Maritza is a hardworking woman, dedicated to caring for her elderly mother, who suffers from a terminal illness, and her younger sister, who battles schizophrenia. Her life is a constant cycle of sacrifices and responsibilities, leaving no time for herself. For three years, she has worked as a secretary at Duncan Enterprises, enduring the explosive temper and ruthless nature of her boss, Max Duncan, notoriously known as "the devil." Max, a cold, arrogant, and merciless businessman, shatters Maritza's routine with an unexpected proposal: a marriage contract. He needs to fake a relationship to salvage his public image, and though he doesn't hide his disdain for her, he offers a sum of money that could solve many of her problems. For Maritza, caught between duty and survival, accepting seems inevitable. But this arrangement will be far from simple. Max's insults and domineering attitude constantly test Maritza's patience, even as she begins to uncover a side of him she never expected. However, the contract will force them both to confront their inner demons, hidden secrets, and unanticipated emotions. Will this pact be their salvation or the beginning of an emotional storm neither can control?
I had lived a happy childhood, running through the garden of our home. We weren't rich, but we were fine. We lived in a beautiful house, painted entirely white with earth-toned decorations. My mother had exquisite taste; art was her passion. She always baked me delicious chocolate chip cookies. When my sister was born, I was very happy. I would have a little sister! I shared everything with her until she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. She suffered seizures, and her behavior was difficult to control. Our lives changed; we adjusted to Nicole's needs.
My parents loved us deeply and worked hard to support us. I never had to work or ask for anything, at least not as a teenager.
When I turned 16, my father died of a heart attack, leaving us all devastated. Our dreams had vanished, and apparently, so had our luck.
As if life was intent on erasing us from the map, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. We caught it early, but it cost us a lot to save for her surgery. Her mood didn't help, but it was understandable.
Her other half was gone. I had no choice but to start working. I tried to balance university schedules with shifts at the pizzeria. I was a waitress, and they paid me well when I worked double shifts. My sister's condition worsened, so I had to turn to some of my father's friends for help, but they didn't lend a hand. It was to be expected: appearances can be deceiving. I had no choice but to leave university and look for another job. I juggled two jobs and two sick family members at home. Life wasn't easy, but I wouldn't give up.
Six years had passed since my father's death. My sister remained stable as long as she was medicated. My mother was a different story; her cancer had returned, this time to stay. It had metastasized, so we could lose her at any moment. I had to endure humiliation, disdain, excesses, and countless other things, all while dealing with a horrible boss. Well, he wasn't a horrible man, not at all. He was six feet tall, with a sturdy build. His light brown eyes were like honey. His hair was like him-rebellious, a rebellious straight. His skin was pale, like his smile. In my first year here, I fell hopelessly in love with him. He was my platonic love, but he made sure to kill it with his awful behavior. Let's be realistic; he would never notice me.
I'm an ordinary woman, a little chubby. I have long honey-colored hair, which I always keep in a bun. I like to dress formally, wearing loose clothes, and my black-rimmed glasses take away from my face. So, it's logical he wouldn't notice me. He calls me "the crow" because, according to him, I'm a gray woman without any appeal. I overheard him tell his best friend that, so I sent all my feelings packing. That despicable man didn't deserve anything from me.
I had to endure that scoundrel's disdain for all these years. I was responsible for his meals from Monday to Sunday, sent his clothes to the dry cleaner, and had to keep track of his shopping, house arrangements, and the cherry on top: covering his dates. On Tuesdays, he went out with brunettes; Wednesdays, he gave a chance to some model or another; and Thursdays were free-he went drinking with his friends, who, by the way, were as obnoxious as him.
On weekends, he spent time with his family. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were quite good people, or so I assumed. Occasionally, Mr. Duncan helped me with medical expenses. The devil's brothers were completely different from him. Marcelino, the eldest, was married to a prestigious lawyer-I think her name was María, Remata, or Maira, I don't remember well. John was the middle brother, very grounded. He wasn't known to have a girlfriend; everyone said he was gay. I honestly doubted it because, during one of my missions at the dry cleaner, I found him being very affectionate with the manager. I pretended not to know him and went on my way. Max, aka the devil, was the youngest of the three. A businessman, he studied business at Harvard. When his father fell gravely ill, he took over the companies, and to this day, he's done very well.
As every Monday, I arrived at the office earlier. It was twenty to seven; I had the coffee ready and the folders for the new contracts prepared. I needed to take the clothes to the dry cleaner, but that would be later. The devil appeared; he wasn't in a good mood today. Poor me. The phone on my desk rang.
-"Tell me, sir, what do you need?" -I asked in a professional tone.
-"What would I need from you? Please, don't insult me this early. Come to my office, or have you forgotten you need to review the agenda?"
I hated this man. I didn't understand how women could stand him.
-"Yes, sir, I'm on my way," -damn scoundrel.
I got up from my desk, crossed myself, and entered his office.
-"Sir, today you have a meeting at nine with the Mexicans. I've prepared the contracts."
-"Maritza, sit down; we need to talk."
