Jennifer Sucevic – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read

Jennifer Sucevic – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com Fri, 03 Apr 2026 23:15:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 http://www.books2020.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png Jennifer Sucevic – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com 32 32 Show Me Forever (Chicago Railers Hockey #3) Read Online Jennifer Sucevic http://www.books2020.com/show-me-forever-chicago-railers-hockey-3-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Fri, 03 Apr 2026 23:15:22 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/show-me-forever-chicago-railers-hockey-3-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Genre: Alpha Male, Erotic, Forbidden, Sports Authors: Jennifer Sucevic Series: Chicago Railers Hockey Series by Jennifer Sucevic
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Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)

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This is the third book is the Chicago Railers Hockey Series

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

1

Rina

Two months earlier…

* * *

The bass pounds hard enough to feel it in my bones. It’s a steady pulse beneath the music. Lights strobe across the packed club, painting the crowd in flashes of silver and blue. Bodies move in every direction, the air thick with perfume, sweat, and the sharp bite of spilled vodka.

My date leans in, shouting something about quarterly projections. Or profit margins. Or whatever it is men like him think makes them interesting. His breath smells faintly of gin. I nod, take a sip of my drink, and pretend to listen while my mind drifts elsewhere.

He’s nice enough.

Smart, successful, safe.

And utterly forgettable.

Why am I so restless?

I came here to remind myself I could still do this. I could smile, flirt, and pretend to care. But all I can think about is how empty it feels. How much of my life revolves around managing other people’s disasters while mine quietly simmers beneath the surface.

It’s a shock when my gaze catches on a familiar face.

One I’ve spent months training myself not to look at.

One that belongs to a man who is completely off-limits.

The sight of him slams into me before I can mask the reaction.

I tell myself to look away.

To remember every reason I shouldn’t want him.

But my brain refuses to listen.

Oliver Van Doren leans against the bar, looking like sin in human form, with a glass of whiskey held loosely in one hand. His shoulders strain against the pale fabric of his shirt, every line of him carved with effortless confidence. The top buttons are undone, a tease of skin and arrogance that feels deliberate. His blond hair is just mussed enough to look like someone has already had their hands in it.

He doesn’t have to demand attention.

People just give it to him.

Even when I tell myself to turn back before he notices, my gaze continues to linger. There’s something about him I’m not strong enough to fight.

And that’s a problem.

The moment his eyes find mine, the noise of the club fades to nothing but the thud of bass and the electric hum between us. His smirk is slow and knowing. It’s the kind of expression that promises trouble.

Fuck.

I really need to look away and pretend I didn’t see him.

Instead, I hold his stare.

He’s on the move before I can question the decision.

Or the ramifications.

The crowd shifts around him, parting as if even the air knows better than to get in his way. He walks with a predatory ease that makes my skin heat and my better judgment unravel. Each step eats up the space between us until there’s nowhere left to hide.

By the time he reaches me, my date has already blurred into background noise.

Poor Jared.

He never stood a chance.

Oliver’s gaze flicks over the man at my side before slicing back to me. “What are you doing with this guy?”

I arch a brow, lifting my glass with practiced calm. “It’s called a date, Oliver.”

“First and last,” he growls, low enough that only I can hear.

A reckless heat curls at the bottom of my belly. It’s the only explanation for why I don’t end this right here. “Excuse me?”

“Ditch him.” His hand finds my hip, fingers pressing just enough to steal my composure. He tugs me closer until his body brushes mine, the contact sparking through me like fire catching dry tinder. Every reason I should tell him no goes up in smoke.

The laugh that slips from my lips comes out quieter than I intend, edged with nerves. “You can’t just⁠—”

“Sure I can.” There’s a rough, taunting edge in the way he speaks. “Come dance with me.”

Maybe it’s the alcohol. Or the way the bass vibrates through my chest. Or maybe it’s just Oliver with that infuriating grin and the promise in his eyes that he could make every fantasy I’ve ever tried to forget a reality.

Whatever the reason, I let him pull me onto the dance floor.

The moment he does, the music swallows us whole.

He draws me against him, close enough to feel the heat radiating through the thin fabric of my dress. His hands find my hips, palms guiding me through the rhythm until every sway of his body feels like a dare I’m too far gone to refuse.

The air pulses with motion and sound until I can’t tell where the music ends and he begins. The bass thrums beneath my skin, and the steady drag of his breath against my neck syncs with it.

The crowd fades to a blur of color. Bodies grind, glasses catch the light, laughter spills and dissolves into darkness. Silver and blue lights wash over us in lazy waves, catching the sharpness of his jaw and the dark promise in his eyes.

I feel him everywhere from the slide of his hands tracing my hips, the rough scrape of stubble when his mouth finds the curve of my jaw, and the faint brush of lips that doesn’t quite become a kiss but steals my composure anyway.

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Advertisement Love to Hate You Read Online Jennifer Sucevic http://www.books2020.com/love-to-hate-you-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Thu, 25 Dec 2025 22:08:08 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/love-to-hate-you-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Genre: Alpha Male, College, Contemporary, New Adult, Sports Authors: Jennifer Sucevic Advertisement

Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)

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Fake dating the campus player never felt so good.Brody McKinnon is Whitmore University's star defenseman destined for NHL greatness. He made a name for himself playing juniors before gracing us with his esteemed presence. As much as it pains me to admit it, he’s exploded at the college level.While other girls fall all over themselves trying to gain his attention, I do my best to steer clear just as I would a particularly nasty case of crabs.For reasons I can't fathom, Brody takes great pleasure in messing with me. And I, in return, enjoy slicing him to ribbons with my razor-sharp tongue. You'd think after three years, he'd learn to keep his distance. No such luck.Unfortunately for me, I’m about to experience the worst week of my life. It starts with my ex announcing at a party that I’m a lousy lay. He’s the hockey-playing jerk I dated last year who left a bad taste in my mouth (*eyeroll* seriously…get your mind out of the gutter).Want to guess who rides in on his trusty white steed to rescue me? Or should I say, opens his big mouth? Yup, you guessed it. Brody freaking McKinnon, the guy I love to hate. He only makes matters worse by telling everyone that we’re together and then punching Reed in the face.The first…I plan on strangling him for.The second…I’m only sorry I didn’t get to Reed first.Now I’m stuck fake-dating Brody, the one guy who makes me feel like a rabid dog on a choke chain, for the foreseeable future. I guarantee we won’t last more than seventy-two hours without me killing him

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

1

DAISY

Logan brushes a stray lock of hair away from my face.

“I had fun tonight,” he says.

His husky voice sends a shiver of desire careening down my spine. I love that feeling. The one you get when you’re out with someone new, and you’re really clicking. And you think, Yeah, this could actually go somewhere.

That’s exactly what I’m feeling right now. That little voice inside my head is screaming, Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner.

“Me, too,” I murmur before shoving the key into the lock of the apartment door.

