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  Stephanie shrugged, then flipped her shoulder-length dark hair. “Fine, but I came here to offer a truce. Give me an exclusive interview before your press conference tomorrow, and I’ll back off. Let this thing die down.”

  Nate laughed bitterly. “Be a clown in the circus you created? No thanks.”

  “What are you worried about? You’ll come out smelling like a rose. You always do.”

  “I’ll take option two.” His patience was gone. “Now, get the fuck off my property.”

  “War it is then.” Stephanie grinned, tying the belt of her red wool coat. She turned and walked away, calling over her shoulder, “Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance to end this thing peacefully.”

  Nate slammed the door and pressed his back to it, running his fingers through his hair. He’d screwed himself over big-time when he’d messed around with her. Aside from letting Kendra walk away, getting with Stephanie Weiss was his biggest regret.

  His friends had warned him that breaking a big story would always be her first priority, putting all of them in jeopardy. He hadn’t listened. Now he was paying the price.

  Stephanie had lost her career and her credibility as a sideline reporter for a major network when things had gone sideways three years before. Seemed she’d spent those years plotting her payback.

  Nate picked up his beer and drained the bottle, then headed to the kitchen for another. The doorbell rang again.

  He turned, his jaw clenched and his fist balled at his side.

  All bets were off. Stephanie Weiss was about to get a piece of his mind—unfiltered. He’d just have to apologize to his mother later.

  * * *

  Kendra shifted her bag on her shoulder, her luggage at her side and her heart racing.

  Nate wouldn’t be happy to see her. Not when he’d dropped her at the hotel like she was a sack of flaming potatoes and pulled off, barely muttering two words.

  When the door swung open, he looked angrier than she’d ever seen him. Like he was prepared for a fight. His shoulders drooped, a look of confusion on his face as he glanced around. “Kendra, what are you doing here?”

  Nice to see you, too.

  Kendra pulled her wrap around her to combat the chill in the air and the one rolling off her ex. “They were booked, except for a presidential suite. Same story with every other hotel I called. There are a couple of trade conventions in town this week.”

  “Forgot about that,” he muttered, still blocking the doorway. He glanced over her shoulder again.

  “If you’re looking for your friend who just left, I passed her in the driveway.”

  “She isn’t my friend. That was Stephanie Weiss.”

  “Your ex?” Kendra asked, then shifted under Nate’s withering stare. “I mean, the reporter who started all of this?”

  “Seems there are a lot of my exes showing up at my door tonight.” He raised an eyebrow, then sighed. He grabbed her bags off the doorstep, opening the door wide enough for her to enter. “Come in.”

  Kendra stepped inside tentatively, glancing around the house. Despite the tension between them, she couldn’t help smiling. She had so many great memories in this house. She remembered when Nate first bought the place. The weeks of house hunting before they’d finally settled on it. The times they’d shared there.

  She glanced toward the den, where they’d last made love one weekend when she’d brought Kai to visit his father. They’d been in the middle of a heated argument about where Kai would spend Christmas. Then he’d kissed her, and they’d ended up making love on the sofa while their son slept blissfully unaware upstairs.

  They’d almost made the same mistake in Montana.

  Kendra stood taller. This time she’d be smarter. Stronger. Use better judgment. Then everything would be fine. “The place looks great.”

  “Thanks.” Nate set her bags near the bottom of the stairs. “I’ll take your bags up in a few minutes, but I was just about to get a beer. I could use one right now. Can I get you something?”

  “Glass of wine?”

  “Red or white?” he asked, then quickly answered his own question, echoing her response. “Rosé, of course.”

  She smiled. “If you have it. If not, a glass of white wine would be fine.”

  “Think I’ve got something in the cooler.”

  She followed him into the kitchen. “So, what was public enemy number one doing here?”

