“Maybe you’d better sit down,” Emma suggested as the silence stretched between them.
She took him by the arm and guided him to the bench.
“I hope you don’t have a concussion.”
Mike sat down without resistance. She moved in close, and raised her hand to put the compress she’d made over his eye.
Hell, a concussion was the least of what he had. He took a long, deep breath, hoping it was enough to calm down his racing heart and his very male reaction to her closeness. Her subtle fragrance reached him on a sensual level, and only added fuel to the fire.
“Me too.” Mike clenched teeth. Didn’t she realize she’d moved between his thighs? When she brushed up against him he released a low groan, and closed his fists to keep from grabbing her.
Sweat broke out on his brow. There was nowhere for him to retreat. He assumed Emma finally realized her mistake when she suddenly reared back with a knowing look in her eyes. She took a breath that sounded like a gasp of pleasure, and he watched her pupils dilate. He knew then and there she was as affected by his nearness as he was hers.
With a weak smile on her trembling lips, she attempted to step back. Just when Mike figured things couldn’t get any worse, her sneaker got caught on a rough edge of uneven ground and she stumbled backwards, her arms flailing wildly as she lost her balance.
It happened so fast there was no time for thought. He moved rapidly and clamped his thighs together, entrapping her between his legs. His actions had dire consequences though. She bumped against a spot most women aimed for when they were being attacked. And he was hard as a rock.
“Oh!” Her pretty eyes grew round, her soft lips parted.
Mike sucked in his breath, but it wasn’t because he was in any pain. He squeezed his eyes shut, and exhaled a groan as lust surged through him like a rocket blasting off for the moon. The feel of Emma’s soft body against his groin produced the kind of rush he hadn’t experienced since high school. Hell, he couldn’t recall the last time he’d experienced it.
Son of a bitch! His hands went to her hips to push her away. But the slight resistance of her body caught him off-guard. His gaze zeroed in on hers. For a second her features seemed twisted in desire. Eyes closed, she was panting for breath, nostrils flaring. Then it was gone and he was left wondering if he’d imagined it.
Her smoky eyes opened to him. He threw caution to the wind, and kept her close to his pounding cock. She was soft and pliable beneath his hold, and seemed to sway slightly. The slightest sigh escaped her. The slightest movement of her hips brought her even closer against him.
Sweet Jesus! Her acceptance of the intimate situation sent him over the edge. With a low groan Mike transferred one of his hands to the back of Emma’s head. He grabbed a handful of her ponytail and before he realized what he was doing he pulled her face down toward his.
“Damn, lady, I need a taste.”
He didn’t give her a chance to respond. Besides, she wasn’t showing any sign of resistance so Mike intended to take full advantage. One kiss, that’s all he wanted. A sample to appease his fierce desire for her. At least until they had time for something more satisfying.
He slammed his mouth down on hers, lust getting the better of him. Mike knew it was madness that gripped him, and that he should stop. Only once he inhaled the sweetness of Emma’s breath, and tasted the warmth of her mouth nothing else mattered.
With a deep moan Emma’s hands fell to his shoulders as though she needed help in staying on her feet. Then she was rubbing against Mike’s cock like a hungry feline, opening her mouth to his searching tongue. Before he knew it the sounds of their passion were drowning out everything else.
If things continued on the course they were heading he was going to embarrass himself and not just in front of her but the whole damn team. He was shaking by the time he found the strength to release her.
She quickly stepped back. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes glittered like polished gemstones. Her mouth was swollen, and her breast rose and fell rapidly with each breath.
Mike could see in her eyes that she was slightly confused. Perhaps even amazed at the hot kiss they’d just shared. And it was obvious she was at a loss for words. Either that or she was just going to pretend it hadn’t happened.
“You okay?” He knew he felt like a volcano getting ready to erupt inside.
She cleared her throat. “God, I don’t know what’s got into me today. If I’ve hurt you…”
Her movements were more careful the next time she moved. She avoided looking at him.
With a small smile, she replaced the ice over his eye. Mike knew she’d felt something too, when their bodies collided. Otherwise she wouldn’t have kissed him back so passionately.
“Relax. You didn’t hurt me.” Except for giving me a raging hard-on. That hurt.
He fought against the impulse to bring his erection back to her attention. He wanted to see Emma blushing like a schoolgirl again. Instead he clenched his thighs together to disguise his condition, conscious of other people milling around. Since his baseball mitt was on the seat next to him he reached for it, casually draping it over his lap.
Emma began to hum softly beneath her breath, a nervous habit he was willing to bet. She didn’t seem to be aware she was doing it. She seemed totally absorbed in what she was doing. His unexpected movement with the glove drew her attention to his eyes.
Their gazes locked and for a moment Emma seemed lost. Awkwardly clearing her throat, she asked, “Is it feeling any better?”
Mike wasn’t sure if she meant his eye, the scratches on his chest, or his slowly diminishing hard-on. In spite of all that, a crooked grin spread across his face. “Yes.” His voice came out sounding like a dry croak and he quickly tried again. “Much better. How does it look?”
