Emma: shy, traumatized, and an ex-wild child. Duke: violent, abusive, and out for revenge. Ryder: sarcastic, sexy, and champion MMA fighter. Emma is determined to slide through freshmen year at college as if she were invisible; no drama, no risks, and especially NO BOYS. Nothing that could risk the quiet life she's gotten so good at living. Enter Ryder, an attractive and mysterious MMA fighter clad in tattoos and a fellow student at Emma's college. He has a notorious reputation for skipping classes, not to mention the fights he's constantly getting into and the trail of broken hearts he leaves wherever he goes. But there's something about him, something feral, that Emma finds fascinating. So when Emma's past rises up for another round, will Ryder be able to protect her or will he fall prey to his own past that may be even more dangerous than Emma could possibly have imagined? In a world filled with danger and suspense, only time will tell if love will triumph when it comes to two individuals who aren't perfect...until they're together. - © 2013 (PG-13) *Available for purchase on amazon.com with EPILOGUE included!!!

~~~ Ryder's face turned angry as he pushed me back up against a wall. His face hovered inches from mine. I could feel his hot breath on my lips that smelled like cinnamon. With his chest pressed up against mine, my heart was beating rapidly while he smirked and leaned closer, if that was even possible. "Don't mess with me Ruby. You won't like the consequences." "And what would those be?" I asked breathlessly. His lips brushed against my ear and I drew in a breath. I could feel him smiling. "You'll see." ~~~ Ryder Daniels is arrogant, cocky, and your typical bad boy. He fights, rides a motorcycle, and attracts as many girls as a local Starbucks would. With his Greek God body, every girl falls for him, but he only breaks their hearts by playing them. Ruby Buchanan is the new girl, but not the nerdy one that would get picked on, but a fighter. After her parent's divorce, she had to move from sunny California to cold Pennsylvania. The only way she can get the stress and frustration out from her is to fight. With an unexpected run in with the school's hot 'bad boy', she needs to stay away from this annoying prick with his perfect looks and smirk. She also unfortunately finds out that he's her neighbor. But after spending time with Ryder, will she be able to keep her feelings at bay? Or will she realize that there are deeper feelings toward Ryder than she thought? And when Ryder finds out the twisted past about Ruby, will he run to the hills, or fight for her? ACTUAL COMPLETION DATE: 1/27/2015 This book is now published on Barnes and Noble NOOK, Amazon Kindle, Apple iBookstore, Lulu, and Kobo bookstores FOR FREE!

Alexa Grey. Brandon Flemming. Sebastian O'Connor. Girl. Boxer. Fighter. --- excerpt --- A boy around my age was getting mercilessly beaten by someone with their back to me. I recoiled in horror at the sight of blood everywhere and the cracking of his ribs as punch after punch knocked through him. The boy must have noticed that I was there as he lifted his head, looking at me with a desperate plea for help. Then his attacker turned around and my eyes nervously met Sebastian's. Within milliseconds, anger overtook me and I stormed over. "Leave." Sebastian growled, barely even glancing at me as he pushed me straight into a brick wall. "Stop hitting him," I gasped, trying to get my breath back as I moved away from the wall. "Get out of here." There was nothing but stone cold harshness in Sebastian's voice as he ordered me once again to leave. "No." My breath had been regained and I was standing taller now, my confidence for some reason soaring. "I said," He spat out the words, turning away from the boy and towards me, "to get out of here." "Make me." I didn't even blink as I locked eyes with him, daring him to lay another finger on me. "Fine." Sebastian slammed me back against the wall, grabbing my bandaged wrist and twisting it. There was nothing I could do to hold back the small scream that escaped my lips as he applied more and more pressure. Yet I made no attempt to move away. "Don't touch him." I managed to say, desperately trying to keep my voice as smooth as possible. "I don't have to listen to you," He scoffed. "You don't. But you should." "Oh, and why should I?" Sebastian had visibly calmed down now, it was obvious. Even the tight grip on my wrist had loosened completely. "Because you're better than that." I replied softly, moving myself away from the wall and glancing down at the semi-conscious boy. "You over-estimate me then." With that, Sebastian dropped back and walked off without a single look behind him.