Hometown Player

By Jules Hahn

Taylor Madison has two goals—enjoy her semester break and to forget the past year—that is until she spots Ben Jordan. She's not looking for love from the avowed bachelor, but she isn't opposed to a quick dalliance, either. Soon, though, her heart gets entangled, forcing her to decide whether to play things safe or risk everything on the one person notorious for breaking hearts.

Hot shot, Ben Jordan, has it made. The young police chief of Aberdeen has his pick of women. He plays the game straight—no exchanges of personal numbers and no second dates­. Once he meets Taylor, all his carefully crafted rules are called into question. Now he must choose whether to let his past haunt him or take a chance on a future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: May 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781509230938

Jules Hahn

Jules Hahn has been passionate for writing since grade school. She wrote and illustrated her very first book in second grade called Goober the Squash. Always one to live in her head, Jules loves to create stories of love and romance, usually involving herself. Welcome to Aberdeen is the first in the series, to be published. Jules lives in Phoenix, Arizona and is married to her high school sweetheart. Together they have two wonderful boys. You can follow Jules series on her webpage JulesHahn.com.

Book preview

Inc.

No phone numbers exchanged, no second date planned, and definitely no promises of a future.

That’s how the game is played.

For some reason, the whole scene lost its luster. Shifting, Ben spotted a cute, golden-haired woman across the room, sipping a dark-amber liquid in a short tumbler.

Whiskey?

Hot.

Shoulder-length hair fell in soft waves, caressing her shoulders with each bob of her head. Whenever she laughed, her pert nose wrinkled slightly, and a dimple appeared in her cheek.

Definitely cute.

Her copper-haired friend turned slightly, looking this way. Golden hair followed. Catching his gaze, she slid a flirtatious smile across her face.

His interest intensified, and blood pounded through his veins. Pressing the glass against his lips, he sipped, watching her slip a purse off the back of the chair and slide the straps over one shoulder.

Turning, she started forward, weaving through the crowd.

Glimpses of her long, toned legs, the gentle curves of her body, and the sway of her hips taunted him through the crush of bodies.

Interesting.

She came close enough for him to see the sharp green of her eyes and the sweetest lips he’d ever spied. Heat curled through his limbs.

Definitely interesting.

Praise for HOMETOWN PLAYER

In reading an excerpt from this book, I couldn’t help but get excited about reading more details. I connected with the characters and couldn’t wait to find out how the story will unfold. A great story line with an edgy sexy vibe.

~Jodie B-P

~*~

A girl can swoon all day long for a main character like Ben. Dying to read more about this character.

~Allyson B.

~*~

A fun break from reality, to enjoy life through Taylor and Ben. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

~Johanna I.

Hometown Player

by

Jules Hahn

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product 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.

Hometown Player

COPYRIGHT © 2020 by Jules Hahn

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Debbie Taylor

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Sweetheart Rose Edition, 2020

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-3093-8

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To my dad—

he might not be here in person, but he is in spirit.

And to my mom,

who was my very first cheerleader.

Chapter 1

Ben fastened the last button of his black shirt. Smoothing a hand down the front, he strode across the bedroom. His Italian leather loafers sank into the plush, gray carpet, muffling his heavy tread. He slid his gaze across the room toward the floor-to-ceiling, corner-to-corner window. Heavy sunlight burst through the tinted glass, casting the room in bright, cheery radiance. The tall sweep of steel buildings, stretching ever upward toward the heavens, graced the skyline. Rays of light flashed against the structures turning ordinary glass into plates of silver. He stopped for a moment to enjoy the view.

Is anyone luckier than me?

No.

Continuing, he strode toward the dresser and, peering into the mirror, smiled.

My life is good—better than good—perfect, actually.

Just this past spring, he graduated from law school. To satisfy an itch, he tried out for the Albany Thunder Cats Double-A baseball team. Getting his degree was an accomplishment, but being accepted on the team was an achievement he couldn’t reject. At least, not yet.

Baseball exhilarated him in a way law didn’t. He loved playing the game and enjoyed the feeling of the bat gripped between his hands with the smell of sun and dust filling his nostrils. In high school, he’d been the star player. In college, he’d served as a home run hitter guaranteeing a win. To please his parents, he’d pursued law. He played baseball to satisfy himself.

Playing ball provided benefits he couldn’t receive from his degree. He worked hard and didn’t mind employing the required effort needed for success. Things paid off. His teammates respected him. He racked plenty of playing time and had his choice of women—not that he was tempted. He was completely devoted to Karla, his hometown girlfriend. One day, he’d marry her, but not now.

His teammates considered his devotion misplaced. Women begged for his attention, and they believed, as the darling of the minor leagues, Ben should play more than baseball. At least, he was given this advice on too many occasions to count. He didn’t care. His father remained faithful to his mother for nearly twenty-five years, providing the perfect example of what love and commitment meant. He intended to do the same.

For now, though, he enjoyed the life he’d carved. He rented a spacious loft in the trendiest location in Albany, New York. The luxurious apartment in the historic Park South neighborhood cost him a fortune but was worth every penny. With floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room and a balcony spanning the length, he could look out onto Washington Park and almost imagine living back home. If the weather was agreeable, and he was in the mood, he could walk through the park and escape his hectic life.

Everything he desired was located within minutes of the building. Swanky bars to quaint restaurants practically outside the secured front entrance coddled to his daily needs. The Joe, the stadium where he played, was an easy commute off Highway 797. Yes, he certainly had no reason to complain.

Standing in front of the bureau in his expansive bedroom, Ben straightened one of his cuffs while studying himself in the mirror. His black, button-down shirt was pressed to crisp perfection, showing off powerful shoulders and muscular arms. Running a hand through his newly trimmed hair, he grinned, remembering his earlier phone conversation with Karla. He hadn’t mentioned the weekend break in play, and she hadn’t asked.

Just a little more than an hour. Not long now.

Satisfied with his appearance, he swiped a hand across the bureau and palmed his car keys. Next, he scooped up a long, oblong box wrapped in shimmering, gilt paper, and a matching satin ribbon. He ran a finger across the smooth surface. The curlicue of