The Determined Groom: Texas Titan Romances

by Checketts, Cami

  The game was great, besides that one idiot. The Titans won 21-7. The crowd roared their approval and Emmett’s mom hollered and yelled. After he shook the other team’s hands, Emmett took off his helmet and sprinted their direction.

  “That’s my boy!” Caroline yelled.

  Emmett was grinning as he ran at them, dropped his helmet, hit the wall eight feet below them, and launched himself up. He grasped the handrail and pulled himself up in front of them.

  The fans behind them were screaming his name and his family was cheering and laughing, but Emmett was focused completely on Cambree. “You made it,” he said.

  “You think I’d miss this party?” she asked.

  “There’s a ticket with your name on it for every game.”

  “Hmm. We’ll see if I can fit you in my schedule.”

  “You’d better fit me in. I’m your boyfriend and I want the whole world to know it.”

  Cambree laughed. “I thought I had to agree to be your girlfriend.”

  “Give it to him, sista!” Bridger called out.

  “Shush,” Caroline said. “I want to watch this.”

  Cambree blushed. She’d forgotten they had a crowd.

  Emmett cocked his head. “Let me see if I can convince you.” He vaulted himself over the bars and wrapped her up in his arms. He was bulky with all the pads and he was dripping with sweat, but Cambree didn’t care. He’d held her for hours sweaty and muddy after her Warrior race. Emmett really did want to claim her before the world and she found she wanted the same thing. Nolan’s rejection couldn’t affect her any more. She was stronger than that and was grateful that because of that pain, she now had something beautiful: Emmett.

  He bent down close and she arched up on tiptoes. His lips met hers and he set to work convincing her. Cambree could hear the bellow of the crowd around them and she finally pulled back, staring into his dark eyes. “I love you, Emmett Hawk.”

  “I love you too, Cambree Kinley.”

  “Hey, you two are on the jumbotron,” Bridger said.

  Cambree tried to pull back, but Emmett didn’t release her. “So do you approve of my crazy family?” he asked like they weren’t being videoed for the entire stadium to gawk at.

  Cambree laughed. “I think I take the cake on the crazy family. Your family is perfect.”

  “You’d better claim her, bro,” Bridger put in. “She told me I’m the backup plan.”

  Emmett growled. “You’d better stay back or I’ll thump you good.”

  “I’d like to see you try.”

  “Boys,” Caroline cautioned. She put a hand on Emmett’s arm. “She’s a doll, Emmett. Great game, my boy. I’m so proud.”

  Emmett released Cambree from the hug to enfold his mom in his arms. “Thanks for being here.”

  “You know I’d never miss a game.” She pushed at him. “You stink, my love.”

  “Cam didn’t seem to mind.” He winked at her. He shook his dad’s and Callum’s hands, receiving their congrats, then put Bridger in a headlock.

  Cambree glanced around and noticed they had a pretty good crowd around them. Luckily the guy who made fun of her earlier was nowhere to be seen. Little kids held out footballs and papers to be autographed as their parents watched with smiles.

  Emmett glanced at her. “I’m gonna work this crowd, then go shower. I’ll see you later?”

  “If I’m impressed by your crowd-working.”

  He grinned and gave her one more quick kiss, then slipped around her to start signing autographs. He was so comfortable and confident. Her stomach swooped, and she worried again if she could really do this, really be the girlfriend of a superstar like Emmett. Then he glanced back at her with a huge grin, and she had to return that smile. It was a special smile, reserved for the woman he loved—her.

  Caroline put her arm around Cambree’s waist. “Will you come with us to dinner? We’re going to Los Tios. It’s kind of a staple with the Titans. Emmett will meet us there.”

  “I’d love to.” She glanced at Emmett again. “I bet you’re bursting with pride,” she said to his mom.

  Caroline beamed at her. “Yes, I am.” She lowered her voice. “And I’m praying you’ll say yes when he proposes. I know how much he loves you, and I already love you too.”

