Stepped Up Synonym

Jeffrey leaned against the door, his eyes locked on Ronald. “Why do you keep looking at me like that?” he asked, his voice low. “Like you’re holding something back.” Ronald’s stare didn’t waver, “Because I am.” Jeffrey stepped closer, heat building up between them. “Then stop.” Ronald’s fingers brushed his jaw, slow and intentional. “You have no idea what I’d do to you if I let go.” “I’m not afraid of you,” Jeffrey whispered. “I’m afraid you won’t.” The tension grew as Ronald’s lips were only a breath away from his. “Say it,” he said. Jeffrey didn’t blink. “I want you. I’ve always wanted you.” That was all it took. Ronald grabbed him by the waist and pulled him in with a wild kiss… ***** Ronald was to be engaged to seal a business alliance between both families, unknown to them that he was into men. The night before his engagement, he found a man that stole his heart. And this man happened to be his fiancée’s brother. Would Ronald overcome his desire, or would he choose love? Explore a tale of romance, suspense, treachery, and love. The fascinating novel ‘LOVE IS WAR’ will have you reading until the very last page.

On the day of our engagement, as we were driving to the banquet hall, a man holding a few-month-old baby stepped in front of our car. My first thought was that it was some kind of scam. I was about to get out and deal with him when I saw the panic on his face. "Cassidy," he said desperately, "our baby won't stop crying. Do you think something's wrong?" The moment she heard that, my fiancée shoved me out of the car. She took off with them without a single glance back. I just stood there in shock. So this was the truth. She'd been hiding a child with her ex all along. Alone, I went to the banquet hall to handle what remained of our celebration. Later, she called. "I feel terrible about this," she said. "I thought if I gave him the baby and gave you the marriage, it would balance things out. But when Stanley showed up today, I realized—he's the only one I want." I was done with her games. If that's how she felt, I'd walk away. So I made a simple phone call. "Grandma, I'm coming home. I'm ready to run the family business now."

CLAIMED BY THE FOUR ALPHAS WHO ONCE BROKE ME In the Silvercrest Pack, strength is everything—and Lena has none. Born an omega, she was the lowest of the low. When her parents died mysteriously, the whispers began. A cursed child. A burden. A nobody. No one stepped in when her uncle sold her to four powerful alphas to pay off his debts. Why would they? Omegas like her didn’t matter. She became their servant. Their shadow. Cleaning up after them, enduring punishments she didn’t deserve, and learning to disappear. Until everything changed. On her twentieth birthday, something impossible happened—she found her mate. Not one. Four. The same four alphas who once treated her like she was nothing are now bound to her by fate. And worse? She's the only one who can carry their heir. Suddenly, they want her. Crave her. Need her. But Lena is no longer the broken girl they once ignored. And if they think they can claim her now without consequences… They’re about to learn that the omega they shattered has teeth—and she’s not afraid to bite back. They all want her and didn’t want to share but why even chose one of them when she can chose all four?

POWERS SERIES (BOOK TWO) ”I’m only here until my father’s debt is paid. I’m not your property,” I said, though my voice faltered under his piercing gaze. Owen smirked, stepping closer, his voice a low, dangerous growl. “Funny, because the moment you stepped into my territory, you became my property, mia cara, and I do not let go of what’s mine until I’ve taken everything I’m owed—and more.” Mae has spent her entire life trying to clean up her father’s messes. But when his largest debt lands her in the hands of Owen, the most feared Mafia Don in the country, her life takes a maddening turn. Owen built his empire on blood, power, and his unwavering belief that family is nothing but a weakness. Mae’s fierce loyalty and willingness to risk everything to protect her deadbeat father—and track down the mother who abandoned her—makes her more interesting than she already is. Trapped in a web of danger, desire, and impossible choices, Mae has to decide: How far will she go to save the people who’ve already let her down? And how long can she resist the pull of the man who claims to own her?

“You love the way I touch you, don’t you, kitten? You can’t hide it. Tell me to stop, and I will do that immediately?” I couldn’t say anything; I was a complete wreck of nerves. He inched his face closer, and I arched my back so that it pushed my chest towards him.  I couldn’t control myself. I just wanted him to touch me. Needed him to touch me.   “Do you still think that this is a mistake?” He asked, his lips curved in a teasing smirk.  However, I was far too gone to argue.  “I’m not going to touch you until you beg me.” He stepped even closer. “Now, kitten, do you still think that this is a mistake?” *** *** *** **** In one single day, my entire life is turned upside down when Dad is brought back to the pack, lifeless and dead in every way. However, the last thing I would have expected was my mother to show up on our doorstep after thirteen years to take me in. Or maybe not, because nothing else can beat the insane attraction that I feel to this man. This man walking down the stairs and looking every bit like some Greek god of seduction. “Olivia, my husband, André.” Wait… He’s my stepfather?

