Blurb for "Bound by Desire" Lily Carter is at the end of her rope. With her mother's life hanging in the balance and no money to pay for her treatment, she's desperate. When a mysterious, brooding billionaire named Mason Blackstone offers her an impossible deal in a high-end club, she's left with no choice but to accept: one night of passion in exchange for the money she so desperately needs. What starts as a single night of reckless desire turns into something neither of them expected. Mason, used to controlling everything and everyone, becomes addicted to Lily in ways he can't understand. Lily, trapped in a world of power and temptation, becomes Mason's obsession a secret he can't do without. As their physical connection deepens, so does their emotional entanglement, leaving both of them fighting against an undeniable pull. But with Mason's dark past threatening their future, can either of them break free from the chains of desire? Or will they both be consumed by the fire they've started?
A fresh, acrid smell of paint mixed with desperation hung heavy in the dim light of her tiny apartment as she sat hunched over her easel. The painting before her was a kaleidoscope of chaos: a stormy sea, dark waves crashing against jagged rocks, a solitary lighthouse standing tall but weathered. It was her favorite piece and her most personal.
And it had to sell.
The gentle hum of her mother's oxygen machine filtered through the cracked bedroom door. Every hiss, every click reminded her of piling bills in the hospital, those treatments that Lily could hardly pay for, and that fact which was a bit too grim to acknowledge for longer than a moment or two.
Her phone vibrated on the cluttered table and tugged her back. Caleb.
Caleb: Don't forget about tonight. The gallery's your chance to shine.
Lily stared at the message, biting her lip. Caleb was always so optimistic, so sure that this was the moment her luck would change. But she wasn't.
Lily: I'll be there.
She was concise, and she managed to convince herself that this was the case. The event tonight in the downtown gallery wasn't just another opportunity; it was her last. If she didn't sell her art, she didn't know how she'd pay for her mother's next round of medication.
Hours later, she stood in the corner of the gallery, the stormy seascape she painted finally facing the room from her place upon an easel. The low murmurs of conversations filled the room, spurts of laughter then talked over each other, filled with patrons-very rich, costly scents mingling together amid a faint hint of wine and hors d'oeuvres.
Lily smoothed the fabric of her dress, a secondhand find that didn't quite fit, and tried to steady her nerves. She'd poured her soul into this painting. Someone had to see its worth.
But as the night wore on, her hope began to wane. People glanced at her work, nodding politely before moving on to the more abstract, trendy pieces that lined the walls.
"You're the artist?"
The voice was low and smooth, velvet, and it startled her. Turning, she found a man standing there; his tailored suit fitted him like a second skin. Sharp featured, with slicked-back dark hair, he had eyes so piercing they made her heart stutter.
"Yes," she whispered.
His gaze flicked up to the painting, hung there a moment, then came back to her. "It's raw. Honest. I like that."
Relief washed over her, but before she could reply, he pulled out his phone and began to text.
"I'm so sorry, I have to take this," he said shortly, striding away without another word.
Lily blinked. And that was it? Was he interested or merely being polite?
The night ended in disappointment.
She packed up her painting in mechanical motions. Her chest was empty, and her legs weighed a ton as she trudged her way to her apartment.
The hall was dark as she arrived. The bulb above her door flickered ominously. Stepping inside, she opened the door. The scent of lavender and paint thinner wafted from inside.
"Mom?" she called softly, peering into the bedroom.
Her mother was sleeping, her fragile body curled under a worn quilt. It sent a pang of guilt through Lily's chest.
She quietly closed the door and leaned against the wall, clutching the painting to her chest. Tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
Her phone buzzed again, and she pulled it out, expecting another pep talk from Caleb. Instead, it was an unknown number.
Unknown: Lily Carter, you have talent. But talent needs opportunity.
She frowned. Her heart raced. Before she could type out a response, another message came through.
Unknown: Blackstone Gala. Tomorrow night. Be there.
An address was attached, one she knew right away.
Blackstone Manor.
Her breath caught. Blackstone Manor was the stuff of legend, a fortress of money and power owned by the enigmatic billionaire Mason Blackstone. She had heard whispers about his galas: multimillion-dollar deals were made and the courses of fates changed in the span of one night.
But who would invite her?
