Paige Michaels – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read

Paige Michaels – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com Sun, 12 Jul 2026 16:11:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 http://www.books2020.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png Paige Michaels – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com 32 32 Navin (Pride Daddies #1) Read Online Paige Michaels http://www.books2020.com/navin-pride-daddies-1-read-online-paige-michaels Sun, 12 Jul 2026 16:11:06 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/navin-pride-daddies-1-read-online-paige-michaels Genre: Alpha Male, Billionaire, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Insta-Love, Paranormal Authors: Paige Michaels Series: Pride Daddies Series by Paige Michaels
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Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)

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Pride Daddies is a lion shifter series that follows the lives of mountain men and the women they are fated to mate.

Navin and his pride came from far away to establish themselves near human populations. They run a logging company high in the mountains and live on the outskirts of society. Their hope is that Fate will put a mate in each of their paths so that they may build a new community and grow their pride.

Brea is found bleeding to death in the forest. She’s obviously been stabbed and left to die. Her only hope for survival is for Navin to bite her, claiming her as his. It’s uncommon for lions to claim a mate without her permission, but Brea is unconscious. It’s now or never.

Her fate is sealed, but who did this to her? While Brea awakes to find herself bonded to a lion shifter, Navin is determined to find the man who believes he murdered her and make him pay.

The books in this series include strong elements of age play. If this genre is offensive to you, this may not be the book or series for you

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Navin

“Navin!”

I turn around at the sound of my name being shouted. Orion and Pryce are walking at a fast pace toward me, and I narrow my gaze because it looks like Orion is carrying a limp body.

It’s not big enough to be one of our pack members, and as they get closer, I notice long brown hair flowing over his arm.

My heart rate picks up as the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. What the hell? What is a human female doing this high in the mountains? Is she even alive? I hope whatever happened to her has nothing to do with our logging company. That would spell disaster.

“Found her in the woods,” Orion informs me breathlessly.

She’s covered in blood, which concerns me greatly as I take a closer look. “Is she breathing?”

“Barely,” Pryce says. “Huge gash on her thigh. I’d say she’s lost a lot of blood. We used Orion’s flannel as a tourniquet.”

I lift my gaze from the woman. “What caused the injury?”

Orion shrugs. “No idea.”

“Was she anywhere near our logging operation?”

“No,” both men say in unison. “We stumbled upon her by accident while scoping out the next grove of trees.”

I glance at my truck. “Guess we better take her to the clinic in town.”

Pryce shakes his head. “She wouldn’t make it, Navin.”

I inhale slowly as I return my gaze to his and then switch to Orion’s. Both men stare at me. “What are you suggesting?” I ask, even though I know the answer.

“You should claim her, Navin. It’s the only way.” Orion’s voice is calm.

I shift my attention back to the woman. Fuck. He’s serious. “Why me?” I mutter. She’s pale from blood loss, but I think her skin is ordinarily tanned. She seems very small and frail, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been this close to a human, so it’s possible I simply can’t remember how much smaller they are compared to me and my pride members.

“You’re our leader. You should be the first to claim a female.”

I inhale deeply, which draws her scent into me, and take a step closer. I’m oddly drawn to her, which isn’t logical. She’s unconscious, and it’s obvious she’s hanging on to life by a thread. Blood has soaked through her jeans.

Nothing about her clothing makes any sense. She’s barefoot and wearing a red tank top. We occasionally come upon humans hiking in the mountains, but she’s not dressed for that sort of thing. In fact, she has to be cold. It’s too chilly for nothing more than the tiny shirt she’s wearing. How long has she been in this condition?

I lick my lips. “Bring her into my cabin. Let’s assess her wound. Maybe we can patch her up and still get her to the town doctor.”

“Her pulse is weak, Navin,” Orion says. “Without your intervention, she’s not long for his world.”

“Come.” I turn and take long strides toward my cabin. It’s probably a terrible idea. If I bring her into my space, her scent will fill it and linger for years. I don’t see how I have any other option, though.

I didn’t set out to be the leader of our pride. It just sort of happened. When the twelve of us broke off from our previous pride in search of a place to put down roots and find mates, the others voted and declared me the leader.

Hurrying, I leap up the three front steps to my porch and open the front door, guiding my men through to my bedroom.

Orion gently deposits the human female onto my bed.

I stare at her for a few seconds. Her features are stunning. Small button nose, rounded face, long dark lashes. She’s petite.

“We need scissors,” Pryce states. “We’ll have to cut the denim from her.”

“Kitchen drawer under the coffee pot,” I say as I reach for her leg to carefully angle it so I can see the damage better. I wince. The gash must be long. The shirt they used to secure the wound is soaked with her blood. So are her jeans all the way down past her knee. She must have passed out soon after receiving the cut because there’s no blood on her hands. She didn’t even attempt to put a tourniquet around her thigh herself, though I’m not sure what she could have used besides her tiny tank top.

Pryce returns in seconds and holds out the scissors.

I remove the flannel before I take them from his palm, and I inhale deeply again. Blood is the primary scent, but her own essence comes through clearly, filling my lungs, calling to me. I’m not sure exactly why my pride mates think I should be the one to claim her, but I can’t deny the pull.

Working fast, I slide the blade under the denim at her ankle and start cutting upward until I can pull the denim away from her thigh.

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Advertisement Their Little Anzerine – Eleadian Mates Read Online Paige Michaels http://www.books2020.com/their-little-anzerine-eleadian-mates-read-online-paige-michaels Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:50:28 +0000 https://www.books2020.com/their-little-anzerine-eleadian-mates-read-online-paige-michaels Genre: Alien, Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Novella, Paranormal Authors: Paige Michaels Advertisement

Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)

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It’s Mercy’s turn to find out what it means to have Papis of her own.

After living most of her life sequestered away, berated, and mistreated, Mercy finds herself in an arranged marriage that reeks of disaster. Is it too late to become a runaway bride?

Skarg and Kafran, two friends who arrived at Club Zoom together, aren’t surprised to find themselves scenting the same mate. They are shocked, however, to find her sitting in Zack’s office wearing a gaudy wedding dress.

