One Chance to Win
One Chance to Win
Romi Hart
Copyright © 2018 by Romi Hart
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. While, as in all fiction, the literary perceptions and insights are based on life experiences and conclusions drawn from research, all names, characters, places and specific instances are products of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. No actual reference to any real person, living or dead, is intended or inferred.
Contents
Also by Romi Hart
About this book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Also by Romi Hart
About the Author
Also by Romi Hart
Playing to Win Series
Book 1 - One Kiss to Win
Book 2 - One Chance to Win
Book 3 - One Cheer to Win
Out of Bounds Series
Book 1 - Temptation
Book 2 - Addiction
Book 3 - Passion
Untamed Billionaires Series
Book 1 - The Billionaire Bull
Book 2 - The Billionaire Bastard
MC Romance
Sinner
About this book
Alex
Win. Score. Win.
That’s all I do.
I’m built that way.
But one steamy summer night, a craving for a fancy dinner led me to the most gorgeous face in the world.
The moment I saw Jasmine, I knew I had to make her mine.
Her dark hair, gorgeous eyes, smooth curves got me insane.
She was polite, sweet and just what I was craving.
But an hour a day was all she had to give me.
Time her stubborn father coveted.
But I never give up.
Nothing can stand between me and Jasmine.
I’ll make sure she becomes mine.
I’ll break all the rules. This is my One Chance to Win!
One Chance to Win is Book 2 in the Playing to Win series with a guaranteed HEA and no cheating.
Chapter 1
Alex
One steamy summer night and one giant craving for something I had only dreamt about had me and one of my best buds and teammate heading out for a fancy dinner.
It was almost the end of summer in Gainesville, Florida. School would start back up in a month or so. Ronnie and I had stuck around in town for the summer to teach ‘Soccer Tots’, a soccer league for toddlers.
Almost everyone we knew on our team had taken off for exciting summer vacations on the beach or in Europe, but Ronnie and I had committed to our soccer playing tots and their parents to keep teaching over the summer.
We weren’t in Ibiza like half of our soccer mates were, but we were going to have a properly luxuriant meal at a famous steakhouse anyway.
The professor of my biology class, Dr. Dupree’s praises of Jose Fontaine's steakhouse had piqued my interest in checking the restaurant named El Buey out.
The restaurant had an ambiance that rivaled some of the best in the country. I had ordered a premium beef cutlet called a chuletón.
Ronnie had ordered a sirloin steak. He wasn’t quite the steak aficionado I was. But when our food arrived, both of us were excited to taste the premium meats. “What do you think? Incredible, right?” Ronnie asked, savoring the piece of steak he bit off his fork.
Weighing how I actually felt about the bite I took, I had to admit it wasn’t what I’d expected, but it wasn’t terrible either, “It’s good.”
With one raised brow, he grinned at me. “Good? Just Good? Not great? Not spectacular?”
I should’ve expected him to look at me that way. After all, I had gone on and on about the place. “I’ve never had anything like it,” I said, looking at my steak. It was just the tiniest bit over-cooked in my opinion. And I had ordered it a different way. “But, I ordered medium rare.”
Without missing a beat, he shoved another piece of meat into his mouth. “You thinking about complaining?”
“Ronnie, man, if we were at the normal chain restaurants we usually go to, then it wouldn’t be a big deal, but…” I leaned in close and whispered, as I didn’t want anyone to hear me whining about the amount this steak was going to cost me. “This steak will cost me ninety dollars.”
“What?” Ronnie nearly choked on his Maronesa. “I just ordered the sirloin. It’s twenty bucks and ridiculously delicious.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I grew up on Argentinian beef. I wanted to get the premium, the very best this place has to offer. I love steak. Great steak. And that’s why I splurged this one time.”
Ronnie stabbed a fork into a slice of my steak. “Sorry, but I’ve got to see what a ninety-dollar steak tastes like.”
“Help yourself,” I said, stabbing my fork into his Maronesa. It was fantastically flavorful with a complex cured taste.
Ronnie chewed my chuletón slowly closing his eyes in awe. “Dude, that is so good.”
It was good. That was a given. But it wasn't cooked to what I had asked for. "It is, but is it medium rare?"
He rolled his eyes then admitted, “No, sir. It is not.”
Our waitress, a tall blonde girl with oversize black frame glasses, stopped at our table, a smile on her face, a hand on her round hip. “How is everything?”
My steak was good. I could have just let it go, but I felt like I had to let her know I had ordered it differently, “I only have one minor complaint, I ordered medium rare. Not medium well, which this is. But this is great. Delicious. Just a bit overcooked for me.”
