Holiday Games

Play by Play - 6.5

by

Jaci Burton

This one is for my readers. Thank you for loving all the Rileys as much as I do.

Chapter One

Not Pregnant.

Liz Riley sat in her bathroom, crushing disappointment tightening her stomach as she stared at the pregnancy test.

Not pregnant. Again.

Her period was three days late. She’d been so certain this time.

Dammit. The word failure wasn’t in her lexicon. She’d always succeeded, usually found a way to get what she wanted. Even when faced with a temporary roadblock, she wrangled her way around it and won. She was one of the best sports agents in the business, and always got what she wanted.

But that was business, and this was personal. For the past year, she’d tried—and failed—numerous times to get pregnant.

She tossed the stick into the trash and stared at herself in the mirror.

“This sucks.”

“What sucks?”

She whirled to face her husband, Gavin, the love of her life and the only man who could have ever made her want to have a baby.

She twined her arms around him. “Nothing. Okay, it’s something. I might have a pimple coming up on my chin.”

He gasped. “Oh, God, no. Not a pimple. It’s the end of the world.”

She glared. “This is serious.”

He tilted her chin up. “There’s nothing on your chin. And even if there was, you’d still be the sexiest damn redhead I’ve ever laid my eyes on.”

He pressed a kiss to her chin, then let his lips trail down over her neck. Her woes temporarily forgotten, she leaned against him, loving the feel of his body pressed along hers. He’d just gotten out of the shower, and the fresh, clean scent of him never failed to hit all of her hot buttons.

Then again, she liked him sweaty, too. After a practice or a game, with dirt and perspiration rolling down his face, he wore his work on his body, and she loved him that way.

As his former agent, she knew how hard he worked at baseball. He was the best first baseman she’d ever represented. Of course, as soon as they’d fallen in love, she’d had to bow out of representing him, but she never stopped appreciating what a fine specimen of an athlete he was.

Or what an amazing and giving lover he was.

Like now, as he set her on the bathroom counter, spread her legs and dropped to his knees, burying his face between her thighs.

She shuddered as he slid his tongue along her sex. Gavin always knew exactly how to pleasure her.

“Oh, yes,” she murmured, sliding her fingers through the softness of his hair, directing him to where she needed his mouth. And when he hummed against her clit, she arched against him, so close already she could come right now.

But not yet, not when the sensations he brought out of her with his tongue were so delicious. She wanted to wait just a little longer.

The distant sounds of knocking permeated her senses. But she was right on the edge, so close to coming that she blocked everything else.

“I’m almost there, Gavin. Just like that.”

And when he pressed his tongue against her clit and licked her, she came with a loud cry, holding his head there as she rode out an amazing orgasm that left her shuddering.

He rose up and kissed her with the same hard passion that always left her breathless.

She heard the rapping at the door again. Only this time, the doorbell accompanied the knock.

Gavin pulled back. “Was that the front door?”

Then realization slammed into her. “Oh, shit. I forgot Jenna and Tara were coming over.”

“Oh, shit is right.” He looked down, and she followed his gaze where his erection bobbed hard and tempting against her leg.

She let out a rueful sigh. “So much for the hot sex. I guess I’ll get the door.”

“Good idea. I’ll be here thinking about what we could have been doing. No. Bad idea. I’ll think about on-base averages, and then I’ll get dressed.”

She laughed, slid off the counter, and hurriedly threw on some clothes before running downstairs to get the door.

Jenna arched a brow. “What the hell. I was about to call you. Were you in the shower?”

“I’m sorry. I was upstairs getting dressed. I’m running late this morning.”

“Are you sure this is a good time?” Tara asked, giving her a hug.

“It’s a perfect time. Come on in.”

Jenna brushed by. “You were probably having sex with my brother.”

Liz followed them into the living room. “And if I was, you so wouldn’t want the details about that.”

“You’re right. I wouldn’t.” Jenna laid a bag next to the sofa, then turned back to Liz. “Your face is all flushed. Oh, my God, you were having sex. Geez, Liz, you could have called us and told us to come back later.”

“No way. It was an impromptu thing.”

Tara crossed her arms, a serene smile on her face. “So, a quickie, huh?”

“More like half a quickie.”

“Ouch,” Tara said.

“You have lousy timing, Jenna,” Gavin said as he sauntered downstairs and into the living room.

“Hey, Tara’s here, too, you know.”

“Yeah, but you’re my sister, so I’ll blame you.”

He gave both Jenna and Tara hugs and asked, “Who wants coffee?”

“I definitely do,” Jenna said.

Tara nodded. “I’d love some.”

“Tea for me,” Liz said.

“Since when do you not drink coffee?” Jenna’s eyes widened. “Are you pregnant?”

“No. Just working on putting healthy stuff into my body just in case it happens someday. Which, so far, it hasn’t.”

Jenna squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry. I should stop asking you all the time about it. I’m as excited for you to have a baby as you are.”

Liz looked into the kitchen, then returned her attention to her sisters-in-law. “I took a test this morning because I was a little late. It was negative.”

Tara frowned. “I’m sorry. That has to be frustrating to want it so badly. But you just need to relax and give it time.”

Liz gave her a look. “When have you ever known me to relax?”

“Good point. But maybe if you did try to relax a little, it might happen?”

“I don’t know. We’ve been trying for a while. And I know I’m not in my twenties anymore, so maybe there’s something wrong.”

“Did you ask your doctor?”

Liz waved her hand. “She ran tests on both of us. Gavin’s fine. She said I’m fine, and that there’s no reason I can’t conceive. And she also said I should relax.”

Jenna laughed. “Okay, so just enjoy the sex thing and let it happen.”

“That’s the problem. It’s been a year. I’m not pregnant. Clearly I’m not trying hard enough.”

Jenna gave her a look. “I can’t imagine there’s anything you try to accomplish that you don’t give your all to. Even this.”

“Maybe.”

Gavin came in with drinks for all of them. “Thanks, babe,” Liz said.

“My pleasure. What were you all whispering about in here?”

Jenna gave Gavin an innocent look. “My wedding stuff, of course. Do you want to take a seat and hear all the details?”

Gavin looked horrified. “God, no. It’s bad enough you’re putting me in a tux and making me take part in it. Do I have to hear details, too?”

Liz loved the terrified look on his face. Like Jenna would ask him to go over invitations or something. “No. You’re dismissed.”

“Thank God. I’m going to the gym.”

He grabbed his gym bag and kissed Liz good-bye.

After he left, Liz motioned to the bag sitting next to the sofa. “So, what’s going on with the wedding stuff?”

Jenna grinned. “Tara brought over the place cards the other day. I thought you might want to see them.”

“You know I do. I can’t believe the wedding is only a few weeks away.”

“I can’t, either. Ty and I put it off for so long. The whole wedding thing just wasn’t important, because we love each other and are committed. I really wanted to just go to city hall or maybe to Vegas for a quickie wedding.”

“But then there’s your mother,” Tara said. “Who would have never forgiven you.”

Jenna nodded. “Exactly. Denying her a wedding, especially for her only daughter, just wasn’t an option, especially after the two of you married Mick and Gavin in such elaborate ways.”

“Uh, sorry?” Liz said with a grin. “I never thought I was the fancy-wedding type. Or even the marrying type. Until Gavin came along.”

“I can relate, believe me. I never believed in the whole commitment thing until Ty. And marriage wasn’t all that important to me, but I loved Ty and he wanted to get married, and then there’s Mom. So I caved.” Jenna took a deep breath. “And so here we are.”

Tara dipped her hand into the bag and pulled a place card out, handing it over to Liz. “With these.”

The place cards had a purple border, matching the color of the tips of Jenna’s hair, and the ink was in Ty’s hockey team color. The upper quadrant had a musical note and a hockey stick coming up through it, signifying parts of both Jenna and Tyler, with their initials woven through it.

“I love these. So much,” Liz said.

“Me, too,” Jenna said. “You don’t think they’re hokey or stupid?”

“Of course not. They’re you. And Ty. And perfect.”

Jenna grinned. “Thank you. I love them, too. Tara helped me with the design.”

Liz slid her glance over to Tara. “It’s what you do best.”

“Thanks. I’m ridiculously excited about this wedding. At least this time I’m not pregnant.”

“And how is our gorgeous nephew?”

“Pulling himself up to stand.”

“Oh, my God. Already?”

“Yes. Mick thinks he’ll be walking soon. He said when he was a baby, he walked at ten months, so he thinks Sam will walk early, too. I’m not ready yet. I want him to stay my cuddly baby as long as possible, though he can crawl through the house like a speed demon. I have to watch him every second, or he disappears. We’ve already got the gate up across the stairs.”

“He’s adorable, Tara. And where is he?” Jenna asked.

“With your parents. When I told your mom I was meeting with the two of you this morning, she asked if she could have him for a couple of hours.”

“Figures. She’s always grabbing Sam.”

Tara leaned back on the sofa. “You know you can have him whenever you want. Or come over whenever you want.”

“Sure. In my spare time, when I’m not overseeing the bar, or working at the club.”

“Oh, cry me a river,” Liz interjected. “I never get to see him, either.”

“I never thought the two of you would be fighting over my baby. You are the two least likely women I’d ever have guessed would have motherly instincts.”

“Hey,” Jenna said. “I love your baby. Not that I want any of my own right now. Too busy. But your kids? Love them madly.”

“That’s because one is in college, and the other you can love and cuddle and spoil, but you don’t have to keep him.”

Jenna nodded. “Exactly.”

Liz laughed. “Speaking of the one in college, how is Nathan doing?”

A streak of motherly pride crossed Tara’s face. “He’s doing so well. He’s putting his studies first, which I insisted on. And of course as you know, Texas ended up winning the Big 12 Conference championship this season. I’d like to think Nathan leading the team at quarterback had a lot to do with that.”

“He’s an exceptional quarterback, like his father,” Liz said. “I watched every game. He has a natural talent, very much like Mick’s.”

“Agree,” Jenna said. “In some ways, he’s better than Mick, because of the way he runs. He confuses the hell out of the defense.”

Liz nodded. “I’m eager to get my hands on him and get him an NFL contract.”

Tara looked horrified. “Oh, God, don’t tell him that. He’ll want to come out next year, and Mick and I want him to stay in school and finish up his degree.”

Liz laughed. “My lips are sealed. And I tend to agree with you. Some of these boys leave school too soon, the lure of the big contract and big money too much to resist. The longer they stay in college, the more experience they gain. At least that’s what I always advise them.”

“Obviously, they don’t always listen.”

She shrugged. “Bottom line is the choice is theirs to make. Many of them go on to have highly successful careers, but it’s my hope they all get their degrees. Or at least stay through their junior years, then finish up their degrees later.”

Tara nodded. “We’re going to push for Nathan to stay in school as long as possible, but you’re right, it’s his career and his choice. We just hope he makes the right one.”

They went over wedding planning, then went out to lunch. Liz parted ways with Tara and Jenna, then headed home, hoping to find Gavin there. Instead, he’d left a message on her phone letting her know he was going for a tux fitting, and then lunch.

Which was fine with her. She had some work to do, anyway, so she opened her laptop and answered a few emails. When she was done, she reviewed her calendar.

It was going to be an extremely busy holiday season. Not only was Jenna getting married—with Liz taking a very active role in that, which she was very excited about—but in addition, she and Gavin would be hosting Christmas for the Riley family in their home this year. Since this was the first time they’d have the entire family over for Christmas, Liz felt the burden of doing everything just right.

Not that Gavin’s family put high expectations on Christmas or anything. His parents were the kindest people she’d ever known. Kathleen and Jimmy Riley had been family to her—more parents to her than her own—since before she and Gavin had ever gotten together. She loved them so much, and they were genuinely warm people. So there was no pressure, other than the normal pressure she put on herself, which was always high.

But still, there’d be a lot of coordinating to do. The Riley family was formidable, and now that there were wives and kids and significant others in the picture, Christmas was going to be huge this year. And Liz intended for this to be the best holiday ever.

She made a few notes about food. Catering was out, unfortunately, because the Rileys just wouldn’t go for that. Nothing but homemade at Christmas. Kathleen would help her, of course, and so would Tara, along with Kathleen’s sister-in-law, Cara. They’d all have to get together and discuss options.

This would totally work.

She leaned back in her chair and stretched, then thought about Gavin and that wretched pregnancy test from earlier.

She pushed back and stood, heading into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. She’d be damned if she’d let her body defeat her. She poured tea into her cup and leaned against the kitchen counter.

If someone had told her two years ago that she would be married and trying to have a baby, she’d have laughed in their face. She’d been totally career driven, and there had been no man on her radar.

Except Gavin, of course. She’d always loved Gavin, but in secret. He’d been the man of her dreams, someone she’d been close to as a client only. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever thought she and Gavin would get together, let alone fall in love and end up married. That’s when her desire for a child—someone who was part of both of them—had started to take hold. She was almost in her midthirties now. If she was ever going to have children, it was time to get going on that. A now or never kind of thing, because she wasn’t getting any younger.

Which was why she wouldn’t let her dream of having a child go up in smoke.

Giving up wasn’t an option. They just needed to have more sex. Gavin was strong and virile, and she was still young enough. She worked out and ate right. There was no reason they couldn’t get pregnant. Gavin was off season right now, which meant he was more available than usual, and that meant more time for sex. Granted, she’d be a more than a little busy with the wedding and holiday planning, but if there was one thing Liz knew how to do, it was make time for sex.

She smiled against the rim of her teacup.

Operation Make A Baby was on.

Chapter Two

Gavin smirked at his soon-to-be brother-in-law while they sat waiting in the tuxedo shop. “So, Tyler, what are your intentions toward my baby sister?”

“I plan to marry the hell out of her, if that’s okay with you.”

Gavin shrugged. “Are you sure you know what you’re getting into? She’s kind of a pain in the ass. Moody. Sometimes grouchy as hell.”

“Sounds like that’s how she treats you. She’s great to me.”

Gavin laughed. “You’re probably right.”

“I don’t know,” Mick said. “She’s always liked me.”

“Bullshit. She fought with you as much as she fought with me.”

Mick arched a brow at Gavin. “That’s not the way I remember it. She always ran to me when you were picking on her.”

“No. It was me. She hated both of you and ran to her favorite cousin.”

Gavin laughed at Cole.

“Anderson party?”

“Oooh, we’re a party,” Gavin said, nudging Ty when he stood.

“Not yet,” Ty said. “But as soon as all this tuxedo crap is over with, we’re heading to the bar.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Gavin said.

It took about an hour to pick out the tuxes, though Jenna had already made a couple suggestions, and Ty, not really caring, went with what Jenna wanted. They were all fitted, except for Ty’s two teammates and friends Victor and Eddie, who couldn’t make it. But now that the tuxes had been selected, they could stop in and get their measurements anytime. All Gavin cared about was that his part was done. They were out of there as fast as possible, so they could head to Riley’s bar.

“We’re lucky we could all be together this week,” Mick said. “Fortunately, we’re playing Cole’s team, so I’m actually in town in time for the tux fitting.”

“Yeah, it worked out well,” Ty said.

“We’re going to kick your ass.”

“In your fucking dreams, Cole” Mick said.

“We’ll see, pretty boy. You’re getting kind of old to play football. Shouldn’t you think about moving into the broadcast booth or something? Maybe play stay-at-home dad while Tara makes the big bucks?”

Gavin snorted.

“Hey,” Mick said. “You’re my brother. Shouldn’t you be on my side?”

“I’m on nobody’s side when it comes to family playing family. I’m just going to enjoy the two of you trash-talking each other.”

Cole smirked and leaned back in his chair. When Renee, their waitress came over, she high-fived them all.

“I was wondering when the Riley crew would come in. Beers?”

“I’ll definitely have one,” Tyler said.

Gavin nodded. “Me, too.”

“Soda for me,” Mick said.

“Soda here, too,” Cole said. “Though I could drink ten beers and still kick your ass come game time.”

Gavin rolled his eyes at Ty. “Here we go again.”

Ty laughed. “I wonder if we should take bets on whether they’ll come to blows or not.”

“They won’t. But it’s fun to watch them bullshit each other about whose team is better.”

Ty nodded. “I can’t wait for the game on Sunday. The bar should be packed. Are you gonna go to the game?”

“Wouldn’t miss it. You?”

“Are you kidding? Jenna would kill me if I wasn’t there for the game. It’s a big family day for the Rileys.”

“I think we’re gonna have a lot of big Riley days coming up in the next few weeks,” Mick said.

Ty grinned. “Yeah. Seems that way.”

“Are you excited?” Cole asked.

“You know, I didn’t think I’d be. I mean, Jenna and I wanted this to be low-key, but it didn’t quite work out that way.”

“I know how that is. Liz and I were the same way,” Gavin said. We were going to have a small thing, which turned into a big thing because. . . well, my mom wanted a big wedding, and then Liz decided maybe just having a small wedding wasn’t going to work. Suddenly it was this huge affair. Can’t blame that all on the parents, though. Weddings seem to take on a life of their own.”

Ty laughed. “Yeah. It is becoming kind of an event, and I can’t say I’m all that disappointed about it. Despite Jenna not wanting to make a big deal out of the wedding, I know secretly she’s pretty excited about having the family all together to celebrate us getting married. I don’t think she would have really been happy if we’d eloped or gotten married at city hall.”

Gavin nodded and took a long pull of the beer Renee had set down in front of him. “I know what you mean. Liz was never about the big wedding. Until it came time to plan the big wedding. Then she became driven, like planning a wedding had been the one and only thing she’d dreamed about doing since she was a little girl.”

“Women, right?”

“Yeah. Can’t figure them out. Don’t even try. Just go with it.”

“That’s what I do, man. I just try and keep her happy. If she’s happy, then I’m happy.”

Gavin tipped his beer against Ty’s. “Amen to that.”

The conversation reverted back to Cole and Mick’s heavily testosterone-laden one-upmanship over who was going to beat whom. In the end, the two of them just ended up laughing and toasted each other, then they got down to the business of eating burgers, until they got on the topic of the wedding again, which put Ty on the hot seat for making them all wear tuxes.

Ty didn’t take the bait. Instead, he chewed a mouthful of cheeseburger and swallowed. “Not my fault. Talk to Jenna. I would have been happy in jeans.”

“You’d throw your fiancée—my sweet baby sister—under the bus like that?” Mick asked.

Ty reached for his beer. “Yup.”

“Wait ’til I tell her,” Gavin said.

“Go for it,” Ty said with a shrug. “She’ll back me up.”

Cole slapped Ty on the back. “That’s what I like about you. No fear.”

Mick took off after lunch to do some football-related thing. And Cole had to leave for the airport to pick up Savannah.

“Has she been out of town again?” Gavin asked.

“Yeah. She’s been doing a consulting thing for a client in Chicago for the past couple weeks.”

“Rough on both of you with all the travel, isn’t it?”

“We manage. At least the homecomings are hot.” Cole waggled his brows.

Tyler laughed. “Speaking of hot fiancées, I need to go see mine. We have . . . God forbid, wedding stuff that I promised to discuss with her. Thanks for meeting with me today, guys.”

They all took off. Gavin headed home, figuring Liz would be out doing some of that wedding stuff, too.

So he was surprised to see her car in the garage when he pulled in.

“Liz?” he called when he walked through the door.

She didn’t answer. He looked for her downstairs, but didn’t find her, so he headed upstairs. It was already getting dark outside, and cloudy, as he looked out the window in the landing.

There was a light on in their bedroom, so he pushed the door open.

And his jaw dropped.

Liz was on the bed, the only light in the room from candles lit on the nightstands. She was dressed in some silky, flimsy thing that rode high on her thighs and barely covered her breasts.

He went hard in an instant.

“Did we have a date I didn’t know about?” he asked as he entered the room.

She was reclining on her side, her head resting on her hand. “No, but we were interrupted this morning. I thought we could finish what we started.”

She patted the bed.

“Hell, yes.”

As he walked toward the bed, he kicked off his shoes and pulled his shirt over his head. Liz sat up and crawled toward the end of the bed, her breasts nearly visible as she bent over.

“I like whatever it is you’re wearing. Or almost not wearing.”

She tilted her head back and gave him one hell of a sexy smile. “I bought it to tease you with.”

While she unzipped his pants, he drew one of her straps down. “You aren’t going to be wearing it long.”

She sat on her heels. “That’s the idea.”

He shucked his jeans and underwear, his cock springing right into her hands. “Now, this is about where we were this morning, weren’t we?”

Her hands were warm, her mouth inches away from giving him exactly what he’d spent the day thinking about. “I’ve been aching for your mouth on me all day.”

“Is that right?” She fell forward onto her stomach, that slinky little thing she wore creeping up over her shapely ass, revealing that she had . . . absolutely nothing on underneath it.

His cock twitched and he surged forward, thrusting it into her hands.

“A little eager, are you?”

He looked down at her. “You know it. Now suck me.”

“I get all tingly when you give me orders.” She put her beautiful lips around his cock head, at the same time her tongue wound around him. Then she drew him into the sweet heat of her mouth, inch by slow, torturous inch, deliberately prolonging his pleasure.

“Aw, babe, that’s so good.” He bent forward and lifted the shift she wore, revealing the globes of her ass. He smoothed his hand over her flesh, parting it with his fingers so he could get to her pussy.

She was wet, and he slid his fingers into her at the same time she engulfed him, taking him deep.

“Fuck,” he whispered, closing his eyes as she sucked him. “You’re so good at that.”

Her answering hum around his cock made his balls tighten. And when she withdrew, his cock wet from her mouth, it was all he could do not to shove back into the sweet warm cavern and come down her throat. But he wanted to explore her body. She’d gone to all the trouble of the candles and wearing that outfit that was driving him crazy. He wanted to be inside her, drawing her close, inhaling her scent and pumping into her. That’s where he wanted to come.

So he pulled her up to her knees, drew her body against his, and kissed her, sweeping his hands over her curves and enjoying the feel of her breasts against his chest. Even after more than a year of marriage, Liz hit his hot buttons. She turned him on with an animal passion that still surprised him. He could never seem to get enough of her, and now that baseball season was over and he was home on a regular basis, he could indulge in his need for her.

He pushed her onto her back on the bed.

“Anxious?” she asked, her voice a husky, teasing caress.

“Yeah.” He spread her legs and eased his cock into her, watching her face as he entered her. One thing he’d always loved about Liz was the way she enjoyed sex—no-holds-barred, always fully into it. She loved making love with him as much as he enjoyed being with her. And as she arched her hips and took him inside, he knew once again that he’d found the perfect woman for him.

He grasped her hips and pulled her down on his cock, listening to the sounds of her breathing, the moans and whimpers she made as he pumped into her. That silk riding over her hips drove him crazy, so he leaned over her, pulled the straps down and took one of her nipples into his mouth, sucking it as he fucked her.

“Yes,” she whispered against him. “Harder.”

He gave her what she asked for, both with his mouth and with his cock. Her pussy squeezed his dick, making him fight for control.

“Kiss me,” she said, and he moved up to take her mouth.

She sucked his tongue, making him groan and plunge his cock deeper. Liz moaned, writhing underneath him.

“That’s going to make me come,” she said.

He lifted up, met her gaze, and ground against her, giving her what she needed—a slow, hard deep movement that made her eyes widen.

And when she came, she raked her nails down his arms and shuddered against him. Unable to hold back, he went with her, his orgasm rocking his world and stealing his breath, like it always did.

Liz wrapped her legs around him and held him there while they both settled from the aftermath. She smoothed her hands down his arms, pressing a kiss and a love bite to his shoulder.

“That was a great way to end the day,” he said.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I sure did.”

He rolled to his side, bringing Liz with him. She shivered, so he pulled up the blankets and they lay there. He hadn’t been much of an after-sex cuddler before Liz came into his life, but now he enjoyed holding her in his arms, listening to her breathe.

“I took a pregnancy test this morning,” she said.

He stilled. “And?”

“Negative.”

He heard the flat tone of her voice. She tried to be nonchalant about it, but he knew how much it hurt her, how much she wanted to have a baby. He wanted to have one with her, so he kept the disappointment out of his voice. “It’s okay, babe. We’ll keep trying.”

She sighed. “Yes, we will.”

This was such a touchy subject, and Gavin never knew how to approach it. “It’s going to happen.”

She sat up in bed and leaned against the pillows. “I know it will. I’m determined.”

He pushed up and sat next to her, giving her a grin. “If there’s one thing I know about you, it’s that you won’t let anything stand in your way. But you have to relax about this. We’ll get there.”

“You’re so sure. How can you be so sure?”

“Easy. I have insider information.”

She tilted her head to the side and frowned. “Huh?”

“Let’s check the magic cock of knowledge and see what it says.”

