In It to Win It

by Ella Jade

  “I hope so.” He kissed her, slowly at first, but the longer the connection continued the more her need for him intensified. “If we keep this up, we’ll be at it again.”

  “I’m not complaining.” She hitched her leg over his waist. “I was wondering what’s taking so long?”

  “What’s the matter? You didn’t get enough of me earlier?”

  “I’m not sure I’ll ever get enough of you.”

  “Hmm...” He trailed his hand down her side, rubbing her skin. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”

  Reaching between them, she took his length in her hand and pumped him slowly. When he moaned into her mouth she was encouraged to continue. Moving her palm up and down, she tightened her hold on his fully erect cock.

  “Fuck!” His voice was low. “If you keep that up, I’m going to make a mess in your hand.” He reached back and grabbed a condom from the nightstand. As she continued to work him, he ripped open the packet. “I love your enthusiasm, but let’s get to the good stuff.” He sheathed himself in the latex. “There are so many ways I want to take you, but I like looking into those spectacular eyes of yours.”

  “They’re brown and boring.” When she was a teenager she’d gotten green colored contacts because she thought it would make her more alluring. Instead, she ended up looking possessed.

  “There’s nothing boring about you.” He slipped his hand between them. “When I look into your eyes I see a beautiful soul. One I want to get to know more than I’ve ever wanted to know anyone else.” Moving her closer to him, he pushed inside her, sliding deep and slow. “We’re connecting on an intimate level now, but each time I take you I feel more than I thought possible.”

  “Jed.” She closed her eyes and let the sensation of his leisurely actions take control. “Yes,” she moaned. “I feel it too.”

  “Open your eyes,” he quietly commanded. “Let me see your pleasure.”

  She did as he requested, staring intently at him as his jaw tensed. When he kissed her softly her stomach tightened as a burning ache pulsed between her legs. The encounters they’d shared earlier had been fueled with a hasty desire. His thrusts had been hard and relentless, bringing her to a fast and delicious release. This interaction was different. No less intense, but the connection was moving to another level. Like he said, there was more to them than sex. She’d only known him a day, but she’d never experienced such a rush with anyone.

  “Ride me.” He rolled onto his back, lifting her on top of him. “Like that.”

  She drove her pelvis down, plunging onto his cock, allowing it to fill her completely. Sliding his hands up, he cupped her breasts, pinching her nipples as she bounced up and down.

  “Beautiful,” he murmured. “I could fuck you all night.”

  “You might get your wish.” She smirked down at him as she leaned back, placing her palms on his rigid thighs. Throwing her head back, she tossed her hair to the side and let instinct take over.

  “Harder,” he yelled as he took a firm hold of her hips. “Shit...”

  The building in her core exploded into a long, hard release. Her heartbeat echoed between her ears as he pulled her down to his chest, frantically moving his lower half as he emptied into the condom. The warmth of his fluids filled her with satisfaction. Their erratic breathing began to calm as he stroked her back from the base of her neck to the top of her backside.

  “I’m in town for the next ten days.” He continued to rub her back in a long, slow motion. “I want to spend as much of it with you as possible.”

  “I’ll be in the stands, cheering you on at every game.”

  “Really?”

  “I’m your newest fan.”

  Chapter 7

  The Crushers home-stand was almost over. Frankie had been in the stands every game since her first one, learning more than she knew was possible about the game. The team was on a winning streak. Team parties and late nights at Bennet’s were inevitable. She was having the time of her life getting to know the Crushers and their wives and girlfriends. The family atmosphere they created reminded her of her own.

  During the last week, she and Jed were really getting to know one another. In between games and parties they spent much time hanging out, having quiet dinners at home, and spending the nights in each other’s beds.

  Frankie sat on the edge of Jed’s bed as he packed his bag for his next road trip. He wouldn’t be back to Kingston for almost two weeks. That was his job. She hadn’t realized just how attached she had become to him until she saw the suitcase.

  “What time do you leave tomorrow morning?”

