Scoring for Love

Sizzling-hot basketball star Kevin Koucky plans to end his career with a bang by posing au naturel in a magazine feature. When photographer Jasmine Hook agrees to take the assignment, she never expects the risqué photo shoot to end with a sensual slam dunk. But the handsome athlete comes with children and an ex-wife—emotional baggage Jasmine can’t handle. Little does she know that Kevin always plays to win...

SYNITHIA WILLIAMS has been an avid romance-novel lover since picking up her first at the age of thirteen. It was only natural that she would begin penning her own romances soon after—much to the chagrin of her high school math teachers. She’s a native of South Carolina and now writes romances as hot as their Southern settings. Outside of writing she works on water quality and sustainability issues for local government. She’s married to her own personal hero, and they have two sons who’ve convinced her that professional wrestling and superheroes are supreme entertainment. When she isn’t working, writing or being a wife and mother, she’s usually bingeing on TV series, playing around on social media or planning her next girls’ night out with friends. You can learn more about Synithia by visiting her website, www.synithiawilliams.com, where she blogs about writing, life and relationships.

Also By Synithia Williams

A New York Kind of Love

A Malibu Kind of Romance

Full Court Seduction

Overtime for Love

Guarding His Heart

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Guarding His Heart

Synithia Williams

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08487-1

GUARDING HIS HEART

© 2018 Synithia R. Williams

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

He’d dressed casually in white linen pants and a light blue button-up that fit his muscled body just enough to make her mouth water.

“Those are beautiful,” she said, eyeing the flowers but really thinking about the width of his shoulders and taut flatness of his abdomen.

He held the bouquet out to her. “I may not live here permanently, but I’m still a Southern gentleman. My grandmother would skin me if I didn’t bring flowers to my date.”

Jasmine chuckled and took the flowers from him, her heart skipping a little at the mention of this being a date. The sweet fragrance wrapped around her the way she wanted Kevin’s arms to embrace her. “Is your grandmother the only reason I got flowers?” she teased.

She turned and took the flowers over to the dresser. There wasn’t a vase in the room, but there was a vanity pitcher and bowl on the dresser. She grabbed the pitcher and put the flowers inside, setting it next to her bed.

“That, and when I saw them, I thought of you. Bright, colorful, happy.”

Dear Reader,

There are a lot of negative stereotypes about men with multiple kids. My goal with Guarding His Heart was to show a positive image of a blended family. Kevin may have come across as a playboy in the other books, but I hope you see there is more to Kevin. He’s devoted to his family and has a great capacity for love—something he has to realize as his feelings for Jasmine grow.

Jasmine is fun and spunky. Her personality immediately jives with Kevin’s, but she has her own concerns to get over before she can accept the love Kevin offers. She’s a complicated woman with a unique set of needs that Kevin isn’t afraid to step in and help with.

I hope you enjoy Guarding His Heart. I’m hard at work on the final Scoring for Love book. Get ready for Will Hampton to settle down.

Sincerely,

Synithia

To you for picking up this book and taking this ride with me.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Chenille, Sam and Cindy for sharing your experiences living with juvenile diabetes and being in a relationship with someone with the condition. I hope I gave an accurate reflection in this book with Jasmine and Kevin’s relationship. Thanks to the editorial staff at Harlequin Kimani Romance for helping me flesh out the characters of this story. Finally, writing a book is hard. I couldn’t have finished this book without the support of a great set of writer friends. Whether for virtual hugs, words of encouragement or listening to me rant, the Divas are always there. You ladies are much appreciated.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Reader

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter 1

Kevin Koucky had no problem getting naked.

Getting naked in a cold studio, in front of a crowd of mostly strangers, as part of the photo shoot for Sports Fitness magazine was an entirely different situation. He glanced at his publicist across the studio. Rod gave Kevin two thumbs-up while his always enthusiastic grin covered his thin face.

Kevin answered with a half smile. Rod had been raving about this photo shoot ever since the magazine had called with the offer. Kevin’s naked body was about to grace the cover of a magazine hitting every magazine rack in the country. The “Bodies in Motion” issue, which paid homage to the various fitness levels of professional athletes, was the magazine’s most popular of the year. The cover spot was given to someone considered to be at the top of their game. Kevin had played professional basketball since he was eighteen and was proud of being considered an elite athlete chosen for the cover. Even if nature was slowly siphoning away his abilities.

The representative for Sports Fitness walked over to him. The petite brunette had a friendly face underlaid with a fierce focus toward ensuring he was comfortable as they prepared for the shoot.

“Okay, Kevin,” she said. “Jasmine is here, and she’s ready.”

Kevin looked at his wrist to check the time. Realized a second later it wasn’t there because he was butt naked in a cold studio. They’d been waiting fifteen minutes for the diva photographer to make her way uptown and complete the shoot. He’d never meet Jasmine Hook before, but she was already getting on his nerves. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with an artist who had a self-importance complex and believed coming to a photo shoot late somehow increased her demand.

“Oh, she finally decided to show up,” Kevin said, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

The representative’s grin tightened. “Well, she had another appointment before this that ran long and then got caught in traffic.”

Kevin looked skyward. “Yeah, I’m sure her time photographing models and actors provides her with plenty of perfect excuses for being fashionably late.” He’d heard enough about Jasmine to know she was the most sought-after fashion photographer in the nation. Why she was chosen for this shoot probably had more to do with her name than anything. He wouldn’t be surprised to find she was just as self-absorbed and obsessed with fashion as the people she photographed.

“You’d be surprised how much I’ve learned photographing models and athletes,” an amused female voice replied. “Especially the naked ones with an attitude.”

Kevin tightened the towel wrapped around his hips and turned in the direction of the voice. The smart retort died in this throat. The woman who’d spoken snatched his voice with just the sparkle in her eye.

She was tall. He’d guess five-ten or -eleven. At six foot four, he was a sucker for a tall woman. Ankle-high boots added more inches to her. Her short hair was highlighted with royal blue streaks in her bangs. A loose white shirt stopped at the waistband of skintight black jeans in the front and hung longer in the back. The studio lights glinted off the diamond studs in her ears where multiple piercings also included a hoop at the top of her left ear. Where else was she pierced? He took in the rest of her tall, curvy body and no longer worried about the effect of the room’s cold air on his anatomy.

“Jasmine Hook, I presume,” he said with an upward tilt of his lips that usually made women grin and giggle.

She raised a brow and smirked as if she knew he was giving her his killer smile and found it unimpressive. “Your presumption is correct.” She zipped open a black bag on the table next to her and pulled out a camera and various gadgets.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Emphasis on finally. She was sexy as hell, but he wasn’t ready to let go of the fact that she’d arrived late.

“I know. Most people find my company pleasurable.” She winked and lifted one shoulder.

Her eyes were brown and beautiful. Not much makeup as far as he could tell, just a darker brown liner along her lids and mascara on long, dark lashes. Blood pounded in his veins like a basketball on concrete. Sexy and smart-mouthed. Jasmine was getting hotter by the second.

“I don’t doubt that.” He strolled over to her, everyone else in the room temporarily forgotten. “Were you late because someone else was enjoying your pleasurable company?”

“Yes and no. In my defense, I tried to get here sooner, but the man I was with didn’t know when to quit.”

The beginnings of disappointment stirred in his chest. He should have known a woman this alluring was taken. “And is that man your man?”

Her low, husky chuckle ran over his body like teasing fingertips. “Are you trying to find out if I have a man?” She checked her camera, then set it on the table.

Kevin’s body hummed with the thrill of potential. “Would you have a problem if I were?”

