Pretty Rocks

When my colleagues find out that I'm pretty good at cooking, they start organizing dinners at my place. Lucy Holt, one of the junior accountants, suggests that we split the groceries evenly between us. As a result, I don't think I can reject their request without being rude. On my last day of work, the group gathers at my place for one last meal. "You're such a good cook, Jess! We'll all be transferring you 500 dollars later. It's just a token of our appreciation," Lucy declares with a bright smile. But the very next day, she sends me a message. "Hey, Jess. You know it's illegal to operate an unlicensed catering business from your home, right? Your house will get sealed off for further investigation. More importantly, the value of goods has passed the threshold of 10,000 dollars, which means the fine you'll have to pay is probably going to be about 20 times that amount. "Since we worked together, we decided not to report you to the authorities. We'll just settle this matter privately. All you have to do is give us the fine you would've had to pay instead." This is how I realized that, combined with yesterday's meal, the total amount they've given me for groceries thus far is exactly 10,001 dollars.

When Seth Gibson told me his legs were crippled and that only snowmelt from a mountain's peak could cure him, I did not hesitate. I scaled the mountainside, climbing over 15,000 feet just to get some snow for him. When I staggered back, bruised and scratched, cradling the snow outside the hospital room, I overheard cruel voices down the corridor. "Seth, today's the deadline. Nevaeh still isn't back. Could she have died up there?" "I heard that the mountain's pretty high. She might have gotten altitude sickness. What a shame! She's already risked herself for Seth ninety-nine times. This was supposed to be the last time before the game ended." "Serves her right! She used to bully Janice, Seth's childhood friend, didn't she?" I saw Seth through the crack in the door. He was standing at the window, his legs perfectly intact, and his expression ice-cold. "Enough," he said flatly. "If she dies, the game ends." I froze in disbelief until it finally sank in. Seth had been pretending all along. A laugh nearly escaped me. What a relief! I could finally get rid of this weight on my shoulders. I pulled out my phone and called his uncle. "I'll marry you," I said.

The night before our wedding, Edward Fowler's friends gather for a celebration. A full set of sex toys lies in the gift box from his tomboy bestie, Winnie Spencer. I freeze, and Winnie shouts boisterously, "Don't you dare go easy on him, Sarah. That pup might look like someone who's abstaining, but he's actually pretty wild in the sheets. "During the start of the year, he only used three of these, yet he landed me straight in the hospital with injuries that took me half a month to heal!" She then hooks an arm around Edward's neck. "Let me give you a piece of advice as your buddy—you need to learn how to be gentle once you're married. "Sarah looks so delicate, so you'd better not pull the same stunt as last time. I was just recovering, yet you dragged me into it for two whole days. I almost died in bed!" My face darkens. Winnie covers her mouth in exaggerated shock. "It's just us buddies messing around. You're not mad, are you, Sarah?" Everyone is anticipating for me to snap. But instead, I let out a soft chuckle before replying, "Why would I be? I should be thanking you for being a free tutor instead. After all, someone who's in your line of work would charge at least three hundred dollars per night just for the same lesson."

Zeil was raised in a complicated family. His dad left her mother for his mistress, then his mother committed suicide because of the depression. Zeil left alone until his father came back and took him to his new family. And then he meet Amanda, a famous, innocent, and pretty girl in their school who soon become his younger stepsister. But as a years passed by, Zeil's heart was filled with anger and eager for revenge. He can't accept the fact that their family was so happy and joyful that his family could never have, so he distance himself and enrolls in the Southern Island University. Southern Island University is a prestigious school only for students from a wealthy families and to those who have a large amount of money. A private University on a private island in the middle of the ocean. 10% of the graduating students population was left to the island to provide special class for those who failed in their major subjects. They thought that it was a boring summer class. But it became a nightmare that took the lives of everyone. Amanda Ceistria was one of the survivors of the tragedy. She thought that after the nightmare happened at SIU, she would forget everything and start all over again. But not until her stepbrother came back, using someone else's face and identity, to exact revenge on her and make life a living hell. As a time passed by, not only Zeil's heart become filled with rage and vengeance, but also with obsession and.... Love?

Camilla George is a young singer at a local bar, who has everything going for her at her pace, but her life took a huge turn when she bumped into her doppelganger in a mall one day, but only if that was all. She was proposed to marry her fiance. How could she marry the fiance of a girl, who looked just like her? How was she supposed to cope? Did you think she was going to agree to the setup? EXCERPT: “Why are you messing around with me? Your job is just look pretty, and be my wife!” the cold man rumbled while glaring at Camilla, and a heavy sigh escaped her lips. “And that is what I have been doing, Mr. Sanders!” she rattled, but the man hissed, not believing it. “No, you have been doing more. You had been seducing me, and snugging into my mind!” he accused. “Was that a bad thing? So did you mean I should go away?” Camilla asked, meeting the man's fiery gaze, and she sucked in air when the man's hot palm touched her back. “No, even if you do, I am going to find you with my last breath, because you need to take responsibility for me,” he says. “So what happened to the no falling in love rule,” Camilla asked with a solemn look. “Trash it!” he says, crashing his lips on hers.

