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Ethan Lewis has been in the bright lights for as long as he can remember. He's just turned the cusp of celebrating his twenty-fourth birthday, and yet he feels more like eighty. Living the life of a celebrity isn't all it is chalked up to be, and dealing with the unruly number of women who are more interested in his billions than who he is as a person is getting old. He has resigned himself to giving up on love and focusing on the only thing that truly gives back – his career. Riley Phillips has always dreamed of being on a big stage with the warmth of the spotlight baring down on her, but she just couldn't seem to catch the right agent's attention. After giving a quick commencement speech as Valedictorian of her graduating class at Billmore High, she's offered something she can't refuse... The chance to work in Hollywood. It's not all it's chalked up to be, but she works hard and finally gets her big break four years down the line. There is a new movie that her agent wants her to audition for, and her co-star? The dreamy Ethan Lewis. She scores the part, but soon regrets it due to his callous, overbearing persona. He's nothing like the public touts, and she for one isn't impressed. Funny enough, he is - immensely. This is book 1 in a continued series. All books are available
Riley
"It's here! It's finally here!" Charlotte bounced on her toes as we waited in the line for our tickets.
"We're not going to get a seat." I glanced over at her and couldn't help but grin. She was head over heels in love with Ethan Lewis, but so was half the universe. The child-star had grown into the sexiest man in America, or so the magazines touted. I moved up behind a group of teenage girls, giggling wildly as they worked through all the details of the handsome actor's last movie.
"Stop being negative. We're getting in. I'll sell my soul if I have to." Charlotte nudged me with her shoulder.
"That's not going to get us more than a small popcorn." I gave her a cheeky grin and took another step up. The line for Ethan's new movie, Down Under was around the side of the movie theater, and it was the final showing of the night.
"Very funny. Just get our tickets. I'm going to stare at the movie poster with the rest of the teenage girls and lonely women." She tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder and shook her hips as I chuckled.
The number of women crowded around the movie poster was a little concerning. Ethan was beyond sexy, but nothing more than the average jock on campus. He played his parts well, and unfortunately, most girls had convinced themselves that he was the new James Bond that he played on the big screen. The youngest man to be invited into the Bond world, and if nothing else, I had to hand it to him. He was a brilliant businessman.
What would it be like to have people lined up outside the movie theater just to see me?
I stepped up as the clerk glanced up with a weary look on his face. "How many tickets?"
"Two, don't you want to know which movie we're here for?" A smirk lifted my lip.
He shook his head. "Let's see... you're a girl at the movies with your girlfriend on opening weekend for Down Under. I'm thinking you're probably following the rest of your female companions into theater three."
I laughed. "It's been a long day, I take it?"
"You've no clue." He handed me the tickets. "Theater-"
"Three. Got it. Best of luck tonight." I walked toward Charlotte and paused, pulling out my phone and taking several pictures of her as she muscled her way closer to the poster of Ethan looking like a badass. "Smile."
Charlotte turned toward me and cheesed hard for the picture. She stuck her tongue out as if she were licking the dirty plastic beside her, and I cringed, but took the picture anyway.
"Let me see." She reached for my phone, and I handed it to her before looping my arm into hers and dragging her toward the theater.
"Come on. I don't want to fight the hordes of horny women to get our seats." I kept my arm locked in hers, pulling her along as she moved through the pictures, not paying a bit of attention. At times it felt like we were still fifteen and not about to graduate college. Charlotte hadn't changed a bit over the years, which kept us both young, or so I told myself.
"God, Riley. He's so fucking hot. Please get in a movie with him so I can touch him." She snuggled up against me as I handed the attendant our tickets.
"I need to find an open audition for one of his movies, and then I can." I let out a frustrated sigh under my breath. There were too many people around us, leaving me to feel like a cow in the middle of cattle being forced to move. There was no way in hell I would ever be an A-cast actress. Having people pawing at me left me wanting to crawl in a corner and shake like I had demons living in me.
