Glass Sneakers

By a twist of fate, my husband, Morgan Lancaster, and I perish together in a sea of flames. When I open my eyes again, I find myself back on the very day we received our marriage certificate. In my previous life, we appeared to be a loving couple in the eyes of others, yet Morgan refused to share a bedroom with me the entire time we were married. It was only moments before our deaths that I discovered I was merely a substitute for his first love and that he had chosen to remain chaste for her for life. After getting another chance at life, neither of us mentions the past. Instead, by mutual understanding, we file for divorce that same day. From that point on, we go our separate ways. Eight years later, Morgan shows up arm in arm with his childhood sweetheart, Freya Springer, at a business summit. He is now a prominent and celebrated rising star in the business world. Seeing me dressed in a plain outfit, he approaches with a glass of champagne. His tone drips with mockery as he asks, "Ms. Smith, even if you still have feelings for me, there's no need to dress like a waitress just to get close to me. You aren't hoping for a reconciliation, are you?" I say nothing and simply smile as I wave at someone in the distance. My son, Theo Coltrane, toddles over and tugs at the hem of my shirt. "Mommy, Daddy says that he's tired from waiting so long. When are you coming home with us?" The smile on Morgan's face freezes instantly, and he nearly loses his grip on the glass in his hand.

And here I was, seated on the balcony, staring at the rain pitter and patter against the glass coverage walls with my bodyguard seated there, a book in hand. I don't know his problem. I know from his attitude that he wasn't happy to “babysit” a twenty year old, but he could have just ended his contract. He never paid me a single attention and was always reading, but strangely, he was always alert. I was the abomination he must never look at. And it made my blood boil. But not for long, though. Because every time I set eyes on him, I melt. It is forbidden, but who cares? I want him, but does he want me?

Wrenley moves to Waindale, the place where her mother grew up and where her grandmother still lives. Between the pine trees and above the wet ground, she soon realizes that Waindale is anything but the perfect place she remembers it as. Dark things stalk the woods. Dark things are pulling her in. "I turn on the lamp that's sat on top of my dresser. The pink lampshade makes my room glow with a feminine warmth, and it shines through the glass of my window; a signal so he can find his way home. It's dark out there, so bone-chillingly dark that I nearly fear for him before realizing that he is the greatest danger in those woods."

Landon Slater had a notorious reputation as a ruthless, evil man with an intense hatred for humanity. His unrelenting cruelty propelled him to the status of the most feared - unrivaled by any other in the city. His very existence proved that not everyone was born with a pure heart. But, even the devil had a weakness. And Landon found his in the most unexpected place. As their worlds collide, Landon becomes drawn to Victoria much like a moth to a flame. However, with every passing moment he begins to gradp the inevitable truth that she will discover - One that could make her hate him forever. All he could hope was that she remained blissfully unaware of the of his noteriety. Will their bond withstand the truth? Or will it shatter like fragile glass?

Kaynon is in search of his mate. He's been all over the country, defending his lone-wolf status. Wanting to find his one and only to start his own pack after a vampire colony wiped out his village. Only when he finds her, he is too late.  Cilyna gave up shifting long ago when her parents were killed and she grew up in an orphanage in the human world. Though against her wolf's judgment, she married the Romeo of her childhood. When her wolf awakens to her other half, Cilyna's heart is torn.  Will true love truly conquer all? Or will life shatter like glass?

Sienna Stone is known to the world as the Stone Princess. Her father is the CEO of the globally renowned tech conglomerate "Stone Enterprises". However, Sienna's life isn't as simple as one would think. She was born prematurely which led to a debilitating lung condition that has made her family extra protective of her. Fed up with everyone treating her like she's made of glass, she begs her twin brothers to train her to fight. Unable to convince her brothers to fight her fully, she picks a fight with the formidable Reaper. Sienna soon learns the hard way that all of our decisions come with a price. The question is, is she willing to pay? Or will she find herself defeated?

My husband, Zachary Larson, and I are holding a welcome dinner for my sister, Julia Scott. When someone asks what Julia's greatest regret is, she raises her glass and looks at Zachary dreamily. "It's probably the time I wasn't brave enough to keep his child." Everyone starts to whisper amongst themselves. I tighten my grip on the pregnancy check-up report I'm about to reveal to them. My stomach twists with the emotions swirling in my head. Julia suddenly returns to her senses and chuckles. "I was just kidding. We were only friends with benefits, so don't take it to heart, Queenie. He married you, so you're the one he loves."

"I will be your mistress, Adrian. Just let my family live." Adrian lifted his glass of wine. A faint smile curved his lips. "I thought they would send me the adopted daughter," he said, "I didn't expect you." "Everyone said your brother spoiled you like a princess. Turns out that was just a joke." The tip of the pen paused, stabbing a small blot of ink onto the paper. I signed my name, calm to the point of silence. The contract would take effect in three days. Then, I would cut all ties with the Willis name. I traded myself for the survival of the Willis family and my own permanent release.

“You’ve been a very bad girl, Ley…” He whispered, his eyes dark with hunger, closing the distance between them until her back hit the cool glass wall. Her breath caught, but she didn’t flinch. “You’re arrogant…” “You’re wet.” He wrapped his hand around her waist and leans in… She should walk away, he was her father’s best friend, arrogant, wickedly charming, and knows exactly how to ruin her resolve, but his fingers traced her wrist, slow, possessive, and she knew she would let him ruin her again. He was supposed to be off-limits… but forbidden taste the sweetest.

Jackson steps in front of me, his strong hands cupping my face as he brings his forehead to mine. “I want to replace it. I want to take all your nightmares and turn them into something beautiful, the way you’ve done for me. I just need you to trust me. You think you can do that?” I was only looking at how he gently held me with his huge hands. Considering his bulk frame, I was like a fragile glass he was holding. I don't know why but my heart did skip a beat, but I had to swallow it up and pretend that I didn't feel it.