This is going to sound corny as hell, but time stands still as we gaze into each other’s eyes. Have I mentioned that Logan has the dreamiest eyes? They’re deep and soulful. I can practically feel myself getting lost in them.

His eyes were the first thing I noticed.

The second?

That he’s cute.

Cute boys have always been a weakness of mine. He’s handsome in a frat boy kind of way, with perfectly styled blond hair and an athletic build that’s not overly muscular. I’m a sucker for that look. It should not, however, be confused with the douchey frat boy look.

There’s a fine line between the two.

It takes a bit of effort for me to tamp down my rising excitement. The last thing I want to do is jump the gun. This is only the third time we’ve hung out together, but so far, it looks extremely promising. Even better than that, it feels like we’re both on the same page.

I like him, and he seems to return the interest.

My fingers are crossed that my roommates have vacated the premises for the evening. If I were a betting woman, I’d say the odds were in my favor. After all, it’s almost ten o’clock on a Friday night. Everyone with a social life at BU knows that’s prime party time.

That’s the only reason I chanced it and invited Logan up. I want to spend time alone with him, so we can get to know each other better. Since he lives at the Pi Kappa house, the idea of going over to his place was immediately nixed. I may be a lot of things, but stupid isn’t one of them.

For the time being, it’s my place or making out in his Ford Escape. And since I only live a few blocks from campus, police patrol the area on a regular basis. The last thing I need is a ticket for public indecency.

Ummm, no thank you.

I open the door and almost pump my fist at the silence that greets us. But I refrain, wanting to play it cool. Instead, I turn to Logan with an overly bright smile and he grins in response.

See? We are on the same page.

I flick on the hallway light and point toward the living area. “Make yourself comfortable. Do you want something to drink?” I head to the kitchen which is separated from the living area by a breakfast bar with three stools tucked under the faux granite counter.

“Sure, whatever you have is fine.” Rather adorably, he shoves his hands into the pockets of his khakis and surveys the apartment.

I can’t help but stop and take him in. He really is cute. I’m tempted to do a little happy dance in the kitchen but I’m afraid he’ll catch me. I’ll have to content myself to a mental jig until later.

“This is a really nice place,” he says.

“Thanks. We just moved in a few weeks ago.”

Our apartment has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. I was lucky enough to snag the master bedroom, so I have a private bathroom all to myself. The living room has a small dining room connected to it. While the kitchen isn’t spacious, it’s open to the main living area, which makes it feel bigger. It’s perfect for the three of us.

I grab two bottles of water from the refrigerator and head back to where Logan has settled on the couch. He’s tall. Probably around six feet. His legs are stretched out in front of him. I hand over a plastic bottle and sit next to him. Close, but not too close.

He twists off the cap and takes a long swallow before leaning forward and setting it on the coffee table. Then he relaxes on the couch and throws an arm across the top of the cushions. His fingers brush against my shoulder, and his mouth lifts into a sexy smile.

Mine does the same as my gaze drops to his lips. We’ve kissed a few times and Logan is a good kisser.

I’m pretty sure that I’m giving him the green light to lean in and plant one on me again.

At least I hope I am.

Logan raises his other hand to my cheek as the arm around my shoulder pulls me toward him.

“You’re so pretty,” he murmurs, gradually moving in for the kill.

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Advertisement Hold Me Tight (Chicago Railers Hockey #2) Read Online Jennifer Sucevic http://www.books2020.com/hold-me-tight-chicago-railers-hockey-2-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Wed, 19 Nov 2025 18:27:53 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/hold-me-tight-chicago-railers-hockey-2-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Forbidden, Sports Authors: Jennifer Sucevic Series: Chicago Railers Hockey Series by Jennifer Sucevic
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Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >88

A steamy single mom, enemies-to-lovers, best friend’s ex, pro hockey romance from USA Today and Amazon Top 26 bestselling author Jennifer Sucevic.

I swore I’d never fall for another hockey player.
Not after Zane. My ex and the father of my daughter.

But when I need a place to stay, River Thompson is the one who opens his door.
My ex’s teammate and best friend.
Completely off-limits.
The man who looks at me like I’ve always belonged to him.

There’s just one catch… I have to share his bed.

Living under the same roof makes it impossible to ignore the way he’s been quietly biding his time. He’s patient, protective, and determined to prove he’s not like the man who broke me. And the way he is with my daughter makes it even harder to guard my heart.

Every night I spend in his bed, the slow burn between us threatens to ignite.

Trusting River means risking not only my heart, but my daughter’s too.
The scariest part?

I’m starting to believe he might be worth it.

Hold Me Tight is a best friend’s ex, enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn pro hockey romance with a hero who’s been biding his time—and a heroine afraid to trust her heart to the wrong man again

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

1

Callie

It might have taken a few hours, but the bakery is finally quiet. The morning rush has come and gone, leaving behind a trail of empty coffee cups, a smear of frosting on the glass display case, and exhaustion after a sleepless night.

After wiping my hands on a towel, I lean against the counter.

Sloane exhales next to me, brushing away a streak of flour from her cheek. “I really thought that stroller mom was going to riot when we ran out of almond croissants,” she says, grabbing her water bottle.

I manage a smile. “She’s probably already drafting a Yelp review as we speak. And it won’t be pretty.”

We both laugh, and I let myself enjoy the moment. Just one blissful second of quiet. Until I spot the stack of mail on the back prep table. That’s all it takes for my stomach to dip.

I gravitate toward the pile and then slowly flip through bills and junk mail. It’s mostly routine stuff I’ll dump in the trash, until a thin white envelope with an official logo from the bank catches my eye. My fingers tremble as I force myself to tear it open. Even before scanning the words, I already know what they’ll say.

My loan payment is overdue.

We’re now moving toward the sixty-day mark.

If I don’t make a payment soon, I’ll default. Which means I could lose the bakery.

My bakery.

The one I worked so damn hard for.

The room blurs slightly as I grip the edge of the table.

For the hundredth time, I rack my brain for a way out of this mess. I can’t go to my parents. They’d help if they could, but there’s nothing left for them to give.

And Zane, my ex?

The father of my daughter?

Ha!

He’s a professional hockey player and makes millions a year, and yet, his child support is always late. How he manages to burn through so much money each month is almost unfathomable.

What I’ve learned over the years is that he’s not someone who can be relied on.

Unfortunately, I was a little late to the realization.

From the time I was a kid, I’ve had to figure things out on my own, and this situation isn’t any different.

There’s no choice in the matter.

Failure isn’t an option.

Not when Nora is counting on me to provide a stable home for her.

“What’s that?” Sloane’s question cuts through my mental spiral. I blink out of those thoughts and find her watching me with a furrowed brow.

I force a smile that feels like it might crack my face in half before shaking my head and setting the letter on the counter near the register. “Nothing. Just more junk mail.”

