Showdown (Gridiron Book 2) Read online

  SHOWDOWN

  Gridiron Series

  Book Two

  LEA HART

  Copyright © 2018 by Lea Hart

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Lea Hart

  Visit my website at www.leahartauthor.com

  DEDICATION

  For all of the sassy girls out there, that rarely behave.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I would like to thank Janell Parque for her editorial wisdom.

  Ronnie DuMond’s focus is on building her wealth management business.

  Chase Bedford’s focus is on trying to convince Ronnie to give him a chance.

  Does a head coach from the NFL team in Jacksonville, have the right moves to make a winning play?

  Or will this be a showdown

  Watch what happens when a sassy southern girl gets tangled up with a northerner. The sparks that fly between them make the blaze at Twelve Oaks look like a campfire.

  This is a romantic comedy about two people doing their best to resist the pull of fate.

  As in most romantic comedies, true love wins out…right after fate wrestles it to the ground.

  CHAPTER ONE

  November

  Coral Gables, Florida

  Ronnie peered over the railing and smiled at Gerald. “Was that him? Has the mighty Chase Bedford made good on his threats and shown up for dinner?” Seeing Gerald’s handsome face scrunch up in disapproval, she knew it was his last nerve she was testing. “I don’t know why I’m going along with this plan of yours.”

  “Yes, you do and denying your excitement about meeting a man who can stand up to you is a waste of our time.”

  Sauntering toward the first step, she stopped and smoothed out her dress. “I didn’t think he’d actually show.”

  “I knew he would.”

  “Apparently, he has more guts than I gave him credit for.” Seeing Gerald cross his arms over his chest and throw her a warning look, she let out a sigh.

  “I want you to behave this evening and expect to see the manners your mama taught you on full display.”

  “I’ll be as charming as I was during my deb ball and make you and Mama proud as I spread my charm like it’s peanut butter on warm toast.”

  “You need a man who can stand toe to toe with your pointy Manolo Blahniks and sass, and I have a feeling this is just the one to do it,” Gerald grumbled in response.

  Descending the stairs, she thought about the last conversation she’d had with Chase and knew he probably could more than handle her since he ignored every objection she threw his way. Hearing the door knocker bang loudly, she let out a breath. “You get it, Gerald, and bring him into the library.”

  “Has the mighty Ronnie got a touch of nerves?”

  “No,” she replied as she pushed her hair over her shoulder. “Mama sent you here to make sure I didn’t lose my manners, so go and get that door and I’ll receive my guest like I should.”

  Rolling his eyes, he flapped his hands. “Go on then and let me show Mr. Bedford the full force of our hospitality.”

  She blew her close friend a kiss and then walked into the library and headed for the bar, praying the evening would pass quickly and without incident.

  Smoothing down her hair, she squared her shoulders and turned as she heard footsteps approaching and took several deep breaths. She cursed her nerves and had no idea why a man with a deep voice, a warm laugh, and a sharp sense of humor was making her feel like a schoolgirl.

  She pasted a bright hostess smile on her face, biting back a nervous laugh as she stared at six-feet-three inches of broad-shouldered, dark-haired perfection.

  “Ronnie, your guest has arrived,” Gerald announced as he stood inside the doorway.

  She took a step forward and covered her nerves with the charm her mama had drilled into her and smiled widely. “Thank you, Gerald.”

  “Would you like me to prepare the cocktails?”

  “No, thank you,” she replied. “You go on and enjoy the rest of your evening.”

  “You too,” he replied before turning down the hall, whistling.

  Taking a step toward her guest, she put out her hand. “Thank you, Chase, for making the trip down.”

  “My pleasure,” he replied as he took her outstretched hand.

  Watching a grin spread across his rugged features as he lifted her hand slowly to his mouth, she let out a quiet laugh when he kissed her knuckles. “Should I worry about that mischievous smile you’ve got?”

  “Not a bit since I know you can more than handle whatever comes your way.”

  Slipping her hand away, she tilted her head and winked. “A comment like that tells me it’s time for a drink.” Turning, she strolled over to the bar and stepped behind it. “What can I get you?”

  “I’d love a scotch if you have it.”

  “We’re a proper southern home, sir, and stock just about any libation your heart desires.” Turning, she ran her hand over the bottles. “Glenlivet or Glenmorangie?”

  “Glenmorangie, please.”

  “Of course,” she replied as she put a large round ice cube in his glass and watched him studying the room.

  “So how exactly does a woman under thirty find herself living in a faded pink mansion with a butler in the Coco Plum neighborhood?”

  She poured his drink and then capped the bottle. “This old heap was a terrific deal, and since I love to decorate, I couldn’t resist snapping it up. And Gerald is not a butler, but a friend who bosses me around and tries to keep me in line.”

  “I’m guessing there’s more to it than that.”

  “There always is,” she replied as she made herself a martini. Jiggling the shaker, she studied the handsome man who stood before her and admired his solid build and dark brown hair with matching deep sexy eyes and wondered how much trouble he was going to be.

