warm

The things we want are so very rarely the things we need. Clifton Heights, a modest Adirondack town, offers many unique attractions. Arcane Delights sells both paperbacks and hard-to-find limited editions. The Skylark Diner serves the best home-cooked meals around, with friendly service and a smile. Every August, Mr. Jingo’s County Fair visits, to the delight of children and adults. In essence, Clifton Heights is the quintessential small American town. Everyone knows everyone else, and everyone is treated like family. It is quiet, simple, and peaceful. But shadows linger here. Flitting in dark corners, from the corner of the eye. If you walk down Main Street after dark, the slight scrape of shoes on asphalt whispers you're not alone, but when you look over your shoulder, no one is there. The moon shines high and bright in the night sky, but instead of throwing light, it only seems to make the shadows lengthen. Children disappear. Teens run away. Hunters get lost in the woods with frightening regularity. Husbands go mad, and wives vanish in the dead of night. And still, when the sun rises in the morning, you are greeted by townspeople with warm waves and friendly smiles, and the shivers pass as everything seems fresh and new... Until night falls once more. Handy's Pawn and Thrift sits several blocks down from Arcane Delights. Like any thrift store, its wares range from the mundane to the bizarre. By daylight, it seems just another slice of small town Americana. But in its window hangs a sign which reads: We Have Things You Need. And when a lonely traveling salesman comes looking for something he desperately wants, after normal visiting hours, after night has fallen, he will face a harsh truth among the shelves of Handy’s Pawn and Thrift: the things we want are rarely the things we need. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

"What are you doing?" She asked breathlessly as she placed her hands on the hard surface of his chest. "I don't want you to run this time." He responded. She could feel the deep rumble of his voice through his chest as she slid her hands down an inch over his pectoral muscles. It was an involuntary move but as she felt his chest flex beneath her touch, she couldn't help but feel proud that she caused a reaction in him. His breath fanned over her lips and subconsciously her tongue darted out to wet them. "You don't want me to run?" Juliet asked as she regained her footing, and he slid his hands up to her rib cage slowly. "No." His voice was hard and firm. "No running." "No running from what?" She knew what he was saying but she wanted him to do something about it. It was a burning need racing through her body. Her eyes closed as the tip of his nose brushed against hers. "Me." At that moment her world stopped, and she refused to wait a second longer. She eagerly pressed forward to grab his lips with her own. They were soft and warm, but she only had a moment to dwell on that fact before he kissed her back with a heavy passion. One of his hands left her side to weave its way into her hair, pulling her impossibly closer. ❤️ He was dangerous, she just didn't know it. He was willing to give up everything for her. All he wanted was a woman he could call home. What happens when she learns his secret? What happens when his secret risks her life?

My heart skipped a beat when I turned around to see a handsome stranger standing across the busy room. Tall and confident, he oozed a mysterious aura that drew my attention right away. I felt a bolt of electricity run through my veins as our eyes briefly connected. It seemed as if an unseen link connected us, drawing me towards him in an unexplainable way. My heart was pounding, and a warm flush spread across my cheeks. This mystery guy affected me.

[A Mermaid x Mafia Boss Fluffy Romance] "Stay away from humans," Aqua's mother used to tell her. Until the age of eighteen, she spent most of her time in the deep depths of the ocean. Occasionally, she would swim to the pier at night when there were no humans to explore. One fateful night, a human fell from the sky covered in blood. Using her tears, Aqua saved the mysterious man and spiralled into a life of crime. Dawn Daniels did not expect to live. His advisor had betrayed him and tossed him into the cold watery depths. Yet, like a ray of light, he was given another chance to live by a mysterious mermaid like no other maiden. Touched by her gentle and innocent nature, Dawn tries to live his new life with her but his past catches up to him. Dying for the third time without a way for Aqua to save him using her immortality, the unlucky couple exchanged one last vow, transforming their lives forever. For the price of granting him a new life, Aqua loses her voice forever. Dawn promises to take care of her for as long as they live and marries her. Away from their tragic pasts, follow Dawn and Aqua as they learn more about each other's species and fall deeper each day. [Completed]

The old Clara you knew was long gone. This Clara you were hating was made up from pain and your hatred.

