Hard to Catch: A Bad Boy Sports Romance (The Beasts of Baseball Book 3)

by Alice Ward

“I’ve learned most baseball players are liars,” she said calmly.

  “Not all. What about your dad?” I asked with a smile.

  Sadness washed over her face for a second. She quickly smiled, removing any trace of dismay from her expression, but I saw it. It was there. What was that about?

  “You’re right. Dad is amazing,” she declared.

  “Well?” I asked, extending my hand to hers.

  She shook her head. Damn, this girl was tough. I loved it.

  “You’re no angel,” she said with a hint of sarcasm.

  “Nope. I’m a Beast. What does that have to do with a dance?” I laughed.

  She made me nervous. Something about her made me want to try harder to be good. I wanted her to see I was a good man, not a cocky baseball player, the daredevil that the tabloids portrayed, but a good man.

  “I know about you and Whitney.”

  I leaned back in my seat, stared into her eyes, searching for whatever she had floating around in her mind. What did she think?

  “Calvin and Whitney weren’t together when I dated her. And, in case you’ve forgotten, Calvin was the jerk in that scenario, not me.”

  The jukebox changed pace, playing “Promise” by Ciara. Her face softened, her body relaxed as the tune played in the background.

  “You know I was offered a million dollars for that story. I didn’t take it. I don’t kiss and tell,” I insisted and extended my hand once more. Her eyes lingered on my offered hand for a moment before finally reaching out to accept. “You’re safe with me.”

  I led her to the dance floor without her protesting. Her body was so tense, so frigid it sent chills to my spine. Her scent was sweet, a vanilla mixture with what I thought could be lavender. My dick swelled even with the chilliness she was sending my direction. I spun her around, dipped her back and there it was, that smile. That beautiful smile.

  When I pulled her back into my arms, her body had relaxed, her ice melting away like I’d just dipped her in lava. I wondered when she’d had fun last, or if she ever truly had before.

  “I have to go. It’s getting late,” she said sweetly as she pulled away from me. She walked back to the bar, gathered her things, and gripped her phone.

  “Is your car outside?” I asked.

  She shook her head. “The driver is off duty until morning.”

  “Let me call you cab and escort you back.” My offer was genuine, even though I wouldn’t complain if more were to come of it.

  Her tongue slowly slid across her lips and her eyes dropped to my mouth. I wanted to lean in and kiss her right there. I knew she wanted it too. “No, thank you. I’ll catch a cab.”

  My jeans felt uncomfortable as I watched her walk out of the door. I really wished I’d worn the looser ones. None of the guys seemed to notice the sexual tension brewing between us as I stepped back into reality.

  She was gone. I didn’t want to drink with the guys. I didn’t want to wait any longer. I knew she wanted me. It was obvious the way she looked at me. No, I wasn’t staying here and wondering anymore. I was going after her. Maybe if I rushed, I could catch her in the lobby before she made it to her room. For what I didn’t know, but I had to find out.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Katrina

  My body ached as I slid into the backseat of the cab. I was there to observe, to make sure the guys didn’t get into any trouble. I wasn’t there for my own personal pleasures. “No fraternizing with the players,” Lana had said, and her words stuck in my mind.

  Still, my body had been awakened. Todd was smooth, seductive, and even though he came on strong, it still felt gentle. I knew I hadn’t done a very good job hiding my attraction to him. Hell, I was certain I hadn’t hidden it at all.

  “Stop here, please,” I told the driver, motioning to a video store I’d seen on the way to the bar earlier.

  The car pulled into the dimly-lit parking lot, and before the driver could get out to open my door, I was already outside. “I’ll call when I’m finished.”

  I looked around the empty streets and then into the store. A cab drove by, but the store appeared to be empty. Perfect. I knew this wasn’t just an ordinary video store, the three bright red neon X’s told me that.

  My body tingled all over, my pussy swelling between my legs. I needed relief from the sexual tension Todd had created. His cologne still lingered on me from where he'd held me so close. Damn, I wanted to kiss him. Why didn’t I kiss him?