Years of verbal abuse have caused Mercy to have severe body-image issues. It’s difficult for her to trust that no one on Eleadia will treat her so disrespectfully. If she can just find a way to be brave, she’ll discover the rest of her life will be filled with happiness.

Prepare to travel through the stars only if you’re brave enough to learn about oversized Papis and survive their very intimate care

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Mercy

“Let her in!”

“Yes, let her in!”

I’m stunned as about a dozen women surround me. I’ve been running so hard I’m out of breath. I don’t think I can continue, and maybe I won’t have to.

“John!” someone shouts. “Seriously. You have to let her in!”

I tip my head back to look at the sign above the entrance to the building.

Club Zoom.

Holy shit. I’m in front of Club Zoom?

“Hurry!” another woman squeals. “John! Have a heart.”

The women have completely swarmed around me, concealing me from the view of anyone nearby. They crowd in closer, pushing me. Bless them. There is some good left in humanity after all.

I assume John is the giant man blocking the entrance to the club, and he suddenly steps aside before taking my hand and helping me through the doorway.

As soon as I’m inside, he hurries me into a room, out of sight of anyone passing by on the street.

I take deep breaths. “Thank…you.” I’m panting from exertion.

John stands in front of me, rubbing his chin. His brow is furrowed in concern. “Runaway bride?”

I smirk. “How can you tell?” I pluck at the front of my wedding dress. It’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. I feel like a beluga whale in it.

John glances at his watch. “It’s ten at night. Who gets married this late at night?”

I wince. “The wedding was at five,” I mutter.

“You’ve been running since before five?”

Swallowing hard, I shake my head.

John hesitates, then groans, and runs a hand down the front of his face. “Please tell me you aren’t married. I can’t let you into the club if you’re married.” He glances behind him.

When I follow his line of sight, I realize we’re not alone in this room. There are six other women in here. All of them are sitting around tables staring at me. On closer inspection, I notice they’re each holding a pen, filling out forms. Waivers.

I’ve heard about this club. Everyone has. No one can get in without signing a waiver indicating they realize the risk associated with entering. The risk being that they might get selected by one of the aliens and taken from the planet.

If only I could be that lucky. That’s not likely. I glance down at myself and cringe. I’m not a small woman by any stretch of the imagination, and this dress makes me look even more ridiculous.

“You shouldn’t be here,” John continues.

“Please,” I beg him as I lift my gaze. “If I could just stay for a while so I can think about what to do next. I promise I won’t move from this spot. He can’t get in here, right?”

John’s entire face scrunches up. “Your husband, you mean? A man you married just a few hours ago?”

I cringe at the title. Husband… That asshole can fuck himself for all I care. What he’s not going to do is fuck me. Ever. I just need to figure out how to get out of this mess.

A door opens across the room, and another man enters. He’s tall. About six and a half feet, but I don’t think he’s Eleadian. I’ve heard they’re all over seven feet.

His brow is pinched the same way John’s is. “What’s going on?” He looks me up and down.

John steps to the side and looks at the other man. “Got a runaway bride. The women in line out front surrounded her in some sort of female solidarity. They insisted I let her bypass the line so she could get inside.”

The man rolls his eyes and looks directly at me. “Were you being chased?”

I lick my lips. “Yes. I don’t know how close behind me he was, because I had a head start, but hopefully he passed right by the club when he didn’t see me out front.”

The new man nods to one side of the room. “Come into my office.”

Relieved, I follow him. It’s not easy. I have to gather up the layers of tulle to keep from tripping. The dress was almost too long even with the stupid heels I’d been wearing, but I ditched those ugly shoes before I jumped out of the limo at a stop light. I knew I wouldn’t be able to run in them, but now the fluffy tulle hangs past my feet, dragging. I’ll be lucky if I don’t trip and break my neck. Or maybe that would be the perfect end to my day.

“What’s your name?” the man asks as he pulls out a chair across from what I assume is his desk.

“Mercy.”

“I’m Zack, the manager of Club Zoom.” He pushes a folder across the desk toward me. “First things first. You really must sign the waiver if you’re going to be inside the club.”

“I promise I won’t enter the main club.”

He shakes his head. “Trust me. It doesn’t matter. The fact that you’re inside this building at all is enough to make me nervous.”

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Advertisement Lasim Read Online Paige Michaels http://www.books2020.com/lasim-read-online-paige-michaels Wed, 13 May 2026 18:54:52 +0000 https://www.books2020.com/lasim-read-online-paige-michaels Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal Authors: Paige Michaels Advertisement

Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 43582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)

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Twenty years after Earth’s total destruction, a group of human women are struggling to survive on their failing space station. Their only hope is being rescued by the Venkorians, but at what price…

At first Isla ignores the echo of her name coming through the com system. She won’t go. They can’t make her. But they can. And they do. Two giant Venkorian guards grab her by the arms and carry her away from the home she’s known for twenty years. The space station is her safe place.

Lasim has no idea what he’s purchased. A pet, yes. But this pet is far more intelligent than he expected. Even after he subdues her for several days, she’s still feisty. They’re drawn to each other, though. It’s fated. And Lasim will stop at nothing to protect his Little pet from danger. She’s his whole world.

Only travel to Venkoria if you’re prepared to embark on a journey of deeply intimate relationships between demanding Daddy Doms and the humans they are destined to command

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

PROLOGUE

All the blood drains from my face when I hear my name being called over the intercom. It’s blasting through the entire space station, so everyone knows I’m being summoned.

This can’t be happening. I refuse to acknowledge it’s real. I choose to ignore the request and stay focused on my job. It’s the only way to preserve my sanity.

I’m important around here. Granted, everyone is important. We all have jobs to do. Assignments. Responsibilities. No one can be lazy on a space station.

But I’m more essential than some of the others. I’m one of the oldest, which means I’ve held more responsibility than the majority of the inhabitants for twenty years.

I purse my lips and keep digging up potatoes one at a time as my name blasts through the intercom again. Two women are working with me in the agricultural wing, and they’ve both stopped to lean back on their knees and look at me.

“Isla?” Zoey whispers.

I ignore her. She’s a good friend, but I refuse to accept my fate. I won’t be dragged from my home by giant aliens. I’m in denial. They will have to take me kicking and screaming.