Relief washes over me when the door opens. I don’t want Sloane asking more questions. Not only is she an employee, but she’s a good friend. The last thing I want to do is lie.

I glance up, already shifting into business mode, as River Thompson strolls in.

He’s tall, broad-shouldered, and far too good-looking for my peace of mind. It’s the tousled blond hair and piercing blue eyes that seem to slice right through me. He makes me feel seen in a way that’s not entirely comfortable. When he walks into a room, I feel it down to my bones. The man moves with the grace of an athlete. Of someone who’s at ease with their space in the world.

It must be nice.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt that a day in my life.

This morning he’s wearing a simple Railers hoodie and jeans.

When he steps over the threshold, the temperature in the bakery rises.

Or maybe it’s just me.

My pulse trips, and it takes effort to stomp out the attraction zipping through my veins.

I hate the way my body reacts to him.

He’s Zane’s friend.

Or was.

Quite frankly, it’s not my business what their relationship is.

What I do know is that he stood by silently while Zane made a fool out of me.

I turn my attention back to the register, hoping he’ll order quickly and leave.

If I’m lucky, Sloane will swoop in like usual and save me from having to make small talk. Those conversations are always awkward.

A woman with a small child walks in right after him. She gives me a smile before glancing in his direction and doing a double take as her eyes widen.

“Oh my God,” she gasps. “You’re River Thompson. My husband is obsessed with the Railers.”

River gives her a friendly smile that’s both easy and charming. “Good to know. Tell him I said ‘hey.’”

The little boy at her side is probably around five or six. He peeks out from behind her leg while clutching a toy car.

Without missing a beat, River crouches down so they’re nearly eye level. “Do you like hockey, buddy?”

The boy looks up at his mother before nodding.

River reaches into the back pocket of his jeans and pulls out a glossy puck. “If you have a marker, I’ll sign it for you. Would you like that?”

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Advertisement Make Me Yours (Chicago Railers Hockey #1) Read Online Jennifer Sucevic http://www.books2020.com/make-me-yours-chicago-railers-hockey-1-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Sat, 16 Aug 2025 22:26:39 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/make-me-yours-chicago-railers-hockey-1-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Sports Authors: Jennifer Sucevic Series: Chicago Railers Hockey Series by Jennifer Sucevic
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Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 90009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >89

A steamy friends-to-lovers, off-limits, pro hockey romance from USA Today and Amazon top #26 bestselling author Jennifer Sucevic.

Steele Sanderson has always been my safe place.
My best friend.
My constant.
My person.
So when I walk in on my boyfriend—who also happens to be my boss—screwing a colleague on his desk, it’s Steele who picks up the pieces.

Now I’m living in his penthouse, crashing in his guest room, and working as his assistant while I figure out what’s next. Every day, I tell myself this is temporary. That just because he looks at me like I already belong to him doesn’t mean I actually do.

Except... Steele doesn’t see it that way.
To him, I’ve always been his.
The only one he’s ever wanted.
The only one he’s ever loved.
He’s protective.
Possessive.
And done waiting.

I keep telling myself that crossing the line could ruin everything—that risking our friendship isn’t worth it. But when he offers a friends-with-benefits arrangement, promising to give me everything I’ve secretly craved, how can I possibly say no?
It doesn’t take long for the lines between us to blur.

Now I have to decide—keep pretending nothing’s changed or finally give in to the man who’s been right in front of me all along.

Make Me Yours is a swoony, boy-obsessed, friends-to-lovers steamy romance with close proximity, undeniable tension, and a hero who has always been all in. It’s the first book in the Chicago Railers series and can be read as a standalone

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

1

LILAH

“Where are you, darling? You’re going to miss the start of the game,” Aunt Evelyn asks as I rush through the doors of the building where I’ve worked as a lawyer for the last three years.

“I know, I know.” I wrangle my Louis Vuitton bag onto my shoulder while digging around inside for my keycard. “I just need to fax some paperwork to a client for Devon. I found the file lying on the counter. Pretty sure he forgot to grab it this morning. It’ll take two minutes, tops. Promise. And then I’ll be over.”

“That man is lucky to have you,” she says lightly. “I certainly hope he realizes it.”

Even though she doesn’t tack on more, I’m sure she’s dying to.

My godmother is not Devon Peterson’s number one fan.

“He does,” I force out with more confidence than I currently feel. The sound of my voice echoes off the empty corridor as I give Mike, the night guard, a wave while striding to the bank of elevators and taking one to the twenty-fifth floor where our law offices are located. “He’s been working on a big case, and all his attention is focused there at the moment.”

“Seems like that’s how it always is, Lilah,” she says gently from the other end of the line. “Maybe, just once, his attention should be on you.”

“It is,” I reply, a little too quickly. The lie slips out before I can stop it, and I wince.

There’s a brief pause. The kind that says she heard everything I wasn’t saying. “I hope so, sweetheart. You deserve that. Whoever you’re with should make you feel like the most important person in the world.”

“He does.” Even as the words leave my lips, I realize they’re not true.

Devon’s life revolves around work. It always has. I knew that before we became a couple. Our families had been pushing us together since I was barely old enough to understand what dating meant. Once I started at his law firm, it just felt inevitable. Like the pieces had been arranged for us, and all we had to do was fall in line.

“Okay,” she says, dropping the topic. That’s one thing I love about Aunt Evelyn, she always senses when to back off, giving me the time and space to figure something out on my own.

Which is the opposite of my parents.

Even though I’m twenty-eight, they have a lot to say about my life. And most of it isn’t good.

As soon as that thought pops into my head, I push it aside. It’s been a long enough day already. I’m looking forward to unwinding at the game and watching the Chicago Railers demolish the Baltimore Baddies.

“Did you ever mention to Devon that you’re not very happy and have been thinking about doing something else?” Evelyn asks, her motherly concern warming my heart despite my rush. “You know I’d give you a job at the arena in a heartbeat. Wouldn’t that be fun? The two of us working together?”

“I doubt Hugh would be very happy about that.”

While Aunt Evelyn owns forty-eight percent of the Railers, Hugh Landry holds an equal stake in the team. For over twenty-five years, the two families have been at odds, which is why the remaining four percent, held by a third-party investor, often acts as the tiebreaker when they inevitably disagree. Aunt Evelyn never talks about it, but once upon a time, she and Hugh were engaged.

Until everything fell apart.

“That’s just an added bonus to sweeten the deal,” she says with a chuckle.

“You’re bad, Aunt Evelyn.”

“I know. It’s part of my charm.”

“Is he still trying to buy you out?”

“Of course. Although, that’s not about to happen. This is my team and my family’s name on the front of the building. I’m not going anywhere. Sooner or later, he’ll have to realize it.”

“Let’s just hope hell doesn’t freeze over first.”

She grumbles before saying, “Getting back to Devon… You should just tell him you’re not happy. If he loves you, he’ll want the best for you.”

