Excerpts of Work
Bad Boy, Good Man
(Book 1 in the New Jersey Ice Cats series)
Irritation began to spark within Maggie as he remained elusive. Where the heck was he? She’d give him five more minutes, then call it a day. She headed back down the hallway to see if he was in one of the other rooms.
She noticed a pair of handsome, well-built men coming towards her. Clearly brothers, they looked like they might be hockey players. Maybe they knew where Jake was hiding.
“Excuse me. Have you seen Jake Badoletti?”
“Honey, whatever you want from Jake, I can do better,” the younger man said, with a twinkle in his eye.
Though she’d normally ignore such blatant flirtation, the man’s grin was infectious. Maggie couldn’t help smiling back.
“Behave, Tru.” The older man frowned. “Jake’s finishing up something. He’ll be here shortly.”
Maggie’s smile faded as she caught the glance he directed towards a closed door behind them. Great. Her oh-so-important client was holed up in his bedroom with some groupie.
She was tempted to leave and make him reschedule, but she didn’t want to get Tracy into trouble. “I’ll wait for him in the living room. Thank you.”
“Don’t rush off. I’ll keep you company. How about a drink?” The younger brother stuck out his hand. “Tru Jelinek. I play with Jake on the Ice Cats. This is my brother, Ike.”
They seemed harmless enough and it would be better than waiting alone. “Nice to meet you. Maggie Goodman.”
“You’re English?” Ike studied her carefully. “I didn’t think you Brits were hockey fans.”
“I’m not a fan; I’m with Making Your Move. I have an appointment with Jake.”
“Tracy’s company?” There was an odd look in his green eyes.
“I’m her sister. I’m helping her out until she’s back on her feet.”
“How is she?” Tru sounded genuinely concerned. “We heard about her burst appendix.”
“Recovering nicely, thank you, though she’s frustrated she’s not healing faster.”
“I bet,” Ike muttered.
“Do you know her well?” She was curious about his reaction.
“She helped me find my apartment last summer.”
Maggie bet there was more to that story than the single bald sentence, but she didn’t have time to explore it as the bedroom door opened and a man stepped out.
Her heart slammed against her ribs, once, hard, then dropped to the floor.
None of the photos in Tracy’s file had done Jake ‘Bad Boy’ Badoletti justice. She’d known he was good-looking, but that didn’t begin to describe the man in person.
Heaven help her, he was gorgeous!
Square-jawed and rugged, with tousled brown hair and piercing blue eyes. He was clearly a warrior of the ice, his broken nose and scars attested to that. Somehow, though, they added to his appeal and made him more intriguing. Unlike the hulking bodies of the thick-necks, Jake had the firm, solid lines of an athlete at the peak of fitness. Lean, corded muscle shaped the snug-fitting, open-collared black shirt and faded jeans.
Tall, dark and dangerous, he was every inch the bad boy sports-star, brimming with charm and hints of danger. Exciting and enticing. For some, the best of all worlds.
For Maggie, the worst of all worlds.
“Glad you could join us.” Tru arched an eyebrow. “Someone here to see you.”
As Tru made the introductions, Jake’s ice-blue eyes captured and held her gaze, daring her to look away. A crooked grin created whirlpools of heat deep within her.
No wonder he had such a reputation -- any woman would have a hard time resisting him.
Maggie pulled herself up short. No, no, no. This was not going to happen again. She was not interested in another bad boy. She’d be the exception that proved the rule. No matter how deliciously attractive he was, she would be able to resist Jake Badoletti.
Resolute and determined, Maggie shook hands with Jake.
The instant their fingers touched, tiny flashes of heat danced across her skin, sending a totally unexpected tingle of awareness through her.
That’s when Maggie realised she was in deep trouble. Only a fool would underestimate the pull of this particular bad boy.
Maggie would never be anybody’s fool again.
* * *
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