Yes, Darren had a lovely smile. Yvette grinned, unable not to, really, when he was flashing that megawatt smile—the one she’d thought was so rare that first night she’d met him but had been seeing more and more of these past few days.

She made him smile. The thought was simultaneously heartwarming and terrifying. He loved her. That was even more terrifying but also exquisitely exciting. Her heart lurched with happiness as the reality of it set in. He loved her and he wanted to be with her. For real.

The responsibility of what he offered was the only thing that could temper her joy. Because what he offered was a responsibility, and she knew that better than anyone. If he loved her, that meant she could hurt him.

If she loved him back, it meant he could hurt her.

She let out a long exhale as she took a sip of the eggnog. God, it was a wonder anyone entered into a relationship. So much potential for pain.

But, there was also potential for happiness. True happiness, the kind that she wanted in her life one day, and the price to pay was putting herself out there, leaving herself exposed to danger.

She shivered slightly at the thought as memories from that age-old heartbreak surfaced. Funny how it had seemed so excruciatingly awful at the time—and now? Well, now she could at least be grateful that the high school asshat was out of her life. Thank God she’d found out his true colors before she’d done something epically dumb, like married the guy.

That was so long ago now, it was almost hard to summon up any real anger over it. She’d been a kid. Maybe that was why she’d overreacted, gone in such an opposite direction while reinventing herself.

She shook her head, allowing herself to be led to the dining room table, even though she was too nervous to eat. She had so much to say to Darren, so much to make right.

But at least he seemed happy she was here, which gave her hope that she wasn’t too late. Maybe she hadn’t fucked things up as badly as she’d feared.

Still, she’d feel a whole lot better if he said that.

The words she wanted to say raced through her mind, even as she tried her best to make polite chit-chat with Darren’s family. She’d been sat across the table from him so while they could exchange meaningful gazes, they couldn’t talk. Not really. The most they could do was participate in small talk together.

It was a special form of torture, she decided, and in the back of her mind she started drafting a new piece based on this moment. “A Very Merry Cock-Block” was the working title.

Her moment finally came when dinner was over. Presents were about to begin, his brother announced. His brother was a hottie, she noted absently. He had Darren’s handsome features, but none of the nerdy vibe. No glasses, no silly corporate haircut, no uptight clothing style. He wore a flannel shirt and jeans, work boots, and sported shaggy hair and a five o’clock shadow.

Way more her type than Darren, if she were still on the market.

But she wasn’t. She was taken.

She glanced over at Darren as he helped clear the table. And so was he.

She hoped.

She was ready to follow the crowd into the living room where a large tree loomed in the corner, but Darren stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Come with me,” he murmured.

His relatives bustled around them, clearing tables, setting out last minute gifts, but Darren deftly weaved his way through to an empty hallway that led to an even emptier section of the house, with a row of closed doors.

He opened one and pulled her in behind him. When he flipped on the overhead light, she had to slap a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. They were in his bedroom. His old bedroom, to be precise. At least she hoped he no longer lived in this homage to nerdy boys everywhere.

“Is that…is that a lightsaber?” she asked, pointing to the toy on his bookcase.

He ignored that, pulling her up against him and leaning down so his lips were meshed against hers, hot and urgent.

Her mind went blissfully blank. The anxious pit in her belly settled as she melted against him. When she pulled back, she uttered the first thing that crossed her mind. “I never would have imagined that I’d fall for a nerd.”

He gave a short laugh but the look of awe and disbelief in his eyes pierced her heart like an arrow. God, she was so lucky. And she needed him to know that. She needed him to hear it, because he’d been too good to her. She didn’t know if she deserved that, but she aimed to make it up to him.

“Darren, I—”

“You’re falling for me?”

His voice sounded so boyish, so full of hope, she couldn’t help but grin, even though she was taking a walk right over a ledge. “Yeah,” she said, feeling a heat in her cheeks that made her feel younger and more naïve than she’d felt in a very long time. She licked her lips and grabbed his hands, squeezing them tight as she fought for strength. “I love you.”

There. It came out as one word, rushed and frantic, but it came out. She beamed, pleased with herself beyond belief, and even more pleased as he gave her that sexy, amazing smile in return before pulling her back into his arms, his lips finding hers again.

The kiss was epic—thorough and heated and filled with all the emotions she wasn’t sure how to put into words. The gratitude for his patience, the joy that she’d found with him, the relief that she hadn’t been too late.

