Huge feet in brown boots led to sturdy legs covered in dark-washed denim. His muscular arms bulged under the short sleeves of his hunter green jersey. Shoulders so broad she doubted she could fully wrap her arms around them. His thick brown hair lay neatly trimmed, and his brown eyes were heavy-lidded, yet welcoming, like a sad hound dog. And what was it about certain men’s noses that, when combined with the rest of their features, resulted in masculine perfection? The only thing missing was sexy stubble.
He smiled when she finally met his melted-chocolate eyes.
Seemingly aware she’d given him an once-over—a very blatant once-over. Awkward. She clasped together her trembling hands. “Was there something you needed?”
“Yes, actually.”
His voice matched his body: deep and heavy, and she bit back a sigh.
“I have a small problem you might help me with.”
“Absolutely. What is it?” She folded both arms across her chest. Where are my shoes? Can he see the tea stain on my shirt?
“I’m glad you agree. You see, I hate when women cry.”
What? That was quite the non-sequitur. Laugh lines appeared beside his eyes. Unsure what her answer should be, she replied, “I hate when women cry, too.”
Not comfortable around men, especially huge, handsome ones with square jaws sharp enough to cut ice, Ember calmed her breathing and tried stilling her pounding heart. The Marauders’ center stood in her cube entry.
Her entry. Oh no! Where has my mind strayed?
Did he live up to the rumors? The “O” in Offensive-line raised many a woman’s curiosity across social and traditional media platforms since all the players were extraordinarily gorgeous. Not hard to imagine Owen’s reputation for bedroom proclivity was very accurate since his shoes were so big, which meant he was big everywhere. Ridiculous. She would not stare there.
Maintain eye contact. Keep it!
Since she stood at five-eight, she was used to most men being of similar height or a few inches taller—not so with Owen Killion. Her chin actually lifted in order to meet his gaze. Then there was his mouth, which was speaking—
“Ember?”
“I’m sorry. What were you saying?”
“Sometimes talking to a stranger helps. Let’s grab a bite to eat.” He lifted her jacket off the back of her chair. “We’ll go somewhere close by, since we’re already downtown.”
“What are you talking about?” He wasn’t asking her out. Men didn’t ask her out. She didn’t date, especially not unbelievably gorgeous professional football players. Jocks didn’t date chubby wallflowers. Wait, she wasn’t that girl anymore. Was she?
“Dinner. I’m talking about dinner.” He chuckled and shook his head, evidently amused by her confusion. “We’ll walk across the street to that steak place.”
“I really, I don’t—” She glanced around, unsure how to continue or to determine what alternate universe she had entered.
“Really don’t what? You eat. I eat. It’s time to check out for the day. Come on.” He held open her jacket. “I’d like to hear about your brother.”
The gesture was just like the leading man in a movie. But she didn’t eat dinner, at least, not a large dinner. Her health plan entailed tapering off for the evening meal, and she didn’t stray from her meal plan—ever. “I usually eat soup for dinner.”
“I think I can handle that.” He glanced down at the jacket he still held in mid-air.
“Did something happen during the commercial shoot?” Some other explanation existed for why he was here. Why he was helping her slip on each jacket sleeve and taking her arm.
“Let’s go.” He nudged her lower back.
Shivers shot to her toes. Toes currently shoeless. “Sorry, I need to grab my purse and shoes.” After hearing his deep sigh, she glanced back and caught him jiggling his keys. “Owen, you play center, right?” As she slipped on her shoes, she turned and faced him.
“Yeah.” He raised a brow. “Why?”
With an index finger, she poked his hard chest. “You’re bossy.”
“You have no idea.” He smiled and took her hand, leading her out of the building.
This surreal moment topped her life’s unbelievable encounters list. Talking to Owen about her brother would provide another perspective. And that was all this gesture was about—her brother. Elliot hadn’t missed a single Marauders game. So she would have a cup of soup in tribute to his football fandom. Staring down from a heavenly cloud, her brother was no doubt blown away a member of his favorite team was in her presence. The vision made her smile, her first heartfelt smile since he died.
And then a familiar ringtone pealed from her phone, and her smile disappeared.
Coming Soon from Jillian Jacobs
Book #3 in The O-Line Series, Clayton’s Star available First Quarter 2016.
Book #4 in The O-Line Series, Maude’s Score available 2016
Erik’s story and maybe even Spencer’s to come, too.
Book #3 in The Elementals Series, Air’s Vision available First Quarter 2016.
Available Now
Book #1 in The O-Line Series, Ember’s Center
http://amzn.to/1Kw3SkD
Book #2 in The O-Line Series, Rachel’s Guard
http://amzn.to/1L0xM0p
Book #2 in The Elementals Series, Fire’s Field.
http://amzn.to/1NHIBXr
About the Author
In the spring of 2013, Jillian Jacobs changed her career path and became a romance writer. After reading for years, she figured writing a romance would be quick and easy. Nope! With the guidance of the Indiana Romance Writers of America chapter, she’s learned there are many "rules" to writing a proper romance. Being re-schooled has been an interesting journey, and she hopes the best trails are yet to be traveled.
Water’s Threshold, the first in Jillian’s Elementals series, was a finalist in Chicago-North’s 2014 Fire and Ice contest in the Women’s Fiction category.
Jillian is a: Tea Guzzler, Polish Pottery Hoarder, and lover of all things Moose.
The genres she writes under are: Paranormal and Contemporary romance with suspenseful elements.
Connect with Jillian Jacobs online
Website: www.jillianjacobs.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GreenMooseProd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/JillianJacobs/737689872920933
Amazon Author Page:http://www.amazon.com/JillianJacobs/e/B00PA1YHXK/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1430663785&sr=8-1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JillianJacobs
tsu: http://www.tsu.co/JillianJacobsAuthor
For more information on Harvey Girls, Jillian recommends reading: Appetite for America: Fred Harvey and the Business of Civilizing the Wild West-One Meal at a Time by Stephen Fried
For Freshwater Conservation information: The Nature Conservancy http://www.nature.org
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Ch
apter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47