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  Her brow wrinkled and she tugged at her hair. Had she said something wrong? Had she exposed her scars? She turned her right side slightly away from Mack just to make sure. Normally she would escape the situation, but this might be her one and only chance to talk to Mack Quinn. She had to be bold and stay in it. Then she could live on the memories of the interaction for a long, long time.

  “Hyde’s a good man, I’m sure he’ll get that stamp,” Mack said in his low, melodious tone.

  Sariah absolutely loved Mack’s brother Kaleb’s, country music. She felt like Mack’s voice was very similar to his brother. Wouldn’t it be glorious if she could talk him into singing?

  Instead of smiling at the interaction and Mack’s compliment, Hyde released Lily’s hands and gestured with his chin toward the locker room. “Let’s go,” he said shortly to Mack.

  Mack studied him briefly, as if debating if he should tackle him or obey him. Hyde folded his arms across his chest and arched an eyebrow. Mack focused back on Sariah. “It was nice to see you,” he said.

  “It was lovely to be seen.” She winked boldly at him. She hadn’t been bold with a man in years, but this might be the only chance she had to talk to him. She begged him with her eyes to ask for her number, or if she wanted to go for milkshakes after the game or something. Okay, maybe milkshakes after the game was a high school thing and would reveal she hadn’t dated since close to high school age, but she desperately wanted to extend their time together.

  Mack gifted her with his melodious chuckle then he tossed an imperious glare at Hyde and strode past him to the locker room. Hyde gave them all a forced smile. “I’ll see you in a bit,” he muttered before storming after Mack.

  “What was that all about?” Lily murmured.

  “I’m as clueless as a man at a makeup counter,” Sariah said.

  The family all laughed like they always did at her lame jokes then Josh and Caleb started recounting every play that Hyde had made today. Sariah watched Mack disappear into the tunnel that led to the locker room, Hyde hot on his heels. It was almost as if Hyde didn’t want Mack talking to her.

  Sariah thought through and savored each word and smile. She didn’t expect anything to come of it, but she still wanted to talk to Mack more.

  * * *

  Mack rarely got upset, even when he’d been teased about a speech impediment as a child. He’d shut down and stopped talking, but he didn’t remember being mad. When he’d been kidnapped last spring as a ploy by a criminal to capture his new sister-in-law, Jasmine, he’d been uncomfortable, upset, and concerned but not outright angry. Right now, he was ticked. Hyde Metcalf had no reason to shut him down when he was finally having a conversation with Sariah. He’d respected Hyde over the past month and not approached Sariah, but he knew, knew that she stared at him throughout each game he played, and he could not get her out of his head. He’d had to at least try to have a decent conversation with her. Now he had and he wanted more.

  He made it into the tunnel leading to the locker room, made sure there were no press anywhere, and whirled to face Hyde. Hyde came up short and glared at him. “I warned you to stay away from her.”

  “No.” Mack shook his head and folded his arms across his chest. A lesser man would’ve cowered at the sight of his cut and massive biceps. Hyde didn’t flinch. “You told me she was a special angel to all of you and that she lived in Denver. You didn’t demand I stay away.”

  “You’re right.” Hyde pushed a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Mack, I respect you and I like you, but I need to ask you to stay away from Sariah.”

  “Why?” he demanded. “She’s an adult. She can make her own choices.”

  “She can,” Hyde agreed. “And believe me this has nothing to do with you personally, but your family is well-known and Sariah just can’t be exposed to the media like that. She’s not ready for that emotionally. It would tear her apart.”

  “Why?” Mack asked again.

  Hyde blew out a breath. “It’s her story to tell, but please just listen to me. She’s been … injured in so many ways and she’s like the little sister I never had. I have to protect her.”

  Mack hated, hated the thought of Sariah being injured. Some man had hurt her, or was it something else? He respected that Hyde wouldn’t share her secrets but how was Mack to find out those secrets from Sariah if Hyde wouldn’t condone him being near her? He tried to soften his stance, releasing his clenched arms and rolling his shoulders back.

  “I would never hurt her,” he said softly.

  Hyde looked him over. The moments stretched on too long and Mack thought he should put up a better argument. This woman was all he’d ever dreamed of and he needed the chance to get to know her.

