Defensive Desires

A steamy, emotionally charged romance about second chances, buried regrets, and two people who must decide if their connection was a mistake—or something worth risking everything for.

Their defenses are strong—but their desires are stronger.

Entering his final season of college hockey, Zander Ramos is more lost than ever. Evicted from his apartment, failing his English class, and stuck working at his aunt's romance-only bookstore, he's never felt more out of place. Until he's paired with a tutor—who just happens to be the one girl he can't seem to forget.

Zoe Matthews.

After a one-night stand gone terribly wrong, Zoe and Zander cut ties. But being forced back into each other's orbit makes it impossible to ignore the connection still lingering between them. Zander hasn't forgotten what they had—and he's determined to prove it wasn't just a mistake. Zoe, however, would rather do anything than revisit the past.

With a full plate as a student, author assistant, and caregiver to her ailing father, Zoe doesn't have time for distractions. Especially not one like Zander. But when he discovers her carefully guarded, steamy bucket list and offers to help her complete it, keeping her distance becomes harder than she expected.

No strings. No promises. No feelings. It should have been simple. Until it isn't.