This is a rough first draft Part 1/Book One-ish currently not available and in the professional editing stage for publishing. Part 2 UPDATED WEEKLY for current readers He finally released my legs, allowing me to slide down his body until my feet hit the floor, but that was as far as he let me go. Heat was radiating off him, scorching me all the way down my spine as he held me tightly against him. His quick breaths were falling on the back of my neck with a tingling warmth that brought goosebumps to the surface of my skin. Placing one large hand on my shoulder, he wrapped my long brown hair around his other. Gently, he tugged on my dark mane, pulling my head to the side and exposing the tender column of my neck. Bringing his nose down to the crook there, he inhaled deeply, a rumbling "mmmm" escaping his lips. My mouth went dry. "Are-" I swallowed. "Are you going to mark me?" I manage in a stuttered whisper. Book Blurb: (new blurb coming soon) They are fated, but it's complicated. He would give anything to have her, except her life. She would give anything to have him, including her life. Content Advisory: recommended 18+ due to strong language and sexual content Copyright 2024 Alara Birch, all rights reserved.

In a war over the food court, an eager barista battles the confident competitor--and her own heart. *** Young barista Cora Chun takes pride in being a Cool Bean, even after years without a promotion. So when Farron Kam, the younger assistant manager of the competing smoothie shop, flaunts her hatred for her job, Cora is determined to crush her to a pulp. What she doesn't expect is for Farron to take her up on the challenge. With that declaration of war, the two begin a battle over the food court: who can serve the most customers, who can close up the fastest, who can grab the last loaf of bread at the supermarket... But as the rivalry begins to blend with romance, Cora has to decide if she is fighting a battle over beverages, or one over her own heart. *** Cover by the great @KateNotGreat! NOW SERVING: ✓ Sapphic workplace rivals-to-lovers ✓ Genderfluid love interest (with a cool tattoo) (and a motorcycle) ✓ First love and found family ✓ Opposites attract with a height difference ✓ PUNS GALORE FEATURED: ★ @Wattpad Community Pride Recs, Love Games ★ @FreeTheLGBT Pride Awards 2024 - Second Place ★ @Ambassadors Ambassador Reads, @ChickLit Serialized Spotlight, @ContemporaryLit, @lgbtq Word Count: +90k Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romcom, Comedy, New Adult ☆ This story is only available on Wattpad by @laurendoubleu

Nandini Varma owns the only bookstore in town and is content with hiding her awkward self behind bestsellers. What she doesn't know is that her favorite author has moved near her, and that perhaps she could finally have a love story of her own, even if it's an awkward one. ***** Ryan Callahan wants to move on from his writing career and just work for the police. It's hard though, when the town's book lady happens to be a huge fan of his. She's smart, funny, beautiful, and kind - a lethal combination. He wants to get to know her more, but something seems to be holding her back. Who is this mysterious woman that Ryan can't stop thinking about? Content/trigger warning: This story contains themes of sexism and verbal abuse. [[word count: 70,000 - 80,000]] Cover designed by Joe Resch