The Tough Love Groom: Texas Titan Romances

by Taylor Hart

  There were only two other guests out in the living room, handing their coats to a guy behind a makeshift coatroom. She caught the man’s eyes and felt shame. Turning back to her father, she shook her head. She couldn’t play into his game. Giving him money would be like handing him booze. No, she wouldn’t do that.

  “I don’t have five hundred dollars. You know that. I’m trying to help mom get caught up on the mortgage.” She was so angry with her father and even more angry at herself for causing all the problems. “I can order a pizza at Marco’s, and you can go pick it up there.” Marco’s would be on his way back to the homeless shelter. At least, she could make sure he ate something.

  Her father hesitated for a second. “It’s not your fault, Felicity. None of it.”

  It wasn’t often that her father said things like that. “Dad,” she said quietly.

  He pointed at her chest. “You have to quit blaming yourself.”

  Naked was the way he made her feel. Like he could just bring up all this crap right here, at this event, where anyone could hear. Her mind flooded with all the surgeries, all the times her father had sat with her, all the medical bills he hadn’t been able to pay. She blinked. “You need to leave, dad.”

  “Five hundred, and I walk away quietly.” He pushed his chin into the air.

  Controlled anger surged through her. She was exasperated. “I don’t have that kind of money on me anyway, dad.” She wouldn’t have given it to him, but why would he think she would just carry it around?

  Her father pulled out a phone. “I have Venmo. It’s my name and the first letter of our last name,” he said quietly.

  A true manipulator. A master. She thought of the once the successful man he’d been. The sad, sorrowful pit of nothingness he was that stood in front of her. She could smell the booze on him.

  After several seconds of a sheer battle of will, she turned away. “No.”

  “Felicity!” He screamed.

  Turning back to him, she saw the venom in his eyes.

  He yelled. “The end is near!”

  The security guards picked up him up again and began hauling him out of the house.

  He fought. “Let me go!” His body flailed.

  She wanted to do something, but didn’t know how to help.

  One of the security guards turned to her. “Go back to the party. We’ve got this handled.”

  Spinning on her heels, she wanted to rip somebody’s head off, and lo and behold, standing right outside the door that led to the auction …

  Was Zeus himself.

  Panic filled her. How much had he seen?

  “Felicity!” She heard her father call out.

  Turning back, the messy scene lay before her. Her father had gotten hold of one of the doors and was holding on for all he was worth.

  “Felicity!” He yelled again. “Give me the money! Please!” Tears were on his cheeks. “Sweetie, I don’t blame you! I just need the money!”

  Acting before thoroughly thinking, she rushed to them, taking hold of her father’s fingers and trying to pry them loose. “Let go dad!”

  He wouldn’t let go. “Felicity!”

  Suddenly, strong fingers tugged at her father’s, prying them loose.

  The guards were able to finish pulling him out.

  Shrieks of her name sounded through the air as Mr. Kincaid shut the door and turned to face her.

  She stared up into his gorgeous blue eyes. She felt her hand start to shake and anger and tears threatened. What did it matter if she lost yet another job because of her father. So be it. “If you want to fire me, just do it now.” She bit the side of her lip and commanded herself not to cry until she was home.

  At first his expression was hard, then a smile played at his lips. “You’ve got grit, kicking the old man out.”

  She stared at him, stunned. Was he making a joke?

  He grunted. “I wish I could kick my old man out.”

  Her mouth went dry, she was utterly confused.

  He took a step closer to her and leaned in, his gaze the same laser-like look she’d seen on the game footage she’d been watching the past couple of days. “It’s fourth and long, last play of the game. Can you make a touchdown?”

  Taken aback, she felt something at this moment. A connection, maybe simple chemistry, she wasn’t sure. There was no time to evaluate it.

  He held out something to her.

  It looked like a credit card. “What is this for?”

  “To buy me.” He shoved it into her hand.

  She was stupefied. “What?”

