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Dante
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I run my hands over my eyes. Fuck I’m tired. It doesn’t matter I woke up only an hour ago after spending almost ten hours in bed; actual time spent sleeping was maybe five hours. During the day it’s been easier to pull Bethany out of the bedroom, but the minute it got dark she was in bed. It’s been three days since the therapy visit from hell. Bethany kept her usual appointment yesterday, alone. Her smile when she got home, the first since the miscarriage, gave me hope for a better rest of the day. Except the second it got dark she disappeared into bed. At least she’s no longer talking of leaving, but she refuses to talk of pretty much anything else. We’re down to discussing the weather, our pets, and the shows we aren’t really watching.
This is the first time I’ve come in here since everything happened. I’m not sure why exactly. Normally, sitting here at my piano is the place I’ve found my center. Over this last week it’s been when Bethany crawled into my lap, or asked me to hold her and my arms were around her. Today, though, there’s fear running through me. I would never try to impose a time limit on grief—I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to forget the loss—but I don’t know how long we can keep the silence up. One of us needs to start talking, but I think we’re both too afraid whatever we say will be the wrong thing. Which is crazy. For months we could talk about everything and nothing for hours, and now we fumble over the smallest thing.
I open the keyboard, close my eyes and exhale. The music flows, filled with all the sadness, the longing, and the pain over the last week. On and on it goes. I lose track of time as one piece melts into another, then another. It’s my back aching that brings me to a halt.
A hand goes over mine. It’s Bethany’s, and she’s wearing her ring. Every night when she fell asleep I put it on her finger. When she woke up she would take it off; this morning it’s still there. “I’d like to get my tattoo now. Can you take me please?”
It takes a moment for the words to sink in. I nod. Anything she wants. It’s the first time she’s dressed herself. She’s wearing a loose pink T-shirt and jeans.
Checking my watch, I see it’s a little after eleven. Damn, I’ve been playing for two hours. Shaking my head to clear it, I get up and follow Bethany out of the room. Down on the street I hail a cab and give him the address. It doesn’t take long to get to the tattoo parlor. Inside my usual guy is reading a book. The place is empty aside from another artist cleaning up his area.
“Dante, hey man, been awhile. You came to get more ink?”
“Yeah, my wife is up first though. Bethany, this is Max.”
“Wow, married? Awesome, congratulations. What can I do for you today, Mrs. Sabatini?”
Bethany blushes then pulls out her phone. She shows him what’s on the screen. It’s a heart with a smaller heart inside at the base. Huh, I’ve never seen anything like it before. Apparently Max has—his eyes dim.
“I’m sorry for your loss, the both of you.”
She blinks back tears. “Thank you.”
“Where would you like the tattoo?”
“Under my left breast.” I stiffen at the idea of her taking her shirt off in front of any man.
Max nods at me. “We can go into the back where it’s private.”
I’m having a hard time keeping my mouth shut. I’m relieved when Bethany nods, then follows him into the back.
She settles into the chair, then takes off her shirt and hands it to me. Her bra is plain; thank fuck her breasts are high above the spot she indicates for the tattoo. Her eyes plead as she looks up at me. I take a deep breath and keep my mouth shut, taking her hand in mine.
“Okay, if you don’t mind since it’s a simple one I’ve done before, I’m going to freehand it. Would you like a color for the outside of the heart?”
“Black is good.”
“And how about the small heart inside? Would you like me to color it in?”
“Yes, please. Blue.”
“Blue it is.”
It’s clicking now—he’s done this tattoo before. This is for the baby. Bethany moans as Max applies the needle. “Sonofabitch it hurts. How did you have your whole arm done? Are you some weirdo into pain or something? Ow. I can’t believe you’re laughing at me. Dante, stop laughing.”
“I’m not laughing.” I am a little but mainly it’s from sheer happiness and relief at hearing Bethany more like she was before the miscarriage.
