Last Chance In Vegas, page 1
Last Chance In Vegas
(Lovin’ Las Vegas Series #9)
By
KATHY IVAN
COPYRIGHT
Last Chance In Vegas – Copyright © December 2018 by Kathy Ivan
Cover by Rogenna Brewer
Release date: December 2018
Kobo Edition
All Rights Reserved
This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the authors imagination or are fictionally used. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead is coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced, downloaded, transmitted, decompiled, reverse engineered, stored in or introduced to any information storage and retrieval system, in any form, whether electronic or mechanical without the author’s written permission. Scanning, uploading or distribution of this book via the Internet or any other means without permission is prohibited.
Please purchase only authorized electronic versions, and do not participate in, or encourage pirated electronic versions
DESCRIPTION
Tate Montgomery’s going to be country music’s newest sensation. He’ll have it all—wealth, fame, popularity, and any woman he wants—so why is he sitting alone in a Las Vegas bar wondering if he’s made the biggest mistake of his life? Until he meets her.
Movie star and queen of romantic comedy, Missy Bannister is angry as hell. Betrayed by her co-star boyfriend, her only plan is to head to the hotel bar and dull her emotions in the bottom of bottle. Until she meets him.
One Night.
No guilt.
No expectations.
Only pleasure.
But what happens if one night isn’t enough?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Description
Newsletter Sign Up
Acknowledgements and Dedication
Editorial Reviews
Author’s Note
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Epilogue
Newsletter Sign Up
Excerpt from One Night In Vegas
Books by Kathy Ivan
Meet Kathy Ivan
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND DEDICATION
There are so many people I have met through my writing journey who are my best friends, writing buddies, critique partners, and the people who talk me off the ledge regularly and keep me sane. The ones who listen to me when I’m stuck on a scene and help me work out the details and make the characters fall in line when they get unruly.
Tanya Newbern, Kimberly Dawn, Chris Keniston – thank you for always being there to be my first readers, the ones who catch all the massive screw-ups when I miss them. You are all the best and I know I couldn’t do this without you.
To my sister, Mary. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for always being there for me. Even when I’m a grouch, moody, and lazy, you keep me writing, keep me focused, and kick my butt when it needs it.
And you—my readers. You’re the reason I keep writing. Without you, I’d tuck the computer in the back corner of the closet and never let it see the light of day again. Your words of encourage, the e-mails, and comments work their magic to keep me sitting at the keyboard, working on the next book. Thank you!
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
“Kathy Ivan’s books are addictive, you can’t read just one.”
—Susan Stoker, NYT Bestselling Author
“Kathy Ivan’s books give you everything you’re looking for and so much more.”
—Geri Foster, USA Today and NYT Bestselling Author of the Falcon Securities Series
“This is the first I have read from Kathy Ivan and it won’t be the last.”
—Night Owl Reviews
“I highly recommend Desperate Choices. Readers can’t go wrong here!”
—Melissa, Joyfully Reviewed
“I loved how the author wove a very intricate storyline with plenty of intriguing details that led to the final reveal…”
—Night Owl Reviews
Desperate Choices—Winner 2012 International Digital Award—Suspense
Desperate Choices—Best of Romance 2011—Joyfully Reviewed
Dear Reader,
Welcome to my world! Don’t you just love being able to lose yourself in a story? Meet new people, explore new places, and especially dive into the food – everything the city has to offer. And being in Las Vegas, well it’s a wondrous, magical place, especially once you wander off the Vegas Strip and start exploring the whole world outside the bright lights and big city glitz and glamour. I think another visit to this fair city is in my future!
Last Chance In Vegas is the latest book in my Lovin’ Las Vegas series. You’ll find a unique blend of romance and second chances at romance in this series and this book is no exception. So, sit back and hold on for a roller coaster ride of sensual tension, learning the power of forgiveness, and overcoming secrets in Last Chance In Vegas.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Kathy Ivan
Chapter One
Standing on the balcony of his condo, Jax Temple stared at the spectacular view of the downtown Las Vegas strip, a beer in one hand and his phone in the other. He should probably return Tucker Chamberlain’s calls, but damned if he knew what to tell him.
Rehab had gone okay, though it sucked. He hated every single day of grueling exercises to strengthen his dislocated patella postinjury, but it had to be done. Now, the knee was fully healed, or so the best sports medicine orthopedic surgeons assured him. The bossy push-him-until-he-was-ready-to-drop physical therapist insisted he was one hundred percent ready to head into training camp. Dealing with the torn ligaments and dislocated patella he’d incurred during the very last game of the season had consumed his every waking minute for the last several months. Still everybody associated with his recuperation assured him he’d be back on the field come game day.
Too bad I don’t believe a word they say.
Some inexplicable remnant of doubt niggled at the back of his subconscious, a tiny voice echoing over and over his playing days were through.