  Cambree had to blink at the sudden tears forming in her eyes. She’d been worried if this classy lady would even accept her, but Emmett’s mother was so filled with love she was impossible to resist. “Thank you, Caroline.”

  “Thank you, darling girl. We’ve needed the happiness you’ve brought us today … after losing Creed.”

  She couldn’t imagine the hole in this woman’s heart, losing her son, but she was gracious, warm, and welcoming. Cambree couldn’t resist giving her another hug. They were both teary-eyed when they pulled away. Caroline squeezed her hand and gave her a trembling smile then turned to her husband.

  Tom put his arm around Caroline and escorted her up the steps. Callum gestured for Cambree to go ahead. He was on his phone again, but he did offer Cambree a welcoming smile, and she’d never forget how he defended her earlier. Bridger offered his arm and Cambree walked up the steps with Emmett’s family. She, Cambree Kinley, felt like a part of the renowned Hawk family. All because of Emmett. She hated being separated for him for a moment, but as she glanced back and saw him ruffling a small boy’s hair as the boy beamed up at him, she knew he needed to be where he was. She’d get time with him tonight, away from the cameras. If the happy bubbles in her stomach were any indication, tonight was going to be fabulous.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Cambree slipped her high-heeled sandals off and sank into Emmett’s leather sofa. The view from his downtown Dallas condo was unreal, high above the entire city, the lights sparkling far below.

  “So this is how the richie half live, eh?” she asked.

  Emmett sat next to her and handed her a water bottle.

  “Thanks,” she said, taking a long drink. The dinner with his family had been fun, lots of teasing and stories, and even when she said something too blunt, they all laughed and seemed to like her. Even Callum relaxed a little bit and put his phone away during dinner. Callum’s show of support at the game had really endeared him to her, and proven to her that she could allow herself to trust Emmett’s family to treat her like an equal and be there for her.

  “You like it?” Emmett gestured to the view.

  Cambree turned and focused on his handsome face. “Very much.”

  Emmett grinned and leaned closer, softly kissing her.

  “I like that very much too,” she muttered against his lips. “Especially since you don’t smell like my brother’s hockey gear he hasn’t washed in two years anymore.”

  “Oh, ouch.” Emmett put a hand to his chest. “I was that bad after the game?”

  Cambree laughed. “You were close, but I can take a little stink.”

  Emmett set his water bottle on the coffee table and took hers also and set it down. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “You’re the toughest woman I know. I think you could handle anything.”

  Cambree bit at her lip. “You think pretty highly of me, but I don’t know if I can handle all of this.” She gestured around at the condo that was nicer than any place she’d ever seen, including his high-dollar fitness camp.

  Emmett studied her. “Cam. If you want me to sell all my houses and live in a trailer like your mama, I would do it for you.”

  “H-houses?” she squeaked out.

  He nodded.

  “Where are these …” She gulped. “Houses?”

  Emmett pressed his lips together, then finally spilled out, “Sun Valley, Park City, Maui, and Costa Rica.”

  “Hmm. So lots of snow-skiing and lots of beach time?”

  He nodded.

  “And you’d give all that up … for me?”

  “In a second.”

  Cambree stared at him, her heart thumping quicker and quicker. “Ah, you sweetie.” She cupped
his cheek and kissed him once softly, then harder. Emmett pulled her in tight and kissed her and kissed her and kissed her. His mouth was demanding yet gentle. When he deepened the kiss, her stomach smoldered with heat.

  Cambree finally came up for air and had to rearrange her hair back out of her face. “Whew, you do know how to heat a body up.”

  Emmett threw back his head and laughed. “And you do know how to make me so happy.” He lifted her onto his lap and trailed kisses along her neck before capturing her mouth again. Cambree clung to his strong shoulders and enjoyed every movement of his lips and his hands.

  “Marry me?” he murmured against her lips.

