They Keep It Cool in Public, But in Private... Chloe always knew how to keep things professional. In public, she and her boss, Fred, maintained a safe distance-no flirting, no kissing, no asking personal questions. Just a purely physical arrangement behind closed doors. But then, an intern showed up at the company, and suddenly, things started to feel... off.
Mid-December, the temperature hit its lowest of the year. Snowflakes drifted down onto the streets, coating the bare branches in a layer of pure white.
At Race Corporation's annual party, the place was packed. Employees from every department were dressed to the nines, their faces lit up with relaxed, joyful smiles. After a year of hard work, this was the one night they could finally let loose and unwind.
Chloe, like everyone else, was relieved to catch a breather from the heavy workload in the marketing department.
Too bad she couldn't drink tonight.
"Chloe, not getting anything to drink?" Anna asked as she passed by.
Anna was one of Chloe's teammates.
Chloe leaned against the wall and shook her head. "Nah, just took some meds."
"You okay? Want me to help you sit down or something?" Anna asked, concerned.
"I'm fine, just an old issue. Don't worry about me-go have fun." Chloe smiled. "I'll just hang out here."
Anna hesitated but, hearing the certainty in Chloe's voice, didn't push further. "Alright, take care."
Watching everyone enjoy themselves, Chloe couldn't help but feel a little bummed. She'd had a sudden stomach ache around noon, and while the meds helped, the lingering dull pain was still there.
She had considered skipping the party, but since her whole team was attending-and as the marketing manager, she didn't want to kill the mood-she figured she'd show up, make an appearance, and leave early.
The party had only just started. Everyone was holding champagne glasses, chatting away, when the room suddenly quieted down.
Chloe looked up.
A tall figure was making his way to the stage.
Gasps spread through the crowd, followed by excited squeals laced with admiration and giddy excitement.
"HOLY SHIT, our boss is fine as hell!"
"NO KIDDING! I literally came to this party just to see him up close."
"That face is UNREAL-right up my alley."
"Forget the face, I wanna know what that BODY feels like."
"GOD, just thinking about it is sending me."
Chloe overheard the hushed, breathless exchanges between a few colleagues nearby. A couple of drinks in, they clearly didn't feel the need to hold back, openly discussing their thoughts on the man on stage-complete with starry-eyed stares.
The tall man stopped at the center of the stage, cleared his throat lightly, and began his speech.
"Thank you all for your contributions this past year. Our performance has improved compared to last year..."
His voice was deep, steady, magnetic.
Not only was he good-looking, but he also had the kind of voice that drew people in. No wonder the younger employees were completely smitten.
From where she stood, Chloe watched as the lights illuminated his towering figure. Even in a crowd, his presence was striking.
She didn't bother hiding the way she was looking at him.
This was one of the rare moments she could openly stare at Fred in public.
Only when lost in a sea of people could she gaze up at the brightest light on stage without drawing any suspicion.
To everyone else, Fred was just the company's CEO, and she was just the marketing manager. A typical boss-subordinate relationship. In the office, they barely interacted.
The speech lasted a few minutes before Fred stepped down, and the night's entertainment officially kicked off with performances and party games.
Chloe glanced at her watch.
With everyone's attention on the dancers on stage and the energy in the room heating up, she slipped away unnoticed. She made her way to the coat check, retrieved her coat, and pulled out her phone to call a cab.
It was a Friday night, and traffic was crazy. Still, she got lucky-only had to wait ten minutes before a ride showed up.
Stepping outside, her heels crunched against the freshly fallen snow. She walked carefully, not wanting to take an embarrassing tumble.
Her nose was already red from the cold by the time she reached the car.
She climbed in quickly, sighing in relief as the heater began to thaw her frozen fingers. Snowflakes tapped gently against the window, twirling for a fleeting moment before melting away.
Once she could feel her hands again, she pulled out her phone to check the notifications she'd been ignoring.
She dialed back, and as soon as the call connected, Teresa's excited voice burst through.
"So? Have you thought about it? My friend's little brother is seriously good-looking!"
Ah.
Right. The matchmaking thing.
Teresa had been trying to set her up for a while now. Chloe had already brushed it off once, but Teresa was persistent-especially since she was personally close to the guy.
"What do you think? I sent you his picture just now," Teresa pressed.
Chloe hadn't even had the chance to look at it yet. She hummed vaguely. "Seems alright."
"KNEW IT! Totally your type, isn't he?" Teresa's voice shot up with excitement. "When do you wanna meet him?"
"Uh... maybe sometime later."
"Oh, don't give me that 'I'm too busy' excuse! It's the end of the year-your company doesn't have any major projects left!" Teresa was practically jumping through the phone.
"He saw your photo and got totally hooked-he really wants to meet you."
"...Ugh." Chloe pinched the bridge of her nose, already regretting answering the call.
