, young Mr. Winston. And there's this instant fire between us despite my inhibitions. Things get more complicated when our sham marriage is put to the test by his father, who threatens to expose my dirty little secret. *** LAKE Being a Braddson-Winston heir is sometimes a curse. My father is a real SOB and a pain in my ass. He makes one outrageous demand for me to secure the CEO seat in the company-- marriage. So I found a perfect bride- Maverick Bates II, who is beautiful but in a dire financial situation. I only ask two things. We stay MBA and keep things purely business until the contract ends. As simple as that. It was meant to be a straightforward deal, but each day I get to know her, my position is not the only thing at stake but also my heart. I realize I can't let her go even if I have to make a dangerous bargain with her father, who happens to be a ruthless crime boss.
Without warning, he grabbed me by my ankles and dragged me to the edge of the bed. “Take your panties off,” he ordered me as he unbuckled his belt and worked on his pants, letting them fall on his ankles. Then he grabbed his dick out of his boxers. He was already hard and began stroking it. When I was too shocked to move, he growled at me, his green eyes searing against mine. “Panties. Off. Now, Nirvana.” I did as he said, scrambling to remove my shorts and underwear. My chest started heaving. My lips went dry as I watched him enjoy stroking himself. “Open your mouth, suck me, and take me all in.” His order woke up something inside me. Lust fired up through my veins, and my clit ached for him. I opened my mouth, and he shoved his shaft inside. “That’s it, sweetheart. Good girl.” *** All her life, Nirvana Thorne thought she was just human, at least not until a mysterious guy rejected her for no reason. When she finally uncovers her family secrets, Knight reclaims her as his fated mate and forces her to dig deep into the unimaginable danger of the underworld to undo the curse. Fighting her attraction towards him is hard enough. Every time they get close, their chemistry sizzles, and the heat between them becomes irresistible. When the pack is under siege, she must learn to gain control of the newfound power within her while the alpha intends to show her where she belongs. *** All Knight Blackwell ever wanted was to run his pack while getting rich. What he didn’t need was a woman demanding his attention, let alone a human mate like Nirvana. So he rejects her. What he never sees coming is his mate possesses an ancient secret— she’s a creature bound in magic intertwined with an ancient dark prophecy and the key to something bigger than anything they’ve ever imagined. With his primal urges getting harder to resist and the powerful being wreaking havoc in his wake, Knight has to sate his dark cravings for his mate before they go to war that Nirvana might have to sacrifice a piece of herself.
“Do it again.” “Be more specific, baby.” I heard a smile in his words. He was enjoying this and wanted me to beg. “Fuck you. You know what I mean.” I grunted in frustration. “I actually don’t.” He stopped again. His rough hand remained between my thighs. “Stop playing games, or I will stroke myself until I come.” I wiggled my ass, seeking a quick relief from the throbbing in my core. Breathing raggedly, he said, “No one is playing games here, baby. I just want to know what you want.” “You really make me do this, don’t you?” My voice was a combination of frustration and irritation. He was enjoying this too much, probably punishing me for giving him blue balls twice. “You were complaining earlier, so, yes. I don’t want another broken nose.” “Spank my ass, Califf. Then touch me and fuck me with your finger. I wanna come. Do you think you can do that?” *** All Shadow ever wanted is to live in peace with their pack, but as a royal Lycan and the daughter of a witch, it comes at a price. When a faceless enemy targeted her, she did not only lose her wolf but also her healing gift, leaving her powerless and vulnerable. Now that the bond is gone and her happy ending is not guaranteed, she has nothing left to offer. She doubts whether she’s still worthy of her mate and Luna of their pack. Alpha Califf becomes a formidable Alpha after defeating a sinister enemy. He should be invincible with allied packs everywhere and witches at his disposal, but Shadow becomes a liability. Despite what happened to his mate, he’s willing to leave the pack and live with her away from threats, but their enemy is two steps ahead of them, and Shadow becomes cold and distant, leaving him nothing but agony he’d never felt before. Will Shadow get her revenge and find a way to get her wolf and gift back? Will they uncover the ugly truth behind their enemy? Or their foe is just right under their noses all along.
