After her parents pass away, Jane's distant relative, Lord Barnaby Sulby, takes her under his wing. But as soon as she arrives at his mansion, his wife, Lady Sulby, puts her to work as if she were a servant. Years later, there's a party at the Sulby mansion and Jane catches the eye of the Duke of Stourbridge, the guest of honor. Before he realizes it, he's offered to be her escort for the evening, placing himself in a difficult situation. Convinced Jane was seducing the duke, Lady Sulby accuses her of being just like her adulteress mother! Shocked, Jane flees, hiding herself amid the luggage in the duke's carriage just as it leaves for London!
Jane has run away from her cruel relatives, who took her in after her parents passed away, and made her way to the mansion of Hawk St. Claire, the Duke of Stourbridge, an aristocrat among aristocrats and the head of the notorious St. Claire family. Before she realizes it, she's in love with him. But since Jane and the duke live in different worlds, she resolves to give up on him...until he draws her in for a sudden kiss, plunging her into turmoil. But as soon as he's kissed her, Hawk apologizes for his transgression. As her guardian, he swears never to make the same mistake again...but when Count Whitney, a notorious libertine, approaches Jane, the envy on Hawk's face is plain to see. What is Jane to do?
Catherine has been asked out every day by millionaire Richard, a recent divorce. No matter how many times she rejects him, he comes back with a smile on his face as if it's a matter of time before she says yes. And despite her determination to avoid this playboy, Catherine is finding it harder and harder to ignore him. She doesn't believe he's serious about her, but she can't help wondering what kissing this gorgeous man would be like. (A second story, A Seasonal Secret, is included in this volume.)
While visiting the Middle Eastern country of Beharrain, Sara's coworker is killed in an ambush by an unknown group of people. Sara and Tariq, who has a handsome face and piercing eyes, survive the ordeal. They escape to an oasis and spend the night together. He risked his life to save hers and she can't help but be attracted by his bravery. However, as time passes, she begins to realize that she's been swept into a plot to steal the throne and she must ask herself who Tariq really is...
Anthropologist Evonne has strange powers-she can't actually see the dead, but she can communicate with them. One day, she obtains a vial that is rumored to have special properties. It's said that the vial has the ability to enhance the paranormal powers of its owner. And her paranormal powers do indeed get stronger-to the point that she brings forth a spirit from the vial! The spirit is none other than the gypsy king, Viktor, whom she's been studying! But why does Viktor appear at night and seduce her?
Aislinn has a secret she doesn't want anyone to know. The truth is that she has supernatural powers. When she touches another person's hand, she can read their minds! Although she tries very hard to hide her ability, when she carelessly shakes hands with a man one day, she sees a deep, repressed memory of his-a memory of two boys in a river, one trying to stay afloat and the other desperately hanging on... And Aislinn has seen this exact memory before...in another man!
While working as a maid at the royal palace and hurrying up the stairs on her first day, Carmelina bumps into a handsome man, making her late for work. The man is Roberto, an old friend of her brother's. He has returned to his home country after vowing to make his fortune and become a shining success. What should she say to him now that he's a celebrity so far out of her reach? Her family is poor and their statuses are completely different now... This story (The Italian Billionaire's Bride) takes place in the Principality of Montvelatte, an island kingdom in the Mediterranean Sea. Also included in this volume is the story A Latin Passion.
One night Josey's husband demands that she divorce him. He has taken a lover and wants to leave. But Josey is pregnant! She runs out of the house and drives away. Struggling with her emotions and a sharp curve in the nighttime road, she winds up in a ditch. When Josey regains consciousness, she is being cared for by Tom, a handsome vet. He can be a bit abrupt but he's also sweet... Josey finds herself growing attracted to him, but this second chance for love has some tricky curves ahead!
Tracey has been a wild party girl for the past several years-nobody would guess that she has been living in fear of her grandfather's ab*se. When her grandfather dies, she becomes his successor. She wants the board members of his company to take her seriously, so she goes to see her old friend Nikos, a successful businessman, to ask for advice. But when they reunite, he acts coldly toward Tracey. He still believes her to be an unserious and shallow woman who enjoys the company of too many men, just like the gossip magazines say.
Rebecca works for an airline that caters to wealthy clients ranging from Hollywood stars and royalty to tycoons. Fraternizing with the airline's clients is strictly forbidden, and she's always followed the company rule. But when she meets Alexandros, a world-renowned architect, she succumbs to his overwhelming charm and passion and spends a night with him. Though she enjoys their secret affair, she's also in constant fear of the end of the relationship. He's a well-known playboy who keeps a girlfriend everywhere he goes. How long can she continue this secret life where all she does is long for his next visit?
