Sending Gardenias

On our seventh wedding anniversary, I was straddling my Mafia husband, Lucian, kissing him deeply. My fingers fumbled in the pocket of my expensive silk dress, searching for the pregnancy test I'd hidden there. I wanted to save the news of my unexpected pregnancy for the end of the evening. Lucian's right-hand man, Marco, asked with a suggestive smile in Italian: "Don, your new little canary, Sophia. How does she taste?" Lucian's mocking laughter vibrated through my chest, sending a chill down my spine. He replied, also in Italian: "Like an unripe peach. Fresh and tender." His hand was still caressing my waist, but his gaze was distant. "Just keep this between us. If my Donna finds out, I'm a dead man." His men chuckled knowingly, raising their glasses and swearing their silence. The warmth in my blood turned to ice, inch by inch. The one thing they didn’t know was that my grandmother was from Sicily, so I understood every word. I forced myself to remain calm, keeping the perfect smile of a Donna fixed in place, but the hand holding my champagne flute trembled. Instead of making a scene, I opened my phone, found the invitation I had received a few days ago for a private international medical research project, and tapped "Accept." In three days, I would disappear from Lucian's world completely.

Ethan Blake and Julian Cross are Hollywood’s favorite rivals—two A-list actors whose off-screen feud is as legendary as their on-screen performances. For years, the media has played up their animosity, feeding into the narrative of two stars who can’t stand each other. And Ethan is fine with that. Julian is arrogant, reckless, and far too good at getting under his skin. But when they are cast as romantic leads in a high-profile LGBTQ+ blockbuster, everything changes. Forced into close proximity, the lines between performance and reality begin to blur. Heated arguments behind the scenes turn into charged moments neither of them can ignore. A single off-script kiss during filming shatters their carefully constructed walls, sending both their careers—and emotions—into uncharted territory. The media explodes with speculation. Rumors spread like wildfire, and their public feud only adds fuel to the fire. A PR crisis forces them into damage control, but every interview, every staged moment, only makes it harder to deny the truth simmering beneath the surface. As industry backlash looms and personal stakes grow higher, Ethan finds himself at a crossroads. He has spent years playing it safe, hiding behind his carefully curated image. But Julian refuses to be another script he follows. He wants something real. In an industry built on illusion, can two men who were never meant to fall for each other survive the spotlight’s harsh glare? Or will fear and fame tear them apart before they even have a chance? Enemies on screen. Lovers behind the scenes. But can they survive the ultimate Hollywood scandal?

He's sugar. She's spice. Together, they will never work. She has done the impossible. Working for the country's most difficult boss for seven years. Rosaline Carter's work life is fueled by her love for spicy food, a fat paycheck, and dreams of sending her brother to Harvard. She's sworn off love completely. Until that fateful monday morning. "I need a fiancée, Miss Carter. And I need one who at least knows my favourite brand of coffee." A contract marriage to her boss, the impossible and difficult Alaric Sylvester? Rosaline never even saw him as a man to begin with. But for five billion dollars? She would propose to Mr Ice king and plan the wedding alone. Alaric Sylvester hates his assistant. With her sensible shoes, horn rimmed glasses, and perfectly polite way of speaking, she never fails to get on his nerves. She's the last person he wants for a wife, or even a romantic figure. Yet she's the best option. No one knows his schedule by heart, or his love for sweets. It's just three years. And he'll never see her again. With his inheritance on the line, the board of directors hounding him for being too antisocial, and rumours starting to stir...he will do anything to save his reputation. Including marrying his cold hearted assistant. And with her hatred for sweets, he's sure he'll never like her. It's only a marriage agreement. The terms were simple. But simple doesn't always equal easy. And the human heart is a traitorous beast.

