webnovel

The Heart to Help

Tác giả: Jamie Craig
LGBT+
Hoàn thành · 6K Lượt xem
  • 73 ch
    Nội dung
  • số lượng người đọc
  • NO.200+
    HỖ TRỢ
Tóm tắt

From the moment Colin Braugher meets millionaire Grady James, he has the other man's number -- spoiled, obnoxious, and worst of all, fake. Every word out of Grady's mouth sounds calculated, and Colin isn't going to fall for his insincere charm. Grady has never cared about the Heart to Help Charity before, and Colin isn't going to stand by and let this important cause be used for Grady's self-aggrandizing.<br><br>For his part, Grady wants only the best for his grandmother's favorite charity. Confused by his cold reception, alone in a strange city, and fascinated by a man who seems to want nothing to do with him, Grady is at loose ends. Until Colin gives an inch, and Grady knows he can have so much more than that if Colin would only see the man he truly is ...

Chapter 1Chapter 1

1

The concert headlined a violinist Grady James had never heard of, the venue small but elegantly appointed. Whoever had coordinated the event had chosen a movie palace restored to its golden age glory, with wide, curving staircases gilded in gold leading to the balcony levels, and a six-foot chandelier spotlighting the mural painted on the arched ceiling. Tables draped in luxurious ivory linens already dotted the lobby for the champagne soiree to follow the scheduled program. For a minor fundraiser, his father would be proud.

Music filtered through the closed doors, delicate and almost ephemeral. Classical would never have been his first choice, even in a venue such as this. The people who typically bought tickets for this kind of concert were not the types to hand out even more afterward. They had a tendency to consider the performance their due, and attempting to get further money from them was often considered bad form. Better to aim for a more youthful audience, people who would walk out of a show with their hearts racing, adrenaline pumping. It was easier to engage them emotionally, then, which made it easier to open their wallets.

He waited for a burst of applause to slip inside unnoticed. The theater was half-full, though he had no way of knowing how many people might sit in the balconies. More, he hoped. They would barely clear costs if this was the final tally.

Sliding into an aisle seat a few rows behind the closest patron, he scanned the audience, only half an ear cocked to the quintet onstage. He saw backs of heads, mostly, silhouettes of strangers he would have to find some way to engage over drinks and canapés. Any one of them could have been one of his father’s friends back in Manhattan. That made his job both simpler and more tedious. Relocating to Chicago was supposed to provide a new challenge for him. The last thing he wanted was more of the same pompous stuffed shirts he’d gladly left behind.

One profile in particular stood out from the others. Its owner sat straight and tall, the top of his head several inches above his neighbors’. His hair wasn’t as well-kept as the others, the ends hitting his collar and recoiling in soft waves. Younger, then. Lean, as well, if the strong jut of his chin was any indication. Grady shifted in his seat, leaning to the side to try and get a better look at the man’s face. All he caught was the dark shadow of a beard and what appeared to be a small smile, but it was enough to intrigue him. He would be the first one Grady sought out at the party. There was a story to his presence; Grady was sure of it. And any story that drew a young man to what was clearly a stodgy charity concert was worth a king’s ransom when it came to raising funds.

Nobody else in the audience struck him as interesting. When the quintet finished the final selection, he clapped along with the rest, but then remained in his seat, pretending to check his messages as people began to file past. He watched them through his lashes and waited until a familiar profile joined the crowd to pocket his phone. He’d been right about the age, as well as the height. The only feature he hadn’t anticipated was the striking blue eyes.

As he rose from his seat, he hid his pleased smile. Perhaps Chicago would turn out all right, after all.

The object of his attention coaxed his companion—an older woman—into going ahead of him, and Grady waited until she had passed before stepping out of his row. His arm brushed against the other man’s as they jostled for position. When the slight contact drew a curious glance in his direction, Grady smiled.

“Sorry about that. But it’s good to see such a good turnout, don’t you think?”

The man’s mouth tensed, alerting Grady to the fact that he’d said something wrong. Grady could practically see him swallow back his initial response, and then his lips relaxed slightly. “Yes, I suppose it is.”

Rather than push the conversation, especially since he’d already misstepped once, Grady nodded and let silence fall as they moved slowly up the aisle. It allowed him time to learn more about his quarry, like the fact that his dark pants were clean and crisply pressed but clearly off the rack. They fit his long legs well, but Grady imagined someone as slim and straight as him would look good in just about anything.

