“I’m glad you made it.”

Markus looked behind him to see Mrs. Adler leaning against the boards, a grin on her face. Her nose was a little pink from the chill of the ice, but unlike other women he knew who bundled up to come into the rink, she still wore her office attire. A flowing flowery dress traced her curves, accompanied by, of course, her high purple heels. That was Elli Adler. She never looked underdressed or messy; she couldn’t. She was the face of the Assassins.

Grinning back at her through the visor of his helmet, he nodded. “Of course. Gotta make you proud.”

“Good. Why don’t you come here for a moment?” she said, the grin still there. He paused for a split second, his hand gripping his stick. She was smiling, so surely he wasn’t in any trouble. But it made him nervous. Plus, should he really get off the ice when they were about to start?

He hooked his thumb to the ice where everyone was warming up. “But we’re about to start, aren’t we?”

She laughed. “They’ll wait. I’m the owner,” she whispered, her eyes sparkling with playfulness. “Come on.”

He did as he was asked, following her through the bench area to the tunnel where another man stood, a packet of papers in his hands. “This is one of the team’s lawyers. He’s here because people messed up during your first meeting and didn’t have you sign a few sheets of paper.” She turned to Markus, handing him a clipboard with the papers she spoke of. “First one is legal stuff—how you’ll be paid while you are here and all that jazz. Second is what we offer while you are here. When you are playing more than two games a week, you’ll get another offer sheet.”

Markus nodded as he read the first page very quickly. “I already signed this one,” he said, looking up to her. His grandpa always said to make sure you read everything. Even if the lawyers went through it, read it. He was a quick reader since he read every free moment he had. With Jace being so far away and his not having friends in Florida, Markus gave up video games, and reading became life. He loved it. As a result, reading through the papers was a breeze.

Elli looked to her lawyer as he searched through the packet again. “He’s right, here it is.”

“Oh, good,” she said with a grin, taking the sheet from Markus and handing it to her lawyer. “Sorry about this. I need to get a new staff, huh?” she teased, and Markus smiled.

“No, it’s fine,” he said, reading over the next page, which was what the franchise offered to its players.

6. Free therapy, up to three times a week. (Mental health is important!)

Why did that stick out to him? Out of all the stuff they offered: discounts to everything under the sun, leasing on cars, and all the rest, why did that matter? Rolling his eyes from the frustration eating his soul, he signed the paper quickly, going to the next and then the next. When he was finished, he looked to Elli and nodded. “Are we good?”

She looked to the lawyer who was verifying the paperwork, and when he nodded, she grinned over at him. “We are great. Thank you!”

He couldn’t even focus on her dashing grin or anything else.

Did he need therapy?

Did he want it?

No, that was crazy talk. Nothing was wrong with him.

“Anytime,” he said, a little uneasy from the fact that he was still thinking of number six on that one document.

He wasn’t sure what it meant. He didn’t know why that would stick out to him.

“Yo, Reeves, let’s go!” Jayden called from the ice, and Markus could have kissed him.

He needed the distraction.

With a wave to Mrs. Adler, he walked out onto the ice, heading for where Jayden was waiting. Coach Baxter stood in the middle of the ice, watching as everyone gathered. Standing beside Jayden, Markus looked around at all the familiar faces he knew. Not only personally but through admiration over the years. Lucas Brooks stood beside Jayden, along with the goalie, Tate Odder. Across the way was the awesome Vaughn Johansson—who Markus would have to admit he was kind of dude-crushing on. The guy was downright sick; Markus loved watching him play. To the left were Karson King and Jordie Thomas, a defensive duo that was tough to score on and highly rated. Phillip Anderson was against the boards, along with Erik Titov and the backup goalie, Dylan Alexander. Benji Paxton, the guy who was marrying Lucy, stood tall and confident beside a guy Markus thought was Patrick Franklin, but he was unsure. Looking around the rink, at all of the iconic players he had dreamed of playing with, everything kind of hit him.

This was real.

This was it.

This was his chance.

Holy. Fuck.

Before he could mentally freak the hell out, though, Coach Baxter cleared his throat. “All right, let’s take a moment and welcome Markus Reeves to the rink. He’ll be playing with us for a while, trying to shake things up. We all know how that goes. Let’s wish him luck.”