She removed the dripping cloth. “Well, the swelling’s gone down; it’s not completely shut so you should be able to see out of it. And,” she hesitated before adding with a reluctant smile, “it’s a beautiful shade of plum.”
“Great,” he mumbled beneath his breath. “I’ll be sure to tell my date for the policemen’s dance to wear something lilac.”
A soft laugh escaped Emma, her eyes gleaming with childlike amusement. A noise pulled their attention to the ball field to see Mike’s teammates running toward the dugout.
“The inning is over,” she stated, turning to meet his eyes again.
“The game,” he corrected, holding her gaze.
After a long moment and just as everyone began piling into the dugout, Emma held out her hand. “It was nice meeting you again, Mike.”
Her voice was soft. He lowered his gaze to watch her lips form the words. It was a mistake and only showed him how much he wanted to kiss her again. Was she really going to ignore their kiss?
“The pleasure is all mine.” His large hand swallowed hers up.
Before he knew it her hand slipped from his and she turned to meet Amanda.
He watched the gentle sway of her hips, wondering if he’d see her again. His hand went up to finger the torn edges of his favorite shirt before continuing up, gently probing at his swollen eye. She was dangerous. In more ways than one.
Just as his eyes settled on the enticing curve of her backside, his vocal thirteen-year-old daughter, Melissa, entered the dugout. She called out for him as she rushed past Emma, a smile on her face that stretched from ear-to-ear.
“Dad, guess what? The old theater downtown is…”
He acknowledged her as she approached, vaguely listening to her excited chatter about some play. He and Emma exchanged final glances when she looked back. For a moment her expression was hard to read, the look in her soft eyes almost accusing when they moved back and forth between him and Melissa.
At that moment Mike realized what he saw shimmering in those wounded depths. Disappointment coupled with angry disapproval. Before he could begin to guess at what he’d done, she turned and left the dugout.
Chapter 4
; “So, Mom, did you meet anyone at the picnic the other day who, ah, piqued your interest any?”
Emma wondered when Amanda would get around to asking her that particular question. She couldn’t stop a smile of amusement from spreading across her face before answering. “Well, I know a lot of people from around these parts but I did see a couple of new faces. Pam Wells and her family just moved here from Ohio and Stacy—”
“Okay, okay! You know what I mean,” she interrupted, with mild annoyance in her tone. “Men, did you meet anyone who you thought was, ah, kind of interesting? Or…sexy?”
Was that hope Emma detected in her tone? Mike’s face immediately flashed before her but she quickly brushed thoughts of him aside. Especially now that she knew he was unattainable. Recalling how hurt she’d been after finding out about Richard’s two-timing ways, she knew there was no way she’d put another woman through that. She liked to think her scruples were set at a higher standard.
Something he obviously doesn’t have. Emma recalled the steamy kiss they’d shared. And the erection he’d pressed against her. God she was ashamed at how eagerly she’d responded to his advances.
She set the speed for the treadmill faster until she was forced to break into a mild jog. She was glad Amanda had talked her into joining the health club. It was something they could do together four times a week. She was already beginning to feel the rewards of her hard work. It was never too late to firm up certain places that had begun to get a little too soft.
“Aren’t you going to answer me?” Jogging at a full run, Amanda puffed lightly between each word. Her speed made Emma’s look more like a fast walk.
Emma decided to play stupid. “I think Troy’s kind of sexy.” She quickly turned her head so her sister wouldn’t see her smile.
Over the noise of the machines, the upbeat music the aerobic instructor was teaching a class of twelve to, and the sound of huffing and puffing that echoed throughout the room, Emma still detected the annoyed tsk Amanda released.
“What’s wrong?” she asked innocently.
Amanda only glared at her, punching in the number to gain even more speed. Emma didn’t know how she did it. If she tried to set her machine that fast, she’d end up going through the wall behind her.
During the silence that followed, she glanced at the mirror directly across from them. She frowned at the way she looked in her workout clothes, trying to pretend she wasn’t the only woman in there who was overdressed.
Maybe she’d been too quick in shooting down Amanda’s idea of buying a new gym outfit. Her old pair of sweats covered her from neck to foot and was so baggy she looked like a dirty snowman on the verge of melting. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail that became more undone with every step she took. What’s more, the stretch hairband that had started out around the top of her forehead had slipped down until it covered her eyebrows. In spite of that, there was no way she was going to let go of the handlebars to push it back up.
Not a very attractive sight. Emma glanced away from her reflection. She wondered how long it would take to work off a few extra pounds before the holidays so she could put them back on again. Not that she had anyone to impress.
Thoughts of Mike were quickly pushed to the back of her mind again. Why couldn’t she get the blasted man out of her head? That was easy; because she was attracted to him, that’s why. The first man to pique her interest since her divorce and he was married.
“Oh, I almost forgot, there’s a Halloween party Friday night at the community center in Troy’s apartment complex. They put one on every year and the only requirements are that everyone comes in costume, and brings something to eat or drink.”
Emma raised a brow. “How come all of a sudden you’re inviting me to all these community events? I’ve been doing just fine on my own.”
“Staying at home and dog sitting for the neighbors,” Amanda cut in, reaching for the towel around her neck and wiping her brow. “I figured it was time someone took over to get you out before it’s too late and you die an old maid.”
