Over the Fence: Lyssa Layne's Baseball Romances

by Lyssa Layne

  I run my hands up and down her arms, partially to calm her, but mainly to control my anger. What idiot would cheat on this woman? I guess I shouldn’t be upset or I wouldn’t be here with her.

  “The second time, I gave him an ultimatum—me or his mistress. He chose me…for the time being. But when I walked in on him in bed with our cleaning lady… in my lingerie that was the final straw. I’d caught him three different times, but God only knows how many others there were.”

  My mouth moves to her neck and I give her a soft kiss, my anger washed away at the thought of how heartbroken she must have been. “I’m so sorry, Mia.”

  She continues her story. “Less than twenty-four hours later, I filed for divorce. When he first found out, he begged and pleaded for me to stay with him. When he realized I was going through with it, he came home to the house we still shared, three sheets to the wind, and told me I was still his wife.” Mia shudders in my arms and my anger returns.

  Quickly, she finishes the story. “Like a coward, I dropped the divorce and stayed with him another year. We tried to get pregnant and that’s when we found out I couldn’t have children.” I squeeze her arms, feeling awful about how easily I knocked up Toby’s mom. “He was sleeping with anyone and everyone and I wasn’t okay with sharing him. Finally, I made a ridiculous deal with him to stay with the business in exchange for a divorce as long as we stayed the happy couple to all of our clients.”

  My veins turn ice cold as she mentions this deal. She thinks she’s indebted to this asshole that I once called a friend. I spin her body to face me and push back the hair that the wind whips in her face.

  “I hate to ask this, but…has…has he ever…hurt you?” She didn’t say it but the way she’s talked about him in the past and now hearing about their arrangement, I have to hear it from her, that he’s never hit her. I’ve been through this before and almost went to jail for my sister because of a man who thinks he can get away with beating on a woman. If Asher is one of those “men,” I will have no problem putting him in his place.

  Mia’s eyes watch the ocean as she answers. “Don’t be ridiculous, Tate. I know he loves me, he always will, but I couldn’t handle him sleeping around anymore.”

  My heart drops and I let go of her. She still loves him. If he could just keep his dick in his pants, they’d still be together and I wouldn’t even be a factor in this situation. I stand up but Mia grabs my hand as she moves to her knees.

  “Tate, I can’t change my past, but I can change my future…with you in it. Please don’t hold Asher against me. Give us a chance,” she says, her eyes pleading with me in the moonlight.

  My fingers move through her hair and I stare into her gorgeous grey eyes beneath me. I drop to my knees, taking her face in both my hands so that we are eye-to-eye. A tear rolls down her cheek and I wipe it away with my thumb. “I’ll give us a chance so long as you always tell me the truth about your relationship with Asher.”

  I don’t honestly believe she’d break my heart, I’m surprisingly confident that Mia and I will be in each other’s lives for a long time. More than anything, I’m afraid that Asher is going to hurt my Mia. Yes, that’s right, my Mia.

  With a slow nod and more tears falling down her cheeks, she whispers, “Deal.”

  Taking one last look into the face that has won my heart, I close my eyes and let my mouth take over. Now, to make up for lost time…

  Mia

  It feels so good to be in the safety of Tate’s arms again. The week away from him felt like an eternity, but being here now, nothing else in the world matters. His fingers lazily move up and down my back, sending a chill down my spine when the cool, ocean air hits my bare skin. He wraps his arms around me tightly and his breath warms my shoulder where his lips touch.

  “I hate to say this, babe, but we’d probably better head back to the party.”

  I sigh and sit up, straddling Tate’s thighs as I do. His hands slide up my abs and each hand squeezes a breast. I smile as I watch his tongue lick and tease my nipple. I grasp his shoulders and tilt my head back, enjoying the sensations he’s sending throughout my body.

  With my eyes closed, I mumble, “Thought we were headed back…”

  Tate’s deep laughter tickles my breast as he moves his mouth away from my skin. “Sorry, you’re just too tempting.”

