Smile But Crying

Elena stifled a smile, but he already saw her mouth start to curve upwards and he grinned at her. She ignored him. "I'm serious, Chandler." His smile was instantaneous. "Noted." She licked her lips. Her eyes were wide and nervous, and she tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "And you can't me." Chandler tilted his head to the side and studied her. Pushing away from the car, he took a step closer to her. She held her ground, lifting her chin at his approach. "What if you ask me to you?" he said quietly. "Then can I?" Elena exhaled shakily. "I won't do that." "No?" Carefully, he touched his thumb to the curve of her chin. She shook her head, and his hand fell away. "Maybe you won't," he told her. "But hear me right now, love, I'd love it if you asked me for a ." —------ When Elena Davis decided to move to Vacaville, she had just one thing in mind — to start her business over after she'd failed the first time she tried. It'd be nice to live in the same city as her twin sister, and getting reunited with her university crush, Elijah Kendrick doesn't seem like a bad idea. But fate, however, has its own plans and she finds herself drawn to someone else—his brother, Chandler Kendrick.

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.

This book is authored by Mary D. Sant. "What things are not under your control tonight?" I gave my best smile, leaning against the wall. He came closer with a dark and hungry expression, so close, his hands reached for my face, and he pressed his body against mine. His mouth took mine eagerly, a little rudely. His tongue left me breathless. “If you don't go with me, I'll fuck you right here.” He whispered. __________________________ Katherine kept her virginity for years even after she turned 18. But one day, she met an extremely sexual man Nathan Ryan in the club. He had the most seductive blue eyes she has ever seen, a well-defined chin, almost golden blonde hair, full lips, perfectly drawn, and the most amazing smile, with perfect teeth and those damn dimples. Incredibly sexy. She and he had a beautiful and hot one-night stand... Katherine thought she might not meet the man again. But fate has another plan Katherine is about to take on the job of assistant to a billionaire who owns one of the biggest companies in the country and is known to be a conquering, authoritative and completely irresistible man. He is Nathan Ryan! Will Kate be able to resist the charms of this attractive, powerful and seductive man? Read to know a relationship torn between anger and the uncontrollable desire for pleasure. Warning: R18+, Only for mature readers.

Alice is a wounded youth, haunted by heartaches from her past, not looking forward to the future, a gaping hole in her heart. Then one night she met him, her world tilted upside down and suddenly, she felt alive. Shaken up by unfamiliar emotions, burning through her. Daniel is too perfect, surely no human like him could exist? What is he truly hiding behind his beautiful smile and golden eyes that seemed to know her better than herself? Exactly who is he and why he's so devoted to her?

STORY BLURB: “50 million dollars! Sold!” The auctioneer announced. Right there, I was sold out to my worst nightmare, Mafia Lord Vincenzo. The story is centered on Melissa, who lost her parents at a tender age, and was taken in by her aunt. She was maltreated by both her aunt, and her cousin. Melissa was then sold out to an auctioneer, and was bought by Mafia Lord Vincenzo, who was feared by all, and known to be ruthless, and cold. Could her innocence, and pure heart, ever thaw the cold, and feared Mafia Lord’s heart, or her smile would forever disappear, after being sold to him?

Behind the pretty smile and polished heels, lies a woman with blood on her hands and vengeance in her heart. Twelve years ago, she watched his family destroy hers, she survived, she trained and returned. With new names, forged identities and a single mission; Bring them all down. The plan was simple: get close, destroy him and walk away. But Leonardo Moretti is nothing she expected, underneath his brutal exterior is a man scarred by the same monster she vowed to kill. What happens when the man she comes to ruin ends up saving her?

Elias Rivers has always blended into the background—quiet, obedient, and hidden behind a smile that never quite reaches his eyes. But when "Blue," the mysterious and unapologetically bold new boy, transfers to school, Elias’s carefully constructed world begins to unravel. As their lives tangle and secrets start to surface, Elias must confront the truths he's spent years avoiding. What does it mean to love someone you're not supposed to? And what happens when being yourself might cost you everything? Becoming Blue is a tender, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful journey of love, identity, and finding the courage to be seen.

Dad has a stroke and needs money to save his life. I'm left with no choice but to borrow money from my secret CEO boyfriend of five years. Before I can even say anything, he frowns and tells me he's busy. Then, he hurries off to attend his childhood sweetheart's birthday celebration. He only remembers me the following day. "What did you need?" I hold Dad's death certificate and smile wanly at him. "Nothing. I just wanted to tell you that we're over."

**MATURE CONTENT** It was supposed to be a harmless prank. A fake marriage contract. Just a little revenge for all the years Segundo Congreene spent secretly liking Olivia Carmen while hiding behind weakness and fragility. But when Segundo tricks Olivia into marrying him, the game turns terrifyingly real. Trapped in an old mansion, hidden away from the world and without internet, Olivia starts to fall for the man she once thought was harmless. Yet beneath Segundo’s soft smile lies a dangerous obsession. Because Segundo has loved her for years. Watched her. Followed her. Obsessed over her.

Ten years ago, the Varyn Pack slaughtered the Serans, leaving nothing but ashes behind. But one survived... The Alpha’s daughter. Born of both Alpha and Omega blood, she was an anomaly. An Almega. Now she’s back, hiding behind the mask of a weak and naive omega, her smile deadly and her goal to destroy the Alpha of the Varyn Pack and his Pack itself. She will make him trust her. Desire her. Fall for her. And when he does, she’ll destroy him and everything he loves, slowly, beautifully, and without mercy. Because an easy death would never be enough.