Special edition ebooks are available exclusively from Melissa’s bookstore.
Ebooks / paperbacks ordered from Melissa’s bookstore will release early: February 7th, 2025.
Other retailers release date: February 12th, 2025.
Audiobooks can be pre-ordered from Melissa’s bookstore. Release date TBD.
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I drop my suitcase and head directly to the minibar in my Paris hotel suite to pour myself a shot of whiskey. It was a long-ass flight, and my shoulder aches. Fucking injury. I’m downing the shot when my phone rings, and my youngest brother’s name flashes on the screen. I pour myself another shot and answer on speaker. “Hey, Noah. What’s up?”
“I’m here with Clay Braden, the quarterback for the New York Giants,” he announces in his best sportscaster voice. “Clay, you lost the playoff game for your team, and they won’t let you into Disney World. Fans want to know what’s next for Mr. Perfect.”
I down the shot, trying to drown out my recent distaste for the nickname the media graced me with a decade ago. As far as Noah goes, we’ve always given each other crap to lighten the mood when tough shit happens. It usually works, but last weekend’s loss is still raw.
“You still there, old man?” Noah urges. “I’d get you your hearing aid, but I have no idea where you are.”
“I’m in Paris, asshole, and thirty-five isn’t old.” As true as that is, I’m past my prime in the world of professional football, and I’m starting to feel it. I no longer recover as quickly as I used to, and it’s affecting my ability to nail a pass. Then there’s the young up-and-comer, Russ Staley, who’s gunning for my position. I grit my teeth against that reality. I’m in a contract year, and my agent has an extension waiting for my signature. One minute I’m ready to sign my life away for as many years as they’ll have me, and the next I want nothing more than to walk away from the game and all the limelight and pressure that goes along with it, because the sport I once lived and breathed for has lost its shine. The trouble is, football has been my life for so long, I can’t even begin to think about who I’d be without it.
“Dude, you’re in Paris and you didn’t invite me? What the hell? You know I’m into French women.”
“You’re into just about any woman.” And with the same playful nature he possessed as a kid, Noah draws them like flies. “It was a last-minute trip. Dash invited me. He’s here with Amber and some of her family to see her sister Sable’s band open for Bad Intentions on the last leg of their European tour.” Dash Pennington is one of my closest friends, and the best wide receiver I’ve ever played with. He retired a few years ago and married Amber, the love of his life—and a sister to the real reason I’m in Paris. Pepper Montgomery. The only woman on the planet who won’t give me the time of day.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Noah complains. “This is Johnny Bad’s last tour. Where is the love, man? Wait a second. Pepper’s there, isn’t she? Holy shit. You were afraid she’d be into me, weren’t you? That’s why you didn’t invite me.”
I scoff. “Hardly.”
I wasn’t even going to come on this trip. I didn’t think I’d make very good company, but then Dash said Pepper was coming, and the thought of seeing her again was enough to get me here. I need a distraction, and she’s the perfect one to hold my interest. I’ve known a lot of beautiful women in my life, but there’s something about the brilliant scientist that hit differently from the first time I met her. It was more than the sizzle and burn that sears between us every damn time I see her, more than her beautiful face and gorgeous figure or her thick golden-brown hair, which I’ve thought about tangling my fingers in more times than I care to admit. It’s the depth that resonates in her hazel eyes that drew me in and has had me thinking about her ever since.
“You know she’s going to take off the second she sees you,” Noah says, jerking me from my thoughts.
“Fuck off.” I pace the floor, knowing there’s a good chance he’s right.
The combination of my good looks and fame has paved an easy road with women for me, but it hasn’t opened any doors with Pepper, and my siblings love teasing me about it. Believe me, I’ve tried to get to know her better, showing up every chance I get under the guise of visiting Dash when I know Pepper will be in town to see her family—and reaching out after she leaves nearly every time for a work emergency. Not that she responds to my texts. I should probably forget about her, but there’s no forgetting Pepper Montgomery, and if she wants to play hard to get, I’m game. I love a challenge. Especially one as beautiful and as intelligent as her.
“You know I’m just giving you shit,” Noah says. “I mean, she’ll probably take off, and she’d be into me over you if I were there, but since I’m not, I can give you some advice if you’d like.”
“Noah,” I warn.
He laughs.
“Is there something you need, bro? Or did you just call to give me a hard time?”
“Giving you a hard time is the most fun I’ve had all day, but I did call for another reason. We’re putting together our summer programs for the Real DEAL, and we were hoping you might be interested in doing a few days of football camp with the kids.” Noah is a marine biologist, and he’s the only one of my siblings who doesn’t live in New York. He lives in Colorado, where he and a few of our cousins run the Real DEAL (Discover, Experience, Appreciate, Learn), a total immersion exploratory park for kids that includes educational exhibits and hands-on activities.
“When are you thinking? I’ve got workouts in May and early June. I don’t think Flynn and Sutton have picked a wedding date yet, but I’m sure it’ll be between minicamp and the start of preseason.” Our brother Flynn recently got engaged.
“I spoke to Flynn,” Noah says. “They’re thinking of the second or third weekend in July, but I’ll take whatever time you’re willing to give.”
“Then count me in, and we’ll firm up dates as soon as they make their decision. I love working with kids.”
“I know you do. Thanks, man. This’ll be a big draw.”
“Anything else? I need to run. I’m meeting Dash and everyone to grab dinner and go to the concert soon.”
“Just one thing. If you run off Pepper, give her my number, will ya?”
“Goodbye, asshole.” I end the call, cutting off his laughter.
Mark my word, Pepper will be mine by the end of this trip. I couldn’t make a hard play for her during football season, but now that I’ve got nothing but time, the only place she’ll be running is into my bed.
To continue reading, please buy PLAYING MR. PERFECT
Special edition ebooks are available exclusively from Melissa’s bookstore.
Ebooks / paperbacks ordered from Melissa’s bookstore will release early: February 7th, 2025.
Other retailers release date: February 12th, 2025.
Audiobooks can be pre-ordered from Melissa’s bookstore. Release date TBD.
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SPECIAL EDITION PAPERBACK | AUDIOBOOK
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Melissa Foster is a New York Time and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women's fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page.