
Introduction
Chapter 1
Kylie's POV
I had never been particularly fond of rain. Of all weather conditions, I considered it to be the worst. And of all days for it to rain, it just had to be this one.
I hurriedly walked into the house from the parking lot, it was the family gathering and I have not attended for the pass 3years after I got divorced with Mark. Lately, my life had been such a downward spiral. I got a job and came back to California after I got a job from one the most popular organization in the States.
My hair was slightly wet and my clothes were not better. All I wanted to do was just get back to my apartment after this gathering, take a hot shower and watch a movie while snuggling into a warm blanket, but I hope I would get a new dress from Mom or my sisters.
Before I knew it, my feet dragged me along to the short line formed in front of the main entrance of Dad's study. Soon enough I was there, Mom was giving order to the maids for a black coffee since that was what some of the guest were requesting.
But when had my life gone all wrong? I came to California straight after high school because it had been my dream since I was a little girl. I even got accepted into the university and graduated with honours in Health and food management.
Don't blame him for it. You're the one who decided to marry that control freak at the age of 20.
"Here's your coffee." one of the maid said to a guest who didn't seem too happy, well that makes two of us.
Having being brought out of my reverie, I quickly greeted Mom and headed to grab a coffee. When I turned to leave, I ran straight into someone, spilling my coffee on them by mistake.
I gasped in horror. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry." I said, rubbing my hands on the obvious stain on the stranger's shirt. And shit, it looked expensive.
"No no, don't worry about it. Accidents happen."
I froze immediately. I knew that deep, husky voice. In fact, I'd known it for years.
Please don't let it be him. Please don't let it be him!
I looked up and my eyes met very familiar gray ones. Oh no, it was him!
I gulped. The room suddenly felt hot and uncomfortable.
"H-hi, Mark." I stuttered unceremoniously. Well that was smooth.
"Kylie? Is that you?" He voiced, his face donned with surprise.
His beautiful steel eyes gave me a once over.
"I can't believe it's you. I thought you left the city. How long has it been, two years?"
"3 years, to be exact." I corrected.
Apparently it couldn't have been longer. The fact that I had just spilt my coffee on him dawned on me once again.
"Shit, I'm sorry I spilled my coffee on you. I was just-"
"Don't worry about it." He said, shrugging.
"It was an accident, plus you have always been a clumsy little thing." He chuckled lowly, earning a scowl from me.
I stood there helpless as we spoke quietly almost going as far as whispering.
"I'm going to grab you some food" I said into Mark's ear before disappearing and going in search for food. I decided to grab him some of pasta and a few spring rolls.
On my way back I bumped into Betty. "that's a lot of food, I doubt your Ex would want you getting fatter" she said moving her eyes down to the plate of food.
"can't have Mark, my love getting fat again" she said laughing to herself.
Years back this would have affected me, but her words mean nothing to me now, I and mark were divorced and I don't care about his body or anything that has to do with him. She was older and mature which spoke volumes before but knowing that I don't need to stand here and let her judge me.
"Do you get tired of being a bitch Betty. Because we are all waiting for the day you finally mature and stop judging everyone" at my words she just rolled her eyes.
It just wasn't worth it.
"5 minutes more and Mark would be ditching you for me, infact else he haven't told you we are together, so don't get all confident now" she said smirking.
Betty seemed to think she won this conversation swaying her hips as she walked away.
She wishes.
There's never a dull moment in these family gatherings. I made my way back into the lounge where I saw Mark getting on with my grandad.
I stood by them handing Mark his food. He wrapped his long arm around my waist, even though I was angry with him and we were divorced, but I had to pretend because of my granddad
"My father has a vineyard out there, I try and go when I can because it's a beautiful country" Mark continued his discussion with my granddad as he ate his food
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Since when do you joke? Last time I checked, you were always so brutally honest."
"I was just kidding," He held up his hands in defense.
His smile instantly fell.
"Wow, I see you haven't forgetten about the past. Kylie, for goodness' sake, it's been 3 years!"
I scoffed.
"3 years isn't enough to forget everything, Mark."
