She needs a man.
The best person is to have $150,000 left over to share.
Carina Scodelario stared at the small bonfire she burned herself in the middle of her living room floor and wondered if she had completely lost her mind. The piece of paper in her hand contained all the qualities she dreamed her soulmate would have. Loyalty. Intelligence. Sense of humor. A strong sense of family and love for animals. And a solid income.
Most of her ingredients are being boiled. A hair from a family member – her brother is still angry. A combination of aromatic herbs – will probably give him a gentle personality. And a small bar for... uhm, she hoped it wouldn't deliver what she feared.
Taking a deep breath, she threw the list into the silver bucket and watched it burn. She felt like an idiot casting a love spell, but she had no other choice and so little to lose. As the owner of a philosophy bookstore in trendy New York City, she allowed herself to accept the fact that it was ironic. It is like sending a prayer to Mother Earth for a perfect man.
Carina went to find the fire extinguisher and put out the burning fire. The smoke rose and reminded her of the black crust of a pizza burned on the underside of her toaster. She wrinkled her nose, sprayed it in the center of the carpet, and went to get a glass of red wine to celebrate.
Her mother would have to sell Tara.
Her family's home.
Carina took a bottle of red cabernet sauvignon and thought about her dilemma. Her bookstore was fully mortgaged. The expansion of the cafe was carefully planned in detail and not a single penny was left over. She glanced at the entire Victorian loft and easily calculated that there was nothing left to sell. No, not even on eBay.
She is 27 years old and maybe she should be living in a stylish apartment, with designer clothes and dating every weekend. Instead, she adopted a homeless dog from a local shelter and bought a simple scarf to update her wardrobe. She believes in living in sunlight, is open to all possibilities, and follows the logic of her heart. Unfortunately, none of those traits would save her mother's home.
She took a sip of red wine and admitted that there was nothing more she could do. No one has enough money, and when the tax collector arrives, it won't have a happy ending. She is not Scarlett O'Hara (the heroine in Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind). And Carina didn't think the last attempt at casting a love spell to call the perfect man to her door would be helpful.
The doorbell rang.
Her mouth opened. My God, is it him? She looked at her sweaty dirty pants and oversized T-shirt and wished if she had time to change. She got up to rummage through the entire closet, but the bell rang again, so she went out, took a deep breath, and grabbed the doorknob.
"You took a long time to open the door."
Her hopes dropped. Carina stared at her best friend, Anna Swann, and frowned. "Because you're supposed to be a man."
Anna snorted and entered. She waved a hand in the air, flashing her cherry red fingernails, and landed on the sofa. "Ha, keep dreaming. You're scared of the guy you date that doesn't work out so I won't help you again. What's going on here?"
"What do you mean I'm afraid of him? I thought he was going to attack me."
Anna raised an eyebrow. "He leaned over to give you a goodnight kiss. You tripped and fell on your ass, and he felt like an idiot. People usually kiss after a date, Al. It's a common ritual."
Carina dumped the remains of the trash into the bag and lifted the bucket. "He ate a ton of garlic for dinner and I don't want him near me."
Anna grabbed the wine glass and took a sip. She straightened her long legs that were worn over black leather pants, and propped her high-heeled boots on the edge of the contorted table. "Remind me of why you haven't had sex in a decade?"
"A witch?"
"Singleism."
Carina gave up and laughed. "Okay, you win. Why are you giving me the honor of your presence this Saturday night? You look so beautiful."
"Thanks. I was going to meet someone for a few drinks. Want to come along?"
"To his date?"
Megan frowned and drained the rest of her wine glass. "You'd make a good chat. He's upset."
"Why am I going out with him?"
"He looks fine."
Carina fell beside her friend on the chair and sighed. "I wish I could be like you, Anna. Why do I always have so much trouble?"
"Why don't I have any?" Anna's lips pursed in humorous self-deprecation, then she pointed to the bucket. "So, what does that fire mean?"
Carina sighed. "I'm doing a love spell. To, uh... get a man."
Her friend tilted her head back and smiled. "Okay. So what's that bucket for?"
Carina's cheeks turned red. She should never have done it. "I lit a fire in honor of Mother Earth," she whispered.
"Oh my god."
"Listen. I'm desperate. I still haven't met the Right Gentleman and the next little problem I need to deal with, so I combined both of my needs into one list."
