A Love Rekindled (The Game of Love #1) Read online

  A Love Rekindled

  (The Game of Love #1)

  By Sharon Cummin

  Copyright © 2014 Sharon Cummin

  All Rights Reserved

  Warning: This story contains explicit sexual content that is not intended for those under the age of 18. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious and the age of 18 and older. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Check out my Amazon Author Page – Sharon Cummin

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  Table of Contents

  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

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  Jessica

  Jessica stood as she looked at herself in the mirror. It was Friday night, and she had been invited to a Christmas party. Her friend Linda, from work, was having all of her friends over for an evening celebration. Jessica had not been out in months. Her friends from work tried to get her to go out with them often, but she always turned them down. She liked being at home with her son. He was her everything. That was what she had always told them.

  Her sister Renee talked her into going to the party. She knew Jessica needed to get out and have a little grown up time. Renee was two years younger than Jessica, and they had been best friends their entire lives. Anytime Jessica needed her little sister, she was there. Renee volunteered to watch her favorite nephew for the night, so that that Jessica would go out and be with her friends. Jessica didn't want to hurt her friend Linda's feelings, so she agreed to go to the party. She figured if she stayed for a few minutes, she could leave without anyone noticing.

  The doorbell rang and snapped Jessica from her thoughts. She ran and opened the door. It was her sister Renee. She had her hands full of pizza boxes and bags.

  “Where is my favorite nephew?” Renee called out.

  “I'm right here,” a cute, little, brown haired, blue eyed boy shouted, as he ran up to hug her.

  “I brought pizza, soda, popcorn, and candy,” she said. “We are going to have some fun.”

  The little boy laughed and ran back into the living room.

  “You better not feed him all of that stuff,” Jessica snapped.

  “We are going to have fun. I don't get to spend as much time with him now,” Renee said. “Go get ready for your party.”

  “I am ready,” Jessica said.

  “You are wearing jeans a sweater to a party with your work friends?” Renee asked.

  “I am not staying long. This is fine,” Jessica said.

  “No,” Renee said, as she put the boxes and most of the bags down.

  There was a dress bag wrapped around her arm. She held it out with another bag toward her sister.

  “This is what you are wearing,” Renee said. “Go get dressed.”

  Jessica blew out a sigh, took the stuff from her sister, and headed to her bedroom. What did it matter what she wore, she thought? There was nobody she needed to impress. She wasn't even planning to stay. Aggravated, she took off her clothes and pulled out the dress. It was beautiful, she thought. The dress was knee length and a very pretty red. Jessica put it on and looked into the mirror. She smiled at herself. It did look much better than jeans. The front was a little lower cut than she would have liked. Her sister always wore things more revealing than her, so she was not surprised. In the bag was a pair of heels, necklace, and very cute little round earrings. She put everything on and finished getting ready.

  As she looked at herself, she started to feel a little better about going out. She decided to do her hair and put on a little more makeup. By the time she was done, she had a huge smile on her face. Maybe it would be a fun night after all. She would do her best to have a great time. It was the first time she had been out in months, and she was actually looking forward to it. She felt pretty.

  Jessica walked into the kitchen and her sister let out a whistle.

  “Now, you are ready,” Renee said, as she laughed. “You look beautiful. That dress was made for you. It shows all of your amazing curves, and your ass looks juicy.”

  “Thank you,” Jessica said, as she laughed. “I am glad you approve of my ass. It is a beautiful dress. You have such good taste.”

  “Of course I do,” Renee laughed. “Go have a great time. We will be here having fun. Please try to enjoy yourself.”

  “I will,” Jessica said. “I feel weird that I don't have a date. I don't want to be the only single woman there.”

  “I'm sure you won't be the only one without a date,” Renee said. “Maybe there will be a super sexy hottie there for you. If not you can always go home with John from work. He has been into you forever.”

  “That's not funny,” Jessica replied. “You know I don't feel that way toward him.”

  “Get out of here,” Renee said. “Don't do anything I wouldn't do.”

  They both laughed as Jessica hugged her son and left for the party.

  Chapter 2

  Jessica

  Jessica pulled up to her friend Linda's house. She parked her car as she thought about her life. Since high school, she had accomplished so much and was proud of herself. She had gotten a job in an office as a scared teenager. Seven years later, she had worked herself into management. She had become strong and confident. That scared little girl was gone. She owned her own home and had taken care of her and her son. Surely, she could get through a tiny party.

  She let out a deep, nervous breath as she got out of her car. Only stay for a little while, and then you can leave. She had no idea why she was so nervous about going alone. Her friends at work knew she was single. It was not a big secret. She still felt weird about going into the party without a date. Jessica walked up the steps to the front door and froze. Maybe she should just go back home, she thought. Before she could turn around, the door swung open, and Linda reached out and grabbed her arm.

