Torn between her pain and the allure of Gavin's enigmatic charm, Sofia battles with her feelings while uncovering secrets that might either ignite a new flame or burn her hopes to ashes. Will Sofia dare to trust again, or will Gavin's pursuit only add fuel to the fire of her past heartbreak?
Chapter One
"Kiss me one more time," Ryan says, his voice barely a whisper.
I snuggle next to him on his bed, giggling. And without hesitation, I place another tender kiss on his lips. "You want more?" I tease, letting my tongue tickle the corner of his lips.
He gave a throaty groan pulling me into his comforting embrace. "You do know that I can never get tired of your kisses," he replies, his fingers tracing invisible lines on my bare arm.
It feels so good to be with the one you love. The feeling sometimes distracts me from all the responsibilities I have to deal with. Speaking of responsibilities, I need to pay my brother's tuition fee tomorrow. I sighed softly and rested my head on Ryan's chest.
"When are we going to get married?" Ryan's question suddenly pops up.
He's at it again. All he talks about is marriage. I've told him countless times to wait until I have enough money before we get married, but I don't think he understands.
"My love, I thought I told you when I have enough money, we'll get married?"
"When?" his voice sounded impatient. "It's been three years now since I proposed to you, and we've been dating for five years already. How much do you need before you get married to me?"
I slowly raised my head from his chest, and I sat up with the duvet covering my half-naked body. He followed my position.
My hands sweep my hair to the back, finding the right words to say. "Look, Ryan, I love you, and you know that. But we can't just get married when I have a lot of responsibilities to cater for."
"Responsibilities? Really? Is that why you don't want us to get married to me?" Ryan asks, his voice laced with...anger or sadness, I don't know which.
"C'mon love, what do you want? For me to be a liability when we get married? I can never do that. I want to be financially stable enough to assist you and the kids we'll be having. I just don't want to be a burden, please," I said, softly, reaching for his hand.
He sighs heavily and shakes his head. "I just want you to be mine. I want you here with me every day. I love you too much, Sofi."
I squeeze his hand gently and place a kiss on the back of his hand. "I promise we will get married. Please, just give me a little bit of time."
"What if I take care of your responsibilities, would that change your mind?" Ryan offers.
A smile tugged on my lips, and warmth spread through me. "Ain't you the best sweetheart? I'd really love that, but no, I can't accept you taking charge of my responsibilities. Like I said, I don't want to be a burden to you. My brother will soon be out of high school, and by then, the workload will be less. It's just a little bit of time."
He stares at me for a moment, his eyes a hint of sadness and disappointment. "Fine. I guess there's nothing I'll say to change your mind," he mumbles.
I scoot over and hug him. He wraps his arms around me and kisses me. "Thank you, Ryan, for understanding," I said, tightening my arms around him.
After a moment of comforting silence, I pulled away and glanglancedund for my clothes.
"You're leaving?" he asks.
I gave a nod, picking up my clothes from the floor. "Yes. I need to be home for dinner with my family."
"I see," he muttered, lying back down on the bed.
I snickered. "I guess you don't want me to leave. Don't worry, we'll have dinner together tomorrow."
"I don't want," he pouted with a frown that got me laughing.
"If you keep your lips that way I'll come kiss you," I joke, and instantly his eyes lit up.
"What stops you?" he wiggles his brows.
I chuckle and walk over to him. I lean in and kiss him passionately. "I just recharged you. Your battery is full until tomorrow," I whisper, smiling sheepishly.
He laughed and pulled me over. Before I knew it, he was hovering on top of me and I was beneath him. "Well...what do you have in mind, Mr. Ryan Jones?"
"So many things, Sofia Cornell," his lips curl upwards into a smirk.
A goofy grin spreads across my face. "You'll have to wait until tomorrow to carry it out."
Ryan groans and slowly withwithdrawsou better get ready then," he said, standing up.
"We'll see what you have in store for me," I reply, leaving the bed with a smug on my face.
Ryan caugcatchesunawares and hugs me from behind as I shuffle to the table to pick up my purse. "I'm going to miss you," he whispers.
My heart flutters, and I stoostandll. I really wish to stay with him but not tonight, I already told my mom I'll be home. My shoulders slump my sides weakly. "I'm going to miss you too."
We both stood still for a moment enjoying each other embrace.
"Let me drop you off," Ryan finally said, releasing me from his embrace.
I nod in response. He took my hand and led me out of his house to his car.
When we arrived in front of my apartment, he turned the car and glanced at me. "Thanks for coming over," Ryan said, taking my hand.
"Thanks for dropping me off," I reply, smiling warmly at him.
