Contracted to Love – Book Description Elena Carter never imagined she'd be the wife of one of the city's most powerful men-much less by contract. On the verge of financial ruin and willing to do anything to save her mother's life, she marries billionaire Alexander Vaughn in a loveless arrangement. The terms are simple: be a mother to his four-year-old daughter, maintain appearances, and never seek love. Alexander Vaughn is a man with a heart encased in steel walls. A bitter betrayal in his past has taught him to never again trust a woman. The sole exception being his daughter, Lily-the only one who brings warmth to his otherwise frozen world. Marriage to Elena was supposed to be a business arrangement. But the minute she steps into his life, she disrupts everything. She's shy, nice, and unlike anyone he's ever met. She doesn't take a step back from his gruff demeanor, nor does she flinch when he tries to push her away. No, she's nice to him, patient-and even more dangerous: loving. As days turn into nights of stolen glances, lingering touches, and undeniable electricity, Alexander is pulled to the one woman he swore he'd never love. But old wounds don't close that easily, and when his past returns to rip them apart, Elena must decide-will she battle for the man she's fallen in love with, or will she walk away before he can destroy her heart? A slow-burn, sizzling romance that is full of passion, heartbreak, and undeniable chemistry, Contracted to Love is a must read, dive into the love journey of Elena and Alexander. This story is perfect for readers who enjoy a group billionaire story, a shy but fiery heroine, and a love that conquers all.
Chapter One: Struggling Fate
Elena Carter exhaled a worried breath, the heaviness of the past few months pressing down upon her chest like a vice. She clutched the worn handle of the antique café tray firmly, willing her trembling fingers to calm down. Burned coffee and the aroma of baked pastries overwhelmed the small, hectic diner where she worked, a far cry from the battle raging in her mind.
Her mother's latest hospital bill crumpled in the corner of her apron pocket, a bitter reminder of how little time she had to get it paid. The doctor's words echoed in her mind: Without the surgery, she won't make it through the year.
"Elena, table four!" Mrs. Hendricks' booming voice interrupted her somber musings.
"Coming!" she shouted, grabbing the coffee pot and rushing over to the corner table.
The corner man didn't even glance up as she approached. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with an aura of authority that put Elena on edge. The power suit, the expensive watch on his wrist-everything about him screamed authority.
But most astonishing to her wasn't his face-it was the little girl beside him, moving her legs rapidly back and forth beneath the table, her green eyes interested.
Elena put on her best customer-service smile. "Good evening. Can I get you something?"
He looked up then, and Elena nearly stumbled. His eyes were intense, cold blue staring at her as if she were a puzzle to be solved. His face was good-looking-strong jawline, dark hair well-brushed back, but there was something else. A chill. As if he had shut off his emotions years ago.
"Black coffee. No sugar," he spoke, his deep voice making her shiver in a strange manner.
"And pancakes!" The little girl grinned up at her, unaware of her father's icy face.
Elena smiled gently, smiling. "Pancakes it is."
The girl grinned. "I'm Lily!"
"Lily," she repeated, the name rolling over her tongue like a song. "A pretty name."
Lily snorted, but her father cleared his throat, reminding Elena he was still there.
"Are you always so nice to customers?" His voice was unreadable, but his eyes-there was something in them-curiosity? Humor?
Elena flinched. "I try to be."
He hummingly didn't respond, only looked at her like she was a problem he was still working out.
Shaking off the odd tension, she turned on her heel and hurried back towards the counter, heart still thudding against her ribs. Something about this man made her uneasy. It wasn't just his wealth or his overwhelming presence-it was the way he looked at her.
Preparing their order, she caught snippets of their conversation.
"Is Mommy coming back soon?" Lily asked softly.
There was silence. A heavy, long silence. Then the man's voice, firm and low.
"No, Lily. She's not."
Elena's heart constricted. She didn't know what their past was, but she recognized pain when she heard it.
When she returned with the pancakes and coffee, Lily slapped her hands together in delight, devouring the food ravenously. Elena couldn't help but smile.
"She likes you."
Elena gazed at the man-Alexander, she recalled from the name on the credit card when he had paid.
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Lily," he replied softly, nodding toward his daughter. "She doesn't take to people easily."
An odd warmth filled her chest. "She's a sweetheart."
Alexander didn't respond, but merely regarded her again, still unreadable as before.
It wasn't until later, as she stepped out into the chilly night air when her shift finally ended, that she realized she'd been holding her breath during their whole conversation.
And she had no idea that this would not be the last time she'd see Alexander Vaughn.
Not even close.
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
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.
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."
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.