At the top of the aisle, he hurried forward quickly enough to catch the door for the other man’s companion. One of the first lessons his father had ever taught him was how common courtesy softened even the biggest skinflint. The trick worked, but what Grady liked best of all was the often surprised smile of gratitude he got in return. The woman looked up at him with her companion’s blue eyes. Her face was prematurely aged, deep lines around her mouth and eyes. But her smile was genuine and Grady felt his own smile widening in response.

Bạn cũng có thể thích

(BL) My Evil Werewolf System

(Warning! BL mature content ahead!) Yu Weimin was a seasoned criminal. Attacking bureaucrats and making trouble for the Empire were part of his everyday schedule. It’s just that he never thought the Marshal he hated the most for several decades would suddenly use such a cheap trick to capture him. Even more absurd was that instead of being sentenced to death, his final judgment was changed. As soon as he opened his eyes, he heard a high-pitched female voice in his head. [Ding.] [System Booting up] [Welcome to the Evil Werewolf System! I’m your system, 520!] Then, Yu Weimin was forced to jump from one world to another to save the villains. Wait, why do they seem like a certain Marshal he hates the most? Before he could confirm his suspicions, the villains started becoming stickier and stickier. Yu Weimin, “Honestly, did he capture me just to push me against the wall?” System 520: [.....Maybe?] Cold, heartless, and a criminal Shou X Smooth talker, egoistic, and vengeful Gong ***** Sneak peek~ Yu Weimin ignored his system and bent down to grab a certain little wolf by the neck. He stared at those red eyes filled with anger and slapped the wolf’s butt, making the latter shriek. A certain villain in his little wolf form bared his teeth. [Ding.] [Hatred value increased!] [Hatred value increased!] [Hatred value increased!] [Ho-Host…. Can you stop this?!! I’m gonna get a data error!!!!] Yu Weimin finally stopped torturing a certain villain and glared at the small pup in his arms. “If you dare to run away again, it won’t just be your butt that will face the consequences.” ***** Arc 1: ABO World! (Omegaverse) Arc 2: Mafia Werewolf Romance (Two werewolf MLs, one mate) Arc 3: Ancient Chinese fantasy! (Crown Prince/King MC X His werewolf Shadow Guard ML) Arc 4: Vampire MC X Hybrid ML Arc 5: Elf Zombie King X Super Alpha of the werewolf clan Arc 6: A Ghost Wizard X A Cursed Werewolf Arc 7: An Insane Doctor X A Werewolf Patient (Mental asylum) Arc 8: Chameleon subbeast Shou X Actor Beast Gong Arc 9: Master Wolf X Disciple Fox (Cultivation world) Arc 10: Magician Student X magician little wolf Arc 11: The wolf crown prince X an already extinct human specie ***** Sequel update: "Unlimited chances to catch my wife" is the sequel to this novel! ***** Update schedule: 2 chaps a day Five chapters mass update when we reach— 1. 50 GTs! (I'll give a mass update of 5 chapters in a day with every 50 GTs! This offer might change in the future. So you guys still have a chance to get mass updates!) ***** PS: Officially commissioned art. I thank the artist Lia for creating such a wonderful art! Reach out to her @lia.audelia on Instagram! PPS: Ahem, this novel doesn't contain any child abuse. The little wolf isn't little, so.... PPPPPSS: This note is for the privilege readers! There's a special channel for you guys. If you have purchased VIP, you can get to read R-18 scenes there on your demand! So go ahead and join my discord server! I might even give more benefits in the future, especially character arts, based on how much money I earn. Check out the discord link below. https://linktr.ee/pinkyprincess765