The waitress’s face fell. She pulled out a tiny notebook from her pocket quickly flipping through the pages. Then her hand went to cover her gaping mouth. “Oh my god. I misread my handwriting. I distinctly remember you ordering medium rare, but I must have told the kitchen medium well when I read my terrible handwriting.” She flashed me her messy miniature script. Indeed it was difficult to decipher.
Tears began to gather in the corners of her eyes. “I’m so sorry. I feel terrible. I’ll be right back.” She lifted my plate with a shaky hand and turned to leave.
Guilt rose in my chest. The steak was medium well, but it was still magnificent. I reached for her wrist, stopping her from retrieving my plate. “That’s okay. That won’t be necessary. It’s delicious regardless.”
Her eyes shone with relief momentarily, but then she said, “No. I remember you saying medium rare. I read my handwriting wrong. You shouldn’t have to pay for a meal you didn’t order.”
She reached for my plate again, but I stopped her once more. “Please. No. It’s perfectly okay. I’m enjoying my meal.”
“I’m so sorry for the mix-up,” she apologized again then hurried to the kitchen.
Ronnie speared another piece of my steak with his fork. “You made our waitress cry, you big ol’ meanie.”
He was right. But she wasn't the first girl I'd made cry. Seeing
tears pour down reddened cheeks as I broke one heart after another had me kind of immune to their power. "She'll be fine. You'd be surprised what a girl can get over."
My eyes caught sight of a woman coming back out of the door our waitress had gone into. Her eyes were on me as she headed my way. She had on a black chef coat and black pants. The dark clothing along with her dark hair made her big green eyes pop. Her lashes were long and thick, giving her a Disney princess, doe-eyed look.
She’s hands down, the most authentically beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.
I stared at her full lips as they parted and a sweet voice came out of that perfect mouth, “Good evening, gentlemen. My name is Jasmine Fontaine. I’m the owner’s daughter. Nia has alerted me to the incorrect preparation of your steak.”
The words tumbled out of my mouth as I was a little awestruck by her. “I’m, uh, um, Alex. Um, Alex Cantrell.”
Lifting his fork up in a half salute, my friend chimed in, “I’m Ronnie Watson.”
“Nice to meet you both.” She gave him a nice smile. A professional smile. I wondered what her normal smile was like. I bet it was something that could make birds sing and butterflies dance. Then her doe-like eyes turned to mine. “Another steak is being prepared for you.”
“Please. You don’t have to do that,” I said, feeling shittier and shittier by the minute for even mentioning anything was wrong with my steak in the first place.
She waved her hand as if it wasn’t a problem at all. I knew better. That steak was expensive, and they had gone to a lot of trouble already just to make one for me. I didn’t need another one, but she seemed set on pleasing me. “It’s already being done. Can I offer the two of you a complimentary bottle of wine?”
Ronnie’s response was immediate, “Sure!”
Jasmine smiled and presented the bottle she held behind her back to Ronnie. She began to open it with graceful execution. As she poured us two full glasses, she added, “Both of your meals will be on the house this evening.”
I was mortified. I hadn’t meant to get anything for free. I wasn’t that kind of patron. “No. Please. That won’t be necessary.”
I was trying to be the good guy while Ronnie seemed over the moon about the free meal. “Awesome!”
Jasmine smiled at me. I was shocked to find my heart speeding up. This wasn’t like me. I didn’t get giddy over girls. They got giddy over me. “Yes. It is necessary. My father takes great pride in his meat and its preparation. We apologize for your steak not being prepared in the manner you originally wanted.”
“Our waitress isn’t going to get in trouble, will she?” I asked. I would hate myself if she had to face consequences over my complaint.
“No, sir. Don’t worry about her. She’s my cousin. She’s got this job whether she wants it or not.” She winked at me, and I felt my heart flip over and over in my chest.
This beautiful girl just winked at me – and my cock just jerked inside my slacks!
I tried to act cool. Like she didn’t affect me more than any other female ever had. “I’m so glad. She’s been an excellent server.”
Ronnie agreed, “She’s fantastic.” He paused and then asked, “Is she single?”
Jasmine laughed. “Sadly, Nia is not single. She just met someone in one of her classes last semester.”
Ronnie wasn’t one to give up too easily. “Yeah? Does she go to UF?”
Jasmine nodded. “Yes.” I watched her as she stepped away from our table. “Enjoy your meal.”
Don’t go…
I wanted a few more moments with her. Quickly, I asked, “Do you go to UF? We do.” I gestured with my thumb to Ronnie and me.
Jasmine’s face slightly fell as she laid a hand on her chest and said, “Me?” Then she shook her head regretfully, “No. Not me.” Taking a few more steps away, her smile returned as she said, “Enjoy the rest of your meal.”
Then, she was gone. She walked away from the table, leaving me stunned and wanting to see her again almost immediately after she’d left.
