Sidelined Series by Ainslie Paton

Everyone is virgin at something This is the story of a man who’s never done it, and a woman with the experience to teach him how. Reid McGrath is drunk and intends to stay that way. It’s what a man does when the world he built gets ripped out from under him. He’s staked a claim on the back booth at Lucky’s where he can fixate on a dancer who makes him wish things were different... moreEveryone is virgin at something This is the story of a man who’s never done it, and a woman with the experience to teach him how. Reid McGrath is drunk and intends to stay that way. It’s what a man does when the world he built gets ripped out from under him. He’s staked a claim on the back booth at Lucky’s where he can fixate on a dancer who makes him wish things were different. Zarley Halveston dances under shimmering lights in a barely there costume, but it’s not the gold medal life she trained for. She expected to stand on an Olympic podium, instead she glitters under disco lights, gyrating on a chrome pole. Zarley can’t see the brooding man in the back booth, but she knows he’s there. He’s toxic, but it’s not her job to care, until the night he collapses at her feet and she has to choose to step over him or help him up. Reid thought he’d hit bottom when he was fired as CEO of his own company, but knowing he’d needed the kindness of a stranger, and realizing she was the dancer he’d lusted after was a new low. Question: What do a fallen golden girl and a sacked tech tycoon have in common except humiliation and failure? Answer: The reawakening of a champion competitor and the sexual education of a frustrated geek. less

The Hard Part is Getting Back Up This is the story of a man who can’t get it up and a woman who’s never gotten it on. Sidelined by a broken back, CEO, Owen Lange is confronted by two things: his sex life will never be the same and he’s dependent on his pain meds. He never expected to have his dependence called out as addiction by a junior help desk employee. Cara Douglas knows all about pain and loss... moreThe Hard Part is Getting Back Up This is the story of a man who can’t get it up and a woman who’s never gotten it on. Sidelined by a broken back, CEO, Owen Lange is confronted by two things: his sex life will never be the same and he’s dependent on his pain meds. He never expected to have his dependence called out as addiction by a junior help desk employee. Cara Douglas knows all about pain and loss. She’d had her sights set on the US Olympic Gymnastics Team before an accident landed her at a help desk screen. The last thing she expected to be helping with was an intervention for her boss. Owen doesn’t thank Cara for her trouble. He calls her a snitch. But even through his paranoia he knows she’s right. After all, addiction runs in his family. He also knows he has to make it up to her, but the only thing Cara wants is the one thing Owen can’t give her. Question: What do an injured athlete finally ready for no-strings sex and a nice guy who can’t get it up have in common? Answer: Sexual awakening. less

Friendship is Overrated This is the story of a woman moving on with her life and the man she needs to leave behind Sarina Gallo is on a timeline. Graduate with a top degree and start a business with friends. Check. Rock that business so hard it’s made her a Silicon Valley identity and seriously wealthy. Check. Fall in love and start a family. Wait. Because the man she’s been in love with forever is more comfortable falling asleep in front of a movie than making a move on her... moreFriendship is Overrated This is the story of a woman moving on with her life and the man she needs to leave behind Sarina Gallo is on a timeline. Graduate with a top degree and start a business with friends. Check. Rock that business so hard it’s made her a Silicon Valley identity and seriously wealthy. Check. Fall in love and start a family. Wait. Because the man she’s been in love with forever is more comfortable falling asleep in front of a movie than making a move on her. Dev Patel has been friends with Sarina Gallo since he tripped over her in college and they started a business together. He likes to cook. She likes to eat. It’s the perfect relationship for two busy people and if he’d rather fall asleep on the couch next to her, than sleep with her, it’s because he’s not willing to risk their friendship over sex he can have casually with others. Until Sarina announces she plans to have a baby with a donor and her decision challenges everything Dev thought he knew about their relationship. Question: How do two people who love each other find a way past friendship to become family? Answer: A rip your heart out argument, a makeup session that’s almost too hot to handle and sheet scorching sex. less

Marry in Haste. Hell, Yeah Warning: Do not read this book if you dislike weddings. Reid wants a ring on Zarley’s finger, but Zarley doesn’t need a wedding to feel married to Reid. Owen is ready to start a family, but Cara isn’t sure she wants kids. Sarina is pregnant and proposed to Dev and he wants a wedding—by the weekend. Venue, guest list, invitations, the dress, the suit, rings, vows, catering. It’s a lot to get done in a few days... moreMarry in Haste. Hell, Yeah Warning: Do not read this book if you dislike weddings. Reid wants a ring on Zarley’s finger, but Zarley doesn’t need a wedding to feel married to Reid. Owen is ready to start a family, but Cara isn’t sure she wants kids. Sarina is pregnant and proposed to Dev and he wants a wedding—by the weekend. Venue, guest list, invitations, the dress, the suit, rings, vows, catering. It’s a lot to get done in a few days. What could possibly go wrong? Only one thing is certain with this shotgun wedding, love is the trigger and hearts will take a direct hit of happiness. For better, for worse, forever. This is for readers who enjoy catching up with the HEAs of couples in the Sidelined series. All the stories in Sidelined can be read independently, in any order, except Shotgun Wedding, which is more fun if read after Offensive Behavior, Damaged Goods and Sold Short. Shotgun Wedding includes a bonus Sidelined Origins story, Running Interference, about how Reid and Dev met Sarina and Owen. less