"Strip." Alpha Callister's voice cut through the room like a blade, sending a shiver down Eileen’s spine. She wished he hadn't returned from his meeting... wished he would leave her in peace. But peace was never meant for her. He used her for his amusement, a prisoner in his grasp, and she didn’t know if she’d ever escape. "I won't say it again. Strip," he commanded again, his voice filled with venom. "Isn't this what you wanted? You drugged me so I’d sleep with you, hoping to change your miserable status. Now you're the Luna of this pack, and all you can do is kneel and worship the ground I walk on." "I…" The words stuck in her throat. She wanted to tell him she never drugged him. But he would never believe her. "Your father tried to steal my birthright and we killed him along with your mother," Callister sneered. "And you? You made sure I took you so you'd be important again." Hatred burned deep in Eileen’s chest. She would make the Haemont family pay for what they did to her parents. Stripping her of her identity wasn’t enough. Now, as his wife and his Luna, Callister stripped away her dignity every night. But she endured. Because one day, she would be strong enough. One day, she would avenge her parents' death.

A dark and gloomy villa stood in the middle of the barren landscape, hidden from sight by a perched hedge. It was phenomenal and spectacular, but it makes it appear to have succumbed to a sullen and ominous atmosphere, both inside and out. A lanky hedge and gnarled shrubs give off the impression that the house has indeed been overlooked. The rainstorm seeping from the sewer pipes made the place appear miserable and dispirited. Needless to say, the house appeared razed to the ground and devoid of life. The house was made of rune stone that had been smeared darker in spots by downpours, sending it an insidious demeanor even during the day. The window frames were all padlocked and bricked up in steel frames and woods, as if what was inside would have been too grotesque to see, trying to give the impression that someone must have attempted to prevent something horrible from escaping. People have claimed that the residence was plagued by the witch who died there, but there has been no tangible evidence to substantiate their claims. It was even widely speculated that the villa was venomous and mowed down the leaves of trees that come into direct contact with its concrete pillars. People also construed a terrifying presumption that whoever tries to enter the house will never make it out alive because there is something inside that you would never dare to see with your very own eyes. Whatever was real or not, it was unmistakably foreshadowing, exponentially cold and savage at a hundredth of a thousand glances. A breathtaking doll sat competently on a rocking chair inside the house. Waiting complacently for someone brave and heroic enough to unravel the abominable and ghoulish mystery and paradox behind her enchanting, spine-chilling smile.

HIGHLY RATED(18+) Author's warnings: THIS BOOK MAY CONTAIN HIGHLY SEXUAL CONTENT, ABUSE, ILLEGAL ACTIONS AND DEATH. IF YOU CANT WITHSTAND ANY OF THIS MENTIONED ABOVE, KINDLY PASS BECAUSE IT'S NOT FOR SOFT-HEARTED. ------------------------------ "I own this hotel, so don't ask. But I did enjoy your moan last night, and you will be rewarded for putting up with my brother that night." Leonardo stated, placing one hand on the wall and leaning down to her eye level. "What do you want from me?" Isabella's voice quivered with fear as she inquired. "Isn't it obvious Isabella?" he asked before continuing. "Your pussy plumpkin," he stated confidently. "What more can I request, if not for those wet, silky partings right between your thighs?" He smirked, sending a chill down her spine. He leans close to her face, just an inch away. “Can you be able to give that to me, plumpkin?" He asked cockily, staring at her with hunger, as if he yearned for her intensely. Of course, his whole body system was burning for her, but despite his overwhelming desire, he restrained himself, maintaining boundaries cause he wouldn’t want to forcefully take advantage of her. He aimed to make her crave him and beg to have him, and once he had her beneath him, with his cock thrusting deep into her sweet, tiny little hole, he would make sure to dominate her completely, breaking her and leaving her shattered at his will.

Cassie Cruz is a twenty-two-year-old who has never met her parents and was raised by her grandfather. Cassie's grandfather passes away and she moves in with her best friend, McKenzie in South Carolina. There, McKenzie gets Cassie a job working with her in Myrtle Beach, cleaning Mansions for the wealthy. The two of them end up cleaning a mansion together, and in a twist, the owner, Devin Deacon accuses McKenzie of stealing a flash drive. After Devin realizes he only misplaced it, he steps outside by the pool and meets Cassie. Cassie falls into the pool, beginning to drown and Devin saves her. Once again Devin proceeds to save her as she's leaving from an intruder who tries stealing her purse, finally convincing Cassie to go on a date. That date turning into another that makes the two of them feel something strong for each other. As days go by Cassie cleans another mansion owned by John Myles. John is obsessed with Cassie, even going as far as trying to force her to leave with him, but Devin once again comes to Cassie's rescue. Cassie falls ill, sending her to the hospital where Devin stays with her, even taking care of her after she returns home. They find out John poisoned Cassie, forcing Devin, Cassie, and McKenzie to go find John in The Cayman Islands, leaving Cassie in for an even bigger surprise. Money is nothing when love is involved. Will Cassie and Devin become soulmates? Or will their million-dollar kiss only turn into a wild seduction between the two of them?

