A Perfect Distraction. Anna Sugden

into the folder, then put a hand over her pounding heart as if she could slow its runaway pace. The last thing she wanted or needed in her life right now was a man. Least of all, Jake Badoletti.

      “He’s just a client,” she told herself. “Nothing more.”

      She ignored the inner voice that cackled with disbelief as she went back upstairs.

      * * *

      NOTHING APPEALED TO him.

      Jake studied the property sheets spread across his parents’ kitchen table and sighed. He’d been excited when Maggie had emailed them ahead of their meeting. An hour later, and with Maggie due to arrive any minute, he had to admit he wasn’t jazzed about a single one.

      “You don’t like these houses?” His mom gave him a glass of lemonade.

      “Definitely not these tasteless monsters.” He gathered some rejected properties into a pile. “These are too modern, lack soul.” He added another group to the stack. “And these...”

      “Are you sure you’re ready for this change?” she asked softly, concern in her blue eyes. “You’ve been through so much and this is such a big decision.”

      “It’s because of what I went through that I want to change my life, Ma. I have to.”

      She didn’t look convinced.

      His cell rang, and he glanced at the caller ID but didn’t answer. The popular starlet’s persistence was beginning to tick him off.

      “That hasn’t changed.” His mom smiled. “The girls still call.”

      “But I don’t call them back. I told you, I’m focusing on hockey. Period.”

      “You’re sure?”

      “Definitely.”

      “You’re a good boy, Jake. No matter what they call you.”

      He was glad no one was around to see him choke at his mother’s faith in him. It proved he wasn’t beyond hope. And reinforced why he couldn’t waste this second chance.

      He refocused on the property sheets. “These town houses have small yards.”

      His mom added them to the no pile.

      “That leaves these four. I don’t really like any of them, but Maggie won’t be impressed if I reject everything sight unseen.”

      “Who’s Maggie?” His mom’s innocent expression didn’t fool him.

      He kept his voice casual. “She works for that relocation agency. She’ll take me around the places I’m interested in.”

      “I see.” She sighed heavily. “I’d hoped your new life would include settling down, getting married and giving me grandchildren.”

      “One thing at a time, Ma.” He shook his head at her. “Remember, no distractions.”

      “Since when is a nice girl a distraction?”

      An image of Maggie in that mud-brown suit flitted through his mind, followed swiftly by teasing little snapshots: the momentarily hitched skirt, the undone buttons, her smooth, creamy skin. The way she nibbled her full bottom lip when she was thinking. He could swear a hint of her fragrance wafted past him.

      His blood heated.

      Maggie fit his mom’s idea of a nice girl. Given how many erotic dreams he’d had about Maggie since their meeting and how many times she’d popped into his thoughts, the mousy brunette was also one hell of a distraction.

      “Nothing but hockey, Ma, until I win the Cup.”

      “Many players have wives and families and still win the Cup.” She squeezed his hand. “You need balance in your life.”

      The doorbell rang, saving him from having to reply.

      He leaped to his feet. “I’ll go.”

      Maggie stood on the front porch. Today’s gray suit was as drab as the brown thing. The demure neckline had a lace collar that would have suited a nun’s habit. The itty-bitty heels of her gray sandals looked uncomfortable to walk in. No sign of toenail polish. Not that he was obsessed or anything.

      He tamped down his jumping pulse. “How’s it going?”

      “Fine, thank you.” She smiled uncertainly. “I hope I’m not too early. I’m still finding my way around and get lost, even with GPS, so I leave extra time.”

      “Not a problem.”

      “Come in.” His mom bustled past him. “It’s too warm to be standing on the porch. I’m Tina Badoletti.” She took Maggie’s arm and ushered her down the hall toward the kitchen, chatting a mile a minute about the weather, her garden and the flowers she’d just picked.

      Jake followed behind, shaking his head fondly.

      As Maggie walked into the kitchen, she turned to give him a slightly shell-shocked smile. His eyes were drawn downward, over her curves to those shapely calves and ankles and back up to...

      Buttons. Lace-covered buttons that looked like sugar-dusted candy. In a line, along the side seam of her pencil skirt.

      His fingers itched to discover if they were real or just for show. His heart thudded against his ribs at the thought of undoing them, one at a time. His groin tightened at the image of what would be revealed beneath.

      Jake slammed to a halt outside the kitchen. This wasn’t supposed to happen. This wasn’t going to happen. He had to focus.

      Right after he figured out how to spend the afternoon with Maggie without getting distracted by those damn buttons.

      He resisted the urge to knock his head against the wall and entered the kitchen.

      Maggie sat at the table with a glass of lemonade. His mom had commandeered the seat next to her and was in the midst of a merciless barrage of questions.

      He should intervene. Grown men, even some of the toughest hockey players, had quaked at Tina Badoletti’s inquisition. Maggie, the nervous mouse, stood no chance.

      Yet as Jake hovered in the doorway, ready to leap to the rescue, he realized she was handling his mom’s nosiness just fine. “Of course I have pictures of Emily.” Maggie laughed as she pulled out a purse-size photo album.

      The tension tightening his shoulders slipped away at the cozy sight of the two of them with their heads together, flipping through family pictures. Funny, he couldn’t imagine any of the women in his past being so comfortable with his mom.

      Who did that say more about, them or him? He cleared his throat, trying to ease the knot lodged there.

      Maggie stiffened. Her wide-eyed gaze shot to him. She closed the album and stuffed it in her purse, then pulled out her notepad. Disappointment tugged his chest at her jerky actions. The nervous mouse was back.

      How could he get her to relax again? To replace her stricken expression with the bright smile she’d worn a moment ago.

      He said the first thing that popped into his head. “Ma, if you get out my baby pictures, I’ll tell Dad about your bingo winnings in the flour canister.”

      His mom rose, waggling her finger at him. “As if I’d show her your scrawny, naked, six-month-old butt.” She turned to Maggie. “He was the skinniest baby.”

      Maggie bit her lip as if suppressing a giggle.

      Jake slid into the chair his mom had vacated, giving Maggie a “what can you do” shrug. “You’ll wonder why I wanted to move home when I get so much abuse.”

      “Pfft,” his mom said. “Enough people treat you like a movie star. If I didn’t keep you grounded, your head wouldn’t fit through the door. Isn’t that right, Maggie?”

      The giggle escaped, becoming a laugh.

      He