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Elona is on the cusp of a new chapter-her final year of high school. A dream she has her sights on becoming a model. But beneath her confident exterior lies a secret crush on someone unexpected-Mr. Crane, her best friend's father. Three years ago after the tragic loss of his wife, Mr. Crane, a painfully handsome man, stands as a hardworking billionaire, a symbol of both success and unspoken pain. His world intersects with Elona's through her best friend, their shared street, and his friendship with her dad. One fateful day, a slip of a thumb changes everything. Elona accidentally sends Mr. Crane a series of revealing photos intended for her best friend. As he sits at the boardroom table, he receives unexpected images. His gaze lingers on the screen, he has a choice to make. Will he confront the accidental message, risking a fragile friendship and potentially igniting emotions neither anticipated? Or will be grapple with his own desires in silence, seeking a way to navigate this uncharted territory without disrupting the lives around him?
Elona's POV
The golden rays of the afternoon sun filtered through the tall trees lining the street as I walked down the familiar path to Crislynn's house. Crislynn has been my best friend since we were six years old. We share a street and they were welcoming when my father and I moved here back then. It was a luxurious neighborhood, but the glistening facades of the mansions were nothing compared to the dreams that brewed within us. With my heart racing, I approached the familiar house with its elegant architecture and well-kept garden. I raised my hand to knock on the door, butterflies dancing in my stomach.
The door swung open to reveal Crislynn, her auburn hair falling in waves around her shoulders. Her bright green eyes held a hint of mischief as she grinned at me. "Elona, you are right on time. Come on in!"
We settled down in the kitchen. I sat on the barstool at the kitchen counter while Crislynn poured us some grape juice. We are in our final year of high school. We are yet to embark on a new chapter of our lives next year. "My dad left to attend some meetings so I was bored," I said as she placed the grape juice in front of me. My dad was into real estate, but I am always grateful for the time that he still takes to be with me. We have a great father/daughter relationship that I don't want to ever break.
"I was going through some research on colleges to attend," she said as she placed the juice back into the fridge and then she turned back to me. "It is very difficult to choose which college to apply to. Journalism is my dream and I don't want to leave my father here. I worry about him," she said with a hint of worry.
I felt sorry for her, she was close to her father too. When I moved here, I had the privilege of meeting her mom, Estelle. Crislynn resembled her mother, but she had his piercing blue eyes. Her mother passed away three years ago and it had been difficult for both of them. My mother passed away when I was five years old and at this point, I didn't want to even think about it because I was supposed to be cheering up my best friend.
"I'm sure that he would want you to live your life and have fun." I smiled weakly at her.
"You have seen how he buries himself in work and I would suggest that he starts to date again, but I highly doubt he would," she let out a heavy breath.
"It is his choice after all," I took a sip of my juice. I must admit that I have a tiny crush on Mr. Crane, but not enough for me to want to actually pursue him.
"I guess you are right," she said.
"I have been thinking about something that I might pursue as a possible career choice," I said as I kept my hand on the glass.
"Please, spill it!" she was always so eager to know.
I smiled nervously. "Well, I have been thinking a lot about my future lately. I want to pursue a career in modeling."
Crislynn's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and excitement. "Wow, Elona!" she was taken aback. "You've got the looks and the confidence for it, no doubt. But you are still shy in a way."
I couldn't help but blush at her words. "Thanks, Crislynn. It's just that I have been researching agencies and talking to people, and I really believe I can make it. I will never know if I do not try and maybe that shyness can disappear. I am still thinking about it, but for now, please don't tell anyone until I have made up my mind and have spoken to my father about it."
Crislynn's grin widened. "I promise, I won't tell anyone. I have no doubt that you will be great, Elona. And you will have me cheering you on every step of the way."
"That means a lot and you know that I will do the same for you," I smiled.
"Of course. Now, it is just to get my dad into the dating field again," she said. We heard the front door open and close and I knew who it was. My heart beat wildly in my chest at this sudden feeling of nerves and excitement.
All of a sudden, I tensed when I heard Mr. Crane's voice behind me, "Good afternoon, girls," he said, and Crislynn smiled at him over my shoulder.
"Hi, dad. You are home quite early," she said. Mr. Crane appeared beside me as I caught a glimpse of him. Mr. Crane was undeniably attractive, with sharp features and a charisma that seemed to radiate effortlessly. It was as if he was accustomed to the spotlight, even within the walls of his own home.