  “I’m not saying you’d try to hurt her, but I just can’t take the risk that you, or everything you would bring with you, wouldn’t inadvertently hurt her. You don’t understand Sariah. How sweet she is. What she’s gone through.” He shook his head. “If you respect me at all, please stay away from her.”

  Hyde strode around him and disappeared into the locker room. Mack called himself all kinds of names for not going after the guy and begging him, or pinning him down until he conceded. The problem was he did respect Hyde, and even though he didn’t know Sariah, he cared for her far too much to risk hurting her. Yet his mind whirled with ways to get around Hyde’s request and somehow talk to Sariah. The devotion he already felt to her meant he couldn’t give up, without her being the one to tell him to stay away.

  Chapter Three

  Sariah looked around in awe at the owner of the Patriots’ mansion. It looked like something straight out of Gone with the Wind only modernized and much, much bigger. The three-story mansion had the classic columns of a plantation home with a huge wrap-around porch encompassing the first and second levels. Sariah fancied herself sitting on one of the rocking chairs on the second story overlooking the tree-lined driveway and sweeping lawns and waiting for her love to ride up on horseback. The man she envisioned was large and had blond curls and bright blue eyes. She needed to stop her Mack Quinn fantasies. Mack hadn’t tried to approach her at the Super Bowl, not since the weird way Hyde pulled him away when he was talking to Sariah at the playoff game in California. She wanted to ask Hyde about it but he’d been understandably busy and there hadn’t been a conducive moment.

  The party tonight was to celebrate the Patriots’ win over San Francisco. They were champions this year and Sariah’s youngest brother Josh couldn’t stop talking about it. He was adorable. Sariah had been invited to this party to accompany Teresa. She assumed it was because Hyde and Lily would be busy mingling and everyone wanted to make sure Teresa didn’t wander off or say something she shouldn’t. The lovely lady had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s last year and she was doing well, but sometimes she got forgetful or confused.

  Teresa and Sariah wandered around the vast ballroom together, trying some of the food, talking, and mostly people-watching. There were a lot of well-known celebrities, in addition to all the football players who were famous in their own right. Sariah made sure her hair was in place. Self-conscious didn’t begin to describe how she felt in this situation. These were the shiny, happy people and she didn’t fit. Lily not only fit, she rose above others around her because of her kindness, natural beauty, and spunk. Sariah was so proud of her sister, and wished she could hide behind her.

  The owner of the Patriots, Bucky Buchanan, dominated the scene. Sariah had heard he was a storyteller and she could see crowds gathered around him as his boisterous voice carried from twenty feet away.

  Her eyes kept wandering as she prayed that Mack Quinn would be here. All the players should be here, so why not him?

  Teresa tensed beside her and Sariah immediately refocused. “Teresa? Are you all right?”

  Teresa nodded but her breath was coming too fast for Sariah’s liking. Sariah took one of her hands and started kneading it gently between both of her own. Any kind of massage calmed Teresa down bu
t Sariah didn’t think it was a great idea to grab her employer’s shoulders and start working on relaxation techniques at this upscale party.

  “I’m fine, sweetie,” Teresa murmured. “Look.”

  Sariah followed Teresa’s gaze and noticed the owner, Bucky, striding toward them. He wasn’t exactly handsome but he had a commanding presence with a well-worn face and a cowboy look that reminded Sariah of John Wayne. People tried to waylay him and he would graciously shake their hands and say a few words with each of them, but didn’t stop for long. He was obviously focused on reaching Teresa. His eyes were a deep blue and they twinkled as he approached Sariah and Teresa. His entourage didn’t follow him, but many eyes in the room were watching his progress.

  He extended both hands to Teresa. “Teresa Metcalf, as I live and breathe,” his Southern accent was charming and Sariah noticed Teresa was blushing prettily. “How do you become more beautiful every time I see you?”

  Teresa pulled her hand free of Sariah’s grasp and clasped his hands. “You old charmer. I don’t believe a word of your flattery.”