“Yes, you are. Okay, it doesn’t have to be a big heart, it can be little.” Max’s eyes meet mine. “You both can’t laugh. Oh god, I changed my mind. I don’t want a tattoo. What are you doing? Don’t stop.”
I can’t hold in the laughter anymore. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m going to make you sorry. Ow. Is it over yet?”
“Bethany, sweetheart, you don’t have to do this.” Max has finally finished the larger heart. He rubs the ink away as he bites on his lip not to laugh.
“No, I do. I’m already starting not to hurt as much when I think of the baby. I’m already wondering if we should try and have another baby. A tiny part of me wished last night I could never think of it ever again. And I don’t want to be sad any more. I don’t want to hurt any more. And I don’t want to make you miserable any more either. I’m tired of crying. So I’m going to get this tattoo so I don’t forget. Because as much as it hurt losing the baby, I’m so grateful for everything it gave me. You proposing, us getting married now and not wasting time. All those amazing things you did and still do for me every day. This won’t be the last time I cry; I’m sure there will be other times in the future, but this is closing the chapter on what happened so we can move on to the next. I don’t want to get married being miserable with this hanging over us. It’s not how I want us to start our lives together.” Her eyes are soft green, filled with hope and love. Seeing it, the fear that’s been weighing me down is floating up and away.
Max pushes away from Bethany with a smile. “Done.”
“Done?” Bethany looks down in surprise. “I love it. It looks great. It’s exactly what I wanted.”
I help Bethany out of the chair. Max applies the bandage to keep it clear of anything that could irritate it.
“You next?” Max asks.
“Yeah, same thing, same place.”
“You don’t have to, Dante.” Concern creases her brow. I run a finger over them, no more of those.
“I know. I want to. I agree with you, sweetheart. I’m ready to start new but I don’t want to forget either.”
Her hand goes into mine. “Does it really not hurt you at all? Not even a little?”
I laugh as I pull her close. “Maybe a little.” It doesn’t, but I won’t tell her that.
***
Dante
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At home, Bethany and I lie wrapped up in each other on the couch. As Maude and Mittens make a bed of my legs, I lay my head on hers.
“What if I can’t get pregnant? Or what if do get pregnant and I lose the baby again? What if we don’t have kids?”
I’ve been waiting for this question since the therapy session with Jennifer. After I carried Bethany home and put her to bed, Jennifer I talked for over an hour about all the stuff Bethany talked about, her fears of me growing to hate her for losing the baby, how she felt like she wasn’t a real woman because she lost the baby. All of those things alone were hard to hear, but then for Jennifer to call and tell me there were a lot more things Bethany didn’t even share that would come later. Going through them, considering the way I really felt and how best to say it to Bethany, I wanted badly to drink myself into oblivion.
Running a finger down her cheek, I give my honest answer. “There are a lot of kids in the system who need families. If you’re open to adopting so am I. And if you aren’t, that’s okay too. We can be pet parents and spoil our nieces and nephews rotten, then hand them back to their parents. I’m okay with not having kids; I’m not okay with not having you. I love you for you, for the way you don’t let me get away with shit, the way you have an answer for everything I say, for the way your eyes go green when I’m inside you, the way your body fits mine to perfection. Everything else is a bonus. I told you, I can’t let you go—it’s like giving up a part of me.”
“Are you sure? Even if I don’t know if I’ll have the strength to try again.”
Meeting her gorgeous green eyes, I don’t blink. “I mean every word, forever and always. I know you are stronger than you think you are. But if you don’t want to try again, it’s up to you. I can take everything else except losing you.”
“I love you.” She whispers against my mouth. “I have since the first day. I kept waiting for something to happen, for me to wake up from this amazing dream I didn’t deserve. When it finally did I was sure our time was over. Only I couldn’t, I couldn’t walk away either. It is like leaving a part of me behind. I felt so guilty I got your ring because of the baby, but then I couldn’t keep the baby. It was like I let you both down.”
