Golden Mean

I'm a nationally certified animal trainer running the Lion King, Caesar's final assessment. I've barely stepped into the enclosure corridor when the steel guillotine door slams down behind me. My wife's laughter crackles over the loudspeaker. "Everyone, we're doing the ultimate challenge today! We're locking the so-called number-one animal trainer in the Lion King's enclosure and taking bets on whether he wets himself in ten minutes!" Caesar crouches low and rumbles a warning. I reach for my tranquilizer gun but stop cold. The liquid isn't the right color. In a phony sing-song voice, the veterinarian, Hugh Archer, says, "Lucian, I forgot to mention, I swapped your tranquilizer darts for pepper spray so you won't hurt Caesar by mistake. "You two are so close. Just win him over with love!" I look at Caesar, his eyes bloodshot from the stimulant, and it clicks. Hugh still resents that I stopped him from touching a tiger with his bare hands a few days ago. I tune out the trash blaring over the loudspeaker, pull a remote from my pocket, and hit the button. It's the master switch for the electric fence gates around every predator enclosure in the zoo. If I don't make it out, no one does.

Eliot Hale had it all: grades, charm, and an enviable future. The whole campus admired his girlfriend. His life was picturesque...Until an anonymous message snatched it all away. One party. One betrayal. One moment that saw the shattering of his glass-laden golden world. Eliot, now the joke of the university, has been stripped of any last semblance of support, in whispers mocking him, asking his name, and wondering in his moment of awe, "Who do I trust when those I loved the most were the first to destroy me?" And just as Eliot spirals into isolated boredom, a stranger people would wish they had in their lives, begins texting him. What starts off as cautious curiosity soon evolves into an intimate, heartfelt bond- the anonymous presence sees into him, all the pain he hides beneath the surface; making him feel something for the very first time in his life. But upon finding out who actually was behind the screen… everything was changed forever. The boy who ruined him might be the only one who really understands him. The one he was raised to hate might be the one to really love him. And that forbidden love? That just might be the one thing that could save them both.

Skylar Carter has spent her entire college career focused on one thing: her future. With law school applications looming, the last thing she needs is distractions, especially from cocky jocks who think the world revolves around them. But when her best friend drags her to a frat party, Skylar finds herself in the orbit of the king of them all, Liam Westbrook. Liam is the golden boy of college football, destined to be the number one pick in the NFL draft. He’s used to women falling at his feet, used to getting what he wants without trying. But when he meets Skylar, a girl who refuses to worship him, he's instantly intrigued. She’s smart, feisty, and unimpressed by his status, which only makes him want her more. What starts as a bet soon turns into something deeper, something neither of them expected. Skylar is determined to resist him, but Liam is relentless in his pursuit. As the tension between them simmers and sparks fly, their undeniable chemistry threatens to upend everything they thought they wanted. But love does not come without risks. Skylar has her future mapped out, and Liam is on the brink of superstardom. Falling for each other was never part of the plan. Can they handle the heat, or will their worlds pull them apart before they even have a chance? A sizzling enemies to lovers romance, filled with banter, electric chemistry, and two ambitious souls colliding in the most unexpected way.

**This book is the second book in the Billionaire series. It can be read as a standalone novel, but it is highly suggested that you read The Billionaire’s First Glance prior to this novel.** I, Zander Cavanaugh, the all-American football quarterback, have done something that could get me killed. I fell in love with the brilliant, curvy mafia princess Isabella Aventini at first sight. Everything about Isabella called to me: her captivating blue eyes, her soft caramel skin, every dip and curve of her voluptuous body was just the start. Isabella was smart, kind, and funny. The kind of girl you can’t help but fall in love with. I know she felt the same way as I did. We were drawn together like magnets, but that’s not how the mafia works. Isabella is a commodity to be sold or brokered for the sake of alliances and has been promised to the ruthless and cutthroat DeMarco family since birth — a fate she neither wants nor needs. Isabella’s father, Mafia Don Salvatore Aventini, has managed to keep us apart by sending Isabella away to finish high school. However, when fates aligned, Isabella not only ended up attending the same university as me, but she’s also my college-assigned tutor. I know there is no chance for us, and still I fell in love with her, knowing it could mean my death.

Note: This story contains elicit contents and it's rated 18+ When I arrived at the house of the Rumez family with my mom, I thought it would be the starting point of my life from bad to better if not best. I mean, the man that married my mom, my stepdad, is so wealthy that you just need to ask and it would be delivered to you on a 'golden' platter. I was so happy because that was all I had ever dreamt about. I began to take care of my beauty, what I have ever wanted, but little did I know that the more I shined and sparkled, the more I got the attention of two nightmares that I never knew I would ever enjoy and crave for. They are such a temptation that I can never find myself able to resist from falling into. And from then on, the moment I fell into their grasp, I became their possession, their property, and they do with me whatever they wished...

