Emmas Rings And Things

“Lila,” I began softly, choosing my words. “About last night...” She stood abruptly, cutting me off. “Don’t. There’s nothing to apologize for. It happened.” I frowned, trying to gauge her. “So, what are you saying?” She crossed her arms, steadying herself. “I’m saying I have a deal for you.” “A deal?” “We keep seeing each other—secretly. No one has to know. No strings attached.” I stared at her, wondering if she was serious. But from the look in her eyes, I knew she was. ********** Lila Frost, a brilliant bio-genetics student and the fiercely protected sister of Alpha King Ronan, returns to Silver Lake for a quiet summer focused on her research. But one reckless night changes everything when she shares an unforgettable encounter with Caden Walker—her brother’s dangerously irresistible best friend. Their one-night stand ignites a fiery connection, and they agree to indulge their passion without complications—no love, no strings attached. But when Lila discovers she’s pregnant, her world unravels. Torn between her growing feelings for Caden and the fear that he could never love her back, Lila retreats into her studio, burying herself in her work to escape the truth. The secret she carries threatens not only her heart but also her bond with her overprotective brother. As Caden remains unaware of Lila's internal struggle, Ronan uncovers the truth about their relationship—and his fury knows no bounds. Now, Lila must confront her feelings, her brother’s wrath, and the uncertainty of what her future holds. Can she risk everything for a chance at love with Caden? Or will she lose him—and herself—trying to protect her heart?

Fall in love with these hot first responders featuring friends to lovers, second chances, and suspense at every turn. The Laurel Springs Emergency Response Team is created by Laramie Briscoe, an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author.

Maya Beckham was Oscar Francis's first love. After four long years abroad, she had assumed any feelings he once held for her had turned to dust. Yet when she returned to Elminas, he proposed. Everyone swore Maya was the love of his life—his one true love, his everything. Touched beyond words, she finally gathered the courage to say yes. …Until the day she discovered Oscar secretly marrying her half-sister, Diana Beckham. She stormed toward him like a woman possessed, her voice trembling with rage. "Explain." Oscar met her fury with infuriating calm. "You vanished without a word four years ago. Diana stayed. Now she's dying—this is her last wish. How could I refuse?" Maya's lips curled into a faint, unreadable smile. What Oscar didn't know? She was the one diagnosed with a difficult illness back then. Later, Maya got into an accident and forgot Oscar entirely. Oscar broke down. Day after day, he pounded on her door like a madman, begging her to remember.

He pressed him against the door, breath hot, voice ragged. “If you don’t want this… tell me to stop.” A pause. A heartbeat. “I can’t.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Some obsessions aren’t meant to be touched. Some men aren’t meant to be loved. And some desires don’t care. This collection isn’t about perfect love. It’s about the one you weren’t supposed to want— Another man. Your brother’s best friend. Your enemy’s son. Your professor. Your fake fiancé. The man who shouldn’t look at you like that. The man you can’t stop wanting. Every story is a man falling for another man when he shouldn’t—and doing it anyway. Fast-paced, emotionally sharp, and dangerously seductive, every story in Burnt Offerings dives headfirst into the hunger we deny, the rules we break, and the lovers we were warned to stay away from. Some affairs stay in the dark. Others start wildfires. This isn't a love story. It's all the ones you swore you’d never tell. All of them about men who should have walked away from each other… but didn’t.

Buong buhay na pinangarap ni Venice na mapakasalan ang kaniyang childhood crush—pero sadyang mapagbiro ang tadhana. Naangkin niya nga sa papel si Teo, pero ang puso ng asawa ay matagal nang pagmamay-ari ng iba. Simula nang bumalik ang natatanging babae sa buhay ni Teo, mas lalong nanlamig ang kanilang relasyon. Ang laging katwiran—malubha at bilang na lang ang oras sa mundo ni Rhea. Sa loob ng limang taon, nagpabulag si Venice sa bait-baitan ng sariling mag-ama. Sa mismong ika-limang anibersaryo, saka lamang nabuo ang desisyon niya—iiwan ni Venice si Miguel at Teo. Husto na ang kaniyang pagdurusa. Pero pa'no kung ang malamig niyang asawa ay tumanggi sa diborsiyo? Matatakasan pa rin ba ni Venice ang mapait niyang kapalaran? Marahil kailangan niya ng tulong—sa pagbabalik ng lalaking tunay na nagmahal sa kaniya, magagawa bang kalimutan ni Venice ang nakaraan?

WARNING!!! May bembangan dito, bawal sa mga minor.. Iwasang magbasa kung feeling mo, demure ka! Kapag di mo bet, skip mo na lang, pero pag bet mo, eh di go!!! Isang misteryosong lalaki, ang naghanap ng isang babae, para magkaanak naturally. Meaning, eh di ano pa nga ba.. alam niyo na yun!! Kinakabahan si Roselynn habang nakapiring ang kanyang mga mata, at nasa loob siya ng isang mabango, malamig at magandang silid. Bagong paligo siya. Sinabon niyang maigi ang kanyang "bataan!" "Lord, bakit naman kasi ngayon na agad? kung kailan hindi ako nakapag shave?" Saka nanlalamig ang kanyang kamay, ng marinig niya ang langitngit ng pintuan.. "Wag kang matakot, wala akong gagawing masama sayo.." grabe ang boses ng lalaki, parang pang DJ! Sa isip isip ni Roselynn, "eh di wow, ikaw na! bebembengin mo ko, kukunin mo ang virginity ko, tas wala kang gagawing masama? OMG!" "This is it! magready ka na.. aararuhin ka na niya.." kasabay ng isang dalangin na sana, hindi siya masyadong masaktan.

A small-time office worker—constantly being pushed around by others and abandoned by his wife—turned into the richest of the rich overnight.

While I was bleeding heavily from my miscarriage, the hospital needed a family member to sign some documents urgently. The nurse frantically called my husband on my phone. After more than ten rejected calls, he finally answered, his voice a frustrated yell, "I'm busy! Don't bother me with these little things!" When we tried calling again, I realized he had blocked my number. Despite the pain, I forced myself to sit up and sign the papers. Tragically, our baby couldn't be saved. Later, I saw a viral video of my husband kissing his childhood sweetheart under fireworks. "It was just a silly joke," she said, "but he surprised me by lighting up the whole city with fireworks as a present!" Seeing their matching wedding rings, I wordlessly slipped off the simple ring I'd worn for five years and threw it in the bin. After coming so close to death, he was now insignificant to me.

They meet in a quiet moments at dawn, a love so deep yet so painfully wrong. But the vows they took, the rings they wear are chains of promise they both must bear. Yet in the silence, their hearts still scream for the life together that can only be a dream. This is the story of Chris and Shey, their love that is left behind.

"I'm your husband now, Janice. Give me your hand, and don't do something stupid," Connor Hughes whispered those words that sent shivers down my spine, and I knew I was doomed for the rest of my life. I was supposed to get married to Carl Hughes, but his brother, the person I feared the most in life, showed up instead. Standing in front of the altar together, my heart pounded hard against my chest and the smirk that played on his lips made me regret ever playing a trick on this man. If only I could be given another chance to make things right, but it was too late. Just two weeks ago, I was happy, duping this man, thinking I was smart, little did I know that I would be tying the knot with him today as his wife. "You may exchange your rings now," My heart stopped beating as I watched him slid the diamond ring into my finger while having a deadly smirk playing at the corner of his lips. The ring felt like shackles of bondage, a promise of lifetime nightmares and miseries, something I wasn't sure I would ever be able to escape from. There were only two things involved. It was either I have a happy ending, or a sad one...