sarina vega

Still married. Those words change everything. Now my should-be ex-husband, Ramsey Stockton, the former pro football star turned felon and hero who left this town—and me—behind years ago, is at my door offering me a deal with the devil. If I let him stay and play his wife again for ninety days, he’ll give me a quiet divorce and his family ranch—the one my inn is on. When I scoff at the idea, he offers a million-dollar bonus to help my business float through this rough patch, but only if I’m his.

If Renn Brewer would’ve asked me to marry him, I would’ve said no. Why? One, his reputation precedes him. His name is in the headlines at least once a month. Two, he’s not just my brother’s best friend. They’re teammates. And three, I’m in my self-care era. Unfortunately, a version of me equates self-care with bad choices.

I only have room for two things in my life: football and my daughter. At least until my brother's ex-girlfriend shows up at my team's stadium needing a white knight. When I find out she's also got a secret summer checklist that I'm uniquely qualified for? I've forgotten all the reasons she should be off limits, and I'm signing up to be more than just her part-time bodyguard.

Everything in my life is rigidly planned, nothing ever takes me by surprise, until her. Wren Jacobs. I swear the woman was put on earth to drive me insane. She's too young, too beautiful, my daughter's best friend, and one of my best friend’s daughters. In other words, completely off limits. And for one weekend she's the art curator assigned to help me pick up my newest painting.

Wren Beaumont is many things. Beautiful. Smart. Sweet. Innocent. At Lancaster Prep, the girls love her. They all want to be her friend. Only I see Wren for who she really is. A repressed little virgin who keeps her feelings locked up so tight she’s probably close to bursting. She thinks she’s above us all. Even me. I shouldn’t be drawn to her. She’s not my type. Until we’re forced to work together in class and realize we might have more things in common than we originally thought.

Kendra Ames is a driven young producer in need of a bachelor for her reality show. When she meets Lee Sullivan, the retired captain of Lakes hockey team, they have an instant connection. After listening to Kendra’s pitch, Sully decides he would rather pursue her instead. However, when the show’s network makes him an offer for his dream job with a unique stipulation, he can’t refuse.

I'm naturally gifted on the field and between the sheets. With flashy cars and enough media attention to put the royal family to shame, I'm the definition of most eligible bachelor. Every man wants to be me, and every woman wants to tame me. Until Camila. The moment I lay eyes on her, I know I have to have her. She wants to keep me at arm's length. I want her naked in my bed. She says I'm bad news. I have three weeks to prove her wrong.

Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women's national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father's shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine—a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder. Ryder is six-foot five, built, opinionated, rude . . . and sexy as hell. But he's still the enemy.

Growing up, the ice was my safe space. I excelled at playing hockey. However, these days, it's hockey players who provide sanctuary—one bed at a time. We have an arrangement. I offer them a night of pleasure, and in return, they grant me all the temporary, artificial love I can get my hands on—a chance to feel whole. Happily ever after doesn't exist where I come from, but I crave it just the same. It was a foolproof system. Until Barrett. One night with him was all it took to tear down walls and crack the facade I worked so hard to build.

Hockey comes first. Always has, always will. I've got a one-year contract, 365 days to prove to them I'm worth the investment—which is why I need to stay far away from the woman across the hall. We know each other quite well, but she thinks we're strangers. I need to keep it that way. The problem is she's everywhere. Across the hall, on my laptop, bartending where my team hangs out. Micky is like a loose thread that I can't stop tugging. Then, one night, she steps in to do me a favor, and all my defenses get shot to hell. Now, I'm showing her the real me, but it might not be enough for her.