A Perfect Distraction. Anna Sugden

accent—he preferred cool, confident blondes. Plus less than ten minutes ago he’d reaffirmed his decision to cut women from his life until he’d won the Cup. His focus had to be on hockey. No distractions. No exceptions.

      His body obviously hadn’t got the memo.

      “I want to move,” he blurted, desperate to focus on the meeting.

      She frowned, surprise evident in her voice. “You just said this suited you.”

      “I thought it did, but I’ve changed my mind.”

      “I see.” The surprise turned to concern. “May I ask what’s wrong? Is it the location?”

      Jake nodded. “Don’t get me wrong, I love Manhattan. But it’s a long, grueling season—eighty-two games from October to April, half on the road, then a play-off run that will hopefully last through June. It’d be better if I lived closer to the arena and the airport.”

      “Won’t you miss everything the city has to offer?”

      How did he explain that that was the point? Staying here would be a mistake. Too much temptation, too easy to get sucked back into his old lifestyle, to be distracted. When he’d rented this place, he’d been sure he could handle it. But tonight was proving otherwise. “I’ll still be able to get into the city if I need to.”

      “Fair enough.” Maggie pulled some papers out of her folder. “We should complete this questionnaire. It’ll help me figure out the kind of place you’re after.”

      “Okay.” He leaned forward and rested his arms on his thighs. “Go for it.”

      Maggie tensed and scooted way back in her seat.

      What the hell? Stunned, he froze.

      It took a moment to register that she was uncomfortable with him sitting that close. Carefully, he shifted and eased away. She relaxed visibly, making him wonder why she was so skittish around him.

      “So,” she said briskly. “You want to be in New Jersey. Do you have an area in mind?”

      “Somewhere near where my parents live.”

      Her brown eyes widened. “You want to go home?”

      Her question struck a chord. Was that what he wanted?

      Six months ago, he would have laughed at the idea of living in the quiet, leafy-green suburbs alongside the workaholic commuters and the soccer moms. Now it seemed like the perfect solution. He could buy a house with a yard. Have room to breathe, the time and space he needed to cope with the stress of the season. Somewhere to chill or hang out with Tru and Ike. A place to be himself—whatever the hell that meant.

      Best of all, there would be no distractions in Jersey.

      “Yeah,” he said finally. “I want to go home.”

      CHAPTER TWO

      “ANOTHER WEEK of bed rest!”

      As her sister slumped against her pillows, Maggie bit her lip to hold back a smile.

      “But you’re home, Auntie Tracy, and we’ll look after you.” Emily danced around the room with the boundless energy of a seven-year-old. “We’re much nicer than Nurse Attila.”

      “That’s true.” Tracy crossed her arms. “I expect the best service in this establishment. You’ll have to wait on me hand and foot.”

      “Will you give me big tips?” Emily widened her eyes innocently. “You said that’s how you get the best service.”

      Maggie swallowed a laugh.

      Her sister groaned. “I thought a niece did those things for her favorite aunt out of the goodness of her heart.”

      “Does that mean for free?”

      “I don’t know where you get that precocious streak from,” Tracy grumbled.

      “Don’t you?” Maggie arched an eyebrow.

      The doorbell rang with a familiar double peal.

      “That’s Amy. Can I go and play with her?” Emily skipped from foot to foot.

      “What happened to looking after me?” Tracy whined theatrically.

      “Mummy can do that. Besides, Amy’s mum is making brownies. With pecans and everything.” Emily turned to Maggie. “Please.”

      “You may, but...” Her voice trailed off as her daughter thundered downstairs. “Make sure you’re back at noon,” she called out.

      “Thanks, Mummy. You’re the best.” The front door opened, then slammed shut.

      “Tossed over for brownies,” Tracy groused.

      “Not just any brownies. They have pecans and everything.” Maggie tucked the quilt more closely around her sister. “Enjoy the peace and quiet while you can.”

      Despite her banter with Emily, Tracy was pale, with dark circles under her eyes and a sheen of perspiration on her forehead. The journey from the hospital hadn’t been easy, with every bump taking its toll. “I’ll have plenty of time to rest, thanks to that doctor.”

      “At least he agreed you could come home.”

      “Only if I promised not to work for a week. I bet that’s Nurse Attila’s proviso.”

      “She wants you to heal properly,” Maggie said.

      “She doesn’t want me landing back in her ward anytime soon.”

      “And you, such a model patient.” Maggie gathered some magazines and placed them nearby. “Time for more painkillers. Are you hungry? I could make you a snack.”

      “I’m fine.” Tracy waved her hand impatiently. “Grab a chair and tell me what happened at the party.”

      Maggie hesitated. She’d spent most of last night tossing and turning, her body strangely hot and prickly. Though she’d wanted to blame the heat, she knew full well what, or rather who, had caused her inability to relax and sleep.

      Jake Badoletti.

      The unwanted attraction that had flared during the meeting had remained with her long into the night. She’d berated herself for being susceptible to his roguish smile and easy charm. After everything she’d been through, she should have been immune to the tall, dark and dangerous sports star. His touch shouldn’t have made awareness tingle through her. His deep, rich voice shouldn’t have made her pulse skip as if each word was a seductive caress.

      Why? She hadn’t reacted to a man in ages. She didn’t want to react to a man like Jake ever again.

      Though he hadn’t acted like she’d expected—no superstar superiority complex, no outrageous demands or sleazy flirting—Maggie had learned the hard way not to be fooled by a handsome facade. To know a devil-may-care smile could hide darkness. She ran her finger over her cheek, the small scar a visible reminder of her last mistake.

      Perhaps she was being unfair to Jake, tarring him with the same brush as Lee. But for Emily’s safety and Maggie’s peace of mind, she couldn’t afford to relax her guard.

      Besides, she wouldn’t see him again. Tracy would handle all further communication with him. Maggie ignored the twinge in her chest at that thought.

      “Was anyone interesting at the party?” Tracy asked.

      Safe ground. “I’m sure there were loads of famous people, but I didn’t recognize many. I saw that sexy guy from CSI who’s doing a guest stint with CSI: New York.” She sat in the armchair by the bed. “Apparently, that bloke we liked from Sex and the City dropped by, but I didn’t see him.”

      “Bloody typical. I miss all the fun.”

      “Weren’t you the one who sat near Tim Robbins at Madison Square Garden? I’ve lost