Lip Drawing

He pulled back, his hands on either side of her face. “Look at me, sugar.” She opened her eyes. “I’m not a gentle man, Reena, but I can be. I’ll be gentle with you, I promise.” He ran the tip of his finger along her full lower lip, over the tiny scar that Simon’s violence had left there. “I’m not like – like him. I’d never hurt you. Not ever.” “I know.” “Let me take you to my bed and show you, babe. Let me love you.” **** Reena Mackay has been taken advantage of one time too many. This latest betrayal leaves her broke, betrayed, and possibly homeless. So when she’s offered a chance to split rent with Mitch Corrigan – a pro fighter desperate to escape a roach-infested hotel – she takes it. Survival leaves little room for caution. Mitch is dangerous by trade and forged by a brutal past. He expects to want women who look fearless. Instead, he’s blindsided by his attraction to Reena: soft-spoken, blue-eyed, and far stronger than she appears. He wants to protect her. Claim her. Keep her safe from a world that keeps hurting her. But Mitch knows fairy tales aren’t real... and women like Reena don’t choose men like him. He’s wrong. Reena understands violence better than he ever will, and her faith in people is hard-won courage. When a so-called Prince Charming shatters her trust, Mitch is the one who stands between her and the dark. The question is whether she’ll risk her heart one more time... and whether Mitch can be her forever, or at least her now.

He stole her first kiss on their first encounter, and she accused him of being perverted and arrogant. Her straightforward personality hooked his interest despite the danger ahead. He announced a surrogacy competition to draw her towards him. She left no option but to join the competition only to find out he’s the same person she gave a great lesson he’d never forget. Trapped to the trick played by this ruthless billionaire, she played along with his game and became his wife. His dark secrets gradually unfold, destroying and drowning them into the deep abyss. He suddenly disappeared from her life, but another stranger came in. She could feel his warmth, and they kissed. Warm tears began to roll down from her eyes, soaking the white cloth over them. When he felt her heat tears, he panicked instantly. He did not know why, but he did not want to see her cry. “Darling, don’t cry...” He let go of her, his fingers gently touching her hair. “I won’t touch you, I won’t touch you anymore, okay?” She cried more violently, and she said in a choked voice, “Don’t talk!” “... Why?” He was a bit stunned. Gently biting her lip, she could not help saying, “When, when you talk, you sound like him very much...” He’s so gentle and dotes on her. When he spoke, she even felt that it was not another person, but her husband Joshua stood next to her. Even the way he kissed her was so similar... It was not until this moment that Hazel realized how much she missed Joshua. She was not afraid of waiting. Even if she had to wait for a long time, she would cherish it.

Ivy had everything one could wish for-money, rich and caring parents, going to the school of her dreams and even a luxurious lifestyle with a company of her own. Her life was perfect but that was to outsiders, only her knew what a complete mess her life was, nightmares hunting her since she was five, workaholic parents who she rarely saw and a school full of scheming b***hes. Her life was a mess until a ball hit her head… hard. Transferred to another world into a person with the same face as hers, she must discover her purpose in this magical place and everyone seems to have a secret of their own especially her twin brother Ivan. ******************************************************************. 'I kissed him’ ivory said in realization. She looked at his groaning figure. ‘But why is he in so much pain’ ivory asked. ‘he's not supposed to exist in the first place, so he's being punished for disrupting the rule and order of the world, this happens on his birthday every year… in order for him not to feel pain, he must have his soulmate with him on that day, he and his soulmate would must either have a little physical intimate contact or they must mate for the pain to stop’ Anita explained gently. Ivory sighed she stared at him in the eyes then suddenly kissed him. Even though he was tied by a rope, he managed to dominate her. Her body was on fire, their tongues intertwined endlessly. Alfred was not in pain anymore but one look and any one could tell he was not his normal self. The rope snapped drawing ivory out of her reverie.

