I committed a mistake and now I'm paying the consequences... I'm trapped with the devil. In my defense, I didn't want to be involved with an ancient Greek god, but he broke through my defenses anyway, lurking from the shadows, watching every move of mine. His name is Kurt, and he's the son of Eros and Psyche. He may appear charming on the outside, but inside, he harbors a true predator. He wants to possess me, dominate me, and keep me by his side, but I'm not willing to stay with him.
"Saturday night at midnight.
This is a mistake.
This is definitely a damn mistake.
I don't know why I got myself into this dilemma if I'm a coward.
I stared into the void and my legs started shaking, I should be at home resting right now, reading a book or just watching a series. But no, here I am, about to lose my life.
"Jump," he whispered in my ear.
"I don't want to," I reply, shaking my head.
"Jump if you really love me."
I slightly turn my head to look at him and there are those emerald eyes that mesmerized me, that crooked smile that boasts flirtation.
"Give me one last kiss," I plead.
A mix of sensations invades me as he brings his hand to my neck and lightly squeezes it. A moan, loaded with pleasure, escapes my lips uncontrollably. I close my eyes as I feel his breath close, his mouth seeking mine with palpable urgency.
Our lips meet in a dance that seems to have been rehearsed for centuries. Every movement, every touch, it's as if they were meant to fit perfectly. It's a connection that fills me with excitement, but also with a deep unease.
Because as I lose myself in that kiss, I can't ignore the nagging thought in my mind: I don't want to leave this moment, I don't want to say goodbye to him. I don't want to accept that this could be our last moment together.
Fear intertwines with desire, forming a whirlwind of emotions that threatens to consume me. Because I know there is danger on the horizon, a threat that could separate us forever. And the thought of losing what might be the love of my life is too overwhelming to contemplate.
"Now, jump," I whisper against his lips.
I pull away from him, one last look filled with love and farewell before I turn around and throw myself into the void. It's like falling into an abyss of emotions, where time distorts and everything becomes blurry.
As I fall, flashes of my life pass before my eyes, as if it were a sped-up movie of memories and important moments. But I know there's no turning back now, that this jump marks a point of no return.
The water receives me with force, enveloping me in its cold, dark embrace. It's like plunging into a sea of mixed feelings, where the need to breathe becomes a palpable urgency.
Fighting against the pressure surrounding me, I finally reach the surface and break through the water barrier, emerging with a gulp of fresh air and freedom. The sound of cheers and applause surrounds me, but my attention is focused on him.
I look up and there he is, with that smile that knows all my secrets and hopes. That smile that makes me feel vulnerable and powerful at the same time.
6 HOURS EARLIER.
"Today we're going to a party," says my best friend, while eating her cereal.
I roll my eyes and stop typing on my computer, I was making the final adjustments to my thesis and couldn't afford to waste my time, and Jessi knew that perfectly well.
"I can't, I have to give the final touches to my thesis, to get out of here once and for all."
From the corner of my eye I see Jessi giving me a dirty look.
"You're a party pooper and a bad friend, you know that?"
"Yes, I'm a party pooper, but a bad friend? How dare you say that when I've supported you all this time."
"Yes, you've supported me, but you plan to leave me alone here, that's being a bad friend."
"Then come with me, you know I have no problem with that."
However, I didn't receive a response from her. I knew Jessi couldn't come with me because of her mother, the woman suffers from an autoimmune disease that keeps her bedridden all the time, Jessi loves her mother too much to leave her alone.
Nothing compared to me. My mother is an alcoholic, abusive, and manipulative woman, I had to mature at a very young age and get a full-time job so that she could satisfy her addictions.
But I knew I couldn't lead a life as a mere waitress, I wanted to study at a good school and get a job that would get me out of this town as soon as possible. But I didn't stop working as a waitress, I had to pay for my university life.
And in exchange for this, many times I received aggression from my mother when I didn't give her money, most of the students on campus have witnessed how she has beaten me to the point of leaving me knocked out on the floor. Fortunately, the faculty directors took drastic measures against her, and a restraining order, if she approaches me or the university she will be arrested and sentenced.
"Whatever, you and I are going to that party, you need to relax a bit, it's our last semester in college and we must create unforgettable memories."
I turn to look at her, and immediately Jessi puts on her best puppy face.
"Jess..."
"Say yes."
I roll my eyes and respond.
"Fine, just this once."
"Yes!" She jumps on my chair to celebrate.
"Get down, silly!" I say with a laugh.
