Playing Dumb Synonym

Braving a downpour, I delivered a lavish food order, anticipating the hefty commission and a $100 tip. Laughter suddenly echoed from the villa. Someone started, "He really believes your car crash left you paralyzed? He's hustling deliveries to support you and even pawned his dad's heirloom?" Another said, "What if he discovers you're actually a billionaire heiress, just playing poor? He'd probably break down in tears." Jessica Stark toyed with her wine glass. "Guys like him are wired to serve, especially since he always outshone Mark in our school days. This is his comeuppance." I stood in the relentless rain, a bitter chuckle escaping my lips. Turned out, her two-year charade of paralysis was merely to avenge her childhood sweetheart. Her broken legs, deceased parents, and helpless tears were all meticulously crafted lies. Disillusioned, I dialed my estranged tycoon mother. "You win. I'll go through with the arranged marriage."

I grew up in a glass tower—protected by badges, blinded by lies. My father, the Commissioner, built walls around me so high I never saw the darkness creeping through the cracks. Not until one reckless night led me into the Inferno Club… and straight into the arms of Chicago’s most dangerous men. Three kings rule the shadows. Each more lethal than the last. Each is determined to claim me. Jaxon shatters me and puts me back together with his hands and his hunger. Maddox weaves riddles and seduction until I forget my own name. Ronan strips away every mask I wear and demands surrender I never knew I could give. They think I’m just another spoiled rich girl playing with fire. But I’ve been burning since the day my mother died—and now I’m ready to show them exactly how dangerous a caged viper can be. In Chicago’s underworld, love is a weapon. And I’m learning to wield it like a queen.

Noah left me at the altar three times—for his precious Freya. First time? She threatened to jump off a building. Second? Said she was moving abroad. Third? Sent a text saying she was getting forced into some arranged marriage. Noah, usually Mr. Cool, freaked. Left a packed venue and turned me into a total joke. Again. I called him. "If you don't come back today, I'm marrying someone else." He laughed. "Freya's young. You're too old to be playing games, aren't you?" I clutched my phone, heart sinking. He knew Freya was bluffing. Still picked her. That's when I finally gave up. Later, after he'd calmed her down, he came looking for me. "Pick a new wedding date," he said, like it was no big deal. "It'll be even grander this time." A guy's voice cut through, smiling. "Sorry, man. Gotta get my wife on the plane."

Lia lives a quiet life in a small two-bedroom home on the outskirts of a major city. Between playing piano at a piano gallery, waitressing at a high-end restaurant, and her never ending love for books, she never thought there would be anything more to life. She was content. At least she thought so. It wasn't until she went out with her best friend and had a hot encounter with a large and sexy stranger. One moment they are flirting in a booth, the next she's rushing out of an expensive hotel room after waking up naked beside the handsome stranger. After living through her first one-night stand, she decided to leave it at that. But what she wasn't expecting was to be hunted down by the most dangerous man in the country. Turns out, the man from her one-night stand held more mystery than she thought. Now she must determine whether to find some way to be comfortable with his lifestyle and embrace the kind of love she only seen in her romance novels or to stick with her morals and let this relationship go. That is, if he lets her...

I'd been engaged to Ivan since we were kids. When he went off to the military, I stayed behind—ten years of caring for his paralyzed mom, putting my whole life on pause. By the time he came back, I was at the age where most women were settling down. And he showed up with someone else. Ivan laid it out, stone cold: "Nadia's my comrade's widow. If you want to marry me, you'll have to accept her too. Most of my pay goes to her. I promised I'd take care of her. She gets first pick of everything in the house. Don't like it? Then forget about getting married." I looked past him. Nadia stood there, tears dripping down her cheeks, playing the poor little victim. Right then, I ended it. No drama. No regrets. Signed up for the Rural Teaching Support Program the same day. Left love behind. Threw everything I had into teaching.

