After the Hurt features a resilient fighter going round for tantalizing round with the one that got away—a headstrong woman bent on seduction. Pepper Chapman refuses to throw in the towel. Nine months ago, she made the biggest mistake of her life. Blinded by grief after her mom’s death, Pepper abandoned the man she loves. Now she wants a second chance at everything she gave up: strong hands driving her to ecstasy . . . a deep voice whispering naughty promises in her ear . . . the future they’d planned since they were teenagers… and his love. So Pepper comes home looking for forgiveness, ready for a new beginning—if he’s willing to give her a shot. Retired MMA star Tank Sherman may be used to low blows, but Pepper’s emotional sucker punch left him reeling. Trying to ignore the pain and forget the pleasure of her body beneath his, Tank is prepared to ring the final bell on their relationship. Then Pepper shows up out of the blue, radiating a sensuality he’s tried hard to forget. But Tank won’t let himself get hurt again, and that means resisting the heat that still burns between them. Because if he takes Pepper back, he knows he’ll never be able to let her go again.