Through the thick tears gathering in Wendy’s eyes, she no longer saw Teri or the red notebook that had been her lifeline. She saw the nurse, with those fierce black eyes, urging her to push, push, even though it hurt. “Calista,” she whispered. “Calista adopted you.”
“Yes. She did.”
Thank God. She’d begged the kind obstetrics nurse to help her baby. But she hadn’t known what would happen after she snuck out of the hospital. All she’d known was that she had to leave or Manuel would find her. And that she had to get far, far away from that baby if the little scrap of life was to have any chance of survival. From the day she got pregnant, she’d known she couldn’t keep her child. A baby couldn’t survive life with Manuel once he got into drugs. She’d barely survived.
“I’m…I’m glad you came. So glad.” Sticky tears made her eyes sting. “And you’re so beautiful. So tall. All grown up. Happy.”
“Never see much reason not to be,” Teri said in a plucky sort of way that seemed to be her natural manner.
“Would you…would you like some breakfast? How long are you planning to…that is…” God, this was so surreal. She had no idea where to start. What did Teri want from her? What didn’t she want? She put her hand to her chest, where her heart seemed to be going into palpitations.
“I don’t have much of a plan. I didn’t expect to find you so quick. And, well, my mama, Calista, was hoping that if I found you, we could call her. But yeah, I can always eat.”
“Of course. Of course. Let me just do something first.” She spotted her work smartphone on the charger she kept in the living room and scanned through her appointments. Nothing very important. She sent a text to her assistant saying she was taking the day off and to cancel all her appointments. She had to send it twice, because her new assistant was a disaster compared to Sadie Merritt, who’d left and married an up-and-coming pitcher.
That done, she returned to Teri, who was surveying the very impersonal display of photos in the living room. She took a deep breath. Her life hadn’t taught her to believe in miracles, but what else could this be? Never had she imagined that she’d get this opportunity.
“Teri, I’d like to invite you to stay with me for as long as you like. I’d love to get to know you. But if that’s not what you want, I will understand. You won’t hurt my feelings.”
No, it would break her heart. But no need to pressure Teri with that information.
“Yeah,” said Teri slowly. “That would be okay. I’d like to know you more. Just so you know, I’m not mad that you left me. My mama told me how you protected your belly. She says you saved my life before I was even born.”
At the cost of a fractured arm and three broken ribs, yes. That was true. It was also true that baby Teri had probably saved Wendy’s life. Her pregnancy had gotten her to the hospital. From the hospital, she’d been able to make her move toward freedom.
“What’s your favorite breakfast?” she asked Teri, leading her toward the kitchen. “Eggs, pancakes, sausage…you name it, I’ll make it. You should fuel up because I’m going to ask you a million questions. I want to know everything. What subjects do you like in school? What are your friends like? What sort of music do you like? What’s your favorite thing to do?”
“That one’s pretty easy.” Teri laughed. “I like baseball.”
Wendy put a hand to her forehead. Somewhere, she just knew, Crush was laughing his ass off.
Chapter Four
The next morning, Teri went for a run while Wendy was making breakfast. They’d passed an amazing day together. Teri had a kind of innocence and can-do spirit that Wendy just adored. She loved Snapchat, baseball, and scary movies, though not in that order. She ate with exuberance, and liked to dance. She had a bunch of cousins in Brownsville whom she loved.
One of Teri’s first questions was if she had any half-siblings.
“No, I never had any other children,” Wendy had told her. “After I left Brownsville, I vowed to find another way to contribute. I mentor many girls and do a lot of fundraising for women’s programs. I’ll never marry again.”
“Never marry?” Teri seemed shocked.
“Does that seem strange?”
“Well, you’re still really pretty.”
“Thank you,” Wendy answered drily, that “still” making her feel old. “But I prefer to stay focused on other parts of life.” To show what she meant, she took Teri to City Hall to show off her office. They agreed to introduce Teri as a young relative from out of town. Their real relationship was no one’s business, and Teri didn’t want to disrespect Calista.
