Match Me if You Can (No Match for Love Book 7)

by Lindzee Armstrong

  An actual Hollywood movie was being filmed right before her eyes. Incredible.

  The set disappeared from sight as the tram pulled up a hill, and then the voice of the tour guide crackled over the microphone. “Thanks for your cooperation back there, folks. Next up, we’ll check out the set that’s frequently used to film scenes set in Europe.”

  “This is so cool,” Tamera breathed, glanced up at Wyatt. Sunglasses hid his eyes, but the air of mystery it lent to him was beyond attractive.

  “What movie do you think they were filming?” Wyatt asked.

  Tamera pursed her lips, thinking. “Hard to say. I know a sequel to the buddy cop movie that hit it big last year is underway.”

  “The wordplay in that movie was brilliant,” Wyatt said. “I couldn’t stop laughing.”

  “The wordplay was decent,” Tamera countered, holding up a hand. “It was the actors who made it funny. Their delivery was perfect.”

  Wyatt stretched his arm around the back of her seat, his hand hovering mere inches from her shoulder. “I think we need to watch that movie again—this time together—to gather ammunition for our argument.”

  “Well, you do have a fantastic home theater that you’ll need to christen.”

  “It’s a date.”

  Her heart was melting into a puddle of goo and Tamera didn’t even care.

  The tram approached a body of water, with small beach-style cottages on the opposite shore.

  “Here is where the Steven Spielberg classic Jaws was filmed,” the tour guide said. “Don’t worry, folks. No sharks here today. We’ve got some divers checking the waters, just to be safe. And … oh dear.”

  Tamera laughed as she watched a single shark fin appear above the water, just behind the robotic diver.

  “Sir, get out of the water,” the tour guide said urgently. “Sir!”

  Wyatt laughed, bringing a hand to his mouth and hollering, “Get out of the water.”

  The kids in the car behind them took up the call as the shark fin drew ever closer to the diver.

  “Oh no,” the tour guide said. “Kids, look away. I don’t want you to—oh dear.”

  The diver disappeared beneath the surface in a sea of bubbles while the water became tinged with red.

  “I’m sure he’s fine,” the tour guide said as the tram began moving again. “Probably just playing dead. There’s nothing to worry abo—”

  A shark leapt from the water, it’s mouth opened wide, displaying rows of wicked-looking teeth. Tamera screamed and shrank into Wyatt, her heart pounding frantically in her chest.

  Wyatt’s arm wrapped around her, his breath hot on her ear as a low chuckle made his chest reverberate.

  Tamera laughed, sagging against Wyatt in relief.

  “I was not excepting that,” she admitted.

  “Me either.” Wyatt brushed a strand of hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. “You’re trembling.”

  “Yeah, well, I almost had a heart attack.” She stared up into his deep brown eyes, her voice a lot breathier than she’d intended it to be.

  His knuckles caressed her cheek. “Don’t worry,” he whispered, his eyes holding hers with a promise she desperately wanted to accept. “I’ll protect you.”

  She rested one hand on his cheek. It was involuntary, like two magnets she couldn’t pull apart. But Wyatt didn’t flinch. Didn’t pull away. “Are you sure you can handle me? I’m kind of a mess.”

  “I think I’m up to the challenge.” His eyes flicked to her lips, then back to her eyes with a silent question.

  Tamera didn’t move her hand from his cheek. She barely remembered to breath as his head descended toward hers.

  “Ew!” one of the boys said from the row in front of them, his nose wrinkled in disgust. “Wyatt James has a girlfriend.”

  “Gross,” the girl sitting next to him said with a giggle.

  Tamera’s face heated and she dropped her forehead to Wyatt’s chest, her shoulder shaking with repressed laughter.

  Wyatt brushed back her hair. She could feel him laughing as well, his strong muscles shaking against her body. “Sorry,” he muttered. “I guess I forgot where we were for a moment.”

  “Yeah. Me too.”

  Tamera barely paid attention to the rest of the hour-long tour. She was all too aware of the strong man sitting beside her, his hand engulfing hers in its protective warmth.

