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?
KATE'S POV
The clinking of glasses and hum of muted conversation echoed through the dimly lit interior of King's Bar. The scent of cheap whiskey and fried food clung to the air, mingling with the faint notes of a jazz tune struggling to compete with the rowdy chatter. Kate Grey, that is me, balancing a tray of drinks on my arm, as I weaved through the crowd like a thread through a needle, my movements quick and precise. The worn-out sneakers I wore squeaked against the sticky floor as I approached table four, forcing a tired smile onto my face.
"Here you go. Two whiskey sours and a beer," I announced, setting the drinks down with practiced efficiency.
"Finally," one of the men muttered, his tone laced with irritation. I bit back a sharp retort, opting instead for a polite nod before retreating toward the bar.
The night was dragging on, as it always did. The hours blurred together, punctuated only by the occasional barked orders from my manager, Carl, and the never-ending demands of impatient customers. At least my shift was almost over.
"Grey!" Carl's voice thundered across the bar, drawing the attention of several patrons. I winced and turned to face him.
"Yes, Carl?" I replied, forcing my tone to remain neutral.
"We've got a VIP in booth seven. Make sure he's taken care of," Carl barked, his meaty finger pointing toward the far corner of the bar.
My gaze followed his gesture, landing on a lone figure seated in the booth. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored navy suit that screamed wealth, his posture relaxed but commanding. Shadows played across his sharp features, accentuating the icy blue grey eyes that surveyed the room with quiet intensity.
Great. Just what I needed; a rich patron to cap off my night. I plastered on my best customer service smile and made my way over.
"Good evening, sir. Welcome to King's Bar. Can I get you something to drink?" I asked, my voice polite, almost pitchy.
The man looked up, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. For a moment, I felt as though he could see straight through me, unraveling my carefully guarded composure.
"Whiskey. Neat," he said, his voice low and smooth, carrying a hint of authority.
"Coming right up," I replied, retreating to the bar to fetch his drink. I couldn't shake the feeling that his eyes lingered on me as I walked away.
When I returned, the man accepted the glass with a nod of thanks. "What's your name?"
I hesitated. "Kate," I answered cautiously.
"Kate," he repeated, as if testing the weight of my name on his tongue. "I'm Jared Cole."
The name struck a faint chord of recognition in my head. I'd heard of him before; a tech billionaire whose name often graced the headlines, though not always for the right reasons.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Cole," I said politely, unsure of where this conversation was headed.
"I've been watching you," he said, his tone as casual as if he were commenting on the weather.
I stiffened. "Excuse me?"
"Your work ethic." He quickly added, graciously, "You're efficient, professional. It's rare to see someone with that kind of drive in a place like this," Jared explained, his gaze steady.
"Thanks, I guess," I replied, unsure how to respond. Compliments weren't exactly common in my line of work.
"Why is that?" he asked just as I was about to head back, I stopped, smiled then looked back.
"Why is what?" I replied
Jared smiles, then he rephrased, "be sincere, if you weren't working here, where would you rather work, Miss Kate?"
This was a no brainer, the answer was always at the top of my brain, but somehow his poise and eloquence makes me forget even my name! I've never spoken with someone so refined, especially not in this shit hole.
Took me some seconds to interpret the question then I blurted out, "hollywood!"
"what?", he was confused
"sorry, acting. If I wasn't working here, I'd rather be acting. I've always wanted to be an actress, but life acted up instead and I find myself working here" I added with a nervous chuckle.
Why I was opening up to this total stranger is still a mystery to me, something about getting lost in his eyes, I guess.
"I'm not thinking straight", I muttered to myself
Jared leaned forward slightly, his eyes never leaving mine. "I have a proposition for you."
I raised an eyebrow. "A proposition?"
"Yes. But not here," he said, pulling a sleek business card from his pocket and sliding it across the table. "Meet me tomorrow at this address. Noon. It's an opportunity you won't want to miss."
I stared at the card, my instincts screaming caution. Deals that seemed too good to be true usually were.
"I'll think about it," I said, tucking the card into my apron.
Jared nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I hope you do."
As I walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to change in ways I couldn't yet comprehend.
The next day, I stood outside a sleek glass skyscraper, the business card Jared had given me clutched in my hand. I'd spent the night debating whether to come, weighing my skepticism against my curiosity. Ultimately, my dwindling bank account and unfulfilled dreams had tipped the scale.
The lobby was as opulent as the building's exterior, all marble floors and shimmering chandeliers. A receptionist directed me to the top floor, where Jared was waiting in a sprawling office that boasted floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline.
"Kate!" Jared greeted me, rising from behind a massive oak desk. "Thank you for coming."
"I'm not sure why I'm here," I admitted, my voice steady despite the nerves twisting in my stomach.
Jared gestured for me to sit. "I'll get straight to the point. I need someone to accompany me to a series of high-profile events over the next three months. Someone who can play the role of my fiancée."
I blinked, caught off guard by the audacity of his request. "You want me to pretend to be your fiancée?"
"Yes," Jared confirmed, his tone matter-of-fact. "In exchange, I'll provide financial backing for your acting career-classes, auditions, even living expenses. Whatever you need to succeed."
I stared at him, my mind racing. It was an outrageous proposition, one that sounded more like the plot of a movie than real life.
"Why me?" I asked finally.
"You're not part of my world," Jared said simply. "You're grounded, authentic. People will believe us because you're nothing like the women I usually date."
I hesitated. "And what's in it for you?"
"Redemption," Jared admitted, his voice quieter. "My reputation has taken a hit, and I need someone like you to help rebuild it."
The honesty in his tone caught me off guard. Despite my reservations, there was something about Jared that made me want to trust him.
"And if I say no?" I asked, testing his reaction.
"Then you walk away, no strings attached," Jared said, leaning back in his chair. "But I think you'll say yes."
I bit my lip, my mind a whirlwind of doubt and possibility. The deal was risky, but so was the alternative, continuing to scrape by with no end in sight.
"Three months?" I asked.
Jared nodded. "Three months."
"And you'll fund my acting career?"
"Every step of the way," he promised.
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding. "Alright. I'm in."
Jared's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Welcome to the team, K." Just like that I had gotten a nickname, I smiled nervously as I proceeded to the door.
As I left his office, I couldn't help but feel that I'd just made a deal with the devil- a rather handsome devil. But if it meant chasing my dreams, wasn't it worth the risk?
"...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?
.....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.
"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?"
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.
Warning! Mature Contents! ***Excerpt*** "You belong to me, Sheila. I alone am capable of making you feel this way. Your moans and body belong to me. Your soul and your body are all mine!" *** Alpha Killian Reid, the most dreaded Alpha in all of the North, wealthy, powerful and widely feared in the supernatural world, was the envy of all other packs. He was thought to have it all... power, fame, wealth and favour from the moon goddess, little was it known to his rivals that he has been under a curse, which has been kept a secret for so many years, and only the one with the gift of the moon goddess can lift the curse. Sheila, the daughter of Alpha Lucius who was an arch enemy to Killian, had grown up with so much hatred, detest and maltreatment from her father. She was the fated mate to Alpha Killian. He refused to reject her, yet he loathed her and treated her poorly, because he was in love with another woman, Thea. But one of these two women was the cure to his curse, while the other was an enemy within. How would he find out? Let's find out in this heart racing piece, filled with suspense, steamy romance and betrayal.
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"