Joanna Welborn

“You’re blushing,” Ethan murmured, stepping in close, voice like silk and sin. “I’m not,” I snapped, even as my breath hitched. His fingers brushed my jaw. “Liar. Your skin gives you away every time.” I tried to step back, but my body didn’t move. It leaned into his heat, into the pull I kept denying. “You hate me, remember?” I whispered. His lips barely grazed mine. “Then why do your eyes beg me to kiss you?” *************** After being betrayed by her fiancé who got her sister engaged to him, Olivia is humiliated and heartbroken. Olivia thinks nothing could hurt worse. Until her family gives her an ultimatum: Marry in five days, or be forced to wed a man who can’t even speak. Why? Because her younger sister can’t walk down the aisle first—it’s “shameful” if the eldest daughter isn’t married. When a cocky, infuriating stranger shows up with a marriage proposal, things get messy fast. What starts as a contract to save face turns into something far more dangerous: undeniable chemistry, scorching tension, and a slow burn that refuses to stay under control. In five days, everything could fall apart for Olivia or turn into the beginning of something real.

Vera’s heart raced as Nero backed her into a corner, his gaze piercing through her defenses. “Why do you keep defying me, Vera?” he murmured, his voice low and dangerous. She tried to push him away, but his grip on her wrist was firm. “I won’t be owned by you, Nero.” A slow, wicked smile spread across his face. “Is that so?” His hand slid around her waist, pulling her flush against him. The heat of his body seeped through her clothes, making it hard to think. Before she could protest, his lips crushed against hers, hungry and demanding. She wanted to resist, but the intensity of his kiss broke down her resolve. Her hands, instead of pushing him away, clung to his shoulders, pulling him closer. When he finally pulled back, they were both breathless. “You can pretend all you want,” Nero whispered, his breath hot against her ear, “but you can’t deny what’s between us.” Vera’s heart pounded, knowing he was right, and hating herself for how badly she wanted him. *********** Vera’s life takes a dark turn when she’s thrust into the dangerous world of mafia lord Nero Falcone. Forced into a twisted bond, their fiery clashes ignite a passionate, undeniable connection. But as rival factions close in and secrets unravel, Vera must decide if she can trust Nero or if their intense love will be the death of them both. In the end, love and loyalty are put to the ultimate test.

Trigger/Content Warning: This story contains mature themes and explicit content intended for adult audiences(18+). Reader discretion is advised. It includes elements such as BDSM dynamics, explicit sexual content, toxic family relationships, occasional violence and strong language. This is not a fluffy romance. It is intense, raw and messy, and explores the darker side of desire. ***** “Take off your dress, Meadow.” “Why?” “Because your ex is watching,” he said, leaning back into his seat. “And I want him to see what he lost.” ••••*••••*••••* Meadow Russell was supposed to get married to the love of her life in Vegas. Instead, she walked in on her twin sister riding her fiance. One drink at the bar turned to ten. One drunken mistake turned into reality. And one stranger’s offer turned into a contract that she signed with shaking hands and a diamond ring. Alaric Ashford is the devil in a tailored Tom Ford suit. Billionaire CEO, brutal, possessive. A man born into an empire of blood and steel. He also suffers from a neurological condition—he can’t feel. Not objects, not pain, not even human touch. Until Meadow touches him, and he feels everything. And now he owns her. On paper and in his bed. She wants him to ruin her. Take what no one else could have. He wants control, obedience… revenge. But what starts as a transaction slowly turns into something Meadow never saw coming. Obsession, secrets that were never meant to surface, and a pain from the past that threatens to break everything. Alaric doesn’t share what’s his. Not his company. Not his wife. And definitely not his vengeance.

Susan Myers, Suzi, was born with a red birthmark that paints one side of her face and body like a scarlet brand. To her father Rodrigo, she is a curse, something monstrous he never deserved. To the world, she is invisible, kept hidden behind locked doors while her beautiful sister, Elizabeth, is paraded like a prize. To clear his debt to Antonio Costello, Rodrigo arranges a marriage between Elizabeth and Antonio’s son, Maxwell Costello. But when Max mistakes Suzi with Elizabeth, her entire world changes. Even after learning she is not the daughter he was promised, Max insists on marrying her. No bargaining. No pity. Just a quiet, steady certainty that leaves Suzi shaken. She doesn’t understand it. Why would Max choose her, marked and hidden as she is? Max sees what others don’t, and Suzi is about to find out what happens when a girl the world calls unworthy is finally seen by someone who refuses to look away.

