by Skye Jordan
Mia burst out laughing.
But as soon as the energy was spent, the seriousness of the situation flooded back in. And she could not believe she was standing here considering saying yes to a marriage proposal from Rafe Savage.
“And,” he said, “I think you might also like to know that I got a call from John Silver about an hour ago. Sounds like he and Dad hit it off and they’ve been talking. John made some inquiries with NHL and they’ve agreed to discuss contract options that will allow you to start your own line of jerseys. Of course, that includes a cut of the profit to NHL and the individual teams, but Dad’s a negotiating shark. He’ll get you a good deal.
Mia was going to hyperventilate.
Rafe winced and pulled his extended arm back. “Sorry, it’s still right here.” He held the ring closer to his body. “I just can’t keep my arm out for that long. I also heard,” he said, “that Ted was—”
“Upset that I offered the jersey idea to Silver first,” she finished for him. “I just heard.”
Rafe nodded. Shrugged. “Right now, the world is looking like your oyster, baby. Stay here and work in Hollywood, live with all your family back east, and run your own company.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter what you choose, I’ll be with you all the way.”
She piled her hands over her heart. “Oh my God.”
Holy shit. This was terrifying. A fist of fear tightened around her heart.
“I know, baby,” he said. “It scares me too.” He lifted the ring again. “But I’m still here. This is still here. Neither of us are going anywhere.”
She sipped a breath and held it. Then finally pushed more words out. “This is forever for me, Rafe. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew when I got married, it would be forever.”
A slow grin spread across his face. A big, deep joyous grin that mirrored itself inside Mia.
She laughed, her heart filled, and she stepped into him, ignoring the ring for the moment. “What are you thinking right now?”
She cupping his face and stroked her thumb over the multicolored bruises marring his skin.
Rafe turned his head, kissed her hand as best as he could with the cuts on his lips, and met her gaze with those silvery eyes. “I’m thinking that forever sounds perfect.”
Epilogue
Mia pressed her hands to her face, smushing her cheeks. “Aye, aye, aye, this is like herding cats.”
Rafe chuckled and ran a hand down her back. “You just couldn’t settle for models.”
She was standing in a photo studio, surrounded by everyone she loved—Rafe, Tate, Beckett and Eden, Grant and Faith, Tina and Jake Croft, and Beckett’s sister, Sarah. The cats requiring herding in this situation were the three little angels modeling the beginning of Mia’s children’s line of jerseys—Lily, Amy, and Rachel.
Sarah and Tina were doing their best to get the girls to stop playing and pose for the camera, but, man, when those three got together…
“Did someone give them giggle juice this morning?” Faith asked.
“I think their heads have grown a little too big for their bodies,” Sarah said, finally getting the girls to hold in a pose long enough for the photographer to snap three split-second images before Amy poked her finger in Rachel’s armpit and all three girls melted into giggles again. She sighed. “I’m sorry. All this attention has them thinking they’re all that.”
“They’re so adorable, you can’t even get mad,” Mia said, then asked the photographer, “Tom, can you get some shots of them playing? I think those will look just as cute in the catalogue.”
The older man chuckled. “I think that’s a smart idea.”
He spent the next fifteen minutes snapping more photos while the girls acted like they’d been infused with honest-to-goodness fairy dust.
When Tom stopped shooting, looked back through the photos, and smiled, Mia slumped with relief.
“Yay!” she told everyone. “Almost done. We just need a few group shots.”
Tina and Sarah handed corralling duties over to the men before joining Faith, Eden, and Mia in front of the camera for several poses.
“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about,” Beckett said, grinning at the women.
“Ogle on your own time, please,” Mia told the men at large.
“Oh, I do,” Beckett assured her. “And I will. Just keep making those lip-smackin’-sweet jerseys, Leighton.”
Laughter rippled through the group.
Mia had definitely gone a little racy with her rollouts. Deep necklines, bosom-flattering designs and accents, and curve-hugging fabric were only some of the sexy elements she’d added to her designs. She also had mesh, lace, and even a touch of leather incorporated into this smokin’ hot line.
By the time Tom finished with the group shots, Mia was exhausted. She’s been working eighteen hours a day nonstop to get the first dozen jersey designs created and ready for production.
“I’m starving.” Mia stood from the box where she’d been kneeling and stretched her back. “Is anyone else starving? Lunch for my fantabulous models is on me.”
Agreement made the rounds, and the others discussed lunch options while Rafe slid his arms around Mia and kissed her forehead. “Congratulations, baby. You worked your ass off for this.”
She grinned up at him, still fizzing inside. The photo shoot was the last step in the preproduction phase. Now, the jerseys would go into mass production and be on sale in stores wherever Rough Riders’ apparel was sold throughout the US.
“It’s pretty exciting.” And she couldn’t stop smiling. “The only thing that would have made it better was having the Cup at the center of our photos.”
“Oh, man, I didn’t even think of that. Damn, that would have been amazing.” He shrugged. “Next year.”
