Power Play E-Book

Melody Heck Gatto

• Herausgeber: Melody Heck Gatto
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Professional hockey player Noah Rodgers was a ladies’ man. He didn’t do relationships. He liked to keep his options open, no-strings attached. And he made no secret of his rules.
Jordan Baker managed The Sin Bin restaurant. She was a people person who enjoyed being in charge and rocked a mean pencil skirt and blazer. Still recovering from her last disastrous break-up, she was concentrating on her career. She wasn’t interested in taking chances with her heart.
Keeping Noah and his flirtatious ways at bay proved difficult– virtually impossible. He was charming, devastatingly handsome, and focused on her. And she liked it.
Could no strings attached be enough for her?

Leseprobe

Power Play – Renegades 12

By Melody Heck Gatto

Copyright © 2022 by Melody Heck Gatto

License Notes

All rights reserved. This 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 events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The Pittsburgh Renegades™ is a fictional sports team. Their name and logo are created for the sole use of the owner and covered under protection of trademark.

Editing by Bree Scalf - Vivid Editing

Cover Art by Melody Heck Gatto

Dedication

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

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

EPILOGUE

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Dedication

This one is for you, Angela.You were one of the good ones. Gone too soon.We had some memorable times at the arena. Pens events will never be the same.

CHAPTER ONE

Jordan

Jordan Baker crossed the large dining room of The Sin Bin restaurant, her heels clicking on the linoleum floor with each step she took. The Tuesday lunch rush was in full swing, and everything was running smoothly, as usual. Of course, she wouldn’t accept anything less than perfection. Jordan was the restaurant manager and a damn good one, as far as she was concerned. Someday she wanted to run her own place; she was just waiting for the right opportunity to come her way.

Jordan loved being in the hospitality field. She had started at the bottom years ago, and had worked her way up to where she was now—manager of The Sin Bin, one of Pittsburgh’s premier restaurants. And the saying was true: choose a job that you love, and you’ll never work a day.

The Sin Bin was owned by her best friend, Talia Kidd Dash, who was not only Harrison Dash’s wife, but Tyler Kidd’s sister—both Renegades hockey players. It was no surprise, then, that The Sin Bin had an ice hockey theme, with lots of memorabilia on the walls. The iridescent white walls were accented by blue lights, and held framed, signed jerseys, sticks, and photos. But Talia prided herself on keeping it a classy eatery versus a sports grille. This was her baby, well, besides her actual baby—Dakota. Talia and Harrison had become like family to Jordan, too.

Jordan glanced out the dining room windows. The Sin Bin, located on the twentieth floor of City Towers, soared over downtown Pittsburgh. It was a warm and sunny October day. She could almost feel the sun on her face. How lucky she was to work here every day, with such a breathtaking view of the city, along with the Rivers Arena, home of the Pittsburgh Renegades, right across the street.

She couldn’t ask for a better city to live in. Pittsburgh residents loved their sports, especially their hockey team. Being situated right across from the arena where the Renegades played, the establishment welcomed plenty of fans, and The Sin Bin was a hot pre-game destination for them.

Ready to make her rounds to make sure everyone’s meals were satisfactory, Jordan took a moment to adjust her blazer and smooth out her pencil skirt, her favorite outfit for work. Not only did the skirt accentuate her legs, but she felt boss-like. Add stiletto heels with an ankle strap, and she not only felt like a boss, but sexy, too, with great legs.

“Jordan,” Emily said. “Noah Rodgers was in last night looking for you.”

“Well, lucky for me I wasn’t here.”

“Why don’t you like him? He’s really cute!”

That was why she didn’t like him. She avoided Noah like the plague, because he was very handsome and he knew it. He thought he was God’s gift to women. Everyone knew about his reputation in Nashville. He was dubbed a party boy.

Honestly, Nashville should’ve had a PR Person like Paige to help clean up his messy trail of women. But now he was the Renegades’ problem. Of course she couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was—the careless way his blond hair hung in his face, his deep brown eyes, and the kind of dangerous grin that made women fall at his feet.

“Emily, he’s just not my type.” Noah Rodgers was one of those guys that her mom had warned her about. And even though her heart rate picked up a little each time she caught him looking at her, she’d never let him know the effect he had on her.

“So?” Emily asked. “Why not flirt back? Live a little.”

“Who are we talking about, ladies?” Talia asked. Curiosity filled her face as she joined the discussion.

“Noah Rodgers,” Emily blurted out with a giggle.

“What about Noah?” Talia asked.

“He’s in here almost every day, flirting with Jordan.”

Jordan shrugged. “I just assumed he doesn’t cook.”

