Twenty-four-year-old Eve meets gorgeous billionaire Grant Carlson at a Hollywood gala. Things get hot beyond belief - until Grant does something unforgivable. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Especially when she's an internet security expert and former hacker. But Grant has a secret - one that will plunge both him and Eve into even greater passion - and incredible danger.
Oh God.
His lips are so warm against mine.
The kiss starts off soft and sensual. Mouths pressed together... lips slowly caressing... his tongue touching my lips, and I open wide to take him in.
His arms encircle my waist and pull me to him. I'm pressing against him, my soft curves against his muscles. Even under the designer tux, I can feel his rock-hard body.
I can feel something else, too.
Something thick and long, getting thicker and longer.
The kiss starts off soft and sensual, but it rapidly becomes something else. Harder... more insistent.
I don't even notice. I'm caught up in the moment, thinking of nothing but how much I want his hands all over me...
**********
I stare at him.
He knows about Mailin.
He knows about the hacking.
"...how...?"
"Not important right now. What is important is that I've engaged your services by paying your company, but I need to know if you're on board. My life might be on the line here."
"I don't understand."
He leans forward intently. "I need to know if I can trust you. Totally and completely."
"Trust me how?"
"As a hacker. As an internet security expert."
"Look, I can test your systems, fix the loopholes I find, make sure nobody can – "
"That's not what I need."
God, I want to shoot this guy. He just keeps going in circles.
"Why don't you cut to the fucking chase and tell me exactly what's going on," I snap.
He looks at me for a long while, as though weighing me. Seeing if I'm worthy. Finally he nods, as though he's decided.
"Someone's trying to kill me. And I need you to help me find him... before he gets to me."
*****************
Okay, first thing you've got to know about me is I'm a regular chick. Or as regular a chick as an internet security expert can be.
Sure, I can beef up your company's computer network to protect it against DDoS's (Distributed Denial of Service attacks, for you non-geeks out there). Yeah, I can write a mean packet sniffer to capture whatever data you want. Yes, I can do a thousand other things that will bore the hell out of you unless you have a computer science degree.
But I like binge-watching N*****x and HBO Go. (Game of Thrones – Team Khaleesi, woot woot!)
I like bingeing on cupcakes, too.
I'm a rocker chick, sort of. When I'm not being all introverted and homebodyish, I'll pour myself into a pair of skin-tight leather pants and go see Steel Panther in Hollywood. They're the coolest, funniest parody metal hair band you've ever seen, by the way. It's like Mötley Crüe and Weird Al Yankovic had a love child.
I'm also... well, I'm pretty.
Don't be all like, What a bitch, she's so stuck on herself! It's not my doing. It was a weird genetic quirk, and it generally makes my life hell.
I'll bet you occasionally get leered at by guys, right? At the supermarket, workplace, whatever. Little surreptitious side-glances at your breasts? Inappropriate sexual jokes by male co-workers?
Now imagine this: you work in an industry filled with guys with thick glasses who are still virgins at 27. They learned their social skills by playing Xbox with little headsets on. The only boobs they've seen outside of internet porn are... okay, they haven't seen any boobs outside of internet porn.
I'm being grossly unfair, I know. I do have some really great co-workers who have cool girlfriends, who are considerate, who are awesome human beings.
And I shouldn't bag on guys in Tech. I didn't lose my v-card until I was a junior in college, and I haven't had a date in the last six months.
But, seriously... there's an awful lot of nerds who spend departmental meetings just staring at my chest.
What really pisses me off is they don't take me seriously. That is, until I school their ass by rewriting their crappy code in under five minutes. Then they usually mutter something rude under their breath and walk away.
So. Pretty computer chick. Introverted. Works for a big online security firm as a forensic data analyst. Game of Thrones. Cupcakes. Occasionally goes to see hair metal parody bands.
My life is pretty boring most of the time.
Or it was, until the night of the Hollywood Charity Gala.
That's when things got a little... weird.
And hot.
Reaaaaal hot.
