Copyright (c) 2015 Jaci Burton
Excerpt from All Wound Up copyright (c) 2015 Jaci Burton Excerpt from Love After All copyright (c) 2015 Jaci Burton The right of Jaci Burton to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Published by arrangement with Berkley Publishing Group, A member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC,
A Penguin Random House Company
First published in this Ebook edition in 2015
by HEADLINE ETERNAL
An imprint of HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP
Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the publishers or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.
All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead,is purely coincidental.
Cataloguing in Publication Data is available from the British Library Cover images (c) Claudio Marinesco eISBN 978 1 4722 1558 1
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
About the Author
Praise
Also by Jaci Burton
About the Book
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Two
Sneak peek of Love After All
Bonus excerpt of All Wound Up
Have you followed Jaci Burton's Play-By-Play?
Find Out More About Headline Eternal
About the Author
Jaci Burton is a New York Times bestselling author who lives in Oklahoma with her husband and dogs. She has three grown children, who are all scattered around the country having lives of their own. A lover of sports, Jaci can often tell what season it is by what sport is being played. She watches entirely too much television, including an unhealthy amount of reality TV. When she isn't on deadline, Jaci can be found at her local casino, trying to become a millionaire (so far, no luck). She's a total romantic and loves a story with a happily ever after, which you'll find in all her books.
Find the latest news on Jaci's books at www.jaciburton.com, and connect with her online via Twitter @jaciburton or through www.facebook.com/AuthorJaciBurton.
Praise for Jaci Burton:
'It's the perfect combination of heat and romance that makes this series a must-read' Heroes and Heartbreakers
'Plenty of emotion and conflict in a memorable relationship-driven story' USA Today
'Strong characters, an exhilarating plot, and scorching sex ... You'll be drawn so fully into her characters' world that you won't want to return to your own' Romantic Times
'A beautiful romance that is smooth as silk ... leaves us begging for more' Joyfully Reviewed
'A strong plot, complex characters, sexy athletes, and nonstop passion make this book a must read' Fresh Fiction
'Hot, hot, hot! ... Romance at its best! Highly recommended!' Coffee Table Reviews
'[She] has a way of writing intense scenes that are both sensual and raw ... Plenty of romance, sexy men, hot steamy loving, and humor' Smexy Books Romance Reviews
'A wonderful contemporary erotic romance that I recommend!' The Romance Dish
'Spy the name Jaci Burton on the spine of a novel, and you're guaranteed not just a sexy, get-the-body-humming read, but also one that melds the sensual with the all-important building of intimacy and relational dynamics between partners' Romance: B(u)y the Book
'The characters are incredible. They are human and complex and real and perfect' Night Owl Reviews
By Jaci Burton
Hope Series
Hope Flames
Hope Smoulders (e-novella) Hope Ignites
Hope Burns Play-by-Play Series
The Perfect Play Changing the Game Taking a Shot
Playing to Win Thrown by a Curve One Sweet Ride Holiday Games (e-novella) Melting the Ice Straddling the Line Holiday on Ice (e-novella) Quarterback Draw
About the Book
In the ninth Play-By-Play novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Straddling the Line, a sexy quarterback is finally playing for keeps ...
Grant Cassidy knows how to be a football star - Flash that dazzling smile, throw the winning pass, get the girl. But while the hot quarterback loves the game and the lifestyle, no woman has come close to catching his heart. Then he matches wits with a smart, gorgeous model, and Grant finds himself wanting more than a fling.
Supermodel Katrina Koslova might live in a world of glitz and camera flashes, but she works hard to provide for the family that relies on her. She doesn't have time for fun - much less a boyfriend - but Grant seems determined to be the exception to Katrina's rule.
Their explosive chemistry is undeniable, but Katrina's afraid to let go and rely on anyone but herself. Grant intends to ease her fears and prove he's a man of style and substance - a man she can count on.
Want more sexy sporting romance? Don't miss the rest of this steamy series which began with The Perfect Play. And check out Jaci's gorgeously romantic Hope series beginning with Hope Flames.
Siblings play an important role in this book and, for those of us who are lucky to have them, an important role in our lives. Despite the teasing and torture we sometimes endure at the hands of our siblings, we'd be lost without them. This book is dedicated to my sister and brother. To Angie and Gary--love you both.
ONE
IF THERE WAS ONE THING GRANT CASSIDY HATED more than anything, it was PR. Doing commercial shoots was a necessary evil, and some he disliked more than others.
But right now he was in board shorts and bare feet, standing on a beach in Barbados, about to do a shoot for the annual swimsuit edition of a pretty damned famous sports magazine. There were about two dozen barely clad, tanned, and gorgeous models who were going to take part in the shoot along with several athletes.
