Huge feet in brown boots led to sturdy legs covered in dark-washed denim. His muscular arms bulged under the short sleeves of his hunter green jersey. Shoulders so broad she doubted she could fully wrap her arms around them. His thick brown hair lay neatly trimmed, and his brown eyes were heavy-lidded, yet welcoming, like a sad hound dog. And what was it about certain men’s noses that, when combined with the rest of their features, resulted in masculine perfection? The only thing missing was sexy stubble.
He smiled when she finally met his melted-chocolate eyes.
Seemingly aware she’d given him an once-over—a very blatant once-over. Awkward. She clasped together her trembling hands. “Was there something you needed?”
“Yes, actually.”
His voice matched his body: deep and heavy, and she bit back a sigh.
“I have a small problem you might help me with.”
“Absolutely. What is it?” She folded both arms across her chest. Where are my shoes? Can he see the tea stain on my shirt?
“I’m glad you agree. You see, I hate when women cry.”
What? That was quite the non-sequitur. Laugh lines appeared beside his eyes. Unsure what her answer should be, she replied, “I hate when women cry, too.”
Not comfortable around men, especially huge, handsome ones with square jaws sharp enough to cut ice, Ember calmed her breathing and tried stilling her pounding heart. The Marauders’ center stood in her cube entry.
Her entry. Oh no! Where has my mind strayed?
Did he live up to the rumors? The “O” in Offensive-line raised many a woman’s curiosity across social and traditional media platforms since all the players were extraordinarily gorgeous. Not hard to imagine Owen’s reputation for bedroom proclivity was very accurate since his shoes were so big, which meant he was big everywhere. Ridiculous. She would not stare there.
Maintain eye contact. Keep it!
Since she stood at five-eight, she was used to most men being of similar height or a few inches taller—not so with Owen Killion. Her chin actually lifted in order to meet his gaze. Then there was his mouth, which was speaking—
“Ember?”
“I’m sorry. What were you saying?”
“Sometimes talking to a stranger helps. Let’s grab a bite to eat.” He lifted her jacket off the back of her chair. “We’ll go somewhere close by, since we’re already downtown.”
“What are you talking about?” He wasn’t asking her out. Men didn’t ask her out. She didn’t date, especially not unbelievably gorgeous professional football players. Jocks didn’t date chubby wallflowers. Wait, she wasn’t that girl anymore. Was she?
“Dinner. I’m talking about dinner.” He chuckled and shook his head, evidently amused by her confusion. “We’ll walk across the street to that steak place.”
“I really, I don’t—” She glanced around, unsure how to continue or to determine what alternate universe she had entered.
“Really don’t what? You eat. I eat. It’s time to check out for the day. Come on.” He held open her jacket. “I’d like to hear about your brother.”
The gesture was just like the leading man in a movie. But she didn’t eat dinner, at least, not a large dinner. Her health plan entailed tapering off for the evening meal, and she didn’t stray from her meal plan—ever. “I usually eat soup for dinner.”
“I think I can handle that.” He glanced down at the jacket he still held in mid-air.
“Did something happen during the commercial shoot?” Some other explanation existed for why he was here. Why he was helping her slip on each jacket sleeve and taking her arm.
“Let’s go.” He nudged her lower back.
Shivers shot to her toes. Toes currently shoeless. “Sorry, I need to grab my purse and shoes.” After hearing his deep sigh, she glanced back and caught him jiggling his keys. “Owen, you play center, right?” As she slipped on her shoes, she turned and faced him.
“Yeah.” He raised a brow. “Why?”
With an index finger, she poked his hard chest. “You’re bossy.”
“You have no idea.” He smiled and took her hand, leading her out of the building.
This surreal moment topped her life’s unbelievable encounters list. Talking to Owen about her brother would provide another perspective. And that was all this gesture was about—her brother. Elliot hadn’t missed a single Marauders game. So she would have a cup of soup in tribute to his football fandom. Staring down from a heavenly cloud, her brother was no doubt blown away a member of his favorite team was in her presence. The vision made her smile, her first heartfelt smile since he died.
And then a familiar ringtone pealed from her phone, and her smile disappeared.
Available Now
The Elementals Series Trilogy
Water’s Threshold, Fire’s Field, Air’s Vision
The O-Line Series
Ember’s Center, Rachel’s Guard, Maude’s Score, Clayton’s Star
http://www.JillianJacobs.com for more information.
Up NEXT:
O-Line Series, Book #5, Erik’s story
For April and For Ryan – 2-book novella series
Other Books available in the Infidelity World
Devoted A.d. Ellis - https://www.facebook.com/adellisauthor/
Indiscretion DeeDee Lorenzo - https://www.facebook.com/ddlorenzobooks/
Suspicion Donya Lynne - https://www.facebook.com/DonyaLynne/
Illegitimate Lulu Astor - https://www.facebook.com/LuluAstorBooks/
Incentive Pam Godwin - https://www.facebook.com/pamgodwinbooks/
Inheritance TC Winters - https://www.facebook.com/tia.catalina.77
Manor Ted Persinger - https://www.facebook.com/tedpersinger1/
Sacrifice Rae Riley - https://www.facebook.com/rae.riley.books/
About the Author
In the spring of 2013, Jillian Jacobs changed her career path and became a romance writer. After reading for years, she figured writing a romance would be quick and easy. Nope! With the guidance of the Indiana Romance Writers of America (IRWA) chapter, she’s learned many "rules" to writing a proper romance. Being re-schooled was an interesting journey, and she hopes the best trails are yet to be traveled.
Water’s Threshold, the first in Jillian’s Elementals series, was a finalist in Chicago-North’s 2014 Fire and Ice contest in the Women’s Fiction category.
Jillian’s volunteer efforts include:
IRWA 2014 and 2015 Program Chair
IRWA 2015 and 2017 Conference Co-chair
On The Far Side coordinator for the 2015 and 2016 Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal chapter.
She is the co-founder of Healing with Words—a not for profit agency established for healing survivors of abuse, addiction, trafficking, and prostitution. The mission is to bring together readers, authors, and survivors in a positive manner that affects change and relief from negative influences. Writers on The River, an author event in Peoria, Illinois is hosted by Healing With Words.
Her genres are Paranormal and Contemporary with suspenseful elements.
Connect with Jillian Jacobs online
Website: www.jillianjacobs.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GreenMooseProd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenMooseProd/
Amazon Author Page: http://bit.ly/JillianJacobsAMZAuthorPage
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JillianJacobs
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