Player's Challenge by Koko Brown Read Free Book Online

him on her client list. Plus, it would be rather heartless to kick someone to the curb when they’d open their home to you.
    Devin placed his hands under his head. “I’m listening.”
    “I’m only going to stay here until Mum and Dad get back from their cruise next week.”
    “You can stay here as long as you like. The place is big enough for both of us. Plus, twenty-four hours after you walk out that door, you’ll be begging me to come back.”
    Gemma chuckled. She adored her parents, but her mum could get on her last nerve, which happened 99.98% of the time. “I appreciate the hospitality.”
    “And it will never be rescinded. I don’t want you to leave until you’re ready.”
    Gemma rubbed her tummy. His words made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
    “While I’m staying here, there will be absolutely no shagging.”
    Devin cut his eyes at her. “No shagging between us? What about someone else?”
    The thought of him sleeping with other women made Gemma’s skin crawl, but she couldn’t tell him who he could and could not sleep with. It was no longer her place.
    “No shagging between us,” she clarified.
    Silence hung between them and then Devin uncurled himself from the chair and walked over to her. He leaned in, placed his hands on either side of her hips, caging her in.
    Gemma gulped. It was better than panting! He smelled like heaven.
    “There will be no shagging between us and no one else for that matter. It won’t be pretty if I caught you banging some other bloke under my roof.” He pushed away from her and dropped the remote in her lap. “Those are my boundaries.”
    “Okay,” Gemma whispered but inside she was pumping her fist. For the duration of her time under his roof, there would be no other women in his bed.

Chapter Four

    “Please don’t…stop…take it!”
    Gemma kicked out at her assailant, but her legs were paralyzed. Refusing to be a victim, she swung her fist.
    Once.
    Twice.
    Not connecting, legs still immobile, Gemma tried rolling away. One moment she was weightless, free of her attacker, the next the air rushed from her lungs.
    Gemma blinked down at the hardwood floor then over her shoulder at the bed. It must have been a bad dream. A painful one to boot. Groaning, she pushed herself to her feet.
    “You okay?” Devin asked from the doorway. “I heard something fall in here.”
    Frowning, Gemma massaged her shoulder. It smarted like a mother. “No worries, just a tiny spill.” She gave him a reassuring smile, but froze.
    Dressed to workout, Devin was a walking sexual fantasy. Hair slicked back and parted on the side, he looked more like a High Street model than a professional footballer. Legs toned from hours of practice, calves practically bulging with muscle, his body was powerful yet sleek, like a jaguar’s, and well-suited for his job since bulky muscle would hamper his ability to react at a moment’s notice.
    Bloody, freakin’ contract.
    He pushed away from the door jamb, and walked toward her. When he stopped in front of her, green eyes narrowed, scrutinizing, she became hyperaware of everything. She noticed the gold flecks in his eyes. The old scar above his lip. His delicious, masculine scent.
    And of course, her own inadequacies came into ultra-focus. Self-conscious, Gemma wiped at her mouth. “What?” Had she drooled in her sleep?
    “You’re oozing.” He pointed at her brow. “Your dressing needs to be changed.” His eyes met hers and goose bumps ran down her arms. “Want me to do it?”
    In more ways than one. “If you don’t mind.” Gemma hated rashes, broken bones, cuts, blood, stitches, sores and most definitely pus, but not in that order.
    As soon as he turned around, reaching for the peroxide and bandages on the nightstand, Gemma exhaled in relief. The charge she got from him made her frighteningly alive, like a natural high.
    With surprising efficiency, he removed the butterfly closures and threw them into a nearby wastepaper basket. He