Luca I’ve built my life on control. On the field, in my reputation, and in keeping my demons buried where no one can see. Sage Blackwell was never supposed to be a part of that. The nerdy prodigy overheard something that could ruin my entire career, so I do the only logical thing. I don’t threaten him. I don’t scare him off. I claim him. I tell myself it’s about survival, about keeping my secret safe. But the longer I keep him close, the more I realize I might be addicted again. Only this time, my drug of choice is him. Sage I wasn’t supposed to hear it. I definitely wasn’t supposed to get caught. One wrong step. One overheard conversation. That’s all it takes to make me the unwilling keeper of Luca Devereaux’s darkest secret. Now, Blackthorne U’s arrogant, untouchable quarterback, has decided I belong to him. He’s relentless, possessive and cruel in the way only someone with too much power and too little consequences can be. Being owned by Luca might just destroy me… especially when I realize I don’t want him to let go. *** Bitter When He Begs is the second book in the interconnected Sinners of Blackthorne U series, but it is a complete standalone. Readers are advised to approach with caution and ensure they are comfortable with the listed triggers and content warnings before proceeding.