Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
The Trustworthy Groom
Texas Titans Romance
Cami Checketts
Birch River Publishing
Copyright
The Trustworthy Groom: Texas Titan Romance
Copyright © 2018 by Cami Checketts
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Dedication
To my Texas Titan author friends: Jennifer Youngblood, Taylor Hart, and Lucy McConnell. Thank you for being my friends, supporters, and source of ideas. Love you all!
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Free Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
About the Author
Excerpt: The Fearless Groom
Also by Cami Checketts
Foreword
I’ve been privileged to know Taylor Hart, Cami Checketts, Jennifer Youngblood, and Lucy McConnell for a few years. We even get together to have author lunch dates where we talk about how much fun we’re having writing our sweet romances. We get all excited as we talk about our characters and what’s happening to them. You would think these were real people we were talking about. Maybe because to us they are real people.
To make it even more fun, the heroes in our stories are NFL football players--hot, athletic men who are driven to succeed despite their flaws. These stories wouldn’t be complete without our strong heroines who see past the flaws of these men to fall in love with them. I’ve enjoyed exploring these types of relationships in my own football romance series, the Fair Catch Sports Romance Series.
Now, enjoy this exciting and romantic story about the players of the Texas Titans football team!
Christine Kersey
Author of the Fair Catch Sports Romance Series
Introduction
Dear readers
If you’re like me, you can’t get enough of fast-paced, clean romances! There’s something immensely satisfying in cuddling up with a book that focuses on the emotional journey between the characters – all their trials, challenges, mistakes and ultimately triumphs!
You’re sure to adore this collection featuring four tough and rugged NFL players looking for just the right women to claim victory over their hearts. Don’t miss these tender and touching stories!
The Miracle Groom by Lucy McConnell: Cedar was only supposed to be a nanny for two months; but, Teo Parata will do everything in his power to convince Cedar that his love is real and that even a nanny can see a miracle.
The Second Chance Groom by Taylor Hart: Anthony Kincaid never expected his first love to show up at sports camp, and he really never expected her to slap him when he accidentally kisses her, but sparks fly when she’s assigned to do an exclusive on him…maybe he wants more then a second chance in the game, maybe he wants a second chance in love.
The Ghost Groom by Jennifer Youngblood: After a long, painful search that involved legions of duds, Ariana Sanchez finally meets Rennen Bradley, the perfect guy … until she learns that Rennen is the celebrated rookie who’s taking her brother’s position as starting running back for the Titans. Will Ariana choose her family or will her heart win out in the end?
The Trustworthy Groom by Cami Checketts: Hailey Knight agrees to a fake marriage to cornerback, Brady Giles to protect them both from stalkers. When she falls in love with her husband, she knows it’s time to run, but Brady has never given up on an impossible battle.
All best,
RaeAnne Thayne
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
Check out the latest book in Haven Point, SUGAR PINE TRAIL, available now. http://amzn.to/2CYQCWm
Free Book
Sign up for Cami’s newsletter and receive a free ebook copy of The Resilient One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance here.
Chapter One
Hailey Knight slipped out of her Mercedes and grabbed her purse, hurrying across the employee parking lot toward the practice field. She always made an effort to be early to any work commitment, even if it was a youth camp and not practice. She didn’t want anyone to have a reason to believe she’d only gotten her job as one of the team’s athletic trainers because she was the owner’s daughter. It was true in a way, she would never be at this level two years out of college without her father’s help, but she still tried to prove those crying, or at least thinking, nepotism wrong. She was proud that she’d earned the trust of the players and coaches in her short time working with the best team in the league, the Texas Titans.
She rushed through the glass doors, stopping to say hello to Cedar, the darling coordinator who had organized the Tiny Titans’ youth football camp. A lot of the well-known football players would be here, including Hailey’s brother-in-law, Xavier Newton. X and Izzy were adorable together. It had concerned her when her only sister fell for a football player, but so far, they seemed like a perfect match, and Izzy was definitely happy.
Hailey approached her own table loaded with first aid supplies and information on how to stay healthy and fit and sighed in relief. Everything was ready, and she was one of the first ones here.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the Miss Knight.” A snide voice came from behind her.
Hailey didn’t give the over-powering, terrifying snake of a man the pleasure of whirling to fight him. She slowly turned and pasted on her beauty pageant smile, pretending he didn’t affect her at all when all she truly wanted was to hide behind the nearest offensive lineman until William Fonnesbeck slithered away.
