Fighting For You (The Connor Family #5) Read online

  We talked about endorsements between bites, and I decided to address the elephant in the room once we were both done eating, but before Jace even finished his dinner, two women approached us.

  “Oh my God, you’re Jace Connor—”

  “I can’t believe it’s really you—”

  “Can I have an autograph?”

  Jace stood up, smiling at the women, signing everything they shoved in front of him.

  “Can we take a selfie? Or my friends won’t believe me.”

  To make myself useful, I offered to take the pictures.

  Jace was good at this. He was friendly and didn’t once lose his patience. He’d also mastered the art of evasion—he didn’t answer when they asked if he was currently dating someone.

  “One, two, three, smile,” I said, though I needn’t have bothered. Jace was a natural at this. He bestowed that panty-melting smile on the camera, and the girls looked at him as if he was the eighth wonder of the world. I wondered yet again if the rumors about him being a heartbreaker were true.

  When the two women left, we sat down again, but Jace’s phone rang before I got a chance to speak.

  “Sorry, this is my sister. I have to take this.”

  “Sure!”

  He brought the phone to his ear.

  “Lori, hi!” He listened intently for a few seconds, first nodding and then swearing. His eyes widened.

  “Holy shit! I’ll be there as soon as possible,” he exclaimed.

  After ending the call, he focused on me. “I need to go. Sorry to cut this short. I’m leaving my credit card details with the waiter, so it’s all covered. You got everything you need?”

  “I did.” I still wanted to address the awkwardness from earlier, but now wasn’t the time. “Do you need any help with the emergency?”

  “No, it’s all good. She just needs me there.”

  I wanted to ask more, but since it was clearly a family issue, I didn’t want to butt in.

  “Have a great evening.” He stood up, and so did I. To my surprise, Jace walked over to me and leaned in to kiss my cheek. He brought a hand to my arm, squeezing it lightly. I sucked in a breath when his callused fingers touched my skin.

  Feeling that light five o’clock shadow graze my skin sent little shockwaves through me.

  “You too, Jace.”

  Chapter Four

  Jace

  “I’m so sorry I gave you all a scare,” Lori said, fidgeting in her bed.

  She’d had some strong contractions and thought the baby was coming early, but it turned out to be a false alarm. The doctors assured her everything was looking good. Graham called us while they were still at the hospital to give me the good news, so I drove directly to their house. Will was also there.

  Val and Hailey were on their way but got stuck in traffic.

  “Hey, we’re glad it was just a scare,” I said.

  “They said I need to take things slower, though.”

  “I’ve been telling you the same for months.” Graham kissed the top of her head, handing her a cup of tea.

  “I’m sure your assistants can handle all your bridezillas and their outrageous demands,” I supplied.

  Lori pointed a finger at me. “Brother of mine, do not pretend you’re a wedding hater.”

  “I never said I was.”

  “I know you’re secretly hoping for a huge wedding yourself.”

  “Wait, what?”

  “You gave yourself away when you said you’d never escape to Vegas, that you’d let me throw you a wedding.”

  “When did I say that?”

  I had a vague recollection, but how exactly did Lori translate those words into me having a secret wish for a huge wedding? Ah, my sisters always had their secret language. The way their minds worked was a mystery to me.

  Will grinned. “Jace, I was there and can confirm you said those exact words.”

  I flashed a lazy smile. “Will, you’re supposed to be on my side.”

  “Time for you to know how it feels when your brother throws you to the lions.”

  “I already have your theme in mind. Your only job is to find your bride,” Lori went on.

  She was still shaken from the whole ordeal, and if planning my imaginary wedding took her mind off it, I wasn’t going to curb her enthusiasm. By the time the rest of the clan arrived, Lori was already in a much better mood.

  Next evening, I stayed at the club until late in the evening, hitting the gym.