Lena Carter never imagined her first job in the city would lead her into the arms of a man like Alexander Knight — the ruthless, dangerously charming billionaire who owns half the skyline. She’s the definition of a good girl — polite, hardworking, and too innocent for the world she’s just stepped into. But from the moment their eyes meet, the air between them ignites. Alexander is used to control, but something about Lena makes him want to break his own rules. He offers her success, luxury, and protection — but the cost is her heart. What begins as a professional bond soon turns into a secret affair that neither can resist. Lena knows she’s playing with fire. Alexander has secrets, enemies, and a past that could destroy them both. Yet every touch pulls her deeper into a world she swore she’d never enter. In a city built on power and lies, will their forbidden desire burn everything down — or will it teach them what love truly means? A story of passion, danger, and temptation — where love is the riskiest game of all.

"The Prince I Love to Hate is an absolute must read! This romcom will have you rooting for Niamh and Olivier right from their hilarious first meeting. - Harlequin Junkie Blog top pick This prince? He’s anything but charming. I’ve never been the girl who’s dreamt of a prince rescuing me from a fire-breathing dragon before whisking me away to his castle. So when I fly all the way to Ireland to find my long-lost dad, I have no intention of playing the damsel in distress to some dude. But the night I encounter—and accidentally wallop upside the head—Prince Olivier of Salasia, my plans are completely upended. This prince is the opposite of charming, though. After thirty seconds in his presence, I want to feed him to a dragon. But fate is a fickle b*tch. Before I know it, I agree to team up with Olivier in the search for my dad. As I travel across Europe with this actual honest-to-god prince, I wonder, what’s the worst that could happen? It’s not like I’ll be stupid enough to fall in love with Prince Charming."

They say that the Goddess is pure, an angel, a mother. She only knows love. But there are good and bad sides. Even to the gods. Being born into the packs engaged in hatred, Alaric and Viviana's fate was arranged long before they were born. “I reject you.” Viviana blurts the moment she witnesses Alaric standing ahead of her. But with time, their mate-bond take charge making it impossible to resist each other. Despite of the fierce rejection, Alaric still adores Viviana with all his might. But what about Viviana? Why did she reject him? Why does she have problem trusting the Goddess? Is it her past, her Wolf, the curse on her mate bond, or something else? With Viviana and Alaric pushing their fate, will Viviana be able to convince the Goddess or does the latter seeks a brutal bloodshed! A journey like none with the Goddess playing an angel and devil, how would Viviana thrive through without letting her mate burn to ashes! Book #1 of 'Rejected' Series. Cover credits: Image is taken from Internet and Cover designed by Author (Pooja Bansal) Instagram Handle- Pooja.bansal.92560

He wasn’t supposed to be more than her driver. Just a man in a black car. Quiet. Controlled. Off-limits. But when Seraphina caught Cassian in a moment, high and vulnerable, one he thought no one would ever see, his secret… everything changed. Desire turned dangerous. Obsession turned mutual. And soon, every ride home felt like a slow, deliberate sin. What Seraphina doesn’t know is that Cassian isn’t who he says he is. Beneath the tailored suit and cool detachment hides a billionaire built on vengeance, a man who came to destroy her family for what they did to his. He meant to use her. To ruin her. But somewhere between the lies and the touch of her lips, he forgot which role he was playing, the driver, the lover, or the executioner. Now the secret that binds them could destroy them both. Because the deeper she falls for him, the closer she comes to uncovering the truth he’ll do anything to keep buried. And when love becomes the weapon, no one gets out clean.

I had spent my life fighting to survive. By day, I was a struggling writer barely keeping it together. By night, I sold myself to pay off debts I never asked for. I had sworn I’d never let a man own me… until Damien Cross. He was ruthless, icy, and used to getting whatever—or whoever—he wanted. But I wasn’t like the others. I resisted him, challenged him, and yet, I couldn’t deny the fire he ignited in me. When he offered me a fortune to become his exclusive companion, I knew I was playing with fire—but the temptation was impossible to resist. Desire turned into obsession, possession became dangerous, and secrets threatened to destroy everything. I was caught between loyalty, survival, and a hunger that refused to be ignored. And Damien… he wanted it all. I shouldn’t have wanted him. I shouldn’t have let him see me. But I couldn’t stop myself. [NOTE: COLLECTION OF STEAMY STORIES AHEAD!]