“It wasn’t because of the baby I bought this ring, and it was never because of the baby that I put it on your finger. It was you, Bethany. It’s always been you.” She swallows my promise with her kiss, the first since that night, and it’s a promise all over again. For what has happened and what will be, for us.
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One week later
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Bethany
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The alarm from Dante’s phone goes off. I sigh as I snuggle into Dante. His hand goes through my hair.
“Are you ready to get married today? Become Mrs. Dante Sabatini forever?”
“Yes please. I’m glad this is an afternoon thing and we can kick everyone off to sail away. I can’t wait for it to just be us again. I love Alicia, but she’s driving me a little batty asking me every five minutes how I’m feeling. Even though I’m sorry we aren’t having a normal honeymoon.” All I can think is how unfair it is to him.
A finger goes to the line between my eyes. “Don’t even think it. I’m not sorry at all. Normal is a subjective word. The purpose of a honeymoon is for a newly married couple to spend time with each other without the worries of all the usual stuff getting in the way. We need this time together. It doesn’t matter if we won’t be making love; it’s enough for me you’re in my arms when I go to sleep, and you’re still there when I wake up.”
“You always know the perfect thing to say.” I press a kiss to his lips, thankful once again for his love and patience. He sighs. “What?”
“I’m sorry, I kept telling myself to wait until you bring it up, but I can’t stop thinking about it. Do you want to try for another baby when it’s safe or...”
He’s trying so hard to shield his hope. I swallow against the lump in my throat. “I want to try again. You’re right. I am stronger than I think I am. I’m grateful for the pregnancy even though it didn’t come at the best time, but I would like some time for the two of us. For me to settle into my career. Is that okay?”
I’m braced for his disappointment, for guilt to hit me at denying him this, for now. Yet he smiles wide, his brown eyes glittering with happiness. “Whatever you want is okay. A few more years with only you as my entire world is pretty damn appealing. All that matters to me is you are happy. There is no hurry; we have the rest of our lives.”
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Two years later
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I hold my breath as the wand goes over my stomach. Dante gasps at the sight of the baby on the screen. The 3D imaging is amazing; we watch as the baby shifts in response to the wand. “It’s a boy,” the woman announces.
“Everything is good?” Dante asks.
“Yep, take a look at the screen, Daddy. Spine is straight and gorgeous, heartbeat strong, everything looks good.”
Dante squeezes me tight as I sag into him in relief. Even though I felt the baby moving, kicking like he was trying out to be a soccer player fear refused to disappear completely. Now seeing him on the screen so utterly real and perfect the fear floats away as if it never was.
“I’m going to give you a thumb drive of everything, okay?”
We nod, both too overcome as we stare at the screen.
I trace my finger over the screen. “Everything is going to be okay.” I know it now, I can feel it all the way to the marrow of my bones. We’re going to have a perfect, healthy baby boy and more will follow just as perfect. Our life won’t be unicorns and gumdrops, Dante will still drive me crazy from time to time, I’ll still make him nuts but us, we’re going to be just fine for now and always.
As I look up Dante, his eyes meet mine. He sees it all, and he nods in agreement. “Yes, sweetheart, it will.” Another promise in addition to all the others that I have no doubt he’ll keep.
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His Dirty Demands
BBW Romance
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It's hard to believe when I get the call: an offer to work for one of the Sabatini brothers. Cesare and Dante head a real estate firm that buys, sells, and owns some of the most spectacular real estate in Chicago. Dante Sabatini is the youngest of the brothers, and even though he's an arrogant manwhore he doesn't come close to the a$$hole level of the oldest Sabatini, Cesare. While I work for Dante, Cesare is in the office across the hall—and too close for comfort. I'm not sure what misfiring synapse has my stomach flipping a thousand times a minute or my skin hot and tight when the man is around, but I'm doing my best to ignore it. Even if I weren't a virgin, I'm very aware getting involved with Cesare Sabatini would be a complete disaster.
