The Defender

Book Excerpt

Veronica

Is everything okay? Devin stands in the threshold of the kitchen doorway.

Eeekk! I jump straight into the air. Could I possibly make a bigger ass out of myself? I mentally roll my eyes but keep my face devoid of emotions. At least, I hope so. Perfect. Liar. Liar. Pants on fire.

His brown eyes take in the scene, and I cringe. Martha Stewart can kiss my ass. She makes everything look effortless, and I find a way to destroy it.

Here. Let me. He rushes over and grabs ahold of the chair.

His fingers brush mine, and I jerk back like I’ve set my hand on a hot burner. Thank you.

His gaze travels over my face and settles on my lips. He lets go of the chair and trails his thumb over my cheek as the fire alarm continues to blare. Holy hell. My nipples tighten in response to his touch, forcing me to straighten my knees to keep from falling on my ass.

Did you get burned? His eyes narrow, causing his brow to wrinkle.

Shit. No. I’m fine. Girl, get your head out of the clouds. He’s not the least bit interested. I’m just his best friend’s fuck-up of a sister.

His hand drops to his side. I’ll get the smoke detector.

Thanks. As he moves across the floor, I stare at his ass. Lord, he’s good looking.

Not that my brother has a friend that isn’t worthy of having his own calendar shoot. I’m surrounded by hot football players and haven’t seen any action since I got pregnant with my daughter.

What the fuck did you do? The cacophony of the vent and the blaring smoke detector nearly drown out his words.

Nothing, I ground out and rush to the stove.

Looks like you did plenty. His voice is laced with ridicule.

Shut it. I grab the oven mitt and pull the charred loaf of bread out of the oven. The door snaps shut.

The obnoxious buzzing goes silent, and Devin hops down from the chair. His thigh muscles bulge under his athletic shorts, and my once stiff knees wobble. Holy fuck. He’s tight. The vision of his body hovering over mine as he thrusts into my core fills my brain and turns my body to mush.

Veronica? Devin cocks his head to the side.

Hmmm? My eyes widen, and I freeze in place. Shit. Please, don’t tell me I moaned out loud. The blast of the vent behind me is the only sound in the room. Surely, if I did, the noise drowned it out.

Are you okay? Gunner skirts the island and slaps his hand over my forehead. You’re flushed and spacey.

Yes. I’m fine. I jerk backward and bump into the stove. Stop that obnoxious sound. I twist on my heel and flip off the exhaust. I hate the noise of the exhaust fan, it’s like nails on a chalkboard. Maybe, you shouldn’t cook. Shut up. Big mouth.

Contents

Book Excerpt

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-One

Epilogue

The Lie

Free Book

About the Author

Book Review

Chapter One

Veronica

When I step into the living room, my breath catches in my throat like I’ve been hit smack in the stomach with a two-by-four. Sitting on the sofa is Devin Grant, one of my brother, Gunner’s, best friends.

Over the last almost three years, I’ve seen him weekly, so I should be used to my visceral reaction to him, but I’m never prepared.

Gunner glances up from the television. Hey, Vee.

The game is frozen in motion with my brother’s arm pulled back and ready to strike. Gunner’s the quarterback for our professional team, and we’ve shared a place since I left my ex-husband. Okay, he’s let me squat here. He’s awesome like that.

Veronica. Devin’s eyes scan me from head to toe, and then, his attention returns to the screen as fast as it settled on me.

Shit. Sweatpants and a food-stained t-shirt are sexy as fuck. Yeah, riiight.

I didn’t realize you had company. I bend down and pick up one of Joselyn’s stuffed animals. The rabbit has seen better days. It has a tattered ear where she sucked on it when she was teething.

But there’s no way I’d ever get rid of it. The one time we lost her pink blanket lives in infamy. My daughter was a snot-filled sobbing mess. Well, not so much snot-filled as snot-overflowing.

We’re watching film. Gunner hits a button on the remote, and the noise of the crowd and the drone of the announcer fills the spacious living room. See, right there?

Yeah, I see what you’re saying. The defensive tackle’s automatic reaction is to move left. Devin leans into the cushions with his large arms crossed over his chest and his legs spread in front of him.

Stop staring. I jerk my attention back to the pile of toys on the floor.

We can use that to our advantage, Gunner replies. The television pauses again. The back and forth, off and on motion of the television is a regular occurrence in the Sinclair household.

Yep, I took my maiden name back. There was no question I wanted to rid myself of every speck of stench related to Rafael Steadman, excluding my daughter, Joselyn. The man’s spirit scent is Ode of Refuse Center.

