playing dumb synonym

He'd wanted her for six months. And the opportunity had finally arrived to make Celia Taylor his—at least temporarily. Billionaire businessman Evan Reese knew she was desperate to get him to sign with Maddox Communications. Perhaps he would. But first Celia needed to accompany him to beautiful Catalina for a family wedding. There he would wine, dine and seduce the stunning ad executive…for he knew she desired him, as well. Yet would she still want him when Evan told her she'd be playing the role of his fake fiancée? CAPTIVE BRIDE He wants his baby, so he'll make her his bride! To teacher Erin Lavelle, handsome billionaire Peter Ramsey was like a fairy-tale prince. But after two amazing days their affair was over. Peter had thought Erin was different until he discovered her secret. Then seven months later he finds her pregnant. Now there's only one way to ensure his unborn child's security…marriage. Erin's knight in shining armor has returned, this time demanding she be his bride!

BLURB “MOMMY I'VE FOUND DADDY” Those four words were enough to change her life forever. Ella Rocci, a single mother trying to make ends meet to provide for her five-year-old daughter, Ivy. Life was a daily struggle, but Ivy's playful antics brought joy and unexpected adventures. Ivy has a knack for playing matchmaker, often pretending to get lost in hopes of pairing her mom with a nice man. But what happens when Ivy brings home Rodriguez DeLuca, a man who not only exudes wealth and charm but also happens to be the one-night stand from years ago—who's now revealed to be Ivy's father. As their past collides with the present, Ella must navigate a whirlwind of emotions, unexpected connections, and the possibility of a love she never dared to dream of.

Bonnie Walton had a crush on Jude Ashford since the first time she saw him when she was twelve and he was twenty-two. Jude is her brother’s best friend. He was always indifferent towards Bonnie until the summer she turned fifteen and he caught her reading a smut book and promised it was their little secret. Over the years, her feelings for Jude developed from a crush into a burning, heart-wrenching desire.  After years of not seeing each other, she can no longer hide her feelings for him on her eighteenth birthday, and their attraction ignites. They have the most lustful and sinful that leads to Bonnie losing her vCard to Jude.  Jude Ashford is the synonym of perfection, CEO of Ashford Publishing. He never steps out of line, being the most respectful man on the face of the earth. Jude always tries to be away from the spotlight his name brings.  What will happen when the woman that broke his heart ten years ago reappears in his life engaged? Will Jude be able to fight the jealousy he feels and allow her to find happiness with another, or will he fight to be with her?  Now that Bonnie is back in New York and living with her brother, Will Jude, and Bonnie be able to keep their hands to themselves? Or will their red-hot scorching desire for each other to get them to be together and reveal their attraction? Even if it means losing their best friend and brother’s support?

Last year, I failed out of school in spectacular fashion. Now, I’m starting over at a new university, hoping I can get my life back on track and prove to my family that I’m not a screw up.This year, I’m focused on academics. Unfortunately, someone should have mentioned that to a certain hockey playing hottie who refuses to take a hint and leave me alone. As much as I hate to admit it, if I had a type, Cole Mathews would fit it to a T with his dark shaggy hair, golden-brown eyes, and muscular arms.To make matters worse, he’s ridiculously easy going.Not to mention, nice.We’re talking total kryptonite to the female species.Which makes him much too dangerous for the likes of me. And this year, I’m smart enough to realize it. Resisting all that charm might seem futile, but there isn’t much choice in the matter.I won’t let a hot hockey player derail my future.Now, I just need to convince him of that.Stay is created by Jennifer Sucevic, an EGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

At the age of thirteen, Ashley secretly fell in love with a man. The man looks cold and lazy, talks like a bad-boy, often comes to her house and spends an afternoon playing games in her brother's room. Seeing Ashley come in to deliver some snacks, he would raise his eyelids carelessly, smiling like a tempting devil, "Kiddo, what's the matter with you? You always blush when you see me. "

A game of seduction… It's obvious to Jason that his son's girlfriend is only after the Masters’ money. He figures it will be an expensive lesson for the young man, but tries to ignore the situation despite the way Lanie makes him feel. It's only when Josh announces their engagement that Jason decides to do something to get rid of the gold-digger. Something cold and calculating, like seduce her away from her younger mark before scorning her. It's a straightforward plan, so why does she make him feel things he hasn't since his wife died years ago? Could the infallible Masters have misjudged Lanie? Or is she simply playing him in return? Just who is seducing whom?