She gave him a look of utter disbelief “What the hell are you talking about?”

He pulled the sheet back, grabbed his shaft. “You know, like the Magic 8 Ball.”

She studied his dick and balls. “I don’t know, Gavin. I only see two balls down there. Not eight. Unless you’ve been hiding six more somewhere.”

He laughed. “Trust me. My cock knows all.”

She arched a brow, raised her knees, and wrapped her arms around them. “Okay, this is interesting. Do go on.”

He shook his cock back and forth, like all the kids used to do with their Magic 8 Balls. He could tell Liz was trying hard not to laugh.

“Oh, magic cock, is there a baby in our future?” he asked.

Her lips curved. “And what does the magic cock of knowledge say?”

He grasped his balls in his hand. “It says I’ve got your baby right here.”

She laughed, then rolled over on top of him. “You always know just the right thing to say.”

He wrapped his arms around her and tugged her close. “Stick with me, babe. You’ll never go wrong.”

Chapter Three

The family had gotten a suite at the stadium for the football game, all of them gathered together to share Mick and Cole’s day.

Liz had stopped off at the owner’s suite first thing to schmooze with Ted Miller, the owner of the St. Louis Traders, the home stadium. As an agent, it was her job to make sure her clients were well represented. Not that she represented Cole, but she had clients on the Traders as well as the San Francisco Sabers. She didn’t take up too much of Ted’s time, because she had a stop over to make at Irvin Stokes’ suite as well. Touching base with the owner of the Sabers was equally as important. She wanted him to know she was there to support all of her clients. It was a perfect opportunity to mix in a little business with pleasure.

As soon as she finished with the work portion of her day, she went back to the family suite. Opening the door was like a burst of warmth and her heart swelled. Having no family of her own—at least, no family that loved and supported her, the Rileys belonged to her now.

“Liz. I was wondering where you’d wandered off to.”

Gavin’s mother had spotted her immediately, which wasn’t at all a surprise. Kathleen Riley was great at taking care of her family, always making sure everyone felt welcome.

“I had some work to take care of.”

Kathleen shook her head. “You’re always working. When do you ever take a day off?”

Liz laid her hand over Kathleen’s arm. “I take plenty of days off, Mom. Don’t you worry about me. So what’s to eat in here?”

“Well, not my lasagna for sure. But there’s a lot of good stuff including some antipasto, chicken wings . . .”

Kathleen led her to the food, and Liz was hungry, so she filled a plate and grabbed something to drink. Kathleen chatted with her for a few more minutes and then wandered off to see to another family member. Liz spotted Savannah and Alicia huddled together at one of the tables and made her way over to them.

“Private conversation?” she asked, not wanting to intrude in case they were talking about something they’d rather she didn’t hear.

Savannah offered up a smile. “Not at all, Liz. Please, come join us.”

Liz took a seat and set down her plate and drink. “How are the boys looking out there?”

“Just warm-ups,” Alicia said. “So nothing exciting yet.”

“Good. Then I have time to eat while Savannah tells me about her trip to Chicago.”

“It was good. And not sports-related for a change, so that was rather refreshing.”

“As I recall, some CEO of a tech company, wasn’t it?” Liz asked.

“Yes. A young techno-wizard, came out of nowhere. One of those kids that created something out of nothing and is now a multimillionaire. But now he’s taking his company public and he needed an image makeover in the worst way. He’s brilliant, but a bit socially awkward, and his style— Well, let’s just say it was better suited to his parents’ basement than to the cover of Time magazine.”

Alicia smiled. “You’re just the right person to give him the social and style makeover he needed.”

“It was fun, actually. He’s a great young man and he’s definitely going places. I brought in a team to assist me with a fashion makeover and he and I spent a lot of time working on the social aspects of his persona. He’s smart and very hip and I didn’t want to change that about him. He just needed a few lessons in how to respond to the media so he didn’t come across as . . .”

Savannah seemed at a loss for words. Then again, she was nicer and more politically correct than Liz.

“A douche?” Liz offered.

Savannah laughed. “Yes. That, exactly. He didn’t need to go all GQ or turn into some stuffy exec. He just needed to become more comfortable in front of the camera. He’s a very quick learner, so I believe he’ll do just fine. Really, he’s just a sweetheart. I also met his girlfriend, an Ivy League grad and law student who’s going to be a wonderful asset to him, both professionally and personally.”

“Sounds like a perfect combination. I’m glad it all worked out for you.”

“Thanks, Liz. I’m just glad to be back home for a while. I missed Cole. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss this game.”

“None of us want to miss this game,” Alicia said. “The cousins playing each other is always a big deal to the Rileys.”

“And speaking of you and Cole, when are the two of you going to be planning your wedding?” Liz asked.

Savannah grinned. “I know, our schedules have been ridiculous, and I’ve been lucky to have so much work to do lately. But we’ve set a date for next May.”

Alicia grinned. “That’s fabulous. And it’s about time.”

“Hey, it’s time for you and Garrett, too.”

“I know. We’re getting there. Talking about it. Taking things slowly. Finding a house and discussing all things marriage-related. We’re considering a late fall wedding next year, maybe after baseball season.”

Liz smiled. “I love that everyone’s in love. Getting married. Talking about getting married. Shacking up.”

Alicia laughed. “I guess we’ll get through Jenna and Ty’s wedding first.”

“Yes.”

“I heard my name mentioned. Are you saying bad things about me?”

Jenna sat with them.

“Awful things about you,” Liz said. “Mainly about your hair, and your butt.”

Jenna cracked a smile. “Yeah, well, speaking of my butt, you can kiss it.”

“No, we were talking about who’s married, who’s engaged, and who’s house shopping. And Savannah set a wedding date.”

“I heard about that. So Savannah’s next. And then Alicia.”

“Apparently. And I’m the old married woman.”

“No, that’s Tara because she and Mick got married first.”

“Where is Tara?” Alicia asked.

“She texted me a little while ago and said she had a brunch event to do this morning, but that she’d be here,” Jenna said.

“Good. I know she wouldn’t want to miss the game,” Liz said. “Who has Sam?”

“The babysitter,” Jenna said, “Since everyone in the family is here today, she figured Sam would get too tired to spend all day at the game. Not a good venue for a little one.”

“That makes sense.”

After Liz finished her plate, they all grabbed their seats and watched the pregame festivities, cheering loudly for both Mick and Cole as the teams were announced and took the field. Kathleen and Jimmy wore their Sabers jerseys, and of course since Cara and Jack were Cole’s and Alicia’s parents, they countered by wearing their Traders jerseys. The rest of the family interspersed, some wearing Traders colors, some Sabers.

It was quite the mix.

Tara showed up just as they were doing the coin toss.

“Sorry I’m late. Did I miss the kickoff?”

“No,” Liz said. “Not yet.”

“Ugh. The event went a little long and I couldn’t leave. And I’m starving. I’m going to wolf down some food and settle in.”

Liz rubbed her back. “Relax so you don’t get indigestion.”

Tara laughed. “I know. I know. It’s just been that kind of week. Sam’s had a cold, and Mick of course had his head in the game. Plus, I had this party to plan. It’s always everything at once. And Nathan will be home next week and I’m so excited about that, too.”

“You have a lot going on.”

“I do. But right now I have these mozzarella cheese sticks calling my name.”

Liz laughed. “I hear you. Priorities, honey.”

Tara finally settled and relaxed, and then it was game time. Liz felt the electricity in the filled-to-capacity stadium. Both teams were doing well in the standings, so this game meant something to both the Traders and the Sabers. The Traders were in first place in their division, and the Sabers were one game behind in theirs. And as the Traders kicked off to the Sabers, Liz held her breath. Even though she had no loyalty to either team, she felt for both Mick and Cole, knew what it was like to have a game that meant so much.

Grant Cassidy, the quarterback, took the ball for the Traders and Cole lined up on the left side of the field. Liz took a glance at the row in front of her and saw Savannah leaning forward, her gaze glued to Cole. Liz knew what it was like to watch her man. When Gavin was playing, her heart was in her throat, willing him to play well. Next to her, Tara was just as intent on the game even though Mick wasn’t out on the field.

It was a post pattern, and Cole made a perfect catch from Cassidy, gaining twenty-four yards, a big first play for the Traders that had everyone on their feet cheering.

In typical Riley fashion, everyone cheered, even Tara, though she muttered “dammit” under her breath.

Liz laughed. “Going to be a tough game, isn’t it?”

“I love Cole. He’s family. He’s Savannah’s fiancé. But right now he’s my husband’s opponent. So while I want him to do well . . . I don’t want him to do well. It’s a dilemma.”

Savannah turned around in her seat. “You can go ahead and boo and curse, honey. It won’t hurt my feelings because I’ll likely do the same thing every time your husband hits a completion for the Sabers.”

Tara laughed. “You’re on.”

And so it went, and by the end of the first half Mick’s team was up by a touchdown. Everyone got up to stretch, mingle, and refill their drinks.

“That was intense,” Tara said. “But Mick’s doing well.”

“He is. Damn him,” Savannah said. “But Cole had that awesome touchdown catch.”

“He did,” Tara said with a smile. “Damn him.”

“I might have to sit between the two of you during the second half,” Jenna said. “If it’s close, you might start emptying your purses and throwing your cell phones at each other.”

Tara laughed. “I don’t think we’ll come to blows over a football game.”

“Doubtful,” Savannah said. “We just want our guys to win. But they’ve both lost before, so I think we can take it no matter what happens.”

“What? There’s not going to be a girl fight in the suite?” Gavin asked, coming over to put his arm around Liz’s shoulders.

“I’m afraid not,” Tara said.

“I’m so disappointed. And I have my camera phone ready to take pictures and video.”

Savannah rolled her eyes and shot Tara a look. “Men.”

“Agreed,” Tara said, moving away with Savannah to get a drink.

Liz poked him in the ribs with her elbow.

“Ow. What did I say?”

She laughed and put her arms around him. “Enjoying the game and family time?”

“Yeah. It’s a pretty good game, too. I honestly don’t have any idea how it’s going to turn out. The Traders have a tough defense, but Mick is strong in the pocket and the Sabers have got offensive weapons that just can’t be beat. And then there’s Grant Cassidy, who has a wicked accurate arm and lots of choices on who to throw it to. The Traders’ receiver corps is stout this season, which makes it hard for the defense to cover.”

“I think the key to this game is going to be who has the strongest defense, and which of the quarterbacks has the best arm.”

Gavin squinted at her. “Care to lay some money on the outcome?”

She laughed. “Not on your life. I have players on both teams and I’m not betting on the outcome of this game.”

“Wuss. I’m going to hit up the guys. I know they’ll get in on the action.”

“You do that.”

After halftime, Liz settled in her seat for the game. The Traders got the ball to score the second half, and Cole took a pass from Cassidy on a key third-down play and ran it in for a touchdown.

The family went crazy celebrating. With the game tied, Liz felt the tension and excitement in the suite. And when the Sabers kicked a field goal near the end of the third quarter, it was crunch time. The game was so close, the teams so evenly matched, she had no idea how the fourth quarter was going to play out.

The first eight minutes of the fourth quarter was a nail biter, totally defensive on both sides. No points were scored, and neither team could make any headway.

On a critical third down, Mick had the ball and did a rollout, looking for receivers. The Sabers defenders pushed hard. Liz cringed when the defensive back came around past the offensive lineman, making a beeline for Mick.

Tara stood. “Oh, shit,” she whispered.

Liz had heard her, though, and thought much the same thing. Mick was going to get sacked.

But Mick must have seen him, because he tucked the ball in and made a run for it, the offensive line turning to block for him. Since they hadn’t expected the run, and especially not from Mick, he had an open field and ran for fifteen yards and a first down.

Tara jumped up and threw her arms in the air and roared out a warrior-worthy yell. The guys all clapped and Mick’s dad, who sat next to Gavin, grinned broadly as he slapped Gavin on the back.

“Did ya see that?”

Gavin grinned back. “I did, Dad. Pretty damned good for an old guy like Mick.”

“Old guy my butt. That kid still has a lot of years of football left in him.”

“I agree with your dad,” Liz said. “He might be a little over thirty, but Mick is still a champion.”

And he proved it by throwing three completions on the next three plays, one to Kip Meecham, their hotshot young rookie tight end for a touchdown, which put the Sabers ahead with three minutes left to go.

But the Traders weren’t the kind of team to give up. Cassidy took the ball after the kickoff and they drove down the field to the thirty-five yard line. There were twenty-five seconds to go and the Traders had one time-out left. The tension was so thick in the stadium it seemed as if no one was even breathing.

And when Cassidy handed it off to the running back, who ran for twelve yards, they called a time-out and brought in the kicker to try for a field goal.

“I can’t even breathe,” Savannah said, clutching Liz’s hand tight.

The field goal was good. The game was tied.

They were going to overtime.

“This is intense,” Tara said, heading to the bar. “I need a damn drink.”

“I’m going with you,” Savannah said.

They all took a few minutes to relax. Liz leaned back in her chair and took it all in, watching the family mingle and talk.

“Having fun?” Gavin asked as he hopped into the seat next to her.

“I’m having a great time, but I’m also a wreck. What a game.”

“I know. We couldn’t ask for a better game for Mick and Cole to play against each other.” He took a sip of water and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Your guys are doing well on both sides, too.”

She grinned, knowing he was talking about the players she represented. “They are, aren’t they? Overall, a perfect day. But someone’s going to have to win.”

“Definitely.”

Overtime was a whole different animal and that fifteen minutes seemed like the longest fifteen minutes of the entire family’s life. Liz couldn’t sit anymore. Most of the family was standing and pacing back and forth as the Traders won the toss and marched down the field. Cole took a slant pass and ran for eighteen yards, then another for twelve, setting up a field goal, putting the Traders ahead.

When the Sabers got the ball, Mick threw a long pass that just tipped off the hands of the receiver. The groans in the suite were loud. He missed another pass, then got sacked. It was looking like the Traders were going to win.

But on third down he threw a bullet to the wide receiver who swerved and missed the tackle and rocketed down the sidelines to the end zone.

Liz cheered for Mick and for the Sabers. It was a great comeback on what she had feared was going to be a bitter defeat. She felt awful for Savannah, though, and went over to her and hugged her.

“Such a tough loss.”

Savannah nodded. “It was. But it was a great game and two amazing teams. I know Cole is going to be upset.”

“He shouldn’t be. I know he will be, but he played an amazing game.”

Liz gave victory hugs to Kathleen and Jimmy, and commiseration ones to Jack and Cara. They were all going to meet up at Riley’s Bar, so she and Gavin headed over there. She felt both pumped up and sad about the game. It was hard when you had family on both sides, but there was nothing you could do. Short of a tie, someone had to lose.

“How do you handle it?” she asked Gavin on the ride over.

“Handle what?”

“Losing.”

He shrugged. “It’s part of the game. You deal. It blows, especially in a close game like today’s. Cole will hate it, because he’s competitive and because of what it means for his team. Plus, he didn’t want to lose, especially to his cousin. But he’s a man and a decent one. He’ll suck it up.”

She understood about losing. She spoke with a lot of her clients about it, especially those going through rough patches. Fortunately, Cole’s career was on an uptick right now and they were having a winning season. One game wouldn’t matter all that much. She looked forward to seeing him at Riley’s Bar and being able to congratulate him on the game today. He’d played well and his stats showed it.

Still, Gavin was right—it sucked to lose. As she sat back in the car and looked over at her husband, she was consumed with the thought of having a baby. His baby. A child who looked like him, with his dark hair and his drive and sense of honor. And maybe a child who had a touch of her ambition. She was going to make it happen, one way or the other.

If she was one thing, it was tenacious. She might not be a Riley by blood, but she was still part of the family, and she understood grit and determination. And, like every member of the Riley family, she didn’t give up.

Chapter Four

Christmas decorations were up, which always put Liz in the holiday spirit. She wasn’t sure Gavin had been all that happy about having to drag a six-and-a-half-foot live tree into the house, especially since she’d insisted they go to one of those places where they could cut their own tree.

He’d told her they had plenty of trees on the property and she could wander around, pick one out, and he’d chop it down. Then they wouldn’t have to drive the truck an hour outside the city to get one.

Clearly, the man had no Christmas spirit. Besides, she loved all the trees on the property and wasn’t about to cut one of those down when there were places specifically set up for that very function. And those places would replant trees.

Since they’d be celebrating Christmas at their house this year, everything had to be perfect. She’d spent the past two weeks running nonstop. Between the holiday and Jenna and Ty’s wedding, there was something to do every week. In between those two functions, she also had work to do with her clients.

Frankly, she was exhausted. But as Gavin climbed up on the ladder to put the star on the top of the Christmas tree, she was satisfied that at least the decorating part was finished.

“Does it look okay?” he asked.

She found herself staring at his butt, which looked mighty fine in his jeans. Then she realized she had to add more sex to her list of things to do. How else was she going to get pregnant if she didn’t jump her husband—repeatedly.

“Perfect. Just . . . perfect.”

He turned around. “You’re staring at my ass, Liz.”

“Oh . . . was I?” She leveled a smirk at him.

“We had sex this morning.”

“And your point?”

He climbed down the ladder and folded it up. “No point at all.” He brushed her lips as he walked by. “Except we’re going to my parents for dinner tonight, remember?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“So your nefarious plans to take advantage of my body are going to have to wait.”

“We’ll see about that.”

He paused, ladder in hand. “Planning to seduce me in my old childhood bedroom?”

She waggled her brows. “That’s a distinct possibility.”

“I’d like to see you try, considering the entire family will be there. Minus Mick, who’s not in town.”

“See? One person down. That should make it so much easier to grab some alone time for a quickie.”

“Uh-huh. Good luck with that.”

“Now you’re challenging me. You know how much I love a challenge.”

He walked away, shaking his head. As if he didn’t believe she could find a way to get him alone in his parents’ house for sex. Did he not know her at all? When she was determined to have something, nothing got in her way.

Not even a houseful of Rileys.

She went upstairs to change. Gavin came up to change, too, and they headed over to his parents’ house. As soon as they walked in, the smell of baked bread assailed her. Her stomach growled. Gavin looked over at her.

“Hungry?”

“Ravenous.” She gave him a direct look.

“I believe you’re trying to seduce me.”

She saw Gavin’s mother coming toward them down the hall, so she gave him a quick smile. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She hugged Kathleen, then Jimmy, who’d entered the room behind Kathleen. The house was full, the women gathered in the kitchen and the guys in the living room. She made her way into the throng of females, all talking over each other in groups.

“And then he said he wanted a bigger house,” Tara said with a roll of her eyes.

“Bigger than the five bedroom?” Kathleen asked. “For what?”

“I have no idea. Maybe he thinks we’re going to have six more kids or something. If he does, he’s going to need to practice polygamy, because this uterus is closed for business.”

Liz laughed and poured a glass of iced tea. “What? You’re not going to pop out two or three more?”

“I don’t think so. I have an eighteen-year-old son and one that’s just about ready to walk. That’s more than enough children for me to handle.”

“Maybe he doesn’t like the house,” Jenna suggested, popping a cherry tomato into her mouth.

“I saw that Jenna. Those are for the salad.”

“Sorry, Mom.” Jenna winked at Liz, who smiled at her.

“He loves the house. It has plenty of room both inside and out. Plus there’s the game room. So I don’t know what he was thinking.”

“Does he miss living in San Francisco? Do you?”

Liz caught the look of concern on Kathleen’s face.

“Not at all, Mom. Mick’s only there for home games with the Sabers, and the condo there is fine for him. St. Louis is home to us—to me and to Nathan and to Sam. This is where we’re staying.”

“Okay. I just wanted to be sure.”

Tara slid off the bar stood and went over to hug Kathleen. “Don’t worry about us leaving. We’re happy here. My guess is Mick thinks I want a bigger office space, or maybe a separate place to house an office.”

“Do you?”

“No. I like working outside the house. I need my retail space where clients can see me. Plus, would we really want my staff traipsing in and out of our house?”

“Lord. I know I wouldn’t,” Savannah said.

“Neither would I.” Liz agreed. She knew having people other than family in her house would drive her crazy. Of course, she sometimes answered emails or made phone calls from home at night or on the weekends, but primarily she worked nine to five. “I need my office. It’s where the majority of my work gets done. I like to keep my office and home life separate.”

“A-men,” Tara said. “Plus I get walk-in traffic at the shop. I’d never want to lose that.”

“Or have them show up at your house,” Jenna said.

Tara nodded. “Exactly.”

“So I understand where Mick is coming from. He knows I miss Sam when I’m at work, but I also love my job and want to continue to do it.”

Kathleen rubbed her arm. “He just wants you to be happy.”

Tara smiled. “I am happy. Happier than I ever thought I’d be.”

“And speaking of all things happy,” Jenna said, “I have a few wedding details. Well, actually they’re not wedding details so much as they are the fun stuff before the wedding details. We have final dress fittings on Thursday night, and the bachelorette party trip is this weekend. Just in case any of you forgot, which I’m hoping you didn’t.”

“I definitely didn’t forget,” Liz said. “I’ve been looking forward to that trip for months.”

“Me, too,” Savannah said. “I can’t wait.”

“Everyone’s coming, right?”

“I will not be coming to the bachelorette party,” Jenna’s mom said.

“Aww, Mom, you know you’re welcome to come.”

Kathleen gave Jenna a smile. “I’ll be babysitting my adorable grandson this weekend so Tara can go. Besides, I’ve done my partying. You girls can go have some fun drinking and carousing. I’ll be happy to have Sam all to myself.”

Liz took out her phone. “By the way, I’m going to be out of town Monday through Thursday, but I’ll be back Thursday afternoon.”

Alicia nodded and grabbed her phone. “Are we doing the fitting at the bridal shop on Thursday? And what time?”

“Yes,” Jenna said. “At six thirty.”

“No problem.”

“Six thirty works for me, too,” Liz said. “My flight gets in at three.”

“What are we synchronizing our phones for, ladies?” Gavin asked as he walked in to get a beer. “Planning epic world domination?”

Liz laughed. “Sort of. Wedding stuff.”

“No, pre-wedding stuff,” Jenna corrected. “Dress fittings and the bachelorette party.”

Jenna turned to him. “Speaking of, care to share the details of the bachelor party with me?”

Gavin shot Jenna an enigmatic smile. “Nope.”

“Damn you, Gavin.”

He grinned at Jenna, screwed the top off his beer, then shot Liz a look. “You aren’t going to get drunk and dance naked on the table at a bar, are you?”

“I don’t know. Will you come rescue me if I do?”

“Sure. As soon as I get video.”

She shook her head. “And all this time I thought you were my protective knight in shining armor.”

He walked by and kissed her cheek. “How foolish of you, wife.”

Good thing she knew he was joking.

It was also a good thing he wouldn’t be at the bachelorette party. She intended to have a very good time.

* * *

Gavin reentered the living room, where all the guys were gathered around the television watching the game. Mick’s team was playing Denver today in San Francisco. Cole would be playing the Monday night game, so he actually got to be at the house for Sunday dinner.

“Mick’s arm looks strong,” Jimmy said to Ty as Gavin took his seat on one of the chairs.

“It does,” Ty said as they settled in to watch Mick take the offense after Denver scored a field goal.

There was a round of hysterical laugher coming from the kitchen.

“I can’t believe you waded in there,” Ty said. “What’s going on?”

“Wedding stuff. Something about the dresses and the bachelorette party.”

“Oh. Jenna’s kind of excited.”

Gavin took a long pull of his beer. “Yeah, I can tell. I hate to break it to you, but I think she’s more excited about the bachelorette party.”

Ty laughed. “I’m not surprised. There’s a lot of stress with the wedding. She needs to get away and unwind.”

“So you’re not worried about her finding some hot male stripper and running off with him?”

Ty shot him a look. “Uh . . . no. After all, she has me to come home to.”

Gavin snorted, then directed his attention back to the game. After a while, the women came in to watch. Gavin made room on the oversize chair for Liz, who draped her legs over his.

At halftime, the Sabers were still ahead, and Gavin headed outside with the rest of the guys. It was a decent day, so they all shot some baskets, then grabbed more beer and lounged near the fire pit.

“We’re set for the weekend,” Ty said. “We have the trip to Vegas lined up.”

“Cards and booze,” Gavin said. “I’m ready.”

Garrett grinned. “I’m giving Alicia a hard time and telling her we’re club hopping at strip joints.”

Cole shook his head. “Bet she’s loving you for that.”

“She didn’t seem fazed by it. All she said was to remember she’d be doing the same thing.”

Cole laughed. “Got you on that one, didn’t she?”

“Hey, just remember, whatever my fiancée is doing will be the same thing your fiancée will be doing.”

