"I need you to be the put together one because I'm so fucked up. You've saved me." He whispers. "Carter, we saved each other." I mutter looking at him through my eyelashes. I lean into him, our lips not even an inch apart. "Sophia we shouldn't..." He looks hesitant. "Please, I need you." I almost started crying. "Please." I mutter one more time, my eyes begging for him. My body needing him. Sophia Carrington. She just moved from New York to California in search of a new life. When her life took a dark turn she's forced to leave everything behind. She just wants to finish her final year of high school, numb to the world, while learning to cope with the trauma she's endured. Carter Marquez. Newly single after being dumped by his girlfriend of two years. After losing his dad in a car accident he's fallen apart. The list of people he trusts is short, he hates letting people in. He's constantly trying to make up for his mistakes of the past, trying to find a new purpose in life. When the two of them collided, they instantly took a mutual disliking to each other. Misunderstandings and a dash of alcohol set a flame between them. Sophia hates the snarky remarks and stupid nicknames that leave his mouth. Carter thinks Sophia is just another trust fund brat. Soon their rivalry begins to dissolve and they learn that sharing the pain of their past can form connections they never thought to be possible. WARNING: This story contains mature topics such as sexual assault and drug addiction. Read with caution. Copyright © by lulustoriesss 2021

I was so damn naive it's no wonder I've ended up here. Kidnapped by the man who promised me forever, just as I'd begun to understand the depths of his betrayal. It's a sad truth I didn't marry my husband for love. I married him for the life he promised to provide, and if I'm honest with myself, I married him in hopes one day he'd fill the void Lucas-my first love-left behind. Now after so many years, they're both back. And in my desperation to feel loved, to be wanted and chosen I've walked straight into this trap. All because I forgot life's harshest lesson... I'm not enough. No matter how much or how fiercely I love, the choice will never be me. Especially now. Surrounded by danger and at the mercy of my husband's enemies, I'm forced to face one final bit of truth. Much like love, hope is for the weak. I was a fool to believe in the vows and promises they made.

**READ CAT & HER FIRST LOVE BEFORE READING THIS** Catherine: They say that true love is selfless, that it's always prepared to sacrifice one's own happiness for another. That's what I did three years ago for the love of my life, and now... He's back. God, he's so sexy, he's certainly not the boy who left and went to USA. Craig Berkeley, has GROWN UP!! My heart beats double time at the look in his beautiful eyes. It mirrors mine, the love we still have for one another. The question is, is he here to stay? Or is going to take my heart away with him again? Will we get our second chance? Craig: Fuck me, There she is. She's a beautiful as I remember, but now, now she's all woman! I left to make a name for myself, to bring myself out of my big brother Russ's shadow, and now that I have. Well, it's time to claim what's always been mine...HER! It hurt like a mother, when she ended us, I understood, but these past three years I have missed her. God, have I missed her! She doesn't know i'm back yet but she will and when she does, she's MINE! My Kitty Cat! MINE!!! I'll get my second chance, with my girl... But when someone from their past comes out to play, and threaten their happiness will Craig and Catherine get their second chance? Or will it be the end of their Happily Ever After?

Choosing her cost me everything I'd ever loved... including her. I had everything a guy could ask for, a loving family, the perfect small-town life, and a promising future I had worked hard for. It should have been enough. She was off-limits, my parent's best friend's daughter, practically my sister. I fought my feelings, pretending our soul-deep connection didn't exist. When she confessed she felt the same, I pushed her away, believing our friendship mattered more than temporary infatuation. That she agreed should have come as a relief, but it left me with this void I didn't know how to fill. It's what drove me to the bonfire that night. Right there, with our friends as witnesses, I claimed her. Told her I loved her and made her promises I shouldn't have made. Hours later, it all came crashing down in a whirlwind of fire and ashes. That one split-second choice to go after a girl that wasn't meant for me cost me everything I loved. I never should have crossed that line or given in. It's why she'll forever be my greatest love and deepest regret. This tragic story is the beginning of our end...

When they're rivals in academics, leadership, sports, EVERYTHING and she asks "Why is it me? Why do you always single me out?" And He replies: "Because you're the only person worth paying attention to" *********************************************** When she dares him, to embarrass him cuz he is the only boy who doesn't talk to her much in the whole school. "100 push-ups champ, after each push up you say my name" He replies "Fine, but I have 1 condition" She asks "What condition" He replies "Lie beneath me while I do push-ups, I'll do a hundred more, even the whole class can count." *********************************************** These are some scenes that might urge you to read the story anyway it's a dark romance and rivals to lovers. There are also some scenes written in the part mentioned below... You can get more information from the story part 'IMPORTANT'.

