by Liz Matis
No more son, Liam noticed. Hesitating, he sat back in his chair. Was his boss right? He’d torched bridges that couldn’t be rebuilt. He wasn’t even sure if he’d been signed to the Cougars for his skill or because Middleton liked seeing his team in the news. Last season, Liam’s battle with Todd for the starting position had fueled a legendary war of dueling headlines. Then the QB speculation had relit after the Cougars chose Romer as their first-round draft pick this past spring.
If Liam agreed to the fake engagement, the paparazzi would be crawling up his ass again. And the sportswriters? He’d be lucky to field a single football-related question after the game on Sunday. All because he’d hustled Hayden out of a bar. Truly, no good deed goes unpunished.
“So what’s your answer, McQueen? Are you going to live up to your obligation to me? My daughter needs your help”
Liam felt like the sacrificial lamb in Middleton’s family drama. But he was no lamb. He was a Cougar. He opened his mouth—
Then Middleton stopped him cold. “Doesn’t Hayden deserve a second chance too?”
It could be argued in a court of law that Hayden Middleton had had more second chances than any human alive. She’d made a fortune off of being bad. Her reality show, clothing and makeup line, along with a perfume aptly named Sinfully Yours, were all built on her party-girl image.
But really, what had she done that was so awful? Yeah, she’d spit on an undercover cop, resisted arrest and disturbed the peace. And, of course, that wasn’t her first brush with the law. But she’d never been pulled over for a DWI. She’d never gambled away all her money. She’d never presented herself as a role model. Liam had done all of those and more.
The number of people he had let down—starting with God—could fill a football stadium. His dead father, his mother, his pastor, his teammates, his coach, his agent, and the fans. He felt sick when he thought about how many kids had wasted their allowance on a number seven Arizona jersey with “McQueen” emblazoned on the back.
He had messed up for real. With Hayden, he wondered how much of her antics were for the camera. Publicity was good for business. And when it came to business, she was her father through and through.
Or maybe she wanted her father’s attention?
Liam tensed at the memory of his own father. “And Hayden has agreed to this engagement?” he asked slowly.
“Not yet. I had to make sure I could count on you.” Middleton lit a cigar. “I won’t trust my daughter to just anyone.”
Did he forget that Liam was a recovering alcoholic? Or that Hayden’s lifestyle could be a danger to that sobriety?
Liam couldn’t ask, or his boss would lose his faith in his ability to lead the Cougars. “An engagement would be a huge distraction to the team. What about the Championship?”
“My daughter is more important than any Championship.”
Maybe you should tell Hayden that. If her father had, maybe she wouldn’t be in this mess.
Liam looked inside himself to hear God’s word. Only silence answered him.
Was he really thinking of saying yes? Maybe the alcohol had destroyed more brain cells than he thought.
Wait a minute. What was he worried about? Hayden would say no. In spite of the #hottie in her tweet, she would never agree to an engagement to him. What was a few days—worse case, a few weeks—in jail to a tabloid darling like her? She’d be released early due to overcrowding, and then she’d turn the experience into a new reality show, maybe a book.
He could say yes and not piss off the old man. “I’ll do it.”
“I knew you would do the right thing.” Middleton leaned over and stuck out his hand. “Welcome to the family.”
Liam reached out and shook it, while he silently prayed that Hayden wouldn’t stray from her MO. Everything hinged on her saying no. An engagement, even a fake one, to Hayden would test his character, and he feared he’d fail it. The volatile chemistry between them promised too many pleasures… not an option for a guy who vowed to abstain from sex until he married. Never mind jail, Liam would be headed straight for hell.
Chapter 5
Hayden hated being summoned to her father’s office like a naughty child sent to the principal. Always reprimands and never—Good job, Hayden. Profits from the candied nuts sector have tripled since you’ve taken over. Never—I’m proud of you for organizing the corporate charity ball.
