#secretsandlies

[emotionalghostown]

The 007

This one is about Jake—a rich kid with hazel eyes and a magnetic pull I couldn’t resist. I met him through my mentee at a house party in the fanciest part of the city, the kind of party I’d only seen in movies. His apartment was sleek and spacious, practically begging for trouble, filled with people whose effortless wealth radiated from the walls.

His friends were textbook bourgeois. I’d been around snobby rich kids before, thanks to my private school scholarship back home, but this was a whole different level. These people weren’t just rich—they were powerful. They knew it, and they made sure everyone else did, too. The men wore their privilege like it was a family heirloom, and the women around them were all perfectly slim, polished, like they’d been cut from some expensive mold. I felt like Ginny Humphrey when her dad married Lily: what in the Gossip Girl was I doing here?

But thank the lord for my Scorpio rising. I had piercing black eyes and a razor-sharp wit to match. My private school education had taught me how to blend in, how to be a chameleon in any social setting. So, I played the part, fighting my way into their world with a smoothness I’d perfected over the years. I could laugh at their jokes, volley back their sarcastic comments, and make them think I belonged. But the whole time, I was thinking, This is a game, and I’m damn good at it.

Jake, though, was infuriatingly aloof. He didn’t flirt, didn’t even give me a second glance in public like he had an image to uphold. Still, I could feel the tension when we walked to the party, a silent pull that made my blood boil. By the time we got there, I was ready for something to happen.

Fueled by the frustration (and half a bottle of Monbazillac), I found myself wandering to the kitchen to grab water. And then I felt him behind me, close enough that I could sense his presence before I turned around. He was standing there, looking at me with those impossibly sexy hazel eyes. I started to walk away, but he leaned in and asked if he could kiss me. I laughed, partly from nerves, but he leaned in closer, his voice all smooth and quiet, and asked, “Don’t you want to?”

Oh, I wanted to. And that was all it took. We made out right there, and soon we found our way to his room, where we had the kind of soul-shattering sex that makes you believe in cosmic connections. That night turned into a week, and then into months. Every time he was in town, we would meet up, and the same thing would happen. It was primal, physical, just pure raw lust. I didn’t know anything about his life, and he didn’t know much about mine. We rarely spoke, but when we did, it was as if words only got in the way. It was freeing, easy, and insanely pleasurable.

But you can feel the but coming, can’t you?

One summer night, I was out with a friend at a bar when my phone rang. I checked the caller ID and saw Jake’s name. Now, you have to understand—he never called. We’d been doing this thing for over a year, and all we ever did was text. So when his name showed up, I knew something was off. I picked up, and right away, I could tell he sounded drowsy and a little paranoid. I asked him what was wrong, and he laughed, saying, “Damn, how’d you know?” He asked if he could come meet me, and, feeling curious, I told him to come by the bar.

When he arrived, he looked like he’d seen a ghost. I immediately knew something was wrong, and he looked me dead in the eyes, saying, “You know me as Jake, that is my real name but that’s not the full story.” I raised an eyebrow and joked, “What are you, CIA or something?” He smirked, but this time his face was dead serious. “Yeah, actually, good job. And tonight, I think I blew my cover.”

I laughed, thinking he was joking, but his face was dead serious. He told me he actually was CIA and that he’d messed up on an assignment that night. He looked me in the eyes, and I realized he wasn’t kidding. He said he needed me to help him clear his head, that I was detached enough from him and smart enough, and he just wanted to be in my arms tonight.

So there I was, walking him home, feeling like I’d fallen into some bizarre, high-stakes spy thriller. He started telling me details I’ll never repeat because, frankly, I’d like to avoid jail time. When we got to his apartment, we kept the lights off and tiptoed to his room. And as I turned to get ready for bed, I saw him in the moonlight. He was checking a gun, making sure it was loaded before he slid into bed beside me. He held onto me, practically trembling, and I stroked his hair, trying to calm him down.

I stayed awake, terrified out of my mind, listening to his breathing slow as he drifted off to sleep. Guns aren’t exactly common here in Europe unless you’re law enforcement or someone in deep, dark places, so the whole situation felt surreal, like a scene from a smut novel gone terribly wrong. I lay there in the dark, trying to make sense of everything, but I couldn’t shake the fear.

And that was the last time I ever saw him. He vanished just as mysteriously as he’d appeared, leaving me with a night of secrets and a story no one would believe.

