Down by Contact

Can be read as a standalone.

Two rival football players begin a game with higher stakes than the Super Bowl in this steamy romance from the author of Illegal Contact.

Simeon Boudreaux, the New York Barons’ golden-armed quarterback, is blessed with irresistible New Orleans charm and a face to melt your mama’s heart. He’s universally adored by fans and the media. Coming out as gay in solidarity with his teammate hasn’t harmed his reputation in the least—except for some social media taunting from rival linebacker Adrián Bravo.

Though they were once teammates, Adrián views Simeon as a traitor and the number-one name on the New Jersey Predators’ shit list. When animosity between the two NFL players reaches a boiling point on the field, culminating in a dirty fist fight, they’re both benched for six games and sentenced to joint community service teaching sullen, Brooklyn teens how to play ball.

At first, they can barely stand to be in the same room, but running the camp forces them to shape up. With no choice but to work together, Simeon realizes Adrián is more than his alpha-jerk persona, and Adrián begins to question why he’s always had such strong feelings for the gorgeous QB…

Praise for Santino Hassell and The Barons

“Santino Hassell’s Illegal Contact is a devour-in-one-sitting treat. His dark, gritty characters are startlingly, heartbreakingly, and unapologetically real.”–Karen Rose, New York Times bestselling author

“Santino Hassell never disappoints!”–Suzanne Brockmann, New York Times bestselling author

“Santino Hassell is one of those writers who elevates the male/male romance genre. Illegal Contact delivers his trademark pairing of two gritty, tough and smart-mouthed heroes wrestling each other into romantic submission. Like everything Santino writes, it’s sexy and rough, with swoon-worthy high points that feel earned.”–Christopher Rice, New York Times bestselling author

“Santino Hassell knows how to write a romance that will steam up your windows one minute and make you swoon the next. Illegal Contact is sexy, snarky, and utterly romantic. Loved it!”–Roni Loren, New York Times bestselling author

“A perfectly paced story of opposites attracting, I couldn’t help but root for a grumpy hero that stole my heart and the man who taught him how to love. Santino Hassell’s talent and ability to bring to life beautifully flawed characters that you can’t help but relate to is perfectly highlighted in Illegal Contact.”–Mariana Zapata, New York Times bestselling author

“Illegal Contact is full of Hassell’s trademark grit and whip-smart dialogue, and is easily his most romantic book to date. Readers will fall in love with the Barons!”–Megan Erickson, USA Today bestselling author

“Illegal Contact is a compelling, powerful story of two men getting exactly what they need. Santino Hassell’s turns his observant gaze on the world of football, and sports romance will never be the same again. This wise, sexy story is sports romance as you’ve never read it before.”–Sarina Bowen, USA Today bestselling author