Reluctance Synonym

“Rule No. 1 – sex is off the table” He looked at me, a certain darkness clouding his eyes that only brewed lust and desire “Don't worry doll, I'm not going to touch you, not unless you beg me to” Five years ago, Helena De Luca is divorced by her husband, Dante D'angelo, when his high school sweetheart returned and claimed his heart. Now, Helena’s back, not for rekindled romance but for survival. Her family's empire is under siege, and the only way to protect it is to strike a dangerous deal with the man she once called her own. Dante agrees to help—but there's only one way: a fake marriage. Helena's reluctance turns to desperation when the rival gangs close in, forcing her to accept. She sets one rule—no falling in love. The stakes are high and complications arise in the form of Dante's manipulative cousin Matteo, who's determined to tear them apart to have Helena for himself no matter what it takes. To make matters worse, Dante’s first love is back, determined to destroy Helena's life and claim Dante for herself. Their worlds entangle, a dark sinful attraction festering between Dante and Helena and getting caught in a dirty game of lust, dark desires tainted with betrayal and manipulation. Would Helena be able to withstand the demands of falling for a man as dangerous or would she give in to the pressures of those who want them apart?

A recent nursing graduate named Gia Blythe McKenna is being transported by her grandfather to an island where her mother established a medical mission. She doesn't have any issues with assisting people because it's her line of work, but the one thing she wants to avoid is being in the same location as her mother. Even though she must obey her devoted grandfather and remain on that island, she does not anticipate it to be a place where she can find respect, adoration, pleasure, contentment, love, and most importantly, satisfaction. She has always yearned to experience the fulfillment she misses when her family disintegrates. She discovered love there, despite her initial reluctance to stay, and now she views the island as a tropical haven thanks to him. She was broken when she realized that the love story she was experiencing with the man she believed to be the right one for her had turned out to be a toy narrative since love can't be expressed without suffering. Years had passed since she had left the island when she unintentionally took the wrong turn and ran across the man once more. Even though a lot has changed, she still feels anguish, and because of this, she planned to exact retribution. She'll bring that man down. She'll entice him to love her once more. But is she capable of doing that? Is it possible for her to cause him to fall without also falling again? Can she win over the billionaire Bryce Phoenix Huxley?

" Where do you think you are going?!" A chilly and domineering voice rang out across the room, enough to make the atmosphere heavy. Ava froze as she was about to twist the door knob. "Shit!" She cursed under her breath and slowly turned to face the monster coming for her. " Have you forgotten what I told you?!" Lorenzo yanked her towards him and lifted her chin, allowing her dazzling dreamy eyes that were full of fears to bore into him. " You are trapped, Ava," he whispered slowly, as he gave her a killer look made to destroy hearts. ~ Known as the richest man in the city and one of the people who could dominate the country, Lorenzo was unmatched. A mafia boss....he was, and he ruled the underworld smoothly. All the people in the underworld knew just how cruel and cold he was. A word from him was enough to crumble them into nothing! Just how domineering?! Ava, on the other hand, was a feisty and rash young lady who had a very good charm. She was an actress and known to have a clean background, but all that turned upside down one day. Now, her buried secret was revealed, and if exposed to the outside world, it could ruin her. Threatened with it, she was forcefully given a mission that was almost impossible to accomplish. But she knew that was her only choice.....even though there was a great reluctance in her heart. Lorenzo, who had a hidden Identity, was the main target. A mafia boss and an actress with hidden goals..... But a game only needs a winner and a loser. Will all his sweet tortures to her finally turn into something addicting? Can it capture them and entangle them into something lovely?

Willow's life has been a nightmare for the past five years since her mother married Stevon King, the most ruthless and powerful mafia boss. She has suffered in silence from the abuse inflicted by him. The pain that she has had to go through alone has made her fear life and everything that comes with it. The thought of another human touching her makes her sick to her stomach. But on her first day back at school, everything changes when Braxton Young, a rival up-and-coming mafia boss, notices her and is captivated by her beauty. As Willow tries to hide her pain and push Brax away, he is determined to uncover the truth about what she is going through and protect her. Despite her fears and reluctance to let anyone in for fear that they will lead to the same fate her father did, Willow finds herself falling for Brax as he breaks down her walls. As Brax falls further and further in love with Willow, he starts to learn more about himself, questioning whether he wants to take over his family business or live a normal, safe life with Willow. he knows that his family and friends will disown him if he does. with so many things standing in the way of them ever being able to be together, will they find a way? Willow's cruel stepfather, who will stop at nothing to keep her under his control. Will Willow finally find the courage to break free from the chains of her past and embrace a future filled with love and hope?

After being banished from her pack by her father for exceeding the age of release her wolf. Reyna was in a state of dilemma. Not knowing what to do next, Reyna was ambushed by some rogue werewolves who wanted to harm her. Just when she thought all hope was lost, she was saved by a man who was more dangerous than those wolves who wanted to harm her. They later asked her to follow him to his pack but after seeing her reluctance to follow him, he introduced himself to her as Jake and he told her his pack was safer for her. When she got to his pack she found out he had a younger brother who was more likely than him and His name was John. As time went by, Reyna and John developed feelings for each other. Meanwhile Jake decided to keep his feelings for Reyna to himself since he never wanted to hurt his brother. But one unfortunate day, John was kidnapped by the Alpha of the Rogue pack causing Jake and Reyna to come together to save him. Which lets them spend more time together. The time Reyna and Jake spent together made Reyna see Jake in a different light. Causing her to start having feelings for Jake. What will Reyna do when she finds out that the love she has for Jake is more than an obsession? Will Jake and Reyna be able to save John for the Rogue? What will Reyna do when she finds out Jake has feelings for her too? What will John do when he finds out Reyna and Jake love each other? Who will Reyna choose to be with between the Alpha Brothers?