  At last the tram pulled back up to the ride entrance. Wyatt held out his hand, helping Tamera down before he was swarmed by eager kids begging for an autograph or picture. Tamera let the kids push their way in front of her and lingered at the back of the pack for a moment. Then she found a raised flowerbed shaded by a tree and sat on the ledge, watching from a distance.

  Wyatt was incredible with the kids. With the younger ones, he crouched down so he was at their eye-level. With the older ones, he held out his hand for a fist bump and smiled for selfies. Everyone adored Wyatt and it was easy to see why. Tamera kind of adored him, too.

  At last, the crowd dispersed and Wyatt made his way back to Tamera.

  “Sorry about that,” he said, his lips turned up in an apologetic smile.

  Tamera rose and straightened her messenger purse strap. “Don’t be. That’s why you’re here today. I enjoy watching you.”

  He fell into step beside her. “Well, I’m all yours until the next crowd descends. Where should we go next?”

  Tamera shrugged, content just to walk beside Wyatt. “Where would Luke or your coach want you to be?”

  Wyatt’s hand bumped against hers again, making it hard for Tamera to think clearly. “I think Luke’s probably too busy taking care of his pregnant wife to care what we do. And Coach would say to go wherever it’s the most crowded right now so we can interact with the fans. That’s going to be the rides, I think. Maybe later we can check out some of the shows.”

  “Sounds good,” Tamera breathed.

  Wyatt took a deep breath, then his fingers threaded tentatively through hers. “Is this okay?” he asked in a low, husky voice.

  Tamera brushed a strand of hair behind one ear, unable to stop the grin splitting her face. “More than okay.”

  “Good.”

  Wyatt consulted his phone for ride wait times, never letting go of her hand, and determined that the Lower Lot was most crowded right now—probably because everyone wanted to fight the heat of the day by getting wet on the Jurassic Park ride. They rode the numerous escalators down to that end of the park, chatting with the fans in front of and behind them on the steps.

  Once they reached the ground, Wyatt tugged Tamera toward the Jurassic Park ride. She thought he was going to get in line, but instead he pulled her into a secluded corridor.

  Tamera looked up at the trees shading them on one side, and the stucco wall on the other. “What’s back here?”

  “A play area for toddlers,” Wyatt said, consulting his phone before shoving it back in one pocket. “I figured it’d be pretty empty right now. I just need a minute.”

  Tamera rested a hand on his arm, instantly concerned. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” He ran a hand over his head. “Crowds just drain me. I need a minute to decompress before I go back out there.”

  “Okay.” Tamera leaned against the wall, watching as Wyatt did the same. His breaths were slow and even—no signs of panic or distress. “I’ve never seen this side of you before.”

  His mouth quirked up in a grin. “That’s kind of the point. I hide when I need a second to recharge so the cameras don’t realize what an introvert I am.”

  An introvert. It totally fit with what she’d seen of Wyatt so far. “Yeah, I’ve never had that problem.”

  Wyatt laughed, pushing off the wall to face her. He threaded his fingers through hers again. “Are you having a good time?”

  “The best.” Tamera pressed closer to the wall, her knees suddenly a little weak. Wyatt was so close—barely a foot separated them.

  Wyatt seemed to sense her train of th
ought and he took a step closer. “What’s been your favorite part of the day?”

  “Uh, seeing the hot set,” Tamera said. Her thoughts were scattering as her spine tingled, and she didn’t even care.

  Wyatt ran a hand through her hair and she shivered. “My favorite part was definitely when the shark scared you to death.”

  Tamera laughed, lightly punching him in the chest. “You would enjoy that part.”

  His hand captured hers and held it against his chest. She could feel the hard muscles beneath her palm. Found herself leaning into him without consciously telling her body to do so.

  “I enjoyed how you scooted closer to me,” he said, his voice husky.

  “Yeah, well, you have a very protective presence,” Tamera said, her voice much breathier than she meant it to be.

  Wyatt’s eyes flicked to her lips and his head lowered. Tamera raised up on tiptoes, threading her hands together behind the back of his neck and urging him the last few centimeters. She wanted this. Ached for it.