“I was getting out,” Emma insisted, ignoring the rest of her remark. “And I certainly don’t need anyone handling my social calendar, little sister.”
Amanda laughed. “What social calendar? By getting out if you mean grocery shopping twice a month…”
“Once a week,” Emma corrected with humor.
Rolling her eyes, Amanda changed the subject. “You had a good time at the picnic, didn’t you?”
Right up until she realized Mike was married and hitting on her. After she left the dugout that day she’d stuck like glue to the unattached ladies in the group, some of them old enough to be her mother. The only other time she saw Mike was from a distance and he’d been involved with his daughter and a group of her friends. She supposed his wife was somewhere out there too.
“For the most part.” Seeing the light of determination fill Amanda’s eyes, Emma realized this was just another one of those times when she wasn’t going to give in. She sighed heavily, smiling in spite of herself, already thinking about what she could wear to a costume party.
All at once the sweatband slipped over her eyes, blinding her. Swearing beneath her breath, she made the mistake of releasing the handles to fix it. At the speed she was going there was no way to prevent herself from flying backward to the end of the treadmill. She flew right off. Just when she expected to feel the wall against her backside, a pair of arms and a hard body got in the way.
“Oh!” she cried out with embarrassed surprise.
“I got ya, sweetheart!” The man’s voice boomed throughout the center as though he were yelling through a microphone.
“Thank you,” she gasped, and quickly pushed the sweatband out her eyes so she could see again. She peered into the man’s large, square-jawed face, and struggled out of his massive arms as fast as she could. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she hastily yanked her sweatshirt down where it had ridden up, exposing her midriff. And that’s when her gaze fell on Mike.
For a moment Emma froze, literally, the breath locked in her throat. Maybe with a little luck he wouldn’t recognize her.
* * * *
If Hugh O’Callaghan’s booming voice hadn’t snagged Mike’s attention, recognizing Emma’s soft, startled sound of gratitude would have. Even over the noise in the room, making him wonder if he’d been unconsciously looking for her. The last time he saw her she’d been walking back to her car the day of the picnic, late in the afternoon when the last rays of the sun had captured the auburn highlights in her hair. He’d been thinking about her ever since.
And wanting her like crazy. All of her.
Now here she was, looking like a fish out of water in ancient sweats and a purple sweatband he suspected was really a hairband. He noticed the damp patches and the way her hair was clinging to her neck, realizing she’d been working out for awhile. Though right now she was looking up at Hugh with incredibly huge eyes, while his Hercules-style body dwarfed her slight frame. Mike fought down the stab of jealousy shooting through him from seeing her in the arms of another man, no matter how innocent. He wondered what excuse he could come up with to arrest Hugh, something that would stick.
Better yet, maybe he should just lock Emma up and toss away the key. That made Mike think about the daydream he’d had while sitting at his desk the other day. He’d handcuffed Emma to the handle of a file cabinet drawer. And while she stood there, helpless and a little frightened, he’d moved behind her. Sliding his arm around her waist, he’d pulled her sharply against his aroused body, being rewarded when she arched her bottom against his cock. He reached for the hem to her skirt. And slowly began to lift it up her thighs. Finding her without panties had been his undoing and allowed him easy access to her pussy from behind. Just as he slid into her wet body someone knocked on his door. Bringing him back to cold reality.
Fuck! He shook his head to force himself back to the present situation. He was at the health club with a full-blown hard-on!
> He’d been a member of the health club for a year, so how come he’d never noticed her there before? His lips spread into a gradual smile when he noticed her flustered state and the fact she couldn’t take her eyes off him. The only thing keeping him from marching across the room and doing something about it was Melissa.
Raising a teenager these days was a responsibility no one truly understood unless they were in the same shoes. Raising one alone was a nightmare. Mike thought that so far he was doing a fairly decent job of it because he was staying focused, which meant not pursuing certain wants in life he might have.
No matter how attractive he found Emma, he didn’t have time to pursue a relationship or anything else that might interfere with his number one priority. He should have reminded himself that the other day, when he’d let his horny cock do his thinking for him.
He took a deep breath, realizing she was too damn appealing to ignore. He could at least acknowledge her. Nevertheless, all he did was nod before breaking eye contact and turning away to head for the men’s locker room.
He’d promised to take Melissa shopping for a Halloween costume and nothing was going to keep him from it. Including sexy Emma Stuart.
* * * *
Emma scrutinized her reflection in the full-length mirror, and shook her head. The gold sequined outfit was a lot more revealing than she’d first thought. The fact that she’d waited until the last minute to hit the costume store was her own darn fault. By the time she’d made it to the Fantasy Palace, she was left with a choice of going as a carrot, a half-naked Eve which only included three strategically placed leaves, or a harem dancer. It seemed everyone in town was either going to this or another Halloween party.
Now here she was, hiding out in the ladies’ restroom because she was too afraid of joining the party. She looked at her coat where it hung on the rack with the others, debating on putting it back on and just going home. She doubted she’d be missed.
PASSIONATE ENCOUNTERS Page 4
