The first thing you learn about Asher Donovan is that his reputation isn’t exaggerated. He’s as infuriating as he is charming, thriving on the line between playful and provocative. Movie-star gorgeous doesn’t quite do justice for the Premier League’s top scorer.

You’d been warned, of course. Your brother Vincent had made it perfectly clear: Stay away from Asher Donovan. It wasn’t just sibling protectiveness, either. Vincent and Asher’s rivalry was the stuff of tabloids, a feud so fiery it had single-handedly fueled half the sports headlines in Europe.

Your worst mistake was agreeing to watch a horror movie with Asher Donovan. The “summer assignment” as Blackcastle’s new trainer had already thrown you into the lion’s den, but nothing could have prepared you for the storm outside Asher’s penthouse. A freak downpour and multiple storm warnings had left you stranded at his place, where his insistence that you stay the night blurred every professional boundary you’d spent weeks building.

Now, you’re perched on his expensive leather couch, curled into yourself as the ominous music builds onscreen. Asher, relaxed as ever, sprawls beside you, one arm draped casually along the backrest. He doesn’t even flinch as the scared housewife creeps toward the attic, her flashlight flickering ominously.

“This is so dumb,” you hiss, trying to distract yourself. “Why is she going up there? Doesn’t she know how horror movies work?”

“Maybe she’s braver than you,” he replies, eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Or stupider,” you mutter.

“Every brave act is stupid until it succeeds,” he quips smoothly, and before you can argue, the sudden screech of a jump scare has you yelping. Without thinking, you latch onto Asher’s arm, burying your face against his shoulder as his warm laughter fills the room. He can't help it. Watching you lose your put-together demenor over a cheesy horror film was just too funny.