“Huh,” Cole said, frowning. “Good point. Not sure I like the idea of hot, sweaty men rubbing all over my woman.”

“I don’t think there’ll be any strippers,” Gavin said. “That just doesn’t seem like something Jenna would be interested in. But I’ll check with Liz and see if I can find out what’s actually going on.”

“You really think Liz is going to tell you anything?”

Gavin nodded at Ty. “She will. With the right amount of persuasion.”

They went inside and watched the rest of the game, which the Sabers won, fortunately. That made for a hot discussion about football at the dinner table. Of course coming off the recent loss to Mick, Cole nitpicked all of Mick’s deficiencies, which meant Gavin’s dad had to argue and defend Mick. Gavin just sat back silently and ate his lasagna, because there was no way he was going to defend his brother. Mick could defend himself just fine next time he and Cole met up.

“Gavin, could you help me upstairs for a minute?” Liz asked after the plates were cleared and everyone sat in the living room watching a movie.

“Sure.” He got up and followed her upstairs.

She pulled him into his old bedroom, then shut and locked the door. When she pushed him onto one of the overstuffed chairs, he cocked a brow.

“Seriously?”

She unzipped her jeans and shimmied out of them, then removed her panties and climbed into the chair with him, straddling his lap. “You didn’t think I’d forget about this, did you?”

He grasped her hips, his cock twitching to life as she rubbed against him. “I knew you wouldn’t. When you get an idea into your head, it doesn’t go away.”

“No, it doesn’t. You’re not going to complain about it, are you?”

“Hell, no.” He lifted her only long enough to free his cock, which had gone fully hard. “How much foreplay do you want?”

“None. I’ve been thinking about this all afternoon.”

Sucking in a deep breath, he fit his cock to the entrance of her pussy and thrust into her, soaking in the sounds she made as she slid onto his dick.

Oh, yeah. He gripped her hips and began to lift her on and off of him, watching the way their bodies moved together. Being able to see her like this made him even harder.

“Faster,” she said, holding tight to his arms as she leaned back, giving him a full-on view of her sex, of where they were connected.

“You make me want to come, Liz,” he said, his jaw clenched tight as he fucked his cock deeper into her. She grasped her breasts through her top, squeezing them, inciting his desire even higher. He wanted to taste her, to touch her, to get her naked and lick her all over. None of which he had time for with his family downstairs. But seeing her like this, her body undulating against his, was a turn on that made his dick go even harder.

He reached for her clit, wanting her to go off when he was inside her.

“Make me come, Gavin. Touch me there.”

She let him have access to her, knowing he’d give her exactly what she needed.

It didn’t take long. He knew her body, knew how responsive she was to his touch. And when she tightened around him, her pussy convulsing, he let go, driving into her as he came. She whimpered with her orgasm and fell forward, kissing him as her climax drove them both into long, shaking tremors that had them clutching tight to each other.

“God, you make me sweat,” he murmured against her lips.

She pulled back and smiled at him. “It’s good off-season exercise for you.”

She climbed off and they dashed into the bathroom to clean up, then Liz got dressed.

As Gavin zipped his jeans, he looked at her in the mirror. “Now how are you going to explain this one to everyone?”

She grabbed a photo album from the bookshelf. “We were looking for old photos of you from your childhood and I needed your help to find a certain picture that I wanted to put up in the house.” She rifled through the album and selected one of him when he was about eight years old.

“That one?” he asked.

“Yes. It’s one of my favorites, when you switched to first base. I love this pose and that toothless grin on your face. I want to frame it.”

He shook his head. “Okay.”

His wife was one sexy mystery to him.

One of the many reasons he loved her so much.

Chapter Five

There was nothing like a hot weekend in Jamaica to take Liz’s mind off work, wedding and holiday pressure. And the pressure of making a baby. Being with the girls this weekend was going to be amazing.

Jenna had originally thought about going to Las Vegas, but Ty had told her that was where he and the guys were going, and she didn’t want to accidentally run into him. She truly wanted a girls-only experience, so Liz suggested they head toward Jamaica. Sure, it was out of the country, but Liz had connections and booked them into an all-inclusive resort. They were going to do the beach, and the spa, and then party away at the clubs until their feet were so sore they couldn’t stand anymore.

Liz was going to make sure Jenna had the time of her life while she was still single. Not that they planned to get Jenna laid or anything, but she knew from experience that once you got married, you got wrapped up in each other, and less involved with all things related to the single life. Why not let Jenna cut loose and have a little fun?

Their rooms were beautiful and spacious, with a magnificent view of the ocean. She’d booked adjoining suites so they could all move back and forth and hang out together. She and Jenna were in one room, while Savannah, Tara, and Alicia were in the other.

Jenna got as far as opening her suitcase before she wandered out onto the terrace. “Get out here, Liz.”

Liz followed.

“This is fucking fabulous. I’m never leaving. Ty’s going to have to come down here for the wedding.”

Liz grinned. “So you like it?”

Jenna looked at her. “What’s not to like? It’s warm, gorgeous, and there’s no work to do. Put a drink in my hand and I’m telling you, you’ll have to drag me kicking and screaming back on the plane.”

“Let’s get unpacked, hit the beach, and get started on those drinks, then.”

Liz unpacked and changed into her swimsuit. She put on a cover-up and slipped on her sandals. By then, everyone else was unpacked. Jenna was nearly vibrating with excitement, so they all headed downstairs to the pool area.

Liz had called down to rent a cabana while everyone else was unpacking and changing.

“This is sweetly decadent,” Savannah said as they were escorted to the sheltered, private space right on the beach. “I could definitely get used to this level of pampering.”

Immediately, a waiter showed up to take their drink orders.

“I want something with rum in it,” Jenna said. “I think just a rum and pineapple juice.”

“Trying to keep it simple?” Alicia asked.

“Yes. Nothing too fruity. Those complicated recipes will sneak up on you and kick your ass.”

“I’ll have the same,” Alicia said.

“I’ll have rum and coconut juice,” Savannah said.

Tara debated. “Actually, the pineapple juice does sound good. I’ll have that one.”

The waiter looked at Liz. “Just orange juice, plain, for me.”

Jenna cocked a brow. “Designated driver?”

She laughed. “No. Just not in the mood for a cocktail yet.”

The cabana was gorgeous, the sun warm, which made Liz glad for the shade since she’d burn to a crisp without it. Jenna and Tara made a beeline for the water and the waiter brought their drinks. Liz settled against the back of the chaise with her orange juice.

“I think I’m going to swim,” Savannah said. “It looks so good.”

“I’ll join you,” Alicia said, getting up from the chair. She looked over to Liz. “Are you coming?”

“No. I’m going to sit here and stare at the sea and bask for a while. You two go ahead.”

Alicia grinned. “Okay.”

After they left, Liz closed her eyes and soaked in the heat, suddenly aware of how much she missed Gavin already.

Ugh. Love was such an all-consuming thing. She’d never wanted to fall in love, had never thought she would. Unfortunately, she’d been in love with Gavin for what seemed like forever. She’d thought marrying him would settle her feelings, make them a little less . . . intense.

She’d been wrong. They’d only grown more, the yearnings she felt for him intensifying the more time they spent together. He was everything to her—kind and generous and fun and playful. He was a generous lover, and even when they argued, which was rarely, it was still with a fiery passion. And their arguments tended to fizzle out quickly, because they communicated so well.

She’d found the man of her dreams and she considered herself so lucky.

She should be wholly content. And she was. Except she wanted to have his baby, and Mother Nature or some cosmic force in the universe refused to grant her this one wish. Maybe it was because she was so exceptionally happy in all other facets of her relationship. Maybe this just wasn’t meant to be, and she was going to have to learn to accept it.

They had already talked adoption, and she certainly wasn’t opposed to that. She’d love a child they could raise together, no matter where that child came from. She was going to give it another six months to a year. If they weren’t pregnant by then, they were going to start seriously pursuing adoption. By then she’d have figured for sure that pregnancy wasn’t an option for her.

The women all came back, dripping wet.

“How was it?” she asked.

“Fantastic,” Jenna said. “The water is warm and perfect. You should have joined us.”

“I will the next go-round. My fair skin can only handle so much of that sun. Besides, I sat back and enjoyed the quiet, something I don’t get a lot of with the fast pace of my job.”

Savannah grabbed a towel and patted herself down. “I understand that. It’s always run here, run there, grab a flight and run somewhere else.” She took a seat in the chaise and let out a breath. “It’s nice to just . . . sit and take a breath.”

“Yes, it is.”

Jenna stretched her legs out. “And here I am running you all ragged for my wedding.”

Tara squeezed her hand. “Honey, this is paradise. It’s hardly what I would call running us ragged.”

“I just don’t want to exhaust all of you. I know you live busy lives.”

“And you don’t?” Liz asked. “You have the club to run, and I know that despite the fact you turned over Riley’s bar to a new manager, you still have your thumbprint all over that place.”

“I do not. Dave’s doing a great job managing the bar. He doesn’t need me meddling.”

“But it’s still a family-owned business, which means someone in the family has to watch over it, right?” Alicia asked.

Jenna shrugged. “I might look in every now and then. So does Dad.”

Liz shot her a look. “Dad is happy being retired and stopping in the bar every now and then to visit with his old friends. Not check on liquor stock, personnel, and accounting.”

Jenna sighed and cast a pleading gaze toward Savannah.

“Don’t look at me,” Savannah said. “I agree with them. I think you have your hands full and you take on too much.”

“Well, someone has to do it. Dad has the health issues and he has to take it easy, so he can’t deal with the stress. Mom can’t deal with the financial issues because it’s not her thing. I ran the bar for years before I started the music club. I know Dave is doing great as a manager and we all trust him completely . . .”

“But he’s not a Riley,” Liz finished for her.

Jenna sighed. “The family has to oversee the family business. That’s just the way it is. The bottom line is, it’s our business and we have to run it. I thought I could step away, but I just haven’t been able to walk away completely yet.”

Alicia turned around and sat sideways in the chaise so she faced Jenna. “I think you’re just having trouble letting go. Do Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Kathleen believe there’s any issue with trusting Dave to run Riley’s bar?”

Jenna looked at Alicia for a few seconds before shaking her head. “No. They have complete confidence in him.”

“Okay. So do you have any issues with Dave?”

“No.”

“Then maybe you’re the one who has issues with letting go of something that was yours to manage for so many years,” Liz suggested.

“You’re probably right. I do have a problem with letting it go. I’m afraid something might happen. Something could get screwed up, and if it does, it’ll be my fault.”

“Why?” Savannah asked. “Because you wanted something for yourself? Because you had the nerve to chase your dream?”

Jenna looked down at her hands, then lifted her head, her gaze scanning all of them. “Yes. Part of me still feels like I don’t deserve all of this.”

“Okay,” Liz said. “That’s normal. You’re happy. You have the career of your dreams, the man of your dreams, and I don’t think there’s any one of us who hasn’t been in the same position and felt like it’s too good to be true.”

“Liz is right,” Savannah said. “Once we get that happily ever after, where everything falls into place with career, and we’re lucky enough to find someone who loves us for who we are, we can’t help but have those self doubts creep in. Are we deserving enough? Surely something is wrong with this picture. When will something come along and screw everything up?”

“We’re our own worst enemies when it comes to our happiness,” Tara said.

“Why is that?” Jenna asked. “Why can’t I just be happy about having everything I’ve ever wanted?”

Liz laughed. “The nature of women, I guess. As soon as we think we have everything we could ever want, something comes along to screw it up. Or at least we think something is screwing it up. Even if it’s all in our heads and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with our perfect lives.”

Tara frowned. “Uh-oh. That sounds like a personal cry for help.”

The waiter came and they ordered another round of drinks. Liz ordered a club soda this time.

“You’re not drinking,” Savannah said, giving her the once-over.

“I’m not pregnant, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Liz said, taking a sip of her club soda. “And that’s the problem. I want to be and I can’t make it happen.”

“I’m sorry,” Savannah said. “I didn’t know you’d been trying.”

“For over a year. It’s frustrating. I’m someone who gets what I want—at least in business. Even with Gavin. I secretly loved him for years. And he fell in love with me. It bowled me over that I got the man of my dreams. So why can’t I have this, too?”

“This isn’t exactly business, Liz,” Alicia said. “And you ended up with Gavin because the two of you loved each other. But as far as fertility? That’s something you have no control over.”

Liz sighed. “Tell me about it.”

“Is there a problem?” Savannah asked. “Have you talked to your gynecologist?”

“Yes. She’s run tests on me and says all my girlie parts are fully functional, and Gavin’s got champion sperm.”

Savannah laughed. “Good to know.”

“So it’s really a matter of things just not . . . happening yet.”

“Maybe you need to relax,” Alicia said.

Tara nodded. “Same thing I told her. Just have sex and have fun with it.”

“Again with the sex with my brother topic,” Jenna said, wrinkling her nose. “Clearly, I’m never going to get away from it.”

She’d have to remember to thank Jenna later for the subject change. She laughed. “Yes, enough of that topic. I think I’m ready for that dip in the water.”

After lounging at the water all day, they headed up to their rooms to rest. Taking a nap in the afternoon was decadent, at least for Liz. And it made her feel refreshed.

They went out to dinner, then went for a walk along the beach. But they made it an early night and hung out in the room because everyone was tired from the trip. Plus, it was nice to just hang out. With their busy lives it was nice to just sit and talk with the girls. Tomorrow night they’d party.

The next morning they hit the pool early, staking out a couple of the best cabanas with water views. All the girls wanted to work on their tans, pre wedding, while Liz was content to hide in the shade, limiting her sun exposure. A light tan worked fine for her.

“Again, I’m never leaving,” Jenna said, sipping a cocktail in the cabana.

“I think Tyler might object to that.”

Jenna grinned at Liz. “He can come live here with me. I’ll open a bar.”

“He might miss hockey,” Savannah suggested.

“Are you suggesting I’m going to have to rethink my plan to relocate to Jamaica?”

“Possibly,” Alicia said.

Jenna sighed. “Damn.”

After spending the morning in the sun and the water, they changed and went shopping at some of the local markets. Jenna bought bracelets, Savannah bought a dress, Alicia bought earrings, and Liz found an exotic perfume she loved. Tara found something for Sam along with a watch for Mick.

They ate, then headed back to the resort. Alicia and Jenna went back to the pool for a couple of hours, but the rest of them took a nap.

Liz could definitely get used to this napping thing. It was decadent.

When it was time to leave for the evening, she took a shower and got dressed, choosing a short white dress and, of course, ridiculously high heels.

She came out to the living room where Tara was waiting with Savannah.

“You women are knockouts,” she said. Tara wore a coral bandage dress, and Savannah a gold strapless. Jenna came out wearing a simple black cocktail dress and sexy matching heels, followed by Alicia in a slinky red number.

“We’re going to kill tonight,” Liz said with a grin.

“You look stunning,” Jenna said. She put her hands on her hips and swiveled around in a circle. “Hell, we all look stunning. Men will be falling at our feet tonight. I’m going to want a lot of photos.”

Tara pulled her phone out of her clutch. “I’ll be the official photographer. At least until I get drunk.”

Liz laughed. “I don’t plan on drinking, so I’ll take the photos.”

“No drinking, again?” Alicia asked. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Someone has to make sure all of you don’t end up in Barbados by the end of the night, carried away by some smooth-talking hottie. I’m the designated babysitter, so the rest of you can party on.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Jenna said, “because I’m ready to have a cocktail.”

After they had a most amazing dinner, they headed to a fantastic nightclub on the premises, with lights, perfect music, and some of the best drinks around. Liz had been here before and she loved this place, plus she knew the manager and the bouncers, so she knew her girls would be well taken care of tonight. And even more, they’d be safe.

They were escorted to their table in the VIP area and ordered drinks. Liz opted for a club soda with lime while the others ordered this and that with rum, of course. It wasn’t long before she saw Sebastian, the manager, making his way toward their table. She got up and hugged him.

“Sebastian.”

“Elizabeth. You look wonderful as usual. And this is your entourage?”

She smiled and introduced all of them one by one to Sebastian. “And this is our bride-to-be, Jenna.”

“Ah, congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. It’s been fifteen years for me and my lovely wife, Vita.”

“How wonderful for you,” Jenna said.

“Is Vita here tonight?” Liz asked.

Sebastian shook his head. “No, she’s home with the children. She’ll be sorry she missed you. And where is your husband?”

“He’s in Las Vegas attending the bachelor party with Jenna’s fiancé.”

Sebastian laughed. “Gambling, yes?”

“Yes. And drinking.”

“Then I’m glad you chose to come here. I’ll make sure you have a good time tonight. Enjoy.”

After their drinks came, Liz turned to them. “Well, what do you think of the place?”

“I think it’s fantastic,” Tara said. “Such a great choice.”

Jenna took a couple deep swallows of her rum concoction, then grabbed Savannah’s hand. “Come on, ladies. What I think is we should be on the dance floor.”

“Oh, Jenna. Wait. You forgot your veil.”

Jenna paused and narrowed her gaze at Tara. “You did not do this to me.”

“Oh, we definitely did,” Alicia said. “You can’t be a bachelorette without having a little fun, and doing a little work. We have a sash for you, and a veil. And we have a bride-to-be to-do list for you tonight.”

“I’m going to kill you. All of you.”

“Yeah, you can do that later. After you check off every item off the list,” Alicia said, handing the list to Jenna.

Jenna perused the list, then looked up at them. “You all suck.”

“And don’t forget, I’ll be here to take pictures. Lots of pictures.”

Jenna glared at Liz. “You suck the most.”

“That’s what Gavin says.”

“Oh, my God, Liz. Does it ever stop?”

Liz laughed. “No. I do enjoy torturing you.”

This was going to be fun. Cheesy, but oh-so-much fun.

* * *

Two hours later, Jenna had obtained a condom from a stranger, had gotten a guy’s cell phone number, one guy had gleefully given up his boxers to her, one had bought her a drink, one had danced with her, another had let her take a pen and draw a tattoo on his hand, and one had offered up a photo of his girlfriend. A very charming man had even let her call his girlfriend—and the girlfriend had been a really good sport about it once Jenna had explained it was her bachelorette party and she was totally in love with her own fiancé.

Despite being reluctant about the list at first, after a few drinks and the number of shots these guys were buying her, Jenna was totally drunk and fully into completing the tasks.

Which meant Liz was glad she was stone-cold sober and staying glued to Jenna’s side. Savannah and Alicia were off on the dance floor with Tara, who’d also decided to drink on the light side tonight, so at least she had some help, because Alicia and Savannah were feeling no pain. Jenna had warned them about those fruity, fancy rum drinks, but did they listen? No. They were currently swaying on the dance floor, holding on to each other, their once perfect hairstyles now droopy and flat.

They were adorable. Tara was snapping pictures and laughing as she danced around them, and doing a fine job of glaring at any men hoping to take advantage.

Good for her.

Sebastian had also stationed a couple of the bouncers nearby, so Liz knew her group was safe from anyone thinking to take advantage of her loopy friends tonight.

Jenna, meanwhile, blinked, frowned at her list, and bumped into Liz. “Whas thiz one say?”

She loved being sober when her friends were blitzed. “It says you have to kiss a bald man on the head.”

“Oh, I can do that one easy sleazy, man.” Jenna flipped around and lost her balance. Liz grabbed her.

“Okay, go find a bald guy.”

“On my way.” Jenna weaved her way in and out of the crowd, Liz right behind her. Then she turned around and bumped into her.

“Oh, there you are, Liz.”

“Need something?”

“Yeah. What am I doing?”

“Looking for a bald guy so you can kiss his head.”

“Oh, yeah. On it.” This time, she wandered off in the opposite direction.

Shaking her head, Liz pivoted and followed. When Jenna stalled in the middle of the dance floor, Liz grabbed her arm.

“How about I help you out?”

Jenna frowned. “With what?”

She could tell this game was winding down. “Bald guy?”

“Oh, yeah. Nope, I’m totally in control here.” She pushed her way out of the crowd of dancers and made her way to the bar, where there was a gorgeous and very bald dude leaning against it.

Jenna leaned against the bar. “Hey there, hot stuff. Can I kiss your head?”

“Excuse me?” The guy’s girlfriend didn’t seem too keen on the idea, for obvious reasons.

Liz said. “Bachelorette party to-do list. Totally harmless, I promise.”

“Oh,” the woman said with a grin. “I remember when I had to do all that shit. Hideous, but fun at the same time.”

Liz nodded.

“Your friend looks shitfaced,” the girl said.

Liz laughed. “Pretty much. I think we’re going to wrap it up if your guy here gives the okay.”

“Fine with me if my wife says yes.”

The woman leaned forward and looked at Jenna. “Go for it, honey.”

Liz got out her camera as Jenna kissed the top of his head. She got the shot and thanked the couple, then took Jenna by the hand.

“You about ready to call it a night?”

“Hell, no. I’m ready for another drink.”

Liz rolled her eyes. Oh, Lord. This was going to be a long-ass night.

* * *

Gavin got his second card from the dealer.

A six, which gave him twelve.

What the fuck. A twelve? How could he keep getting such shitty hands?

“Dude,” was all Ty said next to him. At least he commiserated.

Gavin flicked his fingers to take a card. He had to hit on the twelve. He had no choice.

He pulled a nine from the dealer and grinned.

Twenty-one.

The dealer ended up with eighteen and Gavin raked in winnings.

“You lucky sonofabitch,” Mick said, setting down his bet for the next hand. “Who the fuck pulls a twenty-one out of a twelve?”

“I just did.”

They played several rounds, and after that one winning hand, Gavin’s luck changed. When the dealer reshuffled the deck, Gavin cashed out, figuring he wouldn’t press his luck. He and Mick moved over to the craps tables. They both did well there, so Ty and Garrett joined them along with Ty’s friends from his hockey team, Eddie Wolkowski and Victor Putinov.

“Too bad Cole can’t be here,” Gavin said. “He loves to gamble.”

“Yeah, well, he has a game tomorrow and I have a bye this week, so he’s shit out of luck,” Mick said with a smile as he tossed the dice across the table.

Everyone surrounding the table cheered as the numbers came up a win.

“But I’m in the luck,” Mick said with a wide grin.

It had been a good day. They’d gone to the shooting range earlier in the day. Nothing like firing off some machine gun rounds in a controlled environment to let off a little aggression. It turned out Victor was the most accurate. Ty had accused him of spending time in the Soviet military. Victor laughed and told them he used to hunt rabbits and that’s why he was such a good shot, though he didn’t need machine guns to take them down.

Then they’d headed over to the raceway and driven some very expensive cars. Gavin had chosen the Ferrari, which had been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There was nothing like having all that power in his hands as he’d fired it up and taken it around the curves at the Las Vegas raceway. It had been a thrill not only to drive the car, but to watch the other guys drive the cars they’d chosen. Impressive machines, and a lot of fun.

Spending tonight gambling was more relaxing. It was nice to have an easy night just hanging with the guys and cutting loose. Guys didn’t need glitz and glamour to have a good time. Gavin just wanted to make sure Ty was having fun, and from the pile of chips in front of him and the wide grin on his face, he seemed to be having a blast.

They hit the poker room later in the evening, drank several beers, and played well into the night. Gavin had given Ty a choice of gambling or hitting the clubs.

“I spend a lot of time in Riley’s Club with Jenna,” he said. “Lots of music and dancing and we always have a really good time. If I want to hit a club, I’ll do it with my woman. Let’s gamble.”

It had been a good choice. This was quiet: just the guys, their beers, and their cards. Understated, and fucking perfect.

He sat in the sports book room and took a look at the betting, more or less to take a breather.

Mick joined him. The waitress came over and Mick ordered a soda while Gavin ordered another beer.

“Making bets on some of the games?” Mick asked.

“Nah. Just looking at the lines.”

The waitress brought their drinks.

“How’s Nathan doing?” Gavin asked.

“Good. He’s finishing up finals and coming home next week. I can’t wait to see him.”

“Me, too. He’s changed a lot since you and Tara first got together. He’s a man now.”

Mick laughed. “Yeah. He was just a kid when I first met Tara. A little unsure of himself, but still, he knew what he wanted. And now he’s the damned quarterback at the University of Texas. His freshman year and they took the Big 12 Championship.” Mick took a long swallow of soda with a smile on his face.

“Spoken like a proud father.”

“I know. I can hardly believe it myself. But he’s my kid. He might not have been born mine and he might not have my DNA, but he’s still mine and has been since— Hell, since the first day I met him, I guess. I couldn’t be more proud of everything he’s accomplished.”

“You’ve done some nudging along the way. There’s no doubt you’ve had some influence on him.”

“Yeah. A lot of don’t-fuck-this-up-like-I-did influence. He knows what not to do. He’s always gotten good grades, and he loves sports. He’s focused. Though he said he wants to bring his girlfriend to be his date for Ty’s wedding.”