“I haven’t made any decisions yet.” I chew my bottom lip as the elevator doors slide open and I step into the hallway. “What I need to do is find something I’m passionate about because law just isn’t it.”

“What about something that involves baking? You love puttering around in the kitchen.”

That’s more of a hobby, not a job.

“I need something I can make money at.” I pause before adding, “And as appreciative as I am of the job offer, I don’t think working at the arena is it either. I wish it were. It would make life so much easier.”

“Darling, it was just an idea. What I want most for you is to be happy. You’ll figure it out. Just give yourself time.”

“I’m almost thirty. It feels like I should have my life together by now.” My voice dips lower. “I thought by this point, I’d be married, have a couple of kids, maybe a house in the suburbs.”

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Advertisement Never Your Girl (Western Wildcats Hockey #7) Read Online Jennifer Sucevic http://www.books2020.com/never-your-girl-western-wildcats-hockey-7-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Thu, 17 Apr 2025 13:14:42 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/never-your-girl-western-wildcats-hockey-7-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Genre: Alpha Male, College, Drama, Erotic, Sports Authors: Jennifer Sucevic Series: Western Wildcats Hockey Series by Jennifer Sucevic
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Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 83550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >84

Can you really blame me for loving the scandalous texts exposing Bridger Sanderson for the jerk he is? As far as I’m concerned, it’s sweet karma for ghosting me after we hooked up two years ago. Cocky, infuriating, and way too gorgeous for his own good, Bridger thinks he’s untouchable.

The best part?

He’s convinced I’m behind the messages.

I wish.

Unfortunately, my life takes a turn for the worst when Bridger uncovers my secret side hustle. Now he’s blackmailing me, forcing me to stick close—we’re talking 24/7—until he figures out who’s airing his dirty laundry on campus.

I should hate him for dragging me into his mess.

And I do…

Mostly.

Except… the more time we spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore how he looks at me. It's almost like he can see straight through the walls I’ve built to protect myself. Or how his own guard slips, revealing the cracks in his armor when he thinks I’m not paying attention.

The only person who’s ever gotten this close is ColdAsIce17, my anonymous confidant on the school chat app. With him, I can totally be myself.

But what happens when the lines blur between the guy I hate and the one I can’t stop thinking about?

What happens when I realize... they might be the same person?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Western University Chat App

FragileLikeABomb

So, do you message every random profile you come across, or am I just special?

ColdAsIce17

You caught me. I couldn’t resist. The username? Chef’s kiss.

FragileLikeABomb

Fragile and LikeABomb felt on-brand. I’m complicated.

ColdAsIce17

Complicated or dramatic?

FragileLikeABomb

Aren’t they the same thing? What’s your excuse for ColdAsIce?

ColdAsIce17

Thought it sounded cool. Pun intended.

FragileLikeABomb

Did you consider literally any other options?

ColdAsIce17

EmotionallyUnavailable17 was taken.

FragileLikeABomb

That one hits a little too close to home.

ColdAsIce17

Guess that makes us a perfect match.

FragileLikeABomb

Oh no. Absolutely not.

1

Holland

A digital chorus of beeps and dings sweeps through Slap Shotz like a wave as the buzzing of my phone coincides with dozens of others. In the split second before I read the message, I catch the shift in the room. The way conversations die mid-sentence, the collective intake of breath, the sudden tension that crackles through the air like static before a storm.

Anonymous message

Make sure someone sends the hockey ho penicillin in the morning. We all know she’s gonna need at least one dose. Maybe two.

Damn.

Shots fired.

I shouldn’t smile.

I really shouldn’t.

But there’s something darkly satisfying about watching the mighty fall, especially when that fall involves Bridger Sanderson. The same type of texts have been terrorizing him for months now, and no one has been able to trace their source.

Not the tech department.

Not campus security

Not even the chancellor himself.

As far as I’m concerned, Bridger deserves it.

If I didn’t believe in karma before, I certainly do now.

“Oh boy,” my bestie, Willow, mutters from where she’s sitting across from me. “That’s not good.”

“Says who?” I arch a brow, not bothering to hide my amusement.

Willow tips her head in Bridger’s direction. “Probably him.”

Near the bar, I can feel Bridger’s presence like a physical weight. He’s been brooding in the same spot all night, radiating the kind of darkness that makes people give him a wide berth.

Not that I’ve been watching.

Much.

Our eyes meet across the dim space, and that familiar jolt of awareness hits me like a sucker punch. His gray eyes narrow, and I respond with my middle finger, a gesture that feels childish even as I do it.

“Real mature,” Willow says dryly.

“What can I say? I have my moments.”

She flicks a glance at him before refocusing her attention on me. Questions and curiosity swim in her blue depths. “Are you ever going to tell me what happened between you two?”

I take a long sip of my root beer to buy time.

Not deterred in the least by my silence, she lifts a brow, prodding me for an answer. Only then do I grudgingly say, “Nope.”

“Ahhh. Now we’re finally getting somewhere.” She holds her hand up. “Stop. We’re bordering on information overload. Why must you be so dang chatty? It’s such a personality defect.”

I roll my eyes as a smile trembles around the corners of my lips.

I love Willow to pieces, but she doesn’t need to know the gory details of what happened between Bridger and me. Most of the time, I wish I could scrub them from my memory.

I’m saved from further interrogation when my phone chimes with a work reminder. Thirty minutes until my shift starts at a job my best friend doesn’t even know I have.

“I need to head out,” I say, already gathering my things.

“Already?” Willow frowns. “We’ve only been here for an hour.”

“Yeah.” I tuck an errant strand of hair behind my ear. “You know I can only handle being around these guys in small doses. Unfortunately for you, I’ve reached my quota of hockey players and drama for one night.”

“Want company?” she offers. “We could watch a horror movie like we used to. I’ll let you pick the goriest one, even though we both know I’ll have nightmares for weeks.”

The offer makes my chest ache with nostalgia.

I miss those days.

Now that Willow has a boyfriend, everything has changed.

“Nah, you stay here and celebrate with your man.” I force lightness into my tone that I don’t feel. “This week has been exhausting. I probably wouldn’t make it through the first murder. And that’s my favorite part.”

“I’m sorry, did you just say murder?” Maverick McKinnon’s eyebrows shoot up. “Should someone warn Bridger?”

“Please.” I grab my bag, glad for the excuse to shield my expression. “If I were going to murder Bridger Sanderson, I wouldn’t be foolish enough to incriminate myself by talking about it. And you’d never find the body. No body, no murder. Isn’t that how it works?”

“That’s...” Maverick glances at Willow. “Concerning.”

“Don’t worry,” my bestie says, tipping her face toward him with a softness that brings a small, wistful smile to my lips. “We were talking about movies.”

