Define Gripped

“It's just me who can protect you!" Ethan yells as he slams Valentina against the wall, before she can move away, his body has covered the distance in an instant, and he brings his face extremely close to hers, his minty breath fanning her face. "With my power, no one in school can dare to hurt you, ever again.” Valentina couldn't believe her ears, her eyes blinked back fearfully, she had never dreamt that Ethan would one day try to "protect her" He is a hypocrite, silence hung briefly between them and a certain anger surged through her. “You mean the same power you used against me? Do you think you're any different from the rest of them?" She asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Ethan frowned and he gripped her shoulders tightly pressing her even harder into the wall, Valentina squeezed her eyes shut from fear. "I don't care what you say, Val." He whispers against her face, he grabs her jaw roughly and she winces slightly in surprise. "You won't be leaving here anytime soon." Valentina Chandler is a teenager suffering from depression and abuse from everyone around her, but despite that she struggles to get through every day, the more she tries to live a normal life, the more impossible it gets with the hope of one day having a "better life". Then there is Ethan Lords, a powerful school figure no one dared to cross and her mortal enemy who would stop at nothing to make her life more miserable. But what happens when he suddenly stops to bully her and he tells her he needs to protect her? What dangers lie ahead for Valentina? What does Ethan see that she doesn't? Who is he trying to protect her from?

He was the embodiment of her desires, a dream man who had captured her heart at first glance. From the moment Trevor entered her life, Emma knew he was the one for her. For five years, she had been exclusively committed to him, never once questioning his love until her entire world came crumbling before her eyes. Emma realized that his love for her had all been an elaborate deception. His words, his actions, his smiles, his compliments, they were all carefully constructed web of lies. "I can't continue like this," Trevor's words resounded in the room, causing Emma's stomach to twist in knots of tension. Fear gripped her heart, crawling up her throat and threatening to escape in a scream of despair. "I never loved you." With one sentence, Trevor shattered Emma's heart into a million pieces without remorse. Her cries and pleas for a chance for them to salvage their five-year relationship and fairy tale ending fell upon deaf ears. As she realized she had been cheated on for five years, Emma became the outcast in her own story. Determined to make Trevor pay for his betrayal and beg for her mercy, Emma went after the most important person in Trevor's life. The moment her eyes locked with Mr. Ethan Maddox, Trevor's billionaire father, at a get-together party, Emma knew her revenge would be both delicious and swift. Not only would she bring down Trevor, but she would also topple his powerful father from his pedestal.

EXCERPT: John freed himself from the security lashes in order to gain more access to Tom. He gripped his friend's waist, squeezing to emphasize how much he was willing to give up for this man. "I can touch you. We can touch. Touch me." Tom searched John's face with his eyes, the flush on his cheeks darkening and capturing John's attention once more. He could feel Tom's uncertainty as if it were a weighted net falling over them both to pin them in place. Summoning his courage, he stripped his tunic from his upper body and seized Tom's hand in his own. "Touch me. Please." John thought Tom was going to refuse until he used his free hand to reach out. SYNOPSIS: Refugees of a dead planet, the Zen are grateful the people of Earth are willing to offer them a new home. Executive Orders from the White House declare America a safe-haven for any of the shapeshifting aliens as long as they follow three basic rules: 1. Zen must take a human appearance. 2. Zen must register with human names at Social Services. 3. Zen must find paid work or volunteer to help their country. Two friends declare themselves "married" during their registration without realizing they are now legally bound to one another as a couple. Will New Americans John and Tom see their friendship turn into a romance or will they reject being accidentally married aliens?

"There there. Now you look like the attention-seeking slut you truly are," Thomas said, as he gripped my right arm and pulled me close till we stood eye to eye, his dark gray eyes glinting with maniac desire, which sent a chill through me like someone had doused me with freezing water. *** Innocent Nivea Scott got married to Thomas Westington to help save her family, and this became the beginning of hell for her. One month into the marriage, she escapes the house and runs to a nightclub in search of a passionate touch, which she finds. Only for her one-night stand to end up being her stepson, Zane Westington. Zane is shocked when he finds the mystery woman he slept with and can't get out of his mind is none other than his new stepmom. Forced to live under the same roof with his father's new wife, Zane finds his forbidden desire for her increasing with every breath. He has tasted the forbidden fruit and he wants more! But Zane knows how monstrous his father truly is, and if Thomas finds out, it might just be too late to save Nivea from his wrath.

Evangeline Grace Meadow. Everything about her life was going so perfectly—almost exactly as she had planned in her notebook—and she was proud of all the achievements she had gained in her 27 years of life. Getting a job as a full-time doctor at Seattle's largest hospital, living in the luxury apartment that every person in Seattle dreams of, having a handsome fiancé who loves her—at least that's what she believes. However, her perfect life turns into the most painful misfortune when she finds out her fiancé is cheating on her in front of her eyes. Until one night, when she was trying to release all her pain, she met a mysterious man with a sharp smile and eyes as blue as the Caribbean sea. A brief encounter. A brief conversation. That man—Exel… his touch... his gaze... his fingers that gripped tightly in the most perfect spot Eve could imagine. All of it burned Eve to the bone—making her willingly beg for the next touch. Unfortunately, both Eve and Exel know that their brief encounter on that one hot night will never happen again—and there shouldn't be. Yet again, one short night managed to change her life. She meets Exel again under... very different situation that makes them bond because of her pregnancy that happened without them knowing it. So what happens when Eve finds out that Exel's life isn't as beautiful as his smile? Not as bright as the light of his eyes. Instead, Exel lives in the darkest underground life—a life full of danger and real horror. But what if Eve was curious about those dangers? What if she was tempted by the sweet sin Exel's offered? * * * When Everyone called her Eve because her name was Evangeline, but he called her Angel because she is his real angel.

