SCHLECHTER RUF
Es war ihr Haar, das ihn faszinierte. Die rötlich-braune Mähne war hoch zur Seite gescheitelt, fast vom Wind zerzaust. Und dann war da noch ihr Make-up, neutral bis auf den Lidstrich und die kräftige Lippenfarbe … war das Lila?
Sein Blick verengte sich, und sie schien seine Aufmerksamkeit zu spüren, denn ihre Augen huschten in seine Richtung. „Weißt du, es ist unhöflich zu starren.“
Ihre Stimme war rau, mit einem scharfen Unterton, der ihm einen Schauer über den Rücken jagte und ihre Anziehungskraft noch verstärkte. Derek war hin und weg. Ihr Blick war wieder auf die Türen gerichtet, ihr Desinteresse offensichtlich.
Er hätte es als Warnsignal deuten sollen, aber seit wann hatte er vor etwas zurückgeschreckt, das ihm gefiel?
—------------ Olivia Carter ist seit zwei Jahren in einer Beziehung mit einem Mann, der ihr eine Zukunft verspricht.
Sie hat sich immer für Sicherheit entschieden. Sichere Liebe. Sichere Pläne. Sichere Zukunft … aber Sicherheit hat ihr nie das Gefühl gegeben, begehrt zu werden. Verdammt, sie merkte es nicht einmal, bis sie Derek Hawthorne kennenlernte – den Bruder ihrer besten Freundin, berüchtigt für seinen Charme und seine Unfähigkeit, sich festzulegen.
Sie weiß, dass sie sich besser nicht auf ihn einlassen sollte, doch als ihre stabile Beziehung zu bröckeln beginnt und Dereks schlechter Ruf immer schwerer zu ignorieren ist, muss Olivia sich entscheiden:
Auf Nummer sicher gehen … oder alles riskieren für einen Mann, der nie für sie bestimmt war.
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Chapter: 85Die Stille im Inneren des Autos war ohrenbetäubend.Derek saß auf dem Fahrersitz, die Hände auf Zehn und Zwei fest um das Lenkrad geschlossen, seine Knöchel weiß. Er startete den Motor nicht. Er konnte es nicht. Er starrte einfach durch die Windschutzscheibe auf die dunkle Straße, während sich das Bild von Olivia—wütend, zitternd und völlig zerbrochen—wie eine Sonneneruption in seine Netzhaut brannte.„Ich habe mich in dich verliebt. Hals über Kopf.“Die Worte liefen in seinem Gehirn wie eine Sprungstelle auf einer alten, wunderschönen Schallplatte in einer Dauerschleife. Sie hatte ihn geliebt. Während er einen auf cool gemacht hatte, während er sich hinter dem Schutzschild namens „nichts Ernstes“ versteckte, den er gebaut hatte, um sein eigenes pathetisches Herz zu schützen, war sie am Ertrinken gewesen. Und er hatte die Hand nicht ausgestreckt, um sie zu retten.Er stieß ein rauhes, hohles Geräusch aus—halb Schluchzen, halb Lachen—und drehte schließlich den Schlüssel um. Der Motor e
Last Updated: 2026-08-25
Chapter: 84„Gut“, brachte er hervor; sein Körper zitterte, während er sein Gewicht gegen das ihre drückte, wobei der schwere Denimstoff seiner Jeans eine grausame Barriere zu der Erlösung bildete, nach der er sich verzehrte. Er wollte sich in ihr verlieren, bis der Rest der Welt—der Ex, der Schmerz, die Distanz—einfach aufhörte zu existieren. „Vielleicht hasst du mich tief genug, um dem hier ein Ende zu setzen“, zischte er gegen ihre Haut, sein Griff verengte sich. „Um mich von dieser verdammten Qual zu befreien, dich zu wollen. Von dem Unvermögen, verdammt noch mal zu atmen, ohne an dich zu denken. Von dem Hass auf mich selbst, weil ich dämlich genug war, dich jemals gehen zu lassen.“Er wandte sich wieder ihrem Gesicht zu, seine Augen dunkel und wild, entschlossen, ihren Mund erneut zu verschlingen. Doch als er sich vorneigte, traf ihn das salzige Brennen einer Träne an den Lippen—und die Hitze im Raum verblasste nicht nur, sie verflüchtigte sich schlagartig.Derek erstarrte; seine Brust hob u
Last Updated: 2026-08-25