He brushes his lips across hers, whispering something that makes her giggle, and just like that, they’re in their own little world. I watch them for a moment, torn between genuine happiness for my best friend and a loneliness that cuts bone-deep. Willow deserves this—deserves him—after everything she’s been through. But sometimes I miss when it was just us against the world.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >84

Advertisement Break my Heart (Western Wildcats Hockey #6) Read Online Jennifer Sucevic http://www.books2020.com/break-my-heart-western-wildcats-hockey-6-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Wed, 25 Dec 2024 21:49:50 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/break-my-heart-western-wildcats-hockey-6-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Genre: Alpha Male Authors: Jennifer Sucevic Series: Western Wildcats Hockey Series by Jennifer Sucevic
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Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >89

After my life imploded last year, Dad decided that a change in scenery was necessary and moved us across the country.

I’ve done the one thing I never thought I would—leave the competitive skating world behind in the rearview mirror.
It hasn’t been easy.
Especially when the person buried in my past no longer wants to stay there.
Ever since stepping foot on campus, I’ve gone out of my way to avoid the hockey players that strut around like they’re God’s gift to the female species.
There’s a reason for that.
My father is Reed Philips, head coach for the Western Wildcats. The number one rule in our house has always been that I keep a healthy distance from his players.
That’s never been a problem.
And it’s not necessarily one now.
Except…
I’ve just had a major run in with Hayes Van Doren.
One that includes me walking in on him freshly showered in the locker room and him thinking I was there to deliver a special birthday present by dropping to my knees.
Oh, trust me…he got a treat all right.
One that left him singing soprano.
I might have spent most of this year flying under the radar where Hayes is concerned, but that’s no longer possible.
Everywhere I go, there he is.
Forcing his way into my life.
He’s a complication I don’t need.
Or want.
Except…
He’s decided to change my mind about that.
The question is—will I let him?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

1

Ava

Unknown number:

We need to talk.

Those four words hit me like a punch to the gut, and the ground drops from beneath my feet. My sneakers squeak against the tile floor of the corridor as I stumble to a halt. As I stare at my phone, the words blur before my eyes.

I really thought this nightmare was finally over.

It takes a handful of seconds for my brain to play mental catch up as my fingers hover over the keyboard, and I fight the urge to smash my cell against the wall. It’s so tempting to ignore the message and pretend I never saw it.

How the hell did he get my number?

Again.

Every time I change my digits, he figures it out. My heart slams against my ribcage as a potent concoction of anger and frustration surges through me like wildfire.

Screw him.

That’s all it takes for something to snap inside me as I stab out a response.

Me:

Don’t contact me again. There’s nothing more for us to say.

Nausea roils in my stomach as I hit send.

Why won’t he leave me alone? It’s been more than a year.

Before I can take a steady breath, my phone vibrates with another message.

Unknown number:

We both know that’s not true. There’s quite a bit to say. In person.

No.

There’s no way that will ever happen.

This time, I don’t bother with a reply.

My thumb lingers for half a second before I block the number.

Not that it’ll do any good.

With a frustrated huff, I pocket the phone in my jacket and shove through the door into the men’s locker room.

Transferring to Western was supposed to be a fresh start. That’s one of the reasons Dad took the head coaching position last summer—to give all of us a break from the mess back home.

It seems like no matter how far or fast I run, some things refuse to stay buried in the past.

The second I step inside, I’m hit by a wave of steamy moisture, thick in the air with the undeniable scent of sweat, wet gear, and damp towels.

My nose scrunches.

You’d think I’d be used to it by now, having spent my whole life around hockey teams.

But men’s locker rooms?

They always reek.

I hesitate inside the door, cocking my head and listening for signs of life. The steady drip of water echoing from the showers is the only sound that can be heard.

Thank God.

Dad would totally lose it if I walked in on the guys undressing.

For as long as I can remember, there’s been a strict no-hockey-players rule in place. It was never a problem because I was too busy skating to notice them.

I’ve been on the ice since I was four. After one of my coaches said I was a natural, my parents signed me up for private lessons. The next thing I knew, we were traveling all over the country. By the time I was twelve, we had uprooted our entire lives so I could train with a world-renowned coach. My life revolved around the rink—practice, competition—and little else.

Until last year.

I shove that depressing thought away as I swing around the corner and stumble to a halt. My eyes widen as I take in the naked guy with his back turned toward me. There’s not even a towel slung around his waist to shield the view.

Somewhere in the back of my brain, I realize I should retreat or, at the very least, stop staring, but I can’t pull my attention away from the sight in front of me. His back is broad and rippling with muscles, each one perfectly defined.

Before I can stop myself, my gaze dips lower. His ass is just as finely sculpted as the rest of him.

Tight.

Perfect.

Damn.

I suck in a harsh breath and almost choke. A coughing fit is the last thing I need right now. The noise is enough to alert him to my presence, and he swings around.

His green eyes lock on mine, and there’s a beat of silence as the air thickens with something I can’t quite place.

My heartbeat stutters.

And still, he doesn’t bother to cover himself. His eyes scan me lazily, as if he catches girls sneaking into the locker room and eating up his naked body with their gazes all the time.

Who knows, maybe he does.

His gaze never wavers as he lifts the white towel to dry his damp hair. The guy is completely unfazed that he’s stark naked, dripping, and on full display.

If only my reaction were just as casual.

Heat floods my cheeks, as if I’m the one who’s been caught without a stitch of clothing.

My eyes do the exact opposite of what I tell them to. They should be locked on his face, but no, they take a slow and thorough tour of his body. First, the broad expanse of his chest—all hard muscle and glistening with droplets of water.

My mouth turns cottony as my attention drifts lower. I can’t help but catalogue the ridges of his abs. There are eight of them, by the way. I swear, he’s got abs on top of abs. It would be difficult not to appreciate every contour.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >89

Advertisement Mine to Take (Western Wildcats Hockey #6) Read Online Jennifer Sucevic http://www.books2020.com/mine-to-take-western-wildcats-hockey-6-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Sat, 31 Aug 2024 08:13:41 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/mine-to-take-western-wildcats-hockey-6-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Genre: Alpha Male, College, Contemporary, Sports Authors: Jennifer Sucevic Series: Western Wildcats Hockey Series by Jennifer Sucevic
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Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >87

What could be worse than having a one-night stand with my twin’s biggest rival on the ice?
Umm…nothing.
Nothing is worse than that.
It’s the reason why my brother can never find out that I hooked up with Maverick McKinnon, ridiculously hot defenseman for the Western Wildcats. It doesn’t matter if the memories from our night together are enough to make my toes curl and my panties—
Well, you get the idea.
He’s the first guy to come along and not treat me like I’ll shatter into a million pieces when he lays his hands on me. Even if there’s a teeny tiny part within that would like to see him again, the fallout would be brutal.
I have enough to deal with. Like trying to break out of the box my family has placed me in since my diagnosis.
The only problem?
I’ve lost something valuable.
Something I need back.
And I’m pretty sure whose bed I’ll find it in.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

1

Maverick

I lift the bottle to my lips and take a swig of cold beer as my gaze skims over the crowd. Music pumps, the bass vibrating in my bones. People are dancing and cutting loose on a Friday night.

