Playing for Keeps/Body Check (Rules of the Game) by Heather Peters Page A

had a great time. Played ball for a great team. I have money, cars, fame, but it all means nothing without you, Red. I have to go back to California to take care of business, so why don’t you come with me? We'll leave John and Grace in charge of the café, and get married again, have a real honeymoon. Wherever you want to go, ok, Red?"
    "Anywhere Nico, but first, come with me."
    He grabbed her hand and she led him to the bathroom where Nick was obviously surprised she hadn’t led him to the bedroom. But first things first.
    "Sit down, I want to show you something."
    "Are we taking a shower?" he quipped.
    She reached around him and held a long white stick in her hand. Presenting it to him, she whispered, "No secrets, no lies, just you and me and this."
    When he saw what she held out to him, a single tear slid down his clean shaven, handsome face.
    "Really, Jen?" He took her in his arms and held the stick. "We're getting a second chance, baby. I love you."
    "I love you more. Nico, I've made some bad choices over the years, but I promise to make it up to you and make you happy for the rest of our lives. Welcome home."
    Then Jenna sealed her welcome home gift to him with another deep soul stirring kiss that proved that this time she was playing for keeps.
     
    THE END

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Body Check

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER onE
     
     
    Mid-town Manhattan, early March
    Hot Shots Sports Bar
     
     
    "So what do you say, gorgeous?   Will you be my date for the team's dinner dance and fundraiser?"
    Mia Sinclair turned toward that sexy male voice, and shook her head. Quinn Rafferty, handsome goaltender for the New York Thunder, nicknamed, 'The Mighty Quinn' by fans, straddled the chair closest to her and gracefully eased in. His scent, a sinful mix of spice and perfectly toned athlete, never failed to make her sit up and take notice. Those sexy blue bedroom eyes, indisputable charm, curly collar length ink black hair and dressed in a designer suit fit for a GQ model, he looked more like a Wall Street stock broker than a hockey player.
    Mia attempted to focus on her glass of wine, but there hadn’t been a drink concocted that could match the potency level equal to the powerhouse that was Quinn Rafferty.
    Taking a deep breath, she met his gaze, a sparkling blue eyed look, filled with playful seduction. "Look, Q, you're a great guy and you certainly are tenacious. But I told you before, since I'm the public relations director for the Thunder, it's probably not a good idea that we date."
    Before he could reply, she added. "Oh and there's that tiny detail that may prove a deterrent."
    "And what would that be?"
    "Ah, the fact that my father is general manager of the team."
    That charming smile of his turned upside down, fast. "Ah, playing the boss's daughter angle again. You don’t fool me, Mia. I've been asking you to go out with me for a long time. Please don't use your father as an excuse.   If I didn’t know better, I'd think you were just looking for an out."
    Mia frowned. Trying to get through to Quinn was like attempting to get through brick with a feather.
    "We've been through this a hundred times, Q," she said. "We shouldn’t mix business with pleasure. It's just the way it is.   And we're friends, good friends aren't we?" She heard herself ask the question, but wasn’t sure if she believed her own words.
    But she could see there was no getting one over on Quinn.   Instead of taking rejection graciously, he slid closer to her, lowering his voice so no one around would hear.   "Look, we've known each other for the better part of two seasons. You've got to know that you've been driving me crazy for a long time. And I know what you've been through with that asshole, Andre. But he's gone and I want you to know I'm still here, waiting, wanting to touch you, kiss you."
    Quinn's words touched her more than he would ever know. She swallowed hard, her heart aching from his closeness. For months Quinn's attempts