He carries a big stick. And he’s not afraid to use it. On the ice, I’m Kellan Carter, powerhouse enforcer for the Charlotte Strikers. Off the ice, I’m just a regular guy. The last thing I want is to get mobbed by a bunch of groupies who are only after me for my fame and money. My ideal woman knows how to enjoy a little good, clean fun—and maybe some not-so-clean fun too. That’s the kind of girl I’d never let go. When Kristen Robinson, the gorgeous, down-to-earth bartender I’ve been crushing on, agrees to let me take her out, I’m thrilled. We have an amazing night together, culminating in the most electrifying kiss of my life—and that’s it. Kristen tells me we can’t see each other again, but I know that kiss meant as much to her as it did to me. What I don’t know is that Kristen has a dangerous secret. . . . I’ve proved to Kristen that she can trust me with her body and her heart. But when her past comes back to haunt her, I need to prove that she can trust me with her life. And I might have to get my hands dirty after all. Don’t miss these heartwarming Second Chances romances from New York Times bestselling author L. P. Dover: CATCHING SUMMER | DEFENDING HAYDEN | INTENDED FOR BRISTOL “L. P. Dover knows how to create the men who make us swoon, the book boyfriends we all want.”—New York Times bestselling author Heidi McLaughlinAdvance praise for Hard Stick“L. P. Dover did a great job with this book and if you know going into that it has more of a suspenseful love story, you might not be so surprised. I recommend this book. I couldn’t put it down.”—Wicked Love of Books “I loved this book! A great romantic/suspenseful story with a HEA (and it also involved sports which is always a plus with me). I really liked the author’s style of writing.”—Rebel Spinster (five stars) “Hard Stick may have been my first L. P. Dover novel, but it won’t be my last. I am so excited to see what’s next in the Breakaway series.”—A Novel Glimpse  This ebook includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.