Our space station is failing. Our days are numbered. We’re running out of resources. We can’t continue on this current trajectory. Soon, we will be out of food and other supplies necessary to survive.

I should consider us lucky that we were discovered by an alien vessel that happened to spot us on their radar. They attached to our space station a few weeks ago and took two of our women, Luna and Adryn. None of us has a clue what their fate was. Where were they taken? Are they still alive? For all I know, they could have been boiled alive and served for dinner.

I’m not interested in finding out what happened to them. It’s too scary.

Since the day our station was boarded by several giant alien men, two of their guards have remained. They spend their days wandering around the station, watching us. A lot of the time, they’re scowling.

The sounds that come out of their mouths are unintelligible, though it doesn’t have to be that way. They obviously have advanced technology because they gave Headmistress Helena an earpiece that translates for her.

Why must the rest of us remain ignorant of their intentions?

To be fair, I’m pretty certain the headmistress is unaware of the plans these aliens have for us. They only communicate with her when necessary. She says she doesn’t know much, but she insists we must leave this space station and take our chances with the aliens. We have no other option. Anyone who doesn’t escape this station will eventually die of starvation.

There’s no reason to be dramatic. We still have some time, but we’ve known for years that the amount of food we’re capable of producing is not sufficient to maintain our lives in the long run.

We must take our chances and leave this station. It’s our only hope for survival. But I don’t want to be the third person chosen. I don’t want to be chosen at all. There’s no reason every single one of us must go to their planet.

I’m kidding myself. There are multiple reasons why we’re running out of time. Insufficient potatoes are not going to be the cause of our demise.

“Isla. Report to the medical bay immediately.” The booming voice belongs to Headmistress Helena. Her tone indicates she’s losing her patience. Or perhaps someone is holding a knife to her throat. How would I know?

“Isla…” Zoey hisses, leaning toward me.

I sit back on my heels and close my eyes, cringing as a door behind me opens, banging into the wall. Heavy footsteps that can only belong to the alien guards echo loudly in the room.

Holding my breath, I will them to leave me alone. Of all the people on this space station, why am I the third person to be summoned?

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Advertisement Jayce (Alpha Daddies #9) Read Online Paige Michaels http://www.books2020.com/jayce-alpha-daddies-9-read-online-paige-michaels Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:00:52 +0000 https://www.books2020.com/jayce-alpha-daddies-9-read-online-paige-michaels Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal Authors: Paige Michaels Series: Alpha Daddies Series by Paige Michaels
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Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >47

Alpha Daddies is a wolf shifter series that follows the lives of strong Alpha Protectors and the women they are fated to mate.

Sienna has been having visions for weeks. They’re disturbing and often leave her in tears. They’re so distinct that she feels like she’s been a voyeur in the lives of several Alpha Protectors—including her own future mate. A man she won’t meet until her mating ceremony.

Jayce is not surprised when his mate arrives with powers that surpass every recent mate. He’s concerned and overprotective, but he knows nothing will stop the trajectory Fate has chosen for her.

Sienna has no choice but to follow her destiny. She will be a key player in reassuring the Alpha Protectors about the future of their species. She alone must find the answers. It was foretold.

The books in this series include strong elements of age play. If this genre is offensive to you, this may not be the book or series for you

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Prologue

Tears ran down Sienna’s cheeks as she covered her mouth to keep from bawling out loud.

She sat cross-legged in the middle of her bed, wearing nothing but one layer of her shifts. Snagging a pillow, she hugged it in front of her and lowered her head to stifle the soft sobs that wouldn’t be stopped.

The last thing she wanted was for one of her parents to come into her room and find her crying. How would she explain the tears? She couldn’t. She wouldn’t even try. If either of them ever caught her freaking out, she’d have to make something up because the truth was too ridiculous to utter out loud.

Besides, she had the innate sensation she wasn’t meant to tell them what caused her to feel so unsettled. It felt like she carried a secret even she wasn’t meant to know.

Visions.

She’d been having them for weeks now. The first time it had happened, she was certain she’d simply been dreaming. After a few more times, she’d begun to question her sanity.

They came more frequently now. Nearly every day. Often first thing in the morning or in the evening. They always happened when she was alone in her room as if the universe knew when would be a good time to test whether or not she was of sound mind.

Her mating ceremony was in two days. Girls in the valley who were fated to an Alpha Protector were not supposed to meet their mates before the ceremony. But Sienna felt like she knew her mate better than she knew most people she’d ever met.

Granted, she didn’t have close friends. She’d never developed relationships with other girls at school, mostly because she’d known from a young age that she bore the mark of the Alpha Protectors. She’d known she would meet her mate on her twentieth birthday and leave the valley to join him wherever he lived in the mountains.

That was the way of the marked. But Sienna’s existence was not like other marked girls. Her parents had made the decision soon after her birth not to tell a soul that she was born with the identifying symbol on her right wrist. They thought they were doing her a favor, keeping her from spending her life ostracized by other girls.

To an extent, they were right. All her life, Sienna had watched how catty other girls were, how cruel they could be toward the marked. It made no sense. No one asked to be born with the symbol. Most marked girls spent their childhood scared out of their minds, worrying about the life they would be thrust into basically against their will.

Keeping the secret hadn’t really served Sienna well. She’d avoided both the marked and the unmarked. She’d spent the last twenty years keeping to herself, a quiet girl who didn’t mingle with others. At least people didn’t shun her, so maybe that had been helpful.

But then the visions had begun, and she’d eventually taken the bold step of confronting the last girl before her to be mated to an Alpha Protector. That had been a month ago. It had taken a great deal of emotional fortitude for Sienna to follow Amber after school, but she’d needed to know if any other marked girl had the kinds of visions she had.

The answer had been disappointing. Amber hadn’t had any visions. To the best of her knowledge, neither had her best friend, Rylee, who’d mated a few months before her.

Deflated, Sienna had gone home that afternoon and cried into her pillow before being sucked yet again into another vision.

Squeezing her eyes closed, she replayed this latest installment over in her mind. It wasn’t like any other. After all these weeks of feeling like a voyeur in the lives of the Alpha Protectors and their mates, she had the strong sensation her own mate had arranged this latest vision specifically for her.

