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He was chased to the very ends of the earth by those he once protected.Betrayed by his friends and the ones he cared about, he lost his wife and unborn child.Ending it all by throwing himself into the abyss, he was reincarnated into a world with Cultivation, where every being seeks to be the strongest.Love or hatred? Which is it that drives him in this new life? Will he ever be able to take revenge on the one who destroyed his previous life?Find out how the fate of the universe lies in Damien's hands by following Damien Godwin on his thorny path of vengeance and his journey to see what lies beyond...=====Support me and my novel:https://www.patreon.com/the_resurgent=====
The objective was the World Domination.108 Demons and their Dungeons descended upon the land as they battled each other to become the Strongest Dungeon Master.Isaac Constantine, a Demon Baron who managed to survive until the end of the game, only to meet betrayal that lead to his death.Just as he thought it was over, he received a second chance[Artefact Sand of Time has been activated.][Players can restart the game.][Synchronizing][Displaying status][Isaac Constantine - Rank 99]The battle between Dungeon Masters has restarted!With a thirst for revenge, Isaac swore to create the best Dungeon and the Strongest army to win the game. Demons, Monsters, Superhumans even God himself will know his name.Follow Isaac's story as he Rebirth to become the strongest Dungeon master
I had thought that my life couldn't get worse when I walked in on my fianc cheating on me with my best friend. But after a series of unfortunate events, I opened my eyes in a world that I had only read about in a webnovel, the Erudian Empire, ruled under the domineering, bloody reign of Emperor Helio. The worst part? I'm not even the main character! Reborn as Winter Royberg de la Erudian, I am the pitiful side character who is discovered to be a royal bastard princess due to a certain physical trait only the imperial bloodline possesses. But I know the end of Winter's story and the unwanted royal punching bag is framed as a witch and killed at age 16 on the guillotine due to the scheming of the cruel empress. An aloof, murder happy father? Check. Psycho half-sister? Check. Meddlesome author who wants me to follow the script? Double check! I don't want to die an early death again, so I'm determined not to ever be discovered as a royal again. But before I know it, I'm trapped in a palace of blood and opulence playing tricky games of power, games I have no clue how to win. How will I survive to adulthood in the imperial palace and get my happily ever after? And am I really the only person who fell into this world?
Orphaned in the old world after taking care of his irresponsible and sick mother for years on end, Kyle finds his life turned upside down.His already dim world turns even gloomier and coupled with his trauma from losing her, Kyle felt like he had lost his purpose in life.Living day by day, akin to a soulless puppet, he struggled to keep his suicidal thoughts in check, all whilst trying to make ends meet as a cabbie.During those dark times, Kyle slowly begins to find solace in the world of music and movies. Even though it had always been there, it truly became something as a bloodline of sorts for him because, individually, both pieces of media, transported him to another world, one where he could feel happy, if even for a fleeting moment.And, as if the universe wanted even more for him, Kyle met some lovely old people, all of whom treated him as the son they never had, making him feel like he had a family after so long.This eventually, helped him let go of his trauma and turned him into the lovely soul he was always meant to be.But as fate would have it, these same people, wanted for Kyle to pursue his dreams because they saw the potential for greatness in him and the wonderous things he could go on to do, even if Kyle himself was oblivious to it.So, in an effort to make his dreams come true, they ended up gifting him a brand new chance, one that Kyle himself would only go on to realize after his untimely death in a fatal car accident.Now awake in the new world, still orphaned but with a brighter perspective on life, Kyle, armed with a System, another gift from his loved ones in the previous world, decides to take the chance to pursue his dreams of being a star, one that he was unable to pursue in his previous life due to his lack of talent.This is the story of a man who will go on to become the most versatile and renowned superstar all over the world... and it starts, just as he takes his first step into the cutthroat world of fame and fortune by registering for the popular singing reality TV competition, 'Rising Voices'.Known to be a fiercely competitive TV show, Kyle will meet with top contestants from around the world, go up against them, level up and become better, and ultimately, battle with them for the number one spot in the show as a dark horse!---
Have you ever wondered if god exists? If there is life on another planet? Does magic exist? What is there after death? Well, the answer to these questions is not difficult.Follow the story of a young porn lover who reincarnated in a fantasy world as the candidate for the God of sex, eroticism and obscenity.Accompany our protagonist on his journey full of fantasy, intrigue, women and lots of sex.English is not my native language, therefore, I apologize in advance if I present grammatical errors, I appreciate any correction and constructive criticism to improve.