Grace, a lawyer, is surprised when Michael, her ex-boyfriend from three years ago, calls her out of the blue. He says he needs her, asks her to come immediately. Unable to flatly refuse his pleas over the phone, Grace goes to meet him. Grace had once dreamed of marrying the man she loved and building a warm home with him. But when Michael, the heir of an oil magnate, proposed, she turned him down. She didn't have a choice back then, and he must still resent her now...so why would he reach out to her for help?
Her unrequited love, the man she's always longed for, has offered to buy her for a night! Emilio Rios is a Spanish businessman known for his ruthless business practices and splashy affairs with women. He's her brother's good friend, and Megan had been secretly in love with him since she was young. Right up until two years ago when he accused her of being a loose woman who preys on men's baser instincts! After that she hadn't wanted to ever see him again, but cruel fate brought her and Emilio together again at the airport in Madrid. And now he's bound her to him with an unfair contract!
Lori may be plain, but she's also a skilled nurse who's been hired by former baseball player and celebrity Reid Buchanon. He needs her to be the home-care nurse for his grandmother Gloria. Gloria is a finicky old woman who's difficult to handle, but that's only natural. Because, despite the Buchanons' great wealth, her grandchildren almost never come to visit her. When Lori finally meets Reid, he's just managed to escape from the media following a sex scandal. But he hasn't escaped rebuke altogether-Lori's about to give him a piece of her mind!
Nurse Lori has summoned her courage and fallen in love with Reid. The press claims he's a huge womanizer, but they don't know his true honest and giving personality. Wanting Reid to desire her as a woman, she has stopped hiding her beauty and attracted his notice...but their happiness is short-lived. When Lori's ill sister, Madeline, takes a turn for the worse, Lori can't leave her alone to face death... And so Lori rejects love and leaves Reid-after all how can she pursue her own joy while Madeline suffers?
Chloe, a secretary, was ecstatic when she decided to marry her boss, Lorenzo, a member of a Venetian noble house. This interclass marriage seemed to Chloe like something out of a dream. On the day of the wedding, her heart swelling and her eyes watering, she finally told Lorenzo, "I love you." But when he heard those words, his expression changed completely. Instead of returning her love, he insisted that their marriage was nothing more than a pragmatic transaction. But if that was so, then why was he so sweet and caring during their courtship? And, filled with despair after the ceremony, what could Chloe do but flee his mansion?
Bella would do anything to help her aunt who lost her chain of spas after falling ill. However, things were not going well for Bella, either. She had lost her fiance and was feeling alone and troubled. So when she met Michael at the bar where she worked, she ended up having a one-night stand with him in an attempt to fill the emptiness they both felt. Their relationship was supposed to last for just one night, but then Bella found out that Michael was the one who bought her aunt's business. Michael was, however, willing to make Bella a proposal: if she will be his lover for one year, he will return one of her aunt's spas!
Princess Aisha has been captured by one of the candidates vying for the throne, crushing her hopes to one day marry a man she truly loves. Being treated like a mere pawn, she trembles at the thought of a future in capt*vity. However, she is rescued just in time by Sheikh Zoltan, the handsome prince from a neighboring country. Despite his arrogance, she finds warmth in his strong, gentle arms; however, he has his eyes on the throne, as well. Has Aisha left the frying pan only to find herself in the fire?
He's too dangerous. Luke is a handsome man with a strong will unlike anyone else's. He's part of a special unit in the US Navy and tries to seduce journalist Syd in order to get her off a task force formed to investigate a Navy-related criminal case. Syd is known for her tight guard, yet Luke's first passionate kiss almost melts her resolve. But he is shocked to find that his plan may have backfired-his own defenses are in danger of falling, too!
Recently divorced Dani has now discovered she's not related to her siblings the way she thought! Dani is the youngest sibling of the Buchanan family, who dominate Seattle's dining industry. But it turns out that she's really the product of an affair her mother had. After losing her family name and her pride, she seeks out her real father in order to learn of her true family roots. But her father is a senator who's running for the highest office in the land. When Dani visits him, his adopted son, Alex, shows up and tries to kick her out...
Dani can hardly believe her biological father is a presidential candidate! And ever since the media found out, they've been covering the story. Alex wants to protect Dani's father, who is also his adoptive father, and so he initially treats Dani like a nuisance, kicking her out. But as they spent more time together, they begin to have feelings for each other. When Alex and Dani finally spent the night together at Alex's house, their reverie is short-lived. The media were waiting outside Alex's house and promptly reports their relationship as if it were something nefarious!