"We're going to have fun until dawn tonight!" She gets off my lap to run to her room. "Hold on tight, guys, because we're going to conquer!
Jessi is that sister I never had and it's amazing to live with her every day, we've never had arguments that escalate to another level, because we always talk about each situation. And as a good sister, I couldn't refuse to reject her proposal to go out.
And here I was at the damn party we were invited to. Jessi opted for a mini skirt and a corset that molded her body perfectly, on the other hand, I wasn't that typical friend who dressed horribly, in fact, we both stood out with our style. I wore a short black dress, tight to the body, my red hair and lips highlighted all my features and of course my clothing.
As we walked through the crowd of people, most of the men looked at us with desire, and the girls with envy, but we didn't care at all.
"Here are my girls!" Paul, our classmate, exclaims.
"Stop shouting," Jessi scolds him. "Besides, we couldn't miss the party, and I had to convince her a lot." She points at me.
"You should stop being a bit of a hermit," Paul looks at me. "But fortunately, you came, because I'm going to introduce you to a great guy."
"I didn't come to hook up with anyone, I just came to have some fun with my best friend."
"Come on, Kendall!" Paul raises his hands in the air. "Let yourself go a little, my friend is a good guy, I'm sure you'll get along great."
"The last time I listened to you I had to break some idiot's nose." I remind him.
"Yeah, yeah, that guy was an idiot, but this friend of mine..." Paul gestures with his hand for me to come closer to tell me something more confidential. "He's loaded with money, his parents own 'ETER'
it's the best restaurant chain in the world, to dine there you have to book a year in advance and the cheapest dish on the menu is $2,500. And from the moment he saw you, he wanted to know about you, that could be your way out."
"I'm not interested if he has money or not, the less relationship I have with people in this city, the better for me."
"Ouch!" Paul touches his heart as if it really hurt him. "I consider you the sister I never had."
"What a liar you are, you have two younger sisters." Jessi gently hits him. "Anyway, if she said no, then it's no, but I'm willing to go out with that great prospect."
Jessi flirts with her eyebrows.
"I'm not going to introduce you." Paul makes a face of annoyance. "He only wants Kendall."
While I smile slightly. I knew about Paul's platonic love for Jessi, but it seems that my best friend doesn't realize what's happening right in front of her.
"Don't be mean and introduce him to me." Jessi pouts her lower lip.
"N.O. And that's my final answer." Paul says, crossing his arms.
"You're an idiot." Jessi walked away from him. "Let's go somewhere else, this man no longer considers us as his friends." My best friend took me by the arm and pulled me very hard to leave the place.
However, I collided with a strong and tall human body. His perfume immediately penetrated my nostrils, giving me the best scent I have ever smelled in my life. I slowly raise my gaze and it immediately met with emerald-colored eyes, a gaze so warm, yet it gave me that sensation of terror. I had that feeling of fear and wanted to run away from him, but at the same time, I didn't want to separate from him.
'I'm sorry,' my voice comes out higher than usual.
'Don't apologize.'
I swear my legs trembled upon hearing his powerful voice.
'Kendall,' Paul stands by my side. 'Let me introduce you to my friend Nikos Eter.'
'Nice to meet you,' a crooked smile appears on this Nikos guy's face, one of those smiles that melt any woman and I must include myself.
'Um... I mean the same,' I reply trying to clear my thoughts.
'And I am...'
'She's nobody,' Paul stands beside Jessi and covers her mouth with his hands. 'We'll leave you two to talk.'
Paul drags Jessi away, while she struggles to break free from his grip, but they both disappear from our lives.
'Hey...' I scratch my neck a bit tense. 'Sorry if Paul gave you the impression that I want something with you, but I...'
'You're not looking for a relationship, I understand,' he responds without stopping smiling. 'I'm just happy to meet you.'
Still, hours later I was falling from the second floor of the ΔΕΩ fraternity house "Delta Epsilon Omega" and he was enjoying what I had done for him, but the words "I love you" danced in my head over and over again.
How could I love someone I barely knew?
Our families have always been rivals, but my whole world changed when Jordan Maxwell, the arrogant, ruthless heir of the Greek mafia, tried to kill me. It all started on the wrong foot when I accidentally crashed his luxurious car due to a bet I made with my brothers. Then, our parents decided to marry us off to prevent our family war from escalating. But my life would've been simpler if Jordan Maxwell wasn't so damn handsome. However, I have armor protecting my heart, and his charms won't break through it. No arranged marriage will make me love the mobster
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
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.
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
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."