Gavin arched a brow. “Nathan has a girlfriend?”

“So he tells me. Some hottie who plays for the basketball team there.”

“You said yes, right?”

“Of course I said yes. Though the poor girl will be subjected to all the Rileys. I’m not sure Nathan knows what he’s dragging her into.”

Gavin shrugged. “If she survives all of us at one time, she’s a keeper.”

Mick laughed. “You’re right about that. Maybe he’s smarter than I think. Trial by fire and all that.”

“Hey, relax, Dad,” Gavin teased. “He’s doing good.”

“I know. He’s got it all together. I keep reminding myself that every day.”

Gavin knew what Mick wasn’t saying. “And he’s not drinking.”

“God, no. Not like I was in college, anyway. He knows I’ll kick his ass from Texas back to Missouri if he does.”

“I think he understands how important this is. And what you went through with your alcoholism and how it almost cost you your shot in the NFL. Like you said, he’s a smart kid.”

“Yeah, he is.”

“So quit worrying and let’s figure out who’s going to kick Philadelphia’s ass on Sunday.”

Mick grinned and they stared at the board for a while. After that, they wandered out to find the others. Mick went back to playing blackjack with Garrett, while Gavin, Eddie, Victor, and Ty hit the poker tables.

Gavin wondered how Liz was doing with the women. Knowing her, she was probably showing them all a great time in Jamaica.

His woman knew how to party. He knew she had it well handled.

Still, she was on his mind, so when he took his next break he grabbed his phone and sent her a text, figuring she likely wouldn’t see it until tomorrow.

I miss you. How’s it going?

Surprisingly, she sent back a reply within a few minutes.

Everyone’s drunk except me. And maybe Tara. And I miss you, too. I’m having fun with the girls, but Jamaica would be a lot more romantic if you were here.

He smiled and sent her another. Yeah, fun here with the guys, but can’t touch them like I can you.

She replied back with. God, I hope not. People will talk.

He laughed and typed off one more text. Have fun. Call me tomorrow. I love you.

I love you, too, Gavin.

Chapter Six

“No one told me I’d have to fly home with a hangover today. This is awful.”

Jenna sat on the edge of the sofa, bent over with her hands covering her face.

Liz was curled up on the chair across from her, oh-so-happy not to have partaken in the debauchery of drink last night. She’d suffered many a hangover and she was glad to have escaped it this time.

Alicia came out of the bedroom and leaned against the doorway. “Can we stay another day? Because I feel like I’m going to die.”

Liz fought the urge to laugh. Alicia’s hair kind of resembled Einstein’s at the moment.

“Did you sleep on your face last night?”

Alicia dragged her hair back. “I don’t even remember getting back to the hotel last night.”

Savannah pushed her way past Alicia, and, if possible, looked even worse. She didn’t make eye contact, just stared straight ahead. “I. Need. Coffee.”

“It’s over there.” Liz hooked her thumb toward the cart. “There’s also orange juice, tomato juice, and some pastries.”

“Gag,” Jenna said from her spot on the sofa.

“You should eat something,” Liz said. “And tomato juice will help.”

Jenna pulled a decorative pillow against her stomach. “Please stop mentioning food. Or drink.”

“Hey, at least we had fun last night,” Liz said.

“Did we?” Savannah asked as she walked by with a cup of coffee in hand. “I hope there’s photographic evidence because I don’t recall a thing.” She laid the coffee down on the table and flopped into the chair. “Lord, who made me drink so much?”

Alicia had only made it as far as the sofa where Jenna was lying. She sat and pulled Jenna’s legs on top of her lap. “I’m blaming Jenna for this.”

“Me? How could this be my fault?”

“Good morning, everyone.” Tara entered from the other side looking gorgeous, freshly showered, and obviously without a hangover.

“You bitch,” Jenna said. “How can you look that good after last night?”

Tara poured herself a cup of coffee. “Easy. I only had two drinks. Someone had to help Liz corral you drunkards.”

Alicia looked over at Savannah. “That explains how we got back to the hotel. Thank you both for taking care of us.”

“It was our pleasure. The pictures of all of you are lovely, by the way,” Liz said.

Jenna groaned. “Oh, God. What did I do?”

“You might have propositioned the bartender.”

That shot her up straight on the sofa. “Shut the fuck up, Liz. I did not.”

“You did. You told him you were madly in love with him and wanted him to come to St. Louis with you.”

“Oh, shit. Tyler is going to kill me.”

Tara laughed. “What she means is, you loved the way he mixed drinks and his interactions with the customers and you offered him a job at Riley’s Club on the spot, even offering to pay his transportation to St. Louis.”

“I did?”

“You did. He very kindly turned down your offer, saying he had a wife and a baby son and he was very happy living here.”

“Fuck me. I must have been wasted. I don’t remember any of that.”

Liz held up her phone. “I have photos. And video.”

“I hate you.” Jenna sneered at her, then stood. “And it’s obvious if I’m going to feel human again, I’m going to need some carbs, juice, and coffee, no matter how revolting the thought.”

“I’ll join you,” Alicia said.

After they ate, everyone hit the pool for a little sweat session. When Liz suggested they go for a walk on the beach, Jenna groaned, saying she needed a nap.

“No, what you need is to sweat some of that alcohol out of your system.”

“The logical part of me knows you’re right. My stomach wants to tell you to fuck off.”

Liz laughed and pulled Jenna out of the chaise.

They all took a long walk down the beach, the warm sun beating down on them. Liz had worn a hat and her cover-up and enough sunscreen to ward off a burn.

“This is nice,” she said.

“What is?” Tara asked.

“Being here. With all of you.”

Tara looped her arm in Liz’s. “It has been fun. I had some reservations about coming. I thought I’d miss Sam too much.”

“I sense a but in there.”

“Actually, it’s been good for me to get away. Between chasing after the baby, and being back at work, things have been intense. I needed a break.”

“I’m glad you had a chance to unwind. By the way, I have massages scheduled for all of us this afternoon before we have to pack.”

Jenna sighed. “Have I mentioned how much I love you?”

“You might have said that about fifteen times last night.”

Jenna laughed. “As long as I only said it to you, then I’m okay.”

“Oh, you loved everyone last night. Me, the other girls . . .”

“The bartender,” Tara added. “The cocktail waitress who kept bringing you drinks.”

“Don’t forget the bouncer at the club. You sang to him.”

Jenna’s face went blank. “I did not.”

“Oh, you did. He liked it though. He sang with you.”

Alicia laughed. “I do remember that part. Hysterical.”

Jenna lifted her chin. “I’m not speaking to any of you ever again.”

Savannah put her arm around Jenna. “Yes, you are, honey, because we’re your bridesmaids. And we got stinking drunk with you and made fools of ourselves, too. Now if that isn’t love, what is?”

Jenna smiled and laid her head on Savannah’s shoulder. “I love you guys.”

Liz rolled her eyes.

They had their massages later in the day, which to Liz felt like absolute heaven. By the time they all returned to the room to shower and pack, she was both reluctant and eager to get home. She’d loved having an all-women weekend, but she missed Gavin. And she wasn’t going to get pregnant spending time away from her husband.

The trip home was long, and by the time everyone said their good-byes, she was counting the minutes until she walked in her front door. It was late, and she knew Gavin’s flight got in well before hers.

He was probably asleep. The house was lit up, though, and when she opened the garage door, she was surprised to see him still up.

“I thought you’d be sleeping,” she said as she got out of the car.

He came over and enveloped her in his arms, pressing her against the car and kissing her deeply. She fell into his embrace, telling him without words just how much she’d missed him.

“Mmm,” she said when he broke the kiss. “I missed that.”

“Me, too. And I wanted to wait up for you and grab your luggage.”

“Is that some kind of sexual euphemism?”

He laughed. “Well, no, but I can make it one if you want me to.”

“That’s all right. Carry on.”

He pulled her bags out of the trunk of her car and carried them upstairs. She shrugged out of her jacket and hung it up, then followed him.

She’d been exhausted driving home, thinking of nothing more than throwing off her clothes and climbing in bed next to her sleeping husband. But since he wasn’t asleep . . .

When he set her bags down, she came up behind him and pressed her body against his. “I missed you.”

He grasped her hands. “I missed you too, babe.” He turned around. “Did you have fun in Jamaica?”

“We did.”

He ran his finger across the tip of her nose. “It looks like you got a little sun.”

She laughed. “Yeah, very little. You know my skin.”

“I do. But I think I should inspect you fully to make sure you didn’t get burned.”

She kicked off her shoes. “Yes, you probably should.”

He undid the buttons of her blouse one by one, his gaze burning into hers, making her hotter by the second. Her nipples tightened, achingly sensitive against her bra as he pushed her blouse off her shoulders.

Gavin traced the swell of her breasts. “I thought about you a lot while I was in Vegas,” he said.

She shuddered as she inhaled. “Did you? I thought about you, too.”

“Yeah.” He walked around behind her and unhooked her bra, then leaned in to lift her hair and press a kiss against the side of her neck. “We’re always apart when I’m playing ball, so I like being with you during the off-season. It sucked being separated.”

“It did.” Goose bumps prickled across her skin as he kissed his way across her neck toward her shoulder. He nipped at her shoulder and she tilted her head back. “Gavin.”

“I like the way you say my name when you’re turned on.”

He came around and faced her, dragging her bra down her arms. Her pants were next, and she held on to his shoulders while he tugged them down, then looked up at her, pulled her by her hips toward his face.

He nuzzled her sex, making her draw in a deep breath. She’d missed this closeness, this passion they shared when it was just the two of them. And when he drew her panties down and put his mouth on her sex, her legs trembled. Gavin grasped her thighs and held her in place as his tongue and lips did magical things to her clit.

She threaded her fingers through his dark hair as she watched his tongue roll over her clit. “You make me want to come. I’m ready. So ready.”

He put his lips flat against her and sucked, catapulting her into orgasm. She rocked against his face, crying out as her climax sent her reeling. When he stood, she cupped the back of his neck and brought him down for a deep, soulful kiss that only made her pussy quiver more.

Gavin pushed her onto the bed and dropped his jeans. He was inside her a heartbeat later, her pussy still spasming. She tightened around his cock, feeling every inch of him thicken inside her. And when he began to move within her, it was the sweetest pleasure, a reminder of why she loved being with him. He knew just how to touch her, the exact rhythm that would get her primed and ready to go again.

When he ground against her, she lifted up, making sure he was buried deep, loving the look of fierce passion that furrowed his brow, the dark, predatory need reflected in his eyes that told her he was right there with her.

She wrapped her legs around his hips and held him there, her body hovering on the brink of oblivion. He knew it, too, because he stopped moving, and it was as if the earth had stopped spinning, as if the two of them were suspended in space. All she could hear was their breathing, all she could feel was the hard pounding of their hearts against each other and his cock twitching inside her.

It was heaven, and pure, torturous hell at the same time.

Then he kissed her, drove hard within her, and she shattered like a broken lightbulb, every piece of her gloriously illuminated from the inside out as he shuddered and came with her. He groaned against her mouth, his tongue twining with hers as they rode out their orgasms together.

Out of breath, she held tight to him, so glad to be home and in his arms. Because nothing was more perfect than this.

“All is right in my world again,” she said, pressing a kiss to his shoulder.

He disentangled and pulled her against him. “Mine, too. I had fun this weekend, but I’m happy to be back home. Happy to have you back, too.”

She tilted her head back and he brushed his lips against hers.

She was glad to have this idyllic moment with him, because she knew the next few weeks were going to be anything but calm.

Chapter Seven

Nathan had come home, and Tara and Mick were having everyone over for dinner to welcome him. Plus, he'd brought his girlfriend with him, and he wanted to introduce her to the immediate family before the wedding so she wouldn’t be too overwhelmed.

Which immediately made Liz curious because she’d known nothing about this girlfriend.

“Did Mick tell you anything about her?” Liz asked Gavin as they drove over to the house.

“Just that she’s pretty and she plays for the basketball team at UT.”

“Hmmm.”

Gavin glanced over at her. “What does that mean?”

“Absolutely nothing. I wonder if this is a new thing, because Tara hasn’t mentioned her to me.”

“Imagine that. You, not in the know about something.”

She laughed. “Shut up.”

“I guess you’ll just have to find out about her like the rest of us.”

“I suppose so.”

They pulled up in front of the house and parked, then headed to the front door. “Looks like everyone’s already here.”

He grabbed her hand. “We’re not late, Liz. You’re just worried you’re going to miss some vital gossip about this hot mystery girlfriend of Nathan’s.”

She squeezed his hand. “I am not. I couldn’t care less.” Okay, maybe she did care. She’d kind of taken it upon herself to become Nathan’s not-quite-related-except-by-marriage-but-cared-about-the-kid-deeply aunt. Plus, she was firmly convinced Nathan had a profound athletic future, so she was a little overprotective of him. The last thing he needed was some gorgeous groupie sticking her claws in him and riding his coattails all the way to the NFL.

Gavin paused. “Liz.”

“Yes?”

“Mind your own business.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Nathan. You don’t want to step into that again. You know what kind of trouble you got yourself into before with Mick and Tara. You don’t want to do it again.”

“For God’s sake, Gavin. I’m not even thinking about meddling in Nathan’s personal life.” Geez, her husband was annoyingly psychic at times.

And of course he was right. Which didn’t mean she wouldn’t ask this new girlfriend of Nathan’s some probing questions. She wouldn’t interfere, of course. It was more like . . . protecting him.

“Oh, you’re here.” Tara greeted them at the front door and led them inside. “The guys are in the game room.”

“Later, gorgeous,” Gavin said, giving her a swift kiss before heading toward the men.

Liz rolled her eyes. “I knew I’d lose him as soon as we walked in the door.”

“I know, right? Mick loves the game room. So do his dad and his uncle. They’re all like kids in there with the TV, pool table and video games and the rest of the stuff.”

Tara led her into the kitchen. “Something to drink? I made this amazing nonalcoholic punch, plus there’s wine, beer, and tea.”

“I’d love some punch.”

Tara poured her a glass. “Everyone else is in the family room.”

“Is Nathan here?”

“I sent him and Sonja on an errand. They should be back soon.”

“Sonja, huh? Nice name.”

Tara smiled. “Nice girl. Wait ’til you meet her. You’re going to fall madly in love with her.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes. She’s sweet. I can’t believe he met someone like her. She’s smart and so athletic. And funny, too.”

Liz was going to reserve judgment about Sonja until she had a chance to grill— uh, talk to her.

She settled into the family room and visited with everyone, including Mick and Tara’s little boy, Sam, who was pulling himself up on the furniture. His hair was dark and curly, and when he giggled, it shot straight to her heart. He had the sweetest smile and charmed everyone in the room as he made his way over to them, laughing every time he fell down.

When Sam came over to her and rested his cheek on her knee, every part of Liz ached. She picked him up and kissed his cheek, but after only a few seconds, he wriggled to get down.

“Okay, mobile man, I know you don’t want to be cuddled right now. Off you go.”

“I told you,” Tara said. “I think my cuddling days are over.”

“You might be surprised how much he still wants to cuddle his Mama,” Gavin’s mom said to Tara. “He might want to be moving around right now, but wait until he falls and cries. Then he’ll want you holding him.”

“You’re right, of course,” Tara said.

After a few minutes, Liz heard the front door open.

“Mom, where do want this stuff?”

“Excuse me,” Tara said. “If I don’t direct Nathan, he’ll end up putting milk in the pantry.”

Liz got up, too. “I’ll help you.”

She followed Tara into the kitchen.

Nathan was in there and she was struck by how much he’d matured in the past few years. He was taller, and had picked up a lot more muscle. He wore his hair shorter now, and it was a darker brown. Though still young, he was no longer a young boy. Now he was a young man.

“Hi, Nathan,” she said.

He smiled at her. “Hey, Liz. How’s it going?”

“It’s going good. On errand duty?”

He grinned. “Always.”

A tall, quite gorgeous young woman carried a bag in. “Where do you want this one, Mrs. Riley?”

“On the counter, Sonja. Thanks.”

The girl had to be nearly five-eleven or maybe even six feet tall. Considering Nathan had shot up his senior year to six-four, he was still taller, but wow. She was beautiful, with café au lait skin, honey colored eyes, and sleek black hair.

Wow.

“Oh, Sonja, this is Nathan’s Aunt Elizabeth, but we all call her Liz.”

Liz stuck out her hand in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Sonja.”

“Same here. And I’m probably never going to remember everyone’s name so I’m going to apologize if I have to ask it again.”

Liz laughed. “That’s okay. Ask away.”

“Hey, I warned you I had a big family,” Nathan said, casting a grin at his girlfriend.

“You did.”

“Where are you from, Sonja?”

“A small town in southwest Texas that no one’s ever heard of. Nathan wanted to drag me here to see more big-city life.”

“Well, St. Louis isn’t exactly a huge city.”

Sonja leaned against the counter. “Bigger than where I grew up, that’s for sure.”

“What’s your major?”

“Marketing with a minor in communications. And I play for the UT basketball team.”

“She’s good at it, too. One hell of a guard,” Nathan said. “You should keep your eye on her, Liz. She might go pro.”

Sonja laughed. “I don’t know about that. I’m just happy to have the scholarship so I can get my education.”

“Yeah, and she’s being modest. She really is good.”

“Then I’ll definitely keep my eye on you.”

“Liz is a sports agent,” Nathan said to Sonja. “She could get you a great deal.”

“Nathan,” Liz warned.

Sonja just looked at her. “I’m not even thinking that far ahead. I just want to get a degree.” She elbowed Nathan. “Quit being so pushy. You’re making your aunt uncomfortable.”

He shoved back into her. “Hey, I believe in you.”

She laughed. “Whatever.”

He put his arm around her. “Come on. Let’s go hang out.”

“Dinner’s in about thirty,” Tara said.

“Okay.”

After they left the room, Tara asked. “So? What do you think?”

“I think she’s stunning.”

“I know. Isn’t she? Like fashion-model beautiful. And she’s very smart. Nathan said she has a 4.0 GPA, plus she plays sports, too. She’s outgoing and she really seems to be into Nathan and he’s obviously very much into her.”

And she very obviously wasn’t at all how Liz had imagined her. So she relaxed on that count. “She’s very sweet. Nothing like that first love is there?”

“Well, I wouldn’t know about that since my first love got me into a lot of trouble. But yeah, I like her. She seems grounded and reasonable and not flighty and all into Nathan just because he’s the quarterback. She seems to have her own goals and ambitions. So that reassures me.”

“I’m sure it does.” Liz was a bit reassured, too. She wished Nathan didn’t have a girlfriend at all, but she supposed that was a bit unrealistic. He was in college and out on his own now, and he needed to have some fun, to grow up some and become a man. He was going to likely have a lot of girlfriends in his lifetime.

She wasn’t his mother, so she had no idea why she was so nervous about Nathan getting involved with Sonja. She should just let it go.

But she did watch them during dinner, when the family could really get noisy, talking over each other and often arguing over the most innocuous topic. Maybe they were on their best behavior tonight because Sonja was there and they didn’t want to scare her off, but it was relatively calm. Plus, the baby was still awake and he captured a lot of attention. In fact, Nathan sat next to Sam and he and Sonja entertained him during dinner, feeding him and making him laugh.

Sonja seemed at ease with the family, which didn’t happen often with strangers. After dinner she even helped Tara in the kitchen.

“You seem pretty comfortable around our crazy family,” Liz remarked as she, Tara, Alicia, and Jenna, along with Gavin’s mom and Alicia’s mom, helped Tara with the after-dinner mess.

“Oh, I come from a big family. I have three sisters and two brothers.”

Liz’s eyes widened. “Really. Wow. So dinnertime is a lot like this.”

Sonja laughed. “Yes. Exactly like this. Only maybe more yelling. My brothers are younger than me, so they’re a little . . . boisterous.”

“Boys do tend to be like that,” Gavin’s mother said from across the room.

Tara nodded. “Yes, they do. And I only had one. Well, one at a time, anyway.”

“I imagine it takes parents ruling with an iron fist to keep a brood like that under control,” Alicia said.

“My mother is pretty fierce. When she speaks, believe me, you listen.”

“And your dad, too?”

“He died when my youngest brother was two years old. It’s mostly been just my mom for a while.”

Liz laid her hand on Sonja’s arm. “I’m so sorry.”

“I am, too.” Tara pulled up a chair at the kitchen island. And suddenly the women surrounded Sonja.

“Oh. Wow. Well, I didn’t mean to talk about it. But he got cancer and it took him pretty fast. It was hard on my mom having all us kids to deal with, but she had my aunts and uncles and my grandparents to help her. It’s been okay, really.”

Gavin’s mom patted Sonja’s hand. “It’s nice that she had all the family to help support her.”

“It was.”

And Liz could tell Sonja was uncomfortable.

“Hey, how come the guys never help with the dishes?” Liz asked, sliding off the bar stool. “Sonja, let’s go track down Nathan and my husband and find out where they’re lurking.”

“Sure. If you all don’t need me in here.”

“We’re fine. We’re just about done anyway,” Tara said.

As Liz led Sonja down the long hall toward the back of the house, Sonja turned to her. “Thanks for that.”

“For what?”

“For pulling me out of that conversation. I miss my dad for sure. But I just don’t like to talk about it.”

“Understood. Especially with a bunch of people you don’t really know.”

She smiled. “Right. Not that I don’t like all of you. You’re all . . . great.”

“Hey, you don’t have to sell me. I get it. We’re all pushy and nosy and overprotective, and we’ll ask you a million questions if you let us. So don’t let us and feel free to tell us to back off.”

“Oh, I’d never do that. But I might have to ease my way in. Things with Nathan and I are just getting started. And we both have our priorities, which are school and career first.”

The more she talked to Sonja, the more she liked her. “Those are good priorities to have.”

“Yeah, I mean we’re just eighteen. Plenty of time for all that romance later.”

Liz laughed. “Yes. Much later.”

* * *

Give a guy a game room, and the world is a happy place. At least a guy’s world is a happy place. There was pinball, pool, video games and even a foosball table, which reminded Gavin of college and of old times in their family basement, when he and Mick would go at it for hours. Gavin, of course, was the Riley foosball champion.

Mick, on the other hand, remembered it differently, claiming he consistently kicked Gavin’s butt. So they had to have a rematch.

Gavin won. Until Ty joined in and kicked his ass. And then Nathan took over and trounced all of them one by one.

Damned kids.

He sat back drinking a beer and watched Nathan and his girlfriend Sonja flipping the handles as they faced off against each other. She was pretty good at it, and Nathan didn’t let up just because Sonja was a girl. It was a pretty fierce competition, but in the end, Nathan won again.

Garrett rubbed his hands together. “I’m going to take you down this time, kid.”

“You’d like to think so, wouldn’t you?” Nathan asked with a gleam in his eye.

Sonja sat at the bar with a soda and grinned as Nathan took Garrett down easily. And then the women came in and started their own tournament. Tara faced off with Liz, and then Sonja hopped in. It was clear that Sonja and Nathan were going to be the foosball champions tonight.

“She’s cute,” Gavin said to Mick as they watched.

“Who? Your wife? She’s all right, but I’d have to say I prefer my own.”

Gavin laughed. “I meant Sonja.”

“Yeah, she is. Nathan really seems into her.”

“I assume you’ve had a long conversation with him about sex and birth control and not screwing up his future in that way.”

Mick shot him a look. “I’ve had lengthy conversations with that kid about everything that could screw up his life. Including that. He’s tired of seeing me head his way. He knows what’s what. He’s not stupid.”

“I figured, but just thought I’d throw it out there.”

Mick took a swallow of water and laid his glass down on the table behind them. “Could you ever have imagined the day we’d be the old men talking to kids about not knocking up their girlfriends?”

“No. I never saw that one coming,” Gavin said with a wry smile. “Time goes by fast and your kid has really grown up a lot in a few years. He’s a man now.”

“He is. And with that comes responsibility. The kind I blew off in college. So he’ll just have to get used to my Dad lectures.”

Gavin laughed. “I guess so. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to give a few of those to my own kids.”

“Any of those coming soon?”

“We’re working on it.” He shifted his gaze across the room to Liz, who caught his gaze and smiled at him, a hot, I-know-what-you’re-thinking smile.

She made a motion with her head and went upstairs. As soon as Ty came over to talk to Mick, Gavin eased his way upstairs. She was in the kitchen.

“Do you want another beer?” she asked.

“No, I’m good right now.”

“Okay. Then why don’t you join me over here?” She pulled him into one of the downstairs bathrooms and shut the door, clicking the lock.

“Really, Liz? In my brother’s house?”

