Ruby never imagined she'd fall so hard for a stranger, but from the moment she met Zane, he became the man of her dreams. However, what she doesn't know is that she's been rejecting his best friend, Alex, countless times without even realizing it. Alex, tired of being overlooked, teams up with Zane in a twisted game of seduction and manipulation. As Ruby unknowingly gets caught in their web, she grows closer to Zane online, while simultaneously spending time with Alex in person. But when she discovers they've been playing with her emotions all along, Ruby makes a bold decision-to continue her anonymous relationship with Zane while keeping Alex close, determined to turn the tables. What starts as a game becomes a dangerous love triangle, and both men find themselves falling for Ruby. Now, with the truth looming, Ruby must choose between the two-only one has captured her heart, but both could shatter her soul.
Ruby adjusted the hem of her black evening gown for what felt like the hundredth time, glancing around the opulent ballroom as a wave of uncertainty washed over her. The event was more glamorous than anything she had ever imagined. The chandeliers, dripping with crystals, cast a warm, golden glow over the polished marble floors, while the chatter of the elite buzzed through the air like a hum she couldn't quite tune into.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm the anxious flutter in her chest. Her boss had insisted she attend, calling it a "networking opportunity." But Ruby wasn't foolish. She knew she didn't belong here. The wealthy, the powerful, the beautiful-they all seemed to glide effortlessly through the room, exchanging charming smiles and empty pleasantries. And there she was, a junior marketing executive who had stumbled into this world by sheer accident.
The weight of eyes occasionally grazing her as they passed, judging silently, made her feel exposed. She hadn't worn her designer gown-she didn't own one. Her dress, sleek and simple, was a rental, but its elegance was far more understated compared to the extravagant ensembles around her. A part of her wondered if everyone could tell she didn't fit in.
She grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing waiter, hoping the bubbles would offer some relief from her nerves. As she sipped, her gaze wandered around the room, falling upon clusters of people deep in conversation, all too polished, too composed, too artificial. Her fingers tightened around the cool glass as she debated sneaking out.
That's when she saw him.
Zane.
He stood at the far end of the ballroom, his tall, commanding presence drawing her gaze as if it was inevitable. His tailored black suit fit him perfectly, accentuating broad shoulders and a trim waist, the crisp white shirt beneath adding a striking contrast. The crowd seemed to part around him as if they instinctively recognized his authority, though he wasn't making any effort to engage. Instead, he stood quietly, scanning the room with the same distant detachment she felt.
Ruby's breath hitched. Something about him was magnetic. His dark, unruly hair framed a face that was handsome in a rugged way, but it was his eyes-sharp, assessing, and deeply intense-that caught her attention. He wasn't like the others, the kind of man who used charm and smooth words to blend into this polished world. No, there was something different about him. Something dangerous.
She sipped her champagne again, trying to pretend she wasn't staring. Yet, every time her eyes strayed, they inevitably found their way back to him. Who was he? His aura was almost overpowering-self-assured, perhaps even a little arrogant-but there was a mystery in his expression that made him impossible to ignore.
He shifted, and for a brief moment, their eyes met.
A jolt of electricity shot through Ruby's body. His gaze, steady and unreadable, lingered on her for just a beat longer than necessary. It felt as though he could see right through her, peeling away her layers, exposing her insecurities. She looked away, heart pounding in her chest, her cheeks growing warm. What was that?
She tried to busy herself, turning her attention to the other guests, but the hum of the party faded into the background. The conversations around her blurred, and suddenly, she felt even more out of place than before. It was as if the room had narrowed down to just the two of them.
When she dared to look back, Zane was still watching her. This time, a slight smirk played on his lips, one corner lifting ever so slightly. Her breath caught in her throat. There was something about the way he looked at her, something that stirred a strange mix of curiosity and apprehension. He wasn't like the polished, safe men who frequented these events. He was dangerous, she could feel it, and yet, she couldn't pull away.
Another sip of champagne did little to quell the heat rising inside her. She forced herself to look anywhere else, letting her eyes wander to the vast chandeliers above, the intricate floral arrangements on the tables, the grand staircase leading to the second floor. It was easier to pretend she hadn't noticed him at all, easier to convince herself that the moment had been in her imagination.
But the image of his intense gaze stayed with her.
"Ruby! There you are!"
The sound of her name pulled her from her thoughts, and she turned to see Clarissa, her boss, gliding toward her with a bright smile. Clarissa was everything Ruby wasn't-confident, glamorous, and perfectly at home in a room full of millionaires. She wore a deep red gown that hugged her every curve, a look of easy sophistication in every move she made.
"I've been looking for you," Clarissa said, looping her arm through Ruby's. "There are a few people I'd like to introduce you to. Networking, remember?"
