How far is she willing to go to get her twin back in her life? London couldn't answer this question if her life depended on it. The limits to what she's willing to do for her twin doesn't exist. Pretending to be her sister for a dinner party? No big deal. That is, until she finds herself in the very complicated position of playing fiancee to a man she barely knows but is quickly falling for. She knows that when this ends, her heart is going to be left in pieces and yet, she's holding unto every second with a man that she has no right to. A man that doesn't know she exists.
London
"I need you."
Three words.
Eight letters.
Three little words that when uttered by the right person, had the power to drag me across the planet. The right person in this case was my twin sister Cathleen. We had been close once upon a time. Those words had been tossed out at any slight inconvenience. Back then when we were still a unit.
I hadn't heard those words from her in years. And why would I? What would successful, beautiful, straight-laced, independent, has-her-shit-together Cathleen Albright ever need me for?
"I'm not sure this is a good idea." I sighed into the phone after listening to my sister explain how she had had to make an emergency business trip but also had to be present for an important dinner with some friends. "We haven't done a twin switch in years. Nobody will believe it."
I heard her clacking away on her laptop. "We're spitting images of each other. Identical twins. You do remember that, right?"
I bit back my retort. I didn't want to fight with her and I knew pointing out that we hadn't seen each other in over a year and the time before that had been an awkward family dinner where we had exchanged stilted greetings would make her clam up faster than I could say Jack. I didn't know exactly what had gone wrong between us. I missed my twin though.
"Your friends are a bunch of rich-"
"London." She warned.
I rolled my eyes. "When I inevitably use the salad fork for desert, I'll be escorted out by security and our cover will be blown."
She tsked like I was being ridiculous. I wasn't. While Cath had set out to conquer the business world and was high up the corporate ladder and still ascending, I was -well- not. I didn't dine at five star restaurants with meals on the menu I couldn't pronounce let alone afford. I didn't even have clothes nice enough to get me through the doors of the places she ate in. We were so different regardless of the same physical features we shared.
"Nobody will blow our cover as long as you don't mess this up." She said in a tone that suggested that she couldn't believe I wouldn't mess this up. "Go to my apartment, I left a green dress on the bed, shoes at the foot of the bed. Make up is on the bedside table with a purse. My doorman will be expecting you."
"Cathl-"
"He'll give you the key card that gives you access to my floor. 2945 to unlock the door. Apartment 46" she continued like I hadn't even spoken.
"Cath-"
"It's simple really. Won't take more than an hour off your night. Show up, sit in a corner and ignore everybody. Smile a little. Drink a little. Make your excuses and leave. Any questions?"
"Yes."
"London-"
"Oh, shut up for a second Cath. I've been trying to draw attention to the fact that I don't know where the fuck your apartment is."
"Oh." She went silent for a second. We lived in the same city. She had lived here for ten years and me for six and the fact that I didn't know where she lived was the biggest evidence of how far apart we had fallen. "I'll send you the address. Oh and London?"
"Hmm?"
"Don't curse."
Three hours later I was staring at myself in the full length mirror in Cath's bedroom. I had spent a full thirty minutes gawking at her apartment. It was on the top floor of a high rise building and was one of the only two apartments on the freaking floor. It was a little bit too impersonal for my taste, and looked barely lived in. There were no pictures on the wall or personal nick nacks anywhere. In fact, the only room that had any sign of life was the home office.
The apartment was done up in stark white and blacks. I itched with the urge to dirty it up a bit. But nobody could deny that it was prime real estate. The floor to ceiling windows encompassing the whole place revealed stunning views of the city's nighttime skyline.
My phone chirped, notifying me that my Uber had arrived. I gave myself a final cursory glance. The outfit I had on had transformed me into my sister. The green wrap dress fit. But I imagined it would look much better if it clung a little more to my figure. It also hit an inch past my knee. In my opinion, it was too demure by half and I would never be caught wearing this. I bet it cost as much as a week's meal.
Grabbing the black coat that hung by the front door, I left the apartment. The elevator whisked me down to the tastefully decorated foyer. The doorman gave me a small nod as I passed by him and I had to wonder if he knew I wasn't Cathleen. My walking step could have given me away. I made a mental note to change from my normal long strides to the unhurried glide of my sister.
As the Uber pulled away from the curb, I had a moment of panic that everything wouldn't go according to plan. I pushed the thought away. Cath was right, it would take a maximum of three hours and then I'll be back in my bed and in my clothes. Then maybe Cath would be so grateful that we'd start hanging out and rekindling our relationship. I snorted. Maybe pigs would fly too.
The restaurant was one of those places I had always stared at from afar. Even looking at it now made my bank account wince and take cover. Cath had left me her card like she knew I wouldn't be able to pay for my dinner, and she was right. I was of course going to take advantage and order myself a large pizza afterwards.
I didn't know exactly what I was expecting as I stepped inside. Chandeliers, intimate lighting, round tables with pristine table covers, waiters in tail coats and people in expensive clothes drinking champagne. But it definitely wasn't a darkened room with a single table dead center. Candlelights flickered from random corners partially illuminating the room. Illuminating it enough that I could see a man standing by the table.
I walked forward like in a trance till I was standing a foot away from the table.
"Cath." He smiled.
Suddenly the chandelier just above us came on and at the same time, the man dropped to his knee in front of me.
Oh fuck..
I stopped breathing.
