Read Player's Challenge for Free Online Page B

house keys, several pens, an eye glass case, a dozen receipts, and a tube of lipstick landed in her lap.
    “Teaching you a lesson.” Before she could guess his next move, he rolled down the window and tossed the bag into the road.
    She leaned up, looking out the rear window. “Do you know how much that bag cost?” She emphasized ‘cost’ with a solid punch to his arm, but nothing could spoil the pleasure of chucking the overpriced lump of leather out the window.
    “Did it cost more than almost being raped? How about your life?”
    Reality setting in, Gemma slumped in her seat.

    Safely ensconced in one of Devin’s guest rooms, Gemma took a quick shower and changed into a pair of pajamas. White and frilly, her sleepwear consisted of a sleeveless blouse and matching shorts. Perfect for the weather and being home alone, her pajamas exposed too much skin for mixed company.
    Devin didn’t look up when she entered the living room. His eyes remained fixed on the sixty-inch flat screen television while he clicked through channels. He sat in one of the club chairs, a bottle of ale rested at his elbow. He’d taken a shower as well because his hair was still damp and brushed back from his face. Shirtless, he lounged spread-eagled in a pair of dark blue trainers.
    His tattoos were much more extensive than she previously assumed. Both arms sported sleeves, several lines of script ran along his rib cage and a heart-shaped lock, with a key dangling from it, covered his pectoral muscle.
    “Feeling better?” Still not looking at her, he continued to flip through channels.
    “A hundred percent better. Even though I was strong armed into staying here, I appreciate your hospitality.” Gemma sat down on the sofa and curled her legs under her. Feeling somewhat exposed, she eyed a decorative throw slung over the arm of the couch and covered her legs with it.
    Devin found a channel featuring a documentary on South African lions and set the remote down. “Are you hungry? I still have a few pieces of sushi left.”
    Gemma scrunched up her nose. “I’ll pass. I had dinner twice.”
    Chuckling, Devin shook his head. “You are so lucky I picked you up and not Gladys.”
    “The bobbies hit the jackpot when you walked in.” Gemma agreed, shivering in mock horror. Her mother was a five foot powerhouse. “Mum would’ve bum rushed my flat and taken complete control of the investigation.”
    Speaking of her mother…
    “How do you know my mother is out of town?”
    Devin lifted his hand and ran a finger along his jawline. Gemma was beginning to think it was a nervous habit of his when he hated telling the truth and someone wasn’t going to like it.
    “Your mother and I, we stay in touch.”
    Gemma’s mouth fell open. What did he mean they stayed in touch? “How much in touch? Do you just talk on the phone or do you have cozy Friday night dinners together.”
    “Why?” He reached up and scratched the back of his head.
    “I want to know the extent of your communication, so I can estimate how long I won’t be speaking to her.”
    “We talk every now and then.”
    Gemma rolled her eyes. He was actually trying to beat around the bush. “When was the last time you talked?”
    “A few weeks ago, I ran the idea of signing with Top Flight past her to see if you would be amenable.”
    Gemma’s stomach dropped. To think her mother’s opinion depended on the firm landing one of their biggest clients. “What did she say?”
    “She laughed at me for a good five minutes.”
    Good ol’ Mum! “And you still became our client?”
    “I sort of didn’t have a choice. No other firm would take me.”
    Well, that wasn’t a lie. Devin had dug himself such a hole he’d been dropped by his agent. And any sports agents worth his weight in sponsor endorsements could smell a small commission check a thousand miles away.
    “I think we need to set some boundaries.” Somewhere between the ride from her house and Devin’s, she’d decided to keep