Kaput.
Normally not a superstitious guy, he knew deep in his gut if he set foot on the football field again, he’d be back under the surgeon’s scalpel and it would spell the end of everything. His career, his financial future—everything. Because football was his life. It was the only thing he had left.
Tucker Chamberlain, his longtime friend since their days together at Duke, kept leaving messages on his voice mail, and he’d deliberately avoided returning his calls. Mostly because he knew his friend wouldn’t let him wallow in his private pity party. It wasn’t Tucker’s style. Not that Jax worried about him showing up on his doorstep. Tucker was happily ensconced at his house in San Diego with the woman he’d fallen head-over-heels in love with. But he wouldn’t put it past him to show up on his doorstep in Las Vegas, if he suspected Jax was deliberately avoiding him.
He grinned when he thought about Alice, Tucker’s free-spirited sweetheart. Though he’d never met her face-to-face, they’d spoken a time or two on the phone, and he’d instinctively known she was perfect for his buddy. Bubbly and outgoing, he’d immediately been charmed by the beautiful and caring woman. And he knew she was beautiful. Tucker had wasted no time in sending him pictures of the love of his life. His buddy was one lucky S.O.B.
They’d made plans to meet up at the end of the season, since Tucker and Alice would be in Miami, where he’d been playing for one of the best teams in the league, but those plans evaporated like smoke when he’d pretty much demolished his knee in the playoff game. Even after all the physical therapy and massages, he still walked with a slight limp, and that sucker hurt like a son of a bitch when the weather turned gloomy.
Like the burning, aching, and throbbing he felt right now. Hence his second beer of the night. Because I’ll be damned if I pop more pain pills. He was determined to stay off those things for good, because he didn’t like the way they made him feel. Out of control, like everything around him was surrounded in a fog and he was just along for the ride. No sirree, he willingly admitted he was a total control freak, and deliberately handing over control to a bunch of little white pills—wasn’t gonna happen.
Taking another long pull on his beer, he stared at the phone still clutched in his left hand. What was he going to tell Tucker—that he was a wuss and scared his career was in the crapper?
The ringing of the phone startled him enough he almost dropped it. He chuckled when he checked the caller ID. Speak of the devil.
“You must be psychic. I was just fixin’ to call you. How’ve you been?” He put a little extra Texas twang in his words, because Tucker lov
Tucker’s laugh came through loud and clear. “Good. Finished the latest book and sent it to off to my editor. I’m happy with it. Going to spend a couple of days with my girl, and then start research for the next one. The question should be how are you doing?”
Jax almost didn’t answer, but knew that would make his friend even more suspicious. “Good. Doc says everything’s one hundred percent. I’m cleared for training camp, as soon as it starts.” He tried to inject optimism into his words, and prayed Tucker couldn’t read between the lines to the lie.
“So why don’t I believe you’re ready to play? What’s going on, J.T.?” Jax smiled. Tucker was one of the few people who still called him that. At Duke, he’d been known by his initials, but once drafted by the NFL, they’d used his full name, Jax Thomas Temple, Jr., and somehow it stuck. Now only close friends and family still referred to him as J.T.
“Everything’s fine, bro.” The darkening sky filled with unexpected brilliance, illuminated by the gash of jagged lightning piercing through the cloud cover. The sulfuric smell permeated the air around him, followed by the crashing bass drum boom of thunder. The first drop of rain landed on the concrete patio, followed closely by another.
With an audible sigh he turned, wincing at the knee’s stiffness. After the first couple of steps, it loosened a bit, but the damned ache persisted. “Seriously, I’m okay. Doc says everything’s healed up and I’m ready to rock.”
“Well, then…anyway, the reason I called, besides the chance to give you grief,” Tucker chuckled, “is to let you know I’ll be in Las Vegas next week. My agent corralled me into taking part at a big book signing over the weekend.”
“That’s awesome. You wanna stay with me while you’re here?” He made the offer with all sincerity, though he half-heartedly hoped Tucker said no. The guy was way too good at reading him, and he’d figure out pretty damned quick that he was scared to death his career, the only thing he was remotely qualified for, was over for good.
“Thanks, but everything’s already taken care of. I’m carving out a chunk of time in my schedule to see you though. Man, it’s been way too long since I looked at your ugly mug.”
Jax chuckled. “Aw, come on, you know you love me.”
“Jackass.”
“By the way, tell Alice I’m almost out of the last batch of barbecue sauce she sent. I love the new flavor, it’s a definite winner.” Jax knew changing the subject wouldn’t totally get Tucker off his case, but even a minor diversion bought him a little more time. It would be good seeing his friend face-to-face. Maybe by the time Tucker got to Las Vegas, he’d have yanked his head out of his ass and be ready to run back on the field.
