Melanin Shots

“If I say that I am not okay. Would you help me?” Ivan's peering gaze bored deep into Skylar's eyes, as his strong arms suddenly grabbed her tiny waist and pulled her close, causing her heart to skip and her eyes to widen in alarm. His deep mellifluous voice resonated in her ears, echoed in her mind, and sent tremor signals down her legs. Maybe it was the shots of champagne she had taken, or the secret desire for him that had never fed too much in her mind that took over at that moment, Skylar had no idea. However, staring at his gorgeous face which was extremely close to hers, gleaming and staring at her with intense hunger, she knew she was fucked. ‘This man was a walking temptation!’ ************ Just with one night of passion and pleasure with her boss, Skylar found herself torn between her professionalism and the dire need to act cool and pretend like nothing happened, all while being the best employee, to her cold, arrogant boss, Ivan Hamilton. She knew it was just any ordinary night, so obsessing over details could complicate things. However, things started to entangle more than she bargained for, when Ivan kept giving her reasons to confuse and question his actions. Just how would she keep the feelings she was beginning to harbor to herself, when the relationship between them had never exceeded the employer-employee contract? How would she deal with the truth that she was no longer immune to his endless charms which got her the job in the first place. And suddenly, Skylar was dropped from her pedestal of assumptions and fantasies, when reality dawned on her. Ivan Hamilton could never be the one for her. He was way out of her league. It was time to leave now.

Bilang isang bastardang anak, nagsumikap si Mia para kilalanin at tanggapin siya ng matagumpay na negosyanteng nagmamay-ari ng Blacksmith Hotels na si Vincent Ferrer, ang amang kaniyang tinitingala. Hindi siya nabigo at dumating rin ang araw na sa wakas ay kinilala siya ni Vincent bilang anak nito. Kinilala rin nito ang kaniyang talino sa larangan ng negosyo at hinirang siya bilang bagong CEO ng Blacksmith Hotels. Sa parehong araw, ay inalok siya ng kasal ng kaniyang nobyong si Oliver. All at once, she had it all. But all at once, she lost them... Nagkaroon ng malaking problema ang Blacksmith Hotels, at siya ang sinisi ng kaniyang ama. He threatened to remove her from her position, ngunit kusa siyang nagbitiw. On the same day, she discovered that Oliver and her half-sister, Natalia, were cheating on her. Pumunta siya sa isang bar para uminom ng alak at pansamantalang makalimot. Just a few shots, and she got dizzy. Isang estranghero ang umupo sa tabi niya at um-order ng whisky. She could tell that he was hot even with her eyes half-shut. As he was about to drink his whiskey, she snatched the glass from him and drank it right away. The next thing she knew, she found herself in the stranger's bed. In his arms, she went straight from a tough, independent woman to a damsel in distress. She let down her walls, and she has given him what's left of her— her virginity! Was it just a one-night stand? Or has she found her knight in shining armor?

"I'm sorry." She said clearing her throat unnecessarily in embarrassment. Oh Gosh, he was even more handsome up close and personal. Gosh, and he was bigger, could her day get any more better? He smiled and she melted, inside. On the outside, she has a blank face. Wow, his smile was breathtaking "I'm Luke" He said extending his hand out to her "Lena." She said, slipping her hand into his. Perfect fit, his hand was both soft and hard at the same time, somewhere in between. "Can I get you a drink?" "I already-" Vero kicked her thigh again and she closed her eyes for a second. "I already have a drink. But yes, I would love you to get me a drink" He smiled at her again, for some reason, admired her unmoved faze. He'd seen how her friend kicked her. "Two shots of devil spring" He said to the bartender and drew a seat for himself "By the way. This is my friend, Veronica." "Hi" He nodded "Hi." "I'm Luke" "Yeah, I know" She said with a smile, said something to Lena and left. Lena did not seem to happy about it he could tell. "So, uh... What brings you here tonight? Thank you" He referred to the bartender as he set their drinks on the table. "Uh... I guess I just wanted to get out." "No". She raised a finger up, bringing her beer to her mouth. "Don't try to ask questions. I know what you want. Okay" He smiled "And quit smiling. I've seen enough of your dentals already. Okay let's get drunk first so I'll have some courage. Lets do this"

“Rule #1: Don’t fall for the roommate. Rule #2: Seriously, don’t fall for the roommate.” *** After an incident that shattered her confidence, Phoenix wants nothing more than to disappear. So, when her twin brother makes her a crazy, bizarre but deliciously sinful offer, she slips on a uniform and takes her place as his twin ‘brother’ at Harrison Park Academy — a chance to restart and feel in control, just until she feels okay again. But HPA has its own rules—and none of them account for bathroom phobias, shared dorms, or accidentally locking eyes with your ridiculously attractive new roommate. Justice is intense, loyal, and way too perceptive for her comfort. Worst of all? He’s the one person she can’t seem to avoid… or stop thinking about. He’s just irritating enough to make her blood boil. But he’s also kind in the quietest ways, and she’s falling, fast. Now Phoenix is navigating locker room close calls, midnight showers, secret crushes, late-night parties with their sister all-girls’ school across the lake and an escalating rivalry between the athletes and the academic elite. Her lies are stacking higher than her jump shots, and with each game, the stakes get heavier. Everyone thinks she’s just another boy chasing a spot on the team. But she’s playing for more than victory. She’s playing to feel like herself again. She’s playing to forget what happened last year. And if anyone finds out who she really is, it won’t just be her cover that’s blown— it’ll be her entire world. Phoenix is one step away from getting exposed. And when you’re living a lie? One wrong move is all it takes to lose the game. How long can she keep playing it straight?

On the day of my bonding ceremony with Vincent Sawyer, the future Alpha, the moonstone ring meant for me, the future Luna, has mysteriously disappeared from the ringbox. In its place sits a can tab that has already gone black from oxidation. The guests' cheers die down immediately. They all turn to look at me after that. Amid the silence, Vincent's childhood sweetheart, Sharon Anderson, walks out from the crowd. She raises her left hand and waves, the moonstone ring perched on her ring finger. Then, she pulls out a matching ring before sliding it onto Vincent's finger. "You must be scared out of your wits, huh, Angelica? I'm actually wearing the ring right now. This can tab is no ordinary item, you know. Vincent had given it to me when we were still pups. It resembles everlasting love that will never fade away. Now, I'm giving it to you." Sharon's words strike me right in my heart. I tremble violently, feeling as if my heart is being cut into a million pieces. However, Vincent just chuckles. "Sharon always comes up with silly ideas. She's just joking around, Angelica. Don't take her actions to heart." "Oh, I won't." I toss the can tab into the bonfire, a dry chuckle escaping from my lips. "This bonding ceremony is canceled." Vincent grabs my hand before pulling me into his arms. "Stop messing around, Angelica! We found the ring, didn't we? This bonding alliance will affect the future of our packs! You're not the one calling the shots here!" I squirm out of Vincent's grasp, catching a trace of sickly sweet scent lingering around him—one that isn’t mine at all. "While it's true that the Moonlake pack is going to form a bonding alliance with the Brownstone pack, my future mate isn't necessarily you."