  Linda pulled her into the house. There was music playing and laughter everywhere. Linda had her house decorated for the holiday, with cute things everywhere. Jessica was surprised at how many people were already there. The party had just started. Linda walked her to the bar area so she knew where to get her drinks. Then, she pulled her off to meet people. Jessica had no idea how she was going to remember all of the names Linda was throwing at her. She met so many new people. Linda was so proud of her party, and she was having such a great time.

  Jessica laughed as she walked over to her group of friends from work. She was the manager in their department, but nobody would ever know watching them. They all got along really well. Tammy, Leslie, and John were already there. Their friend Heather would be there later with her date. A few more people were supposed to be going also. They were surprised to see her all dressed up. She felt beautiful for the first time in a long time. John ran off and came back with a drink for her. He made sure to tell her how beautiful she looked. She took the drink and thanked him. He was very nice to her. She did not know why she had not given him a chance. He really liked her and was always concerned with her and how she was doing. It was not that he was not attractive. Many of the ladies at work liked him. He was tall
and muscular. His hair was dark and his eyes were blue. He was very attractive. No matter how many times she turned him down, he still tried to get her to go out with him. He would laugh and joke about it, but she knew he was serious. She thought he was super sweet. Her sister thought she was crazy for not going out with him. Renee would joke about how good he would be in bed. Jessica would always tell her to be quiet. Jessica caught him looking at her several times during the party as they all talked. There was nothing wrong with him. If she was going to date, he would be her first choice. Jessica didn't care how many times he asked her out, she would always say no. Love was not in her future. She saw no reason to put her heart out there for someone to tear it up and throw it back at her. Her life was just fine the way it was.

  Leslie grabbed Jessica's arm and pulled her off to dance. Tammy and John joined them as well. They all danced like crazy. Every few songs, they would stop to grab a drink and talk. Jessica was having an amazing time. It was nice to not think about stress for an evening. She was happy her sister had talked her into going. The night was turning out to be so much fun. A slow song came on, and John pulled her toward him. They laughed as he spun her and pulled her back in. She felt so pretty and confident. It was the first time she had really let herself go around her friends from work. They were shocked by how well she could dance. She agreed to let them take her out to a club one day. Jessica was actually looking forward to it. She continued to dance with John. Jessica heard the door bell and saw Linda bring Heather and her date in as John dipped her. She felt her body freeze as she heard Heather's date laugh. Jessica would know that laugh anywhere. He came into view and their eyes connected.

  Chapter 3

  Luke

  Luke was on his way to pick up his blind date for his friend Linda's party. He really didn't feel like going. Luke went to college with Linda at University of Michigan, and they remained friends when he left to play professional football. They had a class together his freshman year, and became friends immediately. His heart had been broken by his high school sweetheart, and Linda's friendship was a welcome distraction. They had known each other for seven years. She felt horrible when he was injured and could no longer play ball. He had only been home for about a month. Linda had tried getting him out of the house for the past month, but he wasn't interested. She asked if he was depressed about not being able to play anymore, or if there was some other reason he didn't want to go out. Luke just shrugged and never answered. He never really talked much about home except about his mother. When Linda invited Luke to her party, he turned her down. She bugged him over and over until he finally agreed to go. Maybe she would leave him alone about going out. He would put in an hour or so and then be gone. On top of that, she wanted him to take a friend of hers as his date. He was not looking forward to it. Linda had set him up with Heather, a girl she knew from work.

  When he picked Heather up, he was pleasantly surprised. She was a little shorter than him, had long blonde hair, green eyes, and a nice body. They walked back to his car and he opened her door for her. She thanked him with a flirty smile. He went around to his side of the car, and they were on their way. Heather talked the entire ride there. He answered her questions but really did not concentrate on the conversation. She was very interested in the fact that he played two years for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Heather seemed nice and was attractive, but he wasn't that interested.

  They sat in front of Linda's house for a minute. Luke hoped he would not see anyone he knew at the party. What were the chances? She lived about a half an hour away from the town he grew up in. He was pretty sure he wouldn't cross any paths from high school. Luke knew that people might recognize him from football, and he was fine with that. He just didn't feel like running into any old friends. He let out a sigh as Heather looked over at him.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “I'm fine,” he replied.

  “Do you want to go in?” she asked.

  “Sure, I'm sorry about that,” he replied, as he got out of the car.

  He walked around to open her door and help her out of the car. She had a long blue dress on and very high heels. They made their way up the long driveway. Just get through the party, he thought. Maybe it would be fun to have a few drinks. Be open minded, he told himself. He let out a deep breath as he knocked on the door.

  Linda swung the door opened and wrapped her arms around him.

