Bronte was the beloved girl of everyone, always smiling and full of life. Her popularity made her an essential person in everyone's eyes. Yet, there was one exception: Blake. This arrogant bad boy, with his messy hair and piercing gaze, didn't even seem to notice her. But that was before her parents went to Africa. Forced to leave for several weeks, they entrusted Bronte to Blake. Upon her arrival, Bronte felt like an intruder in his world. Their first interactions were cold, marked by endless pranks and arguments that never seemed to end. Yet, behind Blake's attitude, Bronte sensed something deeper, a secret he hid carefully. Over the days, their relationship slowly began to change. Despite the provocations and tensions, an attraction started to form between them. Blake couldn't admit it, but it was clear that Bronte was no longer just the neighbor.
01
« Are you sure you'll be okay without us? » Mom asks unsurely. She helps me fish my two suitcases out of the car before dropping them onto the pavement.
I smile reassuringly and nod my head, « Yeah, I'll be alright. It's just a couple weeks, » I prop one of the suitcases onto its wheels and follow dad up the brick pathway towards the Parkers' house. Mom trails behind me with my other suitcase towed behind her.
« Before we leave for the airport tonight, we'll drop off your third suitcase. That should be enough for you to last a while until you need to get more stuff from home, » she informs me.
« Okay, » I agree, turning my head to glance up at my new home for the next 5 weeks.
The Parkers' house is quite sweet, surprisingly. It's a one-story, bungalow-styled home with wide bay windows and a small porch. The house has clearly undergone some renovation given its slightly modern appearance and the fresh-looking coat of light grey paint on the walls' weatherboard planks. It's hard to believe that Blake actually lives here given that he's so tough, rebellious, and dangerous. I don't know what I was expecting – maybe a beaten-down caravan, a cardboard box, or even a jail cell? I'm not sure, but I definitely wasn't expecting this.
Everything about the house looks welcoming and peaceful, like something you'd see on the cover of a home and garden magazine. Even the little porch swing, creaking slightly in the breeze, adds a certain kind of charm. I can almost imagine sitting there with a book and a glass of lemonade. It's such a stark contrast to the version of Blake that I have in my mind.
Once reaching their front step, dad presses the doorbell and we wait at their front door in silence. No more than a second later, I hear the distant sound of footsteps and my breath hitches in my throat at the possibility that it may be Blake. The front door swings open, revealing none other than a grinning Marisa Parker. I exhale a breath I don't realise I'm holding.
« Hey guys. Welcome, » she greets, striding up to us and hugging each of us individually. Once reaching me, she smiles warmly. Her smile is kind and comforting, and I manage to relax a little, « Hey Bronte, it's nice to see you again. Welcome to our home. »
« Thank you for agreeing to letting me stay! » I beam at her.
She embraces me in a hug and then pulls away. Waving her hand nonchalantly, she replies, « Oh, it's fine, no big deal. I'll enjoy having a girl in the house for once. It can be tiring living with two males. »
I smile in response and watch as the parents begin to catch up on old times with each other. It's nice seeing my parents with their friends. I know that sounds odd, but most of the time they're either hung up on work or taking care of me. Leading a social life definitely isn't a priority of theirs.
As the time passes by, I find my eyes wandering around the property and taking in the beautiful landscape again; all the bright, blooming flowers, and the cute little fountain sitting in front of the house. Marisa is apparently really into her gardening, mom had informed me when we first arrived. You could tell - there isn't a single wilted flower in sight. The garden is a vibrant masterpiece, with pops of purple, yellow, and red coloring the view like paint splashes on a blank canvas.
The conversation between the adults continues to buzz softly in the background. Dad laughs heartily at something Marisa says, and mom looks more relaxed than I've seen her in weeks. It's kind of nice to just stand here, soaking it all in - the sun warming my skin, the faint chirp of birds in the trees, and the fresh, crisp scent of the flowers around me.
« Blake's not home yet, » Marisa suddenly says, almost reading my mind. She smiles at me, sensing my slight tension. « He's out at the shop, but he should be back later tonight. You'll probably be asleep by then, though. »
I nod, trying to hide the relief I feel. Meeting Blake straight away would be... a little intense. I need time to settle in first, to breathe, to prepare myself mentally. There's something about Blake Parker that's always managed to unnerve me, even back when we were just kids.
« Why don't we bring your things inside? I'll show you to your room, » Marisa offers brightly.
Dad and I each grab a suitcase, while mom picks up the lighter one. We follow Marisa inside, stepping into a spacious, cozy living room. The interior is just as welcoming as the outside - lots of warm, earthy tones, plush cushions, and framed photographs lining the walls. Family memories, captured in still moments. It feels lived-in, loved.
We move down a hallway to a room at the very end. Marisa pushes open the door to reveal a guest room decorated in soft pastels. There's a full-sized bed covered in a fluffy white duvet, a desk by the window, and a small wardrobe pushed up against the wall. A few decorative plants are tucked into the corners, adding a little life to the space.
« I hope this is okay, » Marisa says, watching me closely.
« It's perfect, » I assure her sincerely, setting my suitcase down near the wardrobe.
Mom steps into the room and looks around, nodding in approval. « It's really lovely. »
« If you need anything, just shout, » Marisa adds. « Bathroom's two doors down to your right, kitchen's through the living room, and you're welcome to anything you find in the fridge. Make yourself at home, sweetheart. »
I grin and thank her again, feeling the last of my nerves slowly easing.
The parents linger for a while longer, chatting about their trip and making sure I'm truly settled. I can tell mom's having a hard time leaving - her eyes keep darting back to me, like she's trying to memorize everything about me in case she needs to replay it in her head a thousand miles away.