We won our game yesterday.

Afterward, we all headed to Slap Shotz to celebrate with rounds of shots and karaoke. It’s the unofficial home of the Western Wildcats hockey team.

There’s barely time to revel in our victory before we have to prepare for our next game against the East Town University Rattlers.

That’s one we abso-fucking-lutely need to win.

Even thinking about their left wing, River Thompson, pisses me off. I crack the muscles in my neck to loosen the mounting tension. The rivalry between us dates back to high school. He’s a right wing and always looking to score. I’m a defenseman and always shutting him the fuck down.

On more than one occasion, we’ve come to blows on the ice.

Aw, hell…who am I trying to kid?

It’s unusual if we don’t get into a brawl and end up in the box.

I’m knocked from the tangle of those thoughts when slender hands glide their way up my chest, and I find myself staring down at the dark-haired beauty beaming up at me.

“Hey, Mav. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

I lift the bottle to my lips again and take another drink. “Looks like you found me.”

Her grin intensifies. “Lucky me.”

Jenna Montgomery.

She’s one of the Wildcats’ biggest fans, if you know what I mean.

I flick another glance around the room.

It gets snagged by Ryder and Juliette playing kissy face.

My nose scrunches.

They really need to warn people before engaging in PDA.

Ugh.

Even though they’ve been together for a couple of months, I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that my best friend and sister are now an item.

Should I have seen it coming from a million miles away?

Probably.

I’ve always sensed the tension that vibrated in the air when they were in the same room together. It’s been that way since middle school. I’d just assumed they hated each other.

Joke’s on me—turns out the opposite was true.

When my chest tightens, I shove those thoughts from my head.

Not that I’d admit it to anyone else, but I miss the way things used to be before they started dating. Ryder was usually down for anything. We’d chill out and play a little NHL or Madden on the Xbox. Sometimes we’d head to the bars after practice. Or we’d get a lift in.

Now he spends all his spare time with Juliette.

Hey, it’s not like I begrudge their happiness.

I really don’t.

I just wish it weren’t at my expense.

A sigh escapes me.

And now I sound like the world’s biggest pussy.

Exactly what I didn’t want.

Unable to watch them make out for another second, my gaze settles on Wolf and Fallyn. Another couple who recently got together.

Or maybe a more accurate description would be that they were just hitched in Vegas.

Yeah…

Mind completely blown.

Who the fuck gets married when they’re twenty-two?

Especially someone who has the hockey world by the balls.

I shake my head.

The answer to that question would be Wolf Westerville—future NHL goalie for Boston.

And then there’s Ford and Carina, Riggs and Stella, Madden and Viola, and last, but certainly not least, our newest couple on the block—Colby and Britt.

Christ, the guy can’t keep his damn hands off her.

Turns out, they secretly tied the knot in Vegas as well.

It wasn’t all that long ago when these guys were single and ready to mingle.

Or get laid by groupies.

Now, however?

It’s me, Bridger, and Hayes.

We’re the last ones standing.

“Maverick?”

I really hate all these maudlin thoughts trying to weigh me down. There’s been too many of them lately.

I stare into Jenna’s green eyes. “Yeah?”

She presses closer until I feel the rounded softness of her breasts against my chest. “You seem tense. I know exactly what will help with that.”

I’m sure she does.

Jenna’s superpower is that she’s capable of making you forget your own name.

Maybe that’s exactly what I need.

To forget all this bullshit pressing in at the edges.

When I don’t pounce on the offer, she stretches onto the tips of her toes and nips my lower lip with sharp white teeth.

“Trust me, I’ll make it worth your while,” she adds in a husky voice that’s chock-full of promise.

And just like that, my decision is made.

I jerk my head in a tight nod. “Sure, let’s go.”

A sly smile lifts the corners of her pink-slicked lips before she grabs my hand and drags me toward the staircase. On the way across the living room, Hayes catches my eye and smirks. His hands are full with two eager bunnies.

Now that Colby has officially retired his dick, Hayes is drowning in pussy. By the look on his face, he couldn’t be more thrilled with the predicament.

And Bridger?

He’s off moping in a corner by his lonesome.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >87

Advertisement Dare You to Love Me (Western Wildcats Hockey #5) Read Online Jennifer Sucevic http://www.books2020.com/dare-you-to-love-me-western-wildcats-hockey-5-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Wed, 07 Aug 2024 09:50:28 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/dare-you-to-love-me-western-wildcats-hockey-5-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Sports Authors: Jennifer Sucevic Series: Western Wildcats Hockey Series by Jennifer Sucevic
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Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 13963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 70(@200wpm)___ 56(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 >14

Riggs has always been my best friend. So what if I’ve started to notice that the guys
I’m now attracted to bear an uncanny resemblance to the hot hockey player?
That’s not necessarily a problem, is it?
All right, so maybe it is.
Don’t worry…I have a plan to put the kibosh on the inappropriate fantasies rolling
around in my head. It involves going out with someone who’s the opposite of my bestie.
Except…the date turns out to be a total disaster.
And who’s there to laugh it off with me later that evening?
You guessed it—Riggs.
It only takes a little game of truth or dare to realize that nothing will ever be the
same between us again.

*This is a Christmas Novella in the Western Wildcats Hockey Series and is 12,500 words*

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

RIGGS

Stella drops her floral duffle in the corner of my room. “Are you sure you don’t mind me staying for a few days?”

I roll my eyes.

Why is this girl even asking?

She has to know that whatever she needs, I’m here for her.

“Hell, no. I already told you—stay as long as you want. It’s not a problem.”

She tilts her blonde head just a bit before searching my face. “You don’t mind sharing your room with me?” There’s a slight pause as she shifts. “The last thing I want to do is get in your way. What happens if you want to bring a girl up here and…you know…” Her voice trails off.

It’s steadily that I hold her gaze. “Trust me, you don’t have to worry about that.”

When she arches her brows as if encouraging me to explain, I clear my throat and steer the topic in a different direction.

It takes effort to lighten my tone. “If you’re not comfortable sharing a bed, I can always bunk with one of the guys or on the couch downstairs.”

Her face scrunches. “Eww. That’s disgusting. I wouldn’t make my worst enemy sleep on that couch.”

It’s no secret that the oversized piece of furniture in the living room has seen way too much action over the years. Some of which has probably been embedded in the fabric for all eternity.

“It’ll be like when we used to have sleepovers,” she says. “Remember?”

Of course I do. Stella and I have known each other since elementary school. Her house was situated in back of mine and it didn’t take long for us to become thick as thieves. And nothing in all these years has altered that.

