"You're aware I'm 34." "Yes.." 11 years older than her.. "Mmm... come here A'Niyah."

NEEDS EDITING THIS IS A FIRST DRAFT He built a fortress around his heart. She brought a wrecking ball and a secret. Elias Thorne is a mystery in Oakhaven, A solitary figure and the owner of a successful tattoo franchise, his wealth is as carefully guarded as his silence. He is the quiet grump the whole town wants to decipher, but no one ever gets close. Elias likes his life neat, organized, and utterly empty of anything that could remind him of love and loss. Then June Hayes arrives. Burnt out from the new york art scene and pregnant via a donor, June is determined to create a peaceful, new life for herself and her baby. To the locals, she's just a sweet, new artist. They have no idea she's also viral sensation with over a million followers who sells her work to the A-list. June sees Elias's grumpy exterior and smiles. She needs a friend, and she has decided the broody, ball cap wearing man (no seriously I never see him without a hat on - June) across the street is it. She invades his quiet space showing up at the inkwell every Tuesday and spending the day, sharing her music, and poking at his meticulous order. Elias fights it all, clenching his jaw and pulling his cap low to hide the truth: he fell for the Wildflower the minute she crashed into his life. As June begins posting subtle, faceless photos of him, their reluctant friendship turns into an online viral romance that threatens to expose both of their secrets. How do you guard a heart that already belongs to a Wildflower, a baby, and a life you swore you'd never have? And what happens when the most careful grump in Oakhaven blurts out, "That's my wife," just to stay by her side? Tropes: - Grumpy x Sunshine - He Falls First - Protective - Pregnancy - Small Town - Forced Friends - Friends to lovers - Secret Identity CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE

Sequel to Taste of Iron. Atlas never imagined that he would date a criminal even in his wildest dreams, and now he was living with one. Atlas and Emil thought their journey would be smooth sailing- but read how friends, family, and old enemies add a dash of danger, a touch of trouble, and a kiss of spice to their lives. Story of a chef, a crime boss, and a cat.

"When I first saw you, I thought I'd have to kill you." "Uh, excuse me?" "But now I'll kill anyone that even thinks of laying a finger on you," he said, a dry laugh escaping his lips. "How times change, huh?" ~~~ Atlas, a young chef, was simply trying to survive in the big city. When a mysterious intruder, Emil, breaks into his apartment, Atlas is thrust into a life completely different from his. As Emil takes a liking to Atlas, will the chef run away? Or will the crime boss give him a reason to stay? ~~~ [mxm]

Join Coia as she navigates her adult hood, trials and tribulations, successes and losses, learning and unlearning both people and habits.

"Why do you want me?" "You want to know why I want you?" He exhales, like he's been holding this in for weeks. "I want you because I don't date for fun. I don't do temporary. I want you because when I think about marriage, your face is the only one there. I want you because if I ever have kids, I want them to have you as their mother. I want you because you're the love of my life." A beat. "And I want you because everything in me settles when you're with me."

Arlo lives under constant pressure, doing his best to hold things together while caring for his 16-year-old sister Moniece and navigating a home shaped by their mother's addiction. When a crisis at home disrupts what little stability he has, Arlo is forced to take on even more responsibility than he ever expected. Cartier's life is shaped by risky choices and misplaced trust, until one night changes everything. Arlo, working a late shift at a gas station, steps in at a critical moment and gets him the help he needs. That single act connects their lives in unexpected ways, setting the stage for a bond that grows deeper as both men struggle with loyalty, survival, and the possibility of something more.

"𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢'𝐦𝐚 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐲𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐭. 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐱 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚"

After getting in trouble for the millionth time, Landon's mother makes the decision to ship him off to Montana to stay with his father for the summer. The thought of spending those long, sweltering days in the middle of nowhere, far from the comforts of city life-complete with relentless heat, annoying bugs, and the occasional wild animal-was far from what Landon had envisioned for his summer break. But as fate would have it, he wasn't prepared for what lay ahead, especially not for meeting Clementine. As Landon steps out of the dinner, he notices a group of boys. And one of them hops off the truck's hood, his mischievous smile lighting up a face. "Looky here, we got us a city boy," he mocks, sizing Landon up with a scrutinizing gaze. Landon feels the defiance sparking within him. "A city boy that can whoop your ass," he retorts, his voice stead. He squares his shoulders. "Guys, leave him alone," a voice cuts through the tension as a dark-skinned beauty jumps out of the truck, her presence commanding the group's attention. Landon's gaze drifts toward her, and he can't help but take her in fully from her slicked-back curly hair to her dusty boots that tell stories of their own. There's a fierce spark in her eyes, as if she can see right through him-confronting any lingering uncertainty he has about being here. He watches her engage with the boys, still keeping an eye on the one that spoke. Suddenly, the summer landscape doesn't feel so indifferent, and the oppressive heat seems a little less daunting. Maybe this summer won't be so bad after all.