by Holly Jaymes
I wasn’t sure what he meant, unless he was saying I wouldn’t have achieved in football without Emma by my side, to which I had to agree.
Mason went to the room he and Willa had reserved in the hotel, while I made my way back to bed, climbing in next to my real trophy.
“Are you tired?” she asked as she snuggled against me.
“Yes, but wired.” I kissed her head.
“I’ve been wondering what it would be like to make love to a Super Bowl champion.”
I grinned and my dick perked up. “I’m all yours, honey.”
Author’s Note
Thank you, thank you, for reading my book, “Forbidden Player”! I’m so grateful and I hope that you enjoyed the story.
Reviews for my books are very important to me as an author. If you enjoyed reading my books I’d be so thankful if you would be willing to write me a review.
Thanks again for your support and for reading my story. I couldn’t do it without you!
XX Holly
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Epilogue
Emma
I woke early, my belly a jumble of nerves. I turned my head where Tucker lay next to me. I smiled. My Super Bowl champion. My husband.
Nearly a year ago, both our dreams were on the rocks, as was our relationship. Now, a year after he walked into Paradise Java and bought my painting, both our dreams were coming true, but even better, we were building them together.
I slipped from bed and padded my way to the kitchen to start the coffee. When it was brewed, I went out to the deck, watching as the sun slowly lit up the lake.
A hand slipped around me, pressing on my belly and pulling me back against a hard, strong body. Soft lips kissed my cheek.
“Morning, love.”
I pressed my hand to his cheek resting against mine. “Morning. I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“The bed was empty. You know I can’t sleep without you.” We stood quietly for a moment looking over the lake. “Nervous about today?”
“Yes. I know everything is ready, but…I just want it to go well.”
“It’s gonna be great, baby. Just keep your tablet away from your artist friends.”
I smiled. “I’ll lock it up. Your fine naked body is only for me.”
He kissed my cheek again. “Damn straight.”
“I should get dressed. My mother will be here soon.”
Tucker groaned.
I turned in his arms, looping mine around his neck. “I know she’s difficult, but she really does like you.”
“She thinks I’m going to leave you heart broken. How does she not see that you have my heart lock, stock, and barrel?”
“She does. But old habits die hard,” I said, brushing back his hair that he’d let get a little longer since football season ended.
“At least you don’t think all men are scum.”
“No. Not all.”
He grinned and leaned down to kiss me. “I’ll remind you everyday that I’m a keeper.”
Now, as winter was turning to spring, the snow melted and flowers were starting to bloom, we returned to the house to get ready for the first day of Pine Rest Artists retreat.
The last eight months were filled with cabin renovations, updates to the lodge, and retreat planning. It was nice to have something to occupy my time when Tucker was out of town for away football games. It also brought me closer to Mason and Willa. Willa, in particular, I felt a debt of gratitude, as I was certain she was instrumental in my reconciliation with Tucker.
The Minors were active in the cabin and lodge updates as well. At first, they seemed resistant, which frustrated Tucker, but I got the sense that they were afraid they were losing control of the resort they’d started and run over the last fifty years. Once they were involved more, everything went smoother. Not only did they have the artists retreat booked for this spring, but also Mason and Allie’s wellness retreat was scheduled for April, and Memorial Day and Fourth of July were booked with families coming to enjoy the lake.
Tucker and I walked the half mile along the lake path to the lodge, admiring the cabins along the way. Two cabins near the lodge were repurposed - one into a yoga and fitness studio and the other divided into several classrooms for art workshops.
As we arrived near the Minor’s place, Mason and Willa, and Josh and Allie pulled in.
“Today’s the big day. How are you feeling, Emma?” Willa asked.
“Nervous,” I admitted.
“It’s gonna be great.” Tucker kissed my head.
My mother, who was staying in Tucker’s condo, pulled in and parked. Tucker stiffened next to me.
“Oh boy, the mother-in-law,” Willa joked.
“She’s no worse than mine,” Mason said.
