The Tough Love Groom Read online

  The Tough Love Groom

  Texas Titan Romance

  Taylor Hart

  Contents

  Copyright

  Foreword by Lucy McConnell

  Introduction by Jennifer Youngblood

  Introduction by Cami Checketts

  Also by Taylor Hart

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Epilogue

  The Christmas Boyfriend

  The Fearless Groom

  The Persistent Groom

  Also by Taylor Hart

  About the Author

  Copyright

  All rights reserved.

  © 2017 ArchStone Ink

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews. The reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form whether electronic, mechanical or other means, known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written consent of the publisher and/or author. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This edition is published by ArchStone Ink LLC.

  First eBook Edition: 2017

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the creation of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Foreword by Lucy McConnell

  Dear Reader,

  "Work isn't WORK unless you would rather be DOING something else."

  ~Don Shula, Miami Dolphins

  When I saw this quote, I instantly thought of the three authors of the Texas Titan Romance series, Cami Checketts, Taylor Hart, and Jennifer Youngblood. They work, day after day, to create swoon-worthy romances, characters to fall in love with, and a world where pure love can bloom. It ain’t easy folks! Yet, I know they get up in the morning with the thought, “I get to be a writer today.”

  So much of football, or any sport, is a mental game. If you’re head’s not on right, then you’re not going to be there for your teammates when they need you. These ladies are the ones I want on my team. They are fun and creative and they are serious business women with goals and deadlines. They come through. Every. Time.

  That’s why, when they told me about their new football romances, I could see them scoring a touchdown by writing books that would inspire readers to sigh, laugh, and fall in love with the game all over again. That’s just what they’ve done. I’m thrilled to introduce the Texas Titan Romance series—I know you’re going to get lost in the pages and have a great time.

  I hope you enjoy The Fearless Groom by Cami Checketts, The Persistent Groom by Jennifer Youngblood, and The Tough Love Groom by Taylor Hart.

  Happy reading,

  Lucy McConnell, author of the Lime Peak Ranch Series

  Introduction by Jennifer Youngblood

  Hello Fabulous Readers,

  It’s a great honor to be able to write an introduction for Taylor’s new book, The Tough Love Groom. Let me begin by saying that Taylor is one of my absolute favorite people. Taylor has a wonderful way of brightening the room with her gazillion-watt smile that radiates goodness. She always has something positive to say and is the first to lend a helping hand whenever she sees anyone in need. My life has been tremendously blessed because of Taylor and I feel honored to call her friend.

  If you’ve had the privilege of reading any of Taylor’s books you already know what an amazing author she is. She has a way of getting to the heart of a story and making me root for the characters. I was swept away by Kade and Felicity’s story and loved the emotional intricacies of their tender relationship. I laughed and I cried. It hooked me from the first page, and I could not put this one down. You’ll love it!

  Hugs,

  Jennifer Youngblood

  Author of The Persistent Groom (Texas Titan Romances)

  Introduction by Cami Checketts

  It’s impossible for me to talk about my friend, Taylor Hart, without being an emotional sap. Taylor isn’t just a fabulous romance writer who makes me laugh and cry with every book she writes, she’s a fun-loving, charitable, and dedicated friend. I’ll never forget when she shared with me her theory of lifting others around her and then we all rise up together. Taylor exemplifies that every day. She helps and lifts those around her with a big smile on her beautiful face. I’m very grateful for my friendship with Taylor and know you’re going to love the newest Texas Titans Romance, The Tough Love Groom.

  Happy reading,

  Cami Checketts

  Author of The Fearless Groom

  Also by Taylor Hart

  Bachelor Billionaire Romances

  The Country Groom

  The Unfinished Groom

  The Barefoot Groom

  The Masquerading Groom

  The Christmas Groom

  Rescue Me: Park City Firefighter Romance (A Bachelor Billionaire Companion)

  The Lost Groom

  The Undercover Groom

  The Last Play Series

  Last Play

  The Rookie

  Just Play

  A Player for Christmas

  Second String

  End Zone

  Hail Mary

  Snow Valley Series

  A Christmas in Snow Valley: The Christmas Eve Kiss

  Summer in Snow Valley: First Love

  Spring in Snow Valley: The Bet

  Chapter 1

  Felicity Song sat in her office at DaVinci PR Firm and stared at Kade Kincaid’s gorgeous face on the television screen. The starting quarterback for the Texas Titans stood with an air of grandeur. His chiseled features, penetrating blue eyes, and blond hair made it clear why fans affectionately called the man Zeus. He had the look of a warrior, and in the football stadium, he was definitely akin to a god.

