In a small town where reputations were everything, Kate, a pastor's daughter, faces scandal when her boyfriend abandons her while she's pregnant. To salvage her dignity and protect her family's good reputation, she marries Tony, a wealthy widowed stranger she met during an outreach program. Tony's relationship with Kate comes with some complications: his two adult children are unaware of his sudden marriage, and his affluent status stirs vicious gossip in his social circles. As Kate and Tony's marriage begins, romance blooms, but so do troubling rumors about Tony's past. With disturbing secrets emerging and threats looming, Kate must navigate the storm of scandal and deceit to find if the love she shares with Tony can ever survive or be destroyed beyond repair.
"Oh, shoot!" Kate muttered irritably.
She had stubbed her toe against the metal leg of the serving table where she was passing out food to recipients of the ongoing outreach program organized by her church. Even her thick boot couldn't protect her from the stinging pain of that unexpected collision.
Kate had tried so hard to remain focused all day but her troubled mind kept getting in the way. Now, she had a throbbing toe to remind her to get her head back in the game and stop drifting off mentally.
Kate scanned the crowd of volunteers going about their tasks to see if she would spot a familiar blond hair with a faded undercut among them, but she didn't. Her heart sank with disappointment. Where on earth was Kevin?
"Do you need some help here?" A rich male voice asked near Kate, bringing her back to the moment.
She looked at the man who had spoken and found herself looking into a pair of warm brown eyes belonging to a good-looking male specimen from another generation. The man was dressed in a beige polo shirt, a tan denim jacket, a pair of faded blue jeans, and tan patent leather boots.
His full black hair was already greying at the temples and his dark chocolate skin radiated with health. There were barely any wrinkles on his face, save for the crinkles near his eyes, which told Kate that this was a man who laughed a lot.
"Are you a volunteer?" Kate asked the man.
"Yes," he replied promptly. "I was at the church service when this outreach program was announced a few days ago, so I decided to join and do the little I can to help the windstorm victims."
Kate smiled at the man and asked, "You're not from around here, are you?"
"Guilty as charged," said the man, grinning and displaying a mouthful of straight white teeth.
"I'm in town for business," the man continued. "I thought I might stick around for a few days and get a feel of this place."
"You came to Sommerville to do business?" Kate asked in surprise. "There's nothing here. Why would you come to this unknown little town in Wyoming to do business?"
The man chuckled and said, "Actually, my business interest is in Sundance. I came here out of curiosity and because it's a stone's throw from my hotel."
"I see..." Kate said absently and scanned the crowd again. Kevin is still not there.
"So, can I help you?" The man asked Kate, distracting her again.
"Sure, go ahead," she answered and stepped aside to make room for him behind the serving table.
Kate wasn't exactly a short woman at 5 feet 6 inches in height, but she was instantly dwarfed by the man now standing beside her. She guessed he might be around 6 feet 2 inches in height, which was way taller than Kevin who was only three inches taller than her.
Kate got a whiff of his exotic cologne and she could tell that this man not only had style but a good taste in fragrances as well.
"My name is Tony, by the way," he said and extended his right hand to Kate.
"I'm Kate," she said and accepted his handshake. His grip was firm and brief.
From the softness of his hand, Kate assumed that the man probably got manicure treatments regularly or simply never did any hard work with his hands. She generally believed that men were meant to have hard palms, not soft, comforting ones.
"So, here's what you'll do," Kate said and showed Tony how to stack each paper plate with a sandwich, eggs, and sausage. The food is accompanied by a cup of coffee or tea, depending on the receiver's preference.
Tony got the hang of it real fast and with his help, more food got handed out quickly, shortening the queue in no time. Kate couldn't help but be impressed by Tony's efficiency. They worked in companionable silence, dishing out food and passing them to those in need.
Once all the food had been handed out, Kate began to pack up the coolers and remaining paper plates and cups. Without waiting to be told, Tony joined her.
"Oh, you don't have to do that," she told him quickly. "You've been a great help already."
"I don't mind," said Tony casually and he continued to clean up with her.
Kate found this man's humility very refreshing. Kevin would never. He was supposed to do the food duty with her but for whatever reason, he'd bailed on her. It was one of the things she disliked about him, aside from his arrogance and selfishness.
The only thing Kevin had going for him was his good looks and charm. That was why Kate fell for him. It was why she always overlooked his bad behavior even though she knew she should break up with him, particularly when he started making passes at her best friend, Wendy, and she'd told Kate about it.
Kevin had apologized to her repeatedly and promised never to cross that line again with Wendy. But he'd crossed with other ladies multiple times and called it, 'harmless flirting.'
She should have cut him loose long ago, but now it was too late. She was about to be stuck with her toxic boyfriend forever because of her carelessness.
"Are you alright?" Tony asked Kate softly. "You seem distracted."
"I'm fine," she responded quickly with a forced smile. "I think we're done here. Thank you very much for your assistance, Tony."
"You're welcome," Tony replied with a smile.
"Bye then," said Kate before grabbing an empty cooler in one hand and a stack of unused plates in the other and walking briskly away from Tony.
As Kate marched towards her car, a wave of nausea stopped her in her tracks. She inhaled a lungful of air and let it out slowly before continuing her walk to the vehicle.
It was a miracle that she'd managed to get through the food task without throwing up and causing a scene. It was getting more and more difficult to keep her current condition a secret. It was only a matter of time before she got exposed.
"Damn you, Kevin," she muttered angrily as she started to stuff her burden in the trunk of her fairly used blue Mini Cooper, a graduation gift from her dad when she finished college four years ago on her 21st birthday.
Kate pulled out her mobile phone from her back pocket and dialed Kevin's number. Her call went straight to voicemail.
Kate gritted her teeth in frustration but decided to leave a message anyway.