  Cambree drew back quickly, gasping. “Wh-what? We haven’t dated long enough to—”

  Emmett cut her protests off with another kiss, even more intense than the last. He deepened the kiss and the pleasure receptors in her mouth went nuts. She had no clue which way was up when he released her mouth and whispered, “Please marry me, sweetheart.”

  Cambree tickled her fingers through his hair and stared at his handsome face. “If you’ll promise to tattoo ‘Cambree’s bossy man’ across your forehead.”

  Emmett whooped and laughed. “Done!”

  “I was joking. I don’t want any tattoos on this perfect face. Maybe across your chest, but … hmm, wait, that’s perfect also.” She winked and cupped his cheeks with her hands, loving the short hair under her palms.

  “I hate needles, but I’d do anything for you, Cam.”

  “Wimp.” She smiled as she ran her fingers down across his shoulders. He was the toughest man she’d ever met. “I’m super proud of you, by the way. You showed everyone how tough you were today.”

  “Thanks. It was a hard game, but it felt great too.” He got a mischievous grin. “I’m always ‘super proud’ of you, but I’d be prouder of you if you’d agree to marry me.”

  “Then I guess I’d better make you the proudest man in the world and say yes.”

  “Yes?”

  Cambree took a breath and closed her eyes. She opened them to study his handsome face. His dark eyes so full of yearning … for her. “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Yes!” He punched a fist in the air. “That’s my girl.” He tucked her in close for a kiss she would always treasure.

  His words rang through her head. She was his, and he was definitely hers. The only things sweeter than those truths were the tantalizing kisses he bestowed on her.

  * * *

  Don’t miss Cami’s other Texas Titan Romances: The Fearless Groom, The Trustworthy Groom, The Beastly Groom, and The Irresistible Groom. Find the first four books in her football collection here.

  About the Author

  Sign up for Cami’s VIP newsletter and receive a free ebook copy of The Resilient One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance here.

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  Read on for an excerpt of The Irresistible Groom.

  Hugs and happy reading!

  Excerpt: The Irresistible Groom

  Claire Tucker’s three-inch heels tapped a quick pattern as she rushed across the laminate flooring toward the exterior doors of the yoga studio.

  “See you tomorrow.” Hallie, the young front desk attendant, called out.

  “Yes, you will.” Claire grinned, waved, and pushed at the front doors. She went to the five a.m. power yoga class every weekday morning at Holistic Studios. The state-of-the-art yoga studio also had locker rooms and clean showers, so she could get ready and arrive at work in her downtown Dallas office by six thirty. Work was her life, and that was fine by her.

  With the fast pace of her life and business, she needed this emotional and physical release to ground herself. Especially when she had days like yesterday where she’d had to call security to remove a hulking football player, who couldn’t take no for an answer, from her office. She didn’t date much, and she especially didn’t date jerks who thought every woman wanted them. A shudder ran through her as she remembered his thick arms surrounding her like steel bands. Luckily, her sharp fingernails and the panic button under her desk had done the trick. She doubted he’d get those scratches on his face healed anytime soon.

  A man caught the door and held it open for her.

  “Thank you,” Claire murmured, glancing at him. Her breath caught, and she paused in the open doorway. “Brig?” Brig Hunsaker was the head of security for her client Knox Sherman, and she had the hugest crush on him. She always kept it under control because there was no way she’d fall again for a man whose job description entailed putting himself in constant danger. Peyton’s face swam through her mind, but she pushed it back out again. It had been three years. She’d healed and forgiven herself—sort of.

  “Claire.” A huge smile made Brig’s cheeks crinkle.

  He had a smooth, perfectly handsome face, blue eyes, prematurely gray hair, and an incredibly built body. He was so smoking hot Claire had trouble thinking straight around him. She berated herself for it constantly. After all, she was a sports agent. Her clients were all buff and most of them were extremely good-looking. None of them had turned her head except for Brady Giles, who was now happily married, but she knew now that her former crush on Brady was a mere Dum-dum sucker compared to the pound of Ghirardelli milk chocolate with sea salt and caramel feeling she had when she looked at Brig. How was she going to stay strong around him? He’d tried to ask her out quite a few times when she’d been at Knox and Ema’s house. She’d always been able to change the subject quickly or tease and get away.

