Contra Costa Library Hours Novels & Stories

“Marry me.” Ashleigh Hartman froze. The CEO of Tixton Industries, Adrian Cagliari, had just offered her a deal that made no sense. “I’m sorry...what?” “It’s simple. A six-month marriage contract. You’ll get everything you need. I’ll get what I want.” **************** Ashleigh thought her life was predictable; she cleaned offices by day to save every penny for college, and stayed far away from public scrutiny. But one unsettling incident thrusts her into the attention of the powerful and mysterious man like Adrian Cagliari. Suddenly, she’s no longer invisible. Adrian’s proposal seems outrageous, but Ashleigh is cornered. With no real choice, she signs the contract... and steps into a world of ruthless business deals, hidden agendas, and secrets that could burn everything down and leave her more hurt than she started. How will the next six months go?

Lois had decided to use alcohol to numb her pain and forget everything she had gone through. She had caught her boyfriend in bed with another woman, and now the child services agency was threatening to take her sister away from her. To add to her woes, she had also lost her job. As she sat in the bar, she encountered some problems that almost resulted in her being raped. However, Leo came to her rescue and saved her from the manager. He then offered to help Lois, but with a condition: she would have to marry him in return. Desperate for help and without a second thought, Lois accepted Leo's offer.

When Cameron signed the marriage contract the clausules were clear enough; in exchange of the money to save her family from bankruptcy she had to give birth to the Ferrer familiy's heir. But what no one knew is she's infertile. Diego Ferrer and Cameron had so much in common. While Cameron lost her twin sister Diego was losing the love of his life, and now they're married under that stupid contract. She was light in a cave. He was a cave with no ray of light. She may be his paradise. He may be her hell. What will happen the day when Diego sees his wife in that table dance, moving her waist in front of all those men who want more? But not only that, what will happen the day when Diego finds out his wife had a son all along and, of course, wasn't his? Maybe, Cameron never lost her twin sister.

Jenifer Wedley had fallen in love and was willing to give up everything she had in order to be with Erdward Dike. Hoping for a sincere and lasting love with her boyfriend who she loved had in fact made Jenifer swallow a bitter pill. How not, Erdward, who Jenifer had always thought was a sweet man who loved her, turned out to have another love. Still hopeful about her love to Erdward, but Jenifer was instead kicked out in a terrible way Jenifer was devastated and disappointed and chose to return to her family, returning with the status of the heir to the Wedley family business empire. Until then, she was met with a businessman named Aron Biker, who secretly had a feeling for Jenifer Until finally when Jenifer had begun to open her heart to Aron, the same thing was repeated. Aron can't forget his past. Jenifer felt broken. Shame over the marriage that was about to happen made her reluctant to know about love again. Until Fabian Biker appeared, offering a wedding to cover up the embarrassment of Jenifer and her family At first, Jenifer refused. She did not want to play tricks on a marriage, but on the other hand it was the only way to save the pride her family and she then approved the marriage. But the problem was, at Jenifer's marriage age, which was still a short time, her past was back. Erdward returned and asked Jennifer for a second chance Will Jenifer take Erdward back? The man Jennifer loved so much? Or did she have to put up with a loveless marriage with Fabian? In fact, love was a feeling that cannot be forced. Love will flow like a stream that was sometimes calm or full of terrible droplets.

Everything seems to fall apart in Clara's life after her mother left and her father became a drunkard and married her evil stepmother who made every day for her miserable but nothing should be compared to the constant bullying that she got from the Alpha's son Jake. Just when she thought you was about to escape his clutches by going off to college after her terrible years at high school Jake causes a scene which makes her lose her job and then gets her suspended. Just when she thought things couldn't get any worse her stepmother informs her that her father had gotten into an accident and then abandons both of them to run off with her lover. Her desperation to save her father leads her into the arms of the mysterious Alpha Prince who offers her a marriage contract…is he the shimmer of hope that she had waited for her entire life or her ultimate destruction

"Nathaniel." I blinked to hold back the tears that were welling up in my eyes. I won't cry in front of this man. "How can you look at me like that and talk to me like that?" "I'm not mistaken, am I?" "Nathaniel!" I cried, completely distraught. "We were together, for God's sake!" "We?" He chuckled, amused by my outburst. "You're crazy. There is no 'we.'" ~~~~ Home should never be a battlefield, but for Sarah Pierce and her daughter, it became exactly that the moment they walked through the door. Her father's hostility was to be expected; her ex-boyfriend Nathaniel Storm's engagement to her sister, however, was not. Sarah mustered up her courage and proposed to Nathaniel, who looked at her as if she were a stranger. But as they navigate this forced union, Sarah uncovers a web of family secrets and disturbing truths – truths that could destroy everything.

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄✫ 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭* Scott walked over to her and stopped an inch away. His height was nothing compared to hers. She lowered her gaze, unable to stand those alluring eyes of his. He placed a finger underneath her chin, lifting her head, and her gaze met with his. "Too late. You signed. You're mine little dove," Xavier said, his deep voice low and menacing. ..... Laura Jacobs' life was on the brink of collapse. Struggling to make ends meet, she worked multiple part-time jobs to support herself and her ailing brother. But when her wealthy boyfriend's infidelity shattered her heart, Laura's world came crashing down. With her brother's life-threatening hospital bills looming and no way to pay, Laura felt hopeless. In a desperate moment, she considered ending it all. But fate intervened when she collided with Scott Williams, a billionaire mogul with a reputation for ruthlessness. Scott offered Laura a shocking proposal. Become his contracted wife for six months, and he'd pay her brother's medical bills. Desperate, Laura agreed. But as she entered Xavier's world, she discovered secrets, lies, and a web of deceit that threatened to destroy everything. Will she stick to the contract or fall in love with Xavier? Find out on this boredom Killer

[MATURE CONTENT!] Divorced and in debt, Elena decides to become the contract wife of three rich and famous men. A fair exchange begins between a woman disillusioned about love and men with their own demands and desires. But when they demand for more than her body, she discovers many dark truths as the past slowly catches up to her.

Mia was in the verge of losing her mind and, most of all, having her sister sent to a terrible place, where her childhood would be gone. When ta creature appears, ready to offer her an alternative, she decides to take it. "You'll owe me!" was all he asked. Ten years later, he is back, asking for the favor. But... what if she is not ready to fulfill her part of the deal? Will she be able to change his mind and be free of the contract chains or will she be attatched to him more than never? A contract with the Devil is such a dangerous - and thrilling- decision! Come and find out what will become of Mia Chapman

Evelyn “Evie” Thorne is a gifted architect whose family business is one bad contract away from bankruptcy. Desperate, she seeks help from the one person she swore she’d never deal with again: Damon Rourke, the ruthless billionaire CEO of Rourke Industries—and the undisputed Alpha of the Silver Crescent Pack. Damon doesn’t offer a loan; he offers a deal: a highly detailed, non-negotiable marriage contract. Evie must become his wife, his ‘Luna’ in name only, for one year. The contract strictly forbids intimacy, requires public displays of affection, and demands absolute obedience. Evie agrees, believing she is only signing away her freedom. But the closer she gets to Damon, the more she realizes the contract is a thin shield against a primal attraction. Damon Rourke doesn’t just manage boardrooms—he commands a territory, and in his world of shifters, a contract can’t negate the terrifying, undeniable reality: They are Fated Mates. Evie is thrust into a world of pack politics, ancient enemies, and a dangerously alluring Alpha who is determined to keep his contract—and his mate—at arm’s length, even as their forced proximity threatens to shatter both their defenses.