I chuckled at the thought.
"Are you talking to yourself again?" Charlotte glanced over at me.
"We've known each other for the last eighteen years. Do you really need to ask me that?" I held the door and let her go through before moving back into the line of women. "I'm the only one that won't argue when I have a brilliant idea."
"You're so weird, but you knew that." She glanced up from the phone as we rounded the corner. "This place is oversold. There are two seats at the very back. Come on."
She bounded up the stairs as I glanced around and shook my head. My stomach was a ball of knots. Acting I adored with a passion inside of me that wouldn't quit, but talking with random people and shooting the shit? Hell no.
I walked up the stairs as a few girls whipped past me, almost knocking me over.
"Sorry!" they called over their shoulders.
"It's all good. It's Ethan Lewis. I get it." I smiled, talking under my breath as I made my way to Charlotte. I dropped down in my chair and reached over, clamping my hand on her knee as it bounced like a jack-hammer. "You all right?"
"Yes, but dude, this guy is the wettest dreams I have. I love, love, love him." She squealed as the lights dimmed.
"He's all right." I shrugged.
She popped me in the arm, and we both chuckled. I could play it cool with the best of them, but seeing a new movie with the handsome billionaire in it left me a little breathless too.
I leaned back and snagged the popcorn from her as the previews started. My mind slipped into the same place it always did. My acting career, or lack thereof.
I'd worked so hard to pimp myself out since I was a teenager in drama clubs and had found a bit of success in various commercials, but when it came to films or movies, I just couldn't find the door to knock on. It was a tight knit community and outsiders, no matter how talented, just weren't accepted.
A preview for another movie that Ethan was doing in the coming months appeared on the screen and pulled me from my thoughts.
I glanced up and let out a soft sigh, praying like hell that Charlotte didn't hear me. She would never let me live it down.
The smirk that lifted his perfect lips caused my stomach to contract, my nipples to harden. The guy was good. Really good.
His warm brown eyes filled with compassion as he reached out and touched the face of the girl who played his fling in the movie.
The whole movie theater started to make girlie noises. I wanted to roll my eyes, but didn't want to miss the kiss.
"Kiss her," Charlotte whispered and moved to the edge of her seat.
I gripped the side of my chair, wanting to move up too, but refusing to play into the hype.
"It's just a preview, Char. Jeez." I forced myself to sound as sarcastic as I could before I licked my lips. He appeared to be a damn good kisser, the kind that would promise to leave your knees weak.
His voice was deep, sexy, delicious. "You don't have to go, Tanya. Stay with me. Just tonight."
Charlotte squealed as he moved in for the kiss. The screen cut to an action scene, and the sound of disappointment filled the air around us. I let out a tight chuckle.
"Wow." She dropped back in her seat. "What is it about that guy? I swear I need a cold shower or a vibrator."
"You don't have to go, Charlotte." I turned toward her and touched her face, lowering my voice as the girls around us laughed.
She swatted me away. "Okay. Keep it up. You're going to be in a movie with him one day, and when you are... don't say I didn't tell you so."
"Please." I turned around and started to eat the popcorn again. "It's never going to happen, but if it does, I'll be sure to describe the fake kiss in detail for you."
"Every wicked lick of his tongue, please." She grabbed a handful of popcorn and missed her mouth with most of it.
I smiled and turned back to the screen as the movie started. The cheering that occurred when Ethan came on screen let me know right away that I was in for a long two hours.
Were people really this nuts over actors and if so... did I really want to be worshiped?
Not in the slightest.
