"Morning, Mr. Serious," I say now, setting his usual cup on the table. I add two sugar packets because I can't help myself. He never uses them. He never even looks at them. But I like the idea of them sitting there, taunting him with sweetness. His eyes flick up to mine - stormy gray, the kind that make you feel like you're under interrogation for a crime you don't remember committing. "You should stop doing that." His voice is low, accented, like gravel dragged across velvet. Russian maybe? Or Italian. Or both. Either way, it does unholy things to my stomach. "Doing what?" I ask innocently, sliding the sugar closer to his hand. "That." His gaze drops to the packets. "I don't take sugar." I grin, all sunshine and sass. "You don't know that. Maybe one day you'll wake up and realize life's better with a little sweetness." ●・○・●・○・● Rafael Volkov doesn't do small talk. Or smiles. Or sugar in his coffee. As the mafia's underboss, he's built a reputation on silence, sharp suits, and an expression that could curdle milk. So of course, Lila Parker makes it her mission to crack him. The sunny diner waitress insists on slipping him extra sugar packets, calling him "Mr. Serious" behind the counter, and treating him like a normal guy instead of a walking red flag. He tells her to stop. She doesn't. He growls. She grins. And suddenly, his late-night coffee runs feel less like routine and more like... something he shouldn't want. The problem? In his world, affection is dangerous. Smiles get noticed. Weaknesses get used. And if Lila isn't careful, her little act of kindness might just paint a target on her back. Rafael swore he didn't have a sweet tooth. Turns out he was wrong. ●・○・●・○・● Word Count: 37,478

𝐕𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐄 𝐋𝐄𝐄 is pretty sure her new neighbor is a serial killer. What else could explain his antisocial behavior, creepily minimalistic apartment, and that inhumanly emotionless demeanor? Not to mention the bloody body parts that have started showing up. It's too bad she's not scared of him. Or his unveiled threats on her life. But an emotionally scarred gangster on the run -- riding the brink of insanity and followed by a host of trouble -- is a lot more than she could've bargained for. 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐌𝐎 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐎 is beyond redemption. Capo of the Romano crime family, the sociopathic Prince of Chicago, hell wrapped in a designer suit. He exemplifies cold precision and perfect control. His job has always come easily to him for the very same reason that his name is feared widely: he's incapable of emotion. But something horrifying and sinister is beginning to happen to him. And it turns out that pesky slipping sanity is the least of his concerns. Because his new neighbor is a ray-of-sunshine wildcard dipped in beauty like he's never seen, and she won't leave him alone. Worse, he can't decide if he should kill or protect her. Massimo doesn't count on Vivienne being the first person to look at him like he's human. Or demons from his past coming back to haunt him. Much less a new threat looming on the horizon. Or love. Especially not that. ♛ Deviant Prince is a slow burn, enemies to lovers, dark mafia romance. WARNING: this story gets very dark. You must check the CW in the intro. [ Book 2 in the Romano Brotherhood Series | COMPLETED ✔ ]

She nodded solemnly. "With my girl charm and my pretty dress. But now I just feel like a hot pile of creamed corn." I dragged a hand over my face. "You need water. And sleep." "I need closure." "Sunshine..." "No," she said, standing straighter and stabbing a finger into my chest. "You don't get to look like that and make me feel feelings and then just go all mysterious and noble and disappear like a sexy hitman Batman." "Sexy hitman Batman?" "I had a lot of wine." "I noticed." ●・○・●・○・● She bakes cookies. He breaks bones. Everyone in the city fears mafia boss Dominic Moretti-everyone except Tessa Bloom, the relentlessly cheerful café owner next door to his front business. She calls him "Mr. Broody," brings him muffins he never asks for, and walks into his office like it's not occupied by a man who could have someone disappeared with a phone call. Dominic doesn't have time for distractions-especially not sweet, sunshine-eyed distractions with flour on their noses. But when Tessa finds herself tangled in the underworld he's spent a lifetime controlling, protecting her becomes more than a duty. It becomes personal. And suddenly, the most dangerous man in the city starts falling for the only woman who isn't afraid of him. ●・○・●・○・● Word count: 23,178 Top Rankings: 10.14.25 - #6 in Mafia