  “Well, it seems like tonight is a night for walking nightmares. I have a little situation. Sheena showed up, and she has those dragon eyes on me. Combined with the fire breathing, she could really do a number tonight if no one outbids her.”

  “Crap,” she said quickly.

  “I would have other words for it, but yes, it is that.”

  Felicity’s heart rate pounded inside her chest. “Whoever outbids that woman will be all over the press.”

  He swallowed, and his expression instantly bored. “Quite possibly.” He cocked an eyebrow. “You up for it? You’re new at DaVinci, right? Anyone know you? The press?”

  She shook her head. “I’ve only been there a week.”

  “Guess there’s a hole in the defense then.” He looked satisfied.

  Angst pulsed through her. “I don’t date.”

  Narrowing his eyes, he cocked an eyebrow in apparent disbelief. “You don’t?”

  “I. Don’t. Date.”

  Disbelief filled his face. “You do know a lot of women would kill for a date with me?”

  Irritation rushed through her, and she knew she would never tell him the truth as to why she didn’t date, so she opted to show him her anger. “You broke my vase. I’d rather die a thousand deaths than go out with you.” It sounded very dramatic and she hadn’t meant to say it, but she was feeling rather raw after everything with her father.

  His eyes softened. “You know what they say about scorned women.”

  She cocked an eyebrow at him. “No, what do they say?”

  Seeming to play the odds of making this pass, he shrugged. “You don’t want to Tango, that’s fine. Then it’ll just be a show for tonight. Later, we’ll politely tell them it didn’t work out, and I’ll ask one of my famous friends to buy me from you. We’ll make it dramatic, and the press will eat it up.” He winked at her. “Don’t worry, they’ll forget all about you in one news cycle.”

  She was uncertain. She did not want to be in the press at all. And she really didn’t want to be mixed up with him.

  “You in or you out? Can you handle me, or not?”

  It was admittedly uncomfortable, having all of Kade Kincaid’s intensity focused on her. She thought of the notice of foreclosure. Unfortunately, she needed this job. “Fine.”

  He flashed his Zeus smile and nodded to her hand. “It’s an untraceable credit card, spend whatever it takes. Just make sure I don’t walk out of here with Sheena tonight.”

  Chapter 4

  Kade had gone in first, grateful the crowd was consumed by Izzy Knight buying X, so no one had taken notice he wasn’t there.

  Felicity had stayed at the back of the room next to the door.

  It was only a few moments later when America Starr called him to the stage. “And now, the Texas Titans’ quarterback, the part of the Triple Threat known as Zeus, please come forward!"

  The spotlight found him, and he quickly went to the stage, a big, stupid grin on his face. He was going to give the folks a show. For one, it’s what he did. The dog and pony show. Second, he believed in helping the children’s hospital, even though it wasn’t his preference to auction himself off.

  He turned and waved to the crowd as he moved next to her. “Thanks for having me, Ms. Starr.”

  “Ah, I love Texan accents.” America said, putting her hand to her chest and sighing dramatically. “Especially from a Greek god.” She reached out and dramatically s
queezed Kade’s bicep.

  The whole room laughed.

  America turned to the crowd. “Shall we start the auction off at one hundred grand? C'mon, it’s Zeus! God of the sky and thunder!”

  The crowd clapped and he could hear Ace and X hollering out to him.

  He saw someone in the back raise their hand to accept the bid.

  America acknowledged the bid with a point and a nod. “Great, for fun, let’s go up fifty. One hundred fifty grand, ladies and gentlemen."

  The crowd held for a moment, and he thought he should have been more explicit with his PR person. Felicity. He liked the name. Happiness. Heaven knew he needed more of that in his life.

  Out of the blue, he heard one hundred fifty grand as a hand raised. The gesture was a big gesture, and he immediately knew it was Sheena.

  The spotlight found her easily. She wore a purple dress and looked stunning. Granted, she was easy on the eyes, but he wouldn’t let anything else mess with his and Anthony’s already broken friendship.