All right so maybe that’s not a hundred percent true. It was sometime during freshman year of high school that my feelings for her began to change. They’ve slowly deepened, growing into something more.

Have I ever acted on them?

Hell, no.

Are you kidding me?

Stella doesn’t see me as anything other than her bestie.

How do I know this?

Because she has absolutely no problem talking to me about all the dates she goes on.

FYI—that girl goes through guys the way some people go through underwear. I’ve had cartons of milk sitting in my fridge that have been around longer than some of her so-called boyfriends.

I force a smile before shoving those thoughts away. “Sure do. Don’t worry, it’ll be fun. Just like old times. Did I mention that the guys are throwing a party tonight? We can hang out and have a few drinks.”

And I’ll do my damnedest not to obsess about what it’ll be like to have her all to myself in my bed.

A frown flickers across her expression. “You should have said something sooner. I already made plans for the evening.”

Everything inside me nosedives as I attempt to keep my response casual. “Oh?”

With a shrug, she swings away, squatting to rifle through her duffle bag. “Yeah, someone I met on the Western U dating app.”

I cross my arms against my chest and grit my teeth so tightly that it feels like the molars are in imminent danger of shattering. It takes a concerted effort to unlock my jaw. I fucking hate the idea of her going out with another dude.

Especially when she’s coming home to me at the end of the night.

I straighten to my full height as another thought slams into me with the force of a two-by-four. “You’re, ah, planning on sleeping here…right?”

If she doesn’t, I’ll—

She tosses a mischievous glance over her shoulder before flashing a sly grin. “I’ll let you know if things go really well, and I spend the night elsewhere.”

What?

Oh.

Hell.

No.

A tortured groan escapes from me at the idea of her having sex with someone else when her ass should be in my bed.

Her brow furrows as she sends another glance over her shoulder. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”

I clear my throat. “Just that you should bring him by afterward.”

So I can pummel his ass.

With her clothes for the evening in hand, she pops back up before swallowing the distance between us and pressing a light kiss against my cheek.

“You’re the absolute best, know that?”

Unfortunately for me, the absolute best apparently isn’t what she’s looking for.

Before I can suss out the situation any further, she disappears through the bedroom door and into the bathroom to change.

STELLA

The front porch of the hockey house is strung with colorful lights that blink in the darkness, giving the dilapidated old Victorian a festive appearance. There’s a six-foot evergreen shoved in the corner. It’s decorated with pucks and white hockey stick tape. Upon closer inspection, there are also metal beer caps with holes punched at the top and threaded with string that dangles from branches.

Even though the windows are closed to keep out the frigid air, music pours from the house. It could be heard from down the block where we parked. Riggs wasn’t kidding when he said the guys were throwing a party. From the looks of it, half the university showed up to help celebrate how well the team is doing this season. Everyone’s excited for them to make it to the Frozen Four and bring home another championship title.

<<<<1 2 3 11 >14

Advertisement Never Say Never (Western Wildcats Hockey #4) Read Online Jennifer Sucevic http://www.books2020.com/never-say-never-western-wildcats-hockey-4-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Sat, 27 Apr 2024 17:49:08 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/never-say-never-western-wildcats-hockey-4-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, New Adult, Sports Authors: Jennifer Sucevic Series: Western Wildcats Hockey Series by Jennifer Sucevic
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Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 92422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >92

Colby McNichols, otherwise known as the baby-faced assassin, is the left wing for the Western Wildcats hockey team. All he has to do is sign his name on the dotted line and he’ll play for the pros after his senior season. What I’ve heard from the girls on campus, who aren’t shy about spilling the tea, is that he’s totally earned his reputation.

And then some.

It’s just one of the reasons I choose to steer clear.

Trust me when I say that my life is complicated enough without getting tangled up with a player.

For reasons I can’t fathom, Colby has decided to insert himself in my life. Everywhere I go, there he is. Which makes holding him at a distance nearly impossible. He might be smoking hot but there’s zero point in starting something with this guy. Especially since I can’t be honest about who I am.

Unfortunately, a weekend spent in Vegas changes everything.

Turns out that our friends weren’t the only ones who tied the knot in Sin City.

I can only hope that what they say is true—what happens in Vegas stays there.

Because if it doesn’t…

I’m screwed.

And not in a good way.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

1

BRITT

The guy hasn’t said a single word yet, and already my skin is buzzing with awareness. How is it possible that his steady gaze sliding over my body feels more like a physical caress than anything else?

It doesn’t make the least bit of sense.

I’m not into his brand of handsome.

He’s way too attractive for his own good.

Even worse than that?

He knows it.

And uses it as a weapon of female destruction.

I’m well acquainted with his type.

And I’m not interested.

If only it were possible to stomp out the arousal that has settled at the bottom of my belly like an unmovable stone.

Ever since stepping foot on campus in August, I’ve been inundated with the stories that circulate regarding Colby McNichols. At this point, they’re more like urban legends or Western University folklore. Tales that will be passed down for generations to come. Even if I hadn’t heard about him, it would be impossible not to catch sight of all the girls that cling to the guy like baby rhesus monkeys.

And not one at a time, either.

These chicks don’t care if they need to share him just to get a small taste.

Can you even imagine?

Ummm….no thanks.

In fact, I just threw up in my mouth.

Gross.

On both accounts.

Mr. Too Hot to Handle needs to move it along, because I am definitely not a puck bunny who’ll fall onto her back and spread her legs wide. Or a groupie that’ll hang on his every word, hoping to be chosen for the night. This guy eats girls up like sugary cereal in the morning before moving onto the next thirty minutes later.

I’m probably giving him way too much credit.

More like fifteen.

I bet his starfish impression is dead on.

Sadly, they love him for it.

I just can’t.

“I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure of meeting,” he says, deep voice smooth and brimming with confidence as he interrupts my conversation with Carina.

I got to know the pretty blonde dancer during the fall semester and really clicked with her. She seems more like a girl’s girl.

Which is refreshing.

And I enjoy her friends just as much. Juliette, Stella, Viola, and Fallyn are all great girls who have welcomed me into their tight-knit group with open arms. This is the first time in almost a decade that I can actually say I have a handful of genuine female friendships. They have no idea just how much that means to me.

Maybe if I ignore him long enough, he’ll get the hint and exit stage left.

A second or two ticks by before he turns up the wattage of his smile. It makes the dimples in his cheeks pop and flash. It takes effort to stomp out the zip of electricity attempting to sizzle its way through my veins.

“What’s your name, beautiful?”

Sigh.

So much for him picking up what I’m laying down.

When it becomes obvious that he isn’t going to get lost until I double down on my disinterest, I flick a steely look in his direction.

One that will hopefully shrivel his balls.

“I’m not interested. So, feel free to move it along.”

Dismissing him, I resume my convo with Carina.