  The fact that he was examining her in much the same way her daddy considered his racehorses let her know it was going to be more than a little. Pulling a glass out of the small fridge, she poured her drink and added two olives, then lifted it up. “Cheers.”

  Taking a step closer, he tipped his glass against hers. “Cheers and thank you for finally agreeing to have a meal together.”

  “Gerald told me I had to and said any man who was as persistent as you was someone I should get to know.” Taking a healthy sip of her drink, she closed her eyes briefly and prayed for strength because Chase wasn’t a boy, and the chance of her usual tricks working were just about nil.

  Typically, she was in control with the men in her life, but the one giving her a slow once over didn’t seem like he’d allow it. He was an alpha male wrapped up in good manners and civility, and she knew not to underestimate him and hoped he did the same with her.

  “I’ll have to thank Gerald for working on my behalf.”

  “You may want to hold that until the end of the evening since it’s hard to know how things are going to turn out.” His loud laugh filled the room, and she decided it was a good sign he was amused at her jokes since a man without a sense of humor wasn’t easily abided.

  Which clearly wasn’t going to be an issue since Chase Bedford.

  Thank God.

  ***

  Chase took a sip of his dri
nk and couldn’t believe how fucking beautiful the woman who had kept him on his toes, intriguing him at every turn, was in person. Congratulating himself for resisting the urge to look her up before they met, he was glad he’d had a chance to discover how smart and fearless she was before seeing her face. “I can say with all confidence that three months of too many phone calls to count, and a promise to leave you alone after we shared a meal was totally worth it. And our evening is going to be nothing short of amazing.”

  Ronnie walked around the bar and looked at him over the rim of her glass. “Well, at least we’ve managed the first ten minutes without raising our voices.”

  “A record to be sure,” he replied as he moved into her personal space and watched her pulse pound against her neck. Feeling his body mirror her response as his heart beat a staccato, he watched her enormous tilted green eyes blink several times and took her hand. “You feel that?”

  “Let’s have our drinks on the patio; it’s a lovely evening, and there’s no reason not to enjoy it.”

  “Okay, seems you want to ignore it for a while longer.” Sweeping up his hand, he grinned. “Lead the way.”

  “Always,” she replied with a wink.

  He whistled silently as he followed her through the French doors because the view from the back was as good as the front. The woman had more curves than a racetrack and legs that went on for days, add to that the wave of caramel-colored hair that fell down her back and she was by far the most tempting woman he’d ever met.

  “How is it that you have a Saturday off in the middle of the season?”

  Feeling her soft curves brush against him as they walked side by side, he cleared his throat. “We have a Thursday game next week, and I wanted to spend my night off with you.”

  Snorting, she patted his arm. “That’s a pretty good line. Are you sure you’re a northerner?”

  Holding her hand as she sat on a small love seat, he made sure she was settled, before wedging his big body next to hers. “I was born and raised in a small town right outside of Boston, and I’m a proud Yankee.”

  “Said no man…ever.” She laughed at his expression and patted his leg. “I’m just giving you a hard time.”

  Covering her hand, he winked. “North and South, a better union was never made.”

  Taking a sip of her drink, she shrugged and then looked out across the patio. “I wasn’t expecting you to be charming. All our squabbles over the phone gave me no hint that I was dealing with a dark prince.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  She leaned back and ran her eyes over him slowly. “You, sir, are all hard angles, muscles, and mischief and that makes you someone not to be underestimated.”

  “I’m nothing but good intentions and noble aspirations.”

  “As if.”

  Seeing her smile slip, he noticed the pulse beat once again against her throat and wondered how it was going to be between them. Ronnie DuMond wasn’t as immune to him as she was trying to make him believe, and it gave him hope he may actually have a chance with the beguiling woman. “Where in Louisiana are you from?”

  “I’m from New Orleans. Most of my family still lives in the state, and my mother keeps hoping I’ll move back. She sent Gerald over last year to make sure I behaved because she’s afraid I’m going to forget how to be a proper southern woman. Which is ironic, considering she was born and raised in Quincy.”

  “Quincy, Florida? The town with all of the Coke millionaires?”

  “One and the same. And…yes, we only drink Coke in our family.”

  He let out a low whistle and studied the woman who was becoming more intriguing by the second. “How in the world did you convince your family to let you go to school in California?”

  “My goodness, you have a good memory. I think we discussed that during one of our first conversations, and that was months ago.”

  “I remember everything you’ve told me, as well as the many insults you’ve hurled in my direction.” Her head tilted back as she let out a loud laugh and he loved that there was nothing ladylike about the way she expressed her amusement.

  “I only hurled insults after you yelled at the top of your lungs, questioning my intelligence and business sense.” Taking another sip of her drink, she shook her head. “Come to think of it, it’s a miracle we’re sitting here right now.”

  “I’ve apologized a hundred times for yelling and hope you plan on forgiving me soon.” When she didn’t respond, he took her hand. “You know you want to.”

  “Not even a little,” she replied, slipping her hand away.

