In 1942, James 'Jamie' Ross's life seems perfect-he has a promising career, an approved engagement to a beautiful woman, and his parents' blessings. However, after a fight leaves him injured, he finds himself under the care of Olivia Townsend, a nurse at the only colored hospital in their small Alabama town. Despite societal norms, Jamie and Olivia form a deep connection that transcends racial boundaries. As their friendship blossoms into a forbidden romance, both must confront the prejudices of their time and decide whether their love is worth risking everything they've ever known for.

Unpublished: May 30th, 2026 Republished: August 20th, 2026 ⚠️𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫⚠️ ​Please read carefully before proceeding. ​While this novel is set within a dangerous, high-stakes syndicate world, it is not a Dark Romance. The love story at its core is built on a different foundation; however, the world these characters inhabit is unforgiving, emotionally heavy, and deeply complex. ​The characters in this book are intentionally flawed and profoundly human. They lie, they break, they fight, and they make devastating mistakes. To honour their journeys, this story explores heavy emotional stakes and dark themes. ​⚠️𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 & 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬​⚠️ ​This book is intended for mature audiences and contains explicit content, including: ​Violence: Scenes of descriptive physical torture and syndicate warfare. ​Content: Explicit sexual content. ​Mental Health & Trauma: Graphic discussions and themes of trauma, mental health struggles, and mentions of suicide. ​Religion & Belief Systems: Exploration of religious trauma, incorporating elements and themes related to Catholicism, Jewish traditions, and atheism. ​Social Themes: Depictions of systemic misogyny ​Reader Discretion is Strongly Advised. Please prioritize your mental and emotional well-being before deciding to step into the world of Trust & Betrayal. 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤#1 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬. (𝐂𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞) (Book 2 is 87% complete)

"You belong right here, Elysia. Not in New York with Julian, or out somewhere in the city galavanting around with Andrew, or anywhere near Canelley," He mumbled against a fresh mark on the base of my neck. "Right here, nowhere else." For two years Elysia Leal and Salvatore Grant's relationship had been strictly professional. She ran his errands and he ran his business. That is, until, a situation at work puts them in an awkward position causing the lines in their relationship to blur and feelings to ensue.

He took a sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving hers. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words, heavy with the weight of their forced connection. Elara felt a strange pull towards him, a dark fascination that both terrified and intrigued her. She was caught in his web, a moth drawn to a flame, even though she knew it would burn her. And in the depths of his stormy eyes, she saw a reflection of her own fear, and a hint of something else... something that looked disturbingly like desire. The storm raged outside, mirroring the tempest brewing within her. Her life, she knew, was about to change irrevocably #romance

"You deserved a real man to protect you and take care of you." Mm. So much for that. "How could I have done that sitting behind bars?" He takes my face in his hands. "There wasn't a day that went by where I didn't think about you, baby." I close my eyes as a tear drops down my cheek that he gradually wipes away with his thumb. "I've missed you so much, Leila." He says in a deep raspy tone. His lips hungrily fall to mine. They feel so foreign yet so warm and familiar. Both of us fighting for dominance as our tongues twirl against each other. My breathing hikes and I can't help but feel the wine taking over my body as I drape myself over his lap. I need him so bad right now. He starts biting little trails down my neck, getting close enough to one of my sweet spots. I push off him, and rising to my feet. "Nah. I don't believe you." Backing away from him. He returns a confused look. "Lei-." "If you missed me, you would've reached out to me." He finally stands. Sticking both his hands in his pockets. "One year you've been out. What the fuck have you been doing all this time?" I yell. He takes a step forward. Ting. Both of our eyes cut to the elevator. There's a loud drunken screech, "Damiannnn!" Who the fuck is this bitch??

