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Jo hasn't heard a word from Jude since he left for therapy after they completed high school. Three years on, she decides to give love another chance. Just when she opens her heart to someone else, Jude walks back into her life. Do the feelings of old still exist? Do they matter anymore? Book 2 of Knowing Jude
"What will you give Eli for his birthday?"
I catch my roommate's gaze in the mirror before looking away. I know what I want to give Eli for his birthday. But I cannot tell her.
"You haven't gotten anything for him," she notes. "You're not going empty-handed, are you?"
I don't miss the accusing tone in Tori's voice. She probably has more to say but is holding back.
She has already bought him a present. I have no idea what it is, though. When she came back to the dorm with it, it was wrapped in gift paper and she maintained it was a secret.
"He did say we don't have to get him anything." I grab a scrunchie and tie one half of my curly hair at the back of my head.
"You can't be serious. The guy got you a box set of your favourite book series for your birthday. He only said that because he's sickening nice to you."
Tori is fond of reminding me of how Eli treats me sweetly. She also likes pointing out how blind I am to the fact that he likes me.
Elias is one of the first friends I made in campus. We got to know each other because he was friends with Tori, who has been my roommate since freshman year. But what made us grow closer is the fact that he's on the school football team while I'm a kinesiology major.
The football head coach is our exercise science professor, and he likes inviting the class to the field for practicals. We also have his classes in the Sports Complex, where gym facilities used by the school teams are located. Eli and I ran into each other many times and ended up becoming friends outside Tori's influence.
Am I blind to the fact that Eli likes me? That's impossible when the entire sports department 'ships' us together. As one of the popular guys in school, everybody is curious about who he's seeing. But since he broke up with his girlfriend from high school in freshman year, he has been single. We hang out a lot and many think we should 'date already'.
Besides public opinion about our relationship, Eli confessed to me. But even before he did, I knew. I would be lying if I said I didn't like him too.
It took a while to accept that what I felt for him was beyond friendship. After spending the past three years shielding my heart against romantic attachments successfully, my feelings came as a surprise.
I had known all along that he was special to me, and that's why we became fast friends. But me actually liking him enough to consider giving love another chance? That's another kind of special.
I tie the other half of my hair at the back of my head. "I have something planned for him."
"Really? What?"
"It's a secret." I ordered him a pair of cleats he has been coveting, but delivery has been delayed. Maybe they'll get here tomorrow. But that's not the only thing I have planned.
Tori rises from her bed and grabs her jacket. "I hope you're not lying. Let's go or we'll be late."
Eli's dorm is in campus, while we live about five minutes' walk from the school. As we walk towards his dorm building, there's an ongoing mantra in my mind:
It's tonight or never. Tonight or never. Tonight.
Tonight, I'm going to let go of what's holding me back and give Eli a chance.
Tonight, I'll let him go.
I've waited long enough. I've hurt enough. I need to get out of my mind and live my life.
When we get to Eli's dorm building, we head to the common room. While his dorm room is much more spacious than that of other students-a perk all members of the school's sports teams get-it's not enough to accommodate the party.
Eli is the starting forward of the school football team and undoubtedly the most popular player. Not only are his teammates going to be here, but crowds of admirers too.
We walk into an already busy room, with party music booming.
Tori squeals and bounces on her feet. "This is gonna be good!"
I look around, my eyes searching for a familiar face.
"Eli!" Tori yells and shoots forward.
I notice him then. A small smile covers my face as our eyes meet over Tori's head-she has rushed straight into his arms, hugging him.
I look away, suddenly shy. Out of the blue, my stomach is crawling with butterflies.
"Happy birthday!" Tori says excitedly as she lets him go. "Here!"
Eli accepts the wrapped gift with a raised brow. "What is this?"
"It's a surprise."
He chuckles. "Okay, I'll look at it later." His eyes lift to me. "Jo, are you going to just stand there?"
I approach, and he puts his arms out to pull me into a hug. I go willingly-excitedly-and press myself to him. He's tall and his chest is wide, and hugging him is one of my favourite things. He's so warm and cosy.
Someone comes calling his name and we pull apart.
"I've gotta go, but I'll find you later. Have fun."
I nod, and he walks away towards his friend.
"I'll get us drinks," Tori says and disappears.
I sigh and discreetly press an open palm to my chest. My heart is wilding out. Could he feel it?
"Fuck him already."
I startle and turn to the newcomer. It's Simon. I roll my eyes and elbow his side. "Shut up."
