Emily Danzi has been stalked by a deranged man for most of her adult life. She thought she had left him behind when she moved to the west coast of Canada, but one rainy night, he catches up with her. Emily finds a temporary solution by having a complete stranger pose as her boyfriend. Byron Pomeroy, the man who was about to end his own life by jumping off a bridge scares off her pursuer but brings complications when she learns how deeply troubled he is, despite his enormous wealth. Emily wants to help him in return, but she must contend with Byron's domineering mother and a devious journalist who wants Byron for herself and will destroy the reputation of anyone who gets in her way. WARNING: This novel contains depictions of suicidal depression and stalking. The Billionaire's Runaway Bride is created by Carolee Croft, an EGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.
"Don't ever call me again!" Emily yelled as she got out of a car belonging to a guy who turned out to be the worst date ever.
He had offered to give her a lift home in his Mustang, but instead of driving he seemed more focused on sliding his hand under her dress.
Emily was not looking for a serious relationship, but she also didn't want some average one-night stand with a guy who seemed interested in her only in the sense of her being a warm female body.
The wind blew cold, slapping tiny drops of rain onto her face. She did not regret escaping from that creep's car, but now she had to walk home. She was in the middle of downtown Vancouver, and it would be nearly impossible to catch a taxi. She walked quickly to avoid being stopped by other smarta**es like the guy whose car she had just jumped out of.
It's not like she had extremely high expectations, Emily thought moodily as she walked past drunk and excited nightclub goers. She wanted what every girl in her twenties probably wanted: someone she could have some laughs with, who liked her personality, who made an effort... and she wouldn't mind if he good in bed. Why was it she only met men who were either obsessed with her or just wanted to use her for sex? Was there no happy medium?
And speaking of men who were obsessed with her, who was that tall figure walking behind her?
No... it couldn't be. This night had already turned out disappointing, and there is no way it could get worse. She was just being paranoid. Josh wasn't here. He was miles away.
The echo of her high-heeled boots grew louder as she left the towers and clubs of downtown and began to cross the long bridge that stretched across the bay.
She looked back just to reassure herself that it wasn't Josh following her. She nearly lost her footing.
It was him. The boy she thought was cute when they were in high school, but now five years later did not seem so cute anymore because he never stopped following her. She recognized his spiky hair and slightly hunched posture.
Emily tried not to panic even though her heart rate sped up to what seemed like a million beats per minute.
She was already on the bridge, and she decided to cross it. Maybe Josh wouldn't approach her this time. If she could just keep walking at the same pace, it would be fine.
Some drunk girls ran past her, giggling loudly. She looked back again, and this time it seemed like Josh was catching up to her. Had he been waiting, watching her all this time just to catch her alone?
He had never been violent yet, but Emily suspected he could snap once he finally realized she was not interested in him. No matter how much she tried to avoid him, he never seemed to get the message.
If only she could have caught a taxi, she would have been halfway home by now, but none of the yellow cars passing by had their light on to signal that they were available.
Emily really did not want to talk to Josh. Maybe even riding in the creep's car would have been preferable. There was something so frustrating about the way Josh wouldn't leave her alone, wouldn't take no for an answer.
Her anger drover her on to walk faster. Josh made his way onto the bridge and was getting closer. She could almost make out his facial features in the yellow overhead lights.
Even if she ran now, she might not be able to get away fast enough, but anyway she hated the idea of running. She was so tired of feeling like the frightened victim. There had to be another way to deal with him.
Then she saw the lone man standing in the middle of the bridge, looking out over the water, and a brilliant idea struck her. At least she hoped it was brilliant.
About as tall as Josh but with a broader frame, this man looked like he could kick some a**. Not that he would have to do anything. Just the sight of him alone would probably scare Josh away. Men seemed to respect other men more than they respected women. Once they saw that a woman was 'taken' they would usually back off.
The man did not react when Emily stopped beside him, so she touched his shoulder, acting as if they were old friends. His fashionable wool coat was actually really pleasant to the touch.
"Hey, great to see you!" she said, making big gestures that Josh would be sure to perceive even from a distance.