Her heart was racing. She was that startled. Instead of simply watching him eat breakfast or tidy up his immaculate house, it felt like he was speaking directly to her this morning.

How did she know? Because he’d literally hung a huge sign in the living room that said, Sienna, I can’t wait to meet you. Two more days, Baby girl.

The more she considered the implications, the more she began to shake. The tears? They were from a combination of fear, anxiety, stress, hope, and relief.

Did he know she was watching him? Did he hang that sign because he suspected she would be a voyeur in his living room this morning, and he wanted to calm her nerves?

The gesture was so sweet that she couldn’t stop the emotional outburst. She was soaking her pillow with her tears.

On the one hand, it was likely that after her ceremony, Amber had told her mate and even Sienna’s mate about the conversation she’d had with Sienna. If she’d informed everyone about Sienna’s visions, that would explain why Sienna’s mate was going to such measures to reassure her.

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Advertisement His Little Turmerion – Eleadian Mates Read Online Paige Michaels http://www.books2020.com/his-little-turmerion-eleadian-mates-read-online-paige-michaels Sat, 28 Feb 2026 17:33:16 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/his-little-turmerion-eleadian-mates-read-online-paige-michaels Genre: Alpha Male, Erotic, Insta-Love Authors: Paige Michaels Advertisement

Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >48

It’s Bailey’s turn to find out what it means to have a Papi of her own.

Bailey has lived all her life under the thumb of her extremely strict father. He even tracks her phone. But the man does sleep, and that’s when Bailey accepts the dare from her college roommates. Go to Club Zoom and come back with a picture of one of those hunky Eleadian men.

It’s Zingar’s fourth night on Earth. All he can do is wait for his mate to enter the club. The moment she arrives, he knows. To some extent, so does she. Humans can’t fully grasp the fated connection, but she will understand in time.

After twenty-one years of being the good girl, Bailey quickly discovers she has a mischievous side. It turns out she can say no as often as she wants. It won’t cause Zingar to bend the rules, and it will end with her facing discipline, but what if she likes being punished?

Her new life may be even more strict than her previous existence, but the rewards are worth her obedience.

Prepare to travel through the stars only if you’re brave enough to learn about oversized Papis and survive their very intimate care

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Bailey

“Truth or dare, Bailey!” Allisa shouts, bouncing on her butt.

I’m sitting across from her on the floor in the circle of my roommates in our college dorm. How did I get roped into this childish game? We’re twenty-one years old. We should be getting ready to go out to a bar or a party. Instead the four of us are playing this dorky game.

We’re in our pajamas with our hair up in messy buns. We’re eating microwave popcorn straight out of the bag and drinking off-brand sodas because that’s what we can afford.

Mary elbows me. “Dare, dare, dare. You never choose dare, and your life is too boring to keep sharing truths with us.”

She’s right. My life is the most boring life on this planet. Why? Because my father is the most overprotective, controlling jerk I know. He’s such a jerk that I’d probably get in trouble for even thinking a harsher word than that. Somehow he would find out, and I would end up back at home.

I’m so close to graduating. I made it. For four years, I’ve been living in this dorm with these same three girls. I got lucky when I met them. They’re almost as lame as me, but their reason for living in the dorm is because they have full scholarships. Not because they have an overbearing parent.

Mary, Allisa, and Kate sometimes go out on weekends. I never do. My father tracks my phone. He also checks in with me often. If my phone isn’t in my room or I don’t answer it, he will drive over here and bang on my door. I know because he frequently threatens to do exactly that. I’ve never given him cause.

In a month, I will graduate. I got the obligatory education degree that good girls get. What he doesn’t know is that I’ve applied for teaching positions all over the country. None of them anywhere near here. I have three offers. All I have to do is choose one.

Kate claps her hands. “Bailey… Come on. Take the dare.”

I sigh. “Fine. What’s the dare?” I swear, if they ask me to kiss my pillow while they film it or chug my soda so fast that I end up burping, I’ll throw popcorn on them.

Allisa taps her lips deviously. “You have to go to Club Zoom tonight.”

I roll my eyes. “As if…”

“I mean it. You have to go, and you have to take pictures of the hotties and bring them back as evidence.”

“You know I can’t do that. My father would be over here in thirty minutes if I didn’t answer his good-night call. He’d wake up the entire dorm and probably have flames coming out of his head so hot they’d start a fire.”

Kate giggles. “So you wait until after he makes his last call. He always does that on weekends at about ten-thirty. You know that man doesn’t stay up any later than that. When was the last time he called past that hour?”

I can’t remember a time. “Doesn’t matter. I can’t risk him checking my location on his phone and finding I’m not in the dorm.”

Mary shrugs. “So you don’t take it. Take mine. Leave yours here.”

Allisa bounces again. “It will totally work. You can get ready now. After he calls to say goodnight to his precious, innocent, sweet child, then you take Mary’s phone, leave yours, and go to Club Zoom.”

I have to say, it’s tempting if for no other reason than to have broken my father’s rules for the adrenaline rush. I’m such a goody two shoes. Always the perfect daughter and student. For once, I’d love to sneak out and have some fun.

“I’m not going by myself,” I say.

“That’s half the dare,” Allisa exclaims.

I wince. I’ve never been to a bar or a club before. I’d be a fish out of water.

“I’ll go with you,” Mary blurts out.

Allisa shakes her head. “You can’t do that. It negates the dare.”

Kate cringes. “Aren’t you guys worried you might get chosen? I mean I don’t know what happens to people who are selected, but I do know they’re never seen again. That’s too scary for me.”

For most people, that’s a reasonable argument. But not for me. I’ve experienced the tiniest bit of freedom living in the dorms for four years, but my father is never going to cut the reins. I suspect his head is going to blow off when I tell him I’ve taken a position in another city. He’ll never permit it.

The truth is my life is a dead end. After graduation, I can expect to find myself back in my father’s house completely under his thumb. I’ll probably be thirty before he lets me go out with a boy.

The rule was no boys and no bars. If I break either or both rules, I can kiss college goodbye.