Her gaze swept over him quickly. “I don’t know yet.” She crossed her arms and cocked her head to the side. “Okay, Kevin, what are you looking for from this shoot today?” Her voice lost the flirtation as she subtly switched to a professional tone.

The urge to keep the flirtation going was an insistent poke in his back, but he was in a room full of people, naked, and for a reason. He’d have time to pursue the spark he had with Jasmine later.

He hadn’t thought about what he wanted to get from this shoot. He’d been asked to pose naked and he’d agreed. He knew a part of the invitation was because his team had won the championship two years in a row. Despite his slipup, he’d been a key component to this year’s playoff win, and bets were circulating about whether or not he’d retire. Rumors he didn’t want to confirm no matter how close they were to the truth. He was thirty-six years old. Ancient in professional sports. The time had come for plan B.

Whatever the hell that was.

“I want you to show my athleticism,” he said. “I’m old compared to the other guys on my team. Show that my age doesn’t mean I’ve lost something.” That his body wasn’t breaking down.

Her brown eyes narrowed slightly. She nodded slowly. He got the sneaking suspicion she could see into him and had read his thoughts. His fears. Or, maybe, he just liked the way she looked at him.

“I think I can do that.” She reached with her left hand and scratched the back of her shoulder.

The white shirt lifted with the movement. He caught a flash of a ring in her belly button against smooth caramel skin. He sucked in a breath, his ab muscles tightening. Jasmine didn’t seem to notice how he stilled at the flash of her belly ring. She’d turned away and rummaged through her bag.

Just like that, he was hooked. The need to discover what else was pierced tempted him like a hunt for the treasures of the universe. He wanted to take his time uncovering all of her secrets. Did tattoos accompany her piercings? His arms, chest and back were plastered with body art, each one significant to him in some way. He had no problems with women doing the same, but he liked that Jasmine hadn’t covered all of her sexy brown skin. That would make discovering what, if any, spots she’d decorated even more fun.

She turned with another camera gadget in her hand and faced him. “So, Kevin, are you ready to get naked for me?”

Considering he was there specifically to be photographed naked and she was a photographer, the words shouldn’t have sent heat shooting through his veins with the force of a charging bull. Coming from her full lips, in her silky voice, with that spark of hidden wildness in her eye, not only was heat charging full steam, but another area rose to half-mast.

Smiling, Kevin unhooked his towel and let it drop to the floor. “Any damn time.”

Jasmine didn’t blush or frown. She boldly looked over his body. Her gaze paused below his waistline. The flash of appreciation that lit her eye made him want to crow like a rooster. Forced thoughts of the drills coach ran them through in practice was the only thing keeping him from getting a full-on erection. His pride wouldn’t let him show her just how much her look made his pulse race.

Her dark eyes met his and she cocked a brow. “Let’s do this.”

* * *

Jasmine had photographed tons of half-and completely naked people in her career. Some of the most beautiful women, the hottest men and captivating celebrities. It was almost impossible to have a career as a fashion photographer and not encounter beautiful, naked people. But never before had she had such a hard time focusing on capturing the scene instead of how utterly incredible the subject looked naked.

She’d appreciated a nice body before. Even accepted an offer or two from people she’d photographed with a no-strings, no-commitment caveat.

As long as there was little chance of messy drama during or afterward. She wasn’t currently looking for anything long-term or even casual. She had other goals at the moment. But her brain was barely letting her separate the job of photographing Kevin from her primal appreciation of his body.

Her woman parts were attracted to everything about him. The man was a work of art. Long lean muscles and tan skin decorated with beautifully drawn tattoos. At first glance, his intense gaze and large muscular body were intimidating. But then his lips cracked a come-here-and-get-all-of-this smile accompanied by a twinkle in his eye that promised hours of I-shouldn’t-have-done-that-but-damn-he-was-good memories.

Only by the grace of God did she survive the photo shoot without drooling down her chest. She had a lot going on right now. She’d finally gotten Angelo to agree to let her exhibit at his gallery at the end of the year. Which meant she actually had an end result after telling the fashion world she was no longer going to photograph beautiful people for a lot of money and instead follow more artistic pursuits.

Despite the skepticism her announcement had received, she was excited. She’d made her money and built her career. She’d earned the right to do what she wanted. Kevin, though very pretty and tempting, was not part of the way she needed to spend her last few nights in New York.

“Was it as good for you as it was for me?”

Kevin’s voice caressed her body like a warm ocean breeze. She could almost forgive him for such a cheesy line. Almost.

She stopped packing her camera to look up at him. She was tall at five foot nine. In her black boots, she brushed six feet, but she still had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. And there went her pulse, accelerating from the eye contact. He’d wrapped the towel back around his waist, but his incredible chest and forearms were bare. Despite the cold room, heat radiated off him in waves. That, or her body temperature rose in his presence.

“Do you really think you’re the first person who’s tried that line with me?” She leaned back against the table and rested her hands on the top.

“I don’t care who’s tried it in the past. I want to know if it’s working for me today.”

His confidence was a turn-on. She was drawn to sexy, confident men. Discovering whether the confidence was warranted or just overcompensation was fun to figure out. She had a feeling Kevin’s was warranted.

“Working for you in what way?” she asked.

“Is it increasing the likelihood I’ll be able to see you again?”

She tilted her head to the side. “How is photographing you today supposed to make me want to see you again?”

He shifted his weight and rubbed his hands together. The movement made the towel dip lower. Her gaze dipped before she could stop herself. When she met his eyes again, he lifted a brow.

Yeah, you look good and yeah, I know it.

“You were behind the camera,” Kevin said. “That’s very impersonal. I thought you’d want a more up close experience.”

Seriously? Was that all it took for this man to get a woman in his bed? She didn’t doubt it. Hell, her body was responding, her nipples hardening and heat building in the apex of her thighs just from the promise in his eyes. The man was the embodiment of dangerous sex appeal with those dark eyes, tattoos, muscles and good looks. A combination that had caused women to make regrettable decisions since the beginning of time.

“Oh, no need. My camera has a zoom lens, you see. I’ve already got an up close and personal view of everything I wanted to see.”

His smile scattered her thoughts for a second. “And you’re not interested in seeing more?”

She was definitely interested in seeing more. If she didn’t have plans for tonight, and she didn’t have to start packing to leave New York, and she had a little more time to feel him out and decide if he was worthy of getting in her bed, she would have said yes.

Not going to bed with Kevin was good for other reasons. Guys like Kevin had the pesky potential to become more than just a fling if she wasn’t careful. Guys like him got in her blood, her head and before long, had her thinking she was in love right when he was ready to move on.

“I’m sure it would be fun, Kevin, but I’m going have to say no, thank you.” She didn’t smile with her letdown but kept her voice casual. Kevin seemed flirty and laid-back, but she’d witnessed how volatile some guys could be when faced with rejection or how others would view an accompanying smile as an excuse to keep hounding.

He raised a brow. “You sure?”

She took a deep breath and gave him one last once-over. Yeah, Kevin would definitely be fun, but she didn’t have time for that kind of detour. “I’m sure.”

He placed a hand over his heart and stepped back. “You break my heart, Jasmine, but I won’t push.”

Score more points for him not behaving like an idiot. “I appreciate that.”

“I’m in town for a few days. You change your mind, give me a call.”

If only she were in town a few days. “I don’t have your number.”

The man miraculously pulled a pen from his towel. The towel shifted dangerously low, so low she could see the dusting of hair below his waist. Magically it held in place.

“You have an ink pen in your towel?”

He chuckled and stepped close. “Always be ready.” He took her hand in his. His was large and warm but surprisingly gentle.

