Cleat Catcher (The Cleat Chaser Duet Book 2)

by Celia Aaron

  Easton glared back at him. “Do you think I’m more worried about breaking a contract than standing up for my best friend? You’re an idiot if you believe that.”

  “Fine. You know what? Fuck it, Holliday. You can kick rocks too.” Ingram started to pace, and Easton chuckled. Ingram turned to face him. “Well what’s so damn funny?”

  “This.” Easton kept his gaze trained on Ingram, and hollered over his shoulder, “Fellas.”

  I watched the door, wondering what the hell Easton was up to. One by one, every player on the roster walked into the room. Ramirez was front and center, and shot me a wink. Each guy nodded to me and said, “Captain,” before glaring at Ingram.

  Ingram balled his hands into fists at his sides and started toward Coach. Easton stepped in his path and waggled a finger at him. Ingram’s chest rose and fell in huge waves with each breath he took.

  “I know Coach put all of you up to this. You old bastard. You think you’re so smart. You’re hurting the team with all of your bullshit.”

  The cogs started to turn in my head. Who put Easton and the guys up to this? It couldn’t have been Coach. He didn’t know in time to organize them all and get them together. Then it hit me all at once.

  Nikki.

  My heart swelled and a tingling sensation radiated up through my chest and face. She hadn’t listened to me and went to Easton anyway. I’d been trying to protect him, but it was she who was protecting me. At that moment, something inside of me changed. I’d always believed I’d choose Nikki over baseball, but now I knew it in my heart. I couldn’t explain it, but baseball became less important. I still loved it, but Nikki was front and center. She was more important than anything and anyone else in my life. If I didn’t have her, I didn’t have anything.

  Ingram started another one of his rants and Art, the owner, rose to his feet. “I think I’ve seen enough here, Ingram.”

  Ingram whipped his head up to look at him with a puzzled stare. “What?”

  “I think we need to reassess.” He turned to me. “Braden, we know you need to rehab and can’t play the rest of the season. The news hurts us as much as it hurts you. Trust me when I tell you that, son. We still want you in the dugout, leading in any capacity you’re willing to take on.”

  Ingram laughed. “You have to be—”

  Art glared in his direction and flexed his jaw, speaking through gritted teeth. “That’s enough.”

  Ingram’s face tightened into a mean glare. “You can’t do this. You pay me to manage the business interests of this organization.”

  “Yes, and we have a board of directors to oversee your management of said affairs. We also have bylaws for situations like this. Or did you not do your due diligence before signing a business contract?”

  “Well, umm, I—” Ingram hemmed and hawed.

  “That’s what I thought. We’ll see how the rehab goes and offer Braden a one year contract at that time. We will reassess at the end of next season. Now, Ingram, you find a way to work together with this team—” He paused. “—who are the real reason we are all here in the first place, or you can find yourself at the end of a contract negotiation as well. Got me?”

  Ingram stared at the ground and brushed his hands down his slacks. “Understood.”

  “Good.” Art turned back to me. “I hope you’ll consider sticking with the Ravens, son. You’ve done so much for us. This is the least we can do to repay you for your years of service.”

  I walked to him as fast as I could without tweaking my knee, and shook his hand. Tears streamed down my face. “I won’t let you down, sir.”

  “You never have, son. No reason to think you’d start now.” Art strode toward the door.

  Ingram followed with a look of defeat on his face. I hobbled over and took the brunt of a rowdy group hug from all the guys.

  After a few moments, I grabbed Easton by the arm and stared up at his pretty-boy face. “Take me to her.”

  His keys jingled as he shook them in front of me. “I’m on it, Captain.”

  NIKKI

  The sun streamed through the small window in my new office, but I couldn’t shake off the chill of worry. I forced myself to continue unpacking my things even though my thoughts constantly strayed to Braden and his meeting with the coach.

  “Where do you want this?” Cyrus bustled in with a box of Style and Substance back issues.

  I pointed to the empty spot on the floor next to my new love seat. “There.”

