Read Game For Love: Best Laid Plans (Kindle Worlds Novella) Online
Authors: Taige Crenshaw
Game For Love: Best Laid Plans (Kindle Worlds Novella) (6 page)
“You’re getting way too much pleasure out of this.”
“Yes, yes I am.” Maura laughed. “Once you have been Grace’d you’re officially part of the center family.”
“I thought I already was for how often I am here volunteering.” Garret said.
“Yes but Grace’d is another level.” Maura led him out the door. “What are you doing here?”
“It’s as I said I was looking for Symon.” Garret looked at her. “And you. Can we get lunch?”
Maura smiled. “Of course.”
“Good. Let me talk to Symon and I’ll come find you.” Garret said.
“Okay.”
Garret walked away. She watched as he did again appreciating the way he moved.
“And again I catch you watching him.” Heather spoke behind her.
“And again you seem to be lurking to see me.” Maura glanced at her as she came to stand beside her. “I’ve been meaning to ask why you seem to do that.”
“I don’t do that.” Heather bumped shoulder against hers. “You just happen to stare at him often.” She lifted an eyebrow. “You’ve let him get close to you. I’m happy to see that Maura.”
She glanced where he’d gone down the hall. Maura couldn’t see him any longer.
“Maybe.” She returned her attention to Heather. “I notice that you and someone are getting more combative with each other.”
“He drives me crazy.” Heather sighed. “Aggravating man.”
“Uh huh. It’s his aggravation that is messing with your head.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Heather walked away.
“Keep telling yourself that. I know you Heather.” Maura called after her.
“Whatever.” Heather lifted her hand.
Maura headed in the other direction to her office. She went inside and picked up some papers from her desk. She took a seat on her couch and reviewed the information on the new program they were working on.
“Ready for lunch.” Garret asked.
Maura started and glanced toward the door at Garret. He leaned against the doorjamb. She put the file on the table by the chair and rose.
“Yes.”
“Is Phillipa’s good?”
At the name of the dinner down the street her mouth watered. They had great food. She nodded and they headed out.
“Did you get what you needed from Symon?”
“Yes.”
They brushed hands then he held hers. Maura clasped it as they went out one of the exits. As they went toward their destination they talked about various things. Maura didn’t really focus on what they discussed it was more about time with him. After they shared a scrumptious lunch together he escorted her back to the center then left.
I’m going to miss having him here every day.
She glanced at the work she had to do and got to work.
Days later Maura slammed down the phone and held in her scream. The vendors were driving her crazy.
“Someone pissed you off.”
His voice calmed her and made her smile.
“These vendors are not delivering what I need. I’m going to have to make new arrangements.” Maura sighed then said. “Ready for lunch?”
Although it was another day Garret wasn’t volunteering she had become used to him coming when he wasn’t to take her to lunch.
“Yes.” Garret said. “What are they doing?”
“Not living up to what they promised.” She joined him by the door.
“Oh.” Garret shook his head. “That’s not good.”
“Nothing unusual. Many times people aren’t always what they seem even if they try to make you believe it.”
Garret stared at her. “That’s very cynical.”
“And true.”
“Wow.” Garret shook his head. “I thought I had at least gotten you to trust me.”
“What?” Maura frowned. “This has nothing to do with you. With us.”
“It has everything to do with us.” Garret said softly. “I get that you don’t trust easily but I have seen your warmth and dedication to the center and people here as well as the neighborhood. Yet in personal involvements you keep people at a distance. Why?”
Maura didn’t know what to say. The silence lengthened. Garret touched her cheek gently. She turned into the touch. He stepped back before he walked away. In disbelief she stared after him not sure what had just happened. They were going to lunch and just like that it was over. Maura went to the chair and sat stunned. She braced her elbows on the desk gazing at the wall.
“Shouldn’t you be at lunch?” Heather spoke.
Maura jumped not having heard her come in. “Yeah. I don’t know…”
“Maura what’s wrong?” Heather came to the desk and leaning against it.
“I don’t know.” Maura frowned. “Garret came by for lunch and—“
She went over their conversation. Heather stared at her as if waiting for more.
“What?”
“That’s all?” Heather tsked. “Why didn’t you just tell him?”
“Tell him what?”
“That you love him, dummy.”
“First he calls me Diva Duo well DD for short.” Maura scowled. “And now you’re calling me a name too. Not a nice one I might add.”
“No it isn’t but it fits.” Heather locked gazes with her. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you skirted what I said.”
“I can’t love him.” Maura protested. “It’s too soon.”
“You love him.”
“I do care for him—“
“Love…L-O-V-E.” Heather said slowly.
“I heard you the first as well as other times you said it.” Maura narrowed her eyes. “Just because you keep saying it and repeating it doesn’t make it true.”
“What would make it true?” Heather ticked off. “You trust him. You’ve been spending all your free and hell most of your working time with him. He makes you laugh. He makes you happy.”
“I’m sure laughing and happy are the same thing.”
“Semantics.” Heather continued. “You care about him. And from what you told me even his cat loves you.”
“She’s a Diva like her name.”
“You love him. You might not want to admit it to yourself but you do. Think of these last few weeks and then your future without Garret in it what do you feel?” Heather demanded.
Maura frowned then opened her mouth to deny it. The memories of their times together filled her—their teasing followed by laughter. His insistence o calling her DD and the days of teaching him leisure. Maura closed her eyes as it dawned on her.
“Damn it, I love him.” Maura opened her eyes. “Yeah I am a dummy.”