Ruby forced a smile, nodding even though her mind was still on the mysterious man across the room. She couldn't help but sneak one more glance in his direction, only to find that he had disappeared. A pang of disappointment tugged at her, and she didn't know why. She didn't even know who he was, and yet... she wanted to.
"Come on," Clarissa urged, pulling Ruby along toward a group of investors. "This could be big for you."
Ruby followed, but her mind was elsewhere. As she was introduced to various high-profile figures, shaking hands and exchanging polite conversation, the image of Zane remained etched in her thoughts. There had been something in that moment-something unspoken, something electric-that she couldn't shake.
The evening dragged on as Ruby made her rounds, trying to be polite and engaging, but all the while, she kept searching for him in the crowd. He hadn't reappeared, and with each passing minute, the evening seemed to grow duller. The champagne didn't help. Neither did the mindless chatter of the wealthy, discussing investments and business mergers with a cold detachment that made Ruby feel invisible.
Just when she had resigned herself to a long, uneventful night, Clarissa leaned in, whispering, "I saw you looking at someone earlier."
Ruby's heart skipped a beat. "What? Who?"
"Tall, dark, handsome," Clarissa teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I saw the way you two exchanged glances. Don't worry, he's not exactly the type to bite."
Ruby flushed, grateful for the dim lighting. "I wasn't-"
"You should get used to this crowd, Ruby," Clarissa interrupted, squeezing her arm. "Men like him, they're sharks, but you can't let them intimidate you. You'll never survive in this industry if you do."
Sharks. The word echoed in Ruby's mind. Maybe that's what he was. Dangerous, powerful, and always circling.
"I've got to go talk to someone about a potential deal," Clarissa said, flashing her a quick smile. "But I'm telling you, keep your eyes open. You never know who might take an interest in you."
As Clarissa disappeared into the crowd, Ruby exhaled, her mind spinning. She glanced around the ballroom one last time, but there was no sign of the mysterious man who had so captivated her earlier. The evening felt strangely incomplete without him.
But as she turned to leave, a lingering thought kept her rooted in place.
Who was he? And why did it feel like their paths were destined to cross again?
Little did she know, this brief encounter was just the beginning.
She's my best friend's sister, which meant she was off-limits. But I could never keep my distance, because I had always wanted Mia. I tried hard to resist my feelings for her, yet, I couldn't. So, I walked away, thinking it was the right thing to do. Now, ten years later, I've made a name for myself. I'm a billionaire with everything I ever dreamed of-except for one thing: Mia. When I see her again, she's not the shy girl I once knew. No, she's confident, strong, and still the one person who has the power to make me lose control. However, she's also cold and distant, treating me like just another client, a stranger. She has every reason to hate me. But this time, I'm not walking away.
Rhea finds herself mistakenly caught in a breeding ring. Kidnapped from her life, she must escape while dealing with unexpected feelings for the men who captured her and their sister. As she fights to save herself and the others, Rhea discovers that love can emerge in the most difficult situations. Will she embrace her fate and become their mate, or will fear and danger tear them apart?
"He picked me back up against the wall, with the water running down both of our bodies, and I could feel the head of his dick..." Mature readers only: Whispers of lust is a series of steamy tales that explores temptation, lust, and forbidden pleasures. . Dare to read this collection of steamy escapades, where every page pulls you deeper into a realm of passion. Sometimes, the sweetest pleasures are the ones you're not supposed to have.
Betrayed by the family that was supposed to protect her. Forced into a marriage meant to break her. Alessandra Russo is not a woman to be silenced. After the mysterious death of her father, the powerful mafia boss of New York, Alessa is cast aside by the men in her family-her rightful place as heir taken away from her. They believe her only worth is in forming an alliance through marriage to Luca DeLuca, the ruthless leader of a rival mafia clan.But Alessa has no intention of being a pawn in their deadly game. In the shadows of her forced marriage, she learns to play the game of power and deceit, outwitting those who dare to underestimate her. As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, Alessa finds herself caught in a web of lies.With betrayal at every turn and the weight of an empire on her shoulders, Alessa must decide whether to rise as the queen of both families or burn them all to the ground. Power comes at a price, and in the mafia, nothing is as dangerous as a woman with nothing left to lose.
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
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?
The night before her engagement, Valerie was tricked by her boyfriend and stepsister into spending the night with a stranger. After the night together, the man vanished. Later, her boyfriend accused her of cheating, revealing his affair with her stepsister. Pressured by her father, Valerie married an unconscious man in place of her stepsister. Valerie exposed the scheme, sabotaged her father's ambitions, and transformed herself. When her husband woke and chased her to the airport, she calmly refused him, saying, "It's over between us." He held her firmly. "You married me, so you must commit."
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.
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"