Jackson steps in front of me, his strong hands cupping my face as he brings his forehead to mine. "I want to replace it. I want to take all your nightmares and turn them into something beautiful, the way you've done for me. I just need you to trust me. You think you can do that?" I was only looking at how he gently held me with his huge hands. Considering his bulk frame, I was like a fragile glass he was holding. I don't know why but my heart did skip a beat, but I had to swallow it up and pretend that I didn't feel it.
Hayden Landon felt great, and he had every reason to. This September, he would begin his final year of college, and he already had a full-time job in his area. There weren't many jobs available in his specialty (American History, Museum Studies), but he found one with respectable beginning pay and opportunities for promotion. His baseball season was going well. Even though he wasn't going anywhere professionally, he enjoyed doing well in the summer league. Aside from after college, it's most likely the beer and pretzel softball league. Hayden smiled as he drove along the interstate.
Yes, everything was going fine.
One other thing: Hayden was in love. Not that brief moment of intense feeling or that line used by every guy who wanted to get laid. No, this was the real thing. On this hot July 4th weekend, he was going to make his feelings known.
Hayden had met Abigail during their sophomore year. They were taking the same US history course. As an education major, she had to, and he did because it was his major. He wasn't sure what it was about her-whatever it was, they hit it off-her auburn hair, her green eyes, her smile, or what. Whatever it was, they hit it off right away. They had a lot in common. He played baseball; honor student, she, who did too. Abigail was an honour student, and he was a student. At first, they never had an "official" date but met for meals, study groups, or just to talk. They enjoyed each other's company. Hayden dated several girls, but they never seemed right. Even the ones he had sex with left him with something missing. Abigail also dated but had no steady guy. She claimed they all wanted to get into her pants, and she wasn't going to give in to just anyone. Her first time would be with the man she loved.
By the end of their junior year, it was just the two of them. No one else. Though things got hot and heavy between them, Abigail was true to her word. Oh sure, there was some pretty serious petting, and a couple times Hayden thought this night was the night, but Abigail wouldn't let go. Hayden left some nights with some pretty blue balls.
As he turned up the long driveway to her house, he had already decided he was going to tell her this weekend.
Hayden had been invited to Abigail's family's traditional July 4th picnic. It was a big deal. Abigail's father, Jayson, was a big wheel in the state's leading political party, and this was his chance to mix business with family. A lot of big wigs would be there. Hayden had met Abigail's folks when they came to visit her at school. Hayden and Jayson didn't hit it off too well. Afterwards, her dad told Abigail that she was too good for Hayden, and besides, he was going nowhere with that career choice of his.
Abigail's mom, Emelyn, was a pure delight. She and Hayden hit it right off, and he could tell she approved of him. He knew where Abigail got her auburn hair and smile from. They say to look at the mother to find out what the daughter will look like in ten years. What Hayden saw pleased him. Emelyn was full figured. Not fat but curvy with just the right amount of weight. Abigail complained that her boobs were too small and her butt was too big, but her mom told her to wait; things would change as she was a late bloomer herself. Abigail's family owned a vast farm, and as Hayden drove near the house, he noticed that there were already a number of people there. He had a moment of doubt about why he was even here, but he reminded himself that he had faced harsher conditions on the field. So he parked the truck, turned off the key, and closed the door. After meeting Abigail, he realized why he came.
As Abigail reached Hayden, she put her arms around him and gave him a deep, long kiss. She broke it long enough to say, "I missed you so!" and then kissed him again. This time, after grinding her pelvis into him so hard, Hayden staggered back into the side of his truck.
"Wow! Where did that come from? I could feel that all the way down to my toes!" Hayden laughed.
Abigail stepped back and gave him a sly grin. Taking his hand, she said, "Come on, you need to meet the rest of my family." With that, they headed off towards the crowd.
Hayden was impressed with the number of people attending a "family" picnic, but then he remembered that Abigail's dad was a politician, so it wasn't all family. As Abigail pulled him through the mass, Hayden could definitely tell who was with which group.
The first family member Abigail introduced Hayden to was her older sister, Jessica. Jessica was 3 years older than Abigail and was married to a contractor. She had a two-year-old daughter and was trying to corral her as Hayden was introduced. Jessica had blonde hair, blue eyes, and a figure like her mom with full breasts and hips. What struck Hayden was her smile. Abigail, her mom, and now Jessica had that same smile and a sparkle in their eyes.
