The Tender Bar: A Memoir

William James is the son-in-law of the Welton family, nicknamed the bastard son-in-law, but his true identity is a mystery that few know. He is the son of the leader of the largest gang in Russia, but he was exiled here four years ago by order of his father. On a dreary day, William meets old Henry - his father's left hand - who has come specially to inform him that his power is back, and that his position as the son of the gang leader is coming back. Then, William is determined to make all who have insulted him bow to him.

Lilliane’s life began to spiral into chaos and danger when her guardians forced her into an arranged marriage with 68-year-old media magnate Arnulfo Fuentes in order to save their company from bankruptcy. In desperation, unable to bear the thought of him benefiting from her young body, she made the decision to give herself to a much younger man. However, the consequences of that night were far more than Lilliane ever expected. Terrified of Mr. Fuentes, she broke the agreement. She fled from her ruthless guardians and the man she was supposed to marry. But neither her guardians nor Mr. Fuentes would stop searching for her, especially Fuentes, who would not rest until he had what he believed to be ‘his’. However, it wasn’t just her guardians and Mr. Fuentes who were after her; the handsome stranger to whom she had given her virginity was now also seeking her out after reading the article about her upcoming marriage to the famous media magnate. Intrigued by Lilliane’s intelligence, bravery, and remarkable skill in evading those hunting her, his interest in her only grew stronger. As her family’s business continued to crumble, Mathilda, her aunt, became even more determined to find her and push through with the arrangement that Lilliane was desperately trying to escape. But Lilliane could not allow that to happen, especially since everything was now at stake—her freedom, her future, and her baby. She had to fight to protect the things that mattered most. In a world ruled by power, money, greed, and betrayal, will Lilliane be able to overcome those who seek to control her for their own selfish gain, or will she fall into the hands of those she’s been running from—or into the arms of the father of her unborn child?

it," she says calmly. "Okay then," I take off out of the living room. "I'll take a shower Stella is an eighteen-year-old senior high school student known to be an independent young lady. She lives a rather financially unstable life and her mother is suffering long-term trauma, so she has to work after classes and on the weekends. On her way home on an a Friday afternoon, a car almost hits her and gets into a fight with the driver. A day after it, an anonymous calls her to do a portrait of a cient in person. Little does she know that it is the guy that has almost hit her on the road. Also, she knows nothing about him — that he is the son of the billionaire that helps her get a scholarship. That is when the course of her life dramatically changes.

Ani pa ng mga taong nakapalibot kay Sereia Lilou Rebeiro, siya na ang pinaka - maamong babae na umaaligid kay Adriel Latimer. Animo’y para siya isang aso na panay sunod ng sunod sa kanyang amo kung saan ito magpunta. Bakit nga ba? Isang araw, nang mag - check - in sa isang mamahaling motel si Adreil ay sinundan niya ito. Hindi siya nag - aalinlangan na kumatok sa pinto na inupahan nito. Mas gusto pa niyang sundin ang kanyang kagustuhan, at ang rason kung bakit siya sumunod? Para lang bigyan ito ng payong dahil sa masamang panahon. Nakatikim siya ng bulyaw dahil lang doon. Sinabihan pa siya ng walang hiya pero wala siyang pakialam. Mas importante sa kanya ang makitang nasa magandang kalagayan ang iniingatan niyang babaero ng campus. Sa kabila ng masama nitong reputasyon sa mga babae, naging bingi at bulag siya. Mas gustuhin pa niya na makasama ito kaysa makinig sa mga haka - haka ng mga tao. Pinadaan lang niya sa kabilang tainga ang naririnig niyang tsismisan, kahit na minsan ay parang may isang palaso na nakatarak sa kanyang puso. Hanggang sa isang gabi, isang katotohanan ang siyang kumakatok sa isipan ni Sereia. Nahinuha na lang niya na ang lalaking inaantay niya ng tatlong taon ay nagbago. Hindi na ito katulad ng dati, na parati siyang inaalo - alo at sinasamahan. Dala ng reyalisasyon, tinalikuran niya ito ng walang pasabi. Imbes na tatahimik na ang buhay niya ay kinukutya pa siya ng mga tao. Ani pa nila'y nagpapakipot lang daw siya. Isa na roon si Adriel. Tingin niya ay gusto lang ni Sereia na suyuin niya ito para bumalik siya sa kandungan nito. Pero napawi ang agam - agam ni Adriel noong isang araw, aksidenteng nahulog ang pitaka ni Sereia. Bumungad sa kanya ang isang litrato ng lalaking minsan na niyang iniiwasan.

Fiery redhead Lily is known for her fierce independence and untamed spirit. But when her brother gets into deep trouble with the notorious Black Ravens, she finds herself caught in a dangerous bind. The only way to repay his debt and keep him alive is to entangle herself with the gang's arrogantly charming leader, Ryker. Ryker, with his piercing eyes and commanding presence, rules his territory with an iron fist. Arrogant and unyielding, he's used to getting what he wants-and now, he wants Lily. Forced into his world, their clashing tempers and undeniable chemistry ignite a dark romance. As Lily found herself thrust into a world of rival gangs and hidden secrets, she realizes that her fiery spirit might be the perfect match for Ryker ruthless ambition. But with danger lurking at every turn, they must decide if their passionate connection can survive the risky game they're playing.