One of his arms rests on my shoulder. "No, but seriously. You've been ogling him since forever."
"Not true."
"Blah. Blah."
Tori reappears with two cans of beer in her hands. She hands one to me. "Hello, Simon."
He nods. "Tori."
She hooks her thumb over her shoulder. "I'll be with Kelly and the girls over there."
I snap the beer can open and take a gulp after she's gone. Only after I'm done do I notice the look Simon is giving me. "What?"
"Am I missing something?"
"Like what?"
"Why are you drinking so easily? I usually have to wrestle you to get you to take a sip."
I shrug. "This one barely has alcohol in it."
"You still always chose Sprite over it."
I want him to let it go, but he doesn't look about to. Knowing him, he has probably picked up on something. Whenever I'm busy hiding things from others, he always figures me out. I guess that's what best friends are for.
He slips his hands into his jeans' pockets and rocks on his sneakers. "You'll need something stronger than that if you're looking for liquid courage."
I swallow and stare at the floor. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Let's not fool each other. Come with me."
He grabs my hand and brings me with him. He leads me through the living area to the kitchen. There are kids everywhere. We come to a stop in front of a large collection of alcohol on the kitchen island.
"Now, look. I don't advise being drunk your first time. Knowing him, he'll not touch you in that state."
My eyes grow into saucepans. "Simon!"
"I'm right, aren't I?"
I groan and stare at the ceiling. "Yeah."
I don't know why I thought for a second that I could hide it from Simon. I've joked numerous times that I would go to him for advice when I finally decided to have sex, but when the moment came, I became too embarrassed. I was only going to mention it after the deed.
Now that he knows, I guess I can take advantage of his extensive knowledge.
I'm suddenly engulfed in a hug. His cologne assaults my senses. "Finally! Do you know how long I've been waiting for this?"
"Me to have sex?"
"No... I mean yes." He laughs.
I push him away. "You are shameless."
He arches an eyebrow. "You getting to this point means you're finally ready to be happy again."
His words tug at a spot in my heart. "I am happy."
He gives me a soft smile. "You know what I mean."
I nod. Yes, I do.
He rubs his palms together and turns to the collection of alcohol. "Okay. The secret is not having too much. You want to be excited but not drunk out of your mind."
I guess I'm really doing this.
Mari is running away from her abusive boyfriend when she runs into Stefan. Stefan, a werewolf king, has mistaken her for his destined mate, and before she can correct him, he bites and mates with her. Mari is happy enough with her newfound life as the werewolf king’s mate, but will her happiness last when his fated mate, who happens to be her long-lost twin sister, shows up?
“Is sex on a boat any good?” He went with her, an amused smile on his face. “Depends on the captain.” 💫💫💫 Amanda Lemaiyan's heart is shattered when she discovers her fiancé was using her to rise the ranks of her father's conglomerate. After a bitter break up, she has a one night stand with a strange man on her short vacation. When she comes back home, she finds out that the man she slept with is the new CEO who has taken over her ex-fiancé's position at her fashion company. Can she trust him when he says he's after her and not her company's fortune? *** Love woes aside, Amanda finds herself in the middle of family drama when her sister tries to take away her control over the fashion company. Rebecca has her eyes set on the family business empire, and she sees Amanda, who has always been the apple of their father's eyes, as her biggest competition. In the ensuing conflicts, secrets and betrayals are revealed that change Amanda's life forever. When everything seems to be working against her, will she find the true love and achieve the dreams that have eluded her so far?
"You're not the kind of girl I'd usually kiss," he says, his eyes latching onto my lips. "But I'll do it anyway." Then the cocky jerk leans in and kisses me. ____ Jude Walker is a troubled soul. As a little boy, he made a mistake that made him grow up with hate from his siblings and unacceptance from his dad. He is depressed, suicidal, and a bad boy. Ava Jo Hansen is a quiet girl who cares too much about others. She seems okay to everyone around her, but she has demons gnawing at her sanity. When their paths cross, Ava finds herself drawn to Jude's darkness knowing very well every step of the way it's a wrong direction to go. But she keeps on. Will it be a happy ending for them?
After two years of marriage, Kristian dropped a bombshell. "She's back. Let's get divorced. Name your price." Freya didn't argue. She just smiled and made her demands. "I want your most expensive supercar." "Okay." "The villa on the outskirts." "Sure." "And half of the billions we made together." Kristian froze. "Come again?" He thought she was ordinary—but Freya was the genius behind their fortune. And now that she'd gone, he'd do anything to win her back.
Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.
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?
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?
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.