Until the moment I find out Cesare is having the same problem. The insanely gorgeous billionaire wants me? I'm a plus-size woman who has become numb to insults I have heard about my weight. I'm far from numb at the idea of throwing caution to the wind and giving in to the dirty demands Cesare whispered in my ear.
Then I get a call I never thought I would have to deal with. My little sister is being blackmailed. I need twenty five thousand dollars or her future goes up in flames. I'm borrowing it, I'll put it right back.
When Cesare finds out, he demands twenty-five days and nights of my body. Only once I'm in his home and life, twenty-five days isn't enough—I want forever. But what does Cesare want?
His on Demand (BBW Romance)
To make my dream come true I’ll do anything, even put up with an a$$hole like Leandros Kaplan. Four years, five tops and I’ll have enough money saved to stop working and write full time. I know lying to him to get the job is crazy and stupid. It’s as crazy and stupid as the requirement for his new assistant to be married. I’m not married, and I’m not like his past assistants, the ones who dropped sexual innuendo daily and then would hand him their underwear when he asked for reports. I’m a freaking virgin at thirty-one.
I swear I never thought I would fall for him, it doesn’t matter that he’s a gorgeous Greek god billionaire, he’s also a jerk who takes pride in being ruthless and cold-blooded. He’s so out of my league we don’t even play the same game. He’s into dating double zero models. There’s no way he would ever be interested in a plus size like me.
When he finds out I lied I’m not surprised he wants his pound of flesh, I’m surprised he wants it in the form of my flesh, naked for him. The retribution he demands is me, whenever, however, he wants my body. I’ll give it to him, everything he demands. He doesn’t want my heart or tears, only I can’t stop giving him both, and it’s slowly tearing me apart. Can he ever forgive me for lying or will that one lie be the end of us?
His Fire Inside (BBW Romance)
Okay, I know it's crazy to hate someone you've never met before but Rourke Vega is not the average man. The arrogant billionaire manwhore is to blame for turning my beloved Austin from quirky, cool college town to hipster paradise.
It's a good thing I don't have to deal with him while I help his mother recover from a stroke. Her, I love. Him, all right I might have this insane desire to lick the dimple in his chin. Then there's the way from the outside he's calm, cool, collected and in control as if nothing fazes him. It makes me want to press his buttons, to make him lose control, to see the fire he hides inside. The fire I felt all too briefly. The fire I can't forget even as I tell myself I'm crazy because no way could a man as gorgeous as Rourke want a plus size like me.
If my plus size doesn't put him off my family situation will. Both of our lives are too complicated to add romance to it. Besides, he's made it clear for the six months I'm his employee I'm off limits. Except he's still staring at me with the heat of a volcano ready to explode.
Like a fool, I'm drawn to the fire even when I know it means one of us will get burned, but who?
His Sweetest Sin (BBW Romance)
I can’t believe it. Christopher Baldwin, the baddest boy in baseball, wants me. Amelia Bishop...I was maybe a solid seven before an accident changed my life, leaving me fat, broken, and avoiding mirrors. If he hadn’t said it with a stare hot enough to melt brain cells, I would never have believed him when he told me my curves are what he wants.
An arrogant a$$hole with tattoos, a diamond glinting in his ear, and a dirty mouth promising wicked things, Chris Baldwin is no boy. Chris is all man, and a lethally gorgeous one at that. With dimples flashing as he invites me to sin in a slow Southern drawl, I’m trying to remember I don’t swoon, sin, or—wait, what? I forgot not to stare directly at his dimples, and those bright blue eyes aren’t safe either. Sorry, as I was saying.
As appealing as the idea of sinning with Chris is, there is no doubt in my mind I would fail miserably at it, even under his expert tutelage. Chris has been on a steady diet of strippers, women who have all the right moves. Me, I have no moves at all. Chris is major league; I would get laughed out of little league.
