playing dumb synonym

Zeke, a street-smart thief with a knack for slipping into places he doesn’t belong and vanishing before anyone notices. But his luck runs out when he steals a gemstone unlike any other—one that belonged to a monster. Darius is no ordinary dragon. Cursed and trapped in a half-shifted form, he’s been waiting centuries for the stone that could set him free. And now, it’s in the soul of a cocky, sharp-tongued thief who has no idea what he’s just done. The moment Darius sees Zeke, another, far more dangerous truth becomes clear—Zeke isn’t just the one who stole his salvation. He’s his mate. Furious at fate for chaining him to a mortal, Darius takes Zeke captive, torn between wanting to break him and needing to claim him. But Zeke has no intention of playing the obedient prisoner. He’s spent his whole life running, and no dragon is going to keep him caged. Yet as they clash, the heat between them turns into something neither of them can control. And when the wizard who cursed Darius returns, demanding blood, Zeke faces a choice—escape and save himself, or stay and risk everything for the dragon who might just be his greatest heist yet.

The place his lips touched burned, "Your brother is in the other room," I told him, hoping (not) that he would let go. Walker planted soft kisses on my cheek and the corner of my lips, "We're in the bathroom. He can't hear us," he responded. I groaned, "Are you drunk? Or have you been playing this whole time?" I asked because he seemed very sober. Walker chuckled, "You won't believe how drunk I am right now. And I'm not hearing a no," he said and his hand moved up to my chest. Destiny and Walker had been married for five years and were given a second chance at love after a rough patch in their relationship when Destiny discovered she was pregnant. Walker is overjoyed and vows to keep her and their unborn child safe this time around. As they navigate this new chapter, they must confront their unresolved emotions and fears. Will they be able to rekindle their love and build a stronger, healthier relationship? Or will the weight of their past mistakes, along with external forces, tear them apart once more? Join them on their journey of separation and reunion.

Sold to the most ruthless mafia boss to settle her father’s debts, she learned to survive by playing the perfect, obedient wife. But beneath her submissive facade, she waited for the right moment to escape—to reunite with the one she truly loved. The night finally came. With her husband drugged and asleep, freedom was within reach. Yet, just as she thought she had won, he found her. His touch was deceptively gentle, his grip unyielding. With a chilling whisper, he shattered her hopes: "Did you really think you could leave me?"

Cassidy North thought life was already a challenge—until she crashed into a catastrophe. A catastrophe named Johnny Miles. She didn’t realize her dignity had a price tag—until she took the deal. Half a million dollars to prove something to herself. Teach him a lesson. Make him fall. The problem? Johnny is a hard man to tame, too wild... and too damn irresistible. Now, the game is on. Can she outplay the billionaire at his own game, or will she end up falling for the man she was paid to play? But who’s really playing who?

The laundromat I regularly visit has been showing an odd fluctuation in its price lately. "This coat isn't easy to wash. We're probably the only store that's willing to clean this at a loss. The market price is 55 dollars per item, but I'll give you a discount and only ask for 200 dollars for four items." I look at the boss' mother, who's new at the laundromat. I'm a little pissed. Still, I hand her my membership card without saying anything. This laundromat is opposite my residential area, and they had a promotion during their opening. I topped up ten thousand dollars on the card because I pitied the owner for raising a child alone. Unexpectedly, the owner's mother looks at me and says sarcastically, "That dumb membership card means nothing to me—you have to pay me in cash. You youngsters are too lazy to wash your clothes, yet you're more than willing to use your brains for nonsense like this. My son is too kind to let you take advantage of him like this." I grab my clothes and leave. It's time to use my brain for some nonsense—I think the laundromat should have a new owner.

When my father died, he left me The Costa Mafia, a broken family and a target on my back. Our enemies are waiting for their chance to destroy what’s left of the Costa name. My siblings are counting on me to save them, but I can’t do it alone. There’s only one man powerful enough to keep us safe. Luca Marino. The cold, ruthless Mafia king with blood on his hands and ice in his veins. THE MONSTER. The man everyone fears. I walked into his life with nothing to offer but my name and a desperate proposal. A marriage contract. No love, no romance. Just protection for my family in exchange for power and status for him. But Luca doesn’t trust easily. He doesn’t take chances, and he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. To him, I’m just playing in a deadly game. And the closer I get, the more deadly it becomes. My mother betrays us, then his father, then Luca dies. Or so I think. In our world, loyalty is a weapon, betrayal is expected, and love is a weakness that can destroy you. And now, I’m caught in a contract I may not survive. And falling in love with him daily.