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Advertisement Julan (The Venkorians #1) Read Online Paige Michaels http://www.books2020.com/julan-the-venkorians-1-read-online-paige-michaels Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:20:12 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/julan-the-venkorians-1-read-online-paige-michaels Genre: Alpha Male, Erotic, Insta-Love, Novella Authors: Paige Michaels Series: The Venkorians Series by Paige Michaels
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Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)

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Twenty years after Earth’s total destruction, a group of human women are struggling to survive on their failing space station. Their only hope is being rescued by the Venkorians, but at what price…

Luna is one of the first to be chosen for transportation to Venkoria. She wants to be brave, but waking up in a cage only to discover she’s been purchased as a pet is disheartening. Her owner means well, but it’s an uphill battle convincing Julan she’s an intelligent being who doesn’t need babying or training.

Luna needs an abundance of patience as she finds herself irrationally attracted to her captor. She wants to please him. She craves his praise and attention. But she also needs him to understand that remaining caged will destroy her…and their bourgeoning relationship.

Only travel to Venkoria if you’re prepared to embark on a journey of deeply intimate relationships between demanding Daddy Doms and the humans they are destined to command

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

PROLOGUE

“Luna and Adryn. Report to the medical bay.”

I jerk my gaze toward Adryn as panic consumes me. We’ve only been awake long enough to get dressed and wash our faces. We’re still standing at the water trough when the headmistress’s voice comes through the intercom.

Adryn’s eyes are wide. I’m sure mine are, too.

My hands start shaking as I look at the other girls. Several have paused in their morning routine to stare at us. Everyone is wincing.

Yesterday, a spaceship docked at our space station. Many of us have at least caught a glimpse of the enormous aliens who boarded the only home most of us have ever known. Armed. Dangerous. Giants.

Men.

Most of us have never seen a male in person. We’ve been here for twenty years, and no men accompanied us from Earth.

Rumor has it that these aliens are going to take us from our failing space station. They’re going to save us a few at a time.

But what are their motives?

I swallow hard, trying to calm myself. I need to be brave. I tell myself this is a good thing. We were running out of hope. Our supplies are dwindling. We don’t have enough food or water to last much longer.

“Do you think we’ve been chosen?” Adryn asks me.

I clasp her hand. “Maybe.”

Deep breaths.

We’re clutching each other and trembling as we shuffle down the hallway and push through the door to the medical bay.

My breath hitches. Two men stand guard inside the room. They’re wearing all black from head to toe. They aren’t just tall—seven and a half feet, I’d guess—but also broad. Huge. Imposing.

Their expressions are serious. Enormous weapons hang from their shoulders, with several more strapped to their waists. Neither of them speaks.

Headmistress Helena is also in the room, and she addresses us, “Girls.” She smiles, though it’s forced. She’s going to tell us lies. She has no other option. Lies are all she knows. None of us can be certain of the intentions of these giant alien men.

“You’ve been selected,” she says. “You’ll be traveling to Venkoria immediately. Be polite. Be good examples for the human race.”

I feel like I might faint. I’m shaking so badly that I’ll stumble and fall if I try to take one more step.

On the other side of the room, the door suddenly opens, and another giant alien man enters. He’s wearing more ordinary-looking clothes—blue pants and shirt. He’s not armed like the other two. He looks pointedly at us and pats the exam table.

When neither of us moves, he takes a long stride toward us. He grabs me around the waist, lifts me off my feet, yanks my grip from Adryn’s, and sets me on the table. He’s not cruel, but he’s quick and efficient.

A squeal escapes my lips. I can’t stop it. I also can’t fight against him. I’m less than half his size. When he guides me onto my back, tears leak out of my eyes. I’ve never known fear like this.

One of the guards steps forward and pins me down. A second later, the blue-clothed man holds up a syringe. He grips my bicep and presses the needle into my arm so fast I have no chance to do more than flinch.

I’m vaguely aware of Adryn screaming.

Then everything goes black.

ONE

My head is pounding, and I’m uncomfortable. Why am I lying on a hard surface? This is not my bed. Did I fall asleep somewhere on the space station?

I blink my eyes open, squinting as bright lights assault me. Quickly, I cover my eyes with one hand and groan as I peek between my fingers. The throbbing in my temples intensifies.

After pushing to sitting, I lower my hand and glance around. It’s hard to stay upright. Why am I so heavy? I’m cold, too. Panic seizes me as I recall a giant alien male injecting me with something. I don’t think I’m on the space station any longer. Nothing around me looks familiar. It doesn’t smell right.

My breath hitches when I realize I’m in a metal cage. I grow nauseous as I look over the edge through the bars. I’m suspended several feet off the floor.

No wonder I’m so uncomfortable. The cage isn’t large enough for me to stretch out. I’ve been sleeping for heaven knows how long, curled up on my side. They didn’t even provide me with a blanket. I have nothing but the thin dress and panties I was wearing when I entered the medical bay with Adryn. I’m not even wearing shoes. This explains why I’m chilly. The temperature on the space station was always a perfect level to allow for minimal clothing, mostly because we didn’t have much to work with. The temperature in this room must be kept lower.

Breathing heavily, I look around. I sway, unable to balance myself. Something is off. The room is filled with cages. Some are on the floor. Others are hanging at different levels. All but one are empty, and I rise onto my knees and grab the metal bars when I see Adryn in one of them. She’s not moving.

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Advertisement Melody’s Daddy – Littleworld Read Online Paige Michaels http://www.books2020.com/melodys-daddy-littleworld-read-online-paige-michaels Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:20:07 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/melodys-daddy-littleworld-read-online-paige-michaels Genre: Alpha Male, BDSM, Erotic Authors: Paige Michaels Advertisement

Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33104 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >35

Littleworld is an amazing vacation spot on an island reserved strictly for age play. Visitors can indulge in deeper regression without fear of being judged. In fact, it’s mandatory and addictive. Some guests find themselves unwilling to leave the island…

A very naughty Melody is in need of redirection. A summer spent on Regression Island should help her focus and get back on track so she can work on her thesis and finish her master’s degree. A visit to Littleworld, however, pulls a long-forgotten childhood incident to the forefront.

Bentley can only do so much to help guide his little in her newly regressed world. With the help of Dr. Morgan, hopefully the two of them can come up with a plan that will ease Melody’s social anxiety and give her the sense of comfort and security she craves.

