Winter Games Chapter 1

I made the decision to break up with Layla Freeman as I opened my eyes once more. She wanted to take Charles Jones and his son home so she could take care of them, so I would logically leave. I had a lot of arguments with Layla in my former life because of Charles and his son. She paid for Charles’ son’s wedding using the money I had saved for my retirement. Ultimately, the bitter cold killed me in the winter. When Layla found out about that, she was not filled with sadness. Rather, she accused me of dying on her godson’s wedding day. I would leave her and not have anything to do with her in this life.

Nick Horden was the kind of man everyone in New York’s elite circles whispered about. He was rich, reckless, and a little unhinged. But for all his chaos, he only ever cared about one person: Lisa Winters, a girl with nothing to her name, the half-starved homeless girl he once pulled off the streets. From fifteen to twenty-five, he gave her everything. His love, his devotion, and every bit of tenderness a man like him was capable of. Then one day, another woman appeared. Nick said she was different. She had been through hell, fought her way back, and refused to break. And little by little, she took Lisa’s place…

Merina MacGregor is doing some corporate espionage into O’Keefe Industries for MacGregor Industries, as Summer O’Neil, the personal assistant to Conner O’Keefe. Conner’s investigating a corporate saboteur. His father claims he’ll need Summer's help and Gabriella Mandela as his girlfriend. She's the daughter of a prospective partner. He doesn’t want either in his life. If the saboteur remains undiscovered, the Mandela family will assume control of O’Keefe Industries and MacGregor Industries will fall. Gabriella will do anything for her family. Including marrying Conner. She’s not fooled, something's wrong with Summer O’Neil. Conner knows he wants Summer in many unusual ways. The O’Keefe and MacGregor families were once inseparable until it ended. Conner and Merina were engaged and ready to unite their families. In their teens, the friendships ended, and the MacGregors whisked Merina off to boarding school. Merina’s back and expected a place within MacGregor Industries. Her father denies her a position. Merina learns MacGregor Industries is under attack and failing. Her father’s convinced it’s his archenemy and ex-friend. He believes in the O’Keefe family’s guilt. Merina isn’t sure. She strikes a deal with her father. She’ll prove the O’Keefe family isn’t guilty. If she finds the saboteur, he’ll give her a position within MacGregor Industries. Now undercover as Summer O’Neil, it grates Merina’s hide. Conner doesn’t recognize her. When will someone else recognize her? How much trouble will she be in? Can Summer help Conner find the saboteur? Is the same person attacking both companies? What will Conner do if he discovers Summer’s identity? Will the families’ secret pull them apart? Will they bring the two families together? How many ways does Conner want Summer?

My father bought twin brothers from the black market to serve as bodyguards for me and my sister. My sister chose the tall, strong older brother, leaving me with the frail, mute younger one. Feeling sorry for him, I kept him close, seeking doctors for his silence and maintaining distance to respect his apparent OCD. I thought trauma had shaped him that way. But when our father's enemies kidnapped us, he abandoned me without hesitation, choosing to die shielding my sister. In his final moments, he spoke for the first time. "You finally see me." To me, he said, "In the next life, please don't choose me." I realized then that he was neither mute nor afflicted with OCD. His silence and aversion were directed solely at me. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day we chose the bodyguards. This time, I'd grant his wish.

Bloom, a 25 year-old single mom, loses her low paying job and must find a way to not just get herself a new job to cater for her 5 year-old son, but also landing one that pays much better than the one she was practically kicked out of. Plain, shy and antisocial Bloom Santiago is forced by her big brother to take up a job interview at W.M Companies to fill in the position of the C.E.O's secretary. But this shy 'Fluffy Little Rabbit' is lured and caught up in a whole new dangerous world that threatens the peace and tranquility of her little innocent world when she unfortunately attracts the desolate eyes of the Ice King, Hayes Warren. He's cold-hearted, introvertive and always seems to walk around bearing an ominous aura that reflects the void of his soul. Lost in the looming narrow corridors of his past, he chases after a woman he only met once. But what is this? Why does this little fluffy rabbit intrigue him so much? "You're hired" After his encounter with her, this little Rabbit successfully begins to hole her way into his heart with a relentless force he's never experienced before. Will the emotions the Ice King decisively buried away into the deepest abyss of his soul, ever be revived again? And will Bloom be able to survive in his resplendent, desolate abyss and save him from himself?