Chapter: 83„Du wolltest mich genau so sehr, wie ich dich wollte“, knurrte er, seine Stimme schwer von einer plötzlichen, ungewollten Gier. „Verdammt, als wir das letzte Mal zusammen waren, warst du diejenige, die mich in meiner Wohnung aufgespürt hat.“Olivia hob das Kinn und umklammerte ihren Trotz wie einen zerfetzten Schild, selbst als ihre Stimme brach. „Und wie ich schon sagte … es war ein Fehler. Einer, den ich definitiv nicht noch einmal zu begehen gedenke.“Sie wollte an ihm vorbeiflitzen, um der erdrückenden Last seiner Gegenwart zu entkommen, aber er war schneller. Seine Hand schoss hervor, und seine Finger schlossen sich mit fester, schmerzhafter Entschlossenheit um ihren Oberarm. Er riss sie zurück und wirbelte sie herum, bis sie hart gegen die Wand seiner Brust prallte.Olivia stieß einen scharfen Keuchen aus, während ihre Hände instinktiv auf den schweren Muskeln seiner Schultern zum Liegen kamen, doch Derek ließ nicht locker. Er lehnte sich vor, sein Gesicht nur Zentimeter von ihr
Last Updated: 2026-08-25
Chapter: 82Derek sagte danach kein Wort mehr. Sein Profil war eine Maske aus kaltem Granit, als die Ampel von Rot auf ein stechendes, höhnische Grün sprang. Er würdigte sie keines Blickes mehr; seine Knöchel traten weiß auf dem Leder des Lenkrads hervor, während er den Wagen durch die Straßen bis zu ihrem Wohnblock steuerte.Als die Reifen schließlich knirschend auf dem Kies ihrer Einfahrt zum Stehen kamen, verstummte der Motor und hinterließ eine dröhnende Stille. Olivia wartete weder darauf, dass der Motor abkühlte, noch dass Derek den Gentleman spielte. Ihr Blut brodelte—eine explosive Mischung aus Empörung und Schmerz.„Gute Nacht, Derek“, schnauzte sie, die Worte kurz und brüchig.Sie riss die Türfalle selbst hoch—ein scharfer Akt des Trotz gegen ihre übliche Routine—und schwang sich aus dem Wagen. Die Nachtluft war noch immer bitterkalt, doch sie tat nichts, um die Hitze auf ihren Wangen zu kühlen, während sie auf das Gebäude zumarschierte. Ihre Absätze klackten in einem rhythmischen, wüte
Last Updated: 2026-08-25
Chapter: 81Der Rest des Abendessens verschwamm danach zu einem einzigen Schleier. Olivia beantwortete Fragen, lachte an den passenden Stellen und lächelte, wenn es angebracht war—obwohl sie körperlich anwesend war, schwebten ihre Gedanken ganz woanders und ihr Kopf stand nicht still … Bis der Abend schließlich zu Ende ging und es Zeit war, nach Hause zu gehen.„Ich schätze es wirklich sehr, dass Sie mich heute Abend eingeladen haben“, sagte Olivia aufrichtig, während ihr Blick zwischen Henry und Claire hin- und herwanderten. „Es war ein wunderschöner Abend—und das Essen war fantastisch. Vielen Dank.“Henry nickte sichtbar erfreut, während Claire sie anstrahlte. „Wir würden dich zu gerne wieder bei uns haben“, sagte Claire warmherzig. „Du bist hier jederzeit willkommen.“„Ich helfe beim Abräumen“, kündigte Isabella an und schob ihren Stuhl bereits zurück. Dann fügte sie mit einem zuckersüßen Lächeln hinzu, als wäre es ihr gerade erst eingefallen: „Derek, du kannst Liv doch nach Hause fahren, oder
Last Updated: 2026-08-25
Chapter: 80Fast ohne nachzudenken wandte sich ihr Blick Derek zu. Im selben Moment drehte er den Kopf, als hätte er ihre Augen auf sich gespürt—als würde das Gewicht ihrer Aufmerksamkeit an ihm ziehen. Seine Augen trafen augenblicklich auf die ihren, scharf und unergründlich.Für eine Sekunde bewegte sich keiner von beiden. Dann sah Olivia weg und senkte den Blick wieder auf ihren Teller, während sie sich etwas zu angestrengt auf ihr Essen konzentrierte und sich einen weiteren Bissen in den Mund schob.„Hier sitzt übrigens auch noch ein Gast am Tisch, Leute“, zog Isabella ihre Eltern träge auf und lehnte sich in ihrem Stuhl ein Stück zurück, während ein Amüsement in ihren Augen tanzte. „Ihr wollt euch das Flirten vielleicht aufheben, bis wir alle weg sind.“Claire stieß ein leises, verlegenes Lachen aus, aber Henry winkte nur beiläufig ab. „Unsinn“, sagte er gelassen. „Ein Mann sollte seiner Frau ein Kompliment machen, wann und wo immer er kann.“ Er blickte Claire erneut an, und sein Gesichtsaus
Last Updated: 2026-08-20
A LADY FOR A DUKE
The Duke was standing in the middle of the room, his hands in his pockets, his head tilted to one side. It was a relaxed, casual pose, and yet the way he looked at her was anything but casual. The deep midnight of his eyes burned and he radiated a subtle, sensual energy that made the air around him crackle.
