When celebrated chef Adrian Knight teams up with enigmatic sommelier Celeste Laurent for an exclusive culinary event, sparks fly faster than pans in a kitchen fire. Their shared passion for exquisite flavors becomes a tantalizing prelude to a deeper, carnal hunger neither can deny. But as secrets simmer beneath the surface, their indulgence threatens to burn everything they've worked for. In a world where precision and control reign supreme, can two fiery souls surrender to their desires without losing themselves-or each other?
Adrian Knight slammed the stainless steel counter with his palm, the metallic clang echoing across the empty kitchen. The prep stations gleamed under fluorescent lights, each surface scrubbed spotless in preparation for tomorrow's high-profile event. The invitation-only dinner promised to be his biggest break yet, a chance to solidify his reputation as a culinary genius. But right now, all he could taste was frustration.
"Where the hell is she?" he muttered, pacing the floor.
Celeste Laurent, the renowned sommelier, was supposed to arrive an hour ago to finalize the wine pairings for his carefully curated menu. Adrian wasn't used to waiting-especially not for someone with a reputation for being difficult.
The door to the kitchen creaked open, and Adrian turned sharply. His breath hitched.
Celeste walked in, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. Her auburn hair was swept into a loose bun, tendrils framing her sharp cheekbones. She wore a sleek black dress, her emerald eyes scanning the room with the air of someone who owned it.
"You're late," Adrian snapped, crossing his arms over his chest.
Celeste arched an elegant brow, unbothered by his tone. "Punctuality is for amateurs," she replied, her voice smooth and laced with a faint French accent.
Adrian clenched his jaw, refusing to let her rattle him. "We're on a tight schedule. I don't have time for your games."
"Neither do I," she said, setting her leather portfolio on the counter. "Let's get to work, shall we?"
Despite his irritation, Adrian couldn't deny the way his pulse quickened in her presence. There was something magnetic about Celeste-her confidence, her defiance, the way she seemed to command attention without trying. It annoyed him as much as it intrigued him.
"Fine," he said curtly. "Let's start with the amuse-bouche. I'm thinking citrus and fennel to wake up the palate."
Celeste opened her portfolio, revealing a list of wine notes in meticulous handwriting. "A Sancerre, perhaps? Its crisp acidity will complement the citrus without overpowering it."
Adrian nodded begrudgingly. "Not bad."
"Not bad?" she repeated, her lips curving into a sly smile. "Careful, Chef. That almost sounded like a compliment."
He ignored her and moved on to the next course, but the tension between them crackled like static electricity. Each decision-every wine, every ingredient-was a battle of wills. Adrian was used to being in control, but Celeste challenged him at every turn, her sharp tongue keeping him on edge.
As the hours passed, their professional clashes took on an almost flirtatious undercurrent. A casual brush of her hand against his, a lingering glance across the counter. By the time they reached the dessert course, Adrian's irritation had morphed into something else entirely-a smoldering attraction he couldn't ignore.
"Chocolate ganache with a hint of chili," he said, plating a sample. "Rich, decadent, with just enough heat to surprise you."
Celeste tasted the dessert, her eyes fluttering closed as the flavors unfolded on her tongue. Adrian watched, transfixed, as a soft moan escaped her lips.
"Perfect," she murmured, setting down her fork.
His throat went dry. "The wine?"
"A Tawny Port," she said, her voice husky. "Sweet and complex, with a finish as lingering as..." She trailed off, her gaze locking with his.
Adrian swallowed hard, the air between them thick with unspoken desire. He knew this was dangerous-mixing business with pleasure-but he couldn't stop himself.
"Celeste," he said, stepping closer.
She didn't move away. Instead, she tilted her head, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "What is it, Chef?"
His hand brushed against hers, and the contact sent a jolt of electricity through his body. Before he could think better of it, he leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a searing kiss.
Celeste responded instantly, her hands tangling in his hair as she pressed against him. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the heat of their connection. Adrian's control-so carefully maintained in the kitchen-shattered completely.
They stumbled against the counter, their bodies colliding in a frenzy of need. Adrian's hands roamed her curves, pulling her closer as their kiss deepened. Celeste gasped against his lips, her nails digging into his shoulders as she matched his intensity.
The cold metal of the counter bit into Adrian's back as Celeste pushed him down, her dominance both surprising and exhilarating. She straddled him, her dress hiking up to reveal long, shapely legs that he couldn't resist running his hands over.
"This is madness," she whispered, her breath hot against his ear.
"Maybe," Adrian said, his voice ragged. "But it feels damn good."
Their passion burned like a wildfire, consuming them both. Every kiss, every touch, every breath was an intoxicating blend of lust and defiance.
When they finally pulled apart, both were breathing hard, their clothes disheveled. Adrian stared at her, his mind racing.
"This doesn't change anything," he said, his tone harsher than he intended.
Celeste smirked, her green eyes glittering with amusement. "Of course not, Chef. It's just... a pairing."
Her words stung more than he cared to admit, but he nodded, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand.
As Celeste gathered her things and prepared to leave, Adrian couldn't shake the feeling that their night of indulgence was only the beginning.
And he was right.
