Lingering Synonyms

After Hours A Small-Town Forbidden Romance Alli never meant to fall for him. Eighteen, freshly graduated, and slinging drinks at the town’s no-frills dive bar, she was just looking for a paycheck and a way out of her quiet life. But then Johnny started showing up—twenty-five, devastatingly handsome, and haunted by more than just his late-night whiskey. Everyone knows Johnny. The town's favorite bad decision. A brooding mechanic with blue eyes that burn and a reputation tangled up with Layla, the town’s resident scandal—and someone else's wife. But when Alli catches Johnny’s gaze from across the bar, something ignites. Something forbidden. Something explosive. What starts as subtle glances and lingering stares turns into late-night texts, a kiss that ruins them both, and a fire that neither of them can put out. Just when Alli begins to believe there might be more between them, Layla drops a bomb: she’s pregnant. Now, Alli must face the truth—was she just a distraction? Or is Johnny just as trapped in his past as she fears? In a town where everyone talks and secrets are currency, love after hours might be the most dangerous thing of all.

Sia woke up from a coma after seven months, only to discover that she was the only sister of a Mafia overlord. Due to amnesia, she didn't recall all of her memories, but one thing she couldn't forget was how her father was murdered on her birthday by their enemies. This memory plagued her with nightmares every night, terrifying her. Driven by the desire for revenge, she believed that avenging her father's death might free her from the darkness that engulfed her. Thus, she embarked on a quest for vengeance. However, she was unaware that the four men she killed were not the ones responsible for her father's murder; they were merely pawns. In the underworld, everyone knew the name of the true culprit, but no one knew what he looked like, making it extremely difficult for Sia to find someone who existed only by name. One day, however, he appeared in her apartment like a ghost. He looked at her and said, "Aren't you looking for me? I'm here now, Little vermin.’ ‘Who the hell are you?’ With a sly smirk lingering on his face, he answered. ‘I’m your sweet nightmare, Little vermin. I give both sweet and lethal nightmares your experience every night.’

"You know what they say about a person like you?" He hissed in my ear, his hot breath fanning my neck when he opened his mouth to speak. His grey eyes returned back to mine filled with wrath and displeasure as they bore into mine. "Curiosity killed the cat." He says in a whisper his voice laced with the threat lingering around me in the form of his addictive scent and my feets itched to get away from him for the sake of my life, but only if I could. *** Lorenzo Ace Russo, don of Italy is the perfect definition for ruthless, merciless, cruel and what they call a monster. He holds pride in taking the life of people to his convenience. His hands are stained with the blood of hundred of people and the number of sin he has committed in his life till now would put even hell to shame. Iris Grace Emerson never knew what she was getting herself into when she followed the scream of a man and found him getting murdered by the monster. Iris couldn't keep her mouth shut when the piercing scream of her classmate hit her ear one last time. And, Lorenzo couldn't risk leaving evidence behind when the FBI is so keen on getting him behind the bars. So, there was only one option, kill the cat.. Happy Reading.

Content Warning: This story contains explicit sexual content. The relationships depicted in this narrative primarily revolve around the BDSM lifestyle. It's essential to note that the central relationship between Sean and Lisa is not characterized as domestic abuse but rather as a profoundly trusting and consensual BDSM connection. Lisa has endured a turbulent past, marked by a toxic ex-partner and lingering emotional scars that have led her to withdraw from society. In an attempt to live a life away from the judgmental eyes of others, she keeps her distance from most people, confiding in only her two close friends. However, everything changes when Lisa crosses paths with Sean. He ignites a desire within her to explore her sexual side once more. Sean becomes Lisa's guide, introducing her to the authentic dynamics of a BDSM relationship, characterized by a genuine Dom. Throughout the narrative, we delve into a myriad of highs and lows, exploring various facets of BDSM, such as the roles of a submissive (Slave or Brat) and a dominant (Dom). The story also delves into the intricacies of polyamorous relationships, showcasing the complexities and dynamics that come with them. As Lisa embarks on this transformative journey, she navigates the complexities of her newfound desires and the unique connection she shares with Sean. Their exploration of the BDSM lifestyle unfolds as they learn, grow, and face the intricacies of trust, submission, and dominance within their relationship.

“MATE!” “NO!” “I didn’t ask!” “Still No, my mate killed me long ago.” Silence… “You killed your mate?” “No!” “Aw! I got a broken doll! “ The smug bastard grinned. -- Mallory´s life didn’t go as planned, even after she believed her true fairytale had started. Betrayed, beaten, and broken beyond repair, she welcomed death when it finally came. The moon goddess granted her a new life, a choice. She chose to remember. Haunted by her past and trauma, she devoted her life to *unalive* the worse criminals, humans, and shifters. Working for the council, she managed to keep running from her nightmares. Suffocating the pain and panic attacks by escaping into subspace, guided by Mr. Bear’s firm hand. Love is not in Mallory´s world; she doesn’t want it. Don’t deserve it, and the mere thought scare her to the core. Why would two mated males have such care for her? Why would another claim her as his? She doesn’t recognize them as mates—any of them. But that doesn’t seem to scare them away. Reverse harem, BDSM, revenge, trauma, triggers! Torture, human trafficking +++ Not a beautiful romance but a dark romance with lingering trauma.