A strong wind lifted the white curtain covering the large window in the room where Louisiana, or Siana, was situated. Following that, the sunlight streamed in, fully awakening her. Silence greeted Siana as she opened her eyes, only to be met by the white ceiling. She tried to survey the room, but all she saw was a small table next to her bed and a couch. There were no displays or decorations to make the room visually pleasing. She furrowed her brow slightly, and tears began to trickle down her cheeks. "Siana!" a voice suddenly emerged from the emptiness, and she shifted her gaze to the woman who had just entered. "Am I alive?" she asked herself more than anyone else. She had wished for death, and she had come very close to it, so how had she ended up living? "Lia..." she called out to the woman. She wanted to speak and say so many things, but her tears silenced her, and they caught in her throat. She attempted to move, but the pain became excruciating. Her entire body felt as if it were being crushed. Looking at herself, she noticed various machines and devices attached to her. She couldn't move her legs or hands; they seemed paralyzed. "I'll call the Doctor for you," Lia said before leaving to summon the doctor. Minutes later, a doctor and a nurse arrived, examining her condition. The doctor let out a sigh. "You need to rest for now. We'll conduct more tests tomorrow." "I've been resting for..." "A year," the doctor added, leaving Siana stunned. "You still need to rest. We'll run some tests again tomorrow." The doctor and nurse exited the room, leaving Siana with Lia, who was speechless. "Siana..." "A year? A whole year has passed, and I'm still alive?" she angrily asked herself. "Siana, about..." Siana abruptly stopped crying and realized several things. "Where is he?" she asked, her gaze fixed on Lia. Lia shifted her gaze and walked to the open window, unable to answer the question. "Rest and gain some strength. We'll wait for you in Sierra," Lia said seriously before leaving the room. Siana wanted to stop her friend from leaving but lacked the strength. She was now an invalid, unable to do much, including thinking clearly. "Ryou..." she whispered into the wind. She closed her eyes and reminisced about a time when everything had been normal.
--- (PROLOGUE) (np: "Too Good at Goodbyes" by Sam Smith) -- You must think that I'm stupid. You must think that I'm a fool. You must think that I'm new to this, But I have seen this all before. -- "One-sided love. How painful is that? When you love someone who doesn't love you back? When you're the only one who loves? -- I'm never gonna let you close to me. Even though you mean the most to me. 'Cause every time I open up, it hurts. So I'm never gonna get too close to you. -- "How painful is it to be ignored? How foolish is love? How painful is it to beg for their love? -- Every time you hurt me, the less that I cry. And every time you leave me, the quicker these tears dry. -- "No matter how much I plead, why is there still nothing? Why don't you want me? Why does it hurt? Why, even though I know what kind of person you are, is it still you? -- And every time you walk out, the less I love you. Baby, we don't stand a chance. It's sad, but it's true. I'm way too good at goodbyes. -- "Why is it you, CLICK SACHIE ZALANDOMEZ? Why is it you, PSYCHO KILLER?? WHY IS IT YOU?? I'm SHANARRA VHIETRIZE LEE, and this is my miserable story."
PROLOGUE "That boy is a monster!" "I saw how he broke the metal!" "I also saw how he ran so fast!" The people who surrounded a large mansion shouted. Inside the house is the crying girl with her parents. "Mommy, I didn't mean it!" Child denial. His mother caressed his white and pale skin. "Shh... I know that." "Vaira, we have to leave before the situation gets worse." His wife said seriously. The woman thought deeply. "I know where we're going to send him. He'll be safer there." The young Zephyrie looked at them silently. His physical appearance is different than normal children. apart from its pale skin, it also has white shoulder-length hair, red lips and mixed blue and red eyes. Strange. "We will send him to his grandmother and he will be admitted to a school run by his mother." The woman suggested to her husband who agreed. "At the school of his fellow vampires."
