Quotes About Slow Progress

"They say the rich live beyond consequence. That no one bleeds behind a billion-dollar smile. They've clearly never met Rico Zane." Aria Lane didn't mean to sleep with a total stranger. Especially not the battered, bleeding man she pulled in off the sidewalk outside of an elite Manhattan nightclub. He had haunted eyes and a tempest brewing behind them. They had one night of weakness. One unforgettable mistake. And by morning, he'd vanished. Months later, she's now pregnant and swimming in secrets, Aria's life takes another sharp turn when stumbles into the father of her child again. This time, he's not bleeding in the shadows, he's standing in light and power. Rico Zane is not just anyone. He's the cold, brilliant CEO of Zane Industries. A billionaire who built a dynasty from the ruins of treachery and smashes anyone who gets in his path. And Aria? She's unfortunately the daughter of the one man who tried to ruin his family. To make matters more complicated, Rico's brother, who was presumed dead for years, returns to take the company and exact revenge on a past Aria is tied to by blood. While corporate wars rage and enemies loom in designer suits, Aria is swept up in a war of secrets, seduction, and strategy. She's both a pawn and a prize in a game of power where love is a liability… and trust a slow poison. Now forced into Rico's dangerous world for the sake of her unborn child, Aria must make a decision: does she stay with the man who sees her as both his weakness and his salvation? Or does she become the woman capable of rewriting her fate one secret at a time?

His body pressed closer to mine. I was more aware of the lack of sufficient clothing items between us. I felt my body heating up. The tension between us was so thick that it nearly choked me. Was he going to kiss me? Every part of me yearned for it. I took a bold move, placing my hand on his face again, this time moving even closer to him. Just then, something seemed to break loose within him. His eyes turned golden again, a deep contrast to the moon outside. He growled, and in the low light, I saw his teeth be replaced by fangs. I stood frozen, my eyes wide as I stared at his face transform into something almost beastly. My heart skipped a beat, and time seemed to slow down. Kierian backed away abrubtly in an attempt to hide away what I had seen. My heart didn't stop palpitating, but my curiosity had reached the roof. Despite myself, I walked up to him slowly as my lips parted. "What are you?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eva Greene is an introverted 18 year old who's only engagement is school. She has a sad and lonely childhood due to the absence of both her parents. Eva has always felt an attraction to Kieran, the brother of her best friend, and as time goes on, Eva begins to uncover certain truths that change everything for her. As a human, she is mated to the Alpha of the Crescent pack who resents her, and she is also expected to birth his child. While facing different challenges together, Eva and Kieran explore the complex ties surrounding their relationship. But when it comes down to the final stance, will they be able to finally bridge the gap between them?

“We’re friends,” I said, voice barely steady. Aaron’s lips curled, slow and cruel. “No, we’re not.” “Friendship’s too pure for this.” His hand slid to my waist, hot and claiming as he yanked me flush against him. “Do friends kiss like this?” He kissed me. Hard. Possessive. “Or grab each other like this?” A squeeze to my ass. A gasp. “Or think filthy little thoughts?” His breath burned against my ear. “Touch themselves to it?” My cheeks flamed. My body betrayed me. “Stop lying, Venus.” His voice was a growl. “I feel it. Every time I’m near you.” I whispered, “But you don’t even like me.” His smile was pure sin. “I don’t have to like you to fuck you.” Then the offer: “Let’s get it out of our system. No lies. No strings. Just truth.” He grabbed my chin, eyes lit with hunger. “Say the word, princess.” A whisper against my lips— “I’ll ruin you.” And God help me… I wanted him to. --------- Aaron Sinclair needs a bride to claim his inheritance. Venus Astor needs a miracle to save her dying mother. What begins as a cold contract marriage spirals into a dangerous game of buried trauma, stolen identities, and forbidden attachment. He’s ruthless, closed off, and refuses to love. She’s resilient, lost, and refuses to stay unloved. But when secrets unravel revealing a stolen childhood, a tragic past, and a vengeful stepmother, their fake marriage is the only thing standing between them and destruction. In a world ruled by power and silence, will love dare to speak first or break them both instead?