Sexually abused by her father and betrayed by her mother who sleeps with her fiance on the day of her engagement, Natalie involves herself in a one night stand with a young virgin, Liam Li. 3 years later, Liam Li returns back to country X and accidentally meets with the lady who disvirgined him and claims her as his girlfriend. "Can I kiss you Natalie" Liam sulked like a little boy deprived of his favourite toy. "If you kiss me, will you take responsibility?" Natalie asked while playing with his hair Liam blushed hard and lowered his head recalling what happened 3 years ago "Yes I'll take responsibility for you" Before Natalie could form another counter attack, Liam had already kissed her desperately like he had been starved of her. What happens when the hotel worker she had a one night stand with happens to be CEO of the company she was interning at, for her college grades? Who was the woman in the shadows or rather, the people in the shadows? "Kill her tonight or return to me dead"

Riley Cooper's life as an Omega changes for the better when she is sold out to Prince Norman Edelman by her fated mate who rejects her for being a runt. Norman Edelman wants nothing but to inherit his father's throne against all odds including playing dirty on his brother, Damon and Kirk Edelman, so he buys a Listener from Hornside pack only to realize Riley's not exactly what he wanted but all he ever needed. Riley finds herself unexpectedly entangled and irresistibly pulled to the handsome princes—the Edelman triplets. Despite the inner conflicts warring inside of her, she can't deny the growing connection that binds her to each of the brothers. Will she continue to resist the alluring call of passion and love of these fierce princes, or will she surrender to the seductive pull of the one Prince she can never shake.

Before the wedding,Serena Williams caught her fiance with his mistress who is also her best friend. Angrily she called of the wedding and in a bid for revenge she ended up in her ex’s bed . Ben Blackwood is the CEO of the Blackwood Group . He is not only the richest man in the city but also very powerful and the most eligible bachelor. Rumors had it that he is ruthless and cold hearted. Her chest tightened. “He ruined me. Now, I want to return the favor.” Silence stretched between them. Then, suddenly, Ben tilted her chin up with two fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Serena,” he murmured. “But lucky for you… I love danger.” Before she could react, he closed the distance, capturing her lips in a slow, searing kiss. It was nothing like Jake’s touch Ben was in complete control, every movement deliberate, calculated. He tasted of whiskey and power, of promises wrapped in sin. He kissed like a starving wolf ,cruel and teasing ,savoring her surrender before the kill . He was dangerous,but she couldn’t resist . She held on to him tightly, her legs brushing against his side ,a breathing moan escaped her lips . His hands trails up her body ,pushing under her shirt to cup her soft round breast . His teasing touch made shudder as she let out a trembling plea “ is this good enough Mr Blackwood?” “Got to say you’re pretty good”he smirked.

Here is the story of Raghavi who was living her life happily with her family unaware that her future would bring her nothing but pain. She was a free bird, yearning to soar high in an open sky, unaware that a demon was forging its path to capture her, intending to clip her wings forever. Just a glimpse of her made that demon obsess over her to such an extent that he didn’t hesitate even once to mold her ruthlessly from a chirpy sparrow into a submissive form, it gave his vicious brain a psychotic kind of pleasure which he relished with every hiss of pain left her mouth. She fought with her all might but his manipulations were very strong to win. In the end she lost, bending in front of him on her knees, to leave her. She did whatever she could to make her life easier, she fought the demon and succumbed to his desire but he didn't show mercy to her “Please let me go, you have already snatched everything from me, now I have nothing left to give you, please let me go, I’m begging you” his lips twisted into a wicked smirk as he held her jaws in painful grip moving his face closer to her, making her flinch visibly “oh little sparrow, I will not let you go until I claim your soul, but you have to wait for the right time, which is not now as I'm not done playing with you yet, so enjoy this privilege.”