Ranking

Layla's POV :Little did I think my world would be turned upside down. Dean and Aleck my best friends who who protected me ever since kindergarten and had always remained by my side, truly were nothing like I remembered. Ever since I was eighteen I knew and I kept it hidden, I hid it so well until it wasn't. Falling in love with your Best friends isn't something you should do especially when they're twin brothers. Our friendship was good until I ditched them for my Own sanity. Disappearing did the trick however a spur of the moment
get together with the rest of our college friends,led me to reveal some of my secrets. And some of theirs. From being accused by friends I gave up. Little did I know the get together was just a ruse for them to get back into my life and they were playing the long game, making sure I belonged to them and them only.
Dean's POV : The minute we I opened the door and saw her ,so beautiful, I knew it was either going to go our way or she ran. We fell in love with her at Eighteen,she was seventeen and off limits,she saw us as brother so we waited, when she disappeared we let her ,she thought we had no idea where she was ,she as absolutely fucking wrong. We watch her every move and knew how to make her cave to our wishes.
Aleck's POV : Little Layla had become so fucking beautiful, Dean and I decided she would be ours. She walked around the island unaware if what was coming her way.one way or the other Our best friend would end up under us in our bed and she would ask for it too.

It's a 18+ Dark romance which contains forbidden explicit sexual content. So, please read it at your own risk.

Rafael I am the darkness, the man whose illicit empire stretches around the globe. Not many have the courage for what needs to be done to maintain power...but I do. And I always get what I want, including my son's fiancee. She's mine now, and I'll use Valentina any way I see fit. She's the perfect match to my twisted desires, and I'll keep her close, ready and waiting at my disposal. Even if she fights me at every turn.

Valentina I was stolen away and held prisoner in Italy, a bride for a mafia king's only heir. Except I'm no innocent, and it's the king himself, the man called IL DIAVOLO ( The DEVIL), who appeals to me in sinful ways I never dreamed. Rafael 's wickedness draws me in, his power like a drug. And when the devil decides he wants me, I'm helpless to resist him, even if it means giving myself to him, body and soul. He may think he can control me, but this king is about to find out who's really the boss.

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” ~~ William Shakespeare, The Tempest

Liesl McGrath is an up-and-coming artist but for eight years she focuses on her husband as a devoted partner, adjusting her life and her career around him achieving his goal of becoming CEO by the age of thirty.

Her life is perfect until her glass castle crashes down. Her husband admits to infidelity with none other than her own sister and there is a child coming. Liesl decides the best way to mend her shattered heart is by destroying the one thing he holds more important than anything else: his career.

Isaias Machado is a billionaire first generation American he knows the value of hard work and doing what it takes to survive. His entire life has been geared to the moment he can take the McGrath company away from the corrupted men who once left his family homeless.

When Liesl McGrath approaches the billionaire to bribe him with information set to ruin her ex-husband, Isaias Machado is chomping at the bit to take everything the McGrath’s prize including Liesl.

A story of love, revenge and healing needs to start somewhere and Liesl’s pain is the catalyst to the wildest rollercoaster ride of her life. Let the bribery begin.

Merigold is a single mom who was just supposed to meet the brother she just found. She didn't expect to be thrown into a world of motorcycle clubs and danger. Her father started the club and her brother now runs it. She is the heiress to the club. She didn't expect to fall in love with not one but two club members only to have her heartbroken. She wasn't supposed to get pregnant. Who is the father? Do I tell them? And there was no way she was supposed to get kidnapped by a rival club. Will she be rescued in time to save her life and the lives of her babies.

Fear. Pure fear, the sort fear that makes your skin itch. When you can feel every hair on your body rise, when you feel like your skin is crawling. Fear that makes your body freeze paralyzing you on the spot, that’s the sort fear I felt when I heard her blood curdling scream. Only thing was, I was her big sister. I couldn’t run away, I had no choice but to move to go to her. I forced my legs up the front porch of the pack house, running in the direction I could hear her screaming my name. My feet pounding on the floorboards in panic. I was moving so fast, I felt myself slipping on the hallway rug making me skid along the floor and into the wall. My head and shoulder twisting at an awkward angle into the kitchen door frame, with enough force that black dots danced in front my vision. My collarbone and shoulder sending shooting pain through my body as I feel my shoulder dislocate on impact.
“Aria Aria” Her petrified scream echoed through the house. Jumping to my feet my head spun, I turned the corner into the kitchen to see the Alpha dragging my little sister by her hair into the basement with a whip in his other hand.