Maybe the best moment had been when they’d called Calista, which had resulted in a three-way crying session. Wendy thanked her over and over again for raising Teri. Seeing Teri so healthy and happy lifted a huge burden from her shoulders—a burden she’d carried ever since she’d fled the hospital. The last year with Manuel had been so horrific she’d done everything possible to escape the past. And she’d known without a doubt that her baby would be safer with someone else. But to actually see Teri all grown up and doing so well—it was like a miracle.
Teri had been out of the house only a few moments when someone pounded on the door in a now-familiar manner. Crush. Of course.
Wendy took a longing glance at her Remington before opening the door. Sadly, headlines would be made if a mayor aimed a 12-gauge at a Hall of Fame pitcher. “Crush, for goodness’ sake, why don’t you call or come by the…hey!”
This time, Crush didn’t give her a chance to bar him from her house. He strode right in as if he belonged there. He’d showered, shaved, and changed clothes since yesterday. All big, giant pluses. And that aftershave he used, spicy and manly, made her knees weak. His bright hazel gaze seemed to penetrate right through her and light a spark somewhere in the region of her lower belly. She fought against the attraction with all her might. “Get out of my house.”
“I was invited.”
“I don’t recall inviting anyone, let alone you.”
He showed her his phone then read aloud, “Please come to Wendy’s house at 7:30 this morning. Teri.”
“Teri went for a run.”
“I know. She wanted to leave us alone. I need to talk to you. On her behalf.”
Wendy threw up her hands and headed back to the kitchen. “What is it with you and her? She won’t let me say one bad thing about you. And I could say a million.”
“Teri is a very intelligent and perceptive young woman,” Crush said, following her into the kitchen. “She gets it from you, I assume.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because no intelligent and perceptive man would ever leave you alone at a hospital.”
If that wasn’t a blatant dig for information…
Wendy shot him a warning glance over the bowl of eggs she was whipping for omelets. “I’m warning you, Crush. I am never, ever going to say one word about Teri’s father. Ever. Not to her, and definitely not to you.” She plastered on a sugar-sweet smile. “Now that we’ve established the ground rules, what did you want to talk about?”
Something like admiration gleamed in his eyes. “You are one tough mamacita. I can see why Teri wanted me to approach you about our plan.”
“Plan? She hasn’t mentioned anything about a plan. She said she doesn’t have a plan.”
“I’m hoping to change that. You want her to stick around for a while, I take it. If so, you should like this plan.”
It was ridiculous, but Wendy felt almost betrayed that her daughter—a stranger until yesterday—would be making plans with Crush rather than with her. She poured the eggs into a pan and spread them evenly across the hot surface. “I knew you must be up to something. Whatever it is, it can’t be good for her. It’s all about you.”
“So young, yet so cynical. Too many years in politics, I suppose.”
She gritted her teeth, wishing he didn’t have quite such a knack for getting under her skin. “The plan?”
“I want to work with her. Tr
ain her. Then I want to arrange a private tryout with the Friars. I want her on the Catfish.”
“What?” In her shock, she knocked her omelet pan off the stove and had to jump to avoid the hot liquid egg. She grabbed a handful of paper towels and stabbed at the spill. “The Catfish? Why?”
“Because she can do it. I’ve seen her pitch and she’s incredible. She’s got so much raw talent, and hardly any training. If she tried out right now, she’d probably impress them enough to try her out in Single A. That’s not what we want. We want Triple A. If I work with her over the next six weeks, I think I can get her there. Do you know that there’s never been a woman on a Major League-affiliated Triple A baseball team? Double A, sure. But Triple A is one level away from the Major Leagues. If she makes it onto the Catfish and does well, who knows? First woman on a Major League baseball team. Imagine that, Wendy. Think how incredible that would be, but it doesn’t even have to go that far. First female member of an affiliated Triple A team, that’s something for the history books.”
“Baseball has history books?”
He gave an incredulous double take as she tossed her slimy paper towels in the trash. “You can’t possibly be that sports-challenged.”