I looked at Ronnie who was pouring himself another glass of wine. Then lifted my glass to my lips, taking only a small sip. “Did you see how beautiful that girl was? She didn’t even have any makeup on, and her hair was up in that bun, but wow.”
“She was really beautiful, dude.” A goofy grin pulled his lips up at the corners. “You got a crush?”
“I don’t get crushes. I just get the girl I want.” I smiled back at him.
I wanted the girl, and I always got what I wanted. Now, how could I get to her again to make that happen?
Chapter 2
Jasmine
In the bathroom, my legs were jelly. I leaned over the sink to splash water on my face. The water was shockingly cold as it hit my skin, but I still felt flushed all over. My heart raced beneath my chef coat. I took deep breaths to calm myself.
Nia came to me in a panic over a mistake with a customer’s steak. I rushed out to the dining room to apologize, not even considering that the customer might be the most handsome man I had ever seen in my life.
Thinking about how I might have looked out there, I cringed. Had I been noticeably sweaty? Was my hair in place? Did he notice the look on my face when I saw his?
The customer, Alex, was ruggedly handsome with gorgeous brown eyes and dark brown hair. When he talked to me, I could swear his eyes sparkled like brown tourmaline gemstones. And his smile - That million-dollar smile and striking square jaw. I could tell he was lean and muscular from how his dress shirt fit around his shoulders. Ryan Gosling had nothing on this guy. Even Ryan Reynolds needed to have a seat.
Patting a paper towel over my face, I looked at my reflection, wincing at how disheveled I looked. “Oh, God, I’m a mess.”
Nia walked into the bathroom. “Jasmine, I’m so so sorry!”
Pulling myself together, I threw the paper towel in the waste bin. “Don’t worry about it,” I assured her.
Nia was my cousin and basically lived the life I’d always wanted. She was tall, thin, gorgeous, and blonde. She could have been a model, but she had her heart set on being a doctor. Growing up, I always felt inadequate when standing next to her.
My cousin’s pretty face was twisted in worry. “But I just cost the restaurant a lot of money because of my mistake.”
“Just do me a favor and become a doctor, ok? You already have the handwriting of one,” I joked to ease her anxiety.
Nia gave me a smile. “What about Uncle Jose?”
I waved her off. “Don’t worry about my dad.”
Glancing back at my reflection, I realized that Alex was just being nice. He only flashed me that swoon-worthy smile because he was polite. There was no way he’d go for me if someone like my cousin was around. Nia was so sweet too. Beautiful, leggy, and sweet natured. She was a triple threat.
I wanted to get one more glance at Alex though, so I cut through the dining room to get back to the kitchen. He was beautiful and probably not someone I’d ever see again unless he came back to the restaurant. Quickly, I walked by his table, trying my best to act nonchalant when I was grabbed by my arm.
His fingers clutched around my wrist were electric. “Jasmine, are you free any night this week?”
Am I dreaming?
I looked down at my wrist enveloped in his hand, stunned. Alex must have thought I was offended because he swiftly released me. Then tripped over his words, “Maybe, um, you’d like to go to, uh a movie?” He swallowed hard then coolness took over his expression, turning him back into the suave man he’d been before. “Your choice. And dinner? At a place, you know, where you don’t work?”
My cheeks felt hot again. All I wanted to do was jump up and down and scream, ‘Yes!’
Before I could answer, my father called me over from the kitchen. “Jasmine!” his voiced bellowed.
I looked at Alex’s beautiful brown eyes and magnanimous smile. “I’ll be right back. I’ve got to talk to my dad and ask when I can have a night off.”
Back
in the kitchen, my dad’s eyes were on fire. The kitchen staff tried to look busy, but I knew they were listening to our every word. “I just saw what happened out there. What was that man doing holding your hand?”
“He wasn’t holding my hand, Dad. He was asking me out on a date.” I could see the flames of my dad’s building anger in his face. I assured him, “Dad, he’s a nice guy. He’s a student at the University of Florida.”
He jabbed a finger at me. “In my office. Now.”
I followed my dad to what he called his office but was really the building he had behind the restaurant where he hung his meat. My father had the building designed to resemble the interior of a cave: stone walls and low sloped ceilings. The lighting in the cave was always low since my father believed his buey needed a restful environment to mature.
Surrounded by slabs of hanging meat, my dad laid into me. “Jasmine, you have no time for boys especially a boy from that school. College boys are only going to use you, and then leave for something or someone better when their schooling is over.”
Crossing my arms, I sighed heavily. I’d heard this speech before from my father. When my brother and I were little, my mother was a stay at home mom. After she earned her degree at the University of Florida, she left us to pursue her Ph.D. and quite possibly to escape my father, who was on the controlling side.
“Dad, it’s just a date!” I protested.