  I loved working out. Not just to keep in shape and remain at the top of my game, but because there was nothing quite like the rush of endorphins after an intense cardio training, which was why I was finishing off my workout with a run on the treadmill. I was the last one here tonight. The rest of my teammates had left after practice, which was why I was surprised when I heard the gym door open. Was someone from management still here? Everyone employed at the club had access to the gym, but I was usually alone in my late evening training sessions.

  I was surprised to see Brooke walk in wearing tight shorts and an even tighter shirt. Her hair was up in a ponytail, not a bun, and for once she wasn’t wearing glasses. She was even hotter in workout gear than she’d been in the librarian updo from the first day.

  “If it’s not my favorite sponsorship business developer,” I greeted, slowing my pace on the treadmill.

  She quirked up her lips. “I’m the only one.”

  “Still my favorite. What are you doing here so late? I thought management was gone.”

  “They are. I had a backlog of emails.”

  “Working overtime already?” I jumped down from the treadmill and walked a few feet over to the cross-trainer Brooke was considering. Fuck, she was sexy. Her hips made my mouth water. When she noticed I was checking her out, she averted her gaze, exhaling sharply.

  “It’s always worth going the extra mile in the beginning. Builds credibility.”

  “True.”

  I wondered if her insistence on friendly-vs-friends was about credibility as well, or if she’d given me that excuse because she didn’t like me personally. I was an optimistic guy, so I went for the former.

  “Everything okay with the family emergency?” she asked.

  “Oh, yeah. My sister Lori had a pregnancy scare. She’s seven months along and had some contractions, but they were a false alarm.”

  “So they’re both okay?”

  “Yes. Both healthy.”

  “What is she having? Boy or girl?”

  “A girl,” I said proudly.

  “Did they already decide on a name?”

  “Evelyn.”

  “Aww, that’s so cute and sophisticated.” She sighed, and I found her dreamy expression endearing.

  As she climbed on the cross-trainer, I asked, “How come I’ve never seen you at any of our events?”

  I racked my mind, but I was sure I’d never met Brooke before Graham introduced her. I would’ve remembered.

  “Daddy never invited my sister or me to any work event.”

  Ah, yes. Coach’s golden rule: friendly, not friends. I wasn’t sure if Brooke realized she’d just referred to her father as Daddy in front of me. I’d always been told that people felt comfortable in my presence. While comfortable wasn’t what I was looking for—it made me think of pajamas or old sweaters—I’d take it for now. Brooke seemed constantly on edge. Maybe it was the fact that she was new here and the team was skeptical of her, or maybe it was something more. I wanted to show her that we didn’t bite, that we were a laid-back group. Life was too short to go to work stressed out every day. I felt protective of her.

  “Probably wanted to keep his girls away from this misbehaving bunch.”

  Brooke chuckled. “You’re distracting me from my workout.”

  I could take the gallant route, but I’d always been more the balls-to-the-wall type.

  “Brooke, some honest feedback here: this isn’t a workout. You’re just dusting off the cross-trainer.”

  Her pretty pink
mouth popped open.

  I shrugged. “It’s true. You’re going at a snail’s pace. You’re not working out regularly, are you?”

  “Well, no, but since we have a gym in the building, I’ve finally run out of excuses. I’m twenty-seven. This feels like I’m ninety.”

  “I see.”

  “I have no tempo.”

  “That comes with time. Increase speed gradually.”

  “Yes, boss.”

  She’d said it jokingly, yet now I couldn’t help but wonder... what was she like in the bedroom? Would she relent her control to me, trust me to give her pleasure? Her body was toned, and that outfit left nothing to the imagination: the curve of her ass was highlighted, her small waist, and those breasts were so damn tempting. I was trying real hard to ignore the sight of her perky nipples pushing at the fabric....

  I cleared my throat.

  “Coach bounced back well after his heart attack last year.”

  Brooke averted her gaze, glancing at the screen of the cross-trainer. I was betting she was weighing where this fell on the friendly-or-friends spectrum... I knew it was the latter, which was why pride surged inside me when she opened up nonetheless.

