For six months, I hated Asher Hammond. And then I slept with him.



What started as one night turned into something neither of us expected—something real. Despite Ash's aversion to romance and my diehard belief in happily-ever-afters, we found our rhythm: my heart, his hands, and a passion that could burn down Sparkwood. Between late nights at my bookstore, restoring my crumbling Victorian mansion, and falling for a man who swore love wasn't in his DNA, I let myself believe we were building something lasting. Even if Ash never said those three words, his actions spoke volumes. Until she showed up. The first—and only—woman Asher ever loved. The one who wrecked him, shattered his heart, and left scars deeper than any ink. And she's not here alone. Ash swears it's over between them, but their shared history—and one too many secrets—make it impossible to ignore the cracks in the fragile foundation of our love story. I've been second best before, and I refuse to play that role again. Walking away from the man I love is the hardest thing I've ever done. But just when I think I've found my footing, life throws me a twist I never saw coming. Now, I have a secret, too—one that could bring us back together . . . or tear us apart forever.



Contains mature themes.