Showing results by author "Stella Gray" in All Categories

On my 18th birthday, my father, the senator, gives me the gift he thinks every little girl dreams of. The man of my dreams, and the wedding to match. Stefan Zoric is heir to an elite worldwide modeling agency. Practically a prince. My arrangement is simple, as far as sham marriages go. I give him my virginity, behave as the perfect wife, and he'll pay for the college degree my father found irrelevant. But I don't want to be the perfect wife. I want him to want me the way I want him.

I've been to a million parties with my crush, but he's never acted on it til now. Ford Malone could have any woman in Chicago, so why fake a relationship with me? The world knows him as the heir to a real estate fortune, but to me he'll always be my best friend, the man who saved me from my bullies as a boy. I'm as surprised as anyone when he announces our engagement, but I'll play along. Nothing has to change except the way we behave—the way we touch—in public. But his private touches change everything. Soon the crush I've hidden for so long is threatening to swallow me whole.

It was always going to end in heartbreak. You can't pretend-marry the man you secretly love and escape unscathed. Ford has never hesitated to ask for my help before, but this is the farthest he's asked me to go. Not that I ever say no to him. Even when I know I should. Sleeping with my husband is the best worst idea possible. It's everything I dreamed it would be. But everything to me is nothing to him. And he's not the only one I've made promises to.

On my 18th birthday, my father, the senator, gives me the gift he thinks every little girl dreams of. The man of my dreams, and the wedding to match. Stefan Zoric is heir to an elite worldwide modeling agency. Practically a prince.

I was sold to him to settle a debt...but Dante Bellanti never settles. My father was always a gambling man. Unfortunately, he never could pick winners. When the wolves closed in, he chose himself, like always. He traded his freedom...for mine. He forced me to marry.Now, Dante Bellanti owns my body. I’m just another possession for a man who already has too much. So I won’t let him have my heart. But you know what they say about gambling. The house always wins. And I’m at the mercy of the Bellantis.

The world knows Ford Malone as the heir to a real estate fortune. But to me, he'll always be my best friend. The guy who saved me from my bullies back in school. The man I've secretly loved for years. When he needs me to be his plus-one at a family event, I agree without hesitation. Imagine my surprise when he announces our engagement. As usual, I'll play along. Nothing has to change except the way we behave - the way we touch - in public. But his private touches change everything. Soon, the crush I've hidden for so long is threatening to swallow me whole.

My life was planned for me, down to the smallest detail. I was to be a gift for a man loyal to my uncle, a pretty little prize. When I ran away, I did it for love. I should have known my uncle would never allow it. They say all’s fair in love and war, but sometimes they’re the same thing. And nothing about this is fair. I should be a happy newlywed, burning dinner and stealing kisses. Instead, I’m a pawn for powerful men to fight over. But they’ve underestimated my husband.

I thought I could walk away…but Armani Bellanti wants me for keeps. My intentions were good. I thought I was on the side of angels. But all my plans led me straight to hell. There’s nowhere for me to turn. My whole world is his cage. I have no one. No one but him. He silences me with cruel kisses. I taunt him with his desire for me. We don’t trust each other, but we can use each other. Armani can take what he wants from me. And I can keep pretending I’m not falling for the devil.

My father was always a gambling man. Unfortunately, he never could pick winners. When the wolves closed in, he chose himself, like always. He traded his freedom... for mine. He forced me to marry. Now Dante Bellanti owns my body. I'm just another possession for a man who already has too much. So I won't let him have my heart. But you know what they say about gambling.

In this valley, my family name means something. To some, protection. To others, destruction. When a Bellanti stole my heart, he started a war. A ring on my finger put a target on his back. I hardly know the man I threw my life away for. He looked like I imagined Mr. Darcy would. He wrote me poetry. But he’s locked me away exactly the way my uncle had. Choosing him was my last taste of freedom. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. He will burn me alive either way.

My family has given everything to salvage the Zoric name and reputation from my father's tarnished legacy. I only needed a moment to destroy it all. Along with two hearts. It was supposed to be a simple charade. I never thought Ford and I would fall in love. But I can't take back what I've done. He can't change the past.

I was supposed to get close to him...but Armani keeps his secrets closer. Everyone knows that Armani is the most dangerous Bellanti brother. No one knows what he’s capable of. I do know there is nothing he won’t do for his family. For months, I’ve interacted with the dark, broody man. The way he looks at me moves the earth under my feet. His touch makes my skin tingle. But I’ve had my own agenda.

My husband isn’t a gentle man. And God knows he isn’t the sharing type. Rico’s announcement has dropped a bomb into my marriage. I never thought I’d see Rico again. Never thought Dante would ever have to know. Seeing the way he looks at me now, as though I’m just another problem to be handled? It’s breaking my heart.

My family prepared me to fight. My best friend taught me loyalty. My husband showed me who I am. And now I’m caught between them all. The thing about secrets is that they always come out. The past is never gone. No one expected it to explode. I finally understand why my life led me here. I was the only one who could uncover the truth. And I’m damn sure I’m the only one who can prevent a war. Men have pushed me around my whole life. But I was built for this.... I am Mrs. Armani Bellanti.

On the day I was married, I promised to love, honor, and obey my husband Stefan. Little did I know how literally I would mean obeying. Stefan tells me what to do, and I do it. There are questions asked, but I always submit in the end....

I’ve always been a foolish girl. I should have learned my lesson the first time a man betrayed me. It hurt when Rico abandoned me. My father’s deal was agony. Dante’s betrayal...it might kill me. And there’s nothing I can do. He’s not the kind of man who takes orders from his wife. And he’ll never let me leave. There’s nowhere I can go that he won’t find me. My father forced me to marry him. Dante made me love him. It’s my turn to show them all what a Bellanti woman is....

I thought I was trying out to be the Zoric's newest model, but Luka was auditioning wives. The last time I saw Luka Zoric, he left me stranded in his bed. This time, I'm the one holding the cards.

On the day my husband and I committed to each other, I didn't wear a white dress. We didn't exchange rings. There was no audience or minister to witness our union. Only the two of us.

My life is in ruins. Failed marriage, failed career—I'm a failure. My husband may have had a hand in it, but I can't help missing him. We made an agreement. I signed the contract, and so did he. Without our arrangement, everything falls apart. So we'll keep losing ourselves in each other's bodies. We'll keep pretending everything is fine. But maybe I'm getting sick of pretend. Maybe I want to find something real. And just maybe, Luka does too.

If only I'd never signed that contract. Or accepted the one I didn't. My husband doesn't trust me. Not that I can blame him. But he needs me, needs my image. I need his connections. And I have to find a way to convince him to set aside our differences. There's one way that always works. Even when we hate each other, our bodies betray us. The one place we've never disagreed is in bed.