"What kind of list?"
"One of my clients told me she bought this love spell book, and when she made a list of all the qualities she looks for in a man, and he showed up."
This time, Anna looked concerned. "A man comes into her life with everything she wants?"
"Yes. This list must be extremely specific. It must not be too general, or your superiors will be confused by your wishes and send nothing. She said if you recite the spell, man. correct will appear."
Anna's blue eyes lit up. "Show me the book."
Nothing makes you feel better than having another single woman also looking for a man. Carina threw down the cloth-bound pamphlet, feeling a little less silly than before.
"Hmmm. Show me your list."
She waved at the bucket. "Burn it."
"I know you have a copy under your bed. Forget it, I'll go get it myself." Her friend strutted over to the canary-yellow bed and reached under the mattress. Within seconds, she was holding the winning list between her bright red fingernails, and licking her lips as if she'd been plunged into a vibrant romance novel. Carina collapsed on the carpet. Let the humiliation begin.
"Number one," Anna read. "Being a fan of the Mets." (Name of an American baseball team)
Carina braced herself for the explosion.
"Baseball?" Anna hissed. She waved the paper and held it out into the air for a dramatic effect. "Damn it, how can you make baseball your number one priority? They didn't even get to play in the World Series this year! In fact in New York has a lot more Yankees fans than Mets fans, and that almost eliminates the male population."
Carina gritted her teeth. Why is she always criticized for her choice of New York's football team? "The Mets have their own heart and personality, and I need a man who can root out lowliness. I won't sleep with a Yankees fan.""You're desperate. I'm giving up," Anna said. "Number two: love of books, art and poetry." She paused to think about it, then shrugged. "I accept. Three: believe in monogamy. Very important on the list. Number four: want children." She looked up. "How many kids?"Carina smiled at the thought. "I want three. But that's for the two of you to decide. Should I specifically put how many people on the list?""No, Mother Earth will make it right." Anna continued. "Number of years: knowing how to communicate with a woman. A very good thing. I get sick of reading about Venus and Mars. I've read the entire series and still haven't found a reason. Number six: love animals." She groaned. "It's as bad as the Mets!"(Venus and Mars: There is a very famous book called Men are
Eric glanced around, satisfied with the results. His personal conference room always provides a business atmosphere, with the bouquets of fresh flowers that his secretary has placed in the center of the table showing a connection to his personal style, Among the elegant wine racks, the cherry wood surfaces shine with leather seats. The contract was already written, next to an elegant silver tea tray, coffee, and cakes. Formal, friendly – something that is reflected in the tunes of their marriage.He ignored the hole in his gut as he thought about meeting Carina Scodelario one more time. He wondered what she was like growing up. The stories his sister shared with him were portraits of an impulsive and reckless woman. He hesitated at first about Anna's offer – Carina didn't fit the image he needed. Unforgettable memories of a free-spirited child with an undulating ponytail always disturbed his thoughts, even though he knew she owned a respectable bookstore. He still thought she was An
He leaned closer to her, examining her. "Damn big money. Gambling debts huh?"An invisible wall fell between them. "No.""Or shop for a family?"Anger flared in her eyes. "They're none of your business. Part of the deal is that you can't ask me about the money or how I intend to use it.""Hmmm, is there anything else?""Where do we live?""My home.""I'm not giving up my apartment. I'll pay the rent as usual."Surprise shot through him. "As my wife, you will need a proper wardrobe. You will receive an allowance and be able to use my costume staff.""I'll wear what I want, when I want, and pay my own damn way."He fought against a smile. He almost enjoyed mind games, just like he did in the old days. "You will be the mistress of my business relationships. I have a lot of contractual arrangements in the works, so you have to show off to the other wives.""I can handle keeping my elbows off the table and smiling at their stupid jokes. But I need to be free to run my own business and enjo
