The Athletic Groom: Billionaire Marriage Brokers

by Lucy McConnell

  Harper’s gaze shifted to Isaac. He lifted his shoulders. “No one messes with my kid, but there was no reason to alienate his teacher.”

  Harper bit her bottom lip. Her phone beeped a text and she hurried to answer. They pulled into the driveway.

  “Finally,” breathed Logan.

  “You in a hurry?” Isaac asked.

  “I’m starving.” He hopped out as soon as the car came to a stop.

  Shaking his head, Isaac watched him go, feeling as if the years were slipping away as fast as Logan could inhale a sub sandwich. Harper gathered her things into her purse, pausing with her laptop halfway in and halfway out. “Is something the matter?”

  Isaac’s shoulders dropped. “School’s out in just a few weeks. College ball runs from February to June; I’m used to having summers with my kid.”

  She softened. How do women do that?

  “You’ll have days and half days off in between series. And St. George winters are pretty mild.”

  “We used to camp a lot. He tends to open up when there’s a campfire and marshmallows.” Isaac rubbed the back of his neck. “At least he did as a kid. He’s so big.”

  Harper laughed. “And getting bigger.”

  For a moment, they shared the happy feeling of caring about the same person. Almost like they were both Logan’s parents, like they shared the responsibility for him. It was nice.

  “Thanks for not roasting me in front of the press today.”

  She pressed her lips together. “I’m not sure how I feel about what you did, and I wasn’t ready to let them know that.”

  “So you’re not behind me, but you’re not against me?”

  She shrugged. “I’m confused.”

  Isaac put his hand on her knee. “I care about Logan more than I care about anything in this world.”

  She nodded. “Of course.”

  “But when a player threatens my team, I need to take care of it.”

  “Isaac.” Her eyes darted to where his hand touched her skin. “I don’t think you’d put a player you liked in jeopardy.”

  “But …”

  “But I don’t think you like Jackson.”

  “I don’t.” He pulled his hand away. “But I would never intentionally hurt one of my players.”

  “We had a deal.” And there it was, the real reason she hadn’t stood beside him. Her eyes were full of challenge, daring him to tell her he’d done wrong or to defend himself.

  “I said I’d leave him alone, but I couldn’t let him throw a game—that crossed a line I couldn’t let go. Harper, please—”

  “Please what?” She leaned away. “Forget that you went back on your word?”

  “No, please try to believe the best about me. I’m not the bad guy in this.”

  “He complained of an injury.”

  “No, he bluffed so he could sit on his rear.”

  “You think he bluffed?”

  “I know he did.”

  Harper closed her eyes for a moment. Shutting Isaac out, but in a way that was okay. She was listening to him, internalizing his side of the story. “Jackson will have a full workup from the team doctors tomorrow. Before the game.”

  “You won’t take my word?” Isaac removed his hand from her knee, stung by the sense of mistrust.

  “I don’t have the luxury.” She gave his hand a slight squeeze before exiting the vehicle and making her way to the front door.

  Thomas cleared his throat.

  “Yeah?” he snapped.

  “I couldn’t help but overhearing your conversation.”

  “Sorry.”

  “No need to apologize. But may I offer some advice?”

  Isaac pulled his tie off. “Sure.”

  “You asked Miss Harper to believe the best in you—I suggest you do the same for her.”

  Isaac shook his head. “She doesn’t trust me.”

  “She doesn’t trust herself, which makes it hard to trust others.”

  “Why not? She’s amazing.”

  “That one, you’ll have to discover on your own.”

  “Thanks a lot.”

  Thomas smiled. “If you’ll excuse me, I believe Danny made enchiladas for dinner.”

  “Of course.” Isaac got out of the car and made his way into the house. He could understand why Harper was upset at him. He had gone back on his word to leave Kimber alone. What was it about that guy that paralyzed the otherwise dynamic woman?

  Maybe, with a little work, he could show Harper that he was trustworthy. He’d have to be right down the line and communicate like a champ—all things he was capable of doing. And it wouldn’t hurt to spend some time with her outside of the office.