When Liana Brooks, a quiet scholarship student, steps into the elite halls of Crestwood University, she only has one goal — to graduate without drawing attention. But fate has other plans when she collides — quite literally — with Axel Knight, the campus bad boy with a reputation darker than his leather jacket. He’s arrogant, untouchable, and dangerously charming. She’s focused, stubborn, and immune to his games. Until one reckless rumor forces them into a fake relationship — a deal meant to save her scholarship and clean up his image. But what begins as a pretended connection soon unravels something real. Beneath Axel’s tattoos hides a broken past he’s desperate to forget, and beneath Liana’s calm lies a fire she never knew she had. As secrets surface and emotions ignite, both will learn that love isn’t about taming someone else — it’s about finding the courage to face the rebel within. He was her chaos. She was his calm. Together, they became something dangerously beautiful.

Arian Smith had one rule which was to keep his head down, work well as the president of the book club, and hold tight to the scholarship that gave him a second chance at life. But when he’s falsely accused of stealing funds from the school’s prestigious Book Club, the orphaned student is thrust into a scandal that threatens everything he’s worked for. Kael Palmer has everything including money, power, and a last name that opens doors. What he doesn’t have is the academic award that stands between him and his graduation. The Book Club was supposed to be his ticket out until Arian’s scandal threatened to shut it down. Desperate to graduate, Kael strikes a risky deal with Arian. “Clear Arian's name to get the best member award”. But as both boys dug deeper, they became closer to the forbidden. What will happen to them since they live in a world where love between boys is forbidden?

"You understand what it means for you to be mine, right? "He questions, and I swallow. Never breaking eye contact with him. "No... "I admit with my voice trembling. "If you become mine, "He begins, his tone dropping into a seductive growl that sends shivers down my spine. "You won't just be working for me. Your body will belong to me. I'll do whatever I want with you, whenever I want, and however I want. "He says, and as my back hits the wall my stomach drops. "You're not... planning to sell my organs, are you?" I ask, the words spilling out before I can stop them. "No, David, " "I mean, I'll fuck you whenever, wherever, and however I want. You'll be mine. My personal... plaything. Of course, you'll be taken care of. Shelter, food, Vanessa's bills... Everything. However, your main job will be warming my bed. "He says, and my eyes widen in horror. ***** His job was… ‘simple’. To rob him, and run as far as his resources could take him. He didn't plan to get caught. And even if that was a probability, he never expected to be spared. He never expected Salvatore to spare his life and keep him alive as a boy toy. He also didn't expect his straight self to fall for a man. Especially not one as rough, dangerous, and deadly as Salvatore. Are the feelings reciprocated? Or is David just a toy to Salvatore? This is the question that plagues David as he falls deeper and faster for this dangerous, Italian hot cake. Realizing he would do anything for the unpredictable man he had grown to love. When their dangerous world closes in, David must decide. Will he run, or will he risk everything for the man who could break his heart?

We're all broken, all beautifully Imperfect. They say these would be the best days of our lives but does that mean it could be the worst too? For a typical Nigerian teenager, secondary school days, especially the senior years are supposed to be the best, endless fun, happy memories, hangouts, friendship and even first loves but for Kunmi, a girl who suffers extreme low self esteem due to bodyshaming, she just wants to remain unseen for the rest of her secondary school days. A friendship with the queen bee of her school leads her to other group of teenagers, especially Adam, the pretty boy with the golden smile and for the first time, she felt she could truly belong somewhere but then, all is not the what it seems with the group of teenagers as some of them have even bigger demons and secrets, secrets that'd mar them forever. Follow these teenagers on their journey to self love, self discovery admist secondary school drama, set ups, make ups and well, brain bursting twists.

First love, is always unforgettable to us in different ways... Only a few lucky one will get the chance to cherish it together lifelong... This is the story of Daisy Donovan. An heiress to a multi-billion business. As her parents stood against her love, Daisy ran away from her home to get married to her boyfriend, Victor Steele, Vicky. But, Vicky didn't show up on that day... Feeling betrayed and ashamed to go back home, Daisy stood there helplessly. But, fate brings a different direction for her, as she offered to become the contracted wife of a mysterious man, Benjamin Harrison. What will happen in Daisy's journey?? After the heartbreak will she be able to find the courage to fall in love again?? What will happen when the stubborn CEO Benjamin starts to have feelings for her?? And when Vicky comes back to her life at the worst time, what will happen?? Let's enjoy the story of Daisy, filled with love, betrayal and lots of emotions...!!