  He placed the box where I’d said and turned to me. Wearing a crisp button-down and well-fitting slacks, he was easily the handsomest man in the office, maybe the building. Having him under my thumb as an assistant should have cheered me. Instead, I was listless and distracted as I leaned against my desk.

  He tilted his chin toward the vase of flowers on my desk. “Did you call your mom and thank her?”

  I glanced at the tasteful arrangement of calla lilies she’d sent to congratulate me on my promotion. She’d written the card herself, telling me she was proud and entreating me to bring Braden by the house again—no games. On any other day, I would have done a cartwheel upon receiving such a message from her.

  “Heard anything?” Cyrus perched next to me, his light cologne a perfect accent to his easy charm.

  “Not since I spilled to Easton.” I shouldn’t have done it, but I couldn’t help it. Braden needed backup if he was going to have a chance at staying on with the Ravens. Easton was more than happy to lend a hand. In fact, I’d only gotten halfway through my spiel when I heard the distinct roar of his truck engine and squealing tires.

  “I’m on my way, Nik. We’ll keep him. I’ll do whatever I have to do.” The phone call had ended over an hour ago, but I’d had no word since.

  Squeak … squeak.

  “Oh, fuck.” I couldn’t deal with creepy Grady on top of everything else.

  Cyrus snorted. The squeaking picked up its pace, and Grady shot by my office with a quickness I didn’t know he possessed.

  “What was that?”

  “After you told me about your hair, I had a little chat with Grady in the mail room.” Cyrus cracked his knuckles in an intimidating, slow way. “Suffice it to say, he won’t be bothering you anymore. Kyrie, either. All your mail comes to me. So there’s no reason for him to talk to you, much less get close enough to steal anything else from your person. If he even looks at you wrong, let me know.”

  “You did that for me?”

  He smiled, and dimples appeared in his smooth cheeks. “Yep. I’m your bitch, after all. I’ll do whatever I have to so that you and Kyrie stay happy.”

  “Thanks.” I leaned over and bumped him with my elbow. “I appreciate it.”

  “Can I ask for one little thing in return, maybe?” He ran a hand through his naturally wavy hair.

  “Sure.”

  “There’s a girl in accounting, perfect hourglass, long dark hair. Do you know her name?”

  “Clara.”

  “Thanks.” He grinned. “Have I mentioned how happy I am the handbook didn’t include a ‘non-fraternization’ policy?”

  I laughed. “You didn’t, but I approve of your tomcatting efforts. Get you some and tell me all about it afterwards. I need some spicy tales in my life.”

  “Will do.” He stood and walked to my door. “I’ve got a few more boxes to get for you, and then I’ll help you organize.”

  “Thanks.”

  “My pleasure.” He strode into the hallway and out of sight.

  “Did you see Grady move past here like he was at Daytona?” Kyrie walked in, her red dress saying ‘sex kitten’ and her prim black cardigan saying ‘librarian’. So, I supposed the mix said ‘sex librarian.’

  “Yeah, apparently Cyrus had a chat with him after the hair incident.”

  Kyrie laughed. “Easton actually asked me if I’d done something to my hair. All this time, he’d never noticed when I got a haircut, but after just one trip to Salon de Pervert, he was all over it.”

  I
smiled, but couldn’t quite make it to a laugh.

  She sighed and opened her arms. “Come here.”

  I went to her. My eyes began to sting, and I fought back my tears. “What if they release him? What if he gets traded?”

  “Shh.” She ran her hand through my hair. “You’re on the jump-to-conclusions mat. Step away from it and relax. There’s no point worrying until we hear from him, okay?”

  I nodded and moved my head down to snuggle into her chest. Her big, fluffy tits had always been soothing.

  “Easton hasn’t texted either?”

  “No. You know I’d tell you first thing.” She held me for a while, waiting for me to sack up and step away. It was hard to do when her tits were made to be the perfect comfort pillows.

  “Everything will work out, you know?” She gave me a hard squeeze.

  “I know.” I straightened and wiped a tear from each side of my face. “I’m okay.” Looking around at my boxed-up office, I sighed. “I need to unpack anyway. Should take my mind off it.”