  The reporter pushed a microphone at him. “So Kade, word on the street is that you and the Triple Threat are making a big showing at the bachelor auction tomorrow night to raise money for the children’s hospital in Dallas. Are you excited about this?”

  Kade dipped his head, cracking a smile. “Well, I don’t know how excited I am to be sold.”

  The reporter laughed. “I’m sure many beautiful women will bid on you.”

  “These things aren’t really my scene,” Kade admitted, “but when I heard it was for a good cause, I agreed. It’s a great opportunity to come out and raise big money. You know, there are lots of kids who need our help—for their surgeries, to pay for their therapy …”

  As he talked, Felicity sized him up on camera. She’d only been assigned to be part of his PR team a week ago, but she’d been studying him nonstop since then. It was hard not to be intimidated by him.

  “Well …” The reporter turned to the camera. “I think it’s a great thing you a
nd your buds are doing. Tell me, is your brother Anthony going to be part of this auction tomorrow?”

  “What?” Kade’s smile faltered.

  Felicity’s heart rate kicked up a notch, and panic propelled her to her feet. It was her job to notify Mr. DaVinci, who would immediately notify Mr. Kincaid, if his brother had been spotted in town. This was not good. Kade’s brother, Anthony, was also a quarterback—the starting quarterback for the Houston Sentinels, the Titans’ hottest rivals.

  The clip was time-stamped almost exactly an hour ago. With growing trepidation, Felicity scrolled through her alerts on Google, Twitter, and Instagram, searching for news on Anthony Kincaid.

  The reporter didn’t seem to notice Kade’s slip. “It has been reported he is in town this week, and we thought maybe he’d be another bachelor on the chopping block, so to speak.”

  She found it. Gah! Anthony had tweeted out to his fans he would be making a trip to Dallas. Dang it!

  Kade’s smile widened, and Felicity recognized it as fake. “I’m not sure what my brother has planned, but if he is coming, we’ll get him sold too and make even more money for those kids.”

  The reporter laughed, and the clip ended.

  Trembling, Felicity shut her laptop. Crap. Being part of the Kincaid team was a bigger job than she’d anticipated. Kade’s father was an oil tycoon and tight with Mr. DaVinci, the owner and boss of everything here. He’d been pretty specific on what her job was: notifying him when she heard anything about Anthony.

  It all felt so stupid to her. Why couldn’t Anthony let his brother know when he was coming? Why couldn’t the family just text each other? But Mr. DaVinci had privately told her there were family issues they didn’t want to make public. The brothers didn’t get along, although they didn’t want their problems splashed all over the news.

  Felicity cringed and thought about how she’d been preoccupied since she’d seen the foreclosure notice on her mother’s counter. Her mother would lose her house if Felicity couldn’t come up with the hundred grand to make it current by the end of the month.

  Putting her hand to her heart, she pulled in a long, slow breath. She had to keep this job. It was her fault her mother was losing the house. Those had been her medical bills, and it was her fault she hadn’t done this job right.

  Her boss burst into her office, looking pale. “Did you see the latest clip on Kade Kincaid?”

  Feeling uncertain, she nodded. “Just looked it over, sir.”

  Mr. DaVinci loomed over her desk. “Well, apparently, it mentioned his brother coming to town. You were the one assigned to keep the team updated as to the whereabouts of Kade’s brother, and you clearly dropped the ball.”

  She sat there silently. What was she supposed to say?

  Fortunately, Mr. DaVinci was cut off by a commotion coming from the lobby. She followed him as he rushed out to meet Kade Kincaid, and Felicity found herself again comparing him to a thunderous Zeus. He wore a black leather jacket and held his helmet in a death grip, crackling with frustration. She surmised he had been on his red street bike—the one he’d bought and shown off last month.

  He glowered, turning to Mr. DaVinci and pointing at him like he was challenging him to a duel. “You!”

  Mr. DaVinci, ever the PR master, put on a fake smile. “Well, hello, Mr. Kincaid. What can I do for you today?”

  Kincaid’s features were tight, controlled. “I thought we had a deal. You would alert me immediately when my brother came to town.”

  What did you do when the gods came for their duel? You placated them as best you could. Mr. DaVinci gestured to Felicity’s office. “Would you like a drink? Are you hungry? Why don’t you come into my associate’s office and sit, and we’ll talk about this.”

  Felicity felt her heart rate jump, and her face stretched with a rubbery smile as Kade’s eyes met hers.

  “Fine.” For all his anger, Kade Kincaid looked astoundingly unruffled. In fact, she’d seen that look of determination on the field when he pulled his helmet off before a huddle. He stormed past her and sat in one of the chairs in front of her desk. “I had your word,” he said gruffly, keeping his attention on Mr. DaVinci, who followed and stood next to the front of her desk.