“I have better things to think about.”
“But this is about Teri. She’s a baseball player, through and through. You have to admit I know baseball and I know players. I see a talent that deserves to shine. She belongs in baseball. She wants this. But she’s afraid of what you’ll think, so she wanted me to approach you. I told her she should do what she wants, Wendy Trent be damned. But she’s your guest, so here I am.”
Wendy gave up on the whole concept of omelets and stuck the steaming pan into the sink. “How am I supposed to know anything about this? Why me? I’m not her…well, I suppose I am her…” She couldn’t say the word “mother” because it didn’t seem to fit. “I’m more like her aunt, or her mentor.”
“Right, that works. You mentor a lot of girls, right?”
She wondered how he knew that. But that part didn’t seem important right now. Crush was still talking. “Didn’t you tell me that I set the women’s movement back fifty years just by existing? You should give me a chance to change my ways. Prove that I’m not a caveman.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Wait, is this some elaborate way of getting me into bed?”
He took a step closer and ran the back of his hand down her cheek. Her treacherous body shivered at the touch. “Oh, my sweet, razor-tongued Wendy. I admit that I’d love to have you in my bed. Say the word and we’ll go.”
Unbelievably, she swayed toward him, like a snake toward a snake-charmer, drawn by his bright eyes and mesmerizing voice. Keeping up her cool-as-ice facade around him was getting harder and harder.
But she had to try. “Crush, it’s just baseball. It’s a game. No offense, but who really cares?”
“Baseball is not just a game. It’s the American pastime. It’s history. When Jackie Robinson integrated baseball, it was a huge deal, and not just for sports fans. It’s symbolic. People will care. Believe me. On both sides. Where Crush Taylor goes, others will follow. Hell, they’re about to put me in the Hall of Fame. People will pay attention if the Catfish bring on a female player.”
“Would she be safe? How much controversy would there be? I’m used to it, but she’s only twenty-one.”
“It’s hard to say. If she’s as good as I think, maybe not too much. And I’ll be right there with her. And so will the Catfish. They’re a little rowdy but they have good hearts. If she’s got the goods, they’ll back her up. And you’ll be with her too. Who’s going to mess with the mayor’s daughter?”
Her heart sank and she turned back to the carton of eggs. “Well, about that…”
Crush spared her from having to spell it out. “You don’t intend to tell anyone?”
“No. I don’t.” It suddenly occurred to her that he might have let the news slip to someone. “Did you…have you…”
“Of course not. But how’s she going to feel if you keep it a secret?”
That stung. She whirled around to face him again and found him closer than she’d expected. He loomed over her, all lean strength and penetrating eyes. She gave him a little shove on the chest. The hard muscles there seemed to brand her palms with heat. “What are you, Mr. Sensitive? As far as she’s concerned, she has parents, real ones who raised her. She came here to satisfy her curiosity, that’s all. We agree that we won’t tell anyone. It’s a mutual choice. We’re treating each other as extended family members.”
He threw up his hands in self-defense. “I’m not judging, Wendy. I don’t know the situation. Who am I to judge, anyway? Three ex-wives and four kids later, it’s safe to say I don’t know what I’m doing.”
But for some reason, she couldn’t keep her composure this close to him. Or maybe it was all the emotion of her reunion with Teri overflowing.
“I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking I’m being selfish. That I should put her needs first, and that it’s the least I could do after being absent for her entire childhood, even though you don’t know the first thing about it.” She shoved him again and he caught her wrists in his hands. “You have no idea what I went through just so she could grow up safe. That’s all I ever wanted, and now you want to throw her out to the wolves and all those horrible sportswriters and commentators. I can just hear all their nasty, mean jokes already. But you’re thinking I shouldn’t let things like that get to me, that I should be used to it as a woman in a public position. That I should let Teri follow her own wishes and not let my fears get in her way. That’s what you’re thinking, aren’t you?”
