Excerpts of Work
Bad Boy, Good Man
(Book 1 in the New Jersey Ice Cats series)
Irritation began to spark within Maggie as she continued to look for Jake. So far, this had been a waste of time. Where was her oh-so-important client? She headed back down the hallway to see if he was in another room. She’d give him five more minutes.
She noticed a pair of handsome, well-built men coming towards her. Clearly brothers, they looked like they could be hockey players. Maybe they knew where Jake was hiding.
“Excuse me. I’m looking for Jake Badoletti. Have you seen him?”
“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 in return.
“Behave, Tru.” The older man frowned. “I apologise for my brother. Jake is finishing up something and will be here shortly.”
Maggie’s smile faded as she caught the glance he directed towards a closed door behind them. Great. She’d busted a gut to get here, been psyching herself up for hours to handle such an important meeting, while Jake Badoletti was holed up in his bedroom with some groupie.
She was tempted to leave and make him reschedule. But, she didn’t want Tracy to get into trouble. Nor did she want to risk angering him. “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 both. Maggie Goodman.”
“You’re English?” Ike studied her carefully. “I didn’t think you Brits were big 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 Ike’s 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. She’s home, but is frustrated she’s not healing faster.”
“I bet,” Ike muttered.
“Do you know her well?” She was curious about the big man’s reaction.
“She helped me find my apartment last summer.”
Maggie bet there was a lot more to that story than the single bald sentence. But, she didn’t have time to explore it as the bedroom door opened and Jake Badoletti stepped out.
Her heart slammed against her ribs, once, hard, then dropped to the floor.
Tracy’s file wasn’t complete, after all. An important piece of information had been missing. None of the photos had done Jake ‘Bad Boy’ Badoletti justice. She’d seen 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 no-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. Every inch the bad boy professional sportsman, 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 at his friend. “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 going to fall for 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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