Suddenly, there were sparks in the air as memories came back. My heart froze as I stared at him. The moment I dreaded most had come to life. “No. This couldn’t be happening,” I told myself. It was him. “My lady, this is the man who brought Asher home,” the maid announced beside me. “The Alpha of the Silver Fang pack, Kael Riverstone.” ***** In a single, shattering day, Aurelia’s world collapses when her husband, the Lycan king, parades a pregnant woman into their home—none other than Liora, the cruel tormentor from Aurelia’s past pack. The betrayal cuts deeper as Aurelia uncovers Kael’s heartless truth: his love was a lie, a scheme to exploit her rare primordial wolf blood. Framed for treason and cast out, Aurelia vows vengeance and returns to her old pack, rising from outcast to the fierce Alpha of Red Moon. Five years later, with her son Asher and her fiercely devoted beta Rune at her side, she’s forged a new life—Rune stepping in as the father figure Asher adores. But as undeniable sparks flare between Aurelia and Rune, threatening to ignite a passion she’s afraid to embrace, her past storms back. Kael, now wracked with regret, grovels for forgiveness, desperate to reclaim what he threw away. With Liora’s schemes lurking, Asher’s wild powers drawing danger, and a hidden bond with Rune unraveling, Aurelia must navigate a treacherous path of love, revenge, and primal strength. Will she seize her hard-won power and heart, or will the ghosts of betrayal pull her back into chaos?

Katherine De’Cheney had a life she felt was perfect. She had a job she loved working at the New York Museum as a Conservator. She was engaged to the love of her life. One day she comes home early to find him tangled in their bed sheets with his paralegal. Shattered and broken, she crumbles in hopelessness. In her grieving state she passes out. Opening her eyes she feels transported into another realm. Standing in front of her is her grandmother’s house which stands in front of a looming property that she dare not go near. The “LeFleur” mansion. A place that haunts her dreams. Something continues to call her spirit like a piece of her is locked inside waiting to reclaim her. Suddenly from behind, a Shadow of a man, shrouded in night. He reaches for her hand beckoning her to come. She jerks back and tries to run. “You cannot continue resisting me my dove” he says in silky voice with an old German accent. “Come home to me”. She feels her body relishing in his voice, his touch, and a hidden desire about him she does not know. The more she tries to pull away, the more she feels a pull towards him. Something kept nagging her. ‘What was drawing her back there?’ ‘Who was the sinister looking man she saw in the window as a child before the wolves came from nowhere to attack her. She shuddered, trying not to remember. What darkness was connected to that decaying old house? Why did she feel like something is calling her to return?

“You're more exciting than I expected” Alex whispered behind me, his voice sending hot shivers down my spine and I gulped down on my saliva. “W - W - What do you want from me” I stammered while asking him the question, he laughed out before turning me to face him. “I want you, all of you. You will be my new toy” He said, staring deep into my eyes and I could feel my heart beating fast. He did something that I could never forget in my lifetime, something that would make me the target of every girl present in the school. He took a few steps away from me before drawing the attention of everyone present in the cafeteria. “Announcement everyone, starting from today, Katherine is my girl. No one is allowed to go near her or harm her, if you have a problem with that come face me” with that he walked out of the cafeteria left me alone to face the glaring eyes of the ladies. Katherine Thrones is a good girl, has good grades, and is amazing at everything she does, living her life as quietly as possible until one day, she bumps into the shoulder of Alexander Walter, the bad boy, the player, and the troubles maker of the school. The captain of the football team. What happens when Alexander decided to focus his attention on the quiet geek girl Katherine and make her his play toy. Will Katherine fall victim to his trap or will the table be turned around?

Skylar McLair’s world falls apart when her father is caught in a scandal that leaves him bankrupt and in a coma. Just when she needs him most, her boyfriend Ethan turns cold and proposes to a wealthy heiress- claiming Skylar is no longer worthy to be his wife. Instead, he offers her something cruel: become his mistress, and he’ll save her family's status and reputation. After all, he is the heir to the powerful Buckman Corporation. But fate steps in… wearing Cole Buckman’s name. Cole, Ethan’s distant and mysterious stepbrother- and the true heir to the Buckman empire, comes into Skylar’s life through a contract marriage she never expected. To the world, he’s ruthless and unreadable. But to Skylar, he becomes something else entirely. Every time she stumbles, he’s right there- steady hands catching her before she falls. And whenever trouble finds her, he shows up without fail, like he’s been watching over her all along. She begins to think he’s simply a good man caught in the middle of a family war. What she doesn’t see… is that Cole has been drawing her in from the very beginning. Step by step. And by the time Skylar realizes she’s fallen into his trap- one built not of lies, but of desire and something else…her heart may already be his. As for Ethan? Let’s just say… he never saw it coming.