“The honey jalapeno one? She’s getting some great feedback for that one. I’ll let her know. You know that means she’ll probably be sending you a whole case of it.”
“I’m counting on it, bro.”
“Wait until you taste her latest flavor, I thinks it’s my new favorite. She’ll be thrilled you liked the honey jalapeno though. She’s all about the sweet with heat flavors right now. Wants to make sure the balance is perfect though, before she puts it in stores and on the website. And now you’ve made me hungry.” Tucker laughed and Jax found himself joining in. It felt good to be lighthearted, even if it was only a temporary respite.
After another couple of minutes of inane joking, Jax finally hung up and wandered into the kitchen, laying his cellphone on the quartz-topped island before tossing the empty beer bottle in the recycling bin. He stretched, arching his back then reaching toward the ceiling. He couldn’t shake the antsy feeling he’d been having for days.
The phone gave the chirping alert for a text message, and he swiped a finger across the screen, displaying the text. It was a date and time calendar reminder. The team each year sent several players to a multi-school fair, holding a meet and greet with the students and teachers. One of those goodwill programs, the kind that benefited both the team and the community and gave some much-needed positive public relations mojo. Since he lived locally during the off-season, he’d been recruited.
This was one of the benefits of his job, since he lived locally. He didn’t mind, not one little bit. He adored interacting with the kids, those young fans excited about the game and in awe of the men who charged onto the field every Sunday and gave it their all.
He’d always planned to have a houseful of kids by the time he hit thirty. He closed his eyes against the flood of memories threatening to overwhelm him.
“Things don’t always go according to plan, do they?” The sound of his own voice yanked him out of the past and solidly back to the present. If he allowed it, memories of one of the worst times of his life could overwhelm him, plunge him back to a time and place he’d struggled for years to forget. He still did his damndest every day to not surrender to the demons of what if.
Forget it.
Forget her.
Easier said than done. A vivid image of Lily Wentworth rose unbidden to his mind. Her long blonde hair cascaded in waves around her face and over the tops of her shoulders. Brilliant green eyes shining with joy and laughter. She’d been heartbreakingly beautiful—and she’d broken his heart.
He slammed his fist against the countertop, forcing his thoughts away from the woman who’d owned him, heart and soul, back when he’d been young and impressionable and still believed love conquered all. But that was a fallacy, an image foisted upon society. Now he was older and wiser and knew the kind of love he’d felt for Lily was a mirage, a trap he had no intention of falling prey to ever again.
Jax knew real love existed. The perfect example was his parents, who’d been together for over thirty-five years. Though they had their ups and downs, they loved each other more every day. He’d thought he’d found that with Lily. He snorted. Showed what a fool he’d been.
A quick glance at his calendar confirmed the date of the school assembly was the following day. Good, it would keep him from thinking too much about his future off the field, or dwelling on the ghosts from his past. Flicking off the lights, he headed to bed.
Maybe, if he was really lucky, he’d actually sleep and not be plagued by dreams of what might have been.
Chapter Two
Lily Wentworth grabbed the elbow of one of the boys racing past her, intent on getting down the hallway ahead of the rest of his classmates. The kids in her class were over-the-moon thrilled about having players from several Las Vegas sports teams show up for the morning assembly. Excitement about getting autographs and maybe even tossing around the football with the pros shot through both the boys and the girls and this morning the classroom had resembled barely-contained chaos. Herding cats would have been easier than corralling a group of eight and nine-year-olds.
“Come on, everyone, back in line. None of the guest speakers are leaving before we get to the gym, I promise.”
“Ms. Lily, did you see ’em yet?” Danny Burrows stood beside her, his little eight-year-old body practically vibrating in his eagerness to get to the assembly. He was football crazy. If the school allowed it, he’d wear his number eighty-three Las Vegas jersey to class every day. When he turned those big brown eyes on her, she melted. Who could resist that face, with the smattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks and that crooked grin?
She ran a hand through his sandy-brown hair, ruffling the curls beneath her fingertips. “Not yet, Danny. They’re probably meeting with the principal, figuring out how he wants things done. But, don’t worry, you’ll get to meet everybody.”
Clapping her hands, she got her class’s attention. “Time to line up. Single file. No pushing or you’ll go to the end of the line.” Twenty-five eight and nine-year-olds sprinted for the open classroom doorway, jockeying for the best spot. Nobody wanted to end up last in line. There was a little good-natured jostling, but so far, so good.
Marching them from their classroom to the gymnasium that doubled as the school auditorium didn’t take more than five minutes, but it seemed like a lot longer, when she was attempting to wrangle a bunch of kids who were champing at the bit to meet their idols. Not that she blamed them. She remembered the excitement of being face-to-face with somebody larger than life. Somebody she admired and yet felt awed in his presence. But that was a long time ago and she’d learned to put it behind her.