She wound her arm around his neck and pushed him up against the wall. “I just want a kiss. It’s been a long afternoon and evening of separation while you were hanging with the guys.”

“You could have kissed me in the kitchen.” He brushed his lips across hers, but lingered, enjoying the taste of her mouth, the way she leaned into him, pressing her body against his.

“It’s more fun in here,” she whispered against his lips.

He laid his hand on her butt and squeezed, his dick responding. “You make me hard.”

She reached between them to palm his erection, rubbing back and forth. “Take me here. I’m wearing a dress. It’ll be fast.”

“What if I don’t want fast? What if I want slow?”

“We’ll do slow when we get home. I want you now.”

Liz’s sense of adventure never failed to get his motor running. She wasn’t shy about having sex just about anywhere, including the bathroom of Mick and Tara’s house. Plus, he knew she was eager to make a baby. They’d been doing it damn near every day, sometimes more than once a day.

He had to admit, he was on board for that. He lifted her dress and slipped his hand inside the sexy silken underwear to find her wet and ready for him. With his other hand, he reached for her breasts, sliding his hands over the full mounds to tease her nipples.

Her breath caught and she looked up at him with eyes that flashed with heat and desire.

He unzipped his jeans and turned her around and pushed her toward the sink, watching her face as he nestled behind her. He kicked her legs apart, then entered her, reaching around to rub her clit as he filled her with his shaft.

“Oh, yes,” she whispered. “Just like that.”

He bent and kissed her back and neck as he thrust into her, his cock and balls tight with need as he pulled out, then drove in harder. He felt her pussy surrounding him, pulsing as he continued to give her what she’d asked for. He strummed her clit, taking her right to the edge. He felt her body spasm as she hit the peak.

“Gavin.” She met his gaze in the mirror, ecstasy etched on her face as she came.

With a low growl he poured into her, his legs shaking as he climaxed. He held tight to her hips, emptying and shuddering until he had nothing left.

Gavin breathed hard as he fought to recover from that mind-blowing experience. Not wanting to spend any more time in here than was necessary, he withdrew and they did a quick cleanup.

He pulled Liz against him, giving her a deep, passionate kiss.

“When we get home, it’ll be slow and easy.”

She grinned and brushed her lips against his. “I liked fast and hard.”

“You make me crazy, you know that?”

“Good. Now let’s head back downstairs before Mick and Tara think we’ve been fucking in their bathroom.”

He laughed, shook his head, and followed his wife.

Chapter Eight

“I can’t believe Jenna and Ty are getting married tomorrow,” Liz said. “It seems a little surreal to me that it’s here already.”

Gavin turned the car off and pocketed the keys, then turned to her. “Do you remember when we got married? How fast the time crept up on us?”

Liz shot him a sexy smile. God, he looked good tonight dressed in a suit. At the church earlier when they’d rehearsed for the wedding they were coupled up. Walking down the aisle with him reminded her of their wedding, which hadn’t been so long ago. She still remembered each moment of it so vividly, of how nervous she had felt walking down the aisle, and how calm she became as soon as she’d seen Gavin’s face at the end of the aisle.

He’d looked gorgeous in his tux, so tall and sexy. Just like tonight in his suit. She wanted to crawl all over him in the car, but she suppressed the urge since they were due inside the restaurant for dinner. And besides, the valet was standing right there to collect the keys from Gavin, so that might be slightly inappropriate. “Yes. It was a whirlwind. But I still remember every moment of it.”

He crooked a grin at her. “Me, too. Especially our wedding night.”

She laughed and pulled her coat tighter against the cold wind. Gavin came around and opened the door and they hurried inside.

It was beautiful inside the Hyatt. With Tara’s help, Jenna and Ty had chosen a perfect location not only for their wedding reception, but also for the rehearsal dinner. They checked their coats and found Gavin’s dad at the coat check.

“Your mom is already inside with Tara and Mick,” Jimmy said.

“I think we’re going to need to feed Jenna oxygen,” Tara said, pulling Liz away from Gavin.

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“No particular reason. And for every reason.”

“Ah.” Liz nodded. “Pre-wedding jitters.”

“Exactly.”

They found Jenna talking to the catering manager. “This is not the food I ordered.”

Clyde looked confused. He opened a binder. “Ma’am, if you’d like to go over the forms you filled out, I can assure you it is.”

“It can’t be. I hate salmon. Who would order salmon?”

“Clyde. Let’s go over a few things,” Tara said, motioning him away from a near frantic Jenna, who then turned to Liz.

“The food isn’t right. Look at this.”

Liz blinked as Jenna fanned the paper in front of her.

Liz took the menu. “Jenna. Calm down. Tara will take care of everything. Remember, this is what she does for a living.”

Jenna fell into a chair. “I’m not going to make it until tomorrow. Mick had a game on Thursday, so he just got back in the nick of time. Cole has a bye this weekend. Ty at least has a couple of days off, as do his two friends and teammates, who are ushers. And Gavin is off season. Do you have any idea what it was like trying to plan my wedding around the schedules of athletes in three sports, one that’s off season, and two that are in season?”

“Actually, yes, I do.”

“Oh, of course you do. Anyway, a fucking nightmare. And Christmas is next week. What the hell was I thinking getting married the week before Christmas? No one has time for this shit. No one’s going to show up. I just know it.”

Yeah, Jenna was on the first-class express to meltdown city. Direct flight, no stopovers.

Liz signaled for a waiter. “Bring me a shot of tequila. And make it a double.”

The waiter nodded and Jenna lifted her head. “Oh, no. I’m not drinking tonight. I’m going to be calm and rational and not drunk and crazy.”

“Okay.” Liz leveled a direct look at her.

“I’m already crazy, aren’t I?”

“No, you’re stressed and nervous. It’s normal. I was a spewing volcano the night before Gavin and I got married.”

Jenna’s lips curved. “I remember that. You suddenly decided the venue couldn’t possibly be big enough for all the people who were invited, and we needed to move it somewhere else.”

Liz laughed. “Yes. So trust me, I was a much bigger basket case than you could ever hope to be. This is just pre-wedding nervousness that all brides have. Tara calmed me down the day before mine, so now I’m going to do the same for you and tell you that your wedding is going to be perfect.”

“We should have eloped. Or just had family at Riley’s bar.”

“You are not having your wedding at Riley’s. You are not working the bar on your wedding day.” When the waiter came back, Liz handed Jenna the shot glass. “But you are going to take the edge off by taking a shot of tequila.”

Jenna sighed. “You’re right. I need this.” Jenna downed the shot, grimaced, then blew out a breath. “Whew. That’s better.”

“Good. Now let’s join the family, where you’re going to be calm and happy and enjoy the night before your wedding.”

“You’re so bossy.”

“I know. That’s why you love me.”

They joined the family in the private room that had been set up for them.

Jenna squeezed her arm. “You’re right. This is lovely. And I’m not even going to think about tomorrow, because I know it’s going to be perfect.”

“Of course it’s going to be perfect. Tara is in charge of event planning, and you know she’s a genius.”

“Did I hear my name?”

Tara moved in between them and Jenna hugged her.

“Sorry for the craziness earlier,” Jenna said.

“You’re entitled. We’ve been there and we know all about the stress. But trust me, everything is exactly as you wanted it for tomorrow. And for tonight.”

“I know it is, and I haven’t even thanked you for taking the time to arrange it all.”

Tara smiled. “It’s what I do.”

“And you do it beautifully.” Jenna gave Tara a tight squeeze and Liz sighed in relief.

Meltdown over.

The dinner was perfect, just as Liz knew it would be. And then the speeches started.

Ty’s friend Eddie Wolkowski gave a great speech about love and hockey, friendship and relationships that made absolutely no sense at all but still brought everyone to their feet because Eddie was just that kind of guy you couldn’t help but adore.

As matron of honor, Tara talked about friendship between two people who were there for each other. She talked about watching Ty and Jenna fall in love, and how she couldn’t imagine any two people who were more perfectly matched. It was a beautiful speech and she wished them well.

Ty’s parents were there, so Ty’s father, Sean, gave a short speech about how proud he was of his son and how he welcomed Jenna into the family. Ty’s mother, Louise, also said she didn’t think there’d ever be a woman good enough for her son, until she’d met Jenna. And that she wasn’t losing her son, she was gaining the daughter she’d always wanted and she looked forward to the two of them visiting Chicago, hopefully soon. It was sweet and emotional and everyone clapped.

Jenna’s dad was the last to toast by saying there was always room for another guy in the Riley family, and Ty had settled in just fine. He said he hadn’t known about Jenna’s dreams, but Ty had and he’d helped her achieve them. And then he’d gone on to say that he couldn’t think of anyone who was better equipped to take care of his little girl than Tyler. He wished the two of them well, and said he knew his daughter was going to live her happily ever after with Ty.

Liz blinked back tears and Gavin squeezed her hand.

“Emotional, huh?”

Liz nodded and dabbed the corners of her eyes with her napkin. “Seems to be a lot of emotion where weddings are concerned. Especially this one. I’m so happy for Ty and Jenna and I can’t wait for the wedding tomorrow.”

“And here I thought you were so tough.”

She laughed. “Yeah, well, don’t tell anyone. It could affect my business.”

After dinner, no one lingered. They’d be back here tomorrow night for the reception anyway, and tomorrow was going to be a big day.

Liz and Gavin headed home. She slipped off her heels, hung her dress in the closet, and went into the bathroom to get ready for bed.

“I’m shocked you didn’t try to seduce me in the hotel,” Gavin said as he came in to brush his teeth.

She smiled as she combed her hair. “I’m saving that one for tomorrow night when there are more people. Everyone will be relaxed, drinking, and not paying attention to us. Tonight, though, we’re going to have to do it in the bed like a normal, boring married couple.”

She walked out of the bathroom.

He followed, turning off the light. “How unfortunate.”

She slipped under the covers. It was cold tonight, and snow was expected for tomorrow. “I hope it doesn’t snow for Jenna and Ty’s wedding. That could be a big mess.”

He shrugged, crawled under the covers, and pulled her next to him. “It’s a Saturday night, so it shouldn’t be too bad traffic-wise.”

“Unless we get a lot of snow.”

He pulled her on top of him, his body already warming hers. “Quit worrying about the wedding. It’s going to be fine.”

“You’re so sure about that.”

“Positive.”

Thoughts about the wedding fled as soon as Gavin put his hands on her ass. “Mmm, I like that.”

“Which part? Your gorgeous breasts rubbing against my chest, or my hands on your ass?”

“Yes to both.” She kissed him, and then he was the only thought in her head as his tongue slid over hers, expertly obliterating any thought but that of his cock hardening between her legs.

She rose up and rubbed a nipple between his lips. He grasped her breast and flicked the bud with his tongue, making her gasp. He knew what she wanted, that she needed him to take her nipple and suck, but still, he teased her by licking the areola and laying his tongue against it.

“Gavin.”

He lifted his gaze to hers. “Yeah, babe.”

“You know what I want.”

He plumped her breast with his hand. “Not psychic here. You’re going to have to tell me.”

Such an obstinate man. “Suck my nipple into your mouth.”

He brought her forward and took her nipple into his mouth, drawing it in deep.

“Yes, that’s what I needed.” She held on to his head while he sucked the bud, flattening it in between the roof of his mouth and his tongue. Her nipples were sensitive and the sensation shot straight to her core, making her swell with need for his cock.

She pulled her nipple out of his mouth, watched him stare at it.

“I wasn’t finished with that.”

She let out a low laugh. “You can come back to it. In the meantime, there’s something I want to do.”

She eased down his chest, stopping to lick and suck at his nipples, rewarded when he emitted a groan. She kissed her way down his abs, snaking her body over his, stopping to nip at his hip bone.

“I like where you’re going,” he said, tangling his fingers in her hair as she nuzzled the hairs on his lower belly.

She loved the way he smelled, so crisp and clean, and yet a musky scent that never failed to turn her on. His cock was hard and pointing toward his stomach. She wrapped her hand around the base of his shaft and stroked upward, slow and easy, then got up on her knees so she could put her lips around the crest.

“Elizabeth.”

Hearing him say her full name in a deep whisper like that made her skin tingle. It spoke of need and desire, his voice on the edge of control.

Just where she wanted him as she swirled her tongue around the head of his cock and eased his shaft into her mouth. At this angle, with her above his cock, he could see it disappearing into her mouth inch by inch, could feel what he saw.

His hold on her hair tightened and he arched his hips, sliding his cock along her tongue. She closed her mouth around him and gave him pressure, hearing him groan as his cockhead hit the back of her throat. Giving Gavin this pleasure made her nipples tighten, her clit and pussy tingling with the need to have him pumping inside her just as he pumped his cock in her mouth.

And when he pulled out and dragged her up, kissing her until she was delirious, she knew he wanted the same thing.

He shifted her onto her back and slid inside her with one hard thrust. She moaned against his lips and arched into him, pulling him deeper inside her.

He rose up and looked at her. “I love the feel of you when I’m inside you, the way your pussy grips me and sucks me in.”

The way he looked at her, his features tight with strain as he moved within her, never failed to make every nerve ending in her body come alive. She reached up and swept her hand across his face, rubbing her thumb along his bottom lip. He nipped at her thumb and she wrapped her hand around the nape of his neck to draw him down for a kiss. Kissing him while he made love to her was like dual pleasure, his tongue sliding along hers as his cock thrust within her, making her senseless as she climbed each peak toward the very pinnacle.

And when he ground his hips against her, brushing her clit again and again, she broke, crying out and raking her nails down his arms as she came. Gavin let go, then, shuddering as he climaxed, his body lifting over hers as he emptied into her.

He dropped down on top of her and pressed kisses to her cheek and neck.

“You’re killing me, Liz,” he said.

She stroked his back and arms, smoothing the spots where she’d dug her nails into him. “I hope not. I need you around for at least a few more years.”

He laughed and rolled to his side, pulling her against him. “All this sex. I’m not sure I’m up for it.”

“Oh, you’re up for it. I know your stamina level.”

“Good thing you feed me vitamins.”

She snuggled closer. “Good thing, huh?”

Chapter Nine

The skies were gray and ominous on Jenna and Ty’s wedding day for the entire day, the threat of snow hanging heavy in the air. Liz was certain that at any moment she’d see thick flakes come down from the sky. But so far they’d held off. Liz was going to keep her fingers crossed.

As they arrived at the church, all she could see were clouds. It was bad enough she was freezing to death in this sleeveless dress. She hoped the heat in the church was working well.

“I’ll see you at the front of the church,” Gavin said as he kissed her good-bye.

“Just like the last time.” She smiled at him, patted his chest, and they walked in opposite directions.

She made her way to the bridal suite, where Jenna’s mother and Tara were lacing up the back of Jenna’s dress.

Jenna looked stunning in a cream taffeta halter dress with a dropped waist and tiers from her hips to the floor. A bow sat at her right hip. It was luscious and elegant and her tattoos made her look beautiful.

Liz stood in the doorway and took a moment to watch Jenna looking at herself in the mirror. The look of awe on Jenna’s face was priceless.

“You look gorgeous, Jenna,” Liz said as she came into the room.

Jenna gave her a serene smile. “It’s kind of hard to believe this is happening. Me, in a wedding dress. Who’d have thought that day would ever come?”

“Me,” Jenna’s mom said, tears in her eyes.

“And me,” Tara said, dabbing her eyes with a tissue.

“Don’t you cry, Mom. I had to sit in a chair this afternoon for hours getting my makeup done. I don’t want to do it again.”

“All of you can stop with the blubbering. We all had to sit through makeup,” Alicia said.

“Southern girls never cry,” Savannah added, sniffling.

“We all look gorgeous,” Liz said, smoothing down her dress. “And no one is allowed to cry. Except maybe Jenna and her mom, but not until the ceremony.”

“You all look so beautiful,” Ty’s mother said. “And especially you, Jenna. My son is a very lucky man.”

Jenna reached over to squeeze Louise’s hand. “Thank you, Mom.”

“We should be starting shortly.” Savannah took her phone out of her clutch. “All we need now are the flowers.”

“They’re here,” Tara said, checking her phone. “I need to get the florist to bring them in here. I’ll be right back.”

Tara ran to get the florist, who came in bearing the most beautiful flowers Liz had ever seen—short of her own wedding, of course. Cream roses and purple lilies highlighted Jenna’s bouquet and were a perfect complement to her dress, and since the bridal party wore purple dresses, they had cream bouquets.

There was a knock on the door. Tara answered, then turned to them. “Five minutes. We should line up.”

Jenna laid her hand on her stomach. “I’ve never been so nervous about anything in my entire life. Even singing for the first time didn’t make my stomach flutter this much.”

Her mom came to Jenna’s side and put her arm around her. “You love Tyler. This is your moment. Be happy, and relaxed.”

Jenna nodded. “You’re right. I am happy. And excited.”

They all stopped out in the foyer. Jenna’s dad was there with a huge grin on his face. “You look beautiful, baby girl.”

Jenna blinked away tears again. “Thank you, Dad. You look pretty handsome yourself.”

“You sure you don’t want to make a run for it? I’ve been working out. We can dash out the front door and into the limo. There’s a game on. We can catch it at Riley’s.”

Jenna laughed. “As tempting as that sounds right now, I think I’m good here, Dad. But thanks for the offer.”

He took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. “Okay, then. Let’s do this.”

Liz could have kissed Jimmy for that bit of levity. It was just what Jenna needed to relax.

Everyone lined up in their positions. Gavin came and walked his mother down the aisle, then Ty’s mother was escorted to her seat.

And as the music started to play, Liz was overcome with dizziness and nausea and leaned against Savannah.

“What’s wrong?” Savannah asked, grasping her arm.

She took in a deep breath, then let it out. “Tight dress. No air. And probably too many flowers.”

“Take deep breaths,” Alicia said.

“Doing that.”

“I can ask them to wait,” Alicia said, a concerned look on her face.

Liz waved them on. “No, I’m good. Let’s get this thing moving.”

The bridesmaids moved down the aisle and Liz tried to quell the dizziness, holding the flowers as far away from her face as she could. The last thing Jenna needed was for Liz to face-plant walking down the aisle at her wedding. When it was Liz’s turn, she breathed as normally as she could, smiled, and concentrated on Gavin’s face. He smiled back at her, and she made it all the way to the altar, though she felt beads of sweat rolling down her back.

Great. Just great. It was probably the flu or something. Talk about bad luck.

But she focused on Jenna coming down the aisle with Gavin’s father, and how beautiful she looked.

She’d get through this. And she was going to be fine.

Nothing was going to ruin Jenna and Ty’s wedding day.

* * *

Gavin couldn’t believe that was his little sister coming down the aisle looking so beautiful, so grown up. His throat swelled with emotion as he watched their dad turning her over to Tyler, listened to the two of them making vows to watch over each other, to care for each other in hard times and in good times, and promise to love each other forever.

He wasn’t an emotional sort, wasn’t the kind to get choked up over things, but this was his sister, the one he’d teased mercilessly when they were kids. He’d pulled her hair and laughed when she ran to Mom about it. But he’d also picked her up and carried her into the house when she’d fallen off the swing and broke her arm.

She might have been his to tease, but she’d also been his responsibility to look after.

Now she wasn’t his responsibility anymore. She was Tyler’s. She was an adult and she was getting married. He’d had to pass the torch on to another man who’d take care of her when she was hurt, who’d calm her fears and tease her and laugh with her.

He realized he had tears in his eyes. He quickly swiped them away, then looked over at Mick, whose eyes were also filled with tears. Mick crooked a smile and nodded at him, and he knew Mick felt the same things he did.

And okay, maybe Jenna was getting married today, and he knew Ty was a great guy and would always take care of her, but he and Mick would always be there for her, no matter what.

Because they were Rileys. And nothing would ever tear them apart.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

As Jenna and Ty kissed, the church exploded in applause, music pealed, and the wedding party began to descend from the altar.

Gavin met up with Liz, who looked a little pale, but smiled as she slipped her arm in his. They did their part for the photographer, but when they reached the back of the church, he turned to her.

“Are you all right?”

She tipped her head to the side. “I’m fine. Why?”

“You look pale.”

“Huh. Maybe I need more blush. And here I spent all that time getting my makeup done. I should ask for a refund.”

He laughed. “Seriously, are you okay?”

“My dress is a little tight and I think they had the heat up a little high in the church. Wasn’t it warm in there?”

“Not that I noticed. Why? Were you having hot flashes?”

“Kind of.”

“Hard to believe considering how little you’re wearing.”

She tapped his arm. “I’m wearing plenty.”

They were pulled apart then to greet guests on the way out. Then they had photos in the church. Gavin kept his eye on Liz, though, who smiled and seemed okay, but still looked pale. There was a winter flu going around, and the last thing she needed right now was to get sick. They had to host the holidays with the family next week, and he knew she was stressed about that, plus the whole trying-to get-pregnant thing. She’d had a lot on her mind lately, and he hadn’t been helping in trying to relax her.

He’d have to work on that.

After photos, they headed downtown to the Hyatt for the reception. Since they’d checked in to the hotel earlier in the afternoon, their car was parked there and they all got to take the limo to the hotel. Ty and Jenna still had photos with all the parents, then they’d come over in their limo. In the meantime, the bridal party was finished, so they were headed over to the reception.

“Glad to be done with all those photos. It was like being at a game. Only with fewer interviews.” Cole cracked open a bottle of champagne.

“It wasn’t that bad,” Savannah said.

“That’s because you’re beautiful and you should have your photo taken every day.” Cole kissed her cheek and handed her a glass.

He started pouring champagne into glasses and handing them around the limo. Mick handed Liz a glass, but she passed it on to Gavin.

“Not drinking?” he asked.

“I’m pacing myself. It’s going to be a long night.”

“And she doesn’t want to end up naked table-dancing too early,” Gavin said.

Mick laughed. “I’ll keep my camera phone ready for that.”

Tara nudged him. “You will not. And no one will be naked table-dancing.”

“Are you sure about that?” Savannah asked. “You can’t vet everyone on the guest list.”

Tara sighed. “So true. Let’s hope no one dances on the tables tonight.”

“You’re no fun,” Mick said.

“My date is stripper,” Ty’s friend Victor said. “She could dance naked on tables.”

Everyone looked at him. Victor laughed. “Just joking. She is kindergarten teacher.”

“I’m telling Felicia you called her a stripper,” Eddie said.

“You do that and I’ll shove hockey stick up your ass. Also, will tell your date that you’re seeing another waitress.”

Victor and Eddie glared at each other.

Gavin snorted. “I really like these guys.”

It was going to be an interesting night.

The Hyatt was decorated beautifully. The lighting had been set perfectly, the tables were elegant, and the views of the St. Louis Arch were stunning.

“Jenna’s going to love this,” Liz said to Tara. “You did such a wonderful job arranging everything.”

Tara smiled. “Thank you. I hope she’s happy with it.”

They found their places at the head table and took their seats. Liz was happy to sit down. She blew out a breath and tried to quell the queasiness that hadn’t quite gone away yet.

“Would you like something to drink?” Gavin asked.

Her savior. “How about a club soda?”

He frowned. “Still not feeling good?”

“There’s a flu that’s been going around. I’m hoping like hell I haven’t caught it. This couldn’t be a worst time.”

He rubbed her back. “I’ll go get that club soda for you.”

She would not ruin Jenna’s wedding day by being ill. Fortunately, her part was mostly done, photo-wise, but she didn’t want to miss Jenna and Ty’s special day.

Gavin brought her club soda and she took a sip. “Thanks. This will help.”

“If you don’t feel good I can take you up to the room.”

She laid her hand over his. “I think I’ll make it, but thank you. I’m sure the excitement of the night will overcome my stomachache. Besides, you have to dance with me.”

“I can handle that.”

The crowds were filling in, and the photographers had arrived. That meant Ty and Jenna weren’t too far behind them. When she saw their parents arrive and take their seats, she stood, grasping Gavin’s hand.

Soon the deejay announced the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Anderson. A lump formed in Liz’s throat at the thought of the two of them being married, and she blinked back tears as they entered the ballroom to loud applause from the guests.

They made such a beautiful couple. Liz couldn’t be happier for her friend.

And as Jenna and Ty took the floor for their first dance, Gavin wrapped his arm around her waist while they watched Jenna and Ty sway to a beautiful love song. Just watching them look at each other, it was obvious they were so much in love.

Liz tilted her head back and smiled at Gavin. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Her heart swelled and she felt like the luckiest woman in the world tonight. Even though it wasn’t her wedding day, she felt reaffirmed in her love for Gavin.

Gavin grasped her hand when they asked the wedding party to take the floor for the next song. Now she was surrounded by family and friends, and she didn’t even notice the photographer hovering close, because she only had eyes for her husband.

