short christmas stories for adults

Ashton Johnson is a formidable presence, a person who refuses to be controlled. With a strong will, unwavering resilience, and complete accountability, this twenty-two-year-old billionaire alpha male navigates his extraordinary life with ease. Every day brings a flurry of adoring fans, transforming a simple lunch into a chaotic spectacle. By afternoon, his face is plastered all over the internet, capturing the attention of millions. From the moment he was born, Ashton's life was destined for fame and recognition, thanks to his prominent family. He is the epitome of American royalty, carrying the weight of his lineage on his shoulders. However, his world takes an unexpected turn when he is assigned a new bodyguard, someone who will be with him around the clock. This is when Ashton comes face-to-face with his worst fear: being paired with a tattooed, MMA-trained professional who is notorious for disregarding rules within the security team. As if that weren't complicated enough, this bodyguard also happens to fulfill one-third of Ashton's deepest desires. Lennox Burke, twenty-seven years old, has a singular duty: to protect Ashton Johnson at all costs. Anything beyond the realm of strict professionalism, such as flirting, dating, or engaging in intimate encounters, is strictly forbidden and could lead to Lennox's termination. However, when unexpected emotions begin to surface, the task of safeguarding this stubbornly alluring celebrity becomes increasingly complex for Lennox. As their paths intertwine, the boundaries that separate them start to blur, and the consequences of their growing connection could be catastrophic for both of them. The risk of exposure looms large, threatening to upend their lives in unimaginable ways.

"I'm tired of being lonely now. I'm tired!" Andrew screamed to no one in particular. "I have money, I have houses, cars and everything a man could wish for but I want one thing now. Just one thing. A family. A family to love and that will love me back." Andrew is a man who's lost his way. He's made a bet with an old woman to find a family who loves him by Christmas or he'll lose a mysterious prize. But Andrew has no idea where to start. May June is a single mother struggling to provide for her brother and daughter. She's determined to give them a good life, but she's afraid that her ex-husband will try to take her daughter away from her. As the holiday season approackhes, both Andrew and May June must face their fears and fight for the things they love. Can they overcome their challenges and find happiness?

'Strip' his eyes glinted devilishly as he taunted me. My blood ran cold. There was no way I was going to strip for my boss, the CEO. Who was I kidding I was going to if I wanted to keep my job. And I desperately needed to keep my job! He was tapping his fingers impatiently on the desk as I thought through all the ramifications this could bring. I wouldn't even be in this position if he hadn't caught me red handed stealing a file of evidence for the opposing lawyer. One that if they read he would be able to twist away allowing his guilty client to go free. I didn't want to have to do this, but after being thrust into debt to save my sister and send her to rehab I didn't have a lot of choice. 'I'm waiting ...' his voice like ice as he watched me a deer in headlights. If I don't do what he asks I will not only be fired but face imprisonment for tampering with evidence. I took a gulp my shaking hands coming up to reach the buttons of my silk blouse as I slowly unbutton them. His eyes darken with lust as he watches my humiliation. Stephanie Bridges is a personal legal assistant to the CEO of a large legal firm in the city. Her boss is a tyrant, his mere presence causes her to fluster with the dangerous power that exudes him. To make matters worse he happens to be drop dead gorgeous! A terrifying combination. Jake Summers not only antagonizes her at work but he also haunts her in her dreams. Dreams where he punishes her in a deliciously sinful way.

"Rule 1! I don't want to see your filthy hands on my kids, make sure you are clean before touching them." "Rule Two! I don't want you close to me. People like you are nothing but gold diggers." Those were the rules Lucas Maxwell, the renowned billionaire gave to Scarlett Barnes before she was finally accepted into the big mansion as a nanny. She had long dreamed of a high-paying job to foot her bills, and she finally got one. Without considering the terror she would face from Lucas, being the father of the kids she bonded with. Scarlett thought it was the beginning of a new life, without realizing it was another phase of woes for her. Fortunately, an opportunity came and she got into a contract marriage with Lucas, she gradually falls in love with him, but then secrets are revealed. Would she be able to stick with Lucas even after discovering his secrets? What happens when she herself discovers her true identity?