“Teach me” I said drunkenly “Teach me how to be a bad girl” “Are you sure about Tiny, there’s a tiny addiction that comes with that” he said, looking at me through the hood of his eyes. “What am I getting addicted to?” I echoed back, trying to keep my focus on his face, and not down his chest and his muscular arms. “Me” *** Cheryl Taylor had just recently divorced her cheating husband and decided to move back to her childhood town. Desperate for a room, she finds one with some weird rules and a roommate who seemed to busy to meet with her – everything comes to a shocking pause when she finds out it’s Aiden Scott – the town’s bad boy, and in fact her high school bully. Aiden Scott is now a made man and a billionaire but he’s stepped on a few toes to get there and now they’re out for his blood and he has to lay low in the town he grew up – the town that only saw him as a good for nothing bastard. He decides to get a roommate to appear normal, he takes the first one he got and only because it’s Cheryl Taylor – the one girl he had harbored a secret crush for years.

Seven years I spent with Jason Shaw, but I never got a ring. Rather, all I received was an invitation to another person's wedding. That day, as a wedding planner, I was at the rehearsal, making last-minute adjustments. Looking up, I saw the man whom I waited every day to reply to my messages, walking down the aisle, arm in arm with another bride. "Her boyfriend had something urgent come up, so I'm filling in for him," he said, standing straight, his tone light, a small smile on his lips. But his eyes couldn't hide the hurt, like a child who lost his favorite toy. As if that wasn't enough, he told me to hand over my wedding plan. He patted me on the shoulder, saying sincerely, "There's no rush for us. We've got plenty of time. I promise I'll give you an even better wedding. Just help me out this time. It's not like I'm not going to marry you." He didn't know that I had revised the wedding plan hundreds of times, even counted and recounted the bouquets seven times. To me, it wasn't mere work—it was a dream I held for five long years. I didn't argue anymore, just quietly stepped aside. Later, I lay alone in a hospital bed, listening to the rain tapping against the window from outside. I counted each drop as the hours slipped through my fingers. Perhaps those who worked so hard to create happiness for others had lost the right to their own happiness.

I watched in both awe and horror as streaks of lighting escaped my fingers and brightened up the room. It was so beautiful but also slightly terrifying.  I had no idea how I was doing this or if it was even me. Do I have...powers? The word tasted bitter in my mouth and I quickly swallowed it back. No one must know about this. The people here are anything but nice.  The lighting died down and I sighed. I balanced my weight on a stool at the center of the room. I barely had time to relax before a deep voice resounded,  "What did you just do?"  I stiffened at the sound of the voice. I didn't need to turn around before I knew who it was. That voice had chased me up from bed at night.  I turned slowly to face the person. Alpha Perrin stepped into the light, an indecipherable expression on his face.  "You're...the cure." He said, ever so slightly. . . . As the least favorite child of her parents, Quinn was forced to marry a crippled Alpha to settle the war between the two packs, in place of her older sister. She has no idea how her life would soon change.  Despite his disability, Alpha Perrin is well known for his ruthlessness and unforgiving attitude.  Things took a different turn when Alpha Perrin found out that Quinn could cure him of his ailment. He decided to strike a deal with her. As time went by, the two of them started developing feelings for each other, and then disaster struck.  How would the two of them navigate their way through this hardship? Would this tear them apart for good or will they find their way back to each other?

By day, she files papers. By night, she breaks the internet. Lena Morgan isn’t your average secretary. By night, the world knows her as Lux Monroe—the most-watched porn star on the internet. By day, she’s trying to live a quieter life, blending into the corporate world as the new assistant at Cross Enterprises. But her secret isn’t safe. Damien Cross—the enigmatic billionaire CEO—recognized her the moment she stepped into his office. He’s not just a fan. He’s obsessed. And he didn’t hire her by accident.

Ravenlake Academy is known for training the future Alphas of the strongest packs. It’s brutal, elite, and boys-only. No girl has ever stepped inside its cold, iron-gated walls. Until now. No one suspects that the newest recruit with a sharp tongue and faster fists is not a boy at all, but a runaway Alpha princess, hiding from an arranged marriage with the Rogue King. Disguised behind her dead brother’s name, she just wants to stay hidden. But what happens when she draws the dangerous attention of two rival Alphas, and sworn enemies fated to her blood?