As Jimmy investigates an abandoned car, he finds a journal that sheds light on a mystery from twenty years before. As he explores his memories he discovers the truth behind the city and the supernaturals who run it. ~~~ Inside of each of us is the darkness wanting out. But what if that darkness is the ending and the beginning of us all? The full moon hung like a ghost in the night sky as Yada overlooked the lights of the city below from her tenth-floor apartment. She studied the diamond twilight for over an hour before turning away--No longer able to stomach the sight. It had been nearly a month since she had been home, having stayed in the coven’s inner chambers since the city fell under siege to a rival house a little over three weeks ago. Over the years, the city had seen many battles for control of the streets. To date, the two bloodiest battles took place within the last fifteen years. The Badens orchestrated both attacks. Led by Darius, the Badens seemed hell-bent on ruling the city with little regard for the Michelsons. The Michelsons governed the streets for nearly two hundred years and were a formidable force. Led by Gabriel, the Michelsons protected the city, and it survived unscathed. The streets were free from the blood deals, which went unnoticed by the public eye, normally. However, this last battle proved more difficult to keep quiet. It had been an all-out war for control, drawing innocent people into the blood feud as the Badens raided the streets for warriors to fortify their numbers. The Michelsons retaliated through unusual ventures to keep the war silent.

The Rossi mafia family followed an ancestral rule. Before marriage, the heir received one chance each year to draw lots. Drawing a fortunate lot meant he could choose his own spouse and avoid an arranged marriage. Dante Rossi drew an unfortunate lot for five consecutive years, and I, who had been dating him for seven years, never managed to marry him. This year marked the sixth year. I overheard his conversation with Marco Valentino, the Underboss. "Mr. Rossi, you drew a fortunate lot again." Dante's voice carried an unprecedented coldness. "Same as always, switch it to an unfortunate lot." Marco hesitated, then tried to persuade him. "Mr. Rossi, you've switched it for five years straight. Aren't you worried Celia will leave? Celia's the most beautiful woman in Nopales. Half the men in the city are chasing her." Dante said with absolute certainty, "She won't. Celia loves me too much. She won't marry anyone else. "Years ago, Livia's father died saving me. His dying wish was for me to stay by her side for five years. After this year ends, I'll give Celia a grand wedding as compensation." My last shred of hope died after I heard those words. Dante probably did not know that the Rossi family had one final ancestral rule. If the heir failed to draw a fortunate lot six times, he would lose the right to choose his own marriage. Moreover, I would soon be marrying someone else.

Anne left the States for Ireland to avenge for her father's mistreatment. She was aware that the powerful Alpha Leo could not be brought down easily and decided to seduce him because having him killed. Alpha Leo is a cold hearted alpha who had taken after his father but when he met his mate, he loosened up and started to appreciate people more. ..........................................•••................................... I wrapped my hands around his neck, pressing my body against his as his mouth claimed mine hungrily. The passionate way he kissed me made me breathless and I chuckled for I knew he was hungry for me. His mouth left mine and began to trail softly against my skin, leaving me wet and hot everywhere his tongue touched. He was driving me crazy and I liked that. I interlaced my fingers in his hair and I bent my head to receive the kiss in full force. "Leo." I moaned softly, when his tongue caressed my sensitive spot. "Say my name louder babe." He commanded and I chuckled. He bit my lower lip when he did not get a response and I immediately cried his name out. "Good. Keep shouting my name, it tells me you are feeling as good as I am." He said gruffly, his mouth still puckering on my lower lip. He moved it up and down in a yoyo manner, and I instinctively moved my right palm to his chest. I felt it hairy underneath my palm and I tugged on it gently. I suddenly felt him shaking and I couldn't help but smile at the fact that the powerful alpha could shake for a lady. I moved from him, trying to catch my breath and then I realized that I was the person shivering.