“Be my woman and warm my bed,” he said, a smirk playing on his lips. “Don’t worry; to everyone else, you’ll be my wife. It’s only for eighteen months, as stated in the contract.” He leaned back, his gaze unwavering. “And you have to follow the rules.” I glanced at the contract I was clutching. The terms were suffocating: don’t get pregnant, always remind me to use protection, go out only with my permission—even visits to your sick mom—and you can’t deny me intimacy whenever I want. What the hell?! “Do I look that cheap to you?” I shot back, fury boiling inside me as I ripped the paper in half. “I’d rather die than accept your ridiculous proposal.” “Well… I always get what I want. And what I want is you.” he said, his voice dripping with a sinister undertone, sending a shiver down my spine. But I stood my ground. “Never,” I declared before storming out of the room. ****** Desperate to save her critically ill mother, Sophie accepts billonaire Julian shocking offer: to be his fake wife and sex toy, in exchange to cater for her needs, including paying her mother's hospital bills. But what will happen to Sophie when Julian's ex-fiancee suddenly showed up and said he wants Julian back? And what will happen to Sophie when she finds out she got pregnant against the contract? And will she be able to forgive Julian's deadly past when she found out the secrets that lie behind the billonaire's mask? #1

***The CEO's Second Choice Spin Off*** Cameron 'Cammy' Westwood is the beautiful, cold, hard-as-nails CEO of Westwood Architecture. Every businessman seems to underestimate her since she's a curvy, blonde woman - and she loves proving them wrong. The night before an important merger of her company with Somersett Incorporated, her best friend takes her out for a drink to unwind. Who should she meet but Elijah Somersett, fresh from cutting off his long, blonde hair and looking unrecognizable? The two, unaware of the vital role they would be playing in one another's business lives, get into an argument that culminates in Cammy pouring a glass of wine all over Elijah's head and storming out. What will happen when she walks into the boardroom the following morning and finds out the flirting womanizer is in fact the man who could help save her company... and that he has an irresistible proposal for her?

“If revenge is what you want,” he says in a husky voice which is alluring to her. “Then why not use me for it?”Her lips curl into a wicked smile. “You're playing a dangerous game, Mr. Mafia. I might just execute you.”“If you're the executioner, then I'll gladly put my head on the scaffold,” he grins. She draws a sharp breath. He steps closer, his masculine aura filling her senses and driving her wild.“What'll it be, kitten?” He softly demands. “Will you live freely? Or will you plunge into with me?”….She's the villain of her own story. The hated one, an evil, and conniving woman who stole her stepsister's fiancé. Like her name, she became the scarlet woman. She is Cinderella's stepsister.And he only wants her.Scarlett D'arcy falls from grace after her evil deeds are exposed. All her life, she has been a second fiddle to her stepsister, Ella. Jealous and conniving, she steals Ella’s lover for herself and marries him. But the loveless marriage only brings in more calamities and Scarlett is thrown into prison for her misdeeds. After three painful years in prison, Scarlett is freed but her vengeance against her ex-husband and his lover is stronger than ever.And there's only one man who can help her get revenge.What will happen when she enters into a marriage of convenience with the most dangerous man in the country?Will she be able to resist Ryder Rochester's charms and get her revenge? Or will his mysterious plans put her life in danger?

Chu Nian became his nominal wife because her elder sister ran with his brother leaving his fiancé. Causing a turmoil between two leading companies due to the sudden halt in the marriage, he decided to punish her for her elder sister crimes. As time passes he fell in love with her but the feelings for revenge were more stronger than love. While Chu Nian was all unaware of this President Han was constantly playing tricks trapping her more and more in an indisputable world. ---