Read Online Backfield in Motion by Boroughs Publishing Group - Free Book Online Page B

where the lazy waters of Lake
Washington lapped at the shore. The late afternoon sun warmed the
breeze coming in from the water. A yacht large enough to house its
own football stadium was tied at the end of a long dock. Over to
one side a slate path led through a garden awash with flowers and
shrubs, complete with a bubbling waterfall. And roses, lots of
roses in a rainbow of colors lined the meandering path.
    Bruiser nudged her. “Hey, what’s going on in
that head of yours?”
    “I’ve never seen such gorgeous gardens.”
    “Well, Simms is worth billions. He can
afford it. They probably have an entire crew of gardeners.”
    “Yeah, I’m sure they do.”
    Mac glanced over at the She-Wolves, who
stood sharpening their claws and sipping wine with their men, the
poor bastards. They gave her the thumbs-up, causing Derek, Tyler,
and Zach to turn and look. Zach saluted her and Tyler shot her a
cocky grin, while Derek gave her an approving smile. Mac relaxed a
little. Obviously she’d passed muster.
    Veronica glided up to them as smoothly as a
figure skater and hugged Bruiser with more warmth than Mac ever
thought she could possess. Then she turned to Mac. Her brow
furrowed, her frown deepened, bringing out wrinkles around the
corners of her perfect lips. “I think we’ve met before, but I can’t
place you.” She looked Mac up and down, as if she were looking over
a piece of horseflesh at an auction.
    “I’m Mackenzie Hernandez.” Mac held out her
hand hoping a handshake would be appropriate.
    Veronica shook her hand and continued to
study her. “Mackenzie Hernandez?”
    “I’m a groundskeeper at Jacks’
headquarters.”
    “Oh, that’s where I’ve seen you. You didn’t
look quite the same.” She peered at Mac again, then dismissed her
and turned her attention on Bruiser. He tried to steer the
conversation back to Mac several times, but Veronica wasn’t having
any of it. She had great plans for a promo spot with Bruiser, and
Mac was just an inconvenience she chose to ignore. The more
Veronica drank, the more she hung on Bruiser’s arm.
    “Veronica, Mackenzie was admiring your
landscaping.” Bruiser subtly extracted himself from the woman’s
grip and tucked Mac’s hand in his. His big hand felt warm and
comforting surrounding her smaller hand and gave her
confidence.
    Mac jumped at the lead-in Bruiser gave her.
“I love your wisteria arbor. That color isn’t one I’ve seen
before.”
    Veronica looked at her as if she were a
moron. “We have people who handle those things. I don’t concern
myself with them.”
    Mac didn’t quite know how to respond to
that, but Bruiser came to the rescue. “Of course, you do, and it’s
up to you to hire just the right people.”
    “That’s my mother’s job. She’s in charge of
the gardens. I have no interest in them.”
    Strike two.
    Bruiser gave Mac one of those looks that she
interpreted as This woman is a bitch . “Well, Mac has two
years toward her horticulture degree at the UW.”
    For the first time Veronica perked up. “What
house were you in?”
    “House?”
    “Sorority.”
    “Oh, I wasn’t in one.” Strike three. Mac didn’t even go down swinging.
    “I see.” Veronica looked over her head and
waved at someone. “I must be off to my guests. Bruce, do think
about what we’ve discussed and get back to me within a few
days.”
    “Yeah, sure.”
    With that she flitted off.
    “I tried.” He gave her a shrug. His
blue-gray eyes were apologetic.
    “I know. Thanks for the effort.” She leaned
into him slightly as he stared down at her. Her heart pitter-patted
with gratitude. Bruiser Mackey wasn’t such a bad guy after all.
    “She’s a self-centered bitch.” Bruiser
flicked his gaze to Veronica and back to Mac.
    “Try entitled, self-centered bitch.”
    He smiled. “That, too. We aren’t done with
her yet.” His crooked smile gave him a boyish look. The man was so
outrageously handsome. No guy should be that good-looking. She was
going to