“I never meant to fall for him… especially not him.” — Mellisa Brown. Xavier Kesh has it all—England’s hockey golden boy, heir to a billionaire empire, and the face every brand wants. Fast on the ice and lethal with a smirk, he’s built a career on speed, charm, and winning. He was supposed to stay focused on the game… and loyal to his girlfriend, Katrina Brown. But everything changes when Melissa Brown—Katrina’s younger sister, fierce runway model, and rising hockey star—enters into a fake relationship with Xavier to skyrocket her modeling career. It was meant to be all for show. Just business. Just pretend. Until the cameras stopped rolling… and the chemistry became undeniable. Melissa has one goal—win the Miss England crown and prove she’s more than the second Brown sister living in Katrina’s shadow. But faking it with Xavier turns into late-night calls, lingering touches, and a connection that feels too real to ignore. And when Katrina discovers the truth? The sister who once protected Melissa becomes her worst enemy—hellbent on revenge, betrayal burning hotter than any spotlight. Now, lines blur and loyalties crack. Three hearts. One crown. And a love that was never supposed to happen. The game was fake. The feelings weren’t. And someone’s about to lose it all.

“Ruby," He whispered, his face lingering above hers. "I don't want anything else, just this, please, I promise I am not going to catch feelings, I just need comfort, please let me use you," "So you're telling me to let you use me? What if I catch feelings? Are you going to take responsibility for them?" He asked. She hadn't thought of that but she was sure he wouldn't catch feelings for her, people take time to like her, it's a miracle he did. "You won't," "How are you so sure?" "Because you are a guy, guys don't fall in love easily," ********** Liam Wellington is on a mission to investigate the illegal gambling and drug dealing on the island of Cacko, barely few days after he arrived the island, a baby gets abandoned on his doorstep, while looking for a temporary caregiver and nanny, to help look after the child till he finds her parents, he meets Ruby James a women and children doctor volunteering at the island clinic. He begs her to help him care for the child, and she agrees to help him in exchange for him lending a hand at the clinic. Together they discovered that the island is even more dangerous and mysterious than they thought. But, hey!! No one said romance can't brew in the face of danger!!!

For months, Liam has been silently captivated by Alex, his charismatic personal trainer whose fiery determination hides a soft heart. Every shared laugh, every lingering glance during their sessions at the gym feels like a spark, but Liam harbors a secret that keeps him from confessing his feelings. Liam is a werewolf. He’s spent years concealing his dual nature, keeping people at arm’s length to protect himself and those around him. But Alex is different. He's someone who stirs feelings in Liam he thought he'd buried long ago. The bond between them grows stronger with every interaction, but Liam’s fear of rejection and exposure holds him back. When Alex begins noticing strange behavior, and Liam's unexplainable strength. And then his aversion to late-night workouts during the full moon, and fleeting glimpses of something primal in his eyes that turns curiosity into confrontation. One stormy evening, Alex corners Liam with a single question that shakes him to his core: “What are you hiding from me?” Now, Liam must decide whether to reveal his secret and risk losing the one person he’s ever truly cared for or run from his feelings, forever haunted by what might have been. In this tale of love, trust, and self-acceptance, two souls must navigate the shadows of fear and the light of truth to find out if their connection can transcend the boundaries of the ordinary and the supernatural.

Sophia Hayes is thrilled when she wins a ticket for the exclusive boat cruise she's dreamed of all her life. But her excitement is dampened by a rumor from a trusted source: her millionaire ex-boyfriend, Charles, will also be attending. Determined to avoid the humiliation of facing him single, Sophia convinces her high school friend Robert, a wealthy playboy, to pose as her boyfriend. Robert agrees, eager to shed his notorious reputation and fend off gold diggers, while also seeking to placate his meddling family. On the lavish cruise, Sophia and Robert's convincing act as a couple quickly captures the attention of social media and the city's gossip columns. However, things take a turn when Robert detects Sophia's lingering feelings for Charles, and Sophia realizes Robert might never give up his playboy ways. A misunderstanding leads Robert into a one-night stand, while Sophia finds herself dancing with Charles. When Charles publicly declares his love for Sophia, she humiliates him, igniting his desire for revenge. After the cruise, Sophia and Robert must continue their fake relationship to maintain appearances. The situation becomes increasingly toxic as an anonymous threat promises to expose their charade and Robert's one-night stand results in a pregnancy scare. Forced to take a family vacation together, Sophia and Robert must navigate their fake relationship in close quarters. As they act intimately to maintain the facade, they begin to confront their true feelings for one another.

Blanche Lucille Emerson, a relentless and calculating Captain haunted by the loss of her wife, Venus, in a mysterious accident. Now driven by a thirst for vengeance, Blanche navigates a world of secrets, betrayal, and political machinations as she digs into the layers of deceit that surround her family's powerful pharmaceutical empire. Alongside her, Yama Laine, a trusted ally, and Cessair, her estranged sister, reveal their own hidden agendas. Blanche uncovers a vast conspiracy linked to General Grey and an underground organization known as the Black Spectre, which her father, Silas Grey, once controlled. The deeper she digs, the more she realizes that not only her wife’s death but also her parents' and countless others' were orchestrated to protect a dark secret connected to her family. As Blanche takes calculated risks and enlists Yama’s help, her plan teeters between survival and self-destruction. Along the way, her encounters with spies like Aracelli and the revelation of her sister Cessair’s resentment deepen the conflict. Old alliances crumble, as personal motivations clash, and long-buried truths about her family and its ties to the Black Market come to light. All the while, Blanche's mind is torn between her mission and her lingering love for Venus. With a final showdown on the horizon, the question remains: Can Blanche take down the enemy and clear her family’s name, or will the weight of the past bury her alive? Catch-22: To Die is To Live Hard is a story of revenge, loyalty, and the heavy price of uncovering the truth.