Tempting the Player by J. Lynn Page A

hope to see you at a game in the spring.”
    “You betcha,” Steven said, tugging on his father’s hand. “Can we? Please?”
    “First game of the season,” he replied, shooting Chad a grateful smile before ushering the boy off and back to the table.
    In his absence, the waitress placed the checks on the table. When the receipts came, as expected, there was a telephone number on Chad’s slip of paper.
    Bridget saw it and smirked.
    Chad’s eyes narrowed.
    As the four of them headed out of the restaurant, Chad discreetly tossed his receipt in the trash.
    Heavy, thick clouds had moved in, no doubt bringing cold, bitter rain. Damn, he hated November. Give him snow or give him sun.
    “We still on for tonight?” Chase asked, swinging an arm around Maddie.
    Wednesday night was poker night. Chad kept his gaze on Bridget, who was trying to very unsuccessfully disappear behind the couple. “I’ll be there at seven.”
    Maddie broke free and gave Chad a quick hug. “Don’t be a stranger, rock star.”
    He squeezed her back and then patted her on the head, knowing how much she hated that. “See you later, midget.”
    Through the good-byes, he hadn’t taken his eyes off Bridget. She was inching away, a bright and false smile plastered on her face as she clasped the handle of her purse in front of her like some kind of shield.
    When Chase and Maddie turned to head back toward the Mall, Chad slipped up behind Bridget, wrapping his hand around her arm in a gentle but firm grip. She stopped, and her eyes shot wide. Before she could open her mouth, Chad cut in.
    “Hey Maddie, I’m going to keep your friend for a few minutes, okay?”
    Maddie looked over her shoulder, brows furrowing. “I don’t know if I want to leave her with you.”
    Taking that good-naturedly, he grinned. “I promise I’ll return her just as she was.”
    She glanced at Bridget, who gave a resigned sigh and nodded. Maddie smiled—the kind of smile that Chad knew all too well. Poor Bridget was going to have a field day when she got back to the office.
    “Take your time,” Maddie called, and then turned back around, looping her arm through Chase’s.
    Chad watched them stroll down the ever-busy Constitution Avenue. “They make such a cute couple, don’t they?”
    Bridget stepped back under the awning of a closed arts dealer shop, and he followed, keeping his hand on her arm. She blinked several times, those crazy-long lashes fanning her flushed cheeks. Damn. He’d remembered her because he couldn’t forget her, but his memories hadn’t done her justice.
    She drew in a deep breath. “Look, I really need to get—”
    Lowering his head so their faces were mere inches apart, he enjoyed the soft intake of breath. “Did you really think you were going to escape me twice, Bridget?”

Chapter Eight
    Never in her life had she suffered through a more awkward lunch, and there was no end in sight. Did she plan on escaping Chad again? Well, yes. Was it working?
    Her gaze dropped to where his large hand practically swallowed her arm. She could feel the heat rolling off his powerfully coiled body as if she were basking in the sun instead of standing in chilly wind.
    Nope. Her plans for escape sure weren’t working.
    “Bridget?”
    She raised her eyes, meeting the deep blue hue of his. The feral, possessive look in his stare made her hot and shivery. Having seen that look in his eyes before, she wetted her lips. “So, you remember me?”
    “Remember you?” he repeated, brows lowering. God, he was good-looking. As much as she hated to think it, there was no doubt in her mind he would end up on People ’s list again this year. “How could I forget you?”
    Her heart tripped over itself and her mouth dried. “Then why did you act like you didn’t know who I was?” she accused.
    “Why did you say we only met briefly and it wasn’t a big deal?”
    Bridget bristled. “It wasn’t like I was going to say, ‘Oh, I met him at a club rumored to be a sex