Colorado Coyotes Series by Brenda Rothert

“I want your sperm.”Those were Shelby Grant’s first words to me. Didn’t even want me to buy her a drink first. See, Shelby isn’t like other women. After researching Denver’s most eligible bachelors in search of her ideal sperm donor, she chose me.As a pro hockey player, I’m used to women wanting things from me, but my swimmers? That’s a new one. Somehow, though, with her color-coded parenting plan, sales pitch and contract, Shelby sells me on the idea... more“I want your sperm.”Those were Shelby Grant’s first words to me. Didn’t even want me to buy her a drink first. See, Shelby isn’t like other women. After researching Denver’s most eligible bachelors in search of her ideal sperm donor, she chose me.As a pro hockey player, I’m used to women wanting things from me, but my swimmers? That’s a new one. Somehow, though, with her color-coded parenting plan, sales pitch and contract, Shelby sells me on the idea. After my donation, she doesn’t want anything more to do with me.I can’t seem to stay away, though. As her belly grows and I get to know the tightly wound mom-to-be, I get attached.Shelby’s jaded about men and I’m not looking to settle down. There are countless reasons why crossing the contractual line between us is a bad idea.But once Shelby gives birth to our child, all bets are off. Whether I planned for it or not, I have a family now, and I’m not letting go without a fight. less

FordAs the new captain of the Colorado Coyotes, there’s a heavy weight on my shoulders. The Coyotes lost five players last season to a tragic arena explosion, and as the new team leader, I want to be a rock for my teammates. That includes battling my new neighbor Eleanor Lawrence, the Denver newspaper columnist who’s on a mission to end the city’s pro hockey team for good. Do I want her? Desperately. But we’re on opposing sides of a war I don’t intend to lose... moreFordAs the new captain of the Colorado Coyotes, there’s a heavy weight on my shoulders. The Coyotes lost five players last season to a tragic arena explosion, and as the new team leader, I want to be a rock for my teammates. That includes battling my new neighbor Eleanor Lawrence, the Denver newspaper columnist who’s on a mission to end the city’s pro hockey team for good. Do I want her? Desperately. But we’re on opposing sides of a war I don’t intend to lose.ElleI’m in no danger of being charmed by Ford Barrett. My new neighbor is a caveman—not remotely my type. He may be attractive, but he’s also stubborn and permanently scowling. Even worse? He dropped a couch on my foot. The more we spar, though, the hotter my secret attraction to him burns. Once I give in to the possessive hockey player, lines get blurred.I want to win, but I also want him. And I can’t have both. less

They call me the Ice Queen.I take it as a compliment, because owning a pro hockey team requires a certain ruthlessness. But my penchant for ball busting has made me political enemies, and one of them has the clout to get me deported back to my home country of Russia. There’s only one solution: I have to get married, and fast.Enter Colby Harrison.He’s an easygoing forward on my team who meets my only requirement: he’s a single US citizen... moreThey call me the Ice Queen.I take it as a compliment, because owning a pro hockey team requires a certain ruthlessness. But my penchant for ball busting has made me political enemies, and one of them has the clout to get me deported back to my home country of Russia. There’s only one solution: I have to get married, and fast.Enter Colby Harrison.He’s an easygoing forward on my team who meets my only requirement: he’s a single US citizen. I talk him into a fake, married only on paper arrangement, solving my problem. That is, until we move in together, clashing at every turn. We only get along in one place, which is how I discover that my aloof new husband is a different man in bed. He demands that I give up the one thing I cherish most: control.I own him on paper. He owns me in the bedroom. And soon, I start wondering if I’m the only one who’s not faking it anymore. less

The secret to being the best man at your twin brother’s wedding to the woman you’ve been in love with since you were an awkward adolescent? There are two, actually: a solid game face and a bottle of strong whiskey.What to do when things implode the night before the wedding and aforementioned dream girl asks you to stand in as the groom, though? Say yes, of course, and wing it... moreThe secret to being the best man at your twin brother’s wedding to the woman you’ve been in love with since you were an awkward adolescent? There are two, actually: a solid game face and a bottle of strong whiskey.What to do when things implode the night before the wedding and aforementioned dream girl asks you to stand in as the groom, though? Say yes, of course, and wing it. Don’t let it slip that you weren’t faking that kiss that left her dazed and breathless and definitely don’t mention that it’s no hardship at all to pretend she’s your wife for a weeklong honeymoon in Hawaii. And when you run into two of your hockey teammates at the resort, let them believe you lost your mind and married someone you’ve never even mentioned to them.When she starts to have feelings for you, though? This part’s important—don’t, under any circumstances, confess that you’ve been in love with her for more than a decade. You’ll ruin everything. less

It was an average day in my above-average life: wake up hungover with a woman I just met, part ways, then drive to the arena for a home game with my pro hockey team. But when my car breaks down on the highway, a stunning waitress named Tess pulls over and surprises me by easily fixing it.Great little detour in my routine, right? It would’ve been if her kid hadn’t lifted my wallet. Now I have to find Tess and get it back... moreIt was an average day in my above-average life: wake up hungover with a woman I just met, part ways, then drive to the arena for a home game with my pro hockey team. But when my car breaks down on the highway, a stunning waitress named Tess pulls over and surprises me by easily fixing it.Great little detour in my routine, right? It would’ve been if her kid hadn’t lifted my wallet. Now I have to find Tess and get it back. When I discover that the money’s gone, Tess insists that her son work off the debt to me. And the more I get to know the spirited single mom and her hilarious family, the more I find myself at a crossroads. I’m in a personal face-off: The man I’ve always been vs. the man I want to be for Tess and her kids. less