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The kiss grew more passionate as he felt her warm supple body pressing against his chest. He couldn't believe how soft she was. He was gentler this time, making love to her with a slow, languorous pace, pausing now and then to check the expression on her face. Kira was. transported. She no longer felt the fabric of the sheets underneath her. One moment, she was floating in the air, cuddled by cotton candy clouds. The next, she'd become one with a dinghy, bobbing up and down with the undulating waves. His scent enveloped her. He was on top of her, using his arms to support his weight and avoid crushing her. She snuggled up closer to him, safe and snug, cocooned in his warmth. Kira had always marvelled at Austyn's stamina, but he outdid himself tonight. In the midst of overwhelming rapture, Kira still had the presence of mind to broach the subject she'd been meaning to bring up. 'My dad's medical bills.' Austyn paused. He frowned as he looked into those beseeching eyes. 'It'll be taken care of by the end of business day tomorrow,' he said with a bit of an edge in his voice. Kira breathed out. ****** She is a 21-year-old college student who dreams of becoming a journalist. He is the heir of the McCarthy family and president of a business empire. She is bright-eyed and vivacious, a glass-half-full kind of gal. When life throws her a curveball, she knocks it out of the park. He is the archetypal alpha male, aggressive and domineering. Endowed with both brains and brawn, he steamrolls over his enemies and rules his company with an iron fist. The two would never have crossed paths if not for a cruel twist of fate. Kira's world was turned upside down when her father was hospitalised after a car accident. The medical bills were astronomical. Austyn McCarthy offered her a way out. The price: becoming his contract wife. At night, he consummated their marriage but called out another woman's name. Who was she? Why did Austyn marry Kira if he was in love with someone else? Kira was his lawful wife, but she had no right to ask these questions. Then one day, the woman showed up in front of her.
It was raining again.
A flurry of raindrops pattered against the window, loud and incessant.
In the living room, the TV was on.
A gorgeous-looking news anchor flashed a flawless smile as she delivered the latest in showbiz.
'Last night, Austyn McCarthy, scion of the McCarthy family, was spotted heading into a five-star hotel with the actress Kayleigh Woods on his arm. This is not the first time the two have been seen together, adding currency to the dating speculation. Could we expect to hear wedding bells soon? ...'
In the bedroom, two bodies were tangled together on the king-sized bed.
The man was powerfully built, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist.
Drops of sweat glistened on his tanned skin as he rammed into the girl lying underneath him.
Kira stared up at Austyn as he panted and rocked his hips.
He had a face carved by angels and a jawline that most men would kill for.
His naked body, covered in a film of perspiration, shimmered in the soft light.
He pushed deeper into her.
The occasional grunt that escaped from his lips was enough to make any woman weak at the knees.
Austyn closed his eyes in the throes of passion.
And did not notice the look on Kira's face.
It was not one of pleasure.
Kira gritted her teeth and endured his powerful thrusting.
'Why does he always take so long? I can't take it anymore.'
She kept that complaint to herself, too timid to voice her objection out loud.
Kira thought she was tired, but her body reacted to him and clutched him tightly.
She closed her eyes and resigned herself to his protracted punishment, biting her lips to keep herself from moaning.
It was another half an hour before Austyn finished at last.
With a final thrust, he gasped as he climaxed, his whole body convulsing with pleasure.
Kira breathed out, relieved.
Austyn pulled out of her without a word, got up from the bed and padded into the bathroom.
Soon came the sound of running water.
With some effort, Kira sat up in bed.
Moments before he came, Austyn drove himself deeper and harder into her.
The impact almost crushed her and left a dull pain in her chest.
Kira was parched, but the glass on the nightstand was empty.
She licked her lips, threw aside the cover and tried to get up.
Her legs turned to jelly as soon as she set foot on the carpet.
She had to grab a bedpost for support.
Anyone would be worn out after a two-hour marathon session in bed.
Well, anyone except Austyn.
She marvelled at the man's stamina.
Right afterwards, Austyn had walked to the bathroom unassisted, even though he was the one who did most of the work.
Kira took several deep breaths before she mustered enough strength to shuffle into the kitchen.
She got herself a glass of water and took a grateful gulp.
On her way back to the bedroom, she hesitated.
She shuffled into the living room and curled up on the sofa, absent-mindedly watching the TV as she sipped from the glass.
A familiar name caught her attention.
