Two worlds collide when Ryder's gf cheats on him with Shadow's husband. Neither of them knew each other until one day he goes into the library and meets the woman of his dreams but sadly they have no chance together with all the baggage they both have. Maybe one day....
Prologue
Shadow's pov
Being a single mother was hard. I loved my kids more than anything. I just wish I had a good man in my life. Then again, I never have time to find one. All I do is work and stay home with my kids. It's not like prince charming hangs out at a library. If he did, he wouldn't want an old frumpy plus size single mom like me.
My husband left me because he said I was hideous so why would I ever expect another man to want me. I looked in the mirror and cried. I hated myself. He killed any self-esteem I had. His new plaything was only 20 and was like a size 2. Yep, he rubbed my face in it every chance he gets.
He hasn't seen his kids in almost a year. I hated how much he hurts them. He broke my heart, but I can handle it they can't. They think they did something wrong.
I loved the library because it was so quiet. Except for today. They were doing construction across the street. They were remodeling for a new night club. I hated that this town was changing so much. I went outside to see how the remodeling was going.
I just wish it was done already so I can get some peace back. I caught sight of the sexiest man to walk this earth. I couldn't help but stare. He looked over my way, so I hurried back into the library. How was I going to get any work done with a sexy man like that being right across the street?
I got back to my laptop. Since it was a slow day, I decided to get back to my writing. I didn't want to be a librarian forever. Actually, I wanted to be a writer. I was on this amazing site called Moboreader to see if I was even any good at writing.
I had all these dreams before I got married, but I put them all on hold. I was done doing that. I will never let another man take over my whole life. It was time I lived for me and my kids. I was so busy writing that I didn't hear anyone come in.
"Hello, I am Ryder I am opening the club across the street, and just wanted to introduce myself."
I jumped not realizing he was there. I just looked at him not knowing what to say.
"Um hi I'm Shadow I run things here."
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
He actually kissed my hand and I almost fainted. This man was deadly. I needed to stay far away from him. Men like this never went for women like me so there is no point in even trying.
"It's nice to meet you, but I really need to get back to work."
"No problem I need to head back. I will see you around Shadow."
He left and I still felt like I couldn't breathe. It seemed like he was flirting with me, but that couldn't be. I wasn't good enough for any man let alone one that looked like that.
Ryder's pov
I saw the sexiest woman looking at me from across the street. I hurried to go talk to her, but she ran into the library. I wanted to go over there and introduce myself anyway, so this was the perfect time.
Maybe I could talk to the beautiful woman I had just seen. I wanted to know my neighbors. I was opening a club in this neighborhood. My father gave me as well as my brother's money to invest in what we wanted. He wasn't happy about me starting a club.
He feels that I have more potential than that. Maybe it's because my younger brother Jacob followed in my father's footsteps and became a lawyer. I walked into the stuffy little library and saw the beautiful woman from before. She was a librarian?
She does not fit in here at all. I said hello and she jumped. I didn't mean to scare her. Great first impression I was making. I couldn't stop staring at her. She was incredibly sexy.
When I went to leave, I kissed her hand. What this wasn't the 20's? I made a complete fool of myself. Hopefully I get a chance to start over. She was defiantly someone I would love to get to know better.
She didn't seem too interested in me though. Maybe she had someone. There was no way a woman like her was single. I was always unlucky in love. My last relationship ended when I caught my fiancée in bed with my best friend. I just walked out and never looked back.
I didn't want the house because it would only remind me of the pain. I moved into a small home far away from her. I have forgiven them both for that, but we don't talk anymore. It's not the first time I have been cheated on.
I dated a younger girl after that, and she left me. She ran off with some married man that was way older than her. The guy left his wife and kids for her. I would never do that, yet I always get hurt. Maybe I should just give up on ever finding love.
Besides I'll be too busy with my new club. I need to stay away from one very sexy librarian otherwise I might just catch some feelings.
Brailey has always been what some would call an empath or a little bit psychic it runs in her family, but it isn't something she likes to share, and she never really had issues with it until him. Now she sees every little move he makes as if they were one. This must mean something right?
Nakia was the kind of woman other women thrived to become. She had a successful career and a beautiful home that she bought, and she was always on point. At thirty years old, she thought she had it all figured out, but boy was she wrong. Her mama always taught her that you need to be the woman a man wants and not the woman you want to be. Every day Nakia lives to prove that theory wrong. Through her so-called weakness, she has found a strength she never knew existed. Don't ever let someone's negative opinion of you become your reality.
Aiden was good and safe. Everything Josie should want, and everyone thought she needed. Yet he was not the one she craved. She was tired of always playing it safe. So, when she met Bryce, he set her world on fire. He was bad with a capital B. Everything she was missing in her life. The only problem was that Bryce would only end up breaking her heart. He was the love-on-them and leave-them type always looking for the next best thing. She knew that Aiden could give her the type of future she would need but was that even enough?
What would you do if your father hated you so much that he sold you off to a group of alpha werewolves? That's the very thing that happened to poor little human Fiona. Now she is forced to live with six sexy shifters and sleep with the four remaining single brothers and whoever gets her pregnant first not only gets land, but they will also become her mate. Who even does that? There was no way she wanted to be a part of any of this...
Willow lost her mother before she could even remember her or get to know her. It was just her dad and her brothers along with her. She started to see a lady riding a horse down by the lake but no one else but her ex Ethan could see the woman so everyone called her crazy. Is she really going crazy or was it someone trying to warn her of incoming danger?
Niko has always strived to be nothing like his Mafia crime boss father even leaving and falling love with a woman and having a son he named Noah. His father hated that so much that he had the girl killed and kidnapped Noah all to bring Niko back to him. All Niko wants to do is get his son Noah and little brother Nikolas away from his father but he knows the only way to do that is a fight to the death....
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
Madison had always believed that she would marry Colten. She spent her youth admiring him from afar, dreaming of their future life together. But Colten was always indifferent to her, and when he abandoned her at a time when she needed him most, she finally realized that he never loved her. With renewed resolve and a thirst for revenge, Madison left. Endless possibilities lay ahead, but Colten was no longer part of her plans. Colten rushed to her place in a panic. "Madison, please come back to me. I’ll give you everything!" It was his powerful uncle who answered the door. "She's my woman now."
Despite being an illegitimate daughter, Lena bore a striking resemblance to the young lady of the Evans family. Faced with their threats, she was forced to take her half-sister’s place and marry Dylan. As an act of defiance, Lena seduced Dylan night after night, until she had him completely wrapped around her finger. Using his affections to her advantage, she set out to undermine the Evans family. Over time, Dylan began to notice something odd about his beloved wife...
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."