What happens when two people who take care of everyone finally get taken care of? Zara Mitchel talks with her hands, laughs with her whole chest, and walks into a room like she owns the light. She has spent years being the dependable one, the oldest daughter, the problem-solver, the woman everyone calls when something goes wrong. Between building her career in New York's fashion industry and carrying the weight of her family's expectations, she doesn't have time for distractions, especially not a charming hockey player with observant eyes and a touch that makes her forget her own rules. Connor Whitfield prefers quiet to crowds and actions to words. As a professional hockey player, he's used to pressure, responsibility, and putting everyone else's needs before his own. Then Zara crashes into his life, all confidence, warmth, and sharp insight, and suddenly she's the only person he can't stop thinking about. They collide by accident and become something neither of them planned and both of them crave. The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore what's growing between them. What begins as friendship turns into longing, stolen moments, and a connection neither of them expected; and in the soft glow of New York nights, control slips first... then clothes... then every rule they swore they'd keep. How long can two people who are already acting like they love each other pretend they don't? Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the images used both on the cover and throughout the story.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓤𝓷𝓽𝓸𝓵𝓭 𝓣𝓻𝓾𝓽𝓱 ------------------------------- She wasn't looking for trouble. But it found her in the form of Nikolai Sokolov. Inayah's life was simple: keep her head down, make her dad proud, and stay out of messy situations. But when a random encounter turns into late-night texts, private rooftop dinners, and stolen glances that feel like fire-she finds herself tangled in something way deeper than she expected. Nikolai is smooth, quiet, and way too dangerous for his own good. He's got secrets he can't tell, enemies he can't see coming, and a past that's been chasing him for years. But the moment he meets Inayah? Everything changes. What starts as innocent flirtation spirals into obsession, chaos, and passion that burns way too hot to handle. But nothing stays perfect for long. Enemies are watching. Exes are lurking. And when secrets explode... love might not be enough to save them. ------------------------------- ⚠️ Warnings: • This book includes strong language, steamy scenes, emotionally complex characters, and messy drama. • If you love dangerous men, bold women, mafia secrets, and wild-ass plot twists-this one's for you. • Not your typical love story. Enter at your own risk. 🖤

BOOK 3 OF THE UNEXPECTED SERIES. CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE. "Because sometimes... walking away is the beginning of something beautiful." Diya has spent five years stuck in a life that slowly chipped away at her-facing racism and constant belittling at work, only to return home to an over-bearing husband who never truly saw her. But one day, something inside her snaps. She's had enough. It's time for a divorce. What she didn't expect? The first person to show up for her will be Suyash-her brother's best friend. The one who's been secretly obsessed with her for years. And this time, Suyash isn't holding back. As Diya finds the strength to reclaim her life, Suyash is ready to fight for a love that's been a long time coming. Full of sweet moments, flirty banter, chaotic friends, and stolen glances, this is a heartfelt romantic comedy about second chances, slow-burn desire, and finally choosing yourself. __________ Tropes: Brother's Best Friend Second Chance at Love Sunshine x Sunshine Broken x Healer He falls first, she falls harder Secret Obsession ___________ Hope you enjoy reading. <3🎀 ___________

She's panting, flushed and breathless like something from another century. It hurts to look at her, so stunningly alive in a way he isn't. Almost smiling, too. She has the kind of lips that need undiluted devotion. "You've always looked at me," she breathes. Yes, and he finds himself thinking about ruin. The right kind, like his knuckles against her jaw to shake her apart. Freedom. Maybe in another life, he brushes the hair off her shoulder and whispers, 'Eyes on me.' Maybe in another life, they have time. 𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒊𝒕? 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆. She isn't his to protect. He's a cop, she's taken, and rules are rules. But Faro Wyatt has mapped every freckle on her nose and dreamt of the oceans in her eyes. His resolve is weakening. So when the radio crackles with a single call, he's breaking every rule from here on out. C O N T A I N S : ❤︎ mature content ❤︎ morally dark-grey mmc ❤︎ violence/abuse ❤︎ men yearning No cheating Copyright © 2025-present Laurel Montaze (immoralLaurel). This body of work (story, characters, ideas) is available exclusively on Wattpad. If you're viewing it on a different website/platform or under a different username, it has been illegally stolen. Please notify the original author. © All Rights Reserved Updates: at least once every 2 weeks (hopefully more)

