Page 30 of Hard to Hold

I rack my brain, running through Finn’s clients, but his list is longer than KSM’s and there’s no way in the midst of this conversation that I can concentrate to do it.

Something doesn’t sit right with me.

“And?”

“We’ll just say he’s not my most favorite person.”

“Good. Then it seems you won’t be worried about the ethicality of stealing his client out from underneath him.”

Does he know about the other night? About Finn and his bullshit? Why would he think I’d feel victorious?

Cannon smirks. I’m not sure if this is a pretend or real deal. “Finn Sanderson is an all-around prick. I’ve dealt with him, and everyone I know who’s dealt with him hates him too for his shady tactics.” The irony.

I twist my lips and stare at Cannon as I weigh the pros and cons of this. Score a big win for KSM. Redeem myself in my family’s eyes. Screw over Finn.

Cons?

And just as I start to go over them, something catches in my mind.

“You said earlier, he—the athlete—would be my added bonus. What did you mean by that?”

“His signing a contract to stay is the only way you earn one hundred percent of that bonus you agreed to.”

“Wait, what?” I chuckle to cover my surprise. Now he’s playing hardball. “I can’t control what someone does or doesn’t do.”

“Sure you can.” He grins. “You do it every day.”

Our gazes hold and challenge each other’s almost as if he’s daring me to back out now. And while this whole thing might seem underhanded, there’s a challenge to it. An allure for me. If I win something hard-fought and well-earned all while redeeming myself in the eyes of my family . . . how could I say no?

“Who?” It’s a single word, but it’s enough to tell Cannon Garner that I’m not backing out.

His grin widens. “Rush McKenzie. You’ve heard of him?”

I stare at Cannon, blinking several times as I internally swear at myself.

My brain should have connected the dots.

It should have said: Rush Mackenzie is here in the United States, the MLS is wanting me to win over a star player, and therefore two plus two equals four.

I should have connected the dots.

But I didn’t.

I was too goddamn busy being mesmerized by every damn thing Rush was when I should have been thinking like an agent instead of thinking like a woman who wanted him to kiss me.

Because I did.

I’d be stupid to say otherwise.

I even dreamt of his strong hands running up my torso and then over my arms to frame the sides of my face. Of his lips so full and freaking perfect pressing against mine where they were gentle at first before turning demanding.

As I lay in bed last night, I admitted to myself that I wanted him and had every intention of acting on it.

Funny how fate just stepped in the way and told me I couldn’t. No way in hell could I after Finn’s accusations.

Either that or she’s testing to see just how much restraint I have.

“Surely you have, haven’t you?” Cannon asks, and I give a quick shake of my head to pull myself back to the here and now.