“I can smell you’re wet for me, my little mate.” My nose flared. My chest heaved. My rage boiled inside my body, making me want to explode. “Well, take this, Alpha. I, Shadow Raven Hawks, omega of Night Stalker Pack—” “Shadow, what the fuck are you doing?” He was fast to cup my face as his eyes began brewing the pain. “Rejecting—” I wasn’t finished when he slammed his mouth against mine, stopping me. *** She’s a lone wolf— a rogue. Shadow Hawks learns to keep her head down. That’s how she survives until she wakes up in a pack run by a control freak hot-as-sin ruthless Alpha. With one single sniff of him, she feels an intense connection with irresistible heat. Now she’s got her old pack on her heels. The only one who can protect her is Alpha Califf. She will do everything, even if she has to bow down and reveal herself. Califf Stone doesn’t have time for a relationship but to protect his pack from a sinister, vicious Alpha killing the neighboring packs. Until he meets a mysterious rogue who enjoys defying his orders, he finds himself craving for her, losing control— And he knows she’s the one. When their common enemy threatens her, he’s ready to break his defenses to protect his mate. What surprises him, she’s not only half-Lycan, half-witch. She’s also a Lycan Princess.
Estelle Bladwyn has a certain type— a little older with a little less demanding job and knows his way in bed. When she bumps into a hot thirty-ish man on her not-so-romantic-getaway on an island, he does check two on her checklist, and exactly what she wants for that moment. One thing that doesn’t set right— their growing attraction is overwhelming, and her life is already complicated. But who can deny someone like Linden, who held you captive with his eyes, caged you in his arms, and still promised you a good time? Gabe Linden is getting old and still single and done with hookups and doing favors. When some big guns like Moses Braddson, a man he looks up to, he just can’t say no to. The only problem is he hasn’t taken the job yet— he knows he’s already failing it. Looking into her celadon blue eyes, he sees right into her soul. There’s no way he’s letting her go, even by means of breaking his number one rule— The beautiful billionaire is his to keep.
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
Sophia Drake braced herself for the worst when she was forced to move across the country in the middle of her junior year. Desperate to escape her shattered home as soon as she turns eighteen, her plans are disrupted by the enigmatic and captivating Ashford twins. Sophia can't fathom the intense attraction she feels for the twins and tries to avoid them at every turn. As she's thrust into an unfamiliar world, her past demons resurface, making her question her true identity. Will Sophia flee from her past's secrets, or will she embrace her destiny and take control of her future?
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
Lucille was one of the most skilled female assassins, and on the previous night, she embarked on a top-secret mission. However, the mission's details were leaked, leading to her untimely demise at the hands of a traitorous companion. She never discovered the identity of the person who betrayed her before her death. But by some miracle, she was granted a new life, and was reborn as a girl with the same name. Determined to uncover the truth and seek revenge for her family, Lucille seized her second chance at life. She planned to avenge her loved ones. However, her plans were complicated by Joseph, an apparently frail man who was actually skilled in martial arts. And he seemed to fall for her deeply, now this newfound knowledge only added to the complications of Lucille's revenge plan...
I pressed my lips against his and stole his sweet, savory taste, not ready to end the sweet moment. I licked my lips seductively and whispered. "Despite your age, I love you." Sarah was obsessed with the man of her dreams, despite knowing that their love was forbidden and would be disapproved by her father and others. She held onto the many beautiful dreams she had of being with him, wishing for them to come true. She found herself in love with her father's best friend, a very handsome man who had been rejected by his wife. Her desire was to show him what true love really meant. When her father received a job transfer,Sarah saw it as a perfect opportunity to be with him. The situation improved even more when she realized they would be living under the same roof.
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.