'Austyn and Kayleigh? Dating?'
The news anchor's beautiful face was replaced with a photo onscreen.
It was a typical paparazzi shot, taken some distance away from the hotel and blurry, but it was enough to make out the two figures in the photo.
Kayleigh Woods had her arms around Austyn's waist.
Her face was buried in his chest.
They seemed locked in a tight embrace.
Kira cast her glance to the bedroom.
The man, photographed with another woman last night, was naked in the bathroom right now, taking a shower.
Was he aware he was caught on camera?
Kira was familiar with Kayleigh's name.
The budding actress shot to fame in the last couple of years, having a major role in several dramas that were all the rage at the moment.
Kayleigh, whose name meant 'slender and fair,' was stunning.
She could capture the audience's heart with a single sultry look.
Her voluptuous figure turned heads and stole the show at any red carpet event she attended.
Men wanted her, and women wanted to be her.
Kira drank from the glass mechanically, unaware it was already empty.
A sudden peal of thunder snapped her out of her reverie.
She shook her head to clear her mind.
Austyn was insanely handsome.
Kayleigh was breath-taking.
The two of them would make a perfect match.
'What are you doing here?' Austyn's deep voice startled her.
Kira straightened up reflexively.
She grabbed the remote control and switched off the TV.
'Nothing. Just.killing time.'
Austyn wore nothing except a towel wrapped around his waist.
His hair was dripping wet.
Barefoot, he strode over to the sofa and stared fixedly at Kira.
His sharp gaze seemed to see right through her.
From her seated position, Kira was treated to the tantalising view of his sexy jawline and his Adam's apple.
A drop of water lingered on his throat, before dripping downwards over his chiselled chest.
His thin lips were pursed.
Austyn seldom smiled.
Kira traced the outline of his lips with her eyes, distracted.
Someone once told her that thin lips in a man often indicated a ruthless nature.
Normally, she wouldn't put much stock in physiognomy.
But that particular observation was spot on with Austyn.
He just stood there watching Kira with his searching eyes, unspeaking.
A while later, he picked up the remote control and turned the TV back on.
The lovely news anchor was back, still gushing about the hottest couple in town.
Austyn and Kayleigh.
'Sources say Austyn has been married in secret for some time, breaking many a girl's hearts. But now we know that's not true, given he's been stepping out with the delectable Kayleigh Woods. Look at that picture. The romantic vibe between the couple is unmistakable...'
Abruptly, Austyn shut off the TV and flung the remote aside.
The lamp cast a shadow over his face, making it impossible to read his expression.
Was he mad?
Or embarrassed?
Kira stole a glance at him.
She could never tell what the man was thinking.
Austyn was hardly the type to write his thoughts on his forehead.
The report had to be true, right?
No smoke without fire, as the saying went.
Austyn would have flipped out if someone dared fabricate groundless gossip about him.
At least, the tabloid got the 'secret marriage' part correct.
The rain stopped suddenly, plunging the room into stifling stillness.
Kira fidgeted.
She racked her brain, trying to come up with something to say.
But words failed her.
An idea struck her from nowhere.
'If you're going steady with her,' she blurted out, 'why don't we get a divorce?'
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
'What do you want from me?' she finally managed to ask, her voice trembling. Logan's lips curled into a dark smirk. 'Since you were the one who took those photos that damaged my reputation,' he said, his voice dripping with disdain, 'it's only fair that you face the consequences.' Alessia's heart beat wildly as she tried to comprehend the meaning behind Logan's words. Before she could gather her thoughts and ask what kind of punishment he had in mind, Logan's hand clamped down on her jaw, holding her firmly in place. Her eyes widened in shock, her breath caught in her throat. In an instant, Logan lowered his head, capturing her lips with his own in a possessive and demanding kiss. *************** After a fateful night, Alessia awakens to the realisation that she has given her virginity to a stranger. With only a note and a bundle of money as clues, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and motherhood. Years later, Alessia finds herself navigating the cutthroat world of paparazzi reporting while raising her genius son, Milo. Her quest for a scandalous scoop leads her to the enigmatic billionaire CEO, Logan Wilde, whose face bears an uncanny resemblance to her son. As she dives deeper into Logan's world, she can't deny the magnetic attraction between them. Logan, suffering from a haunting secret, feels the same way. Determined to know her, he makes an unexpected proposition. As they explore the complexities of their newfound connection, they discover shocking revelations that bind them together in unimaginable ways. Amidst misunderstandings and prideful clashes, their love is put to the ultimate test. Alessia and Logan each hold a secret that could shatter their fragile bond. Will they find the courage to reveal the truth and embrace the love that fate has brought into their lives? Or will Logan's unexpected encounter with a woman long presumed dead threaten to tear them apart once and for all?