Why hadn’t she quit years ago? A multimillionaire from her own company, she didn’t need her father’s money, nor had she even touched the trust fund her grand-mère had bequeathed to her. Hayden liked to be independent of her father’s whims.
But she also held on to the stubborn belief that the legacy of Middleton Nuts should be passed down to her instead of her damn, perfect half brother. Perfect in the eyes of her father anyway.
It wasn’t that she didn’t love Harry—everyone did. But it irked her that her father treated her younger, illegitimate brother like the prince of the Middleton empire. Hayden was far more business savvy, and while Harry had a knack for seeming to stay out of trouble, Hayden knew better. She often came to her brother’s rescue, whether it was taking the blame for something minor or adding an arrest to her already long record.
At least this morning she’d managed to handle the detectives with no problem.
She hoped last night wouldn’t get Liam in trouble with the Cougars. Doubtful, considering he’d already been announced as the starting QB. Her father wouldn’t jeopardize the season by firing or suspending a key player. Besides, Liam had saved her at the club.
Heat spread through her body at the memory of his firm hand on her butt as he hauled her to his car, and then later the feel of his breath mingling with hers, and the way his light brown eyes darkened with lust when he looked at her mouth. A saint in his actions, but a sinner lay behind that handsome face. What would it take to make him snap? To shed the façade? To make him fuck her silly?
Now, where had that thought come from? She didn’t even like him. Well, maybe a little.
Shaking off thoughts of him, she turned on her tablet to attend to her own empire. She reviewed the campaign ad for the new perfume she was launching in a few weeks. The type font didn’t look quite right, so she shot off an e-mail to her assistant. Engrossed in her own work, she ignored the annoying buzz that sounded at the secretary’s desk.
“Ms. Middleton, your father will see you now.”
“Thank you.” She smiled at his new secretary. Was her father banging the bombshell after hours? Hayden kept tapping away. Her father had left her waiting outside his office for almost an hour. Two could play at this game.
Moments later her father bellowed, “Hayden, get in here now.”
She hit the send button again before sweeping into the office. “Sorry, Daddy.” She waved the tablet in the air. “Business before family. Just like you always say.”
“I never said that,” he said through clenched teeth.
“Actions speak louder than words.” How she preened with pride over that comeback. Her father might preach about the importance of family, but business came first.
“It appears Judge Mayer agrees.”
As intended, the retort wiped the smile right off her face. Panic fluttered in her stomach.
“Sit.” Her father jabbed a finger at a chair. “The judge isn’t pleased about your little escapade at Martini Madness last night.”
As her brain scrambled for a return volley, she eased into the leather chair in front of his desk. “I’m sure a campaign contribution from you will put him in a better mood.” The recovery would have been clever, except for the slight tremor in her voice.
Her father didn’t miss a beat. “It’s nice to have friends in high places. But not this time. The judge spoke of revoking your probation.”
The flutter of panic morphed into a brick. “But I didn’t do anything.”
“That thug you call a friend fired a gun.” He pounded a fist on the desk. “A gun, Hayden! You could’ve been killed.”<
br />
“Daddy, let’s not be dramatic.” She didn’t mention that Franco was actually Harry’s friend.
“Me? This coming from the queen of drama?”
“That drama has made me rich. You know my sales spike when I’m in the news.”
“I’m tired of this argument, Hayden. So is Judge Mayer.”
“So I’m going to jail? That’s it? There’s nothing I can do? PSA? Community service?” Her voice rose with each word. “I’ll do anything.”
Her father folded his hands, expression smug. “That’s what I was hoping to hear.” He paused. “So how much do you like Liam McQueen?”
“As this year’s starting quarterback, you mean?” She played dumb, as if she didn’t know the abrupt change in subject was about last night.
“No, as your new fiancé.”
Hayden thought she had braced herself for whatever her father threw at her. But this? He’d done the impossible. He’d rendered her speechless.
