With one mistake, Princess Carlott lost everything in a blink of an eye. When she was labeled a fraud, a rogue-a pariah, she escaped her dysfunctional past to where no one would judge her. For years, she has built herself as Carly Storm. No more foolish mistakes, just her uneventful, boring life. Until she stumbles with a grumpy irresistible CEO, Rome Langston-well, not exactly, he's her boss, and one thing she can't ignore is full of fireworks between them. She isn't looking for a hookup. When her boss offers her that proves impossible to resist, maybe that's all she needs-no commitment, just amazing weekends. After all, she was once a rogue. What can go wrong? Well, that's precisely what happens. Her past doesn't just stay where it is, and her secrets threaten to come out. *** Rome just takes over the family business. Until the brunette storms into his office, reporting late as his assistant, complicating everything he believes in. He finds himself torn between hiring or firing her. The last thing he wants is a distraction. But maybe, a distraction is all he needs. What can go wrong with a bit of fun? Besides, he's just human. When he finally realizes they have something real, just right when a bomb blows in his face, it's anti-climatic. Worse, the woman he's in love with is only a royal princess.
ROME
Tonight is not a part of my plan.
But talking about losses was tough shit to speak out.
My friend once told me you couldn't find an answer at the bottom of the bottle. But I'd rather drink myself into a stupor than open up about the things that hurt as fuck to even think about.
Sax Ryder, one of my best friends, whom I considered my brother cleared his throat. "She's out of your league."
"Who?" I looked down at the empty whiskey glass. I needed another shot.
"I was just making a point. You're at this nightclub, but your mind is elsewhere."
My eyes were on the brunette. She'd caught my attention since we arrived an hour ago. I just couldn't stop. Whoever was this woman? She definitely would keep me awake tonight.
"But she's pretty."
I turned my head to Sax. "Really? Pretty?"
His dark eyes glimmered as he smirked. "Yeah, I know what's in your mind. But you prefer blonde and petite."
Chuckling, I focused my gaze on the woman dancing with her friend. Her long wavy hair shone against the laser lights.
She was too tall for my type and still wearing high heels. Her body could pass as one of the lingerie models, and her long-toned legs were displayed in a black mini-dress.
"It was just one time. I mean twice, but those just a coincidence."
He let out a hearty laugh and shook his head. "Then what are you still waiting for? Maybe, that woman is blonde, just dyed her hair."
I signaled to one of the bartenders to refill our drinks. "I'm not ready for that."
"I didn't mean a relationship, man. You've been working your ass off since your dad died. You could use some fun, a break, and damn. You could use a month fucking vacation."
The bartender brought our drinks. We were regulars, and I knew the owner, Pyke Hughes.
"It's not about work that cut me off the fun. I'm just not emotionally ready." I was used to having a one-night stand, but right now, I had more pressing matters than satisfying my dick. "And sex is not a problem."
"A good massage, then."
"A good sleep. At least three hours of sleep without interruption."
"I heard about your father's assistant. Have you found her replacement?"
"On Monday. I just hope she would be as efficient and reliable as Florian." I sipped my drink.
Since I took over the family business, I could barely breathe properly. The boards and investors had questioned my ability to run a multi-national billion-dollar company, Langston Realty Group, since I lacked experience. I wanted to prove them wrong. And I liked challenges.
Unlike my father, I took a different path. I served my country, was honorably discharged, and went to help my old friend, Gabe Linden, to start his security firm. But the boards didn't know I had my own company, Sevyn Hunter Global, and someone offered to buy it for 1.5B. I mean, that was huge money. But my company was not for sale, and if someone wanted to buy with that digits, I was sure as hell could double it in three years.
"Well, you can always find a new one. So, you're not gonna make a move?" He tipped his head toward the brunette, who was now leaving.
"Nah. Pass."
An hour later, we bid goodbye.
"Call me if you need anything." He held my hand after a handshake. "Adley would be happy to see you this weekend."
I smiled. "I'll give her a call."
Sax finally let go of my hand. He knew Adley meant a lot to me.
Adley Kross - Creed helped me reconnect with my father. Dad and I were estranged for years since I didn't turn out to be his protege, joining politics. To him, I was a huge disappointment. After he chose not to run again for the senate, he took over the company from Mom, allowing her to focus on what she loved-charities. That was how he became successful and well-connected.
"She would be happy to hear from you."
"I miss her too." I worked for her as her temporary bodyguard. We became close friends even after I resigned. Only lately, we'd been both busy running our family businesses.
"Take care of yourself, Rome."
"You too, bro."
I got in the car. My driver, Zee, shut the door close after me. I fished out my phone and dialed Adley's number.
"I hope I'm not interrupting something."
"I hate you." Her greeting as she laughed.
"I love you too."
"Mykel and I were just talking about you setting up a date."
I groaned. "God, no."
"But it's already been settled. All you have to do is show your ass up this weekend." I could see herself grinning at her husband beside her, waiting for my reply.
"Adley, I don't have time to date right now." I found myself wondering if my date would be as gorgeous as the brunette.
"Come on, this is just a meet and greet. If you don't like her, then don't ask her out."
More curiosity sparked inside me. "Who's the girl?"
"A woman, Romare. And it's a blind date, so you don't dare ask me."
"I'll think about it-"
"I know what's that mean. You're gonna bail on us again."