His fingers traveled down her back. “You look beautiful tonight.”

“So do you. I have a weakness for a man in a tux.”

“Just any man?”

“Oh, sure. Any random man in a tux that catches my eye will do. You know how easy I am.”

He tugged her close and whispered in her ear. “I should spank you for that.”

She laughed. “Promises, promises.”

After the dance, everyone sat and had dinner, which gave Liz pause, but since her dizziness and nausea seemed to have disappeared, she decided to go ahead and eat.

Gavin looked over at her plate, then back at her. “You sure you’re up for that?”

“Definitely. I really do think it was hot in the church, plus this dress is skintight. Add those two together, plus all the stress with the wedding and Christmas next week, and that’s what got to me. I’m feeling a lot better now.”

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Good. I hated the thought of you getting sick.”

She was happy about that, too. She began to eat her meal, taking each bite slowly, gauging her body’s reaction.

“You’re certainly savoring each bite,” Tara noticed after Gavin left to go get a beer.

Liz smiled. “It’s fantastic food.”

“I think so, too.”

“Okay, so what do you think so far?” Jenna pulled up one of the empty chairs.

Liz squeezed her hand. “First you made me cry during your ceremony today, you bitch. Second, you made a gorgeous bride. And third, this food is to die for.”

“Everything Liz just said,” Tara added with a nod.

Jenna grinned. “Thank you. Did you see my lip trembling when I was saying my vows to Ty? Oh, my God, I thought I was going to totally lose it and end up sobbing.”

“I might have noticed that,” Tara said.

“Why do you think I ended up crying? I don’t think I teared up as much during my own wedding.”

“Aww, Liz, you’re becoming so sappy and sentimental,” Jenna teased.

“Screw you. I am not. I’m a coldhearted bitch.”

Tara patted her back. “Sure you are.”

She glared at them. “I hate you both right now.”

“It’s no sin to be a marshmallow, you know. Especially around people you love.”

Liz shot a look at Tara. “Fine. But in my professional life, I’ll continue to be cold, calculating, and cutthroat.”

“Of course you will,” Jenna said with a firm nod. “We’d expect nothing less from you.”

“Now that the wedding is over, I know you and Ty are looking forward to the honeymoon. Too bad it has to wait until after hockey season is over,” Tara said.

Jenna shrugged. “We knew when we set the date that hockey season would be in full swing. We’re fine with waiting. And this way we can enjoy two weeks in Tahiti after the Ice season is over.”

“You’re going to love it there,” Liz said. “And it’s a honeymoon worth waiting for.”

Jenna smiled. “I think so.”

Tara grasped Liz’s arm. “Just look at that.”

Liz followed Tara’s gaze to the dance floor, where Nathan and Sonja were dancing. They looked gorgeous together, with Nathan looking much too grown-up in his suit and Sonja absolutely beautiful in a smoking-hot copper-colored cocktail dress.

And they only had eyes for each other.

“Awww, young love. It’s so adorable,” Jenna said.

Tara shot her a look. “Do you think they’re in love?”

“I think they’re hot for each other. One look at them and you can see that.”

Tara worried her bottom lip. “On the one hand, I’m happy for him. I like Sonja. She’s smart and levelheaded and I think she’ll keep him on his toes.”

“On the other hand, you don’t want him to get hurt. Or lose his focus,” Liz said.

Tara nodded.

“You do realize you can’t protect him against everything.” Jenna grasped Tara’s hand. “He’s going to grow up. He’ll get hurt.”

“I know. I’m not one of those clingy mothers who wants to hold on to her babies forever. He has to get out there and make his own way in the world.”

“That’s a good outlook,” Jenna said. “But still, you want what’s best for him.”

“They do look good together, don’t they?” Liz asked. “And maybe she’s what’s best for him right now. She seems to have all the right priorities.”

“I hope so.” Tara watched her son on the dance floor.

Liz turned to Tara. “I had a nice conversation with Sonja at your house. It seemed to me she had her head on straight. I think she really likes Nathan, but she’s putting school first.”

Tara took a deep breath. “That’s what Nathan’s told me. But you know how those hormones are.”

“They won’t screw it up, Tara. I know they won’t.”

Tara nodded at Liz. “I hope you’re right about that. And in the end, he’s an adult now. He has to make his choices—and live with them, right?”

Liz laughed. “So true. Just like we all did when we were that age.”

“Lord, don’t remind me,” Tara said. “Hopefully he’s listened to Mick and to me, and he won’t repeat our mistakes.”

“He’s fine, Tara. He’s awesome, in fact. Now let him get out there and become the amazing adult you know he’s going to become,” Jenna said with a big smile.

Tara’s eyes brimmed with tears. “What would I do without you two?”

“You’d be lost, woman,” Liz said. “Totally lost.”

Tara laughed, then hugged them both.

The night passed in a whirlwind of photos and dancing and a lot of crowds. At least Liz’s nausea had gone away, seemingly for good. She danced with her father-in-law and her brothers-in-law, as well as several of Ty’s teammates. Her feet were sore, she was tired and sweating, and oh, dear God, if she didn’t get out of this dress soon, she was certain it was going to compress some internal organs. She headed over to the table just to take a breather and sip from her glass of water.

This damn dress had fit only two weeks ago during the final fitting. She had to cut down on eating and maybe get a little more exercise.

Damn holidays. And dinners at her mother-in-law’s house. She was enjoying delving into the pasta a little too much lately, and now she was paying the price.

She wanted to sit down and ease her shoes off under the table, and maybe just close her eyes for a second.

She wondered where Gavin was, but she couldn’t find him through the sea of bodies on the dance floor. He was probably somewhere with the guys, no doubt talking sports.

They hadn’t had sex today. They needed to have sex. If they had any chance at all of making a baby, it was important they keep up the daily sex routine. And yes, she was well aware she didn’t ovulate thirty days out of the month, but her cycle was screwed up lately, and the best time to have sex was . . . all the time.

She smiled at the thought. Nothing wrong with practicing, was there? They’d certainly done plenty of that, and she had no complaints. She knew Gavin didn’t.

Just the thought of touching him, kissing him, had her breasts swelling against her oh-my-God-this-dress-is-too-tight bodice.

Now all she had to do was find Gavin, and make a subtle suggestion . . .

* * *

Gavin was gathered with the guys at the bar, knocking back another beer and listening to Cole and Mick talk about the games tomorrow. He was stuck in the middle of them grousing about linemen not covering plays and upcoming contract negotiations. But his gaze was on his wife, who leaned against the table and sipped water while she watched the dance floor.

Liz looked tired. He should take her upstairs. He knew she’d object, that she was determined to stay until every guest had left the ballroom. Though he didn’t know why. This party could go on for a while.

He pushed off the bar and headed toward her, circumventing the dance floor and coming around the back of the tables. She hadn’t seen him, though she was looking for him, her neck stretching as she lifted up on her toes to scan the room, which gave him a great view of her fantastic legs. She caught sight of him as he came up on her left and gave him a half smile.

“There you are. Were you at the bar?”

He laid his beer on the table and tugged her close. “I was. Listening to Mick and Cole talk football.”

She rested her palm on his chest. “How . . . riveting.”

“You can’t imagine. How are you feeling?”

“Perfect. And you?”

“Restless. Want to dance?”

She shook her head. “I was actually thinking we could go someplace”—she looked around—“I was going to say private, but I don’t think there’s anyplace secluded in this ballroom.”

“Doesn’t look like it. Grab your purse and come with me.” He took her hand and led her out of the ballroom and toward the elevators. They rode up to their floor.

“It’s a little early to leave for the night.”

He gave her a smile. “Just a short break.”

He inserted the key and opened the door to their suite. Liz laid her bag on the table, went to the sofa, and sat. Gavin went to the bar and pulled out a bottle of sparkling water.

“You read my mind.”

He opened the bottle and poured it into a glass he’d filled with ice and brought it over to her, kneeling in front of her as he handed her the glass.

“This looks promising,” she said as she accepted the glass and took a sip.

Gavin lifted her foot and slipped off her shoes. “Again, I don’t know why you torture yourself by wearing these heels.”

Liz resisted the urge to groan. It felt so good to have those things off. “It was part of the uniform. All the women wore them today.”

“You wear them every day.”

“And you like my legs when I do.”

He tucked the shoes aside and started massaging the balls of her feet. This time she did moan.

“I’d like your legs if you walked around in bunny slippers.”

She laughed at that. “You would. But there’s not a chance in hell that bunny slippers are in my future. Or my shoe closet.”

“Some day you’ll be huge and pregnant and then what’ll you do? You’ll topple over in those things.” He motioned with his head toward her four-and-a-half-inch heels.

She couldn’t help but lay her hand on her stomach and make a very fervent wish that that day would come. “I’ll wear very stylish sandals. But not bunny slippers.”

Gavin raised her leg up and pressed a kiss to her ankle. “This foot would be cute in slippers.”

“Only if they’re sexy kitten-heeled ones.”

“You, my very delicious wife, have a fetish.”

“So do you, my leg-obsessed husband.”

He smoothed his hand over her calves. “You think so?”

“I know so.”

“I have a fetish for you and your sexy body.” He smoothed his hand over her dress, dragging it up and over her thighs. “And I have an obsession about your scent.”

When he kissed her inner thigh, she gasped, unable to help the sounds that escaped her throat when he dragged her underwear down her legs. Her dress was oh-so-tight and she could barely breathe in it, so the fast, in-and-out pants Gavin’s soft kisses along her inner thigh caused were only making it more difficult to catch a breath.

But she’d make any sacrifice if he’d only move his tongue closer. And when he scooted her butt to the edge of the sofa and put his mouth on her clit, she let out a whimper of sweet satisfaction.

“Oh, Gavin, yes. Right there.” He was still fully dressed, and he looked so amazingly sexy in his tux with his head buried between her legs, his mouth doing delicious things to her pussy.

She gripped the edge of the sofa and lifted, giving him access, spreading her legs wider so he could slide his tongue along her folds. He captured the bud between his lips and sucked, and she was lost, shattering in a wild climax that left her shaking.

Then he was above her, kissing her with a deep, soulful kiss. He pulled her up and took her into the bedroom, his hand on the zipper of her dress as they made their way into the darkness of the room.

They didn’t need lights on, just the touch of their hands on each other as Gavin pulled her zipper down. She breathed a sigh of relief as he pulled off her tight dress and laid it on the chair. She turned and undid his tie while he shrugged out of his jacket and went to work on the cuff links.

“Too many parts to this tux,” she whispered, her body vibrating in anticipation of his touch.

Once his buttons were undone, she spread her hands over the warm expanse of his chest.

“I like you touching me,” he said, reaching around to unclasp her bra and remove it.

She resisted the urge to moan in relief as her breasts spilled out. Being naked felt wonderful after feeling so restricted all day. She moved into Gavin and rubbed her breasts over his chest.

“I’m trying to get my pants off here, and you’re distracting me,” he grumbled.

She laughed. “Well hurry up.”

He unzipped and dropped his pants, then lifted her into his arms. “You’re impatient.”

“Just a little.”

He carried her to the bed and pulled back the cover, depositing her in the middle of the bed before coming down next to her. “Is that right?”

She rolled over to face him. “Yes. I’ve been wanting to get you alone all night.”

He framed her face with his hands. “Now we’re alone. And I’m all yours.”

She reached down and grasped his cock in her hand, stroking him. “All of you, huh?”

She raised her leg over his hip and placed the tip of his cock at the entrance to her pussy. He pushed and entered her, but not fully.

“Gavin,” she warned.

He gifted her with that wickedly devilish smile of his that never failed to make her shiver.

“Something you want?”

“Yeah. Your cock.”

“I love when you get demanding. Take it.”

She surged forward and slid onto his cock. Gavin gripped her hip and squeezed as she moved against him, but then he took over, thrusting ever so slowly, torturing her with his movements that never failed to make her wet, to make her pussy clench around his cock.

“Oh, babe . . . what you do to me,” he said, spearing her again even as he swept her hair away from her face so he could kiss her.

Liz lost herself in Gavin’s kiss, in the way he moved within her, his body grinding against hers and taking her right to the peak. And when he rolled her onto her back, deepening the pressure, she wrapped her legs tight around him to hold him where she needed him.

“Yes, there,” she whispered, stroking her hands over his shoulders, tightening them on his arms when she felt her orgasm drawing near.

“That’s it, babe,” he said, deepening and quickening his strokes. He knew her so well, knew her body as well as she did, and recognized when she tightened around him that she was close to the edge. He knew just what to do to make her fall.

He slowed down, and rolled against her, rocking his body against her clit.

“Oh, yes, I’m coming.” She arched against him and shattered.

Gavin slipped his hand under her butt, gripping her tightly as the waves of her climax electrified her. And when he shuddered against her and groaned, it only served to prolong her own orgasm.

When she could breathe again, she realized they were stuck together.

“I’m a mess,” she said, sliding her fingers over his back. “I’ll need a shower before we go back downstairs.”

He rolled over and tugged her next to him. “Or . . . we could just stay here.”

She pondered the thought. “You don’t think we’d be missed?”

“I think they’ll manage just fine without us.”

It was a tempting thought. She was exhausted, and the thought of climbing back into that tight dress made her want to cry.

“Maybe we can just rest here for a few minutes. Then we’ll clean up and go back downstairs.”

“Sure, babe. Whatever you want to do.”

She didn’t make it five minutes before she was out cold.

Chapter Ten

Gavin took a deep breath and counted to ten. Again.

It was Christmas Eve, and tomorrow, they’d have the whole family over. Which meant for the past few days his wife had been losing her goddamned mind.

He didn’t see the big deal. The cleaning people had been here yesterday, so the house looked great. They had all the food and drink they could ever need, because Gavin had gone to the grocery store at least twenty-five times in the past four days.

Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but it seemed like every time he saw Liz, she handed him a grocery list. He had started to hide from her.

Like now. He was currently in the basement TV room trying to watch sports, and cringed when he heard her heels coming down the wood stairs.

“Gavin? Are you down here?”

For a second, he actually thought about not saying anything. Maybe she’d think he’d left the house. But she’d eventually figure it out when she saw his truck in the garage.

“Yeah, babe. I’m here.”

“Oh, good. I need you to go to the store for me.”

Shit. He pushed off the chair and stood, then came around to the stairs to see her standing there.

“Seriously? We already own everything the grocery store has. What could you possibly need now?”

Throwing him a look, she waved a list back and forth. “You just have no idea the things I still need. Would you mind?”

If he said yes, he knew he’d be in one for one hell of a lousy Christmas. “Sure. No problem. Just let me grab my coat and my keys.”

“Great. Thanks.”

He walked up the stairs, taking the list from her on his way. When he got to his truck, he looked at the list and mentally cursed.

Gruyère cheese? What the fuck was that?

Fresh cranberries. He was sure he’d just bought those yesterday. In fact, he was positive he had. He should go inside and double-check. He got out and went inside, and found Liz in the kitchen.

“I just bought cranberries yesterday.”

She gave him a look like he was stupid. “Yes?”

“So . . . you need more?”

“Obviously.”

“And what the hell is Gruyère cheese?”

“Just go to the deli. Melinda is working today. She’ll help you.”

“Fine.”

“Oh. And stop at the liquor store and get one more bottle of that Australian Merlot Savannah and Cole like so much.”

“We already have two bottles of that.”

Again, she shot him one of those looks. “And your point?”

Count to ten. Count to ten. “Okay. I’ll pick up another bottle.”

He needed to get out of this house and away from Liz before one of them totally lost it. And by the looks she was giving him and his blood pressure, at this point he wasn’t sure which one of them was going to explode first.

He was certain his mom didn’t go to this much trouble when she had Christmas. Or maybe she did and he just wasn’t aware of it.

He picked up his phone and dialed. His mom answered on the second ring.

“Hi, Gavin.”

“Hi, Mom. How’s it going?”

“It’s going very well. I’m making a coconut cream pie. And how’s it going over there?”

“Elizabeth is losing her ever-loving mind.”

“Really. What’s going on?”

He filled her in on Liz’s craziness over the past few days, including his current trip to the grocery store to buy some crazy cheese and the repeat trips to buy things he’d already bought.

“Be patient with her, Gavin. This is her first time having the family over and she wants everything to be perfect.”

“I don’t remember you being stressed-out about having the family all these years.”

“Well, not after doing it for thirty-some-odd years. But the first time I had Christmas for your father and his family? I broke out in hives and threw up the night before. Your poor father had to give me whiskey on Christmas Day just to calm me down.”

He couldn’t imagine his never-ruffled mother being afraid of anything. “You did not.”

“I did. I imagine what’s bothering Liz is just nervousness. She wants to satisfy everyone’s tastes, and unfortunately, that’s impossible to do. I’m going to finish up this pie and then drop by and see if there’s anything I can do to help, providing you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all, and I think you can do a lot to ease her mind. Thanks, Mom.”

“You’re welcome.”

After he hung up, he went to the store, got the cranberries and the damned cheese he couldn’t pronounce. Then he stopped at the liquor store to buy yet another couple bottles of that wine that they’d undoubtedly have on hand until the end of time.

When he got home, Liz was bent over her laptop at the kitchen counter studying something in an online cookbook. He stored the wine and put the cheese and cranberries away. His first thought was to go hide in the basement again, but instead, he came up and kissed her on the cheek.

She lifted her face and frowned. “What’s that for?”

“For having the family over tomorrow. I know this isn’t easy for you and you’re going to a lot of trouble to do it.”

“Gavin, I love your family. They’ve been my family for even longer than you and I have been together. You know how much I’ve been wanting to do this.”

“I know. But I don’t want you to be stressed about it.”

She laughed. “Not much you can do about that. It’s a big deal to me and I want everything to be perfect.”

He was about to tell her that perfection was overrated, though she likely wouldn’t have listened to him anyway, when the doorbell rang.

Liz looked like she was about to have a panic attack. “Oh, shit. Who could possibly be here?”

“I have no idea, but relax. Whoever it is, I’ll get rid of them.”

“Thanks. I have to make this casserole.”

He went to the front door and opened it.

“Hi, sweetie.”

“Hi, Mom.” He hugged and kissed his mother, and whispered to her. “I didn’t tell Liz I called you.”

She patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry.”

He followed his mother into the kitchen. When Liz looked up, she registered a combination of shock and dread. But then she managed a smile.

“Oh. Mom. Hi.”

“Hi, Liz. I thought maybe you could use some help.”

Liz’s gaze flitted from his mother’s to his. And he read the panic there

“That sounds like a great idea, Mom,” he said. “Though I think Liz is doing a fantastic job.”

“Of course she is, but I’m always grateful for extra hands when I’m trying to do everything.”

Thank God for his mother. “If you all don’t need me, I’m going to get out of your way.”

“That’s a really good idea, son. We’ll call you if we need you.”

Liz didn’t know whether she wanted to grab onto Gavin like a lifeline or kick his ass down the basement stairs. She’d wager anything he called his mother and told her she was losing her mind.

Which she was.

“How’s it going here?”

“Oh . . . fine. I have the turkey cleaned and ready to go into the oven tomorrow morning. The side dishes are plotted out and well in hand. Some I’m prepping today, and others will be done tomorrow. I’m working on hors d’oeuvres right now.”

“Hors d’ouevres?”

“Yes. I’m doing individual shrimp cocktails, stuffed figs, an olive and cheese spread, spinach and artichoke dip.” She paused. “I know there’s something else. Let me go grab my menu.”

Mom nodded. “Uh-huh. You do realize it’s just family, and that you’re not serving Christmas dinner for the President of the United States, right?”

Liz laughed and waved her hand. “Of course. It’s just that there’re so many, and I want to make sure there’s enough. Anyway, here’s my list if you want to take a look and tell me if you think I’m missing anything.”

Liz worried her bottom lip while Gavin’s mom perused the list. When she looked up, Liz noted the look of concern on her face.

“Oh, crap. I’ve forgotten something, haven’t I?”

“Yes. You’ve forgotten we’re just the Rileys. We’re very simple. Have you ever seen me serve anything like what’s on this menu?”

“Well . . . no. But I thought I’d fancy it up a little.”

“And there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you don’t have a complete meltdown trying to do that. You know, once the family started to expand, I decided that holidays would be more like potluck, with everyone bringing a side dish. And I also enlisted help. Cara came over and started helping out with cooking the main dishes.”

“Right. But I thought—”

“That you could manage doing it all yourself.”

“Yes.”

Kathleen took a seat at the island. “And how’s that working out for you?”

Liz exhaled and leaned against the counter. “I feel like I’m about to drop. I’m so tired, Mom.”

“So why are you doing all this?”

“I don’t know. Because it’s my first time, and I want everyone to be happy.”

Her mother-in-law laughed. “Honey, no matter what you feed everyone, they’ll be happy. It’s Christmas, and we’re all delighted to spend the day together with those we love. You could serve turkey sandwiches and chips and we’d be content.”

“I don’t know about that, but maybe I have been overdoing it . . . a little.”

Kathleen perused the epic disaster that was Liz’s countertops and cocked her head to the side. “A little?”

“Okay . . . a lot. Gavin called you and said I was making him crazy, didn’t he?”

“I refuse to answer that question on the grounds you might be angry with him.”

Liz laughed. “I couldn’t possibly be angry with him, since I’m so happy you’re here.”

“I’ve been offering to help you for weeks now, and you kept saying no.”

“I know. I’m so sorry. I wanted to be the perfect daughter-in-law and do it all by myself.”

Kathleen slid off the bar stool, came around the island, and pulled Liz into her arms. “You’ve always been the perfect daughter-in-law. You love my son and he loves you. It’s all I will ever ask for.”

Liz batted back tears. “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too.”

Liz took a look at her menu, then at her mother-in-law. “Okay, so help me out here and tell me how I can scale some of this back so I’m not hiding in a corner by tomorrow.”

* * *

By early evening, Gavin’s mom had left and he’d helped Liz finish up the last of the prep for tomorrow’s meal. Then he’d done all the dishes and cleaned the kitchen. After that he’d gone out and picked up a pizza, because the last thing his wife needed was to cook dinner tonight or have anything else in the kitchen to have to clean up.

They had curled up in front of the television to watch a holiday movie. Liz was lying on the couch, her head in his lap. After the movie finished, she flipped over to look up at him.

“Have I mentioned today that you’re my hero?”

“Uh, no, you haven’t. What brought this on?”

“You got me a pizza. If I never see the kitchen again, it’ll be too soon.”

He rubbed his hand along her hip. “I told you I’d help you cook everything. You know I don’t mind being in the kitchen, and I like to cook.”

“I know you do, but this is my thing, and I volunteered to do it, so I’m going to suck it up and do it by myself.”

“But you’re not by yourself anymore. You have a partner to help. So you should let me be there for you. I can toss a turkey in the oven and peel and mash potatoes and do anything else you need me to do.”

She finally nodded. “You’re right. I guess I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, and I need some help.”

“I’ll be happy to be your bitch tomorrow.”

She laughed. “I’m going to remember you said that.”

They started another movie, and Gavin continued to move his hand along Liz’s hip. She kneaded his leg, which made his dick hard. Hell, anytime she touched him, he got hard.

“Your erection is poking my head,” she said, not turning away from the TV.

“Is it bothering you?”

“Immensely.”

“I guess you could do something about that.”

“I could, couldn’t I?” She shifted, using her hand to lazily rub his shaft through his jeans.

Gavin spread his legs, in no hurry to get to the action. He enjoyed watching Liz touch him, even if it was through denim. He couldn’t concentrate on the movie, though, because her head in his lap gave him definite ideas.

“If you unzipped me, you could put your mouth on me.”

She didn’t answer. In fact, she’d stopped touching him, too.

“Okay, how about if I do you first.”

No reply.

“Liz?”

Her breaths had become deep and even, and when he leaned forward he realized she’d fallen asleep.

He smiled and shook his head. His poor, exhausted wife had finally given in and passed out.

He threaded his fingers through her hair. He’d always loved her hair. That beautiful natural red hair of hers had always been a turn on for him, even when he’d been her client and she’d been his agent. She’d been a brilliant smart-ass with great legs and he’d admired the hell out her, both for her talent and intelligence as well as her beauty.

They’d had one hell of a wild ride getting together. She’d pissed him off and challenged the hell out of him, doing everything in her power to drive him away. But he’d wanted her, and he’d been damned determined to have her.

Now he couldn’t imagine a day of his life without her by his side. She was his rock of fortitude when things got rough for him, could always be counted on to calm the raging waters of his life.

He loved her like he never thought he could love a woman.

She sighed and curled her body up tighter, like she was cold. He dragged the blanket off the back of the sofa and covered her.