Soon everyone tapped their sticks to the ice, nodding their heads toward Markus. Lifting his hand, he waved like a goof. Jayden laughed beside him, causing him to drop his hand as his face burned.

Great first impression there, Markus…

“Next, let’s congratulate Odder and Titov, who will both be leaving tomorrow to play in the Worlds for their home countries.” Again, the tap of the sticks while both men grinned proudly. “Good luck, but you’ll all lose. Go Canada.”

That led to a roar of laughter, and to Markus’s surprise, both men laughed, flipping off their coach. If that had happened back on the Ninjas, Coach Saint would have chopped someone’s head off with a stick. But not here, and just that simple fact had Markus grinning like a fool.

“Okay, back to business. We’ve shaken the lines up, we’re gonna try some new things, see if we can find a groove. So I hope everyone is ready. It won’t be an easy practice.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Even Markus was nodding—because he was ready.

He was born ready.

 

 

Markus wasn’t ready.

He wasn’t ready at all.

And he was pretty sure he was dying.

Lying on the bench in the locker room with his head only inches from Jayden’s leg, he sucked in breath as Jayden gasped beside him. While Markus was sure he was dying a very slow and unpleasant death, his buddy looked as if he could go another round. Jayden had the damn endurance of…someone who had a lot of endurance. Markus wasn’t sure, he was just dying, and thinking wasn’t an option.

Looking around the room, he noticed that, thankfully, everyone looked about the same. Two seconds away from death. Anderson was sitting with his arms on his legs, a towel on his head as he sucked in deep breaths. Odder was stark naked, his long legs almost reaching the middle of the room as he lay on the floor and looked up at the ceiling.

At least everyone else was mirroring how Markus felt.

Well, except Jayden; he was basically Batman or some shit.

“Who do we blame for this?” Paxton asked, looking around the room. “Who fucked up to bring on this death practice? I haven’t worked that hard since my first day in the NHL.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, everyone’s gaze swiveled to Markus.

“Fuck,” he muttered as everyone glared.

“You owe us dinner,” Odder demanded.

“And beer, lots of beer,” Anderson added, and Markus grinned.

“If I stay, I got you guys. But right now, funds are tight.”

“That’s why you get a shiny team credit card, buddy, and we’re gonna break that sucker in,” King said, trying to catch his breath.

“Whoa, what? Team card?” he asked because he could really use that.

“Yeah, it’s in your welcome pack,” King said, and Markus looked away. He didn’t get one of those. Just like that, he was knocked down from the high he was riding from his first NHL practice. Yup, they didn’t think he’d be here long. Hopefully, he’d proved them wrong today. He rocked that practice. Killed it. Yeah, he may have swallowed back a lot of vomit, but damn it, he rocked. Surely, he’d make it. He had to make it.

6. Free therapy, three times a week. (Mental health is important!)

What the fuck?

On an exhale, King said, “I’m too old for this shit.”

Thomas chortled beside him, nodding his head. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“Aw, are y’all gonna retire like Adler did?” Brooks called to them, and they glared.

“We aren’t retiring until you do, Grandpa.”

Markus laughed along with the other guys as he leaned into the locker, loving the coolness of the slick wood. But when the door opened, he paused as Coach Baxter walked in. Markus’s stomach dropped because he knew what was about to happen. The chew-out.

“Great practice, boys. All of you worked damn hard, and I couldn’t ask for a better group. Again, good luck, Odder and Titov. Go Canada!”

Markus scoffed as Odder and Titov waved Coach off, laughing. But he stopped laughing when Coach met his gaze. “Great practice, Reeves. Way to come out guns blazing. I may have doubted you a little too early. I’ll see you in the morning?”

Markus sat up straighter. “Yes, sir.”

“Good, everyone else only needs to come for morning skate. Sinclair, you’ll stay after, eh?”

“Yes, sir,” Jayden agreed, wiping his face down, and Markus was confused. Why would Jayden be staying? He knew why he was staying. They wanted to work with him—that wasn’t a problem, he wanted the extra work and training—but there was no reason for Jayden to stay. His sister was getting married, he had a new baby, he had things to do.

“Okay, good. All right, hit the showers, boys. Good job today, I really like this pairing,” he said, and both men nodded their heads because it was a good combo. Jayden and Markus knew how to play together, knew what the other was doing before he did it. It worked, and Markus was glad someone saw that.