“He’s obviously here to see you,” Talia said knowingly.

“He’s not my type, Tal. So put your matchmaker hat away.” Jordan didn’t have time for dating or a relationship—especially not with a hockey player.

“But you haven’t been on a date in forever,” Talia complained.

“That’s fine, because I’m married to my job.” She pursed her lips, hoping they would take the hint and drop the subject.

Emily, apparently annoyed, left the conversation and went back to work.

“I’m going to give you a little advice,” Talia said. “Sometimes you do need to just have a little fun.”

“That’s what Emily said.”

“If you don’t take a chance, you’ll never know what could’ve been. I mean, look at me. I was trying to let loose, get out of my own head. What I thought was a one-night stand with a hot guy I picked up at a bar turned out to be my soulmate.”

Noah might have been Harrison’s friend and teammate, but he was the type of guy she needed to stay clear from. He was a playboy. Different girl every night kind of guy. Falling for a guy like that was just asking for trouble. Playboys would never commit. And that was why she needed to stay clear. She made that mistake once and wouldn’t put her heart through that again.

“I don’t think he’s going to be my soulmate.” Jordan rolled her eyes. “Besides, I don’t have time for a relationship.”

“I never said he was. And I don’t think he’s into relationships, anyway. That’s why he’d be perfect for you. Just have some fun.” Talia winked.

“Since when did you become such a bad influence?” Jordan teased.

Talia shook her head. “I’m just saying you need to get out once in a while.”

Jordan knew Talia meant well, and she wasn’t annoyed by her friend’s advice, but it was unwanted advice, after all. She began to walk away, done with this conversation. “I’m good, thanks.”

It had been five years since she’d had her heart broken, and she still wasn’t ready to go through that again. She was loyal to her job now, and the job wouldn’t leave her for the game.

Not like her high school sweetheart had.

Denny had been the high school hockey captain, and she’d been the book-smart valedictorian. He could’ve had any girl in the school, but he’d chosen her. She’d been accepted to every college she applied to, whereas his choices were limited. Denny had his heart set on Boston, and since they’d planned to attend college together, she picked a school close enough to his that they were able to share an off-campus apartment.

He had hockey and school to worry about, so Jordan had picked up a part-time job at a local diner to pay the rent. She was living what she thought was her happy ever after, when he began spending more time at the rink than with her.

Eventually, the fateful day came when Denny announced that he’d been signed to a mid-level professional hockey league team in Maine. He was dropping out of school, breaking up with her, and moving to Maine—leaving her in Boston alone, with no friends or family.

He had broken her heart. Never again.

CHAPTER TWO

Noah

Noah Rodgers walked out of his hotel into the warm October air. He’d arrived in the city in the middle of last season, and so far Pittsburgh had been welcoming. Taking in all the sounds of the city, he was glad to be back here.

Last season hadn’t ended the way he had hoped, and the off-season had seemed to drag on. It had been nice to go back home to Montreal and to spend the time with his parents and sisters. He had busied himself with working out, training, and even a yoga class. But nothing helped take his mind off Pittsburgh and its attractions. And the main attraction was Jordan.

Noah admittedly had a way with the ladies. He liked women; no one would deny that. His little black book was proof, filled with the numbers of every woman that had crossed his path. But he hadn’t been interested in any of those digits of late. The only number he wanted to call was the one he didn’t have, and it belonged to Jordan Baker.

Stopping beside the arena, he needed to check on his newest project. Noah wanted something to tie him to Pittsburgh, something to be remembered for, other than playing hockey. He was getting older, and it was time to put his efforts into something solid.

When the bar outside the arena became available last season, he had jumped at the opportunity. It needed a lot of work—the décor and fittings were outdated, and the former owners had left it in a mess. The crew Noah hired had worked through the summer, and his plan was to have it up and running by the time this season started.

A small electrical problem in the kitchen had held things up for a few weeks, but they were finally closing in on an opening date.

Noah ducked into the restaurant. “G’Morning, Carl. How are we looking today?”

Carl, the foreman, nodded. “Good. We are right on pace—well, the updated schedule, anyway. I don’t foresee any other setbacks.”

Noah chuckled. “Never say that.” He knocked on the closest piece of wood, not wanting to take any chances.

Carl chuckled. “You hockey players and your superstitious ways.”

“I’m heading to lunch. As always, call me if you need anything.” Noah walked out onto the sidewalk. Immediately, he was approached by two young ladies. They were already in fangirl mode, as if they’d been casing the place, just waiting for him to show.

