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Bella Williams, who is denigrated by the Thorn family as nothing more than a cook, is desperate to flee their grasp in this riveting story of ambition and bravery. She has had enough of their harassment, so when the charismatic billionaire heir Austen Trevor offers her a seductive proposition, she seizes the chance. Bella decides to protect her feelings from the infamous bad lads of Kansas by jumping into an exhilarating adventure headfirst with her heart on the line. Bella must negotiate a perilous path as the stakes rise: WILL SHE STAY UNSCATHED? OR IS HER NEW STATUS AS A BILLIONAIRE'S PARTNER JUST A GAME OR A JOURNEY THAT WILL LEAVE HER HEART STRONGER?
Austen POV
"It's almost your birthday, dear." His mother sang immediately when she entered the room. Like always, Austen sighed and shook his head. She had been doing this since the beginning of June, and it was becoming annoying.
Not to mention the fact that he knew why she was actually reminding him.
Still, he faked a smile and watched as she moved to stand beside him. "You'll soon be three decades old. Oh, I can't believe it.
"Of course you can, mom." Her ability to make the tiniest things so special never ceased to amaze him. It was exciting during his younger years, to have her make so much fuss about incoming celebrations. Now it was annoying and just served the purpose of refreshing a discussion he thought was over.
"And he still isn't married," another voice chided, and Austen rolled his eyes. The real star of the show was Mr. Trevor, CEO of Trevor Corp.
"Darling, don't be like that," his mother answered cheerily, a bright smile on her face. "This year is the year. I'm sure of it.
"You've been saying that for the past three years," his father growled. "You need to man up, Austen.
"I'm trying my best, Dad. It's not like I can just step out of the house and see a suitable woman.
"You can. I know a lot of families with eligible daughters. Take Mr. Thorn, for example. His two children are girls, and I'm sure you can charm one of them into marriage.
"Something about his father's tone seems mocking, and it annoyed Austen. He made it seem like getting married was an extreme sport.
"I know them very well," his mother piped up as she made her way to the kitchen. She always liked to be active in these conversations, and as she poured wine into three glasses, Austen knew his parents wouldn't rest until he promised them a bride.
"Gina and Bridget. Lovely young ladies with an air of grace and intellect," his mother praised
"Yes, my dear.
Their father is also very good at his work. It would be nice to have him as an in-law. Right, dear?
"Of course. I like their mother too, she seems very...
"Austen turned away from his parents, blocking out their conversation. Every time they brought up the issue of marriage, it upset him greatly. There were still so many things he hadn't achieved yet, and getting married was not part of them.
His personal business was just getting off the ground, so a lot of his capital was still invested there. His main focus was on acquiring more wealth and steadying the company's business. Not marriage.
Having a lifelong partner was not a matter to be rushed into, but his parents wanted nothing more than to see him walk down the aisle with someone.
He stood up and picked up his car keys from the tabletop. "I'm going out for a ride.
"Where are you going?" His father's thunderous voice called out after him, but he continued walking away.
"To clear my head, Dad.
"Driving was his own way of figuring out the best thing to do. However, he couldn't concentrate. It didn't help matters that his parents constantly made him feel like a failure. He didn't know which was worse.
His mother's mocking tone or his father's constant bickering. "Or are they tired of me?" He thought.
He shook his head, and adjusted the brake. He highly doubted that. As the only son, he was spoiled and never wanted for anything. Growing up, he had the best schools, toys, playmates, and plenty of money to go around.
Not once did he feel the absence of a sibling-until now. Maybe if there was someone else, his parents would have less time to disturb him. Austen sighed and used his free hand to rub the spot between his brows. Where did it all go wrong?
Deep in his thoughts, he didn't notice the young girl crossing the road until it was nearly too late. Their eyes met and she suddenly stopped in the middle of the road, transfixed in shock as he tried to think.
"What the...?" he mumbled while attempting a sharp swerve to the right. The tires screeched for a few seconds before halting just a few meters away from the girl.
Austen sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to take in deep breaths. By the time he looked at the road again, the girl was nowhere in sight, and his heart skipped a beat. Did he...had she...?In a daze, he climbed out of the car and began to look for her. He had not gotten more than three steps forward when he saw her, hunched over a pile of groceries. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be shaking.
"I'm sorry," he began, confused on whether to touch her or not.
"I wasn't being focused.
Are you alright?
"He watched as the girl nodded her head slowly and then began to stand up.
"It's...it's okay.
I'm fine.
"Still, Austen felt guilty. Usually, he wasn't so reckless with driving, but his parents had pushed him to the edge. However, it wasn't enough reason to hit an innocent person.
He bent down and began to arrange the items that had fallen down with her. Luckily, none of them were damaged, and soon enough, everything was packed neatly.
"Are you sure? I can take you to the hospital if..."The remaining words died on his lips as the girl finally met his eyes and shook her head. She was easily the most beautiful person he had seen in a long time. He couldn't get over how her eyes seemed to take him in.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice her begin to walk away until she was at the other side of the road.
"Sorry, I didn't get your name," he yelled slightly.
"Bella," she responded absently as she tried to gather the groceries. Before he could say anything else, she entered into a black car and zoomed off.
