Playing the Field: A Diamonds and Dugouts Novel

by Jennifer Seasons

  “That was some mighty fine dancing. If I asked real nice, could I get a repeat performance?” he finished with a straight face even though his amber eyes glittered with laughter.

  Not in this lifetime. “I don’t do encores.” She tossed her haphazard braid over her shoulder and tried for calm and collected.

  JP started to walk toward her, his long muscular legs stealthy as a leopard. “Seems if I recall right, the last time I was here you had plenty of encores.”

  Well that was different. “Why didn’t you call earlier?” Maybe changing the topic would distract him. Besides, she really wanted to know.

  “Because I wanted to surprise you.” He shot her a pointed look. “Seems like I succeeded.”

  Ugh. Why was he teasing her like that? And why oh why did he have to look so damned gorgeous tonight? He wore low-slung jeans and a heather-grey T-shirt like they were tailor made for him. He’d skipped shaving and had a five o’clock shadow on his chiseled jaw. She didn’t know whether to jump him or smack him for walking in on her and embarrassing her so badly.

  His tongue wet his bottom lip, and suddenly all Sonny could think about was jumping his bones. She forgot all about being embarrassed. That edgy, restless feeling came running back with a vengeance. Only this time she had somewhere to put it: right smack on JP.

  It didn’t matter that she was already starting to have insecurities, that she still couldn’t get around his fame. When he looked at her like he was doing now with his penetrating honey-colored eyes, all she could think about was getting him naked. Because the truth was that he scrambled her heart, not just her head.

  Reaching for the remote, she turned the music down until it was a respectable decibel. Having him in her living room reminded her just how much she’d actually missed him while he was gone. And if she was missing him it was because he was special.

  He got her emotions pumping. “How were the games against Atlanta?”

  His gaze raked her from head to toe. “Hot.” Sonny was pretty sure he didn’t mean the weather.

  Attempting small talk, she opened her mouth to speak, but he shut her up with a kiss worthy of a queen. A very, very naughty queen. And it felt amazing. Emotions swept through her and she opened immediately to him.

  When JP broke the kiss he lowered his forehead to hers. “I missed you, Sonny.”

  His whispered words snuggled warm inside her chest. It felt good to be missed. “Charlie’s at a sleepover.”

  JP arched a brow and hooked a hand into the front of her pants, pulling her flush against him. “Is that so?”

  Uh-huh. “Yep.”

  The song changed again. This time a heavy, sensual song came on. Sexy, crooning R&B. Sonny recognized the old song and felt the bass make her blood go thick and slow. Ginuwine’s “Pony” filled the room, the singer going on about jumping on his saddle.

  Suddenly that’s exactly what Sonny wanted. And that was exactly what she was going to get. Everything else could wait.

  It was time to give him that repeat performance.

  Chapter Eighteen

  * * *

  JP SAW THE change in her the minute the song shifted, and his instincts went on high alert. Sonny placed a hand on his chest and backed him to the couch. When the back of his calves hit the sofa she shoved hard and he fell into the cushions off balance.

  The woman had the kind of look in her eyes that made a man sit up and take notice. “What’s on your mind there, Sonny?” If he was a gambling sort of guy he’d wager she was interested in some adult activities.

  She placed a finger across his lips and said, “Shhhh.”

  For the better part of a week JP had thought about being with her again. And now that she was standing in front of him in a skimpy tank top that showed off her nipples to perfection, he went instantly achy and needy.

  The song finally registered and JP swallowed. He was definitely horny. Then Sonny started moving her hips to the beat in front of him. Her hair tumbled in a loose braid over her shoulder, and on her face was the half smile of a siren. “Did you want that repeat?”

  It hit him then. Sonny was going to do a strip tease.

  God yeah. He swallowed again, his throat parched, and nodded.

  Leaning back against the couch cushions, JP stretched his arms out along the back and waited, his gaze hot on her. He knew what she had going on underneath her clothes and it was killing him. It made him hard as stone for her.