[michaellart]

SUCCESS DOES NOT TEACH US MUCH BECAUSE IT IS JUST THE PRODUCT OF COMMON-SENSE THAT WE GET WHILE EXPERIENCING HUMANITY. THE KEY? Are You Living a SYSTEM-RELEVANT or HUMAN-CENTRIC LIFE and Which is Dominant? When you can answer these questions it will spark enough awareness to make your life AT LEAST 50% EASIER.

It does not matter where you are from or how you conquer human and system problems. Your awareness trumps all combined with YOU being one of one of 8 billion individuals.

Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rww6K8wWDwg  My support article: 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-living-human-centric-versus-system-relevant-life-magrutsche-nu8ac

[joyffree]

🌸 ON TOUR 🌸

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗪𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 by Weli Sane is available now!

Start reading today! 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱

⇒ https://mybook.to/AllWeHad_WS

Hosted by Enticing Journey Book Promotions

[glicogil]

10. Secrets & Lies (1996)

Director: Mike Leigh

[speakin-4-myself]

Can't believe this came out in 2015 and I'm just finding out about it now that it's on #Tubi. #SecretsAndLies https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn3YoprtiPx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[celticbarb]

#BOOKREVIEW #ComingSoon #SecretsAndLies

#scotland #scottishhistorical #EntangledPublishing #medievalromance

Book: His Secret Highland Bride

Author: Allison B. Hanson

Series: Clan MacPherson, Book #1

Publisher: Entangled

Release Date: May 13, 2024

Book Length: 284 pages

Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

Blog Review: 5/5 Saltire Flags

Scotland,1695

After fighting for five years in France Shane MacPherson returns home to Scotland. He is now a broken man with both physical and mental scars. He is filled with shame and regret because his beautiful, Spanish, wife Maria was murdered while he was away fighting on the battlefield. Furthermore he has not returned to his castle after finds out his father has died which makes him the laird being the eldest son and heir. In addition his is father has made a bridal match for him! This from a man who has ignored him and his siblings most of their lives. As this was done without a care or thought for Shane just to make sure his step mother Deidre is kept in all of her priceless jewels and coin which make Shane so angry! Well things were definitely going to change once he accepts his title and position. His father was only concerned for Deidre but could have at least sent Shane a brief message to France to him to at inform his heir some type of consideration or warning about his future and a faceless wife he will never love!

Shane now hears a woman screaming and goes to protect her and is shocked that two MacPhersons guards were about to attack this beautiful, defenseless, lass! This is how Shane MacPherson meets Lindsay Wallace, his betrothed, even though neither of them knew the truth. As he is now living in his step-brother Ronan's humble cabin on the secluded edge of town while he was visiting with his grandfather. They were best friends and had each backs in the war in France. Luckily Ronan did not take after his heartless, vain, selfish mother who only spends the clan's coin that is needed for planting, food, bandages, livestock and necessities needed to survive!

He tells Lindsay he was a soldier that just returned from France. He is also dressed in humble clothing so neither of them shared their true background or titles. Lindsay didn't look like a Laird's daughter with paper thin worn clothing and wild hair but they became friends quickly and start having feelings for each other although Shane tries to deny it! However she is the first person who has started to make him open his heart again and make him smile, something he hadn't done in a very long time. Shane starts to feel things including guilt for this valkyrie woman even though he is promised to another. Lindsay does not care if she does have a betrothed man she has no interest in marrying just because her clan is forcing her. She is attracted to this poor MacPherson handsome soldier who is her savior and always so kind and caring. However she gives him a false name of Cameron not realizing this clan is an enemy of Clan MacPherson. She had sent her father letters to break another betrothal and to allow her to come home, however they have all been unanswered.

Is it even possible for Shane to love another living with so much guilt and grief from his first wife’s death? Lindsay imagines that this MacPherson Laird to be an uncaring monster and only wants to escape. She can’t help but desire this poor soldier and his sweet wee dog. With all these secrets and lies will Shane and Lindsay ever reveal the truth? What is in the future for this Laird and his secret bride? What will they do when they both realize they have both deceived each other with secrets and lies? Will they feel furious and betrayed? Read and discover their fate!

Disclaimer: I received a free advance readers copy from Entangled publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair, review and blog through netgalley. All words, thoughts, ideas are my own.

[cocktailsfairytales]

❤ 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 ❤

Amber Kelly is celebrating her five year publishing anniversary with a new cover for the 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 duet!! Have you met Cross and Gabby?

Buy it here or read FREE with Kindle Unlimited: https://geni.us/cmhduet

Link in bio @authoramberkelly

Love, Sex, Lies, and Betrayal...

