Husband With Benefits
Nora is shattered a month before her wedding when she uncovers her fiancé's deceitful affair. As she manages this betrayal, she discovers a deep ploy to hinder her from claiming her rightful inheritance. Devastated but determined, Nora takes a daring step to regain control of her life. Enter Demetri 'The Demon' to those who know him, a formidable man barely known to her, who offers her protection and support in return for a contract marriage to satisfy him. In a twist of fate, Nora marries Demetri to claim her inheritance and fight those who plotted against her. But as she battles her own family and Demetri's many rivals, will she be able to keep from falling for the man known to crush people beneath his booted heel. Excerpt: She had forgotten that the man was intimidating and directly challenged him. Rather than speaking, Demetri rose from his seat and approached her deliberately. Although it was a mere few steps, time seemed to stretch for Nora. When he was almost within touching distance, his hand gently landed on her knee, moving it sideways. His touch moved with a hint of a caress, and he stepped between her open legs. Nora sat there in frozen silence, her eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights. Catching her chin between his fingers, he tilted her face upwards and spoke unhurriedly," You are my wife." She nodded her head slowly in affirmation while his thumb slowly traced her lip. "I have given you time to gather your emotions." Another nod. Nora's nervousness made her lick her lips, acutely aware of his intense gaze fixed upon them. "Your reason for the marriage was to secure your inheritance and get away from under your mother's thumb." "Yes..." Nora whispered in confusion. Her confusion was not about his statement but about the bewildering sensations coursing through her. What was happening with her? "It's time for you to fulfil your end of the contract, yes?" He continued. "Yes," Nora whispered breathlessly. Why was she breathless? Had the oxygen level in the house dropped? Was the air suddenly thinning? Abruptly, his hand left her face, and she watched as he drew closer. It was then that Nora comprehended what was unfolding. All those tantalizing, heart-pounding kisses she had read about in novels were about to possibly become her reality. But the anticipated kiss didn't happen. Instead, he paused near her and commanded, "Kiss me."
The Last Ten Years
Lucien Frost stood in front of Erasmi's room, wondering if he was doing the right thing or not. He wanted to see and talk to Erasmi but did not know if Demetri would have an objection to it. After all, he had kept Erasmi hidden from them for all this while... But when he had mentioned wanting to meet Erasmi just now, the nurse had simply led him here. Didn't it mean that he wasn't at least forbidden from coming here? Of course, he knew that his brother might not even recognize him but he re did want to talk to him.
With a perfunctory knock, he entered the room stared at the frail man in front of him and sat on the chair gingerly,"Uhh.. Hi, Erasmi."
Of course, he paused and then cursed himself for pausing. It wasn't as if the man could reply.
With a deep breath, he continued again," I am Lucien.. I mean Lucy. I just thought I'd come back and re-introduce myself to you. I... uh... I want to tell you that I am really happy to see you like this..."