Not just because of how off plan the night was going, but also because the man kneeling before me was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. Or maybe in the world. Thick, dark, wavy hair that was a little too long brushed against his collar. His eyes were a green-gold-brown that both invited you to never look away and to avoid eye contact. High cheekbones and a shaven jawline that could cut glass with how sharp it was. I stood around five foot eight and the heels I had on added another four inches to my height, but he had still towered over me. Wide shoulders and a trim body enveloped by a dark suit and white shirt.
He was the picture of perfection.
And I had no idea who the fuck he was.
"-will you marry me?" The words snapped me back into the present and I blinked, noticing for the first time the ring he was holding out. The diamond set into the ring was simple and princess cut. It caught the light and seemed to sparkle. I almost blurted out a joke of how much I could huck it for.
"Y-yes." I whispered.
With a pleased smile, he slid the ring unto my finger and then rose to his feet. A second later, I was pressed into his hard body and his mouth was on mine. I was going to give my sister hell for this. She had better be looking forward to a lifetime in my debt for this.
"So I was thinking, since you took that leave at work, this would be the perfect time to go on a mini-vacation. I put in for a leave too. Just you and I. One week in our own private bubble."
"W-what? You- ah- but what about- uhm. I'm not packed." I managed.
This situation was quickly getting out of control. It was going from zit on my face on picture day to the fall of Rome in seconds flat, and I was thiiiis close to letting out a deranged laughter.
He shot me an apologetic little smile that had no right to be so cute on him. "I did a thing."
"A- a thing? What thing?"
"I had Jules pack a few things for you and get your passport too. So you have no excuse." He said. "We've both been so busy with work and you've just recovered from the flu. We barely get to see each other and I just got you to agree to spend the rest of your life with me. I kind of want my brand new fiancee all to myself right now. We both need some down time and I know you Cathleen, if I don't practically bully you into this, you'll never slow down enough to relax."
"Oh."
He kissed me again. Just a little brush of lips that had my toes curling in my shoes.
"Say yes." He implored, gaze intent on me. I couldn't say no to this man. I was weak.
"Yes."
Forget owing me for the rest of her life, I was going to murder my sister.
Kathleen's life goes up in flames with the death of her parents, her dream to go to havard, fall in love with a decent man and live a normal life burning to ashes right before her eyes. And just when she thought it couldn't get any worse, she's sold off to a ruthless Mafia boss. Dario DeSantis is a terrifying man and Kat is completely at his whim, her body his to use as he pleases. But what happens when the Devil of Chicago begins to crave more than just her body and his revenge? Could Kat risk giving her heart to a man who is only capable of destruction or will forces much greater than the both of them succeed in ripping them apart?
Madison Lane's uncomplicated one night stand turns out to be anything but uncomplicated when the man she had been dreaming about since their explosive night together turns out to be her new, mean and ruthless English literature professor. Lucian Buford is out for her, constantly singling her out in the class. Maddie can say goodbye to having any friends in class or having any fun whatsoever. Nobody wants to come close to her and incurr Professor Buford's wrath and he keeps her too busy with assignments to even have time to breathe not to talk of going to get lunch with the cute boy who's interested in her. Maddie thinks Lucian hates her, but what she doesn't know is that he's doing everything in his power to not drag her into his office and kiss her senseless. What happens when the professor with dark secrets and the fiery red hair he's obsessed with clash in a battle of wills? Will they both come out unscathed or be torn apart by forces that are beyond their control?
Months ago, a case of mistaken identity set off a chain reaction that ended with Millicent Haworth pregnant with ruthless billionaire; Tommy Bradford's child. Her plan is to have his child and maybe, some day in the future tell him about it and let him decide if he wants to be a part of their life. All of a sudden, he's sweeping back into her life and making her feel things she shouldn't be feeling. Millie knows what they have is temporary and there's no future where someone like him ends up with someone like her, but it doesn't stop her from falling a little bit harder every day. She knows he's going to break her heart at the end and there's nothing she can do about it.
Eight years ago, she thought he was a Money Boy at the club, and accidentally had a one-night stand with him because she was framed by her stepsister. Is $100 enough to buy a Money Boy for one night? The next morning, she casually dropped $100 and ran away. Eight years later, she returned with her genius son. Little did she expect to be "deceived" into the Noblefull Group by her beloved son. Her immediate boss turned out to be Mr. $100 from eight years ago! ... "Bad girl, how dare you humiliate me eight years ago, this time you will pay the price!" "Bad girl, one billion dollars, I buy your whole life!" "I just want to be a secretary. You already have several lovers. You are not my type." "But, I only have feelings for you, only love you." However, their relationship was not smooth. Due to a property dispute, his brother deliberately caused a car accident in an attempt to kill her and their son. Due to past grievances of the previous generation, his father held deep hatred towards him and sent assassins to kill them. There were also plots and attempts on their lives orchestrated by his girlfriend. On top of that, they faced oppression from rival factions of the mafia... This is a romantic novel about a billionaire and his secretary, involving several generations of love, hatred, and complicated relationships, and also involving the mafia, revenge...
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Married for four years, Emily remained childless. A hospital diagnosis plunged her life into hell. Unable to conceive? But her husband was rarely home during these four years, so how could she get pregnant? Emily and her billionaire husband were in a contractual marriage; she had hoped to win his love through effort. However, when her husband appeared with a pregnant woman, she despaired. After being kicked out, homeless Emily was taken in by a mysterious billionaire. Who was he? How did he know Emily? More importantly, Emily was pregnant.
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?
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"