All in all? Not a bad gig.
"This I could get used to."
Grant grinned as one of his best friends, Trevor Shay, stood next to him.
"Don't get too used to it. Your girlfriend will kick your ass if you get too close to any of these models."
Trevor crossed his arms. "Yeah. I really wish Haven could be here in Barbados with me. But she's in school right now and couldn't make it. She did tell me to behave myself. Like that was even necessary. Trust me, none of these women are as beautiful as mine."
&nb
sp; Grant laughed. "You're blinded by love, my man."
"It's true. I am. And perfectly happy to go back to my bungalow at night all by myself. How about you? You like dating models. Got one scoped out yet?"
He had dated models in the past. They were beautiful and fun. "I wasn't exactly looking."
"It's still early in the day. I have high hopes for you." Trevor slapped him on the back as the assistant director motioned for him. "Hey, I'm up. I'll catch you at the bar later."
"Okay."
Grant stayed close and watched as Trevor was put into a shot on a hammock with a beautiful, dark-skinned model. The model straddled Trevor, who Grant had to admit handled the whole thing professionally. As soon as it was over, Trevor shook the woman's hand and wandered off in the direction of the pool.
"You'll be up next, Grant," the assistant said. "We're pairing you up with Katrina Korsova."
"Sure." He knew who she was. Korsova was a big deal in the modeling world, one of those supermodels whose face and body were plastered all over billboards, in magazines, and on television. She was a beauty. He was lucky to be doing the shoot with her. It would advance his profile, and he was all about exposure.
If he had to be here doing this shoot for the sports magazine, at least he was being paired up with one of the best in the business.
Once they readied the shot on the beach, he was called over and set up on his marks. He stood in the water up to his ankles. They'd already primped his hair, his face, and his skin. It all felt weird to him, but he'd done photo shoots before. They told him it was to combat shine and to make sure his hair would be gelled appropriately enough so it would behave.
Whatever. He was paid to do what he was told, just like in football. So he stood where they told him to stand.
"We're ready for you, Katrina," he heard the assistant say.
The models were clustered in shaded cabanas before the shoot, so he'd only caught glimpses of them on and off.
Katrina stepped out, a gorgeous woman with long hair the color of midnight, wearing a swimsuit bottom that barely clung to her hips. It was more like two tiny pieces of cloth tied together with scraps. There wasn't much to the top, either. Just a couple of triangles that hardly covered her generous breasts.
She was curved in all the right places, and after she bent over so they could spray her hair wet, she straightened, flipped her hair back, then gave him a look.
Wow. Those eyes. They were so deep blue they were almost violet. Maybe they were violet. He had no idea, because he'd been struck dumb as she approached him.
He'd been around plenty of beautiful women before, but Katrina was ... wow. Photos of her didn't do justice to what a knockout she really was.
"Grant Cassidy, this is Katrina Korsova."
She gave him a quick nod, then turned to the director, obviously all business and not as thunderstruck by him as he had been by her.
He was going to try not to be offended by that. Then again, she likely worked around good-looking male models all the time. He was no big deal, at least not in the modeling world.
"I want your arm around his, Katrina," the director said. "Katrina, your right breast against his chest, with you facing him. Let's see some heat here."
It was as if they were on a movie set and the director had said, "Action." Where she had previously ignored him as if he didn't exist, now Katrina moved into him, her body warm and pliant as she slid her hand into his hair and tilted her head back. Their hips touched, their thighs made contact, and then she made eye contact with him.
He'd never felt that pow of instant connection before, but he sure as hell felt it now. It was as if lightning had struck the center of his universe, and every part of him felt it.
Katrina blinked a few times, then frowned.
"Something wrong?"
"The angle. Give me a second," she said. He'd expected some type of Russian accent, but there was none, just the smoky hot darkness of her voice spilling from her lips. It was like drinking whiskey on a cold night. The sound of her voice heated him from the inside out. He'd never been slammed so hard like this before.
Katrina adjusted, her fingers tangling in his hair, giving him a bit of a tug.
His lips curved. "So, you like that?" he asked.
"Just a job," she responded, then gave him a smoldering look, tilted her head toward him, and jutted her hips out enough to hit him right in the crotch.
Goddammit. She'd done that on purpose.
He could do it as well. He raised his hand and laid it above her hip, knowing he couldn't obscure the swimwear. After all, that's what they were advertising. His fingers bit into her skin, enough that he caught the flash of awareness in her eyes.
"Yes, that's perfect," the director said. "Hold it there."
Grant heard the click of the camera several times.
"Now move. Get into each other. Lean in, touch. Be mindful of your angles, Katrina. And Grant, follow her lead."
