Falling in love with Adrian Sterling was never part of Katherine's plan. Not when he was younger. Not when he was her boss. And certainly not when he belonged to someone else. But love doesn't follow logic. From stolen moments in the office to whispered confessions in the dark, their connection grows stronger-until it becomes impossible to ignore. But with betrayal waiting at every corner, an ex-husband who won't let go, a daughter who loathes her, and a world that refuses to accept them, they have only one choice: Walk away or risk everything. I guess you'll just have to read the story to find out the one they chose! P.S. If you enjoyed this book, you won't want to miss my other story(A NANNY FOR HIS KIDS AND HEART), which is a crossover with this one! The two books share connections-characters, mysteries, and hidden clues that link their worlds together. Reading both will give you the full experience and reveal secrets you won't find anywhere else!
KATHERINE TURNER POV
As a romance novel lover, I thought I knew a thing or two about love but my own divorce from a manipulative gaslighter taught me that real life happily ever after takes a lot more work.
As I sat on my couch, nursing a glass of wine and staring blankly at the TV, my friends burst through the door like a tornado. "Time to celebrate, girl!" Lucy exclaimed, holding up a sparkly dress. "You're finally free from that maniac!"
I raised an eyebrow. "I don't know, guys. I'm not really feeling up for it."
But Angela was insistent. "Nonsense, Kat! You need to get out and live a little. No more hiding behind those frumpy clothes and that sad face."
Before I knew it, they'd dragged me into my bedroom and were rummaging through my closet.
"No way are we letting you wear that ugly sweater," Lucy said, holding up a faded gray thing. "You need something that screams 'I'm free and I'm fierce'!"
They emerged with a dress that made my eyes widen. It was red, tight, and had a neckline that plunged dangerously low. "You can't be serious," I said, but they just laughed and shoved me into it.
It was right to say the last time I wore a tight dress was years before I met Max, ever since we dated and eventually got married, it had always been loose clothing.
His reason? "I don't want to share you, and dressing flirtatiously will attract horny low-life guys."
It made sense, or so I thought. Next thing I knew, we were at a club, surrounded by pulsating lights and thumping music. I felt like a fish out of water, but my friends were determined to get me to let loose.
"So how do you feel, baby girl? When was the last time you went out for fun babes? You suddenly turned into a 61-year-old," They teased and a faint smile escaped my lips.
They were right though, I couldn't remember the last time I stepped into a bar not to talk of a club, even though I was 39 years old.
"Forget about him, and focus on yourself and your daughter," Angela shouted over the music. "Tonight is all about you, Kat. Time to start afresh"
At the mention of my daughter, my smile flattered, I knew Charlotte was not happy with my decision.
She loved her father, and I did too, until his manipulation and gaslighting became too obvious.
I thought I could continue to endure it. Sixteen years of marriage seemed worth saving, but when I saw him that night with a slutty-looking redhead while Charlotte was out for a school project and I was exhausted from work, I knew it was enough.
He didn't want "guys all over me" and didn't like "ungodly clothing," but he was screwing a redhead with makeup that could paint a canvas.
As the party continued, I noticed a tall, handsome guy with piercing blue eyes who seemed to see right through me. My eyes followed him as he made his way to the bar and ordered a drink.
"Oh my gosh! Guys, look at that hottie," Lucy cooed.
"Yeah, and he's a young guy," I emphasized the last words.
"But it seems he's staring at you, Kat, and age is just a number, it is to celebrate your win." They winked at me and shared a laugh.
Our eyes met, he truly was staring and I found myself gulping, his eyes were fierce and hypnotic.
I couldn't take my eyes off his chiseled body and hot looking face. He might be young but not for the night.
I hesitated for a moment before saying, "Well...maybe it is time for a change." I smiled.
"That's the spirit, girl. You go, girl!" Angela cheered.
They handed me a drink for confidence, and I made a weird face as the alcohol hit my throat.
I took a deep breath; maybe a night of freedom was what I needed.
I approached the bar where he sat, and soon we started talking even without asking for his name.
I blurted out that we should get a room, and to my surprise, he accepted.
I gulped down the remaining drink in my glass and caught my friends' eyes, telling me to enjoy myself.