  “He did. But the few months right after were rough for him. And for us. We tried to be there for him in any way we could, but he didn’t exactly let us. I can’t help worrying that he’s not taking it easy enough.”

  She was lovely. I knew how she felt. I’d gone through that feeling of helplessness when my oldest brother, Landon, drowned in work after his first wife died. No matter how much I—or everyone else in the family—had tried to reason with him, it wasn’t until Landon decided to take action that things changed. Now he was happily married again, but for a few years, we all worried about him.

  She increased her tempo on the cross-trainer and was out of breath in thirty seconds flat. She really had no physical conditioning.

  “Don’t laugh at me.”

  “I’m not.”

  I was. Her breath was coming out in sharp bursts as her chest rose and fell. Perspiration dotted her neck. Fuck, that skin looked so soft, so kissable.

  I wanted to trace a path up to her ear, suck that earlobe between my lips. I’d hold her with my hips against that wall, feasting on her, starting with her neck, pushing up her T-shirt and running my tongue all over that smooth skin. I looked away from her, but that didn’t keep the vision of a naked Brooke under me out of my mind.

  Right... I needed some distance, which was why I told her I’d head to the shower. I needed to cool off, get my thoughts straight again.

  When I walked back into the gym some twenty minutes later, I saw that Brooke had increased her tempo by at least three speed levels.

  “You’re going too fast,” I commented.

  “No, I’m not.”

  “I bet you won’t last longer than ten minutes.”

  She smirked, and unfortunately for her, chose to increase the tempo even more. She was done for in seven minutes.

  “Holy shit, my legs feel like Jell-O,” she exclaimed when she stepped on the ground.

  “Easy there.”

  Instinctively, I reached out to steady her, grabbing her arm. The second my fingers touched her, goose bumps formed on her skin. Fuck me, those nipples looked even more perky than before, and I craved to taste them. Brooke freed herself from my grip, licking her lips.

  “Okay, so I think this is enough training for one day. I’m going to shower and then finally get around to replacing my flat tire. Noticed it this morning when I parked but wasn’t in the mood to change it. I’ve been dragging my feet about it all day.”

  “I’ll do it.”

  She paused in the act of drying her neck.

  “Thanks, but you’re all dressed. I still have to shower—”

  “I’ll wait.”

  “I can change a tire.”

  “Yeah, but you clearly hate to do it. I don’t mind.”

  I walked closer. I was towering over her and she looked up at me, swallowing. We were so close that her breasts nearly brushed against my chest. I was fighting against every instinct not to touch her. Remembering the way she’d reacted to my touch before was almost enough to break my resolve.

  “Jace—”

  “I’ll change it.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. Thanks. I’ll be quick.”

  “I’ll wait for you at the front entrance.”

  To my astonishment, Brooke was ready in ten minutes. The glasses were back on.

  “That was quick,” I commented as we walked outside to the parking lot.

  “I told you I wouldn’t take long.”

  “Yeah, but when my sisters say that what they usually mean is, sit down and have a drink or watch a movie. We’re gonna take our sweet time.”

  She nudged me with her shoulder, wiggling a finger. “Hey! Don’t generalize, Mr. Fancy Forward.”

  I joined in her game, leaning in closer. Too close, because I practically felt her take in a sharp breath.

  “Or what?” I challenged.

  “Ohoho, friendly warning. Don’t underestimate me.”

  “Didn’t even cross my mind.”

  She smiled before looking away quickly. Well, well... I had a hunch that Ms. Friendly-Not-Friends here had troubles sticking to her own rules. Behind those black-rimmed glasses was a flirty woman. I couldn’t wait to uncover her.

  The parking lot was empty as we headed to Brooke’s car, a Honda SUV. The flat tire was at the front. I immediately set to work. Brooke brought me the jack, and while I lifted the car, she brought the spare tire. We made small talk while I changed it.

