Log In
Or create an account ->
Imperial Library
Home
About
News
Upload
Forum
Help
Login/SignUp
Index
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE One month later SPORTS AGENT YANK MORGAN sat in the backseat of his Lincoln and rubbed a hand over his scruffy beard. Scruffier now since his wife, Lola, had thrown out his razor to prevent him from accidentally slitting his throat. Dang woman had also somehow discovered where he’d hidden his spares. Apparently an almost-blind man had no privacy in his own bathroom. Normally he’d be angry, but considering his eyesight had gotten worse, he was forced to admit Lola had a point. Macular degeneration was messing with the balance of power in his marriage. Telling a woman she was right about anything, though, especially his woman, would be the equivalent of relinquishing his throne. And that wasn’t happening at home or at work. “We’re here, Mr. Morgan,” J.D., the ex-football player he’d hired as his driver, said. “Want me to walk you inside?” Yank shook his head. “No, thanks. It’s bad enough you had to drive me here. I don’t need you as my guide. I got Noodle for that.” His Labra
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO WHEN YANK INSISTED ROPER show up at this gig, he’d agreed under duress. Now Roper realized fate wanted him here so it could present him with the one thing he needed—a distraction from his career problems, his sister’s wedding and his brother’s constant whining about a loan. Amy Stone provided that distraction. Apparently life had given him a second chance, and he decided to take this as the first positive sign in ages. Maybe things were looking up after all. He vividly recalled the instant attraction he’d felt for Amy the first time he’d laid eyes on her. And the stirring in his body told him that much hadn’t changed. He’d gone to the wedding out of obligation, still in a funk over the blown World Series. But one look at the pretty brunette and all thoughts of his problems had fled. She’d been a breath of fresh air in his down-and-out life. He’d actually forgotten all about his date, mostly because she was simply arm candy and hadn’t meant anything to him at all. Not that t
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE ROPER COULD NOT BELIEVE his mother was bugging him about helping Ben yet again. On New Year’s Eve. Just as he was finally going to kiss Amy. Still wound tight, he tossed the last handful of vegetables into the wok with too much force and oil splattered up at him. He stepped back to avoid being hit. “Families can be a bitch,” Amy said at last, breaking the tension. He turned toward her. “Especially mine.” “Um…” She bit down on the bottom lip he’d been on the verge of devouring minutes before. “If you missed my mother and aunt in action, then I’m sure you heard the wedding stories. I hardly think I’m in a position to judge other people’s relatives.” She laughed, lightening his mood in an instant. He didn’t know another woman capable of getting into his head that way. He ought to be wary, but right now, he was just grateful. “You’ve got a point. My mother likes to lay on the guilt when I don’t give Ben what he wants.” “Your brother played baseball, too?” Amy leaned forward a
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR NEW YEAR’S DAY in a new town was a bummer, Amy thought, staring at the walls of her small apartment. She could pass the day alone, cooped up inside, or she could brave the cold and hit the department stores. She’d already gone shopping with Sophie and Annabelle for a new work wardrobe, but she still needed heavy sweaters and clothes for the change in climate. Even if shopping hadn’t been a necessity, keeping busy was. Anything to stop her from thinking about John Roper and the media circus that was a part of his life. She could fall hard for the man, that much she knew. Never mind that he had one hot body and he’d singed her with kisses that left her wanting more. He was sensitive and he cared for his family, he cooked, for goodness’ sake, and he’d decorated his own apartment. Yet what should be a perfect start to a possible relationship wasn’t. Everything about John Roper and his life was detrimental to her goals and needs. She’d grown up with a father who instilled in he