"This twisted world needs to be reset. That's what V2 is for!"-------------------------------------------------------------Waking up only to find that she's reincarnated into a world very reminiscing of a game that she used to play, Yuki is suddenly thrust into a worldwide conflict. To ensure the longevity of her newfound motherland, Yuki will have no choice but to flip this war upside down. If only to finally has some closure for past life also.So buckle up, strap your helmet tight, and keep your rifle loaded and on safe. This is not your bog-standard story about overpowered characters on a battlefield, no. This is a story about warfare in all its bloodied glory, the leader that calls the shot, the soldiers that execute them, and the nation that's backing them up. And along the way, sprinkle those a healthy dose of beautiful maidens, lily/futa romances, and build a harem.This is not gonna be a quick and decisive run, no. We're in this one for the long haul. Hail, Ironblood!
I've had my fair share of weird wake-ups, but opening my eyes in Black Clover as some no-name extra? That's a new one, and let me tell youit's not exactly the dream reincarnation scenario. Turns out, I'm Sebastian Silva, a guy so insignificant he's barely a footnote in the series. Oh, and did I mention I'm the father of Noelle Silva and the husband of Acier Silva, the most badass woman in the Clover Kingdom? Yeah, talk about pressure.The kids hate me, my wife barely acknowledges me, and my role in the family is pretty much non-existent. But now that I've got my past life's memories and a second chance, I'm not about to let things slide. With Acier on her deathbed, family dysfunction through the roof, and powerful players lurking in the shadows, I've got a lot on my plate.Saving my wife? Reconnecting with my children? Staying under the radar of the Wizard King and some seriously dangerous enemies? It's not the easiest transmigration, but heywe'll live with it.*NOTE: Although all chapters will be written by me, to maintain daily upload, and not lower quality, because I have many time commitments like university, work, etc. Chapter's will be subjected to revision and editing through Grammarly AI.
Michael was suddenly reborn into a another world by a God because of an accidental death. To make up for this fact, the God gave him another life in a fantasy world of swords, magic, and monsters.Unfortunately, it turned out that the world he was reborn into was still stuck in the medieval times. It didn't have electricity, it didn't have proper plumbing, and it didn't have any technology that he was so used to back in his old world.But thanks to the God's blessing and an AI assistant called ChatJK1, he was given the power to MAKE his life comfortable. Slowly, Michael transforms this new world into a place even better than his previous one by taking ideas from the modern world and putting it in this world, with the added bonus of magic.
Edward was given a chance to start over in a new life after he had given up on the previous one. By some scheming, he suddenly finds himself being in the same world as the character from the Modern Family tv series.He decided to live his life to the fullest while changing the future of the younger generation of the tv series.Author: What you can expect going in? Its gacha what more do you expect?There will be a few shounen-type situation, and familial bonding between the mc and the cast members. I planned to write chapters daily for this fic, but a situation came out and I could only write it on the weekends. I couldn't estimate the upload regularity yet, but its a minimum of 3 chapter a week.Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or the songs used in this fic.
The notorious firearms crime lord Chen Zhang An a.k.a Old Fox was placed under house arrest by the very successor he groomed.
Just as Ye Fan got dumped by a gold-digger, he received a call from the hospital. Little did he expect that, ten months ago on one fateful night, he and his crush Bai Susu did something unspeakable From that moment on, he embarked on the path of a doting dad Pampering his wife, spoiling his kids Unlimited affection!"Hello, Mr. Ye Fan, your wife is about to give birth in the hospital, hurry over to sign the paperwork!" An urgent voice sounded from the phone."What, what's going on, kid, and wife?" Ye Fan was utterly bewildered at that moment. Just got dumped, then his biggest crush came knocking on his door.From then on, he embarked on the journey of spoiling his wife, spoiling his kids, unlimitedly! They had a grand wedding, everyone in town joined in the love fest! As the saying went, good things should be shared together, not alonel! So, let's all enjoy the love fest together!