“Just Hailey,” she said, trying for friendly and unassuming. “Thank you, sir.”
William gave her a sultry smile. She supposed most women would find it attractive, but she knew exactly how slimy he was beneath the surface. One date with him had been one too many. Luckily, she’d been able to escape his tentacles, but now, she lived in terror of him getting her alone again. Even if he couldn’t hurt her physically, she knew he could retaliate in other vicious ways. As the Vice President of Rules and Administration, he was second only to the league’s commissioner, and William was the man who enforced fines and suspensions on the players. His title and the power he had to hurt her players and her team were scary enough without the veiled personal threats and sexual innuendos he always slipped in.
William had been charming the first t
ime she’d met him, but she should have been smarter and not have allowed him to trick her into going on a date. She’d been semi-afraid to say no and have him watch her team like a hawk, but that would’ve been better than this extended period of trying to avoid him. Six months of purgatory and fear of what he could do to her players and, even worse, what he would do to her if he ever got her alone. She should’ve said something to her dad long ago, but he would go nuts and make complete enemies of the commissioner’s office.
The moment William realized she wasn’t going to report him because she loved her team and her father too much, he’d gotten more and more brazen. The noose of his innuendos and lewd suggestions kept tightening, and she didn’t know how to escape at this point. The Titans were already a target because of their huge success the past two years. Every owner in the league would be happy to see the commissioner’s office go after them. Now, they’d lost Ace Sanchez to a knee injury. Her team couldn’t afford bad press or suspensions, so she toed the line and lived in fear of William.
“Beautiful Hailey.” He leaned in close, and she gagged on his too-strong citrusy cologne. “I’ve been dreaming about you again, my hot little lady.”
Hailey backed into her table. He was so gross. “I think you’re mistaken. I’m definitely not dream material, more like a drama queen. Should give you nightmares.” She tossed him a sassy grin, but her heart was thumping so hard she was sure he could hear it with how close he was. How was she going to escape from him without bringing his wrath down on the Titans or telling her dad and having him get in a battle with the commissioner’s office? It was like fighting dirty cops. You couldn’t win unless you found a superhero. Unfortunately, those were in short demand these days.
William’s smile became even more predatory, like a lion cornering the gazelle. He had the nerve to wrap his finger around one of her long curls and brush it over her shoulder, his fingers lingering on the skin of her neck. She would’ve preferred a spider crawling along her flesh.
“No, they’re definitely dreams.” William licked his lips. “And someday real soon, you’re going to make them all come true.”
The look in his eyes made her want to scream and run and hide. Killing him with kindness wasn’t going to work. She had to be braver and pray it wouldn’t bite them all in the hind side. “You need to keep your hands to yourself, sir, or I’ll call security.” She’d rather use the self-defense moves she’d been practicing since their last date, but she was lucky he hadn’t black-balled her team because of her blatant refusals of his offers. The players were like her brothers, and she could never hurt any of them. She could hold her own with William, couldn’t she? His subtle threats and terrifying stares were getting worse with every encounter. She knew the harder she resisted the more he wanted to win her, but she would never give him what he clearly craved—her.
He chuckled. “We both know you’re not going to do that. You wouldn’t risk the fines and suspensions I can dole out on your friends and father. I know all about how much of a daddy’s girl you are and how you love your Titans.” He sneered at her. “So what’s it going to be, beautiful Hailey? Dinner at my place tonight, and you stay all night long, or do I start causing more than a little … trouble.” He licked his lips like a lizard ready to devour a bug.
She would never stay overnight with him, or any man for that matter, but she didn’t know how to get out of this. She and William both knew there were always things hiding in players’ closets that could be dug out and used as a reason for suspension. Not to mention the iffy hits and calls that happened regularly during the season. She had a horrible suspicion that something was going on with the Kincaid brothers. It was just a feeling but her intuition was usually spot on when it came to one of her players. If William had any inkling he could mess with their quarterback? She shuddered at the thought. William had all the power he needed to make her life absolutely miserable.
Hailey’s brain scrambled for an out, any out. She put on a fake smile and said, “You don’t know how much I wish I could have dinner with you tonight, but you must not have heard … I’m recently engaged.” She kept a straight face when she wanted to gasp in shock. Where had that come from, and who was she going to claim she was engaged to? Of the four dates she’d been on so far this week not one of them would be worth going out with again, let alone faking an engagement to.