They pulled out their phones, and when he agreed to a photo, they put their arms around him. He was sandwiched in the selfie, between the two girls doing their duck-face thing.

They giggled over him the whole time, and unusual for him, he found it a little irritating. Giggling fangirls had always been his thing. They were attracted to him like a magnet, and he had always happily obliged, in every way possible. But for the first time in his career, he wasn’t interested.

It wasn’t only the selfies with attractive fans that had lost their appeal. He thought about his last big night out, and winced. Maybe he was growing up, but not remembering the girl he’d woken up next to in the morning wasn’t enjoyable anymore, either.

When the two girls finally left, he stared across the street at the building that housed The Sin Bin, where he knew Jordan would be, busy at work as usual. Her work schedule, just like the moment he’d first laid eyes on her, was burned into his brain.

Noah had been traded to Pittsburgh early in the spring, and he’d been excited to play on the same team as Tyler Kidd, Dom Zanetti, Kaden O’Conner, and his buddies, Harrison Dash and Sam Morris. On his first night in Pittsburgh, the guys had taken him to dinner at The Sin Bin, along with a couple of rookies that had been called up from Wilkes Barre.

Tyler had been running a little late, so everyone had already ordered and had started eating. When Tyler finally showed up, the most amazing woman hurried to the table and took Tyler’s order.

Noah had been enjoying his meal and was laughing at something Sam Morris had said, but he literally shut up and stopped eating, and he couldn’t take his eyes from her. Her hair was swept up in a no-nonsense bun, and she wore a tight fitting business skirt. The up-tight look wasn’t something he usually went for, but that skirt hugged her hips like a lover’s hands. In his brain, it simply spelled sex, in big capital letters. The sexy librarian look intrigued him and suddenly became his new favorite.

He chuckled to himself. There he’d been, seated at a table with a bunch of hockey legends, including Tyler Kidd—the Tyler Kidd. Most guys would’ve been fawning all over the dream team, but all he could do was stare at that gorgeous woman, wondering what her pouty, soft-looking lips would taste like.

Back then, he hadn’t even known her name, but he knew he had to have her. She carried herself with confidence and talked to the Renegades players as if they were old friends.

For the rest of that evening he had watched her like a creeper, as she strolled around the restaurant. He’d been especially captivated by the rear view—the way her skirt curved around her ass and showed off her gorgeous, slim legs. He’d done his best to catch her eye, but to no avail. In fact, it was as though he were completely invisible to her. Which of course had only made her even more intriguing.

Since that night, he’d learned that there was a lot more to Jordan than her sexy-as-hell legs—despite the fact that she still never gave him the time of day. He might’ve been attracted by her beauty first, but he’d discovered that she was intelligent and fantastic at her job, too. Those were attributes he’d never really taken much notice of in a woman before. But now it seemed to him that she was exactly the type of person he wanted running his bar.

He hurried into the building, slid into a waiting elevator and pressed the button for the twentieth floor. When the elevator came to a stop, the doors opened directly to The Sin Bin dining room, and he strutted into the restaurant. Today, he was supposed to meet Harrison Dash there at noon. But instead of looking for Harrison, he found himself scanning the dining room for Jordan.

The hostess caught his attention, smiled, and directed him to a table in the corner where Harrison was waiting.

“On time for once, Rodgers?” Harrison teased.

“Ha ha. You’re hilarious,” Noah said sarcastically, and sat across from his friend.

The waitress blushed, as she brought him a glass of water and took his order. Even after settling into town last season, he still tended to have that effect on females.

“Your usual, Noah?” the waitress asked with a shy smile.

But out of the corner of his eye, he spied Jordan, as she hurried from the kitchen area and made a beeline for the hostess station. When she was around, he didn’t notice any other girls.

“Rodgers,” Harrison said with a sigh.

“Huh?”

“Are you going to order or stare at her all day?” Harrison asked.

Snapping out of the trance that woman always seemed to put him in, he turned to the waitress, who was patiently waiting for his answer. “Sorry, um…?”

“Your usual?” she repeated, smiling. Surprisingly, she still seemed thrilled that for the moment she had his attention, and he felt a twinge of conscience. “Sounds good. Thanks,” he said, returning a smile.

“Your usual? You haven’t been here in three months,” Harrison teased, as the waitress made her retreat.

“Didn’t you know? I am quite memorable.” Noah half-grinned, proud of his comeback.

Last season, after every morning skate they’d had at the arena, he had eaten lunch here. It was efficient, being that the restaurant was right across the street from the arena. He was able to have a nice hot lunch, versus grabbing a fast-food burger on the way back to his hotel room. It was a bonus that he got to see Jordan each time he came here.