She ran out of steam and stood panting in the circle of his arms. Because at some point during her speech, he’d wrapped his arms around her. The warmth of his body engulfed her with an unfamiliar feeling. Safety. And something else. Arousal. He gazed down at her with such an intent expression that her breath caught in her throat.
“None of that is what I’m thinking,” he said, his voice gruff.
“It isn’t?” she whispered.
“No. This is what I was thinking.” He dipped his head and claimed her mouth with his.
It wasn’t a fierce, aggressive kiss, or a gentle one. It was firm and decisive. It was the kiss of a man who knew who he was and what he wanted. His lips parted hers with authority and his tongue swept inside, bringing fire and lightning to every nerve ending in her system. She moaned as he dug his hands into her hair and massaged the bones of her skull.
“Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to mess up this hair of yours?”
Dimly, she realized she was going to have to rework her entire do. But the hell if that mattered at the moment. She flung her arms around him, drawing him closer, closer. She let her tongue duel greedily with his. She let her desire show in every hungry moan. A sort of heedless frenzy swept through her. It had been so long since she’d let herself be bad. She was always so careful to protect her image.
With Crush, she could be bad. He relished bad, gloried in bad.
She rubbed her body against his in a shameless way she normally never allowed herself. But with Crush, there was no holding back. The friction of her nipples against his hard chest made her want to cry, it felt so good. He unbuttoned her silk blouse with deft fingers, managing it in about half the time it took her.
“You’re good,” she whispered as he filled his hands with her breasts, still encased in their oyster-pink padded cups.
“You’re spectacular,” he whispered back. “Magnificent.”
He ran the pads of his thumbs across the lace edge of her bra, skimming the flesh just above. She shuddered at the teasing sensation. He sure knew how to move, how to taste and tease. She had the sense of being taken care of by a master. This man knew what he was doing when it came to women.
With his head bent over her and that hot stare, his effect on her was electrifying. She couldn’t get enough of his touch. She arched back, pushing h
er breasts into his hands. She craved the sensation of those rough palms shaping her, cradling her, appreciating her. For the first time in much too long, she felt lusted after. His attention was like an aphrodisiac. She wanted more, much more.
When he brushed his thumbs across the tips of her nipples, she nearly came out of her skin. “Oh, sweet Jesus,” she groaned. It felt so good, so rough and hot and just-what-she-needed. She wanted to get naked, she wanted to get down and dirty, right here with Crush Taylor, right now.
He gave an unsteady laugh. “Did I just hear our ice queen mayor swear?”
“Just shut up,” she said fiercely, running her hands across the bulge in the front of his jeans. “Shut up or I’ll hurt you. No one is ever going to know about this, right?”
“Know about what?” he asked innocently. He slid his hands inside the cups of her bra to reach the soft undersides of her breasts. Squeezing them together, he bent his head to her right nipple and surrounded it in a warm suckle that made her gasp. “Know that you’re a passionate, sensual woman behind that blow-dried facade? Know that you’re so sexy I can’t stop thinking about you? That the more I touch you, the more I want you?” Between each statement, he tugged on her nipple, turning it wet and hard and aching. An electric cord of sensation sparked to life between her nipples and her sex.
Her knees wobbling, she clutched at his arms. He walked her backwards until she hit the butcher block island in the middle of the kitchen. He shoved aside a fruit basket and her day planner. “Hold on to the counter,” he told her in a gruff voice.
Hands shaking, she gripped the edge on either side of her body. Her blouse hung open, her bra was askew, her nipples glistening from his kisses. She felt gloriously dirty and naughty. He stepped between her legs and pressed his oh-so-obvious erection against the place that cried out for contact. She arched back, moaning, and moved her hips in a slow grind against his arousal.
“Oh, fuck,” he ground out. “You’re killing me.” He put his hands next to hers and leaned over her, dragging the button fly of his jeans across her mound, which throbbed under the fabric of her suit. “I could come right here on this counter. But first I want to make you come. I want my mouth on you, my hands in your panties, my tongue on your clit.”
Crushing It: A Love Between the Bases Novella Page 3