"I am pleased to meet you. I have heard a lot of good things about you," Jessica said. "I hope to see more of you around here." With that, she went off after her daughter.
"Only one more to go, my brother, Joey. You too should hit it off well. He plays baseball for our high school. Pretty good. He's over there."
Joey was standing off casually, sipping on a beer, and watching the goings-on. He flashed that same winning smile as Abigail introduced him. After the usual small talk, Abigail said that she had to help her mom and needed to go. She gave Hayden a kiss and did something unusual for her. As she kissed him, she slid her hand under his shirt and rubbed his stomach. Hayden was totally surprised. As she walked away, she gave him a wink.
Grace Lim was a woman well on her way to making her dreams come true, but she soon learned that she may be out of job. To make matters worse, a tragic misunderstanding lands her on the wrong side of her soon-to-be boss. As a business prodigy, CEO, James Gregori Grayson wasn't afraid to make hard decisions. After all, he was the world's last pure-bred vampire and had a deadly score to settle with the hunters who killed his family centuries ago. But when one of his friends was killed, leaving an orphaned half-breed daughter with no awareness of her heritage and origin, he was forced to guide his now gorgeous secretary into the world of the undead. Racked by confusion and changes in her body that weren't there before, Grace found herself irresistibly drawn to her seductive boss as passion ignited and threatened to consume them both. However, she was unprepared for the reason he had sought her out and the danger that lay ahead. Regardless, sharing a love of conquering their goals, this unlikely pair began to form an unexpected bond that led them to a place neither of them ever expected to be.
Chase Johnson was successful and a billionaire for a reason, yet he was lured by Amaya's smile. Remembering the moment when he'd walked into the living room and she'd flung her bra at him and he'd gotten a look at her bare bounty. Amaya caught his eye, all right, in a way no other woman ever had before. Then she'd argued with him and challenged him, and he'd found he liked it. Women usually become sweetly submissive around him. But she had been so different. Forget danger. Challenge could have been Amaya's middle name. Six years later, she ran into him again, and this time Chase became her boss, and he made her life a living hell, but she couldn't give up. She needed a job for her five-year-old son. Will she be able to reveal her secret to him before it's too late?
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."
Aria never wanted to marry Kael, the arrogant playboy her father forced her to accept as her fiancé. But Kael had his own twisted motives-he only wanted her because she was the one girl who refused him. When Aria rejected his demand to sleep with him a week before their wedding, Kael tried to take what he wanted by force. His drunken pursuit ended in tragedy when he was struck by a car, leaving Aria caught in the crossfire of blame. Zander, Kael's elder brother and the soon-to-be Alpha King, believed Aria was responsible for his brother's death-and promiscuous to boot. To prevent war between their packs, Zander agreed to marry her, but only for revenge. His plan? Ruin Aria's life for a year, then cast her aside and divorce her. But Zander's scheme begins to unravel when his ex-best friend Asher returns, determined to take Aria for himself. As secrets from the past resurface, Zander discovers betrayal, lies, and truths he never wanted to face. Was Aria truly guilty, or was she just another pawn in a deadly game of power and revenge? Asher laugh and say, "You're a fool; she never wanted to come. I told her you were with Lyra, so she came. And now I've achieved my goal: I ruined your marriage." Zander feel foolish, asking, "But why? I never did anything to you! You were my best friend. I should have killed you when you slept with my ex fiancée, Lyra!" Asher respond, "You knew I loved her, but you stole Lyra from me. She was my true mate, but she refused to marry me because you were soon to be the Alpha King! She never loved you. She loved me but wanted to be the queen of werewolves; that's all." Zander would realize how foolish he was. Yet, he still believed Aria wasn't innocent because she slept with his deceased brother before the wedding.
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
Chandler Su who had cheated by her boyfriend then got drunk at a bar. To take revenge, she grabbed a man randomly and took him to the room. After a crazy night, Chandler found the strange man was a super handsome guy the next morning. Shy and shocked Chandler run away after leaving 150 RMB and scorning the man of his poor bed skills. However, she never thought the story would become so dramatic as the next day, she found out that the new coming president of her company was exactly the man she slept the last night! Worse than that, this new boss seemed very narrow-minded as he asked Chandler to come to his office on the first day.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."