As the only pureblood vampire of her generation, Esper was expected to choose a husband by the end of her 21st winter. It was something that she had been looking forward to since she had come of age. Some of the most sought after bachelors have traveled from around the globe just to compete for her hand. But she never expected to capture the attention of two suitors. Her heart is torn between the quiet but romantic Seraph Solar, the heir of the prestigious Imperial Guard, and the ever brooding Maxim Huiyan, the CFO of one of the oldest vampire enterprises: Xiafeng Legacies. How would she choose between them? And would the one she rejects give her away willingly to the other?

In her final year of high school, Leah Baker, a dedicated and unassuming nerd, dreams of making it the best year of her academic journey. Little does she know that her plans are about to take an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with the charismatic and popular Mason Kings. Their worlds collide under unforeseen circumstances, and to navigate the complexities of high school life, they decide to strike a deal that promises mutual benefits. As Leah and Mason navigate the intricacies of their agreement, an unexpected connection begins to blossom. However, their budding relationship is not without its challenges. Insecurities from both sides threaten to unravel the fragile bond they've formed. External factors and societal expectations add layers of complexity, putting their deal and newfound feelings to the test. 'A Deal with the Popular Boy' is a heartwarming tale of unlikely connections, personal growth, and the challenges of navigating high school hierarchies. Leah and Mason's journey explores the transformative power of unexpected friendships and the resilience needed to confront the insecurities that lurk beneath the surface.

She was born of two worlds… and belonged to none. Wolfless and rejected by her own kind, Freya, the hybrid daughter of a witch and a wolf, was sold by her father to the most feared Alpha in the land—Logan of the Northridge Pack. Her only purpose? To bear his heir and strengthen his bloodline. But love was never part of the deal. Torn between his lingering feelings for his first love, Lucia, and the bond he cannot deny with Freya, Alpha Logan spirals—cold, cruel, and indifferent. And when tragedy strikes and Freya loses the baby, his words cut deeper than any blade: “You’re just a breeder.” Shattered and betrayed, Freya flees to the human world with the help of a mysterious ally. There, she finds peace… and perhaps a new beginning in Daniel, a kind stranger who sees her as more than just a tool. But fate isn’t done with her yet. A prophecy looms. A war brews. And when Logan’s brother returns to claim the throne, only Freya—his true mate and the key to his power—can save his legacy. But will she ever come back to the mate who broke her heart… or choose a new path, and a new love, forever?

"Fvck you. Get off me now!" He towers over me and his hands move under the covers, going higher and higher until I gasp. No matter how I want to push him away and stomp on his body, I can't. The heat and pleasure coming from his touch makes me go crazy. "Get off me, you dimwit." Through the heat, I force out words and I close my eyes as I moan when his lips descend on my neck, teasing and nibbling. "Oh goddess. Why won't you get off me." I try to push him off, in the mist of pleasure and he looks down at me with hooded eyes. My back touches the headboard when I shift backwards but he drags me back to himself by my ankle. "I am the King, Minerva. That means what I say goes." "Well, you can go fvck yourself or better yet, let your other mate do that for you." He climbs over me with his hands on each side of my head. Luckily, the heat is subsiding due to our close range. "I've told you a thousand time. I don't want you, I need you." "Fucker! I've told you a zillion times, I don't want to be your baby making machine, you stupid son of a mammoth-" He immediately shuts me up with a deep kiss, exploding my insides. ~~~~ It's every she-wolf's dream to be the mate of the wolf king but not Minerva's. She didn't plan to even know him, she didn't bargain to become a second mate, or a baby making machine to the King who has an unusual plan set up in his head; neither did she plan to be a hybrid. He finally found a way to break her... But they were so unconcerned about the brewing evil.

I'm Elaine Lopez. I'm a woman at the bottom of the food chain who once thought that love triumphs everything until my deadbeat husband cheated on me with another woman. It never occurred to me how exhausted I was with the marriage until she took the burden off me. Looking for a fresh start and vowing never to let love get in the way of the better life I'm forging for myself, I cross paths with Kingsley Larson, the ruthless billionaire who's known to have lost his smile and has a heart of stone. Entangled in a web of undeniable passion for one night, I'm convinced I'll never see him again until he turns out to be my new boss. If clawing my way up to the social ladder means I have to strike a deal with the devil, then I'll do it. After all, for our arrangement, all I have to do is to please him s3xually while I get to keep my job and live the life I have always wanted. But as we chase the lust that has taken root between us with no strings attached, it becomes clear to me that Kingsley isn't just the devil, he's so much more. He's my ruin, the same way I'm his.