Taylani wasn't looking for love. She was looking for a sperm donor-nothing more, nothing less. No strings, no commitment, no man telling her how to raise her baby. Roman wasn't supposed to be that man. He was supposed to show up, donate, and disappear. But one look at her? And he never left. What started as a simple arrangement turned into sleepless nights, stolen kisses, soft mornings, and a family neither of them planned for. Now she's trying to protect her heart... while he's busy proving he already owns it. She asked for a baby. He gave her forever.

Bernique Johnson prefers to be invisible. But Jake D. Henderson sees everything - especially her. What begins as a 3 a.m. summons turns into late-night calls, intense stares, and a dangerous unraveling. Jake doesn't flirt. He challenges. And Bernique? She's not used to being wanted. Not like this. It has to be a game. But if it isn't, she might have to face the truth she's avoided all her life: She was always more than enough.

A story of heartbreak, healing, and the love you never saw coming. Zarra Reynolds had it all figured out-until the man she trusted most shattered her world. After eight years together, James wasn't just her partner-he was her friend, her lover, her future. But when he suggested opening their relationship, Zarra's heart whispered no... and her instincts were right. One night changed everything. Blindsided by betrayal, Zarra stumbles-literally-into a stranger in a stairwell while trying to escape the wreckage of her love life. He's sharp-tongued, stoic, and unexpected. But behind that steel gaze lies someone who sees her in a way James never did. Now, on the verge of her 50th birthday, Zarra is forced to start over. Between therapy sessions, painful memories, and quiet mornings alone with her coffee, she never expected to feel anything for anyone again. But that stranger? He keeps showing up-in her thoughts, in her life, and maybe, just maybe, in her heart. What if the love that heals you comes after the one that broke you? For fans of second chances, slow burns, and fierce women who choose themselves first.

Leader of the biggest mafia in New York City, The Hellbound Hounds, had his already chaotic life thrown upside down when a year ago a member died giving birth to his child. A high-end nanny from a wealthy family has seen her share of illicit activities during her career, but never thought she would get recruited by New York's biggest gang leader. COMPLETE!!!

| 2025 Wattys Shortlist 🖊️🧡! In Cairnwall, 1972, unaware of the mobster who has been threading across the narrow line of near psychotic obsession for over a year, finally makes himself known to her. His unwavering attraction to her is forbidden, frowned upon by many, and they both know this. But he doesn't care. Before her, no one was able to crack through his mask, but she smashes through it without effort-without needing to say a word. She makes his heart-something he cast aside long ago-stumble and stammer with a simple smile. Her breath catches when he glances her way, her heart burning when he pulls away, but she would rather push him away, keep their coupling hidden away, locked behind closed doors, and deep within the depths of the shadows. She wants to protect herself from the scrutiny society will cast upon her for having the gall to be with him, but he wants to put her on his throne and make society kiss her feet. What will happen when two worlds that should not even glide past each other end up crashing?

She was poised, stunning, and untouchable when he saw her behind the check-in counter. However, Adriano Morelli, a mafia heir, never agreed to boundaries. Kaïra Thomas, a beautiful Trinidadian woman, working the check-in counter at a busy airport, had no idea that her world was about to fall apart when he first saw her. Kaïra is abducted and brought into the centre of Italy's criminal underworld, where she is forced into a marriage she never desired with a man who serves as both her protector and captor. Can love blossom in the shadows, or will it break her to pieces, trapped in a gilded cage of violence, obsession, and desire?

"She served him a meal. He served her a life sentence." Laila Carter, a hard-working college student with dreams bigger than her wallet, takes a waitressing job to help pay for school. She's sharp-tongued, stunning, and uninterested in the men who fawn over her at work. But one night, the mysterious and powerful Demetri Vescari walks into the restaurant she works at-not as a customer, but as the silent owner and ruthless mafia leader hiding in plain sight. Demetri becomes obsessed with Laila's voice, her goddess-like locs, and the fire in her eyes. She resists him at every turn, sensing the danger he conceals behind his charm. But when Demetri blackmails her estranged father into agreeing to a marriage neither she nor her heart agreed to, Laila is thrust into a deadly world of secrets, power, and passion. And there's no walking away from a man who's decided you're his.

"𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐈'𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝? 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡? 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥" • A student on scholarship and a shy university professor. An almost very unlikely pair. • "You don't understand how important she is to me" I clenched my jaw, feeling the urge to throw something. "She's everything to me and I just...I just ruined it!" My voice ripped through my throat as I flung the glass of whiskey at the wall and I watched it shatter while the golden liquid stained the neat white walls. "She's gonna be fine, Theodore" Asher said with a somber and empathetic expression on his face and I scoffed. "Fuck yes, she's gonna be fine! But what about me?" I tilted my head at him and he inhaled. "You'll be fine, Theo." he spoke so softly I wished I was that calm. I wished I could be. "Not without her I'm not" I dropped back in my chair, my hands shaking violently and she wasn't around to help me get through it. PS: Lyrics of a song by Nasty C- Flaws and All. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 - 22𝐫𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐜, 2020 Completed - 17th Oct, 2021

⚠️Although not necessary, I suggest you read Torn first since this story references characters from that story and may contain some spoilers. ⚠️ Alicia Williams is a high-spirited, headstrong, and successful young woman who has worked hard in her career to buy her first home by the age of 30. Settling into the quaint, quiet neighborhood was supposed to be easy. Especially since her best friend Mia, lived just around the corner. Her plan was to introduce herself to her neighbors and build a friendly rapport with all of them. However, when she meets Noah McCarthy, she's flabbergasted by her (unconventionally) handsome neighbors crude attitude. He's a bad boy; there's no doubt about it. He's filled with tats, loves bikes, and has a complete disregard for societal norms and others feelings. This leads to a never ending feud between the two neighbors. The last thing Alicia will tolerate is disrespect! Eventually, lines begin to blur and these two enemies can't help but notice how attracted they are to one another despite the hatred they harbor and the differences in their personalities. Follow along the journey with Alicia and Noah as they navigate through their hatred, confusion, and their eventual love for one another.

Mia Jones was the sole witness to a devastating tragedy that changed her life forever. With that change came a new perspective on life. She's very pro-black (which isn't a bad thing), she doesn't trust easily, and she's been very uptight and protective over her youngest brother for most of her life since the tragedy. Now in her senior year of college, Mia has decided to take more chances then she's ever taken before. She's opening up and trying new things while also learning to loosen the reigns she has over her brother. When Alicia, her roommate/best friend, decides to send her on a blind date, the guy is the complete opposite of what she would ever go for. However, she didn't realize he might actually be someone she NEEDED. Add into the mix a cast filled with list of colorful college students and your given a recipe for drama! Mia's senior year is about to be one long rollercoaster of emotions but hopefully she'll come out unscathed. Please vote and comment on chapters that you enjoy! Thank you in advance ❤️