🔥 WARNING: SLOW BURN and RICH IN NARRATIVE 🔥 Ashley and Josh were in a political marriage. At first, Ashley went along with it because she had liked Josh since childhood. But for Josh, it was a different story. He was head over heels for his girlfriend, Sharon. Josh was always cold to her and openly prioritized Sharon over everything else. It felt like torture for Ashley, and it seemed like it was only her who was dealing with it. Even worse, when they moved to Los Angeles, Sharon was brought along. Ashley desperately wanted to get out of the hell that Josh had built for her, but she was hindered by the agreement she had made with her family. There would be fatal consequences she might face if she divorced Josh. The only option she had was to have Josh be the one to file for divorce instead. So she did everything she could to make Josh, who was usually apathetic, turn to hating her. With help from Mark, CEO of Ashley's workplace and Josh's rival company, Ashley intensifies her efforts to carry out her plans to escape Josh. But at the same time, unexpectedly, she begins to experience a series of horrors that threaten her life. Ashley suspects that Josh is the mastermind behind all of this and urges herself to be more cautious in her actions. "My husband, Josh Lim, is the only person who will benefit from my death.” Surprisingly, Josh and—especially—Sharon are not spared as the target of terror, which makes Josh and Ashley strongly suspicious of each other. Their secret investigations lead to the revelation of dark secrets between their families. _________ × The beginning focus heavily on Josh and Sharon. × Josh and Ashley’s relationship will begin intensely from Chapter 50.

*You want me to fuck you, i know you do* PRETEND YOU MINE. "I'm not your girl, Ethan." I snapped instantly. "You were during that kiss, Brynne." Eyes flickering, he read me, and then he inhaled. I was a damp mess between my legs, and I wondered if he could smell me. "You smell so good... and fucking sexy." Sweet Jesus! His thumb rubbed over my collarbone where his hand still rested on my neck. And I did absolutely nothing to stop him. I was enjoying the view too much. I'd tousled his hair from the mauling with my hands. He still looked gorgeous and probably did even when he crawled out of bed in the mornings. Bed. Was there a bed in our immediate future? It would take next to nothing on my part to get this man into bed. I didn't have to be a genius to know he wanted sex. The real question here was did I want it? "Ethan." I pushed against the wall of steel that was his body and got nowhere. "Why are you doing this? Why are you acting this way to me?" "Don't know. I can't stay away and I'm not acting. I tried to leave you alone but I can't do it." He feathered his other hand over my hair and down until it was resting on the other side of my neck. "I don't want to stay away from you." He rubbed slow erotic circles with his thumbs meeting at the middle of my throat. "You want me too, Brynne, I know you do."

“Show me euphoria tonight or let your boyfriend die!” Jacob Kyler whispers near Rosalia's ear making her disgusted and shocked. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rosalia is caught between the two biggest mafias after they both fall for her. Henry Anderson and Rosalia love each other, but a problem arises when Jacob Kyler, an underworld mafia leader, claims her as his girl. The rivalry between Henry and Jacob is long-standing, and their competition becomes more intense over her. Rosalia goes on a date with Henry, where he proposes marriage, which she gladly accepts. To ensure that Jacob cannot interfere, they arrange their marriage in a different city, beyond his reach. Everything is going smoothly until one midnight Jacob Kyler shows up in her room and proposes her a condition. To maintain everything she has to come to a term with him and accept his poisonous condition. Henry and Rosalia happily plan everything for their wedding, and finally, the big day arrives. With a sigh of relief, they proceed with the ceremony. Finally, the most anticipated day for Rosalia and Henry has arrived. Wearing her beautiful white wedding gown, she arrives at the hall, bringing joy to Henry’s heart. His heart races as he sees the love of his life standing in front of him. They finally embrace each other. With slow steps, she makes her way to him, and they stand face to face. A shy smile forms in the corner of her lips upon seeing him smile while looking at her. After reciting the vows, the pastor asks him, “Henry Anderson, do you take Rosalia Moore as your lawful wife?” “No, he doesn’t!” The guests in the hall are agitated as they hear a girl’s voice that has floated from the dead end of the hall. *******Not for Sensitive People*******

“Jim,” she moaned. “Please don’t go…” “No way, baby.” He held her face in both of his hands, his thumbs tracing the curve of her perfect lips. “I’m not going anywhere.” He spun her now, pushed her up against the wall next to the door. His arms were raised above her, his hands flat on the wall, and he lowered his head to kiss her, slow and hot. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he almost groaned to feel those hands on him. “Kat,” he said against her mouth, his voice hoarse with want. “I need you.” **** Katherine Lawrence has built her life around disappearing. No records. No roots. A packed suitcase by the door. New hair every two weeks. No past, no attachments, and no reason to stay. When she’s finally forced to spill her secrets to a group of ex–Rangers and an ex-sniper, Jim Alden is assigned one job: keep Kat alive… and keep her from running. Jim is as guarded and dangerous as she is infuriating. He wants to shake her for her distrust – and kiss her until she forgets how to flee. When Kat’s past finally claws into the light, Jim makes her a promise she doesn’t believe anyone can keep: safety, honesty, and a place to stand still. But the past never stops hunting. As old enemies close in and lives hang in the balance, Kat is ready to vanish again, alone, afraid, and free. Unless Jim can convince her that staying is worth the risk… and that this time, she won’t have to run.