That hard-edged tone is usually enough to cause the most obnoxious of men to deflate like a popped balloon and slink away with their tails tucked firmly between their legs.

I’ve spent years honing it so that it’s razor sharp.

And just as deadly.

I’ve handled men twice my age who are execs in the biz and think that makes me fair game. So, putting this college hockey playing hottie in his place should be a piece of cake.

I wince at the unconscious descriptor.

His brows pinch as he blinks in confusion. “Excuse me?”

I’m forced to turn more fully in his direction before annunciating carefully as if talking to a two-year-old, “I said that I wasn’t interested. Hockey players aren’t my thing. Now, if you’ll⁠—”

The muscles in his face soften as he flashes another dazzling smile that’s even more swoonworthy than the first before giving me an—are you cray-cray look. Confidence drips from every word. “Sweetheart, I’m everybody’s thing.”

Thrown off by his response, my eyes widen as a burst of laughter escapes from me. This guy really is full of himself.

I mean…sure, I’d heard he was, but seeing it in action firsthand is another matter entirely. All I can say is that it’ll be an absolute pleasure to disabuse him of the notion that he can have any girl he wants simply by flashing his dimples. As I reach out and pat his clean-shaven cheek, another surge of desire flares to life before I douse it like an out-of-control kitchen fire.

“I’m sure that you are, pretty boy. But not mine.”

Genuine interest ignites in his eyes as he invades my personal space. It’s tempting to retreat a step, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction.

“Here’s an idea—how about you let me buy you a shot and we’ll see just how wrong you are when I roll out of your bed in the morning?”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >92

Advertisement Never Mine to Hold (Western Wildcats Hockey #3) Read Online Jennifer Sucevic http://www.books2020.com/never-mine-to-hold-western-wildcats-hockey-3-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Sun, 21 Jan 2024 18:56:02 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/never-mine-to-hold-western-wildcats-hockey-3-read-online-jennifer-sucevic Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Sports, Virgin Authors: Jennifer Sucevic Series: Western Wildcats Hockey Series by Jennifer Sucevic
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Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >98

Wolf Westerville.
There was a time when my world revolved around him, and I’d foolishly thought he’d be the one to claim all my firsts. Those dreams shattered into a million jagged pieces when the unthinkable happened.

Five years later and we both attend the same college. He’s a superstar goaltender for the Western Wildcats with a ticket to the NHL. I’m just trying to make it through the last year and a half of college all the while doing my best to avoid him.
Wolf has decided that it’s time for us to get reacquainted. As far as I’m concerned, he can shove that idea where the sun doesn’t shine.

Better yet, he can bend over, and I’ll happily do it for him.

He might not realize it, but my life is splintering apart at the seams. My parents have lost everything and can’t pay my tuition for the second semester, which means I need to figure something out.

Fast.

Or I’ll be forced to drop out and move back home.

Unwilling to allow that to happen, I decide to sell the only thing I have of value.

My V-card.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter 1

Fallyn

“I’m sorry?” My knees buckle as I slump to the queen-sized mattress with a soft bounce. “What do you mean the tuition bill hasn’t been paid this semester? There has to be a mistake.”

Other than the sharp clicking of a computer keyboard, silence fills the line. Each second that ticks by only ratchets up my nerves and the unsteady thumping of my heart until it sounds more like the dull roar of the ocean in my ears.

“I’m afraid there’s not.” Her voice softens but remains firm. “I’ve checked your account several times. The entire balance for the second semester is outstanding. It was supposed to be paid by the first of the month, which means it’s ten days overdue.”

A thick lump settles in my throat as I stare sightlessly at the silver-framed photo of my brother and me propped on my desk. Our arms are wrapped around each other, and we’re both grinning at the camera without a care in the world.

A decade later, life couldn’t feel more different.

I’d give just about anything to go back to that idyllic moment. If I squeeze my eyes tight, I can still hear the sound of the lake in the distance and feel the bright sunlight shining down, warming my face.

“Ms. DiMarco?” There’s a pause. “Are you still there?”

The memories dissolve like wisps of smoke as I blink back to the present. “Yeah, I’m here.”

Unfortunately.

“I’m going to make an appointment for you. Tomorrow at one o’clock, all right? Hopefully you and your advisor will be able to figure out a solution.”

My shoulders collapse as if there’s a thousand-pound weight resting on them. “As soon as I get off the phone, I’ll call my parents. I’m sure it was just an oversight on their part.” My palm settles on my lower abdomen as if that will settle the nausea that has taken up residence.

“Perhaps.” Skepticism creeps into her tone.

As soon as I disconnect the call, I hit Mom’s icon on the screen.

She picks up on the third ring. Already her voice is tinged with concern. “Hi, sweetie. We haven’t heard from you in a few days. Is everything good?”

I’m way too distraught to bother with pleasantries. “I don’t know. The school just called, and my tuition still hasn’t been paid.”

The statement is met with a deafening silence that only reconfirms this was in no way an oversight before she murmurs, “I should get your father.”

The faint prickling at the bottom of my belly turns into full-fledged pterodactyls attempting to wing their way to life. I don’t realize that the hand not holding my cell in a death grip has drifted to the middle of my chest to rub my scar.

There’s a brief shuffling of the phone before Dad clears his throat. I can already tell that whatever he has to say won’t be good. “Hey, Fallyn.”

Exhaustion fills his voice. And maybe something else.

Resignation.

Defeat.

Things I never expected to hear from him.

“Hi, Dad. Why wasn’t my tuition bill paid this semester?”

A heavy silence follows.

“We’ve been dealing with some financial issues. I was hoping they could be resolved, but in light of current events, that now seems unlikely.”

My face scrunches as I pop to my feet and pace the length of my room. “What kind of issues?”

“That dirty bastard Westerville staged a coup and forced me out of the company,” he bites out. Once his anger has been unleashed, there’s no putting it neatly back inside a box.

I stutter to a stop as my eyes widen. My heart stalls before slamming into overdrive beneath my breast. “A coup? When?”

“A few days before Christmas,” he says with a grunt.

What?

My tongue darts out to moisten parched lips as I swing around and stalk the length of my room. Even though I try to keep my voice level, it continues to escalate. “But that was weeks ago. I was home during the entire break, and you never said a word.”

In hindsight, I realize that he was absent most of the time, locked away in his home office. When he wasn’t there, he was preoccupied and grumpy. I didn’t think much about it because the holidays are always difficult.

Why would this one be any different?

“I spoke with my lawyer, hoping to overturn the decision or force him out on his ass instead, but there’s nothing I can do. The sneaky bastard went behind my back and turned everyone against me.” His voice rises with each word he spits out until I have to hold the phone away from my ear. “After everything that family has taken from us, he does something like this!”

Now doesn’t seem like the appropriate time to mention that he attempted to do the very same thing a few years ago. Their once-close relationship became tenuous after the accident and then downright hostile when Dad tried to force him out.

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