laurens.little.bookshelf

In the beginning, there was Savannah Shaw. Teasing me with a mischievous, merciless grin by day. Crawling through my window with tear-stained cheeks by night. I was ordered to avoid her. Lectured on her misdeeds. Forbidden from seeing her. But my need to protect her was innate. So natural I never questioned it. So visceral I couldn’t fight it.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had one dream. Go to college with my best friends, earn a starting position on a division one team, and hear my name announced to the world come draft day. The path was clear, and things were falling in place perfectly. Until she showed up. I never meant to fall for my friend’s little sister and by the time I realized I had, it was too late. I am a man in love with a girl … who is in love with someone else. But I can’t compete with a ghost, and her heart was buried along side the boy she gave it to. The father of her unborn son.

I ran from home to escape heartbreak, only to deliver myself into the hands of a wolf. Henry Wolf, that is. Heir to a luxury hotel chain, infamous playboy, arrogant bastard...and my new boss. Why he wants me, Abbi Mitchell - a girl who lacks experience on every front that would matter to him - as his personal assistant, I cannot fathom, especially when I keep messing up in the most spectacular way. Did I already mention he's a bastard? A beautiful, moody one, who's quick to demand, slow to apologize. And toying with me every chance he gets.

One night. I let myself have one night with him after avoiding him for years. But one night was all it took for history to repeat itself. Cade St. James was my past. He was the boy who stole my heart before he left for the Marine Corps. Now he’s back in Kroydon Hills, and there’s no mistaking he’s all man. A former MMA champion, running his own gym, and taking care of his adorable little girl. And I have to tell him our one night together is going to make him a father again. Our timing has always been wrong. I can do this on my own if I have to. I don’t need to be saved.

Up until the moment I learned that my uncle and coach—the man I've looked up to my entire life—was having an affair with my best friend—the only woman I've ever wanted—I was a good boy. The Saint of hockey. Brooks Langfield: star goalie of the Boston Bolts and an all-around nice guy. Apparently, being good is overrated because seeing Sara blindsided when she learns that the man she was dating is married makes me just angry enough to stop thinking and finally take what I want—a real shot with my best friend.

I was supposed to be taking the summer off from dating... and flirting... and men in general. A cleanse. It sounded great in theory. But theory went out the window when my own personal kryptonite sat on the barstool next to mine. Six feet, five inches of stacked muscle and chiseled features, he exuded a cocky confidence that was hard to miss and even harder to resist. This man was delectable. Like a decadent piece of chocolate cake, tempting me to indulge.

"You gonna catch me if I fall, Becks?" I should have known those words, whispered to my best friend's brother, would come back to haunt me... But I had no idea he'd be the only one who could save me when my world threatened to come crashing down. Becket Kingston is a lot of things. Tall, dark, and deliciously handsome, he's corded muscle hidden beneath an expensive suit with eyes the color of an angry ocean and a sharp tongue good for so many things. And this future US Senator with a brain even bigger than his bank account is about to be my fake husband.

She's a former Olympic figure skater whose world turned upside down. He's a pro football player who never let go of the past. What happens when these two finally have their second chance, and a stalker threatens everything?

Future You here, coming to offer a little advice: Hang on for dear life. This summer is going to be a wild one. I know what you’re thinking: Life’s going so well! I don’t have a care in the world! Wrong. That culinary career you love so much? It’s about to go up in smoke, and your boyfriend? Yeah...he’s a goner too. If only love were as simple as, say, actually adding yourself to the lease agreement so you don’t suddenly find yourself loveless, jobless, and homeless!

I intended to keep my promises to you. I swear. I loved you, Matthew Caldwell—with my whole heart. I think a piece of me will always love you. But it all came crashing down when I realized you didn’t keep your promises to me. I refuse to take any of my days for granted. I learned that the hard way. So I’m sorry. But I can’t keep my promises to someone who didn’t keep theirs. XOXO, Brooklyn Sanders