Before leaving, though, Coach paused, holding his hands up. “Cover up. Boss lady is coming in here in a few.”

Everyone nodded as they started to get up, ready to hit the showers. Jayden stood, but Markus stopped him. “Bro, why are you staying?”

“To work with you.”

“Oh,” he said, deflated. Maybe he didn’t do as well as he thought he had if they needed Jayden to stay too. Coach did say he kicked ass, but why did they need Jayden, then?

“Yeah, Coach asked after practice if I can stay tomorrow to work with ya on some plays. They loved your play today. So did I. Great job.”

“Oh, awesome.”

Jayden smiled. “Yeah, I’m proud, bro, really proud. They just want to smooth some things out so we can start next Wednesday.”

“Start?” he said, almost choking on the word.

Jayden scoffed. “Yeah, me and you, bro. Let’s do this. You ready?”

Holding his fist up, Jayden waited, but all Markus could do was nod. Was this all real? When his fist connected with Jayden’s, his buddy smiled. “Hurry up, we’re meeting Lucy out at the cabins and having lunch with Mom and River. Angie is excited to see you.”

Jayden then nodded his head before grabbing a towel to head to the showers. Markus could only watch. He was dumbfounded. Completely and utterly speechless. He knew they had things to do after practice, wedding things, but he was still completely taken aback by what just happened. He was going to start. He thought he would come up, be third or fourth line, but no, that wasn’t the case. He was going to start.

Holy mother of God.

When the door opened, stopping Jayden, Markus moved his head out to see who it was.

It was Mrs. Adler.

“Jayden! How’s Dawson?”

Markus couldn’t see Jayden’s face, but by the way Elli grinned, he was sure Jayden was beaming. “He’s great. Getting bigger by the second.”

“I need to see him. Stat.”

“I will call Baylor and tell her to head to your house.”

“Good boy,” she said, tapping his arm before moving past him, a grin still on her dark purple lips. Everyone smiled, waving and asking how she was, how the kids were, which she answered with the country flourish only Elli Adler had.

“Is Shea getting fatter?” Anderson teased, and Elli scoffed.

“Now, we both know that isn’t true.”

“I don’t know. I think he’s getting lazy.”

“I’m telling him you said that,” she warned, and Anderson stopped laughing.

“Please don’t. Please,” he begged, and this time, it was Elli who was laughing as she made a quick detour to where Markus was sitting.

“Okay, so I suck.”

With his eyes wide, he stood. Just to play off his nerves, he said, “You suck? Never.”

Elli waved him off, and that’s when he noticed a large envelope in her hands. “You’re too sweet,” she gushed, grinning up at him. “I heard you kicked some major ass today.”

Markus beamed. “I think I did.”

“Awesome. I’m superexcited, I feel good. I feel enthusiastic, like something is about to go down, and I can’t wait. But anyway…” she said, shaking the envelope in her hands toward his face. “This is yours. I forgot to give it to you earlier. It’s your welcome packet. It has the hotel voucher in it in case you want to use it, and then your team card that you signed for and own. Some other things, too. Everything is explained to you in the welcome letter.”

“Oh, thank you, but I’m staying with Jayden,” he said, reaching for it, and Elli smiled.

“Well, hopefully, we can sign ya on for good, and we can get you some good housing,” she said with a little wiggle. “At least, I’m hoping to God so!”

“Me too,” Markus said, holding his packet in his hand.

While he hated doubting his new boss, he couldn’t help but wonder if they wanted to wait until after this practice to see his performance. Could this have been his only practice…? Wait, no, he couldn’t do that. He was in. He was doing great, and he’d continue to do so. He’d impress, he had to, he couldn’t fail. He had already failed at so much.

6. Free therapy, three times a week. (Mental health is important!)

What the ever-loving fuck! Why was he thinking that?

Shaking his head free of the thought, he laid his packet down and then sat down beside it, his heart in his throat. His thoughts scared him. He didn’t need this right now. He was on the fast track to his dreams, though he couldn’t help but think about number six.

About maybe getting some help.

For what, though? He didn’t need help.

Or did he?

 

 

 

“I really appreciate this.”

Jace flashed Mekena a grin as Ashlyn climbed up his shoulder, wrapping her small arms around his neck, gnawing on his chin as he worked the key into the door of her cabin. “Of course, I’m glad you’re staying on the property with us. Makes Avery happy.”