Eric stared at the woman standing in front of him and tried to swallow. Her deep voice even conjures up fantasies of fire, demanding and ... full of rumbling. He let out a curse and took another sip of coffee, trying to buy time. Her whole attitude screams sex. The innocence of the past has been burned away and left to be a completely woman with purely female needs. He wondered what kind of man would satisfy those needs. He wondered how her plump breasts would feel in his hands, or what those lips would taste like under his. He wondered what she was wearing under that tight red dress."Eric?""Hmmm?""Did you hear me?""Yes. Sex. I promise you'll never find yourself in an awkward situation.""So, you're telling me you still intend to sleep with Gabriella?""Gabriella and I are in a relationship.""But I won't marry her."Tension enveloped the air around them. He took a few steps away, desperate. "It's not that kind of relationship.""Hmmm, that's interesting. So you're saying that I c
Carina was perplexed by the silence that fell between them in the black BMW. Her future husband also seemed uncomfortable, and he chose to focus his energy on his MP3 player. She tried not to wince when he finally chose to play Mozart's music. He really likes music without words. She almost shivered again when she thought of sharing the same place with him. In. Near the. A year. "Do you have any of the Black Eyed Peas?" He looked confused by the question. "To eat?" She suppressed a groan. "I would pick a few more classic discs. Like Sinatra, Bennett, Martin." He remained silent. "Eagles? Beatles? Just shout if those names sound familiar."His shoulders stiffened. "I know who they are. Do you like Beethoven?" "Forget it." They went back to silence over the piano music. Carina knew they were both stressed as the distance to her parents' house shortened. Playing the loving couple is not going to be easy when they can't even have a two-minute conversation. She decided to try again
She was about to open her mouth but his warning glance told her the conversation was over. Wonderful. She just accepted his rude words. Carina pointed to the street sign. "This is the entrance to my parents' house."Eric ran into the lane surrounding the house and turned off the engine. Both are researching a white Victorian house. From the outside, the warm, welcoming structure radiates from the classical stone pillars to the graceful porch that surrounds it. The weeping willows surrounded the edge of the sloping lawn almost forming a protective barrier. Large windows with closed black doors dot the front of the house. Now the darkness has obscured the signs of neglect due to financial hardship. It had covered the peeling white paint on the pillars, the cracked steps at the top of the porch, the faded old roof. She let out a sigh as her childhood home appeared around her as a consolation. "Are you ready?" he asked.She glanced at him. His face was cold, his eyes distant. He looked
Can you get out of this? Casting a love spell to meet an unknown, faceless man with some money spent to bail out her family was one thing. But the reappearance of the fleshly Eric Swann is another story. If her parents suspected she had made a bargain marriage to save the house, they would never have forgiven her. Or for themselves. With steady monthly medical bills coming from her father's heart condition, family pride would make them refuse any financial help from others. Knowing their daughter sacrificed her integrity to rescue them would break their hearts.Eric looked at her with a strange expression on his face, as if trying to determine something. Her fingers clenched to avoid reaching out to touch him. "Are you okay?" she asked. "I'm fine. Let's go inside." She watched him go inside and tried not to feel hurt by his brief words. He had warned her that he didn't like large families. She shouldn't be childish thinking that his actions were only aimed at her.She lifted the han
Hơi thở hắt ra khỏi phổi cô và cô đung đưa như thể chân cô đã bị cắt rời khỏi cơ thể. Cô mong đợi một nụ hôn rõ ràng và có kiểm soát để làm yên lòng mẹ của cô rằng họ đang yêu nhau. Thay vào đó, cô đang có lượng testosterone tăng vọt cùng với một năng lượng tình dục nguyên bản. Cô đã nhận được một đôi môi ấm áp hòa cùng với nhiệt lượng tăng dần của cơ thể cô. Anh cắn nhẹ. Lưỡi anh xâm nhập vào bên trong, đâm vào và trượt ra với sự thành thạo tuyệt đối, uốn cong lưng cô dựa vào cánh tay anh để lấy đi từng giọt cuối cùng của ý trí cô.Cô bám chặt và trao lại tất cả. Đói khát những sự đụng chạm của anh, cô uống vào mùi vị xạ hương của anh và nếm, thích thú với chiều dài cứng rắn của cơ thể anh khi nhiệt lượng hoang dã tăng vọt giữa họ và đẩy họ đến bờ vực.Cô rên rỉ sâu trong cổ họng. Anh trượt những ngón tay của mình vào mái tóc dày của cô để giữ đầu cô trong khi anh tiếp tục cuộc xâm lược đầy gợi cảm của mình. Ngực của cô trở nên nặng nề và căng tức, và một nhiệt lượng dễ chịu rộn ràng