In her previous life, she had misjudged people, mistaking enemies for kin. It wasn't until her body sank to the ocean floor that she had a sudden realization.Reborn seven years earlier, she grasped the Water-Repelling Pearl in hand, navigating unimpeded through lakes and oceans, ready to gather endless treasures. She vowed to carve out her own realm in the marine and collectibles industries.Before the conspiracies could even begin, she strategized every move. She would settle all past grievanceswhat was being a wealthy heiress? She would be the wealthiest of them all!
"An illegitimate child will always be an outsider."For Yu Lixue, life in the Yu family was one of endless humiliation. As the unwanted daughter with no mother to defend her, she was treated like a pawn, used, ignored, and discarded. Her talentsher paintings, her songswere stolen by her stepmother and conniving half-sister, who claimed them as their own. Her life was a series of shadows and silence, living under their lies.But when her half-sister fled an arranged marriage with Mo Ran, a powerful but reclusive man, the family forced Lixue to take her place. Once again, her wishes were disregarded. Her marriage to Mo Ran was cold, distantanother prison she had no choice but to endure.Until the night she died in a mysterious accident, her pleas for justice buried along with her.Yet fate gave her a second chance.Reborn into the same world that betrayed her, Lixue returns with a vow: she will take back everything they stoleher art, her voice, her freedom. And when she reenters her marriage with Mo Ran, he surprises her with a proposition: he will help her get revenge against those who wronged her. But Lixue is wary. Why is this man, who barely showed her any warmth before, now offering to stand by her side?As they plot against the Yu family, Lixue realizes that Mo Ran has his own reasons for revenge. Their alliance begins to blur the line between ally and enemy, and she questions whether he's truly on her side or if he has his own hidden agenda.In a world filled with deceit and betrayal, Yu Lixue must decide: will she risk trusting her husband, or will she forge her own path to reclaim what's hers, no matter the cost?Excerpt:Lixue stared down at the steaming bowl of soup on the table, blinking in surprise. Mo Ran placed it before her with a steady hand, his usual calm expression softened just slightly by a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. She tried to catch his gaze, but he'd already turned away, busying himself with the teapot."Why are you?" she murmured, glancing between the bowl and him, her voice trailing off.He looked up, meeting her eyes with a hint of amusement. "Why am I what?"She fumbled for words, her cheeks warming. "Why are youbeing so nice to me?"A small smile played on his lips, barely there but just enough to leave her heart fluttering. "Is it so strange for a husband to be kind to his wife?"She opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came out. The Mo Ran she remembered from her past life had been as cold as winter, never sparing her a second glance. This new version of him, warm and considerate, left her feelingconfused."Eat," he said, his voice soft. "You didn't eat much at breakfast."She nodded, taking the spoon with a slight tremor in her fingers. The soup was rich, comfortingsomething she would have loved as a child. The warmth of it melted away a part of her guardedness, leaving her strangely vulnerable.As she set down her spoon, she glanced at him again, still puzzled. "What's gotten into you, Mo Ran?""""Let's just say I want to spoil you my darling.."Extra tags: #Rebirth#FaceSlapping #SchemingSister #ColdHusbandTurnedSweet#EnemiesToLovers#IllegitimateDaughter
Frank, a mercenary known for his cold ruthlessness, decides it's time to leave the bloody world of the underworld behind. But the underworld has no plans of letting him go. Relentless enemies from his violent past keep hunting him, and eventually, they succeedFrank is killed.But fate has other plans. Instead of staying dead, he is mysteriously reincarnated into the body of a cop in a world filled with crime, corruption, and dark secrets. With the help of a strange, all-knowing system, Frank is given the chance to live againthis time, to prevent crime before it happens.