She nodded. “Next year for sure.”
His gaze dropped to the open neckline of her halter-style jersey, and he hummed. “Speaking of starving, I’ve been running on famished since you started these crazy hours. Maybe we should skip lunch and hit the sheets instead.”
She laughed and slid her arms around him, loving the warm, hard feel of him. “You do know how I like it.”
Rafe lowered his head and kissed her. A sweet I-love-you, I’ve-never-been-so-content-in-my-life, lingering kiss.
“Rafe and Mia,” Tom said. “Can I get one shot of you two together?” When they both looked at him, he shrugged. “Good to have on hand for biography pieces.”
Rafe took her hand and wandered toward the set. “Hope you’re going to be Photoshopping this, Tom.”
“Just you, honey,” Mia told him. “I’m perfect.”
Rafe slapped her butt, making her laugh.
At Tom’s direction, Rafe sat on one of the blocks and took Mia in his lap.
“Okay, perfect. Now, just act natural. Pretend the rest of us aren’t here.”
Rafe barked a laugh that made his eyes sparkle. “We’ll scar the kids for life.”
But this was easy for Mia. The way he looked at her made her feel like the only person in the room.
He lifted a hand to her cheek. “Have I told you how proud I am of you?”
“Mmm, maybe. Once or twice or fifty times.” She tilted her head and kissed him. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
His grin was quick and full. “Maybe once or twice, but I look forward to hearing it thousands and thousands and thousands of times over the next fifty years.”
They kissed again.
“Okay,” Tom said. “Got it.”
But Rafe didn’t stop kissing her.
“We’re good,” Tom said. “It’s a wrap.”
Still, Rafe kept kissing her.
“That means break it up.” Tate’s snarky tone cut into the magical moment. “If you need some help…I’m right here.”
Tate’s sarcasm drew laughter from their friends and family and even Mia. But Rafe sighed and rolled his eyes. “Have we talked about moving to the Bahamas yet? ’Cause I’m ready. Like today. L
ike now. We don’t even have to pack. We can just buy what we need when we get there.”
Mia was laughing.
“That’s called a honeymoon,” Tate said. “Honeymoons require marriage.”
Rafe dropped his forehead to Mia’s shoulder and whispered, “Let’s sneak away in the middle of the night.”
Making Mia burst into giggles.
“Let’s get something to eat.” Tina came over and rousted them both. Hooking an arm through each of theirs, she started toward the door. “The natives are getting restless.” On the way out the door, she turned a conniving little grin on Mia. “Now, what would I have to do to get one of those sexy little sequined numbers?”
Dear Reader
Thank you for reading Dirty Score.
This is my first best-friend’s-sister storyline and I had a lot of fun writing it. I also really enjoyed the jersey aspect of the book and all the turmoil their pseudo-family created for all the “kids”. I hope you enjoyed Rafe and Mia’s story as well.
Books in the Rough Riders’ Hockey Series:
Quick Trick
Hot Puck
Dirty Score
Wild Zone
Keep up to date on all my new releases by signing up for my newsletter here: http://bit.ly/2bGqJhG
Until next time, happy reading!
~ Skye
About the Author
Skye’s New York Times bestselling novels are all about enjoying that little wild streak we all have, but probably don’t let out often enough. About those fantasies we usually don’t get the opportunity to indulge. About stretching limits, checking out the dark side, playing naughty and maybe even acting a little wicked. They’re about escape and fun and pleasure and romance. And, yes, even love, because Skye is ultimately a happily ever after kinda gal.
Skye is a California native recently transplanted to the East Coast and living in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington DC with her husband of 25 years. She has two grown daughters in college in Colorado and Oregon. In her free time she’s always taking classes and attending seminars. She’s currently loving mosaics, sculling, writing retreats, watercolor, pastry and cooking classes and knitting.
Make sure you sign up for her newsletter to get the first news of her upcoming releases, giveaways, freebies and more! http://bit.ly/2bGqJhG
You can find Skye online here:
@Skye_Jordan
SkyeJordanAuthor
www.SkyeJordanAuthor.com
[email protected]
Also by Skye Jordan
RECKLESS, Renegades Book 1
REBEL, Renegades Book 2
RICOCHET, Renegades Book 3
RUMOR, Renegades Book 4
RELENTLESS, Renegades 5
RENDEZVOUS, Renegades 6
FORBIDDEN FLING, Wildwood Book 1
WILD KISSES, Wildwood Book 2
QUICK TRICK, Rough Riders Hockey Book 1
HOT PUCK, Rough Riders Hockey Book 2
DIRTY SCORE, Rough Riders Hockey Book 3
WILD ZONE, Rough Riders Hockey Book 4
INTIMATE ENEMIES, Covert Affairs Book 1
FIRST TEMPTATION, Covert Affairs Book 2
SINFUL DECEPTION, Covert Affairs Book 3
Get a FREE copy of THE RISK, Xtreme Heroes Book 1, by signing up for my newsletter here: http://bit.ly/2bGqJhG