Playing for Hearts

by Debra Kayn

  “Okay.” His gaze softened before he walked into the bathroom.

  Dana reluctantly left the bed and walked to her own room. Each step took her away from Juan. No longer excited about going to Germany and seeing Ana and Maria, or cheering on Juan, she wanted to crawl under the covers and have a good cry.

  But, because she was a Reese and she could use the opportunity to open doors with more distributors once they arrived at Germany, she went through the motions of taking a shower, getting dressed, and saying goodbye to married life. She’d pretend to be strong, because the last thing she wanted to do was worry Juan when the gold was on the line.

  When the crew of men came to carry Juan’s equipment and his luggage down to the awaiting cars, she followed them downstairs. All business and no emotions, she concentrated on going through the steps to getting her life back.

  Cheers went up outside the lodge. She pushed through the doors, and took in the crowd. At least two hundred people lined the edges of the two-lane street leading away from the lodge. American flags waved from their hands. Signs fluttered in the wind, and she smiled, noticing that most of them had Juan’s name or Amante Español printed in big, bold, red letters. She searched for the team, and found them standing beside three limousines.

  A sea of red, white, and blue, they all looked serious and professional. Juan stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked at the cameras without smiling, lost in his own world. Even without the outward show of happiness, the excitement rolled off him. He rocked from his heels to his toes. His jaw twitched, and she wanted to rush up to him and caress her hand down the side of his face and watch him soften under her touch.

  As the scene in front of her blurred, she realized she was crying. She’d never been more proud of anyone in her life the way she was of Juan and what he’d already accomplished. It wouldn’t take a gold medal to impress her. He was already a winner to her.

  Juan raised his hand in her direction, spoke to T.T., and slipped away from the group. He jogged over to her. She dashed her hand over her cheeks and smiled, while inside she crumbled.

  “Hey.” He hooked her waist and pulled her closer. “I’ve got a car to take you to the airport. I’m sorry we can’t ride together, but the team has to go with the security team. Once we get to the airport, go ahead and board. I moved you up to first class and that way you can sit beside me on the flight.”

  “Sure, that’s fine.” She patted his stomach. “Are you having fun and enjoying your big departure?”

  “Yeah.” He walked with her to the cars. “Pretty big crowd. This is when everything seems to hit me that it’s time, it’s real.”

  She waved to T.T. and Joe. “It is real. Three more days and you’ll be competing in your first event.”

  She was babbling. He knew his schedule and had a whole montage of people to remind him if he forgot. He needed to concentrate on doing his job, and not catering to her to make sure she had a ride to the airport or her luggage made it on the plane.

  Even when his life became too busy, he never failed to focus on her and make sure she handled everything okay. His attention, when she was around, centered on her, and she loved that about him. In the last month, she’d blossomed.

  The biggest thing she could do to support him was let him go. He’d made it to the end, and stayed out of trouble. He wouldn’t screw anything up this close to the Olympics. He no longer needed her, or their marriage.

  She stopped and turned. “I have something I need to tell you.”

  “Okay.” He brushed her hair behind her shoulder.

  The last few days, she knew their time would come down to this moment. She’d argued with herself, changed her mind a million times, and came up with every excuse why she had to stay with him in Germany, and each time that little voice in her head told her she’d completed her end of the bargain. Their time was over. They’d successfully stayed married and saved Juan’s career. He was going to the Olympics.

  Juan no longer needed her.

  He’d settle down, and dedicate himself to training. His head was in a good place to compete. She stared up into his dark eyes. He’d never admitted that his feelings toward her were real past enjoying her in bed. Or that their relationship was anything more than a fake marriage with benefits.

  What he had told her over and over was he wanted her, sexually. She amused him more than anything when they were out of bed. He also enjoyed her company and they had similar tastes. Those were all things he freely confessed, but he’d never once admitted to falling in love with her. He’d never once spoken of what would happen after the Olympics were over. He never once asked her to make their marriage real.