This guy could offer me the moon, and I’d hand it right back. Never in a million years did I expect to run into the biggest crush of my childhood. But, of course, I have. And I’m reporting to him at the new company I landed a big-time job at. Arrogant. Hot as hell. Total jackass. Why he’s still single is no mystery to me. He’s not willing to settle down. He’s always been that way, and as far as I’m concerned, he always will be. But, boy, is he beautiful to look at. Every part of me screams "run" as my insides turn to mush. No. Not me too… Not again. I should be immune by now. I know him far too well to fall into this hopeless pit of adoration again. But maybe there’s a way around it. It’s his power that drives me over the edge of insanity. If I were the boss instead of him, I’d hold all the cards. Good thing I’m always up for a challenge. Funnily enough, this guy thinks he’s going to score. He might have to redefine what getting lucky looks like after me. At least, that’s the plan.
He said I couldn’t do it, but he was wrong. An old professor at UCLA promised me that I would make nothing of myself, so I made sure I did. To the tune of billions. I’m only a little cocky about it. Yachts, parties, and one-night events pretty much spell out my life. And all of it works well until I run into a beauty I can’t get out of my head. But we’re keeping it friendly and casual until we aren’t. There’s just one problem. Her old man hates me. And for good reason. He was my UCLA professor. He’s dead set against me becoming anything important to his little girl, but the old man’s got it all backward. I’m not looking to make an example out of our passion or prove a point. This isn’t about hit it and quit it. His daughter is mine, and he might kick me out, but she’s letting me all the way in.
My Needs. My Demands. Your Pleasure. You're Welcome. She had one year left of college when our parents got married. And thanks to being raised in poverty, she needed help with her expenses. My dad, being the benevolent billionaire, stepped up without question. But there was a catch. She had to intern at the firm for a year. With me. As her boss. Poor sweet little thing. She has no clue what she’s up against, but she’ll figure it out soon. I don’t play typical games, but the ones I do play, I always win. And regardless of how taboo our relationship might become, I’m all in. The reward is worth the risk. I just hope she can keep up with my many demands.
He’s going to make me break my number one rule. And possibly lose my job. How dare he? It’s pretty simple, though. Don’t date students. Which is normally easy to stick to. Who wants to date an eighteen-year-old boy? Not me. I much prefer an older man with rough hands that knows what he’s doing. Enter Mr. Evans. A single father billionaire with more time on his plate than he knows what to do with. And the man is brilliant and wickedly delicious. Much to my surprise, he’s quickly becoming my star pupil, which means he gets more of my time than necessary. But I can’t help myself. He’s exactly what I need in my life, in my bed, kissing me at the stroke of midnight… And the best is even though he’s older than me, he’s more than willing to let me teach him a few new tricks. Let's just hope we don't get caught.
I need a wife. Now. It doesn’t have to do with love and living the good life. This is all about getting the money my billionaire father left to me. And I’m running out of time. But who proposes to a stranger after the first date? Me. That’s who. As if I have another choice. Luck is on my side though, and a beautiful model shows up in my office. Single? Gorgeous? Funny? All of the above. Our first date goes so well that I feel unsure about my decision to do this thing with her—you know, fake it. I put it off and decide to do it later, to ask for her help after we get to know each other better. But I like her more and more each time we meet, and eventually, offering her a ring isn’t for my dad’s money—it’s because I want her more than anything else in the world. Besides, who’s going to know if it’s fake or real? And does it really matter? Yeah. It does.
She’s playing hard to get, and I love it. I decided a long time ago to let my career as a high-powered New York Editor and my son be my only focuses. But my family had hoped for a different fate. As much as I miss them, I’ve lost touch with them, and with love in general. Wealth calls to me after my grandfather dies and leaves me his billions. But there’s one catch. There always is, right? I have to live on the farm I grew up on for six months and take a break from my big city life. It’s worth it and maybe my little boy will enjoy the time with me. One thing I never expected was a beautiful woman to show up and steal our hearts. She’s everything I want in my life and my bed. But she’s a tough cookie. I’m up for the challenge. There’s nothing I’ve wanted in life that I haven’t gotten. Unfortunately for her, I don’t want just six months in Montana. I’m demanding all of her.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?