He's ruthless. He's powerful. He's demanding. He's in pain. Twenty-six year old African-American journalist Victoria Browning wants to get away from it all. Her bossy mother, her jealous older sister, and her demanding job to have some type of relief. One problem. Victoria is incredibly shy and quiet and keeps to herself. While on a dream vacation to Rome she accidentally witnesses a murder and is...well kidnapped by the mafia boss himself. She's shy. She's passive. She's smart. She's beautiful. Twenty-nine year old Italian Mob boss Lorenzo Catalona lives up to his reputation. Being one of the most wealthiest men in Europe he doesn't trust people so easily. On the outside he seems like the most intimidating hard nut shell who shows no mercy but little does every know that he's broken. From past loves who left him to become such a ruthless beast that no one can tame. On a rainy night while handling 'business' something extraordinary changes his life....that is Victoria.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Leah." Underneath those thick lashes peeked jade crystals, blazing with some daring spark that once again woke that primitive greed I could not control. "You're my wife now. I can have you whenever I please." I had leaned over her as she sat in the bathtub, all tumbling hair of gold and one daring smile that had my blood rush with mad desire; an erection that throbbed since the second I had interrupted her bath. Wrenching her gaze from mine, she ran her hand over her lathery bare leg. Damnation. She was playing my resistance. "Can you? Remember the rule?" A mere glance up at me and another wave of heat rushed up my legs. When she traced her wet finger over my jaw, I had to suspend that crippling necessity to scoop her in my arms right then, and take her to my bed for the night. "Six months.. One night. Who will break it first?" Those crimson lips moved in a way that had me pulsing with lust. A growl broke from my chest with the realization of her words. A rule I made up. Hell, it was supposed to be a marriage of benefits only. Six damned months only. And yet- "The rule stands for you only." I reminded. Why was I still dressed? Why in the hell was I holding back when she sat there naked in that tub, waiting for me to ravish her? "I will never beg for a night with you, Valentine." She said the obvious. "Because you'll do it first." *** |18+ Mature Content|

His body was as powerful and sexual as I remembered it, he had gotten another tattoo on his shoulder since the last time, a few more scars then I remembered on his chest. His back rippled with muscles as he pulled on a fresh white shirt, my eyes transfixed as he took his time buttoning it up. Somehow it was almost more of a turn on watching him put on his clothes than him taking them off, almost. He wiped the blood off his hands with a kitchen apron in a slow steady motion and I pressed myself back against the wall when his eyes focused on me. My eyes flittered to the back door and I battled with myself on whether or not I could make it before he caught me, I couldn't. He tossed the apron over an empty sink and stalked towards me slowly, a predator in every sense of the word and my eyes drifted to the bloody mess of a man on the kitchen floor, was that going to be me in a second? He stopped just in front of me and reached out to stroke my cheek and I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch despite knowing better. My eyes snapped open when he grabbed my chin tightly and forced me to look at him, was this it, was he going to snap my neck and dispose of my body now? "Touch another man again, and I will kill you" his voice was low and promising and I swallowed as he let go of my chin, pressing a rough kiss to my lips before grabbing my elbow and dragging me out of the kitchen. So much for that arrangement...

It started on Wattpad but now is EVERYWHERE! with a published book, a captivating Webcomic on WEBTOON, a published graphic novel, and an upcoming film adaptation by Wattpad WEBTOON studios in Partnership with Stampede. Read, scroll, or watch - Enjoy this romance in any way you like. Stay tuned for film release updates! Basketball star Caleb Lockhart had it all - until a chance encounter with a mysterious woman in red changed everything. For the first time in his life, Caleb wanted something; something he could never have. ***** College heartthrob Caleb Lockhart is the last person a girl like Veronica Strafford should be involved with. Intelligent and ambitious, with good reason to be cynical of the world, Veronica refuses to be the campus player's next conquest, even after a chance encounter sparks an undeniable attraction between them. But with nowhere to stay, and running from recent tragedy, Veronica finds herself leaning on someone else for the first time. Caleb has never wanted something like this before and he's determined to pursue her, even as the secrets of their pasts threaten to break them apart. Book 1 in the Red series

This is the sequel (continuation) of After. Hardin and Tessa's relationship will be tested in ways she never expected, but he knew of all along.