Venus Williams had everything most could only dream of-a life of privilege, sophistication, and the kind of effortless success that came from never having to struggle. At Burbington High, she was untouchable, a student of high society, reigning supreme as Student President. Politics, manipulation, and control were her weapons, and she wielded them with precision. But there was one thing she had never known: the true depth of love or pleasure, and, perhaps more crucially, the harsh sting of pain. Her life was a perfect, curated world, until she found herself stuck in the most unlikely of places-a tight corner, humiliated and sneered at by none other than Frank Harris, the school's janitor. The encounter was unexpected, and frankly, beneath her. Venus wasn't used to being challenged, let alone being taken down a peg by someone like him. Frank Harris had seen the worst life had to offer. Born from the grittiest circumstances, he had learned early that good things never lasted, that hope was a fleeting thing. He had long since stopped believing in anything but his own resilience. Yet, he couldn't seem to avoid Venus. She was always there, in the most compromising of situations, and every time they crossed paths, they couldn't help but clash. Their exchanges were filled with biting sarcasm, insults, and a constant, unsaid tension. They bickered, they degraded each other, and still, they circled around one another, two forces that couldn't help but collide. Neither was willing to admit it, but something about the constant pull between them was undeniable. The question remained: How long would they keep circling? And when the inevitable finally happened, would they crash, or would something deeper, darker, rise between them-something neither of them was prepared to face? [ The Fifth Book of V-Series] A Standalone Novel.

"Where the hell are your shoes?" The stranger asks. "I sleepwalk." DISORDER SERIES: INSOMNIA DAMAGED ADDICTION Notice** These books do not have the same characters. They follow a new relationship each time. There are crossovers, though. They are in the same universe. You also do not have to read them in order. Dedicated to Benson R, who lost his battle with depression in November 2021. A fellow hopeless romantic who had no idea how loved he was. Suicide hotline: (800) 273-8255 www.psychologytoday.com

I took a sip of my drink and then felt a presence beside me and I turn to look. "You don't give up do you," I stated. "No, I don't. You look like you need some company" He mocked. "Well, I don't." I reach for my purse in my bag and took out $35 dollars. "Hey, Steve, here's my bill. Keep the change." I smile as I place the money on the counter for the bartender to take it up. I turn back to my unwanted stalker. "I'm going home." "To an empty bed?" "No to my dog and her puppies." "So much better company than talking to me, I guess." "Oh, yeah. So much better." He shakes his head. "You have a great night," I said standing up from the stool. "How can I when you're not coming home with me?" he smirks. "If you look around there are many single, desperate woman ready to take your offer." "I don't want a single, desperate woman." "Well lucky for you, they are married women here as well." Previously Known as 'Dial S for Sex'