"You were crafted for me. And I, for you," his breath caresses my ear, coaxing my eyelids to seal shut tightly. The proximity sends a shiver down my spine as he leans in, his words dripping with a seductive promise. "I was designed to love you. To make you mine," my breath hitches at his audacity, and my mind spirals into a realm of forbidden fantasies. Images of his office flash in my mind, the desk becoming a canvas for our illicit desires, and I wonder how his tongue might taste against mine. He withdraws slightly, inhaling deeply, and in that moment, his eyes, already dark as the night, seem to plunge into an abyss of even deeper intensity. "I know you crave me too, Ulrica." Strength, intimidation, cunning, resilience—Rendall encompasses them all. He's a tempest, a force of nature, and I, in contrast, am the rainbow that emerges after the chaos. Our connection is inexplicable, a convergence of opposites that leaves an indelible mark on the canvas of our destinies. As I step into the unfamiliar town of Gilgamesh to embark on my first year of university, I am oblivious to the twists fate has prepared for me. I anticipated the wild parties, the endless assignments, and the sleepless nights. What I didn't foresee was him.
"It's up to you," he declared, moving so near that our lips were on the verge of touching. "Either comply with my instructions or seek alternative employment." My heart froze as I peered into his profound, menacing eyes. In a society where women are confined to the role of staying home and appearing attractive, Elena is resolute in her struggle for independence. However, there's a significant obstacle: a formidable man obstructing her path.
Livia Davis follows three Rules: 1. Don't kiss a client 2. Do not sleep with a client. 3. Do not fall for a client Things will be alright as long as alpha billionaire Smith Mason respects these boundaries. She must get the money somehow because her father is ailing and she has medical expenses to cover. After a final encounter, she makes her father a vow to leave, but she is then presented with a plan that might help her with at least some of her issues. Will she cave in and put her own ambitions on hold, or will she stick to her strict principles?
Isabella Waverly is your average twenty years old college student, striving to make herself and her family proud while currently studying Economics in a prestigious private University, in Florentina, Italy. She gets along fine with everyone, well everyone except her mother's cold boss who she'd discovered likes glaring at her and treating her coldly for no reason. Alexander Knight is a twenty five years old billionaire from a famous family of businessmen and public figures. He's had his eyes on a certain beauty, Isabella, his cook's daughter since she was at a very young age, having watched her grow from a teenager into a ripe, mature lady and when Alexander discovers Isabella is in her third year in university and might bring a man home anytime soon, he realizes he'll have to act fast. And act fast he did, the only way he knew how to get a woman. He claimed her. Made her know she belonged to him.
Nova is a young werewolf who has been isolated from the world for 17 years. She has never met another werewolf, and she has no idea of her own true nature. One day, Nova's father comes to her with two shocking pieces of information: she is a rare white werewolf, and she must choose a mate from among the future alphas of the four other packs that her father controls. Nova is horrified by this news. She has never wanted to be a werewolf, and she certainly doesn't want to be forced to mate with someone she doesn't know. However, she knows that she has no choice but to obey her father. Nova sets out on a journey to meet the future alphas of the four other packs. She quickly realizes that the world is a much more dangerous place than she ever imagined. She is attacked by other werewolves, she is hunted by humans, and she is forced to make difficult choices that will shape her future. Throughout her journey, Nova begins to learn more about herself and her own true nature. She realizes that she is stronger and more capable than she ever thought possible. She also realizes that she has a choice in how she lives her life. She doesn't have to be a pawn in her father's game. Nova's transformation is both physical and emotional. She grows stronger and more confident, and she learns to embrace her own unique identity. She also learns to stand up to her father and to fight for what she believes in. In the end, Nova chooses a mate who loves her for who she is, and she helps to unite the five packs under a new leadership. She proves that even a rare white werewolf can make a difference in the world.
Trigger warning!!! Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, poseesive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries. ***EXCERPT*** Blood everywhere. Trembling hands. "No!" My eyes blurred. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved-dead. Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother. *** Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move. At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession. Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom. The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her. On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother. She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his. But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
After a one-night stand with Gavin Russell, the Powerful and cold alpha CEO, Iris Green was smitten and she thought there could be something between them after realizing they were fated mates. Her hopes were crushed by his harsh words, "I don't eat the same food twice." Broken, she returned to her city to manage her family business but soon realized that a seed had been planted. Giving birth to a set of twins, she could not endure raising them alone, when they looked exactly like him. She sent one of them to Gavin with a note, "Dessert after supper." Gavin frowned when he received the parcel, from his son. He sent people to fetch that blondie but it was as if she disappeared from the face of the earth. Of course, the Green family was mysterious and she was the new head of the family. She only gets seen whenever she wants to be.
Savannah was an adorable college student. To revenge her ex-boyfriend, Savannah was boldly intended to kiss a "handsome enough" man and take a video to piss her ex off. However, she chose Callan, the most eligible bachelor in the world. Out of Savannah's prediction, she was teased that she had no idea what a real kiss was. Then the man even taught her in person. In a great panic, Savannah ran away. Savannah left a deep impression on Callan. However, he never thought he would meet Savannah so soon, especially, at the... male toilet!
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”