He lit a cigar and took a big puff. “When the judge heard you and Liam were announcing your engagement today, he’d agreed not to revoke your probation. I explained that you two were out celebrating last night.”
“You lied to the judge?”
“I wasn’t lying.”
“Have you gone completely senile? Should I call a nursing home?”
Her father leveled a hard gaze at her across the desk. “You should be thanking me. I saved your ass. Judge Mayer is a big fan of McQueen’s. He even offered to preside over your wedding ceremony.”
Hayden’s eyes widened until she thought they’d pop right out of her skull and roll onto the carpet. “I am not marrying Liam McQueen.”
“You spent the night at his place.”
Hayden laughed. “Is that what this is all about? It’s not 1950, Daddy.”
“Judge Mayer is old-fashioned.”
“Well, so is Liam.” She cut the air with her hands. “Nothing happened.”
“Which is why I trust McQueen to be your pretend fiancé.”
“Pretend?”
“I set the wedding date for after the Championship.” He leaned forward and with a meaningful look, he whispered. “And after your probation ends.”
Hayden paused. Hmmm. No. No. What was she thinking? “Liam will never agree to it.”
“He already has.”
Anger and confusion warred inside her. For now, confusion won out. Why would Liam lie for her? Money? No, he had money. Not as much as her family did, but still Liam wasn’t the type to take a bribe. Had her father threatened Liam with some scandal? Threatened to take away the starting QB position? The Middletons could be ruthless, underhanded bastards. “What did you do?”
“Nothing.”
“Dad…dy?” She drew out his name in accusation.
“He didn’t want to see you go to jail.”
“And…?” She knew there was more. Liam may be a nice guy, but no one was that nice.
“He owes me.”
“You guilted him into it?” Hayden squeezed her eyes shut as she felt heat flame in her cheeks. How could she ever face Liam? First he’d rejected her last night and now this. She stiffened her back and took a deep breath. “Fine, I’ll go to jail. Hell, if Martha Stewart can do time, so can I.” The claim came out with more bravado than she felt.
“You will do no such thing. No daughter of mine is going to jail. The Middleton name will not be tarnished.”
She folded her arms. “Way too late for that.”
“Hayden, if you don’t do this, I’m writing you out of my will.”
“I don’t need your precious money. I have plenty of money of my own.”
“Not if I sue for conservatorship. I’ll run your business and control every cent of your funds. You’ll need me to approve your every move.
“I’ll fight you.” Though at the moment she had no fight in her. The contents of her stomach threatened to spew over his desk.
“And you’ll lose.”
She worried he might be right. She resorted to begging. “Daddy, please—”
“Hayden, spare me the wide blue eyes.”
She brought out the big guns. Her father had always hated to see her cry. With the cigar smoke filtering through the air, it was easy to make the tears flow. She added a sniff for effect. When he walked around his desk to pat her on the back, she controlled the urge to smile. She’d won.
“It’s for your own good, Hayden.” He handed her a tissue from his desk. “Now dry those crocodile tears.”
Wait. What? In frustration, she snatched the tissue. “What about Liam? Aren’t you worried I’ll corrupt your quarterback? The press will have a field day. I’m no good, remember?”
“Then be better.”
Ha! Hayden had avoided prison like a criminal Houdini. This time would be no different. She was going to do everything in her power to force Liam to break the engagement. She’d find all his buttons and push each one.
But for now she’d go along with this farce and get what belonged to her. “I’ll do it on one condition. According to the terms of Grand-Mère’s will, I’m now entitled to her engagement ring.”
“For a real engagement, not this.”
“A technicality. Ring or no deal.”
Her father released a sigh of resignation. “I’ll go to the bank tomorrow with your future husband.”
Future husband? She scoffed. “You mean pretend future husband.”
“Of course.”
Their engagement wouldn’t last the week. With his holier-than-thou beliefs, Liam would be running in the other direction before the next game.
