"I stood at the edge of my heart and watched him choose her. In the end, I was not the one he needed. I was simply the one he settled for." - Noelle ~~~~~~~ I thought I was the one he loved. But a few days before our wedding, I saw him in a way I never had before. His eyes softened as he spoke to her. His first love, and the very woman who had left him in pieces. Heartbreak was something I knew too well. And as I watched the love he still held for her in his eyes, I realized what I had to do. I couldn't marry a man who wasn't truly mine. With no means to cancel the wedding and lacking the courage to confront him, I made a desperate choice to leave. I painfully gave his first love my treasured engagement ring thinking it was for the best and the only way to free myself. But when he saw that ring on her finger, the fragile world I had tried to escape began to shatter. His obsession to find me and bring me back ignited a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
Chapter 1: Equal Fervor
Noelle's eyes fluttered open when the warm glow of the morning light spilled through the partially drawn curtains. The room felt warm, safe and comforting which she hadn't felt in weeks. As her senses slowly returned, she became aware of the quiet, steady rhythm of breathing beside her. And when she turned her head, her gaze landed on Adrian.
He slept on his side, facing her with his amber eyes hidden under his long lashes. In sleep, his face appeared softer, more masculine, without the sharp, confident charm that tended to enthrall the cameras. Her lips curled into a slight smile as warmth filled his chest. It had been too long since she'd caught him this way-calm, peaceful, and home.
Carefully, Noelle moved under the blankets, not wanting to wake him. The smooth cover fell from her shoulders, and she sat up, pushing her dark hair behind her ears. The slight pain in her limbs reminded her of how intimate Adrian had been when he came home last night. Embarrassment flushed up her cheeks as she looked down at Adrian, remembering the way he'd clung to her so tightly, so desperately, as if afraid she'd disappear if he released her.
He had come back from abroad after a month of working on his much-awaited project. And when he'd opened the door last night finally, fatigue carved out his chiseled features but it had soon given way to something more basic. Adrian missed her too intensely and his need for her was overwhelming. So on that very night, he didn't allow her to sleep.
Noelle chuckled softly at the memory. She gently bit on her lip and rose from the bed. The cold air that kissed her bare skin sent a shiver down her spine. She quickly bent to pick up her discarded black silk lingerie from the floor and slipped it on. The smooth fabric hugged her form as she adjusted the straps over her shoulders. Her reflection in the mirror caught her attention, and she smoothed her hair, attempting to tame the wild strands that stood as evidence of their night together.
She looked back at Adrian, who was blissfully still asleep with his arm flung across the bed she had vacated moments before. Her heart swelled at the sight of him and she couldn't help but smile. He looked so serene, so far removed from the man who was always in the public eye.
Noelle decided to prepare breakfast for him. It was the least she could do after the exhausting schedule he'd endured-and, of course, the way he'd made sure she felt just how much he'd missed her.
She moved quietly out of the bedroom. She proceeded to the kitchen, keeping her hair tied in a loose bun as she walked past the living room. All was quiet and still.
She then went to the fridge and looked in at its contents as she had a sudden idea. She would cook his favorite pancakes with fresh strawberries and crispy bacon on the side. As she pulled out the ingredients, her smile grew. Adrian needed a warm, home-made meal after the stressful month he'd been having. And really, she wanted to see that smile of his when he bit into it for the first time. It had been too long since she'd seen him happy and relaxed.
As she started whisking the batter, she couldn't help but let her mind wander. She remembered all those late-night texts that were never quite enough, all those video calls that finished too soon, all that longing she'd felt every time she saw his face plastered on billboards or magazine covers. And now that he was finally home, lying peacefully in their bed, it all seemed almost unreal.
Her cheeks flushed as she recalled the way he'd greeted her last night, the intensity in his gaze as he crossed the threshold and swept her into his arms. There had been no need for words, his actions had said everything.
Noelle chuckled to herself while pouring the batter into the pan.
When the pancakes started to sizzle and their golden tops slowly bubbling towards perfection, Noelle's eyes were glued on to regulating the heat so that they do not burn. She did not catch the light footsteps drawing near, or the soft breathing of the man standing behind her. It was only when two firm, warm hands encircled her waist that she startled with a jump causing her heart to miss a beat.
The grip was tight but soft, and so familiar. A smile pulled at her mouth even before she could turn her head.
"Whose woman is this?" Adrian's deep voice rumbled in her ear, in playful teasing and unmistakable possessiveness. The heat of his breath tickled her skin as he leaned in, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to the curve of her neck. A pleasant shiver coursed through her and her body reacted to his touch almost immediately.
Noelle smiled gently. "Yours, Mr. Blackwood," she said, leaning back into his arms with her full hand reaching up to lie across his.
The simplicity of those words set something in Adrian on fire and the restraint he had so diligently held in check since waking up, dissolved. His amber eyes darkened with desire as he turned off the stove with one hand. Before Noelle could even think about his next action, he quickly spun her around to face him.
Without hesitation, Adrian swept her up in one effortless movement, her legs encircling his waist as if nothing could be more natural. Noelle breathed in sharply, her arms going around his neck for balance, but the shock gave way to laughter in quick succession.
"You startled me," she managed to say, her words breaking off into a soft moan as Adrian's lips found hers.
With one arm holding her up and the other wrenching the spatula out of her hand, Adrian tossed it on the counter with a careless flourish. His lips took hers in a kiss that was far from tender. It was ravenous, wild, and seething with the raw intensity of a man starved of her for too long.
