Game, Set, Match (A Humorous Contemporary Romance) (Love Match) by Nana Malone Read Free Book Online Page B

every relationship is supposed to be like that. We have respect for each other and enjoy each other’s company. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
    “Not if you’re sixty. Even at that, I’m sure Grandma May wants to get some at some point. You can’t have everything in your life so careful and controlled. It’s not good for you.”
    “I’m fine. I like my life the way it is. I appreciate your concern, but it’s not necessary. I know what I’m doing.” She huffed. “Besides, I’m about to turn down the job.”
    Jessica stood, a frown pulling at her lips. “If you really think it’s best to run away, I can’t stop you. Like I said, I care about you. I watch the way you keep yourself so closed off from people, afraid to make a ripple. You can’t live that way. No one can. Tell me you’re in love with Simon all you want, but I saw that spark between you and the tennis hero. If Simon made you spark like that, I’d stay out of it and mind my own business. But he doesn’t.”
    “Jessica, I’m tired. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
    Jessica made her way to the door. “Yeah, I hear you. I have a date with Dingo anyway.”
    “As in the dingo ate my baby? What happened to the Mormon rocker?”
    “I missed my favorite curse words too much. Anyway, back to you, just ask yourself this, how does Simon make you feel? How did tennis hero make you feel when you went toe-to-toe with him yesterday?”
    Alive . Excited from the minute electrical charges she felt any time he touched her. Weak and jelly kneed as he licked those sexy lips of his and bent his head to kiss her.
    But like hell, she’d tell Jessica that. Like hell, she’d let herself remember the feeling. Like hell, she’d let Jason Cartwright melt apart her carefully constructed defenses. She’d work with him because she had to, but she sure as shit wasn’t going to play with him. He was dangerous to her, but she was ready for him.
    ****
    Would anyone blame him for postponing facing his demons?
    Jason had needed to kill a half hour before physical therapy, and he needed to take his mind off of it. Even if it put him in the direct path of his favorite paparazzi stalkers. The Grove wasn’t normally a Pap hangout, at least not like the Ivy. He flicked through the GQ and paused over a Men’s Health, but instantly put it down when he saw himself on the cover. He knew he couldn’t avoid all media, it was everywhere. He only wished there wasn’t so much of it everywhere. Finally, with another quick perusal, he found what he was looking for. A clue. And there it was.
    The sub headline of   Life and Style Magazine  caught his attention. “Shocking scandal from the world of tennis.”
    How the hell had they found out?   Had Michaels gone to the press? For weeks since he fired Michaels, Jason had anticipated him airing his grievances in the press. But he had nothing to gain by doing so, unless some rag wanted to pay for the sordid story.
    Not that it mattered, because someone had leaked the story to the media. He scanned the cover for a clue. There wasn’t one. Just allegations and innuendo. As he glanced around to make sure no one noticed him, he picked up the magazine and scanned the article.
    “A high ranking men’s tennis player has been named as a key witness in tennis’s biggest drug case. An investigation by the…”
    The article went on to talk about some vague items related to a DUI of the Australian number two seed, but not a word about him or Michaels. He thanked God for small favors and put the magazine back where he’d found it. Enough procrastination, he needed to face his demons.
    An hour later, Jason stared at his opponent across the net, analyzed his stance, mentally calculated the serve, and anticipated his return move.
    Jason told himself he wasn’t nervous despite the tremor in his hand as he held his racket. His first day back at training. His first day back at seeing if he had a snowball’s chance in the Sahara