Title: Unsporstmanlike Conduct
Author: Melody Heck Gatto
Series: Renegades #2
Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance
Release Date: April 17, 2015
Summary:Patrick was a infamous playboy known for his love of women and of course, puck bunnies. He never wanted to be a one woman kind of guy...
Since the day he laid eyes on his cousin's sister-in-law he's been in knots. Actually, the first thing he laid eyes on was her ass, and a mighty fine ass it was. The way she paraded herself around, strutting and swaying her rocking body made his mouth water. The things he would give up to have that body against his.
Gia's first impression of Patrick was pure disgust; the way he ogled her was just gross. With blatant staring and drooling he made no attempt to hide his attraction to her. The cocky smile that spread across his face made her want to puke. Sure, sauntering around her sister's yard in a teeny tiny bikini didn't help the situation. The fact that she liked the attention was wrong since she was with Tyler. Patrick was dangerously hot and there was a naughty excitement that filled her, but flirting was as far as it would go.
Until that night.
One night of weakness.
One night of pure lust.
Gia quickly learned it was impossible to make her feelings vanish, seeing Patrick brought all those raw desires back. She was determined to fight them, her relationship with Tyler meant too much. That cocky smile that infuriated her also turned her on. Coming face to face with him, her body took over and she gave in to her primal desires.
When Gia's life takes an unexpected turn, all true colors are revealed.
In the midst of her life falling apart, her true love may have been in front of her the whole time.
The church bells rang gleefully though the warm summer air. Gia squinted and pushed her hair out of her face. The sun glared in her eyes; its rays poured in through the colorful stained glass windows. It was a warm Sunday in August, the church beautifully decorated with light blue and white flowers. The organist played an upbeat melody while the church choir sang. Soon everyone joined in.
Gia stood at the church altar. What a beautiful day for a baptism. She didn't know the hymn, so she just smiled. Neither Kat nor Kris sang so she didn't feel bad.
When she looked back at Tyler, warmth surged through her body. He stood in the pew, so handsome in his suit and tie. She couldn't wait to run into his arms once the ceremony ended. He caught her watching him and smiled a small, shy grin.
Seriously, my boyfriend is hot in a suit.
It was a day full of joy and peace, the priest reminded everyone when he spoke. Yes, it should be all about baby Ian but without Tyler beside her she was a ball of nerves.
She hadn't seen Patrick in a year, hadn't even thought about him and now did her best to avoid his heavy stare. Standing here in front of her friends and family, she felt dirty and wished she could erase that night from her memory. It had been a terrible mistake--insanely poor judgment on her part.
"What name have you given your child?" the priest asked.
"Ian James," Kat and Kris said together.
Gia sighed. Those two really were perfect for each other. She peered at Tyler out of the corner of her eye.
She had kept her distance from Patrick for the last year. She didn't go to games or team functions. Tyler understood, even though she felt bad leaving him on his own. But she couldn't be around Patrick.
Gia heard the priest say something about bringing Ian up in the church faith. She drifted off into her own thoughts. I hope he doesn't ask me about church. I can't even think of the last time I went to mass except for a wedding.
He continued to talk, telling some sort of a personal story. But she could only concentrate on Patrick. A year had done nothing to absolve her attraction.
She turned her attention to Kat and Kris holding Ian. She wanted that love of a lifetime. She adored her sister's husband, Kris. He was kind and sweet and downright handsome. He had made her feel at home since the day they met. Kat won the lottery with him.
She missed the family functions. But this last year she just couldn't be there when Patrick attended.
Family gatherings at Kat's house were tricky to get out of. Luckily her work schedule had solved the problem. But how long could she do this dance?
Today was the exception; she was here for Ian.
The priest’s voice brought her attention back to the sermon.
"Are you ready to help the parents of little Ian in their duty as Christian parents?" he asked Patrick and Gia.
"We do," they answered.
He began to ask questions that needed only a nod as an answer, or she grunted a yes when she heard Patrick do so. I’m surely headed to hell for being this uninterested in mass. Is this going to be over soon?
She stared blankly at the priest as he made the sign of the cross on Ian's head.
Why did Kat have to make them both the godparents? Not that she wasn't honored to be that adorable little munchkin's godmother, but to be paired with Patrick again? Being stuck as his partner at their wedding last year had been bad enough. Why not Tyler? Or even Matt? Of course, she knew the reason why. Patrick was Kris's cousin. More than a cousin, they were like brothers.
So here they both stood at the altar as godparents.
She didn't have to look at him to know his eyes were on her. Her body was hot and her pulse raced. She hated her reaction anytime he was in the vicinity. Gia started to sweat, her body hot and clammy. Please don't let me get pit stains on my favorite dress shirt. Doesn't this place have air conditioning?
She smoothed her white blouse, diverting her attention to anything but him. She counted the pipes behind the organ, studied the design in the carpet and counted each gray hair on the priest's head. But without looking, she knew he still watched her. Why wouldn't he stop? And why was no one else sweating?
She tried to not think about the night that got her into this mess. That horrible mistake that almost cost her Tyler.
Summary:
Kat Torella didn't believe real love existed outside of her romance novels. She didn't believe in Prince Charming, or happily ever afters. Well, actually, she just didn't believe they would ever happen to her.
Kat was not built for love. She always felt like the fat girl that no one really saw. Being bullied as a child led to a lifetime of self-doubt. She feared that she would always see that little fat girl staring back at her in the mirror. Even as an adult, she's still dealing with it.
Hockey was her escape. She loved the game and she loved the players. One player in particular. He was dreamy. Even swoon-worthy. His dark eyes were mesmerizing. His smile devilishly sexy. His signature flowing locks always looked effortlessly perfect. He was flawless in every way...
Too bad she would never get a guy like him. Well, at least that's what she thought.
Kris Lafleur was the star defenseman for the Pittsburgh Renegades. Hockey was his life. Well, it was easy to be so dedicated to the game when he hadn't had much luck in the romance department. His hockey star status attracted puck bunnies and gold diggers. Neither was the kind of girl you wanted to bring home to mom; actually neither were the kind of girl that Kris even wanted to associate with. Deep down he was a hopeless romantic. He was looking for someone who was as devoted to him as he was to her, and not so interested in his bank account.
Then he saw her... Was it her smile? Was it her laugh? He didn't know what it was, but she already had his heart.
Melody was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband, son and two dogs. The whole family are avid Pittsburgh Penguins fans and like going to hockey games when they get the chance. Melody enjoys taking her son to meet the players on game days. It's no secret that meeting the players is just as exciting for her as it is for her son; especially when it comes to her favorite player!
Melody has loved writing since she was small, in school she never met a creative writing assignment that she didn't love. She is lucky enough to have a wonderful husband who encourages her to write. When she was laid off from her job of 14 years, he was supportive about letting her stay home and take care of their son. During that time she discovered hockey-romances and found a renewed love of reading as well as a passion for writing.
Melody spends her spare time reading hockey romances. At holiday time she really enjoys any romance about Christmas. When it is the hockey off-season, she enjoys swimming and spending her days out in the sun.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Score on Me
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