In 1950s Harlem, where racism, poverty, and secrets brew behind every closed door, eighteen-year-old Tariq Matthews is just trying to stay out of trouble. Raised by his strong-willed mother, he balances school, friends, and the heavy weight of survival. But everything changes the day he crosses paths with Alexander Moretti-a wealthy, ruthless, and much older Italian Mafia don. What starts as curiosity quickly ignites into a dangerous affair. Alexander is power, privilege, and temptation wrapped in expensive suits and hidden scars. He opens Tariq's world to luxury and risk, love and control-but loving a man like Alexander comes with a price. As Harlem buzzes with gossip, as church pews fill with whispers, and as violence creeps closer to their doorstep, Tariq must choose between the comfort of familiarity and the seductive pull of forbidden love. In a world that doesn't see them as human, can their love survive the weight of secrets, pride, and blood? A interracial gay romance set in 1952, gritty, raw and unforgettable.

"You proud of me?" "Girl, you been runnin' in circles - but you always come back here."

Philophobia fear of emotional attachment; fear of being in, or falling in love. This is lowkey a toxic book😫.

In their final year of high school, two best friends navigate the thin line between friendship and something deeper, discovering that love can be as complicated as it is natural.

[ COMPLETE ] "It'll kill you someday." "I know." "Then why are you doing it?" "Why do you care so much?"

Cee Ayers doesn't let people in-he's got walls built from years of learning that trust is dangerous. Zeph Carter doesn't need an invitation-he sees through the silence, through the sarcasm, and meets Cee exactly where he is. What starts as an easy friendship shifts into something heavier, something neither of them expected. But love-real love-means letting yourself be seen, even when it's terrifying. Sample Scene: Cee was sprawled on Zeph's bed, noise-canceling headphones on, iPad in hand, locked into his game. He barely noticed when the mattress dipped, barely reacted when Zeph's warmth pressed against him. Then Zeph slid on top of him. Cee exhaled through his nose, adjusting his grip on the iPad, ignoring the weight pressing him into the mattress. A slow, deliberate kiss landed on his neck. Then another. Cee tapped his screen. "Move." Zeph didn't. Instead, he bit down gently, then soothed the spot with his tongue. Cee tensed. "Zeph." Zeph hummed against his skin, pressing more kisses, dragging his lips up the side of Cee's throat. His hands settled on Cee's ribs, thumbs rubbing slow circles. Cee's fingers twitched around the iPad. He tried to focus. He really did. Then Zeph bit again, harder this time. Cee sighed, dropping the iPad onto his chest and yanking off the headphones. "You deadass?" Zeph grinned against his skin. "Been deadass." Cee huffed, tilting his head to the side in surrender. "You so fuckin' annoying." Zeph just chuckled, lips finding Cee's jaw. "Yeah, but you love me though."

(𝐚𝐝𝐣.) 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠; 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐱𝐁

𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢'𝐦 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧

"𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝'𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞" 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙆 1

Shit. That's how Derrick's life was going after the accident. Hazy memories and scars he didn't need were splintering what was left of what he did remember. Derrick's tattoo shop seemed to get along just fine without him, his magic abilities were short circuiting and for the first time in his life, he wasn't sure who he was anymore. Not to mention some guy named Mike insisted that they were best friends before he lost his memory. As if he'd be friends with someone who breathed positivity. The only thing Derrick wants to focus on right now is recovery and finding himself. But life, also known as Mike, keeps getting in the way. Completed January 13, 2019. Genre: MM soft magic romance with some angst and a hurt/comfort slant.