Duke Bookstore Apparel Novels & Stories

■■■ Duke's sitting at the floor like a kid, his legs are spread as wide as he can while holding a magazine of cars that he dreams of having but never had one 'cause he knows he will only waste it. "How come you're not freaked out? Now the police knows that you're still alive." Duke asked him. He's staring at the figurine of a nude woman, sitting at his favorite chair with his feet placed above his coffee table. He's wearing a black robe and a fuzzy indoor slippers. "Haven't you getting used to our boss, Duke? He's that kind of person who would keep his cool even his whole house is on fire." Rig sarcastically told Duke while he plays his balisong just like he always do but what he said was a

But just then a knock came on the door, mercifully catching the Duke’s attention, and as he turned and moved to open it Anna felt as if she’d earned a reprieve of some kind. A member of staff came in carrying a tray in one hand and a bottle in the other. He deposited the tray on the coffee table by the couch, put the bottle beside it, then left. The tray contained a selection of cheeses and crackers, two long-stemmed glasses, and a steaming cup of tea. The Duke moved over to the tray and picked up the tea. “There is champagne, of course, but I thought you might prefer something a little more calming.” He carried it over to the small table that stood next to the armchair closest to the firepl

Nathan murmured into his glass. "The point is," Dante continued, glaring at Nathan, "this is your chance, gentlemen. The Duchess will be here, in my home, surrounded by all the wealth and power she is used to. One of you might get lucky." He paused, his gaze settling on Rick. "Even you, Cameron. Though you might want to scrub the motor oil from under your fingernails first." Rick's jaw tightened, but he said nothing, just raised his glass in mock salute. "I still can't believe you've never even met her," Gabriel said to Rick. "You lived in New York your whole life right before joining the Army."

I hang it back up. --- Month Six. 9:17 PM. I’m closing the bookstore. Last customer gone, gates half-down, counting the register. The bell dings. “Sorry, we’re—” I look up. Dominic. Not CEO Dominic. Not tux Dominic. Just… him. Black sweater. Jeans. Hair longer, like he hasn’t bothered to cut it. He looks like he’s been upstate, reading books, chopping wood or whatever retired billionaires do. He looks like a man. Not a fortress.

All I had to do was smile and agree to what these people are telling. You can’t afford to fail this up, Beth. Of course, my parents were with other officials, Adrian was with the Order of the Knights and Charlie had her circle, but he introduced me to her friends. My head rotated just like Earth's, searching for my friend's shadow. “The Duke and Duchess of Le Merck have arrived!” All of us turned around when the ballroom’s door opened. The baby pink off-shoulder ball gown tulle dress with bishop sleeves matched with waterfall braid gave justice to her beauty.

“We will have to take the duke’s size to fit……” “It’s for my brother. You can take him along to a fitting room” she chuckled. Sebastian frowned and stood up, walking in brisk paces out of the room. The attendant stood in confusion for a minute before hurrying after him. “Is there any color that your highness particularly likes?” Natalia asked after Sebastian had left. She asked but she already knew the answer. Alana was always seen prancing around in red in high society. “It’s re…..” the duke opened his mouth to answer but he was cut short.

I pressed my forehead to hers, trying to breathe. She laughed and wrapped her arms around me. "So easy to break you." I kissed her mouth. "You did that on purpose." She grinned. "Of course I did." Later that night, I opened my email. We had listed the spare room last week, and finally someone worth reading had responded. ‘Greetings Duke, My name is Duncan Franklin. I’ll be in town through August for work. I run a one-man consultancy and prefer renting private rooms over hotels. Your location is perfect.

One of these days I will release a book, of a mystical nature, so nothing special, but I tried to reflect the reality that they are among us. - Hmm, that would be interesting to read. Duk says in a slightly lowered voice. - What will be the title of your book? - "Those who live in darkness." I will send you one copy, tell me your address. Duke hesitated for a moment and replied: “Uh, it’s very kind of you to send her to Oak branch five, flat seventeen.” - Well, one of these days it already goes into wide circulation. Your first book. Conrod looked at his watch.

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I avoided them, starting from the coffee table and the stacks of books positioned on it. I smiled when I touched the books, looking forward to reading something here on the cream-colored rugs. But the smile dropped from my lips when I took in the titles of the books. ‘How to care for a Ducati.’ ‘Piercings and their Post Care.’ ‘The Symbolic Nature of Tattoos.’

"I never imagined someone of our standing could own something like this." Dorothy stepped forward, leaning down to peer into the interior, her eyes wide with wonder. "Look at that, Vivian… the leather seats, the smooth steering wheel, every detail is perfect. Even the Emperor must only have a few like this." Vivian smiled with profound satisfaction, her eyes glittering. "You see for yourselves, don't you? All of this is from the Duke… a gift from His Grace to me." Her voice dripped with pride, but also a sense of victory she made no effort to hide.