Silva wants what he shouldn't have and takes what he can't desire. He should've known. Irisa offsets the brittle balance of diabolical cruelty, but it's a forgivable transgression that he's willing to make an exception for. She's a simple girl with a special smile; something opposite of him as it burns into his skin with regret. Regret that he doesn't have her. He doesn't know if he wants to kiss the smile away or wrap his hand around her fragile neck until the light fades to black. He's a nightmare wrapped in visceral ink, a frighteningly obsessive man with missing morals. Silva would rip his heart out if she asks; he is selfishly generous to her whims. *** This contains sensitive material that will be triggering to some, reader discretion is advised. Mature contents. Copyright © 2020 by Celia Crown

Mia, a spirited 18-year-old, she loves to see good in every people no matter what, and has always believed in love. Mia's life in her small coastal town has always been predictable-morning shifts at the café, lazy evenings at the beach. But everything shifts when she meets Vincenzo, a mysterious and grumpy stranger who appears one night, staring at the raging waves with a look that speaks of a thousand untold stories. Against her better judgment, Mia strikes up a conversation. Vincenzo Russo Romano also known as "The Snake", the Italian mafia boss, exudes danger with every step. His piercing gaze and commanding presence make everyone instinctively turn the opposite direction, fearing the consequences of crossing his path but she never did because she believes the good in people. Their paths collided, two souls from different worlds brought together by chance. people Mia's sunshine-like optimism clashed with Vincenzo's grumpy demeanor. what is going to happen next? scene from story He grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward a black car parked nearby. I dug my heels into the ground. "ARE YOU KIDNAPPING ME RIGHT NOW?!" Vincenzo gave me a look. The kind of look that said I was wasting precious time. "Mia." He opened the car door. "Get in." I crossed my arms. "No. I refuse. I am not getting in a car with you, Vincenzo. Not after what just happened! I want answers! Who were those guys? Why are people shooting at us?! And most importantly-" I pointed at his gun, "-WHY DO YOU HAVE A GUN LIKE YOU'RE IN A MAFIA MOVIE?!" He sighed like I was a dramatic child throwing a tantrum. Me?! Dramatic?! I was literally just shot at! Then, before I could blink- He picked me up. Like I weighed nothing. "VINCENZO, PUT ME DOWN!" He ignored me. Threw me into the passenger seat like a damn sack of flour. I gasped. "YOU DID NOT JUST-" Click. He slammed the door shut, trapping me inside. Oh. He did.

"You are mine!" He roars. "I will do whatever it takes to make you know that. Whether it means I lock you up in a prison and throw away the key." Footsteps come rushing into the dining room, and I turn to see multiple men--guards I suppose, flanking one another. Each of their hands rest on things within their jackets. Which i can only guess are guns. What else would they be? He waves them off and stalks towards me, standing behind my chair. I try to turn my head to look behind me, at him, but his hands move to the sides of my face, stopping me. "I can give you the world Mia. I am no fool. I know that love takes time, and I will give you as much as it takes. But you are mine." He says so calmly. -------------------------- When Mia Jones, a College student from Australia with a mysterious past is offered the opportunity to work as a translator for a man she had never heard of in New York City, she had assumed it would be a normal job, little did she know it would be the end of her freedom. Matteo Giovanni is the most feared Mafia leader in New York, and the whole country, heir to the Italian Mafia, he is used to getting what he wants. And when he sees Mia walk into his office for a job interview, he knows he wants her. She is his light, and he is her darkness. Will Mia ever be able to escape Matteo and the Mafia, or will she fall in love before she can stop herself? WARNING: Within this story there is coarse language, themes and violence. ______________________ #1 in Romance 29/10/2020 ----------------------------------- Began: 21/08/2020 Completed: 13/01/2021

