har_k

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."

Husband With Benefits

"So, did you find out?" Erasmi asked as he adjusted the video equipment for his next upload.

"Not yet. When Grandpa asked me to send the money, he insisted I shouldn't investigate, so I didn't. Then, when we connected the dots and realized Ava was Cai's mom, it seemed unnecessary to dig further. I still don't understand why you're investigating her now," Lucien continued as Erasmi paused to look up.

"Because she's hiding something from me, and it's driving me crazy. The only thing I've been able to uncover so far is that whatever's bothering her stems from her past. I've already checked in with her ex-husband. He hasn't even tried to contact her, so it must be something else."

No Clue