Boxer Next Door Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Part I

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Part II

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Part III

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Part I

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Part II

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Part III

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Part IV

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Part I

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Epilogue

  Part II

  Prologue

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Epilogue

  Part III

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Epilogue

  Boxer Next Door

  Older Woman Younger Man Romance

  Summer Cooper

  Copyright © Lovy Books Ltd, 2017

  Summer Cooper has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

  Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.

  Lovy Books Ltd

  20-22 Wenlock Road

  London N1 7GU

  Claim your FREEBIE now by signing up to my newsletter

  Summer x

  Contents

  Personal Note

  1. Lydia

  2. Lydia

  3. Kenji

  4. Lydia

  5. Lydia

  6. Kenji

  7. Lydia

  8. Kenji

  9. Kenji

  10. Lydia

  11. Kenji

  12. Kenji

  13. Lydia

  14. Lydia

  15. Kenji

  16. Lydia

  17. Kenji

  18. Lydia

  19. Kenji

  20. Lydia

  21. Kenji

  22. Kenji

  Author’s Note

  F Buddy

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Menage Romance Collection

  I. Double Billionaire

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  II. 2 Choices

  About the Book

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  III. Double Rebound

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  More Romance Stories

  I. Just You

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  II. Sweet Love

  About the Book

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  III. Bad Star

  About the Book

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  IV. Beautiful Stranger

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Exclusive Novels

  I. New Neighbors

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  Dele
ted Scene

  II. Brit Next Door

  Prologue

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Epilogue

  III. Don’t Tell Daddy

  About the Book

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Epilogue

  Also by Summer Cooper

  Summer Cooper

  Personal Note

  To my lovely readers,

  Thank you for choosing to read my book. I really hope that I can bring you some joy with my words.

  To extend your reading pleasure, I’ve included a few bonus short stories right after the main story.

  Please refer to the Table Of Contents to see what to read next!

  Summer Cooper

  Discover the wild girl in you.

  1

  Lydia

  “It’s a gloomy day outside, Charlotte, North Carolina, and snow may just be on the way. Bundle up if you’re going out tonight! Here’s a new track from...”

  I turned the radio off, frustrated at just how cheerful the DJ sounded about the weather. It was the beginning of November, and the weather outside certainly showed it. While it wasn’t raining, there were dark clouds in the sky that had been hanging around all day, and now as it drew closer to evening, the air felt much chillier. He might be right, snow might just be on the way.

  The weather was bad enough, but after a hectic day of court, I was at the end of my rope. Being a lawyer had been my dream, and while it had been hard when I started out, I doubt I’d ever been as tired as I felt then. It was probably just my years catching up with me, but to say I was glad the day was over and I was glad to be home was an enormous understatement.

  I practically stumbled through the door, tossing off my high heels and dropping my purse and some files on the table in the foyer.

  “Bryson!” I called out for my eight-year-old son. “Mommy’s home!”

  There was silence as I slowly flexed my toes. Then, there was the sound of little feet rushing on the hardwood floor above me. I smiled as I kept my eyes on the stairs. Bryson came around the curve and paused when he caught sight of me. He grinned at me, and it was enough to give me a little more energy.

  “Mom!” he exclaimed, practically flying down the stairs and attacking me in a hug.

  I let out a squeal as he slammed into me. My balance was a little off, and we almost went tumbling onto the floor. I let out a delighted laugh. I squirmed out of his hold so I could squat down and pull him into a proper hug.

  “And how has my little man been?” I asked as I pulled back, ruffling his dark hair. “You didn’t give your babysitter any trouble, I hope?” I asked in my best mommy voice.

  Bryson scoffed at me, pouting. “Of course not! I stayed in my room almost all day playing video games and reading comics. Julie is in the kitchen, she was going to make me a snack.”

  I pecked a kiss on his cheek. He gave me an expression of disgust as he wiped his cheek and I laughed some more.

  “Why don’t we go see Julie for this snack then, hmm?”

