*CONTENT WARNING* THIS IS A TABOO ROMANCE [18+] I am not wired right. Perhaps by birth. Perhaps by circumstance. Either way, my brain doesn't feed off praise or any other normal fuel. I feed off defiance. I crave a little itch in my skin. A thunder of the darkness to come. Whatever the reason, I need adrenaline to keep my fire burning. I need a habit that might kill me before the thrill is over. The most dangerous of all caught me with a cig between my teeth, lungs suffocating and the thinest of boundaries keeping me sane. He wants me to be right. To be like the other girls. He thinks I can be fixed. A little buff and shine and she'll sparkle. Only I was born from filth. I thrive in it. Seep into the very marrow of it. He wants us to be clean, but deep down, we're both filthy.

Will be removed 1/1/24 for publishing available on amazon and KU! • 2022 Watty's Romance Shortlist • Caught between her ex and his brother, Maxwell toes the line of love and friendship in the shoes of a 'grooms woman' who refuses to settle down. ****** Fresh out of college and working in her dream role as a graphic designer at one of the most prestigious fashion companies, Maxwell feels that her life is finally falling into place. When the news of her oldest friend (and ex-boyfriend) Finn's wedding brings her back to her parent's vineyard, she assumes 'grooms woman' duties to the man she chose to leave behind all those years ago. Luca, her ex's older brother and now a billionaire CEO, is also back for the first time in over four years, bringing a storm of change with him in the night. As the wedding festivities bring the two closer than ever, Maxwell finds herself undeniably drawn to Luca, much to Finn's increasing irritation. The two struggle with the consequences of their attraction as the sexual tension and emotional connection grows between them, forcing Maxwell to question whether her happiness and desires are worth ripping their families apart and changing the course of her future forever. [[word count: 120,000 - 130,000]] Most Impressive Rankings #1 - friendstolovers #1 - college #1 - friends #1 - collegeromance

"Cole," I breathe, touching his cheek. He shuts his eyes, refusing to look at me but leans into my palm. "It's now or never," I hopelessly cry. He sucks his bottom lip between his teeth as he reveals those sparkly blue eyes underneath those long eyelashes of his. I lean into him, "Kiss me," I ask as I nudge my nose against his. "I..." ---------------------------------------------------------- Inspired by the song Marry Me by Thomas Rhett Scarlett Davis and Colson Young have been friends since childhood but the lost of Scarlett's best friend and Cole's sister Alex and his father made them as close as you can be. Scarlett is about to marry her boyfriend but a revelation by her own sister, sends her into a tail spin of confusion. A little kiss that ended badly shut all doors on her feelings for Cole when they were teenagers. Now adults, Scarlett is starting to think those feelings aren't as buried as she once thought. Intending to be the one to give her away, Scarlett isn't so sure she wants Cole to ever let go. Losing his father and sister in a blink changed Cole. He holds those dear to him close and Scarlett, who glued him back together, he holds the closest. He can never lose her, which has stopped him from ever taking the next step with her. Now, she's asking all the right questions and he keeps coming up with all the wrong answers. Soon she'll be in a white dress, but who will she marry?