Winning Ace: A Winning Ace Novel (Book 1)

by Tracie Delaney

  Kinga inclined her head, a mere shadow of the self-assured woman who’d torn a strip out of Tally not five minutes earlier. “I haven’t seen you since, well, since we parted company after Australia. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay. You haven’t been returning my calls or my texts.”

  “I’ve been busy.”

  “Yes, I can see that,” Kinga snapped.

  Cash’s hand tightened on Tally’s hip as he met her gaze. “Can you give us a minute, baby?”

  She nodded, relieved for a chance to escape the thick tension coating the room. “Sure.”

  She scampered into the bedroom and pressed her ear to the closed door. Considering Kinga thought she was the most important woman in Cash’s life, he hadn’t seemed very happy to see her, and Tally wanted to know if either of them would mention her.

  “I texted to say I’d see you at the practice courts this morning, Kinga. Care to tell me why you ignored that instruction?”

  Cash’s voice was muffled but just clear enough that Tally could make out what he was saying.

  “I was worried. I haven’t seen you since our little disagreement, and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  Cash laughed, but the sound held little mirth. “Our little disagreement? That’s what you’re calling it? You and I seem to be having more and more of these little disagreements recently. Wonder why that is.”

  “We were fine before you met her,” Kinga spat.

  Tally’s ears pricked up, and she pressed her ear even harder against the door, barely able to take a breath.

  “No, we weren’t fine, Kinga. Did you say something to Natalia this morning?”

  “Did she say I’d said something?”

  “No. She’s far too polite to rat you out. I like this one, Kinga. Really like her. And I am not going to let you and your acid tongue scare her away. I mean it. Consider yourself warned. She says one word about you upsetting her, and we’ll have even more issues.”

  “You barely know her,” Kinga said, a slight tremor to her voice. “In a couple of weeks, you’ll have fucked her out of your system just like all the others.”

  “Enough, Kinga.”

  The warning tone in Cash’s voice was clear, but either Kinga didn’t pick up on it or she didn’t care, because she rushed on.

  “Then she’ll write some nasty little kiss-and-tell article for that rag she works for. And when that happens, who will be expected to sort the fallout, to reassure your sponsors? Me. That’s who.”

  Cash sucked in a sharp breath, the sound whistling through his teeth. “I want you to leave,” he said, his voice low and menacing.

  “Cash––”

  “Get the fuck out!”

  There was an interminable pause before the door to the apartment slammed. Tally scuttled backwards and sat on the bed, Cash’s words ringing in her ears.

  I like this one. Really like her.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  Cash braced his hands on the kitchen countertop. Burning rage hissed through him, fuelling the fire that Kinga had well and truly stoked. But in her outburst, she’d also spoken his deepest fears aloud. Natalia was a journalist, and if he did tire of her, well, there was nothing like a woman scorned, especially one with the means she had to make him pay. Although the way Natalia made him feel, he couldn’t imagine a time when he’d have had his fill of her, and that was much scarier than a potential kiss and tell.

  The bedroom door opened with a click, and he glanced over his shoulder to find Natalia leaning against the doorframe. Her eyes were full of vulnerability and fear, and a sharp pain struck him in the chest.

  “How much did you hear?”

  “All of it.”

  “I’m sorry. She’s a fucking good agent but can be an absolute bitch.”

  “She wants you.”

  Cash shook his head. Now was not the time to have that conversation. “She’s just overly protective. Bloody mother hen most of the time.”

  “Then you’re blind.”

  Cash opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words. How did he even begin to explain his complicated relationship with Kinga?

  “Did you mean what you said?” Natalia asked.

  “Which part?”

  “That you liked me.”

  He took a step in her direction and crooked his finger, beckoning her. She met him halfway. He slipped his hands around her waist and tugged her closer. “You wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

  Tilting her chin up, he bent his head slowly, savouring that spark of desire in her eyes before he kissed her. Her mouth fit so perfectly to his, and as he swept his tongue along her plump bottom lip, she moaned softly, her fingers tugging at his hair. He picked up her cue, deepening the kiss, his hand sweeping over her backside and then clenching it hard, holding her tight against his growing erection.