  The idea was as intriguing as it was exciting.

  * * *

  Dinner was a relaxed affair. Seth joined them and once again took center stage as entertainer and storyteller extraordinaire.

  “You’ve been all over—where do you actually live?” Logan asked as he loaded his plate with a second helping of pork enchiladas.

  “I have a home in California, a penthouse in New York, and a small chateau in France.”

  Harper snorted delicately. If one could ever call a snort delicate. “He means a castle with tapestries and suits of armor and everything.” She rolled her eyes. “A chateau, really, Seth?”

  “Back me up on this one, will you, Isaac?”

  Isaac choked on his water. “Me?” He coughed.

  “Yes, as king of my castle I’m allowed to call it a chateau if I want. Isn’t that right?”

  Isaac looked back and forth between Harper and Seth. Yesterday, the guy could hardly stand to sit at the table with him. Tonight he called him up to be his wingman. “Yeah. In fact, Logan and I have a chateau back in Omaha.”

  Logan guffawed.

  “There you are.” Seth lifted his glass in salute to Isaac.

  What the …

  A small, knowing smile played at Harper’s delectable lips. She mouthed later behind her cup. Isaac decided he didn’t have the energy to press the issue of Seth’s newfound brotherhood with him and tucked into his plate.

  After a fair amount of food disappeared and Isaac and Logan helped clear the dishes, Isaac planned to take a hot shower and climb into bed.

  As he walked past the library, he heard a “Psst.”

  Harper was halfway in and halfway out of the room, her silhouette outlined by light spilling through the doorway. She crooked her finger at him. Without hesitation, because a man doesn’t hesitate when an attractive woman—who also happens to be his wife—crooks her finger and gives him that I’ve-got-a-secret look, he followed her inside.

  As she shut the door behind him, an awareness spiked through his blood. They were alone together for the first time. Alone in a large room with a heavy door between them and the rest of the world. He wondered if she had any idea how alluring she was or if he should tell her.

  No, telling her would be a bad idea.

  “I put in a call and had some information on Utah’s State and National Parks delivered.” She handed him a thick manila folder. “Turns out southern Utah is quite the hot spot for camping almost all year round.” Tucking her hair behind her ear, Harper looked up from lowered lashes.

  Isaac took the papers. “Why would you do that?”

  “I don’t want to take Logan’s dad away from him. Dads are important.”

  “Harper!” Isaac threw his arms around her shoulders, pinning her to his chest. “Thank you so much.”

  Harper giggled. “You’re welcome.”

  Isaac breathed in the scent of her perfume, all sweet and deep and womanly. Her body relaxed against his, drawing strength from their contact. He let her take as much as he needed, enjoying the way she fit against him. Realizing he’d been holding her for quite some time, he dropped his hands.

  With her cheeks all pink, Harper was something to behold. He liked the idea that he’d placed that blush there. “I, um, I also talked to Zeek about local groups or camps Logan could do t
his summer. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No—I just …” He looked down at the large envelope in his hands. “When did you do all this?”

  “Just after I got home. It was just a few phone calls.” She tried to brush it off.

  Gathering all this information—let alone coming up with the ideas—would have taken him days. “You’re pretty amazing, you know that?”

  The pink went from blush to flush. She swatted away his compliment. “Not too bad for someone who’s never been a parent, eh?”

  Isaac ran his hand through his hair. “I can’t believe I ever said that. You’ve been great—are great with Logan. This is great.” Am I stuttering?

  Harper’s deep sea-blue eyes sparkled. “There’s everything from church groups and camps to science camps and horseback riding. But you should probably go over them in the next couple of days, because registration will close soon.”

  “I will.” He stared at her in amazement. If he were to choose a stepmother for Logan, she’d be exactly like Harper. Not exactly like her, she’d be Harper. She’d be the most amazing mom.

  “What? Why are you hesitating?” She sighed. “If I overstepped, just say it.”

  “No, not at all. I just miss the days of dropping him off at school and stuff.”