Heat zipped up her arm and through her chest, right down to her toes. There was a hint of cologne combined with an underlying peppery spice that heated her even more. He turned her hand palm up, uncapped the pen with his mouth and wrote a number on her wrist.

The movement of the pen tickled. The heat of his fingers branded her. Her pulse fluttered and her breathing stuttered in her chest.

His eyes lifted to hers. Desire and a dare flickering in their depths. He lifted her arm higher, blew on the ink. Goose bumps rose all over her body. Her sex tingled and her nipples tightened.

“You’ve got it now,” he said in a low voice she felt all the way in her toes. Kevin ran his thumb over the number, smiled at her, then dropped her hand. “Call me.”

He turned and walked away. The towel dipped. Jasmine sucked in a breath. He caught it before it fell. Jasmine released a disappointed breath. Yeah, he was definitely a get-in-your-blood kind of guy. Thank goodness she was leaving New York in two weeks.

Now, to keep from calling him before she left town.

Chapter 2

“Come on, Kevin, tell me. Are you retiring?”

Kevin chuckled and took a sip of the red wine in his hand. He leaned against the balcony of photographer Rafael Sim’s penthouse overlooking uptown Manhattan. He stretched out his hands reflexively. The nearly constant ache didn’t subside. Pretty soon he wouldn’t be able to ignore it. He put down the glass of wine and looked up from his failing hands.

“Rafael, when the decision is made, I’ll let you know.”

“You really think you have one more season left in you?” Rafael asked. There was no judgment in his voice. If anything, there was a hint of admiration in his friend’s tone.

A month ago, Kevin would have lived up to that admiration.

“I’m not quite ready to be put out to pasture,” Kevin said. Carefully, he picked up the wineglass and took another sip. He didn’t admit defeat easily and he wasn’t ready to give up his place in the league.

“Well, you know retiring will free up your time to pursue other things,” Rafael said. His curly dark hair was cut in a fashionable style that would have looked ridiculous on any other guy, but Rafael was able to pull it off, along with his white pants, flowered button-up shirt and dark-rimmed glasses. That was Rafael, fashionable to the core.

“Things like what?”

Rafael shrugged and leaned his forearms on the balcony next to Kevin. “Things like sponsoring the art exhibit of your good friend.”

Kevin laughed at the blatant request. He’d met Rafael several years ago during New York Fashion Week. That was right after Kevin’s divorce, when he’d chosen to bury his heartbreak in the arms of a supermodel he’d met. She’d dragged him to a fashion show and instead of being bored out of his mind, he’d ended up sitting next to Rafael, talking about art. Kevin had agreed to sponsor Rafael’s next exhibit and they’d been friends ever since.

“You know I got you,” Kevin said. “What are you showcasing this time?”

“Chronicling life in my hometown in Texas. The place once thrived... Now the jobs are gone and it’s dying out. My family is still there, and they’re trying to hold on like everyone else.” Rafael’s voice was bittersweet. “The loss of jobs is sad, but the hope of the people still shines, ya know?”

“I know.” Kevin’s own hometown in South Carolina had gone through the same thing. Loss of industry, people moving out and a stunted tax base had nearly killed the place his mom and grandmother still called home. He’d done what he could to help bring business back and the place was finally making a comeback. “I think that’s a good idea. Maybe it’ll help shine some light on your hometown.”

Rafael nodded. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”

The sound of conversation inside the penthouse increased. Kevin straightened and glanced toward the door. “Sounds like we’re missing your party,” he teased. There were other people on the balcony, too. Music played from the speakers and conversation and laughter flowed, but it definitely sounded like something had excited the people inside.

“I know,” Rafael straightened and walked toward the balcony doors. “Let’s go see what’s going on.”

Kevin followed. He glanced through the glass at the people still inside. He spotted a pair of beautiful brown eyes and a flash of blue-tipped hair. A slow smile spread over his face while pleasant surprise and the thrill of a chase played a pickup game in his chest. “Jasmine Hook.”

Rafael nodded and grinned. “She made it.”

Kevin glanced at Rafael. “You know her?” Obviously, if she was here. He wanted to know how Rafael knew the woman he’d thought of repeatedly since the shoot earlier that day.

“We worked a couple of shoots together. How do you know her?” Rafael threw Kevin a curious look.

“She photographed me this morning.”

Rafael’s eyes widened. He ran his hand through the curly bangs that had fallen over his eyes. “No shit. She saw you naked.” He didn’t say anything else, but his tone begged Kevin to spill some dirt.

“She did, but she wasn’t impressed.”

Rafael flicked his wrist. “I should have known. Jasmine isn’t easily impressed. She dated Julio for a while and they broke up about two years ago. After that, she hasn’t gone out much. I was hoping you and your raw animal magnetism would have broken her dry spell.”

Kevin seemed to recall that Julio was Rafael’s cousin. He wasn’t in fashion but he was a popular DJ in the New York club circuit. “What happened with her and Julio?”

He had expected his animal magnetism to have gotten Jasmine to at least agree to see him again. He didn’t typically strike out when it came to women. He wasn’t arrogant, but he also knew some women were easily drawn to a professional athlete. A lesson he’d learned the hard and fast way early in his career.

“He got back with his kid’s mom. They’re married now.”

“He broke her heart?” That would explain why she’d backed off. Broken hearts made getting back out there difficult. He knew; he’d been on both ends of that particular ailment.

“Doubtful,” Rafael said. “She seemed okay afterward. None of the usual dramatics, and she’s still okay with me.” Rafael shrugged as if that explained everything.

“Why wouldn’t she be okay with you?” He didn’t bother to ask what the usual dramatics were. Rafael was a bit of a drama king himself. Last year, Kevin witnessed one of Rafael’s post-breakup meltdowns. That had not been pretty.

“I hooked them up,” Rafael explained. He pulled open the door and stepped inside. “Come with me to greet her,” he said over his shoulder.

Kevin followed Rafael over to Jasmine. She looked even better hours later. She seemed chill and relaxed as she greeted Rafael’s other guests. Her smile was easy and her laughter infectious. She still wore the black boots from earlier with a different pair of jeans, torn this time, and a gray tank with MTWTFSS on the front. Days of the week, the WTF in the middle in bold. Kevin smiled at the hidden question.

Rafael strolled right up to Jasmine and encased her in a huge bear hug. Jasmine laughed and hugged him right back. The two were obviously friends. Whatever ill will she had toward Rafael’s cousin had not spilled over and ruined their relationship.

She glanced at Kevin over Rafael’s shoulder. Surprise flashed across her features. He didn’t know what divine intervention put her at the same house party as him, but he was thankful for it. He acknowledged her with a nod of his head. She blessed him with one of her killer smiles before she pulled back and looked at Rafael.

“I hear you got a good look at Kevin’s goodies,” Rafael teased.

Jasmine’s answering chuckle made various parts of Kevin’s body tighten. “He did well. Not a trace of shame or embarrassment in the middle of a room full of strangers.” Her brown eyes met his. The light hit them, adding a golden hint to their brown depths. He wanted to step closer to gauge their hidden secrets. “I didn’t expect to see you here,” she said to Kevin.

Rafael answered before Kevin. “He’s a good friend of mine. Even more so today because he agreed to sponsor my next exhibit.” A woman across the room called Rafael’s name. He turned toward her and nodded. “Well, since you two know each other, I’ll go see what Livie wants.” He waved his hands at her and Kevin as if they should keep talking and left them.

Jasmine turned the full impact of her sexy smile Kevin’s way. The dull ache in his hands was easily forgotten when she smiled at him that way. Everything was forgotten except thoughts of what he might need to do to see that smile more often.

“So, exhibit sponsor, huh?” she said with a raised brow. “Maybe I should call you.”