𝙍𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙆𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙤𝙣 For her- life was good, it was fine... until it wasn't. As time moved on, time began to reveal what she thought was real to be fake. Once a hopeless romantic, she's now just hopeless. Despite her unattractive love life, she's never stopped seeing the good in the world... including the quiet and mysterious man that's never looked her way- but what if he's been watching her from afar? Her brother's best friend. Her acquaintance. Her moon to the stars. Their relationship that was never supposed to happen- happens but in a moment of weakness... what will people think of them? 𝙆𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝘿. 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙮 Always in the shadows away from any and everything. He wants to enjoy his time alone. Not for a single person to disturb his peace, that's all he wants. Successful and content he's happy living life quietly and wants to keep it that way. Blocking out distractions including love. Unintentionally stumbling into a situation, he overhears something he shouldn't have- a moment frozen in time with his best friend's sister... his heart begins to beat faster. He's never stepped out of his way for anyone. Until her. And now- what will he do? Does he come out of the shadows to help or does he fall deeper into the dark? -Book 1 of the All or Nothing Series- #2 hopeless #3 lovergirl #5 troubleinparadise

Anthony stops at my bare shoulder and leans down to press a hot kiss onto the skin. "You can't say things like that.." He delivers another, this one to my collarbone and making my words grow weak, unconvincing ... even as they come from my own mouth. "We're supposed to be ... friends." Anthony is quiet at first, the only response I get being his free hand drifting over to cage my body into the small space between us. "I know .." He trails off. It goes dead silent for a second. "But I ... don't think that's enough for me, B." There's a sharp breath from me at the words and a flush of heat to my cheeks when Anthony pushes my hair over my shoulder. His actions expose me to him, showing off my bare shoulders in a way that's downright indecent as the straps pulled down now hang loosely off my arms. "I don't want .. to be just a friend to you." And then, there's another kiss to pair. Although it isn't a simple peck this time. It's an actual kiss now, slow and softly pressed onto my neck. Beatrix thought she'd never trust another guy again. After being burned, both physically and emotionally by her ex-boyfriend Rudy in her senior year of high school, Beatrix's trust in people is low. That is, until she transfers to the esteemed, private Highland University. It's a fresh start to give the girl what she wants most: A shot at normalcy. The plan is simple .. just keep her head down, study her ass off, try to become a functional person once again and hopefully make one friend or two. Everything was supposed to start over that year. She'd had high hopes of starting anew and faithfully prepared to blend in to the background. And the day goes well. Until she sits down in Spanish, where she meets Anthony Gamaro. After a slight misunderstanding, Beatrix finds herself in an odd friendship with the 20 year old football player. One that slowly helps her regain the confidence she'd long lost before.

He's the NHL's most disciplined defenseman. But when it comes to her, he's lost all control. - Sophie is just trying to survive a Chicago winter, a heavy course load, and a part-time job at a coffee shop. She's used to being invisible, until one snowy night, a massive stranger steps out of the shadows to save her from a persistent threat. - Ronan is known as "The Anchor" on the ice-quiet, immovable, and lethal. The moment he lays eyes on the soft, guarded barista, his world stops. He doesn't just want to date her; he needs to own the air she breathes. To Sophie, Ronan is a dream come true-a charming, protective protector who makes her feel safe for the first time in years. She doesn't know that his "accidental" appearances aren't coincidences. She doesn't know that while she sleeps, he's watching her through a digital tether she didn't know she signed up for. In Ronan's world, there are no accidents, only game plans. And his plan is simple: Keep her safe. Keep her close. Keep her forever. This is a Dark Hockey Romance featuring a quietly obsessive MMC, a "Little Mouse" FMC, and a love so consuming, it blurs the line between protection and possession.