Struggling to hold Mr. Right, she nodded. “Yeah, me too.”

She almost cried out in relief when the door finally opened. She knew it was rude to push by a man holding a baby, but her cat weighed a ton. Placing him on the couch, she regretted not leaving him with her mom, but she just knew he would die from the diet her mother would put him on. No, she and Mr. Right would work it out. They would figure out a way to lose the weight, together, as a family.

And hopefully, neither one killed the other.

Shaking out her arms, she looked up to Jace, who was laughing. “Heavy?”

“No, not at all.”

He gave her a knowing look that she promptly ignored while looking around the roomy cabin. The cabin was very rustic which matched the scenery outside. It was on the grounds, back in the back woods that surrounded the big mansion where Lucy and Benji would be marrying. It was a good hour from downtown, but Mekena thought the drive in was perfect, and the cabin didn’t disappoint. It was huge, two bedrooms, a full kitchen and a dining area, along with a sitting room. She knew it was a leftover because some aunt of Lucy’s and her family couldn’t come, and Mekena was thankful. There was no way she could stay at her mother’s house with her there.

Turning to the cat carrier, she opened it, allowing Mr. Right to exit, but he didn’t move. “Come on, sugar butt, let’s go. You can come out.”

He didn’t even open his eyes.

Rolling her eyes at the laughter coming from behind her, she turned to see her best friend’s husband grinning. “He must be worn out.”

“Yeah, that’s it,” he teased, handing her a key. “Okay, so you’re good? I gotta go meet Avery and my mom for dinner, and then we’re all meeting at the bar. I was told to make sure you go.”

She tucked the key into her pocket and nodded. “Yeah, Avery already told me. Have fun. I’m gonna get settled, and then I’ll meet y’all over there,” she said, but then she paused. By the door was a backpack and a pair of tennis shoes. Pointing to them, she glanced back to Jace. “Whose is that? Is someone staying here?”

He shook his head, looking down at the stuff. “No, this is the key Benji gave me for the extra cabin. I don’t know whose that is.”

She eyed it. “Should you take it?”

He gave her a confused look. “Why would I take it?”

“What if it’s some killer’s, and when he comes back, he thinks I’m stealing his stuff and kills me?”

“Then you’ll be dead. So don’t answer the door,” he said dryly as he pulled Ashlyn off his neck and tucked her up under his arm like a football. “Call me if he shows up.”

“Jerk,” she muttered.

“Bitch,” he said with a wink, and she grinned. It was their little thing from all the hours they spent with Avery watching Supernatural. It was silly, but it brought her a little closer to Jace, which was nice since Avery believed he hung the stars, moon, and hell, the whole solar system. “Okay, see you in a bit.”

“Bye,” she said, walking toward the door to shut it and lock it. “Bye, baby Ashlyn.”

Ashlyn giggled as her little legs kicked before Mekena shut the door and leaned into it, glancing back down at the pile of stuff. It made her uneasy, almost like she knew whom it belonged to, but she was pretty sure that was a completely irrational thought. Shaking her head free of the thought, she looked over to the couch where Mr. Right’s hind legs were hanging out of the carrier.

“Don’t you want to come out, smooches?” she asked, coming to the carrier and trying to reach for him, but he batted her away, blocking the exit with his ass. “Asshole,” she muttered before standing and picking up the carrier. He groaned very loudly as she carried him to the back bedroom that had an awesome garden tub. Putting the carrier at the end of the bed, she then went for her suitcase, doing the same before she unpacked very carefully. Call her OCD, but she had a system. She always unpacked when she went somewhere. She couldn’t stand living out of a suitcase; she just couldn’t sleep. This way, she was guaranteed a good night’s sleep.

When her phone sounded, she paused, looking around the room for it. Then she remembered it was in her purse. Reaching for it, she found a text from Aunt Libby.

Libby: I might just kill Skylar for you.

Mekena scoffed.

Mekena: Don’t do that. Mom would be upset.

Libby: I don’t care. She’s over here bad-mouthing you like it’s your fault she slept with your boyfriend.

Libby: Jesus, she’s turning me into a middle school girl.

Mekena: She brings out the bad in everyone.

Libby: She does. Did you get settled? How’s the cow enjoying his new digs?

Looking down at the carrier, all she saw was Mr. Right’s long tail, whipping around. Not in the least bit of a hurry to do anything but sit there.