  Nate’s delts tensed visibly and he paused for a moment before reaching into the wine cooler. He dug through the bottles silently, then pulled out her favorite bottle of rosé. He opened the bottle. “Proposing a truce of sorts.”

  “So she acknowledges this is a vendetta against you?” Kendra sat at the kitchen table.

  “Stephanie wanted me to know she was the one who took me down.” He poured a glass of wine and handed it to Kendra. “She knows I can’t do anything with the information.”

  Kendra thanked Nate for the rosé and took a sip. “Unfortunately, she’s right. It would do more harm than good. You’ll come off as a whiny athlete blaming someone else for your screwup.”

  Nate twisted the cap off his beer and sat at the table. He took a swig. “She’s probably banking on me using that excuse at the press conference tomorrow. Bet she’s already got a segment taped, just waiting for sound bites from the conference.”

  “Cunning, vindictive and determined. She’s a real winner,” Kendra muttered, then sipped her wine.

  “Yeah, I can really pick ’em.” He cut his gaze at her, then drank more of his beer.

  Touché.

  Kendra straightened her shoulders. “So this truce she offered, what was it?”

  “She wanted me to give her an exclusive interview before the press conference. Said if I did, she wouldn’t press the issue further.”

  “Indicating that if you don’t, she’ll keep fanning the flames.” Kendra’s stomach flipped. That meant she’d be doing more than just cleaning up the mess that was already made, she’d be putting out fires intentionally set by Stephanie. “Do you think she’d keep her word if you gave her the interview?”

  “Not as far as I could throw her conniving ass.”

  Kendra nodded. “I suspected as much. If you don’t mind my asking—”

  “What did I see in her in the first place?” He finished her question. When she nodded, he continued, “I was out with an injury, feeling down on myself when I ran into Steph at the grocery store. I was struggling with my leg in a cast. She offered to help me shop and to make dinner for me that night. We were on friendly terms. Figured, what the hell? It could be fun.”

  “I’m sure it didn’t hurt that she’s very pretty. Wasn’t she a beauty contestant or something?”

  “Miss Connecticut. Third runner-up for Miss America that year.” He didn’t meet her gaze.

  “Not judging.” Kendra held her hands up. “But she obviously isn’t as pretty on the inside.”

  Nate grunted. “Got that right.”

  “Okay, so taking the deal isn’t an option. We’ll have to be prepared for whatever she slings our way.” Kendra paused before asking the thing she needed to know, but didn’t want to ask. “She doesn’t have anything on you, does she? No secretly recorded audio, no sex tapes?”

  “No,” he said emphatically, sitting up straight as a rod, then dropping his gaze. “I mean, not that I’m aware of.”

  Fair enough. Anyone could set up a secret camera in their bedroom.

  “Anything you might have told her about a teammate or your family that she might use?”

  “Not that I recall.” His response wasn’t as convincing. “Like I said, we were only together a few months. The time we did spend together...we spent very little of it talking.”

  Kendra ignored the twisting in her gut. “Then we’ll just st
ay alert. Be sure not to give her any new ammunition.”

  Nate stood suddenly. “Got a long day tomorrow. I’ll take your bags to your room.”

  He was gone before she could thank him.

  Kendra poured herself another glass of wine. This time she’d be ready for Stephanie Weiss.

  Chapter 11

  Nate took his place behind the lectern and straightened his tie. He adjusted the microphone and thanked everyone for coming, then explained that he would play the full video.

  Stephanie pressed her lips into an angry slash and folded her arms. Her ire confirmed that playing the entire video was the right move.

  Score one more for Kendra.

  He stepped aside while the five-minute video played in its entirety. Nate glanced over at Marcus and Kendra standing in the corner.

  His brother nodded reassuringly. Kendra’s confident smile filled his chest with warmth and eased the tension in his shoulders. He wouldn’t admit it to Marcus, but he was glad Kendra was there. Especially since his twin sister—off on one of the solo island vacations she took a few times a year—couldn’t be.