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE AMY WALKED THROUGH SPARKS, the steak house chosen by Roper for their lunch, and found herself taken in by the old-boy charm of the establishment. She appreciated the decor and she tried to focus on that—on anything except the man watching her intently as she approached. Roper rose as she came closer and waited until she was seated and they were alone before settling back in. “I’m glad you could join me,” he said, his voice warm and welcoming. “I’m glad, too.” She placed her napkin on her lap and took a second to cover her stomach with her hand, hoping to ease the butterflies inside, made worse because the car ride had taken longer than it should have. The vice president was in town, roads were closed and gridlock was the word of the day. “I’m sorry I’m late. The traffic was horrendous.” “Not a problem. It gave me time to relax a little first.” He glanced down and pulled his phone from a holder at his waist. “Excuse me. Phone call.” He answered, had a quick conversation tha
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX NO SOONER HAD ROPER OPENED his door than his mother barged right in. “Darling!” She presented her cheek for a kiss, which he dutifully gave. Then he stepped back and looked at her linen pants and blouse, obviously wrinkled from travel. “Did you tell me you were coming and I forgot?” he asked, knowing he’d done no such thing. She narrowed her gaze. “Don’t play games with me, John. You didn’t answer your phone, you didn’t return my e-mail or text messages, so I’m here.” She waved her hands around expressively, ending by cupping his cheek in her hand. “I was worried about you.” He narrowed his gaze, which didn’t take much since he was still half-asleep. But mentally, he was now wide-awake. That his mother loved him was fact. That she might have been concerned about his silence also might be true. But no way would she fly across the country just because he hadn’t picked up his cell phone. “What’s really going on?” he asked. “I don’t know what you mean. But I do need coffee.” Sh
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN THE REST OF THE DAY PASSED quickly and too soon, and Amy had to head home and get ready for her dinner with Roper. He picked her up as planned and drove her in his Porsche to a small restaurant called Leto’s in Little Italy. He’d taken over an entire restaurant where his friend was the owner and chef, ensuring their privacy. When she’d questioned the expense, he’d assured her his friend owed him a favor. Then he’d gone on to regale her with amusing tales of his baseball exploits and time on the road. She’d engaged him with her crazier stories about the residents at her mother’s retirement community and the fun she’d had trying to keep them out of jail. Roper at his most charming left Amy without any defenses to resist. Nobody had ever gone to such lengths to impress her before. It wasn’t the fact that he’d arranged to shut down an entire restaurant that struck a chord with her, but the fact that he cared enough about her desire for privacy to bother. She forgot her resolv
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT AMY FOLLOWED ROPER DOWN the hallway to his sister’s apartment. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the musty smell in these places,” she said. The odor assaulted her every time she stepped off an elevator in Manhattan. Considering she’d practically grown up outdoors, she wondered if she ever would. “I hear you. When I’m on the road, the thing I appreciate most is the fresh air and the wide-open spaces.” She blinked, surprised he noticed it, too. “Really? I’d think you were a city man, Mr. Metro,” she said, laughing. He turned toward her. “I see you’ve been reading my old press.” She shrugged. “It’s my job to keep up on where you’ve been so I can help you with where you’re going.” In truth, she’d enjoyed digging through the old interviews and articles on Roper, learning more about his public persona and how different his personal, private one was. “You could ask me,” he said, stepping closer. “Where you’re concerned, I’m an open book.” She inhaled and his scent immediately
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE AMY WAITED IN THE KITCHEN for Roper to finish dressing. She hadn’t planned on seeing him again today, but he’d sounded so down, she couldn’t resist coming along to dinner tonight to make sure he was okay. And considering his mood when he’d answered the door, she was glad she’d agreed. She’d watched his mother in action this morning and again at lunch and realized how wearing the woman was on those around her. Cassandra Lee expected the world to fall at her feet. No doubt she’d become used to it in the heyday of her career. And then afterward Roper had ensured she always had everything she needed, Amy thought. But who made sure Roper had everything he needed? she wondered. The sound of footsteps drew her attention, and she glanced up to see Roper join her wearing a pair of black jeans and a light blue Burberry shirt. Amy wasn’t into designer clothes. But the Jordan sisters were trying to change that, and thanks to them, Amy recognized the classic plaid. She had to admit, sh