  “Six.” He cringed. “Early flights suck, but coach wants us there all day tomorrow so we’re ready to play the following day. Travel days are low energy. What do you have planned for the next few days?”

  “Umm...maybe some gardening. I have a book I’d like to read. I could binge watch some shows.” As she spouted off her list she realized just how boring her life had become. “The usual.” She laughed, but it really wasn’t that amusing. She’d gotten used to being around Jed and the team. She liked sitting at the games rooting for her guy. “Of course, I’ll catch all your away games on TV too.”

  “I hope so.” He took a shopping bag from his closet. “I got this for you.” He handed her the bag. “You’ll need it when you’re watching the games.”

  “What is it?” She peeked inside to find a jersey. Pulling it out, she read Jed’s last name on the back with the number nine prominently displayed too. “Your jersey?”

  “It’s yours.” He sat down next to her. “I had it made for you. All the other guys’ wives and girls have them. I thought you’d want mine. You don’t have to wear it outside the house if you don’t want to.”

  “I want to.” She stared down at it, recalling all the feelings of young love. When the jock gave his girl his letter jacket or school ring to wear. She’d never been very outgoing as a teenager and didn’t have many steady relationships, but something told her that airy, giddy sensation in her head and stomach was close to what she would have felt had she had a high school sweetheart. “I love it. Thank you.”

  “I wasn’t sure if you’d think it was silly.”

  “Why would I think that?”

  “I don’t know.” When he shrugged, a boyish grin splashed across his perfect face. “We’re not in high school but we’re dating. I’ve never dated before, and I’m liking all the experiences we’re having.”

  “I was just thinking the same thing.”

  “So, you’ll wear it to my game on Saturday?”

  “Saturday?” She thought for a moment. “You’ll be in Florida on Saturday.”

  “I know.” He nodded toward the shopping bag. “There’s another part to that gift. It goes with the jersey.”

  She reached into the bag and removed an envelope. Carefully opening it, she saw a plane ticket and a travel itinerary. “This is for me?”

  “I assumed an awful lot, but if you agree, I want you to come on the road with me for the next two series. First Florida and then we head to New York. If you don’t want to go to both, then maybe just one?” He motioned toward the papers she held. “I’ve set up hotel, travel, and tickets to all the games. We have a little downtime in both cities, so I thought we could squeeze in a couple of sightseeing trips too. You could show me New York.”

  “You’ve put a lot of thought into this.”

  “Well, now that you’re such a baseball junkie you should visit as many stadiums as possible.”

  “I only want to go to those you’re playing in.”

  “Yeah?” He took her face between his hands. “You want to go with me?”

  “This is the sweetest gift anyone has ever given me.”

  “I wasn’t sure if you would think I was crazy. It’s just that I couldn’t imagine being away from you that many days.”

  “I know what you mean.” She brushed her lips along his mouth. “These past days have been some of the best of my life. I don’t w
ant to sound sappy, but I’m having so much fun.”

  “The fun’s just beginning.” He pushed her onto the bed. “Just wait until you do a road trip with the team. It’s crazy.”

  “As long as I’m with you I’ll be happy.”

  “You know what would make me happy?”

  “What?” She caressed his cheek. “Tell me.”

  “Seeing you in that jersey and nothing else.”

  “I can make that happen.” She sat up and slipped off the bed. “Any other requests?” She glanced down at his growing arousal. “I need to properly thank you for your generosity.”

  “Go get changed.” He pointed toward the bathroom. “I’ll finish packing, and then we’ll have the rest of the night for gratitude.”

  * * * *

  Frankie sat in the club box of the New York stadium as the Crushers tried to battle back from a two game losing streak. The fans of the opposing team weren’t happy when the visiting team scored the tying run. She had no idea just how passionate her hometown was about their team. She never paid any attention to that. She knew her dad, uncles, and cousins loved their team, but she didn’t care back then.

  “This is stressful,” she said to Rosalie. “How do you watch Holt pitch when so much is on the line?”

