Nobela ni E L Simon

One year later. The ocean sparkled like glass under the late spring sun, the waves a soft hush in the distance. From the wide terrace of their coastal home, her favorite of the three places they now split their time between, Vivienne rocked gently in a cushioned chair, a mug of tea in one hand and a baby monitor in the other.She may not have wanted to recreate the beach wedding from Weston's fake photos, but she did love being married beside the ocean. The real thing, it turned out, was far better than the fiction ever could have been.Inside, laughter rang out.Knox’s deep voice and a tiny, gurgling squeal.Elodie was a tiny, perfect clone of her father. Same eyes, same expression, same ridiculous pout when she didn’t get her way. Not that she ever didn’t get her way. Not with Knox around.At only four months old, she had him wrapped around her tiny fingers. He read bedtime stories with full dramatic flair, vetoed every outfit that wasn’t soft enough, and insisted on carrying her

The orchard had transformed.Twinkling lights glowed between the blossoms, casting a golden shimmer across the petals floating gently to the grass below. The aisle of soft white carpet wound between the trees, lined with wildflowers and candles in tall glass lanterns. A gentle sea breeze stirred the air, carrying the faintest scent of salt and spring.Vivienne stood at the edge of it all, heart hammering.Earlier that afternoon, she’d walked into what could only be described as dress chaos, hundreds of gowns in every color and shape imaginable. Thankfully, the designers had taken mercy on her and narrowed it down to a short list, which she gratefully accepted.Tina had worked miracles, pulling her hair into soft, romantic waves, dusting her skin with a radiant glow, and somehow making her feel like a bride even before the veil went on.She wore a gown of soft ivory silk, draped delicately off her shoulders, fitted perfectly. Her hair was swept up in loose waves, blossoms pinned throug

Vivienne was still staring, mouth parted in stunned disbelief, when Knox slipped his fingers through hers.“How—” she breathed. “How did you set all this up? How could you have known I wouldn’t say the beach?”Knox gave her a crooked, sheepish smile. “I didn’t.”She blinked.“I actually had four venues prepped on this estate,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “The beach, a garden, a hilltop, and this.” He looked out toward the orchard, warm light filtering through the trees. “Zayne owns the place, so I had a little creative freedom. But… I had a really good feeling about the orchard. I like it here too.”He shifted, the smallest hint of nerves flitting through his usually impenetrable expression.“So what do you think?” he asked, voice softer now. “Would you like to marry me today?”He gave her a smile that made her stomach flip.“It would make me… unbelievably happy,” he said. “But if you’re not ready, I’ll turn the car around right now. I’ll understand. I’ll wait.”Vivienn

Vivienne was curled up in Knox’s hoodie. A new one, not the worn and torn piece of comfort she’d clung to for the past year. That one was still safe in her drawer, of course. No way was she letting him throw it out. But this hoodie was soft, still fluffy on the inside, and it smelled like him. Fresh and familiar. Perfect. And the fact that she now had access to an unlimited supply of these made her a little giddy.She tucked her legs under her on the chaise, phone in hand, and opened the news app.The headline hit her like a thunderclap.WESTON CARTER AND CELESTE LANGLEY ARRESTED IN EMBEZZLEMENT SCANDALHer thumb froze mid-scroll.She clicked the article.Photos. Weston being led into a police vehicle, looking pale and furious. Celeste in sunglasses, her jaw set tight. The charges were laid out in bold: financial fraud, misappropriation of company funds, falsified wire transfers. Multiple witnesses. Paper trails.Vivienne’s heart hammered.How?She’d kept her word. She hadn’t released

“No,” Knox said flatly. “And don’t ask me to use her again.”The words carried across the soundstage with a finality that made several crew members freeze mid-movement.Vivienne stood up.Heads turned. Some crew members looked wary, until they caught sight of Reid and Felix flanking her like silent shadows.She walked straight to Knox, eyes bright with exasperation and something else.“Knox,” she hissed under her breath. “You have to kiss her. She’s your love interest. You can’t just say no and walk off.”He raised a brow. “Actually, I can. I have a clause in my contract. Any intimate scene—including kissing—I can opt to use a double.”Her jaw dropped. “You wrote that into your contract?”He shrugged. “Didn’t used to. But things change.”She stared at him. “But I love your romantic scenes. You have to at least kiss the actress playing your lover. That’s not a big ask.”He looked her up and down, that maddening glint in his eye returning.“Nope,” he said. “Only you, sweetheart.”And th

Knox sat on the edge of the bed, still shirtless, brushing the backs of his fingers down Vivienne’s arm as she blinked awake.“You slept like a rock,” he murmured.Vivienne stretched under the sheets, her hair a warm mess around her face. “How long did I—”“Long enough,” he said, then pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “But I’ve got to go to work.”She frowned. “Right now?”“Unfortunately.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You have two choices: stay here, order food and anything else you want all day...”Her brow arched.“Or,” he added, “you can come with me to set.”Her eyes lit up instantly.Knox chuckled. “I’ll take that as a vote for set.”***By the time they arrived at the soundstage, Vivienne was practically glowing. Knox had set her up in his private trailer, his dressing room really, but it felt like a luxury suite. A plush sofa. Bottled water chilled to her preference. A blanket wrapped around her legs, and pillows propped up behind her like she was royalty on bed re