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN ROPER GLANCED OUT THE tinted window of the car Amy had hired to pick him up and take them for lunch. He still didn’t understand why he couldn’t have just met her and Yank at the restaurant for this sudden meeting, but she’d insisted. Now, as he sat beside her, she remained eerily quiet. “What restaurant are we going to, anyway?” he asked. She shrugged. “I’m new in the city and I’m bad with names. I can’t remember,” she murmured. Her gaze strayed out the window and she drummed her fingertips on the hard leather armrest beneath the window. Taking her cue, he sat in silence, watching as the scenery changed from the luxury shops on Madison Avenue to more eclectic scenery as they made their way farther north. It wasn’t until the driver turned right onto 102nd Street and merged onto FDR Drive that he spoke up. “We’re leaving the city?” “Looks that way.” She didn’t meet his gaze. His gut churned with anxiety. He braced his hand on the seat in front of him and leaned forward so the
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN ROPER STUDIED AMY, HER tight jeans and sexy loose-fitting top, and realized she fit right in here. The woman who’d been uncomfortable earlier in her one-piece bathing suit was gone. In her place was the siren who called to him day and night, in his dreams and when they were wide-awake. Like now. She shoved her hands into her pants pockets. “So have you calmed down?” she asked. As if he hadn’t had a reason to be upset with her, he thought wryly. He wasn’t fooled by her attempt to put the onus on him. But he didn’t mind it, either. He leaned against the wall, just plain enjoying her. “You mean, have I forgiven you for dragging me up here against my will?” He was teasing. He just wasn’t sure whether or not she knew it yet. She stepped closer until they were inches apart. Her scent, strawberry shampoo and pure woman, overtook his thoughts and all he could concentrate on was taking her in his arms and kissing her senseless—with no cell phone, Treo or family member interruptin
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE “SO WHAT’S GOING ON?” Amy asked Micki. She held the phone to her ear and mouthed an apology to Hannah. “Cassandra Lee has camped out at my office and refuses to leave until I tell her where Roper is. I couldn’t believe how attached she is to him until I found out the real reason she’s parked herself at the Hot Zone.” Micki sighed. “Which has something to do with Harrison Smith?” Not a difficult guess, Amy thought. “He followed her here and now they are both seated on my couch. Both wearing full-length furs. Cassandra has a matching hat.” “Oh, Lord.” Amy held her forehead in her hand. She could just imagine the sight. “Do you have a plan? Short of divulging our whereabouts, I mean.” “As a matter of fact, I do.” Micki’s laugh let Amy relax a bit. “Uncle Yank is going to take them out to lunch. Or should I say Uncle Yank and his guide dog, Noodle, are going to take them out. Cassandra thinks he’s going to explain why we have Roper secluded, which he will. And then I am sure
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN CASSANDRA PACED THE FLOOR of her hotel room in bare feet. The rooms had been renovated and hardwood floors replaced what had once been plush carpet. She appreciated the chic modern look, but the last thing she needed or wanted was for her next-door neighbor to hear her and know she was back in her room. She still didn’t know who Harrison had bribed to place him in the suite next to hers, but if she ever found out, she’d make sure that person was fired. She marched to the window and back, her silk loungewear sweeping the floors. At this rate she could save the hotel money on vacuuming and dusting. A glance at the iHome clock radio/stereo on the shelf told her that it was time for Buckley’s show. Since her son’s sudden departure, she’d taken to listening to Buckley the Bastard, hoping he’d hear about Roper’s whereabouts before she did. He had spies everywhere. But since Roper and Amy had been gone, all Buckley had done was call John a coward for leaving town. The man was
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN ROPER HAD BEEN HOME FOR one week and he still couldn’t believe Amy had picked up and left him at the lodge. Could. Not. Believe. It. Worse, now that he’d shown up at the Hot Zone to get his best friend’s support, Micki sat behind her desk, backing up Amy’s move both professionally and personally. “So much for turning to my best friend for support,” he muttered. Micki raised her eyebrows at him, not looking at all sorry. “You turn to your best pal for the truth.” He shoved his hands into his pants pockets and stared out the window at the gray sky, which matched his mood. “I had every intention of following Amy’s advice after I explained things to my family. She didn’t have to take it so personally.” “Well, let’s see. Have you followed her advice since you’ve been home? Have you been as single-minded as you were at the lodge?” Micki asked. No, he hadn’t been. Because as soon as he’d returned, so had old habits. “They need me.” But he planned to talk to them. Soon. “You n
