Defensive Play

Genevieve Fable has always known how to lead a team. As captain of the University of Minnesota's women's hockey team, she's fierce, focused, and destined for greatness. But with graduation fast approaching and the new Women's Professional Hockey League a thing of the future, Genevieve is stuck between chasing the dream on the ice or stepping into her future as a sports agent, a path that would trade slap shots for contracts.

As if a career crossroads wasn't enough, her past is creeping closer. Her abusive ex has become more than just a painful memory-he's stalking her, threatening her safety, and pushing her to the edge.

Then she meets Eli Carmichael.

A star defensive player for the Minnesota Grizzlies, Eli's been burned by love and is determined to keep his focus solely on the game. That is, until he locks eyes with Genevieve at his season home opener. Fate intervenes again when he discovers she lives in the same Saint Paul apartment complex-and has a soft spot for his bernedoodle puppy, Jax.

As the chemistry between them builds, so does the danger surrounding Gen. Together, Eli and Genevieve find solace in one another-healing old wounds, facing new fears, and forging a connection neither saw coming. But when Eli's ex resurfaces and Gen's safety is tested, they'll have to decide if love is worth the risk-or if playing it safe means losing it all.