*Warning
This book contains erotica content and strong violence, and course language..

[Warning: Mature 18+]
Harriet Wonder's life was far from wonderful. It was a never-ending nightmare controlled by her wicked family. Her father, desperate to save their failing business, sold her off to a wealthy old man. From a young age, her stepmother subjected her to constant abuse. And to make matters worse, her obsessive stepbrother held her captive, like a marionette with no control over her own life. Fed up with being a mere pawn, Harriet decided to take matters into her own hands and seek revenge. She took a bold step and went to a bar, where she paid a man to take her virginity. Little did she know, the man she chose was none other than Lucas, an Alpha werewolf! In his hands, she discovered a world of passion and love, like a wonderland. But could salvation truly be found in the clutches of a beast? Or was it just another cruel twist of fate?

I'm Lilly. After my rescue from a rival club, the Reckless Renegades gave me a new start. I was just getting my life on track when my past comes back to haunt me. With a newfound passion for singing will my old guardian who is set on selling me ruin the future I am building. After an accident that my guardian set up in a kidnapping attempt, I lose my vision. I have to learn how to live my life differently. I need to overcome my new challenges and give up on my dream. Will I rise to the challenge? Will my guardian win? Will I get to find love and happiness despite everything that has happened to me?
I'm Tank. I fell for her hard but I don't deserve her. She is light and innocent. I'm a dark biker. She deserves more than me. When her past comes back I need to step up and claim what is mine.

Zeke and I always said we'd be best friends forever since we were pups. Everyone always assumed we'd end up as mates but we laughed it off. So when we both turned 18 and the string of destiny snapped into place tying us together, I was over the moon. But Zeke telling me he'd never mate with a mutt like me.

Now my worst enemy Chris and I have a plan.

"What if…we fake dated?"
"What?"
"Nothing would really piss Zeke off more than not only you saying no to being his breeder than also making him think we're getting each other's rocks off"
"You in?"
I stuck my hand out. "You got it, boyfriend."

Every girl should have their best guy friend take her virginity. At least, that's what I think.

Yes, I'm that girl.

That weird girl that always asks for the impossible and just happens to be secretly in love with her oblivious--rightfully so--best friend. Woe isn't my name though. It's Cassie.

And with my impromptu agreement to be a surrogate mother due to financial instability, I'm in a bind. Losing my virginity to a baby is not my cherry-picking dream. I have maybe a month to get him to agree before the in vitro process starts. Of course, he and his boyfriend know absolutely none of this. [M/F/M]

"Are you... really the King?" I question next, my eyes remaining wide.
"I am... do I not seem fit enough to be?" He smirks, causing me to blush yet again...
he seems to have that affect on me I don't know why.
"N-No uh... I was just wanting to clarify things... sorry." I say shyly, watching as he keeps his eyes on the road.
"Next question love?" He glances over at me, catching me staring as I immediately glance away.
Uhhhh... what did you mean that I'm your... uh what was the word you used again? Your..." I trail off, trying to think back to what he called me back in the village.
"Mate?" He finishes, as I nod briefly remembering the word.


Dani was brought to a strange world by a demon. She stood on the auction stage and had no hope for her future life. While the Lycan King bought her and gave her a dream new life.

Axel was the Lycan King of the whole Revnok land. He was strong and powerful but was known to be cursed mateless. Until one night, he bought a...human mate, a girl he had been looking for in a century. He vowed to protect her in the dangerous world.

How will things go on when enemies hidden in the shadow start to move?
What will the Lycan King do to protect his mate from danger?

Read the lovely story to find out!

I'm Silvy. I'm tired of waiting around for Mr. Right. I don't think he is coming. I want a family, badly. So I'm taking matters into my own hands. I don't need to be married or have a boyfriend to have a baby. I am going to have artificial insemination. I ask my friend and biggest man-whore I know, Goof, to help me. He isn't ready to settle down so I know he will walk away when the time comes. He agrees to help me but changes the terms. He wants to have sex with me. I can do that. I mean he is hot as hell. I just have to keep my heart out of it. I may have a crush on the man but I won't let that get in the way of what I want.
I'm Goof. I agree to be Silvy's sperm donor but on my terms. Silvy thinks I'm going to walk away from her and the baby when she gets pregnant. I don't think so. I have been in love with Silvy for over a year. I have been trying to figure out a way to get out of the friend zone. Now I have my chance.