He looked like a man who’d never heard the word ‘no’ in all his life. Unluckily for him, ‘no’ was the only word she had.
“There's no reason why I should stay,” Anna clasped her shaking hands together in an effort to still them. “I’m not marrying you.”
His gaze flickered, his mouth curving slightly, and she had the disturbing thought that far from putting him off, her insistence was only inciting him further.
“But you haven’t heard my proposal yet,” he said mildly. “Isn’t that why you’re here?”
“I don’t need to hear it. I already know that my answer will be no.”
“Of course. But you can hardly tell your father that you heard me out when you haven’t, in fact, heard me out…. Anna.”
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Chapter: 284Because she loved him. Because she didn’t want to spend her life wishing she’d been brave enough to fight for what she wanted. Because he was sweet and sexy and tender and knew exactly how to push her buttons and drive her nuts, and because she needed him to keep her grounded. But how could she say all that?“Because…I love you,” she said simply. “I fought it, but I do. I want you, I need you. Please don’t go.” She used her dirty sleeve to wipe her face, but more tears trickled down her cheeks as she waited for him to respond.She could hear Lily and her father behind her, but she kept her gaze on Tyler, waiting for his reaction. Was she too late?His expression dark, tense, Tyler stepped closer. Without a word, he cradled her face in his hands and lowered his head, kissing her until her body warmed from the inside out and her toes curled in her soggy shoes.Behind them, Lily screamed in happiness. But then everything faded when the kiss went on and she didn’t care what anyone though
Last Updated: 2026-05-16
Chapter: 283She finally tossed the shovel aside and placed the fawn into the grave, her chest so tight and full she could only take shallow breaths. “There you go.Nice and snug.”Thunder rolled in the distance and the wind and rain picked up, cold where it hit her cheeks. Lexi ran her hand over the rain-slicked fur of the animal’s neck, then set to work with the shovel again, every movement quicker than the last because she couldn’t stand the sight of it, half-covered in mud. Deer were considered stupid animals but would the mother miss it? Feel its loss. She hadn’t felt the baby move but— Lexi shut down her thoughts but it was too late. The pain came, fast, stabbing, stealing what was left of her breath. When the last shovel of dirt was in place, she turned to go back to the house and the soothing tea she’d left behind, but along the way the light from her flashlight caught a gleam of red.Daniel had towed her car up the driveway to the house so that he could rush to the hospital. He’d put it
Last Updated: 2026-05-16
Chapter: 282“Because I’m tired of settling. I want a wife who loves me and wants me as much as I love and want her. I want to be with someone who trusts me and wants me enough to share her fears and her secrets and know I’d never deliberately do anything to hurt her. Lexi, I want a proper marriage. But this isn’t it.”She tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let her. His hands tightened over hers, the bug inside lighting up every few seconds. “This is my promise,” he stated roughly. “But you have to decide right now if you’re going to keep it or throw it away. The choice is yours.”Tyler released her hands, staying close because he wouldn’t take that step unless he had to. He saw Lexi's throat work as she swallowed, heard the rasp of her breathing and still he waited for her to speak, to say something, to fight. For them and their marriage, for herself and the future they could have if she’d only try.But without a word she opened her hands and he watched as the lightning bug lit up and took fligh
Last Updated: 2026-05-16
Chapter: 281Throwing the last of the trash she’d dragged out of the house into the Dumpster, she jumped back when a bumblebee buzzed so close to her face she felt the breeze created by its wings. Her heart thumped hard in her chest and the air left her lungs in a gush, and she laughed at her silly reaction. But it was a similar reaction to how she felt with Tyler. She’d never admit to the belly-clenching, spine-tingling, heart-in-her-throat rush she got whenever he was near. Still it was true, and if weeks with Tyler left her feeling so out of her depth, what would a year be like? Two? She had to stay strong, not let him wear her down. He’d get fed up with her moods and her baggage and stupid issues and walk away for good. It was only a matter of time. Maybe Lily was right about some things, but she was definitely wrong about others. Nothing was worth the fear of loving something you couldn’t control. ________ Tyler felt Paul's stare and braced himself. “Whatever it is, just say it.” Lexi's f