  The door alerted the attendant of my entry, and I tensed, made quick eye contact, then scampered to the back of the store. The wall was lined with packages containing a variety of different toys. Cocks molded in all different shapes and sizes. My mind wandered to Todd, wondering which one was the closest match to what he held between his legs. His tightened jeans on the airplane had made it clear he was packing something larger than average. My fingers ran across the packages, stopping on one named "Mega Meat" and lingered there for a moment. It was pink, large, and had thick veins molded into the shaft. I couldn’t believe how realistic it was, and after wrapping my hand around the sample displayed near the package, I couldn’t believe how realistic it felt.

  “May I suggest a more natural feeling one?” The voice startled me, and I nearly jumped out of my skin, quickly turning to find Todd standing there with a smirk on his face.

  Oh God!

  I tried to cover my face from embarrassment, but the large dildo I held in my hand nearly poked me in the eye.

  I couldn’t speak. I was frozen in my spot, curious as to why he was here, how he knew I was here, and what in the hell I was going to do now. What do you say to someone after you almost jab your eye out with a large rubber dick?

  He smiled. His demeanor seemed calm. Amused, but calm. He took the dildo from my hand and placed it carefully back on the shelf. I wanted to run from the store, from Todd, from my new job. This wasn’t professional at all. How could I ever look him in the eye after this?

  His hand clasped around my arm gently, and he tugged me toward the next row. “I believe that masturbation for women should be more of a sensual tease.”

  Please God, send lightening through this roof and just kill me now.

  “This is one of my favorite toys,” he continued, picking up what looked like a prickly ball. “You roll this all over your body. The tiny nubs stimulate your nerve endings. You’d be surprised how many nonsexual parts of your body are erogenous zones.”

  Please show me, I wanted to scream, to beg. Instead, I pressed my thighs together for some much needed relief.

  “Handcuffs?” he asked, holding a pair of pink furry cuffs in his hand.

  I was mortified, but… something else. Excited? Desperate?

  “Okay, we’ll keep them for me to play with.” He grinned, and I wanted to sink my tongue into his dimple.

  He took a step closer to me, his lips touching my ear. “I think masturbation is much more fun with someone helping.”

  I laughed. Or maybe it was a sob. Or maybe a desperate plea. Whatever it was, it was involuntary, my nerves on the brink of near collapse.

  Todd Morris was holding a vibrator, one I’d have to admit I was curious to play with, a pair of handcuffs, and talking about helping me masturbate. I was pretty certain this was what Lana had told me not to do while here.

  His smile was warm, but his eyes remained hungry as they penetrated into my soul. “I was just looking for a simple toy,” I whispered, hoping to defuse this steamy situation.

  “A simple toy? You were holding onto a donkey dick when I arrived.” Todd moved down the aisle, tugging my hand in his as he walked.

  “It’s a good thing I got here when I did. You may have been ruined for all men after a night with Mega Meat.” His laughter somehow calmed me. He was right. The dildo was big, too big.

  “I had the perfect one at home,” I said, shocked that I was lightening up around him, especially in this store. He made it easy.

  “It’s not about penetration. It’s about the anticipa
tion of penetration,” he said softly. Oh God!

  My panties were sticking to my delicate skin. Every step I took created a friction against my swollen flesh that brought me closer and closer to orgasm.

  “Why didn’t you bring your perfect toy?” he asked, looking genuinely interested.

  I giggled, then clamped my mouth shut to stop the silly noise. “Fear of airport security.”

  His eyes widened, his lips curled into a delicious smile, and he shook his head gently as I could only imagine he played the scenario of my bags being searched at the airport in his head.

  “Lube?” he asked, lifting a tube of strawberry-flavored oil from the shelf.

  I shook my head.

  “I’m sure you taste better,” he teased, but his voice was a low growl.

  The thought of Todd’s tongue between my legs sent electricity through my veins. My breathing became shallow and winded as my body tensed with sexual excitement. I needed to get out of here, away from him. He was trouble. I'd known that from the start.

  What are you doing, Katrina?

  “This would look amazing on you.” Todd picked up a silky blue piece of lingerie. White lace trimmed the skimpy outfit. Snaps at the crotch provided easy access.

