"...Even after everything I do to you, you still want me?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "More than you can imagine," I replied, breathless. His hand slid up my body, pausing at the back of my neck. He pulled me closer, his voice a low growl. "You do know what that means, right?" I stiffened, my heart racing. I was his pet, after all. And I was ready to take my chances. *. *. *. *. *. *. * Rose Carlton's life is a shattered puzzle. After a devastating accident robbed her of half her memories, she thought nothing could feel more incomplete-until she's sold to Grey Manchester Moretti, the city's most feared mafia boss. What begins as captivity quickly spirals into something far more dangerous. As Rose navigates Grey's dark, violent world, secrets from her forgotten past resurface, threatening to unravel everything she thought she knew. Blood will be spilled, boundaries will be crossed, and passion will ignite in ways she never imagined. But when she learns the truth about her life-and her connection to Grey-Rose will face an impossible choice: surrender to the man who holds her heart or fight for the freedom she's never truly had. Can Rose survive the chaos of her tumultuous life, or will she surrender to the darkness?
~Rose
My heart was beating very fast. Tears were falling from my eyes, blurring my vision. The whole world seemed to stop as the feeling of pain and betrayal pierced through my chest, clouding my mind. The way his eyes looked pleadingly at me. I didn't think I'd ever be able to forget that look, but then as I raced out of the school's parking lot in my car with my heart in my hand and I stepped on the pedal so hard I was sure my feet had grown white.
Before long, a shrill tone rang through the air cutting the noise around me and soon, it all went dark.
I gasped when I felt a tap on my shoulder which made me jump in my skin.
Amanda's face was so warm as she came up from behind me. A small smile had stretched across her face. She looked even happier than I was on this day.
"Why are you looking so forlorn?" She asked me with a warm sultry voice that almost eased up my anxiety.
"I guess it's because of the whole sudden wedding." I said softly in response, making sure not to maintain a long eye contact with her.
She chuckled softly and gave me a light pat on the small of my back, "I know you'd feel that way. Every woman feels the same on their first day walking down to the altar."
I didn't want to argue so much, after all, they said it was my father's wish before he died- though I didn't remember him at all- that I get married to David.
"Just take a deep breath and you will be just fine. He's very loving and I'm sure he'll make a good husband. After all, he loved you very much before the accident, so I'm sure nothing has changed."
I simply smiled at her and stared back at my reflection in the mirror.
Amanda was speaking as though she knew David so well, even more than I did. She seemed to have been very involved in my relationship. Well, she was a nice woman anyway, my step mother. There was no reason to doubt her.
At least, she hasn't given me any reasons to.
My lips thinned with determination as I readied myself to walk down the aisle and meet my soon to be husband. I tore my eyes from my reflection- my neck, hair and wrists were adorned with gold ornaments of immense worth. A flowing white gown, the top bodice was fitted at the top, above my waist, and very free at the bottom, cascading down my body with ethereal grace as it swept across the polished floor with ease when I moved. A low V neck shape cut, revealed succinctly the smooth skin of my cleavages. The lace was made from fine material that was soft to the touch. It was a show of elegance and sophistication- and turned to Amanda.
"Are you ready?" Amanda asked me,
I nodded in response.
I was about to take a step out of the large room when Amanda wrapped her arms around me.
In that moment, I was so emotionally moved that I felt tears prickle at the side of my eyes.
"You don't want to ruin your dress now, do you?" She asked me and chuckled once more, but it sounded lighter and had a tinge of happiness to it.
It was so contagious I couldn't help myself and so I chuckled too. It helped to take the tears back in.
"Alright, let's go."
She looped her hands in mine and led me out.
As soon as we got to the rolled out red carpet, the wedding procession for the wedding match started and I could feel my heart beating so loudly in my chest. Amanda gave me a squeeze and that was enough to gather some of my courage back.
Rows of beautifully peach decorated seats. People dressed with high sophistication all stood up to acknowledge my entry- people who all seemed strange and new to me.
Did I ever know any of them personally?
The wedding decoration was very grand. It gave me an insight to how wealthy my father really was. Too bad I couldn't remember him.
I got to the altar, David was beaming with a smile which spread from cheek to cheek as he held my hands in his and turned to the priest. A few more minutes later, we stated our vows which were sealed with a soft kiss that felt very new to me. Afterwards, we were pronounced husband and wife and the party fully kicked off.
"You look very stunning." A guest said with a smile on her face, then she turned to David, "you made an excellent choice."
He turned to me and the way he looked at me made my heart melt. There was, I think, love in his eyes.
"I believe she chose me." He said and raised my hand to his lips and gave me a soft courteous kiss which made my heart flutter.
"Such a gentleman." She giggled and gave him a pat on his shoulder.
"Well, if you please excuse me. I have to talk with one of my guys. I'll be back, darling." He said, gave me a small kiss on my cheek and walked off in the opposite direction.
"Your step mother, Amanda, where is she?" The lady, who looked to be in her mid forties, asked.
I used my eyes to search for her amongst the crowd, "I think she must have stepped out."
"Well, I don't imagine she'd linger. She's always been the type to wander off in parties like this one." Then she leaned into me, "or a wilder one." She added and let out a very horrendous laughter that wasn't at all womanly.
I only let out an awkward chuckle in response.
"I must say, your father sure is the biggest fish she's ever caught." She said and winked at me.
It was suddenly starting to feel uncomfortable for me, the way she was talking about Amanda like she was a wayward woman. She didn't seem that way to me at all.