“I’m sorry,” she said, once they broke apart for air.

He grinned down at her. “For what?”

His eyes were so beautiful. For a second she wondered what he’d look like with contacts, but then dismissed it. She kind of liked having her very own Clark Kent—the hottie in disguise.

Her eyes widened.

“What? What is it? Are you okay?” He looked so worried, he held her so tight, she sighed with happiness knowing that he had her. Physically and emotionally, she was so very safe with this guy. All her worries and fears were starting to feel ridiculous around Darren.

“I’m fine,” she said. “I just got excited about a new series of paintings I’m going to work on when I get back.”

“Oh yeah?”

She nodded. Should she tell him her ideas about the undercover lover series? No, she’d surprise him with it for his birthday. “I’ll tell you about that later. First, I need to apologize. I’m so sorry I pushed you away, and I’m so grateful that you stuck with me and that you didn’t give up and—”

He cut her off with a kiss. When he pulled back, he cupped her face in his hands, his brows drawn down in a super serious expression. “I get it, Sarah. I really do.”

For some reason his use of her real name made her shiver. But not in a bad way. It felt good, it felt right. Maybe it was time she embraced Sarah again. She could be both Sarah and Yvette—strong and vulnerable. With Darren she could do both. “But I need to explain,” she said.

“Later.” He sounded so sure, so confident. “But I think I get it. You were hurt before.”

She nodded. How did he know? She supposed maybe it was obvious.

“I don’t know if I’d want to fall in love again if I got hurt.”

He looked so serious, so thoughtful, she went up on tiptoes to kiss those frowning lips. She met his gaze and held it. “I promise that I will do everything in my power to keep from hurting you.” She thought of the way she’d been pushing him away. “Any more than I already have, I mean.”

His smile was slow and filled with amusement, but his words were serious. “I’d appreciate that.” He squeezed her hands in his. “And I solemnly vow to protect your heart as well. I promise that I will do my best to make you happy and I hope I never hurt you in any way.”

She nodded, too choked up for words. Hopes and trying were the best they could do. There was only so much anyone could guarantee about the future. The rest came down to faith, and hope, and love.

Oh good Lord, Sarah was a cheeseball. Which might be kind of perfect, because so was Darren.

“What are you laughing about?” he asked, leaning down to nuzzle her neck as she snuggled up against him.

“I was just thinking about what a surprise you turned out to be.” She pulled her head back slightly so she could see him. “You know, for a numbers guy, you are quite the romantic.”

His eyes widened. “I know, right? It’s shocking, really.”

She laughed at his honesty. “To think, under these suits and glasses beats the heart of a poet.”

He let out a snort of disgusted amusement. “Don’t tell anyone, please.” He arched his brows.

She smiled up at him. “It’s our little secret.”

She was rewarded with a kiss. Should she tell him that Kat had figured it out ages ago? Nah, better let the nerd have his pride. Tilting her head toward the rest of the house where his family was waiting, she asked, “Do you think we should head back?”

His frown of disappointment was satisfying. “I suppose.”

He made no move to leave.

Her heart did a crazy leap in her chest as the reality of what she’d done swept over her. To her surprise, excitement and joy led the way in the emotional struggle for supremacy with fear lagging far behind.

She had plans to kick that fear firmly in the ass.

For now, she would revel in the fact that she’d taken the first step. She’d said the L-word and made a commitment. She glanced up at him. At least, she thought she had.

Now it was her turn to frown. “Wait, so this means we’re a couple, right?”

His eyes widened in surprise. “Of course. I’m not letting you go, Sarah. Not now, not ever.”

Her smile was so broad it hurt her cheeks, but she was all right with that. She was trapped. Committed. It was her deepest, darkest fear come to life.

And holy shit, it felt so good.

Thank you for reading Passion for Players! If you enjoyed it, reviews are always greatly appreciated. If you’d like to stay up to date on Maggie’s new releases, join her monthly newsletter and receive a FREE, exclusive novella, Heiress at Sea, when you sign up here:

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Want more steamy romantic comedies? Check out the Starting from Zero series. Click on the links below for three standalone sexy romantic comedies about fresh starts and new beginnings.

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: First they were best friends. Then they were enemies. Now they’re lovers. And all because of one night of drunken karaoke.