“Nicco's fingers didn't stop their magic dance. His index finger was rubbing my nub, pressing down and stroking up when he used his thumb to slide into my core. That was enough to send me over the edge and I gripped the sides of the couch, arched my back and opened my mouth in a wordless shout while his fingers milked me. Finally, the spasms stopped, and I lay back, limp, looking over at Nicco, mortified that I could smell my arousal. Nicco pulled his fingers out, showing me the sticky juices that coated them. Then he put a finger in his mouth, sucking my nectar as I watched.” Tired of the nightly abuse, sixteen-year-old Hope runs away from her stepfather, changes her name and hits the road in an old minivan. She is homeless but surviving, trying to keep at least one step ahead of her past. One moonlit night four years later, fate places a stranger on the side of the road that needs her help. She finds herself inexplicably drawn to him. Alpha Nicco is New York City's youngest crime boss. He's also the alpha of a pack that is actively involved in his sketchy business deals. He doesn't have time for relationships, especially one with a human, but the moon goddess has a sense of humor and has chosen Hope to be his mate. Someone is stealing from Nicco and Hope has the skills to help him figure out who it is. Despite the danger she's ready to help, but Nicco has reservations. After all, she's just a human and she could never be the Luna he and his pack needs. . . . or could she?

Naomi, a twenty three year old lady was forcefully sold to the arrogant and ruthless Nahil Gustavo. The thirty year old deadly mafia Lord that everyone was scared of. she is expected to be a surrogate for him because he does not like women but wants a child to continue his legacy when he is gone . Naomi tries everything in her power to escape from him but he always catches her , In the end she agrees to be his surrogate and becomes a live-in-surrogate for him. but the love and romance take the two of them by storm and they both find ways to define the feelings that has crept up in their hearts. But will the love they develop for each other be able to stand the test of time? because as time goes on a lot of secrets is revealed, tears are shed and lives are taken and alot happen in a year that threaten to separate the two of them.... Join me on this exciting book filled with romance, actions and different twists.

"Miss Camille Davidson, what a small world?" A chill went through me when I heard his dark, yet sexy, voice. I lifted my chin to look at him. Once my eyes locked with his, I couldn't stop myself from shivering. He was no longer the man he was eight years ago. He appeared to be formidable and cruel. His blue eyes nearly looked dark due to rage. As I gripped the serving tray, I retreated my steps, my cheeks burning from humiliation. Everyone was watching us with keen interest. There was a time when Scott Martinez used to work for me, and now I am working for him. I was fully aware of his intentions. I knew why he was there and what he wanted from me. This time he would never let me go after all I was the one who had destroyed his small world. I murdered his brother.

Bianca has finally planned everything in her life. Being an orphan from birth, she has always felt that her future is an uncertain universe. However, with Richard's help, her caregiver has managed to define the goals that will lead her to cling to the security she craves. But fate, as always, plays bad and dirty, because she is kidnapped when she accompanies some friends to the Scarlet Moon club, at the hands of a handsome and mysterious boy named Kieran, in the company of his friends who worship him as if he were a god. He takes her to a pack of werewolves and decides to claim her as his own, while being stalked by the alpha of the rival pack, Einar, who is the cause of all the suffering in his life, this being his own father. Bianca realizes that her whole life has been a big lie that has made her the fugitive of the alpha. A turn of events, a macabre plan, war threats, constant danger and a torrid romance frame Bianca's new life now and nothing will ever be the same again, having a heavy load on her hands, just like everyone's fate.

I beg to differ that.", I sassed and got out of his grip ready to move out of the room when he pulled me by my elbow and the next second I was pushed on the visitor's chair. He trapped me completely by keeping his palms on the arms of the chair. "I tried to tell you patiently.", I scoffed at his words. Patience and he don't go in a single sentence. He gripped my chin making me look into his eyes."Now listen carefully Miss, I want you for my niece as her babysitter. Tell me how much you'll take and we can seal the deal." This time it was me who blinked once, twice and thrice. "But I don't want to work for you." See the reason was absolutely clear. I liked the kid since the moment I met her but I hated this man from the moment I gazed into his eyes. "How much?" I frowned."You really think your money can make everyone dance on your tips?" "1200 dollars a week." I rolled my eyes making him lean towards me." 1500?" "Make it 15000 and still I won't work for you.", I retorted and pushed him. I walked to the door and gave him one glance."Next time when you talk to me, make sure you keep all your richness aside. That's one thing that I never want to see you again, you self-centred CEO." "We shall see." . . . Brave but lonely. Passionate but sensitive. That's Arielle Summers. For everyone, Money, Assets and happiness may be supreme but to her, self-respect is prime. Cold and reckless. Commanding and ruthless. That was Nicolas Arnold. He only cared for his niece, his Mama and his friends. Love life didn't exist until- she came into the picture.