MATURE CONTENT: 18+ This book contains mature content. Readers are advised to be at least 18+ as some themes may be inappropriate or triggering for certain audiences. --- After years of guarding her heart, Aria Vale agrees to a no-strings-attached arrangement with Elliot Blackthorne, the cold and ruthless CEO of Blackthorne Atelier, the world's leading luxury fashion house. But when Elliot's manipulative ex-fiancée, Selene Cross, returns to reclaim her place in his life, Aria is forced to confront her growing feelings and the man who refuses to admit his own.
ARIA VALE
There are two kinds of people who walk into Blackthorne Atelier, those who belong there and those who never will. As I stand in the towering lobby of one of the world's most prestigious fashion houses, I wonder which category I'm about to fall into.
A woman in impossibly high heels clacks past me, her perfume lingering in the air like a cloud of judgment. I square my shoulders and tighten my grip on my leather portfolio.
Nerves churn in my stomach, but I've gotten good at hiding them. Confidence is part of the game in my line of work, and no matter how intimidating this place feels, I won't let it show.
"Ms. Vale?" The receptionist calls my name with an air of polite disinterest. She barely glances up from her computer. "Mr. Blackthorne will see you now. Top floor."
I nod, murmuring a quick thank you, and make my way to the elevator. As the doors slide open, I step inside and take a deep breath. I've walked into high-stakes meetings before. CEOs, boardrooms, billion-dollar negotiations. I've seen it all. But Elliot Blackthorne? He's in a league of his own.
Everyone in the fashion industry knows his name. At thirty-four, he's built Blackthorne Atelier into an international powerhouse, a brand synonymous with luxury, precision, and perfection.
His suits are as sharp as his reputation, impeccable, impossible to ignore, and utterly untouchable. He's the man who single-handedly saved his family's legacy and turned it into an empire, all while making headlines for his icy demeanor and the women desperate to crack his armor.
The elevator dings, and the doors open to reveal the top floor, a sprawling, glass-walled office space with panoramic views of New York City. The air smells like expensive leather and something faintly citrus. For a moment, I'm distracted by the skyline stretching out ahead of me.
For exactly three seconds, I allow myself to marvel at the view. New York City sprawls below like a glittering promise of ambition and chaos, but I don't have time to admire it. A sharp voice, smooth and commanding, cuts through the air, pulling me into the present.
"I don't care how much they're asking," Elliot Blackthorne growls, his tone clipped. "If that shipment isn't here by tomorrow, heads will roll. Do I make myself clear?"
I freeze mid-step as I take in the room. Elliot stands with his back to me, silhouetted against the wall of windows, phone pressed to his ear. Even from behind, he's a commanding figure, broad shoulders encased in a charcoal-gray suit, every inch of him exuding power.
But it's not just him that catches my attention. I quickly notice four women standing nervously off to the side, each clutching sleek black folders. Their posture varies, one fidgets with her sleeve, another bites her lower lip, but they all wear the same tense, uncertain expression. Like they're waiting to be judged.
I hesitate. Am I supposed to join them? My stomach twists at the sight of the others, consultants, assistants, interns? I don't know, but they all look as if they've been handpicked for this moment. One of them glances over at me, her gaze sharp and assessing, as though she's already sizing up the competition.
I take a slow breath, refusing to let their nerves infect me, and quietly make my way over to join them. I might not know why we're all here, but I'm not about to show weakness.
Elliot's voice rises slightly, his frustration palpable. "I don't care if the supplier's on vacation. Find him. Wake him up. Bribe him. Do whatever you have to, but if those fabrics aren't in my office by tomorrow morning, I'll pull every one of his accounts from our list."
He disconnects the call with a sharp flick of his hand, muttering something under his breath before turning toward us.
And that's when I see him....really see him.
Pictures in magazines, photoshoots in glossy editorials, and perfectly curated TV appearances did him no justice. Up close, Elliot Blackthorne is something else entirely.
His suit fits like it was stitched directly onto him, every line sharp and deliberate. His dark hair gleams under the sunlight spilling into the office, neatly styled but with just enough disarray to hint at something less controlled.
And then there are his eyes. Steely gray and piercing, they flicker across the room, pausing momentarily on me before shifting to the others. My breath hitches, just for a second, but I quickly recover, locking my expression into something neutral.
"Good. You're all here."
His voice cuts through the silence, as crisp and sharp as the edge of a blade. He steps forward, sliding his hands into his pockets with the kind of effortless confidence that takes years to perfect.
"Let me make one thing very clear," he says, his gaze sweeping over us like a spotlight. "I don't have time to waste, and neither do you. I expect results, not excuses. If you're standing in this room, it means I think you might be capable of fixing what's broken. But the truth is, most of you won't make the cut."