  “You often train in the evenings after everyone’s gone?”

  “Checking if you should avoid the gym in the evenings?” I looked up, winking at her to let her know I was joking. She still became flustered.

  “Jace... no, of course not. I meant to talk to you about the other day. I’m sorry if I came across as rude.”

  “You didn’t. You were just making yourself clear. Don’t worry. And to answer your question, yes. I am often at the gym in the evening. I like the quiet.”

  “Wouldn’t have pegged you for the type who enjoys the quiet. Especially with the attention you’re getting.”

  “The job’s not as glamorous as people think. Lots of training, restrictions on food and drinks.”

  “Parties are also part of the package.”

  “I don’t enjoy those as much as I used to,” I said honestly.

  “Why not?”

  “Easy there. That question crosses the line from friendly to friends.”

  Brooke pressed her lips together, looking away. We spent the next few minutes in silence, which was a pity. I liked talking to her. It was easy.

  After I finished placing the last lug nut, I rose to my feet. Unfortunately, either the tire or the jack had had grease on it, and I’d transferred it all to my shirt.

  “You got it all dirty,” Brooke lamented.

  “It’ll wash off.”

  “I can wash it for you.”

  I knew what she’d meant, but I couldn’t let the opportunity pass.

  “Very creative way of asking me to take my shirt off.”

  Brooke blinked a few times, playing with the end of her ponytail between her fingers. “I thought you only took off your clothes for the calendar or your sister’s campaigns.”

  “I make exceptions.”

  She blushed. “I’m not used to being surrounded by so much testosterone.”

  I touched her chin, lifting it up a notch, wanting to look straight at her. She drew her lower lip between her teeth.

  “How do you like it?” I challenged, resting my thumb on the dimple at the right corner of her mouth. Brooke cleared her throat, and I lowered my hand.

  “I’ve never been around soccer players before. It’ll take me some time to get used to it.”

  “Won’t take so long if you spend time with us. Are you joining us
at the bar tomorrow?”

  We were celebrating our string of victories at one of the bars near the club. We were there so often after home games that the owner usually made it an exclusive event. Tomorrow was bound to be more low-key since it wasn’t directly after a game.

  “I wasn’t planning to.”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s just an informal event.”

  “Which gives you a great opportunity to spend time with us in a relaxed environment. We’ll have a few drinks, play darts or pool. Who knows? Maybe you’ll like us enough to reconsider the friendly-vs-friends credo.”

  She shook her head, smiling. “That won’t happen.”

  I was beginning to think that wasn’t true. Coach Derringer was a cold man, rarely speaking more than he had to. Brooke was nothing like him. She was warm and chatty, and his polar opposite in every way, I could tell.

  “Does that mean you won’t play a game of pool with me? On my team? I haven’t lost a game in years.” I stepped closer, placing my hand on the car deck, close to her head. I was fighting to bring out her inner flirt. I could tell she was fighting back. I could also tell the exact moment I won her over, because she looked away quickly before refocusing on me.

  “Fine. If I come, I’ll play on your team.”

  “After we win, I’ll buy you a drink and negotiate that credo of yours some more.”

  “You don’t really understand the concept of boundaries, do you?” she asked playfully, her gaze zeroing on my lips before she looked up abruptly. I was barely refraining from pinning her against the car door and kissing her.

  I was in her personal space, but I didn’t want to push too much. I risked her shutting me down. I owed her honesty, though.

  “I understand boundaries, Brooke. I’m just not very good at respecting them.”

  Chapter Five

  Brooke

  Next day, I was the first to arrive at the Lords headquarters. I wasn’t a big fan of the open-floor office plan. It lacked privacy, and it was a bit too loud, but this early it was just perfect.

  I started by sending out an email to all players, informing them that I’d finished reviewing their files and had proposals for each of them that we would be discussing during our one-on-one meetings. I reminded them they could come to me with questions at any time, then proceeded to call a few companies we could approach for sponsorships and endorsements.