  He cursed as an ill-timed knock at the door interrupted them. He dropped a soft kiss on the end of her nose. “This isn’t over.”

  She chuckled as he opened the door, indicating for the waiter to place their breakfast on the dining table. Cash gave him a ten-euro tip and kicked the door shut.

  “Now, where were we?” he said, pulling Natalia back into his arms.

  * * *

  Cash snagged another piece of toast and slathered it in peanut butter as Natalia pushed her plate away and rubbed her stomach.

  “I’m stuffed. You must have hollow legs.”

  He laughed and took a bite. “All my appetites are voracious.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I’ve noticed.”

  He finished the toast, washing it down with a mouthful of water. “Haven’t heard you complaining, sweetness,” he said, standing to give her a brief kiss. He couldn’t get enough but didn’t have the time to savour her. He tore himself away and ducked into the bedroom to pick up his kit bag. “Ready?”

  Natalia slung her handbag diagonally across her shoulders. “As I’ll ever be.”

  He clasped her hand and squeezed. “They’re going to love you.”

  “One of them already hates me.”

  “You leave Kinga to me. I know exactly how to deal with her.”

  It didn’t take long to reach the venue, which was one of the reasons Cash stayed where he did—although, with the receptionist watching his every move, he’d be having a rethink before next year.

  He flashed his badge at security, and they raised the barrier and let him through. He parked the Aston and, keeping Natalia close, headed for the players’ entrance. Not many press had arrived yet, but some keen fans were hanging around outside. Cash stopped to sign a few autographs and pose for a couple of pictures, but when the crowd pressed forward, Natalia stumbled, losing her footing.

  “Thanks, all,” he said, handing back the cap he’d just scrawled his signature on and hustling Natalia through the door.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Is it always like that?”

  “That”—he cocked his head—“was nothing. Wait until your lot descend.”

  She grimaced, and a slow flush spread across her cheeks, making him curse and put an arm around her waist. “Ignore me. Takes a while to readjust, that’s all.”

  “You’re entitled to the way you feel, Cash. Just remember we’re not all the same.”

  He acknowledged a couple of other players, one of whom would be his opponent on Monday, and led Natalia through to the practice courts. There was a viewing gallery where friends and family and the general public could watch from, but he wanted to keep her close. He knew Kinga too well, and even though Natalia had refused to say anything, she had definitely been on the receiving end of Kinga’s sharp tongue earlier. He wasn’t going to give her another fucking chance to upset his girl.

  He strolled onto the practice court and immediately felt at home. Brad and Jamie were already there, and the two of them had their heads together, no doubt planning how to cause him the most agony. Apart from a brief call with Brad, he’d barely spoken to them in the last few days.
He’d had other things on his mind.

  He glanced sideways at Natalia, not regretting the other things for a minute. He clasped her hand, gently squeezing her fingers. “Relax,” he said softly.

  “What if they don’t like me?” she whispered, leaning into his body in a way that had his instincts screaming for him to kill anyone who even remotely upset her.

  He kissed her hair as Brad glanced over his shoulder and began walking towards them. “Stop worrying,” Cash said.

  “Well, if it isn’t the invisible man.” Brad clapped Cash hard on the shoulder before looking at his watch. “And bugger me, you’re on time.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Cash said, shaking Brad’s hand, followed by Jamie’s. “Good to see you both. Although I doubt I’ll be saying that in a few hours.”

  Natalia had hung back, so he tugged her forward and put an arm around her shoulders. “Guys, this is Natalia. Sweetness, this is Brad—my coach—and Jamie, my fitness trainer and the only person who knows how to make me cry like a baby.”

  “It’s good to meet you,” Natalia said quietly. “Please, call me Tally. It’s only Cash who insists on Natalia.”

  Cash raised an eyebrow. “I like to be different.”

  “My deepest commiserations for getting stuck with this eejit, Tally,” Jamie said with a wink.