And while she might project a tough exterior, there was a vulnerability to her that never failed to bring out his protective instincts. He’d do anything to give her everything she wanted, including the baby she was convinced he wanted, when he knew damn well she was the one who wanted one with every part of her body.

He looked down at her and brushed a curl behind her ear. She looked pale, and he wondered if she was still secretly fighting that flu bug. Or maybe she was just tired.

She’d been working way too hard lately. And even though it wasn’t even ten o’clock yet, there was no way in hell he was going to wake her. He settled in against the sofa and decided he’d finish watching the movie, and then he’d carry his wife up to bed.

She needed the rest, because tomorrow was going to be a long day.

Chapter Eleven

Something hard poked against Liz’s butt. She blinked her eyes open, smiling as she recognized immediately what it was.

She vaguely remembered Gavin waking her up last night as he carried her to bed. She had practically sleep-walked through brushing her teeth and taking off her clothes before falling into bed and right back to sleep.

She did, however, remember that before she’d utterly passed out, she’d been rubbing his cock, making promises that her worn-out body had obviously been unable to keep.

This morning, however, was another matter entirely.

She wriggled against him. “Is this my early morning Christmas present?”

“Yes. How do you like it?”

“Mmm, I love it.” Her breasts tingled and her pussy quivered as she anticipated him sliding his cock inside her.

And when he did, she was wet and ready for him, her body quaking as he entered her.

They made love slowly, Gavin easing in and partially withdrawing. It was a perfect way to wake up. And when he reached around to strum her clit with his fingers, she arched into his hand, letting him coax a delicious response from her. Tension coiled all too easily and she climaxed with an unabandoned cry, Gavin coming at the same time.

He held her, kissing her shoulder and stroking her hip as they settled.

“Merry Christmas, beautiful,” he said.

“Merry Christmas.” She got up and turned to brush a kiss on his lips. “I’m going to go take a shower.”

“Okay.” He grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. “I’ll get in after you’re done.”

She went into the bathroom and closed the door, then turned on the shower. She was waiting for the water to heat up when a sudden, overwhelming burst of nausea hit her out of nowhere. She was shocked when she threw up, then held on to the counter when she stood, feeling weak, shaky, and utterly bewildered.

She brushed her teeth, rinsed her mouth, and climbed into the shower, ready to dash out just in case it happened again. But she managed to make it through her shower without incident.

When she got out, she wondered what the hell had just happened.

Surely . . .

No. It couldn’t be, could it? She counted back weeks. She’d had a period . . . sort of. Maybe a day, and it was light, which wasn’t like her, but she’d figured it was stress. In a hurry, her fingers shaking, she dove into the cabinet for the store of pregnancy tests she kept on hand. She ripped open the package, wondering whether or not to even attempt it. If it wasn’t what she thought, she’d end up with the worst Christmas ever.

But she’d drive herself crazy wondering, so she might as well get it over with. She peed on the stick and set the timer on her phone she’d left on the bathroom counter last night, hoping Gavin wouldn’t walk in on her. To be on the safe side, she locked the door. This way, only she’d be disappointed, and he’d never know.

It was the longest few minutes of her life. She combed out her hair and tried to still her shaking limbs, no doubt an aftereffect of her recent illness.

She probably had the goddamn flu, and she was going to kick herself for even thinking otherwise.

The timer ran out. She looked over at the stick, not wanting to turn it over, a year’s worth of disappointment a reminder of what was likely to happen.

Just do it, Liz. You’re not a coward, and you’ll deal with it, just like you’ve been dealing with it before.

She took a deep breath, and turned the stick over.

Pregnant.

Holy. Shit.

“Holy shit!”

“Liz? You okay in there?”

She looked at herself in the mirror, and grinned. The nausea and dizziness she’d felt the night of the wedding, her dress feeling too tight, and this morning’s barf-o-rama. It all made sense now. She was pregnant. Thank you God, she was pregnant.

She grabbed the stick and threw open the bathroom door and ran into the bedroom, then leaped on the bed.

“Gavin, we’re pregnant!”

He shot up in bed. “What?”

“Look!” She handed him the stick.

He looked at it, then at her, his eyes wide. “Holy shit.”

“That’s what I said.”

And then he grinned. “We’re pregnant, babe.”

And she grinned back. “I know.”

He pulled her across his lap and kissed her—a long, glorious, we’re-pregnant kiss that curled her toes and caused tears to prick her eyes. When he pulled back, he looked at her. “Our baby is going to look just like you.”

“Or just like you.”

“I love you, Elizabeth Riley.”

“I love you too, Gavin Riley.”

“We have to get through Christmas now.”

“Oh, shit. That’s right. I don’t even care anymore. This is the best day ever.”

He laughed. “Yes, it is.”

She leaped off the bed. “I have to get dressed. And you have to take a shower.”

He got out of bed. “Okay.” And then he stopped and turned to her. “How did you know to take a test this morning?”

“I threw up.”

He grinned. “Awesome.”

* * *

True to his word, Gavin helped her with the food prep. Which was good, because oh, she was sick. After her initial euphoria faded, the nausea returned. And being surrounded by food didn’t help.

Despite her protests, Gavin called in his mother and his aunt for help. He told them Liz was under the weather and the last thing she needed was to be surrounded by food. They both showed up within an hour and Gavin, his mom, and his aunt basically took over her kitchen. Under normal circumstances, she’d have vehemently objected, but after throwing up all morning, she was more than happy to surrender her kitchen to all of them while she headed upstairs to lie down.

After a two-hour nap she felt a lot better, and when she got up, the nausea was gone. She came downstairs and inhaled some wonderful scents emanating from her kitchen.

“It smells so good in here,” she said.

Her mother-in-law smiled at her. “Oh, you’re awake. And there’s some color in your cheeks now. How are you feeling?”

“Much better, thank you. Where’s Gavin?”

“He’s over at my house picking up Dad. No sense in us having two cars.”

“Thank you both for helping out. I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to handle this.”

“It’s tough when you’re in your first trimester. The smell of food is an awful trigger,” Gavin’s aunt said.

Liz didn’t know what to say. “Did Gavin tell you?”

Kathleen laughed. “He didn’t have to. You’ve been pale and nauseated for weeks.”

“Plus, you just have a pregnant look about you,” Cara said.

“I do?”

Kathleen nodded. “You definitely do. And congratulations, honey.”

Liz took a seat at the bar. “Thank you. We just found out this morning. Apparently I wasn’t as adept at recognizing the signals.”

“Well, you’ve had a lot on your mind lately, so I’m not surprised. We women are the worst at reading our own bodies sometimes.”

She nodded at her mother-in-law.

“So how far along are you?” Gavin’s aunt asked.

“I’m not sure. I had a period last month, but it was only a little spotting at best. I thought I might be pregnant then, but the test was negative.”

“Best you go see your doctor. He’ll do an exam and tell you for sure.”

“My dress at the wedding was tight. And when I looked at myself this morning, it’s like there’s this little belly that wasn’t there before.” She put her hand on her stomach. “I thought I was just putting on weight. How could I not have noticed that?”

“Like I said, we’re not good at recognizing our own body’s signals,” Kathleen said.

Cara nodded. “But now you’re going to notice everything. Like how fast your clothes are not going to fit.”

“And how nauseated you’ll get. And how your tastes in food will change.”

Liz chatted with Kathleen and Cara while they cooked, and was so grateful for their help. When Gavin came back home with his dad, they settled in the living room to watch sports, but Gavin stepped in to see if he could help.

“How’s that flu?” he asked, wrapping his arm around her to kiss her cheek.

“Cat’s out of the bag. They know.”

“Please,” his mom said. “Give us some credit, Gavin. We’ve both been pregnant.”

“Oh. Sorry. Liz and I didn’t have a chance to talk about who we were going to tell and when.”

“Understood.” His mom came around the island and placed her hands on his cheeks. “Neither Cara nor I will say a word until you and Liz are ready to announce it. But congratulations. I’m so thrilled I’m going to be a grandma again.”

He smiled. “Thanks, Mom.”

After a while, everyone began spilling in. Liz didn’t know why she’d worked herself into such a neurotic mess. Just as it was at Gavin’s house, everyone was casual and relaxed, and of course, more than willing to pitch in and help with the cooking. While the guys worked on carving the turkey, the women set out all the side dishes.

The food was a veritable feast, and Liz could barely eat a bite of it.

“Tell me you’re not dieting on Christmas Day,” Jenna said, eyeing her barely touched plate.

“Hardly. You know I love food.”

“All you did was push it from one side to the other.”

Gavin speared one of the slices of turkey she hadn’t eaten. “My guess is she stuffed herself prepping it all, and now she’s too full to eat what’s on her plate.”

She could have kissed him. “You’re not supposed to divulge my secrets.”

“It’s always a cook’s prerogative to sample the food before it’s served,” his mother said with a wink.

“Well, it’s all fabulous,” Savannah said. “Thank you, Liz.”

“You’re welcome. Kathleen and Cara helped. So did Gavin.”

“She lies. She did most of it herself,” Gavin said. “The only thing I did was utilize my expert turkey-carving skills.”

“He tried to slice his finger off with the electric knife,” Mick said. “Thank God I was there to save him, or his career would have been over.”

Gavin rolled his eyes. “In your dreams. My knifing skills are legendary.”

“Yeah. In your own mind.”

After dinner, Kathleen declared that the men were in charge of putting away the leftovers and loading the dishwasher. Despite much grumbling about missing the game, the guys headed into the kitchen to do their duties while the women settled into the family room.

“How have you been feeling since the wedding?” Tara asked her.

“Oh . . . fine.”

“Really? No ill effects from that flu bug?”

“No. Not really.”

Tara gave her a look. “Are you sure? Because you still look a little pale to me.”

“Actually, you are a little pale, Liz,” Alicia said. “There are a lot of people out sick on our therapy team with the flu. God, it’s been awful. I’ve been hoping I don’t get it.”

“No, I don’t have the flu.”

“So, how far along are you?” Tara asked with a knowing smile.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re pregnant? How did I not know this?” Jenna looked affronted.

And Liz knew she’d never be able to hide this from the women she held so dear. She gave them all a smile. “Actually, I just took a test this morning, and it said I was pregnant.”

“Seriously? That’s awesome,” Alicia said. “Congratulations!”

Then she was surrounded by everyone and hugged. She couldn’t help but smile and laugh and shed a few tears.

“Dammit, you’re all making me weepy and emotional, and you know I hate that shit.”

“Well, get used to it. It’ll get worse before it gets better,” Tara said. “I was a water faucet and an emotional basket case when I was pregnant with Sam.”

“I’m going to get a grip here very soon. I don’t intend to let hormones get the best of me.”

Kathleen laughed. “Good luck with that, sweetheart. I don’t think you get to control your hormones when you’re pregnant.”

She lifted her chin. “I refuse to let my body take over. It’s bad enough I’m throwing up.”

“It’s only the first trimester,” Alicia said. “After that, you’ll be back to normal again.”

She didn’t think anything would ever be normal again. Her life—hers and Gavin’s lives, were about to change forever.

Surprisingly, and considering it was late December, the day had turned out beautifully. No snow, and it was in the fifties, so the guys went outside to shoot baskets. After that, everyone came inside for dessert.

Kathleen’s coconut cream pie was a big hit. Liz had made pecan pie, which everyone loved, and Savannah had made a peach pie that was to die for. Though she wasn’t hungry, Liz had to sample everything.

“And now I’m so full I think I’m going to explode,” she said.

“Think how awesome it’s going to be not to have to suck in your stomach anymore,” Jenna said.

Liz laughed. “You’re right. That’s the most awesome thing ever.” She rubbed her belly. “Thanks, baby. My diet is officially over for at least the next, I don’t know, seven months or so.”

They all opened gifts, and then everyone left early in the evening, which suited her just fine. She loved Gavin’s family—her family—but it had been one hell of a long day and she was utterly exhausted. Plus, after finding out she was pregnant, she wanted some time alone with her husband.

After they said good-bye to the last of the family, she and Gavin shut and locked the door. He slipped his arm around her waist and tugged her close, then brushed his lips against hers. She melted into him and took the moment to breathe in his scent, then laid her head against his chest.

“Thank you,” she said, wrapping her arms around him.

“For what?”

“For loving me. For marrying me. For giving me a baby.”

He tipped her chin up with his fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze. “How about I thank you? I was watching you when you fell asleep on my lap last night, thinking about how much my life has changed since I fell in love with you. And how much I want to make you happy.”

Her eyes filled with tears. Gavin swiped them from her cheeks and kissed her again.

“You’ve already made all my dreams come true.”

He laid his hand on her belly. “This is it, babe. You and me—parents. Think we can handle it?”

“I know you’ll make a wonderful father. Now me as a mom? The poor kid.”

“I don’t know if I’ve ever known anyone with a deeper capacity to love than you. Our child is very lucky to have you as a mother.”

All those years she’d fought so hard to become just as successful as her male counterparts in the sports world. She’d won that battle, but she’d never thought she’d have the man of her dreams.

She’d made so many mistakes along the way, and she’d almost lost Gavin. But he’d been there for her when she’d needed him the most, and he’d seen through all her bullshit and had wanted her anyway. She’d be forever grateful to him for busting through her walls and getting to her heart.

They spent some time sitting together around the Christmas tree, enjoying the quiet of the house and the twinkling lights.

“It’s been a perfect day,” Gavin said.

“A rough start to it, yet a happy one.”

“You ready for bed?” he asked.

She nodded, and they turned off the lights and started up the stairs.

“You’re off the hook now, you know,” she said as they got into the bedroom.

He frowned. “Huh?”

“Well, now that I’m pregnant, I won’t be after you to have sex with me every day.”

“So now that you’ve used me for my baby-making abilities, you’re casting me aside like a used condom?”

She laughed. “Yeah, it was good while it lasted, but we’re through.”

He picked her up and set her on the bed. “Nice try, Elizabeth.” He loomed over her and tugged at her pants. “But I’m nowhere near through with you.”

She reached for him to pull him against her. “And that’s why I love you, Gavin.”

Because she knew no matter how long they were together, every time would be as fresh, new and exciting as the first time.

And the best was yet to come.

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed a reunion with the Riley family in Holiday Games. The next Play-by-Play book, Melting the Ice, will be released in February 2014.

In Melting the Ice, Carolina Preston is on the cusp of career success. She’s launching her own fashion line, and she needs a strong advertising campaign, along with some high profile models. She has her brother, race car driver Gray, on board. When Gray suggests his best friend and hockey player, Drew Hogan, Carolina balks. She and Drew shared a sexy, romantic past in college, and she’d prefer to leave the past where it is. But Drew accepts, and suddenly he’s very much present in her life again, dredging up old feelings and desires she thought long buried.

Drew knows he hurt Carolina all those years ago, and he’s determined to make amends, not only by participating in her fashion line, but by showing her that he’s not the callous boy he once was. Now he’s a man, a fact Carolina is all too aware of as they spend days—and nights—together. But can she put the pain of the past aside and give Drew a shot at what could be an incredible future?

In addition, the debut of my new Hope contemporary romance series is releasing in January 2014 with Hope Flames.

Emma Burnett has struggled with a difficult past that delayed her education and the launch of her professional life. But now she’s finally starting up her own veterinary practice, and it’s the only thing on her mind.

Until smoking hot cop Luke McCormack enters her clinic one night with his injured police dog. There’s chemistry between Emma and Luke, but Emma tries her best to deny her feelings. She’s gone down that road before, and it ended in disaster. She won’t ever let a man get in the way of her wants and needs again.

Luke is very attracted to the sweet, gentle Emma, but a bad marriage turned him off any romantic entanglements. He only dates casually these days, at least, until he meets Emma. Then there’s nothing casual about their relationship.

When Emma’s clinic is broken into and a string of burglaries put her front and center as a witness, Luke’s protective instincts kick in, and he realizes Emma matters more than he thought. And with Emma’s feelings for Luke growing stronger each day, she must decide whether to risk her heart once again.

Happy reading!

Jaci

Keep reading for a preview of the latest book in the Play-by-Play series from Jaci Burton

MELTING THE ICE

Available February 2014 from Berkley

Carolina Preston’s pencil glided over the paper like an Olympic figure skater performing an arabesque. Light, easy strokes, the effort behind the task not showing as she created her art, because it was all in her head. But soon, elegant lines appeared, shapes forming on the blank canvas as what she’d visualized became a flowing, sleeveless silk top, followed by a sequined mini. She added a cropped leather jacket to mix hard with soft, sketched in some killer high heels to complete the look, then paused to peruse the finished product, so out of breath her heart pounded.

Nice. Not perfect yet, but as she took a sip of chai tea, she cocked her head to the side and made a few adjustments to the sketch, exhilarated to create her own line of clothing.

It had taken several years of working for someone else, of feeling like a prisoner, unable to stretch her wings. But finally, this fashion season—she was going to fly.

As she worked on her next design, the figure morphed into a man. Tall, lean, his hands slid into his pockets as he modeled a pair of slacks and a body-hugging shirt. No jacket necessary as the clothes would speak for the body.

She loved menswear, and it would be part of her signature line. She could already picture it on the runway, worn by some chiseled model with raven-dark hair, steely gray eyes and—

No. She wasn’t going to go there. She stood, stretched her back, and looked out the window of her Manhattan apartment. For November, it was ridiculously warm. She should take a walk before the weather changed.

Her cell rang and she smiled as her brother’s name came up.

“Hi, Gray.”

“Hey, we’re in town. Are you busy?”

“Extremely. I’m so glad you called. Come on over. I’d love to see you and Evelyn.”

She spent the next hour picking up the disaster in her apartment. She had drawings strewn around her work space, so she picked up as much as she could in there, then closed the door and concentrated on the living area. When the buzzer sounded, she let them in.

She threw her arms around her brother and squeezed him tight.

“You look great,” she said to him, then hugged Gray’s fiancée, Evelyn.

“Have you two been celebrating Gray’s win in the championship?”

Her brother didn’t even try to fight his grin. “Overly celebrating, I think.”

“It was a big turnaround from how he ended up last year,” Evelyn said as they took a seat in Carolina’s living room. “I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

“She’s just happy I didn’t crash into a wall.”

“Or go flying through the air, like last year.”

Carolina nodded. “Yes. I think you took at least five years off my life on that crash last year.”

“No injuries this year. We raced clean and won a lot, including the championship. Even better, bringing Alex on the team this year was the best move I could have made. He and Donny both ended up in the top twelve. I couldn’t ask for more.”

The pride in his voice was evident. Her brother had made a success out of Preston Racing.

“You’re doing so well,” Carolina said. “You must be thrilled.”

“I never thought it would turn out like this. When I started out, I just wanted to race.”

“I don’t know about that. You’ve always had ambition. And now you have Evelyn at your side, and she’s as ambitious as you. Maybe even more.”

Evelyn laughed. “That’s so true.”

“And how about you?” Carolina asked. “Staying busy with my dad?”

Evelyn smiled. “Incredibly. Living the dream here. And so is your father. He’s doing a remarkable job as the vice president of the United States, just as I knew he would.”

Carolina loved that Evelyn was so dedicated to her father. And so in love with her brother. “How’s the separation working out for the two of you?”

Evelyn’s gaze shifted to Gray. “Actually, much better than I ever thought it would. We make time for each other, no matter how difficult it is.”

“It helps that Dad lets us use the family private jet a lot,” Gray said with a smile.

“I’m glad you two reconciled.”

“Me, too,” Gray said. “Speaking of, will you be coming to Washington for Thanksgiving this week?”

Carolina blew out a breath, thinking about everything she had to do to get ready for Fashion Week in February. The event was the biggest opportunity for designers to show off their lines, and something Carolina had spent the last year getting ready for. “I don’t know. I have so much to do now that I’ve plunged into designing this line. And not a lot of time to do it before Fashion Week. It’s kind of mind-boggling.”

“I’m so happy for you,” Evelyn said. “I want to know everything, and I want to see it all.”

“Not much to see right now, I’m afraid. I’ve got a few things in production, but I’m still trying to decide what’s going to go into the line and what’s not, and selecting models.”

“Can you tell us the focus?” Evelyn asked.

“Right now I’m concentrating on mainly casual fashion for both men and women. I want to keep it along the lines of my own style. Fussy has never worked for me, and I don’t think it works for the average woman or man, and that’s who I want to clothe. I like movement and ease, and the way clothes make a person look and feel.”

She stared out the window, her mind whirling with the possibilities. “With a man, his body has always intrigued me.” She turned her attention to Gray. “Since you’ve played baseball and you race cars, I’ve watched you over the years. It’s helped me gain a keen understanding of movement.”

Gray laughed. “So, I’ve been your study guide for men’s fashion.”

Her lips curved. “Sort of. I’ve studied all types of men in various fields. Sometimes I’ll just go outside and sit on a park bench and watch men go by. But I keep going back to the sports angle. Surprisingly, I watch a lot of sports.”

“Why is that surprising?” Evelyn asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe I just surprised myself. At first I did it to watch the angles. All the sports are different, but the way a man moves is always the same. I think a man’s body is inherently sexy, and I want to showcase that in my fashion, especially from a sports angle, because I believe that will appeal to a lot of men.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” Gray said. “So where are you on your models?”

She looked at him. “Well . . . if I could get you, that would be a definite plus.”

He laughed. “You want me to model for you.”

“Sure. You’d be perfect. You’re popular, and that will have a certain appeal.”

Gray wrinkled his nose.

Evelyn leaned back against the sofa. “Oh, this should be fun.”

“I also have a couple models on hold on the female side, but I need a few more guys, and I want to plug in to the sports angle.”

“Okay, I could see how that would work.”

Carolina grinned. “Great. So you’ll do it?”

“I’ll walk the runway for you if it’s just a onetime thing.”

“It will be.”

Gray nodded. “You could also ask Drew.”

Just hearing his name caused Carolina’s pulse to jump. For precisely that reason—and about a hundred others, she said, “No.”

“Why not? He plays here in New York, so he’d be the perfect sports figure to tap into. You’d have access to him, and you already know him.”

“Gray’s right. Drew would be ideal,” Evelyn said. “He’s good-looking, sexy, and immensely popular. He has a huge fan base. I can’t think of anyone who would be better to help launch your line.”

The problem was, neither could Carolina. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

But Gray was already pulling out his phone. She tried to think of reasons to have Gray stop the call. But apparently Drew had already answered.

“Hey, guess where I am?” He laughed. “No, not at a strip club.”

Evelyn shook her head.

“I’m at Carolina’s apartment in Manhattan.” Gray lifted his gaze to hers. “No, she’s not saying bad things about you. Not yet, anyway. We’re actually talking about her new fashion line and your name came up. She wanted to know if you’d be interested in being a model for her.”

No, she did not want him to be a model for her. Anyone but Drew. In fact, he was the last person she wanted in her head, or to see in person. He’d distract her in so many ways.

“You are? Great. Why don’t you come over?” Gray shot her an innocent smile, then gave Drew Carolina’s address. “We’ll see you soon, buddy.”

He hung up. “He laughed and said he’d model, but only if you promise he doesn’t have to go naked.”

She rolled her eyes and tried not to think about Drew showing up. “How about something to drink?”

She headed to the bar and fixed everyone cocktails. She sure needed one. By the time she served the drinks, her door bell sounded, so she went over to the door and buzzed Drew up.

When he knocked, she opened the door, abruptly wondering if her hair was combed and how long ago it had been that she’d put her makeup on.

And immediately felt ridiculous for even thinking those things. Why would she even care?

Suddenly, there he was, looking cool and casual in faded jeans that hugged his muscular legs, his light jacket hiding what she knew to be a spectacular torso.

“Hello, Drew.”

He smiled at her. “Hi, gorgeous.” He kissed her cheek before she could create distance. “You look stunning, as always.”

She swallowed, her heart picking up a fast rhythm she had no hope of tamping down. “Thank you. Won’t you come in?”

“Hey,” Gray said as he came into the foyer. “I’m glad we got a chance to meet up before Evelyn and I have to leave the city.”

They shook hands. “Me, too,” Drew said. “Congratulations on the championship. You kicked serious ass, especially on that last race.”

“Thanks.”

Drew took a seat.

“Can I fix you something to drink, Drew?”

He smiled up at Carolina. “A beer would be great, if you have one.”

She went to the bar and grabbed a beer out of the fridge at the bar, then brought it back to him.

“Thanks. So tell me about your fashion design. What’s going on?”

She took a seat in the chair across from him. “I left the designer I was working with and I’m starting my own line.”

His brows rose. “Big move for you.”

“Yes. But I felt if I didn’t make the move now, while I had all this inspiration, I might never do it.”

His gaze never wavered from hers. “Yeah? So tell me what’s inspiring you, Lina.”