“I like Rafael’s work. I haven’t seen yours.” He actually had and knew it was good. The pictures they’d gone over after the shoot were impressive. He knew the “Bodies in Motion” issue wasn’t just about gratuitous naked athletes, but she’d done a great job of capturing his athleticism as he’d run, jumped and dunked the basketball in the studio. She was talented, but he liked teasing her.

“You’re an art critic now?” She brushed her long, blue-tipped bangs out of her eyes and met his gaze through thick lashes. The silver bangles on her slim wrist slid down her arm almost to her elbow.

He pursed his lips and nodded to try to look serious. “Oh yes. I’m very selective. My opinion is highly sought after by those in the know.”

Full lips twitched and her eyes brightened with laughter. “Hmm. I’ll have to keep that in mind. I can’t have you criticizing my photos of you.”

“Yours will be judged extra hard.”

He placed his hand near her lower back but didn’t touch and nodded his head in the direction of the bar on the left side of Rafael’s spacious living room. There wasn’t a bartender and Rafael’s guests could mix their own drinks. Jasmine let him lead the way. He was pretty sure let was the right word. He doubted she would ever let anyone direct her if she didn’t want them to.

“And why will mine be judged harder than the others?”

“Because they’re pictures of me,” he said. “I never like my pictures.”

She laughed as if that were ludicrous and he grinned, drawn in by the music of her voice. It was true, though. He didn’t like pictures of himself. He knew women found him attractive, but he wasn’t classically handsome. He’d filled in his tall lanky frame with muscles and covered his upper body in art, but that didn’t make up for his prominent brow and not-perfectly symmetrical features. He hadn’t been popular with the ladies until he’d excelled at basketball and ultimately gone professional.

“What I saw though my camera says you have nothing to be ashamed of.” She reached for the bottle of red wine and poured herself a drink.

“Oh, so you did like what you saw?”

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, the hint of a smile on her lips. “That’s just my professional opinion, you understand. Purely an academic observation.”

His answering chuckle eased him deeper into her spell. She was cool. Funny and lively in a way that immediately made him want to relax and get to know her better. “Okay, academic.” He took her free hand in his, pretended he didn’t feel the spark that came from her skin against his and turned her hand over. “Then why can I still see my number on your wrist?”

She sucked in a breath as if the spark had hit her, too, but shrugged easily. “I have no idea. You must have used some super permanent ink when you wrote it down.”

He’d used a regular pen. She hadn’t washed it away. Which meant she’d at least considered calling him. Which meant he had a chance. “You know, I think I did.” He rubbed his thumb over the soft skin where his number still resided.

Her body shivered and her eyes darkened. With hunger? Awareness? Maybe desire? He wasn’t sure which but hoped for all three. She slipped her arm back. “I’ll scrub it off later.”

“After you write my number down so you can call me.” He eased closer.

She smelled delicious. Sweet and decadent like fruit and chocolate. Was that perfume or just her? One way to find out was to hold her naked. Learn all her curves and cravings. Follow the trail across her neck and breasts to discover each and every hidden secret she had.

His heart beat an intoxicating rhythm in his chest. The anticipation coursing through him slowly rose as if he were about to go on an expedition, and Jasmine was the ultimate experience.

“Who says I’m going to call you?” There was no heat in her voice, just a trace of flirtation.

Kevin’s grin widened. Oh hell yes. He definitely had a shot. “Who says you aren’t?”

She sipped her wine, licking her lips after pulling the glass away, and hit him with a look that was both flirty and don’t-get-ahead-of-yourself. She was interested but maybe still weighing her options. Cool, he didn’t have a problem with a woman who took her time to make a decision. If she had standards he needed to meet, then he would do whatever he needed in order to meet them.

Rafael clapped and got everyone’s attention before Jasmine could reply. Reluctantly, Kevin gave him his attention, too.

“Okay, folks, you know what time it is?” Rafael asked.

A collective, half-hearted groan combined with muffled laughter in the room. Kevin looked at Jasmine, who rolled her eyes and chuckled. She said at the same time as him and everyone else in the room: “Game time.”

Rafael loved playing games when he got people together. “You got that right,” he said cheerfully. “We’ll start with Cards Against Humanity.”

Jasmine raised her wineglass in a salute. “I love that game.”

Kevin tapped his chest. “Me, too.”

“We’re such horrible people.” She bit her lower lip and they both laughed.

Damn, he really liked her. The game’s tagline did say it was the card game for terrible people. Mostly because some of the questions and answers in the cards were so outrageous he wouldn’t dare play it around his mother or grandmother.

They joined the rest of Rafael’s guests who agreed to play. Jasmine had a sense of humor that matched his own.

After the card game, Rafael decided they’d all play Two Truths and a Lie. Each person told three stories and the rest of the room had to guess which story was the lie. Learning that Jasmine had skinny-dipped in her gym back in high school only added to the wild mystery of her.

After the games concluded, the crowd was even more relaxed and talkative. He and Jasmine stuck together as they mingled with Rafael’s mixture of artistic friends. They eventually broke away into their own conversations about art, music and movies before ending up in a corner on the balcony.

“I still can’t believe you’ve never seen The Princess Bride,” Jasmine said, shaking her head as if he were an enigma.

“Why would I ever see that movie?” he asked, unable to control his humor at her audacity.

“Because it’s a freaking classic, that’s why.” She slapped his chest. The low light of the balcony played on the muscles in her arms as she moved. He had discovered a tattoo. A small heart on the front of her shoulder that occasionally peaked out from the strap of her tank top in her enthusiasm.

He slid closer to her and ran his hand over the smooth stone of the balcony railing until his fingertips brushed hers. “The Blues Brothers is a classic. A princess movie is not.”

“You’re such a guy,” she said with mock disgust. She brushed her bangs away. “You could learn a lot about romance by watching a princess movie.” She took a sip from a bottle of water. His gaze dropped to her neck. So sleek and sexy. Even her shoulders were hot. Everything about her had his body on edge.

He slipped his hand over hers. The air thickened with the heat vibrating between them. “I know plenty about romance.”

She sucked in a breath and licked her lips. “What did The Blues Brothers teach you about romance?”

He tilted his head to the side and leaned in close to her. “Right now, the only thing I can think of is having a mission from God.”

She rolled her eyes but continued smiling. “What mission is that?”

He didn’t know if she recognized the quote from the movie or not, but right now, he felt like heaven was telling him to kiss this woman. “To do this.”

He covered her mouth with his.

Chapter 3

His kiss was soft and gentle. But the power of his body was a constant vibration of energy beneath his skin. The promise of a passionate explosion simmered in the easy touch.

It was a player’s kiss. Sexy and teasing enough to make her want to lean in for more. The kind of kiss that brought fantasies of his lips caressing other parts of her body. He didn’t grope her or jerk her up against his body. Only his lips touched hers, and that made her yearn more than she had when she’d tried giving up coffee and potato chips cold turkey two years ago.

Then, as if he knew she was a second away from latching onto him the way she had the coffee and the bag of kettle-cooked salt and vinegar chips her sister brought to convince her to give up the madness, he eased back. Her eyelids were like weights as she slowly lifted them to meet his eyes.

The corner of his mouth was lifted cockily. His eyes held the intense focus of a hunter closing in on prey. Excitement and possession swirled in their depths. If she let herself, she’d agree to the affair he offered with just a look.

Except she had goals. Professional and personal ones. Her own exhibit. No relationship drama. No more getting caught up in the lies of a promised forever.

“What are you thinking about?” His voice was silky and mellow. Her thighs clenched with need.

Your exhibit. Remember your exhibit.