"Do you need me to go down on my knees and beg for forgiveness?" He looked down at me, a smirk quirking at the edge of his perfect lips. I shot him another scowl.
"Okay, okay. I get, we have a rough past but can't we just move past it? Kylie, I apologised and I gave you a divorce. Will you ever forgive me?"
Will I ever forgive him for trying to dominate my life? For prohibiting me from finding a proper job? For coercing me to marry him only for him to treat me like a dog on a leash? for cheating on my for several girls an most especially that slot called Betty, Maybe, maybe not...
I sighed, looking away from him. Seeing him again just brought back too many painful memories that I had neatly tucked away in the furthest corner of my brain. I just couldn't easily forget them, no matter how much I tried to.
I think I went a few times when I was young but since then I haven't.
"hear that Kylie, now there's no excuse why you cant come visit your old man" he turned to me clearly still annoyed that we don't come to see him.
"I think you're getting ahead of yourself there" I laughed nervously. Mark and I are in no position to be making these types of plans.
"I'm not getting any younger Kylie, one of these days you wont have me around" my grand dad stated oh lord, no he's making me feel guilty just what I needed.
Mark laughed a deep laugh.
Oh, my hero.
"one of these days you're going to have to stop making my daughter feel guilty" dad said coming over. Saving me from further embarrassment.
Even though I and Mark were divorced, he was still dad's business partner and they never allowed any personal issues to get their business in any kind of scandal.
My family had no problem with Mark, infact he visits my family home and spend some time with them unlike me who hardly come home, even though I am jobless. I didn't want to add extra cost to my family, and I didn't want them to start pressing me about moving back with Mark or getting another Man.
He handed a beer to Mark but Mark kindly declined.
"I'm driving tonight" he said giving it back.
Speaking of driving, sooner or later I'm going to need to leave. I have three important meetings tomorrow.
"leaving so soon" mom said hugging me. I nodded
"I will come over for dinner soon mom" I told her to which she smiles. She moved over to Mark and hugged him next.
Mark said that he would drive me home.
I waited at the door as my dad whispered to Mark, clearly, they were talking about me. what a way to be discreet dad. Mark drove me home. It was dark and I wanted him to just drive me home but we still had to talk,
"I did forgive you, but I won't forget."
He seemed to be hurt by my words. "Look, why don't I buy you some coffee on our way to your apartment and maybe we can sit and have a talk, since we couldn't talk in the house." He said, a sense of pleading in his tone.
"It's the least you could do for messing up my $400 shirt."
I bit my lip nervously. I really didn't want to do that. "...Umm, I-"
A ghost of a smirk played at his lips. "I'll take that as a yes."
I froze. Had I heard correctly?
"What? Did you just say $400 shirt?"Yes, I knew Mark was now a billionaire, since dad was always talking about how good Mark's business strategy was but I was not ready to go back to such an idiot.
Ignoring my question, he went up to the cashier, completely disregarding the now longish line formed in the cafe. The customers seemed unfazed by it.
"Get me two black coffees and one slice of cake. Bring over to the table I'll be sitting at, soon." He said smoothly to the cashier, who nodded frantically and ran to the back to get Mark's order.
He casually strolled back over to me and led me to an unoccupied table. He sat down and I followed suit, keeping my eyes trained on anything but his eyes. I could feel him staring at me, and it made my face feel warm.
"You cut your hair." He stated, breaking the awkward silence.
I looked out the window, watching as the harsh rain drops splashed against it. "Y-yeah, I wanted a new look."
"I always liked your hair long."
That's exactly why I cut it, I wanted to counter but just bit my tongue. The cashier came sprinting towards us with the order. He placed them on the table.
"H-here you go, Mr Johnson." stuttered, eyeing Mark warily.
Mark looked down at his wrist were an expensive looking watch lay.
"2 minutes. You could have done better. I'm a busy man and cannot have my time wasted, okay. Be quicker next time."
The cashier gulped audibly.
"Y-yes, Sir. It won't happen again." Then the poor guy scurried off, almost falling in the process.