Originally "My girl." NOT EDITED⚠️ "You love hugs Don't you?" "Only yours." - "You know, if you wanted a kiss you could've just asked, princess." he said seductively in my ear, his hand rubbing up and down my waist. - He slowly lifts his gaze to look at me. "You're scared, aren't you." - "Ava, my dick is rock hard and we're going to the fucking pool, it's taking my all to not take you right here in this fucking elevator." He grumbled causing my eyes to trail down to see it. - She was like a ray of sunshine. He was the devil. Join Ava and Kai on a journey of love, redemption, and the power of finding light in the darkest of places. You know what they say... opposites attract;) _______ Read to find out ;) ⚠️P.s... the ending to this book is SAD, read at your own discretion...Enjoy! ⚠️ ©️2023

She's a wild, free spirit who sees the good in everyone, and he's the hardened, bad-tempered loner who wants nothing to do with her-yet no matter how hard he tries to push her away, she's the one temptation he can't escape. *** He's never met someone with such a bubbly personality. Not to mention the wildness and odd phrases she says every five minutes. He hates it. He hates how he can't stay away from it. He hates what she does to him; it's not like him to chase after some girl. She gets under his skin like no other. She's never met someone with such a bad attitude. He's ill-mannered and menacing. The glare never seems to leave his face. Considering it all, she can't help but feel the attraction toward him. Dangerous attraction toward a seemingly dangerous man. Maybe it's the tattoos on his arm that gets her attention. Or maybe it's because she can tell there's hope for good under his rough exterior. And she's about to find it, whether he likes it or not. It's no secret that the two of them are complete and total opposites. *** "You like being called Sugar, don't you?" I tease, placing my toothbrush back after finishing. He does the same and gives me a side-eyed scowl. He grips my chin harshly and kisses me. My body temperature raises a good ten degrees and my right leg goes all wiggly. He pulls away. "You like it when I kiss you, don't you?" He teases the same way I did to him and I'm left blubbering. "I think both of our questions are rhetorical," I lower my voice up at him. His lip curls up into a smirk. *** #1 in Young Adult #9 in Badboy #1 in Cold #3 in Goodgirl #1 in Sweetheart #14 in Love *** *Warning* This story contains mature themes (language, scenes)

When Calliope Sweeney's boyfriend cheats on her the very same day she graduates from culinary school she decides to for once think of herself. To finally take an impulsive step and leave her hometown she'd been attached to since she was 11 years old. To start her life somewhere else, to live away from all the men who'd cheated on her in the past, to find herself and live out her dream life. She vows to focus on her own self growth and her new bakery the second she steps foot in Miami to live with her wealthy older brother. Although she doesn't expect a brooding jerk, Emrhys Blackburn, to enter her life when she gets there. He was her antithesis, a curt and aloof yet undeniably attractive man who somehow makes the fake smile she always plasters on real. She doesn't expect Rhys to make her feel a way she'd never felt with any other man before, to make her want something she should not want. But there were two problems. Number one is Calliope doesn't want to open her heart up that way again, even if it does mean she might have a chance at true love. Number two is Emrhys Blackburn is her brother's best friend. *** #1 in forcedproximity #1 in opposite #1 in bakery #1 in secretdating #1 in bestfriendssister #1 in brooding #1 in grumpyxsunshine #1 in groveling #1 in jealous #1 in cute

"How do you say idiot in Italian?" "Bell'uomo." [ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑛] "You're a bell'uomo." .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. Isabelle Ariti just needed someone to talk to, and Leonardo Rossi happened to be there. He was her escape and she was his. Her obsession with sunglasses and constant talking went well with his quite behavior and glares he sent to everyone else. They weren't a likely match but somehow they understood each other more than anyone else could. He was rude and blunt to everyone; everyone but her. She was extroverted and bold to all; especially him. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. Isabelle Ariti just wanted waffles and to meet someone new. She didn't expect to spark the mafias dons right hand mans interest. Leonardo Rossi just wanted to be alone and have coffee. He wasn't expecting the talkative girl that didn't know what a filter was to rope him in with her unexpected comments. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. "Do you love me?" "Endlessly." .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. The chapters get better as the story goes on/theres character development Words: 137,631k .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.