Prologue There are things in this world that we cannot see clearly. Sometimes they are just people's imaginations and you may only read about them in books. Hiding because they know people will not understand them when they see them. evil but sometimes does inexplicable good. Things that.... Things? They are not suitable, what am I saying? They are not compatible. But not human either. Not a vampire like Edward Cullen, and not a werewolf like Van Helsing. they're not like Harry Potter, they don't have a magic wand. They are not aliens with superpowers either, because they are not superheroes in the first place. Angel? Looks like an angel, yes. But in person, my grandmother's eyes are still vague. Well! What are they? They are called aLICHINO, and don't even know who and what they are. Just sleep or play play station. Or just go to Facebook and add your crush. when you come home at night from school or work, avoid dark places especially if you see suspicious people, especially if they are handsome. There is a right time for kalandian. Don't even stop by the Ministop to buy a Cornetto, just let it open. and above all, don't ask for anything from someone you don't know. What if he can bring back your dead Poodle. Everything has a price. Don't imitate my stupidity. This is a warning! love your precious life before somebody takes it from you, the way it almost did to me. Be curious on a right way or else there'll be a hell to pay.
Prologue "Mom, Dad, are you sending me away? Why are they packing my things? I thought that the reason why you want me to come back here? Because you want me to spend some time with you guys? then now what? Are you kicking me out?" They didn't pay attention to me, they just looked at our helpers who were putting my things in the car. Seriously? I hope I don't just go home here, I enjoyed New York as a model. I just went home yesterday because they sent me home and now this is going to happen? I looked at my brother as he was busy on his phone so I picked it up. "Brother, do you know what Mom and Dad are doing?" It looked at me bored." I don't know maybe they rejected you." he didn't want to answer. It's really ugly, as if it was conceived out of spite. "You never change! You are still so rude and mean!" I walked out. It's annoying that my sister and I don't really get along, which I think was conceived out of spite. I leave what happened to him why did he change? He wasn't like that to me before. "Where do you think you're goin'?" It calls to me. "In hell brother, in your kingdom. Want to come with me?" I said sarcastically and rolled my eyes at him. "Tsk!" I heard He said and continued with what he was doing on his cell phone. "Brute!" I said annoyed and walked away from him. "Cassandra, Diego get inside the car now!" Our good father shouted before I could get away. I went in and my brother son of satan also followed. I would like to ask where we are going or should I say where they will take me? But I just didn't do it because they wouldn't answer me either. We were silent the whole trip, I could feel the tension that something bad was going to happen that day. After a few hours of driving, our car stopped at a big house. It's beautiful, it's obviously brand new, are they going to let me live here? But why are there cars parked here? We went downstairs and I immediately looked around the house. After a while some helpers came out, they took my things and put them inside, I really don't know what was going through my parents' mind? Dad and Mom went in first, then me and my brother. I was amazed at how beautiful it was when we finally got inside the house. This is my dream house, this is the house I want when I have my own family. we were greeted by a couple about the same age as our parents, they said hello and Mom introduced us here. "This is Diego and Cassandra our children." Mom while smiling. We did the same. I was surprised when Mrs. Braganza suddenly touched my face. "You are really perfect for him." This surprised me. Perfect for him? Wait, I don't get it? I was about to ask when someone suddenly spoke behind us. "Sorry I'm late." Said the baritone voice. I turned around, I saw a very handsome man wearing an expensive tux. his like a Greek God with a very expressive silver eyes. When our gazes meet, it's like hypnotism, it's like his eyes have a spell that you can't look away from? and when he smiled, my heart suddenly beat faster. Shit what's wrong with you heart? just freaking calm down! "Oh my son is here, let's start this ceremony?" Mr. Braganza said. That brought me back to my senses and I just averted my eyes from him even though my cells in my body didn't want it. we all went to the dining area I was surprised that there were many different dishes of food served. While I was busy looking at the food served on the long table. My brother's son of satan smirked so I turned to him and gave him a questioning look. he raised an eyebrow and slapped his forehead when I didn't understand what he meant to convey to me. "Take your seat, hija." Mrs. kindly said. Braganza and that's when I noticed that I was still standing. I didn't even realize that they were all sitting down. I was about to sit down when I saw that there was no other seat except next to him. I smiled and sat next to the man with the beautiful eyes. I inhaled his fragrant masculine scent. His manly expensive cologne gives shivers down my spine. it doesn't hurt the nose, it's just good to smell it.... it's addictive. We ate in silence when Daddy spoke. I leave why I was nervous? "So as from now Cassandra? your staying here with Lyde Kenjun Braganza, its time to fulfill your responsibility as his wife..."blah...blah..blah... I can't understand anything other than what Dad is saying, the only thing registered in my brain is Its time to fulfill your responsibility as his wife Its time to fulfill your responsibility as his wife its time to fulfill your responsibility as his wife Its time to fulfill your responsibility as his wife Its time to fulfill your responsibility as his wife Its time to fulfill your responsibility as his wife "Its time to fulfill my responsibility his what-wife?
