Skin in the Game

By Piper Rhodes

Julian Whit is a rising soccer star, and he plays hard—both on and off the field.
Josephine Asper knows better than to fall for the sexy bad boy, but one night of fun couldn’t hurt, right?
When they meet at a private gala hosted by their mutual public relations firm, their explosive passion nearly overwhelms them both as they consecrate every hidden corner of the swanky soiree with their erotic exploits.
It doesn’t take Julian long to realize he has real feelings for the feisty redhead with the wicked tongue, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to score her heart. Too bad Josephine knows all about his love ‘em and leave ‘em reputation, and she specializes in defense.
Still, Julian has never been one to give up easily, and this time, he’s playing for keeps.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Oct 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9780369500670

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Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2019 Piper Rhodes

ISBN: 978-0-3695-0067-0

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: Karyn White

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

To My Dream Come True

SKIN IN THE GAME

Romance on the Go ®

Piper Rhodes

Copyright © 2019

Chapter One

Julian Whit was fake smiling so hard his face hurt. What was it that mothers always liked to say about making faces? That they’d get stuck that way? He sincerely hoped that wasn’t going to be the case tonight. He was sure he’d have a more genuine smile taking an overdue shit than he currently wore for these people. But, as his coach so eloquently put it, he needed to stop bitching and do his damn job.

Tons of people would love to be at an event like this. The team’s public relations firm, Ballinger and Schusterman (or as Julian liked to call them, Ball-less and Shyster-man, AKA BS for short) had invited all their clients and what they hoped to be future clients to this elegant soiree. There were plenty of famous and almost-famous guests in attendance, an over-the-top opulent setting, and all the free food and (watered-down) booze you could ask for.

Julian knew he was being an ass. He really shouldn’t have felt so put out. After all, how many other guys got to fulfill their childhood dreams of becoming (semi) famous professional soccer players? He wasn’t big leagues like Beckham or Ronaldo, not yet, but he was beyond thrilled to be playing for a respectable MLS team with an awesome group of guys in one of the greatest cities in the country. He was proud to wear the San Diego Tritons jersey and couldn’t wait to assist his team to the playoffs.

Still, that little part of him that he referred to as Bitch Julian couldn’t help but resent all the glad-handing and kowtowing he had to do at these things. He appreciated the opportunity he’d been given; God knows there weren’t many kids from tiny towns like his that got this kind of chance. But he felt like a prized show dog being led around, introduced to wealthy investors and other public figures that might partner with the organization for some mutual belly rubbing—er, back scratching. Being here made him feel trapped. It was part of the trade-off. Be a good boy here, sit, stay, and later he could take off the leash and let loose on the field. For him, playing soccer gave him the same high some people described as flying. The field was the one place he felt truly free.

He finished his whiskey sour and swiped another off a passing tray without missing a beat. He would behave, but he didn’t have to be stone-cold sober to do it. Besides, he was expected to be a little bad—that was part of his persona.

His dark brown eyes scanned the room, appreciating the amount of skin the ladies were showing tonight. That was one thing he could always look forward to at these things: hot