“Cabins,” she said.

He blinked several times. “Cabins?” He ran a hand over his lower lip. “Why are you thinking about cabins?”

Probably not the best lead-in after a fantastic kiss, but he needed to be brought down a notch or two. Kevin had thrown out the bait with that sexy-as-hell-but-not-quite-enough kiss, and she’d bitten. She could tell he was ready to lure her in, and oh, she wanted to be lured. Really, really wanted to be, but her life was about goals, not getting off.

“My next project. I want to document cabins.”

Kevin’s brow cocked. He still smiled but there was a definite dimming of the spark in his eye.

“I’m trying to focus on my next project,” she said. “You would distract me from that.”

“Ahh, now I get it.” He took half a step back. Just out of her reach. She ran her hands over her pant legs to stop herself from reaching out.

He leaned an elbow on the balcony. Nailed her with his full attention. “Tell me about your project.”

He couldn’t be serious? Could he? She hadn’t said that to make him run, but she hadn’t expected him to ask for more information. “Why?”

“Obviously, your project is important enough to distract you from what I thought was a damn good kiss.” He raised a brow in question.

She nodded, willing to concede to the truth. “The kiss was very good.”

“Yet you thought of cabins. I want to know about the project.”

“Seriously?” She’d expected some sly comment about him not being a distraction, or that they could just have a little fun before she moved on. Instead he’d asked for more information. Kevin was making it hard for her to not leave New York with a bang.

He waved a hand for her to continue. “Seriously. I’d like to get to know you.”

Jasmine eyed him and tried to tell if he was full of crap. He watched her expectantly. Eyes focused. The seductive up-tilt of his mouth was still there. Still tempting.

Fine. If he wanted to know, she’d tell him. If he thought her idea was dumb, then she’d save a lot of time trying to figure out if he was worth her serious consideration and move on quickly. If he liked the idea...maybe leaving New York with a bang, literally, wasn’t such a bad idea.

She took a deep breath. When she’d announced her plans to a few people in the fashion industry, they’d looked at her as if she’d announced she was packing up and moving to Alaska to become a pioneer woman. Maybe she was taking a drastic step, but she wanted to do something worthwhile. She didn’t care what they thought, but the idea of Kevin looking at her like that? Well, that made her stomach churn a little.

“Okay, so I was visiting relatives in Georgia last year,” she said in a rush before changing her mind. “When I was there, my uncle had a bonfire out in the field next to the house. They used to grow corn there I think, but anyway, there was this old cabin along the edge of the field. When I asked, he said it was the first house his great-great-grandfather built during the Reconstruction. He’d purchased the small bit of land, farmed it, fought the Klan on it and ultimately survived.”

“Damn. That’s cool as hell.” Excitement and interest infused Kevin’s voice.

“I know, right?” Her own excitement was piqued by his. She’d been thrilled to learn more about her mother’s family. She’d lost her mom when she was so young. Her dad remarried and she’d rarely spent time with her mother’s family. After her father later divorced and her stepmother completely disappeared out of her life, Jasmine had reached out to her mother’s family.

“So I took pictures of the place. Started a scrapbook with the family history I got from my uncle. I sent a copy to him. Then the rest of my family asked for copies. It gave me an idea to capture more old cabins and homes owned by black people. Capture where they lived and highlight their history with what I can track down. Kinda chronicling the everyday life of the regular people trying to make their way in a world that didn’t want them to find a way.”

“That’s what’s up.” Kevin nodded and sounded impressed. “Where are you starting?”

His response fueled her excitement even more. She’d gotten such a lackluster response from some of her colleagues. Kevin got what she was trying to do. That meant others had to get it, too.

“I’m going back to Georgia. I’ve been in contact with a historian who’s working to save slave cabins. I’m setting up a meeting with him to get an idea of where to go next.”

“What will you do after you finish?” All of the flirtation was gone, replaced by a genuine interest in her project.

“I have an agreement with Jordan and Jones to publish my findings.” That was the first time she’d said that out loud. Her disbelief at the leeway the publishing house was giving her seeped into her voice. “Angelero Gallery gave me the okay to exhibit my pictures once I’m done to build up interest before the book’s release date.”

“Wow. You’ve got everything lined up.”

She did, yet nerves still turned her stomach into a jumbled mess. She had the book deal because of her borrowed status photographing celebrities. The agreement from the gallery was for the same reasons—that and she was friends with the owner. That didn’t mean people would like the photos or get what she was trying to convey.

She kept having a recurring nightmare of people only seeing old, dilapidated houses instead of the stories of the people who lived there. What those families overcame. She’d be laughed out of the gallery and her book would flop harder than a deflated basketball.

“I’m excited about the project,” she said brightly, instead of letting him hear her insecurities.

“It’s cool you have a plan and know what you want. Seriously, not everyone has that.”

Something in his voice made her think he didn’t refer to people in general, but instead to himself. “What are you doing during the off-season? Do you relax or are you itching for the new season to start?”

He looked down at his hands and stretched them out. A frown pulled on his lips. “Actually, I’m trying to figure out my next steps.”

Next steps? From the little she knew of basketball, he was still considered an elite player in the league. “What do you mean?”

“Retirement or not.” He looked up at her.

“Retirement? You can’t be serious. You just won a championship. You’re the cover model for the Sports Fitness ‘Bodies in Motion’ issue. That only goes to top athletes. Why would you retire?” Okay, so maybe she’d researched him a little after today’s shoot.

“I’m thirty-six. Might as well go out while I’m still on top.” He shrugged as if the answer was an obvious one.

Except the look in his eye didn’t match his voice. His tone reminded her of someone forcing themselves to make a decision they were still unsure about. “What will you do if you retire?”

He shrugged. “That’s the thing. I’ve got a few business interests. I could explore more of those options. It’s just...”

“They’re not basketball.”

He studied his hands again. “Basketball has been my life since I was eighteen. I was drafted right in the middle of my first year of college and I haven’t thought about doing anything else since. Could I really be happy in a suit, sitting behind a desk at a corporation?”

She couldn’t see him in corporate America. Not because of the tattoos or pierced ears; the art could be hidden beneath business suits and the earrings could come out. She couldn’t see it because Kevin had this layer of wildness and excitement about him. No matter the environment, that dangerous air and flair to live outside the boundaries expected of him would always show.

But stranger things had happened. She didn’t really know him and was basing her decision on his outgoing personality and the few reports of his off-court antics she’d read. The guy took his teammates skydiving to celebrate their first playoff win.

But he was thirty-six and successful. Her quick internet search hadn’t brought up rumors of him spending money frivolously or filing for bankruptcy, a situation that plagued some celebrities who achieved superstardom as young as he had. He could get excited about one of his businesses and really thrive.

“You won’t know until you try,” she encouraged. “If you’re ready to retire, don’t let the idea that you’re only good at basketball stop you. I’m sure you’re good at other things.”

“How do you know?” he asked with a sexy tilt of his full lips that made her ease closer.

“Your eyes are intelligent.” She met that dark gaze. His eyes were brown, bold and very cocky, but he wasn’t a dumb jock. He watched, listened and observed. All signs of intelligence.

His gaze became guarded. His brows drew together. She must have surprised him. “No one’s ever told me that.”

“I’m glad to be the first.”

Kevin closed the distance between them. His large hand clasped her waist. The possessiveness came back to his gaze. Jasmine’s pulse accelerated and she swallowed hard. He pulled her close until the tips of her breasts brushed his hard chest. A shiver went down her spine. Not from fear but anticipation. Heat roared through her like wildfire.

“I want to kiss you again.”

