Lyle made the trip worth his time. He ogled and leered, lifting his eyebrows and making a complete cake of himself. That was Lyle, and surprisingly Killian didn’t seem to mind and even played along.
“Thanks for saving me. I think I’m giving up jogging. I’ll just stick to weights.”
“Excellent idea. Weights are good.” Ogle, leer, eyebrow lift.
This went on even after Killian took us to a late breakfast. I scarfed, both men watched, and I didn’t care.
“She eat like this all the time?” Killian questioned Lyle.
“I’ve invested in pizza stocks and made a fortune. She eats a large, topped with everything, all to herself. Touch a slice and lose a finger. Not with a knife or anything, she’ll just bite it off and eat it.”
“Ha ha, funny.” Amanda and Lyle always teased me about food. Killian was great to go out with because he actually managed to eat a little more than I did. If I added the five waffles he ate this morning, he was holding his own.
Lyle dropped Killian and me off at my apartment. Killian followed me inside and, as soon as the door closed, pulled me into his body. I could feel every hard, hot, and needy inch of him.
“What’s your schedule like tomorrow?”
I pulled away slightly, giving him a quizzical look.
“Tomorrow?” he repeated.
“Uh, I have a nine o’clock class.”
“Pack an overnight bag and I’ll get you there on time.”
I took a slow breath to line up my thoughts. “Don’t you have practice or something?”
“Yes, practice and something, but I’m not finished with you.”
“Finished?” That feeling of dread entered my stomach again.
“What’s your weekly schedule look like?”
I was missing something here, but went ahead and acted like an idiot. “Weekly schedule?”
He smiled slow and easy, moved back, and smiled some more.
I stared.
“I thought maybe you could concentrate more if my dick wasn’t touching you.”
My eyes dropped to the front of his shorts and, yep, his dick was there, tenting from his pants and huge. No smart comeback came to mind. I just licked my lips.
His voice dipped to that sweet, sexy octave that made my panties wet.
He laughed, but stayed back. “I want to know your schedule so maybe sometime during the week we can connect. Mine is crazy right now, but once regular season begins, things will be worse.”
I barely managed to keep my eyes up and not look at his crotch again. “I have classes on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. I have Wednesday days off, but work all night.”
“Work where?”
“Tillomans.”
His eyebrows arched. “I’ve never seen you there.”
“I’ve been there for five months, just on Wednesday evenings.” Tillomans was an exclusive restaurant that had steep prices, world-class dining, and excellent tips. It’s challenging to get a job there but the college arranged it for me.
“Friday nights?” He looked hopeful.
“Open.”
“Saturday and Sunday nights?”
“Open.”
“Not anymore. Pack essentials, maybe a couple nice dresses for dining out. You can buy anything you need that you don’t bring. When we’re alone at the house, you won’t need clothes.” He walked closer, entirely into my personal space, and threaded his fingers into my hair so he was holding my face still. “I want you on the weekends when I’m in town. Half the season I’m away, but when I’m not…I. Want. You. Bring that sexy short skirt, too.”
Dimples.
I had trouble breathing.
My life went from zero to Killian MacGregor in twenty-four hours, and I was in love.
Killian stayed close while I packed a medium-sized bag. I was having trouble believing this man, face of an angel, body of a god, rich, sports icon, and light years beyond sexy. He wanted me to pack a bag for sleepovers. Suddenly, all my insecurities came to the surface, but I managed to hide them as I stuffed my things inside. I tossed in my extra running shoes, received a scowl, which only made me smile, and zipped my bag. Killian took the handle, though it had rollers, and followed me to the door. I locked it then walked slightly behind him, watching his ass all the way to his car. His arm muscles barely tightened while holding my bag, damn it. I should have packed more junk.
We pulled up in front of a large outdoor mall. Killian got out first, came around, and assisted me from the car. I glanced at the storefronts, seeing no reason for us to be there. He took my hand and walked me toward a high-end cosmetic retail salon. I had no clue about his intentions.
“Pick out your soap, shampoo, and makeup—whatever you want so you don’t need to bring it back and forth from my place to your apartment.”
He walked inside with me following in stunned silence.
All female heads turned. Killian stayed by my side as I tentatively picked out the things I needed.
I looked at him. “Are you buying anything?”
His gaze tilted down to mine and he smiled. “No.”
