Clarity was better. "I'll be gone in the morning." I said quietly. It was sometime between two and three am. We both sat, lost in our own thoughts, my body shamelessly yearning for his comfort, when I'd just broken his heart. I kept sobbing quietly cause there was no stopping the tears that stemmed from a place of pain and guilt. Three times, three solid times, I stopped myself from lurching at his feet. I wanted to be held by him, but even though the distance between us, physically, was so small, we were more than miles apart emotionally. What terrified me more than the look on his face was what was going through his mind. Emma has caught the attention of the playboy in school, who happened to be the sexiest bully, and her Stepbrother.... They battle webs of secrets and lies, from friends and family, and finally, their own ego and desires. Chase wants to be Emma's last 'Goodnight' and her first 'Good morning', so does Kevin. Can he battle the insane attraction she has for Kevin, whom she had unfinished business with? Will Chase throw in the towel and let the rich tech guy swoon his girl? Will Emma ever forgive Chase's betrayal and indifference? Are their issues even solvable? Find out in the fast paced Falling For My Stepbrother 1
Emma's POV
"Are you sure about that?" I asked my mom as soon as she flashed her diamond ring in my face.
She's been head over heels in love with her new man, and while they get on my nerves sometimes, especially on the days I caught them making out in the living room, one thing I can't deny is the fact that they are good together.
"Yes honey." She replied beaming. "What's wrong?" Mom looked concerned, she probably sensed that I wasn't so cool with it, but I didn't want to be the party pooper.
"Oh no. Don't get me wrong. I just wanted to make sure that you are certain about it." I replied to her. "Besides, is it an old people's thing to not propose in public. Why did he slip the ring under the duvet?" I teased her.
"Please!" She said, laughing. Before Mark, my soon to be step dad, it's been a really long while since I saw my mom so happy. She was a workaholic. A lifestyle I think she picked up after my dad.
It was a great save from alcohol, but I still didn't have her to myself, it was all work, then Mark came along.
"So what's next?" Do I get to be on your train?" I asked.
She seemed so eager to laugh at every single thing. That probably is what happiness feels like.
I hope I get to experience it someday.
"You know that's a given." She replied.
I wasn't expecting that. I know it was a little delusional of me to think it was all a joke, but some part of me really wished it was.
I needed my mom!
Her marriage to Mark was going to mean a lot.
Mark is a great guy, but I'd rather we stayed like this. I don't ever want anyone else to hurt my mom the way dad did. He broke her so bad, she could not help it.
Our life wasn't so great afterwards, but it was at least drama free.
Mark, who owns a chain of stores, one of which my mom operated, started visiting more often, and not just for business sake.
In the beginning, it was nice that she came back from work less grumpy. Or that she started staying out a little later, giving me a itsy-bitsy little bit of freedom.
Then she brought back leftovers, which were far more classy than the veggies we always had for dinner.
I was excited and wished that whatever was driving change in this direction never stopped.
Then she started coming home with my own pack. I knew she couldn't afford that from her salary, and that was where the suspicion started setting in.
I mean, it was great that I could finally relate to all the great foods the girls at school always talked about, but I had my mom less.
Mom was home less frequently, fortunately or unfortunately, it was also around that time that a new neighbor moved in with her kids, both about my age.
Kayla made the first move. "Hi, I'm Kayla, he's Kevin." She broke into my thoughts on one of those days when I stood in the hallway, hoping no one saw me while I gawked at how toned 'he' was. It had always been 'he', now I knew his name, I could call him by his name in my dreams. Shamelessly, I was enjoying the fact that he was stealing my dreams and that I said everything I ever wanted to say to him in real life there.
"Oh. Uhm. Hi, Kay, Kayla." I stuttered dumbly after she snuck up on me. Her voice clearly betrayed that she found it amusing. She was seconds away from ripping at the seams.
"I'll tell him you fancy him. Some yeast to his ego that is already far off the roof." She gave an eye roll and stalled off. She was a very attractive girl. For a second, she made me wish I was into women. I'd have all that beauty to myself, till my eyes caught Kevin again. I instantly unwished it.
He was a Greek God in the form of a high school kid.
"Oh, and he takes your classes too." Kayla turned back and said when she was already within his earshot. Kevin turned back immediately and looked at who Kayla was referring to.
Determined to not let him see me, I turned back and ran back into the house.
I'm not proud of the last bit of memory I have from that morning, but the story is really incomplete without it.
Mom always had the decency to not be in the same space I was when she and Mark were on their never ending calls they made when Mark was out of town.
This time around, I ran inside determined not to let Kevin see who his stalker was.