Three years ago, Swelina Lott, the mate of Holden Grant, my older brother, had read my diary out loud in front of everyone at the ceremony. Holden, who was also the Alpha of the Silvermoon pack, was enraged after hearing the contents. He personally locked me up in the juvenile wolf prison afterward. After all, my diary was filled with entries proclaiming my love and adoration for him. What Holden doesn't know is that the wardens used all sorts of violent punishments on me in order to correct my behavior. As a result, I lost my wolf there. Today is the day I regain my freedom. Holden and Swelina are already waiting for me at the prison gate. The latter even has a sweet smile plastered on her face. "You're finally released, Anria. Holden and I miss you terribly." Meanwhile, Holden just looks at my skeletal frame while saying icily, "Swelina is already pregnant with my pup. That makes her the future Luna of the Silvermoon pack. I hope that you can make peace with her. "If I hear anything about you fantasizing about me again, I don't mind sending you back to this very prison." Upon hearing his threat, I sink down to my knees instantly. My body starts trembling uncontrollably at the same time. Already, I can feel warm liquid seeping through my pants. I won't do that anymore, Holden. Right now, the only thing I want to do is to stay far, far away from you. The further, the better.

"Callum, why don't you spend more time with me?" As Callum Kilbourne's Beta, Lena Morrison keeps using sending documents to him as an excuse to badger him. Her voice is sickly sweet to the point I feel like puking. Thanks to my sharp sixth sense as a werewolf, I know immediately that Lena has feelings for Callum the first time she follows him into this house. At first, I thought even if this mate bond started from a mistake, at least my daughter, Mia Kilbourne's presence would serve as an anchor for both Callum and me. We'd at least make an effort to keep things peaceful on the surface. But when my five-year-old goes missing, I spend the whole night calling Callum on the phone. All I can hear is a cold, repetitive dial tone in return. The next day, Callum finally comes home, reeking of alcohol and carrying the faintest trace of an unfamiliar perfume. Suddenly, I feel exhausted. I don't even have the energy to fight with Callum anymore. A moment of silence later, I look up at him. "Let's break the bond, Callum." The Alpha, who's used to keeping everything under control at all times, suddenly glares at me with bloodshot eyes. He grabs me by the neck and pins me on the wall immediately, his claws soon tightening around my neck. "Break the bond, you say? What right do you even have to bring that up, Ayla Townsend?"

"I'm sorry for everything I did in the past. I want us to reunite as a family. I want to be involved in my child's life," Julian said to Ava, his voice laced with sincerity as he held her hand. Ava shook her head, her finger pointed accusingly to his . "Now, you want me because i have a child with you? It's too late, Julian," she replied. "Ava, we can make this work. Just give me a chance to make everything right," he said to her in a pleading voice. She remained silent, trying to pull her hand away but Julian held it tight. He pulled her close, his lips brushing hers. "You will always be mine, Ava. If I can't have you then no one will," he whispered, his breath sending shivers down her spine. ~~~~~~~ After a painful divorce from her cheating ex-husband Julian, Ava thought she'd closed the chapter on her past. But when Julian reappears five years later, old wounds and feelings resurface. Complicating matters is the fact that Ava has a secret son with Julian and is now in a contract marriage with Alex, a rival of Julian's who has been her rock in times of need. As Julian tries to her back, Ava must navigate a complex web of love and loyalty. between her lingering feelings for Julian and her commitment to Alex, Ava must make a choice. Will she choose the father of her child or the man who has been her steady support? And what will be the consequences of her decision?