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN ROPER GLANCED AROUND, studying the female members of his family who gazed at him with curious eyes. Ben’s abrupt departure had left them stunned, Roper was sure. “Obviously Ben’s upset about something. What’s going on?” Sabrina asked. She sat beside Kevin, holding his hand. At least she seemed genuinely happy. And that, Roper thought, was what this part of his day was all about. He needed to use his sister’s happiness as the springboard to give him the courage to lay down the law with his mother—and undoubtedly hurt her in the process. Before he could speak, a noise sounded from outside the door and suddenly Harrison entered, key card in hand. Roper raised an eyebrow but didn’t say a word. He already knew there was more to this relationship than his mother wanted to admit to her children or to herself. “You shouldn’t just barge in as if you own the place,” Cassandra chided him. He raised an eyebrow. “Considering I gave up my own room, you can’t expect me to knock first.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN HER FAMILY WAS FREE. Amy sensed Roper had signed a few autographs and promised tickets to Renegades games in order to hasten the release process. He hadn’t said, but the people who’d eventually released her mother and aunt had been huge fans, shaking Roper’s hand and thanking him. He refused to say for what. TSA and Homeland Security actually did perform a background check on the women and discovered their penchant for getting into ridiculous trouble back in Florida. It was soon obvious terrorism wasn’t an issue. Insanity was, though, Amy thought wryly. But since the incident had been more of a misunderstanding than any kind of practical joke, the women were released into the general population of New York—complete with a behavioral warning for the future. Amy was exhausted. “So what are we doing tonight?” Aunt Darla asked, from her seat in the back of Roper’s car. Amy closed her eyes and groaned. But at least they hadn’t started asking Roper questions about his intenti
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN AT DINNER, ROPER BRACED himself for a clash of two women who could not be more different, but his mother and Amy’s hit it off. Darla and Rose gushed over Cassandra and she ate up the attention. If his mother found Amy’s family odd or eccentric, she didn’t show it, for which Roper was grateful. And Harrison, ever the gentleman and ever present at Cassandra’s side, kept her grounded. The same couldn’t be said for Amy’s female relatives. Aunt Darla was obviously smitten with their waiter, a young man, new to his job, who didn’t know what to make of the attention. He’d taken their orders, with Rose and Darla interrupting him periodically to ask questions. Unfortunately they weren’t about the daily specials. “I have a question,” Darla said for the third time. The first two times she’d interrupted the man with personal questions. “Yes?” he asked, forcing a smile. “It had better be about the meat,” Amy said through gritted teeth. “Oh, it is,” her aunt assured her. She glance
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN ROPER DIDN’T THINK HIS DAY could get any worse. After leaving Amy for what seemed like the last time, he worked out, checked in with his coaches and headed home. He’d taken one look at the houseguests who’d just returned from their tour of the city and he knew he had to send them to be with Amy. She needed them—either for their moral support or to face her frustration with them and send them home. Regardless, it wasn’t his problem. Unfortunately, he still cared enough to want her to have her family around her if she needed them. An hour later, his doorbell rang and he found himself face-to-face with the last person he expected to see—his brother. As much as he wasn’t in the mood for company, he hadn’t seen Ben in a while. “What’s up?” Roper asked. “Can we talk? And before you slam the door in my face, I’m not here to ask you for money, a job or anything else,” his brother said, red-faced. Curious now, Roper swung the door wide and gestured inside. “Come on in. Can I ge
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
EPILOGUE
← Prev
Back
Next →
← Prev
Back
Next →