One of the girls shifts nervously, and Elliot's gaze lands on her. She freezes under the weight of it, her face flushing.
"Which brings me to the point," he continues, pacing slightly in front of us. "Blackthorne Atelier is on the brink of its most important merger yet. I'm not interested in half-measures or hand-holding. Whoever earns their place here will work harder than they ever have in their lives. If you're not up for that, leave now."
His words hang in the air, daring someone to step back. No one moves.
I stand tall, refusing to be intimidated. My job isn't to impress Elliot Blackthorne with charm or theatrics. I'm here because I'm damn good at what I do, and if there's anyone who can fix the chaos lurking beneath his empire, it's me.
Elliot's gaze finally settles on me. For a long moment, he says nothing, and I resist the urge to squirm under his scrutiny. It's like being pinned under a magnifying glass, hot, uncomfortable, and revealing.
He doesn't look away, as if testing my resolve.
MATURED CONTENTS: 18+ This book contains matured contents. I suggest readers should be at least 18+ to read, as the content could be inappropriate or triggering for some. In this story our female lead is not childish or slow witted, she is independent and dominant, watch her be the villain in her own story or is she? * * * * * * * * * * There are a lot of things Olive Martinez looked forward to but breaking a married man's home wasn't one of them, she was a call girl and he was a one time client that would change her life forever.
WARNING : Matured contents !!! 18+ This book contains a lot of steamy content. I suggest readers should be at least 18+ to read. "I'll never be your plaything," my voice cuts through the tension. "Your father's debt was paid with your life. You belong to me now," he declares, grabbing me by the arm. ________________________ Enzo Saviano, a formidable Italian mobster abducts Gabriella Diaz as payment for the debt of her father who is desperate to settle his gambling debt. For Enzo she is just like every other girl he has slept, a easy fuck or is she?
WARNING : Matured contents !!! 18+ This book contains a lot of steamy contents and profanities, it doesn't get boring, it only gets hotter. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Fuck ," Keir moaned as he placed his hand on her head motioning her to reduce her pace as she was at the edge of making him loose his mind but she didn't stop rather she continued gagging on his dick swiftly and at interval she would meet his eyes with a smile on her face. "Damn," Keir moaned again this time loudly as he released into her mouth, watching her take all of him as she swallowed. He didn't know how they had gotten here but he was pleased, his parents had organized a get together with all their shareholders and as usual Octavia had suggested they go have their own meeting in his office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Why are you looking at me like that?" Octavia asked with a puzzled look, did her statement sound offensive to him. "I am just thinking of when you would stop talking, so I can bend you over on that table over there and fuck you from behind with your thong still in place till your legs begin to tremble," Keir smirked leaning into his seat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Octavia Cosmo and Keir Hydra are childhood friends, they come to a compromise after being in a series of unhealthy relationships with their past partners to be in a friend's with benefits situation to satisfy their sexual urge. They keep at it for some while till Octavia realize she might be in love with Keir when he informs her he wants to call off their agreement off as he is now in love. Will she let him go or do the untold to keep their agreement permanent?
"I stood at the edge of my heart and watched him choose her. In the end, I was not the one he needed. I was simply the one he settled for." - Noelle ~~~~~~~ I thought I was the one he loved. But a few days before our wedding, I saw him in a way I never had before. His eyes softened as he spoke to her. His first love, and the very woman who had left him in pieces. Heartbreak was something I knew too well. And as I watched the love he still held for her in his eyes, I realized what I had to do. I couldn't marry a man who wasn't truly mine. With no means to cancel the wedding and lacking the courage to confront him, I made a desperate choice to leave. I painfully gave his first love my treasured engagement ring thinking it was for the best and the only way to free myself. But when he saw that ring on her finger, the fragile world I had tried to escape began to shatter. His obsession to find me and bring me back ignited a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
Maria took her sister’s place and was engaged to Anthony, a disabled man who had lost his status as the family heir. At first, they were just a nominal couple. However, things changed when things about Maria were gradually exposed. It turned out she was a professional hacker, a mysterious composer, and the sole successor to an international jade sculpting master… The more that was revealed about her, the less Anthony could rest easy. A famous singer, an award-winning actor, an heir of a rich family—so many excellent men were chasing after his fiancee, Maria. What should Anthony do?
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
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."
In the previous life, Maggie Johnson was so cowardly, gullible and stupid that she was coaxed by her fiance and stepsister and then broke her legs and lost everything including her fortune, love and even life. However, she was so lucky that she was reborn in the year before everything happened. Since her life restarted, how could she repeat a previous tragedy? Therefore, in this life, she took the opportunity to improve herself and take revenge on the ones who had ever insulted her. Facing the people who had humiliated her previously, she became smart and experienced to break their frames and tricks that had caused her to hurt in the previous life. Finally, no one could stop her pace to amaze the world any more.