“So what you’re gonna do DD?”
“Don’t call me that.” She said.
“Just that once.” Heather smiled. “I couldn’t resist.”
She recalled Garret saying the same thing about other things too. Maura stood. “I’m leaving for the rest of the day.” She patted Heather’s shoulder. “Thanks.”
She grabbed her bag then went past Heather heading for the door.
“Anytime Diva Duo.” ‘
Maura glared back at her. “You said once.”
“One of each.” Heather grinned widely. “I think I am good now.”
Maura rushed out. She went to her car and was quickly on her way to Garret’s. As she drove she planned out what she would say. Soon she pulled up to his house noticing his Tribeca was in the driveway. Maura got out closed the door and went up the drive then stairs to the door. She pressed the doorbell and waited. She tapped her toes making the sandals she wore click on the landing.
The door opened Garret and looked surprised to see her. “Maura shouldn’t you be at work?”
“I love you, you idiot. How could you just walk out on me like that? End things without even fighting for me?”
“Whoa.” Garret put up his hands. “I didn’t end things. I just left.”
“You didn’t end things.” Maura frowned.
“No. Did I say I didn’t want to see you anymore?”
“Well no.” She said reluctantly. “But the way you walked out it was like you ended it.”
“I didn’t.” Garret said. “I promise you that if in future
if
I decide to end things I will let you know.” He paused. “Although after you just told me you love me you’re not going to get rid of me. Say it again.” He demanded.
Maura lifted her head and met his dark blue gaze. “I love you.”
“I love you to, DD.” Garret smiled.
“Don’t call…ah hell call me that.” Maura said grudgingly. “I’m starting to get used to it.”
Garret laughed then stepped forward. She met him and he pulled her against his frame. Garret lowered his head but paused. “Promise me something.”
“What?”
“Since you said I love you first, let me be the one to propose to you when the time comes.”
Her heart raced then she calmed as she realized he said when not now. Maura studied him.
“Can’t make that promise.” She smirked. “I might end up doing it first and have a better plan than you when that time comes.”
“The thing about plans.” Garret said. “Sometimes even the best laid plans can change and believe me they can lead to such life changing things. Like you, Maura.”
She placed her hand behind his head and pulled him to her and kissed him. Garret as usual took control of their kiss. She really did love him and being with him was the best laid plan she didn’t even see coming.
THE END
The game always changes for super-sexy, alpha athlete heroes who meet their perfect heroines in these sexy, fun and emotional romances that revolve around the world of professional sports (including but not limited to football, baseball, soccer, basketball, beach volleyball, race cars, polo, etc.). When professional linebacker Cole Taylor sets out to fulfill his grandmother's dying wish, he finds his perfect and innocent match, Anna Davis, in the most unlikely of places, and the love that develops between Cole and Anna leaves them irrevocably altered. Whose game will change next?
Start with the original book by Bella Andre:
Then move on to these amazing reads from the
Game for Love
Kindle World:
A Cowboy Kind of Love ~ Melissa Storm
Best Laid Plans ~ Taige Crenshaw
Gridiron Heartbreaker ~ Melissa Blue
All the Right Moves ~ Marquita Valentine
Devil of the Gridiron ~ Melissa Blue
Not in the Game ~ Jasmine Haynes
Coming May 2016
The Best Gift
Book Two in the Zander Oaks Series
Janae Green isn’t sure what she was thinking when she ends up in Zander Oaks forChristmas time. But when she is told to take a break from her job as a trauma surgeon "or else..." She follows the advice and decides to take a trip to visit a friend she hasn’t seen in a long time. She finds herself lost on the ranch she is visiting. She’s never meet any of her friends siblings and when she does she gets along with all of them mostly except for one brother, he seems to have taken an instant dislike to her. Usually Janae wouldn’t give a crap yet she finds herself drawn to the man. But she’s not one to be ruled by her base desire...at least that is usually the case. Yet there is something about Roan that makes her lose all her inhibitions.
Roan Stone doesn’t know what his sister was thinking inviting her friend to the ranch. From their first meeting he can tell that she is going to be trouble. It didn’t matter that he wanted to kiss the smart mouthed woman who riled him like no one else. He just didn’t need the hassle of the cold woman. However Roan misconceptions are changed as he gets to know her...but she is only there until the New Year. Or is she. Janae has gotten under his skin and she is the one thing he wants for Christmas...she is the best gift.
For an up to date list of all books please visit
http://www.taigecrenshaw.com
Carly Phillips’ Kindle Worlds – Dare to Love series
Sizzling Dare
Zander Oaks
Taken by You
Seductive Pursuits
Body Cravings
Singleton
Hurricane
Perfect Fit
More Than Temptation
Unexpected Encounter
Blackstone Haven
Power of Attraction
Power of Enticement
Power of Rhythms
Blackstone Haven Vol. 1 (Print of Book 1 & 2 of series)
Blackstone Haven Vol. 2 (Print of Book 3 & 4 of series)
Phoenix Intelligence Agency
Indigo Rain
Silken Inferno
Dark Callings
Immortal Bloodlines
Firestorm Encounters
Wilde
Wilde Seduction
Wilde Rapture
Club Immortality
Lay Me Down
Burning Touch
Silk & Shadows
Nefer Investigations Force
Onyx Moon Rising
Co-written with Aliyah Burke
Unbreakable Bonds
Kemet Uncovered:
Talios
Devi
Linc
Saffron
Taber
Ashia