  “I wasn't sure you would actually show up,” she joked.

  “Very funny, I told you I was coming,” he replied, as he laughed.

  He stepped into the house. That was when he saw her. Their eyes connected as she was being dipped by some guy he had never seen before. Luke felt a growl escape his lips.

  “Are you okay?” Linda asked.

  “Oh, Yeah, I'm fine,” he said, as he brought his attention back to Linda.

  Shit! I have to get out of here, he thought.

  “Come on in. Let me show you around and introduce you to some of my friends,” she said.

  Linda pulled him and Heather through the hall and into the house.

  Chapter 4

  Jessica

  John pulled Jessica up from the dip.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Of course, why?” she questioned.

  “Your body tensed up. I didn't mean to scare you,” John said.

  “I'm fine. It was fun,” she said, with a smile.

  Jessica had a million things running through her mind. She had not seen Luke since the day he left for college. Seeing his eyes made her heart drop. He was even better looking than she remembered. She had heard he was back in town, but had no idea she would run into him so soon. They were a half an hour from their town. Why was he at the party, she wondered? Oh yeah, he was with Heather. She could not believe it. Heather had never mentioned her date's name. Jessica needed to find a way to leave. There was no way she could see him with one of her friends, or anyone else for that matter. She was hoping that her eyes deceived her. Maybe it wasn't him. She was looking at him upside down. Who was she kidding, she thought? She could never forget Luke's eyes. They were one of her favorite features of his.

  She saw Linda walking their way with Luke and Heather.

  “I need to get a soda,” Jessica said. “I'll be back in a few minutes.”

  Jessica hurried off to the bar, keeping her head down as she passed them. She heard Linda introduce her friend Luke to Tammy, Leslie, and John. They all said hello, and Jessica heard Tammy start to talk.

  “You look so familiar Luke,” Tammy said. “Do I know you from somewhere?”

  “He played for Pittsburgh Steelers for two years,” John said. “After he played four years at University of Michigan.”

  “Are you serious?” Tammy asked.

  “Yes,” Luke answered. “I did.”

  Jessica walked up and handed John a drink. She kept her head down and drank her soda. As her eyes looked up, with her head still down, she saw Luke staring a hole through John. What the fuck is his problem, she thought? He is on a date with one of my friends.

  “Jessica, this is my friend Luke from college,” Linda said, as Jessica looked at Heather's arm on Luke's waist. “This is my boss and friend Jessica.”

  “Hello,” Jessica said, as she stuck her hand out to shake his.

  “Hello,” Luke responded, as she took her hand in his.

  Jessica jumped and pulled her hand back as she felt heat race up her arm.

  “I'm going to go over and sit on the couch,” Jessica said. “I'll see you guys in a few.”

  “I'll go with you,” John said.

  “No, you stay here and talk football with Luke,” she answered. “I'll be fine.”

  Jessica went over to the couch. She put her head in her hands with her elbows on her knees and sighed. How was she going to get out of there? She needed to leave. There was no way she could stay. She knew she should have never left her house that night. She could see an image in her head of Luke kissing her and could
feel her lips tingle just thinking about it. He was in her thoughts as she felt a familiar heat cross her body. Jessica could feel him there before she saw his shoes in front of her. Maybe if she didn't look up, he would go away.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Yep, fine,” she replied.

  “I had no idea you knew Linda,” he said. “Are you her boss?”

  “Yes,” she answered.

  “I went to college with Linda. We have kept in touch this whole time. She talked about her boss Jessica,” he said. “I had no idea it was you. I wouldn't have come here if I had known. I didn't want to come. She bugged me and bugged me until I agreed.”

  “So, you're here with Heather?” she asked.

  “It's not what you think,” he said.

  “None of my business,” she replied.

  Hold it together, she told herself. Don't cry in front of him. Wait until you leave. Get your ass out of here before you lose it. Why does he have to look so damn good? She had butterflies in her stomach and felt like she was going to be sick. Don't look at his face, she thought.

  She felt like he could hear her thoughts, because he sat down next to her on the couch and leaned down to look at her. He looked so good. His muscles looked so tight. She thought he looked good before he left for college. There was no comparison. His dark brown hair hung just above his eyes, and she could see the beautiful blue in them. The eyes that made her feel safe and that she loved so much. They were so familiar. She thought about how their color used to change depending on his mood and wondered if they still did. He was so incredibly sexy. Snap out of it, she thought. He didn't even fight to keep you when he left for college, remember that.

  “How long are you in town?” she asked. “I was kind of surprised you even came back.”

  “I moved back home,” he said. “I am staying at my mom's right now, while I look for a house.”

  “So you aren't playing football anymore?” she asked, pretending not to know he had been injured.