  “I love the snaps,” he pointed out.

  I did too.

  “You need to relax. You were having so much fun at the bar,” he said, curling a finger around a curl that had escaped my bun.

  “I’m relaxed,” I lied, then blew out the breath I’d been holding.

  His eyes penetrated mine. I couldn’t help but smile, then those damned giggles escaped my throat. I was relaxed, sort of. I was having fun.

  “We’ll take these.” Todd handed the lingerie, the handcuffs, and the prickly vibrating ball to the clerk. He pulled out his wallet, paid for the items, and pointed to the back room. “What’s back there?”

  “Private. Members only,” the clerk said with a thick accent.

  “How much to become a member?” Todd asked.

  “Fifty dollars. One year.”

  Todd didn’t flinch. He pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and handed it to the clerk. “We’ll check it out.”

  I stood on my tiptoes, trying to see what he was talking about. I saw a sign: The Back Room.

  The clerk pulled two cards from the register, handing them to Todd. “Want to check it out with me?” he asked.

  My eyes had been burning holes into the floor, not wanting to look up and make eye contact with the clerk. I was still embarrassed. I had never been in a place like this before. My sex toys came from a party my friend threw, and were purchased in her private, very luxurious pool house. This was not private at all. I had no idea what was behind those doors marked "Private" or if I truly wanted to find out.

  “Please?” Todd asked, batting his thick eyelashes in my direction.

  Fuck.

  I swallowed hard, trying to force my heart back into my chest. “Okay, but just to check it out. Not to stay.”

  He picked up the bag of items he'd purchased and slid his free hand around mine, linking our fingers together. My clit pulsated against my panties as we touched. His smile was so delicious, so dangerously sexy I knew I couldn’t say no to him much longer.

  He pushed open the doors with his shoulder, handed our cards to a large man who sat on a white leather covered stool. “Stay as long as you like,” he said and motioned us through another set of doors. The tile floors were so shiny they sparkled against the warm lights hung on the wall of the long corridor. A strong scent of lavender filled the room, and it somehow reminded me of the spa I used to frequent in Atlanta when I had money.

  What was this place? I was looking for the special toys, the movies, and possibly even a peep show or strip club to be inside. But as we walked down a long, narrow corridor toward pulsating music, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

  My grip tightened on Todd’s hand. “What is this?”

  He shrugged his shoulders. It was obvious by his expression he wasn’t entirely sure either. The long hallway finally ended, dropping us into a large, round room with a stage and several tables surrounding a dance floor. My jaw dropped as my eyes rested on the couple on the stage. A woman with long red hair was spread out on a cushiony mattress. Her body was magnificent, fully nude. The man standing above her held a burning candle, dripping the wax onto her skin, leaving red marks from the heat before the wax dried. I watched her squirm, contort toward the flame, and almost beg for the painful pleasure. My hand loosened from Todd’s, moved quickly to my mouth to cover the shocked look on my face.

  “A sex club?” Todd said, sounding more like he was asking a question than making a statement. A deep chuckle sounded from his lips, then he gripped my free hand, tugging me toward a table.

  “Did you know?” I asked.

  “That this was a sex club? No. I just came in here because I saw your cab drop you off.”

  The music was so loud it vibrated my skin. I stared into Todd’s eyes as we took a seat at the table near the front of the stage. It was exciting. I was excited. But, I still wasn’t sure I wanted him to know that.

  He sat the bag of toys on the table. Their presence teased me. My pussy twitched at the thought of Todd using the handcuffs on me and rolling the vibrator around my skin. I was eager to learn where my erogenous zones were, the ones he'd told me I had no idea about. Yes, I wanted to be here. Just as much as Todd. He was right. I needed to relax.

  Todd’s eyes remained on me, even with the sexual atmosphere surrounding us. Mine wandered. The image of the naked woman on stage, her pussy open for all to see, and the man dripping hot wax so close to her delicate flesh was stirring a variety of emotions inside of me. I’d never been anywhere like this. I’d never seen anything like this before. People danced to the music, lost in their own worlds. Some dressed, some not so dressed. It was bizarre but exciting.