The books in this series include thorough medical examinations as well as strong elements of age play, including diapers, bottle feedings, spankings, and other forms of discipline. If these aspects of age play offend you, this may not be the book or series for you

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

“Melody!”

I cringe as I hear Daddy call my name in that tone that tells me I’m in trouble. “Coming, Daddy,” I call as cheerfully as I can from the back of the house where I’ve been sitting at my computer, scrolling through social media when I should have been writing.

I shove my pink swivel chair back from the desk and run down the hallway, not stopping until I reach the living room where Daddy is standing between the sofa and the coffee table. His head is cocked to one side, and he does not look pleased.

He points at the floor and the coffee table. “How many times have I told you to put your Barbies away after you’re done playing with them?”

I wince. “Sorry, Daddy.” I rush to where he’s standing and kneel down to pick up all the little shoes and clothes scattered on the floor where they fell from the coffee table. I carefully put them all in the clear plastic container they came out of, the one Daddy bought me so I could get organized.

He doesn’t move while I clean up. In fact, he reaches for the television remote and turns on the TV without sitting.

When I hear the sound of cartoons coming from the flat screen, I cringe and hurry to put the lid back on the container. I slowly lift my gaze to find him staring down at me. He turns the TV back off and sets the remote calmly on the coffee table.

“Sorry, Daddy,” I murmur yet again, knowing I’m in even bigger trouble now.

“What did I tell you to do today while I was at work?”

“Clean my bedroom and work on my research.”

“Is your bedroom clean?”

“No, Sir.” I lower my gaze. That part I actually forgot about.

“Did you have permission to play with Barbies or watch cartoons?”

“No, Sir.” I sink down so I’m sitting on my ankles. It wasn’t particularly smart of me to leave the TV on the cartoon channel when I turned it off. I should have put it back on the news channel Daddy had been watching that morning.

He holds out a hand.

I know what he wants, so I hand him the container of Barbies. Who knows when I might get them back? Probably not any time soon. “Let’s go.” He nods over his shoulder, and I push to standing to follow him begrudgingly down the hallway.

Daddy stops at the hall closet and pulls out a trash bag.

I swallow as we enter my bedroom. Tears start to fall that aren’t fake when Daddy hands me the trash bag. He’s still perfectly calm. He’s always calm. Even when he’s mad, he’s calm.

He crosses my bedroom, which isn’t easy since it’s littered with toys and clothes. When he reaches the rocking chair in the corner, he pushes my jammies from last night onto the floor and takes a seat. Leaning back, he crosses his legs and strokes his chin.

I’m not sure I’ve seen him quite this upset before, and by that, I mean, this eerily calm.

“Put everything on the floor in the bag, Melody.”

“Daddy?” I’m nervous. He’s never asked me to do something like this before. Is he going to throw away all my things?

He lifts a brow. “When you’re done, I’m going to spank you. After that, you’re going to stand in timeout for the rest of the evening. If you’d like to be permitted to eat dinner before bedtime, I suggest you get moving. You have five minutes to fill that bag.”

I suck in a breath and start running around the room. I hold the bag open and shove practically everything I own into it. That’s how messy my room is. Dolls and blocks and coloring books and markers and Legos and dress-up clothes. A lot of my regular clothes go into the bag too. Shoes and dresses and panties and jammies.

I wince as I put my favorite stuffed animals inside, including my monkey. In fact, I leave her for last and glance at Daddy. He’s got one brow lifted again and points at the bag.

My hands are shaking as I finish and hand him the black plastic trash bag. Daddy adds the box of Barbies to the bag and sets it aside. “Did you do any work today, Little one?”

I lick my lips. “I tried, Daddy. I couldn’t focus.”

He draws in a breath. “I know it’s summer vacation for you, baby girl, but you’re supposed to be working on your thesis. You were the one who told me you needed structure and guidance to get it done. You’ve finished all your classroom work. You’re on the home stretch. But you won’t get your master’s degree if you don’t finish your thesis, will you?”

“No, Daddy.” I rock forward and backward on my feet. “Are you going to throw my toys away?”

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Advertisement Isaac (Alpha Daddies #8) Read Online Paige Michaels http://www.books2020.com/isaac-alpha-daddies-8-read-online-paige-michaels Wed, 07 Jan 2026 10:40:31 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/isaac-alpha-daddies-8-read-online-paige-michaels Genre: Alpha Male, BDSM, Erotic, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal Authors: Paige Michaels Series: Alpha Daddies Series by Paige Michaels
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >48

Alpha Daddies is a wolf shifter series that follows the lives of strong Alpha Protectors and the women they are fated to mate.

As she heads to her mating ceremony, Amber’s primary concern is whether or not her mate will allow her to reunite with her best friend. She’s beyond thrilled when she sees her friend waiting for her at her new home, but that excitement is dampened when Amber realizes she should not be able to detect so many details from such a great distance.

Isaac isn’t surprised to learn his mate has exceptional vision. Every recent mate has had enhanced senses. He is shocked, however, that her ability has manifested before he’s fully claimed her. And now they have guests waiting for them? That’s unconventional and frustrating.

Newly mated couples typically spend weeks in a honeymoon period before they rejoin the community, but that’s not in the cards for Amber and Isaac. Amber’s skills are needed immediately. The two of them must learn to manage the expectations placed upon them as well as their fated deep commitment to each other.

The books in this series include strong elements of age play. If this genre is offensive to you, this may not be the book or series for you

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Prologue

“Amber?”

Amber turned her head at the sound of her name to see one of her classmates approaching her as she walked home from school. “Yes?”

The girl jogged to catch up, tucking a stray lock of nearly black hair behind her ear. “Hey, you probably don’t know me. My name is Sienna.”

Amber nodded slowly. She’d seen the brunette before, but she’d never spoken to her.

Sienna bit into her bottom lip, shifting her weight back and forth. “Can we talk?”

“Sure…” Amber glanced around. She was only a block from home. It was kind of warm out, and she was exhausted from not sleeping well lately. “I just live a few houses down. Do you want to come inside?”

Sienna nodded, her stance relaxing. “That would be great.” She seemed harmless. Surely she hadn’t followed Amber home in order to taunt her, though Amber wouldn’t put that past anyone. Girls were mean.