  “I’m not going to Germany.” She bit her lip, and when he didn’t say anything, she continued. “We stayed married for a month and so far, Amante Español, you’ve turned into a prime example of a professional athlete.”

  “Babe … ”

  She grasped his hand. “You need to concentrate on the games. You’ll be so busy, I’ll be bored most of the time shut in the hotel room. After the Olympics your life will be thrust into total chaos. You’ll have interviews and television shows to appear on. Besides, without me there, you can use my seat to hold all your medals when you come back to the states.”

  Juan gazed off into the distance. “I’m not ready to let you go,” he whispered.

  “I know.” She squeezed his hand. “But it’s time. It’ll be easier this way. You need to concentrate on you. This is important.”

  He looked at her. His jaw ticked, and the intense way he studied her hurt. Her chest tightened painfully, and her knees shook.

  “You have to go with me,” he said.

  Hope rose inside of her. She leaned toward him.

  “It only makes sense. You represent the Reese Company, my sponsor. It’s a perfect excuse to show your father how much work you do behind the scenes and have him acknowledge you. Think of all the contacts and people who will view the Reese line and want to put in orders.” He opened the car door. “I’ll meet you at the airport. Make sure you’re there. Okay?”

  “But — ”

  His mouth hardened. “You’re going with me.”

  She climbed into the car. Juan gave her one more look, letting her know he wasn’t messing around and she had better be on the plane when he arrived. She clamped her mouth shut. She had to keep moving forward, despite him trying to make their situation harder on her.

  The door shut. She stared out the darkened window. Juan remained standing beside the car. She’d hoped for something from him that she could latch on to and hold to her heart. But he’d talked business, not love.

  “To the airport, Ms.?” The driver peered at her in the rearview mirror.

  She cleared her throat. “Yes, thank you.”

  Juan was right. Her dad expected her to bring Reese to the top with their exposure at the Olympics. Behind the marriage gift her dad had given Juan, and his sponsorship while he competed, was a shrewd businessman. He wasn’t handing out money to make her happy. Colton Reese did what he did best. He’d bought her a husband and a way to make money for his company.

  She stared out the windows. How could she forget that Juan walked away from their marriage two million dollars richer, just for taking her off her daddy’s hands?

  She dropped her gaze to her hands on her lap. Her left ring finger lay bare. She’d given Juan the ring meant for Jace, but she walked away with nothing. Now Juan would come out of the faux marriage richer, and she would go home with a broken heart.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Two days in Germany, and Dana hadn’t had a moment to think about anything but business. She closed her laptop and handed the computer to Barbara, who worked the desk at the hotel.

  “Thank you.” She waited while they secured her laptop in the safe.

  To her surprise, Juan had introduced her to the skiers from other countries, and they’d pushed her toward the managers representing each team. Before she knew what was happening,
she had to set up times to meet each one individually, and they were more than willing to listen to her spiel about the benefits of using Reese products.

  She wasn’t sure how she’d handle the presentations at first, but after obtaining permission to borrow the hotel’s fax machine and hooking to Wi-Fi, she’d used her laptop to gain entrance to the Reese website. Along with having Juan present to show off his gear and skis while he practiced on the slopes, she’d been able to show potential clients the Reese products online, and the end result was that she’d sold more orders than she had in the last six months, which was saying a lot. She’d already outsold every employee working at Reese this year.

  Her father’s giddiness as the orders rolled in swept her into a good mood. Overseas orders were rare, but not anymore. By this time next year, they’d quadruple their clientele.

  She only wished she had her plans and models for the ski equipment she was designing on her own. The exposure would’ve launched her career, and she could finally break away from the family business. Determined to hit the next winter Olympics with her own line, she shoved her life schedule to the back of her mind. She had to jump at the opportunity presented to her, and it was time to take the leap on her own.

  “Dana!” Maria waved and hurried toward her, dragging another woman with her.

  “Hello … there you are. I was wondering what you and your mom were doing today.” She kissed Maria’s cheek.