When I went to dig into my small purse, he pulled out some bills and paid for everything. When we were back in his car and pulling onto the main road, I couldn’t help myself. “I can pay for my own things, Killian.”
He actually looked surprised for a split second and turned my way before giving me his completely lovable grin.
“I’ll add that to the list.”
He knew exactly how to take the angst out of me. I decided to change the subject. “So, what’s your weekly schedule?”
He didn’t hesitate. “Strength training in the mornings, full pads and contact most afternoons. My masseuse comes to the house at six thirty Monday through Friday, and I have a standing sports psychologist session on Wednesday nights.”
I wasn’t going to comment on the psychologist, but he answered my questions for me right after he took my hand and ran his fingers over my knuckles.
“I have a temper and don’t take losing well. There are other things I don’t handle with full brain function, but I’ve never hit a woman, never will. It was suggested when I got the starting QB position that I see a sports shrink.”
Wow. Okay, I knew lots of athletes used hypnotists and therapists, but he was the first one I knew who went to one for anger issues. I looked up from our locked fingers.
“Do you think I could borrow him once track season starts?”
His dimples came back.
I hid in Italy for three weeks. Greg came with me and kicked my ass on the court. He actually made a great practice partner. I was back to clean eating and drinking only water. It surprised me when Greg brought a bottle of wine to my room one night. “What’s this for?” I asked when he gave me one of his golly-gee smiles. Greg was cute. And, married to a lovely woman who worshipped him. “I’ve been your coach for three months now and I have no idea what makes you tick. It’s time for a come to daddy talk. Or in your case, come to coach. I figured the alcohol might make it easier.” “You’ll need more than one bottle,” I told him. He came back to my room ten minutes later with two more bottles in his hands. “Does your wife know you’re getting drunk with a slutty tennis star tonight?” I smiled to take the sting out of calling myself a slut. “She suggested it. We’ve had many long conversations about you.” “How romantic.” He poured our first glasses and tilted the edge of his glass against
I never returned to the hospital, which was entirely unfair of me. My anger at my father carried over to Brack. I was horrible. The man I loved hadn’t fully recovered and I left him at the hospital alone. Okay, he had his parents and his team. But, bottom line—I was horrible and a coward. I ignored the calls from Brack and my father. Again… coward.I needed complete control of my life. It took me two weeks to come up with a plan. During those two weeks, I hired a new coach and trained until I could barely walk. I trained with a purpose. I’d had my own money. Not just from tennis but from my mother. I’d never used it. That was the way I punished her and myself. Now, for the first time, I paid for my own coach.I liked him. I could actually smile over the fact that my father paid for Jerry all those years while the two of them hated each other. Greg, my new coach, kicked my ass. I had no idea if I had a chance this season. But, winning the Grand Slam was in my peripheral vision and not
Two days later, the doctors discontinued the medication that kept Brack in a coma. My father showed up the morning after surgery and made me go home, shower, and change clothes. Brack’s parents were staying in shifts. His mom promised she wouldn’t leave his side until I returned. I hadn’t really spoken to them. We stayed relatively quiet in Brack’s room. I whispered encouragement and told him I was there. They gave us privacy, too. That’s when I told him I loved him. Again and again, I whispered the words.My father and Senator Jacobs were cordial. Brack’s mother treated my dad like a family friend. Apparently she’d been friends with my mom. I tried not to think about the ramifications of our two families tied together through me and Brack. It was too much to take right now.Brack still had the ventilator. The doctor reviewed best and worst case scenarios with us. I refused to listen to brain damage, paralysis, learning to walk and talk again, and so on. My focus was full recovery. I
Four hours later, I was passed out against Mack’s shoulder when his cell rang. My brain registered the noise and I was pulled quickly from sleep.“Yeah,” he answered quietly. He listened for several minutes before responding. “I have her here with me. We’ll be there in a minute.” He slid his phone back in his pocket and looked at me. “He’s in recovery. It was touch and go, but he pulled through. They have him in a sedated coma. He has a stent in his skull to relieve swelling. The doctor told his parents he came to before surgery and demanded to see you. His mom wants you up there if you think you can handle it.”I was up and walking out of the emergency room before he finished, my heart pounding a hundred miles an hour. “What floor? I’m not waiting for you to waddle behind me.”Snickers came from several of the guys. “I’ve got her,” Molly said.“Second floor.”The elevator took so long I almost turned to the stairs. I’d do anything to get to him. Brack asked for me and I had to see hi