And she already knew the perfect offense play. Sex.
Chapter 6
After speaking with Hayden, the doorman pointed Liam to her building’s bank of elevators. Ten minutes later, he still stood frozen in front of her penthouse door. The ring in his pocket felt like a fifty-pound barbell.
He had seriously misjudged her willingness to go to jail. Her father said she was terrified, but too proud to admit it. Liam had his doubts. Hayden seemed fearless.
Perhaps she thought she could walk all over Liam with those sexy stilettos for the next few months? Pretend they were engaged but still do whatever she wanted with whatever guy she pleased. Not in this lifetime.
He pounded on her door. He would make it clear from the start that he expected her to behave. But the instant she opened the door, he realized he might be the one who’d have trouble behaving.
“You’re late, Liam. I was getting worried.”
His heart halted mid-beat. Her dress appeared to be created from liquid gold. The fabric draped across her body, hugging every luscious curve. The hue enhanced the glow of her tanned skin. As she smiled at him, he willed his heart to stop pounding.
“Don’t you think that dress is a little tight?” he asked through a clenched jaw.
The mischievous light shining in her eyes dulled for a moment. “I’ve put on a few pounds since I bought it. I’ll skip dessert tonight.”
“That’s not what he’d meant.” Darn. Had he hurt her with his unthinking remark? “You look hot. Too hot.”
She tilted her chin with every bit of sass that was Hayden. “Maybe we should skip dinner and I could change into something more naughty. Would you like to help?” She turned on her heel.
Sighing, Liam followed her inside.
“You know,” she continued, “you can still change your mind about the engagement.”
“More like come to my senses,” he mumbled.
“I heard that.”
“You were meant to.” At this point, what was one more lie? “You redecorated,” he added without thinking. Expecting to see a nightmare of pink leopard furniture and white shag carpeting, he was shocked at the sophisticated palate of silver and light blues. Did she change the bedroom too? His cock itched to find out if the ceiling mirror remained.
Hayden arched an eyebrow. “Why Liam, were you a fan of Hayden’s Place?”
Crap. Watching it
had been his guilty pleasure, but he played it off by saying, “Who hasn’t seen an episode or two.”
“And you still want to help me? Aren’t you worried I’ll tarnish your saintly image?”
“Want to?” He shrugged. “More like have to.” The more he thought about it, the less he liked the idea of her in jail.
“Whatever.” Hayden looked down at her perfectly manicured nails. “Well, do you have it?”
Liam knew exactly what it was, but decided to have a little fun. “Have what?”
Putting her hands on her hips, she said, “The ring, you idiot.”
He reached into his pocket for the obscenely large, pink diamond ring. Stroking the case, he said, “You mean, my precious.”
“Dork.”
“You didn’t like The Lord of the Rings? That’s ground for annulment.”
“An annulment requires a wedding first. That’s never happening with us.” She tried to snatch the case, but he slapped her hand away. “Hey, give it.”
He raised the ring box up in the air.
“Liam!” She attempted to pull his arm down. When that failed, she jumped several times trying to reach it. Quite impressive with those five-inch heels.
“Liam! Come on! It belonged to my grand-mère.”
Feeling like a jerk, he relented and handed over her family heirloom.
She opened the case with a reverence that went beyond greed. Her eyes softened, and for a moment, he thought she might cry. Suddenly, he wanted to know more about Hayden and what made her tick. “Were you close?”
“Very. My grandparents were married sixty years. They died within two months of each other.” She looked up at him. “Like one couldn’t live without the other.”
Guilt licked at his conscience. Their fake engagement was making a mockery of the sacred vows of husband and wife. “The diamond is huge.”
“The size of the rock means nothing to me. The person who wore it meant everything.”
For once, he didn’t detect a hint of her usual sarcasm. “How poetic of you, Hayden. I almost feel like I should drop down on one knee.”
Hayden made a face. “Spare me a fake proposal.”