Vivian is the most talented doctor in the Thorn pack. It took her three years to overcome the damage caused by her cold marriage. She once had a passionate relationship with Sylvain-Sornu--the dreaded second son of the King of Alf--but it is now a mere shadow of its former self. She was only aware that Silfen was a playboy before marriage, but after marriage, she realized how heartless he could be. She thought Sylvan loved her, only to realize it was just a self-serving joke." Since I can't mark my true mate, can't I just mark someone else to make do?" His callous words from years ago still haunt her dreams. The first meeting after three years of the Cold War, Vivian finally made up her mind, she left the totem of the wolf pack, moved out of their shared home, and proposed to Sylvain to sever their relationship. Everyone thought Sylvain didn't love Vivian, but Sylvain's reaction was unexpected. Attracted by her scent, but also confused by her indifference. Under Sylvain's cold exterior, the memories of the snow-falling kiss and the passionate full moon linger. William, Sylvan's brother, Nathan, the Alpha of Sterling pack, all the Alphas she meets are attracted to her, but the one she loves is slow to show. Is their once fiery connection truly broken beyond repair? Or has the disconnect between them been far worse than either party realized and has ruined their relationship forever? In a world where fate binds wolves together but free will tears them apart, sometimes the greatest battle isn't against rival packs, but against one's own heart.

Mina Mendoza never expected her quiet life to end with a blood-soaked stranger collapsing in her bar. Luciano is older, dangerous, and carries the kind of power she knows better than to get close to. One night of helping him turns into a war she never meant to step into, and the mafia world she avoided pulls her in with no way out. But the worst part is not Luciano. It is the man standing behind him. Frankie, Luciano’s younger brother, is Mina’s first love, the boy she lost and never honestly forgot. Now he is caught between loyalty to his brother and the feelings he buried years ago. Mina is trapped between the man who crashed into her life like a storm and the man who still owns a piece of her heart. As danger closes in, Mina must choose whom she trusts, whom she loves, and whom she is willing to risk everything for. Saving Luciano changed her world. Loving either brother might destroy it. ~SNEAK PEEK~ His voice dropped, low and possessive. “Fine. One kiss, then we wait.” I told him I didn’t care. “I want you now.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “Once we start, there is no going back.” I nodded, and something shifted in his eyes. He leaned me back on the bed, hands braced beside me. “Are you sure?” “If I weren’t sure, we wouldn’t be here.” His kiss was deep, powerful, slow, stealing my breath. I arched into him as his mouth traced my jaw and throat, heat racing through me. “I need you,” I whispered, and everything changed.

After claiming another pack, Kyler Vaughn of the Frostfang Pack was now the most powerful Alpha in the western region. But in all that glory, he seemed to have forgotten someone. Me, his destined mate, Elsa Thorne. Seven years ago, I took a poisoned strike meant for him. Because of that, I never awakened my wolf and was left a weak Omega. A year ago, he promised that once he became the strongest Alpha in the west, we would hold our bonding ceremony. Now that he had achieved it, my heart leapt as I ran to his study, full of hope. The door was slightly open, and I heard his voice. "We'll move forward with the plan tomorrow. Split into two teams, one for the Ember Pack and the other for the Shadow Pack." Another voice hesitated. "But Ms. Thorne..." "Why mention that useless Omega? She'll only slow us down. Enough of her." I froze outside the door, my excitement twisting into a bitter ache. I remembered the times he went on missions, while I could only wait in our territory for his return. So, this was how he actually saw me. A stubborn fire rose in me. I would go to the new territories and prove I wasn't useless. The next day, I disguised myself as a Warrior and stood at the rally point. When asked which team I wanted, the names Shadow Pack and Ember Pack spun in my mind. His disdainful gaze leaving me flustered, I blurted out, "The Ember Pack! I want to go to the Ember Pack!" I didn't know that my rushed choice would throw me headfirst into an unknown whirlpool...