'She was young, so I let her grow. She was wild, so I let her live her life. She wanted to build a career, so I stayed away. But the time has come now. Time for her to be tamed, to learn the rules, to be where she belongs. Beside me. Now the time has come for her to be mine. Because I, Duncan De Sylvano, am ready to hunt for my queen.' *** Cassandra Brooks has spent most of her life by paying her alcoholic mother's debts, with only one dream that one day she would be away from her disarranged family and become an independent woman. And after years, she was the woman she always wanted to be. Strong, fiery, wild, and a thriving model. The beauty who never fails to get attention. Broken by her past beyond repair, love was never in her to do list. Until one night, she came face to face with a mysterious Italian. The dark aura of danger around the rugged man got her curious. And when an opportunity to enter the untouchable billionaire's life came, she didn't think twice to grab it. Her plan was simple: get the hunk and then move on. But little did she know that it was Duncan De Sylvano's empire, and no one entered his territory without his permission. So didn't she. Now that his prey was right where he wanted her, he was ready to hunt. And he wouldn't stop until she was tamed and… his. After all, he has waited for years… *** Book two of 'Obsessive Billionaires' series The books of the series can be read as standalone.

I need a wife. Now. It doesn’t have to do with love and living the good life. This is all about getting the money my billionaire father left to me. And I’m running out of time. But who proposes to a stranger after the first date? Me. That’s who. As if I have another choice. Luck is on my side though, and a beautiful model shows up in my office. Single? Gorgeous? Funny? All of the above. Our first date goes so well that I feel unsure about my decision to do this thing with her—you know, fake it. I put it off and decide to do it later, to ask for her help after we get to know each other better. But I like her more and more each time we meet, and eventually, offering her a ring isn’t for my dad’s money—it’s because I want her more than anything else in the world. Besides, who’s going to know if it’s fake or real? And does it really matter? Yeah. It does. To her…

Emma is living every fangirl's dream: her new CEO is her celebrity crush, and she'll be working with her favourite K-pop idols as a designer. Her new CEO, Park Hyun Bin, is a former K-pop idol with a controversial past and now founder of an entertainment company. Emma ends up in his bed, and what was meant to be a one night stand turns into more. But as a long-term fangirl, Emma knows fooling around with a popular ex-idol could spell doom for her if the fandoms and media catch wind of what's going on. Will the unexpected feelings that bloom between them survive when scandal after scandal—and furious fans and antis alike —threaten to tear them apart?

The throne is threatened as Thalisse, a humble village on the outskirts of Apharoth is attacked. Since the king had no heirs, there was no one left to save the royal family from being overthrown. In desperation, the king declares Gairoshi, an ancient practice where the next king will be selected through a series of duels. Bold men from all around the world flock to the center city to participate and try out their luck in this tiring and grueling competition. As different characters gather for this prestigious event, from the nobles, mighty men, people from the shadows, and down to the Thalisse victims, they cross each other's paths and fate reveals that there is more blood to Gairoshi than they expected.

The Falcon Ridge Series Book 1 Anna Riker: I have no patience for the military Security unit. I have a giant chip on my shoulder and it didn't help when one soldier almost gets himself killed and I have to save him. There's something about this soldier that gets under my skin. I don't want to find out, but the closer I get, the more I can't help myself. River Blake: I'm next in line to take over my pack. I joined the security unit over a year ago to appease my father. When he says I need my fated mate to get my title, yeah I'm angry. Until I see a woman, dressed in leather. She says our future together could never be, but I'll do everything i can to prove to her that she's for me and I'm for her. Michael Dorian: I know Im being used. I didn't mind at first, but now things have changed. When she meets some soldier, a rage boils in my gut. Like a powder keg ready to explode. I have to prove to Anna she's for me and only me. And I will. Even if I have commit treason and murder to do it.

"You need to give me three every day, that's the only way you can have me as your husband" "Three, what?! K-?" "Yes, . Sound easy to do, right?" He smirk and lean closer to me "Not unless you wanted more than just a " "W-What do you mean by that?" "Just so you know, I can accept more but not less of what I ask from you" --- Herravie is the only woman who's using the name Costello for the sake of revenge. For her, the only reason she was born is to die. Her existence only means one thing- vengeance. But her life suddenly turn upside down when she accepted the mission given to her related to the death of her real parents. She must pretend to be someone, for her to become the wife of Sain Czar Ildefonso. She needs to spy on him and then kill him afterward. She thought it was a very easy task to do. She just has to be his wife for everyone's eyes and then kill him. She doesn't need to waste a sweat to please him. But things become out of control when suddenly it turns out that he is the bane of the meaning of her existence and she becomes the subject of all his desire. Will she be able to complete her mission or end up defying everything that was planned just because of a three ? The three dangerous .