Foot Binding Smell

The night before our wedding, word spread like wildfire through high society that my fiancee had thrown herself a bachelorette party with ten virgins. When I storm into the villa, I find her nestled in the arms of my chauffeur's son, her skin blotched with fresh red marks. "It's just a wild night before the wedding. You get that, don't you?" Melissa Young says. She looks up at me with indifference, not bothering to explain herself. I catch the smug challenge in the eyes of the man holding her. My eyes burn red as I hurl the wedding invitations to the floor. "The scandal is everywhere! Have you even thought about what tomorrow's wedding will look like?" I yell. "This isn't just about you and me. It's about the future of both our families' businesses! Call a press conference and explain yourself." She frowns, irritation flickering in her eyes, but gives a grudging nod. Yet the next day, the internet explodes with a new bombshell—the Zucker heir is impotent, leaving his fiancee unsatisfied. When I demand answers, Melissa puts her foot down, her voice dripping with venom as she says, "All I see now is Nicky." She snaps, "No matter how many times you threaten to pull your investments, my mind's made up!" In that moment, the last ember of love I feel for her goes out. I call my dad, my resolve steeled. "Cut off all funding to Young Group, and buy out every one of her partnerships at triple the price!"

During the audition of the animal show that will be held on the National Day Gala, Yvonne Quinlan, the self-proclaimed genius animal trainer, instructs the pigeons to go into formation and soar around the skies. But the next thing everyone knows, bird poop begins raining down on everyone's heads. Awkward can't even begin to describe the situation. Having lost her composure, Yvonne blames me for copying her as a fake animal trainer. She claims that I was the one who pulled a prank on her. In my previous life, the python, which I've painstakingly nurtured with my family heirloom and my blood essence, suddenly went berserk. Just when it was about to strangle me to death and devour me whole, Yvonne, who was a low-income student I'd been sponsoring, let out a shrill whistle. The ferocious python immediately coiled around her waist, looking very docile and sweet. My boyfriend, Brandon Jenner, accused me of stealing Yvonne's python just because I had money and power on my side. He also jeered at me for shooting myself in the foot after everything I had done. Almost immediately, I became the thief everyone hated. My python went berserk once again and attempted to devour me. This time, no one tried to save me. Just like that, Yvonne gained popularity after putting on a performance with my python. Brandon even proposed to her on the spot. They became a famous couple on the Internet after that. When I open my eyes again, I've returned to the timeframe of three days before my school announces the audition of the upcoming animal show.

Isabella Sinclair, a thirty-two-year-old billionaire heiress, dislikes men and never intended to get married. However, her convictions were put to the test when she had a one-night stand affair with a strange guy, Liam Blackwood. ********** Liam grabbed her wrist tightly and in a swift movement, he lifted her and dropped her on the bed. He pinned her hands on the bed with one hand, while the other hand slowly caressed her lower abdomen. A sudden gasp escaped Isabella’s lips as his gentle touch landed on her lower abdomen. He leaned into her and moved his lips near her ear. She flinched in fear. ‘Are you going to bite me like I did? Don’t be petty!’ she snapped sharply as Liam’s lips grazed her earlobe, his breath fanning against her skin. He chuckled slightly at Isabella’s outburst, and in an unexpected move, he flickered his tongue into her ear. She froze! She liked it and wanted him to do it again, but instead, he whispered, ‘Young lady, have you forgotten? No contact! Why do you keep throwing yourself at me, little girl!’ “What! ‘Little girl’? How dare he!” she screamed in her head, but in reality, she liked how possessive and dominant Liam is. He freed her, releasing his tight grip on her hands and jumped off the bed. He grabbed his car keys from the bedside table and walked towards the door. “Liam! The contract! Do you want me to change it? And by the way, this is your second night here, and you haven’t given me a foot massage yet,” Isabella called out as he placed his hands on the doorknob.

Today was like the day I met him: Me, riding a bicycle and him, walking down the pavement. I grab the handle of the bicycle and watch him as he make his way towards me. I do not know why I feel nervous. A trickle of sweat drip on the side of my face, my heart beat fast and I could hardly breathe. He was meters away, until it grow shorter to a foot and then bam, he bumped into me and we fall down, him on top of me. This felt like a deja vù, like it was our very first encounter. We scurried to get up but ended up bumping our heads together. I glared at him as he got up, He didn't even offer me a hand. He didn’t even give me a second glance. He just passed by me. Not noticing me. Not even looking at me. I let go of the bicycle and turn to face him. I remove the helmet that I was wearing and grip it tightly before screaming, “YAH! My hands curled into a fist and before I know it, the helmet I was holding was already flying towards him.I raise my hand as if to save him but it collided on his head right before I could even react. It sounded a hollow thump and a pronounced groan. His hands made his way to the back of his head as he turn and face me. With those eyes that seem like it was murdering me, he chase me off and I hastily took my bicycle and ran. I couldn’t help but feel happy instead of guilty as he ran after me. This was like before. This was like that summer, that summer I met him.

I'm 29 years old, nearly 30 and so far, my sister and Photography have been my life and soul. Ever since I stepped foot in my first darkroom during my Sophomore year I always had a hunch that this would be my true passion. Since I held my first camera. Set up my first tripod, captured my first photo and filmed my first piece. I just knew that this is what I wanted to do. My life has been a complicated mess since I was 10 years old. My life was thrown away by my parents because I was a burden to them, I had a pen pal who I vented my anger out on for years yet he had become a huge part of my life. I haven't had a serious relationship in...well...ever and It's not every day that you find a man wanting to talk to you...granted, this man is the one who spilt his coffee down me the first time we met and from then on he became the Baine of my existence. I live in Texas City, Houston and I love what I do, the freedom it gives me being behind a camera but it also comes with a price when you least expect it. My life was complicated enough but when I vent out on a secret to this man, my feelings towards him become stir crazy and a whirlwind of emotions. One's I didn't want in the first place because 2 weeks before meeting said man...I was applying for a year long fellow ship abroad. A once in a lifetime opportunity to go to one of Spain's most explored and cultured cities - Barcelona.

