This is the first book I’ve read by Ariella Zoelle and I loved it. It’s a pretty short novella but it didn’t feel that short to me while I read it. The blurb sets the stage for the book perfectly so give it a look-see.

I loved the dynamic between Knight and King. It’s said that there is a fine line between love and hate and these two prove that to be very true. The story is HOT and fast paced – just like a good tennis match.

If you haven’t already subscribed to Ariella’s newsletter (https://www.ariellazoelle.com/newsletter) you need to do it so you can get the bonus chapter that takes place after the end of the book. The story had a satisfying ending but the bonus chapter made it even better. I’m sure I’ll be reading more books from this author.

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Chapter 2: Kingston Sabiano

It was a pleasant change of pace to not dissolve into instant bickering, so I enjoyed the silence as we drifted in our separate thoughts. It lasted longer than I had expected before he asked me, “How long have you been planning this?”

Rather than telling the truth, I kept my answer playful. “Your arguments with reporters at press conferences give me a lot of time to think about other stuff I’d rather be doing.”

“Like me?” He scoffed at the notion. “You can’t be serious.”

I couldn’t resist teasing him a little. “Our fighting wasn’t foreplay for you?”

He turned his head to stare at me. “Seriously?”

I gave him my best attempt at an innocent expression. “What? Our banter really gets me going.”

Covering his face to hide the grin he couldn’t quite smother, he laughed hard. For once, it wasn’t bitter or haughty, but a sound of genuine amusement that warmed my heart. “Is that why you antagonize me?”

“Yes, and I’m very offended it took two years to get you to translate that into ‘please fuck me stupid,’” I said with mock upset. My peals of laughter ruined the effect, though. “How much more obvious could I be that I desired you?”

“Why?”

I reached out to caress his cheek with my clean hand as I gave him a sincere look. “Because all I have ever wanted these past five years was to be yours.”

“Five years? We’ve only been competing for two.”

“Yes, because it took me three years to become good enough to stand on the same stage as you.” I opened my heart up to him, hoping like hell he didn’t reject me for it. “I’ve been chasing after you since you trounced Terrence Rayston in your debut match.”

It was the first time I had ever stunned him into silence. Swallowing hard, he eventually said, “I don’t understand.”

“The media dubbed you the Iceman because of your icy blue eyes, the way you ruthlessly defeated every opponent, and your cold and aloof demeanor.” I stroked the outline of his strong jaw, amazed he hadn’t rejected me yet. “It confused me how so many people got you so wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re not ice—you’re fire.” I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. “I didn’t understand how none of them could see that you burn with a need to be the best and always win. You torched all your opponents to ashes with every triumph. It took me years to become good enough to feel your heat as I faced off against you.”

When he said nothing, I hesitated before I continued confessing. “If I didn’t beat you, you’d never notice me. That meant I had to be better than the best, because that was the only way to make you focus all your fire on me. I’m the only one who can withstand your flames. To make you see that, I had to drive you wild by being unbeatable. I want you to only burn for me.”