When Gunner isn’t at the stadium working out, he’s watching film. My brother is obsessed. If he spent half as much time trying to get laid, he wouldn’t be able to get out of bed. And he drags Devin into his rabbit hole fixation.

I press my lips together to keep my lower lip from poking out. Why do I pout every time he’s here? Because I’ve had the hots for Devin for over a year, and he doesn’t notice a damn thing I do.

Great point. Devin unlaces his arms and points to the screen. I can slip between those two players before either of them can shift inside.

I glance at the screen they’re glued to. I could strip naked and streak through the room, and neither of them would notice a thing. Give it up, girl. No guy wants a divorced woman with stretch marks and a readymade family.

Might as well make myself useful and stop ogling him. Do you guys want something to eat?

Sure, Vee. Gunner grins. That would be fantastic.

Veronica, you don’t have to bother getting anything for me. I’ll eat when I go home. Devin glares at Gunner. You’ve got better things to do than feed two grown men.

It’s okay. Joselyn’s asleep, and I was heading into the kitchen anyway.

Make yourself useful and grab some sandwiches, Gunner smirks.

Asshole, I mutter under my breath and twist on my heel.

Your fucking legs aren’t broken. Get off your ass and fix your own food. Devin’s voice sounds clipped.

A warm rush of gooeyness floods through me as he comes to my defense. Devin may play running back on the field, but he’s always got my back. But damn it, I want him to have my front too and everything in between.

Screw you. She lives here for free.

Kiss my ass, I call out over my shoulder.

Don’t be ridiculous. You’re acting like an asshole, Devin grumbles.

I love my brother. We’re thick as thieves, but we pick on each other like a couple of grade-schoolers. Of all Gunner’s friends, it drives Devin nuts the most, and he’s reaching his boiling point.

I am an asshole. Gunner snaps on the television, and the sound fills the space. Sister, grab our food.

Bite me, I laugh as I enter the kitchen. Despite how Gunner runs his mouth, he’s the best brother a woman could have.

When I left my ex, Gunner opened his home with no questions and refused to let me move out when Joselyn was born. He could have paid for us to live somewhere else, but he wanted to help take care of her. More like spoil the shit out of her.

The scent of homemade bread fills the air. Yum. I sniff and curl my lip. What is that smell? I wrinkle my nose and sniff again. Burnt bread. Shit.

I dodge the island and throw open the oven. Motherfucker. Not again. The top of the loaf is a dark brown, and in the center is a two-inch circle of charcoal-colored bread. Steam rises and fills the room, sucking away my breath. My face stings from the haze as the sickening smell of overcooked food makes my stomach churn.

Wonderful. Why do I bother? I slam the door shut to keep the stench inside, flip the exhaust fan to high, and send a quick prayer that the smoke detector doesn’t go off.

Beep. Beep. Beep. The shrill alarm from above the island kicks in and destroys the last remaining hope I had that no one else would notice. My chest fills with heat and it continues to rise along my neck until my face needs a pile of snow to wash away my embarrassment.

What a clusterfuck. I stomp to the kitchen table and grab the top rail of one of the wooden chairs.

Is everything okay? Devin stands in the threshold of the kitchen doorway.

Eeekk! I jump straight into the air. Could I possibly make a bigger ass out of myself? I mentally roll my eyes but keep my face devoid of emotions. At least, I hope so. Perfect. Liar. Liar. Pants on fire.

His brown eyes take in the scene, and I cringe. Martha Stewart can kiss my ass. She makes everything look effortless, and I find a way to destroy it.

Here. Let me. He rushes over and grabs ahold of the chair.

His fingers brush mine, and I jerk back like I’ve set my hand on a hot burner. Thank you.

His gaze travels over my face and settles on my lips. He lets go of the chair and trails his thumb over my cheek as the fire alarm continues to blare. Holy hell. My nipples tighten in response to his touch, forcing me to straighten my knees to keep from falling on my ass.

Did you get burned? His eyes narrow, causing his brow to wrinkle.

Shit. No. I’m fine. Gurl, get your head out of the clouds. He’s not the least bit interested. I’m just his best friend’s fuck-up of a sister.

His hand drops to his side. I’ll get the smoke detector.

Thanks. As he moves across the floor, I stare at his ass. Lord, he’s good looking.

Not that my brother has a friend that isn’t worthy of having his own calendar shoot. I’m surrounded by hot football players and haven’t seen any action since I got pregnant with my daughter.

What the fuck did you do? The cacophony of the vent and the blaring smoke detector nearly drown out Gunner’s words.

Nothing, I ground out and rush to the stove.

