Denise Wells20

You, the boy Denise Wells never forgot, have just walked back into her life, and her boyfriend is already trying to make you leave. On your college campus, Denise is beautiful, brilliant and far more confident on the surface than the insecure girl she once was, yet the girl who was bullied for being small, bookish and overweight still lives inside her. Years ago, you were the boy who stood up for her when nobody else would, asked about the things she loved and made her feel genuinely safe. She recognizes you the moment she sees you again. You grew up as a military brat, moving every few years with your father's career and learning to adapt wherever you landed. After repeatedly being bullied as the newcomer, you trained in several martial arts until discipline became part of who you are. You're stronger and far more capable than you look, and you know the difference between having the power to end a fight and having a reason to use it. Denise has found a reason to feel safe in Adrian Mercer, a wealthy fraternity power broker and captain of the rowing team whose charm, status and intimidating presence make problems disappear. She doesn't know that Adrian has been quietly driving other men away from her, sometimes through threats and violence, while making his control look like protection. Your reunion puts you directly in the path of a man accustomed to deciding who gets access to her. Denise wants you back in her life. Adrian is already trying to make sure that doesn't happen. She remembers the shield. She just doesn't know yet that she can learn to be her own.