Noah woke to a pounding in his skull and sunlight cutting through the curtains like a blade.He groaned, dragging a hand over his face. The hotel room was still and quiet, the faint hum of the air conditioning the only sound. His shirt was slung across the back of a chair. One of his shoes had ended up under the bed. His phone blinked from the nightstand, lit up with group texts, memes, blurry photos from the club, and at least one message from Jessica asking if he made it home alive.He sat up slowly.His body ached, not in a bad way. The ache was good. It reminded him he was still alive, still proving himself. His head throbbed a little, but it was worth it. Last night had been a blur of laughter, loud music, drinks that never seemed to empty, and a stage he hadn’t expected to end up on.The pole. The lap dance. The cheers. The teasing.And the strange gaze that followed him.Noah exhaled, rubbing his thumb across the stubble at his jaw.That image was burned into him now. Sterling

Dinner was loud, casual, and sprawling.They’d taken over three tables at a high-end steakhouse not far from the rink. The smell of charred meat and bourbon clung to the air as plates and bottles kept coming, all paid for, of course, by the infamous Sterling Belmont.Noah found himself wedged between Ash and Lukas, with Mac across the table and Jessica somewhere to his left. He kept pace with the jokes, the rounds, and the steady flow of food, slowly relaxing as the night wore on.He learned Lukas had two sisters and a vintage truck he refused to part with. Mac played poker like his rent depended on it. Ash had a dry sense of humor and a low tolerance for whiskey, apparently, judging by the flush creeping up his neck.And through it all, from the far end of the room, Sterling Belmont watched.The owner sat with quiet elegance, dark suit still immaculate despite the relaxed setting. The kind of sharp confidence acquired through years of hard work but not a gray hair in sight. A glass o

The weight room buzzed with movement, the sound of metal clinking, trainers calling out numbers, and the occasional groan from one of the newer recruits. Fitness evaluations were underway, and Noah was in his element.Pull-ups? Easy. He cleared the bar like it was nothing, his arms pumping with practiced power. Bench press? He didn’t even blink at the weight the trainers loaded onto the bar. He blew past the expected max, earning a few surprised looks from the group. Vertical jump test? His long legs had the kind of explosive strength that could've made him a basketball star. He launched skyward with effortless grace, drawing a low whistle from one of the assistants.Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mackenzie—Mac—standing with his arms crossed. The same guy who had cracked jokes earlier. When Noah landed his final jump and the trainer called out the top-tier score, Mac gave him a sheepish look."Alright, alright," he muttered, nudging another player. "Remind me not to mouth off n

“We’ll start with physicals. Jessica, please show them to the office,” Belmont announced, his voice cool and unyielding.Noah blinked, still riding the strange rush of adrenaline that came from being under that man’s gaze. It was like surfacing from deep water, lungs tight, mind spinning. Around him, players began to stir, collecting their bags and following Jessica’s instructions. Noah moved with them, trying to shake off the lingering burn of being watched.Jessica led them into the locker room and motioned to a row of open cubbies.“This one’s yours,” she said, patting the nameplate that read RIVERS. “Hooks up top. Gear below. Jerseys in your size should be folded here, we can swap if the fit’s off."Noah dropped his duffel, the weight slipping off his shoulder with a soft thud. He crouched down to inspect the gear. Clean. New. The orange-and-silver colors of the Crestwick Stormriders gleamed under the fluorescent lights, the tornado logo stitched sharply on the chest of each jerse

The ride from the hotel was a blur. Noah had barely slept the night before, his mind buzzing with the kind of nervous energy that didn’t know whether to settle into excitement or panic. He stared out the tinted windows of the black SUV, watching his hometown slip by. Familiar streets he hadn't driven on in years. Not since the tragedy. Not since everything changed.His fingers tightened around the strap of his duffel as the team facility came into view. The building was sleek and modern, glass and steel gleaming under the cloudy morning sky. It looked nothing like the ice rinks he remembered.Inside, the hallways smelled like fresh paint and new rubber soles. Noah followed a woman in a navy pantsuit with perfectly pinned hair.“I’m Jessica, the team’s manager,” she said as they walked. “Don’t stress those first day jitters. The new owner’s really shaking things up so everyone’s feeling the same way. Lots of changes, from staff to strategy.”He nodded, swallowing the lump in his throa