  When the video ended, the lights came on again. Nate launched into a prepared script, giving a brief overview of what happened that night and why he was so frustrated with himself and his teammates. He made it clear he’d offered his sincere apologies in person to everyone who was available. Nate apologized again for his lack of thoughtfulness and the impact it had on his teammates and the Marauders organization.

  He ended by stating emphatically that he intended to suit up for the Marauders for the remainder of his career.

  “Our team has come so close to going to the big dance. During the off-season, we’ll work hard as individuals and as an organization to ensure we’re giving our all every single time we take the field. It’s what every man on the team wants. Most important, it’s what the loyal fans of this city deserve. Thank you for coming.”

  Nate stepped away from the microphone, relieved the press conference was finally over. He was especially grateful Kendra insisted they not take questions.

  Score two for Kendra.

  “Is it true you just returned from Montana where you pressured Wade Willis to retire before next season?” Stephanie shot to her feet, to the surprise of everyone in the room.

  “Of course not.” The words came out of his mouth before he could stop them. Kendra had already warned him someone was bound to push for questions. He was supposed to say, “No further comment.”

  So much for that.

  “Wade is still one of the elite quarterbacks in this league. This past year wasn’t his best year, but it wasn’t mine, either. We’ll both be stronger next year.”

  “So you admit you’re a big part of the reason the team has stalled in the play-offs three years in a row?” Stephanie could barely hold back her smirk.

  Nate’s shoulders knotted. He pressed his lips into a harsh line and breathed out slowly. “As I stated that night on the video, I need to be better. We all do. No further questions.”

  He stepped away from the microphone and made a beeline behind the curtains and away from the hungry pack of jackals clamoring to ask the next question. Nate pressed his back against the wall, angry with himself for not sticking to the script. He’d let Stephanie rile him. She knew he wouldn’t let that accusation hang in the air, unanswered.

  And how the hell did she know he’d just returned from Montana, anyway?

  He looked up at the click of Kendra’s heels coming down the hallway. She wasn’t happy. Neither was Marcus, who was hard on her heels.

  “Why didn’t you stick to the script?” Marcus gestured wildly. “Were we not clear about not taking questions?”

  “I know I should’ve ignored her question, but I couldn’t leave the fans thinking I’m trying to push Wade out.”

  “There are going to be a lot of accusations hurled at you in the next few weeks, man. You can’t respond to every one. We’ve got a plan. If you stick with it, everything will be fine.” Marcus stormed away, likely in search of a strong cup of coffee.

  Nate turned his attention to Kendra. “Go ahead. Let me have it.”

  Kendra’s expression softened, and she let out a quiet sigh as she squeezed his arm. “I know how much Wade means to you and to the fans. It’s probably good you combated that accusation right away and that you spoke so highly of him. You handled the situation well.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. Just don’t do it again. If we say no questions, then don’t address questions. Not even from Stephanie Weiss. Got it?”

  “Got it.” He looked down at his watch. “We better head out. Marcus and I have a late lunch meeting over at the foundation. We’ll drop you off at the house on the way.”

  “Aren’t we flying back to Pleasure Cove tonight?” Her shoulders tensed and there was a hint of panic in the slight elevation of her tone.

  “Change of plans. I finally connected with Dade. We’re meeting tomorrow for lunch, so we’ll have to stay one more night. Hope that’s cool.”

  “It’s important that you sit down with Dade and iron things out.” Kendra waved a hand. “I’ll try again with the hotels.”

  “No need.” Nate shoved his hands in his pockets. “There’s plenty of room for both of us.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  “I am. Feel free to work from my office. I’ll even make dinner tonight. To thank you for everything,” he added quickly.

  She cocked an eyebrow, her adorable nose crinkling. “You cook now?”

  “Okay, so maybe I’m just heating it up. Same difference.”

  Kendra laughed, then looked thoughtful, the gears turning in that brilliant head of hers. She nodded reluctantly. “Sure.”