  Sariah hid a laugh. These two were flirting. In front of the crowd. She looked around for Hyde and Lily and saw them clear across the ballroom. They weren’t aware Bucky was hitting on Teresa yet. Teresa’s divorce from Hyde’s dad, who deserted them both a year ago, had only been finalized last month. Sariah had never seen Teresa so much as glance at a man her age.

  “You know I couldn’t tell a lie if someone hogtied me and branded me for it,” Bucky said. “Your beauty is unsurpassed and I’m pleased as a good shot of whiskey that you’ve graced my home with your lovely face.”

  “You stop it.” Teresa pulled one hand and waved it in front of her face. “You’ll make me blush.”

  “You’re already blushing, darlin’.” He winked at her then finally released her hands and offered his hand to Sariah. “Sariah Hyde? It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, little lady.”

  Sariah shook his hand, surprised he knew who she was, but she and Lily did look quite a bit alike. “You even talk like John Wayne.”

  He joined in her laughter, not appearing the least bit put out. “But I’m much more charming and wealthy, right?” He arched an eyebrow as if daring her to refuse him.

  “Charming as a lion, I’m sure.”

  “Teresa thinks I’m charming.” He turned his attention back to her. “Now that I’ve got you here, I have to show you my gardens.” He extended his elbow to her then glanced at Sariah. “You don’t mind, do you?”

  Sariah shook her head, though it worried her to not be close to Teresa. Would Hyde care? Who would Sariah talk to in this crowd?

  Teresa gave Sariah a happy grin as she and Bucky started across the ballroom toward a balcony door. It was probably a great boost for Teresa to feel pretty and desirable after what her ex-husband had put her through, but Sariah worried. What if Teresa got confused or said something that offended Bucky, who was basically Hyde’s boss?

  They disappeared out the open door and Sariah hurried to where Hyde and Lily were chatting with Rigby Breeland and his wife. Hyde saw her coming and he must’ve seen the concern on her face because he excused himself and hurried to meet her. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she said. “But your mom went on a stroll with Bucky Buchanan out to his gardens.”

  Hyde’s shoulders lowered and he smiled. “Bucky’s a good guy and he knows everything about my mom. He’ll be kind to her.”

  “Okay. I just feel so responsible for her.”

  “Thanks, Sariah.”

  “I’ll go sit outside and keep an eye out,” Sariah said.

  “Thanks.” He turned back to Lily and the Breelands, who were watching both of them.

  Sariah smiled at her sister so Lily would know she was fine. Both Hyde and Lily had been worried about her coming tonight, knowing she didn’t like attention and was happier doing her massage therapy or working in the garden with Teresa and Allie. The thing she hadn’t told them was she wanted to come, hoping to see Mack Quinn.

  She hurried toward the door Bucky and Teresa had disappeared out of and searched the property. The pool area was well-lit and landscaped with waterfalls, decorative pools, and a couple of hot tubs. Sariah strode down the descending patios, past the pools, and saw the beautiful flower gardens. The lights in the garden were softer but Sariah could still see several couples strolling along the lit paths that were filled with some spring flowers in bloom and others still budding, flowering bushes, and trees. The darkness beyond looked to be a thick forest. It smelled fresh out here, similar to the Colorado mountains that she loved so much. She wished she could see it all in the daylight.

  Walking slowly to the main path, she sank into a comfy, padded bench and waited for Teresa and Bucky to appear again. She hoped they wouldn’t think she was stalking them but the night air was mild and she’d rather be alone in this garden than hiding in a crowd full of people. Especially if Mack wasn’t coming tonight.

  * * *

  Mack arrived at the Super Bowl celebration party later than he’d wanted. Atlanta traffic could be horrible sometimes and he’d been caught in a traffic jam heading out to Marietta. When he arrived, he greeted fellow players but his eyes searched the spacious ballroom for Hyde Metcalf. He hoped Lily and maybe even Sariah would be here tonight. Since Hyde had rebuffed him from pursuing Sariah, for the second time, he’d stewed about what to do. He’d decided to try to get Sariah’s sister, Lily, alone and get her take on the situation. Maybe he could soften her and get her approval and maybe even Sariah’s phone number.