She wanted to kiss him again. When she didn’t protest, his head lowered. Jasmine’s lashes lowered, too. Expectation wound up and tightened her nerves like a coiled spring. Thoughts of cabins and next steps in life blew away with the soft breeze.

Ringing filled the air. Something at Kevin’s hip vibrated.

He pulled back. “My bad. That’s my cell.” He pulled out his phone and checked the screen. “My daughter. Let me take this.”

Jasmine nodded and stepped back. She tried to steady her breathing as he leaned against the concrete balcony railing and answered the call.

“Hey, babe, what’s up?” Kevin frowned and cocked his head. “What? Well, I’m sure your mom has a good reason for saying that.” Pause. “Let me talk to her.”

Kevin held up a finger toward Jasmine and gave an apologetic shrug. “Sabrina, what’s going on?” He listened for a few seconds. His lips tipped up, followed by a low chuckle. A flirty sound filled with history and memories.

She watched Kevin talk to his daughter’s mother and her passion slowly cooled. Her internet search had brought up personal information on him, as well. Married young to his high school sweetheart, right when he entered the league. Divorced four years later. After that, he’d been in a long-term relationship with another woman and she’d had twins right before they’d split. Since then, he hadn’t been connected with anyone on a lengthy basis.

Baggage, drama, warning! Back away from this man ASAP.

“Okay, kitten, calm down,” he said laughing. “I agree on punishment. She shouldn’t have come in late. I’ll swing through Atlanta and check out this guy she likes.”

He paused to listen. Jasmine’s mind whirled. Kitten? That was definitely a pet name and had definitely been spoken with affection.

The call ended. He shook his head and slipped the phone in his pocket. “Sorry, that was my ex-wife. My daughter has a new boyfriend and it’s driving Sabrina crazy.” He turned back and reached for her. “But that’s not important right now.”

So kitten was the ex-wife. Oh no! She wasn’t about to sign up for this again.

Jasmine stepped far out of his reach. She looked at her watch. “You know, I’ve really got a lot to do tomorrow and I need to go.”

“Now?”

“Yeah, like, right now.” She was having a serious case of déjà vu and that crap wasn’t cool. Memories of getting swept up in a guy she knew could get under her skin, ignoring his overly friendly relationship with his ex-wife, the crushing blow when he left her to go back to the familiar. Sure, she didn’t have plans to do anything long-term with Kevin, but that didn’t mean she wanted to be halftime in whatever game he played with kitten.

“But I thought—”

“Kevin, it was really nice to meet you. Good luck in the off-season, okay?” She turned and hurried off the balcony before his smooth lines, sexy smile and sweet kisses made her forget that men always went back to their first loves. She wasn’t going to be the rebound chick ever again.

Chapter 4

Two weeks later and Kevin still couldn’t get Jasmine out of his mind. He’d swung through Atlanta and checked in on his ex-wife, Sabrina, and their girls. Sabrina always worried their daughters would fall too hard and too fast for a boy and end up brokenhearted.

Kevin couldn’t blame her for her fears. He’d broken her heart when they were young. That’s why he worked hard to keep his relationships superficial. No more broken hearts in his future if he could help it.

“Why are you frowning?” his grandmother asked.

Kevin looked up at her from his spot on the back porch step. He hadn’t heard her exit the house to join him. Every off-season, he spent at least a week or two back home with his mother and grandmother in Silver Springs, South Carolina. Not just because his grandmother made the best red velvet cake in the state.

Charlotte moved a little slower than she used to due to arthritis. Kevin could sympathize with her on that. Her mind was still sharp, and at eighty-three, she was the person most likely to give him good advice when he needed it.

“Was I frowning?” He stood and took his grandmother’s arm.

She tried to shoo him away, but he wasn’t to be deterred. She liked to ignore her walker and cane when she was at home. Kevin helped her to one of the rocking chairs on the porch and helped her sit.

“I can walk by myself.”

“Yeah, and I can still palm a basketball easily,” he replied.

He eased back down onto the top step of the porch. The humidity was at a decent level for a change, making the high temperatures bearable. His grandmother and mother lived together in a house he’d purchased for them in one of the newer subdivisions on a golf course that popped up as part of the town’s resurgence. His family lived on a private corner lot that backed up to a natural undisturbed area.

Charlotte huffed and rocked back in the chair. “Is that why you’re frowning? You still thinking about that play?”

The play that had almost cost the Gators the championship. The play when the pain and stiffness residing in his hands had gotten so bad he’d dropped the ball and the opposing team scored, tying the game and potentially costing them the win. The play that would have ruined the season if his teammate, Will Hampton, hadn’t scored a winning three-point shot right before the buzzer.

“I’m over that, Grandma C,” he replied. His grandmother grunted again but didn’t dispute him. “I was thinking about Asia. Sabrina’s worried about her boyfriend.”

“You checked in on them though, right?”

“Yep. He seems like a good kid. I put a little fear in him if he hurts my baby, and I’ll drop in more.”

“Sabrina’s always worried about something,” Charlotte mumbled. “Maybe if she stopped worrying, she’d be able to pull that stick out of her ass.”

Kevin gave his grandmother a mildly disapproving look. He wouldn’t dare to give her an outright glare. Not if he hoped to keep his eyes inside his head. “Grandma, come on. You know she wasn’t always like that.”

“Well, it’s been twelve years since you two divorced. Y’all were too young when you got married anyway. Barely out of high school and right when you were offered a multimillion-dollar contract. I could have told you that was a mistake.”

“If I remember correctly, you did.”

Charlotte snapped her fingers and pointed at him. “Damn, right. She was the only girl you’d dated. Then you became a star. Don’t blame yourself for wanting to see what else was out there. At least you didn’t dog her out the way some men might have.”

“I know, Grandma C.” That still didn’t make him feel better.

He’d filed for divorce after four years of marriage. He’d never cheated on Sabrina, but the temptation had been there. His grandmother was right. He’d been young with a lot of money and little experience with women wanting him. So he’d left the marriage instead of cheating, but Sabrina never believed he’d resisted temptation. The years of enjoying the company of beautiful women after their divorce hadn’t helped.

They’d managed to salvage their friendship due to both of them wanting to make things easier on their daughters. He would always be there for their two girls.

Five years ago, when Hanna, his girlfriend at the time, gave birth to twins, Sabrina hadn’t batted an eye at considering the twins part of her family, even though Hanna’s pregnancy had been unexpected, and Sabrina and Hanna hadn’t gotten along. He’d been on the verge of ending things with Hanna when she’d gotten pregnant. He may be terrible when it came to relationships, but he’d be damned if he’d be a terrible father.

“Besides,” Charlotte continued, “you know what to look for when it comes to no good men. If you say Asia’s new boyfriend is decent, then Sabrina should go along with it.”

“She did.” After he reassured her a dozen times that Asia’s boyfriend had no evil plot to break their oldest daughter’s heart. “I don’t think Asia has to worry about that. She does have to worry about her mom killing her. She’s still in trouble for sneaking out to meet him at a party. That’s uncalled-for.”

He’d made sure Asia understood he wouldn’t stand for that either. The car they’d been considering for her sixteenth birthday was firmly off the table. He was especially proud of the way he hadn’t wavered when the tears had flown.

Charlotte laughed and patted her legs. “The oldest is always the wild one. At least Paris isn’t like that.”

Kevin nodded. “Thank heaven for that.” Asia’s little sister was more into fantasy novels and reading than boys. That might change in a few years, but for now he was thrilled.

“Well, if you calmed down Sabrina, then why were you frowning?”

He shook his head. “No reason.”

Grandma C gave great advice, but he didn’t discuss his affairs with her. He would figure out a way to see Jasmine again.