  “I just let him do his thing.” She popped a fry into her mouth. “They’re playing much better tonight. Now all we need is for Jed to hit one out of the park. That will really get the momentum going.”

  “He will.” Frankie nodded with confidence. “He’s so focused.”

  “You’re falling hard, sister.” Rosalie laughed. “Another player coming to the good side.”

  “What’s the good side?”

  “The romance side.” Rosalie wiped her hands and set the fry tray on the ground by her feet. “First Pax and then Nic, and thanks to me, Holt was tamed.” She shook her head. “That wasn’t an easy task. Believe me. Now you’ve stolen Jed’s heart.”

  “I don’t know about that.” Frankie and Jed were having a good time. She liked being with him. “We’re still new to this whole thing.”

  “Umm, you’re wearing his number on your back and you’re on the road with him. I’d say you’re his girl.”

  “I like hearing that.”

  “Sage made reservations at one of her favorite restaurants here in the city after the game. Do you and Jed want to join us?”

  “I’ll check with him, but I’m sure he’ll want to go. We don’t have plans tonight, but tomorrow I’m taking him to meet my family. He got them tickets for Saturday’s game, and my mother wants to cook him a big, Italian meal.”

  Frankie’s parents and uncles were excited to meet Jed. They’d told the whole neighborhood he was coming. Brooklyn could be tough when it came to their team, but Frankie was confident they’d welcome Jed. She’d grown up in a tight-knit community. The neighbors were always helping one another. Her mother kept requesting pictures of Jed and Frankie together. She was probably showing everyone she knew.

  “He’ll love that. He raves about your cooking.”

  “And I’m not half as good as my mom.”

  “See, you’re his girl.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re taking him home to meet the family. It doesn’t get more serious than that.”

  “We’re in town, so it made sense.”

  “Look.” Rosalie pointed to the batter’s box. “Jed’s up and the bases are loaded. You know what that means.”

  “I don’t want to jinx him.”

  “Jinx him? He told me you’re his good luck charm.”

  “He did?”

  “I told you romance was good.”

  Frankie sat on the edge of her seat, closing her eyes and saying a quick prayer that Jed hit the ball out of the park. She did that every time he was up to bat. It worked more than it didn’t. She knew it had more to do with Jed as an athlete, but it was her ritual and she didn’t want to screw anything up.

  Swing and a miss. The crowd cheered over his failure.

  “Come on, baby,” she whispered, trying not to look away as the pitcher released the second pitch.

  A ball. More booing and hissing came from the stands.

  “Good eye!” Rosalie shouted. “Wait for your pitch.”

  “This one is it.” Frankie held her breath as the pitcher let the ball go. “Oh!” She jumped out of her seat as the bat cracked the ball over the center fielder’s head. “Yes!”

  “He did it!” Rosalie hugged Frankie.

  “Oh boy!” Frankie clapped hard as Jed rounded the bases. “Maybe I should rethink taking him to the old neighborhood after that shot.”

  “Good luck with that!” Rosalie shook her head. “It looks like the Crushers have found their savior.”

  Frankie smiled with pride as Jed’s teammates ran out of the dugout and congratulated him. He was on a career high, and she was thrilled to be riding it out with him. In the midst of all the commotion, Jed managed to pull off his batting helmet and seek her out in the crowd. When he gave her a thumbs-up, her heart fluttered.

  Chapter 8

  As Jed came out of his house, he saw a silver Porsche parked in Frankie’s driveway. Sweet ride. He wondered who it belonged to. Glancing up at her porch, he saw a man waiting by her front door. He’d looked put together in his designer clothes and expensive sunglasses. Maybe she worked with him. Although he didn’t look like a teacher. He looked more like a Wall Street executive.

  “Hey,” Jed called over to the tall, well-dressed man who knocked on her door.

  Who the hell is he? Jed kept his jealousy under control. There was no reason to jump to conclusions. He and Frankie were spending so much time together these past few weeks that they had to be exclusive. She had taken him home to meet her family. What a lively bunch they were. He swore he’d gained ten pounds that night her mother cooked him dinner.

