I live for the pain; it's what drives me to keep moving. I thought I was ready to finally live. Until...my brother, Alex; he throws me into the fire - right into the place I could never control myself, the one place I never want to be again. When I put my hands on people, they get hurt. Things happen that bring me back to that night. The one that will forever torment me. I'm doing fine, keeping to myself in order to ensure no one gets hurt by me. Then along comes Lyric, and all I want to do is touch her, to put my hands in places that I know will only lead to her being crushed by me.

Eight years.... That's how long it's been since my brother's been gone, and not a day goes by that it doesn't kill me, knowing that I'll never see Adric again. It's been a rough journey, one I've barely survived, but with the help of my childhood friend Kade Haze, I'm finally learning to piece what remains back together. Or so I thought.... Just when life is beginning to make sense again and a feeling of normalcy is on the horizon, my carefully constructed walls come crashing down.

When you're a star athlete and hire a bodyguard to protect your daughter, but the agency sends you an adorable five foot two brunette who barely looks capable of protecting herself, let alone anyone else. Turns out "Ryan" is Emerson Ryan, former FBI. She drop-kicks your butt to the ground to prove her point. She’s more than capable of protecting Bristol, your little girl, but you shouldn’t be turned on by her fierceness.

Left without a job and evicted from the house she so carefully turned into a home, Aria is offered two choices: move back in with her brother . . . or take the job her brother's best friend offers her.

One night. That’s all I wanted: to start the new year on a good note and forget about the chaos last year brought. Enter Ryan. With his dark eyes, panty-melting smile, and sinful body, he’s the perfect distraction. When I’m left with more than just the spell-binding memories of our night together, I’m positively freaking out. Things get even more complicated when I find out how our lives are already intertwined. Will I be able to keep our connection a secret while we get to know each other, or will this whole mess blow up in my face?