  I smile mischievously as I stand up so that the front of my thong is directly in front of him. I watch him lick his lips and his hands move to my thighs, gripping them tightly. I move a finger under his chin and tilt his head up to look at me. Shaking my head, I say, “Tsk, tsk… not now…”

  Tate gives me a pouty frown and then buries his face between my legs, which makes me squeal in pleasure. He laughs at my reaction and the vibrations from his mouth so close to my sensitive spot makes me let out a long moan. Rising to his feet and standing in front of me, Tate leans down and kisses my lips. I can feel his hard on pressed against my belly and I move my hand to stroke it.

  “Mmm, Mia, I’ve missed your touch,” he says with his eyes closed.

  I smile and kiss his neck, moving down to his chest then his waist until my mouth takes over for my hand. His moaning encourages me to continue as I feel him fist my hair. A few minutes later and Tate’s holding us chest to chest and promising to pay back the favor.

  In the moonlight, we each take turns watching the other dress, our hands wandering mindlessly over each other. As he pulls my dress over my head and lets it drop to the ground, he gives me one more kiss. My hands pull him in deeper and we stand in the sand, kissing with the ocean dancing behind us. Finally, we pull apart and walk back to the party, hand in hand.

  “My parents are bringing Toby out to visit next week,” Tate says and squeezes my hand.

  My heart races and I can only nod. He doesn’t look at me when he speaks again and I know this isn’t something he’s probably done before, which is oddly reassuring to me.

  “I’d love for you to meet them…all of them,” Tate says softly with just a touch of nervousness in his voice.

  I stop and face him with a smile, moving my hand to his cheek. “I’d be honored.”

  He gives me a soft kiss and we start to walk again. “I’ve never introduced a woman to him before, Mia. This is out of my comfort zone.”

  I laugh. “Well, it’s out of mine too, but I can’t wait to meet Toby. Tell me about him.”

  I glance at him and he smiles proudly. Tate informs me that his son is a fish so they’ll probably spend every free moment in the pool, that Toby has been begging for a black lab since he could talk, and how his father has already taught Toby how to hit a pitched ball.

  “He sounds like a great little boy,” I comment and Tate nods with fatherly pride. “Your parents sound amazing too. Is your sister coming as well?”

  Tate pauses and shakes his head. He informs me she’s finishing up her last semester at college. He stops walking and turns to face me; pulling me against him, his hands move to either side of my face. His look is intense and my stomach knots as I have no idea what he’s about to say.

  “I’ve told you about my sister and her ex that used her as his punching bag. I almost went to jail for beating that asshole and he deserved it.” Tate’s fingers tighten on my cheeks as he looks directly into my eyes. “If Asher or anyone ever hurts you, I’ll do the same thing and it won’t be pretty. Promise me, Mia, that you’ll tell me if anything like that is going on.”

  My stomach was right to be in knots. I blink back the tears in my eyes and give a small nod. I can’t ever let Tate know about my past with Asher in that capacity and I have to figure out a way to keep Tate and Toby safe from my ex-husband.

  CHAPTER 19

  Tate

  My arms wrap around her body and I pull her closer. I inhale and take in the smell of her shampooed hair. I love waking up with Mia in my arms. Ever since we made up six days ago, I’ve been lucky enough to do that. She’s still sleeping, but I can’t help myself from planting small kisses along her nec
k.

  A minute of this and she’s waking up with a pleasant moan. She rolls over to face me and I slide my hand under her tank top. She kisses my cheek. “What time does their flight get in?”

  My parents arrive today and I know Mia is a nervous wreck to meet them and Toby. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t too, but I’m also excited at the same time. Mia has nothing to worry about and I’ve told her that repeatedly, but she still doesn’t believe me.

  Moving my hand further up her stomach, I cup her breast, giving it a gentle squeeze. Mia’s face lights up and I grin. I’ve come to learn that she’s most concupiscent first thing in the morning. I throw my leg over her so that I hover above her on all fours. With both hands, I push her shirt over her breasts for easier access.

  My mouth on her nipple, I mumble, “They get in at two.”