"Yes, Grant," Katrina said, shifting a little, then picking up his hand and placing it on her butt. "Follow my lead."
It wasn't like he hadn't had to pose for a photo session before. He wasn't a rookie here. He knew what he was doing, how to move and react to the camera, and when to be still.
Katrina might be the pro here, but he could play the game, too. He cupped her butt, making sure he didn't squeeze. He slid his fingers lightly over her skin, tucking his fingertips slightly inside the edge of her suit.
He heard each breath she took, saw the smoldering look in her eyes, and his body reacted.
So did hers, as her nipples pebbled, brushing against his chest.
His lips curved.
Just a job his ass.
He moved with every few clicks of the camera, turned his head, shifted his body against hers, making sure their clothes remained the focus while keeping his gaze intently on hers. When he drew a strand of her hair between his fingers, letting his knuckles brush the swell of her breasts, he heard her sharp intake of breath.
"Just a job, right?" he asked, turning her around so her back was to him. That way he could skim his hand down her arm, letting his fingers rest at her hip.
"This is perfect," the director said. "Keep doing what you're doing."
He listened to the sound of Katrina's breaths, got comfortable with her ass nestled into his crotch.
They fit damned perfect together. She was tall--taller than the average woman. He didn't have to crouch down to fit her to him. She had long legs. Really nice legs, too. He'd noticed ... everything about her.
"Okay, let's break for a few," the director said. "You both need an outfit change. Then we'll resume."
Before he had a chance to say anything, Katrina pushed off and walked away, heading into the cabana. Her assistant, or whoever, handed her a bottle of water, and she disappeared without a word to him.
Friendly, wasn't she?
He wandered off at the direction of the staff to change his board shorts and to have his hair and makeup adjusted. When he came back out, Katrina was in a short robe.
He was called out toward a tree facing the sun.
"Ready for you, Katrina," the director said.
She dropped the robe, and Grant blinked. Katrina wore only a thong bottom. She stood still while they arranged her hair to partially cover her breasts.
And what fantastic breasts they were, too. He decided to look elsewhere, like out on the water, until she showed up in front of him. In this game they were playing, it was best for him not to show a physical reaction.
"Katrina, you against the tree. Grant, you plant one hand above her head to start, lean into her body."
Some of the assistants positioned them while Grant and Katrina made eye contact.
She met his gaze with a cool one of her own, a challenge to him, as if she'd done this a million times, as if rubbing her breasts against his chest wasn't a big deal. To her, it probably wasn't. She wanted to know if he'd react.
To him, he had a gorgeous, half-naked wom
an pressed up against him, and his dick was trying very hard to respond to that, while he was trying equally as hard to convince his dick nothing was going to happen out here on the beach with twenty other people watching.
"Ready?" the director asked.
Katrina tilted her head back toward the sun. "Yes."
Grant gave a quick nod, hoping like hell this wouldn't take long, especially since every time Katrina moved, she rubbed her breasts against his chest. And because she was topless, they had to take special care that no nipple was visible. They took every shot carefully, stopping to rearrange her hair or strategically place his arm or hand.
It was interminable. Katrina was patient through every shot, but to Grant, it was like a goddamned eternity.
"Is it always like this?" Grant asked Katrina during one of the many breaks.
Clearly comfortable standing around having her hair and makeup retouched, Katrina cocked her head to the side. "Like what?"
"Hours of this. Click and change positions. Click and redo the hair. Click and clothing changes."
"Oh. Yes. Always like this. Why? Are you bored?"
His lips curved and he took a glance downward where her hair barely covered her generous breasts. "Hardly."
She rolled her eyes. "I doubt these are the first set of breasts you've seen. Not from what I've read about you."
"And here I thought you had no idea who I was."
"Oh, I know who you are, Grant. You've dated a few of my friends."
He wondered which ones. None of them were on location with him, and he'd always remained friends with the women he dated, so he doubted they had anything bad to say about him. "Is that right. And did you get a full report?"
"Yes."
"So that means you'll have dinner with me tonight."
She laughed, and he liked the sound of it.
"I don't think so."
He wasn't insulted, and he liked her confidence. They finished the shoot for the day since, according to the director, the light was leaving them. Katrina grabbed her robe and wandered off, and Grant went back to his bungalow to shower off the makeup and hair gunk. He checked his phone and answered a few e-mails and text messages.
Trevor had sent him a text stating he was going to set up a face-to-face call with Haven, so he was staying in his room.
That meant Grant was on his own tonight, which was fine with him. He returned a few calls, one to his agent, Liz Riley. She talked to him about finalizing his contract since the season would be starting soon. He told her he'd come in and see her as soon as he got back to town.