Amy feels flustered when Hugh asks her to be his secretary for two weeks while his secretary is out on a vacation, in order to combat a seduction from his boss's wife. She hesitantly accepts the job, feeling totally panicky inside. She knows well about Hugh, her brother's best friend. He's good at sports and very smart. He's an attractive man who always dates a gorgeous woman. Spending two weeks with him is as good as jumping into a cyclone. She must try not to let him know how she really feels about him...
Keely can't believe her own eyes. A new client introduced by her boss is the very person she yelled at over the phone the other day. She can't absolutely tell anyone about having screamed at this psychologist, Lachlan, on his radio show! Because of her own personal reason, marriage isn't part of her life plan and her goal is to be successful as a web designer. She's unsure if he knows about her, but he takes her out and seduces her. If she isn't careful, he may see through her soul.
Nick is somewhat fascinated by a woman who lives on the second floor of his next door neighbor's house. But he has no will to materialize his feelings for her. One day, a fire breaks out from the house where the woman lives and Nick rescues her, during which he burns himself. To his surprise, the woman he saved is his childhood friend Olivia. Wishing to help out Nick whose hands were burned, Olivia, now homeless, agrees to rent out one of the rooms of Nick's house. That's all there is, but people around them now believe that those two are engaged! Then Nick and Olivia decide to...
Love between Gray, the first son of a notable family Alexander, and Cassie was shuttered by Gray's father. Gray's father didn't even let her into the house, when Cassie showed up to tell them about her pregnancy. Eleven years later, Cassis provides for her son, Rob, by running a general store. One day, Gray stands in front of her out of the blue! He instantly understands Rob is his son and expresses his desire to take responsibility for his son, but Cassie, unable to forget what his father told her eleven years ago, refuses to open her heart...
Being friends with Bruno, the son of a rich family, has been hard on Liza. The paparazzi keep spreading rumors of their "budding relationship," thus never giving her a moment's peace. While trying to get away for some relaxation she gets into another problem when she gets into a car collision with Kier, a man with the eyes of a wolf. Having no place to stay, Kier stays the night. Even though this man appears to be wild, Liza can't help but be attracted to his charm. The next day, Kier is suddenly dressed in a suit. He leaves Liza in a state of confusion with his mysterious words. Just who is this man, and will Liza's frozen heart melt and be free to love?
Taylor! What are you doing here...? Marsha found herself lost when her husband came up to her at a work party as the two were going through a divorce. A year ago, Marsha found out about Taylor's affair and moved out of their home. Her mother abandoned her when she was a girl, and Taylor's affair was absolutely unforgivable to Marsha who dreamed of having a happy family. It had been a long time since the two saw each other, but Taylor was collected and said to Marsha, "You can't possibly believe that I'm going to let you go."
Management consultant Natalie is on a business trip to California when she meets Johnny. A skilled bartender, Johnny is famous among the locals for his mixological skills, and he's reigned supreme as the king of the Martini Contest. That is, until last year, when Rita stole his crown... With so few opportunities to admire an elegantly suited woman, Johnny is mesmerized by Natalie and asks her on a date. Natalie finds herself equally attracted to the keenly perceptive Johnny. Meanwhile, Rita is worrying about the future of her relationship with Ben...
After long negotiations with Jefferson Kind, the CEO of a Hollywood production company, Maura Donohue recently signed a contract to allow her farm in Ireland to be used as a location for a film. Having finally concluded their business dealings, Jefferson gives her a roguish smile and pulls her into his arms for a passionate kiss. Maura can't claim to be surprised-she knew this would happen right from the beginning. There's a connection between Maura and Jefferson that neither of them can deny. But Maura's in for a big surprise when she finds out where this one-night stand will lead...
After returning from vacation, Kimberley is suddenly surrounded by the media at the airport. While she's stunned, not knowing what's happening, she notices a man slowly making his way toward her. It's Ric Perrini. What is he doing there? The sudden appearance of her ex-husband, whom she left ten years ago, only confuses her more and reminds her of the nightmare of their ten-day marriage. He only looked for trouble while they were together-is this a harbinger of bad things to come?
Summer, a social worker, is broadsided when Darius unexpectedly shows up at her office. He broke her heart seven years ago, but he has his own security firm and is here now to update the office security system. Worse, Darius has the gall to act as if nothing happened between them! Why did he break up with her in the worst possible way? She can't trust him again until she knows the reason for their breakup. But at the same time, she can't deny that she's attracted to this new, even sexier Darius.
Diana, heavy-hearted on the night of her best friend's funeral, falls asleep in the wrong hotel room, only to wake up to a gray-eyed man looking at her with suspicion. Diana isn't the type to have a one-night-stand, but she couldn't stand to be alone that night... She was able to forget her despair through the rush she felt when enveloped by his passion. She doesn't regret the unexpected pregnancy that came from losing her virginity, either. But when she leaves London to start a new life in the countryside, Diana has a heartbreaking reunion with the gray-eyed man, Marcus, who turns out to be a big name in town...