  Kyrie walked over to the love seat and ran her hand across the brown leather. “This looks perfect in here. You won’t be able to get me out of your office.”

  I smiled. “Good. I have no clue what I’m doing so your help is kind of important.”

  She pointed at a bare spot in the back corner near the window. “Get a mini-fridge with some booze in it, and I’ll talk to Graciela about taking the wall down between our offices.”

  “Will do.” I managed a small chuckle before locking my gaze with hers. “And thank you. For everything.”

  She waved a nonchalant hand. “Don’t worry about it. I’m always here for you. No matter what.”

  “So am I.” Braden’s voice sounded in the hallway and he appeared in my doorway, a huge grin on his face.

  I darted to him, and he caught me in his arms. “What’s the news. Is it okay? Are you—”

  He bent me back and claimed my mouth in a kiss that made my knees turn to jelly. His tongue teased my lips, then sank into my mouth as my eyes fluttered closed.

  “I’ll just be outside.” Kyrie edged past us and into the hallway.

  Braden ran one hand down to my ass and squeezed, his deep groan vibrating from his chest to mine. He lifted me and carried me into my office despite his limp. With a kick and a groan, he shut my door. Pulling me up so I had no choice but to wrap my legs around him, he kissed down my neck.

  Heat flashed across my skin, and my pussy went from desert to rainforest in moments.

  “So, good news?” I squirmed as his cock hardened against me and his lips traveled lower.

  “I’m staying on. Now stop talking and let me fuck you in your new office like the little slut you are.”

  I moaned right as loud music started playing in Kyrie’s office next door. That little bitch was covering for me, and I loved her for it.

  Worry had me struggling to get free of his grip, but it was no use. “Braden, you’ll get me fired.”

  He laid me down on my loveseat and crushed me with his weight. “I guess that means you need to be quiet.” One palm slapped over my mouth, and he used the other to hike my skirt up.

  When he grazed my wet panties, he thrust his hips against me. “I’m going to push these to the side and sink my cock inside you until you come. Then I’m going to give you every last drop.”

  My thighs went up in flames as he lifted up to unbutton his jeans and pull them down. His thick cock sprang free from his boxers. I whimpered when he settled on top of me again and his fingers pushed my panties all the way to the side as promised.

  “Is this what you want, my little slut?” He surged forward with his hips, rubbing his smooth cock against my clit as he pinned me with his body.

  I nodded, and he covered my mouth again. Lifting my hips, I moaned when he plunged inside me. My eyes rolled back in my head as he started a hard rhythm, grinding against me as he bit and sucked my neck. I inched my leg higher until I hooked my heel against the top of the loveseat. Each hard thrust hit my clit, and I angled myself so that he went deep enough to hit my spot.

  “That’s it. I know how my perfect slut likes it.” He bit my ear, filth falling from his lips and sending me higher. “I love this wet little cunt. I’m going to leave it messy. Then when you get home, I’m going to fuck it again, because it’s mine.”

  I moaned loud, but he caught it with his palm and gave me a devilish smirk. “Tell me it’s mine. I want to hear it.” He released his grip on my mouth.

  I gasped as he surged inside me, keeping his strokes hard and deep. He groaned when I ran my nails down his back.

  “Say it. Who owns this pussy?”

  “You do.” It was more of a whine than anything else. The thrill of being caught was like gasoline on the fire, and I was already losing myself in pleasure.

  “That’s right. Whose slut are you?”

  All my tension pooled in my clit, and each thrust from Braden sent me closer to the edge. I gasped when he bit my neck. “Yours, only yours.”

  “That’s right.” He slapped his palm back over my mouth and shoved forward even harder until the vase on my desk rattled with his impacts.

  My hips began to seize, and Braden bore down, grinding his hips on my clit. I came with a moan, my eyes clenching shut as he worked my body.

  “Fucking hell.” His hips thrust forward and his cock kicked inside me as he grunted and slowed his pace.