  As his eyes finally found Hyde, his stomach hopped when he realized Hyde wasn’t talking to Lily but to Sariah. Her long, dark hair swooped over her right shoulder, covering her neck. Her knee-length pale blue gown fit her beautiful shape perfectly. It was an interesting dress with a high neckline, long sleeves, and no back or chest exposed. It made Mack appreciate Sariah all the more. Her beauty was unequaled and she didn’t need to be showing off skin to anyone.

  Sariah strode away from Hyde and out a patio door. Hyde returned to Lily’s side, talking to the Rocket and his wife.

  Mack felt like a sneaky teenager, but he knew this was his first and maybe only opportunity. He would be very cautious not to make Sariah uncomfortable, but he needed to know if he had any chance with her. He respected Hyde, but still felt Sariah was an adult who should be able to decide who she associated with.

  Staying on the outskirts of the ballroom, he approached the rows of exterior patio doors from a different direction, keeping an eye on Hyde and Lily. Neither of them glanced his way.

  As he exited the ballroom, he found himself on the back patio. He searched around the pool area and couldn’t see Sariah anywhere. Walking slowly, he finally saw her at the entrance to the main garden path. She sat on a bench, facing the opening of the path. He couldn’t see her face clearly but he would recognize her thick, dark hair and perfect shape anywhere.

  Mack increased his pace, his breath coming quicker in anticipation. If Sariah waiting for him on a garden bench wasn’t a sign from above that she should be in his life, he didn’t know what was.

  Chapter Four

  Sariah didn’t mind waiting for Teresa and Bucky. Hushed conversations from the garden floated to her, along with some giggles and laughs. Obviously, more couples than Teresa and Bucky were enjoying a stroll, or more. It made Sariah smile. If only she could be one of those couples, with Mack. She shook her head. He hadn’t come to the party. She’d pinned all her hopes of truly connecting with the man she’d been staring at all season on this party. It felt like her last chance. If she didn’t see Mack tonight, she might not see him until next fall. The offseason for the players had officially started. Google had informed her that Mack had a condo in Atlanta and a home near his parent’s place in Newport, Rhode Island. She didn’t have any way to contact him. Maybe she could follow him on Instagram, comment on his every post, and hope he’d contact her. That was dumb. He surely had some
one hired to manage all his social media, and protect him from star-crazed women like her.

  Footsteps approached. Fear filled her and the horrid memories resurfaced of being held underwater until she wanted to die. She shook that off, stood quickly, and whirled to face the threat head-on.

  Mack Quinn strode determinedly toward her. All fears disappeared. He looked magnificent in a tailored tux that made him look like a buff international spy instead of a football player.

  Sariah’s breath caught in her throat. He stopped a couple of feet away, as if worried he would overpower her or frighten her. A slow smile grew on his handsome face. “Hi, pretty girl,” he said softly.

  Sariah hid a laugh and returned his smile, happiness filling her. “Is that your standard line for every girl?”

  Mack shook his head. “You’re the only girl I’ve ever said it to.”

  Sariah wanted to rush into his arms, but that would be insane and much, much too pushy. “Come on, I can’t believe that. I have social media. I know you date a lot of pretty girls.”

  “I’ve never dated anyone as beautiful as you.” Mack’s blue gaze seemed to deepen and he took a couple steps closer to her, close enough she could smell his soft cologne—sandalwood and lavender. It fit him, tough but kind. “I’d better fire my social media people if they’re making me look like a player.”

  Sariah tilted her head back so she could hold his gaze, tucking her hair against her neck just to make sure. “You’re even bigger than I thought.”

  He smiled at that but then he sobered quickly. “Sariah,” her name on his lips made her knees quiver. “Did a man hurt you?”

  Sariah backed up a step, but ran into the bench and almost fell down onto it. Mack reached out and steadied her with his hand. His palm wrapped around her waist and she felt small and desirable under his touch. But why would he ask something like that? Did he know about Tyler? All the horrible memories resurfaced and she remembered why it wasn’t smart to fall for someone high-profile like Mack, but how could she resist him? His blue eyes were tugging her in and his large frame shouted protection to her. There was nothing to fear from Mack. All she wanted was to forget Tyler ever hurt her and lean in closer to Mack.