I’m also his lawyer, at least until my brother, Ethan, comes back from vacation. Getting involved with clients is a huge no-no, no matter what primetime television might show. As gorgeous as he is, Chris isn’t worth the possibility of hurting my career or losing the hard-earned respect of my boss and brother.
Only I can’t deny he makes being bad sound so good. Once Ethan is back I’m no longer Chris’s lawyer and it’s open season on all my good intentions. Being with him is still dangerous, as his fame attracts all sorts of trouble. Who knows what complications could tear us apart?
His Under Contract (BBW Romance)
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Holly
I never thought I would end up a housekeeper scrubbing floors on my hands and knees for one of the most obnoxious a$$holes I've ever met. It doesn’t matter if the floors are in a million-plus dollar condo, in one of Chicago’s most exclusive addresses. I never had huge aspirations for my future but it certainly wasn't this. While even his sister thinks he’s best taken in small doses, she offers me a job I can’t refuse. I need this job, and it’s not like it’s forever, just until I’m not on the edge of poverty. Let him be the unrepentant manwhore who didn’t do repeats. It’s better for him not to be at home, so close that my stupid body goes nuts when I even think of him. It’s better this way, because he could never want me. I’m a plus size not a size two model he’s used to having. I’m safe, it doesn’t matter how badly I want him, he doesn’t want me. Does he?
Ethan
In my world, the stakes are high, million dollar high, so no, I’m not nice. I don’t say please or thank you and I never apologize. If you have a problem with that, it’s your problem not mine. I didn’t make partner at one of the biggest law firms in Chicago at only thirty-two with my winning personality. I’m on top because I make money for my clients, whether it’s a high stakes takeover, or a player getting paid every dime he’s worth. My clients come out on top. I have worked hard for the life I have, the million-dollar condo, the Ferrari in the garage, and the hottest woman on my arm and in my bed. So, if my b!tch of a new housekeeper wants to look down on me, like I give a fu*k. My one weakness, my little sister parked me with a housekeeper who is far from perfect. Okay, she has the cooking and the cleaning down. But damn, does she have an attitude and a mouth on her that smiles even when she’s insulting me. It’s a good thing she isn’t my type, or I would make her pay the best way possible. At least, I’m trying to tell my c@ck she’s not my type, only the a$$ole has had his own idea since he saw her. It won’t last long though, it never wants any woman for long. When she offers herself to me, it’s with a contract where I hold all the control, all I have to do is sign.
His Healing Touch (BBW Romance)
Maggie Pruitt can take care of herself, thank you very much. She doesn’t need the drool worthy ER doctor carrying her away from her problems. Although she is pretty impressed he’s strong enough to carry her size fourteen muffin-topped butt away if he wanted to. She’s been taking care of herself for years and she doesn’t need anyone’s help.
Okay, maybe just this once and just until she can walk without crying. Besides this is a one-time kind of thing. It’s not every day a nearly one hundred pound Rottweiler takes off on her without warning. As soon as her right ankle stops exploding in pain when she steps on it and her left knee stops feeling like it’s being poked with a sharp object she’s out the door.
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She’s gone this long alone and really she’s happier that way, really. She doesn’t need some man to complete her. Now if it’s sex he’s after (with her?) that’s something she’s very willing to have the doctor’s healing touch for.
Rafael’s Woman (BBW Romance)
Carrie Whitney’s young twin brothers have messed up one too many times. Rafael Castillo now holds their future in his hands. The ruthless billionaire isn't interested in giving them a second chance. She has no choice but to go to Rafael to beg for her brothers to be given another chance. Nothing goes as planned, and in a whirlwind of tears and accusations, Carrie finds herself in the arms of a man she knows has the power to make or break her world. Never expecting to find someone like him, she is willing to take him any way she can get him. A relationship based only in her bedroom, no promises, no holding hands.