I took a sip of my coffee, letting the hot liquid trickle down my throat.
"Still a control freak, I see."
His question caught me off guard. How had I been? Well, I have been better, to say the least.
He chuckled lightly.
"Still so judgemental, I see." He countered.
"So, how have you been?"
"Good." I mumbled, taking a bite out of the chocolate cake.
"And you? I'm guessing you are doing amazingly, sporting fancy clothing and watches."
Great, so now he was bragging about how amazing his life was.
He smiled.
"If you must know, I have managed to build an empire from the ground up.I'm just enjoying to fruits of my hard work, I guess your dad told you or are you just pretending like you just found out."
"Good for you," I smiled tightly.
"So I guess all that time you spent working instead of being with your wife paid off." I added, with a bitter laugh.
He groaned.
"Kylie, why can't we just have a normal conversation like civilised people? I get that our past is a sensitive topic and all, but I'm not the one bringing it up. It's you. I don't believe in coincidences and I believe there's a reason we met once again. Maybe we could try being friends?"
We spoke at length, and finally Mark decided to drop me at my apartment.When we arrived at my apartment, I wasn't surprised when he got out as well. He opened my door and led me to my door.
I wasn't aware of how close he was so when I reach behind to retrieve my key from my back pocket my hand brushed his front.
"Kylie" he groaned holding onto waist.
I actually didn't do that on purpose.
I smirked as I opened up my door before turning around to face Mark again. I sighed, how can a guy be that good looking and be available for me.
"kiss me" he whispered staring at my lips with determination. This is my problem we just saw each other and the only thing in his mind was for me to kiss me, but deep down in my heart I wanted to do it.
Oops
Mark stepped forward forcing me inside the house. I leant back on the wall as he kicked the door shut.
I kicked off the wall "kiss me Kylie" he said slower pronouncing every syllable. His lips were on me in full attack as he grabbed my ass pulling me closer. I wrapped my hands around his neck and trailed kisses down his jaw and neck.
"What was that " he said his voice deeper and sensual to my ears.
He grabbed my hand placing it against him " feel that, does that feel like I don't want this right now" I shook my head. " exactly" he smirked.
His eyes zeroed in on mine "no baby, I just don't want you to think we have to rush"
"sorry " I whispered slightly embarrassed.
"Kylie" he moaned grabbing my neck pulling me away.
I stumbled back.
"come here" he called me over again. I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Tomorrow night, I want to take you on a real date, we need to discuss. I want this to be real, to be serious I'm done playing Kylie" he says pressing kisses to my lips.
I smiled into the kiss.
"music to my ears," I said kissing him intensely. I looked back up at him again. "I did forgive you, but I won't forget."
After Mark left my apartment, I was still trying to get what just happened, like did we just get intimate with each other....oh no it has been 3years and I have to stop all this even though I really want him by my side right now.
Last Chapters
#38 Chapter 38
Last Updated: 1/10/2026#37 Chapter 37
Last Updated: 1/10/2026#36 Chapter 36
Last Updated: 1/10/2026#35 Chapter 35
Last Updated: 1/10/2026#34 Chapter 34
Last Updated: 1/10/2026#33 Chapter 33
Last Updated: 1/10/2026#32 Chapter 32
Last Updated: 1/10/2026#31 Chapter 31
Last Updated: 1/10/2026#30 Chapter 31
Last Updated: 1/10/2026#29 Chapter 30
Last Updated: 1/10/2026
You Might Like 😍
The Unwritten Princess
My name is Mia, and everything I touch is dying.
The flowers beneath my mother's window turned black overnight. The herbs I gathered at dawn rotted in my hands. When the court wizard finally told me the truth—that someone cursed me, that my presence would kill everyone I love—I realized the prophecy everyone believed was never meant to save the kingdom. It was meant to destroy me.
So I ran. Not to fulfill some destiny, but to survive it.
Now I'm traveling with a hunter who lost his companions to the same curse I carry, chasing fragments of a prophecy the Fae sing differently. An elf took a baby from the palace the night I was born. And somewhere between the lies I've been told and the truth I'm hunting, I'm starting to suspect: What if I'm not the princess from the prophecy at all?