Gabby Mastreoni has been in love with Christoff Scutari since she was four years old. Their fathers are in the same business, and nearly twenty years later, their families remain close. With four older brothers, Gabby leads a protected and sheltered life—until she and Christoff cross a line, and she discovers that love can hurt people.

Brie Masters left everything and everyone behind to begin again. Starting over in California, she’s found her new home. She soon learns though that she can run away from her past, but it will always be there. No matter how many miles she puts between herself and her former life, she is still running, reinventing herself—so much so that she’s not even sure who she is anymore.

And she has to ask herself, “Am I Brie, or am I still Gabby?”

𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲: Perfect Pear Creative Covers

Find more books by Amber Kelly: https://authoramberkelly.com

#mafiaromance #secretidentity #secondchanceromance #soulmates #secretsandlies #specialeditions #amberkelly #wordsmithpublicity

[jossyreadssmut]

CON Book 2 In the Secrets and Lies Series 

Available here: mybook.to/CON 

A second chance Mafia romance, secret baby, jealous/possessive hero with steamy sex scenes.

Be prepared to be taken on a journey of Secrets and Lies.

CON Secrets and Lies Series Book 2 can be read as a standalone.

 #secretbabyromance #secretbaby #spice #smutty #smuttybooks #standalone #secretsandlies #obsessive #possessive #darkromancereads #DarkRomance #mentalhealth

[trishfullertonwriting75]

Moonbeam - Chapter Eleven (on Wattpad) https://my.w.tt/FlyscY7EY6 Thranduil gives a place of refuge to an elleth and her young child, saving their lives and giving them protection. Centuries later, he is ambushed in the forest by a furious female, who challenges him in a fight to the death. Rage, tears, and truths emerge, and he is stunned at the elleth's identity. Could it possibly be the same child who had run riot in his palace hundreds of years before, creating mischief at every turn and leading a young Legolas down a path of anarchy? And if it was, why was it her mission to take his life? As both struggle to come to terms with what they know, feelings change, and the King finds himself falling in love with the inferno of angry fire who destroys the defences around his heart. Can they find a way to overcome the past and be together? Or will the lies and betrayal keep them as enemies until time runs out? A shocking twist ruins a peaceful lull between the two, creating even more heartache, as events crash out of control.

[nicolasic]

#secretsandlies #mariannejeanbaptiste #1996 https://www.instagram.com/p/B5JHv2so4y2CqMh0hAL9XULe2C9UNSrnU8HnK80/?igshid=108w9lsljo3e2

[alexanderpifano]

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[bradshore]

You’re only as sick as your 🤭secrets🤫Full video at https://youtu.be/zCZFLzfZDXE #familysecrets #dysfunctionalfamily #mentalhealth #toxicfamily #lies #secretsandlies #shame #dontairyourdirtylaundry #justbetweenus #donttellanyone #familyincest #triangulation #whitelies #consciousness #mindfulness #bradshore #askashrink #unusualawakening #psychology #takingsides #hushhush #privatematters #keepittoyourself https://www.instagram.com/p/BzO4W7_Hly7/?igshid=r0sq3u3hr434

[spideygogogo]

#Repost Regrann from @midnightink_updates ・・・ #비밀과거짓말 #secretsandlies #오승아 #신화경 #진주귀걸이 #pearlearrings #circlepearlearrings . #미드나잇잉크 #미드나잇잉크주얼리 #midnightink #midnightinkjewelry #민휘 #민휘아트 #민휘아트주얼리 #minwhee #minwheeart #minwheearts #minwheeartjewelry @snowmanloveu @rainbowoorinaeun #고나은 #나은 #고우리 #우리 #우리의나은 #오승아 #승아 #레인보우 #Rainbow #RAINNOUS（在 Hong Kong） https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt6SoKyFR44/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=192eq1z5dmxap

[bearrepublicnetwork]

Almost 30 years ago, I found these in the National Historical Society at University of Wisconsin, Madison. I had the originals, but that was how I learned never to loan out books I didn’t intend to simply give away. #antonycsutton #bookwormsunite #geopolitics #secretsandlies #secretsocieties #yaleseniorsociety #powerdoeswhatitwants #angloamericanestablishment #amazonbooks #americaninjapan #日本に住むアメリカ人 #滋賀県 #大津市 #琵琶湖 #日本 (at 滋賀県 琵琶湖) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChpUiANJpx-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=