  Mr. DaVinci spoke calmly. “I can assure you, Mr. Kincaid, that no one knew Anthony was coming to town until that video clip.”

  Felicity admired Mr. DaVinci at that moment. It was hard to deal with unrealistic expectations, and he was obviously good at managing them.

  Mr. DaVinci turned to Felicity. “Sir, Felicity is on this, and she is the best. She doesn’t miss a beat. If she says no one knew, no one knew.”

  Felicity shifted as Mr. Kincaid swung his gaze to meet hers. A charge went through her, like she could feel Zeus reach down and touch the earth with his lightning bolt. The man was, for lack of a better word, intense. Fierce. Every bit the warrior she’d been watching almost nonstop for the past seven days. On the field, he was a pure strategist, often being called a second coach. He could read the defense like he had a crystal ball, and it had earned him a reputation for getting through impossible defenses.

  Mr. DaVinci’s mantra for dealing with his famous clients popped into her mind: You’ve got to fake it ’til you make it. The first time she’d sat down with him, he had explained in detail that these people don’t shy away from weakness; they chew it up and spit it out. If you are confronted by a client you are the least bit intimidated by, you fake it. Mustering a pleasant expression, she held her hand out. “Mr. Kincaid, nice to meet you.”

  He cursorily shook her hand, then turned back to Mr. DaVinci. “You better explain to me what happened.”

  Felicity tried not to take the snub personally. He clearly didn’t want to deal with her.

  “We’re not sure, Mr. Kincaid.” Mr. DaVinci’s tone was the perfect blend of professional and disconcerted.

  Striking out faster than she could track, Kade pounded a fist onto her desk, rattling the whole surface and causing her new vase to fall and crack on the floor. “How could you let this slip through the defenses?” he demanded. The sound of glass breaking didn’t even faze him.

  Felicity stared at the special vase her mother had given her last week as congratulations for getting her new job. She fought the urge to cry.

  Mr. DaVinci looked at the glass and then cocked an eyebrow at Mr. Kincaid. “Keep your temper in check, please.”

  Mr. Kincaid let out a breath and clenched his hand into a fist, standing. His lip turned up in a snarl. “Another mess-up, and we’re done. My business will be gone, and I’m sure you know that means my father’s business will be gone, too.” Trudging away from the desk, he whipped on his sunglasses and turned back, still staring at DaVinci.

  Mr. DaVinci kept his poker face and stood, but didn’t follow him. “Breathe, Mr. Kincaid. Everything is handled.”

  Mr. Kincaid let out a long breath and tugged off his sunglasses. “We need to talk about Sheena Galloway. She’s still causing me issues. You need to make sure she doesn’t bother me tomorrow night at the auction.”

  “Of course.”

  “That woman might have had her way with other quarterbacks like Roman Young and Sam Dumont, but keep her out of my sights. She’s toxic, poison, tainted. I went out with her once. She’s crazy. I don’t want her around.”

  Mr. DaVinci nodded. “I understand completely.”

  Mr. Kincaid pushed a hand through his hair. “As for my brother, I can’t be blindsided by him again. I can’t. That’s the one condition I asked for when I agreed to sign on with this firm.”

  “We will have one of our best people at the auction to make sure everything turns out perfectly, and you’ll know the next time your brother is in town. You have my word.”

  Barking out a laugh, Kade swung his gaze to Felicity. “If she’s the one who handled notifying me before, it appears ‘your word’ is in trouble.”

  Felicity’s breath hitched inside of her chest, and she bit back the urge to tell him off—not just
for doubting her, but also for breaking her vase. Feeling like a scullery maid, she bent to pick up the glass. “It’s handled.”

  “I guess we’ll see,” Mr. Kincaid said.

  Felicity stood, wanting to demand an apology, wanting to shove the job and walk out, wanting to be anywhere except here. But as she well knew, she usually didn’t get what she wanted in life.

  Mr. Kincaid lifted his chin and looked down his nose at Mr. DaVinci. “Your butt is on the line, DaVinci.” He said the words like he would say it to one of his fellow players on the field.

  Mr. DaVinci glanced at Felicity. “Thank you for this opportunity, Mr. Kincaid. We won’t let you down.”

  Kincaid’s eyes narrowed and swung toward her. She met his gaze, feeling every bit as angry as he appeared to be. She wondered if he would say something threatening to her. Luckily, she was not a small woman, standing at roughly five ten. His six-three frame didn’t intimidate her in the least. No, if someone asked her what intimidated her about Kade, she would have told them it was his intense blue eyes. Hard and dark when he was unhappy or displeased with a play on the field. Serene and calm and almost light when he was happy and talking to an interviewer about his recent project—learning to fly helicopters.