  Brad grinned and leaned forward, kissing her on the cheek. “No idea what you’re doing, honey, but whatever it is, don’t stop.”

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  Cash positioned a chair close to the middle of the court and made sure Tally was comfortable before heading back over to Brad and Jamie, who’d taken up residence at the far side of the court. Thank God they seemed to like her. All that worry had turned out to be unfounded. Brad’s comment for her to keep doing what she was doing seemed a little odd. She hoped to get a chance to ask what he’d meant.

  Cash picked out a couple of rackets, tested the tension by hitting one against the other, and carefully placed one back in the bag before getting to work. She’d never seen a practice session before, and watching Cash was fascinating. Engrossed, she didn’t notice Kinga pulling up a chair beside her until she heard a delicate cough.

  “Oh, hi,” Tally said, one eye on Cash to see if he’d noticed Kinga had arrived. No such luck. He and Brad had their heads together in discussion, their backs to her.

  “Hello,” Kinga said, her voice clipped and unfriendly. She dug a compact mirror out of her purse and proceeded to apply a glossy red lipstick, the sort of colour Tally would love to wear but knew she could never pull off, even though Em had confidently loaded her Rotterdam make-up bag with those kinds of shades.

  “I suppose you expect me to apologise for this morning,” Kinga said.

  “You’re entitled to your opinion.”

  Kinga cast her a withering look, and Tally forced her face to remain impassive. She had no doubt Kinga’s tongue was as sharp as the designer suit she was wearing, and while Emmalee would absolutely hold her own, Tally never had been quick when it came to a sharp retort, always thinking of the right thing to say about half an hour too late.

  “Yes, I am,” Kinga said. “And I stand by what I said. You won’t last. None of them ever do, and you’re not even his type. Cash prefers his women a little more…” She looked Tally up and down and smirked. “Lean.”

  Tally held back a wince at Kinga’s nasty remark. She did not need Kinga pointing out her ample curves. Heat rushed to her face, and she glanced over at Cash. He’d stopped talking to Brad and was now staring at her and Kinga. After a slight pause, he propped up his racket against the back fence and sauntered over.

  As he reached them, Kinga stood and clasped his upper arms, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Tally couldn’t help the scowl, nor the stab of jealousy, as she watched Kinga possessively touch Cash.

  “Cash, darling, don’t let us interrupt your practice session. Natalia and I are getting along famously.”

  Tally’s scowl deepened at Kinga’s barefaced lie. She certainly was a hard-nosed cow.

  “Natalia?”

  As Cash said her name, she lifted her head and, smoothing her forehead, gave him a bright smile. “Everything’s okay. Like Kinga said, don’t interrupt your session. Go on. I’m fine.”

  He frowned, glancing between the two of them. Then he bent down, gave her a hard kiss along with an equally hard stare, and walked back towards Brad and Jamie.

  “Well,” Kinga said, “I’m surprised. I’d expect someone like you to bleat like a lamb.”

  Tally’s stomach churned. Conflict wasn’t something she excelled at, but she had no choice if she was going to stand a chance of handling Kinga. She shifted in her seat and tried for Cash’s tough look.

  “Contrary to your low opinion of me, I’m not only discreet but also loyal. You’re clearly important to Cash, and as such, I’ll refrain from telling him about the vile things you’ve said to me because that would hurt him.”

  “Yes, you’re very discreet,” Kinga said with a sickly sweet smile. “So discreet that you took the personal details Cash was stupid enough to let slip and plastered them all over that rag you work for.”

  Tally leaned closer in. “That was before I knew Cash. I was only doing my job. You’ve made it pretty clear you don’t like me, but know this: if you continue to push me, you’ll find out I can more than hold my own.”

  Kinga’s lips pressed into a thin line, but before she could respond, Tally leapt up and headed over to where Cash was preparing to start playing again. His eyes narrowed as she hovered next to him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she said, reaching up for a quick kiss. “Just wanted a closer look.”