He’d held her briefly. That swift touch and quick kiss had gone through his mind almost as frequently as he’d thought about dropping the ball. Both had been recent major disappointments. He was handling the situation with his deteriorating joints, and he would also figure out why Jasmine had run off when there was obviously a spark between them.

“It’s a woman, isn’t it?” Charlotte asked in a knowing voice. Her piercing gaze held laughter.

He should have known she’d guess the problem anyway. “I know a lot of women,” he hedged.

“I see the reports. I know you do. But this woman must be special.”

Kevin didn’t want to think about the reports his grandmother had seen. He was considered a wild child in the league. The media liked to document his dating life as evidence of his carefree lifestyle. They assumed he dated different women because he liked the playboy lifestyle, not because he refused to get serious and disappoint another woman.

“Can we talk about something else besides women?”

Charlotte leaned back in her seat. The humor didn’t leave her expression. “Fine, just don’t run off and marry her before I get to meet her.”

The idea was so ludicrous Kevin laughed hard enough to bring a tear to his eye. “I am never getting married again.”

“That’s what you think. He—” she pointed to the sky “—may think differently.”

Kevin nodded and looked over the spacious, manicured backyard instead of arguing. He doubted the Big Guy upstairs had a personal interest in his abysmal love life. If that were the case, his marriage would have worked out, or at least his relationship with Hanna.

His mother had prayed hard enough for both. She’d be giving him a lecture about finding love and happiness right now if she hadn’t gone to the West Coast to visit the twins.

Kevin preferred to focus on quick flings. No feelings to attach. No expectations of more. He was old enough to admit the marriage to Sabrina hadn’t been wise. They’d been young and in love but hadn’t really gotten out of their small town to see the world. Things with Hanna had been good, but he hadn’t loved her. He didn’t think long-term relationships were in the cards for him and he’d accepted that. He didn’t have to play baseball to recognize that he’d had two strikes in the relationship department. He wasn’t playing to lose.

“I spoke with Robert Taylor yesterday at the grocery store.” His grandmother changed the subject. “He says work is almost complete on the new community center. That’s going to be great when it opens. Exactly what the town needs. He told me to thank you for the donation.”

“Mayor Taylor doesn’t have to thank me. This is my hometown. I’m happy to help.” Forgetting where he came from, where his mother and grandmother still lived, wasn’t an option. He’d grown up here, therefore he’d always be invested.

“I know. Still, I want you to know people around here appreciate what you do.”

“It’s what anyone would do.”

“Not everyone. You should go down there and see the work before you leave town.”

Kevin didn’t go into the small town much when he visited, if at all. He came home to visit family, not to sign autographs and take selfies with fans. But he was curious to see some of the changes that had taken place over the past year or so. “I will.”

He’d donated a hundred thousand toward the renovations of the old community center. That’s where he’d learned to play basketball and found sanctuary after school until his mother or grandmother got off work. In the years since he’d gone to the league, the town had started to dwindle. He’d given money where he could to support the opening of new businesses and renovate downtown. His donations had paid off. The town was experiencing a surge in regrowth.

Charlotte nodded, obviously pleased with his decision. “Good. Also, before you go, take a look at the old farm across town. I’ve got a guy interested in buying it. Says he wants to put a drive-in theater over there.”

Kevin raised a brow. He shifted sideways on the porch step to look at his grandmother. “A drive-in?”

She nodded. “Yep. Apparently, people like that sort of thing again. The land is just sitting there. Might as well make some money off it.”

A thought hit him. Kevin sat up straight. “Grandma C, is the old house still on that land?”

“Not unless it sprouted feet and walked off. Why? That house ain’t nothing but ruins now.”

Ruins or not, the house might fit a certain sexy photographer’s project standards. “Still, if you’re selling, we might want to find a way to save it for future generations.”

“Boy, you’re crazy. How we gonna save my granddaddy’s old cabin?”

With pictures taken by a woman he couldn’t wait to see again. He could slap himself for not thinking of this before. He hadn’t been to the old farm in years. Had forgotten about the place mostly because Grandma C never mentioned it. Now the old forgotten farm was just what he needed to see Jasmine.

“Don’t worry, Grandma C. I know exactly how we’re going to save it.”

Chapter 5

“Dad says Kathy wants to see us.”

Jasmine froze while putting clothes into her suitcase. She jerked her head toward her sister.

Jada sat on the floor with her back against Jasmine’s bed. She tossed the yellow stuffed elephant Jasmine had owned since she was five up into the air and caught it on the way down. Her natural hair was pulled up into a curly puff at the top of her head and she had the nerve to look better in the off-white sundress Jasmine had purchased for herself a month ago.

“What? Why would Kathy want to see us now?” Their stepmother hadn’t reached out to them in years. After divorcing their father when Jasmine was sixteen, Kathy had moved across country and remarried a year later. She’d had a new life and a new family.

“I don’t know. She’s divorced again,” Jada said flippantly.

The announcement should have elicited some emotion from Jasmine, but the only one that clicked was irritation. Twelve years postdivorce did not endear her to Kathy. “Getting another divorce shouldn’t be the reason she suddenly decided to reach out to us. I haven’t seen her since I was sixteen. I’ve moved on.”

Jasmine went back to folding clothes to be packed. She would be spending most of the summer down south, documenting homes. Common sense said to travel light because she’d be moving around a lot, but ten years in the fashion industry also meant an extensive wardrobe. Jada was supposed to be helping her separate essentials from nonessentials, not getting her blood pressure up with a conversation about their former stepmother.

Jada spun around on the floor until she faced Jasmine. She held up her hands in a don’t-shoot-the-messenger fashion. “Hey, I’m just telling you what Dad said. It’s up to you if you see her or not.”

“Then the answer is not. I don’t need to see Kathy and I don’t want to.” Jasmine held up a bright multicolored skirt she’d picked up in LA last year. The waistband was fitted, accenting her curves, and the hem brushed the floor. “Take or leave?”

“Take,” Jada said with a thumbs-up. “You may go to a cookout.”

Jasmine raised a brow. “A cookout?”

“It’s the South in the summer. If you don’t go to someone’s cookout, I’m going to be mad at you.”

Jasmine laughed, folded the skirt and put it in her bag.

Jada’s laughter faded. They were quiet for a few seconds. She stopped tossing the bear. “I’m going to see her.”

Jasmine spun around and crossed her arms. “Why?”

“Because she helped raise us. I don’t remember Mom, but I remember Kathy. I want to see her.”

Jasmine barely remembered their mom. She’d died when Jasmine was five and Jada was two. All she really had were memories of Kathy, too. Followed by the pain of her walking away after the divorce. Kathy made her choice. They weren’t her family. Regardless of the memories, Jasmine never had to see her again. “Well, I don’t. She’s not our mom and she made that perfectly clear.”

“Okay, obviously you have some things related to Kathy that you need to work out,” Jada said with a hint of attitude. “Talking to her might help.”

“Talking to her won’t help.” She tossed a shirt at Jada. “And I don’t have things to work out.”

Jada caught the shirt before it hit her in the face. “Sure.” She examined the shirt and shrugged. “I’m keeping this now. That’s what you get for throwing clothes.”

“As if you need a reason to steal my clothes,” Jasmine said without heat. Jada had been “borrowing” her clothes for years.

“True. So are you excited about the trip?” Jada rolled up the shirt and put it in her purse sitting next to her on the floor.

“I am. I’m also nervous about what’ll happen when I finish. Who really wants to see a bunch of old houses?”

“You’re acting as if your pictures won’t be beautiful,” Jada said, as if people loving Jasmine’s work was inevitable. “Or that you won’t include the stories of these families. People are going to love it.”

