Catching the Pass (Football Fantasies) Read Free

as the facts continued to pour in to the media.  Drugs had been found on both Brian and the teenager he’d been caught with, and had been in both of their systems at the time of the crash.  They were lucky they hadn’t died. 
    She had realized she’d been engaged to a complete stranger.  Who was this man?
    Maggie took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.  It wasn’t this guy’s fault that Brian was an SOB.  Shoving the man hate deep, she needed to be professional.  If he ever opened the damned door, that was.  She hit the doorbell a third time and punctuated it with a pound on the door.
    Moments later, it finally opened.
    And the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on filled up the entire frame.  And by filled, he filled it.  He had to be almost seven feet tall, with shoulders to match.  But what caught her attention the most was the gorgeous set of green eyes staring back at her.
    All the muscles on show didn’t hurt either.  He wore a snug t-shirt and a pair of running shorts, obviously ready to jump in to his training.  She was used to working with athletes, so a finely honed body was part and parcel on her job, but there was something about his hard body that had hers standing up and taking notice.
    “I was starting to think you weren’t home.  I’ve been out here ringing the doorbell,” Maggie said, trying to keep the sarcasm and lust from her voice.  She stuck out a hand.  “I’m Maggie Anders.  You must be Jennings.”
    The guy took her hand, not looking all too thrilled to see her.  His gaze went down to her bags and back up to her face.  “Doorbell’s broke.  You gotta knock.”
    “Ah,” she said, his dour look throwing her off.  Usually her clients were a little more excited to see her.  “Are you ready to get started?”
    Jennings leaned on the doorframe, blocking her way in.  “My sister just told me this morning you were staying here?”
    “Is that a problem?”  Please say no. I really need to be away from my life right now.
    “No.  I just wasn’t expecting a house guest,” he said before leaning down to grab her duffle.  “Is this all you’ve got?”
    “I travel light,” she said, lifting the strap for the smaller duffle she had thrown over her body.  “Although I do have a massage table in the back of my SUV I’ll need help bringing in later.”
    “Massage table?” he asked sharply, one eyebrow rising.
    “After our workouts, I’ll be doing some assisted stretching and massaging those leg muscles I plan to put to work.”
    Jennings looked very uncomfortable, silence falling between them.  He didn’t move, didn’t let her in, nothing.  He just stood there staring at her.  She lifted a hand to her nose, wondering if she had a booger hanging, a piece of spinach in her teeth, or something else equally embarrassing.  It was the only reason he should be staring like that, as far as she could tell.
    “Are you going to let me in or do I need to pack it and head back to Louisiana?”
    Jennings took a step back, without a word, and she followed him through the door. 
    “Your room’s upstairs.  Follow me,” he said after leaning down to pat his dog’s head. 
    The goldie came to sniff her up close and personal, and she gave the friendly pup a good head scrub.  As soon as she hit the stairs, the dog followed behind her. 
    Her room was at the front of the house, bright and freshly clean.  It smelled of lavender, one of her favorite scents.  It was a basic bedroom, with some rustic charm, and it was perfect for what she needed—a getaway.  The dog jumped up on the bed and lay down on the lacy bedspread, nuzzling her hand to urge her to pet him.
    “He’s usually wary of strangers.  It’s unusual for him to be this friendly.” Jennings lowered her bag to the floor and stared at the pup.  “Max!  Off the bed.”
    The dog diligently jumped down and moved to his master’s feet, sitting like a good soldier.  A man as big and intimidating like