Enzo is a seventeen-year-old teenager known for his biting sarcasm and cold heart. He detests physical contact with strangers, reserving his emotions only for those in his family. Enzo's life follows a quiet, predictable rhythm until a sudden piece of news turns his world upside down: he has to accompany his parents on a forced trip to Italy.

What was supposed to be a simple visit to his parents' family of friends quickly turns into a nightmare for Enzo. Upon arriving in Italy, he encounters a pair of enigmatic and insufferable twins who seem to have a special talent for annoying him. These two youngsters, who have an uncanny ability to challenge his cold façade and provoke his greatest discomforts, become a constant presence in his life.

Will Enzo allow himself to be loved?

Anthony was the only guy I've ever wanted but couldn't. He was my brother's best friend. Besides, he always saw me as an annoying brat.


I felt him behind me. I saw him standing there, just as I remembered him.

"What's your name ?"

Holy shit, he didn't know it was me. I decided I could have this for myself.

"Tessa, what's yours?"

"Anthony, how would you like to go somewhere else?"

I didn't need to think about this; I wanted it. I've always wanted him to be my first, and it looks like my wish is about to come true.                               

I've always been attracted to him. He hasn't seen me in years. I followed him out of the club, his club. He Stopped short.

He grabbed my hand and walked through the door. Just that simple touch made me want him.
The minute we stepped outside, he pushed me against the wall and took my mouth. His kiss was all I'd dreamt it would be when he sucked and bit my lower lip; I think I came right then. He pulled away from me slightly.

"No one can see anything; you're safe with me."

He continued his assault on my lips; then his warm, delicious mouth was on my nipple.

"Oh God"

His free hand found its way between my legs. When he slid two fingers into me, a needy moan escaped my lips.

"So tight, it's like you were made for me………."

He stopped and looked at me ,I knew that look ,I remember it as his thinking look.  The minute the car stopped he grabbed my hand and got out ,he led me towards what seemed like a private elevator.
He just stood there looking at me.

"You're a virgin? Please tell me I'm Wrong; please say you're not."

"I am..."


Anthony was the only guy I've ever wanted, but couldn't ,he was my brother's best friend. Besides, he always saw me as an annoying brat.

What would you do when the possibility of the man you've always wanted to be yours is in front of you? Would you grab that chance or let it slip away. Callie took her chance but with it comes trouble, heartbreak and Jealousy. Her world shatters around her but her brothers Best friend was her main goal and she means to attain him one way or the other.

His iron grip was fastened around my waist and he pinned me on to the wall.
"Let go of me!" I gritted.
"If I want to right now" he leaned in close, his lips grazing my earlobe.
"I can forcefully have my way with you and watch you scream your beautiful melodious tone underneath me" he whispered gravelly.

I gasped and tried getting his hands of my waist.
"You are my wife after all aren't you?" He teased, his teeth gently nibbling on my skin.
I felt a strange heat brewing up inside me and I fought to control it.
"Dante let go of me!" I seethed.
Slowly, his head ascended from my neck and faced me.
He ran a finger along my lips and a devilish smile curled up on his face.


Love. Crime. Passion. Strong female lead

Alina Fedorov, the vibrant and daring daughter to the Don of the Russian mafia is forcefully put into marriage against her wishes by her father. And her groom is no other than the feared Dante Morelli, the ruthless capo dei capi of the most powerful and dangerous italian-american mafia.

He has his base running all through Europe and America with myriads of capos and underbossess at his beck and call. Running his underworld without a heart, he is quick to do away with any one who goes against his orders and his years of training has him equipped for a dangerous life of crime.

But none of that will matter when he meets the impulsive and independent Alina Federov.

Can love ever blossom between the two especially as Dante craves revenge on Alina for the sins of her father? Or will Alina be able to break down his walls of coldness and have him on his knees for her?

“Say it, Payton! Ask me to make you come and you will come like you’ve never come before.” He promises me. As he is saying this, his fingers are tracing the tiny triangle of my underwear.
“Please Jake. Now. Make me come.” I plead.
Payton has been a good girl her whole life. She just wants to get out of her mother and stepfather’s house and get her own life. What she doesn’t expect is a long-lost step-brother crashing into their lives and becomes her roomie. It’s true that he is an ex-Marine with an eight pack, but he is also a grease monkey biker who likes to talk dirty to her. His words make her quiver in anticipation, and his hands make her body twitches and spasms.