Prologue My hand was shaking as I left the bathroom. I hid the Pregnancy Test in the pocket of my pants before leaving the room. as usual, I'm the only one here in our huge house. I sat on the sofa and stopped the sobs that I had been holding in for a while. I took the pt out of my pocket and two red lines were revealed to me. *thud!* I immediately turned to face the door as it opened violently. My husband entered as if a woman was there. Nothing but its attachment. But in this household, I look like a fixture. "A-ahh Ki-Kione. A-you're here" I said and stood up. he just stared at me blankly and he moved his eyes to the girl with him. "Let's go babe. We're just wasting time to her" he said coldly and led the girl into his room. I immediately smiled brightly and wiped my runaway tears. I went to the garage and got into my car. I immediately turned it on and I just drove by drive. I want to go away especially now that we have children. I know he doesn't care about it. He despises me a lot. and I cannot bare to see my soon to be child being miserable because his/her dad hates his/her mom a lot. I don't want to hurt it. I'm a bitch, just don't let him.
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."
After a passionate night, Verena left some money and wanted to leave, but was held by her companion. "Isn't it your turn to make me happy?" Verena, always disguising herself as ugly, slept with her fiance's uncle, Darren, in order to escape her engagement with her unfaithful fiance. Darren had respect and admiration. Word of his romantic escapades circulated, some saying they saw him kissing a lady against a wall and others calling it gossip. Who could ever tame Darren's heart? Then, shockingly, Darren was caught bending down to help Verena with her shoes, all to score a kiss from her!
She was hurt. She was bullied and made fun of. And the only hope that kept her going was finding her mate. She has always been weak. Weak to the world. Why? Because she was a lantern. She didn't have a wolf. That's what everyone thought about her. When she found her mate, he wanted her to be his slut and not a wife. She might be an omega, but it doesn't mean she will take disloyalty and betrayal lightly. So she did something that no one in history ever did. She rejected an Alpha. "I, Alexis Clark, reject Brandon Sterling, the alpha of Black mist pack, and consider myself a free soul until I decide so."; Were her last words before she left that torturous place and became a rogue. A rogue that everyone was fearing and finding. Why? Because she was the rogue that has become one of the biggest problems of almost all the packs in the country. She was Alexis Clark. A rogue that rejected an Alpha, stealth food, kill other rogues, and more than that was living with humans and studying with them. What will happen when her case is given to the world's most dangerous alpha, Sebastian Sinclair, who has taken it upon himself to punish this rogue. The one who hated rogues and omega to a level that was beyond understanding. Why? Because his mate was an omega, who betrayed him with a rogue before dying. How will Alexis tackle this alpha, in whose College she was studying and living under hiding for almost a year? What will Sebastian do when he finds out the new girl he had been talking to is none other than the rogue omega that he had decided to kill? "To love you with all my might was my only wish, but you were the only one who gave me endless suffering. So today, I promise myself to not fall for anyone."; A simple saying that both Alexis and Sebastian had vowed upon. Will they be able to find their love amidst all these problems?
The Billionaire Betrayed Wife follows Rachael Morgan, an orphan whose search for love leads her into the ruthless world of the Blackwood family. Betrayed by her husband and tormented by her adoptive sister, Rachael's life spirals into chaos when she's cast out and left to survive on the streets, pregnant and alone. Just when all hope seems lost, a mysterious savior from her past rescues her, giving her the chance to heal and rebuild. Years later, she returns stronger, armed with a fierce desire for revenge. With her son by her side, Rachael will stop at nothing to destroy those who shattered her trust-even if it means risking everything to reclaim her life and her power.
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."
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?