Mom was clothless, stark naked. I wished that was all. She was on a video call with Mark, and trust me when I say she had more clothes on than he did.
I immediately ran back out, screaming.
This time around, Kevin and Kayla ran towards me. With each step he took, I saw his thighs contract and relax, his hair toddling in the breeze, and his eyes looking for who just made the eerie sound in the ever quiet hallway. They had gotten really close before I remembered that I had to have something to tell them. Stupid me!
I can't say anything about mom, never, that was between her and I...
"Are you alright?" He asked. The moment he opened his mouth, I wished he took mine in his. My hormones were rioting and running wild. Kayla, who understood, stood behind him, laughing at the exchange.
I was too embarrassed, already reddening in the cheeks.
Kevin put his hands on my shoulder and held my face in one hand. "I asked if you are alright. You screamed really loud." He repeated.
"Sorry." It's the only thing I could utter. My mind was blank.
Emily never imagined herself caught between not one, but three irresistible alphas. After Damon, her first love, broke her heart to protect his power, she swore off the dangerous, possessive world of werewolves. But when she's forced back into his life, Emily finds herself tangled not just with him-but with two other powerful men who have their own dark reasons for wanting her by their side. Damon, the ruthless billionaire who rejected her but now won't let her go, is determined to make her his. Then there's Adrian, the brooding, enigmatic alpha who sees through her defenses and ignites a fire she can't deny. And finally, there's Lucas, the charming rogue with a deadly smile, who promises her freedom if only she'll join his pack instead. Each man claims a piece of her heart, each drawing her into their own seductive, dangerous world. But Emily has a rule: no one owns her-not even the alphas who'd burn down their kingdoms to keep her. As rivalries, dark secrets, and brutal betrayals threaten to tear their world apart, Emily must decide: will she give herself to one, or will she defy every rule in the pack and choose them all? In a world of alphas, she's about to prove that one woman's heart is wild enough to conquer them all.
My legs grew extremely weak and I slumped to the floor. "Help." I yelled out to no one exactly. The one person I could trust in this crowd was the one killing me slowly. My consciousness sliped away from me gradually. The last thing I saw right before shutting my eyes close was Vance holding Nadia close, while I slowly wasted away. Talia's happily ever after ended abruptly as she couldn't satisfy Vance and he took a liking to her best friend, who is also her brothers mate. She is caught in a Web of conspiracy and pays the highest price, her life. But that is not all for her... Talia's rebirth in another body is the beginning of her second chance at life, love and Revenge. She has to go through fire and ice and has to do that as soon as possible, always being between a rock and a hard place. Would Talia be able to figure out her way with almost no memory of her past life and in very close contact with her enemies? Would she ever find love and learn to trust anyone? Find out in Her Moonlit Revenge.
"Then let's get a divorce!" With courage, Leora left her husband's house, after being accused of poisoning his mistress. Her in-laws and sister-in-law had planned various ways to kick her out of Peter's house and in the end Leora gave in. However, no one expected that things would turn 180 degrees after the divorce. When everyone who had hurt her was happy with each other's lies, Leora returned. This time, she was no longer the poor orphan girl from the orphanage. She has changed and not only that, she also carries a big secret that will make everyone turn to worship her feet.
Compelled by her dad's dilemma and the looming fate of their business, Irene agreed to become Braydon's lover. To outsiders, Braydon seemed invulnerable, yet only Irene was privy to the tempestuous passions he unleashed behind closed doors. Gradually, Irene found herself tangled in the intricate emotional snare Braydon had woven, her heart craving more, only to be shattered by the revelation of his engagement. Devastated, she left and soon encountered Braydon's archrival. It was then that the formidable Braydon confronted the esteemed surgeon Dr. Mitchell, all in a fierce struggle over Irene.
"You're the moon wolf, Lola. You're the wolf with the power of the Moon goddess", Serena said and collective gasps were heard in the room. After being rejected by her mate in Moonlit pack, Lola escaped on a full moon only to enter the territory of the next Alpha King who also happened to be her second chance mate. Adrian is the next Alpha King but he hasn't been able to assume his role because he needed a Luna by his side. A rogue that trespassed on his territory, whom he ordered be killed turned out to be his mate leaving him in a dilemma. Will Adrian reject Lola because she came into his territory as a rogue? Will he overcome what happened to him in the past and give Lola a chance or reject her and go ahead with Fay as his chosen Luna? What will happen when everyone finds out just how much power Lola wields and how she's supposed to protect her kind in an oncoming war? Find out in Lola - The Moon Wolf!
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
“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?”