Marcel Sterling is a quiet and hardworking obstetrics nurse who has little time or interest in dating. A former soldier with a soft heart and a knack for staying out of the spotlight, he's content with his routine life until his friends drag him into a blind date. Across town, Anna Blackwood , a sharp-witted heiress desperate to secure her inheritance, is on the hunt for the perfect fake husband. Fate throws them together, and what starts as a convenient arrangement quickly turns into something much more complicated and passionate. With jealous co-workers, manipulative family members and secrets threatening to tear them apart, Marcel and Anna must decide whether their fragile connection is strong enough to defy the odds-or if their contract was doomed from the start.
As Marcel Sterling stepped into the bustling cafe and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries filled his nostrils, he adjusted the strap of his worn leather bag slung over his chest while he looked at the different customers who were seated around tables made from fine wood and were sipping coffee as they spoke to their partners.
He sighed as he blamed himself for letting him allow his friends to force him to come to this place.
A former soldier who'd traded in his combat boots for scrubs, he'd found solace in the quieter, more predictable world of an obstetrics ward. But his work had caused long-lasting relationships to become a foreign concept to him. And that his friends, Leo and Peter, did not want. He wasn't one for blind dates, but his friends insisted that he needed someone outside the hospital-someone normal. Obviously that was impossible so they had set him up on this damn blind date.
He was beginning to get impatient while looking for this blind date when his eyes fell on a tall, slender woman that was seated next to a table close to the counter. She was on the phone, speaking in quiet but urgent tones, her posture stiff as though her conversation demanded every ounce of her attention. Something about her drew his gaze- it was her elegance...the poised way she held herself.
Not only that, her dress caught his attention.
White. It was an exact match to the color of outfit he had been told his blind date would wear.
His heart skipped a beat. Could this be her?
***
Anna Blackwood sat at a small corner table in the cafe, her fingers nervously drumming against the phone as her grandfather's voice echoed through the line.
"Anna, this is no longer a suggestion," her grandfather was saying. "The Blackwood name, our business...it's all at risk. And the only way to secure your future-and the future of the family-is to marry. Quickly. If you don't, I'll be forced to take matters into my own hands. And trust me, you don't want that."
Her grip tightened on the phone. It was the first time he'd made such threats. He had always been a man who believed in swift action, especially when it came to business, and he made no exceptions for her.
"I understand, Grandfather," she replied, forcing her voice to sound calm. Inside, she felt pressure mount in her chest.
"I'll figure it out, Grandfather. Don't worry," she added, even though she had no idea how.
Suddenly, the sound of the cafe door opening caught her attention. She looked up, her gaze drawn to a man stepping inside. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a black simple shirt and jeans trousers with a leather bag slung over his chest. He looked around the room, his eyes scanning the faces, as though searching for someone.
The man's gaze landed on her, and to her surprise, he smiled after some moments and walked straight toward her. It was the kind of smile that seemed genuine and warm ...and far too disarming.
"Hello, Isabella," he said and cleared his throat. "You look beautiful."
Anna froze in shock
***
Marcel had finally agreed that she had to be his blind date and as he approached her, was thanking his friends in his head because damn...she looked so lovely.
To his surprise, as he talked to her, her eyes widened in shock then became annoyed. Something in the sharp curve of her brow told him she wasn't pleased with the interruption.
She placed a hand on her phone, lowering it, but didn't speak immediately.
"I'm sorry," she finally replied, her words sounding clipped. "Do we know each other?"
He chuckled nervously as he tried to ease the tension that seemed to hang between them. "I'm Marcel. I'm here for the-uh, blind date."
A flash of surprise flickered in her gaze, but it was gone almost immediately and replaced with something far colder. "A blind date?" she repeated.
"Yes, I'm twenty-eight," he answered with a smile as he slid into a seat opposite her since she didn't offer one. "I used to be a soldier, but now I work as a gynecology nurse. Not much of a romantic, I guess... but you know, I try."
She stared at him for a moment, the edges of her lips twitching as she did so. Despite the coldness in her gaze, there was an air of curiosity about her. As if she found him interesting.
His smile grew even deeper. Being interesting was not an effect he had on a lot of ladies.
