(INCOMPLETE - Adding Authors Notes) *THIS IS A LOVE STORY, not a romance. Be aware. I'm so in love with this man that it hurts in its beauty; its heartbeat. It's obsession. When eligible bachelor, multi-millionaire hotel entrepreneur Carlos Rickerts was snagged by little nobody Aliya Hawkins, everyone wondered if he'd lost his mind. Coming from ancient heritage and wealth, Carlos grew up on tabloids, manners, and Responsibilities - Capital R. Then society got their first look at how his money cleaned up the gutter rat, and ate crow for what he must have seen from the start; a glittering diamond beneath the rough. Now, years later, no one bats an eye at their lovers' spats and romantic exploits. Nor do they know the reality of their relationship. Is everything as Cupid and arrows as they portray, or is truth stranger than fiction? In Example: Big Red Button. Push. ------------- WARNING: 18+ Possible TRIGGERS: STRONG use of adult language Alcohol Abuse Shifting Power Dynamics Bullying Abandonment References to: Physical Violence Dubious Consent Anger Management Issues ---- Male love Male --- DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. --- For Mom & Sebila. Thank you. --- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part or entirity of this novel may be copied or republished elsewhere without the authors permission. Copyright: August 2021

"Do you know anything about mashing faces?" Fans went wild with ugly commentary when multi-millionaire hotel entrepreneur Carlos Rickerts was stood up at the altar by Aliya Hawkins for one of his own hotel security guards, Jonathon Wilson. Everyone wants to know how it happened - what happened - but the trio have been silent, and no one else seems to know any of the details. The Wedding is hinted to be a smashing success, with Carlos Rickerts giving away the bride. Though no actual pictures were released of the quiet, small affair, rumors have flown like bits of ember during a wildfire in a dry season. Absolutely everyone wants to know: What will Carlos Rickerts do having risen to this year's rank of Most Eligible Bachelor? Because there's no ignoring these two when they're together; chemistry off the charts. ----- WARNING: 16+ Possible TRIGGERS: Use of adult language Dubious Consent Mind Games References: Violence ------- Male love Male ------- For anyone, and everyone, that ever struggled in love. And Mr. Morrison. I told you authors researched. ----- DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. ---- Copyright: June 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part or entirity of this novel may be copied or republished elsewhere without the authors permission.

[IN EDITS] I would have sworn I don't have a possessive or jealous bone in my body, but something about this woman has my stomach tensing in sailors knots. She's trouble. When little nobody Aliya Hawkins snagged eligible bachelor, multi-millionaire hotel entrepreneur Carlos Rickerts, everyone wondered if he'd lost his mind. Coming from ancient heritage and wealth, C.R. grew up on tabloids, manners, and Responsibilities - Capital R. Then society got their first look at how his money cleaned up the gutter rat, and ate crow for what he must have seen from the start; a glittering diamond beneath the rough. Now, years later, no one bats an eye at their lovers' spats and romantic exploits. Nor do they know the reality of their relationship. Is everything as Cupid and arrows as they portray, or is truth stranger than fiction? I desire his approval; crave that whisper touch of his eyes, so full of lust and possession. ----- WARNING: 18+ Possible TRIGGERS: STRONG use of adult language, and dark themes Alcohol & Psychological Abuse Mental Illness Dubious Consent Violence References: Suicide attempt Murder Human Trafficking ---- Male love Female ---------- DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. ----- For Eldanesh And James Sawyer ---- Copyright: 2014 (Aliya's first two perspectives) Copyright: August 2021 (The rest) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part or entirity of this novel may be copied or republished elsewhere without the authors permission.