  “She’s resting, and I’m having the time of my life.” Maria backed away, pointing at the other woman. “This is Crista. She’s one of Juan’s friends. Do me a favor and keep her company until Bruce shows up … I have to leave.”

  Dana stepped forward. “Where are you going?”

  “Denmark.” Maria giggled, waving over her shoulder.

  “What? Are you crazy? Your brother is going to ski. You can’t leave the hotel, much less the country.” Dana gawked at Maria.

  “She’s wild, but not crazy. She only meant she was going to hang out with the guys from the Denmark ski team.” Crista stepped over beside her. “Have you seen those boys?”

  “No.” Dana exhaled in relief and smiled at Crista. “You’re exactly like I pictured you.”

  Crista’s eyes sparkled and she pushed the hood on her jacket back, letting her blonde hair tumble over her shoulders. Slim and in perfect shape, Crista was the picture of strength and confidence. Dana leaned closer. “Although to be honest, I hated you when I first heard your name.”

  “Why?” Crista asked. “What did I do?”

  “After I married Juan, I overheard him on the phone with you, and I thought you were his girlfriend.” She shook her head when Crista laughed. “You two are close, and I was jealous.”

  Crista pointed toward the ceiling. Dana’s gaze followed her finger to the giant banner with Juan’s picture on it. “Juan’s ego is as big as his head is in that picture. It goes with the territory. All athletes have fans ready to stroke their self-confidence, but my friends — and that includes Grayson, Dominic, Bruce, Gary, and Juan — are just little boys to me who need a lot of attention and guidance, or they’d screw up every relationship they have. I’m their go-to girl for advice. Plus, when we’re together, we can be real with each other when everyone else wants to lie to us. I’m the same way with them. Sometimes it’s hard for their girlfriends or wives to understand our relationship … but you will. You’ll see.” Crista leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Just don’t hurt him, or I’ll come after you with my claws and scratch your eyes out.”

  “Gotcha,” Dana mumbled.

  Crista jumped and waved her arm over her head. “There’s Bruce.”

  Dana clasped her hands in front of her, totally out of her element. She knew these people from stories Juan had shared with her. Crista was the Ironman champion; Bruce was a world-class bass fisherman. She stood back as Crista flew into Bruce’s arms.

  “You’re here.” Crista squeezed his neck.

  He pretended to struggle for breath. “We’d planned our trip for two months, sweetheart. I don’t know why you’re acting surprised to see me.”

  “Because I haven’t seen your ugly face for three months, idiot,” Crista said with a smile. “I can’t believe you missed the flight, but I’m glad you made it. It wouldn’t be the same without you here.”

  Rugged and sexy, with sun-streaked blond hair, Bruce slapped Crista’s butt and laughed when she punched him in the shoulder. Dana smiled, relaxing. Apparently Crista was just one of the guys around Juan.

  “Bruce, meet Juan’s wife Dana.” Crista pushed Bruce forward.

  Bruce’s brows rose and he rocked back on the heels of his boots. “Bullshit.”

  “W-what?” Dana’s heart raced.

  “You can’t be married to Amante Español. You’re way too beautiful to saddle yourself with him.” He slowly approached her and wrapped her in a tender hug. “Run away with me. We’ll go to Acapulco. No more sweaters and cold weather where I’ll be taking you. Only you, me, bikinis, and margaritas as far as you can see.”

  She stared over Bruce’s shoulder at Crista and mouthed, “Is he serious?”

  Crista shook her head and rolled her eyes.

  Once Bruce let her go, she said. “Sorry. I get sea sick, and Juan’s a little possessive. He fought Gary for me, and won.”

  Bruce laughed, and because his eyes crinkled in the corner and the most pleasing deep sound came out of his mouth, she couldn’t help but join him. He kissed her cheek. “Now I know you’re lying. No one can beat up Gary — well, maybe Dominic could give him a run for his money — but we little guys would get our ass kicked.”