"Well, you've got the wrong person," she said, a short laugh escaping her lips. "I'm Anna Blackwood."
"Blackwood?" Marcel repeated, his confusion reflecting on his face.
Her sharp look made him realize that he had made a mistake and that he should know of the name instantly.
"I'm the heir to the Blackwood dynasty," she said as if the title was supposed to explain everything.
Marcel inclined his head as his fingers drummed against his bag.
The Blackwoods. He'd heard of them, of course. The wealthiest family in the country, with their fingers in everything from real estate to tech.
Christ. What had he just done?
He stood up immediately, his face reddening with embarrassment.
"God, I am so sorry" he said with a choked voice. "I... I guess I've made a mistake."
Anna's expression softened, but not by much. "Yes," she said flatly, "You have."
Becoming even more flustered, he mumbled, " I am so sorry to interrupt. You are wearing the same color of the dress of the person I am supposed to meet. Jeez."
Acute embarrassment stopped him from thinking of anything else to say. He turned and walked away, wishing that the grounds would open up and swallow him while cursing his friends at the same time.
***
Anna watched him go as an intriguing look appeared on her face.
For some reason, she liked his honesty and simplicity. Maybe it was because there weren't many like him where she came from.
"Hmm. Interesting conversation you had there."
She gasped as she turned to her phone and saw that the phone call had been on all this while.
"Grand-pa!" She said, exhaling in shock. "You have been listening all this while?"
"Uh-huh. You were unnecessarily impatient with the young man. I wonder why."
She rolled her eyes. She knew where he was driving at. "Oh Grandpa, please."
He continued anyway in a pondering tone. "And I wonder if there can be more from this interesting surprise."
At that, Anna could not say anymore because to her surprise, she too was wondering the same thing.
Nate's eyes darkened with anger as he took another step closer. "To my grandfather, to you and to everyone else, you may be my wife," his voice was as cold as ice when he bit out. "But to me, you are certainly not." Maddie's breath caught slightly at the sharpness of his words. "This entire facade is a business deal," Nate continued with a voice full of derision. "Nothing else. I did it to keep my grandfather from driving me insane and that's all it ever is." He let out a humorless chuckle. "So no, Maddie, you are not my wife. You're just a deal. Do you fucking understand?" **** Maddie Hayes never imagined she would ever crave the touch of the coldest and rudest billionaire ever, even though she had been trapped in a marriage with him. But life had other plans for her and her fake husband, Nate Blackwood. Just when their forced union had started to feel real, betrayal and secrets ripped them apart again. Heartbroken and furious, Maddie walked away but Nate wasn't ready to let her go and was willing to fight for her even though some wounds didn't heal so easily. Could love survive in a place where trust had been completely shattered?
In a world of betrayal, secrets, and second chances, can love truly conquer all? Sophia Bennett thought her life was perfect-until the day she walked into her sister's wedding and saw her own husband standing at the altar. Devastated, she soon learns the cruel truth: her sister is pregnant with the man she loved, and the world-including her own family-stands behind them because she is barren. Feeling betrayed, Sophia runs away and makes a reckless decision that changes her life forever: she goes on a one-night stand with a stranger. But that stranger, Alexander Grayson, is no ordinary man. He's a billionaire tech mogul with a dark past, and who is entangled in a rivalry with Sophia's ex-husband. When fate brings them together again, Sophia is forced to confront her feelings for the man who could either heal or destroy her. As dark secrets unfold and Sophia's past and present collide especially as Liam and her mother want her back when she becomes pregnant, Sophia must decide if she's willing to find herself and take a chance on love again.
In the bustling corporate world of Metropolis an unexpected twist of fate occurs in the lives of two individuals Regina Jones, CEO of a well known corporate empire, finds herself thrust into a high-stakes battle for a pivotal business deal that could secure her family's legacy right after a devastating breakup with her boyfriend Alexander, who left her for her own sister. Regina seeks solace in a reckless one-night stand. Little did she know, her impulsive encounter was gonna be with her rival and her ex-uncle. Massimo Gomez , the most handsome, sexy and ruthless boss of the Sicilian Mafia family. His reputation was known for being a playboy, violence and strict when it comes to business. Every living thing on earth and beyond trembles at the mention of his name.
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?
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?