The Game of Claiming
A drunken bet becomes their private game: win the maid.
The rules?
Don’t let the others know you’re falling for her.
And never, ever let her leave.
But each brother plays differently—
The eldest buys her obedience.
The second steals her breath.
The third corners her in the dark.
The youngest ruins anyone who touches her.
Lila isn’t sure if she’s a player in their game… or the prize they’ll destroy each other to claim
Soulbound Mark
Elena is a witch who adores flowers and plants, possessing a gentle kind of magic that is tied to nature. She leads a quiet life with her family—until one day, the peace is shattered. After a ruthless vampire kills her parents to obtain their magic, she barely escapes and is forced to go into hiding.
From that moment on, she lives in constant fear and does all she can to avoid vampires, afraid that her past may catch up with her one day.
However, Elena can’t escape her fate, and it leads her straight into the arms of yet another vampire. Their encounter throws her life into disarray—not only is Ryder her enemy, but he is also her destined soulmate.
Taming Her Playboy Bully
Bound by Fate, Freed by Choice
Her escape leads her to Alpha Rowan, the commanding leader of the Blackwood Pack, who offers shelter, protection, and an unexpected chance at a new life. But Rowan’s fierce and jealous fiancée sees Lyla as a threat, and the pack’s charming Beta is drawn to her quiet strength.
As a dangerous attraction simmers between Lyla and Rowan, they begin to unravel a dark web of secrets that implicates Kaiden and threatens both their worlds.
With her hidden power awakening, Lyla must navigate treacherous loyalties, face the alpha who shattered her, and decide: Will she follow the destiny fate forced upon her, or claim the love and strength she has chosen for herself?
The Heir of Flame and Fang
Please note: this story contains strong language and mature scenes.
This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone.
The first book is The Matchmaker.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy.
The Hockey Alpha's Fake Girlfriend
Then there’s Rafael. Dark. Untouchable. The boy everyone talks about but no one really knows. He should be the last person Vivienne gets close to, yet she can’t look away. He pulls her in with a kind of danger that feels both terrifying and safe, like he sees the parts of her no one else can.
But Rafael carries secrets—secrets that could destroy them both. And the closer Vivienne gets, the harder it is to tell if he’s her way out… or the reason she never escapes.
A Queen Among Tides (Book 5 in the Gods' Saga)
Shocked to find he's been bound in more ways than one to Sebastian, the future King to the Kingdom of Atlesper, Lemuel resists Sebastian's advances at every turn, believing this may be one pairing Goddess Zarseti got wrong.
Lemuel will have to face his past in hopes of starting a new future, but an overly flirtatious King is the least of his worries when he learns Sebastian's parents are convinced that a conniving usurper disguised as a curvy blonde, is the future king's true soulmate.
A Queen Among Tides is the 5th book in the Queen Among Series/The Gods' Saga. This is an interconnected series. To see how it ends, I recommend reading the full series.
Books in the series order:
A Queen Among Alphas - Book 1
Bite-Size Luna - A Queen Among Alphas Prequel (available under book 1)
A Queen Among Snakes - Book 2
A Queen Among Blood - Book 3
A Queen Among Darkness - Book 4
Whole Again - A Queen Among Alpha's spin-off (available under book 1)
A Queen Among Tides - Book 5
Valor, Virtue, and Verve - Tides Prequel Spin-off (will be available under book 5)
A Queen Among Gods - Book 6
Runaway Empress - A Queen Among Snakes Prequel (will be available under book 2)
A Queen Among Tempests - Book 7
Dark Vocation - Darkness spin-off (will be available under book 4)
A Court of Arcane Souls Anthology (side character short stories exclusive to Ream)
Royal Shadow Series (Next Gen Coming Soon)
The CEO's Unspoken Love
Before I could answer, he moved closer, suddenly looming over me, his face inches from mine. I felt my breath caught, my lips parting in surprise.