REBORN OF THE LEGENDARY BEAST MASTER
As Orson read the novel written by the girlfriend who had left him, he gently remarked on how terrible the story was. But then, noticing a foul smell coming from the kitchen, he went to investigate. He realized there was some kind of gas leak. Already furious about being dumped, Orson became even angrier at the state of his kitchen, and in his rage, he hit the light switch with a powerful punch. Naturally, the explosion that followed killed him instantly, and Orson passed into the afterlife.After spending some time in limbo, he found himself reincarnated in an unfamiliar world. However, he quickly realized he had been reborn inside the clich-filled novel written by his ex-girlfriend. As if that wasn't enough, he had ended up in the body of Neonidas, a useless duke who was also the fianc of the story's villainess.____There may be a bit too much swearing and slang in the first chapters, but it gets less afterwards.There will be no yuri, bl or ntr in Neonidas(MC) harem
The world was at the brink of collapse. Humanity's desperate battle against the Harbingers, monstrous alien invaders from another world, had raged for years, leaving cities in ruin and hope at an all-time low.Amid the chaos, Noah Eclipse, an eighteen year old with no past and no purpose, struggled to survive each day.Noah being a first-generation talent, with a common, unremarkable ability that never stood a chance against the Harbingers' overwhelming might, had spent years labeled a loser, while fighting to keep his head above water in a world that seemed to have forgotten him.But as fate would have it, everything changed one day when he was fighting for his life and at the verge of dying.[Congratulations, you have awakened an SSS RANKED Talent : Void Summoning][Congratulations you have unlocked one item : Eclipse blade!!][Congratulations : You have unlocked a new skill; Void Blink]He was reborn, and for the first time, he was no longer weak nor helpless.With all the creatures and the power of the void in his palms, he would bring an end to the apocalypse!
Young and filial Fu Ting loved her father above all things, so when she had the chance to turn things around from her father's past, she promised to follow through her mission until the very end.Fu Ting, daughter of a famous actor, watched as her father succumbed to his untimely fall from stardom and his eventual passing. When met with her own demise, the heavens granted her something no one could only dream oftime travel to amend her father's murky past. Although Fu Pei was a supposedly cold-hearted young boy, he could not help but care for his daughterwait. This is his daughter?!Read a tale of great love, unconditional devotion, and a sprinkle of comedy with us. Just a word of precaution: don't underestimate Fu Ting!
Zheng Nianru went from being a Commandery Princess who could be killed at any moment to the position of the Empress Dowager, wielding power over the world. What she couldn't accept was that she didn't end up with a good fate. However, Zheng Nianru thought that no one would have been able to save Nanzheng State.Yet, she was reborn and, having deeply reflected upon her pain, also considered several past mistakes. Firstly, she should not have married down into the family of Ju Nanyi, a man with a narrow mind who came from a minor house, who only thought about romantic affairs and entangled with her in desperate affection, incapable of assisting Nanzheng. Secondly, she should not have killed everyone in Qiandao Temple, which was the spiritual pillar of the people of Nanzheng State. After all, there were better ways, weren't there, like seduction? Thirdly, she should not have been so confident that the monarch of the neighboring country would fall at her feet, nor should she have trusted the promise of that fickle neighboring monarch, which led to years of drawn-out conflict between the two states.Um, Zheng Nianru felt she was not wrong. She just wanted to live well and to be a good Empress Dowager. Since she had the chance to live again, why did she have this chance? Could it be that she was expected to once again turn Nanzheng State upside down?
Explosive New Book At Thunder Sound Hall, the Great Saint fell! With the Life and Death God Talisman, he reversed time and space; the Monkey King, unyielding, returned against the heavens! All gods and Buddhas lost their colors, my fate is determined by me, not by the heavens! In this life, I, Old Sun, will make all the gods and Buddhas remember this name I am, the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, Sun Wu Kong
Kai Tensen's life ends in a freak accident, only for him to wake up as a newborn in a completely different world filled with magic, danger, and a "System" providing him with information and secrets of the world. But his second chance at life takes a deadly turn when he discovers the truth: he's the first necromancer in over 500 years, and the world will do anything to see him destroyed.Hunted by the fanatical Inquisition, Kai must outwit bounty hunters, corrupt mages, and even gods themselves to survive.As Kai's strength grows, so does the danger. Each step into his newfound powers tests his humanity, forcing him to confront questions of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of his ambition.But with whispers of a divine conspiracy and ancient relics that could shatter the gods' control, Kai realizes his fight isn't just for survival. It's for revolution.In a world that brands him a monster, Kai vows to outlive his supressors. If they want a villain, he'll give them one. The gods called him a curse and the church called him evil, but he'll prove he's their reckoning.Death is only the beginning.Author's Note:As you may know, I'm also the author of Fractured Horizon, a slightly futuristic fantasy/sci-fi novel about mutated human monsters and psychics that battle them. I also wrote My Undeath, a reincarnation novel set in a fantasy world. It wasn't my best work, but I loved writing the story.I put a lot more time and effort into Reborn with a Necromancer System, and ironed out the details for a while, plotting approximately 500 chapters for all of you. If you liked either of my other two novels, this novel has a lot more planned for it than the other two.