  The heavy beat of the song lulled him, and when she rocked her hips in time to it, the movement was hypnotizing. “You like watching me dance?” She stroked her hands over her body, briefly cupped her breasts, and his mouth went to sawdust.

  All he could do was stare.

  Though she’d been embarrassed before, she sure as hell wasn’t now. Instead she was working it like a Pussycat Doll. With her back to him she circled her hips erotically and then arched her back, flipping her hair and shoving her ass toward him. All on its own one of his hands reached out to squeeze, but she slapped it away.

  “Uh-uh.”

  God he wanted to take a bite out of that ass, it looked so damn juicy.

  Straightening, her back still to him, Sonny pulled her tank top over her head and threw it on the floor a few feet away. Then with excruciating slowness she inched her pants off until she was gloriously naked before him—all he could see was shapely ass and the junction between her thighs.

  His penis strained against the fly of his jeans. “Bring that sweet ass over here,” he demanded. Before he leapt off the couch and took her right there on the cold hardwood floor.

  Her eyes were dark and full of mystery as she glanced over her shoulder, seeming to consider. “I don’t think I will.” She was killing him. “I want to dance.”

  And she did. Naked and seductive as a gypsy. While he sat, aroused and ready, she moved sinuously in the dim light. Losing herself in the music, Sonny rocked and rotated and slid her hands over her curves until he was panting with restraint.

  It was the most erotic thing he’d ever seen.

  When he had reached the point where he couldn’t take any more, she came to him and placed her hands on his thighs, leaning forward with her gorgeous breasts on full display. “Tell me you want me, JP.”

  “I want you.” He had never been more serious. He wanted her like he wanted to breathe.

  She traced a fingertip over his erection and smiled at him through her lashes, making him burn. “Well that’s handy.”

  He heard the sound of his zipper opening and then he sprang free. She wrapped a hand around him lightly. “Jesus, Sonny.” His head fell back against the cushion. Whatever has gotten into her, please don’t let it stop, was all he could think.

  He felt her move and the next thing he knew she was kneeling between his legs, gold-fire curls tumbling from a sloppy braid, her plump breasts begging to be kissed. With the tips of her fingernails she traced matching paths up his inner thighs, his skin so sensitive to her touch that even through his jeans she branded him, claiming ownership with her butterfly-kiss touch.

  Breath hissed between his bared teeth and he reached out to touch her, the desire to feel her silky skin overwhelming. Again she refused him and pushed his hand away. “Not yet.” Giving in, JP let his hands drop to the cushions and watched the sexiest woman on earth look at him with desire in her eyes.

  As he watched, Sonny ran the tip of her finger up the length of him. His cock leapt at her hot little caress, and she looked at him all coquettish. And when she rubbed her fingertip around the ridge with her bottom lip between her teeth, he almost lost control and came.

  Her tongue replaced her fingertip and he bucked involuntarily. “Sweet Jesus.”

  She rose up and straddled him, one long gorgeous bare thigh on each side. “Condom,” he panted and rolled, lifting his hip. She got one from his wallet and put it on him, stroking and teasing him along the way.

  Finally she settled over him and he gritted his teeth. Then she was surrounding him, hot and wet
and demanding, and he saw stars behind his eyes. Holy shit, the woman felt good. So goddamn good.

  He had to touch her. Now. Grabbing a fistful of braid, JP pulled her in for a ravenous kiss, not relenting until she moaned helplessly against him. His other hand was on her breast, stroking her hip, grabbing her perfectly bare cheek. It roamed every inch of her body, desperate for the feel of her.

  Peeling his lips from hers, JP gulped in air and went straight for a breast, sucking on her nipple hungrily as she rocked rhythmically on him. Her head fell back and she cried out, moving closer and closer to her release.

  Gripping her hips hard, JP held her and thrust deep. Sonny moaned and cried out. Her orgasm swept through her and her muscles clamped down on him hard, milking him to his own completion. Feeling it build, he plunged into her again and let his release explode inside him. “Fuck!” he cried out, seeing stars again.

