The Redwood Saga - Chapter 31 - Melting Point

[Mature Content:]Alaric was too close to Nicolette.Her mouth was just inches away from his.He could smell the lavender on her skin, the heat radiating from within her.But he held back, refusing to be carried away by her charm…“Mr. Allens…” she purred, and he looked down at her.Her eyes widened with desire, and he knew, in that moment, that if he wanted to kiss her, she would let him.The last thing he wanted was commitment. He knew that Nicolette didn’t want that either.But why was she this tempting?So willing?It was that willingness that confused him.She blinked, then swallowed as she pulled the jacket off her shoulders. His eyes lingered on her exposed neck.God.He just wanted to bury his mouth in that hollow spot.“Here,” Nicolette said calmly, extending the jacket to him.He took the jacket, his hand brushing hers just a second. She flinched, her face turning pink as she clutched the towel against her chest.His stomach flipped at the sight.If only that towel would give way to…Before he could stop himself, Alaric pressed his arousal against her stomach, pushing her against the wall, cornering her.She gasped at the sudden movement and for a moment, he lost his mind.“Cole…” he breathed, crushing himself against her.Her eyes gleamed with desire and a vulnerability that rocked him to his core.He would be foolish not to give in to this feeling.But he would also be a fool if he did.She had chosen to marry him.Not her boyfriend.And definitely not Lucian Crawford.Yet, he couldn't help it.She was only his for a year.But still…***************When her business and the gallery she inherited from her mother burn to the ground, Nicolette Voss is determined to rebuild—and get revenge on her father.She turned to her father’s rival, Alaric Allens, for an alliance.Alaric is willing to help, but on one condition—she must be his wife for a year.They called him Ruthless Alaric after an infamous incident 6 years ago. Alaric is back in town, and so are the crumbs of his past. But he is determined to change everything with a wife.He has his hidden agenda.She needs her revenge.But will this marriage between storm and steel survive the heat? And what will they do when deep secrets threatens to destroy them both?

In a world where darkness was always a step ahead further and the light was late and bleaker, “Grim Dark Online” has become a well acclaimed VRMMORPG, drawing players into its thrilling depths. But when hackers breach the game's firewall, players including Kenji find themselves trapped in this virtual reality after an abrupt system shutdown.As chaos unfolds, the World Soul Barrier collapses, unleashing a horde of demon gods and their minions upon the realm. The Cult of Black Snake, the Silent Nightstalkers assassins, and the slaughter of the Immortals threaten their very fabric of existence. With the World Soul and the World Tree corrupted, Kenji must navigate this perilous landscape armed only with his last playthrough’s knowledge as a Warrior and several other Classes.Previously, he had conquered the God of Death, a necromancer villain, and earned the title of God of Slaughter. But now, faced with the onset of devastation, he is thrown back to the beginning of this nightmare.Desperate to reclaim his former power as a warrior, Kenji discovers that fate has other plans. Instead, he is bestowed the class of Necromancer—the very embodiment of his past fears. This transformation offers him an unexpected opportunity to rise above his previous limitations. With the unique ability to summon minions that mimic his battle instincts, Kenji possesses greater firepower and tactical versatility than ever before.Now, he must embrace his newfound abilities and confront the demon lords and gods that threaten to consume his world. As a warrior trapped in the body of a necromancer, Kenji’s journey is one of survival, adaptation, and redemption in a realm where darkness reigns. Will he harness the power of his newfound powers? Or will the very darkness succumb them all?

Fang Ze transmigrated to a world filled with superpowers and became a police. Initially, he planned to carry out his duties diligently. However, by chance, he discovered that his true identity was actually a criminal who had been arrested. The police faked his identity and made him believe that he was one of them. Then, they utilized his remaining memories to solve the case and identify his accomplices. They had set up a huge operation and were ready to capture him and his accomplices at any time! Fortunately, he acquired a superpower called the Midnight Investigation Room. At midnight every day, he could conduct an investigation on a chosen target. During his investigation, not only could he hear the actual thoughts running through the head of his subject, he could also acquire different items based on the value of the information he collected. Some of the items he acquired included: a mushroom that could sustain its host’s beauty forever; a credit card that allowed its users to loan from the future unlimitedly; a loyal assassin troop that lurked in the shadow; a demon eye that allowed its user to pry into the other world; a kobold that could learn and train with double efficiency on behalf of its master; seeds that could be attached to enemies’ bodies to make them puppets; and tapes that could transform human bodies into rocks when applied. In order to resolve his crisis, he collected information and investigated the case while improving his ability and expanding his influence. Unfortunately, he uncovered an even bigger scheme after solving his case. This entire world turned out to be a scheme! Many years later, Fang Ze sat on the throne of the King of Darkness. Accumulated beneath his throne were the countless skulls of his enemies.

Xia Zhijun got the title ‘study god’ after scoring first place in the whole city. He’s the model of a good student in a teacher’s eyes: good grades, good manners, and quiet. When he wasn’t smiling, his entire body emits a cold abstinence aura. The girls only have the guts to look from afar and not get close.
Later, it was rumored throughout the entire school that even the study god would fight and hit on girls. Whoever dared to provoke his girl, he would teach you how to be a person at every minute. The night of the graduation ceremony someone saw him blocking Gu Siyi in the corner. He didn’t stop kissing even when she cried. He bit her lips and said in a raspy voice, “I’m going crazy…”
During college finals, Gu Siyi almost bursted out crying, “I’m such a failure. I won’t be able to find a good job in the future…And if I can’t find a good job, I can’t provide for myself…”
Xia Zhijun played with her pink earlobe and remarked, “I’ll take care of you.”
After they graduated, Xia Zhijun created a research company and Gu Siyi became the boss’s wife.
The commercial rocket, “Star of Siyi” was successfully launched. So everyone knew that the new technology superstar, Xia Zhijun has a wife who he spoils a lot.

- Description from Novelupdates