ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A big thank-you to Azteclady and Rene for all your help.
To Shannon Stacey: Thank you for reading the book, and for your awesome suggestionsespecially the first chapter. Have I told you lately how brilliant you are?
To Maya Banks, first for your friendship, which I find so valuable, and second for your idea for this series. I owe you big-time.
And as always, a big thank-you to my husband, Charlie, who has to give up many weekends while Im working away on deadline. Thank you for the sacrifices and for your patience. Theyre noted and always appreciated.
Titles by Jaci Burton
RIDING WILD
RIDING TEMPTATION
RIDING ON INSTINCT
RIDING THE NIGHT
WILD, WICKED, & WANTON
BOUND, BRANDED, & BRAZEN
THE PERFECT PLAY
Anthologies
UNLACED
(with Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill, and Denise Rossetti)
EXCLUSIVE
(with Eden Bradley and Lisa Renee Jones)
LACED WITH DESIRE
(with Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill, and Denise Rossetti)
NAUTI AND WILD
(with Lora Leigh)
Titles by Jaci Burton
RIDING WILD
RIDING TEMPTATION
RIDING ON INSTINCT
RIDING THE NIGHT
WILD, WICKED, & WANTON
BOUND, BRANDED, & BRAZEN
THE PERFECT PLAY
Anthologies
UNLACED
(with Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill, and Denise Rossetti)
EXCLUSIVE
(with Eden Bradley and Lisa Renee Jones)
LACED WITH DESIRE
(with Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill, and Denise Rossetti)
NAUTI AND WILD
(with Lora Leigh)
ONE
SWEAT DRIPPED DOWN MICK RILEYS FACE AND ARMS. The field workout hed just endured had kicked his ever-lovin ass. He leaned against the wall of the locker room, the cool brick and ice-cold water in his hands not helping at all to lower his temperature. He was hot and sweaty, and hed been knocked on the ground so many times hed probably eaten half the dirt on the field.
He was exhausted and not in the damn mood for a party tonight. What hed really like to do is take a cold shower, go home, and order a pizza. Instead, he had to put on a tux and a smile, and hang out in a ballroom with the rest of his team, the San Francisco Sabers of the National Football League. Thered be photographers, television cameras, and probably a horde of women who wanted to hang on him.
Years ago that would have been the highlight of his night.
Not anymore.
When had he gotten so tired of it all? Hell, when had he gotten old?
He stripped off his practice jersey and tossed it to the ground, pulled off his pads and breathed a sigh of relief, then grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat from his face. He unlaced his pants, drained the water from his jug, and went to the fountain to refill it.
Thats when he heard a voice outside the locker room. A womans voice.
What was a woman doing down here? He popped the door open and saw a gorgeous blonde standing a few feet down the hall, twirling around in circles and mumbling to herself. Man, she was a sight with her business skirt that skimmed her knees, her high heels showcasing her gorgeous legs, and her crisp white blouse and pulled-up hair. All prim and proper, and she made him think dirty thoughts about getting her crisp white shirt all mussed up.
I should have taken a left. I know it was a left. You dummy, now youre going to be lost in this cavern forever, and youre going to get fired.
He leaned against the doorway as she stared down the long hall, tapped her high-heeled shoe, and mumbled some more.
Where the hell is the office, anyway? It cant be in the friggin basement of this place.
No, its not down here.
She whirled, seemingly embarrassed to be caught talking to herself. Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second, then she headed in his direction. Oh. Thank God. A living human being. Can you help me? Im so lost.
Sure. You need the office?
Yes.
She stopped in front of him, and she smelled so damn goodlike spring and cookies or somethingthat he was embarrassed, because he sure as hell didnt smell like anything appealing.
Take a right turn, then at the first hallway go left. Youll find the elevators. Punch the button for the top floor. When you get off, turn left again and go to the end of the hall. The main office is there.
She studied him, then gave him a wide smile. Youre my hero. I was afraid I was going to be lost down here forever and Id never get these contracts signed. I have to run. Thank you!
She turned and practically sprinted down the hall, though how she could run on those shoes was something hed never understand about women.
She sure was beautiful, but not in the way he was used to. She wasnt overly made up, so her beauty was natural. She wasnt the kind of woman he usually went for. Maybe thats what he liked about her.
And he hadnt even bothered to introduce himself. Or get her name.
Too bad, because he could have sworn thered been a spark between them.
Then again, it might have just been his imagination. He could just need a slap of cold water to lower his body temperature. Too much heat today.
He went back inside, grabbed the towel, and headed for the shower.
AS KICK-ASS EVENTS WENT, TARA LINCOLN THOUGHT this one might be the best shed ever put together. And it damn well better be, because it could generate more work for her, and The Right Touch needed all the business it could get.
Event planning the team summer party for the San Francisco Sabers had been a stroke of luck. The owners assistant had gotten her card from the usual team planner, who was booked solid on the date they wanted to have the party.
It had taken four months of nearly nonstop work, but as Tara took another turn around the ballroom, she nodded in satisfaction. Theyd pulled it off. From the glittery yet understated NFL team decorations to the amazing food to the bar setup to the incredible band, it was perfect, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.
Tara mingled, earpiece tucked unobtrusively in her ear so she was only seconds away from hearing about a disaster, answering any questions, or getting help if someone needed it. So far, all the crises had been minor ones. She monitored bar stock, checked with catering to be sure the food was hot and plentiful, and meandered in and around the crowds. No one complained, and the smiling faces all around her told her everyone was focused on what they should be focused onfootball and having a good timewhich meant she could take a step back and simply observe.
The band was kicking, the crowd was thick on the dance floor, media was in attendance taking pictures of the star players, coaches were giving interviews, and for the first time that night, Tara exhaled as she leaned against the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that showcased the beautiful city.
Why arent you out there dancing?
She lifted her gaze to the six and a half foot hunk of gorgeous man in a tux whod stepped up in front of her. Black hair, striking blue eyes: she knew exactly who he wasMick Riley, San Franciscos star quarterback, and her savior from earlier today. Shed been so rattled after having gotten lost in the basement of the teams practice facility that it hadnt even registered who he was until the elevator had taken her to the top floor. Okay, not just rattled, but a little tongue-tied. Who wouldnt be when faced with a shirtless, sweaty, gorgeous hunk of muscle? Gods gift to women. Good Lord, hed looked sexy. Unfortunately, all she could do at the time was ask for directions.
Idiot.
But then her synapses had fired, and shed realized who shed been talking to.