When the man turned towards her, the look of unbearable pain and despair in his eyes actually frightened her for a moment. She had rarely seen anyone look so vulnerable, and she realized she must have caught him deep in thought or completely consumed with his suffering. The beauty of his eyes, green with just a hint of blue, stunned her almost as much as his anguished expression.
It seemed a contradiction that such a remarkable-looking man should have such a terribly sad gaze, his dark brown hair speckled with raindrops and his long lashes unmoving as if he was too tired to blink. She almost forgot about Josh as she grew mesmerized by the stranger's handsome face.
The man didn't say anything as he looked at her, probably still deep in his own world. Emily wasn't sure if he was just crazy or on drugs, but at this point she had few other options, and she tried to press on with her plan.
"I'm sorry," she said, "could you do me a really big favor? I need you to act like you know me. There's a guy following me. Please?"
"Hallie pretends to date a bad boy just to annoy her parents, but who knew the same guy she thought was a stupid loser is actually a charming prince? Keeping Luke in her life could be the key to earning her parentsâ respect and finally getting to run the family ranch like sheâd always dreamed. But how can Hallie maintain the illusion of a relationship with a bad boy who flirts with every woman he sees? Sheâs going to have to use all her ingenuity to prevent Luke from seeing other women while also trying to keep him out of the media spotlight. But the deeper her involvement in the fake relationship, the more she gets to know Luke. She may just find out how dangerous this bad boyâs charm can be⌠The Bad Boy Prince in Love is created by Carolee Croft, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author."
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
âGabriel Bryce, how can you stand being so shameless?â Leonica asked, staring daggers at her atrocious husband and his mistress. âThis is the house gifted to my by grandmother, yet you dare bring another woman into it? Arenât you afraid that grandmother would be disappointed with you actionsâŚ?â Leonicaâs words remained unfinished as an enraged Gabriel swung his hand through the air, smacking his palm clean on her left cheek. Leonica held her throbbing cheek, eyes wide and teary as she stared at her husband who glared down at her ferociously. âThe nerves of you to mention my grandmother. You have no right to do so!â He spat, taking a step forward and jabbing his index finger painfully into her shoulder, making her take several steps back. âBare this in mind, Leonica Romero, if not for the wishes of my late grandmother, Iâd much rather be dead than associate myself with somebody like you.â *~*~* *~*~* Leonica Romero has always had a long time crush on Gabriel Bryce, CEO of Bryce Empire and Norwayâs Business tyrant. Fortunately, at the request of his Ill grandmother, her familyâs long time friend, Leonica gets the chance to marry her beloved. Feeling elated, she abandoned her position and dream job in the Romero household and becomes a humble housewife for Gabriel. However, Three years later, on the day of Gabrielâs grandmotherâs funeral, Leonica is stunned speechless when he demands for a divorce, as his ex girlfriend Angelina Fernandez had suddenly returned, proclaiming her undying love for him. But that wasnât the only shock Leonica received that day. Hours after Gabrielâs declaration for a divorce, Leonica wakes up in the hospital to a shocking news. She was two months pregnant. And Gabriel knew nothing about this!
Dear readers, this book has resumed daily updates. It took Sabrina three whole years to realize that her husband, Tyrone didn't have a heart. He was the coldest and most indifferent man she had ever met. He never smiled at her, let alone treated her like his wife. To make matters worse, the return of the woman he had eyes for brought Sabrina nothing but divorce papers. Sabrina's heart broke. Hoping that there was still a chance for them to work on their marriage, she asked, "Quick question,Tyrone. Would you still divorce me if I told you that I was pregnant?" "Absolutely!" he responded. Realizing that she didn't mean shit to him, Sabrina decided to let go. She signed the divorce agreement while lying on her sickbed with a broken heart. Surprisingly, that wasn't the end for the couple. It was as if scales fell off Tyrone's eyes after she signed the divorce agreement. The once so heartless man groveled at her bedside and pleaded, "Sabrina, I made a big mistake. Please don't divorce me. I promise to change." Sabrina smiled weakly, not knowing what to do...
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."
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.