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Rafael Castillo wasn’t expecting the tiny woman with the bright blue eyes to turn his world upside down, and he doesn’t like it. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to go, and now that he’s lost in her beautiful body, the way out of their nights locked in her room, away from the pressures of expectation, is harder to find.
His on the Rebound (BBW Romance)
Sarah
How could I have let Maxwell Brandt kiss me? I can't stand the arrogant, billionaire who treated women as if they were disposable, to be used then thrown away. Who the heck am I kidding? I’m just as bad because I kissed him back, with a hunger I've never known before. Despite the fact Max keeps coming back to entice me, I stand firm. I won’t cheat on on Kevin, my fiance. I won’t become that person, no matter how badly my body wants him.
Until the moment Max drops a bomb that destroys everything. Kevin has been cheating. His words destroy the illusion I’ve been hiding behind, because I know he’s telling the truth. Breaking things off with Kevin isn't nearly as painful as I thought it would be, my pride hurts more than my heart.
All I want to do is hide and lick my wounds but Max demands I fulfill the promise of that kiss, in a rush of anger, pain, and hunger, I give in. The feeling of being wanted by a man like Max wiping away the humiliation of Kevin’s betrayal. Maybe a fling, a rebound affair, is exactly what I need. No promises, no expectations, and no broken heart. At least, that’s the way it started
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Max
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Out of curiosity, to get a look at the fiancée who put up with a cheating weasel like Kevin Jarvis, I find myself looking into the bright green eyes of a woman who makes my body hard with longing. Then the weasel does the unimaginable and introduces green eyes as his fiancée. Even though she looks at my hand like it’s a grenade about to go off, she takes it and we both feel the attraction. We’re both in deep $hit now, because I know she feels what I feel and I’m about to go after her, fiancé or not.
His Hostile Takeover (BBW Romance)
Ellie Shaw has been in love with Greg Turner since she first met him at sixteen. It doesn’t matter that now at twenty-four he still treats her like a kid sister, Ellie still loves him. So, why did her body go haywire when she first met Dmitri Markhoff? Dmitri was taking over the company she had worked so hard to keep going; Ellie wasn’t part of the bargain. She needed the job of personal assistant he was offering, but it was only for three months. Once it was over she could come back to Greg. What she felt for Dmitri was an aberration, she was sure of it. Besides all of that, men as gorgeous as Dmitri Markhoff didn’t look twice at women like her, who wore a dress size in the double digits; they went for models that were a size zero.
Dmitri Markhoff is a ruthless corporate raider and had long given up on soft feelings for women. He enjoyed their bodies and paid for it in diamonds and other trinkets. All he wants is Elise’s lush body, which has the kind of curves that should come with a warning sign; love isn’t something he’s looking for. When he figures out that Elise is untouched, his body goes into overdrive. Even though he’s aware that keeping her is wrong, since all he wants is sex, he’s having the hardest time letting her go.
His Sugar Baby (BBW Romance)
Grant
I made my first million at sixteen, my first billion before I was thirty. I get what I want how I want it, and I have no problem paying for it, that includes women. Hell, I’ve already been doing it with the women I’ve been dating. They enjoy my credit cards during the day and I’m supposed to be able to enjoy them at night but as the weeks go on the excuses pile up but they still spend my money. So I’m done with dating. It’s time for a woman who knows the deal and signs on the dotted line. I’m looking for a sugar baby, it's instant lust when I find Anne and see her curves that should come with a warning sign. Until I find out she hasn't just been a sugar baby before; she's sold herself by the hour in Las Vegas. It's one step too far for me, only I can't stop thinking about her. I find out she had her reasons for what she did, like I have mine. Her past is her past; I want her for what she is now. Besides, this is just sex, a simple exchange for time and money. Except, little by little, it becomes far from simple as I find out money doesn't buy everything.