"Then this is the price for speaking ill of me to others," he murmured, nipping my lower lip before claiming my mouth in a real kiss. It began as punishment but quickly transformed into something else entirely as I responded, my initial rigidity melting into compliance, then active participation.
My breathing accelerated, small sounds escaping my throat as he explored my body. His touches were both punishment and pleasure, drawing shudders from me that I thought he felt reverberating through his own body.
My nightgown had ridden up, his hands discovering more of mine with each caress. We were both lost in sensation, rational thought receding with each passing second...
Three years ago, to fulfill the wish of his grandmother, I was forced to marry Derek Wells, the second son of the family that had adopted me for ten years. He didn't love me, but I had secretly loved him all along.
Now, the three-year contractual marriage is about to end, but I feel that some kind of sentiment has developed between Derek and me that neither of us is willing to admit. I'm not sure if my feelings are right, but I know that we can't resist each other physically...
Accardi
“I thought you said you were done chasing me?” Gen mocked.
“I am done chasing you.”
Before she could formulate a witty remark, Matteo threw her down. She landed hard on her back atop his dining room table. She tried to sit up when she noticed what he was doing. His hands were working on his belt. It came free of his pants with a violent yank. She collapsed back on her elbows, her mouth gaping open at the display. His face was a mask of sheer determination, his eyes were a dark gold swimming with heat and desire. His hands wrapped around her thighs and pulled her to the edge of the table. He glided his fingers up her thighs and hooked several around the inside of her panties. His knuckles brushed her dripping sex.
“You’re soaking wet, Genevieve. Tell me, was it me that made you this way or him?” his voice told her to be careful with her answer. His knuckles slid down through her folds and she threw her head back as she moaned. “Weakness?”
“You…” she breathed.
Genevieve loses a bet she can’t afford to pay. In a compromise, she agrees to convince any man her opponent chooses to go home with her that night. What she doesn’t realize when her sister’s friend points out the brooding man sitting alone at the bar, is that man won’t be okay with just one night with her. No, Matteo Accardi, Don of one of the largest gangs in New York City doesn’t do one night stands. Not with her anyway.
Cursed Beauty and her Three Alpha Mates
Cast out by her pack for being wolfless and plagued by uncontrollable heat, Maya has spent her life surviving humiliation in silence.
Fate drags her into the path of Kael Draven, the ruthless Lycan King who claims her… only to reject her.
But Kael is not the only Alpha bound to her.
Finn, her childhood best friend and the rising Alpha, loves her with a devotion so fierce, he spends four years locked away in the most ruthless dungeon only to keep her safe.
Xander, a rogue wolf who can make even Alphas bow to his will, has waited centuries for her to be reborn, and he has no intention of losing her again.
Three Alphas.
Three claims.
One cursed destiny.
They called her wolfless. They thought she was weak. But she is done hiding, and this time, she's rewriting the rules.
Ruined : You will always be mine.
“Fuckkk”, I couldn’t help but scream.
“You need to learn to be obedient” he said as he kept thrusting into me. When I felt his hands on my clit my body shook.
“Asher please, it’s too much”.
“No. if I really wanted to punish you, I would give you all of me”, he said against my ears and my entire body froze. Suddenly he moved and I was standing again. This man was insane.
I felt him behind me. “Ten Lashes for your disobedience”, he said
“Asher please”,
“No”. His voice was cold and void of any emotion.
Asher was what I wanted , what I truly craved until it was too late. An orphan should never fall in love with someone out of their reach. I thought loving him was the right thing to do until he revealed his true identity and Ruined me. I was ruined for everyone one else . I could still feel his touch, it was as if it was etched into my skin. I tired to avoid him but fate wouldn't let it happen.
The Sterling's were the most powerful in Havenwood and Dorian Sterling was off limits.
As an orphan finding out you still have people looking for you is hard to take but when it turns out to be people of wealth and standing I took the other road and ran, but running led me right back to the place I was avoiding and the person I was avoiding.
Asher and Dorling Sterling one and the same. When his first love shows up and along with everyone that has set out to ruin me, I prayed that he could protect me.












