First Down (First and Ten #1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

is our connection to everyday life. Jordan is our voice of reason, and Ella is our conscience.”
    “What are you, Ana?”
    “I’m the heart of the group. I make sure that we don’t fall apart.” She picked up a pickle and took a bite as she stared. Though he wasn’t her type, she could certainly appreciate the effect of his smile. He had a grin that could make you think things that you shouldn’t.
    “That makes sense.” He gazed down at her and watched her steal one of his pickles. “You can have my pickles, Ana. You can have whatever you want.”
    She’d unconsciously eaten off his plate and realized how inappropriate it was. “Sorry, Jack.  I usually have better manners.”
    Jack took a moment to study her and decided that this was as good a time as any to ask the question. “Do you not like me specifically or is it all football players?” He watched her gaze down at her lap and carefully wipe her hands on the napkin. It seemed like she may not answer his question as she kept her eyes on the pattern of her dress. Her head lifted and she stared him straight in the eyes, and he briefly wondered if their children would have green or brown eyes.
    “I don’t know you, so I’m not sure if I like you or not. As far as the football player question goes…I admit that I’m not a big fan. I’m sure it’s a prejudice left over from high school when a boy broke my seventeen-year-old heart.” She looked him up and down and admired his massive build. “I’ve recently sworn off alpha men, and I’m going to try and date some betas. I think I may have more luck. You’re not anything close to beta, so I don’t think it’s going to work out.”
    Lifting one of her hands out of her lap, he held it gently and smiled into her eyes. “I’m going to change your mind about football players, alpha men, and anything else that is going to prevent you from giving me a chance.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I want to get to know you.” He let his fingers play over her hand and enjoyed the feeling of her skin against his. He felt like everything he needed to know about them was answered when he held her hand. It was like a key fitting into a lock. Perfect and indescribable.
    “I’ll think about it.” She stared into his startling green eyes and saw a light in his gaze that she’d never seen before. He was looking at her like she was chocolate cake and everything he’d ever wanted. Maybe he had a concussion, or was suffering from a brain injury. 
    “I think we should become friends and see what happens. I just want a little of your time,” Jack said with confidence. “I don’t want to change your life.” He gently squeezed her hand. “I’m sure that a lot of men are after you….I just want to be at the front of the line. A little time, Ana, that’s all I want.”
    Slipping her hand out of his, she sat up straight. “All right, Jack Ellis. Let’s be friends and see what happens.” She noticed that his easy-going attitude covered up a will of steel. She’d seen it enough times with all the men she knew from the Teams. Maybe being a professional athlete was similar in some ways. A man didn’t play professional sports unless he possessed some determination and grit.  Jack laid his plans out clearly and presented them in a way that left little room for argument. The tricky part about that was he did it with a sweet, sexy smile that conveyed his absolute certainty of success.
    Leaning over, he kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Ana.” He watched a blush wash across her cheeks as he lifted his head. Friends was a good place to start. He just needed a little window of opportunity to show her that he was a good guy. And….that he was the one for her. Time spent together would give him the chance he needed.
     

CHAPTER THREE
    Friday
     
    Ana stood in the kitchen and observed the two large men assembling her bookcases. “How did this happen again?” She noticed that their shoulders almost blocked out the sun from the