Madison is a consultant who improves the images of politicians. This time, her client is Prince Zain of Bajul. The citizens of Bajul are not welcoming of the playboy prince, but she only has one month to convince them that he is the true future king. However, Madison can't focus when he's around her because this perfect looking prince who could have anyone he wanted is clearly seducing her. "You've never been in love with someone passionately before." How will she respond to his taunts?
There is a reason why Jane wears a ring on the ring finger of her left hand. Because of her good looks, she has had male coworkers going after her and, in the end, she was forced to resign. So she came up with a strategy to pretend to be married. Her best friend tries to stop her by asking "What are you going to when you meet your Mr. Right?" But she didn't think true love would find her any time soon.... Jane joins a new company and lies about her marital status, and she falls in love with the CEO. She lies that she has a nice husband who looks like Tom Cruise, and now she cannot take her words back...!
After Cressida lost her father, she is exploited by her cruel stepmother who inherited all of her father's assets. She doesn't have enough money to leave the house and she also can't leave Moggy, an old housemaid who has worked for her family since she was born. She just endures the painful days. One day she is helped by a passerby, who happens to be a doctor, when she couldn't move after twisting her leg. He is a Dutch doctor named Aldrik. Cressida's life rapidly begins to change from the moment she met this man with gentle eyes.
Olivia, the eldest daughter of the prestigious Balfour family of Britain, is forced to work in Australia as punishment for disgracing the family name. Worse still, she has to work for billionaire, Clint McAlpine, who has a strong business connection to her father. "Why don't you come down from your ivory tower, Ice Princess," he sarcastically remarked before regarding her high status. But what does he think of who she is now? What's waiting for Olivia at the airport is hot, humid weather, and Clint. The stubble on his chin makes him look like a wild animal... At that same moment, she has a sudden rush of blood to the head, causing her to lose consciousness...
Today is Dilly's wedding. The preparations were all steadily underway when she discovers a shocking truth from a conversation between the groom and her father. He proposed to her because he had his eye on some reward? It was all a plan devised by her father because he was worried about his thirty-year-old, single daughter. Thoroughly humiliated, Dilly runs up the aisle and out of the church still clad in her wedding dress. She jumps into the white limousine that was supposed to be used for her honeymoon and instructs the handsome chauffeur to drive away. Dilly just isn't meant to fall in love. She'll never be able to get married. While staring in astonishment at Dilly's angry antics, chauffeur Mick is roped into playing the part of her groom...?
Miriam the librarian is in love. The object of her affection is Professor Rory Monahan. He's a devoted academic, and all he pays attention to are books and his research. There's no way a plain-looking librarian could ever catch his eye. While heaving a sigh, Miriam catches sight of a magazine headline. "Awaken your inner devil!" Could she really be capable of seducing him? No way, that could never happen! But...does she really want to live the rest of her life doing nothing? What if it changes their relationship...? Miriam embarks on a daring journey to do as the magazine articles instruct!
The son of a wealthy family, Spencer, bids on Kate, a nurse who is taking part in a charity auction. He requests her to pretend to be his bride-to-be for a week. But she has no interest in participating in some rich man's game! However, when she learns that he's doing it to try and put his grandmother at ease, she agrees. But when Kate discovers who Spencer really is, she regrets accepting the job. The two of them once spent a summer playing together as kids, and he was the boy of Kate's dreams. How can she play the part of his fake fiancee now?
Lujayn fell in love with Jalal, the prince of Azmahar, and chose to live with him. But as she is a commoner, their relationship was kept secret and never made public. However, upon finding out that Jalal has been bedding different women every night, she leaves the country heartbroken and then fell in love and married a wealthy businessman. After his sudden death, she returns to Azmahar with a heavy heart. But when she gets there, she meets the man she abandoned, burning with spite and malice for her. He will get his revenge, no matter what!
When Ella and Matt meet at their mutual friends' wedding, they fall for each other. But they have their own circumstances, and they know that in the end, they'll need to say goodbye. And neither of them are interested in a long-distance relationship. So they make a deal: one passionate week together, and then it's over. Ella and the short-tempered Matt butt heads by day, but their chemistry in bed leaves nothing to be desired. The days they spend together are so sweet, they seem like a dream. But as the day of their parting draws closer, Ella gradually feels an emptiness growing inside her heart. "Now that I know this feeling," Ella muses to herself, "perhaps I should take the plunge." What will she decide in the end?