Ryan leans in and kisses my cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."
My cheeks flushed crimson as I stared at him. I gulped and gave a small nod. "See you tomorrow. Drive safely."
I alighted from the car and watched as he pulled out of the driveway. With a sharp sigh, I approached the door and pushed it open. The moment I stepped aside, I was greeted by a sweet aroma that got my stomach rumbling.
As I made my way to the kitchen, my mom suddenly appeared in front of me causing me to almost keel over. "Jeez! Mom why..." I trailed off when a pack was held to my face.
I was confused at first, but then I looked into the half-open pack, and my mouth flew open. Shit! My mom found my pack of condoms.
"Do you mind explaining to me what this is?" she asked, her voice chilled, and her gaze peered at me.
(FL)Sofia Cornell is a fiercely independent and devoted lady struggling for financial stability. She's also shouldering the responsibilities of caring for her mother and younger brother in high school. Her dreams of a secure future with her longtime boyfriend, Ryan, crumble when she discovers him having an affair with her neighbor. Sofia, still nursing her wounds from Ryan's betrayal, has sworn off men entirely. She is a college graduate working as a receptionist in a fashion house. Torn between her pain and the allure of Gavin's enigmatic charm, Sofia battles with her feelings while uncovering secrets that might either ignite a new flame or burn her hopes to ashes. Will Sofia dare to trust again, or will Gavin's pursuit only add fuel to the fire of her past heartbreak?
When struggling artist Eva Harper is hired to paint a mural at the luxurious estate of enigmatic billionaire Lucas Voss, she is drawn into a world of opulence and mystery. Lucas is magnetic, charming, and seemingly perfect, but Eva senses there's more to him than meets the eye. As sparks fly between them, Eva begins to let her guard down, believing she's found her fairy tale. However, Lucas harbours a dark secret: Eva is the daughter of the man who ruined his family years ago. For Lucas, seducing her was part of an elaborate revenge plan to destroy her emotionally and financially. But as he gets closer to Eva, he finds himself captivated by her warmth and sincerity. His cold-hearted plan starts to crumble as genuine feelings emerge. When Eva accidentally discovers the truth about Lucas's vendetta, her world shatters. Heartbroken and betrayed, she leaves him, vowing never to look back. But Eva isn't one to stay down for long. She channels her pain into a new art project that gains international acclaim, catapulting her into her own success. As Eva thrives, Lucas is consumed by regret and guilt. He realizes his revenge has cost him the one person who truly matters. Desperate for redemption, he tries to win her back, but Eva is no longer the naive woman he once knew. She's stronger, wiser, and determined to make Lucas pay for what he did. In a world where love and vengeance collide, will Lucas be able to prove his remorse and win Eva's forgiveness, or will his betrayal leave them both shattered beyond repair?
⚠️ WARNING ⚠️ This Book Contains Matured Contents, reader's discretion is advised. *** "Do you have any idea how much I want to be inside you right now?" he asked as he stood to his feet. "Then why aren't you?" I responded, loving the feel of him pressed so close, my back to the mirror, my front to him. But even still, in some far corner of my lust-fogged mind, I realized that we were still in a bathroom. Anyone could walk in and see us. The thought of getting discovered was scary and erotic at the same time. "Oh, we're not done. Spread your legs a bit for me, Kitten." He commanded. When I did as he instructed, he settled between my legs again. "Now close your eyes. And try not to move." Dominic Rutherford murmured. I drew in a sharp breath as his fingers slipped into me with a silky, wet ease. First one. Then another. A feverish tide rose inside me, and I groaned. I jerked in response, causing me to unconsciously move my hips towards his teasing, clever hand, seeking more. "Ohh-" My body trembled under his touch. "Please..." *** Ruby escapes a stifling marriage filled with betrayal, eager to reclaim her freedom. At a masquerade ball, she meets Dominic, a mysterious older man always wearing a mask and has a complex past. Their intense attraction ignites a passionate and dangerous affair. Dominic, who was tasked by Ruby's unknown brother to find her, is captivated by her defiant spirit. As Ruby gets entangled in Dominic's dark world and faces threats from her vengeful former husband and an enemy within, she struggles with her fear of love. Will Ruby and Dominic overcome their pasts and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart? Can Ruby submit to love even after the truth is revealed?
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."
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.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..." But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked in a quivering voice. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?" Heather Bailey had a surprise from her husband that night: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. But she was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman because that person was closest to her. Shortly after she put her signature on their divorce papers, shock waves caught her up. Her flower shop was severely burnt, beyond repair. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers who came from influential families, she started her action against Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted. But that was just the beginning.