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Anne
I thought I was done with being a sugar baby, of selling myself for security and a better life than the one I grew up in. Even though I’m a plus size, not a size two, men were more than willing to buy what I was selling. I tried to go white collar, to be normal. For four years I worked my ass off to get a degree in accounting; only, things don’t always go as planned. The instant attraction to Grant is a cherry on top; he's gorgeous and very generous. Is that why all my rules begin to blur, blend, and break to please him? I'm not ashamed of my past and all I’ve experienced, but it doesn't prepare me for Grant and all the things he wants and needs from me. I don't believe in forever, in happily ever after. What happens when he wants more than I can give?
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His Hidden Agenda (BBW Romance)
I hate him, I hate him, I hate him. He’s always so charming and gorgeous and everyone in the office loves him but not me. He’s my competition and I hate him. I deserve the promotion, I’ve given not just my nights but my weekends and even my marriage to this company and I deserve the promotion. Only it’s Alex my bosses are patting on the back and taking meetings with. I’m positive the only reason Alex is nice and smiling to me is because he’s trying to throw me off my game. Men as gorgeous as him don’t let their eyes linger on fat girls like me. He’s blueblood, I’m south side Chicago below the poverty line, he’s Harvard and I’m night school six years to get a degree, on paper it’s laughable. He can’t really want me, there has to be something he’s hiding, a hidden agenda only he knows.
There is and when I finally find out I’m going to have the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. The company I’ve put my life into or a chance at the kind of love I never believe existed before.
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His Secretary with Benefits (Erotic Romance)
For two years, Ria has longed to touch the fire in Drake Hawthorne’s eyes, but she doesn’t dare. The hotel where she works has a strict hands-off-patrons policy and if it’s found out she’s even lingered too long in his room, she’ll lose the job she’s worked so hard for. Maybe if she were more reckless and willing to step out on a ledge she would, but she isn’t and she can’t. Because it isn’t just Ria’s welfare at stake, but her little brother’s, and she’s not able to put his happiness on the line for her own. So, she’ll keep hiding behind the meaningless wedding ring and fake husband that she knows is the only thing that has kept Drake from pushing her for more. She’s seen enough rich and powerful men like Drake Hawthorne to know they didn’t care about the havoc they left behind only for the moment where they got what they wanted. Ria needs more than a moment, she wants and needs forever.
When Drake finds out there isn’t a husband, he demands marriage, and Ria opens her mouth to say yes, until he warns her about the ending. Marriage shouldn’t come with a time limit and Ria refuses to give in. Just when it looks like forever is promised, will a threat from her past cost her the future that’s within reach with Drake?
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His Next Chapter (Erotic Romance)
Lukas Everett might be gorgeous but he's damaged. As damaged on the outside as Avery is on the inside. Lukas is Avery’s new reclusive landlord. A car accident that killed his wife left him with physical scars that cause him to hide from the world. Avery hasn’t had it easy in her few physical relationships and isn’t looking to get involved with anyone let alone someone as cold and hard as Lukas. She discovers that Lukas is also hiding behind a pen name as a popular writer that she herself has enjoyed. It isn’t long before Avery demands all the passion she sees in Lukas but will she just be the next chapter in his story or will they find their own happy ending?
A Favor (Erotic Romance)
One is scarred externally by war, the other internally by life. Can love heal two broken people? The security contracting firm Zoe works for needs the former Ranger, Sam, and soon Zoe realizes she needs him too. Except life has taught her not to let people in as it only leads to pain in the end. Will letting Sam lead to more pain or could it be the best things she's ever done, for the both of them?
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His Marriage Demand (Erotic Romance)
For two years, Ria has longed to touch the fire in Drake Hawthorne’s eyes, but she doesn’t dare. The hotel where she works has a strict hands-off-patrons policy and if it’s found out she’s even lingered too long in his room, she’ll lose the job she’s worked so hard for. Maybe if she were more reckless and willing to step out on a ledge she would, but she isn’t and she can’t. Because it isn’t just Ria’s welfare at stake, but her little brother’s, and she’s not able to put his happiness on the line for her own. So, she’ll keep hiding behind the meaningless wedding ring and fake husband that she knows is the only thing that has kept Drake from pushing her for more. She’s seen enough rich and powerful men like Drake Hawthorne to know they didn’t care about the havoc they left behind only for the moment where they got what they wanted. Ria needs more than a moment, she wants and needs forever.