SynopsisBetrayed by the man she loved. Framed for treason. Executed without mercy.But fate grants her a second chance.This time, she won't be the foolish girl who sacrificed everything for the Second Prince. Armed with knowledge of the future, she steps back into the imperial courtnot as a pawn, but as a player. Her enemies will never see her coming.The past will not repeat. This time, she will decide who falls and who survives.female lead- Hua Qingyanmale lead-???Want to know?!, keep reading the story for the reveal!!
Takahiro Nao, a 25-year-old drowning in debt and despair, lives only for his struggling family. Every sacrifice he makes is for themuntil a selfless act costs him his life. Instead of the end, Nao encounters a Goddess of Benevolence who offers him a miraculous deal: "Live in a new world, and your efforts there will support your family back on Earth."Reborn into the dead body of Naoki von Blackmore, the so-called "Failed Hero," he finds himself burdened with the daunting task of saving the world by defeating the Demon Kingall while supporting the family he cherishes. Armed with formidable powers yet haunted by his past failures, Nao steps into a dangerous realm of swords, magic, and ferocious monsters. Facing relentless enemies, harrowing trials of life and death, and an unyielding fate, he's forced to confront the ultimate question: how far is he willing to go to protect the people he loves?Filled with emotional struggles, determination, unexpected humor, and a touch of romance, this story asks a powerful question to the readers: What would you sacrifice for the people you love?
Xu Ping'an was overjoyed to marry, but what welcomed him was a deception.Eight years of devotion, eight years of infatuation, only to be repaid by the one he loved plucking his spine and devouring his bloodline."You take my spine, I'll turn my Thunder Sword into bone, defy the heavens to change my fate, and awaken the memories of the Immortal Emperor from a past life."In this life, I will make all those who betrayed me descend into Hell!
After making preparations for transmigration into the VR world "Mystical Era", the previous veteran player Xia Yuan becomes an NPC, and is even made the fourth son of the Duke of the Empire!Already prepared for a boring aristocratic life, he never expects that the era has totally changed!As the last obstacle, his family has been labelled as a villain by the new aristocracy and will soon be crushed by history! Xia Yuan has no choice but to gradually strengthen his own power according to his knowledge of the game's history.Lost treasures, forbidden ancient weapons, secrets of immortality, forgotten epics...With one's own strength, save the world! Change fate! Rise from the ashes!...The knight swears, the mage sings, and the dragon spreads its wings!Pursue magic and truth, and control the fate of yourself and the era!Stand in the clouds, above the floating city and the throne of the sky!The bell rings, and the signs finally appeared.-It's time for the stars to align-
[Wsa entry.]James Dohan, a famous author working for the government, suddenly died after an accident occurred at his workplace.Nothing could have prepared him for the events to come.[You have reincarnated.]James soon found himself reincarnated into the body of Jared, the son of the village's elder in a demon-infested wasteland.The North, abandoned by a cowardly kingdom after a brutal war, crawled with monsters and desperate survivors. Jared left to save his father with a miracle cure, but James arrived too latethe Elder was dead, the village was starving, and the title of Elder fell on his unprepared shoulders.Luckily, he had a cheat code to rely on.[You have awakened your Infinite Item Shop System.][Current balance: 0 Sp. Buy everything, Sell anything.]Jared found a way to save the people of his village from dying from their own weakness and the horrors of the world.[You have gained 50 Sp.][You have purchased a pistol.][13 Sp has been deducted.][You killed a Dire Wolf.][150 Sp has been added to your account.][The villagers' loyalty to you has risen.][You have earned 300 Sp.][You can now convert this world's money into Sp.]With this system, Jared was more than ready to conquer the North, money, power and women.
