Ana never expected Luiz, her ex-boyfriend, to come into her business meeting, let alone that it would lead to thirty days of searing love. ***** Ana is passionate about journalism, and now that she runs her father's newspaper, she will go to any length to keep it afloat. She didn't anticipate her ex-boyfriend, Luiz, to be the one she turned to for assistance. But there's a catch: he wants vengeance for betraying him back in the day. In exchange for the money, he wants her to spend thirty nights with him; however, things start to go wrong when flames bloom between them. Could this be their second shot at love, or will scandal and blackmail tear them apart forever?
Teng o de tus ojos, de tu boca, de tus besos...
These were the first words I heard Luiz speak.
I long for your eyes, tongue, and kisses...
On a sunny October day, he stood at the front of a University of Miami classroom and recited a poem in both Spanish and English. It was the second week of school, and he had moved to Public Speaking 101. He had previously skipped a few courses, so everyone noticed him when he read aloud.
All the females couldn't quit staring at him. Neither could I.
I was 19 years old.
Luiz stood tall and wore worn trousers and a basic black T-shirt. The dark stubble on his face, mixed with his black brows, eyelashes, and short black hair, gave him the appearance of the devil's best disciple. A flashing red peril for my heart.
Luiz gazed as he spoke. At me. I was seated in the second row. His eyes were filled with possessive want, and I wanted to fall at his feet and ask him to do anything he wanted with my body and soul.
When he finished speaking, Luiz looked at me with a half-smile that promised pleasure.
I was out of breath. Hypnotized.
Thank you, Mr. Menendez. "Ms. Lavoie, you're next," the professor announced, shocking me sufficiently to swiftly grab my papers. One dropped to the floor, and I hurried to get it, picking it up with shaking fingers.
I stepped to the front of the room, passing Luiz as he took his seat. I swallowed hard when our gazes connected for a brief moment. My mouth felt uncomfortably wet, so I folded my arms. I was conscious of how my vintage black-and-rose-printed Betsey Johnson slip dress and black flip-flops brushed against my flesh and wanted to take everything off. luiz's look left me feeling exposed. Makes me want to be nude. With him.
"Please tell us the title of the poem you're reading," the lecturer asked.
"I chose 'Sonnet Seventeen' by Neruda," I said in a faint voice, looking at the floor.
"Uncross your arms." And you'll have to talk louder. Remember: this is a public speaking lesson, not a public whispering class.
The few students who tried to pay attention chuckled, and I raised my gaze to Luiz. He slouched low in his chair, his long legs sprawled across the front row. His lips curled upward and formed a sensuous grin. I tucked my wavy hair behind my ears.
With a deep breath, I started.
Luiz fixed me with long, deliberate stares while I performed the poem. His lips opened, and I saw his tongue in the corner of his mouth. By the second phrase, I was smiling. It's a secret exclusively for him. It seemed like we were the only two individuals in the room.
When the class finished, I dashed outdoors into the white-bright Florida sun, shaking with feverish want. A gentle hand gripped my wrist, and the delicate hair on my nape shook.
"Ana?" he said, his tone mild.
"Yes."
At that time, I had only kissed a couple of guys and perhaps gone a bit farther. I was somewhat bashful back then. And I avoided males that resembled Luiz, mostly because I felt they would not be interested in a lady like me.
"Where are you from?" My little wrist seemed delicate in his large grasp.
"St. Augustine."
luiz's grin revealed dimples below his beard.
"So, Ana from St. Augustine," he continued, rhyming and capturing my heart. "What are you going to do this weekend?" Are you planning to attend the Fantasy Fiesta costume party, which everyone is raving about? "Are you dressing up?"
I chuckled, temporarily silent. Diana, my best friend, had told me about the party and urged me to join her. I had said no.
But if Luiz was present, perhaps I would. My skin flushed with heat as if I'd spent the day at the beach in August. His eyes were the most peculiar color, nearly copper, and they glinted in the sunlight.
"I don't have any plans," I said.
Another nasty smile. I'd never seen such long lashes on a man.
"Do you know what you should be for Fantasy Fiesta?"
I shook my head again, and he gave me a smoldering look.
"Mine."
When Abigail is offered a job as a maid at the Charles estate, it seems almost too good to be true. The work is easy and fair, her coworkers seem nice enough, and the best part? The owner doesn't even seem to live there. That is until he returns.
Irene Hart never fit in; being ridiculed every day at school and working continuously to pay off your mother's drug addiction was not what an 18-year-old wanted to accomplish in their senior year of high school. Â What happens when Irene is appointed to work as a maid at the house of a millionaire family, who also happens to be the crime boss? Â Irene's life is flipped upside down when two attractive brothers show an interest in her. Â Â
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
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!"
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."
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."
Leanna's life had been full of hardships until her Uncle Nate, who wasn't related to her, offered her a home. She fell deeply in love with Nate, but as he was about to get married, he ruthlessly sent her abroad. In response, Leanna immersed herself in the study of andrology. When she came back, she was renowned for her work on solving problems like impotence, premature ejaculation, and infertility. One day, Nate trapped her in her bedroom. "Seeing various men every day, huh? Why don't you check me out and see if I have any problems?" Leanna laughed slyly and quickly unbuckled his belt. "Is that why you're engaged but not married? Having trouble in the bedroom?" "Wanna try it out for yourself?" "No thanks. I’m not interested in experimenting with you."
Rejected by her mate, who had been her long-time crush, Jasmine felt utterly humiliated. Seeking solace, she headed to a party to drown her sorrows. But things took a turn for the worse when her friends issued a cruel dare: kiss a stranger or beg her mate for forgiveness. With no other choice, Jasmine approached a stranger and kissed him, thinking that would be the end of it. However, the stranger unexpectedly wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear, "You're mine!" He growled, his words sending shivers down her spine. And then, he offered her a solution that would change everything...