Willa gave him a look and he grinned.
“Oh Emma, goodness this place is rustic,” my mother said as she approached us. She gave me a hug and patted Tucker.
“Mom, you remember Mason and Willa from the wedding,” I said.
“Yes, of course. How are you?”
“Very well, thank you,” Willa said.
“And this is Josh and Allie Dalton,” I said.
As they greeted each other, Mary and Harry Minor appeared on their newly renovated front porch.
“It looks like a party,” Harry said.
“It’s a big day.” Mary came down the steps toward me and Tucker. “I know I’ve said it a million times, but what you’ve done for us, for Pine Rest…” Her eyes watered.
“You deserve all this,” Tucker said, pulling her in for a hug. “Thank you for letting us do this.”
“There he goes, trying to steal my woman again,” Harry said.
“That’s okay, Harry,” I said. “We’ve still got each other.”
He winked at me.
The group of us finished all the set up for the retreat and two hours later, the first guests arrived - Maggie and Delia.
“This place is like a postcard out of time,” Maggie said as she took in the lake and surrounding mountains.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Are you kidding me? I can’t wait to get started.”
Within an hour, a dozen more artists arrived, including Clara with Ashley, and Celia. We put Ashley to work in the lodge working with the caterers, making food as part of her restitution for stealing and selling my photos of Tucker.
Once everyone was settled into their cabins, programing began. We had a welcome reception and luncheon in the lodge and then a hike-n-sketch along the lake, where we walked and anytime the mood struck, participants would stop to sketch. Later, we had workshops on watercolor painting and Native American art.
The rest of the schedule for the week included field trips out to the mines that had originally drawn Tucker and Mason’s ancestors to the area. The trip even included the story about the feud between the McLeans and Haynesvilles, ending at McLean’s Corner. Plus, there were other art workshops, as well as Allie leading a few yoga classes, and free time to rest or create.
At the end of the first day, we all had dinner together in the lodge. I made another little speech thanking the participants and reminding them of the activities scheduled for tomorrow.
After I sat down, Maggie and Delia went up to the podium we had set up.
“What are they doing?” I whispered to Tucker.
“I don’t know.”
“Hey, everyone. This isn’t on your schedules. We just decided to hijack it for a minute,” Maggie said. “Emma, thank you so much for putting this together. You too, Tucker. Who knew football jocks could appreciate art?”
“I know beauty when I see it,” he called out jovially.
“Yeah, in the female form,” someone else called out.
“She’s named Emma,” my mother retorted.
I looked at Tucker, who laughed.
“We also need to give a shout out to Mary and Harry Minor for letting us invade their space. W
hat a perfect spot for a retreat, eh?”
There were murmurers of consensus in the room.
“And of course, the army of people who joined in to make this happen.” She went through the list of everyone involved. “I don’t want to dismiss the work of anyone, but Delia and I wanted to give a special recognition to Emma. This was all her idea.”
Delia set a cloth covered item on the table next to the podium. It was about two feet in height and I got excited that maybe she’d made some sort of bronze work for me.
Delia stepped up to the podium. “Emma always had a special eye for perfection and when I caught a glimpse of something that inspired her, I knew I had to create it in bronze for her.”
She pulled the cloth off the statue and immediately my cheeks heated.
“Hey, didn’t you make me pose like that once,” Tucker whispered to me. “Is that what you were replicating? The Zeus statue.”
I looked up at him biting my lip. “Baby, that is you.”
“What?” He turned again to look at the statue.
“Now, Emma, don’t get mad. This is just for you. And Tucker too.” Delia held up the statue.
I stood and walked up to get the statue while people clapped. I couldn’t be sure if they knew it was Tucker or just thought it was a replica of the Artemision Bronze. At least it wasn’t holding a football.
“Thank you. It’s beautiful.” And it was, I realized as I got closer to it.
“Will Tucker be posing for us?” someone called out.
Cripes, they did realize it was him. I guess they remembered the leaked pictures.
