Vancouver Dominators Series by S.L. Sterling

I kept my nose clean. Bad publicity was the last thing you wanted, and I’d had my share since my last breakup went public. We’d also just lost our last five games. The boys and I decided to head to the islands for a little R&R. I’d never been so happy for a break. That was where I saw her. She didn’t seem to recognize me, which made it better, so I made my move. We didn’t exchange names or numbers. We shared one carefree night, that was all I wanted and that was all it was supposed to be... moreI kept my nose clean. Bad publicity was the last thing you wanted, and I’d had my share since my last breakup went public. We’d also just lost our last five games. The boys and I decided to head to the islands for a little R&R. I’d never been so happy for a break. That was where I saw her. She didn’t seem to recognize me, which made it better, so I made my move. We didn’t exchange names or numbers. We shared one carefree night, that was all I wanted and that was all it was supposed to be.A few months later, regret from that night had almost eaten away at me. I hadn’t been able to get her out of my mind. I wouldn’t say I fell in love with her, or maybe I did. All I knew was that night was the closest I’d ever come to insta-love and I wanted more but we’d had our fun. Yet, I was still mentally kicking myself for at least not getting her name.We're about to head into the playoffs when I return home and that is when the universe decides to bring us back together in one of the worst places ever. Only this time won’t be like the last, I decide I won’t let her slip through my fingers. This time, I’ve promised myself nothing, and all bets are off. less

Lorelai Anderson got under my skin years ago and I’d never been able to get her out.When I found out she had a crush on me I turned into the biggest dick around. I did what I did to keep her away. I knew I wasn’t the man she needed, and her brother agreed.Then I left town to play hockey which was both a blessing and a curse.When I got signed to the Dominators and returned to Vancouver, I suppose I got what I deserved. Not only did Lorelai hate my guts, but she had a boyfriend... moreLorelai Anderson got under my skin years ago and I’d never been able to get her out.When I found out she had a crush on me I turned into the biggest dick around. I did what I did to keep her away. I knew I wasn’t the man she needed, and her brother agreed.Then I left town to play hockey which was both a blessing and a curse.When I got signed to the Dominators and returned to Vancouver, I suppose I got what I deserved. Not only did Lorelai hate my guts, but she had a boyfriend. So, I kept my distance from her, until her friend started dating one of my teammates. I had no choice but to come around. It got worse when I got the invitation to her brother’s wedding. There was no way I could back out.As my luck would have it Lorelai and I end up on the same flight to Hawaii and that’s when I find out she is very single. I also find out that her ex is going to be at this wedding and despite having a new girlfriend, the cheating jerk is harassing her to get back together with him. When she breaks down in tears, I do that only thing I can think of. I make a split-second decision to be her boyfriend for the wedding and get Hugo off her back. I figure it’s helping her out but for me it’s the perfect opportunity to convince her I’m not the same guy I used to be. I want her to know I’m the man she deserves and I’m going to put everything on the line to get her to be mine. less

Knox stood across from me, anger in his eyes, his right hand in a fist ready to hit me. In that moment, as I stared at him trying to figure out what to say before he hit me, I wished I’d never walked into that little dive bar.Actually, that wasn’t true because that was the night that changed my life forever.That was the night I saved Knox’s little sister, Peyton, from making what I was certain was a huge mistake I’d figure she’d regret for the rest of her life... moreKnox stood across from me, anger in his eyes, his right hand in a fist ready to hit me. In that moment, as I stared at him trying to figure out what to say before he hit me, I wished I’d never walked into that little dive bar.Actually, that wasn’t true because that was the night that changed my life forever.That was the night I saved Knox’s little sister, Peyton, from making what I was certain was a huge mistake I’d figure she’d regret for the rest of her life.We all had a code among the players on the team. We all looked after one another, and that included family members. So, when I saw some guy hitting on Peyton, I stepped in. I pretended to be her boyfriend to get rid of the guy who’d been hitting on her and when she turned those big hazel eyes on me things didn’t stop there. I bought her drinks, let her vent out her frustrations about the fight she’d just had with her brother and then one thing led to another, and she ended up wrapped up in my sheets.A few months later, the memory of her and that night remains fresh in my mind and soon she is all I can think about. Thankfully, I get to see her again at the season’s end barbeque. Armed with good intentions, that is when I find out everything is about to change in not only my life but hers, including my friendship with her brother.The guys on the team had always told me love would hit me when I least expected it, either that or I’d get a girl in trouble. I just never believed they would both happen at the same time. less

Everything I’d ever done had been because of Scarlett Green.I’d worked hard in school, played hard but trained harder all while waiting for her to get her degree. Her brother, my best friend, knew how I felt about her and the only promise I’d made to him was that I’d wait to make my move until after she’d graduated.That day finally came, and I’d come home to celebrate with her and send her on her way to new job in a new city. The exact same city I was living in, New York... moreEverything I’d ever done had been because of Scarlett Green.I’d worked hard in school, played hard but trained harder all while waiting for her to get her degree. Her brother, my best friend, knew how I felt about her and the only promise I’d made to him was that I’d wait to make my move until after she’d graduated.That day finally came, and I’d come home to celebrate with her and send her on her way to new job in a new city. The exact same city I was living in, New York. It was finally going to be our time. I planned to offer her a place to live. After all, I had just bought a large three-bedroom condo after signing a five-year contract with the New York Predators.Only our time was short lived when my past came back to haunt me in the form of a child I knew nothing about. Overnight, my life was turned upside down. Like the good woman Scarlett is, she immediately put a stop to everything between us, demanding I concentrate on learning how to raise my baby boy while playing hockey.Now, five years later, I’ve gotten control over our life when the news came that I was being traded to the Vancouver Dominators. Without debate I moved to Vancouver. Within six months of my return, I ran into Scarlett and her brother at one of our home games. She's not only moving to Vancouver but she is here to do an article on the team for the new Canadian division of the Ice Insiders, a sports publication. After one disastrous run in with her I learn she's living in my building and looking to find Mr. Right. I figured now might be the perfect time to pick up where we left off, after all I was certain she was meant to be mine. less

She loved him first. He disappeared out of her life. Now he's a star hockey player in need of an image rebuild, and she is the only PR genius who can help him.I'd based my career in hockey on true talent and strength, but the life of a public figurer comes with illusions and temptations, and somehow, I lost myself to those temptations. Over the years I'd learned to thrive from the attention, and the press seemed to thrive from me, especially after I got arrested... moreShe loved him first. He disappeared out of her life. Now he's a star hockey player in need of an image rebuild, and she is the only PR genius who can help him.I'd based my career in hockey on true talent and strength, but the life of a public figurer comes with illusions and temptations, and somehow, I lost myself to those temptations. Over the years I'd learned to thrive from the attention, and the press seemed to thrive from me, especially after I got arrested.Suspended from the team and with my reputation on the line for good this time, my agent decides to hire some PR genius to spend time with me and rehabilitate my public persona. With rumours building, I reluctantly agree, and that is when Emma Hart walks into the room.It's been fifteen years since I last laid eyes on her, yet she pretends she doesn't know me.She quickly and quietly makes it clear to me that I shouldn't get my hopes up because there will never be anything between us. According to her she is happily involved with someone else. Emma's confident she can fix my image and dives right in navigating the scandal hungry media. While I love that she is coming to my rescue, the difficult side of me continues to push her, but she seems unfazed.While things begin looking better for me, things start spiraling out of control for Emma. Her so called happy private life isn't as perfect as she's made it out to be.I should have known better than to comfort her.I should have known better than to kiss her.This whole thing was about fixing my image, not about rewriting the story of us. less