  “I thought Zeek was working out well.” Harper leaned against a bookshelf, her hands behind her back. Putting a small amount of space between them. Space that was charged with the attraction Isaac hoped he wasn’t the only one feeling—and fighting. Man, was he fighting it.

  “He is.”

  “Who do you think will help Logan fit in better, his old man or a cute college kid?”

  Isaac narrowed his eyes. “You think Zeek is cute?” He placed a hand on the shelf next to Harper and leaned forward.

  Harper burst out a laugh. “Please. He’s much too young and not at all my type.”

  “What is your type?” The moment the words left his mouth, Isaac wished he could stuff them back in.

  Sighing, Harper replied, “Unfortunately, I’m drawn to a rare species of bad boy exterior/good guy interior. Give me a Harley Davidson and a pair of aviators and I’m weak in the knees.”

  “I have a Harley,” he blurted.

  “I know.”

  The air sizzled and Isaac’s legs practically buckled.

  Harper pushed away from the bookshelf and headed towards the door. She turned at the last minute, her chin over her shoulder and that long beautiful hair hanging down her back. Thank goodness the bookshelf was sturdy, because Isaac was anything but.

  “But you wear Oakleys.” She winked as she left the room, leaving Isaac in a fuzz of desire and triumph. There’d be no more town car for him. Tomorrow, he was riding his Harley to work.

  15

  Harper managed to saunter out of the library, but once in the hallway she broke into a run, ducking into the kitchen and leaning against the fridge. The stainless steel appliance was cold against her flushed skin.

  What was the matter with her? Flirting with Isaac like that. She hadn’t meant to have the conversation take a turn down Giggle Lane, but when he’d pulled her to him and she’d felt his strong arms and nicely shaped body against hers, she’d lost her composure. What a sucker she was for an athletic body. But really, what woman wouldn’t giggle when pressed against that much muscle? And then he had to go and mention his motorcycle. The feeling of wrapping herself tightly against him as they cruised the warm streets of St. George was too much. She fanned her face. If she wasn’t careful, she’d melt the ice right through the freezer door.

  Besides the athletic build, Isaac smelled good. Really good. Like deep woods musky good.

  Flirting with him was easy. So darn easy. As easy as falling into a warm swimming pool.

  The door burst open and Logan came in bopping to whatever came through his earbuds.

  Harper pressed her palms against the cold surface of the fridge and drew a curtain over her thoughts about Isaac. She prayed they didn’t show on her face.

  Logan smiled when he saw her and took out his earbuds. “Hey.”

  “Hey.”

  “Sooooo.” Logan rubbed the back of his neck, just like Isaac did when he wasn’t sure how to say something. Seeing son subconsciously copy father was so sweet. “Are you, like, guarding the last of the chocolate cake or something?”

  “What?” Harper tipped her head.

  Logan pointed to the fridge. “I was hoping to steal the last piece of cake …”

  Harper jumped away from the fridge as if it had shocked her. “Sorry!” she yelped. “No, I was just … um … thinking?” Yeah, thinking motorcycle rides and your dad’s arms and … shoot! She spun around, grabbing the door handle and yanking the fridge open. “There’s still half a cake in here,” she blurted while staring at the chocolate cake with creamy mousse filling and a fudge topping. “Where are you going to eat all of it?”

  Logan stepped close and grasped the glass cake stand with two large hands. He shuffled his feet to set the stand on the marble countertop with nary a clank. Sometimes it was hard for her to remember that he was only fifteen; he was bigger than her, but he was still young enough to participate in some of the programs with the team.

  She shut the door behind him and reached for two forks. Handing one to Logan, she removed the lid. Logan’s eyes grew large as she forked a bite right off the cake. Maybe chocolate would settle the horde of butterflies Isaac had awakened in her stomach. The rich topping melted across her tongue while the sweet filling tantalized her taste buds. She moaned. “So good.”

  A smart kid, Logan didn’t wait to be told twice. He dug in, inhaling more than savoring the pastry.

