Legs Spread

I wake up to find the entire room shrouded in thick smoke and flames. I grab my phone and call my boyfriend, a fire captain I've been dating for five years. The phone rings seven whole times before he finally picks up. His sharp, irate voice comes through before I can get a word out. "Bella! How many times have I told you not to make false fire reports out of jealousy! You're a Warrior. Don't you feel ashamed of yourself for constantly picking fights with an Omega like Laura?" Suddenly, I hear Laura Knapp's sweet, pitiful voice on the line. "Thank you, Daniel. I'm safe because of you." As the flames spread, I have no option but to dial the emergency hotline. But the dispatcher tells me, "Sorry, ma'am, but all firefighters in your area are currently tied up. The earliest we can send help is in 30 minutes. Please hold on." I hang up with a bitter smile and see the news of a fire captain rescuing an injured pregnant woman. The flames close in around me, and just before death takes me, I send Daniel Ingram one last text. "Farewell. I wish you a happy life together."

I was feeding my seven-year-old daughter, Lucy Langer, when Robert Langer crashed through the front door, reeking of alcohol. His shirt collar hung askew, and red marks blazed across his neck. "Audrey," he said hoarsely, "someone spiked my drink at the charity gala. But don't worry. I've already had my lawyer handle it." I nodded. After so many years of marriage, I knew he only had eyes for me and our daughter. He never strayed. Or so I believed… until eight months later. While Robert was away on a business trip, his cruise ship caught fire. The news dominated every channel. Clutching a sobbing Lucy, I rushed to the hospital, only to find him swathed in bandages, standing outside the maternity ward. "Becca is pregnant," he murmured. "It was that night at the gala… I didn't think it would happen from just once…" He gulped. "When the fire spread, she saved me. But she… got trapped herself." A newborn's wail pierced the corridor as the delivery room doors opened. Becca White was wheeled out, looking pale and exhausted. She clutched my sleeve and pleaded desperately, "Audrey… my babies can't grow up without a father…"

My roommate branded herself as an influencer against beauty standards, vowing to free girls from appearance anxiety. Strangely, whenever she stayed up late partying and broke out in pimples, they would appear on my face instead. When she fooled around and caught an infection, the rashes spread across my body. The more radiant she became, the more monstrous I looked. People recoiled from me. Friends cut me off. My own boyfriend, before a crowd, told me I should just die. Then my roommate got pregnant, yet it was my stomach that swelled like I was eight months along, scarred with terrifying stretch marks. She, meanwhile, looked more flawless than ever, appearing barefaced on camera to encourage girls not to fear their looks. I knew something was not right. When I tried to dig for answers, my roommate and boyfriend trapped me in a basement. They tortured me until I died. Only then did I learn the truth. He owned a cursed amulet that shifted all her pain onto me. The moment I opened my eyes, I was back on our first day of college together. This time, the game is mine. I'll make sure they pay.

After ten years together, my boyfriend bailed me and marked my sister—Rose Howell. Right after, Jack Sterling—Silvernorth's youngest professor—blasted our engagement on the academy site. We were bonded seven years. He acted like the perfect mate—quiet, loyal, like I was his whole world. Then I caught him talking to a colleague. "Rose is the most promising healer in Silvernorth now. How long are you gonna keep faking it with that she-wolf?" "For Rose to have peace, I'll keep Wyettta around. She won't dare mess with their bond." Seven years, trashed like a strategy memo. His journal? All her name. [May Rose shine.] [Let Rose be the happiest she-wolf alive.] [I'd stay mated to someone I don't love if it makes her smile.] Seven years, and I woke up in a nightmare. On our mark anniversary, I took the gondola. Sun rising. Drop, endless. Blocked the mind link. Drank the potion. Severed our mate bond. Jumped. Soon as word spread, Jack led Silvernorth's top warriors into the cliffs, launching the most brutal search the region's ever seen—trying to recover his "lost mate." He howled my name into the mountains like regret could bring me back.

*Book 2 of The Fashion CEO novels* Stephanie Greene one of the few female CEOs in the city and a force to be reckoned with. The men in the industry try to bring her down with every chance they get, but she keeps showing them how she got her nickname of the "Baddest Bitch in Fashion." She has the support of her family behind her, along with her best friend Isaac, who has slowly been trying to win her heart for the last 24 years. When her company hits a financial crisis, she partners with Dominic Knight - the arrogant CEO of a menswear company, for a collaboration. They butt heads every step of the way, and he challenges her patience almost to the brink. She wonders if the partnership is worth the anguish, and tries to put him in his place, only to end up in his bed, much to Isaac's dismay. Trying to ignore following the footsteps of her father and prevent rumors of her sex life to spread, she tells Dominic to forget the whole thing and to keep things between them strictly professional, until two months later when she discovers that she's pregnant. What's going to happen in this love triangle? Will Dominic step up and take responsibility? And even if he does, will Stephanie, the fierce, independent businesswoman, let him in?