“On your hands and knees,” he commanded.
His voice was filled with weight and urgency
and I immediately complied before he steered my hips.
Our bodies slapped together with a punishing, angry rhythm.
I grew wetter and hotter as I listened to the sound of us fucking.
“Fuck, your pussy is insane.”

After a hot, one-night stand with a stranger she meets at a club, Dalia Campbell doesn't expect to see Noah Anderson again. Then Monday morning comes around, and the person that walks into the lecture hall as a professor is the same stranger from the club. Tensions run high and Dalia tries her best to stay away from him because she doesn't want to get distracted by anyone or anything - there's also the fact that he's strictly off-limits - but when she becomes his TA, the lines of their professor/student relationship get blurred.

17 year old Ellie is used to being invisible, she's used to being friendless and on her own. Then one day her brother's best friend comes to live with her. Aiden is older, he's dangerous and he is sexy as hell.

Ellie can't help but fall for him but someone else wants Ellie all to themselves and they aren't going to let her go so easily; Noah Winters. The high school bully and determined to take everything from Ellie including her life.

"You belong to me, Ellie."


WARNING: abuse, torture, kidnap, mature scenes and themes of self harm will appear in this book. Reader's discretion is advised.

"You knew," I spat, my voice laced with accusation. "You knew all this time that I was your mate. You let me suffer… let her humiliate me… and you did nothing."
Kendrick's expression darkened, and his gaze turned sharp as a blade. "Because, Alison," he snapped, his voice rising, "I cannot be mated to a lowly servant like you, talk more of making you my Luna."
"I, Alpha Kendrick of the Silver Moon Pack," he declared, his voice loud and resolute, "reject you, Alison."
"I, Alison… accept your rejection, Alpha Kendrick."
Alison spent her entire life in the shadows, enduring torment under Alpha Kendrick, the same man the Moon Goddess fated as her mate. But when he cruelly rejects her in favor of his fiancée Priya, Alison boldly severs their bond completely, choosing freedom over submission, even if it means facing life as a rogue. Just when her world seems to be crumbled, fate intervenes. Alison crosses paths with Alpha Xander, the powerful and revered leader of the Nightfang Pack, who stuns her with a new and unbreakable bond.
As secrets from her past begins to unfold and the pull of fate grows stronger, Alison finds herself caught between two Alpha's... one who seeks to possess and control her, and the other who vows to protect her at all cost. Amid manipulations, betrayal, pack politics, and secrets of her past, Alison must rise above her struggles and reclaim her identity not just as a Luna, but as the long-lost heir to a legacy she never knew existed.
Will Alison embrace her powers and claim her rightful place, or will the forces conspiring against her tear everything apart? What will be her choice when the past, present and future collide?

Larkin thought she had the perfect life. After a tragic accident as a young girl leaves her family broken, she finds happiness later in her husband Eric and their children. During her last pregnancy however she discovers that the two people closest to her have committed the ultimate betrayal. Faced with the impossible Larkin finds an ally and love where she least expects it, and he waste no time in claiming her heart and body.

Annabelle's father is overthrown and she pretends to be a slave girl named Serena. She is taken to her new master's estate where she fails at being a slave. She escapes from the castle and her life is saved by a wild mountain man. Clermont lives alone in his wooden cabin and at first finds Serena a complication. As men search for her and the men Clermont killed when he saved her, he starts to remember his own horrid past. Serena stays to help him reclaim his legacy and that's when Clermont learns the truth about her. Will their shared past be enough to save her? Can she convince Clermont that everything is not as it seems?

He chuckled "so responsive baby? Your body is so eager to have me huh? Yet you kept refusing me while your body knows who does it belong to, so loyal"

I can't control my body reaction. I am trapped with this beast of a man.

God please help me.

"Don't worry I will take care of you beautiful" he tilted my head and kissed me hard.

After being heartbroken by the campus hunk, Sandra drowned herself in misery until the V-Day night when she found a stranger and lost herself to him. When the effect of alcohol washed off she ran away without looking back. She thought it was a one night fling yet she was about to get the biggest surprise of her life. When the stranger appeared again kidnapping her in the broad daylight she knew she was stuck yet the place was beyond her imagination. The man she thought she could forget after the heated passion, was not something ordinary but the big bad alpha of the werewolf clan? What would she do when the alpha claims for himself?

The legends say that The Moon Goddess, Selene, will choose a human female to be the keeper of the werewolf secrets. This woman won't know what she has until she meets her fated mate and is marked. Even though she and her mate are unaware of the power she holds, others in the supernatural world know that the legend is true when everything begins to change on the day of her birth. These people will search everywhere for her and her fated mate. Not only is she the keeper of the secrets, but she's something that no one has ever seen, and killing her won't be as easy as they think.


