Harlow props her chin on her palm and stares at me across the table. “That’s amazing. I can’t imagine my job being that physical. The craziest thing I do now is crouch down to find the right toy or exercise to help speech-impaired kids learn whatever I’m trying to teach them. It has to be daunting to be on the field with a bunch of well-trained maniacs bent on your destruction.”

“When you put it like that, what was I thinking?” I laugh. “Actually, I’m grateful to football. It kept me out of trouble as a kid and gave me a future I never imagined growing up in Honolulu’s poor neighborhoods. You wouldn’t get it, being one of those rich kids.”

She tsks at me. “Why would you think I grew up wealthy?”

I snort. “Are you kidding? Privilege drips off you. You have this easy air of assurance about the world, like you’ve never wondered where your next meal would come from, like you could take or leave money. But I’ll bet you’ve never been without it. You’re accustomed to nice houses and fancy cars. Not in the ‘I could get used to this’ sort of way, but as if having them is completely normal in your world.”

“How could you possibly know that?”

“It’s not a bad thing,” I assure her. “But I know because I was a kid who didn’t have air conditioning until I went off to college. We had one old TV. I didn’t even have a cell phone until after I signed my first pro contract. When I bought my first house in Dallas with my signing bonus, I kept walking in and staring in awe because I couldn’t believe I had a place with marble floors and didn’t have squawking chickens in the backyard I was waiting to get fat enough to eat. The way you look at the world is different. I want to hear more about your past.”

That’s what started this discussion. So far, Harlow has regaled me with tales about her sorority sisters and the hamster funeral, along with a couple of stories about her brothers’ childhood antics. Nothing about her parents, her childhood, or her romantic history. She’s only sharing the pleasant parts of her life. Because she’s giving me only the easy-breezy bits she wants to think about?

She cocks her head as she swishes the wine. “Not much to tell that you don’t know. My dad is a workaholic, and he was always good at making money. My mom pushed me into group activities the other kids did, forever sucking me into this dance studio or signing me up for that beauty pageant. I think she lived vicariously through me sometimes and never wanted to hear that I wasn’t interested in cheerleading or modeling or whatever she thought I should be for appearance’s sake.”

“She must be proud of you now. A master’s in a degree that can really help people, and especially if you’re focusing on children who really need you…”

Her smile turns stilted. “I think she would rather me make something of those acting classes she dragged me to. Or at least marry well. Since I’m disinclined to do either, I’m pretty sure she’s disappointed. What about you? Your parents must be extremely proud of all you’ve accomplished. And your siblings. What do they say at family gatherings?”

“They treat me like they always did. Trace tries to be bigger and badder, so he gets into these mock wrestling matches with me. Samaria still rolls her eyes at me and tells me to make myself useful. When we had Christmas dinner at her house last year, that meant doing a mountain of dishes. Mom clucks around me, like always. Still protective, as if I’m nine, not thirty-four. Dad passed away a couple years back. He always struggled with asthma. He had an attack when no one was home and he couldn’t get to a phone.”

Compassion softens her face. “I’m sorry. That must have been heartbreaking for you and your family.”

Harlow means that genuinely. And I realize that’s the dichotomy about her I don’t understand. She can be so warm and genuine and easy to be with. But when I ask her about herself, she dodges and deflects. If I get too direct, she shuts down. She’s not cold…but she’s also not forthcoming.

Suddenly, I’m actually looking forward to having dinner with Maxon and Griff and their brides. Maybe I’ll get some answers. Because as much as Harlow and I have sex—and we had a whole afternoon of it today—she’s let me have full access to her body, no problem. But I don’t feel as if she’s let me any closer to the woman beneath all that gorgeous glowing skin.

It’s bugging the hell out of me. Normally, I’d be high-fiving all the awesome, no-strings nookie. Not now. Not with Harlow.

5 Stars! “Be prepared for one of the best Sports Romance so far this year. The story is intensively developed and the characters are complex and emotionally and physically damaged. If your thing is a raw and lustful romance, this book is perfect for you.”
– Girls Behind the Book

5 Stars! “The perfect blend of romance, lust, love and standing in your own way. I love the story.”
– Alpha Book Club

5 iScream cones! “I loved More Than Love You so much. The author is so good at pulling at my heartstrings and making me feel her words. She also never fails to have me turning up the A/C, even in the winter, with her very sensual sex scenes that have me feeling like a voyeur and loving every second of it.”
– iScream Books Blog

5 Stars! “I loved this story and Harlow and Noah were the perfect couple. They were funny, had the faults and fears and in the end, their story was great.”
– Wicked Reads

5 Stars! “One of the best books I’ve read in months! I love this book!” – Magic Beyond The Covers Book Blog

5 Stars! “HOT and Sexy!” – Tasty Wordgasms

“It was more than just sex or feelings or drama or angst. It was about pain, lies, betrayal, deceit, the price of celebrity, bitter heartache, family, and most of all trusting in yourself and in the ones you love.”
– Natalie the Biblioholic

5 Stars! “Noah and Harlow are two of the most interesting and wonderful characters so far in this series. I couldn't help but to melt and sigh, and drool and sniffle, and feel the unavoidable tug of my heart for this incredible, intensely satisfying, sizzling romance!”
– Marie’s Tempting Reads

“Shayla Black once again does a brilliant job of roping me into a compelling story and supplying my HEA and oh boy, does this woman know how to heat up the sheets.”
– Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

“This book, shoot, this series is a one click recommendation.”
– Catty Jane Book Lovers

Highly recommended! “It was wonderfully written and very, very hot it pulled me in immediately.”
– Crazy Cajun Book Addicts

“More Than Love You really is a compelling and beautiful romance. It is HOT. AS. F*CK. It is enthralling and endearing. It’s just brilliant. From the writing to the development to pacing…it’s verging on flawless.”
– Mammie Babbie Blog

5 Stars! “This book is hot, emotional and an overall great read.”
– Michelle, Goodreads Reader

5 Stars! “Great addition to the series….steamy with all the feels.”
– Armenia, Goodreads Reader

5 Stars! “If you thought Maxon and Griff's stories touched you wait to you read Harlow's. Highs and lows, strengths and weakness, love and hate are all entwined to form characters who are real and addictive.” – Patricia, Goodreads Reader

5 Stars! “Mind Blowing, Passionate and Raw” – Linda, Goodreads Reader

5 Stars! “More Than Love You is a emotionally rich and sultry tale that is sure to have romance readers near tears one moment, and swooning the next!”
– Reds Romance Reviews

I love this book! “More Than Love You is a heart wrenching emotional read, extremely well written and you can feel the characters emotions in the words.
– KDRBCK

“Harlow and Noah I think were the most unique story of them all. Their story was written to remind you that life and love is worth fighting for.”
– Love Romance Books

“Ms. Black is an extremely talented writer, her character depth was fantastic and I loved the banter with all the characters.”
– Rockchick Addiction Reviews and Blog

Sexy! “… an emotional and sexy read with a happy ending.”
– Book Addict

““This book has all the things! Steamy romance, just enough angst, humor and a couple of awesome twists!”

– Cup of Tea Book Blog