"How are you, Elona?" He looked at me with those haunting forest green eyes that haunt me in my dreams at times. I cleared my throat.
"I'm good, Mr. Crane." I smiled and looked down at my juice. I was feeling the heat that creeped up into my cheeks. I never felt this way on this level before.
"That is great to know," he replied and his voice was very velvety. "Have you been researching which college it is that you want to apply to?" he asked Crislynn as he went to the cupboard and he reached to the top to get a glass. I took in his lean muscles through his black Armani three-piece suit. That didn't help me either.
"Yes, I have been looking at it, but we have some homework too. We have an essay to write. Is it okay that Elona can stay over for dinner? Her father is out to attend meetings and it's a Friday night. I can order pizza for us." she said.
When my eyes found Mr. Crane again, he was sipping water from his glass as he watched me intently until he stopped sipping. "That is fine with me, in the meantime, I have some work to catch up on in the study room," he said as he turned around and placed the empty glass in the sink and walked away.
My heart raced, and for the first time, I truly saw him, not just as Crislynn's dad, but as a man. And as his eyes met mine for a fleeting moment, I realized with a jolt that my tiny crush on him was way more than just that.
The sensation was overwhelming, and I couldn't deny the attraction I felt towards Mr. Crane. The way he carried himself, the depth in his voice, and the mesmerizing green eyes made it hard for me to focus on anything else. I couldn't believe I was sitting in his home, about to have dinner with my best friend and her incredibly charming father. My emotions were in turmoil as I contemplated this newfound, and slightly forbidden, crush.
I couldn't help but replay every moment, every word, and every glance we had shared. It was as if a switch had been flipped, and I found myself irresistibly drawn to him, far beyond what I could have ever imagined.
I wondered if he could ever see me as more than just Crislynn's friend. Would he ever notice the way my heart raced when he was near, or the way my cheeks flushed when he spoke to me? My infatuation felt like a secret I carried around, hidden deep within my heart, only occasionally surfacing in stolen glances and bated breaths.
But I knew, deep down, that this crush was an unattainable dream. The age gap, the family dynamics, and the respect I had for Crislynn's father all formed an insurmountable barrier. It was a painful realization, one that often left me in a state of inner turmoil.
I tried to redirect my focus towards other aspects of my life, like my modeling aspirations and our upcoming graduation, but Mr. Crane's presence remained a constant distraction. It was as if he occupied a significant space in my heart, one that was not easily vacated.
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."
"Who is she?" I asked, feeling tears well up in my eyes. "He met her at the Alpha training camp," he said. "She is a perfect suitor for him. It snowed last night, indicating that his wolf is happy with his choice." My heart sank, and tears made their way down my cheeks. Alexander took my innocence last night, and now he is taking that thing in his office as his Luna. **** Emily never shifted on her 18th birthday and became the laughingstock of the pack. When her old crush, Alexander Black, returns from Alpha Training, she never expected him to be her mate. After a night of passionate love, Emily finds out that young Alpha Alexander has taken a chosen mate. Heartbroken and humiliated, Emily runs off and disappears from the pack. Now, five years later, Emily is a high-ranking warrior in King Alpha's army, specializing in sensitive matters. When her best friend invites her to a night of music and laughter, she never expects to run into her mate, Alexander. Will Alexander figure out it is Emily? Will he chase after her, and most of all, will Emily be able to keep her secrets safe?
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."
"I'm going to tell you what I have in mind," he murmured. "First you're going to strip down until you're completely naked," he whispered against her ear. "Then I'm going to tie you up so you're completely powerless and subject to my every whim." "Mmm, sounds good so far," she murmured. "Then I'm going to insert a plug to prepare you for me. After that I'm going to spank that sweet ass of yours until it's rosy with my marks." She shivered uncontrollably, her mind exploding with the images he evoked. She let out a small whimper as he sucked the lobe of her ear into his mouth. God, she could cum with just his words. She was already aching with need. Her nipples tingled and hardened to painful points. Her clit pulsed and twitched between her legs until she clamped her thighs together to alleviate the burn. "And then I'm going to f**k your mouth. But I won't cum. Not yet. When I'm close, I'll flog you again until your ass is burning and you're on fire with the need for relief. And then I'm going to f**k that ass. I'm going to take you hard and rough, to the very limits of what you can withstand. I won't be gentle. Not tonight. I'm going to take you as roughly as you can stand. And then I'm going to cum all over your ass. Are you ready to be completely and utterly dominated?"
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 three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"