"I hate my old world. No matter where I turned, misfortune followed me like a curse. In this world, I will be free. I'll rise to the top and enjoy life with beauties... but to do so, I must destroy everything that stands in my way."Ryan was a simple construction worker, trapped in a boring routine, weighed down by gambling and loss. Until one day, his life ended when a rogue steel pole crashed into himright in the middle of his important gacha pull. Everything went dark and then bright again. He found himself face-to-face with a goddess.Seraphina, the Goddess of Life, stood before him with an air of indifference. "Welcome, Ryan, to the world between life and death. I could explain your life and death, but I can't be bothered. I'm Seraphina, blah blah blah. Go save the world, be a hero... whatever."Ryan lashed out. "What kind of shitty goddess are you? I don't want to be a hero!""How dare you speak to me like that?!" Seraphina's fury was palpable. She had never been spoken to like this before.Ryan scanned the endless white room, muttering, "So, I'm dead, huh? This is a new world First thing, get strong. And maybe get some beauties...""Listen, we're not done talking" the goddess started, but Ryan cut her off. "Shut the f**k up! I'm thinking here!" He was beyond thrilled to escape his miserable old life. This felt like a second chance."Hero? F**k that! Make me a villain," Ryan growled. "Give me powers like in those anime shows! I want to burn the world down and make them kneel to me!"The goddess paused, clearly annoyed. "Fine, have it your way." She flicked her wrist, sending a flash of light toward him.Unseen by her, a shadowy presence entered with the light."I shall grant you one wish," the goddess muttered bitterly. "Name it, and it will be done."Ryan's eyes gleamed. "Anything?" His grin widened. "Make me someone who can f**k countless women and have a hundred wives. And you..." He leered at her, "You'll be my first."Before Seraphina could react, a system window appeared before Ryan's eyes, glowing crimson.[Welcome Ryan Wood][You are reading a message from the system of the chosen ones][You are offered to become the Harem God][Will you accept your fate?][Yes/No]Ryan's excitement surged. "F**K YES! I ACCEPT! GIVE ME THIS POWER!"Follow Ryan on his journey to becoming the true Evil Harem God. He'll conquer beauties, battle enemies, and reshape the world in his image. In a world where only the strong survive, Ryan will stop at nothing to become the ultimate villainthe man who controls all the women and rules over all. This novel contains R18 explicit content and adult themes. Two chapters will be uploaded daily, so buckle up. The MC? He's evil, ruthless, and sure as hell not a coward. Expect epic battles, cool abilities, and solid world-building.Bonus tags(Netori; OP; MILF; Monster Girls; Large Harem)No NTR. No incest. No pegging. No femboys. No direct rape(Only brainwashing that leaves the woman feeling good). No YURI.
On December 11th, the apocalypse began. A new, mutated coronavirusthe Zeta variantspread worldwide, and it was far more deadly than any version before it. Those infected without strong immune systems turned into zombies, and within two days, chaos reigned, wiping out 80% of humanity.Zack, an ordinary guy, found himself in the middle of this nightmare, struggling to survive. Lacking the skills to fight off the zombies, he was soon overwhelmed and met a tragic end or so he thought.When Zack suddenly finds himself alive again, he's back at the start of the apocalypse but with one huge differencean advanced AI has armed him with powerful technology. Equipped with a zero-point reactor, power armor, a super serum, and much more, he now has the tools to turn the tide.Follow Zack as he builds a new civilization from the ruins and fights to reclaim the world in this thrilling journey of survival and innovation.
(Warning: Mature Content - R-18)The Ultimate Heartbreaker Reincarnates, Only to Find Himself a Pathetic Pushover?In his past life, he had gone out of his way to win their affection, humbling himself to the point of self - annihilation. But how did they repay him?His first love abandoned him for a wealthy heir, mocking him as delusional and naive.His childhood friend despised his devotion, pretending not to recognize him when they crossed paths.And the queen bee of the school? She sneered at him, refusing to even glance in his direction.But now, the man has been reborncold, detached, and effortlessly commanding both power and allure. Women fall under his spell without hesitation.Until one dayHis first love appeared before him in a slinky strapless dress, her eyes shimmering with tears, her voice trembling: "Please give me another chance, Master. I'll do anything you ask"His childhood friend was pinned against the door, her breath uneven, her gaze filled with desperate longing: "Master, even if it's just as your secret loverI'd be willing"The once - arrogant queen bee shed her coat, leaning close to whisper in his ear, her breath warm and shaky: "Master please, let me make it up to you"He let out a low chuckle, his long fingers trailing over their heated cheeks, his eyes glinting with mockery and disdain. "You want me now?" he murmured, his tone icy. "Too bad. You're too late."