~ 2021 WATTY'S SHORTLIST ~ "I-well, I..." I hesitated with my response. I wanted to let go. To not worry about what would happen in the future. I'd always loved staring into fires. It hypnotized me with its beauty and danger. It was so tantalizing to look at, but one little touch could destroy. I knew the heat between Tyler and I was similar. It started off small but it had only grown in the weeks he'd been here. We'd fed it unintentionally, and it had gone from an ember to a crackling flame. Every nerve in my body wanted to reach out and touch it, even though I knew I'd get burned. *************************************************** Pia Callahan always lived a carefree life with no worries. Her only responsibilities were to attend her college classes (sometimes) and keep herself fed (on ramen). When tragedy strikes, Pia is all of the sudden thrown into a whirlwind of change. She has to grow up and take on more responsibility than she could ever imagine: the custody of her best friend's son. Pia may not believe she is the best person for the job, but she is determined to do it. She'll trade in frat parties for PTA meetings and beer-bongs for apple juice. But what happens when the ruggedly hot motocross athlete Tyler Westwood shows up in her small town? Tyler lives on the fast track, never caring too much about consequences. You can't when your job is to do backflips through the air. Sometimes, you just have to send it and hope for the best. From the second Tyler meets Pia, he knows he wants her. But she is determined to ignore their bubbling chemistry. She has priorities now and a summer fling isn't one of them. Will Pia be able to stay away from Tyler? Or will she decide to hit the throttle? ***************************************************

A guarded college quarterback's dark past resurfaces when classmate Elena Madison pierces his cold exterior, sparking a dangerous connection that could either redeem or destroy them both. *** Everyone at Ohio State University knows about Blake Andrews, the infamous all-star quarterback of the football team and rumored insomniac. Most refer to him as crude, egotistical, and cold. It isn't until he meets Elena Madison that his world is suddenly flipped upside down. She brings the dark past he has tried to keep hidden for years up to the surface, risking pulling them both under for good. Undeniable attraction radiates between the two clashing souls and he begins to wonder if she can save him from the darkness within him. He's never met someone with such an irritating personality; with her persistent desire to know more about him despite his exhausted efforts to push her away. She is about to uncover what's hidden under his rough and cold exterior-whether she's ready for it or not. After all, eyes are the window to the soul. *** "Thank you," he murmurs sleepily, raising his hand to bring it to my cheek. His thumb slides against my soft skin slowly, it burns hot at his touch. "For what?" I question, my eyes feeling very swollen and heavy now. He takes a deep breath and swallows. "For being my light." *** *MATURE* HIGHEST RANKINGS #1 in enemiestolovers #1 in collegeromance #1 in panicattacks #1 in badboy #1 in brooding #1 in enemiestofriends #1 in trauma #1 in grumpyxsunshine