  He gave her a quick nod, then they headed toward the exit, his heart dancing with a growing sense of hope.

  * * *

  Kendra paced in front of the fireplace in the den, her body filled with nervous energy, prompted by the memories of when she was last there.

  She halted, catching her breath as she fought back the vivid sensation of Nate planting soft kisses along her collarbone and shoulders. Kisses that led to a wild and passionate night together.

  Kendra swallowed hard, then resumed her pacing. Finally, she plopped on the sofa and pulled out her phone. She called her mother, but there was no answer. Next, she called her sister.

  “How’s the trip?”

  Kendra released a slow breath, fortified by the lilt in Maya’s voice. “Professionally? Things are going well. Personally? I’m losing it.”

  “Why, what’s going on between you and Nate?”

  “I’m sitting on the infamous sofa, trying my hardest to keep my head together, but all I keep thinking about is the last time I was here, when I couldn’t keep my legs together.”

  Maya chuckled. “What are you doing at Nate’s anyway? Thought you were staying at a hotel.”

  “So did I, but we ended up staying overnight in Montana sharing Wade and Greer’s guesthouse.”

  Maya cleared her throat. “The more important question is, did you two share a bed?”

  “No,” Kendra said quickly. The silence seemed to extend forever. Her sister was the master of the well-used pause to get her to spill her guts. She groaned. “But he kissed me.”

  “Did you kiss him back?” The lilt returned to Maya’s voice. She was on the verge of a giggle.

  “Until I regained my clarity.”

  “Clarity, huh? Sounds more like delusion, if you’re still pretending Nate doesn’t mean anything to you.”

  “Of course he does. He’s Kai’s dad. He was my best friend. My first.” She said the words wistfully, recalling that weekend her mother had taken her brother to Raleigh on a college tour. “I’ll always care for him. That
doesn’t mean we’re meant to be together.”

  “And what does Nate think?” Maya’s tone was subdued.

  Kendra swung her legs beneath her and exhaled. “He wants us to be a family.”

  “Oh my gosh, Kendra. That’s great news.” Maya paused when Kendra didn’t respond. “Isn’t it?”

  “Seems like it’s more about Nate wanting to be with Kai.” A dull ache filled her chest. “He didn’t say he wanted to be with me. He just keeps going on about how great it would be to finally be a family.”

  “Nate loves his son. Why is that bad?”

  “Because it can’t be the only reason we’re together, like it was for Dad when he married my mom.”

  There was an uneasy silence between them. As much as Kendra loved Maya now, it hadn’t always been that way. Kendra had resented Maya and her younger brother.

  She couldn’t shake the hurt of knowing she was the reason her father left. Curtis Williams abandoned their family less than a year after her birth.

  Though he’d left them behind, he chose to stay with Maya’s mother just a year later. They’d gotten married and raised two kids. He’d attended every school function and proudly filmed everything from Maya’s and Cole’s first steps to their college graduations.

  Even now, she sometimes lay awake at night wondering why her father hadn’t loved her enough to stay with them. Why he hadn’t doted on her and Dash and embraced being their dad as much as he enjoyed being a father to Maya and Cole.

  “I don’t think it’s as simple as that.” Maya adored Curtis Williams. She was a daddy’s girl. He’d been there for her all her life. Why shouldn’t she adore him? “He loved your mom.”

  Kendra snorted. “He had a damn funny way of showing it. Love like that, I don’t need.”

  “Nate isn’t our dad,” Maya said quietly. “And for the record, Dad was young and he made his mistakes. He regrets how poorly he handled things.”

  “Agree to disagree.” It was Kendra’s signal for Maya to end the discussion of Curtis Williams’s virtues.

  “Okay.” The word came out of Maya’s mouth in an odd singsong. “But you’re not being fair to Nate. Just because being a family is important to him doesn’t mean you aren’t.”