  This time, no one interrupted. Wyatt’s lips brushed against hers once, a feather-light kiss that had her insides trembling. Tamera let her fingers run over the short stubble of hair on his head, loving how soft it felt beneath her fingertips. Then they were kissing again, and this time, it most definitely wasn’t soft or gentle. Tamera leaned against the wall for support, and then Wyatt’s hands were at her waist, lifting her into his arms and drawing her closer. She let her feet leave the ground as his jaw worked against hers.

  She’d never understood what people meant when they said they saw fireworks during a kiss. Now, she totally got it.

  Wyatt groaned, tightening his hold as she opened her mouth, allowing him to deepen the kiss. This. This is what love was supposed to feel like. As Wyatt’s lips expertly moved against hers, she knew it wasn’t just his skill that had her seeing fireworks. It was a deeper, emotional connection. Something she’d never before experienced.

  Wyatt set her back on the ground and rested his forehead against hers, breathing heavily. “We’d better get in line for Jurassic Park.”

  Tamera rested her hands on his chest, her own breathing none too steady. “Why?”

  “Because I think we should be with other people right now.”

  Tamera grinned, a thrill of happiness surging through her. “Yeah. That’s probably a good idea.”

  Wyatt’s head dipped down, claiming her lips once more. Tamera was just starting to enjoy herself when he pulled and tugged her toward the crowd streaming by their little alcove. “Come on.”

  Tamera stumbled after Wyatt, her head lighter than she could ever remember it feeling. She brought her free hand to her cheek. It was impossible to stop grinning.

  Wyatt James had kissed her. Wyatt. Freaking. James.

  And she thought that maybe—just maybe—she might not be falling in love with him. Because she might be already there.

  He pulled her into the crowd, where they were swallowed up by the stream of people heading toward the ride entrance. It didn’t take long for the kids mixed with tourists to recognize Wyatt. Soon he was signing autographs and posing for pictures once more.

  Tamera kept her distance, content to watch Wyatt from afar. Her fingers kept straying to her lips, as though reminding her that the kisses had been real. What had happened to swearing off men forever? She laughed. That was definitely out the window. She wanted to be with Wyatt.

  A woman appeared at the edge of the crowd, her swollen belly pushing against the blue fabric of her sundress. Blonde curls cascaded down her back, but her face was swollen and red from the heat. She hobbled forward and Tamera cocked her head to one side. Something about the woman looked familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it.

  “Wyatt,” the woman called, raising a hand.

  Wyatt glanced around, clearly trying to locate the voice. His eyes found Tamera’s, and she pointed to the pregnant woman in the sundress. She was a fan and hoping for an autograph, just like everyone else in the park.

  Wyatt followed the direction of Tamera’s finger and his gaze landed on the woman. His entire face went ashen, the color draining right out of it. Tamera rose, concern making her blood pump harder.

  “Uh, sorry guys,” Wyatt said, holding up his hands to the crowd around him. “That’s all I have time for right now.”

  A chorus of groans met this announcement. Tamera walked toward Wyatt, her steps quick. He hadn’t told any of his fans no all day.

  The woman folded her arms and smirked, waiting for Wyatt to reach her. Tamera was almost to them as well. She could just hear Wyatt’s soft words.

  “Becky,” he said. “What are you doing here?”

  Becky. The ex. Tamera quickened her pace, feeling snakes of tension coil and leap in her stomach.

  “What do you think I’m doing here?” Becky’s tone was full of venom. She rested her hands on her protruding stomach and smirked up at Wyatt. “I’m here to collect child support, Daddy.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  A strange roaring filled Wyatt’s ears—one that seemed to have drown out Becky’s words. He stared down at his ex and blinked, as though that would make the nightmare before him disappear.

  “No,” he said, glancing at her round belly. “That’s not possible.” One hundred thousand percent no possible, unless an immaculate conception had occurred.

  “I can show you just how real this stomach is back at my hotel.”

  He heard a gasp and whipped around. Tamera stood behind him, her face bright red and fists clenched at her sides.

  Wyatt took a step toward her, reaching out, but she shrank back.

