A dark romance from USA Today bestselling author Julia Sykes I don't like to be touched. I'm the hacker-geek-goddess of the FBI. When I'm hiding behind my screen, I'm a safe distance from everyone; isolated, powerful. No man has ever touched me, but when I'm captured by Colombian drug lord Andrés Moreno, I no longer have the right to refuse. He's scarred and scary, and his cruel brother Cristian has tasked him with breaking me. I try to fight, but I can't escape his strong arms and harsh discipline. He demands that I accept his touch, and my virgin body can't help but respond to his masterful manipulations. The longer I remain trapped with him, the more I come to suspect that I'm not the only captive in his brother's home. Andrés' scars go deeper than the wicked furrows carved into his flesh, his pain reflected in the dark demands he imposes upon me. His obsession is twisted and wrong, but maybe I'm twisted, too. Do I want to be rescued from him? Or is he the one who truly needs saving? Keywords: dark romance, capture fantasy, antihero, kidnapping, romantic suspense, standalone

Fayth finds herself ensnared, a helpless captive in Sergei's iron grip. Her father's colossal debt has shackled her existence to this formidable man she dare not confront head-on. Sergei exudes an aura of ruthless power, his volatile temperament and unyielding demands creating an air of palpable tension. And yet, Fayth's heart betrays her, drawn irresistibly to the enigmatic Russian. He looms over her, a towering presence adorned with perfectly sculpted muscles, his hypnotizing green eyes penetrating her very soul. Thoughts of him consume her every waking moment, an intoxicating obsession she cannot deny. However, the opulent confines of Sergei's sprawling estate, though filled with opulence and extravagance, fail to provide true happiness. Only Sergei himself holds the key to her heart, if only he wasn't such an infuriatingly cocksure jerk. Meanwhile, Sergei finds himself helplessly ensnared by the magnetic pull of Fayth. Her ebony skin, intricately braided hair, and alluring caramel eyes bewitch him, stoking a fervent obsession that defies reason. Yet, he remains painfully aware of Fayth's simmering resentment towards her coerced role as his collateral. Beneath her sweetness lies a storm of contempt, a raging fire he cannot fully comprehend. Sergei, true to his audacious nature, navigates the treacherous game without a concrete plan, relying on his instinctive charm and cunning. He caters to Fayth's every whim, indulging her desires with unwavering dedication, except when it comes to leaving the sanctuary they've carved for themselves. The outside world teems with peril, and Sergei will stop at nothing to shield her from the countless ruthless adversaries who thirst for his blood and seek to extinguish the flame of love that burns between them. Search terms: alpha male romance, billionaire romance, contemporary romance, young adults romance, bad boy romance, romance short stories, second chance romance, steamy romance, hot romance books, love story, office romance, boss romance, beach reads, new adult, romantic fiction, romance fiction books, bwwm, bwwm romance, bwwm interracial romance books, african american romance, black authors books, interracial romance books, black women books, african american books

A dark romance from USA Today bestselling author Julia Sykes My sweet captive doesn't like to be touched. She will learn. She no longer has the right to refuse. She flinches at the sight of my scarred face, but the way she whimpers and trembles makes perverse pleasure stir within me. I captured the little FBI agent while she was trying to take down my drug empire, and I can't allow that. My pretty hostage possesses a stubborn streak and sharp mind, but her clever brain is no match for my iron will. I'll stop at nothing to claim her virgin body, no matter how many deviant punishments I have to devise for her. No one will ever touch her again--especially not my cruel brother. Samantha is mine to keep and protect. Mine to play with and punish. All mine. Note: This book tells the events in Sweet Captivity from Andrés' point of view, and it can be read as a standalone dark romance novel. Keywords: dark romance, capture fantasy, antihero, kidnapping, romantic suspense, standalone

A dark romance from USA Today bestselling author Julia Sykes Valentina hates me. That doesn't stop me from kidnapping her, stealing her away for myself. She was brought into my home when we were teenagers, her virgin body sold to my father to pay a debt. She became the only light in my dark criminal underworld, and I couldn't help loving her. Now, ten years have separated us, and I've established my reputation as the most notorious, sadistic drug lord on the west coast. I don't care if she's grown to hate me. I'm finally powerful enough to claim Valentina for myself, and no one can stop me. A decade hasn't dulled my obsessive need for her. I'll kill anyone who tries to take her from me. Valentina was always meant to be mine. Nothing will stop me from possessing her, body and soul. Keywords: dark romance, capture fantasy, antihero, kidnapping, romantic suspense, standalone

Jess, who runs a small interior remodeling company in London, is concerned about Angelo, one of her employees, since he hasn’t shown up at work in a few days. When the doorbell rings, she opens the door thinking it could be him, but the handsome man standing there is someone she’s never met before. His name is Drago, and he’s a wealthy Italian who is also Angelo’s cousin. He’s there to tell Jess that Angelo has been in a coma since a car accident. Jess agrees to visit Angelo at the hospital in Venice, but as soon as she gets there with Drago, he changes his attitude. He now accuses her of being a con artist and confines her in his family palace!

A standalone arranged marriage romance from USA Today bestselling author Julia Sykes He’s a cold-blooded criminal. Nearly twenty years older than me. My stern captor. And worst of all...my husband. I betrayed the cartel. Now, he’ll make sure I can never leave it. To keep me in line, I’ll be forced to spend my eternity with a ruthless criminal. If only I hadn’t harbored a traitorous, girlish crush for years. If only the way he makes me tremble wasn’t equal parts fear and desire. If only that stern black stare didn’t make my knees weak. It would be so much easier to defy him. My unyielding jailor. My husband. My forever.

"Did you come here to seduce me, little mite? I think you leave me no choice but to teach you a lesson." I'm the tallest unmarried girl in my village...and also taller than all the boys. This did nothing for my prospects of finding love. So instead, I went off to seek my fortune. It led me to a circus by the sea...and rumors of the last living giant. Apparently, he doesn't much care for people, but the ringmaster offers me riches beyond my dreams if I can entice him to come down from his home in the forest. Well, it was fortune I was seeking, and fortune I'm determined to find, so I climb the magic beanstalk to his hidden home, but...the giant is not amused by my plan. At all. And it turns out, his home is one big trap of faery vines. I'm snared by an antisocial but surprisingly handsome giant--and for the first time in my life, I've met a man who makes me feel delicate. He might want to punish me for trespassing, but...it feels more like passion. Only, the world isn't safe for the last giant, and maybe it's not safe for a woman who loves him either. The Giant's Captive is an adult fairy tale retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk for those who like an adorable happily ever after fantasy romance with a side of serious steaminess!