Page 18 of Hard to Hold

But just as she goes past me, I grab her wrist so we’re face to face. This time, I can make out that there is a ring of light blue around her pupils before it turns dark. Unique.

“Seems you’re already in enough trouble, McKenzie. I think the last thing you need to do is start some with me.”

“Is that a warning or a threat?”

“Maybe it’s an invitation.” She smirks. “’Cause God knows I could use a little of all three right now.”

Without another word, Lennox Kincade strolls into the house leaving me to watch the devastating swing of her hips, the curve of her ass, and the slope of her shoulders from behind.

And here I thought I was going to dread my time in the States.

Seems to me I may have found something to help me pass the time.

Hell, if I’m going to be blamed for causing trouble, I might as well enjoy a little of it in the meantime.

CHAPTER SIX

LENNOX

“SO THAT’S IT? YOU’RE HERE for secret meetings you can’t talk about?” Johnny asks over the rim of his glass. He’s sprawled over the outdoor sofa with the flames of the fire between us, playing off the blond in his hair.

“Not secret, per se.” And I wonder why I’m not telling Johnny about Cannon’s offer when obviously Finn knew about it, so it’s not exactly a secret. “Just . . . pending.” I flick my gaze toward the inside of the house where Rush is moving about the kitchen making a smoothie with a dedication I can’t say I have when it comes to putting green things into a blender.

The protein powder and supplements on the counter make perfect sense now.

“Yes?” Johnny asks, the lone word drawn out until I look back toward him and his raised eyebrows.

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, as in stop looking over there. He’s already in a shitstorm of trouble.”

“You’re the one who neglected to warn me he was here.”

“Blame it on crappy cell service, but I did tell you. You just didn’t hear it.”

“Maybe you should have told him too. I mean, who trounces around someone else’s house buck-ass naked?”

“Apparently a man who doesn’t give a fuck what others think of him,” he says and glances toward Rush.

But why should he? As a soccer player, Rush has a phenomenal physique. His lean, toned body is a testimony to years of hard work and self-discipline.

I study that body right now and then remember exactly how incredible it looked earlier standing a foot away from me . . . and naked.

“Don’t you dare get that look in your eyes, Lenn. The last thing he needs is to add you to his mix.”

“Me?” I mutter. “What’s wrong with me?”

“The man has been accused of sleeping with his teammate’s wife, a famous singer, for Christ’s sake, so of course the image spreads like wildfire. Who does that kind of shit?”

“Not that I’m okay with cheating, but from the tabloids, it seems shit like that happens all the time here in Hollywood. Why are you batting an eye at him if you don’t think ill of everyone else who’s doing it?”

“I bat my eyes all the time at what I see and hear in LA, but as it pertains to Rush, it’s not exactly the best timing when his contract is up for renegotiation and his entire club is up in arms over whether he stays or goes. What do you think management is going to do? Trade him to keep the peace or keep him on and have every other teammate freaked he’s going to fuck their wives too?”

“I call bullshit. They won’t trade their star player.”

“Seth is their captain though.”

“He’s nearing the end of his career and is nowhere near as popular or dependable as Rush. Greed for another championship comes before all else.”