  For long minutes they stayed like that. Then Sonny’s head dropped limply on his shoulder. Their erratic breathing was the only sound in the house. When he started to slip from her, she rolled from him and tossed him a very satisfied smile.

  Stretching her slender arms above her head she said, “That was way good.”

  JP rolled his head along the back of the couch and looked at her with one open eye. He was seriously relaxed. “True that.” The woman had screwed him stupid.

  Bless her heart for it.

  While he watched her, she stood up and began gathering her clothes, which made him frown. “Stay naked.”

  She tossed him a look and shook her head. “No chance, JP.”

  God, he was relaxed. He could barely muster the strength to lift his head to frown at her directly. Sonny was potent as hell. “I like the way you look without any clothes on. Your body was made for it.” He found the energy for a grin. “Especially that big freckle on your left ass cheek.” That he had big plans for in the near future. The sexy mark was seriously hot.

  Sonny laughed softly. “I’m glad, but I’m still getting dressed.”

  JP lowered his head back on the couch again. “Party pooper.”

  “That’s part of my job description,” she quipped and planted a cajoling kiss on his lips. “Sorry, baby.”

  Something inside him grew very still. The part that recognized that something profound had just taken place. It was the first time she’d called him “baby.” Or any other pet name, come to think of it. Could it be that she was falling for him?

  How fucking sweet would that be?

  Lightning-fast, he snagged her around the waist and pulled her across him, tickling her ribcage. Sonny burst out laughing and thrashed against him, trying to get away. With her giggling in his arms the whole world felt right.

  He pulled back and looked at her, her blue eyes bright like diamonds, and that’s when he felt it, when it hit him. That’s when he felt his heart step headlong into love and it rocked the hell out of him. It wasn’t a gentle feeling. No, it felt like he’d been drilled in the chest with one of Pete’s hundred-mile-an-hour fastballs.

  It took his breath away.

  The smile on her lips began to transform into a frown of worry and he shook himself, trying to shake it off, even though he was still reeling. Lowering his head, JP kissed her with trembling lips. Emotion threatened to overwhelm him so he pulled back and attempted an easy smile. He dug for control.

  “Are you all right, JP?” Apparently it wasn’t so easy.

  He helped her sit up. “Yeah.” Nope. Not even close.

  A wary expression overcame her, and he tried to explain by lying. “I think I pulled something during the game today, that’s all.”

  Anxiety eased from her expressive blue eyes and he breathed a sigh of relief. What just happened had taken him so by surprise that he needed some time to process it. Then he’d figure out how to tell her.

  Sonny inclined her head toward the kitchen. “Do you need any ice to put on it?”

  Twenty minutes ago he’d have said yes. It had been so hot in the room, he was mildly surprised the place was still standing. “I think I’ll be fine. But thanks for the offer.” He looked around and asked, “I could use the bathroom, though.”

  Attempting to re-braid the tangled mess of her hair, Sonny pointed an elbow down the far hall. “Second door on the right.”

  Once inside, he took care of business and washed his hands. But before leaving, he planted his palms on the blue tile and looked at himself in the mirror. On the outside he still looked the same. Same annoyingly long eyelashes. Same eyes, same nose, same chin. Same chest.

  It was what was inside that had changed.

  In such a huge way that it was going to take a long while before he got used to the new setup. Wanting Sonny and falling in love with Sonny were entirely different feelings, come to find out. There was so much to it, so many nuances that he needed time to sort it all through.

  But one thing was clear. Sonny was his and he had to put some thought into how he wanted to move forward.

  Still pondering it when he entered kitchen, he found Sonny heating a tea kettle with hot water. She was once again braided and dressed, and she looked so sweet and soft that he couldn’t resist wrapping her up in his arms and breathing in the scent of her. “How did you know I’d want tea?”

  Wrapping her arms over his, she squeezed gently and shrugged. “Good guess I suppose.”

  Dropping a kiss on her head, he disagreed. “Nah. It’s more than that. You get me.”

  She was quiet for a minute, contemplating. “You’d be the first.”