  Two rich bites in, Harper’s mind finally dropped that curtain and she was able to think like a normal person again. Well, as normal as she ever got. Thinking back on the conversation she’d had with Isaac earlier about Logan growing up too fast, she asked, “Are you interested in being a bat boy? You’d get a uniform and could hang out in the dugout with your dad and the players during the game.” The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea of Logan hanging out at the stadium and working with Isaac.

  Logan shook his head. Harper handed him a napkin from the stainless steel dispenser on the counter. The corners of his mouth were covered in chocolate. He wiped his face before saying, “Naw, that’s for little kids.”

  “Hmm.” Harper used her own napkin. “How about selling hot dogs?” she half-joked. That would put Logan in the stands and not right with Isaac, but they’d be working at the same time and for the same team.

  “That would be cool.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. School’s out soon and I want a summer job.”

  “Well, okay. I don’t know what the labor law is in Utah for teens, but I’ll see what I can do.” She set her fork in the sink. Her side of the cake was jagged and missing a few bites.

  Logan slowed, considering the damage he’d inflicted on Danny’s masterpiece. “Um …”

  Harper laughed. “I’ve got your back.” She took a knife from the drawer and ran it under hot water to heat it before wiping it dry. The warm blade cut through the cake like a laser. Logan retrieved a plate and she scooped the jagged crumbs onto it, then repeated the process for her side of the cake. Logan made short work of the crumby evidence while she wiped the cake stand and placed it back in the fridge.

  “You’re like a mastermind dessert thief.”

  Harper grinned. “Why, thank you.”

  “Where’d you learn to do that?”

  “My nanny. Our chef was a drill sergeant when it came to keeping the kitchen clean. I think he joined the army so they’d pay for him to go to culinary school.”

  “Yikes.”

  “Yeah. But my nanny was like special forces when it came to desserts. We’d sneak in under the cover of darkness, sometimes even using night vision goggles.”

  “No way.”

  “Way! Seth and I asked for them for Christmas one ye
ar.” Memories of their nighttime escapades with Nanny Fran played back like movie trailers. She’d been the perfect nanny for them at that age, not afraid to play with them or lead an adventure.

  Logan tucked his hands in his pockets. “I like you, Harper,” he blurted as if holding the words in was difficult.

  Taken aback by the serious note in his voice, Harper stuttered, “Wha-what?”

  “I’m glad you married Dad and I wanted you to know.” He ducked his chin.

  “Logan.” She put one arm around his middle and squeezed. “Thank you. I like you too. I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “It feels right.” He shook his head. “It sounds dumb, but when I saw you at Pamela’s office, I knew you were the right fit for us.”

  Harper bit her lip. She didn’t want to give Logan any sort of false hope that there was more between her and Isaac than the business marriage, but at the same time, she wanted him to feel as though he had a family here. Albeit a somewhat dysfunctional one with she and Isaac sleeping in separate suites and her nomad brother just downstairs. Somehow, that hadn’t stopped this sweet teenager from getting into her heart. Love can grow in the strangest of ways.

  “Thanks. You know I’m here for you right—like, forever?”

  “Like, really?” He gave her a goofy grin.

  “Like, yeah.” She shoved his shoulder.

  “Like, sweet.”

  Seth slid through the door and shut it behind him without making a sound. “Is there any cake left?” he whispered dramatically.

  Harper laughed.

  Logan lifted an eyebrow. “Ready for round two?”

  Pressing her palm to her stomach, Harper made a pained face. “I’m out. Have a good night, boys.”

  “Night.” Logan reached for the fridge door.

  “Did she show you the hot knife trick?” asked Seth as she left.

  Humorously wondering if they were a bad influence on the kid, Harper made her way to her suite. With a few quick emails, Logan was set to work for the Redrocks. Feeling contented in a way she hadn’t felt since before her dad died, Harper crawled into bed.

  16

  The Redrocks finished out the series with Seattle at 1-3 with Zach Aden pitching their only winning game in the series.