Pinkyprincess · LGBT+
4.9
507 Chs

I Am Tired Of Being A Hero

“Have you ever wished that a truck would hit you and you would transmigrate into a world filled with swords and magic? Perhaps you wished that you would be a hero, defeating the villains, protecting the land, and receiving all sorts of admiration and love from the people. I would give you one piece of advice. Perish that thought.” -Ravi West *** Ravi West was a hero of indisputable esteem. As a Sentinel, he traveled the Realms, killing villains and saving entire civilizations. His job was everything to him. Until Luxor. Luxor changed everything. Luxor changed him. Ravi was done. The tiredness etched into his bones. He laid down his mantle and vanished. He chose the most boring planet in his memory for his retirement, except this Earth was not like the one he remembered- Nests, monsters, superheroes, and villains filled the streets but that was not his business. He has a plan, a quiet, uncaring life filled with wine, food, and books. But the New Captain at the Bureau seemed to enjoy shattering all his carefully laid plans. He was the most annoying person Ravi had ever met, blonde hair, the most beautiful blue eyes, and a sunny smile, the righteous Arlen Sinclair constantly got involved in cases much bigger than him, dragging Ravi along into his Shenanigans. **** Grumpy, Cynic Shou who doesn't care if the world burns× Golden Retriever, Righteous Gong who is the first to bring the bucket to save the burning world. #Foundfamily #Sliceoflife, #crime, #mystery, #Superheros, #OverpoweredMc, #Protagonistfallsinlovefirst #MutualPampering #Powercouple #Superpowers #Cooking #Farming #yaoi #Detectives #Villains [This book is participating in the WSA contest] Disclaimer: The book cover to be taken down at owner's request.

Dark_Scholars · LGBT+
4.8
287 Chs

Jock Next Bed (BL)

College was like a wake-up call for most people. Especially the likes of Christopher Owen, who spent the rest of his high school years messing around and pining for the boy he never had. Having had a frustrating high school year, he decided to dedicate himself to his studies in college.   He flew many miles away from home, changed his looks, and hid his real identity from everyone.  His plans were simple: study hard, pass well, no dating. But then he realized two things: life was anything but easy without the backing of his last name. And... he wasn't sure how long he could last before he jumped his roommate, who was obviously not gay. But lust wasn't love, right? Maybe he could indulge a little? Just a little, I promise. ***** EXCERPT: "THAT ARROGANT, GOOD FOR NOTHING, DEMONIC IDIOT! I HATE HIM SO MUCH!" "O-kay... what is going on?" A friend asked him, watching as he paced around the room he just entered. "After battling for a long time. A LONG TIME!" he breathed heavily before continuing, "I... I confessed to him today." The other sat up, eyes wide. "For real?" "And then... with that stupid lollipop in his mouth, he just looked at me and said Okay. OKAY!" Gasps. "I didn't even know people said "okay" to love confessions, but he said "okay" to me!" -- Meanwhile, while he was there panicking, the one who had been confessed to remained seated where he was in the room. He had not moved an inch from that position since he got confessed to. But if one looked closely, they would notice how red his face was, up to the tips of his ears. He suddenly chuckled to himself. "That idiot," he muttered, looking at the door the other had taken.

ThatAmazingGirl · LGBT+
4.7
186 Chs

Song of the Gardener of Souls [BL]

Rowan sees beauty in death. The Order he has sworn to obey only sees defilement. As the reviled Caretaker of the Order, Rowan has accepted his role as a dutiful outcast because he believes it is the only way to prove his worth to the man who holds his sisters’ souls as collateral. With his magic and his voice, Rowan can absorb death and transform it, but only in ways the Order deems acceptable to maintain the stability of the reality it claims to protect Order must subdue Disorder. Reality must triumph over illusion. He is tainted and always will be. Rowan has never questioned those lessons, but that changes the night he harvests a crimson soul that is more than human and chooses to keep it a secret. When Rowan’s song transforms that soul into a beautiful and mysterious man he names Wren, he is forced to accept that sometimes duty is a lie and illusion is the only thing you can trust. As the fabric of the Order begins to unwind and a new kind of Disorder takes hold, Rowan will need to choose again, stand with the Order that held him down, or forge a new path with Wren at his side. He may be the only one who can restore balance to the worlds, but only if he can find balance within himself first. ************************************* Updates 3-4 times per week. Note: This story focuses on relationships. I promise an epic romance, lots of swoon-worthy moments, and a healthy amount of fluff. When it does get steamy…you might get burned. Fair warning for explicit content. I don’t shy away from my spice. There are lots of side characters and couples to fall in love with, in addition to the main couple. If you love the idea of found family, you will be happy. This book is set in a non-heteronormative world, so you will see various gender identities/expressions and types of love. ************************************* Excerpt (if you want the full steamy version, you will have to read the book!): Still reeling from the new magic that coursed under his skin and unsure of how to react to the desire that threatened to take control of him, Rowan froze. Wren's hot breath against his mouth sent a jolt of pleasure through his body, and he choked back a groan. A different kind of panic flared in Rowan's chest, burning him as if he were the one on fire. This was what he wanted, what he'd thought about every night since Wren left. But wanting more was one thing. Acting on it was another. He'd spent so much of his life hiding, he didn't know how to do anything else. One corner of Wren's mouth twitched as Rowan pulled away. When he attempted to free himself from Wren's grasp, Wren just hauled him closer. Rowan liked that he didn't have to think about what to do next. His bare chest thudded against Wren's torso, and the heat from Wren's body merged with Rowan's skin, melting him from the inside out. "What did you just do to me?" Wren's deep voice vibrated against Rowan's chest. "The Disorder of your illusion was holding you captive. I…I absorbed it." "Oh? Where did you learn to do that? Have I been gone that long?" Wren's grip loosened slightly on Rowan's wrists as if he was satisfied now that Rowan was practically sitting on top him. Rowan stared at Wren's lips. He opened his mouth to protest, but immediately closed it again. "I know you aren't going to say that I shouldn't touch you." Wren's free hand splayed over the small of Rowan's back. "Not when you started it." Rowan's breath hitched. "No. I'm not going to say that anymore. Not to you." "I thought you were afraid to be touched." Wren's fingers traced a circle over the curve of Rowan's spine as if testing for a reaction. "I know that I'm not afraid of you." Rowan waited for the panic to set in, but all he felt was desire. "With you, I want…" "You want what?" "I want more." Triumph flared in Wren's gaze before he narrowed his eyes. "Really? Then why are you still trying to get away from me?"