"Hi, Kevin. Please, call me as soon as you get this message," she said hastily. "No, it's not about you flaking on me for the outreach thing. It's about something else. Something very important. Please, call me, OK? We really need to talk."
Another wave of nausea hit Kate so hard that she actually gagged. She held onto her car for support while breathing deeply. Gosh, she needed to fix this situation as soon as possible.
Kate looked up and saw her best friend approaching with a wide smile on her pretty face. After taking another deep breath, Kate curved her lips into a smile and hoped that Wendy wouldn't notice that something was wrong with her.
All Vivian wants is to go through college without the drama of dealing with debts and angry creditors. Desperate for a way out, she reaches out to her friend, Cynthia, for help. Overnight, Vivian is introduced to a world of pleasure and influence beyond her wildest imagination. Within months, she's debt-free and living her best life. Just when she thinks life can't be better, she meets Oscar, a reclusive billionaire who is hard to please but generous with money. What started as a business arrangement quickly transforms into a whirlwind romance. However, their fairy tale love story is suddenly cut short when Vivian is kidnapped and everything spirals downwards from there. Is this a ploy by Oscar's opponents to torment him? Or are the lovebirds dealing with a familiar enemy who is determined to keep them apart at all costs?
Love is not part of why billionaire CEO, Kane Beaumont marries his virgin bride, Emilia Taylor. It was purely a contract deal to him and nothing more. Saving her family's business from the claws of evil loan sharks is Emilia's motive for marrying a man she barely knew. However, she doesn't count on being hopelessly attracted to him even when he treats her like a worthless peasant. Their relationship is chaotic, thanks to Kane's lover who is determined to ruin any opportunity of their romance ever blooming. Even if it means putting Emilia's life in danger, setting her up and turning the world against her. When sparks begin to fly between Kane and Emilia after an unfortunate accident, their relationship goes through a tough test that destroys the tiny flames of love burning between them. Will love eventually find a way in the end or will this marriage continue to be a high-stakes business deal with dangerous rewards?
"You are truly here," said the man softly, his eyes running over her as if trying to make sure she was who he thought she was. Erin couldn't hide her confusion. "Do I know you? I'm not sure we've met before.ā āNot in this lifetime, but you are mine," he replied confidently. āExcuse me?" Erin asked in utter confusion. Who was this guy, and why the heck was he saying this weird stuff to her? āI know you don't know me yet," the man continued.āBut you will, Edvana. You will know me because you are my mate.ā ************ When Erin agreed to take Devon up on his claim of being her destined mate, she did not expect to be transported back in time to a pre-civilization era during a werewolf civil war! How was she going to make it back to the future/present alive, when she was now caught in the middle of an apocalyptic battle?
Rachel Lane is a part-time dance instructor and YouTube content creator. Derek Fraser is a successful businessman at the head of a billion-dollar tech empire who works hard and plays even harder. They meet in a club where he is hanging out alone after a busy day at work, while she is there with her friends to celebrate her birthday. They run into each other at the bar, sparks fly and they leave the club together and end up having a one-night stand at his place. Two months later, she shows up at his office, pregnant. Derek is shocked and denies being responsible for Rachel's pregnancy. Disappointed and heartbroken, she leaves his office, determined to raise her baby on her own. One year after, he comes across her YouTube channel and sees that the baby he had rejected is now an adorable toddler and he yearns to have the child in his life. Derek tracks down his baby mama, trying to mend bridges with her, but she would have none of it. Now, he has to find a way to woo her and convince her that he is a changed man and he is ready to build a family with her. On the other hand, Rachel cannot help but feel that he is only trying to buy her affection, even though she is beginning to get attracted to him and he is turning out to be a great dad to their child. Should she give him a second chance or would that turn out to be a mistake that she might regret forever?
The kiss grew more passionate as he felt her warm supple body pressing against his chest. He couldn't believe how soft she was. He was gentler this time, making love to her with a slow, languorous pace, pausing now and then to check the expression on her face. Kira was. transported. She no longer felt the fabric of the sheets underneath her. One moment, she was floating in the air, cuddled by cotton candy clouds. The next, she'd become one with a dinghy, bobbing up and down with the undulating waves. His scent enveloped her. He was on top of her, using his arms to support his weight and avoid crushing her. She snuggled up closer to him, safe and snug, cocooned in his warmth. Kira had always marvelled at Austyn's stamina, but he outdid himself tonight. In the midst of overwhelming rapture, Kira still had the presence of mind to broach the subject she'd been meaning to bring up. 'My dad's medical bills.' Austyn paused. He frowned as he looked into those beseeching eyes. 'It'll be taken care of by the end of business day tomorrow,' he said with a bit of an edge in his voice. Kira breathed out. ****** She is a 21-year-old college student who dreams of becoming a journalist. He is the heir of the McCarthy family and president of a business empire. She is bright-eyed and vivacious, a glass-half-full kind of gal. When life throws her a curveball, she knocks it out of the park. He is the archetypal alpha male, aggressive and domineering. Endowed with both brains and brawn, he steamrolls over his enemies and rules his company with an iron fist. The two would never have crossed paths if not for a cruel twist of fate. Kira's world was turned upside down when her father was hospitalised after a car accident. The medical bills were astronomical. Austyn McCarthy offered her a way out. The price: becoming his contract wife. At night, he consummated their marriage but called out another woman's name. Who was she? Why did Austyn marry Kira if he was in love with someone else? Kira was his lawful wife, but she had no right to ask these questions. Then one day, the woman showed up in front of her.
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!"
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."
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true statureāthe wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"
āYou need a bride, I need a groom. Why donāt we get married?ā 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. āShe keeps asking for a divorce, but I donāt want that! What should I do?ā
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."