Alpha wolf pack Darius Ranlone has been at war for control of New York City with Zander Udimov's vampire clan for many years. Tired of fighting and seeking the best for his pack and his family, Darius offers a peace pact to Zander, who accepts under the condition that Darius gives him a newborn child of his to raise as his own and thus fulfill an unusual longed for wish for a vampire: that of being a father, since he cannot be one naturally. After thinking about it and despite the reluctance of his wife Amira, Darius accepts and gives him his next newborn child, achieving the long-awaited peace. A peace that would last a few years, since one night, Darius's first-born, a twenty-five-year-old wolf named Daniel, suffers an attack by a vampire when he was spending a quiet weekend with his girlfriend in a cabin in the forest; the vampire takes his girlfriend hostage and in the fight manages to bite him, managing to survive thanks to the investigations and experiments of his uncle Christopher and unleashing an incredible transformation in the young man, who full of rage and pain unleashes a ruthless hunt to recover his girlfriend and eliminate the vampire who attacked him, despite the advice of his father Darius. Since Daniel's girlfriend is missing, the New York police intervene by assigning their two best detectives, a veteran lieutenant named Roy Rodiak and an incisive young sergeant named Norma Pine, who may be very close to discovering the secret of the Ranlone family. In addition, and without realizing it, the young Daniel and the beautiful detective could be developing something more than a simple curiosity for each other. What will happen when Daniel manages to reach the vampire, one of Zander Udimov's favorites?

Hugh McConaughey had always been in love with his girlfriend, but when he caught her cheating on him with his favorite student, he was devastated. The emotional turmoil he experienced was so intense that he contracted a strange disease, leaving him feeling more isolated and alone than ever before. In an effort to find peace and heal from his emotional trauma, Hugh decided to transfer to Santander, a tranquil town where he could start anew. He live in the house of her late grandparents near the university where he would be teaching and tried to forget about the past. But the peace he had hoped to find was not meant to be. One day, while arranging his things inside the house, a young lady entered and immediately caught his attention. She was beautiful, with long, flowing hair and piercing topaz brown eyes. But there was something about her that gave him a headache, both literally and figuratively. Despite his initial reluctance, Hugh found himself drawn to her. They began to spend more time together. He discovered that her name was June Skye and that she had a crush on their neighbour named Anton. As they spent time together, Hugh realized that he had developed feelings for June. But he was afraid to get hurt again after what had happened with his ex-girlfriend. One day, while having on a date in yatch overlooking the ocean, Hugh finally confessed his feelings to Skye. Her advised resonated with Hugh, and he knew that she was right. Hugh learned to let go of his past and move forward with a new love in his life. And his relationship with Skye showed him that love can heal and mend even the most broken of hearts.

Natalie is ecstatic to be mated to her childhood crush but after two years in a loveless union, her love morphs into hatred. Two years of being bound to a man who neither loves nor cherishes her is enough for her to make up her mind. She is done. She prepares for her divorce, expecting Kian to happily let her go but his reaction is unexpected. Kian Zephyr is more than just an Alpha – he is a force to be reckoned with, a man ruthless on and off the battlefield. A man who is wealthy and powerful, Kian has the world at his feet. When his grandfather forces him to take the starry-eyed girl who has chased after him from childhood as his mate, he does so with reluctance but when said girl decides she no longer wants him, hell breaks loose. When Kian wants something, he takes it and when he claims someone, they stay his. And he has claimed Natalie. To Kian, Natalie is a constant, a person who will be by his side until death but Natalie is done with him. She spent years believing she meant nothing to him but the moment she decides to leave, she realizes Kian would never let her go without a fight. Yet, she is not one to lose. Natalie is determined to escape Kian and with her mind set, even a man like Kian has trouble holding on to her. Desperate and filled with regret, Kian would do anything to win back his mate but the harder he tries, the harder she pushes him away. With blades aimed at their necks and enemies disguised as friends, will Kian’s love reach Natalie or is he destined to lose her forever?

He slowly leaned down and bit my lip, "I own you."My eyes watered as I closed them before shaking my head, "No! You don't."He chuckled and gripped my elbow firmly, " Wanna bet mate mine? I assure you, I am ready to go for all or nothing" His tone was sinister like he knew something like he's sure I am going to lose.I wrenched my hand out of his grip and turned my back on him, " Leave me alone Aaron." I felt his comforting warmth on my back when he clutched my lower abdomen in his grip, " Never! You know that."Hearing his claim a tear escaped my eye, I wanted to turn and hug him, I wanted to forget everything but I couldn't, " You betrayed me, you finished this. Now don't try to claim something you abandoned."He chuckled and turned me forcefully, we were face to face with our fronts pressing together. Before I could turn my face, He gripped my jaw forcefully, " I didn't end anything but if you are so hell-bent on pushing me then go on, try it and see the destruction your stupid stubborn causes because Cynthia I am not going away."" Stop this! Why are you doing this? I saw you, Aaron. I am done." He shook his head and I opened my mouth to protest again but he swallows my words with his lips, his kiss eats my reluctance, I don't even notice when my hands found his neck and I was pulling him down. As soon as I responded he pulled away, " Say you are mine!"I shook my head, " I am scared. I can't do this anymore."My mate who was once my everything just growled, " You don't get to decide baby, not anymore."