  “Mmm…” Mia moans and I feel her relax ever so slightly. “You should stop. I need to clean the kitchen…”

  Ignoring her, I suck on her breast again, lightly grazing it with my teeth while my hand teases her other breast. I can feel myself getting hard as her hips wiggle against me and her breathing increases. She tugs on my hair, forcing me to look up.

  “Tate, not now, okay? I need to get ready.”

  I sigh and sit up, my semi-hard erection resting between her legs. My hands squeeze her chest as I speak. “Mia, you’re my girlfriend, not my housekeeper. The house is fine. You bought enough groceries to feed a small country. More importantly, you bought hot dogs so Toby will instantly like you just for that. Now,” I lean down and kiss her lips softly, “please let me get you off so that you won’t be so wound up.”

  She laughs and slides her hand around my neck, pulling me tightly to her. She licks my lips and then her tongue is in my mouth. The rest of the blood in my body rushes between my legs and I’m ready for her. I pinch her nipples and she lets out a small yelp of pleasure and breaks our kiss.

  “Let’s move this to the shower. I’m going down to the shelter to keep myself busy this morning.”

  At her suggestion, I jump up and drop my boxers to the floor as I reach for her hand to follow me to the bathroom. She pats my backside and kisses my shoulder as she walks behind me. I move quickly and ask, “Do you want me to go with you?”

  “No, but thanks for asking. I’m going to stop by my place and get ready so your parents don’t know I’ve been staying here.”

  I laugh and turn to her to kiss her cheek. “Mia, I’m twenty-seven. I can have women stay the night and not get grounded.”

  Mia shakes her head with a smile and gives me a playful pat. Once in the bathroom, I open the shower door and turn on the water. Without undressing her, I pull her into the shower with me, letting the water run over the thin white material of her shirt and I feel my erection standing at full attention.

  Mia giggles as she slips off her panties but when she starts to pull her shirt off, I stop her. My hands massage her chest as her lips find mine again. I don’t know what it is but seeing her nipples peaked at attention under the see-through material makes me even hotter.

  Mia breaks the kiss and my hands slide over her perfect backside to her thighs. Quietly, Mia whispers in my ear, “What if they hate me?”

  I take her face in both my hands. “Baby, they’ll love you, trust me. Now let me help you relax.” I slide my hands south down her stomach.

  She nods. “I hope so.”

  Looking into her eyes, I smile and know I’m right. This woman is amazing…beautiful, intelligent, caring, and mine. She’s all mine. Now, all she has to do is pass the Toby test.

  Mia

  With the lunch crowd gone, I wipe down the counter in the kitchen of Angels Among Us. Arlene is singing her lungs out with Aretha Franklin. Smiling as I watch her, I begin to hum along with the music. Before too long, I, too, am singing with both women, trying to relieve my stress. The clang of something hitting the aluminum counter startles me and I look to see what’s wrong. The foil Arlene was using to cover the dish of leftovers sits on the counter and Arlene’s hands grasp the edge of the counter.

  “Mia Tomko, are you singing?”

  My cheeks heat up and I shrug. “Maybe.”

  Arlene throws her head back and lets out the loudest belly laugh that echoes through the now-empty cafeteria. She makes her way around the counter and puts her arm over my shoulder. “I’m sorry, honey, but I’ve never heard you even whistle, much less sing!”

  What she says is true, I’m not one for publicly singing. I don’t even sing in the shower so this is definitely out of character for me. I wrap the dish towel around my hand and stare at the ground trying to decide what to say.

  “It’s that baseball player, isn’t it?”

  My cheeks are on fire as she says this. Arlene is like a mother to me and no man will ever be good enough in her eyes. She’s seen me at my worst and she’s determined to help me be the best me I can be…without relying on a man.

  The laughter now gone in her voice, Arlene says, “He seems like a good one.”

  My eyebrows shoot up as I snap my head in her direction to see if she’s being serious.

  Her hand squeezes my shoulder and she nods. “I mean it, Mia. He’s good for you.”

  Now I’m the one laughing. “I can’t believe you’re approving of a man…for me!”

  Arlene brings her shoulders up and down. “Rodney told me about his meeting with him and how he tried to protect you. Plus he worked hard and didn’t complain the day you brought him here.”

