A Perfect Strategy

Is there really life after hockey?

If there’s one thing Scotty Matthews knows, it’s hockey. Unfortunately, the former New Jersey Ice Cats captain isn’t proving successful at life after hockey. His wife’s left him and he’s lost his post-ice job as a media commentator. All he’s got now is a big empty show house.

If there’s one thing Sapphire Houlihan knows, it’s that she never wants to be tied down to anyone or anything ever again. Unfortunately for her, a wonderful one-weekend distraction with Scotty turns into something much more complicated... Because he’s a guy who wants way more than one weekend.

Tonight he looked lonely.

He’d obviously come to the reception on his own. She’d heard about his divorce—hard not to when it had been splashed across the media. Not that there had been anything salacious. Just the usual bland statement about him and his wife separating, no one else involved and a request to respect their family’s privacy. Still, on a slow sports day during the summer hiatus, it had filled column inches.

As if he felt her studying him, Scotty looked up and their gazes met. Held.

Her heart double skipped. Was that a flicker of interest widening his pupils?

There was something about the recently retired captain that drew her to him. His dark hair, flecked with gray, was still short, like it had been when he was playing. His tanned face bore the scars of his career. The one that had always fascinated her was the white line that marred his otherwise perfect lips. Left side, near the corner. The result of a high stick—one that hadn’t been penalized—it had taken twenty-five stitches to close the cut.

He gave a half smile, raised his glass to her, then returned his attention to his drink.

Wow. Talk about a look that packed a punch.

Suddenly, she wanted to make that half smile full-blown.

Dear Reader,

The New Jersey Ice Cats are back and ready for action! This time though you’ll get a sneak peek at what it’s like behind the scenes, when retired captain Scott “Scotty” Matthews takes on a new challenge in the team’s front office. Can he be as successful off the ice as he was on it—especially when he has to face off against sexy business consultant Sapphire Houlihan?

When Sapphire appeared in A Perfect Compromise, I knew that finding her the perfect hero would be complicated. Not because she’s a confident, successful woman, but because she’s actually happy with her life as it is. It would take a special man to stand up to her and make her reconsider her “no strings” philosophy. Scotty wasn’t the obvious choice, but he was definitely the right one...in the end!

Aside from helping these two get their happy ending, writing this book was fun because I got the chance to use knowledge from my former career in business. It was great to be able to combine marketing, hockey and romance in one story.

I love to hear from readers. You can get in touch with me via email at [email protected] or via my website, www.annasugden.com. You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter.

Anna Sugden

A Perfect Strategy

Anna Sugden

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Former marketing executive ANNA SUGDEN loves reading romance novels and watching films with happy endings. She also loves watching hockey and football, where she prefers a happy ending for her teams. When she’s not researching hockey players (for her books, of course), she makes craft projects and collects penguins, autographs and memorabilia and great shoes. Anna lives in Cambridge, England, with her husband and two bossy black cats. Learn more about Anna, her books and her shoes at annasugden.com.

For Marcela, with love.

For Keith, love always. xxxxx

Acknowledgments

Jill Marsal, my fabulous agent!

Victoria Curran, for helping me make this book the best it can be.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Acknowledgments

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Extract

Copyright

PROLOGUE

Fifteen years ago

“MAN, IT’LL BE good to finally play a game for real.”

Scott “Scotty” Matthews hefted his bag over his shoulder, shut the hatch of his SUV and followed the small group of teammates toward the arena.

“Yeah, the preseason just doesn’t cut it,” grumbled Cam “Bullet” Lockhead. The New Jersey Ice Cats’ much-feared enforcer slammed his palm against the security bar to open the door into the building’s lower ground level. “Pansy-assed friendlies aren’t worth the effort to strap on my skates.”

“You’re only pissed because Coach banned you from hitting and fighting.” Ryan Grey punched Bullet on the arm. “He wanted you to save it for tonight’s home opener.”

“We’ve had the entire freaking summer off. I want to get back to work.” Cam hip-checked his friend into the door frame. “But how can I do my job if I can’t drop the gloves?”