Because the next day, everything would unravel.
When Aria wakes up in an unfamiliar packhouse, disoriented and without any recollection of how she got there, she finds herself face-to-face with Lucas, the enigmatic and commanding Alpha who claims she is his fated mate. Confused and unable to recall their bond, Aria struggles to reconcile her lack of memory with the intense emotions Lucas stirs within her. As pieces of her past begin to return in fragmented flashes, she uncovers a painful truth: Lucas rejected her years ago, shattering their bond and setting her on a path of loneliness. But Lucas's pack is now cursed, their survival hanging by a thread, and Aria may hold the key to breaking the spell. Torn between the betrayal of the past and the undeniable pull of their fated bond, Aria must decide if she can forgive Lucas and if their love is strong enough to undo the darkness threatening them all. But as secrets unravel and a rogue witch's vendetta is revealed, Aria realizes her lost memories hide more than just heartbreak; they conceal a power that could save them or destroy them all.
Running from her past, Cassia, a runaway omega, has spent years hiding from the ruthless pack she escaped. But when she crosses paths with the feared Alpha Killian-a wolf known for his brutal reign-her world is turned upside down. Killian is her fated mate, a bond she can't deny. As she resists his attempts to claim her, dark secrets about her past begin to unravel, revealing the true reason she fled. With enemies closing in and her heart torn between fear and desire, Cassia must decide if she can trust Killian to protect her or if surrendering to him will lead to her destruction.
Drayen Fael has spent his entire life training to exert revenge on the witch who destroyed his family. As one of the last dragon shifters, his fiery rage fuels his every step, sharpening his claws and stoking the flames that burn inside him. Finally, after decades of hunting, he tracks her to the ruins of a forgotten kingdom. But the witch, Keryth, isn't what he imagined. She isn't the heartless monster of his nightmares. She's broken, haunted by her own dark past, and struggling to control the very powers that caused Drayen's grief. As their fates intertwine, Drayen must confront a truth more terrifying than any firestorm: vengeance isn't the answer, and his destiny is tied to the one he swore to destroy. Together, they uncover a conspiracy that goes far beyond their vendetta, one that threatens to unleash a darkness capable of annihilating their world. Can love bloom in the ashes of betrayal? Or will the flames of their past consume them both?
When Zara Hart agrees to a marriage contract with the notoriously cold billionaire Damian Cole, she thinks she's secured her freedom from a debt-ridden life. Little does she know, Damian has his own agenda-a vengeance plan that requires an ideal "wife" to win his family's approval and take control of his legacy. As their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, Zara and Damian discover their fake marriage is becoming all too real. But with secrets and lies woven into their contract, will their growing love survive, or will it destroy them both?
Amara thought she had everything-a destined mate, a promising future as the Luna of the Silver Ridge Pack, and a love she believed unshakable. But when her mate, Alpha Kael, cruelly rejects her for another, her world crumbles. Stripped of her title and cast out, she ventures into the wilds, broken but determined to survive. Years later, Amara returns as a formidable warrior with secrets that could change the fate of the werewolf world. But fate has one last twist for her-a second chance mate, one she never expected: Adrian, the enigmatic and dangerous leader of the rogue wolves. Torn between a past she can't escape and a future she never anticipated, Amara must navigate treachery, forbidden love, and a deadly prophecy. As the moon rises, choices will be made, blood will be spilled, and destiny will unfold.
After a heated confrontation with her husband and mistress, Brianna was pushed down to stairs. She thought she would die but when she woke up again, she realized that she traveled back two years ago, when it was not late for her to correct her path. The first thing she needed to do when she was reborn was divorce that scum. She saved from the darkest time but he lied to her and murdered her in the end. This time, she would not repeat the same mistakes anymore. She would bring the glory of her family back and make those people who betrayed her pay the price! However, in the process of climbing up to the peak of her career, she met a very intimidating and handsome man who kept on messing with her head through his bold attitude. Brianna doesn't want to be involved with another man again, for she has proven to herself that they will just drag her down, but her constant incidents with him are slowly breaking the wall she built to protect her heart. Brianna will surely choose her career over a man this time, but it's possible to choose both, right? What if he hurt her too? No! She won't risk it but. "You have to run away from me, Bree. Coz I'm done running away, I'll chase you now."
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
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?"
Catherine swallowed with her eyes closed and her lips slightly open, a moan escaped her lips when Lucas slid two fingers under her panties, "Lucas..." She moaned, lost in the sinful desire as her ex-boyfriend's dad moved his fingers against her rosy flesh... *************** Catherine, a young mother of two who came to the city with the hope of finding her twin's father only to be denied and deserted by him, found herself entangled in a forbidden web of craving. As the flame of passion ignites between her and the CEO, Lucas Leonard—her ex-boyfriend's father—their affair takes them on a journey of temptation and sinful desires.Struggling with society's judgment and their own inner desire, Catherine and Lucas must steer the treacherous judgemental waters of the society and either fight for their love or let it crumble especially when her ex-lover came back to claim her and the twins. Will their love withstand the dishonorable whispers, or will it crumble under the weight of societal expectations and her ex-lover's conspiracies to win her back?
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!"