His nickname for her never failed to make butterflies dance in her stomach. Or infuriate her, reminding her the way that nickname sailed from his lips that one night they’d spent together. That one and only night, before he’d walked out of her life as if she’d never existed. As if what they’d shared had never meant anything.

Because it hadn’t. Not to Drew, anyway.

But that was a long time ago, and she was a lot smarter now. She gave him a cursory overview, telling him much the same thing she’d told Gray and Evelyn.

“So . . . clothes. Sounds fun. And you want me to model some of those for you?”

“Yes. Sort of. But you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to. I’m sure you’re busy with hockey season gearing up. I can find someone else.”

His lips curved into a smile that made her pulse dance. “Trying to get rid of me before we even get started?”

“No. I’m just giving you an out if you want one. Not a lot of sports figures enjoy modeling clothes. And this would require print ads, as well as runway.”

He took a long swallow of beer, then shrugged. “I’m game. I figure I owe you.”

“You don’t owe me a thing, Drew.”

“Then I’ll do it for the fun. And hey, if your fashion stuff is successful, it’ll draw attention to me and to the team, and that’s good for hockey, right?”

“That’s the way I’m looking at it, too,” Gray said.

“Speaking of exposure,” Evelyn said, standing, “The vice president has a meeting I need to be present for. We need to get going.”

Carolina laughed. “Give Dad a hug for me and tell him I’ll see him soon.”

She walked Gray and Evelyn to the door. “Thanks for stopping by. I’m sorry we couldn’t spend more time together.”

“We’ll see you at Christmas, for sure,” Gray said, giving her a pointed look that told her he wouldn’t take no for an answer. “Right?”

“Definitely. I should have a lot more work done by then, and I’ll need to take a breather. I promise not to miss Christmas.”

After hugging them both, she shut the door and headed back into the living room.

“Well, thanks for agreeing to help me out.” She hoped he saw that as a sign that their meeting was over.

Drew stood. “Have you eaten yet?”

“No. I’ve had a busy day.”

“Then let me take you out to eat.”

“I have an even busier night ahead of me. There’s a lot to do to get this line ready, and not nearly enough hours in the day.”

“Then we’ll order pizza. Or chinese. I’m hungry.”

Obviously, he wasn’t grabbing a clue that she was trying to get rid of him. “Fine. We’ll have something to eat. Then you need to leave.”

“Sure.”

And she’d count every second until Drew was out the door, because having him in her apartment was disconcerting.

She had no idea why she’d allowed this, when he was the one man she didn’t want to see or spend any time with. Instead, he was sprawled on her living room sofa, his long, lean body looking incongruous on her short, white designer sofa.

Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her phone.

“Chinese or pizza?”

“Either one is fine with me. I’m just hungry.”

She punched in the number of her favorite take-out chinese place and called in an order. They delivered faster than the pizza place, so she’d get Drew out of her apartment that much sooner.

She went back into the living room to find him outside on her balcony. She poured a refill on her wine and wandered out there. It was cool outside, but not unbearable. He was looking out over Central Park.

“Nice place, Lina.”

Cringing at his use of the nickname, she stepped up beside him. “I love it here.”

“I can see why.”

“Where do you live?”

“I’ve got a place over on the Upper West Side.”

She turned to face him. “I didn’t know you lived here.”

He gave her a smile. “I do play here, remember?”

He did. She just tried her best to forget that. “Of course.”

“I only live here during the season. During the off-season I take off and head back home to Oklahoma.”

“That’s nice. Do your parents still live there?”

“Yeah, but it’s not like I live with them. I’m a big boy now, babe.”

Again with an endearment. “I’m not your babe. I never was.”

He laid his beer on the table and turned around. “Still mad at me about that night, Lina?”

“It’s Carolina. And no, I’m not angry at all. I’ve never given it another thought.”

“I’m sure you haven’t. Because that would mean what happened between us mattered. And we both know it didn’t. Right?”

He’d taken a step forward, getting into her personal space.

“Or did it matter?” he asked, his voice going low and soft as he swept one of her curls behind her ear.

She shuddered, as always, lost in the stormy gray depth of his eyes.

He’d always been able to do this to her, to make her forget her resolve and turn her into the inept college girl she’d been all those years ago.

The doorbell rang, and Drew took a step back. Carolina pivoted and went inside to answer the door. Drew was right behind her, surprising her.

“I’ll take care of this,” he said, his wallet already open as he paid for the food and tipped the delivery guy.

“I could have done that,” she said, following behind him after she shut the door.

“I know you could have, but since I’m the one who insisted on dinner, I figured I should be the one to pay.”

“Fine. Let’s eat.” She was starting the countdown. Fifteen minutes for food and conversation, another fifteen for after-dinner talk, then he was gone.

She grabbed plates and laid out the cartons of food on her table. Drew had gone out to the balcony to grab his beer.

“Can I fix you something to drink?” he asked, obviously comfortable enough to open her cabinets and grab himself a glass.

“I’ll just have a glass of water.”

He ended up taking down two glasses. “I’ll take care of that for you.”

She didn’t want him to be nice. She wanted to think about him as he’d been in the past, like that night in college when he’d slept with her and dumped her the next day, effectively ruining her girlish fantasies about him.

But that was in the past. She was a grown-up and a lot of time had passed.

She was over it. Over him.

Right?

Except he was even more gorgeous now than he’d been in college. He’d filled out in places, slimmed down in others. He still wore his hair a little long and shaggy, which she found irresistibly appealing. His cheeks were more chiseled now, his jaw more angular, making her focus on those spectacularly sexy eyes of his that had always drawn her to him. Eyes that right now were zeroed in on her like a hawk zeroed in on its prey.

Yeah. Not gonna happen.

So instead, she scooped some chicken teriyaki and sesame noodles onto her plate, concentrating on the food instead of Drew.

“So what made you decide to launch your own line?” he asked as he lifted a forkful of rice up to his mouth.

Which of course made her raise her head just as he closed his mouth over the fork, which made her focus on his lips. Drew had very full lips, and despite all the years that had passed since—since they’d been intimate, she could still remember what it felt like when his mouth had pressed against the side of her neck, and what he had tasted like, and how gentle he’d been with her, since it had been her first time.

She’d lost herself in that night, that only night with him. And it had taken a goddamned eternity to get over him.

“Carolina.”

She jerked her head up. “What?”

He smiled at her. “What made you decide to launch your own line now?”

“Oh.” That’s right. He’d asked her that question and she’d zoned out, slipping into the past so easily, like she always did whenever he was near. “I couldn’t handle working for David Faber any longer.”

“What didn’t you like about working for him?”

After swallowing, she took a sip of water and laid her fork down. “Where to start? He’s demanding, which I can handle. Designers often are. The difference with David is that he’s high-strung all the time, which creates such a nerve-racking work place. And he’s such a jealous bitch, treating his designers like slaves, refusing to let them provide any input. It was stifling working for him, which was why I accelerated my move to designing my own line. If he’d once taken any of my suggestions rather than treating me like nothing more than a seamstress, I might have stayed with him, because the man is truly brilliant. But he’s so neurotic and so afraid someone’s going to steal his designs, he’s impossible to work with.”

Drew studied her. “Hard to work in an environment where your contributions aren’t appreciated.”

And just like that, he’d nailed it, when she’d thought for sure he’d just nod and say “uh-huh” or something like that. “Yes, it was. Not that I expected to take over or anything, but I had good ideas, dammit. Ideas that would have helped his line. Not myself, but him.”

“I understand. And it’s his loss, isn’t it? Because you’re going to create your own line now and kick his ass.”

Admittedly, she was shocked by the compliment. “I don’t know about that. But taking that step was freeing in a way I never thought it would be. At least initially.”

“And now you’re nervous because you’re on your own now and you don’t know if you’ll succeed.”

He was also annoyingly keen at identifying her biggest worry. “Maybe.”

“Don’t be worried. You’ll be great.”

She pushed her half-empty plate to the side. “How can you be so confident, when you know nothing about me?”

“Easy,” he said, standing and moving into the living room, where she’d shoved her sketches onto one of the side tables. He picked them up. “This. And this. They’re good, Lina.”

She took a deep breath as his gaze caught and held hers. “You’re hardly knowledgeable about fashion, Drew.”

“Maybe not. But I know what looks good on a woman. You’ve always dressed well. I think you have a keen eye for what makes a woman feel great about herself. And I’d bet you could do the same for a man. You’ve never lacked for confidence.” He gave her a wicked grin. “Hell, you even threw yourself at me back in college.”

Ugh. She couldn’t believe he’d brought that up. “Don’t remind me.”

He came back into the kitchen. “Do you know how much courage that took? It was a huge turn on, and it showed me how ballsy you were. You were just a girl back then. You’re a woman now. I don’t think anything can stop you from having whatever you want.” He brushed his knuckles against her cheek, forcing her to meet his gaze again.

She lifted her eyes to his and, with him so close, the heat that always seemed to emanate from him surrounded her, enveloping her in a haze of not-so-forgotten lust and longing.

“That’s a nice thing to say.” He’d always said nice things to her—when he wanted something. Which made her wonder exactly what it was that he wanted now.

She studied him, the woman she was now not nearly as naïve as the young girl she’d been back then.

“Exactly what are you after here, Drew? A repeat performance from college?” She pushed her chair back and stood, creating distance between the two of them. “Because if you are, I can assure you it’s not going to happen.”

She made sure to keep eye contact with him, so he understood clearly her meaning. “Never again. Ever.”

Keep reading for a preview of the first book in the Hope series from Jaci Burton

HOPE FLAMES

Available January 2014 from Berkley

Emma Burnett could have never imagined that going hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt would be so exhilarating.

She could barely contain her excitement as she looked over every aspect of her just-about-to-open new veterinary practice with a heavy dose of pride and more than a little trepidation.

It was six-fifteen in the morning. Her staff would be arriving soon. She grinned at the thought. She had a staff now.

“We’re here, Daisy. We made it.”

Daisy, her yellow Labrador retriever, thumped her tail and looked up at her, dark eyes filled with adoration. You had to love a dog because no matter what happened, they’d always love you back. You could have an awful day, be grouchy and in the worst mood, and your dog would still sit at your feet and be there for you.

Emma rubbed Daisy’s head and locked up her bag in her office, then closed the door, moving into the lobby. Daisy followed along, sniffing every square inch of gleaming tile Emma had spent the weekend polishing to perfection.

Sure, she could have had a cleaning service do that, but this place was hers and she wanted to do it herself. Then, after she’d cleaned, she’d inventoried, going over every scalpel, pair of forceps, IV pole, and thermometer. She’d inventoried all the drugs—twice—from antibiotics to pain medications, making sure everything was in order.

This place was hers. She still couldn’t quite believe it.

She swept her hand over the pristine reception desk, tapped her finger on the desktop computer she hoped was filled with appointments for the day, then moved on through the double doors leading to the back room where the sparkling instruments awaited her first touch.

Cages were ready, and so were the exam rooms. The OR was prepped. Everything was spotless and sterilized.

She was in debt up to her eyeballs, but, come hell or rising water from the creek down the road, this place was all hers now. It had taken years and more than a few major detours, but Hope Small Animal Hospital was now owned and operated by Dr. Emma Burnett, DVM.

She inhaled and exhaled, letting the dual feelings of satisfaction and utter terror wash over her. At least this time it was a healthy dose of terror. Not like before.

It would never be like before again. She’d lost five years of her life on that mistake, and now, at thirty-two, she was making a late start. But after going back to school and working with a veterinary group in South Carolina, she was finally home and on her own with a practice that was all hers.

A knock on the front door made her startle. She curled her fingers into her palms.

“Calm, Emma. This is your big day.” She hurried to the door, grabbing her keys out of her lab-coat pocket.

It was Rachel, her receptionist, along with Leanne, her tech. Her two assistants were the gas in the engine that drove this clinic. She smiled and unlocked the door. “Good morning.”

“Mornin’, Dr. Emma,” Rachel said with a grin, her arms laden with donuts and coffee. “Thought you could use these.”

“It’s so good to be back here again,” Leanne said, her long blond hair braided into two pigtails, her purple scrubs decorated with tiny paw prints.

Totally adorable.

“You’re my lifesavers. Both of you. Thank you.”

They sat in the tiny break room together and ate donuts, drank coffee, and went over the appointments for the day.

“You have a full day, Dr. Emma,” Rachel said.

“Really? That’s great.” She wanted to leap up and pump her fist in the air, but that would be so unprofessional.

“Doc Weston always had a full waiting room.” Leanne licked donut icing off her fingers. “Everyone was disappointed when he had to close so suddenly. So were we.”

“No kidding,” Rachel said. “Leanne and I were lucky to hook up with the Barkley clinic on the north side of town after Doc Weston closed, but Barkley sucks.”

“Understatement,” Leanne said. “The doctors there are dicks.”

Emma would not smile about that. Really, she wouldn’t.

Leanne nodded. “I’ve been spreading the word about the reopening. It’s like Field of Dreams, Doc. People will come.”

Emma let out a hopeful sigh. “That’s so good to hear.” She wanted to be busy. She needed to fill this place up with clients.

Since Dr. Weston had retired six months ago, the clinic had been closed and Hope residents had to go to the other clinic for animal care. Bruce Weston had been a wonderful veterinarian. He’d taken care of Emma’s terrier, Soupy, and her collie, Max, when she’d been a kid, and she’d loved him. She’d always been eager to come here and look at all the pictures of animal breeds on the wall of the exam rooms, check out the charts and the models of the insides of dogs and cats. She’d been curious and he’d always been more than happy to answer all her questions. Besides her utter love of animals, Dr. Weston had been one of the primary reasons she wanted to become a veterinarian. He was kind and patient, and had taken just as much care of the owners as he had of the animals.

She’d been sad to hear about his heart surgery and subsequent retirement, but happy for him now that he and his wife, Denise, were moving closer to their grandchildren in Colorado. She’d been ecstatic that he’d been amenable to her buying out his practice. It had taken a whirlwind trip from South Carolina back to Oklahoma so she could meet face-to-face with him to iron out the particulars once she’d learned his practice was for sale. He’d been generous in his price and had helped her work out the loan details so she could get it done.

Maybe her luck was finally changing.

At six forty-five they cleared out the remnants of donut nirvana and Rachel, ever efficient, booted up the computer, while Emma and Leanne set up the rooms and instruments, ready for the first patients to start rolling in.

And did they ever. The first clients started coming in as soon as they opened the doors at seven. The clinic offered drop-off service for people on their way to work in Tulsa. Since they were on the main road leading to the highway, it was convenient. People could drop off their animals, Emma would diagnose and treat them throughout the course of the day, and their owners could pick them up on their way home from work. She charged a minimum boarding fee to house them for the day.

By eight o’clock, the appointment customers started piling in, and Emma reacquainted herself with the people in her town. She’d been so busy renovating the clinic, updating inventory, and working with her staff since she’d come home that she’d had no time to visit with anyone. She wished she’d had a chance to see her sister, but Molly didn’t come home. Ever. Period. If she wanted to see her little sister, she had to first track her down because Molly was as mobile as they came. And then she had to fly or drive to whatever location Molly called home that particular month.

They talked on the phone at least once a week, and that would have to be good enough for now.

At the moment she had her hands full with a hundred and forty pounds of very exuberant Newfoundland, who was happily slobbering on her neck as she performed an exam.

“He’s very healthy, Mrs. Lang,” she said, as she and Leanne wrangled King, who was determined to play with them. He stuck out his tongue and slurped her face.

Good thing she appreciated dog drool.

“He’s eating my pear tree. Bits of bark at a time.” Mrs. Lang did not look happy.

“Do you take him out for walks? How big is your backyard? Do you have other dogs for him to play with?”

“King is our only dog, and the yard is small. And well . . . he’s kind of a lot to handle. It was my husband Roger’s idea to get him.” Mrs. Lang looked mournfully at King. “He was such a cute little puppy.”

Many people thought puppies were so cute. The problem was, cute puppies often grew into giant dogs. Like King. She glanced over at King’s chart to check out the Lang’s address. “He needs exercise and stimulation. There’s a great park over on Fifth near your house. Does he walk on a leash?”

“Yes. Very well. I made Roger take him to those classes.”

“Excellent. If you walk him twice a day and take him to the park, it will help work off all this energy he has. Also, I highly recommend neutering him. You don’t want him to get out and father a bunch of unwanted pups, do you? And it will help settle him.”

“Oh, of course. Let’s do that.” She smirked. “Roger won’t like that. Men and their . . . equipment, you know. They take it so personally. I’ll tell him it was your suggestion and he’ll do it. And I’ll make sure we walk him.” She patted her stomach. “We could all use the exercise.”

The morning flew by in a blur of shots, exams, worming, and one tiny and filthy pit bull puppy someone had found in a ditch. She was a mass of flea-bitten adorable, a brown-and-white baby who’d either been abandoned or lost. The person dropping her off said she couldn’t keep her because she had two rottweilers at home and couldn’t possibly handle one more dog, but she couldn’t leave her shivering in the morning cold, either. Though it was late spring and the days were warming, the nights were still cool.

Emma assured the woman they’d clean her up and find her a good home. She examined the pup, and other than needing a serious flea bath and a good meal, she was healthy, thankfully. She gave the pup to Leanne, who took her away to give her the flea bath and her first round of puppy shots.

She only had time for a quick bite of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich she’d packed for lunch when the second round of afternoon clients came in. Daisy wound her way around the clinic, checking in on Rachel and Leanne as they did their work, too. Emma was so thankful to be this busy, she had no complaints. They were jammed all afternoon until the last pickup at closing, when her staff finally left.

It was quiet. She swiped her hair out of her eyes and breathed a sigh of utter contentment as she walked around the clinic.

It had been a good first day. This is what she’d wanted, what she’d worked so hard for. She’d lost sight of it for a while and thought she’d never have it.

“Hello? Is anyone here?”

Daisy’s ears perked up, and she bounded out of the office at the sound of the deep, booming voice in the lobby.

Emma thought she’d locked the door.

She hurried out to see a man holding a German shepherd by the leash who sat regally while Daisy tried to play with it.

“Daisy, come here.”

Daisy came over and sat dutifully next to her, tail whipping against Emma’s lab coat.

“Can I help you?”

“Yeah. I saw your lights were on and was hoping you’d still be open. My dog hurt his leg.”

He came toward her, and she took a wary step back, until he walked under the overhead lights and she saw he was wearing a cop uniform. She breathed a sigh of relief.

“You scared me there for a second.”

“I’m really sorry. Luke McCormack. I’m local police here. This is my dog, Boomer.”

McCormack. Last name sounded familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it. She would definitely remember a guy who looked like him. Tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a uniform that fit him—very well. Dark brown pants, lighter brown shirt. Gun strapped to his hip. Very dark hair, cut short, full lips. Serious expression, which only made him look . . .

Hot. Sexy. Though she didn’t think about men being sexy these days. She didn’t think about men at all, and hadn’t for a very long time.

As he approached, she noticed the dog was limping. “Oh. What happened?”

“We were chasing a perp—uh, a suspect. Boomer must have twisted his leg in a hole or something because he yelped and came up limping. I was headed toward the Barkley’s vet clinic and saw Doc Weston’s office was open again, so figured I’d stop here first. If you’re closed, I can—”

“No. Of course, I’ll look at him. Bring him on back.” He walked side by side with her, and she noticed how very tall and broad he was. Daisy wound between them, licking the officer’s hand and staring adoringly up at him.

Yeah, some watchdog you are, Daisy. Daisy wasn’t exactly what one could consider a personal bodyguard, unless excessive licking and an overabundance of affection counted as weaponry.

Emma led the officer into the exam room and flipped on the lights, then turned around and knelt down, trying to calm her stupid, raging heartbeat. She smiled at the dog. “Okay, Boomer. Let’s take a look.”

“Boomer. Sit,” the officer said.

The dog sat and she examined his leg. He whimpered as she pressed on it. After finishing the exam, she lifted her gaze to the police officer. “Officer McCormack, I’d like to get an X-ray of this leg. I don’t think anything’s broken, but I want to be sure.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

“You can come with me. It’ll calm him to have you there.”

She brought them back to the X-ray room, and he helped her get Boomer on the table while she got his leg in place for the X-ray.

“So, you bought Dr. Weston’s practice?” he asked.

Again, that voice of his. Deep and seriously . . . unnerving, but not in a bad way. It was doing something to her nerve endings she found decidedly . . .

Uncomfortable wasn’t the word. She just noticed his voice. And so did her body. “Yes. I bought it right after he retired.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I got your name.”

She looked up at him and frowned, then realized she’d been a complete moron and hadn’t bothered to introduce herself. “I’m so sorry, officer. I’m Emma Burnett.”

“Nice to meet you, Emma. Are you new in town?”

“Actually, I grew up here. My parents live over on Willow.”

He nodded. “Did you go to Oakdale High?”

“No. I went to Hope High.”

“Oh, okay. The Burnetts on Willow. Your sister is Molly Burnett, then, right? She dated my friend Carter Richards in high school.”

Hope was such a small town. Everyone knew everyone else. “Yes, Molly’s my little sister. Did you go to Hope High, too?”

“No. I went to Oakdale.”

That’s why she didn’t recognize him right off. He’d gone to the high school nearer to the county line. “Your name sounds familiar to me, too. Did you play football for Oakdale?”

“Yeah. Wide receiver.”

Now she knew why she recognized his name. He’d been some kind of football star. She remembered reading about him in the newspaper. He’d been good. But they hadn’t known each other back then.

“So this is your clinic now?” he asked.

“Yes, sir.”

She grabbed the film and slid it in.

“Luke.”

She looked up. “Excuse me?”

“Call me Luke. Not officer, and definitely not sir. Too formal.”

He’d cracked a smile. He had a quirky, kind of off-kilter smile, and greenish-blue eyes that went really well with his dark hair. He had a rugged face, a square jaw and again, that really sexy mouth.

Not that she was looking at him in that way, because she didn’t do that anymore. She and men were definitely off-limits. She’d learned her lesson the hard way.

But that didn’t mean she couldn’t be nice to her clients. “Okay, then, Luke. Let’s get this X-ray going. I need you to position his leg here for me, then if possible, ask him not to move.”

“No problem. Boomer—stay.”

Boomer lay perfectly still as they went behind the screen so she could take the shot.

“Good boy.” Luke said to Boomer after the X-ray was taken. He swept his hand over the dog’s back and neck, showing care and affection.

She liked seeing that in a dog’s owner.

“Just one more film and that should do it. I need to turn him this way.”

Luke helped her, and she couldn’t help noticing his hands. Strong. Big. Masculine, with a fine sprinkling of dark hair on his forearms. He hadn’t worn a coat inside, and he had some serious upper arm muscles peeking out from the sleeve of his uniform shirt.

But she wasn’t looking, and she definitely wasn’t interested, despite the pinging in her nerve endings that conveyed otherwise.

Chemistry couldn’t be denied. But that was biology. She had a choice, and she already knew what her choices were these days regarding men.

She took Luke behind the screen and captured the second X-ray.

But he did smell really good, though it wasn’t cologne. Shampoo, maybe? Or soap? Did they make scented soap for men? She had no idea.

But she wasn’t interested, so it didn’t matter what kind of soap he used.

“Are we done?”

She looked at him. “Yes. Yes, we are.” She turned one way and he went the other, so they bumped into each other. He reached out for her arms to steady her, and she found herself staring up into those amazing eyes of his.

“Sorry,” he said with a deep laugh that Emma felt all the way down to her stomach. And maybe even a little lower.

“No. It’s my fault.” He took a step back and she moved around him.

He had her acting like a teenager all filled with raging hormones. Ugh.

“Just wait here a second with Boomer so I can make sure we don’t need to retake any shots.”

She hurried out of the room and took a deep breath when she got into the reading room.

What was wrong with her? She’d had male customers all day long. Some had been really good-looking, too, yet none of them had affected her like Luke was doing now.

Likely because she hadn’t been alone with any one man all day. That had to be it. She never put herself in a position to be alone with a guy. And though Luke was a police officer, owned a dog, and seemed all nice and trustworthy, she knew better than to trust any man.

She’d been naïve and trusting once, and it had cost her dearly. She was never going to be that stupid again, no matter how gorgeous a man was, or how nice he seemed.

Or how good he smelled.

Besides, this was the year of her career and nothing else. And so far, day one had been spectacular.

Content

Holiday Games
Play by Play - 6.5
by
Jaci Burton

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Dear Reader,

Keep reading for a preview of the latest book in the Play-by-Play series from Jaci Burton MELTING THE ICE Available February 2014 from Berkley

Keep reading for a preview of the first book in the Hope series from Jaci Burton HOPE FLAMES Available January 2014 from Berkley