Rodrigo was lost for words, staring at her naked body, the only piece of cloth on her body, was the nude-colored lace G-string covering her pretty pussy. Rodrigo ran his hands through his hair, biting his lower lip, staring at the gorgeous woman standing in front of him. He was pulled by his thoughts by Reyna’s sweet, melodious voice. “Rod, I meant what I said. I want you to make love to me. You've been my first in everything, my first kiss…”, she slowly touched her lips, “my first orgasm…”, she ran her finger along her panties. “I want you to be my first… I want to lose my virginity to you, tonight…” she trailed off, she lowered her head feeling shy and unsure. Reyna Vasquez comes back to America after five years of being overseas. She comes back wanting a fresh start. Hoping to put behind her the nightmares of the last few years. Those years she wants to erase from her memory. She lost everything five years ago including the love of her life Rodrigo Rayes. Find out what happens when Reyna is forced to work for Rodrigo. Will the nightmares about her life overseas come to light? Will the secret of who she really is be exposed? Find out if Reyna manages to find her Prince Charming, if there is a happy ending waiting for her at the end of the story....

“She was never his weakness—she was his only shield.” When Aria Chen divorced billionaire Leon Hart, New York’s elite sneered, betting she’d crawl back within days. She never did. Three years later, the world is rocked when Dr. Aria Vale, CEO of a revolutionary cybersecurity empire, steps into the spotlight. The mysterious genius who built a billion-dollar company from nothing is none other than Leon’s discarded wife, the woman everyone thought was just a pretty ornament. But Aria was never the naive socialite she pretended to be. She was an undercover operative, protecting Leon from enemies while he betrayed her. The wife, mocked as “weak” was actually his hidden shield, sacrificing her career and her heart to keep him alive. Now, every powerful man wants the queen Leon threw away a renowned scientist seeking partnership, a financial titan proposing an empire, and an actor offering devotion. Each sees the brilliance Leon ignored. Then Leon discovers the truth: Aria’s sacrifices, her secret double life, and the daughter she’s been raising without him. For the first time, the man who once took her for granted must fight for her love. But can he compete with men who valued her from the beginning? A story of love, betrayal, and power where the king must kneel before the queen who never needed saving.

Six years ago, Adeline lost everything…her mate, her clan, and the life growing inside her. The fire took her home. The betrayal took her heart. Now, under a false name, she lives quietly as a doctor in the human world, hiding her wolf and her past behind calm hands and a steady smile. Until the day fate decides to test her silence. In the middle of the palace square, a little girl tugged at her sleeve. Her small hands were cold, her eyes too pale for someone so young. “I don’t feel good,” she whispered. Adeline knelt and gave her a piece of candy from her satchel. “Eat it slowly, sweetheart. It’ll make the hurting stop.” The girl smiled, soft and trusting…and Adeline never imagined that moment would change everything. Because the child she comforted that day wasn’t just anyone. She was the Alpha King’s daughter. When their eyes meet again, time stops. The bond they thought dead stirs back to life. The little girl clings to Adeline’s coat and calls her “Pretty Aunt.” And Vincent, the Alpha King who buried her six years ago, can only stare at the woman fate refused to erase. Two boys who look like him. One daughter who smells like her. A secret that can’t stay hidden forever. Because love may break, wolves may fall…but the bond between mates and blood always finds its way home.

I'm a wedding dress designer, and one day before the finals of the Bridal Queen Tournament, explicit photos of me are posted all over the internet. Countless people accuse me of defiling the concept of love. They say I don't deserve to make wedding dresses, and in the end, I'm disqualified from the tournament. The photos can only come from one person—my boyfriend, Felix Evans. On the verge of a breakdown, I seek him out for answers. But right before I walk through the door, I hear him having a conversation with his twin, Leon Evans. "As expected, the netizens sank their teeth into Dahlia the moment the photos were posted online. I'm guessing that she's going to be blacklisted by the entire fashion industry too. There's no way she can compete against Sylvia for the title of Bridal Queen anymore." "Does this mean I can't pretend to be you and sleep with her anymore? Truth be told, she's pretty good in bed. She's pure, but she's also seductive." "You should take advantage of the situation and sleep with her as much as you want then. Once Sylvia wins the title of Bridal Queen, I'm going to cut ties with Dahlia completely and officially pursue Sylvia." Listening to their casual conversation, I feel like a sharp blade is being ruthlessly stabbed into my heart. I don't know how I got home. After sitting in a daze the entire night, I call a studio overseas and tell them, "I'll be joining you in three days."

LILA KING is somewhat notorious in her old wolfpack - as a child she led a rebel crew of delinquents who caused havoc in the reserve and fought vampires. She was one of the best fighters in the pack, but following her best friend's death at 18 she left the pack to live with humans. For her 25th birthday, she finally returns, but only to introduce her werewolf family to a human fiance. What no one expects, though, is that at the party her family throws...she will encounter her destined mate. He is no other than DARIUS CARTER - the new alpha of the biggest wolf-pack in the region, holding a bad rep for killing the former alpha to assume his righteous position. But there is much more to him than just a pretty face and a fabulous six-pack... Can Lila fight destiny? Does she even want to? And why are those vampires starting to appear again with her return? ---EXCERPT: I hear people saying my name through the muffled sounds of my heartbeat banging in my ears. Then suddenly everyone in the room disappears and there are no voices. The only sound is that of his footsteps and the only scent is the most beautiful, sensual, masculine smell I have ever felt. Darius approaches me slowly at two feet away but doesn't stop. As everything seems slow-motioned, I try to step back to avoid a collision, but my feet won't listen. Instead, I take a step forward and we meet at only an inch apart. He looks at me so intensely, so passionately, that I feel devoured. Then he speaks. "Hello, mate.