Bibliophile: a person who collects or has a great love of books
Twelve years later, she reappears in his life, and she has some hellacious secrets of her own. Ones that knock Judge on his ass and threaten his ironclad control. His life quickly changes course. Priorities are shifted and sacrifices are made. Judge has a decision to make. Will he give up his incessant need for retribution? Or will he sacrifice something he never dreamed he could have, but desperately wants. Or is it possible to have both?
Enemies. Foes. Until one night changed them forever.
Divorced. Single dad. Traded to a losing squad. Cheated on, betrayed, exposed. My perfect life blew up in my face and I'm still picking up the pieces. The last thing I need is her. A wildflower. A storm. A woman I can't resist. Lotus DuPree is a kick to my gut and a wrench in my plans from the moment our eyes meet. I promised myself I wouldn't trust a woman again, but I've never wanted anyone the way I want Lo. She's not the plan I made, but she's the risk I have to take. A warrior. A baller. The one they call Gladiator. Kenan Ross charged into my life smelling all good, looking even better and snatching my breath from the moment we met. The last thing I need is him. I’m working on me. Facing my pain and conquering my demons. I've seen what trusting a man gets you. Don't. Have. Time. For. This. But he just keeps coming for me. Keeps knocking down my defenses and stealing my excuses one by one. He never gives up, and now...I'm not sure I want him to.
I’ve spent years saving every penny I’ve ever earned to be able to transfer to Malibu University. And now my entire future––including my scholarship––is in jeopardy. So I either accept the help he insists on giving me, or lose everything I’ve sacrificed for. In the meantime, I’m going to ignore the fact that we’re becoming friends. And I’m definitely going to pretend he’s not turning into the object of my…umm, dirty fantasies. That’s not happening. Not even a little. Because the minute I clapped eyes on him I knew he was nothing but trouble.
Burying the hatchet wasn’t an option in my family. Even if I wanted to, which I didn’t, it wasn’t allowed. My dad would disown me completely and make me change my last name before he ever forgave a Russo.
Yet the more I’m around her, the less I care about finding my perfect match. Because it might be right in front of me.
“Dash,” I said, wringing my hands as I paced the floor of my room. “We probably shouldn’t be doing this. What if––” “What if it’s awesome and you fall madly in love with me? Well, we already know I don’t do commitment.” A tiny laugh skittered out. “No, what if it gets awkward? I don’t want anything to change.” He took me by the shoulders in the middle of my rainbow knitted rug and leveled me with his vibrant eyes. “We’ve done some pretty awkward shit, so what’s a little mouth to mouth going to change?” I nodded, exhaling slowly, then I frowned. “Why are you doing this? I mean, I know why I want to, but you? What do you even get out of it?” He grinned. “You might be my best friend, but I’ve always wondered what it’d be like to stick my tongue down your throat.” He tipped a muscled shoulder. “Let’s just say you’ll be killing that curiosity.” “You’ve always wondered?” “I’ve got eyes, Freckles. And I don’t need my glasses to appreciate the sight of something beautiful.” I blinked. “Wow. That was actually really swe––” “Shut your inexperienced mouth and kiss me.” I was still laughing when he grabbed my face, and then I squeaked as the world changed color, and his lips lowered over mine.
Neither planned on a life of crime nor did they plan on love. But now, both are in too far.
I want what I can’t have. But I’ll take it anyway because Gretchen Andrews has done the one thing my wife never could….she’s made me love her.
I wanted to make her mine, but having her meant breaking my rules—every last one of them.
Confessions of a Bibliophile 