Eva Graham is a guarded, no-nonsense social science major who studies human behavior to understand why people leave-and how to make sure she never lets the wrong ones in. She keeps to herself, avoids drama, and especially avoids campus athletes, whom she considers walking red flags. Cole Grayson is a third-year psychology major, a cocky ice hockey star with a grin that disarms and a fanbase full of puck bunnies. While everyone sees him coasting, Cole's under constant pressure-trying to go pro, balancing school, and keeping up a charming front to hide just how much he's cracking underneath. When Cole starts slipping in class, he's assigned a tutor: Eva. Neither is thrilled. She thinks he's a loud, lazy distraction. He calls her "Teach" just to get under her skin-she responds by calling him "Skates," with just the right amount of disdain. What begins as bickering soon turns into banter... then something softer. The nicknames stick, becoming a quiet thread that ties them together as friends-and maybe more. Cole falls first. Hard. Eva, scared of being hurt and shaped by people who've left before, fights it. Still, she agrees to go to one of his games-just once. But seeing him on the ice, in his world, adored yet somehow still alone, shifts everything. Then the bet surfaces. A stupid, careless thing made before he really knew her-and it threatens to destroy everything they've built. Surrounded by puck bunnies stirring drama, teammates with their own loyalties, and a past Eva isn't ready to share, the fragile trust between them begins to crack. Between jealousy, late-night confessions, and moments where one look says everything, Eva and Cole must decide: is love worth risking it all-even if it started with a bet, a nickname, and everything going wrong?

𝚆𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚖𝚎𝚎𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚛, 𝚜𝚘 𝙸 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍'𝚟𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐬 : 𝐉𝐨𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐱 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐂 September 27th, 2013 an infection took over the world. Twenty years later, a young girl is immune. Ruth doesn't expect her life to turn more upside down than it already has, but then her fourteen-year old niece shows up with a bite mark on her arm with no sign of infection. A rebellion, The Fireflies, think the teen's immunity could be the key to a vaccine. Despite Ruth's feelings, they decide it's worth a shot. Two smugglers agree to escort the aunt and niece to the Capital Building in Boston. When things go array, Joel quickly learns this is more than he signed up for. A story of loss, heartbreak, and love. Warning: There is an 18 year age-gap between Joel and my OC. If age-gaps make you uncomfortable, I would avoid this story. This is also based off the video game and NOT the tv show. #1 rated in tlou : 9-12-22, 11-03-22 #1 rated in thelastoufus : 9-13-22 #4 rated in videogames : 10-12-22 *I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THE LAST OF US. ONLY MY OC RUTH AND MY ORIGINAL IDEAS*

sori moves to seoul for dance quiet, focused, alone. then she meets ni-ki. distant, unreadable, and far too captivating. in a story of late-night practices, silent glances, and slow steps toward something unknown, sori begins to realize that maybe dance isn't the only thing she came here to find.

❝Book 2 in the 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒 series "You're so wet," he groans, grinding his hips up in tight circles that hit something devastating inside me. "Dripping all over me, baby. 𝘊𝘢𝘻𝘻𝘰─you're making a mess." His pace quickens, and I match it instinctively, hips rolling, back arching. Each thrust punches a breath from my lungs. "Luciano," I whisper, rocking frenetically my hips to meet his rhythm. "We need to be quick. They're gonna come out─any second─" His dark eyes flash up at me, pupils blown wide with lust and his grip tightens under my ass, lifting me slightly so he can thrust deeper, faster. "Then be quiet. Or don't. Let them hear how their good little Paris lets me fuck her like a whore during a family gathering."❞ *** After three years apart, 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐬 is finally returning to the life and love she left behind. College in New York was challenging, especially with the strain of a long-distance relationship and her father's disapproval of her love for 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐨, his best friend. But now, she's back, and her relationship with Luciano is stronger than ever. Their love? Unstoppable. Their passion? Absolutely scorching. Sex? Downright sinful and addictive. BDSM has become their playground, a love language Paris is quickly learning to speak fluently. But just when she thinks nothing can tear them apart, the past comes knocking. A ghost resurfaces, threatening to destroy everything they've built. As old wounds are reopened and tensions rise, their relationship is put to the ultimate test. Faced with unexpected challenges, Paris begins to question everything and wonder if their love can withstand the storm. 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓: December 16-24 𝐄𝐍𝐃: July 12-25 ©𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐞𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