Eric couldn't resist reaching out to touch Katrina's face. Her skin was warm and soft. She smelled like lilac soap and cinnamon, a delightful combination he had only encountered in her. He slid his thumbs slowly across her lips. They opened with a tiny gasp that made them all more tempting. "Kat... " He looked into her eyes and forgot what he had intended to say. God! She was too beautiful. Her eyes were filled with care, love and longing. Longing that sure matched his own. Very slowly, wanting to draw out every moment, Eric brought his lips to hers. He watched her eyes glaze, and heard her ragged moans when his mouth touched hers, then he kissed her passionately. He ran his lips down over the line of her throat. Heavenly warm skin met his lips. Eric inhaled the downy softness, bringing his hands up along her hips, at her waist and upward along her ribs to the front of her blouse, over her breasts. Katrina moaned softly in approval, cupping her hands in his as he undid the buttons on her blouse. Her breasts came spilling into his hands after he unhooked her bra. He filled his palm with her breasts. "God! I want you Kat" he said with a voice laced with deep passion. Katrina Argos aged twenty,set out to take her revenge on Eric Salmadiego, the guy who almost ruined her sister's life. Eric Salmadiego aged twenty four was a well known arrogant and popular billionaire. Not only was he arrogant, he was a full time playboy. To achieve her mission, Katrina moved into Eric's house as a live in maid. The both of them started on a rough note, but as time went by they fell in love with each other.

'If one door closes, there are still a thousand doors open.' For the umpteenth time, the twenty-one-year-old art student Grace Menken is hurt by a man who only takes advantage of her kindness. Being alone, bullied, and always getting played with makes Grace hopeless, so she decides to end her life. With a rope and a broken heart, Grace chooses an abandoned mansion as a witness to her death. However, she had a bad accident in that place. Grace might have died in the accident, but fate plays tricks on her. A knock on the door awakens Grace, who had just fallen from a height of two floors. When she opens the door, a man in royal clothing bumps into her. "My apologies for hitting you, Ms. I’ve been chased by a pack of monster wolves. I have to find a way to get back to the palace. My wedding ceremony will start soon." ** Adro Alymer Groendez is the crown prince of the prosperous kingdom, Groendez a Lend. He will marry his childhood friend, Princess Joselyn. However, Adro accidentally crosses into the modern world on their wedding day through a witch's door. Trapped, Adro meets Grace Menken, a girl who becomes his friend and promises to help him return to the fairy tale land. Would Adro make it back to his world, where his bride-to-be is waiting? Or would Adro be trapped forever in the modern world?

Why would the very rich, very hot, very broody author, Blake Shite need a fake date for a month? Addie Noel didn't know, but she needed the money and a vacation from her life sounded good. Besides what could go wrong? All she had to do was pretend to like the rude author in public and enjoy the warm beaches and maybe write a few songs along the way. Between an author with writer's block, an agent with a hidden plan, a dog that steals shoes, an ex with an attitude problem, and too much alcohol things are bound to get interesting. Will Addie be the muse to inspire Blake or will the tension between them be too much to handle?

Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and just barely recognizing yourself in the reflection? Well that is me, I have loved and lost. Survived and thrived, screamed and cried into my pillow tears nobody else got to see. But I never gave up hope, never lied down and never let them see me cry. Until him, he could see past the facade and see the real me. He wanted to love me, concole me and protect me. But I have lost hope in humanity, men, true love because life just arent a fairytale right? Its hard work and nothing comes easy even if you would like to believe it does it just doesnt. He is my mothers new husbands son and 10 years older than me. His blue eyes keep staring at me, it should warm me to the core right. Make me feel something anything. But it doesn't he makes women run after him and beg on their knees. But me, I have been down this road before. The charming smile, arrogant cocky attitude. It always ends the same, me covered in bruises crying on the bathroom floor. Thinking its all my fault, all me. But he just wouldn't let go. He wouldn't give up. And the more I turn him down the more it turns him on. I am only that strong before I give in,and even though I know how this is about to end. If he keeps staring at me with desire in his eyes as if I am the reason he is breathing. I know I am about to take the leap this can go down to damn ways. But the question is do I or dont I. Because fear can be your anchor or it can be your wings

"We should just kill her, Kathrina. I can sense she has a wolf counterpart," My father, Alpha Fredrick, quietly demanded so that the other wolves wouldn't hear. "What the fuck are you saying!? No! She is still our daughter, Fred. Your own flesh and blood!" Mother defended and shielded herself in front of me. Alpha Fredrick gripped her arm. His claws elongated as it dug into her skin while he sneered, "We are always going circles, Kathrina!" Alpha Fredrick yanked his mate towards him to furiously whisper those words. He then stared at me as he spoke, "Well, since it has come to this, we might as well kill her now and just deal with her mate later on." He growled ferociously and was about to slash me with his thick claws. I instantly braced for impact and defended myself with my arms out front, but then I felt warm hands wrapping me up in a tight embrace and jumped from the ground to the branch at once. "Why don't you just deal with me right now?" A low and deep voice loomed over the forest. I can feel his breath and his sweet, intoxicating scent. It made my heart pound so loudly, and I felt shivers and tingles all over my body. In that instant, I knew I was already his. "MATE!" Kath yipped, and I felt her happily rolling around in my head. "Mate," I whispered, and our eyes met. I gasped when I saw how beautiful his eyes were.