(Original Version) My cousin and I are the only true bloods left in the Thanos Family. I'm eighteen now and my absent father decided to finally take responsibility of having another child. Moving from New York to California wasn't the hard part. The hard part was trying to find the ones who murdered my mother and my grandparents, pretending to be a normal high schooler, and along with that, fighting my feelings for one of my brother's best friends. Didn't I mention that I am also going to be the new Don of our West Coast Empire? I am Gaiana Kallisto Thanos, Mafia Princess, and the best fucking fighter there is. This is book one of the Mafia Duet. WARNING: 18 Mature scenes and language. _________________________________________ EXCERPT: "I only give respect to those who deserve it, and the only one in this room that deserves it is Alex. Plus you can't call me a slut when you are the one who loves to constantly have her bed warmed with partners. I'm the one in a stable relationship." She gave a smirk. "You sure about that," she asked. She took her phone out and showed me a photo of Luca dressed in what he wore today, escorting Stephany into the passenger seat of his car. I felt my heart drop to my stomach but didn't outwardly show it. Years of being able to turn off my emotions come in handy. "Well there goes that." I looked into her eyes. "What? Did you expect me to drop to the floor and cry? Honey, you don't know me. And you never will because I'm moving out." I looked at my father and said, "It was nice meeting you but I'm good. I'll pack my stuff and be out by tonight." _________________________________________ Start: March 30, 2018 End: August 31, 2018 Copyrighted 2018

~Completed~ 'I'm bold.' 'I'm ever confident.' 'I don't give a fuck about what anyone thinks and have to say about me.' 'I'm who I am.' 'I'm Stella Downer.' That's how it has always been, but what happens when things don't go exactly the way she planned... ~~~ He said nothing more, he had a sly smile on his face as he ran his hands through his hair. No doubt he was gorgeous. No doubt he's got good lips. No doubt he got any girl he wanted. No doubt I'm having crazy thoughts right now. "You're my boyfriend's bestfriend" I blurted. "It doesn't matter, I respect that but he's the only thing standing between 'us'" he replied, his voice still as calm as ever like nothing was weird... Like 'THIS' was normal. "'We' are not possible" I said mustering all the courage I could, trying not to melt under his gaze. "Does it mean you're considering it?" He asked. I wanted to reply but I couldn't, I couldn't just make out words right now. Was I perhaps considering it? What is wrong with me?! I just stood there, staring at him, his eyes piercing into mine like he was trying to read me. There was something about those dark eyes I couldn't quite comprehend. His presence was doing something to me! Everywhere was suddenly so quiet. Where is everyone?! Few seconds later, his face was inches away from mine, I just hope it wasn't what I was thinking. Every foward motion he took, I equally took a step backwards till I felt my back hit against one of the lockers. I could have pulled out. I could have pushed him away. I could have walked away. I could have hit him or slapped him away from me. But I did nothing... My body felt numb. The only thing I could feel were the weird sensation inside me. We were a breathe apart. I could already feel his body heat... •••••• Book #1 of the Downer Sisters Series. CAN BE READ AS A STAND ALONE BOOK!

Y O U R L I F E I S N O T D E F I N E D B Y W H A T H A P P E N S T O Y O U, I T' S D E F I N E D B Y H O W Y O U H A N D L E I T A L L. ~~~ "We shouldn't be doing this! You're my dad's best friend!" "Well, then this can be our secret." ~~~ Genevieve is a respectable 18-year-old. A good girl. But when her father goes away on a business trip for 3 months, he leaves his best friend Jared to look after her. What happens when their attraction to each other take over? What will happen when their pasts come back to haunt them? ~~~ "That won't help her Padalecki, you and I both know that I'll have her eventually." "Not if I can help it. Why do you want Gen so bad anyway? What could she possibly possess that makes you feel the need to chase her for 18 years?" (Book 1 of the Forbidden Loves Series) --I rate this book to be for Mature audiences 18 years and over because of the plot, sex scenes, and coarse language. You have been warned. This story used to be called My Dad's Best Friend. This book is dedicated to Jessica Thompson--