  Starbursts lit the back of my eyelids, and I was faintly aware of the music next door quieting down. I gulped in air when Braden removed his hand, but he quickly replaced it with his lips. He kissed me gently, his tongue giving loving strokes. I hugged him close as happiness welled inside me.

  He pulled away and stared into my eyes. “That was hot as fuck.”

  I smiled and leaned up to give him another kiss. “Agreed.”

  He sat back and pulled his boxers and jeans back in place. Then he arranged my panties for me and smoothed down my skirt.

  “I need to go to the bathr—”

  “I don’t think so.” He bent down and kissed me hard. “I want you wearing me for the rest of the day.”

  My pussy quivered at his filthy request. He smirked.

  A thump sounded from next door and the music grew louder again. I could hear a soft moan nearby, as if Kyrie were against the wall that separated our offices.

  I cocked my head to the side. “Easton?”

  He sat back and pulled me up to sit next to him. “Fucking stealing my thunder over there. Acting like it was his idea to fuck his woman at the office. Come here.” He lifted me so I sat in his lap sideways.

  My heart still thundered as I tried to come down from the high he’d given me. “So you’re staying?”

  He ran his hand down my back. “We’re staying. Easton pulled some ‘oh captain, my captain’ shit without the homosexual undertones. It worked. Management is keeping me around while I heal up, and I’ll play next season if all goes well.”

  I cradled his face in my hands. “I’m so happy I might just shit a rainbow.”

  He laughed as another thump and a squeal carried from next door.

  “I’m happy, too. But—” He pulled me into his chest. “—I want you to know that while baseball makes me happy, nothing beats the way I feel when I’m with you. You’re my life, Nikki. Not the game. Not my career. You.”

  I pulled back and stared into his earnest eyes. “Do you mean it?”

  “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.” His voice trembled and his eyes began to sparkle with tears. “Nobody has ever done anything like that for me before. I love you.”

  “I’d do it again. I love you too, baby.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled. “It looks like I chased the right set of cleats.”

  He hovered his lips over mine, promising me another breathtaking kiss. “And I’ve made the perfect catch.”

  NIKKI

  6 MONTHS LATER

  THE STADIUM ROARED on all sides, creatin
g a wall of sound to greet the Ravens as they took the field on Opening Day. I rose to my feet and screamed for Braden as he trotted from the dugout and gave me a wide smile.

  “Is it always this hot?” My mother clicked open an ornate pink fan.

  “It’s springtime. Perfect baseball weather.”

  The Opening Day magic floated in the air, brightening the grass, giving the sky a little extra blue, and making a World Series season seem possible. The baseball gods smiled as the players got ready to begin the inning.

  I brought my gaze back down to the player who stole my heart. Braden kicked up some dirt at home plate as the first batter for the Sentinels took some practice swings.

  “Hey, catcher! Go easy on those knees.” Kasey cupped her hands around her mouth. “You’ll have to use them later when you take a big ol’ Easton-dog right in your kisser!”

  I turned and gave her a pointed glare, then glanced to my family and back to her.

  She shrugged. “What?”

  Mom covered her face with her fan and shook her head.

  “Oh, come on, Cat. It’s all in good fun.” Dad wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  She peeked over her fan as Braden waved at me and then gave Kasey the finger.

  I laughed, joy bubbling inside me at how natural he looked on the field. His rehab had gone well, and his MCL had healed without any lingering pain or problems. Today was the test, though—the first full game since he was pulled last season. I’d done some extra bedazzling on my tank top and shorty shorts with his number, and I’d forced Kyrie into wearing my bedazzled gifts, too. We were the team’s number one fans, and we bore bedazzled proof.

  “Ball parks never change. It smells the same way it did when I was twelve years old.” Ben looped his arm across the back of Kasey’s chair. “What do you think, Kase? Are the Ravens going to bring this game home?”

  “Not with shitnuts as catcher and cuntflaps as pitcher, no.” She grinned, tossed a piece of popcorn in the air, and caught it in her mouth.

  “Come on. Why so little faith?” Ben had a crush on Kasey since they first met over Christmas break. He couldn’t come to terms with the fact that she wasn’t into men. It was kind of cute, if doomed.