The unknown Internet celebrity Kristen Healey became popular overnight. There were many anti-fans and rumors about her. "I heard that she has a backer who was powerful and wealthy. She seduced five young masters of the Oliver Family and did not even spare the master of the Oliver Family. She is such a whore." The Oliver family denied the rumors, "Sorry, She is our beloved Miss!" Everyone was shocked! "She"s so beautiful. I guess she"s just an empty vase, without any acting skills." Kristen said nothing and then she won the award for Best Actress to prove herself. However, the anti-fans still didn"t give up. "What"s so great about Her? Isn"t it because she shamelessly pestered Mr. Wharton every day?" That night, a reporter took photos of the distinguished president of the TNK Group taking a necklace worth 100 million dollars. He said humbly to the beautiful woman in the garage, "Kristen, come home with me." "I"m sorry, Mr. Wharton, but my fans are all saying that I"m pestering you. Please stay away from me." TNK Group official immediately announced, "Everyone, I am pursuing Miss Kristen. Please don"t spread rumors, or it will be more difficult to pursue Kristen."

Before the dark, obsessive, hideous, and disabled Alpha of the Wolf Pack chose his wife, rumors spread that he favored Cat Clan beastwomen above all others. My fiance feared that my family's maid would be selected, so he spent days and nights making passionate love to her in my bed behind my back. Only after the maid conceived his beast egg did he finally feel at ease. On the day my fiance and I were supposed to form our bond, the maid stroked her slightly rounded belly and flaunted it before me. "Ms. Sinclair's bed certainly served its purpose. Nate and I only needed three months to conceive a beast egg." After speaking, she deliberately covered her mouth with a triumphant smile. "Oh, I forgot to mention—Nate is actually the exiled heir of the Eagle Clan! "For old times' sake, he said he'd graciously allow you to join the Fairfaxes as my maid to care for me during my pregnancy." I let out a cold laugh. She was destined for disappointment. If she would not marry the Alpha of the Wolf Pack, then I would. I could never be her maid, because I would only ever be the Wolf Pack's Luna.

“I prefer to be in the arms of other men who would treat me right than be with you anymore” she breathed out. “How dare you” he yelled at her face while she stood her ground to him. “What are you...” Before she could finish her sentence, he pinned her to the wall and kissed her fiercely. He wrapped her legs around his waist leaving her back pinned to the wall as he deepened the kiss. He pulled away from the kiss slowly kissing her neck in turn as his hand slid into her panties. His fingers fondled with her wet folds giving her shimmers of pleasure she had never felt. *** Elaine, a beautiful young lady who had everything just found out that she had cancer and had about a year to live. Shattered by the news, she hid it from her family that maltreated her only for them to realize the truth and cuss her out breaking her heart.In a bid to enjoy her life to the fullest, she had a one night stand with a man but to her greatest surprise, it turned out to be her husband.

" Make love to me, Ryan. F*ck me till my legs give way. “ When Amelia said this, she knew she was willing to risk everything… her father’s trust and happiness. **** " Damnit, Amelia! He’s my friend! “ Her father snarled. " And he’s my lover! “ She yelled right back. Bryan shook his head, " No, child. Ryan is too dangerous for you. “ " And old, “ he added in a whisper. " I’m not a child anymore, daddy. I’m 21 “ Amelia answered. " Who knows nothing! End it with him or I’ll disown you! “ He was shouting now. She stomped her feet on the ground like the child her father had called her, " I’m going to be with him, Dad! Get used to it. “ " He’s being called a monster for a reason. Don’t you know why? “ " Stupid reason. He doesn’t deserve it. “ she retorted and added, " And isn’t he supposed to be your friend? “ Bryan shook his head, " You come first, Mel. I’m going to protect you from him. “ " At all cost. “

Adrienne prides herself for being smart, prim and proper. She doesn’t go against the rules of society and refuse to even take a shot of Tequila. In other words: Conservative. Boring. For just one night, she let lose. She left her eyeglasses, flat shoes, long skirt and knitted sweater behind. In high heels and a dress that accented her long legs and curves, she went to a club by herself and decided to find out what it was like to have a good time. Her night couldn’t even be more perfect when Justin Adams, the city’s most sought after bachelor, a.k.a. most notorious playboy fell prey to the charms she didn’t even know she possessed. Justin was every girl’s dream boat, but he never committed to a woman. He didn't date and didn't do relationships. But what was supposed to be just a one night stand with the City's most wanted playboy became a full-blown secret affair. Soon, she will find out that she's been living her life with all the right intentions... but for all the wrong reasons.