  The guy turned and nodded as Jed walked up the driveway and to the porch.

  “Frankie’s not home,” Jed informed him. “Can I help you with something?” Maybe he was selling insurance or something.

  “Jed Silver?”

  “Yeah.” Jed extended his hand, not surprised that the man knew who he was. Most people in Kingston did these days. “I live next door.”

  “Really? Frankie didn’t tell me.” The man shook Jed’s hand. “But she doesn’t know anything about baseball, so she probably doesn’t even know you’re the star player.” He laughed. “Isn’t that something? Frankie’s neighbor.”

  “She knows who I am.” Jed smirked when he recalled his first meeting with his sexy, new neighbor. “Now.”

  “That must have been some introduction. I bet you’re not used to a woman not knowing who you are.”

  “It was different, but in a refreshing way.” Meeting Frankie had been one of the best moments in his life. She had no expectations of him. Hell, she hadn’t even known who he was. She had invited him for a drink not because he was Jed Silver, but because she wanted to get to know her neighbor.

  “I’m Christopher Santoni.”

  “Good to meet you.” Jed leaned against the railing.

  “Fantastic game on Tuesday night. I think your presence on the field has invigorated the whole infield. The pitchers respond to you and Stanton has come out of that slump he was in at short.”

  “We all seem to gel.”

  “You’re a great addition to the team.”

  “Are you from Kingston?”

  “No, I’m from New York. I just follow baseball. I know all the teams and players. I like stats. It’s a hobby.”

  “Is that where you know Frankie from? New York?”

  “Yeah, we’ve known one another for years. Our families are good friends.”

  Friends I can handle.

  “I’ve been bogged down with business these past few months, traveling and such. This is the first chance I’ve gotten to make it out here, and that’s only because I tied it into a business trip. Frankie doesn’t know I’m here. I w
anted to surprise her.”

  “Maybe while you’re in town you could catch a game. I’d love to hook you up,” Jed offered. “Any friend of Frankie’s is a friend of mine.”

  “Friend... Well, I guess you could call me that.” Christopher laughed. “Frankie’s my fiancée.”

  What the fuck! “Fiancée?” Jed’s stomach formed a knot. He’d never experienced the kind of rage that bubbled inside his core. Not over a woman anyway. “She didn’t mention she was engaged.”

  “She never mentioned she was living next door to a major league baseball player either.” Christopher shook his head as amusement washed over his face. “She’s full of surprises, isn’t she?”

  The surprise was all on Jed. The woman he envisioned having a future with was a two-timing, engaged... Damn! She had played the player. I didn’t see that coming.

  * * * *

  Jed sat at Bennet’s later that evening, drowning his sorrows with shots of tequila. It was Holt’s idea. He hadn’t told his team what had transpired earlier in the day. He didn’t need them thinking he was some whipped pussy. They just recognized he was having a bad day and decided to get him drunk. It worked for him.

  “Another round.” Holt motioned over the empty shot glasses.

  “I’m out,” Nic said. “We have a game tomorrow, remember?”

  “I’m dating the cooler sister.” Holt laughed. “She doesn’t care how much I drink as long as I can...” Holt cleared his throat when Frankie walked into the bar area. “Speaking of getting it up, maybe your girl can get you out of this funk.”

  “I doubt it.” Jed swiveled his barstool just as Frankie made her way to him. “Great.”

  “Hey.” She was all smiles and hot, sexy goodness. He could almost smell her tempting coconut body wash. The way it lingered on his skin after they made love.

  She’s engaged, you fuckhead. Don’t let her entice you.

  “We’re doing shots.” Jed motioned toward the bar just as the bartender placed the next round in front of him. He picked his up and chugged down the tequila. “Want one?”

  “No.” She laughed, all breathless and desirable. “It looks like you may have had enough for both of us.” She glanced at the empty glasses in front of him. “Don’t you have a game tomorrow?”