“Must be that ugly mug of yours. It’s pretty hard to unsee that.”

Noah shook his head, not being able to hold in his laughter. “Ugly mug? That was hurtful, bro.”

“No regrets here.” Harrison shrugged innocently.

Clearing his throat, Noah commented, “Time to get down to business.”

The waitress placed a cup of ice water and a plate consisting of a turkey club and a little bowl of tomato soup in front of Noah. He grinned and thanked her.

“I know I’m married and have a kid, but how come the ladies act like I don’t exist when I’m with you?” Harrison rolled his eyes. “Anyway, are you happy to be back in Pittsburgh?”

“For sure. I really like it here.” He had one year left in his current contract, and was determined to get a new one from the Renegades. He was twenty-five years old and was tired of jumping around from city to city. When he was younger, it was fun and exciting, and there were so many women to enjoy. He must be getting older and wiser, because now the last thing on his mind was how many women he could meet.

“Yeah, the Renegades are a family. And I think you fit in perfectly.”

“I agree,” Noah said quietly. Taking another bite of sandwich, he contemplated how nice it would be to make a home somewhere and no longer live out of his suitcase. “Which is why I bought the sports bar. I’m ready to put down roots.”

Harrison stared at him for a second before speaking. “I’ve never seen you so content. Pittsburgh looks good on you.”

Noah shrugged. “I agree. I think seeing the life you’ve made for yourself has had an effect on me.”

He had just got traded to Pittsburgh and no longer wanted to bounce from team to team. His reputation in Nashville was less than desirable, and he didn’t think the people of Pittsburgh would take kindly to a playboy who had what the Nashville media had called “a bad attitude.”

But being part of this group had changed him. Finding a place that he wanted to call home had taken him by surprise. Maybe this was just the chance he was looking for. A chance to put himself out there as a player the fans could love—and a chance to shed the negative playboy image.

“How are things coming along with the bar?”

“Everything seems to be right on schedule. We’re in the process of hiring now and getting the staff trained.”

“And how’s that going? Are you getting a lot of applicants?”

Noah shrugged. “I have a bunch I’m looking at for servers, dishwashers, hostesses, that kind of stuff. And I did hire the chef you told me about. He recommended kitchen staff, so that was easy to fill.” The whole process had been intense and exhausting. He rubbed his hands over his face.

“Sounds promising. So why do you look so stressed?”

Noah sighed. “I haven’t found someone to run the place yet. Let’s face it, I might own it, but I can’t be there all the time.”

“Sounds like you need a Talia 2.0,” Harrison said with a laugh.

“Yeah, I think that’s what got me stuck. Every application I look at, I am searching for certain experience, and it’s just not there. I mean, I need to be able to trust this person one hundred percent.”

Harrison simply sat grinning at him.

“What? Are you holding out on me? Do you know someone? I need names, Dash.” Noah was starting to think there wasn’t anyone out there that would meet his expectations, not unless Talia could clone herself and run both places. He knew enough about business, but not a ton about running a restaurant. He was hoping to bring in someone with that knowledge.

“You already know her.”

The goofy look on Harrison’s face had Noah well aware of whom he was thinking. Not like she wasn’t on the top of his list already. “Jordan?”

“She is everything you’re looking for. Jordan practically ran this place while Talia was on maternity leave. And now that Talia works less hours, Jordan is her go to. She’s great at what she does.”

Jordan, the woman he had his sights set on since day one.

Noah tilted his head and stared at his friend. Harrison was right; Jordan had all the qualifications. But poaching Jordan from Talia, his friend, didn’t seem like the safe option. It wasn’t as though Jordan had come to him for the job.

“And how do you think your wife would feel about this idea?” Noah knew Jordan was the answer to his prayers, but tearing her away from Talia, who relied on her, sounded like a bad idea. Especially after Harrison and Talia had opened up their home to him.

“Are you kidding?” Harrison chuckled. “She’d hate it.”

“And she’d hate me too.” He couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’d never be invited over for dinner again.”

“Eh.” Harrison grimaced. “I can work on her.”

“After she kicks my ass,” Noah teased. “You know she will. Even if Jordan decided not to take up my offer.”

“Nah,” Harrison shook his head. “Well, maybe.”

“Funny.” Noah pushed his plate away, frowning. “But if Jordan is Talia’s right hand person, who would take her place here?”

“There are a couple of trainees that Jordan’s been instructing. And if Tal doesn’t think either of them is up to it, she could always advertise.”

Noah wasn’t too sure about that, but their conversation ended abruptly, as Talia strode towards them.