  Deciding to keep it light because he could tell that statement was a loaded one, he said, “First is best, baby.”

  That got a small smile from her. He’d take it.

  Sonny spun in his arms real quick, surprising him, and planted a kiss on his lips. “You’re one of a kind.”

  He grinned cheekily, “Good of you to notice.”

  He was one of a kind. Maybe it gave him an ego that he believed that, but he didn’t think so. He considered it healthy self-love.

  As he took a mug out from the cupboard, he asked, “You going to tell me what inspired that back there? Not that I’m complaining,” he added hastily.

  Rifling through the boxes of tea, Sonny settled on one and shrugged. “I decided to be adventurous.”

  Hallelujah. “I’m all in favor of doing what I can to encourage this new trend.” Anytime, anywhere.

  She chuckled and held up two teas for him to choose from. “That’s real sweet of you.”

  He pointed to the chamomile and she grabbed a bag. “Anything I can do to support a good cause.”

  The way the two of them moved together was like a well-practiced dance. It was real nice just hanging out with her at night when the world was quiet, talking through the day. When he was with Sonny he was relaxed, and he found himself opening up about things he most often kept inside. He knew they had some work to do around her feelings, but he wasn’t going to let his fame be a deal breaker.

  The tea kettle started whistling and she removed it from the burner. Pouring hot water into the tea mugs, Sonny then handed one to JP. “Random question for you.”

  He inhaled and smiled because he could smell the chamomile under his nose and it made him happy. “Random answer.”

  “What does JP stand for?”

  “Just Perfect.”

  She made a face. “I’m serious. What’s your full name?”

  JP leaned his butt into the counter, crossed his legs at the ankle, and took a tentative sip of his tea. It didn’t quite burn his tongue, which he considered the perfect temperature, and he took another drink. “Jet Pack.”

  She leveled a look at him and he held out a hand.

  “All right. Okay you got me, I’ll confess. Are you ready?” He took a pause for dramatic effect and then said on a rushed exhale like what he was spilling was top secret, “It stands for Jumbo Penis.”

  Sonny laughed outright and added honey to her mug. “Now, we both know that’s not true.”
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  He feigned injury. “Ouch.” She laughed again and he finally relented, “It stands for Jason Patrick.”

  Turning her head, she considered him. “Jason. Hmmm. It suits you.”

  “Yeah, my mom loves to use it when I’m home visiting. Makes her feel like I’m still twelve.” Only with less dirt on his clothes. Most of the time.

  “Well. What should we do now?”

  JP glanced around. Everything was quiet and in relative order. Charlie was at a sleepover and the radio had stopped playing a while ago. He knew exactly what he wanted to do.

  JP glanced around the house like he was making sure they were completely alone. What he was about to say was a little embarrassing, even for him.

  The hell with it. “Got any more episodes of Hart of Dixie?”

  Chapter Nineteen

  * * *

  JP HAD INVITED Sonny and Charlie to another ball game at Coors Field. She settled into her seat with a soda and popcorn and waited for her son, who was still out in the aisle. He was trailing behind her in the giant Rush jersey that JP had surprised him with. Though it swallowed him whole, her boy wore it proudly like he was the Prince of Wales and it carried his royal crest.

  Sonny shielded her eyes with a hand and looked up at the sky. It was another absolutely gorgeous and sun-filled summer afternoon along the Front Range. The weather forecast was calling for rain overnight, but there was zero evidence of it now. The sky was totally cloud-free and there was very little humidity.

  But that was one of the crazy things about living in Colorado. The weather was unpredictable. It blew hot and cold so fast that it could leave a person in trouble if they weren’t prepared. And that’s why she always kept a survival kit and a few spare blankets in the trunk of her minivan.

  It had come in very handy last winter when she’d been caught on one of the back roads during a big storm after a work delivery. She had run into a pickup truck in the ditch on the side of the road. The elderly woman had been stuck in the cold for hours after her aging Datsun had spun out of control on some ice. The blankets and energy bars she’d provided the woman had been a lifesaver.