"If you won't set me up on a date, I'll do my best to be there."
She must be talking to her husband.
"And tell Mykel to stop helping you look for my date."
She laughed from another line. "You've been single for almost four years, Romare. I'm worried about you." It was actually more than four years, but who was counting?
"I happened to have no biological clock, Adley. And don't be so surprised if I just bring my wife with me one day. I might just take a woman to Vegas like what you two did."
"So, you're dating someone then?"
I rubbed the back of my neck. "I'm married to my job, Adley, and I have no plan to divorce her right now."
"But she can't give your orgasms."
My cheeks burned. I wondered what her husband's reaction was, hearing his wife talk about orgasms with another man.
"I want you to be happy. And I know it's been hard for you lately. I also know the feeling of losing someone you care about, Romare. It's hard to get out of that deep sorrow, and work can't help you if you think marrying your job will aid your grief. It's only temporary relief. Trust me. Been there, done that. I just hope you come to me and talk about it."
I shut my eyes, rested, and took a deep breath. "When I'm ready, Adley."
"I'm hoping so soon."
"Will you kiss my goddaughter for me?"
"She misses you, man," it was Mykel.
"I miss her too."
"Romare, this weekend, or I will come and drag you myself."
I couldn't help but smile. "See you, Adley."
***
The files on my desk glared up at me.
I had been here for two hours, and my new assistant had not shown her ass up. It made me mad, and I wanted to throw these files stuck on my desk when she arrived.
I always hated tardiness. But it seemed that what I got was a complete disappointment. Shouldn't she impress me on her first day?
I grabbed the first file on top.
Behind my father, I convinced myself that I could make him proud someday. When we just started to catch up, I lost him, and it felt like I lost half of my heart when he was gone.
I picked up the phone to dial HR when the door to my office swung open.
"Mr. Langston-"
"You're fired." I dialed the HR number.
"You can't fire me-"
What did she say? The audacity of this woman. And the first thing I noticed was the accent. It sounded like a British, but not quite. Not Australian or South African either. I must say her voice was sweet and strong, but right now, I disliked her tone.
"And why not?" I dropped the phone and lifted my gaze at my ill-mannered new assistant. What the fuck? My eyes widened in shock.
"Well, I was just hired an hour ago when I got the call. The reason why I am late to report to you, Mr. Langston." She didn't so much as bat an eye. "Given that my reason for being an hour late is valid, it's only fair that you give me a chance to prove myself that I'm capable of being your executive assistant." Well, I just said three words, and she had like five sentences. But that was not why I wasn't answering her right now.
I was occupied staring at her in her dark blue corporate dress.
Fuck me.
The brunette.
First, I just saw her last night. Second, she appeared late. Third, she was ill-mannered, and lastly, she talked a lot. I wondered if this was my lucky day or if I should be pissed off. Was fate playing with me now?
"I like my executive assistant to follow my orders, not reason out. I want her to talk less and work more, considering she has three times the salary than my other employees. You certainly don't fit to be an assistant. You are still fired."
She glared at me from across my desk.
I realized she had viridian eyes and was exquisite up close. How in the hell did HR hire this woman? And of all the applicants, why did it have to be her?
"I passed the interview for a reason. Give me a week before canning me, sir."
"No. Get out of my office, or I will call security to drag you out of my building."
She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "I always thought you were an arsehole."
"What did you say?" I was on my feet before realizing it, stalking toward her. She was really tall. Even with my six foot three inches height, she was almost at my eye level with her shoes on.
I met her tantalizing viridian eyes. She was really a stunner. Her beauty was nothing like I'd ever seen before. She has a diamond-shaped face. Her nose was slightly raised, making her features strong and authoritative. Her bee-stung lips were painted red. She reminded me of a classic Hollywood actress.
"I came here to do my job with every bit of my capability. Because I was late, which is not my fault, you won't know if I am good at-"
"What was your last job?"
"Executive assistant."
"Were you fired?"
"Yes."
I chuckled. Why was I not even surprised?
Her attitude wouldn't make her the best assistant. I knew it the first time she waltzed in.
"I punched him because he insulted my best friend for wearing her head scarf at work." Well, isn't it getting more interesting?
"She wore hijab?"
"Yes," she answered proudly, giving me the most confident smile.
"Are you planning on punching your boss again, Miss?"
"Carly Storm."
"Storm?"
"Only if he misbehaves and disrespects me, sir."
I studied her and looked for something in her eyes-a lie, but I found something else instead. "Fine. You have one week to prove yourself worthy of your position."
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?" Â "Because you told me to, assh*le." Â "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." Â "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.
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
Benjamin Dylon, a mysterious billionaire abandoned at the altar Antonela Bianchi whose name she only knows. Suffering the greatest love humiliation, she goes to a bar and meets a handsome man and gives herself completely to him. When she wakes up the next day in a hotel bed, she realizes that she has committed madness. A few days later, Antonela discovers that she is pregnant and to make matters worse, she finally meets Benjamin, discovering that the man who abandoned her at the altar is the same man she met in the bar. Pregnant and alone, rejected by her own family, Antonela has no choice but to leave so that she can have that child in peace. Three years later, when her mother suddenly passes away, Antonela is forced to return to the city and meet Benjamin again. He is now her sister's fiancé, and Antonela must hide the fact that he is the father of her child.
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..."Â But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
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."
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."