The Men of River City Series

Zoey: I have loved Jax since I was a kid. He's my best friend. I thought he would be my forever. But that night changed me. It broke me. As much as I love him, he deserves more than I have to give. I need to let him go. Jax: My best friend's sister. My best friend. My lover. All the titles that I can give Zoey can't begin to describe how I feel for her. She is my everything. That night damaged her so severely, I'm not sure what I can do to get her back. But I won't give up. I can't. I have to fight for her because she is my love. She is my life.

Ten years ago, I met her in my best friend's kitchen. One look, one word, and I was done. But my life is not safe for her. It's a life of violence and destruction, so I let her go. Then she appears again - working in my bar, no less. I never stopped loving her, and seeing her again? I realize I want her back. I'm not the selfless kid I once was. I'm selfish, and I take what I want. But she brought her past with her - her daughter and people that want to hurt her. People that have no idea what they were doing when they came into my city after her.

I've kept my distance from women for years. They have no power over me other than a few minutes of physical satisfaction. Until she walks into my bar. She doesn't belong here. That much is apparent. She is a princess who belongs in a castle. Not waiting tables on the bar side of a strip club. Her mere presence pisses me off. She is a distraction that I don't want or need. But I can't get her out of my head. The truth is, I don't want to.