BLURB: “What are you doing, Adrian?!” I ask in an alarmed tone, the intense look in his eyes scaring the shit out of me. “I can fucking smell him on you!” Adrian growls at me as he covers the distance between us. “Let go, Adrian. You are scaring me!” I say in a shaky tone as Adrian's hand wraps around my wrist like a hot band. “You better be scared, doll, because when I'm done with you my name will be the only thing etched in your mind and fucking body.” Adrian says through gritted teeth, his words leaving me shaking on the spot. I'm overwhelmed with fear as I begin to wonder if I will even make it out if this room alive. __________________________ For a long time, winning the love of one of the most ruthless billionaires in the city was the only thing on Anya's mind until she is faced with his cruel betrayal and served with divorce papers. Unable to handle all this ontop of the death of her son and only child, Anya drives away from his office without any location in mind only to be met by a ghastly motor accident where she ends up losing her memory – or not. Anya is faced with the truth of what happened all those years ago, and she is determined to get revenge against every single person who has hurt her and her family. But what happens when she is faced with a new side of Adrian she has never seen before? A side that tucks her in at night and refuses to let her out of his sight? Will she be able to see past his betrayal or will she forever be stuck in a position where her revenge means more to her than anything else?

“I can smell you’re wet for me, my little mate.” My nose flared. My chest heaved. My rage boiled inside my body, making me want to explode. “Well, take this, Alpha. I, Shadow Raven Hawks, omega of Night Stalker Pack—” “Shadow, what the fuck are you doing?” He was fast to cup my face as his eyes began brewing the pain. “Rejecting—” I wasn’t finished when he slammed his mouth against mine, stopping me. *** She’s a lone wolf— a rogue. Shadow Hawks learns to keep her head down. That’s how she survives until she wakes up in a pack run by a control freak hot-as-sin ruthless Alpha. With one single sniff of him, she feels an intense connection with irresistible heat. Now she’s got her old pack on her heels. The only one who can protect her is Alpha Califf. She will do everything, even if she has to bow down and reveal herself. Califf Stone doesn’t have time for a relationship but to protect his pack from a sinister, vicious Alpha killing the neighboring packs. Until he meets a mysterious rogue who enjoys defying his orders, he finds himself craving for her, losing control— And he knows she’s the one. When their common enemy threatens her, he’s ready to break his defenses to protect his mate. What surprises him, she’s not only half-Lycan, half-witch. She’s also a Lycan Princess. *** The sequel, The Hybrid Luna is out now. Check it out.

"I, Alpha Liam Hamilton, reject you, Elena Vance, as my Mate and my Luna. You are a curse to my bloodline. Now, get out before I hunt you down." On the night of the Blood Moon, my fated mate shattered my soul. He didn’t care that I was the True Lunar Bride. He didn’t care that I had loved him since we were pups. He chose his "prophecy" and his mistress over the woman meant for him. I left in shame, carrying a secret that would change the werewolf world forever: I wasn't empty-handed. I was carrying his twins—the strongest Alpha heirs the world had seen in a thousand years. Five Years Later. I am no longer the weak Omega he kicked into the rain. I am the "Silver Shadow," a world-renowned healer with a power that can bring Alphas to their knees. When a deadly plague strikes Liam’s pack, he is forced to beg for my help. He doesn't recognize the cold, breathtaking woman behind the mask. He doesn't know that the two prodigy children by my side share his emerald eyes and his lethal temper. But as my scent begins to leak through my disguise, the Alpha King grows obsessed. He corners me, his growl vibrating against my skin. "You smell like a ghost, Doctor. And those children... why do they have my claws?" The secret is out. The hunt is on. But this time, I’m not the prey—I’m the Queen. And the Alpha who rejected me? He’s about to learn that a Lunar Bride never forgets... and she never survives on mercy.

` It was a cool, breezy and stormy night. Rain came down in sheets, as a dark figure stood before a house. The house was pretty ordinary, white with blue shutters; it didn't have more than two bedrooms. It looked like a cozy little family home with flowers and shrubs lining the front lawn, and then the smell from the pellet stove smoke invaded his nostrils. He took a deep breath and pulled out an old, rusted compass from his black trench coat. It looked like it could have been from the 14th century, the small, brass disc was dented and the Victorian designs were faded. He studied it as it pointed east, towards the small house. He looked the house over carefully, looking for the best entrance, before proceeding towards the side to gaze into the window. Inside you can see the small kitchen; the brand new, all black appliances off set the linoleum floor. Cabinets filled almost every wall of the small space that made it look more crowded than it should have been. The kitchen opened to a larger room which seemed to be used as a living room and a dining room all at once. The whole house looked crowded, with the furniture in the living room all touching except for a small gap to walk through and the dining room was so close to the sofa, it could have been sitting on it. He stepped back into the shadows as he watched a young couple enter the kitchen. The wife was tall and slender, had strawberry blond hair formed around her face accenting her jaw-line and her deep blue eyes stopped your heart as you got lost in them. Her fair complexion was silky and complimented her soft face.

“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?