“Exactly like that. I not only hurt her, and that kills me to know I made her cry, because all I want to do is protect her. But I also betrayed a friend. I didn’t have a lot of those when I came here, I kept myself apart. Marvin didn’t deserve that and I wish I could take it back. I know it’s little to late but I’m proud of him for facing his fear and doing what it takes to get better. He’s taking care of his business.”
“Is that what this is, Kaeden? Are you trying to get back in the good graces of your team? To your girl?”
“No, this is me apologizing to those I hurt. This is me, being a man and admitting I fu—screwed up. I’ve spent the past few days out in front of Faye’s bookstore with a sign telling her and others who pass why and how much I love her. If that’s what it takes to get her to realize I’m not going anywhere I’ll keep doing it. It took me losing her to accept the realization of how very much I love her.”
Faye glanced away from the screen and stared down at the field. Kaeden stood at the edge near her. Helmet off, eyes on her.
There was no more reason to ignore her heart. She got up and walked down the stairs to the railing.
He moved at the same time so he was below her when she leaned over.
“I love you, Faye.”
She could still hear him talking to the reporter on the screen but she was focused on the flesh and blood version.
“I love you, too, Kaeden.”
His lips twitched and he jumped up then pulled himself over until he was on the same side as she was. Faye moved toward him at the same time and held tight when his arms closed around her.
“Say it again.”
She leaned her head back so she could look him in the eyes.
“I love you.”
Foreheads touching, he skimmed his thumb along her cheek. “Forever?”
“For starters.”
“Archer!” the coach hollered. “I’m not paying you to play kissy face with your woman. Get your ass back down here.”
“Have to go to work, baby.”
“Will you do me a favor?”
“Anything.” His large hands rubbed her back.
“Win.”
Kaeden kissed her until her legs wobbled. His smirk in place when he pulled back. “I’ve already won the most important thing, Faye. You. But if you want a game ball. I’ll get you one.” Another kiss. “I’ll never stop loving you, Faye Reynolds. Thank you for giving me a second chance.”
A brush along her skin and he was back down on the field. When she looked up at the screen once more, they were replaying her and Kaeden’s kiss. Amid the laughter and cheering, she went to rejoin her family and friends. Knowing he was hers and this time, she wasn’t letting him go.
My next book out is going to be in honor of Sweetheart’s Day in October. His Interim Sweetheart, is a contemporary romance.
Can they turn the interim into infinite?
Logan Chancellor needed to find an interim girlfriend to take home to his Grams’ one hundredth birthday party. It wouldn’t do to show up alone when his ex was going to be there. He didn’t trust the women he occasionally slept with but when his friend blurts it out that he has one, he has to make this work.
Sidni Helton is freaking fantastic…with numbers. People, not so much. When an ultimatum from her sister has her agreeing to a temporary agreement with her boss, she realizes she’s in far in over her head.
As they play the game, both realize that there is something real that is blooming between them. But when they are back to the job and rumors fly, will he have a chance to protect her as he longs to do? Or will all he gets to keep of her, be memories of what could have been, and for a short time, what was?
About the Author
Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached here. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
She is married to a career military man. They are owned by three Borzoi. She spends her days sharing time between work, writing, and dog training.
I hope you enjoyed reading, The Player. If you could help others to find and enjoy this book as well, I would appreciate that act of kindness. You can do this by recommending it to your friends and/or reader’s groups. Also, by reviewing it to let others know you liked it—and why, even if it’s nothing more than a line or two. Every bit helps, makes all the difference and is absolutely appreciated.
Thank you so much for your support!!
