Pay With Your Heart - Chapter 82

[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?

“A modern online novel writer who had been struggling finds themselves transported into the world of One Piece, becoming a 10-year-old child.After a series of events, Ryuen arrives at Cocoyasi Village. The protagonist possesses the Tori Tori no Mi (Bird-Bird Fruit), Mythical Zoan type, Phoenix form.After undergoing a rebirth (Nirvana), the protagonist's transformation no longer involves turning their hands into wings, and the fruit's power becomes even stronger!From the moment they reach Cocoyasi Village, the protagonist and Nami embark on an adventure, traveling from island to island, indulging in food, drink, and fun. Along the way, they also help the poor by taking from the rich, because, after all, Bellmere’s family is still...”

Overnight, young Ye Zhen suddenly discovered he had acquired a strange new ability!The meaningless cries of animals and insects in the mountains entering his ears began to sound quite different.“Quick, brother,” squeaked the mouse brothers, “the treasure in the back hill that can make us grow dozens of times in size is about to drop, let's go!”A swarm of mosquitoes buzzed, “Those two guys are here again, brothers, let's get them and have a feast!”A Cloud Winged Young Tiger faced Ye Zhen and let out one fearsome roar after another, “Mommy's not home, don't come any closer, come any closer and I'll eat you!”Everything changed because of this!

【Infant Stage, a cumulative total of 10,000 leg kicks】【Attribute gained: Use It or Lose It】【As long as you continuously exercise the same body part, that part can evolve infinitely, but it can’t break the limits of carbon-based lifeforms】【……】【Student Phase, a cumulative total of 100 million characters read】【Attribute gained: Heavenly Intellect】【Photographic memory, learning ability reached the pinnacle of humanity】【……】【Adult Stage, a cumulative matching of carbon-based lifeforms’ limits 100 times】【Attribute gained: Multi-form】【The body is no longer limited to the frailty of carbon-based lifeforms’ flesh and blood, capable of evolving beyond life forms】【……】Having transmigrated, Lin Zichen was born with an achievement-based cheat.In this life, he only wanted to evolve quietly, continuously breaking through the limits of life forms, and savoring the pleasure that comes with the leveling-up process.