"I think I have to use the restroom." I said to her and walked off in the direction of the house leaving her to down all the remaining glasses of wine on the table because she seemed as though she liked them a lot.
By then, the guests had all begun to leave one after another. I stopped by on my way to the mansion near a gathering where there were only men.
I tapped on the arm of one of them, "Um, please, can I ask you something?"
The ginger head stepped out from his gathering, "yeah, what is it?" He asked.
"I'm looking for my husband. Have you seen him anywhere?"
He looked around before turning to me, "I'm not sure. Probably he's with his pal." He replied.
"And who's that?" I asked him.
He scanned the area with his eyes, before turning to his boys, "do you have Alfred's number?" He asked them.
Only one seemed to have it, "yeah, why?" He asked.
"Can you give him a call?"
"Sure." He replied and dialed Alfred's number while I stood there waiting with impatience.
There was nothing I wanted more than to leave to a more quiet place at that moment,
"He's not answering." He said and placed the phone back into his pocket.
"Oh alright."
I arched my back and packed a handful of my gown in my hands as I proceeded to look for David.
I walked into the mansion and headed for the bathroom on the second floor. I felt as though the gown was somewhat tightening around my chest and it felt suffocating.
The entire situation did.
I needed to be alone for a bit.
As soon as I got to the bathroom, I turned to the mirror above the ceramic white basin and looked at the stranger staring back at me.
I lowered my head into the sink and turned on the faucet so I could get a little water on my face. I considered using a wipe to wipe the make-up off, afterwards.
As soon as I splashed the water over my face, the cooling effect eased up my tensed up muscles in my face but then, I heard a loud thump coming from one of the cubicles in the bathroom and I jumped in fright.
I gasped and my body became tense with fright. The sound sort of troubled my mind, but I quickly shook it off.
I walked very stealthily and slowly, as though I was walking on air, making sure my leg didn't make a sound to where I heard the noise.
I placed my ear very close to the door and that's when I heard muffled moans.
What the hell! Guests weren't allowed into the mansion.
Those were Amanda's exact words.
I wrapped my hand around the knob and opened the door ready to tell them to take their horny as* out of my bathroom. But I froze and my heart seemed to stop for a moment.
Then it started beating so fast. I was gasping for air and an ache, so intense, slid through my heart and then, my head. A tear fell from my eyes onto my cheek.
Suddenly in that moment, something flashed through my mind; moans, heels clanking against tiles, the sound of glasses shattering and then a siren-like sound in my ear rang like a bell and jolted me back to reality.
To the stark naked realisation of David's betrayal. Why did this feeling seem all too familiar?
A sour feeling rose up in my chest as David turned to look at me with sweat dripping from his hair and his chest falling and rising rapidly like he had done a vigorous exercise. Well s*x, was a vigorous exercise after all.
SYNOPSIS: Struggling to make ends meet, Kate Grey has all but given up on her dream of becoming an actress-until a mysterious billionaire, Jared Cole, offers her a deal too tempting to refuse. If she agrees to pose as his companion at glittering galas and high-society events for three months, he'll bankroll her career. The catch? Jared isn't just looking for a pretty face, he's trying to save his shattered reputation, and Kate is his ticket to redemption. Jared's polished charm conceals a world of secrets, and as Kate steps into his opulent and wealthy life, the lines between business and desire blur. Beneath his polished exterior lies a man grappling with loneliness, guilt and an unfulfilled need for genuine connection. For Kate, it's a chance to finally chase her dreams, but the deeper she's pulled into Jared's world, the more she realizes his offer isn't as simple as it seems. As the events grow increasingly elaborate, Kate finds herself drawn into Jared's opulent yet mysterious world-a place where wealth hides deadly secrets, and power comes with a price. But when she discovers the real reason behind Jared's generous offer, she's faced with a choice, walk away and protect her heart, or risk everything for a man who's learning to love for the first time, and how does she explain her name on a marriage certificate signed four years ago? In a whirlwind of passion, betrayal, and self-discovery, THE COST OF LOVE AND PASSION explores the question: Can love bridge the gap between two lives built on secrets?
.....I stood in front of the big nursing school. Finally I'll be able to pursue something I really love without anyone giving me conditions or telling me what to do. And as for love...I've left all that behind. Love is not for me. It didn't exist with Liam, it won't exist with anyone else. There's only one person I love with all my heart and that's my son. However, there is one whose kindness was slowly seeping into my shielded heart. ****** Audrey is given out for marriage to her childhood crush but things don't exactly go the way that she expects. The married life only brings tears and pains and her heart-throb and crush only crushes her heart and her dreams. Through it all, Audrey remains strong for her and her son but just how long can she hold it more forces that will test her, will arise. Will Audrey be able to pull through or will she succumb to the cruel hands of fate? The one who has caused her immense pain returns and she finds her heart wavering, just what will Audrey do to save herself, her heart and her son? Find out in this thrilling book of self discovery, love and deception.
She was a diamond covered by ashes.... King Dakota was known as the most Powerful Alpha King of all times - more powerful than any other King that had ruled from his lineage. He was cold hearted, introverted and dangerous in anger. Cursed by the Moon goddess, King Dakota had to get married to three wives all in search of a male child that would become his heir, but it was impossible as the curse would only let his wives bear she -wolves. But on a different day, the King meets a lady who offends him and as a punishment, he took her home as his fourth wife. Her name was Shilah. Shilah was a powerless wolf and as a result, was disregarded and intimidated by all. But, when she begins to do things that the King had never felt for years, he began to wonder who she really was. Slowly, she crawled her way into his icy heart and turned out to be something nobody ever expected - a storm.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."