  I got up to my feet, wincing a little as I walked. I’d been on my feet for most of the day, and my feet were sore from the high heels.

  Just a little further, I soothed. A little more, and then I can rest my feet.

  Julie was in the kitchen, putting together some sandwiches when we walked in. I let Bryson rush over, following behind him.

  “Hi there, Julie,” I greeted, giving her a small smile and a wave. “I hope he wasn’t too much trouble today.”

  Bryson stuck his tongue out at me. Julie just laughed.

  “It’s all right, Lydia. He was a perfect little angel.”

  I pursed my lips, doubting the statement. I knew how hyper my son could be.

  “I’m glad that you came. I kinda need to go home; I’ve got a lot of assignments that I need to get back to.” She gave me an apologetic look.

  I shook my head. “No, I completely understand. Bryson, take a sandwich and sit down, okay? I’ll walk Julie to the door.”

  I watched as Julie brought a sandwich and a glass of juice over to the table, and Bryson hurried over to get into his seat. She ruffled his hair, then we both left him to eat.

  Julie was the daughter of my neighbor and a teenager in her junior year of high school. Her school wasn’t that far from Bryson’s. It had been hard before she came into our lives, hurrying to get away from work so I could pick him up in the afternoons, only to leave him at home or take him to work with me or leave him to his own devices as I locked myself up in my home office. I’d talked to my neighbor at a local party some months back, and she’d told me her daughter was looking for a part-time job.

  After we’d talked, since their schools were so close, she’d agreed to pick him up after school on the days I couldn’t make it and take him home to wait for me to get there. There were nights when I was away longer, so I paid her per hour with a little extra on top for picking Bryson up. I didn’t feel he was old enough to be left alone, and I didn’t have anyone else I trusted my son with, so I was very grateful for her help.

  We stopped at the foyer, and I went to the table where I’d left my purse and my papers. I reached into my purse and pulled out some bills.

  “Thanks for looking after him, Julie,” I said with a grateful smile, handing the bills over to her.

  “Anytime, Lydia,” she said happily, tucking them away. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

  She waved on her way out, and I made my way back to the kitchen where Bryson was still eating. I selected a sandwich for myself and a glass of milk, then sat across from my son at the dining table. He had his cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk as he chewed his food, and I couldn’t help smiling.

  “Try not to choke yourself,” I warned him, taking a small bite of my sandwich. “And don’t eat too much or you’ll ruin your appetite for dinner.”

  Bryson frowned at me, then chewed furiously and swallowed down his food, taking a quick drink of his juice.

  “This is enough for dinner,” he said stubbornly.

  I frowned. “You need to eat more than a sandwich and some juice, honey.”

  He shook his head. “No, Mom. Remember your promise. I want snacks.”

  I sighed but didn’t want to argue with him, and I let it drop. I’d already made the promise to him that since he didn’t have school tomorrow, we would binge watch a few movies later. I didn’t want him to stay up for too long, but he already had a few movies lined up, and we’d probably just keep watching until he fell asleep. Not that I minded. I worried that we didn’t get enough time for just the two of us anymore. And it would be a good way to forget the day I’d had.

  Bryson finished eating quickly, took his things to the sink, then hurried to the living room to get his movies ready.

  I took my time. After I finished eating, I put on some popcorn in the microwave, then I went to my room to get changed from my work outfit, pulling on a more comfortable fleece tracksuit. I made my way back to the kitchen to get the popcorn. I ripped it open and poured it into a bowl. I mourned a little at the lack of butter, but found a bag of chips in one of the cupboards in case Bryson needed something more.

  With everything prepared—at least for the moment, knowing I’d have to get us more snacks as the night wore on—I went to the living room.

  By the time I got there, Bryson was bouncing on the couch with the remote in hand, waiting im
patiently for me.

  “Mom,” he whined. “Hurry up!”

  I chuckled and moved to sit down next to him. I curled into the corner of the couch, pulling a knit blanket onto my lap and covered my legs with it. Bryson got under the blanket too, then fiddled with the remote.