  “Any way to change your mind?”

  “Maybe,” she replied before finishing her drink. “Are you getting hungry?”

  “I sure am and have reservations at the Palme d’Or over at the Biltmore.” He checked his watch, “We have about forty minutes before we’re supposed to be there.”

  “I’ve had a long week, and was wondering if I could interest you in some jambalaya? Gerald made a big pot of it yesterday, which means it’s just about perfect.”

  “If you’re tired, then let me take you out.”

  “So…that’s a no to eating at home?”

  “Hell no, since all that matters is us spending time together.” Holding her gaze, he wondered if it was too soon to fall head over heels. Standing, he held out his hand. “Thank you, Ronnie.”

  “For what?” she replied as she put her hand in his and stood.

  “For making this night wonderful. I haven’t had a home cooked meal in ages, and it’s a real treat.”

  “My pleasure. Now follow me and prepare to be amazed because Gerald is one of the finest cooks in Louisiana and Florida.”

  Knowing he’d be happy to follow her anywhere, he trailed behind and wondered if this was the last first date he’d ever be on. “Guess this is my lucky night.”

  “We’ll see,” she called over her shoulder.

  That we will, he thought to himself walking into the house.

  ***

  Ronnie stepped into the library and slipped her sandals off, sighing as her feet touched the cool stone floors. “I wear high heels most days, and I’m happy to take these off. Please excuse my lack of formality.”

  “You can go change into a T-shirt and shorts if you want.”

  She reached up and covered his mouth. “Don’t say that, Gerald might hear you.”

  “And if he does?”

  “I’ll get a lecture that I’d rather avoid.”

  Putting his hand on her shoulder, he nodded solemnly. “I wouldn’t want the mighty and fierce Ronnie Du Mond to be schooled by her majordomo.”

  “I like to think of him as a benevolent dictator who runs my life and makes sure to hide all the bodies when it becomes necessary.”

  “Same thing,” he replied with a laugh, following her into the kitchen.

  Walking over to the stove, she checked the pot Gerald had left and turned on a low flame. Opening the fridge, she noticed he’d left her the fixings for a salad in bags and pulled everything out and set it on the big island. “Would you like a glass of wine or another drink?”

  “I’ll have a glass of wine with you.”

  Pulling out placemats and plates for dinner, she smiled. “Then, I’ll let you pick it. The wine closet is down the hall. Just make a left out of the kitchen, and it’s the first door on your right. As I’m sure you’ve already noticed, the house is a work in progress, and we haven’t done much with the downstairs, yet, so, for now, the wine is stuck in the closet.”

  “Any preference?”

  “I’ll trust your good taste.”

  “Damn, woman, don’t start seducing me before we’ve eaten, or we may never get a chance to enjoy that jambalaya.”

  Sliding her hand up to her hip, she leaned against the counter. “I’ll have you know that…”

  Walking backward out of the room, he held up his hands. “I’ll go find us a bottle.”

  “You do that,” she said to herself, knowing that t
he dinner ahead was going to test her on every level.

  Leaning back, Ronnie studied Chase’s empty plate and took a sip. “Are you sure you don’t want more?”

  Chase set his napkin on the table and shook his head. “No thank you. I’ve eaten way too much and will not embarrass myself by having a third helping.”

  “I like a person who eats, so don’t hold back on account of me.”

  Leaning forward, he covered her hand. “I’ll never hold back with you.”

  Clearing her throat, she slipped her hand away and then refilled his glass. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Of Course.”

  “Why did you drive over five hours to come and have a meal with me?”

  “I didn’t drive. I flew down in my plane, so it only took two hours.”

  “Still, it’s a lot of effort, considering how contentious we’ve been over the phone.”

  He took her hand and shrugged. “Truth is, I couldn’t help myself. I had to meet the woman who’s given me a run for my money every time we’ve spoken, and I’ll have you know I resisted the temptation to Google you, and had no idea what you looked like or your age.”

  “I didn’t look you up either,” she replied as she took a sip from her glass. Staring into his dark eyes, she wondered what they were going to do with the simmering attraction and who was going to submit first.

  “Ronnie, I’ve never been this intrigued by a person and want to see what you’re all about. I would’ve crossed state lines for a chance to get to know you and look forward to us spending time together.”

  Taking the wine bottle, she refilled her glass. “I guess then, I should give you my short bio.”

  “Make it the long one if you want.”

  Laughing, she shook her head. “I don’t want to put you to sleep.”

  Sitting back, he stretched out his legs. “I’m ready.”

  “Here goes…I’m twenty-seven years old. As you know, I went to Stanford for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees, then went to Tulane for law school. I passed the bar and can practice law in the fine states of Louisiana and Florida. I started managing athletes’ finances after one of my best friends from college asked me to take care of his. I’m good at making money grow, so I’ve stuck with it and have a unique business model that isn’t like anyone else’s. I enjoy jazz, Doris Day movies, chocolate, wine, and good shoes, and am nothing more than a simple girl.”