Everyone believed that Leyla, inheriting a slyness from her aunt, adeptly drew in married men while presenting an innocent front. Unexpectedly, she became the infamous playboy Colton's wife after just one intense encounter, causing many to speculate about the motives behind their rushed marriage. Initially perceived as a mere transaction, the nature of their relationship took a turn at a party where an emotional Colton grabbed Leyla's wrist and, with a voice laced with raw vulnerability, asked, "Can you love me a bit more?" It was then she realized the truth-he had been pulling the strings of their relationship from the very beginning.
"Wanna do it?" Leyla Stanley asked, wrapping one leg around the man's waist.
Leyla was leaning against a door as she spoke.
A corridor separated the two of them from the lively banquet hall next door.
In that hall, Leyla's ex-boyfriend was celebrating his engagement with his new partner.
The man heard her clearly and emotion flashed in his narrowed eyes.
He gripped Leyla's waist, seized one of her wrists, and threw her onto the soft bed.
Then he leaned over her with his head lowered. His voice was thick with seduction. "Yes."
Leyla's long hair lay sprawled across the pillow. She leaned in and pressed her rosy lips against his.
The sweet scent of her perfume mixed with the deep aroma of wine, filling the room.
His breath caught in his throat. He held her chin with one hand and his voice grew low and tempting. "Leyla, open your eyes and look carefully... Who am I?"
Wait a minute... Who exactly was he?
The tipsy Leyla blinked her eyes open.
The man was incredibly handsome. His long lashes framed striking eyes, and he had a strong nose and refined features.
What a devilish charmer.
Leyla moved closer, her breath warm against him.
Wrapping her slightly cool arms around his neck, she leaned in and whispered in his ear.
"You are..." Her voice was seductive. "Colton."
He was indeed Colton Quinn.
He was the infamous playboy of Valston, known for his reckless ways. He was a romance expert who never let himself get too attached to any woman.
Colton was also the head of the influential Quinn family.
Colton hesitated for a moment.
Then he kissed her passionately, and the kiss seemed to last forever.
The next morning, Leyla woke up from a nightmare.
Her head was pounding, and she buried her face in the blanket.
What Theo Higgins, her ex-boyfriend, had said last night at the engagement party echoed in her mind, haunting her dreams.
"Leyla is just as loose as Rachael. It was only a fling. I would never marry someone like her."
And just like that, Theo had gotten engaged to someone else.
After the Stanley family had faced tragedy, Leyla had become an orphan and went to live with her aunt, Rachael Yates.
Rachael had married into the Higgins family, so Leyla had moved in with the family.
Over the years, Theo had pursued her without giving up.
Rachael encouraged her to accept him; after all, he treated her kindly.
Feeling a bit moved, Leyla had said yes to Theo's courtship, even though she didn't love him.
In Theo's eyes, she had become loose.
The mocking laughter from the crowd last night still echoed in her mind.
A wave of bitterness washed over her, making it hard to catch her breath.
She forced out a bitter smile.
Tears flowed down her cheeks.
Suddenly, the edge of the blanket was lifted, bringing in a rush of fresh air. A relaxed voice reached her ears.
"Miss Stanley."
Leyla looked up quickly and found a handsome face looking back at her.
His long lashes framed his eyes, and a small mole rested at the corner.
Colton?
Noticing her surprise, Colton spoke in a rough voice, a teasing tone lacing his words. "With that expression, it's as if you you've forgotten what happened last night."
He gently brushed a stray hair from her cheek.
His fingers were slightly cool against her skin, causing her to shiver.
When she noticed the suggestive marks on his neck, her expression changed, and she felt herself blush.
Colton was known as the most carefree playboy in the Quinn family.
And he was... Theo's cousin.
In a moment of reckless abandon fueled by alcohol, she had slept with him.
She frowned slightly, her long hair cascading loosely over her pale shoulders.
Her eyes, which had sparkled with allure last night, were now clear and cold. No longer drunk, she seemed completely indifferent and distant.
To her, sex was just a casual affair.
She wanted nothing to do with Theo.
"Let's just pretend last night never happened, Mr. Quinn." Her tone was cool.
Colton's eyes sparkled with amusement. A carefree smile spread across his face as he suddenly grabbed her chin, compelling her to meet his gaze.
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"
Five years ago, Alessia La Rosa's life took a drastic turn when, suffering from memory loss, she wed to Dominic Carter under her grandfather's mysterious arrangement. But their marriage was a facade, bringing her only humiliation and heartache as Dominic showed no love, and she couldn't conceive. Upon discovering Dominic's infidelity, Alessia sought liberation through divorce. Yet, fate had more in store for her. Five years later, spurred by an anonymous email hinting at her lost child's whereabouts, she returns to the city with her twin babies in tow, determined to uncover the truth. As she navigates the tangled web of her past, a surprising twist awaits. Dominic, upon meeting her again, finds himself drawn to the woman she has become, unaware of her true identity as his former wife. Little does he know, the woman he's falling for is not only his ex-wife but also a powerful Doctor and Master Hacker.
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
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.”
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?
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."