  “Going once. Going twice—”

  “Two hundred thousand.” A voice rang out clearly.

  His eyes met Felicity’s. The triple threat boys had been right, she looked amazing. After seeing the faded red of her father’s hair, he knew hers was real.

  “Oh, oh!” America shouted excitedly. “Could we have a bidding war?"

  “Two hundred thousand going once, twice—"

  “Two fifty,” Sheena said, an irritated tone in her voice.

  Everyone looked at Sheena.

  “Two hundred fifty going once, twice—"

  “Three hundred,” Felicity said almost nonchalantly.

  If Kade had not known Felicity well enough, he would wonder if she would crack under the pressure. However, after what he’d seen in the front with her father, he was confident she wouldn’t. Confident enough to bet the game on her. The girl had already been blitzed tonight, and she’d handled it. She apparently knew how to deal with pressure.

  America let out a laugh. “Okay, this has gotten interesting. We have three hundred—”

  Before America could finish, Sheena said, “Three fifty.”

  “Four hundred,” Felicity said in a satiny voice and smiled widely.

  “Four fifty.” Sheena glared at the Felicity.

  “Five hundred.” Felicity raised the bid without hesitation. Several cameras flashed, and Kade could see the headline tomorrow: “A Bidding War for Zeus.”

  Once again, his heart rate spiked, but he wasn’t surprised at the attention. After all, his whole life had been going from one microscope to the other, even though he didn’t necessarily enjoy it.

  There seemed to be a stalemate, and everyone’s attention was on Sheena.

  Her eyes flashed up at him. For a brief moment, she gave him the look that said “well played, Kincaid” before she turned and stalked out of the room. “The redhead wins it!” America announced, smiling at the crowd.

  America let out another excited, almost nervous shuffle of a laugh. “Well folks, with the second largest bid of the night, Zeus goes to …” She waved at Felicity. “Sweetheart, why don’t you come to the stage?”

  Felicity made her way to the stage, and Kade had to admire her unfailing poised expression. Once she got on stage with America, she played the part, flashing a wide grin and turning to look at Kade.

  America held her close. “What’s your name?”

  “Felicity Song,” she said confidently.

  America smiled. “Would you like to say a few words? Have you ever been on the date with a man who costs five hundred thousand dollars?"

  Felicity caught his eyes and then narrowed hers. She turned back to the crowd, taking the mic and smiling. “All I can say is, I hope he’s worth it.” She winked.

  The audience erupted into more applause, and Kade actually thought he was blushing.

  Felicity kept the microphone. “I’ll let you know if he lives up to the whole Zeus thing.” She pointed jovially at the audience.

  The crowd roared again.

  America seemed very pleased, hugging Felicity. “Yes, we’ll want a report!”

  The audience clapped as he and Felicity descended the stairs arm in arm.

  After shaking a hundred hands and giving several news interviews, Kade had to admit the girl was good, even great. She’d perfectly played the part of a mysterious woman who unexpectedly got the guts to get her dream of going on the date with him.

  They exchanged nods and smiles the rest of the evening. She was so convincing he was caught off guard when she told him she had to leave and she hoped he was happy.

  “More than happy,” he said, giving her the Zeus smile.

  His other two friends, X and Ace, were rather occupied with their own dating prospects, so he wanted to chat with this woman more. There was something about her. She had … he didn’t know what exactly, but he was interested in her. Putting a hand over the wall and leaning into her, he thought this could be fun. Why not? “So when is a good day for that date?”

  “What?” she asked, looking rather annoyed.

  “For the date you just bought. We’ll need a photographer, and why not record it for YouTube clips.”

  Looking confused, she shook her head. “We agreed I wasn’t doing that part.” She leaned in, keeping her voice quiet.

  Not feeling so heroic, he pulled his arm back. “The press is going crazy about this. You know that. I think, in order to keep up appearances so it doesn’t tarnish my image, you better plan on going with me. DaVinci will love it, so just put on your pretty smile and let’s give them a show."