“Hey babe,” Talia said, putting her arm around Harrison. “I’m ready for lunch.”

Harrison stood and pushed his chair in. “Sorry Noah, I got a better offer. See you later.”

“Story of my life,” Noah teased, as Talia and Harrison walked away.

His friend wasn’t wrong about Jordan. She seemed to be everywhere in the restaurant at once. Watching her move around the room, help the servers, solve issues, and make sure everyone was happy, he knew she was who he needed running his bar.

Eventually she walked by his table as she was checking in on customers. “Noah. Is everything satisfactory here?”

He smiled. She had actually noticed him for a change, and he took it as a good omen. “Actually, Jordan, I have a question for you.”

She stopped and raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“Do you like your job here?”

She frowned and looked taken aback. “I love my job, why?”

He finally had her attention, so there was no point beating about the bush. “You should come work for me.”

“Excuse me?” she asked sharply.

“Managing my sports bar.” She still looked confused. “The one that I’m opening.” He nodded his head in the general direction. “Right across the street.”

“Oh.” She pursed her lips, not the reaction he’d hoped for. “Is that your place?” One side of her mouth twitched, almost as though she didn’t approve.

Wow, she really didn’t like him. He wasn’t used to females not liking him. It really was a conundrum, and for some reason it caused a tight feeling in his gut.

“Why are you staring at me?” she questioned. By her tone, it was evident that she was annoyed with him.

Putting on his best smirk, he asked, “Why don’t you like me?”

Jordan shook her head, and her expression softened. “I never said I don’t like you.”

Her words contradicted her actions. He’d tried many times to talk to her, even got the nerve to try to ask her out, but she’d shut him down before he could even get two words out. Her obvious attempts to keep him at arm’s length were deafening. But the cute way she crossed her arms over her chest seemed like proof that his question made her uncomfortable.

He sat back in his seat. “Did I offend you by asking you to come work for me?”

“You didn’t offend me.” She rolled her eyes.

“But you’re mad that I asked you.”

“Yes! I work here, for Talia. She needs me.”

“Is that why you don’t like me?” he asked with a laugh.

“I never said I don’t like you!” She huffed, seeming more irritated than ever. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do,” she said through gritted teeth. “And I hope you find a manager soon,” she added as she walked away.

“General manager.”

“Yeah, whatever.”

That went about as well as he figured it would.

CHAPTER THREE

Jordan

As Jordan exited the kitchen, she noticed him out of the corner of her eye, sitting at his usual table. Table eighteen was basically reserved every day for Noah. He’d been here almost every day since he’d returned to Pittsburgh for the new season.

He’d been traded to the Renegades in the middle of last season, and his reputation preceded him. He apparently had a way with the ladies. Noah was about as handsome as they came, and he knew it.

Normally, Jordan didn’t go for guys like that. It wasn’t worth her time to feed some guy’s ego. And she wasn’t looking for a relationship.

But there was something about Noah’s large, muscular stature, handsome face, and the confident way he carried himself that gave her butterflies. Not to mention the deep brown eyes, and the knowing smirk that caused her heartrate to pick up. Even if she didn’t want any of that.

She wasn’t anyone’s notch on their bedpost. Especially his.

“I see our favorite patron is enjoying his lunch,” Talia said, as she crossed the room to meet her.

Jordan nodded. But today Noah was sitting with Harrison Dash, and they appeared deep in discussion.

Noah ate one meal here every single day when the team wasn’t out of town. If her memory served her right, he had done so since the very day he’d arrived in Pittsburgh last season.

And last night was the first time she had ever dreamt about him. She’d woke up right before he moved in for a kiss. The thought of kissing Noah made her nervous. Nervous because she woke up disappointed that the dream was over, and nervous because her focus should be on her job. She didn’t need a playboy distracting her.

Even if he was drop-dead gorgeous.

As she was pushing her feelings about Noah behind closed doors, a young woman circled his table before advancing. Jordan rolled her eyes at yet another puck bunny making her move.

“Don’t roll your eyes like that, Jordan,” Talia fussed, as she walked towards table eighteen. “He likes the tomato soup,” Talia said.

“No one comes to a four-star restaurant for tomato soup,” Jordan countered. “You can buy cans of it at the grocery store.”

If Noah Rodgers wasn’t a bachelor living in a hotel room by the arena, she would think he was creeping on her. But then again, there was nothing creepy about Noah Rodgers. Jordan didn’t realize she was still staring, until Noah glanced in her direction and then turned the young lady away.

“Our tomato soup is prepared by a culinary magician,” Talia argued. “You can’t get that from a can.”