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
'Callie,' he began, his voice husky, 'crying over your ex-boyfriend won't solve anything.' Confusion etched across her face, Callie furrowed her brows. 'Then what will?' she demanded, her voice tinged with frustration. Elias leaned closer, his warm breath caressing her cheek. 'You need to show him what he's lost. Find a man who's more handsome, more powerful, and richer than him. Then, make a grand entrance into his life with your new partner.' Callie scoffed, her eyes rolling in disbelief. 'Where am I supposed to find someone like that?' Elias's fingers gently lifted her chin, locking their gazes together. 'I can be that man,' he said. 'If you agree to be with me, I'll protect you from any harm, including your ex-boyfriend.' ********************************************** Elias Westwood, billionaire heir turned professional solider, a commanding presence on the battlefield, conceals a tender heart that beats for only one woman--Callie Hawthorne, a fearless surgical resident, possesses an innocent charm and wields her skills like a warrior in the operating theatre. Their first encounter thrusts them into a dangerous game of deception. Elias uses Callie as a pawn, their lips locked in a passionate kiss, fooling his pursuers. In that moment, Callie feels the allure of the enigmatic soldier, and a strange connection sparks between them. An impulsive decision seals their fate-a hasty marriage to escape an arranged union and prove Callie's readiness to move on from a past love. Little did they know, this act would propel them onto an unforeseen path. Amidst the chaos of war, Elias risks his life for his countrymen, while Callie tends to the wounded and shelters refugees. In the midst of battle, a tender love blossoms. Elias's strength and haunting scars captivate Callie, who shares the pain of being an orphan. She admires his unwavering bravery, finding solace in their shared experiences. Yet, their bond faces relentless challenges. Women vie for Elias's attention, while men yearn for Callie's affection. Sinister forces within the army conspire against Elias, and false accusations threaten to tear Callie away from the man she loves. And Elia's search for the truth about his parents' deaths leads him to confront one of the country's most powerful families. Passion collides with suspense, and love battles against those who seek to tear them apart. Will Elias and Callie emerge unscathed from the shadows, or will their sacrifices shatter their dreams forever? Discover their fight for a future filled with hope, trust, and the promise of a happy ending.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
My boyfriend called, "Baby!" as he jumped out of bed and scrambled to pull his pants off the ground. "Please, I can explain my love." Shutting my eyes, I inhaled deeply and tried not to cry when I realized that my dream of the man not being my boyfriend had been dashed. "What?" I asked, "What do you want to explain?" How did you lie about having a business meeting while you were in bed enjoying yourself with my best friend, even though I told you I was in serious pain, is that it?" I stood there, my heart pounding, and tears streaming down my face...
When Corynn mustered up the courage to tell Elliot about her pregnancy, she unexpectedly found him gallantly helping another woman from his car. Her heart sank as three years of effort to secure his love crumbled before her eyes, compelling her to leave him behind. Three years later, life had taken Corynn down a new path with someone else, while Elliot was left grappling with regret. Seizing a moment of vulnerability, he pleaded, "Corynn, let's get married." Shaking her head with a faint smile, Corynn gently replied, "Sorry, I'm already engaged."
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
"You're the moon wolf, Lola. You're the wolf with the power of the Moon goddess", Serena said and collective gasps were heard in the room. After being rejected by her mate in Moonlit pack, Lola escaped on a full moon only to enter the territory of the next Alpha King who also happened to be her second chance mate. Adrian is the next Alpha King but he hasn't been able to assume his role because he needed a Luna by his side. A rogue that trespassed on his territory, whom he ordered be killed turned out to be his mate leaving him in a dilemma. Will Adrian reject Lola because she came into his territory as a rogue? Will he overcome what happened to him in the past and give Lola a chance or reject her and go ahead with Fay as his chosen Luna? What will happen when everyone finds out just how much power Lola wields and how she's supposed to protect her kind in an oncoming war? Find out in Lola - The Moon Wolf!