𝗥𝗛𝗘𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗘 was raised to be a shadow. Sit straight, smile when you're spoken to, don't make people repeat themselves and don't you dare draw attention and learn to be grateful they let the deaf daughter stay in the room at all. In Northvalle, perfection is currency. Her sister, Alina, is priceless. Rhea is the problem they keep just out of frame.. .. She's had her eyes on 𝗘𝗭𝗥𝗔 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗢𝗩 longer than she'll ever admit. The city's quiet threat. Fixer, the man you call when you're out of options and ready to sell whatever's left of your soul. He doesn't play about what's tied to his name. He doesn't repeat himself and when you keep him waiting too long, he collects more than debt. He's invited into the Lore empire for one reason.. Alina. A marriage on paper. An alliance at the table. Lore influence for Markov protection. Breaking that kind of deal would cost more than money and everyone at that table knows it. Ezra knows what's at stake. But the wrong girl keeps catching his eye... the daughter who was never part of the offer, the one who moves like she's been taught her whole life not to be seen. He should keep his distance. Instead, he starts to toy with the line.. a glance held too long, a touch he has no business giving, secrets in dark corners that would ruin her if anyone ever found out. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧. 𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙗𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⋆ 𐙚 ̊. "We shouldn't be doing this..." "Then stop trembling every time I breathe your name, Malyshka." ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⋆ 𐙚 ̊. • 𝘼 𝘿𝘼𝙍𝙆 𝙈𝘼𝙁𝙄𝘼 𝙍𝙊𝙈𝘼𝙉𝘾𝙀 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Mature| 18+ Copyright ©️𝗐𝗋𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗂𝗆 2025 All rights reserved.

Nia Hart is used to living quietly, slipping in and out of rooms without being noticed, keeping her world small, controlled and safe. Aidan Collins is the opposite, loud laughter, bright energy, the kind of man who fills every space he walks into. She's an introvert with a laser‑focused career. He's an extrovert with a reputation that follows him everywhere. In private, they're soft. In public, they're a headline. He has golden‑boy charm and easy laughter. She has quiet ambition and careful boundaries. He pulls people in. She keeps them at arm's length. And when the world discovers them, the contrast becomes impossible to ignore: he shines in the spotlight, she hides from it. To stay together, they'll have to learn how to meet in the middle, and build a love that survives both the noise and the silence. Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the images used both on the cover and throughout the story.

"Be a good boy, Ares, and just follow my lead." His chest rose up rapidly, taking his hands into mine and placing them on my waist. Feeling him begin to grow hard and the pool of wetness between my legs ached my soul. I needed him now. A piece of his hair fell on his forehead, his thumbs moved in circular motion as I rocked my hips back and forth, holding onto his shoulders for support. I unbuttoned his shirt, revealing more of his toned chest; I was practically salivating at this sight. It was obvious that he was going to the gym, even just by looking at his arms you could tell. This man was pure perfection, and I was pure seduction. "W-we shouldn't be doing this," his voice was breathless and ragged. My back arched because of the growing sensation I was feeling; he dipped his head between my neck, placing light kisses. I fist his hair as my jaw drops; my panties are drenched. "We should, we had a deal." _____ Violet Gray was a sophomore in college and failing her classes. With her growing popularity due to her looks and partying every night, Violet had completely forgotten the true reason for being in school. She had two options: get kicked out of college or find a tutor. Violet didn't want either; she was embarrassed to be kicked out. Ares Meadows was the epitome of smart and talented; his grades were all straight A's. He didn't have time to party nor focus solely on his looks and popularity. Ares was a nerd with even more nerdy friends, but the way he looked distracted everyone from the fact that he was a nerd. But nobody wants an inexperienced man.