  How was this happening again? Hadn’t Becky destroyed enough of his life already?

  “She’s lying,” he said desperately, pleading with Tamera to believe him. He glared at Becky. “Tell her you’re lying.”

  Becky ran a hand through her hair. Three inches of dark roots led to hair that had once been bleached blonde, but now looked more brassy. “I assure you, this baby is no lie.”

  “It’s not mine!” Wyatt yelled. A few tourists glanced over at them, and he lowered his voice. “You know we never…”

  Becky popped her gum and shrugged. “I’m due next month. We only broke up six months ago. You do the math.”

  Tamera backed away, shaking her head back and forth furiously. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she muttered.

  Wyatt reached for Tamera, but she took another step back. “I don’t know what’s happening,” he said desperately. He gesture to Becky. “There’s no way that kid is mine.”

  “Apparently the only kind of men I attract are cheaters.” Tamera gave a hollow laugh. “Is this the real reason why you traded to the Coyotes—to get away from your responsibilities?”

  “Trust me, this is the first I’m hearing about this,” Wyatt said. He reached for her hand, but Tamera backed away. Tears glistened in her eyes. Each one felt like a punch to Wyatt’s heart.

  “I’ll find my own way home,” Tamera said, her voice thick.

  “Tamera—”

  She strode quickly away, not looking back. Wyatt took a step forward, ready to run after her. But Becky’s voice stopped him cold.

  “If you chase after her, I’ll ruin this lovely little PR opportunity the Coyotes have going for them and make a very big, very uncomfortable scene for you.”

  Wyatt froze, his blood suddenly turning to ice. The steely glint in Becky’s eyes said she wasn’t lying. Making a scene wouldn’t just be disastrous for Wyatt, but for the entire team. For McKinley, who was working so hard to turn them into winners. For Luke, who’d done nothing but help Wyatt since he arrived in California. For Tyrone, who’d been a friend when Wyatt desperately needed one.

  He couldn’t let Becky throw her little tantrum for everyone to see. After he made Becky leave, he’d go find Tamera and insist she hear him out.

  “Let’s go somewhere private.” Wyatt strode back to the alcove where minutes before he’d been kissing Tamera. Allowing Becky
into this secret space felt wrong, but he didn’t know where else they’d have a moment of privacy. His mouth filled with the bitter taste of fury.

  He hated that Becky was here. Hated that he was now using the private alcove with so many pleasant memories for such an unpleasant moment.

  Wyatt folded his arms and glared at his ex, trying to avoid staring at her stomach. “Start talking. We both know that baby isn’t mine.”

  She glared and smoothed her hands over her rounded stomach. “You were too much of a choir boy for that, true. Which is why I know you’ll help me now.”

  It felt like thinking through mud, but slowly the puzzle pieces began to fall into place, presenting a very hazy picture. “It’s Drew’s, isn’t it?”

  Becky’s heavily made up eyes lowered and she took a step forward. “It doesn’t have to be his. We were good together, Wyatt.” She reached up, threading her fingers through his hair and leaning in. He turned his head and her lips landed on his cheek.

  “You think I’m, what—going to take you back and raise the kid as my own?” Wyatt asked incredulously.

  She folded her arms, and the angry glint told him he was walking a very dangerous tightrope—one that might very soon snap.

  “I want to get back together. I could move here, to California.” She let out a hollow laugh. “It’s not like I can cheer this season. They’ve already fired me from the Vigilantes. I’m sure Drew had something to do with that.”

  “Why aren’t you in Texas, telling him all this?”

  Becky’s face hardened and more of the pieces clicked into place. She’d already gone to Drew. He’d turned her away.

  “You’ve always wanted a family.” Her hands snaked their way up Wyatt’s chest, around his neck. Caressing. Entrapping. “No one would ever have to know the truth. We could buy a little house and settle down. Me and the baby could travel with you to away games and cheer you on from the stands. The media would love it. Think how much that publicity would help the Coyotes.”

  Wyatt pushed her hands away, fury making it hard to think rationally. He had to handle this in a way that would minimize any damage Becky might try and cause. “Stop. This is insane.”