  Todd’s hand rested on my leg, the weight of it somehow making me relax. The tingling in my skin from anxiety calmed with his touch, arousing a new kind of sensation between my legs. “Let’s dance,” he said, standing from his seat.

  My leg instantly missed the warmth of his hand. I shook my head. I could feel my cheeks turning red with heat. Watching was one thing. Participating was another.

  He gripped my hand, not taking no for an answer, and pulled me up from my chair. “One dance,” he insisted. God, that dimple was back. I’d marry that dimple if I could.

  He led me to the dance floor. His arms wrapped around my body, pulling me in tight against his hard chest. The tightness in his jeans that I’d admired on the plane returned and his cock pressed into the soft flesh of my belly. I was lost in his scent, his touch, his sexuality. Everyone in the room disappeared, and it was just me and Todd on that dance floor as he swayed me back and forth.

  My body reacted to his touch. His hands gripped my ass cheeks, my body lifted toward his. His hips rocked into me, my hips grinding with the same motion. It was as if I’d become his puppet, following his every move on the floor.

  I looked up and into his eyes. They were so blue they made my heart ache to stare into them. His lips were so full, so eager to taste me. All I wanted was to taste him.

  “Can I kiss you, Katrina?” he asked softly.

  My nipples tightened against my blouse just as my fingers dug into his skin. I nodded, wanting his lips against mine more than anything.

  His eyes narrowed as he lowered his mouth to me. I lifted up onto my tippy-toes to meet him halfway. I didn’t want to close my eyes. I wanted to watch this beautiful man kiss me. I wanted to watch his lips part, his eyes flicker behind his lids. I didn’t want to miss a thing.

  Instantly, my body released a wave of electricity as our lips met. The kiss was more than expected, filled with emotion, passion, and desire I hadn’t thought possible. My arms wrapped around his neck, my fingers slid into his short, groomed hair, and my body pressed hard against his erection. Wow, just fuckin’ wow!

  CHAPTER NINE

>   Todd

  My dick felt like it was going to rip the denim away from it with one more pulse. I pulled back from Katrina, stared into her eyes, and hoped she felt the same strong chemistry I had with that kiss. That amazing fuckin’ kiss!

  Her eyes looked dazed and full of confusion. Yes, she felt it too.

  I hadn’t realized I’d backed her from the dance floor and up against a wall. Our mouths had locked together, our bodies melted into one, and everything, everyone else disappeared.

  “Excuse me.” A man in a white suit tapped me on the shoulder.

  I still hadn’t spoken, neither had Katrina.

  “Yes,” I said quickly, suddenly worried that maybe we’d crossed a line here or something, although I couldn’t imagine how a kiss could be offensive in this place.

  “I couldn’t help but notice the strong sexual tension between you two. Would you be interested in renting one of our special rooms?” he asked.

  Relief flooded over me, but then a new tension arrived. A special room? Like a fuck room? My eyes stared into Katrina’s. Her lips were still parted, her breathing still labored. Damn, she was so fuckin’ sexy.

  “Would you?” I asked, softly, fearing that I was overstepping.

  Her eyes sparkled against the lights circling the dance floor. I watched carefully as her lips curled into a smile, and she barely nodded. Was that a yes? Holy shit!

  “Yes. We’d like that,” I replied to the man.

  His smile was welcoming, putting both Katrina and myself at ease. I’d spent time in sex clubs before, but never with a woman as classy as Katrina. I couldn’t believe she was agreeing to stay here with me, to experiment something I knew was too far out of her comfort zone to even comprehend. I wanted to ask her if she was sure but feared she might change her mind. I’d take her home if she panicked once we were in the room. I loved pushing her past her limits, but only if she wanted me to.

  The man motioned for us to follow him up a winding staircase and down a long wooden hallway. He opened a set of blue doors, revealing the special room he had to offer. It was wildly sexy, filled with a variety of toys, lotions, and contraceptives. I looked toward Katrina, who was now searching the room with panicked eyes. Maybe she wasn’t ready for this. This was too much. I'd pushed too hard, too fast.