When Idrish is accused of killing an elven royalty, the female hunter is forced to join the winter arena in the king's favor. But as a commoner of Springgan, a country with a bloody history of slavery and hierarchy, can she protect the ones she loves...when she can barely protect herself? *** What happens when an elf is in possession of a power that's beyond one's social standing? Idrish Aeric is living at the bottom of Springgan's strict hierarchy, barely able to scrape a living for her younger siblings through hunting and foraging. Her simple life flips when she receives a legacy from a royal elf and she has to run to protect her family. In order to escape death, she's forced to enter the elven royal family through marriage and join the winter arena in the king's favor. But in a world ruled by power and slavery, is Idrish ready to step up her game to change the system--or will she wind up dead before the song of the winter solstice plays?

Leah smith's life takes a wild turn overnight when she unwittingly signs a contract agreeing to be the surrogate of billionaire, Alex Carter and his fiancee Victoria. The promise of a substantial payment did not prepare her for the challenges that would arise. Tensions escalate when a one night stand between married Alex and Leah sparks a forbidden attraction. Will she successfully navigate the treacherous web of relationships or will her involvement with Alex and Victoria cause irreparable damage to her life?

In the dangerous world of organized crime, love is a luxury few can afford. But for Andrea Lopez, the daughter of a powerful mafia family, it's the one thing she craves most. Despite her kindness and resilience, past traumas have left her wary of opening her heart. When fate brings her face-to-face with Stefano Costanzo once again—her best friend's brother and the ruthless don she's always longed for—sparks fly, and old wounds reopen. Stefano, a cold and ruthless mafia don, lives a life devoid of emotional attachments, harboring a secret pain known to few. Yet, seeing Andrea again after so many years reignites emotions he thought long buried. As they navigate the treacherous waters of their shared past and uncertain future, they're drawn inexorably together despite their best efforts to resist. But their reunion is not without peril. Stefano's dangerous world threatens to consume them both, and Andrea must confront not only her own demons but also the demons of the man she loves. Can they find redemption in each other's arms, or will their love be their undoing?   *** “Why the hell did you just do that?” I demand, my anger rising. “I’m trying to protect you,” he says, his eyes blazing. “Protect me from what? A good friend?” “He’s not who you think he is. I don’t trust him.” “You don’t trust him, or you’re worried he’ll take me away from you?” I challenge. Stefano’s eyebrow arches. “You think I’m worried he’ll take you away from me?” He leans in close, his lips brushing my ear. “Oh, luce del sole, no one can take you from me. You’re mine.”

He snapped around, glaring at her, oh lord she looked sexy, wearing thigh high boots, a pleated mini skirt and a very tight white button down shirt, which was only sparsely buttoned to cover her breasts. "Why don't you snap a picture it will last you longer and you can enjoy it when you are alone". She smirked as she twirled one of her braids around her hand. Oh he would love to grab those braids, making her use that naughty mouth for something better.. f**k Sebastian snap out of it, he thought, she is so not your type. "If I wanna look at cheap whores the internet got a better selection". Amber and Sebastian is both friends with Matt.. but just as he expected they are not getting along at all.. or is that just a cover for their attraction ? How with it all end when they get entagled in a bet ?

Lynan finally decided to reveal that he’s gay to steer clear of his sister’s playing cupid schemes. He doesn’t want to get involved again with anyone at the moment and just plans to live happily and peacefully behind his precious camera. Unbeknownst to him, his sister signed him up in a show with a reclusive CEO as the man of the hour. Unfortunately, no amount of complaining and grumbling could get him out of the predicament. The man was a feast for the eyes though. In order to avoid all the possible drama and just have fun ogling the man, Lynan was determined to be a wallflower and stay in the shadows. Watching things unfold could be enough entertainment to leisurely pass the time, right?