  Leaning back, she crossed her arms. “You think I have to go on a date with you, as part of my job?”

  It took Kade a bit off balance how he all of a sudden felt like the other team was going to make a comeback. He’d thought he had her right where he wanted her, and with just a few words, the beautiful woman had him backpedaling. “Yeah,” he said, not knowing what else to say.

  “What are you going to do, Zeus?” She spat the last word out like it was stale gum. “I think I hold all the cards here because I could tell the press your little scheme. About how you actually had to buy yourself.” She let out a laugh. “I don’t think you want that.”

  Nothing ticked him off more than a smug winner. Nothing made him play his best game more than when the attack felt so personal. He’d been raised, or rather schooled, by his father in a world of personal attacks. He knew the best thing to do was to make one of your own. “If the press starts digging and picking through all the details, gosh, it’d be a shame if they found out about your father.”

  Angry eyes glared back at him.

  He shrugged. “Better just go on the date with me.”

  For a second, her face was blank. Then she threw her head back and a genuine laugh came out of her. “You’ve miscalculated, Zeus.”

  “Have I?”

  Reaching out, she lightly patted his cheek. “See, the thing is nobody cares about me and my father.” She cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t live on Olympus.”

  Chapter 5

  Felicity sat at her desk Monday morning feeling pretty pleased. Her laptop was open, and she had on the coverage from the bachelor auction. What could she say? She was pretty darn good.

  Unfortunately, she hadn’t slept too well the past two nights because she was still trying to work out what she would do about her mother’s house. About all the unpaid bills. She guessed she and her mother would get an apartment, but it would be more than the house her mother would lose. It would be the memories. Of having young children running around. Of her brother. She frowned and thought of the American flag her mother had put in that shadow box on the wall. Where would they display that in a new apartment?

  Sadness filled her, and other memories rushed through her. The funeral, another failed surgery on her heart. Her mother had used every bit of equity in that house to make sure she got successful medical treatment. Too bad, the surgeries hadn’t worked.

&n
bsp; Pressing her hand to her chest, she took in a slow breath. Her heart therapist had told her it wasn’t good for her to be too stressed out. Inhaling again, she thought of how she wished she knew how not to be stressed when you had a heart condition.

  Opening her eyes, she refocused. Since she hadn’t been given any other projects to manage, she spread an old newspaper on her desk and got out the glue she’d bought. Picking up the cardboard box she’d pushed all the glass into, she pulled out the big pieces one by one. She was determined to put the vase back together. She’d always been fascinated by glass and loved this style of turquoise glass in particular. The vase had been expensive, and she knew her mom had seen her eyeing it in that second hand store a few weeks ago, where it had still cost over two hundred dollars for just a small piece.

  “Ms. Song.” Mr. DaVinci didn’t bother to knock, just swung the door wide, a grin on his face. “Our star.” He swept into her office and paused right in front of her desk, holding open his arms. “How you managed to pull the whole thing off is a wonder to me, but I saw the coverage. You were beautiful, magnetic, star material."

  Liking that her boss was happy, but feeling a bit unsure, she moved around the desk and fell into a hug. “It was fun.”

  DaVinci let her go abruptly, and the smell of tobacco and mint were swept away. “Okay, so I’m thinking we make the date a huge thing.”

  “I can’t do it.” She said flatly.

  “What?” DaVinci spun back to her. “What do you mean you can’t do it?”

  “It’s not my job,” she said quietly. “I’m not some paid escort, am I, Mr. DaVinci? You hired me to be a PR rep, not to date a quarterback.” She knew she sounded ungrateful, but it was against her personal policy to date.

  Mr. DaVinci looked caught. “This could really be huge though.”

  It didn’t suit to throw it in his face, but she needed leverage. PR was too often a double-edged sword.

  “Because if you were running a brothel, then I would be forced to go out with Mr. Kincaid. But, you’re not running a brothel, right? And you wouldn’t want anyone to think that I was a paid escort, would you? That would not be good for business.”