-"Go ahead, sir," -I replied respectfully, though inside I wanted to claw his eyes out.
-"I need you to marry me. We have to fake a relationship. Hard to believe, but everyone knows my tastes. I wouldn't look twice at a crow."
I clenched my hands in fury. I couldn't take it anymore. Had I heard correctly? Had he gone mad?
-"I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on Earth, Mr. Duncan. You're a 'damn scoundrel!' That's why everyone calls you the devil, and they're not wrong."
Each word that came out of my mouth dripped with venom. Years of hatred had accumulated, all thanks to his mistreatment.
-"We wouldn't marry for love, God forbid. It's a simple contract. I'll pay you a good sum, so take it or leave it. If you say no, you're fired anyway..."
I looked into his eyes. His lips moved, but I still couldn't believe what he was saying. I had worked hard all these years. I didn't have this position for nothing.
-"So, you'll fire me because I won't marry you, Mr. Devil."
-"Don't think calling me that will make me cry," -he smiled maliciously-. "You know I've earned that nickname with great effort. And if you don't accept, consider this your dismissal. You should take advantage; I'll cover clothes, beauty salons, and all those things you women use."
-"I don't need it, so I quit. Go to hell!"
-"As you wish. Then I hope you die in your own misery."
The last thing I heard as I left the office was his laughter. After so much time, I felt alive. I was free.
He is a businessman, empowered, and a womanizer, with one of the worst flaws, arrogance. One night, he decides to go to a nightclub to celebrate the closing of an important deal, and it is there that he meets Vanesa, a beautiful girl, the sensation of the moment, all the men wanted to be with her, which worsened his desire. Vanesa, a hardworking woman, educated and with many financial problems, is about to be left without a roof when a roommate offers her a somewhat indecent job, but in her need, she has no choice but to accept the proposal. One night, just like all the others, she receives the most indecorous proposition of her life; she would never forget the events of that night, that man had marked her life. Months passed, she settles in and decides to leave that job at the nightclub. Life offers her the opportunity to find a decent job and one of her dreams, but what will happen to Vanesa when she finds out that her new boss is the man from that night?
Julianny was a prosperous, loving, successful, and dedicated woman to her family. She lived with her parents and was that prototype of a girl who, with her mere presence, illuminated the moment. No one had ever seen her cry, always with the best smile. She was in her last year of university when she met the man of her dreams. Edder was a charismatic, wealthy, and outgoing guy. He was in his last year of business administration. During one of his crazy nights out, he met Julianny and fell madly in love, love at first sight. And even though it sounds cliché, Cupid did his job well with that arrow, because they had connected in the same way. After getting to know each other for some time, they discovered that they were the perfect couple. The years went by and they lived a crazy and unrestrained love, unleashing all kinds of emotions, both for them and for the rest of the world. But as not everything that shines is gold and humans are not perfect, what would happen if you discover that your Prince Charming is painted black? Will Julianny be able to overcome all the tests that destiny will put in her way to be by Edder's side?
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
"Miss Brown, I am the butler here at your service," the butler replied. "My master wants to buy the baby in your belly." "What?!" Does that mean the abortion didn't take place? Did they kidnap her from the operating table just to buy the baby? But why her? "You..." Alice was about to ask a question, but the man in front of her calmly continued, as if he had expected her question, "You're pregnant with his child, and he needs a child. That's all I can tell you." Alice was forced to sign a surrogacy contract and eight months later gave birth to two healthy babies. Fortunately, the man was unaware of her daughter's existence. It wasn't until five years later that fate brought them together again...
Mia's life is spiraling out of control. Abandoned by her mother, bullied mercilessly at school, and thrown into a household of four dangerously attractive stepbrothers, she's desperate to find her footing. "You look absolutely edible," Sean growled, his eyes devouring her. Mia felt a rush of heat between her thighs "Oh, you think so?" she purred, turning to face him. She reached out and traced her fingers along the ribbon that wrapped around his waist. "Well, I've been waiting for this all day. And I'm starving." Sean's smile grew into a predatory grin. "Then let us feast," he said, and in a flash, the ribbon fell away, exposing his rock-hard length. He stepped closer, and Mia felt the warmth of his breath on her face as he whispered, "You're going to take every inch of us tonight, aren't you?" With Rolex's teasing smirk and Sean's quiet, hot stares, Mia doesn't know where to turn-or who to trust. Every glance, every touch leaves her breathless, confused, and craving more than she should. Will Mia survive their games, or will she lose herself in a dangerous world of secrets, seduction, and forbidden desire? One house. Four brothers. Endless temptation.
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
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!
Desperate to handle her grandmother's towering medical bills, Gianna agreed to a contract marriage with Tristan, the enigmatic man she'd once shared a one-night stand with. She assumed they'd fulfill each other's needs and dissolve the arrangement once the terms expired. Unbeknownst to Gianna, this marriage was a dream Tristan had clung to for ten relentless years. Certain she was just filling someone else's role, Gianna prepared to leave when that other woman returned. But Tristan, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion, seized her trembling hand and declared, "You’re mine. Now and always."