Finally, dad claps his hands together and announces, « Well, we better get going if we want to make our flight. »
Mom hugs me tightly, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. « Call us if you need anything. Seriously, anything. Even just to talk. »
« I will, » I promise.
Dad gives me a bear hug too, and then they're heading back down the hall, Marisa leading them to the door. I hear the front door close a few moments later, and a heavy silence fills the house.
I sit down on the edge of the bed, glancing around the room again. It's strange, this feeling - not quite sadness, but not exactly excitement either. Maybe it's just the uncertainty of it all. A new place, a new routine, living under the same roof as Blake Parker.
I lie back against the pillows and close my eyes for a moment, trying to shake off the anxiety gnawing at my stomach. It'll be fine. It's only five weeks. I can handle this.
I have to.
She was barely twenty years old when her heart was shattered by the man she thought she could love, a man who, out of spite and a thirst for revenge, left her in pain. He hated her for a crime she didn't commit, a crime she didn't even know about. The pain was unbearable, the betrayal devastating. Five years later, Ana was no longer the fragile, vulnerable young woman she once was. She had grown, matured, and built a strength she never knew she had back then. Life had changed her; she no longer believed in love or the goodness of men. She had learned not to let her emotions control her. Yet, when Devin reappeared, her balance faltered. He had returned, determined to finish what he hadn't been able to do before: his revenge. His dark, cold eyes exuded an icy hostility, but Ana knew he was no longer the man he once was. The Devin of today was more cynical, more ruthless. Still, she couldn't ignore the lingering attraction she had always felt for him. Devin, for his part, bore the scars of a life marked by betrayal and pain. Since the age of fourteen, revenge had become his only obsession. Fate had driven him to hate the daughter of the man who had destroyed his family. But when he crossed Ana's gaze again, he realized that the war he had waged against her could destroy both of them. Could their love be possible, or would the past be too heavy to bear?
"Look at yourself in the mirror, little bun. You're still shivering under my touch, so excited, so pitiful..." His voice was low, teasing, as he stroked her cheek, his fingers trailing down to her trembling neck. "Let go of me, you bastard!" She struggled, trying to twist away, her hands pushing against his chest. "What did you do to the divorce paper?!" He smirked, not even flinching at her resistance. "It wasn't a divorce paper, baby." He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. "I changed the contract." Her eyes widened, confusion flashing in her gaze. "What do you mean-?" "In the end," he whispered, "you belong to me, and only me." His fingers brushed over her lips as he held her in place, savoring her resistance, knowing all too well how much she wanted to escape. But it didn't matter. She was already his, and the paper proved it. There was no going back now.
He swept my sweat-drenched hair off my neck, pressing his lips against my ear. His hot breath made me shiver, and every vibration of his voice left me breathless. "You're not the first to try to seduce me," he whispered, his warm breath grazing my skin. "But you're my favorite." His eyes locked with mine, piercing and intense, before he slowly pulled me away. I watched him take my red lace thong, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. A wave of desire overwhelmed me, mixed with a strange sense of defeat. I hadn't expected this, nor the palpable tension that had settled between us. And now, I'm an intern for Cole, the writer of the steamiest novels I've ever read. All of this is more real, more intense, and most of all, more dangerous than I could have ever imagined.
Jack had just arrived in town, a cold breeze following him, signaling the arrival of winter. The first snowflakes danced in the air, covering the streets with a white blanket. Summer, on the other hand, hated this season. Every year, she dreaded the cold, the gray skies, and the early darkness. But that day, something changed. When he walked into her café, an unusual shiver ran down her spine. The man with silver hair and icy blue eyes, as cold as the winter sea, seemed to bring a breath of fresh air with him. But there was something else, something captivating in his presence, a mystery that Summer didn't yet understand. Jack, with his calm, frosty demeanor, knew how to bring the chill, almost as if he could make the air feel sharper. Yet, soon, she would discover that beneath that apparent coldness, he had the power to ignite a fire inside her. A fire she never imagined could exist.
She loved her husband. She gave him everything, without hesitation, offering her heart, her soul, and her dreams. But he was nothing but a receiver, never a giver. He took without ever giving back, feeding off her affection and sacrifices. He was selfish, and every gesture she made for him seemed like a mere formality to satisfy his needs. He was never there for her, except when it served him. The only things he offered were confusion. He gave her empty promises, sweet words that rang hollow. He offered manipulation, ideals disguised as his "undeniable love," but in reality, he only loved one person: himself. She adored him, but he saw in her nothing more than a tool to fill his inner emptiness. He had invaded her mind to the point where, when he proposed an open relationship, he made her believe it was her idea, seducing her with subtle words. She wanted to believe him, convincing herself that it was a step of compromise, a sacrifice for the love he claimed to have for her. But deep down, she knew it wasn't what she wanted. She wanted him, and only him. He wanted her, and all the others he could get, all those who would feed his insatiable need for power and domination. But all of that changed when Tobias Wrexler entered their lives. His intense gaze, his silent yet powerful presence, brought a turning point in her life. The shadow of her husband suddenly seemed far less threatening in the light that Tobias brought.
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A man like Travis Sinclair wants nothing more than a woman who matches his sexual prowess and is used to getting everything he wants. A cold-hearted billionaire ,he lives by one rule - no love, no commitment. Ayanna Davies isn't looking for a relationship. She's focused on her work and the financial security it brings. As a high end escort, her client is full of filthy rich men who are willing to pay handsomely for her services. But when Travis Sinclair becomes one of her clients, she begins twice about mixing work with pleasure. Not knowing that he is an old acquaintance whom she despises.
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."
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
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