About the Book
The D-Man
Author: Stephanie Julian
Publisher: Stephanie Julian
Released: January 14, 2019
Series: Redtails Hockey #6
Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance
Purchase links: Amazon : BN : Kobo : Apple : Google
Snippet:
“Thanks again for the ticket. I had a lot of fun.”
“Sorry the game sucked.”
She stopped just inside the door to her home, and turned, wondering if he’d follow her inside. He stopped just on the other side of the threshold.
“Can’t win them all. Do you want to come in?”
He didn’t respond immediately, his gaze locked with hers. She had no idea what he was thinking but her blood fizzed in her veins.
“No, I better not.”
Her lips curved. She liked the sound of that. “Afraid you might not leave?”
Shaking his head, he put one hand on the frame above her, making him seem even taller. “You don’t scare me.”
“Good to know, although that wasn’t really the question I asked.”
“Yeah, I know. And I’m not sure I want to answer that question. Yet.”
“Do you think you might have an answer Sunday?”
She teased him a little more, couldn’t help herself. His blushes had become catnip for her. She didn’t want to embarrass him, and she didn’t think he was embarrassed. But she was so absolutely infatuated by him, she couldn’t help herself.
She’d become addicted to his smiles. He didn’t do it often and, when she got one, it was like she’d won a game she hadn’t realized she was playing.
And this was no game.
“I might. I might have some questions of my own for you to answer.”
She didn’t want him to go yet so she grabbed his hand and tugged. It was close to midnight and she knew he had to get up early tomorrow, but she didn’t want him to go yet.
Holding her breath, she finally released it when he took a step forward.
“I really should go.”
“But I’m not done with you yet.”
He stepped inside but stopped just inside the door. She’d take that, only because she knew they weren’t going to be taking this any farther tonight. But she was determined to get a real kiss from him tonight.
Even if she had to climb him like a tree to get it. She had a feeling he knew exactly what he was doing to her.
“What do you want to do with me?”
The gleam in his eyes made her heart pound faster.
“I have a few ideas.”
He shook his head. “And I absolutely want to hear them. But I have to be up in seven hours. And if I stay any longer, Will’s gonna be dragging my ass out of bed. And I don’t want to rush my time with you.”
“You act all sweet and shy off the ice, but that’s not who you really are, is it?”
His gaze narrowed and she couldn’t tell if he was smiling or not. “What makes you think that?”
“Because of your smile.”
She could see him think that over before he took a step forward, closing the distance between them. The intensity in his eyes made her want to lick him. That feeling hadn’t happened in quite a while and it took her a little bit by surprise.
She wasn’t surprised that he could make her feel this way. She’d realized he was special. No, what surprised her was that she was enjoying it.
She hadn’t had this feeling in a while. She’d told herself she was okay with it. And then she’d looked into Justin’s eyes one night and fallen for the absolute unlikeliest guy she could find.
“What about my smile?”
He had stopped inches away from her and she had to lean her head back to look at him. she really liked how tall he was. Not overly muscled, like football players tended to be.
But he wasn’t scrawny either. He was longer and lean, but he had broad shoulders and a broad chest and she would bet her last bag of chocolate-covered pretzels that he had a six-pack.
Now she wanted to lick his six-pack.
“Your smile is a little wicked.”
That smile widened. “You think I’m wicked? My friends don’t think I’m wicked.”
“I’m pretty sure you don’t smile like that at your friends.”
“And how am I smiling at you?”
Like you might actually want to see me naked.
It was on the tip of her tongue but she bit it back. An unusual thing for her to do. She wasn’t really known for her restraint. But there was something about this man that made her…different. Made her want to be the kind of girl a guy like him would want.
Her inner feminist began to rant but she shut her down because Justin was staring at her like he wanted to kiss her.
Please, please, let him kiss her.
Book Blurb:
Opposites attract…and ignite.
On the ice, Justin Perry is always in control. As one of the Reading Redtails’ best defensemen, he plays with an intense focus and skates like he was born on blades. Off the ice, he’s content to keep his eyes on the prize: a spot on an NHL team. Except when Vivi Martin’s around. She’s bright, bold and beautiful and Justin can’t make himself look away.
Vivi can’t help but notice Justin’s interest and, yeah, she’s not immune to his awkward charm or his grin that steals her breath. But falling for another athlete who will only leave and break her heart is the last thing she needs. Been there, done that. No t-shirt required. She’s too busy working three part-time jobs to make ends meet while figuring out how to use her passion for photography to build a career.
Until Vivi gets a peek at what’s underneath Justin’s boy-scout exterior and discovers a tattooed hunk who rocks her world with a kiss. She’d be a fool to pass up a chance to get him in her bed….and in front of her camera. And Vivi’s no fool.
But when a career-focused hockey player pursues a free spirit who’s built a fortress of ice around her bruised heart, Justin’s going to have to step up and take his best shot to break through Vivi’s walls…and hope it doesn’t shatter them both.
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