The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton Read Free Book Online Page A

or next dates or next anythings with women.
    But with Tara, it had been different. He was disappointed as hell to find her gone when he woke up.
    Where the hell was she? The last thing he remembered was passing out with her curled up next to him. It had to have been near dawn when they finally fell asleep, because he remembered them laughing about the sky outside lightening by the time they’d finally gotten their fill of each other.
    Not that he had been even close to getting his fill. Exhaustion had finally set in, but Mick hadn’t come close to getting enough of Tara.
    He wanted a next day with her. And he had no idea how to reach her, didn’t get her number. But he knew how to find out.
    After he checked out and climbed into his car, he pulled out his phone and dialed Elizabeth’s number. If anyone could find someone, it was his agent.
    “Shouldn’t you be working out with your trainer or in bed with some hot woman? And if you are in bed with some hot model or actress, let me know when and where so I can send a photographer to get a pic, ’kay?”
    He laughed. “No. I need you to find a woman for me.”
    “I’m appalled you think of me as your pimp, Mick. It’s sort of true, but I’m appalled. Who is she?”
    “Tara Lincoln. She was the event organizer for last night’s team party.”
    “Why do you want to find her?”
    “None of your business. Just get me her info.”
    “Planning a little soiree of your own?”
    Mick snickered. “Yeah, you know me. Just a wild party guy.”
    “Please. If you were, my job would be a lot easier. I’ll get her info and get back to you.”
    Mick clicked off and headed home to his condo in the East Bay. He pulled into the garage, closed the door, and grabbed his overnight bag. His cell vibrated before he got to the kitchen.
    “That was fast,” he said, grabbing for the orange juice and hitting the speaker on his cell.
    He knew Liz was grinning. “I’m just that good, Mick. Tara Lincoln, owner of The Right Touch. The business is located in Concord. Grab a pen and I’ll give you her phone number and address. This is her business address and office phone number. If you want her personal info, it might take me all of an hour.”
    “You scare me, Liz.” He grabbed a pen and the pad of paper on the kitchen counter. “The business information is good enough. I don’t need you digging up her ancestry.”
    “I might if you’re thinking of dating this woman. I’d need to know more about her.”
    “Not even my mother knows as much about the women I date as you do.”
    “Your mother isn’t as invested in your career as I am. One misstep and you’re fucked.”
    “And all that money you make off me goes down the tubes.”
    “I’m crushed, Mick. You know how much I adore you.”
    Mick shook his head and smiled. Where would he be without Elizabeth Darnell in his life? A hot redhead who looked more like one of those fashion models he dated, no one looking at her would think she was a sports agent with the killer instinct of a hungry shark. She was the main reason he and his brother were multimillionaires. “Yeah, yeah. I’m touched by your sincerity. Just give me what you’ve got.”
    After he hung up with Liz, he changed and took a run in the park first, needing to clear his head and draw some oxygen into his lungs. It was mid-June and warm in the East Bay, especially since he’d gotten a late start. He was usually up at dawn and running early. Now it was afternoon, and the sun beat down on him as he rounded the turn on the jogging trail, ignoring the sweat that streamed down his back, concentrating only on his breathing and his time.
    Thirty years old was getting up there in years for an NFL athlete. But he was far from being done with this sport he loved. He was in great shape physically, and he intended to stay that way. He was nowhere near ready to retire yet.
    After five miles he took it down to a walk and headed back to his condo. An hour later he’d showered