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Prologue Isla knew this was a mistake. She had spent years resisting Damian Sinclair, keeping her distance, pretending the attraction between them wasn't suffocating. But now, standing in his penthouse with the city lights glowing behind them, she knew there was no turning back. His gaze burned into her, dark and unreadable. He leaned against the bar, his tailored suit still pristine despite the chaos she felt inside. "You shouldn't be here," he murmured, his voice a slow, deliberate temptation. "I know," she whispered. Yet she didn't move. Neither did he. Instead, he pushed off the bar and stalked toward her, each step unraveling what little control she had left. He stopped just inches away, his heat wrapping around her, his scent-dark spice and something purely him-making her dizzy. "Tell me to stop." His fingers brushed against her wrist, tracing a path of fire. "Tell me this is wrong." Isla opened her mouth, but no words came. Because they both knew the truth. It was wrong. It was reckless. And it was inevitable. Damian tilted her chin up, his breath ghosting over her lips, waiting for her to push him away. But she didn't. Because tonight, she wasn't going to fight it.
The moment Isla stepped out of the penthouse, she knew she had made a mistake.
Cold night air wrapped around her like a warning, biting through the thin fabric of her dress. Her heels clicked against the marble hallway as she hurried toward the elevator, pulse racing, heart pounding.
What had she done?
Her fingers trembled as she pressed the call button. The doors slid open instantly, as if the universe was giving her an easy escape, but her body refused to move.
Behind her, the door to Damian Sinclair's penthouse remained closed, but she could still feel his presence, like a force pulling her back. The memory of his touch burned on her skin, the heat of his breath still ghosting over her lips.
She should leave.
She should get in the elevator, go home, and pretend tonight never happened.
But she couldn't.
Not when every inch of her body screamed for him.
With a sharp breath, Isla turned and walked back.
She barely had a chance to knock before the door swung open.
Damian stood there, his jacket gone, his tie loosened, his dark gaze locked on her as if he had been waiting. As if he had known she wouldn't leave.
A slow, knowing smirk curved his lips. "Changed your mind?"
Isla swallowed hard. "I never made up my mind in the first place."
His eyes darkened. "Then let me help you decide."
And just like that, she was lost.
Damian reached for her, pulling her inside before she could think. The door slammed shut behind her, sealing her fate. His hands were on her waist, firm and possessive, his touch sending a shiver down her spine.
"I knew you wouldn't walk away," he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear.
"I should," she whispered, her hands gripping his arms, holding on as if he were the only thing keeping her upright.
"But you won't."
He was right. And that terrified her.
His fingers traced a slow, deliberate path down her spine, his touch both a promise and a threat. She shuddered, her resolve slipping with every second.
"This is dangerous," she said, but even she could hear the weakness in her voice.
Damian tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. "So stop me."
She opened her mouth, but no words came.
Because she didn't want to stop him.
She wanted to forget. To drown in him. To let herself be consumed by the fire that had been smoldering between them for years.
And tonight, she was finally ready to burn.
---
An hour later, Isla lay in Damian's bed, staring at the ceiling, her body still humming from his touch. The city lights filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting soft shadows over the room.
Damian lay beside her, one arm draped over his forehead, his breathing steady and controlled, as if what had just happened hadn't shattered everything.
As if this was just another night.
But it wasn't.
Not for her.
She turned onto her side, watching him, searching for any sign that this had meant something. That she wasn't the only one who felt like the ground had shifted beneath her.
But Damian Sinclair was impossible to read.
His face, carved from granite, gave nothing away.
Finally, he turned his head, his gray eyes meeting hers.
"Regrets?" he asked, his voice unreadable.
Isla hesitated. If she said yes, it would be a lie. If she said no, it would be a confession.
"I don't know yet," she admitted.
Something flickered in his gaze, but it was gone before she could name it.
"Good." He sat up, reaching for his discarded shirt. "Because this changes nothing."
Her stomach twisted. "Nothing?"
He pulled the fabric over his head, smoothing out the wrinkles as if this was just another business deal, another contract he had negotiated and walked away from unscathed.
"This doesn't mean anything, Isla." His voice was calm, final.
As if he hadn't just unraveled her.
As if she wasn't already breaking.
She forced a cold smile, masking the sting of his words. "Of course not."
His gaze lingered on her for a second too long, as if he didn't quite believe her, but he said nothing.
Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.
Finally, Isla threw off the sheets and stood. "I should go."
She reached for her dress, slipping it back on with practiced ease. Her fingers trembled slightly, but she kept her expression neutral, refusing to let him see the chaos inside her.
Damian leaned against the headboard, watching her with an intensity that made her skin prickle.
She refused to look at him as she walked to the door.
She had barely made it three steps before his voice stopped her.
"Isla."
She paused, her hand gripping the doorknob, her heart pounding.
For a brief, foolish moment, she let herself hope.
But when she turned, his expression was the same-calm, composed, unaffected.
"Don't overthink this." His tone was smooth, effortless. As if this-they-hadn't just shifted something irreversibly.
As if she wasn't already falling.
Isla held his gaze, forcing a smile she didn't feel. "I wouldn't dream of it."
And with that, she walked away.
But as the door clicked shut behind her, she knew one thing for certain.
This was far from over.
Premise: Emma Hayes is a hardworking waitress struggling to make ends meet in the bustling city of New York. Juggling two jobs to support her younger sister, she has no time for romance-until a mysterious, brooding stranger becomes a regular at the upscale restaurant where she works. He watches her with an intensity that makes her pulse race, tipping generously but never speaking more than a few words. What she doesn't know is that the stranger is none other than Damian Wolfe, a reclusive billionaire known for his ruthlessness in business and his ability to stay out of the public eye. Haunted by a past betrayal, he's learned to trust no one-until Emma. There's something about her that draws him in, an obsession he can't shake. But she's innocent, untouched by the corruption of his world, and he knows he should stay away. When an anonymous benefactor suddenly pays off Emma's debts and secures her sister's tuition at an elite school, she's stunned-and suspicious. Then, an irresistible job offer lands in her lap: a personal assistant role at Wolfe Industries, one that pays far more than she's ever dreamed. Against her better judgment, she accepts... only to find herself working directly under Damian. As their undeniable chemistry ignites, Emma struggles to understand why someone like Damian would be so interested in her. But just as she starts to trust him, she discovers the shocking truth-she was never meant to work for him by accident. She was chosen. And when she uncovers the real reason behind Damian's obsession, she realizes she may not be able to escape him... or her own heart. Plot Twists & Cliffhangers: Emma discovers that Damian knew about her long before she ever met him-he's been keeping tabs on her for years. A hidden connection ties their pasts together, one that could either destroy their growing love or bind them forever. Someone from Damian's past is determined to keep them apart-and they'll do anything to ensure Emma walks away. Just when Emma starts to trust Damian, a betrayal shakes her world, leaving her questioning whether she ever truly knew him at all.retract
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?
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
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."
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?"