We couldn't wait till we got into the room and started making out in the elevator.
I inhaled the musky scent on his body, feeling my lips down there becoming moist every second.
The ding of the elevator announced our arrival at the hotel suite.
His hands fumbled with the key as we stumbled into the room, kissing passionately as we made our way to the bed.
We gently pulled each other's clothes off, continuing to explore each other's mouths. The bulge in his pants was visible, but he took it slow.
He slowly traced his fingers along my cheeks and lips, sending a shiver down my spine.
I saw a dragon tattoo on his chest. It looked sexy on him and turned me on the more, before I could touch him, he stiffened.
He flipped me to face the other way and continued touching me with his soft yet masculine hands.
As our bodies drew closer, my mind raced. Was I being reckless? He was young, I should stop but the lady down there wanted him badly.
I wasn't sure if it was the alcohol playing pranks on me or if I wanted to escape my past. But I knew I was attracted to him.
I decided to enjoy the moment since it was a one-night stand and I was never going to see him again.
Little did I know, that one-night stand would change my life forever.
ADRIAN STERLING POV.
The blaring of my phone woke me up, reminding me that my team was waiting for me in the airport to return to the USA.
Groaning, I reached over to silence the noise, my eyes still heavy with sleep. As I turned back, I noticed the other side of the bed was empty.
Disappointment washed over me. The lady in red had left, and I didn't even know her name.
A smile crept onto my face as I recalled the previous night. Leaving my hotel room for the club downstairs had been the best decision.
The moment I saw her, I was captivated by her freckled face and blonde hair. But it was her dress that really did it for me. Red-my favorite color.
The dress complemented her skin perfectly, and the night we spent together was unlike anything I'd ever experienced.
I stretched, my muscles pleasantly sore from the night's activities. I got out of bed and headed to the shower.
I hoped I would see the lady in red again someday. But for now, I have work waiting for me in the USA.
Anya Petrova has always lived life her way-strong, fearless, and in control. But when she's bought by Viktor Romanov, the most dangerous man in Moscow, everything changes. He says he owns her now, but Anya has never been one to bow to anyone. Viktor wants more than her obedience-he wants her to give in to him completely. But Anya is not the kind of woman to back down, and the tension between them is as dangerous as it is irresistible. Viktor is used to getting his way, and Anya's defiance only makes him want her more. But she's not someone he can easily control. The more she fights, the deeper Viktor falls, and soon, what started as a battle for power becomes something much more dangerous. But Viktor doesn't know everything-Anya has secrets even more dangerous than his own. As desire clashes with control, they're drawn into a world of secrets, betrayal, and a passion they can't deny. But with enemies everywhere, trusting each other might be the most dangerous risk of all. Warning: Mature content, blood, fights, and explosions.
Ashley Smith finds herself at a crossroads after losing her job and facing eviction. Desperate for stability, she crosses paths with Owen Dalton, CEO of Dalton Empire-a man whose cold exterior hides a tumultuous past. Owen, struggling to connect with his mischievous twins reluctantly hires Ashley as their nanny. As Ashley settles into her role, spark flies between her and Owen but their romance faces challenges from manipulators and frenemies. Amidst the turmoil, Ashley uncovers shocking ties to Owen's family history, raising questions about their intertwined fate. Secrets unravel as they confront deceit and danger, testing their newfound trust and love. With the twins mother back to take what belongs to her, Ashley and Owe must navigate the shadows of their pasts to forge a future together. But will it be possible, when danger lurks from both ends? P.S. If you enjoyed this book, you won't want to miss my other story(LOVE BEYOND NUMBER), which is a crossover with this one! The two books share connections-characters, mysteries, and hidden clues that link their worlds together. Reading both will give you the full experience and reveal secrets you won't find anywhere else!
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
Blinded in a crash, Cary was rejected by every socialite—except Evelina, who married him without hesitation. Three years later, he regained his sight and ended their marriage. "We’ve already lost so many years. I won’t let her waste another one on me." Evelina signed the divorce papers without a word. Everyone mocked her fall—until they discovered that the miracle doctor, jewelry mogul, stock genius, top hacker, and the President's true daughter… were all her. When Cary came crawling back, a ruthless tycoon had him kicked out. "She's my wife now. Get lost."