Not a Hero

By Jenessa Beyer

Sawyer:
When I left high school, I was on top of the world. With a football scholarship to my dream school and women... well, let’s just say there was a lot of options that were wide open for me.

Then it all came crashing down.

Now, I’m back at my class reunion. As an object of curiosity—or maybe pity—rather than as the star. I was planning to make an appearance as a favor to my old coach, then leave before too many questions about the past were asked.

And then I saw her. Leah.

In school, we ran with different crowds. She was the skinny nerd who always made it very clear that she hated jocks like me.

Now, the ugly duckling has turned into a swan, but my intentions for her aren’t as pure as some fairy tale. I want to get to know every inch of her curvy body. To feel her under me. Whether it’s in the backseat of my car or in my bed, it doesn’t matter.

I just need her. Anywhere and everywhere.

Her eyes still flash with the same old anger but when I kiss her, she melts into me. Making it clear that she wants me as much as I want her. And though she claims that I’m just an itch she needs to scratch, that one night is all we’ll ever have, I know that I need more.

All I have to do is prove to her that I’m not the same guy I was when we were teenagers.

Easy.

Or not.

After all, Leah is the most stubborn woman I’ve ever known. And she has no reason to trust me.

But she is going to be mine.

"Not a Hero" is a short, steamy romance about a reunion between former opposites. It contains no cheating and a guaranteed HEA

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jenessa Beyer
• Release date: Apr 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005886257

Jenessa Beyer

Jenessa Beyer has been fascinated by romance since she was a young girl. As she grew up, so did her tastes, and now she loves—and writes—hot stories full of instant attraction and desire.

Book preview

Chapter One

(Sawyer)

I’d worked hard to reclaim my life. My health.

To appear, as most would see it, as ‘normal.’

That sure as hell didn’t mean I felt like putting myself on display. Especially not here. At my high school class reunion.

Once, I might have enjoyed this.

I’d had a blast throughout school. I’d had everything I wanted.

Never imagined that it would all come crashing down.

That I would come back, not as the All-American athlete, the star jock with the potential for a professional career. But as just… a nobody.

A figure of curiosity at best.

And at worst?

An object of pity.

Fuck.

I shouldn’t have come.

I’d planned to ignore this night.

I’d deleted the first invitation.

And the second.

The third e-mail, however, had included a personal message from an old friend. One of my former coaches, who had also been our class advisor, wrote how he hoped to see me.

I could not refuse him.

And now I was here.

Face to face with my past. With the person I used to be.

I growled as I saw the huge, blown up image of the old me up on the wall behind the makeshift reception area, along with several other members of the crowd I had run with.

Football players. Cheerleaders. Along with jocks from other sports.

The stereotypical popular crowd of any high school, I suppose.

I hated the way I looked in that photo. They’d chosen the senior prom court portrait.

Back when I’d been flying high after signing my letter of intent to go to my dream college. So damned cocky. So damned sure that the entire world was mine for the taking.

I turned away and thought about continuing walking. Past the exit, out of this hotel, and straight to my car. I’d already seen Coach on my way in from the parking lot so there was nothing else to keep me here. But a flash of red among the sea of women in little black dresses caught my eye.

No.

Not just the color.

It was the woman wearing that red dress.

Fuck, she was hot.

She leaned over a chair on the other side of the room, her perfect, round ass showcased in the snug fabric of her dress. In an instant, I was hard.

I wanted to step over there before she rose, keeping her bent over as I plowed my cock into her from behind.

She didn’t appear to be with anyone, so she must be one of my former classmates

Without seeing her face, I had no clue as to her identity. Not sure it would have done me any good, anyway.

Over three hundred students in my graduating class meant that I hadn’t known everyone. And I was sure I would have remembered any girl with a body like that.

No.

She had to be here with someone. One of my classmates was a very lucky guy.

Yet that didn’t keep me from crossing the room.

Her long, blond hair cascaded down over her slender shoulders, touching the top edge of the dress. Though her back was still toward me, I got a better view of her body, the lush curves hugged by the brilliant fabric.

And checked her hands.

Not easy, with the dim lighting and from this distance. But I didn’t see a ring.

She seemed to be constantly one step ahead of me in the crowd. I tried to pay attention to who she talked to and who talked to her, to get a hint of her identity that way.

Every guy she passed showed no recognition, though it became crystal clear that they were lusting after her too.

I had no good reason to be trying to talk to her. Even if she was single, that didn’t mean she would want to talk to me. I sure as hell wasn’t the damned hero everyone predicted I would become, and the last thing I wanted to see on her face was pity when she realized…

No.

Not from her.

I wanted her to want me. Wanted to have those beautiful curves under my hands, her naked skin against mine as I fucked her.

Damn. I’d never been so fucking turned on by a woman.

Without seeing her face.

She passed by an old buddy of mine. Nodded at him, but it didn’t seem like a friendly greeting. Still, it was something.

So when I caught up to him, I grabbed him by the arm. Who was that?

Well, nice to see you too, Sawyer. Anthony’s breath reeked of booze, and it took him a moment to focus on my face. Fuck. He might be too drunk to help me.

But I had to try. The woman in the red dress. Who is she?

Anthony stared at me for a long moment and I was about to give up on him and continue chasing after the hottie, when he threw his head back and laughed.

My blood ran hot for a reason other than lust, and my hands closed into fists. What the fuck is so funny?

Anthony continued laughing. Y-you d-didn’t…

I haven’t been able to see her face. You did.

Sawyer… That’s Leah Taylor.

No way. No way in hell. You fucking pulling my leg?

Nope. She lives in the same apartment building as I do. Small world, huh? Anthony’s laughter subsided to chuckles, and he spluttered as he took a swig of his beer. And it looks like she finally grew up.

I didn’t have an answer for that. Muttering under my breath, I walked away.

Not sure if I believed him, but there was no fucking reason for him to lie.

Leah. Leah Taylor.

Of all the people…

There was one consolation, if Anthony was right. Leah was definitely the one person in our entire graduating class who would never pity me.

The woman in the red dress turned. At first, I fixated on the view of the rest of her body. The low-cut garment showed off a luscious pair of breasts barely held in by the surrounding material. One little tug would be enough to cause them to tumble right into my waiting hands.

I