When Drake finds out there isn’t a husband, he demands marriage, and Ria opens her mouth to say yes, until he warns her about the ending. Marriage shouldn’t come with a time limit and Ria refuses to give in. Just when it looks like forever is promised, will a threat from her past cost her the future that’s within reach with Drake?
The Gangster’s Girlfriend (Erotic Romance)
Miranda Beckett has been born and bred in Chicago and with that comes the knowledge that the city built firmly on criminal enterprises by every group that could gain ground is still a city where crime is as much of the economy as the retail shops and hotels that line Michigan Avenue. Just like others in Chicago a blind eye is a content eye until it’s all brought into sharp focus by her younger brother one late night. She hasn’t seen her brother in years and the last time she had she’d told him she never wanted to see him again so she knew it was desperation that led him to her door. Before, he’d flat out stolen from her but now he’s pleading for the money. He pleas for the money that he owes the head of the IRA in Chicago and then he threatens that Declan Kelly knows about her and that she has the money and if she doesn’t give it then Kelly will come for it himself.
Miranda refuses her brother and she knows she’ll be able to refuse Declan Kelly when the time comes. But she’s wrong, so very wrong. It isn’t money Kelly wants, it’s her. Her expertise as an accountant to audit his books and find who is stealing from him, that’s it he tells her but his eyes tell her there’s more.
Without even being quite sure how and why she agreed, a deal is struck and Miranda wonders how long she can fight the need for a man she can’t have. It’s one thing to know what Declan Kelly does and another to allow herself become involved with him. She is sure she can keep Declan at bay, she has no plans to become a gangster’s girlfriend or lose her heart to him.
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His for More than One Night (Erotic Romance)
Kate Frazier wants one night and one night only. It’s the only thing she’s made for, the only thing she’s capable of. She doesn’t want any hand holding or cuddling, she wants to get off and then she wants them to leave. She likes her men, bland boring and non-threatening only the Nordic god staring at her from across the pub is anything but. One by one she’s breaking her rules for only one night because the moment he gets close she can’t help herself.
Only Trey refuses to let it go at one night. He knows her secret the one she’s tried so hard to pretend didn’t happen, didn’t exist even as her nightmares still haunt her. He knows and has her admitting to the rape she suffered from her mother’s boyfriend for two long years and he knows about the frantic, ugly things she did with anyone who would have her in her teens. He sees it all and it doesn’t faze him, he wants the woman she is now and he’s not going to let her go.
Now Kate has to make the decision to go through the painful door of her past to the other side where Trey and the happiness she never thought she could know is waiting.
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His Back Bay Princess (Steamy Romance)
Diego Suarez is a Boston homicide cop who comes from a completely different world than Catherine Fisher. He’s the son of Mexican migrant farm workers; she can find the founders of Boston in her blue bloodline. He’d had to endure a stint in the Marines to fund college; she’d gone went to a private university and her graduation present had been a three- story home in Back Bay, where Diego couldn’t even afford property taxes. They are different, too different for it to work out between them. Cat deserves better than what he can give her. It will never work.
It doesn’t matter if the only time he feels alive is when he’s with her. It doesn’t matter that she looks at him with all the love she feels for him in her eyes. One day she’ll wake up and figure out she can do better than him. It’s better to never start something that won’t last, can’t last.
Catherine doesn’t care about money, the having of it or lack of it. All she cares about is Diego. After Diego has been shot and she is asked to look after him, she knows she has just one last chance to find out what is keeping Diego from her. She knows he feels something for her, so why is he pushing her away?