Noelle dissolved into him. Her hands threaded through his hair as she kissed him in return with the same passion. The aroma of pancakes and strawberries wafted around them, but it was the intoxicating scent of Adrian that overwhelmed her senses.
"Adrian," she whispered against his mouth when they finally parted for air. Her cheeks were flushed, and her dark eyes shone as she looked up at him. "The pancakes."
"They can wait," he whispered, his forehead against hers as a lopsided smile pulled at his lips. "I've missed you too much to worry about breakfast at the moment."
Noelle rolled her eyes but couldn't conceal the smile that crossed her face. "You're insatiable," she teased.
Adrian grinned, his palms gliding up to her waist as he drew her near. "Only with you," he breathed.
Noelle's breath stuck in her throat as Adrian's fingers pushed aside the flimsy fabric of her thong as the chill of the kitchen brushed over her exposed warmth. Her hips arched automatically towards him as his thick, hard length thrust into her with a slow, measured ease. The feeling was electric and a sharp gasp left her lips as she felt him fill her to the hilt, stretching her in the most decadent fashion. Her fingers grabbed a fistful of his hair, nails scraping against his scalp as she held on tight with her legs wrapping around his waist to pull him deeper.
Adrian growled, low in his throat. His hands stayed clamped on her hips with a possessive intensity as he started to thrust. Each one was slow and deep and the friction made waves of pleasure move through Noelle's body. Her head fell back and a soft moan escaped her lips as she felt him strike that spot inside of her that made her toes curl. The smell of pancakes and strawberries was in the air, but it was overwhelmed by the heavy scent of their sweat and desire. The room was filled with the ragged breathing of the two of them and the slick, wet sounds of their bodies coming together.
"Adrian," Noelle whimpered, her voice trembling with need as she rocked her hips against his, meeting each thrust with equal fervor. Her breasts pressed against his chest while the thin fabric of her lingerie did little to hide the hard peaks of her nipples as they rubbed against him. She could feel the heat building inside her, a coil tightening in her lower belly with every movement of his hips. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, leaving faint red marks as she held on with her body trembling to the intensity of the pleasure coursing through her.
Adrian's lips found hers once more, his kiss ravenous and insistent as he consumed her moans. His hands shifted from her hips to her ass, squeezing the tender flesh as he raised her a little, altering the angle of his thrusts. Noelle screamed out, her body curving as he struck that place once more, the pleasure so exquisite it was almost too much to bear. Her nails tore down his back, leaving delicate red streaks in their path as she held on tight, her body shuddering on the brink of release.
"Fuck, Noelle," Adrian snarled against her lips, his voice hoarse with need as he sensed the walls of her vagina contract around him. His strokes grew stronger, more insistent as the sound of flesh slapping against flesh echoed through the room. He sensed the contraction of her vagina around him, her breathing short, desperate gasps as she approached her orgasm. His own was building and the tension in his groin near to agony as he pounded into her unrelentingly.
Noelle's body stiffened, her spine curving as the coil within her snapped. Her orgasm overwhelmed her in waves of unadulterated bliss.
"Adrian!" She called out his name, her voice cracking as she came and her walls thudding around him in rhythmic contractions. Adrian moaned with his own release close on its heels as he buried himself deep within her, his hips jerking as he spilled himself into her with a low, satisfied groan.
They remained for a while like that. Their bodies stuck together, their breathing entwining as they descended from the rush of their mutual pleasure. Noelle's legs shook as she slowly untangled them from his waist, her body still sensitized from the aftershocks of her climax. Adrian's forehead was pressed against hers, his breathing still unsteady as he softly kissed her mouth, his hands drifting to hold her face.
"Breakfast can definitely wait," Noelle whispered with a gentle, pleased smile creeping onto her face as she gazed up at him. Adrian laughed. His hands at her waist tugged her towards him, his lips touching hers in a gentle kiss.
"I finally know my place, Your Majesty. And that is not in your arms." - Isabel Archer "You shall not leave my side, Isabel. You are bound to me, body and soul." - King Lucian Devereux ~ Isabel is a commoner who has become a maidservant at the palace. Despite her status, the king, Lucian Devereux, falls in love with her, and she becomes his secret lover. But as their relationship flourishes, a rumor begins to spread that the king will marry a princess from another kingdom. As Isabel confronts Lucian directly, he confirms the gossip. She pleads with him not to marry the princess, but he rejects her plea, explaining that the marriage is for the kingdom's benefit. Heartbroken, Isabel who was only a mere servant, watches the man she loves marry another woman. When the new queen becomes pregnant with the king's child, the pain becomes unbearable. Isabel decides to leave the palace for good, hoping to forget the pain. But can she truly escape the grasp of the powerful and possessive king who notices her absence and begins to search for her?
"I'm a man and I want a child. If you can't give me that, then shut your mouth and just let me be." -Zachary Salazar "I need an heir, so if you're carrying my child, of course I'll take responsibility. But only if..." - Maximilian Klein ~ Evangeline who was diagnosed with infertility after marrying Zachary Salazar, discovers her husband's infidelity with her best friend, and is now expecting. And when she finally filed for divorce, it did not go as planned. Her husband refuses to let her go. But her problem does not end there as she ends up pregnant from a one night stand, and later on she discovers, that even her own brother was frightfully obsessed with her. How will she deal will all this chaos lurking in her life?
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
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.
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."
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?