Last Updated: 2026-05-16
Chapter: 280“Be nice. I worry myself sick every time I'm at home. Now I’m here and I’m spending the day with you.”Lucky me. Who else is going to show up?“Think I’ll go get the rest of the supplies we talked about since Tyler's here to help unload them,” Paul said.“I don’t want him hanging around. I want him gone.” Lexi's head throbbed. “It’s been a week and every time I turn around, he’s here. Why won't he go back to Olkfield? He’ll never be happy here.”Lily stared at her, hurt apparent on her features. “Why wouldn’t Tyler be happy here? You're his wife. This is technically his home.”Arms across her chest, Lexi clenched her teeth so tight pain shot up the side of her jaw. “Why don't you go home too?”“Now, don’t be a witch. And you know, maybe Tyler would be happy if you’d talk to him.”“He left.”“But he came back.”That he had. But why? “You convinced him to, didn’t you?”“I did,” Lexi confessed. “He’s your husband and he belongs with you,” She fiddled with the strap of her purse. “You’re
Last Updated: 2026-05-16
Chapter: 279Lexi leaned her full weight against the door the moment she heard Tyler start his car. That had to be the hardest thing she’d ever done in her life. But he’d survive—better off for not having her to deal with.“I never realized what it must have been like for you.”Lexi froze at the sound of her father's voice. Tyler's vehicle raced away with a roar of the engine and she felt dizzy from not being able to breathe. Why wouldn’t they all leave her alone?“It was really hard for you too. Losing your mother like that. I was so caught up in my grief that I didn't really pay much attention to you. Instead I carved your life out for you… In a way I thought was right, because I thought I was protecting you. I’m so sorry.”“I survived.” Her hand hurt where it grasped the knob but she couldn’t let go. She’d fall if she did. “If you taught me nothing else, it was how to survive.”“Is that why you’re doing this? Is that why you’re shoving a good man away?”Wasn't it ironic that these words were co
Last Updated: 2026-05-15
Chapter: 177He was a patient man, but at the moment he felt the insane urge to tumble her over and drive between her thighs until it was all either of them knew or could feel, but he remembered his injured shoulder and knew that he couldn't. “I want you naked,” he told her, and watched as she did as he asked, pulling her nightie over her head. She was completely naked now and he glanced up her body, following the line over her belly to her full breasts and then back down to the slim curve of her waist to her fuller hips. His cock strained upward, thrusting against her soft curls nestled at his base. His breath caught and wheezed out in a strangled gasp when she lowered her hands inside his boxers to grasp his cock.She smiled as she gently caressed his length. Up and down, she went until the blunt crest had widened and blood had rushed to the tip. It was nearly painful. Each touch drove him more daft by the minute. She was exquisitely gentle, until he was able to take it no longer, and he curle
Last Updated: 2026-05-13
Chapter: 176She tied the bandage a little too tightly, and he hissed in pain. “You should be,” she said, her tone fierce but softening as she touched his arm. “You scared me half to death.”He caught her wrist gently, their eyes locking. “I didn’t want to leave you. I had to. Reese—”“Forgive me, Stefan, but I don’t care about Reese right now,” she said, wiping her tears and cutting him off. “I care that you’re here. That you’re alive.”She pressed her forehead against his good shoulder and let out a shaky breath. For a moment, the world went quiet.Stefan hesitated, then slid his hand up to the back of her neck, fingers threading through her hair. “I’m here,” he murmured. “I made it back to you.”“Sure, I'm glad,” she whispered, lifting her head. “But it's gonna take more than that to make up for leaving us.”He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her — slow, deep, aching with everything he couldn’t say. When he pulled back, her tears had smeared against his skin.“I'm sorry,” he told her, “