Hailey is living on the streets in Las Vegas and is desperate to earn money just so she can get something to eat. She decides to accept a job that she never thought she'd do. She becomes a prostitute at a local brothel. Her first customer is Dante, who is also a virgin and a werewolf.

Neither of them knows the power they hold and that others will try to stop their mating to keep their secrets locked up. Thrown into a world that she knew nothing about, Hailey holds the key that can empower or break the supernatural world.

Another name: TEARS OF A FLOWER
"What do you want, Victoria?" Victoria walked closer to Vega, her eyes held hatred in them.
"Look, let me warn you, don't even dare try to ruin my marriage, or else I will make your life a living hell!"
"You knew he wasn't your mate, and you let him mark you, didn't you?" Vega asked with anger brewing inside her.
Victoria lowered her gaze a little, which meant she actually knew.
"So what if I know? I'm the one he marked, not you!" She yelled, showing Vega her marked neck.


What happens when your twin sister is accidentally marked by your one true mate?

Victoria and Vega are twin sisters born to the Alpha of white snow pack.

These sisters are so identical that it was very difficult to differentiate between them. Their Father Alpha Blake Gilbert sometimes found it hard to tell their differences too.

Fortunately they had two distinct features that separated them, one is the fact that Victoria
who happened to be the eldest was reckless and stubborn, while Vega was calm and quiet.
But sadly, Vega was the one who always got punished for her sister's crime.

Everyone in the white snow pack thought Vega was the black sheep among the two.
Vega suffered silently.

Secondly, Victoria's wolf was brown while Vega's was white, but no one had seen Vega's wolf which was a rare kind.

Alpha Reynold Flames of Blue Stone Pack happens to be the most famous and well-respected Alpha in the northern province of Westland.

He is a Lycan and he was very powerful.
At the age of thirty, Reynold was still without a mate.

When he visited white snow pack, his wolf sensed the presence of their mate.
Excited as he was to find his mate, he was deceived into marking the wrong woman (Victoria) since she smelled just like his mate (Vega).

What will happen to these three lives which have become entangled for life? Will there be a breakthrough for them or will things get even worse?

"You are mine Gracie... your fears, tears... I'm going to completely shatter you until you know nothing else but my name

"I... I'm not yours "I stuttered

His gaze grew noticeably darker at my words

"I dare you to say that again," he said taking a threatening step closer.

I opened my mouth but no words came out, next thing I was flattened between him and the wall

My body shuddered at his domineering look

"you belong to me... Your body... Your soul... I'll enjoy marking you again.... and again" he whispered, his teeth grazing lightly on my neck

How did I get to this situation, was there no way out?

He'd already broke me... Took my virginity... What else does he want from me?

Graciela Evans was just an average nerd struggling through high school, her only wish was to get a good life what happens when she becomes the target of their school's infamous bad boy...

Hayden Mcandrew

She owes him a debt, and he was going to make her repay it

Not even a cent less.

Rayna: Why?, why did i agree to Marry Aridan Wolfe?. REVENGe thats why. I thought by doing that i would be repaying my sister and parents for the shit they put me through but no. what started as a contract ended up being more. Adrian made it clear he wanted me but i didn't want him. a few months ago i returned to the house i was kicked out of to seek help from my parents to save my grandfather. I ended up in a car crash that i couldn't remember and who did i hit?. Manfred Wolfe. From going to jail and marrying Adrian all to prove i wasn't guilty. I thought i was free but life had other plans for me. my sister Camry wanted Adrian and I was out for revenge so i took him away but what i didn't expect was for him to drop the act and be real with me.

Adrian : Her careless and don't give a fuck attitude bothered me. when it was confirmed she wasn't responsible for the accident , i let her go but truth be told she had gotten under my skin. When I saw the chance of having her i took it. i could help that I had fucked her sister months prior. her family wanted me to leave her and marry her sister but that wasn't happening and they weren't going to stop. Some of my family members decided they wanted the family business and thought they could use Rayna to get to me but little did they know , the woman I married was a fucking demon and she was out for blood, her family and mine.

I looked at her laying in my arms and couldn't help but smile. she was finally mine.