He released her hair and actually took a step back, the scowl on his face ruining all his supposed good looks. “You are?” His eyes strayed to her left hand. She clasped it with her right to hide her naked finger. “To whom?”
A dark-haired man appeared at her table. Hailey dealt with burly football players every day of her life, but this guy’s shape still gave her pause. He was probably around six three and two hundred and fifty pounds. Every inch was muscle, not bodybuilder muscle but lean and functional and covered by smooth, tanned skin. He definitely had some Italian heritage in him as dark and good-looking as he was. Hailey had a strict policy of not checking out her own team’s football players, but she knew every single one of them. This guy wasn’t on her roster.
“Excuse me.” The man’s deep voice washed over her as his dark eyes looked at her with concern then flashed to William with annoyance. “Do you need some help?”
Yes, yes she did. Hailey grasped his arm and cuddled into his side, wrapping her other arm around his waist. “Thank you for coming to check on me, sweetheart.” His body tightened at the way she was trying to manhandle him, impossible to really do as she was almost a foot shorter and less than half his bodyweight, but she needed help, and she needed it now. The solution was so clear. William would back off if she were engaged. He would have to. Then there would be no repercussions on her football team and no coercion to date, and especially not to stay the night with, the slime ball VP.
“Um, sure … anything for you, honey.” The man wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and Hailey had never felt so safe as he gently pulled her close. Safety and reassurance were amazing and unexpected feelings to have at the moment, especially after the fear of William clogging her throat mere seconds ago and the fact that she naturally shied away from well-built men. The emotion of it all made her weak, and she found herself leaning against his muscular chest.
The dark-haired guy glanced down at her and winked. Ooh, he was quick too. She ticked off his positive qualities in her mind—not one of her football brothers, handsome with strong facial features, brown eyes framed with dark lashes, and smart. She might even give this guy a date to prove they were engaged.
“This is my fiancé,” she said to William, inclining her chin with pride.
The man kind of started, but he stayed close to her side as he released her from his hold and stuck his hand out to William. “Brady Giles. Pleasure to meet you …”
Brady Giles? Oh, crap, he was one of her players! He’d recently transferred from New England. He was one of the top cornerbacks in the nation, and they were extremely blessed to get him, but the Brady Giles she’d seen from the sidelines had long, dark wavy hair and a full beard. This guy with the cropped hair and clean shaven model-gorgeous face was a Brady Giles she’d never expected—sharp and way too appealing. What had she done?
“William Fonnesbeck.” William quickly shook Brady’s hand and arched an eyebrow, his face clearly still ticked off, but now turning vindictive. “Vice President of Rules and Administration for the league.”
Brady’s arm came around her again, and his muscles tightened. He knew exactly what the commissioner’s office could do to him—fines and suspensions that were all at the commissioner’s discretion. Sometimes, William would overlook something horrible like a domestic abuse charge and then fine a player for a hit in a game that was clearly unintentional. As a defensive player, Brady knew how tricky dealing with William Fonnesbeck could be.
“Of course, it’s great to meet you, sir. How do you know my beautiful bride-to-be?” As Brady smiled down at her, Hailey felt a rush of appreciation for him and an attracti
on that she couldn’t deny. He was a handsome one that was for sure, but his kindness in protecting her when he had no clue about the situation was drawing her in quick. If only he wasn’t a football player. She lived in fear of ever getting too close to a burly football player again. They could easily manhandle or hurt her. In fact, she tried to date scrawny men whenever possible.
“Miss Knight and I used to date exclusively. Very sorry to hear that she’s off the market.” William’s eyes roved over her. Hailey wished she’d worn a burlap sack to camp instead of a fitted Titans t-shirt and tight black shorts.
“Oh?” Brady shrugged as if it meant nothing that William had dated her. He also turned slightly so his large frame partially sheltered her from William. Oh, man, if she hadn’t sworn to never date a football player, she’d be making a play for this one. “Funny but she never told me about you.” Ignoring William, he smiled down at Hailey. “Are you okay?” he asked in an undertone.
“I am now.” She squeezed his waist. Was it possible this fine-looking man could’ve just solved all of her problems with William? Maybe superheroes did still exist.
Brady brushed her hair off her neck. Her skin tingled warmly in response. “I’ve got to go run my station, but I’ll see you after camp, right?”
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