As one of the marked, born with the sign of the Alpha Protectors on her wrist, Amber didn’t have many friends. She’d been lucky enough to meet another marked girl in her class—Rylee—when they were very young. They’d been best friends all their lives, but Rylee was sixty-seven days older than Amber, and she’d been claimed two months ago by her mate.

Sixty days. That’s how long it had been since Amber had spoken to her best friend and confidant. In seven more days, when Amber turned twenty herself, she would be claimed by her own mate and take her place among the women of the Alpha Protectors.

Sixty lonely days, worrying if she would even see Rylee when she got to her new home. She had no way of knowing if Rylee had been claimed by a shifter who would even know Amber’s mate. The waiting was killing her.

After guiding Sienna to the house, Amber opened the front door to let the two of them inside. It smelled of fresh cookies, which didn’t surprise Amber at all. Her mother had been cooking all of her favorite foods lately, a sort of last hurrah before Amber left to begin her new life.

“Mom?” Amber called out. When there was no response, she headed for the kitchen, Sienna on her heels.

A note sat on the counter, tucked under the plate of sugar cookies.

Had to run an errand. Be back in about an hour.

Amber turned toward Sienna. “Have a seat.” She grabbed the plate of cookies and set it on the table. She didn’t get a negative vibe from this classmate, so she couldn’t see the harm in talking to her. They might as well enjoy a snack.

Pouring two glasses of lemonade, she glanced at Sienna. “What’s up?”

Sienna sat rigid at the table, acknowledging the lemonade with a nod but not touching it. She had her hands threaded together in her lap. “Your claiming ceremony is in a week, right?”

“Yes.” Amber took a sip of her cold drink and set it down.

Sienna met and held her gaze for a few seconds before lifting her right arm and pushing her sleeve up.

Amber gasped. “You have a mark.”

Sienna nodded. “I’ve never told anyone.”

“How…?” Amber set her elbows on the table. “How did you hide it?”

Sienna shrugged. “It wasn’t hard. My parents were living a few miles out of town when I was born. They never mentioned it to a soul. We moved into town when I was six, and my mother told me to keep it covered, so I did. Neither my parents nor I ever expected to get away with it for twenty years, but no one ever found out.”

“Why?” This was so unusual and shocking.

Sienna held Amber’s gaze again. “You know why.”

Amber slowly nodded. Of course. Being marked didn’t buy anyone any favors in life. Girls could be catty and mean. They were all just jealous, but that didn’t make it any better. And jealous of what? That was the weirdest part about being born with the mark of an Alpha Protector. No one in the valley even knew what really happened after they were claimed on their twentieth birthday.

Everyone acted like it was such an honor, something to be envious of. But was it? How could they be sure?

It’s not as though marked girls disappeared and were never seen again. They came down from the mountains from time to time with their mates to take care of business in the valley or see their families, but their new lives were very secretive.

Twenty years of waiting and worrying, not knowing what to expect, uncertain if they would have anything in common with the mates they were destined to bond with. What if he was mean or cruel? What if he didn’t even like her? What if there was no attraction? So many questions.

As Amber grew closer to her mating date, her anxiety shot higher.

Finding out one of her classmates had hidden her mark for all these years was stunning.

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Advertisement Their Little Gozanite – Eleadian Mates Read Online Paige Michaels http://www.books2020.com/their-little-gozanite-eleadian-mates-read-online-paige-michaels Sun, 07 Dec 2025 21:06:04 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/their-little-gozanite-eleadian-mates-read-online-paige-michaels Genre: Alpha Male, Erotic, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Insta-Love, Paranormal, Taboo Authors: Paige Michaels Advertisement

Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >48

It’s Margaret’s turn to find out what it means to have Papis of her own.

A knee injury has flipped Margaret’s entire life upside down. There will be no more basketball. Depressed and needing a night out, she heads to Club Zoom.

Bamgin has been on Earth for six weeks. He’s frustrated and confused. Why has Fate not put his human mate in his path?

This is Nanish’s first night at the club. He’s shocked to discover that he’s not the only one heading toward the tall woman on crutches.

Fate has never arranged for two men to share a woman. There is no doubt, though. Margaret will have two Papis doting on her, and as an added bonus, superior Eleadian medical skills will have her good as new. The only problem—there is no basketball on her new planet.

Prepare to travel through the stars only if you’re brave enough to learn about oversized Papis and survive their very intimate care

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Margaret

“Are you sure this is a good idea, Maggie?” my roommate, Rachel, asks me.

I twist around from the mirror to look at her, hopping on my one good leg. “It’s the best idea I’ve had in months. Think of all the bad ideas I’ve had lately,” I say sarcastically.

Rachel sighs. “Maggie…”

“No, really. Let’s see…” I set my mascara down and lean my hip against the vanity. Putting makeup on is a lost cause anyway. I’m not sure why I thought I should attempt it. One more bad idea to add to the list.

I hold up a finger. My voice is going to drip with sarcasm because that’s the only tone I have today. “Bad idea number one—attempting to make a three-point shot with that behemoth of a woman blocking me. Bad idea number two—majoring in general studies because I assumed I would never actually need my degree after I left this university. Bad idea number three—spending twenty-two years of my life with all my eggs in one basket.”

“Maggie…” she breathes out again. “This was totally unexpected and out of your control. There’s no way you could have known that woman would slam into you so hard.”

…And irreparably tear my ACL. Rachel leaves that part off because no one likes to say it out loud.

I was supposed to go pro as soon as I graduated. I’ve had my eyes on several pro basketball teams for years. I could taste it. I was so close. Just two games left in the season.

I did everything right for twelve years. I ate healthy, did well in my classes, stayed in the best shape, smiled for the cameras, turned down alcohol and recreational drugs. I went to bed early while my friends went out partying.

Giving up all the things most girls my age participated in wasn’t a hardship. I was meant to go pro and play basketball for as many years as my body would hold out.

That all came to a crashing halt a week ago.

“At least wait until the weekend when I can go out with you. I don’t like the idea of you going to Club Zoom alone.”

I turn back to the mirror and stare at my reflection. Fuck it. I don’t need makeup. What the hell for? It’s not as though my intention is to actually meet anyone. There won’t even be any men in the bar. They only allow females to enter.

