Game For Love: Game On (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Cat Johnson Read Free Book Online Page B

relax.”
    “Exactly.”
    “This is sure a nice place to do it.”
    It was only a matter of time before Laurel asked him something he wouldn’t be able to answer truthfully. Even something as simple as what he did for a living would force him to lie to her, making the situation even more stressful.
    Maybe he could steer the conversation into safer waters. “So, tell me some stuff about you. Like, what’s your first memory?”
    She smiled. “My great grandmother and great grandfather sitting in my parents’ living room. They died when I was three, but I can picture them there.”
    “That’s nice. I’m glad you remember them.”
    “Me too. Okay, your turn. What’s your first memory?” Still leaning on the railing, she turned her head to look at him.
    “My granddaddy putting me up in the saddle in front of him and telling me to hold on tight to the horn.” Trent smiled. “Then he kicked that horse into a gallop and man, I was hooked. My momma though was not so happy. I don’t remember that part but yeah, it’s been discussed at a few family dinners.”
    “I’m sure.” Laurel laughed. “Is he still around, your grandfather?”
    “Oh, yeah. He’s still as active and as crazy as ever.” Trent smiled. “Lord willing, I hope I’m just like him at his age.”
    “My turn to come up with a question.” Laurel turned to face him completely and Trent braced himself for what she might ask, suddenly regretting this little game of twenty questions he’d begun. “Best Christmas ever.”
    That he could answer. “Easy. Age five. I woke up to a puppy with a bow around his neck licking my face.”
    “How cute. ”
    “Yeah. He was. In my five- year old wisdom, I named him Sue.”
    “You named him Sue?” She laughed.
    Trent grinned wide. “Granddad dy’s favorite song is A Boy Named Sue .”
    “ That’s sweet.”
    He tipped his head to the side. “Not sure how the rest of the family or the dog felt about it, but my grandfath er laughed his head off. Okay, your turn. Best Christmas.”
    “Eleven years old. The last one before my parents got divorced.” Her mood visibly fell and Trent silently cussed himself for coming up with this stupid game. “Do you have a big family?” She seemed to pull herself out of the mood as she changed the subject.
    “Not really. Just me and one sister, and that was two questions in a row for you.”
    She smiled. “I cheated.”
    As sexy and beautiful as she was, Trent sensed more beneath all that. A strength. A determination. He had no doubt Laurel liked to win, in games and in life, and she’d do anything to make that happen.
    He supposed he was like that too. He’d worked harder than anyone else on his high school team to get that scholarship to the University of Texas. And once there he’d worked his butt off, juggling school and football, often at the expense of a social life. He still did that during the season—sacrificed everything for the game.
    But now he was off and for the next few months his life was his own. Maybe he needed to cut himself some slack and let himself enjoy it.
    “I’m glad you’re here.”
    Laurel’s lip s bowed with a smile. “So am I.”
    T he distant sound of a knock on the bungalow’s door had them both turning.
    Laurel lifted one brow. “ Dinner already? That was fast.”
    “It sure was.” Just when he’d been enjoying their conversation. “I notice they tend to under promise and over deliver ’round here.”
    “Better than the opposite, I guess.”
    “You ain’t kidding.” He headed inside to answer the door.
    The meal occupied them without benefit of much more conversation than small talk and commentary centered on the resort’s amazing food until Laurel paused with her fork poised in the air. “Is your steak not okay?”
    “Hm?” Trent glanced down at his plate. “It’s fine. Why?”
    “You don’t seem to be eating much.”
    It was true. He’d taken a few bites but had spent most of the time drinking his