  “Enough talking.” Crista wormed her way between Dana and Bruce. “We’ve got a half hour to make our way to the fence line.”

  “Oh, you better go.” Dana nodded and grabbed her bag. “I’ve got a ticket in the seats with Juan’s mom and sister, so I better put my stuff in my room first.”

  Crista pulled out three tickets from her pocket. “Not anymore. Surprise.”

  Dana grabbed her wrist. “How did you get those? Nobody but the press and the entourage can get down there.”

  “Juan. He sent them to me with detailed instructions that Bruce and I could only use them if we made sure you made it down to the front with us.” Crista grinned. “I’m sure he already gave Ana and Maria their passes.”

  Dana’s stomach knotted. Being accepted by his friends, loved by his family, and treated special by Juan left her with mixed emotions. She wanted to believe things would continue, but they wouldn’t. And she hated herself for fooling everyone. They’d hate her too when she went her own way.

  Forcing herself to believe Juan had given them the tickets only to validate his marriage and keep his reputation in good standings, she separated from Crista and Bruce and hurried to her hotel room to get ready.

  Twenty minutes later, she stood next to the fence line, front and center. Bundled in layers against the cold, she leaned against Crista for warmth while Bruce stood close behind them both to shield the wind from their backs.

  Crista leaned in and shouted in her ear. “Do you see him yet?”

  Dana shook her head, searching the base of the slope. Her stomach quivered. Watching the Olympics on television, from the comfort of her home, hadn’t prepared her for the onslaught of nerves hitting her now. She knew Juan. She’d slept with him. Her husband was doing something that most people couldn’t even imagine doing in their lifetime.

  The first time she’d witnessed him skiing, the fear for his safety had overshadowed her awe of his talents. But she’d watched him practice, and he took the sport seriously. Dedicated and smart, he’d taken no chances. A few times, she’d even watched him walk away from the ramp because of unsafe conditions.

  “There he is.” Bruce shoved his arm between her and Crista, pointing up the hill.

  In a blue suit with white stripes, Juan was merely a dot on the hillside. Dana accepted the binoculars Bruce handed her. She peered up the slope. T.T. was on
the ramp, and Juan stood off to the side, bouncing in place. His arms stretched in the air.

  She wanted to stop looking, but she couldn’t turn away. Whether Juan stood in front of her laughing or strutted around the hotel naked, he never failed to grab her attention. The same went for when he was in his zone. She found him irresistible.

  The air horn sounded. She lowered the binoculars and gazed at the ramp. Her heart raced. The USA team was up. T.T. moved into position. She passed the binoculars to Bruce and grabbed Crista’s hand. This was so exciting.

  The next signal blasted. She stared intently as T.T. moved, afraid to blink in case she missed anything. One second he was speeding down the ramp, and the next he was in the air. She gasped, barely taking in the twists of his airborne body, and he landed.

  T.T.’s left leg slid out to the side, and he was down. Dana gasped, leaning forward. But before she could worry, he was sliding to a stop and raising his arm in a show that he was all right. Everything seemed to happen within a few seconds, and then his event was over.

  “It’s okay. He’s okay. That was only the first run. He has two more.” She ripped the binoculars out of Bruce’s hand. “Oh my God. Juan’s up.”

  Crista took the binoculars. “He better win, or I’m going to slug him. I have a thousand bucks in the pool saying he’ll come in first.”

  “What?” She glanced at Crista before looking back at Juan. “You’re betting on the outcome?”

  “Don’t worry, we all put money on him, but I bought the top square,” Crista lowered her arm. “Six grand to the winner. It would’ve been seven, but we couldn’t talk Diana into giving us any of her money. That girl thinks splurging on a thirty-dollar pair of sneakers is wasting money despite having a boyfriend who was more than willing to loan her enough to buy a square. Hell, even Shauna pitched in.”

  “Seven is Juan’s lucky number and the one I ordered put on his suit,” Dana said.