I have two rules for surviving college, Stay out of his way. Don't let him see you. But Massimo Bianchi doesn't follow rules-he makes them. The heir to the Bianchi Empire, a man with a dark past and a reputation that chills the blood, Massimo doesn't play nice. And for some reason, he's decided I'm his favorite game. He's ruthless, arrogant, and impossible to ignore, even if I try. I should stay away. I should hate him. But the more I try to escape him, the deeper he pulls me into his dangerous world. The more I hate him, the more he seduces me with his cold smile, his calculating gaze, and his twisted games. I'm not supposed to want him. I'm supposed to keep my distance, keep my secrets, keep my heart locked away. But when the devil himself comes knocking, there's no escape. Not from him. Not from the desire that burns through my every nerve. And the worst part? I think he knows it.

"Every time I win, I will conquer a part of you. I will keep on doing that until I finally conquer all of you." Vincent Hastings, the ruthless billionaire and the most fearful Mafia king in New York. He is the boss, he can get everything that he wants whether he does it with bare hands or by force. Just like how he forced Sophie Laurens, the youngest daughter of Albert Laurens, one of the richest men in New York who had an agreement with Vincent to have one of his daughters marry him. He willingly offered his youngest one. Not minding what the consequences are, not minding what Sophie's future might look like. Will Sophie be able to change the ruthless mafia boss? Or will she just escape from him?

Married by blood. Bound by fate. Hunted by darkness. When Clara Duskgrave awakens from a haunting dream to find a crimson ring on her finger and a blood pact etched into her soul, she realizes she's no longer just a college girl—she's the bride of the Vampire King. Alaric Vexmoor is powerful, ruthless, and terrifyingly alluring. Their bond is sealed by an ancient Crimson Sigil, and within Clara stirs a forbidden child—the Bloodmarked Heir prophesied to awaken both salvation and ruin. But Clara is not just prey. As whispers of cursed villages, forbidden rituals, and the secret war between blood orders unfold, she must uncover the truth behind her ghostbound lineage and the real reason she was chosen. Can she survive the vampire court, protect the child within, and resist falling for the dark creature who calls her his queen? Perfect for fans of gothic romance, dark magic, vampire kings, and slow-burn fated love with a dangerous edge.

Vincenzo's hand trails down to my thigh, lifting it slightly to his hip. “Do you want that?” He asks roughly. “Do you want us?” I stare at him lustfully. My eyes clouded with lust, passion and desire. I'm surrounded. Drenched in lust. Filled with passion and burning fire. Filled with the heat of desire pooling in my stomach. I'm horny as f*ck. I should say no. I should. I'm not supposed to be doing this. Not with my stepbrothers. Not with three of them all at once. But what comes out of my mouth is a whisper. “Yes.” All three of them groan. “Your wish is our command, my vixen,” Riccardo says hoarsely, and I shiver. **** After Elena's mother marries a powerful billionaire, she moves into a lavish estate only to discover that her new stepbrothers are triplets. They're older, hot, intimidating, dangerous, sinfully attractive…and nothing alike when it comes to how they treat her. Her mother says “They're just your brothers now.” But they don't look at her like brothers. Not even a tiny bit. Elena never meant to fall for them. But they all seem to want her and won't back down. To make things worse? They're heirs to a Mafia empire. And they've all decided that Elena belongs to them…in very different ways.

- Book 1 of The Mafia Series - “Before we get on with our business, there’s a bit of a paperwork you’d need to sign,” Damon said suddenly. He took out a piece of paper and pushed it towards Violet. “What’s this?” she asked. “A written agreement for the price of our sale,” Damon replied. He said it so calmly and so nonchalantly, like he wasn’t buying a girl’s virginity for one million dollars. Violet swallowed hard and her eyes began to glaze over the words on that paper. The agreement was pretty self-explanatory. It basically stated that she’d agree to this sale of her virginity for the aforementioned price and that their signatures would seal the deal. Damon already signed his part and hers was left blank. It was one million dollars. This was more money than she could ever see in her lifetime. One night compared to that would be minuscule. One could even argue that it was a bargain. So before she could change her mind again, Violet took the pen from Damon’s hand and signed her name on the dotted line. Right as the clock struck midnight that day, Violet Rose Carvey had just signed a deal with Damon Van Zandt, the devil in the flesh. * Warning: Mature content ahead. Enter at your own risk. *

My father died, leaving me a shattered empire and a death sentence. To save my family, I offered myself to the one man powerful enough to protect us. Luca Marino. The Mafia king everyone fears. Our marriage is a contract, not a love story. Power for him. Protection for me. But Luca doesn’t play fair. He kisses like a threat and touches like a promise. And every time I think I’ve figured him out, he ruins me all over again. I'm playing a dangerous game. And I’m falling for the most dangerous man alive.