Looks like you did plenty. His voice is laced with ridicule.

Shut it. I grab the oven mitt and pull the charred loaf of bread out of the oven. After I let the door go, it snaps shut.

The obnoxious buzzing goes silent, and Devin hops down from the chair. His thigh muscles bulge under his athletic shorts, and my once stiff knees wobble. Holy fuck. He’s tight. The vision of his body hovering over mine as he thrusts into my core fills my brain and turns my body to mush.

Veronica? Devin cocks his head to the side.

Hmmm? My eyes widen, and I freeze in place. Shit. Please, don’t tell me I moaned out loud. The blast of the vent behind me is the only sound in the room. Surely, if I did, the noise drowned it out.

Are you okay? Gunner skirts the island and slaps his hand over my forehead. You’re flushed and spacey.

Yes. I’m fine. I jerk backward and bump into the stove. Stop that obnoxious sound. I twist on my heel and flip off the exhaust. I hate the noise of the exhaust fan, it’s like nails on a chalkboard. Maybe, you shouldn’t cook. Shut up. Big mouth.

Momma? Joselyn’s panicked voice calls out through the baby monitor on the counter.

Thank God. Jose is awake. I’ll be back. I speed walk out of the kitchen and run up the stairs.

Chapter Two

Devin

Lord, my sister’s cooking skills are as bad as mine. Gunner holds the edge of the loaf pan between his thumb and forefinger. I don’t understand why she tries all these stupid recipes. Steak and salad are good enough for me.

I shrug. I think it’s admirable she attempts new things. I’ll never get used to Gunner and Veronica’s banter.

As an only child adopted late into a large family, I was never the focus of their back and forth bickering. Not that it didn’t happen, but they worked hard to make me feel welcome.

Pft. He rolls his eyes and waves his hand over the automatic trashcan. Once the lid flips upward, he dumps the entire thing – pan and all – into the canister. She can’t cook for shit unless it’s pre-made.

My back and shoulders tighten. Don’t get pissed. It’s not my business.

Riiiight. Admit it. The banter doesn’t bother you. It’s Veronica. You can’t stand anyone saying anything negative about her. Including Gunner.

What’s up between you and Dani? I shove the dark chair under the block-style kitchen table.

Nothing. Gunner’s eyes widen like a teenage, caught by his mom with his hand in his pants.

Really? I arch an eyebrow. Yes, I’m avoiding my feelings for Veronica. I’d rather think about someone else’s love life than my own.

Growing up with a felon for a biological father, I don’t have much to offer a woman, especially someone like Veronica. She deserves a man she can be proud to have in her life.

Shit. He shrugs. It’s nothing. We’re friends. I can’t focus on anything else during the season. We were too close to the Super Bowl last year to let any distraction take me off course.

Yeah. I press my lips together. He’s not the only one who’s been hounded by how last season ended. Man, we’ve got to get back to the playoffs.

We were one play from taking the lead, and one mistake was all it took to jerk our dreams away like Lucy yanking the football out of Charlie Brown’s kicking path.

Unc Gun. Joselyn runs full steam ahead into the kitchen and plows into Gunner’s leg.

Hello, doll. He reaches down, sweeps the raven-haired beauty into his arms, and nuzzles her neck as Veronica re-enters the kitchen.

Joselyn is the most gorgeous little girl I’ve ever seen. She has her mother’s eyes and facial features. I’ve never met Veronica’s ex-husband, so I can’t say if she resembles him. I curl my lip. If I met him, I’d lay his ass out.

Veronica slaps her hands on her hips as her eyes dart around the room. Where’s my bread?

In the trash where it belongs. Gunner tousles Joselyn’s hair and returns her to the ground. As she turns in my direction, her bare feet make a slapping sound on the floor.

Damn it. Veronica stomps across the tile toward the trashcan. It was salvageable.

No. It wasn’t. Unless you were trying to poison us.

She glares at Gunner. I might poison you.

Joselyn’s eyes light up. Dev.

Hey, gorgeous. My heart soars as the little pixie runs over to me. I scoop her up and throw her in the air. I’ve been around this beautiful creature since she was only a few days old, and I love her to pieces. She brings joy everywhere she goes. I toss her higher, and she breaks into a fit of giggles.

Veronica stops in front of the trashcan and stares at us.

Shit. I gently stand Joselyn on the floor and straighten. As tension fills the air, my shoulders grow rigid. Well. I’d better go. You probably need to get dinner together, and I’ve –

You’ve got what? Gunner gives me a shit-ass look.

Yeah. I’ve got nothing. I smile