LivChanin · LGBT+
5.0
373 Chs

Carnivals: Claimed By The Deranged Alpha Prince [BL]

From fleeing for your safety and enrolling in a school filled with psychopaths… to being claimed by a deranged alpha prince? Yeah, you’re better off dead. • . • Jules’ life was picture perfect until his entire family got murdered all of a sudden, with him being the only survivor. A savior swooped In because he was still in immense danger, and that led to Jules taking on a new identity and becoming a completely different person overnight— and enrolling into Carnivals, a prestigious all-boys school for all supernatural beings. In Carnivals, monsters lurk the dark hallways and the strong preyed on the weak. You either become a predator or a prey… and from one look at Jules— a boy too pretty for his own good, with a slender and petite build, it was obvious that he was gonna be eaten alive by the predators. Here comes Blaze, a wolf who sends shivers down every predator’s spine in the school, an insanely hot Alpha who was as dangerous and deranged as the rumors claimed. He took one glance at Jules and decided there and then that Jules belonged to him. *** I inched backwards, eyes widening even more as my eyes zeroed in on the smirk tugging at the side of his lips. Blaze never smiled, and whenever he does, it never meant anything good. My heartbeat quickened as I scrambled backwards even more, breath stuttering to a stop as he began to narrow the distance between us. In no time, my back was plastered against the cold wall and that was when it hit me right in the chest that I was cornered and ensnared, like an actual prey… by none other than Blaze, when I had thought my life couldn’t get any worse. He towered over me effortlessly, emitting so much dominance and I had to tilt my head backwards for me to be able to meet his dark eyes, and my breath hitched when our eyes locked. He leaned down and my eyes snapped closed at once as I held my breath, waiting for him to strike. I’ve heard all the horrifying, endless rumors about him. He was an Alpha Prince whose presence someone like me should never be in. When I felt the tip of his cold nose glide over the length of my throat, my mouth fell open to release a startled gasp. He dragged in a long, audible breath and I felt a shiver rattle down my spine as I grew even stiffer, confusion clouding my mind. What was happening? Why was he doing this out of nowhere? Oh my gosh… he really was a deranged alpha like everyone says! *** THIS BOOK IS RATED 18+! It contains matured content such as: - Bullying. - Drug use. - Smut [a whole lot of it.] - Violence. - Harem [not between the main characters.] So… proceed with caution, you’ve been warned! *I don’t own the rights to the cover!

Bree_Airee · LGBT+
4.8
347 Chs

số lượng người đọc

  • Đánh giá xếp hạng tổng thể
  • Chất lượng bài viết
  • Cập nhật độ ổn định
  • Phát triển câu chuyện
  • Thiết kế nhân vật
  • Bối cảnh thế giới
Các đánh giá
Ôi! Bạn sẽ là người đánh giá đầu tiên nếu bạn để lại đánh giá của bạn ngay bây giờ!

HỖ TRỢ

2 Người hâm mộ hàng đầu
đã nhận quà0
  • Đã tặng quà xxx
  •  Ice cola10
  • Pizza50
  • Inspiration capsule100
  • Massage chair500
  • Luxury car1000
  • Dragon2000
  • Magic castle5000
  • Spacecraft10000