  He grinned and tugged her in front of him, pushing the racket into her hand. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

  She tried to wriggle out of his grasp. “Cash, no. I can’t play.”

  “Sure you can. I’ll lead. Brad,” he said, cocking his head. “Set the machine up.”

  Brad jogged to the far end of the court and fiddled with a machine that looked like a water pistol anchored to a barrow full of tennis balls.

  “Ready?” Brad shouted.

  “Yep. Let ’em rip.” Cash held her close, his hands covering hers on the racket. The first ball came at them so quickly Tally barely saw it, but Cash did, and they took a swing. The ball landed perfectly on the right side of the deuce court before another one headed their way. One after another, the balls were pelted at them, and as they hit every one back over the net, Tally started to enjoy herself.

  “I can play,” she said gleefully, knowing full well that Cash was doing all the work.

  “See? I told you, baby,” he said, hitting another perfect volley over the net. “You’re a natural.”

  She laughed as they took another swing, then another, then another.

  “Okay, time out.” She tried to catch her breath. “I’m exhausted.”

  Cash dropped the racket. “Can’t have that, sweetness,” he said, bending her into a deep arc before kissing her. “Better crack on. Sooner I’m done here, the sooner I can do you.”

  Tally giggled as she wandered back to her seat. Kinga’s expression was so sour Tally almost asked her if she was sucking on a lemon. She gave Kinga a false smile as she sat down.

  “Never knew I could play tennis.”

  Kinga shot her a withering look, and Tally gave herself an internal high five. She was beginning to learn how to play Kinga, and the woman who’d scared the hell out of her only that morning already seemed easy to annoy rather than a threat.

  This was going to be fun.

  TWENTY-NINE

  Tally slung her bag over her shoulder as Cash swept a towel over his face and around the back of his neck. He picked up his tennis rackets and slotted them inside his holdall. Although Tally had followed tennis for years as a fan, she’d never been behind the scenes, and it hadn’t occurred to her how hard the players practiced for their matches on court. She glanced at her watch. Just afte
r two. That meant he’d practiced for over three hours, apart from the short interlude with her of course.

  He threw the heavy bag over his shoulder and began walking towards her. “Just going to get a shower, babe. Ten minutes, and then we’ll grab a late lunch. Okay?”

  “Sure. Take your time, ace.”

  He smiled at the endearment and brushed his knuckles down her cheek. Tally didn’t need to look at Kinga to know she was bristling.

  “Cash, I need a word, please,” Kinga said.

  He turned to look at her, a deep frown furrowing his brow. “Okay. Walk me to the locker room.”

  A twinge of jealousy prodded Tally as she watched the two of them walk away. The feeling turned into a hot knife twisting in her gut when Kinga threaded her arm through Cash’s and he didn’t pull away. The mixed messages were messing with her head and allowing plenty of room for familiar doubts to grow.

  “I wouldn’t worry about her.” Brad dropped a bag beside Tally’s chair, and it made a heavy thudding sound similar to the way her heart was beating in her chest. Her teeth gnawed at her cheek and, once more, she tasted blood. At this rate, she’d need a skin graft to fill the hole she was creating.

  She squinted up at him. “Who said I was worried?”

  “You gave it away with the clenched jaw, the pinched lips, and the fact that you are cannibalising your own face,” he said with a grin.

  She stopped her chewing and shrugged. “Never was very good at hiding my feelings.”

  Brad sat on the chair Kinga had vacated and nudged her shoulder with his. “You think he’s interested in her?”

  She shrugged again. “Maybe.”

  Brad let out a sardonic laugh and shook his head. “Honey, there have been plenty of opportunities over the years for Cash to dip his wick in that particular brand of wax. Believe me, she’s put it on a plate plenty of times. But he’s not interested. Not then. Not now. Not ever.”

  Tally’s heart decided to migrate south, ending up somewhere around her knees. She’d known her instincts about Kinga had been spot on. She heard what Brad was saying. Really, she did. But Kinga was very attractive even if she was an utter bitch. What if, one of these days, Cash decided to take her up on her offer?