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Additional Books by Aliyah Burke:
Sensual Romance Publishing
A Knight’s Vow
His Purrfect Mate
Holiday Surprise: Unwrapped
If You Dare
Lion of Midnight
Raw Exposure
Faith’s Tears
Honest Deception
A Little White Lie - KU Exclusive
Code Name: Sleeper
May You Always
Under the Mask
Emerald Myst
Something Tangible
The Player
His Interim Sweetheart
Megalodon Team
Kincade’s Rose
Harrier’s Healer
Connelly’s Flame
Greeley’s Spyce
Vittano’s Willow
Dimitri’s Moon
O’Shea’s Love
Chayton’s Tempest
Forgotten Shadow (A MT Christmas Novella)
Haikon
A Love for Lera
The Detective’s Lover
Rakes & Rogues
What the Earl Desires
Her Reluctant Viscount
Her Pirate Rogue
Cottonwood Falls -Exclusive to Kindle Unlimited
Relentless
Fracture
Ravish
Spark
Savor
Intensity
Inferno
Snake’s Salvation
Tryst with the CEO
Brodie’s Wish
Operation Ball N’ Chain
Springwood
It Was Always You
Drunk on You
Belongs to You
The Wedding Snafu
The Billionaire’s Code
Delay of Game
Daring the Hard Man
Icy Dare
Never Knew I Needed
Denim & Spurs
With This Ring
Dream Lover
You Don’t Know Jack
Badges of Honor
Born to Fly
Landing in Love
You Save Me
Wild As The Wind
Winter Bliss
Add A Little Mistletoe (Linked to Winter Bliss)
An Unexpected Encounter (Linked to Winter Bliss)
The Guardian’s Seduction (Linked to An Unexpected Encounter)
Zulu Spectre
Hearth, Holly, & Honor (3 in 1)
It Could Happen Again
Tungsten Protective Services
Down Range
All In
His Rysk to Take
His Pryze to Claim
Just A Dream
On the High Seas
Tatra Pack
Say You’re Mine
Whispered Loyalties
Red Willows
Holiday Liaison
Watching You
Interwoven
Fire Devil
Embers of Lust
The Right to Love
Quad Series
A Little Taste of Home
Too Dangerous to Love
Black Queen
Beyond His Contro
l
Paranormal Felines—Kindle Unlimited Exclusive
His Tigress
Leopard Eyes
Night Lion
Caught by the Cougar
Pursued by the Puma
Lion’s Domain
D.A.R.K., INC.
Breaking All the Rules
Trust Me
Handling the Perks
The Second Time Around
Seasons
Autumn Frost
Winter Flame
Spring Rain
Summer Thunder
Protective Truths
Zora’s Chance
Don’t Look Back (coming soon)
Trapper Lakes Series—Cozy Mysteries
Reeled Back Home
Look Who Tuna’d Up Dead
Murder on the Fly
Last Call
Tequila Smash
Black Sand (connected to Last Call series)
Bourbon Brûlé
The Protetors
The Jaguar’s Consort
Sass This
Learning the Rules (in the Romancing the Shifter anthology)
Come Fly with Me (in the Moonlight anthology)
Equality
Undeniably, Yours
Undeniably, Together
Undeniably, Mine
Totally Bound
Preconception
Seducing Damian
Through the Fire
Perfect Duet
Heart’s Compass
The Princess & the Marquess
Serial
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 1
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 2
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 3
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 4
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 5
Astral Guardians
Chasing the Storm
Highlands at Dawn
Fields of Thunder
Branded by Frost
Driven by Night
Moon of Fire
Boxset Books 1-3
Boxset Books 4-6
Interludes
Temporary Home
Alone with You
Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore
The Complete Boxset
This Ain’t No Love Story (novella)
In Aeternum
Casanova in Training
Harbour of Refuge
Protected by Shadows
Polar Opposites
The Complete Boxset
Code of Honour
A Marriage of Convenience
The Lieutenant’s Ex-Wife
A Man Like No Other
When Stars Collide
The Complete Boxset
Theta Corps
Restitution
Contrition
Vindication
The Complete Boxset
The Edge
Called Home to The Edge
Straying to The Edge
Returning to The Edge
Cuffed at The Edge
Boxset (Books 1-4)
The Monroe Sisters
Need You Now
Let Me Go
I Won’t Say Goodbye
Boxset (Books 1-3)
Entangled
Code Name: Papa
Her Marine Next Door
Standalone
Dutch & Lobo (in In the Trenches collection)
Love Under the Endless African Sky
Co-written with Taige Crenshaw
Unbreakable Bonds
Kemet Uncovered:
Talios
Devi
Linc
Saffron
Taber
Ashia
Boxset Part 1: Books 1-3
Boxset Part 2: Books 4-6
Co-written with McKenna Jeffries
Free Falling
Wicked Burn
McKingley
All the Wright Moves
The Best Thing Yet
Risky Pleasures
Pure Harmony
Irresistible Forces
Seductions Dance