Mekena: I am, and Mr. Right is doing just fine. Running around, playing with the curtains. Being a cat.

Libby: You’re a damn liar. He probably can’t even get out of the carrier ’cause you won’t accept that he’s fat and get a dog carrier instead of a cat one.

Mekena: You don’t know our life.

Throwing the phone down, even though it sounded once more, she groaned.

“Everyone is so mean to my love bug,” she said, getting down to his level and looking into the carrier. “I feel that if you get out, you’ll be happier.”

He gave her a look that said he didn’t agree. She knew what she was about to say was the reason her cat was so overweight, yet she sang, “I’ll give ya a treat, treat.”

Mr. Right’s ears perked up, a little meow leaving his lips before he started to turn and waddle to her. Picking up her baby, she cuddled him to her chest. “We need to discuss this issue we have, mister.”

His tail whipped against her waist, surely getting cat hair all over her black dress pants, but then he nuzzled her chin, and she didn’t care. Reaching into the bag, she grabbed a treat and ripped it in half before offering it to him. But he turned his head.

“Mr. Right. Really? Take it.”

She offered again, but as before, he turned his head, his little muzzle going up in the air as his tail stopped whipping.

“You can’t have the whole thing. Take it or leave it, buddy.”

He looked up at her, his eyes getting wider and silently begging her for the rest of the treat. It was pathetic. She knew this, and she knew she shouldn’t give it to him. He was fat! But then he meowed ever so softly, so pitifully, and just like that, she caved. Like a house of cards. When she reached for a full piece of treat, he purred happily before taking the whole thing in his mouth. Placing him on the bed, she felt like a bad cat mom. But he looked so happy lying there, his tail swishing, his eyes bright. He was her baby. She couldn’t deprive him.

He was going to give her an ulcer.

Deciding that she was a pushover, she went to work unpacking as Mr. Right snored contentedly. When she was done, she looked at herself in the full-length mirror and wondered if she should change. The tight black dress pants that flared at the bottom went great with her sheer white shirt that draped to her elbows. Her hair wasn’t her idea. It was Libby’s. She had convinced her to get a dark balayage done, and now Mekena’s dark hair faded into a beautiful caramel color. At first, she’d hated it, but now she loved it. It looked amazing all curled around her face with her dark-rimmed glasses. She looked so adult, and more than that, she felt pretty. That didn’t happen a lot. But today, today she felt it.

Which was really weird.

Glancing at the clock, she noticed it was close to the time Avery said to meet them at the bar. Everyone was getting together to chat and enjoy some drinks. Not that she’d be drinking, but it would be nice to hang with everyone. She loved Jace’s mom, Autumn, and also enjoyed talking with Claire, Jace’s brother’s wife. Reaching for her jacket, she tucked her phone into her pocket before picking up her clutch off the bed and looking to Mr. Right.

“I’ll be back later. Your litter box is in the bathroom. Don’t go wild, we aren’t paying for this place.”

Opening one eye, he let out a long breath and then reclosed it, his tail lying flat against the bed. Mekena rolled her eyes; she swore it was like living with an old man with this guy. Opening the door, she shut it behind her so Mr. Right couldn’t leave—not that she thought he would, but just in case. She glanced at the stuff by the door, and it made her nervous all over again that it was there.

Was the killer going to break in and kill Mr. Right?

Maybe she should stay home?

Maybe she should put it outside?

She was crazy, that was the only answer. It was probably the person who stayed here before her, and they forgot their stuff. She was being silly, yet she gave the items a wide berth, acting as if they would pop out and bite her, before opening the door, locking it, and heading to the main house where the bar was. The grounds were quiet, the sounds of crickets and other woodland animals the only thing she heard. The lights in the main cabin were bright, glowing out over most of the other cabins except hers since it was so far back in the woods. When she finally reached the door, it opened and Benji was standing in the doorway.

“Hey, Mekena,” he said and she smiled.

“Hey. Where ya going?”

“I’m on kid duty, gotta go check on the babysitter. The girls are in the bar, the guys had to go do something…I forgot what, so I’ll see ya back in there.”

“Okay, thanks,” she said as he walked past her, heading out into the darkness. Walking down the hall, she entered the bar that was only feet from the back entrance. Inside, it was an all-natural design with the same homey feel as her cabin. Everything was made of wood, and the room had lots of John Wayne memorabilia hanging from the walls. When she saw Avery at a table with Baylor, Claire, and Lucy, she grinned as she headed toward them.

