Free Contingency Plan by Fiona Davenport

Chapter 1
Brysen
    M y life had always been about adrenaline, the high of winning, of being a champion. The women, the parties, the fame—I lived a fantasy. So what the hell was I doing looking at a house in a suburb of upstate New York?
    Climbing out of my Lamborghini, the one thing I’d kept from my old life, I winced at the twinge in my shoulder and remembered the answer to my question. I’d severely injured it during the final game of the playoffs, thus ending my career in professional football. I sighed and ignored the ache as I approached the modern structure in front of me. The house was exactly what I was looking for: eight thousand square feet with five bedrooms, six baths, an indoor pool, gym, and over two acres of land. It had everything, and for the four million dollar price tag, it fucking should.
    After I’d been injured, I’d called up my best friend, Maddie, who had moved to this neighborhood about a year ago when her husband, Caleb, had surprised her with a house after he’d knocked her up but before he proposed. She’d given me the information for her realtor and told me to move out of my condo in the city, buy a house, and “settle my ass down”. I’d never been one to wallow in what could have been. I was already focused on the future, but my vision didn’t include being tied down with a wife and kids. However, the few times I’d seen Maddie and Caleb with their daughter, Sadie, I’d felt a thread of envy.
    I’d joined a couple business ventures in the city, but was bored out of my mind, so I decided to take her advice. Maybe finding the right house, complete with a doting wife and baby, would assuage my restlessness. The thought almost had me laughing hysterically. I’m not sure I knew who I was at that moment, but it wasn’t the Brysen Mariano I’d been a year ago.
    After seeing the house on the website, I immediately contacted the realtor and booked an appointment to walk through it. I hadn’t met her yet, but it didn’t matter much who showed me the house, as long as they were able to handle the sale. Another car was sitting inside one of the bays of the four-car garage, so I assumed she was already there.
    Before I reached the first step, the door swung open and the gorgeous woman who greeted me struck me speechless. Her long, satiny hair was almost black, flowing down her back in waves. A pair of black-rimmed glasses perched on a cute nose sprinkled with light freckles surrounded dark, expressive eyes. Her lips, rose-colored, wide and full, inspired me to think of endless creative uses for them. She smiled and held out her hand. “Elisa Young. You must be Brysen Mariano.” Her voice was low and husky, the perfect pitch to scream my name. At that moment, I was immensely grateful to be wearing a loose pair of jeans.
    Still unable to speak, I nodded and forced a smile on my face before taking her hand. A sizzle at the touch of our skin had both our eyes widening in shock. Elisa snatched her hand back and I had to fight the instinct to keep it firmly gripped in mine.
    Suddenly, that image from before became real. The house was in front of me, the wife now had a face, and the baby...well, I’d get to that as soon as I had a ring on her elegant finger. I quickly gained my equilibrium and put my game face on.
    “It’s great to finally meet you, Elisa.” Her name rolled off my tongue like smooth silk and I suppressed a gleeful smile when her beautiful brown eyes darkened a shade. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.”
    She inclined her head in acknowledgment and stepped back to allow me entrance. After closing the door, she led me into a circular reception area and living room, then down a hall to the kitchen. Her hips swayed seductively and I didn’t even try to pry my gaze away from her sweetly rounded ass. Maybe I’d ask for a second appointment so I’d have more time to enjoy the view.
    She guided me through the entire house, pointing out amenities along the way,