Last Updated: 2026-05-10
Chapter: 175He pulled the trigger.The shot rang out — but not from the leader’s gun.His body jerked backward, a crimson bloom spreading across his chest, then collapsed without another word.Stefan spun, gun raised — and saw Petre, standing in the doorway, smoking barrel in hand.“Come on!” Petre shouted. “More are coming!”Stefan didn’t hesitate. He hauled Reese up and ran, the sound of approaching vehicles echoing in the distance.“Move!” Petre yelled.They burst into the cold morning air just as two more SUVs rounded the corner. Petre fired at the tires while Stefan shoved Reese into the back seat of their car. Tires screeched as they sped off, bullets pinging against metal.For a long stretch, there was nothing but the sound of the engine and their ragged breathing. Then Stefan looked at his bloodied friend in the rear seat. “You okay?”Reese coughed hard, blood on his lip. “You shouldn’t have come, man. Your wife's going to kill you,”Stefan looked over, jaw tight. “Yeah she will, but I ha
Last Updated: 2026-05-10
Chapter: 174The car slowed as they neared the industrial edge of the city — gray warehouses, rusted fences, graffiti scrawled across concrete walls.“This is it,” Petre murmured, cutting the engine. “You go in alone. They’ll kill him if they see me.”Stefan nodded, already checking the earpiece. “Stay close. I’ll need extraction once I’ve got him.”He opened the door and stepped out into the biting cold. The street smelled of oil and rain. His boots echoed against the wet ground as he made his way toward the warehouse, blending into the shadows.He reached the side entrance and crouched, scanning the lock. It was cheap — easy to pick. He slipped a tool from his pocket, worked the mechanism for a few seconds, and heard the faint click of success.The door creaked open.Inside, the air was thick and damp. He could hear faint voices in another language, the sound of footsteps echoing across the concrete floor. Stefan moved silently between stacks of old crates, his senses sharpened.And then — he he
Last Updated: 2026-05-10
Chapter: 173Stefan moved and she moved with him. Their rhythm set, they danced together, bodies joined, melded as they reached for the same, shattering end that awaited them. He stared down into her eyes, losing himself in their depths. She met his gaze and held it until finally, as he felt her body begin to fist around his, she closed her eyes, shrieked his name and shuddered violently as her body exploded from the inside.His own release came a scant moment later, and Stefan heard himself shout as the tremendous relief spilled through him again and again, as if the pleasure would never end.He carried her up to their bedroom, where she fell asleep almost immediately in his arms. He held her tight, lying awake and kissing her forehead repeatedly. In the early hours of the morning after he'd showered and gotten ready to go, Stefan stood at the foot of the bed for a few seconds longer, committing the sight of his wife to memory. Then he turned away, heading for the door with quiet, deliberate ste
Last Updated: 2026-05-10
Chapter: 173She spun on him, eyes shining. “How did you think this conversation would go, Stefan? Did you think that I'd smile and wish you good luck? Kiss you goodbye and pretend I’m not terrified you’ll never come back?”His throat tightened. “I’ll come back to you.”Her laugh was hollow. “You can’t promise that.”He took another step forward, desperate. “Alana, please.”But she turned away, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. “It's been what? Barely four weeks. You couldn't even let me live in my fairy tale longer. Just go, Stefan. If you’re going to do this, don’t make me watch you walk out. You've made up your mind and you're only telling me now to let me know, not to change your mind, because I can't, can I?”He hesitated — just long enough to make her think he might stay — then quietly said, “I’ll be back before you know it.”Her voice broke. “You can't say that.”When he turned and left the room, the silence that followed felt different. It wasn’t the silence of absence — it was t
Last Updated: 2026-05-10
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