  “What else, Leen?” I ask, knowing there’s more. Arlene is a man hater and she approves of no male ever. Well, no man other than Rodney, but I think that’s because he reminds her of her son. Her first husband died in a car accident and her second husband almost beat her to death. Ever since she recovered from his last beating fifteen years ago and moved cross country, she started this shelter and has been recruiting members for her Man Hater Club.

  She nods toward the corner of the room and I see a brand new commercial dishwasher. Arlene grins proudly and I shake my head, laughing. “He bought you a new dishwasher?”

  “He sure did!” Arlene exclaims and lets out a loud whoop. She pulls me over to show me the new machine and rattles off the highlights of her new baby like I do my Corvette. When she has finally told me every possible detail of the high-powered dishwasher, she turns to me. “But honey, that’s not why I approve. I saw how he was with you. It’s something you’ve never experienced before, is it?”

  I lean against the counter and nod. He’s exactly nothing like I’ve ever experienced before which is a good thing.

  “He has no clue about Asher, does he?”

  The heat returns to my cheeks and I try to talk my way out of it. “He knows he’s my ex, they actually used to play baseball together in college, but no, he doesn’t know anything else. There’s no need for him to.”

  Arlene throws her hands up. “Baby girl, of course he needs to know! You have not fully broken free from Asher. He still has power over you, Mia. It’s time you cut ties with him and let Tate protect you!”

  I stand up and walk back to the counter I was cleaning, hoping to drop the topic. Arlene doesn’t let it go so easy, not that I’m surprised. “Mia, I still remember the night you showed up on the doorsteps here. I couldn’t even see your beautiful face or understand a word you said. It took us three days to figure out who you were. Asher is serious business and if you plan on taking your relationship with Tate any further, he needs to know the truth…all of it.” Her eyes narrow and lock on mine, letting me know she’s serious.

  “The less Tate knows, the better. I can handle Asher, things have been a lot better since the divorce,” I say, trying to convince not just Arlene, but myself that it’s the truth.

  Arlene’s hands move to her hips. “Better, huh? Is that what you call it?”

  I swallow hard and turn to Arlene. “Tate has a son.”

  “Oh dear Lord,” Arlene mutters and wraps her arms around me. “Honey, you better
leave him now or tell him the truth. If you don’t, I will.”

  Resting my head on her shoulder, tears fall down my cheeks and I know she’s right. I have to protect Toby.

  CHAPTER 20

  Mia

  Bills, fliers, bank statement. I pause as I browse through my mail when I get to this one. Tearing open the envelope, I quickly skim the bank statement and smile. Only a few more months and I’ll have enough money to tell Asher to take our business and be done with him for good.

  Our divorce was messy and the aftermath even messier. He refused to let me drop his names off any of our bank accounts and he set limits on how much I could withdraw at a time, making it impossible to be able to survive financially without his help. Since he’s in charge of our payroll, he only deposits my paycheck into the accounts with his name on them. Every week, I withdraw as much money as I can without him noticing. I’ve been stockpiling it in a secret account over the last couple years so that I could finally break free from him once and for all. I knew he’d never go for the offer I’d presented him so I had to have a back-up plan.

  I toss the mail on the kitchen table at my place. Other than to grab some clothes after work, I haven’t been here in a week and surprisingly, I don’t miss it. Is it odd that suddenly home is where Tate is? I shake my head at the thought and take a quick shower, trying not to dwell on what that means.

  Wrapped in a towel, I dig through my swimsuit drawer trying to find a suit that’s family appropriate. I settle on a peach and white striped bikini that is about as modest as I own. Luckily, it covers everything it needs to and nothing will easily fall out. Throwing on a Tiffany blue cover-up with loose arms and a scoop neck, I tie the belt around my midsection then gather my hair into a high ponytail. A quick dab of lip gloss and blush and I’m ready to meet Tate’s family…I think.

  I toss a few items into my beach bag then grab my keys and walk outside. There, leaning against my ‘Vette is him. I sigh and try not to roll my eyes, knowing he hates when I do that. Clicking the key fob, I walk toward the car, trying to let him see I’m in a hurry.