I looked at Tucker whose cheeks turned pink. “My posing days are done. Except for Emma, of course.”
Now my cheeks heated.
Later that night, I lay in bed looking at the statue that I’d set on the bedside table.
“I don’t know where to put this,” I said as Tucker came into the bedroom from the bathroom. He was stark naked, and effectively pulled my attention away from the bronze statue.
“That seems as good of place as any,” he said, climbing into bed.
“Except why would I need it here when I’ve got you here that I can look at and admire.” I ran my hand over his chest.
He grinned. “Good point. You could put him away and only bring him out when I’m away. So you don’t forget me and my assets.”
I reached over and squeezed his ass. “I couldn’t never forget your assets.”
He pulled me into his arms. “Just to be sure, maybe I should give you a full demonstration.” He kissed me, making my blood sizzle.
“If you insist,” I murmured as his kisses trailed down my neck.
He lifted his head. “You’re a rock star, you know that? I don’t know what you envisioned but what you created here is amazing. The Minors are thrilled. Your guests had a wonderful day.” He looked at me with pride in his eyes. “You’re amazing, Emma.”
What was amazing was how happiness effused from every one of my pours from the way he looked at me. The way he loved me.
“My mother hassled me some on how I needed a man to pull this off,” I said, remembering how mad her words made me. “But it wasn’t like that.”
“Your mother is a bitter—”
I cut him off with a kiss. “Remember when you told me that you thought I was a part of your football success this year?”
He nodded. “You were. I was stronger and more confident with you by my side.”
“Yes. Me too. Even if I had all the money to do this retreat on my own, it wouldn’t be realized without you. You’re not just the money. You’re my…muse, my energy…I don’t know how to explain it.”
His fingers brushed my cheek. “I understand. We’re better together.”
I smiled. “Yes, I guess that’s it.” I paused for a moment. “When you walked into Paradise Java last year, did you ever imagine we’d end up here?”
“In bed together? I certainly hoped so.” He grinned roguishly.
“You are a horny jock.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” He pulled me tighter to him so I could feel that he indeed was a horny jock. “But to answer your question, no. I never thought I’d be married. Then you came into my life, lighting up places inside me I didn’t know were dark.”
“Tucker.” His words took my breath away.
“Walking into Paradise Java changed my life. Here, with you, I have the real dream.”
“I love you, my horny jock.”
“You know, actions speak louder than words.” He waggled his brows.
I pushed him back and straddled him. “How’s this for action?”
His hands caressed my sides. “Sweet perfection.”
He was right. We were living a dream I’d never imagined possible. Our lives were perfection. I couldn’t know what life would bring us, but I knew without a doubt, that our love would endure.
About Holly Jaymes
All of Holly's romances involve passionate, alpha males who don't shy away from demonstrating just how they feel about their sassy heroines. Because, let's face it, those are the best kinds of book-boyfriends to have.
Expect swoon worthy romance, juicy drama, lip-biting scenes and satisfying happily ever afters that will have you flipping the pages way past your bed time.
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Also by Holly Jaymes
Forbidden Fake Fiance (Forbidden Small Town Bad Boys Book 1–Prequel)
Forbidden Roomate (Forbidden Small Town Bad Boys Book 2)
Hating My Hero (Her Accidental Hero Book 1)
Her Hero Boss (Her Accidental Hero Book 2)
Her Mountain Hero (Her Accidental Hero Book 3)
Accidentally My Hero (Her Accidental Hero Book 4)
Her Accidental Hero Box Set
Protecting Her (Protector’s Promise)
Royally Protected (Protector’s Promise)
Protecting My Enemy (Protector’s Promise)
Protector’s Promise Box Set
Daddy Heart M.D. (Accidentally Daddy)
Daddy Ivy League (Accidentally Daddy)
Daddy CEO (Accidentally Daddy)
Daddy Player (Accidentally Daddy)
Accidentally Daddy Box Set
Taken
Hot Rod