Despite how Caelia occasionally cringed at the overzealous affection between her mother and Karios, she couldn’t deny the quiet warmth it brought her. There was a time when she’d believed her mother might never smile again, let alone be loved so tenderly. But now, Karios treated both of his wives like they hung the stars, and Gelda and Caelia’s mother had become inseparable. For all the pain that had paved their past, joy now bloomed freely.Lately, however, Karios’s devotion had met some stiff competition.Caelia’s son, Raelan, had stolen the hearts of the entire household.It was hardly a surprise. He was perfection, at least to her. He looked exactly like Rhyzar, down to the bronze tint of his skin and the soft waves of his dark hair. But his eyes, green-gold like sunlit peridot, that was her influence. He was the most beautiful baby in the world, and Caelia dared anyone to disagree.Everyone doted on him, his fathers most of all. He’d spent the first six months of his life sleepin

Another three months passed.Caius had returned on Rhyzar’s orders, though he seemed reluctant to leave the capital—or more specifically, to leave the king. Caelia had suspected for some time that Caius and the young king had grown… close. More than once, she had caught the telltale flush on Caius’s face when the king’s name was mentioned. Now, standing before her, Caius delivered his report in his usual straightforward manner, but there was an unspoken weight in his eyes.“The Mariswyn sons have returned to their father’s estate,” he explained. “After some time… healing.”Caelia’s brows lifted. Healing. A word that felt too foreign for the legacy left behind by her father.“They’re running the estate alongside Lady Mariswyn,” Caius continued, his expression softening. “They seem to be… in a better place.”Caelia hesitated, considering the weight of his words.“They’d like to meet you,” Caius said. “When you’re ready.”The idea of reconnecting with her half-brothers stirred something

Her husband approached with slow, deliberate steps, his eyes roving over her exposed, helpless form with a ravenous gaze.Caelia’s body flushed a deep crimson as she suppressed a gasp, feeling the white dragon press deeper into her once more. Her frame trembled with ecstasy, clenching around her new mate even as a fresh wave of embarrassment washed over her.Rhyzar’s gaze only heightened her arousal, his eyes never leaving her.Her gaze flicked downwards as he stopped directly in front of her.She could almost feel the heat radiating from him, her awareness of his proximity grew excruciating as the dragon began to move more rhythmically.A strong, warm hand cupped her jaw, lifting her head to face him.Panting from the relentless pleasure, she opened her eyes to meet his golden gaze, his obvious arousal mere inches from her face.A low growl resonated from Rhyzar’s chest, similar to the sounds the dragon behind her was making."Are you enjoying my gift?" he murmured, a dangerous edge

Pleasure rippled through Caelia's body as the white dragon’s long finger traced the curve of her backside. Heat spread from his touch, a wave of ecstasy sinking deep into her muscles and bones in a way no human could ever hope to replicate. His magic infused every caress, lighting up her nerves with sensations that bordered on unbearable.Her back arched instinctively, her body begging for more as a ragged moan slipped past her lips."Good." The dragon’s voice was deep and resonant, vibrating through the bed beneath her. It melted through her core without the use of magic. Pure, ancient dominance wrapped in a deceptively calm tone.“That’s cheating,” Rhyzar’s smirking voice curled into her mind, the sound dark and amused.Caelia’s breath hitched. She could feel Rhyzar’s arousal as clearly as her own, thrumming through the bond between them. It only stoked the fire burning beneath her skin.“Please,” she whispered, her voice breathless and trembling.A low growl rolled through the room

Caelia’s breath hitched, her pulse racing as heat coiled low in her belly.“I-uh-I—” she fumbled, her face burning as desire flooded through her veins. Her body practically vibrated with need.“Do not worry, Little Mate.” The silver-eyed man took a slow, deliberate step forward. His molten gaze pinned her in place as if he could see straight through her. “I’m well aware of my lack of experience with your body.” His lips curved into a lazy smile. “But I assure you, I will put you in a state of constant pleasure.”He said it so mundanely, as if he were discussing the weather.Before Caelia could process the meaning of his words, a wave of pure, exquisite ecstasy ripped through her body.Her knees buckled. Her inner walls fluttered around nothing, clenching helplessly as pleasure surged through her veins. She gasped, clutching at his hands—his firm, warm hands. Heat poured from his skin, the same heat that always radiated from Rhyzar.Her legs trembled dangerously beneath her.“Little Ma

Caelia had grown accustomed to the quiet companionship of her two guards. Despite her insistence that she had no need for their protection, Daxan and Orin had refused to leave her service, claiming it was their honor to protect her. At first, she had found their persistence exasperating. But then, she had noticed the way their eyes lingered on Liora—the subtle glances, the hesitant smiles—and it all made sense.The truth had come out at last. Liora, in her quiet bravery, had confessed her feelings to Caelia, admitting that she shared an affection for both men. The revelation had filled Caelia with an unfamiliar warmth, the kind she had rarely associated with relationships. Love, in all its forms, could be unconventional, unpredictable—but if it made them happy, then who was she to judge?And perhaps it was fate, because their presence also ensured another loose end remained tightly bound.Selene had survived.Rhyzar had kept his word, shielding her just enough to ensure she lived, but