Open Season C. J. Box

“Say you love me,” he growls. “I love you,” I gasp, clutching at him. “Again. Louder.” “I love you, Cole. I love you, I love you.” My husband smirks like he’s claimed a victory. His hand grips my jaw, forcing my mouth open, kissing me so deep I can barely breathe. Then his fingers are exploring, working me open, ruthless and skilled, dragging me up fast. My body arches, desperate, already trembling. “Beg me.” His voice is harsh, guttural. “Tell me what I need to hear. Tell me you’ll never leave me. Tell me you’ll always be mine.” “I’ll never leave you,” I sob. “I’ll always love you. Always yours.” *** Then I found out that I’m nothing more than a baby incubator for him. He needs bone marrow for his son with another woman, Jade. She’s my mentor. She’s the woman who held my newborn baby and said, I’m proud of you, you’re going to be an incredible designer and mother. I swear, somehow, I will make them pay.

During spring break, my family's housekeeper's son, Ethan Shaw, steals my black card and takes the entire class on a luxury trip to Norkin. He books out an entire fireworks show to impress my girlfriend, Claire Sanders. Then, he treats everyone to first-class tickets for the cruise while basking in the spotlight. But when I discover he's using my card and confront him, he teams up with my girlfriend to twist the story. They accuse me of being jealous of him. Cornered on the deck, I'm about to pull out my phone to prove it when Ethan suddenly shoves me over the railing. I'm left hanging by one desperate hand. His voice is ice-cold. "Lucas is just picking a fight because he's after my money. I can't sleep soundly with him around." On Ethan's signal, his lackey crushes my fingers one by one until my grip fails. I fall into the open sea, ending as food for the fish. When I open my eyes, I find myself back on the day Ethan is booking the fireworks show. Watching him revel in the spotlight, I take out my phone and call the bank to cancel the card. This time, I want to see just how he plays the lavish big shot.

"You’ve faded, Anna. No other man will ever want you."After six years of marriage, my husband didn't just ask for an open arrangement—he dismantled my soul. He thought I was trapped by my mother’s medical bills and my own shattered confidence. He thought I would stay quiet while he played with other women.He was wrong.One night of rebellion leads me to Anthony Jeffery—a man more dangerous and powerful than my husband could ever imagine. I thought it was a one-time escape. I didn't know Anthony was my husband’s billionaire boss. I didn't know he was the only man who could help me reclaim the jewelry designs my husband has been stealing from me for years.Now, I’m playing a double game. By day, I’m the genius designer taking over the industry. By night, I’m the CEO’s secret obsession.Jake wanted an open marriage? Fine. But by the time I’m done, he won’t just lose his wife—he’ll lose his career, his freedom, and his crown.The game is open. And I’m playing to win.

"This year, there's only one spot available–and I fought hard to secure it for you. "If things don't work out with Baron Cole, I'll talk to him. You two have a strong relationship. Waiting a few years won't matter." As I stared at the application form my professor handed me, my hands would not stop trembling. In my previous life, I spent forty years married to Baron. We raised a son and a daughter. I thought that was what a complete, fulfilled life looked like. However, after he died, while sorting through his belongings, I found a box filled with letters and photographs. That was when I learned the truth–he had always loved someone else. She was his first love… and the biological daughter of the family that raised me. Back in 1984, he hid my study-abroad application, giving the opportunity to her instead. From that moment on, I became a housewife. And he devoted himself to helping the woman he loved rise–until she returned from overseas as a celebrated professor. Even my own son later turned their story into a drama, glorifying their restrained, enduring love. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day I first received that application form. This time, I did not hesitate. "Professor, I'm going abroad."

The marriage of Sophia and Albert is filled with constant tension. They were never compatible with each other but were forced into marriage due to an arranged marriage. Albert was known as a handsome Casanova, and Sophia was known for her arrogance. However, Sophia secretly falls in love with Albert. She also senses that Albert harbors a hidden passion and desire for her. How can Sophia encourage Albert to open up about his feelings? And will they find a way to come together amidst the chaos of their marriage?

To everyone, Maxim and Maxine are two books that seem the opposite. Maxim is an open book, and Maxine is a closed book. Even so, they have a lot in common. Always misunderstood by everyone, also lonely in the crowd. What Maxim is looking for is in Maxine. And vise versa. Yet the world seems reluctant to be kind to let the two meet each other in one sense, to have them together like Alpha and Luna out there. Will love find its way, as most people say?

His goon opened the door. He threw her on the passenger seat and closed the door. She didn't try to open it because his goons were out of the door. There were glaring at her as they'd brutally murder her right now as she earned him a hard slap from him. This is a story about a girl, who has no enemy in her entire life. Still, someone kidnapped her and made his house, her permanent prison.

Curiosity isn't a bad thing... Particularly for two powerful men locked in a silent battle they refuse to acknowledge. When they allow a human to open a mysterious business between their tattoo shop and gym, they soon realize their new tenant plans to help them explore more than just surface-level issues. They're about to learn that desire isn't something you can control... and being stuck in the middle might just be the best place to start becoming more fluid in their beliefs.

Adrian Hale and Elara Calder are forced into a merger neither wants. Bound by boardrooms and buried grudges, they clash at every turn, each convinced the other is responsible for their family’s downfall. What begins as open hostility slowly fractures under late nights, sharp words, and moments of accidental intimacy, neither can ignore. As tension deepens, hidden truths threaten everything they believe. Adrian and Elara must choose between the comfort of hatred and the risk of trusting each other.

I live alone. At eleven o'clock on a rainy night, an unexpected call came through. The voice on the other end said my car window was left open and urged me to go downstairs. Cautious as a woman should be, I didn't act rashly. Instead, I called the property security office, only to discover that even the security was fake. It hit me suddenly—I was ensnared in a vast conspiracy. Someone was orchestrating all of this. But for what purpose?