I’m going to Zoom tonight because I’m now free to do whatever the hell I want. I can stay out late. I can drink too much. I can pretend to be relatively normal. On top of that, my understanding is that all the men from Eleadia are over seven feet tall. At six-three, I rarely meet men who are taller than me. They exist, of course, but they’re always taken by some short girl.

Maybe I’ll get lucky and some guy who’s a foot taller than me will make out with me. Is that too much to ask? I won’t be able to dance with my bum leg, but I can sit at the bar, people watch, and drink whatever the hell it is people my age drink.

“I’m going,” I say emphatically.

“It’s a Tuesday.”

“I don’t care. It’s not like I’m going to fail my classes just because I went out on a weeknight for the first time in my life.”

“You have an eight o’clock class tomorrow. You’ve never had a drink before. You’re going to be too hung over to attend.” Rachel’s voice is strained. I get it. This isn’t like me. I’m never reckless. Always the good girl.

Not tonight.

I shrug. “If I’m too hung over, I’ll skip class.” I giggle at the thought. Giggle. Me. I’m not a giggler. Nor have I ever skipped a class. There are so many things I have never done. Tonight I’m going to check several of those items off my list, make up for lost time. Drinking, check. Staying out way too late, check. Getting kissed by a tall man… Well, that’s wishful thinking, but I can always hope.

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Advertisement Grace’s Daddy – Littleworld Read Online Paige Michaels http://www.books2020.com/graces-daddy-littleworld-read-online-paige-michaels Wed, 19 Nov 2025 18:26:51 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/graces-daddy-littleworld-read-online-paige-michaels Genre: Alpha Male, BDSM, Erotic Authors: Paige Michaels Advertisement

Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >36

Littleworld is an amazing vacation island where adult visitors can indulge in their fantasies without fear of being judged. In fact, it’s mandatory and addictive. Some guests find themselves unwilling to leave the island…

Grace is an introvert. Although the man living across the hall makes her heart race, there’s no way she can look him in the eyes. When she accidentally drops all her mail on the floor in front of his apartment, she watches in horror as one piece slides right under his door.

When Eli steps into the hallway to find his neighbor tongue-tied and flustered, he does everything he can to ease her discomfort. As soon as she spins around and opens her door, all the air leaves his lungs. Her lifestyle preference is evident in every corner.

Now Eli will do anything to convince Grace that he’s exactly the man she’s been hoping for.

The books in this series include elements that might be offensive to some readers. For more information, see my website, paigemichaels.com.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

“Shit,” I mutter as I drop every single piece of my mail on the floor. The envelopes don’t land in a simple pile either. No. That would be too easy. They scatter all over and slide in ten directions. Yes, ten.

“Fuck…” I palm my forehead as I watch one of the letters slip under the door of my neighbor across the hall. It happens seemingly in slow motion. And how is that even possible?

Now I’m going to have to knock on the door, and the sexiest man I’ve ever seen in my life is going to have to open it to hand me my mail. I can’t face him. No way. I’ve never even looked him in the eye. He’s far too handsome for me. When I see him, I turn the other direction. He makes me nervous and tongue-tied.

It’s not like he’s rude or anything. The man is very nice to me every time I’ve been near him. Well, three times. I’ve only actually been in his presence—that he knew of—three times.

I stand in the hallway, juggling my purse and my water bottle. The strap of my purse slid down from my shoulder to my elbow, which is what caused me to end up dropping all of my mail. Of course it would help if I would stop at my mailbox downstairs more often than I do. The pile wouldn’t have been so huge and unmanageable.

Do I knock on his door now? Maybe later would be better. I don’t even know if he’s home. I see him sporadically. It seems like he only lives there half the time. That makes no sense. Where would he be the other half the time?

Who am I kidding? I know for a fact he’s only there two weeks and then gone two weeks. I know this because I can hear every time he comes and goes from his apartment. He leaves for work at eight-fifteen and returns at six. On weekends he comes and goes with grocery bags and takeout. And then poof. Suddenly he’s not there for two weeks.

I’m nosey. Plus, I’m usually home, so I’m aware of his hours.

Really it’s that he’s smoking hot, and I like to look at him through my peephole because who wouldn’t?

I chew on my bottom lip. How long have I been standing here? If he were out of town this week, I’d be out of luck. I wouldn’t be able to retrieve my piece of mail until he got back home. But he’s in town. He got here yesterday. But who’s keeping track?

He’s probably in there. It’s seven in the evening. But the thought of facing him and talking to him makes my skin clammy. Sheesh. I need to grow up and be an adult. Something I suck at.

I’m too introverted to make small talk with people. I never make eye contact with anyone unless I absolutely have to, and the only reason I’ve spoken to this man three times is because he instigated.

Eli. That’s his name. Eli Spellman. I know because he introduced himself to me the first time we both stepped into the hallway at the same moment. I’m pretty sure I made a complete fool out of myself that day. I mean the man is a god, so all I could do was stare at him and blink.

That was six months ago. He’s been living across the hall from me for half a year, and I’m too shy to talk to him. Not that it matters. What would he want with me anyway? I’m twenty-five. He’s probably about forty. He’s fit and sexy and so many other things.

I’ve never seen a woman arrive or leave, so I know he lives alone, but I’ve also never seen anyone come for a date or slink out in the morning.

Suddenly his door opens, and he’s standing before me.

I gasp and lower my arms, dropping both my purse and my water bottle on the floor. My face heats two hundred degrees.

Eli is smiling and holding my piece of mail. He glances at the floor and then back up at me. “Ah. I couldn’t figure out why this slid under my door. I guess you dropped it. Either that or you thought I needed a pizza coupon.” His voice is teasing. Also deep.

I want to fall through a crack in the floor. So the piece that slid under his door was junk mail… Could I be any more mortified? I hadn’t seen what specifically got away from me. It could have been a bill.

I start trembling. My mouth opens, but no sound comes out.

“Let me help you,” he says before bending down to gather the dozen or so pieces of mail that have scattered for several feet in every direction.

I’m rooted to my spot, unable to form sentences. He must think I’m a dolt. He wouldn’t be wrong. Not when it comes to dealing with other humans. I’m not stupid. I’m intelligent. But I don’t people well.

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