"Eric was my nemesis. The school bully had a laser focus on me as his target. As if high school wasn't hard enough.
Even worse, he was quite possibly the one person that seemed to know me best.
All I wanted was to avoid Eric but he had a knack for showing up whenever I wanted to avoid him most.
Then we made that bet...
I believed that the only girl dirt biker in the contest, Tomboy, would win this year. But Eric thought otherwise...And he was willing to bet me a week of slavery on it.
We'll see who is obeying who by week's end..."

My online BDSM master is my boss?


"My perfect little sub," he murmured huskily against my lips, his voice thick with desire as he continued to explore the depths of my mouth with his tongue. He reached over to turn off the running water. In a smooth motion, he effortlessly lifted me and settled me onto the slightly elevated sink.
"Raise your shirt." his voice was a low command. I complied without hesitation, lifting the fabric slowly until it gathered just below my belly button.
My pussy was in full view now and he stared at it, appearing completely enamored by my body.
"Now, hug your legs," he directed firmly.
I took in a deep breath and followed his instruction, pulling my legs in and forming them into a shape M that exposed my most intimate self to him.


In this very spicy but intriguing novel, Levi and Isabella navigate a delicate balance between professional expectations and hidden desires when they discover their online BDSM connection is with each other. As they delve into a complex dance of power, betrayal and intimacy, they find solace, healing, and unexpected love in each other's arms, transcending the boundaries of their professional lives. But what happens when an unexpected enemy comes into the picture? Can Levi protect the woman he loves most in the world or is it all about dominance to him?

"Why me?" she whispered.
His hand gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"Because only you make my heart beat again… and I'd rather burn this world than let you go."


A King is incomplete without his Queen.
Just as Vincenzo Isaac Alfonso is incomplete without his little, innocent girl. Ava Sophie Marcus.
Vincenzo Isaac Alfonso, a name that made everyone on earth shiver in fear.
He's a second God.
Vincenzo is a thirty years old ruthless Mafia boss, he's labelled, Death.
He kills ruthlessly.
He always got what he wants and no one is able to question or stop him. Even the government respects him, the FBI steer clear of him because everyone is under him.
What happened when the almighty Vincenzo Isaac Alfonso became attracted to the timid, gentle, and fragile Ava Grace Marcus and will stop at nothing to make her his wife?
Will he have his way? The answer is, yes of course. without a fight, I might add.
Join Ava on her rollercoaster journey of being the Mafia Don's wife.

I am strong. I am a survivor. I am... free.
It has been almost six years since I escaped my pack, my abusive alpha, my painful memories. Six years of struggle, of hiding and running, but also of joy and laughter and... life, wonderful life. Six years, but the nightmares haven’t stopped completely. Now they are back stronger than ever.
When I went back to the university for my last semester, I expected that my biggest problem would be graduating while working multiple jobs and taking care of my kid. It didn’t even cross my mind that I would meet my fated mate on the first day of school and realize that the past I worked so hard to leave behind had finally caught up with me.

So now if I want to survive, I have to go against my fate and my heart and do the hardest thing in the world: reject him.

But how do you reject someone who is determined to make you fall in love with him?

Emma Cole, a nerd in high school and untouched all throughout her life at a community college, was abandoned by her birth parents and grew up in foster care homes all around New York. Whenever her name was mentioned, the people who knew her laughed and called her foul names, since she looked like the female version of Steve Urkel and was easy to pick on and belittle. She had no sense of style. All she wore were big dresses that hid her tiny figure underneath and glasses which didn"t do her eyes any justice. She owned one bag-- a beat-up leather she received as a gift from a spelling bee contest her freshman year in high school.

Though she went to school, she had no friends, no family, and no one to teach her about becoming a lady. Emma had done everything by herself since she was one year old-- the age she was dumped by her parents into the foster system.

At age twenty three, she lived in a very small apartment by herself. She wasn"t able to land a high-paying job to afford a good house, as of yet. Every time she applied to a vacant position she may have seen in a newspaper in the cafe, they would turn her down when she went to the interviews and the interviewers took one look at her. Appearance was more than her qualifications if she wanted to land a job as a receptionist or personal assistant at one of the big firms in New York City.

Emma decided to stop hoping for a better job and stuck with being a waitress at Carl"s Cafe.

Her hell on earth.

Carl was the manager and owner of the cafe. A grown man, forty-five years old, who had experienced all the things he had chosen to chase in his pathetic life. He was a terrible boss and treated his employees as his personal slaves with low wages. One of his nasty habits was hitting on his female employees while on the job, but he never hit on Emma. Although she was a female, she just wasn"t his type and was too unattractive to even be bothered with.