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?
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
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?
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!