"COME ON, you're single! What's the harm in giving it a shot?" Teresa encouraged, then added with a suggestive tone, "He's an athlete, by the way. Stamina's top-notch... you know what I mean."
Chloe definitely knew.
Teresa had a habit of preaching about the importance of a fulfilling "personal life."
If that was the reason she should agree to this... well, Chloe wasn't sure how to respond.
Yeah, she was single, but it wasn't like she was that deprived.
Not nearly as much as Teresa seemed to think.
Still, with Teresa nagging her ear off, Chloe finally caved. It was just a meetup, after all. No big deal.
"Fine. I'm free next week."
"YES! It's a done deal!" Teresa practically squealed. "I'll tell him right now!"
After hanging up, Chloe noticed an unread message on her screen, received ten minutes ago.
"Where are you? Don't see you."
Her stomach flipped.
No name. Just a string of numbers.
But she knew it by heart.
She quickly typed back. "On my way home."
The reply came almost instantly.
"I'll be there in twenty minutes."
Just two weeks after their wedding, Raphael left for the other side of the world on business. Two years later, when he returned, Grace barely recognized her own husband. Everyone knew their marriage was nothing more than a business deal between two powerful families. To Grace, it was simply the last hurdle on her way to freedom. She barely knew her husband. All she really knew was that he was rigid, dull, and emotionally detached-like a financial machine. She figured he must find her just as insufferable-dramatic, and high-maintenance. When Grace placed the divorce papers in front of Raphael, stating that she wanted to end this loveless marriage, he merely looked at her, his gaze warm yet unreadable. He gently took her hand and murmured in a husky voice, half-smiling, 「Hmm? Did I not please you enough last night?」
Lena Carrington and Alaric Winfield have been rivals since childhood, always competing with each other-from school to adulthood. When Lena's family faces a financial crisis and her fiancé of three years heartlessly dumps her, all her old friends turn a blind eye, leaving her to fend for herself. One day, she runs into her ex-boyfriend, who's with his new girlfriend, eager to watch her hit rock bottom. Frustrated and unwilling to give in, she then bumps into Alaric, her lifelong adversary. "Beg me, and maybe I'll help you," he says, arms crossed, watching her with amusement. "I'd rather die than beg you. Keep dreaming." But later, she turns back. "Fine, help me! Name your terms." He gives a slight smile, "Deal." One night, she accidentally kisses him, and soon, she starts to notice that something about Alaric is changing...
Sofia Levine married a man she had known for less than 24 hours. The marriage was the result of an agreement between their grandfathers. At first, her half-sister even tried to take her place in the marriage, after all, Rome Beckett was the sole heir of a wealthy family. With his good looks, he was the object of many women's affections in the city. Rumor had it that Rome Beckett was cold and aloof, and many were waiting to see Sofia become the laughingstock of the high society as a discarded wife. After the wedding, they treated each other with respect, and Sofia believed that, in time, there might be a little love between them. That is, until one day, she overheard him casually talking to a friend, saying, "It's nothing more than fulfilling the familys' wishes." It was a business marriage from the start, and she had developed feelings she shouldn't have. She quickly moved out of that home. In the pouring rain, the once-proud man, humbled by love, held her hand with trembling fingers. "Let's go home, please?" The male lead, from indifference to deep devotion.
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.
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?
"You were about to cum in me." I said and sat up. That's when I felt a stinging pain across my ear as my hand caressed my face, then the realization hit me- he had slapped me, Lee had just slapped me. #Sex. Lies. Money. Power. *** Jessie, after finding out her fiance had married another woman, decides to have a one-night stand with his uncle, only to find herself married to him. But despite being married to his uncle, she was still attracted to him, so she started secretly seeing him. Well, the uncle wasn't willing to give her up now, not after he vowed to always be by her side; now she had two men fighting for her. And the woman her ex-fiance married wasn't just going to give up on him. Will Jessie realize old flames can never be and live a peaceful life with her new billionaire husband, or will Jade succeed in winning her back?
The day Lilah found out that she was pregnant, she caught her fiancé cheating on her. Her remorseless fiancé and his mistress almost killed her. Lilah fled for her dear life. When she returned to her hometown five years later, she happened to save a little boy's life. The boy's father turned out to be the world's richest man. Everything changed for Lilah from that moment. The man didn't let her experience any inconvenience. When her ex-fiancé bullied her, he crushed the scumbag's family and also rented out an entire island just to give Lilah a break from all the drama. He also taught Lilah's hateful father a lesson. He crushed all her enemies before she even asked. When Lilah's vile sister threw herself at him, he showed her a marriage certificate and said, "I'm happily married and my wife is much more beautiful than you are!" Lilah was shocked. "When did we ever get married? Last I checked, I was still single." With a wicked smile, he said, "Honey, we've been married for five years. Isn't it about time we had another child together?" Lilah's jaw dropped to the floor. What the hell was he talking about?
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
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.