Her fingers hovered over the screen. She wanted to ask who they were, why they'd chosen her, but something stopped her. Instead, she stared at the address, her heart pounding.
Next evening, Lily stood in front of the gates of Blackstone Manor. The sprawled estate was a tangle of hundreds of lights, the grand façade curving over the mansion to loom like a palace against the night sky.
Smoothing the dress that wasn't hers, clutching her invitation tightly, she stood a little straighter because her nerves were raw and because, beneath her skin, some strange sense of anticipation hummed.
"Miss Carter?"
A man in a slick black suit moved to stand before her. His eyes were expressionless. "Your invitation, please."
She did so, and after the merest of glances, he moved aside, gesturing to allow her inside.
Inside, the manor was more sumptuous than she could have envisioned. Crystal chandeliers cascaded from vaulted ceilings, casting golden light upon marble floors. Guests in designer gowns and tailored suits milled about, sipping champagne and whispering to one another.
Lily felt like a fraud. She was a starving artist amidst power players, and she did not fit in.
"Lily Carter."
The voice was unmistakably low, commanding, uncomfortably familiar.
She turned to see him, the man from the gallery. But here, in the grand setting of Blackstone Manor, he seemed even more imposing. His presence dominated the room, and his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.
"You're here," he said, his lips curving into a faint smile.
"You invited me?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"I did," he replied shortly, moving closer. "You interest me, Lily."
She swallowed hard as her heart rate shot through the roof. "Why?"
He didn't answer, merely fished his hand into his pocket and drew out a card of shiny black. "Tomorrow. Meet me here. Noon."
She stared at the card, confusion and disquiet churning in her chest. "I don't understand."
"You will," he said; there was no invitation for argument into his tone.
She had barely uttered a word in response when he'd already turned and melted into the sea of people, leaving her standing there, clutching the card for dear life.
The words were simple: Blackstone Industries. Private Entrance.
As she exited the gala, her brain was a maze of questions. Who was Mason Blackstone, really? And what could he want from her?
Back in her apartment, she laid the black card on the table and stared at it. The questions could never stop swirling in her mind, but one thing was for sure.
Her life was about to change...
Blurb for "Bound by the strings of Desire" Lily Carter is at the end of her rope. With her mother's life hanging in the balance and no money to pay for her treatment, she's desperate. When a mysterious, brooding billionaire named Mason Blackstone offers her an impossible deal in a high-end club, she's left with no choice but to accept: one night of passion in exchange for the money she so desperately needs. What starts as a single night of reckless desire turns into something neither of them expected. Mason, used to controlling everything and everyone, becomes addicted to Lily in ways he can't understand. Lily, trapped in a world of power and temptation, becomes Mason's obsession a secret he can't do without. As their physical connection deepens, so does their emotional entanglement, leaving both of them fighting against an undeniable pull. But with Mason's dark past threatening their future, can either of them break free from the chains of desire? Or will they both be consumed by the fire they've started?
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."
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."
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
Elisa watched as the most important people in her life showered the evil imposter-The fake heiress, with love. Elisa, the lost daughter of one of the most wealthiest family was found 18 years later and was brought back to her rightful home. However, someone had already taken her place. A fake heiress, the pampered little princess. Her coy acting and innocent façade made Elisa's real mother love her more than Elisa, her real daughter. That made Elisa, though, the true daughter end up as an adopted child. "Elisa, could you try not to appear in front of her too much as it could trigger her insecurities." Her parents had told her because of the fake heiress. "Elisa, You've taken everything away from her. Why can't you give her a little more?" Her fiancé had ordered her. Because of an unfortunate accident plotted by Isabelle-The fake heiress, Elisa was sent to prison and her family cut ties with her without a second thought. Four years, after much torture which led to her being crippled and blind on one eye, she was released, but got hit by a truck. While laying on the pool of her blood, she wanted to question, Why? Why had they all treated her so cruelly, while they love Isabelle unconditionally? She badly wanted to rip off Isabelle's mask of innocence, to reveal the fake, manipulative woman beneath. She was full of hatred. But after her death, she woke up back to when she was 18 years like all that happened were all nightmare. She was elated. She was reborn to re-live all that had happened in her last life, but now, her mission was to reveal mask beneath that woman and make everyone that made her suffer in her past life pay. It was her time for revenge! And definitely, she won't mess this up!
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."