I ran toward Brack, who had fallen to the floor. There was so much blood and I tried wiping it off his face. My hands turned dark red.“You did it, baby,” he whispered before his body went completely limp.Sander and a woman who must be Molly ran into the enclosure with guns drawn. I could barely hear them. Echoed gunshots continued ringing in my ears.“Call an ambulance and please someone check on my father. He’s in the van,” I said as I held Brack’s head in my lap. Blood soaked my panties and covered my legs. Head wounds bleed, I kept saying to myself. Sander practically jumped over us and went straight to Ty’s body. He turned back when he had assured himself Ty was no longer a threat.“Where were you?” I asked softly. I didn’t want Brack to hear me yelling at his team.Sander sat down next to me and took Brack’s arm checking his pulse. “The bastard used some kind of scrambler. It took us a while to figure out the van didn’t leave the premises. We recovered the phones. Brack had a t
Kids laughed. A mother scolded a young child for attempting to go under the bar and get closer to one of the cages. Brack and I stood in the center of the primate exhibit. My phone chirped. It didn’t startle me this time; I was too numb. “Yes.”“Walk over to the primate exhibit sign and you’ll find another cell phone behind it. Exchange it for the one you’re using. Have Mr. Jacobs leave his phone behind, too.”Brack followed me to the sign and I did exactly as told. The phone was there. I picked it up and lay mine down. “He said to leave yours, too.” Brack took his from his jeans pocket and placed it beside mine. Thankfully, no one paid attention to us. I had no idea what we needed to do next. The phone in my hand vibrated. This time I clicked the call button without saying a word.“Go to your left and keep walking on the path. Did you bring my present?” I carried a bag with the dress inside so both of Brack’s arms would be free. He carried a gun in a hidden leg holster.“Yes, it’s in
The inside of my father’s home was a crime scene. We sat on the couch in the front room away from the forensic team that arrived a few minutes before. The media camped at the gates added to the growing chaos.Even knowing Ty would eventually call, I jumped when my cell phone chirped. The display read “Unknown.” My fingers trembled as I picked it up and answered, “Hello, Ty, or should I call you Leo?”His husky laugh sent goose bumps across my arms. “I told you not to call the police. You wouldn’t listen and you’ll pay for disobedience.”My voice remained steady. “It wasn’t me. You killed your mother, so what exactly did you expect? She worked for my dad for over thirty years. One plus one equals two, Leo.” Fuller and Brack told me not to push him too hard. I had to make him believe I hadn’t gone to the police, though.“My mother had cancer and it was eating away at her. I did her a favor. She didn’t walk in God’s light. By making her repent and then killing her God may show mercy.”He
My heart stopped. Dread and terror filled me. Colors danced before my eyes making it hard to see. The whoosh of blood traveling into my head made it hard to hear. I had to get control of myself. I gulped in air. “You goddamn son of a bitch. If you hurt my father I’ll kill you.”“He that blasphemeth the name of the LORD shall be put to death and stoned. Remember that when you feel the pain of my hand, Olivia.”Brack startled me by gathering me close and placing his head against mine so we both listened. “Where’s my father?” I demanded.“That’s better. I have instructions for you, Olivia. You will follow them to the letter. Please bring that man with you. The one you’ve been with lately.” His voice took on an eerie quality. “If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death.” He breathed heavily and then gave a sadistic laugh. “You may choose your father or lover to pay for your sins. One shall die and the other walks away.”“But…”He lau
I don’t know what I expected love to be like. Violins playing, little cupids flying around with bow and arrows, hell maybe just cuddles in bed for hours. That wasn’t what happened the following morning. Brack paced across the carpet of my living room with his cell to his ear listening to one of his men on the other end. He cast a glance or two my way. I could tell before the call ended that he would try his non-communication shit with me again.I was right.“What’s the news?” I asked the second he lowered the phone.He came over and sat beside me. “Nothing to worry about.”I gave him my I’m-about-to-slam-you-with-a-tennis-racquet look. “Bullshit.” I was beginning to notice his tells. The fingers traveling through his hair was a sign that he didn’t want to enlighten me. I waited.He breathed out a slow and steady breath of air. “Mack didn’t see his attacker, but he heard him before he lost consciousness.”My heartbeat accelerated. “Okay. Spill it.”“Mack told Herman that most of it was