“Mekena!” Avery gushed, coming to her and hugging her tightly. “I was worried you wouldn’t come.”

“I told you I would,” she reminded, rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, and that doesn’t mean anything,” she teased, and Mekena scoffed as she went around the table, hugging everyone.

“So glad you could stay on the grounds with us! Do you love your cabin?” Lucy asked as she leaned on the table.

Mekena did the same, nodding. “Love it. It’s beautiful here.”

“I agree, I don’t want to leave,” Claire said, resting her cheek on her hand. “Great location.”

“Thank you. All Benji,” Lucy gushed and everyone smiled.

“You excited?” Baylor asked.

When Lucy wiggled a bit, Mekena’s grin grew. “Really excited, which is silly since we are already married and so damn happy, but before it was so quick and really just so Benji could adopt Angie. Now, it’s for us, and I can’t wait.” She took a breath and then rolled her eyes. “Which is silly! I didn’t even want a wedding before I met him.”

“He’s perfect for you,” Claire said, leaning into her as she beamed. “I love him dearly.”

“He is great, super great,” she said, her face bright and happy. Lucy deserved a good guy. She hadn’t had it easy from what Avery had told Mekena, but that all changed when Benji came along. He made Lucy beyond happy, and he was the greatest father imaginable to Angie. Lucy turned to her sister-in-law. “So when are you moving to LA?”

Claire let out a long-suffering breath, and everyone seemed concerned. “They are fighting me about getting out of my contract, so I might be stuck for another year.”

“Oh, no,” Baylor said, shaking her head. “Can’t you just pay back the remainder of your contract?”

“They don’t want it. They want me to carry it out and train my replacement, which sucks ’cause we were thinking about maybe getting pregnant soon,” she said, visibly upset, and Lucy wrapped her arm around her.

“Look at it this way, you guys will be super ready when it’s time to have a baby,” she said, and everyone nodded, even Mekena, who had no clue about any of this stuff. She wanted to travel first. She wanted to see the world before she hunkered down and had a baby. Well, she had to find a guy too.

That would probably be best.

“Yeah, you’re right. And you know what that means?” she asked, and Lucy eyed her.

“What?”

With a playful grin, she said, “That you and Benji have to have a baby next!”

Everyone giggled at that while Lucy shrugged. “What if I’m already pregnant?”

The laughter died. “What?” Avery asked.

“You’re kidding!” Baylor accused.

“No way!” Claire said, jumping on the balls of her feet.

Mekena wasn’t sure what she should say, so she didn’t say anything as Lucy laughed. “No, I’m not pregnant, you big dorks!” she said, and soon napkins started flying at her head. It was sweet, the dynamic and love between the four women. Lucy was the oldest of the Sinclair children. She loved her brothers fiercely, and she accepted each of their spouses with open arms, loved them like sisters. It was nice, and Mekena hoped one day she would have the same thing. They were all very lucky to have each other.

“The party is here!”

All of them turned to see Jace coming through the door with Jayden and Jude flanking him. The three brothers favored each other so much, and all were devilishly handsome. Dark hair, green eyes, and bodies that could make women fall over each other to get to them. They almost looked like a boy band, they were so handsome. And man, did they love their women. As Jace came around the table, heading for Avery, Mekena grinned happily, but her grin dropped as soon as she saw who was behind him. Within seconds, Mekena found herself frozen in place as a pair of seductive caramel eyes met hers.

Like she remembered, he was tall, big, wide shoulders and a jawline that could make a girl weak in the knees. His hair was shaved close, a line along the side with his hair brushed to the right. His face was clear of any hair, such a baby face, a face she loved to touch. With small freckles she just adored, they made his look. Gave him more character than one person could ever need. He was wearing a nice dress shirt and slacks, and Lord, he was as gorgeous as she remembered.

She had never been attracted to an African American guy before him, but then, she had never been attracted to anyone before him. He was stunning, the hue of his skin a sexy chocolate color that made his caramel eyes shine. She thought seeing him again would do nothing to her. It had been over a year. He wasn’t even a blip on her radar, but boy, was she wrong. So damn wrong because it meant everything once his eyes met hers.

As much as she didn’t want him to, Markus Reeves still held her heart.