Jasmine walked over and sat on the floor next to Jada. “Spoken like my true number one fan.”

“Card-carrying member of the Jasmine Hook fan club,” Jada said with a finger snap.

Jasmine chuckled and rested her head on her sister’s shoulder. Jada was her biggest fan and source of support. She was the only one Jasmine let see her fear of possible failure. The only one she trusted. Jada gave her advice, listened to her vent and laughed when times were good. Jasmine didn’t know what she’d do without her sister.

“Keep stealing my dresses,” she said, tugging on the dress her sister wore. “And I’m going to revoke your card.”

“Nope, that’s what comes with the VIP membership.”

They both laughed. Jasmine’s ringing cell phone interrupted the moment. She lifted her head and shifted to her left in order to pull the phone from her back pocket. The number was unfamiliar, but since she was traveling soon, she didn’t want to ignore any unknown calls.

“Hello?”

“Jasmine? It’s Kevin.”

Her eyes widened. Her heart bucked like a wild stallion. She scrambled off the floor and crossed the room. “Kevin? How did you get my number?”

Jada got up and moved toward Jasmine, curiosity all over her face. She mouthed, “Who is Kevin?”

Jasmine waved her off and went to her bedroom window.

“Rafael gave me your number,” Kevin answered.

She was going to kill Rafael. He’d told her she needed to get back in the dating game. He was right about that, but she wasn’t sure if Kevin was the right person to jump in with. That didn’t stop the excitement pulsing through her veins from his call.

“I didn’t expect to hear from you again.” She’d figured he would move on after she brushed him off. She had written down his number, and she’d looked at that slip of paper dozens of times in the past two weeks.

“I had to when it became obvious you weren’t going to call me.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“And I’ve been thinking about you.” His voice was like warm velvet against her skin. Soft, smooth, seductive.

She’d been thinking about him, too. That kiss. How brief it had been. How a guy with baggage wasn’t good, not even for short-term flings. “I’ve sent the pictures of you over to Sports Fitness with my recommendation for the cover. Have you seen them yet?”

His low chuckle sent a vibration through her midsection. “You’re going to just ignore me saying I’ve been thinking about you, huh?”

Hell yes. If she didn’t, she’d be pulled back into flirting with him. “I’ll send the pictures if you haven’t seen them.”

“I saw them. They’re good. Though I don’t know which one you suggested for the cover.”

“You’ll like it.” She loved it. A great shot of him jumping with the ball in his hand as he dunked it into the net. Every muscle of his body at play, showcasing the fluid motion he’d accomplished effortlessly. He’d had a smile on his face that showed just how much fun he had playing the game.

“I trust your judgment, then,” he said. “Your pictures are actually why I’m calling.”

She bit her lower lip and tried to hold back her grin. The compliment about trusting her judgment was simple enough. He should trust her judgment. She was the professional photographer after all. But she’d also had her judgment questioned by subjects a lot over the years. Hearing him say it so effortlessly made her appreciate the words even more.

“The pictures from the photo shoot?”

Jada jumped up onto Jasmine’s bed and watched her closely. She waved her hand for Jasmine to come closer and mouthed who is it? again. Jasmine put a finger to her mouth.

“No, the pictures for the project you told me about,” Kevin said. “Capturing and recording homes owned by freed blacks after the war. I’ve been thinking about that.”

“You have?” Surprise crept into her voice. Sure, he’d seemed interested in her project, but she hadn’t expected him to think about it after they parted.

“I know of a place that you might want to capture.”

“Where?”

“My family’s old farm. My grandma is going to sell the property. I don’t see a reason to keep it, but I do think it’ll be a good idea to record the history before it’s no longer in the family. Will you consider including this in your project?”

Okay, asking her to photograph his family’s old property was probably a ploy to see her. But having a property tied to a well-known and well-loved professional athlete wouldn’t be a bad thing for the exhibit or the book.

And it’s not like you don’t want to see the man again.

“I didn’t realize you had a family farm.”

“I grew up on the land but not in the old house. My grandfather was a farmer. My dad tried his hand at it but was never very good. After he left, my mom and grandmother stopped altogether and got jobs at the local textile mill. When I made it professionally, I moved them both to a new house and haven’t looked back.” He paused and she heard him grunt. “You didn’t ask for all that.” He sounded bashful.

“I’m glad you told me all that.” Kevin was more than the outgoing ballplayer. His biography said he was born in a small town in South Carolina, but until then, she hadn’t pictured him as a Southern boy with country roots. That intrigued her. The urge to know more about him grew.

“Are you interested?”

In a lot more than just taking photos. “Where’s the house? I’m going to Georgia this afternoon to meet with Mr. Tatum, the man I told you about who’s saving slave cabins. I’ll be there for about a week.”

“South Carolina in the Pee Dee region. I know that probably means nothing to you. I’ll just send you the information,” he said. Excitement crept into his hurried reply. She pictured him smiling and her own lips curved. “I’m in town for now, but I’ve got business in Atlanta and then Jacksonville. I can be back in town to meet you the week after next.”

He didn’t have to meet her. She could get the information from him, take her pictures without him and get any information on his family via email. On the other hand, talking to him face-to-face and learning what she could from him was the most logical choice.

“I’ll think about it,” she said while her mind reworked her schedule to include a trip to his place. He didn’t need to know how eager she was to see him again. “Let me see how the meeting with Mr. Tatum goes. I may check out some of the places he mentions after we talk. Depending on how long that takes, I’ll consider it.”

“Does that mean I should look forward to you calling me?”

His cocky, hopeful tone sent heat rising in her cheeks. “I’ll call you.”

“And will you be thinking about me?”

Damn, how did he do that? Make his voice sound like sex, temptation and a demand all rolled into one? If she weren’t going to think about him, which was already doubtful, she’d be dreaming about his voice whispering in her ear anyway.

“I’ll be thinking about your family’s property,” she said.

“And I’ll be thinking about that kiss,” he countered. “Talk with you soon, Jasmine.”

The call ended. Her body tingled everywhere. Everything felt heated, and giddy anticipation made her heart rate flutter. Kevin knew what he was up to. He wanted her, and because their chemistry was undeniable, he wasn’t going to let up. She wanted him, too. Couldn’t deny that. Not when her body still buzzed from a freaking phone call.

But she didn’t want to be an easy catch. Or the dumb girl who fell for the guy she had no business falling for. If he really wanted her, she’d let him court her. Do a little work, while she shored up her defenses. Playboys like Kevin had a knack for breaking down good intentions to keep the heart out of an affair.

“Who is Kevin and why are you looking like you’re ready to mail him your panties?” Jada’s voice cut into Jasmine’s thoughts.

Jasmine spun to her sister and slipped her phone in her back pocket. “No one is mailing anyone their panties.”

“Well, you look like he’s getting them some way or another.” Jada looked up. “Thank the Lord.” She focused on Jasmine again. “It’s about time you got back out there.”

“I never stopped being out there.”

“Julio hurt you. Now you’re extra cautious. I’m glad to see you’re not scared anymore.”

Jasmine held up a finger. “First of all, I’m completely over Julio. I ignored the signs that he was still in love with his ex. Second, that’s exactly why Kevin isn’t a good idea. That was Kevin Koucky with the Jacksonville Gators.”

Jada sucked in a breath and put a hand to her chest. “The sexy one with the tats?”

Jasmine rolled her eyes at her sister’s antics. “The sexy one with an ex-wife, ex-girlfriend and four kids, who is also photographed with a new flavor every few weeks.”

Jada shrugged. “So? You’re not trying to marry him, are you?”

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