  “Hey, Brig. What are you doing here?”

  “I teach a Taekwondo class at seven thirty on Mondays. Came early today to work out some kinks before class.”

  Claire couldn’t resist glancing over the muscles revealed in his gray tank top. Sheesh. Why did she have to be so drawn to the buff types? Most of the time, that meant athletes—off limits because of her career as a sports agent; gym rats—off limits because the steroids had fried their brains; or men who protected and served—off limits because she wasn’t going there ever again.

  But my, oh my, Brig looked good. No harm in looking, so long as she didn’t think about throwing all her chips in the pot.

  “Good to see you.” She walked out the door. He didn’t give her much room, and her shoulder brushed his muscular chest. He smelled like musk and soap—definitely all man. A smoldering warmth started in the pit of her stomach. Move faster sister. It was still dark outside this early in the morning, but the city lights illuminated the sidewalk.

  “Wait.” Brig released the door and jogged to her side.

  Claire took some calming breaths, trying to center herself. She needed another yoga class.

  Brig touched her arm and no amount of breathing could prevent her from noticing how good his touch felt. It was like rocky road ice cream in a waffle cone on a hot Texas day.

  Claire turned to him. He stared at her with those bright blue eyes, and she wanted to trip on her Kate Spade stilettos and see if he caught her. She hated being short, so she always wore the tallest heels she could get away with. She was a powerful, career-driven woman, and the lift bolstered her confidence. Brig wasn’t as tall as Knox or Brady or some of her other burly clients, who most likely had some form of gigantism. He was about five-eleven, the perfect height in her book. Instead of feeling small and looked-down-upon, she felt protected by his tough manliness. Stop it, Claire. You’re not going there.

  She waited for him to say something. He was the one who’d chased her down and called for her to wait, right?

  A muscle worked in his jaw as he looked down at his hand on her arm and then back into her eyes. “Everything about you is so perfect,” he said softly.

  Claire arched an eyebrow, trying to look at ease while her heart was slamming against her chest. How could she resist him? He was flawless in her eyes, and he’d just said she was perfect. He reeled her in like she was a gupp
y on a hook large enough to ensnare a thousand-pound marlin.

  He released her arm and jammed a hand through his hair. As he mussed his hair and studied the pavement, it melted her heart that this military man could be so affected by her. She loved his gray hair. It set him apart. She loved his calm persona and confidence even more than his looks, and that was really saying something because his looks were flawless in her mind.

  “Things don’t come out right when I’m around you,” he muttered.

  Claire was ecstatic that he’d just admitted that. “So the tough, fine-looking bodyguard has a weakness?” Dang she shouldn’t have said that. It was like she was egging him on.

  Brig’s slow smile did funny things to her stomach. “Yeah. You’re definitely my weakness.”

  She returned his smile. It thrilled her that she threw him off his game. He was a stud from his head to his toes—confidence and ability radiated from him, and he’d just said she was his weakness. Oh help!

  She had to step back or she might do something really stupid, like ask him out. “Everybody has to have one. You know? Like Superman and Kryptonite.” She spun on her heels and headed toward the crosswalk. “See ya.” Flinging her hand up, she ground her teeth in frustration when she noticed the traffic light had turned green and the crosswalk had a solid red hand.

  Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Brig striding deliberately to her side. Dang it, dang it, dang it. Say no, be strong. Oh, good night, I love a confident man. He’s too stinking appealing for my own good.

  Claire ignored him as he came so close his arm brushed hers and that musky man smell swirled in her nostrils. Yum. Forget breakfast. She only wanted Brig. No! She needed to move. The downtown Dallas street was quiet this early in the morning. Maybe she should ignore the red signal, dart across the intersection, and pray she didn’t get tagged by some errant vehicle.