I am too. So happy for him. He’s reached his dream. The opportunity of a lifetime. I’m ninety-nine percent thrilled for this guy who’s so good and has clearly worked so hard.
I go to him and hug him, standing in between his spread legs, and he drops his head to my stomach.
“Congratulations, Jude. You’ll do great. And someday, I’ll get to say I knew you when.” Tears burn my eyes, and I blink them back.
He grins up at me, most likely to see the torment in my eyes. “We’ll talk soon. I’ll call you when I get there?”
Now isn’t the time for my own selfish sadness.
It’s time to let him go so he can follow his own dreams, but now is not the time for us, and I knew that when I risked it.
“Bye, Jude.”
* * *
***
* * *
It’s been five years since they’ve seen each other and they’ve both chalked up their short romance to a simple college crush where passion and lust and having fun ruled their hearts.
He stepped off the plane in Charlotte years ago only to find his number blocked by Katie, never to hear from her again. Now he’s back, and this time, Jude is no longer the patient, nice guy he used to be.
He’s Playing To Win Katie at all costs.
* * *
Download Playing To Win now to see what happens when Jude Taylor returns to Chicago!
Now available on all retailers or via my website:
https://www.staceylynnbooks.com/ice-kings
Acknowledgments
HUGE thank you to Hilary and all of Social Butterfly PR for throwing your full enthusiasm and support behind each and every book I write. I have loved working with all of you and can’t wait to see what’s ahead! Hilary, I miss you most of all. ;-)
Ellie and Virginia, as always, thanks for putting up with my mess and spit-shining each manuscript until it sparkles. Thank you especially during this crazy time in our world for your flexibility and your extra hard work.
Shannon, you’re the best. Always. Forever. Your talent is astounding and I’m thankful I can call you a friend.
Special, enormous thank you to my family who is always here, cheering me on and being so patient when I’m in my office. Your support is everything to me and I love you all with all of my heart.
To my Sweeties! I love you ladies and your excitement for my books! Special thanks to you this time for coming up with Brenna’s name for me. It fits her perfectly.
To Lauren and Tamara – I’m so thankful our moves brought us into each other’s lives!
To all the bloggers who devote their time and passion into reading books, book tours, release events, leaving reviews, promoting and pimping – you are all rockstars! Thank you for all the love over the years.
My family— I love you all to the moon and back. I don’t know what I would do without you in my corner, cheering me on every step of the way.
And last but definitely not least – to you the reader. I’m blown away with every release how much you adore my books. You have made my dream a reality and I hope I can cheer you on with yours.
Other Books by Stacey Lynn
Ice Kings Series
Playing With Fire (prologue novella)
Playing To Win
Scoring Off The Ice
Hooked On Her
Hard Checked – September 2020
* * *
The Luminous Series
Dominate Me
Crave Me
Long For Me
* * *
The Rough Riders Series
Dirty Player
Filthy Player
Wicked Player
Cocky Player
* * *
Love In The Heartland
Captivated By You
This Time Around
Long Road Home
Before We Fell
* * *
Crazy Love Series
Fake Wife
Knocked Up
28 Dates
Weekend Fling
* * *
The Fireside Series
His to Love
His to Protect
His to Cherish
His to Seduce
* * *
Tangled Love Series
Entice
Embrace
Enflame
* * *
Just One Series
Just One Song
Just One Week
Just One Regret
Just One Moment
* * *
The Nordic Lords Series
Point of Return
Point of Redemption
Point of Freedom
Point of Surrender
* * *
Standalones
Remembering Us
Don’t Lie To Me
Try Me – A Don’t Lie To Me Novella