Bride on the Run

by Catherine Mann

  Beep. Beep. Beep.

  An electronic chiming grew faster and louder, pulling her out of the moment.

  “What is that?” Boone asked, his eyes as glassy and dazed as she knew hers must be. “Your phone?”

  “I don’t know.” She realized it was coming from her purse though. Digging inside it, she saw her tracking device was blinking red and beeping. “It’s the alert system Jumbo gave me. And I hate calling him that, by the way. It seems rude.”

  Boone put the tracker back in her purse and released her. Smoothing a finger along her lower lip, he gave her one final kiss.

  “We’d better get back out where he can see us. And it says Jumbo on his business card. It’s probably a good bit of marketing.”

  “Because our society rewards male strength and aggression.” She didn’t know why she chose to spar with him about it. She just felt flustered and maybe a little powerless.

  Boone tucked her under his arm as they emerged from the stall and the tracker device stopped beeping. She could see the security guard a few yards away, a dark cowboy hat pulled low over his face as he spoke into his shoulder where he must have a microphone.

  “Sometimes male strength and aggression keep people safe and that ought to be rewarded.” Boone spoke into her ear, making her realize she must have lost her hat when they’d been kissing.

  “My hat.” She halted on the cobblestones.

  “I put it back in the shopping bag.” He still carried her candy and trinkets.

  And retrieved her fallen hat when she was too sexed-up to see straight.

  “Thank you.”

  They walked in silence for a while as pieces of the last few days shifted around in her head. Her identity being revealed. Leaving her friends and her business behind. A police questioning. Sleeping with the man who’d once wanted to ruin her business… It all just felt like too much. Like she needed to get off the roller coaster for a few days and think through what to do next.

  “You okay?” Boone slowed his step and turned her toward him. “You went all quiet on me.”

  “I’m not a man-hater.” The words surprised her. Apparently that had been one of many things floating around her churning thoughts.

  “I was wrong about a lot of things, Val.” He set the shopping bag on the ground, and she realized they’d arrived at the motorcycle. “When I was upset about losing Annamae, it was easier to think of you as a stereotype than to see the real woman. But I think I’m seeing you now.”

  “Getting my education helped me to feel like I wasn’t just a crook’s granddaughter. It made me realize I had a lot to offer.”

  “I get that now. I do. And I admire you for it. Hell, I envy you.”

  Had he really just said that?

  “A mega superstar athlete envies me?” She shook her head, nudging his shoulder. “Get real.”

  “I’m being very real.” He pulled the keys from his pocket and unlocked the chain that secured their helmets. “I left college after sophomore year to take a major league contract because I wanted to start earning money as fast as possible. But I’m old enough to understand that I cheated myself of an education.”

  She took the helmet he handed her and strapped it on while he secured her bag to the bike.

  “It’s never too late,” she reminded him.

  “Maybe one day.” He handed her the keys. “Until then, I’m giving everything to the game that’s given everything to me.”

  Straddling the seat, Valerie thought about his words as she fired up the engine.

  He was giving everything to the game. That meant no college courses. But she knew it also meant no marriage. No family.

  No future for them as a couple.

  He’d told her as much before, but here was more proof. Had he meant it as a reminder to her before she got too attached?

  Feeling his arms slide around her waist and his strong thighs bracket hers, Valerie was afraid his warning came much too late.

  *

  Who would have thought riding a motorcycle would be a sexual experience? If he’d known, he would have invested in one a long time ago. But first he’d been saving everything for his sports equipment, equipment that fit better in his junk heap of a car than a bike. Then, once baseball had taken over his life, he didn’t have time for recreation.

  The time with Valerie was making him realize how little time he’d spent on anything other than the game. In fact, even now he was researching the pitching stats of the middle relievers on the Texas team they faced next while the rest of the Stars shot the breeze, killing time until the manager came by to chew their ass over something or another.

  The Stars skipper was an old-school hothead, but Boone liked how passionate he was about the game. Boone was damn passionate too, he just didn’t show it the same way.

  He minimized the stats page on his iPad and tucked it away in his bag, scanning the locker room. Grady Hollis and the South American rookie were both soaking strained muscles, making use of the ice tubs.

  Hell, might not be a bad idea for him to submerse himself, too. Could help on a number of accounts. Better than more cold showers to keep his libido in check until he and Valerie figured out where the relationship was going next.

  He’d been thinking about her nonstop today even though he’d had her twice last night after the motorcycle ride.

  The woman sizzled.

  He tugged off his t-shirt and sweat pants, down to his compression shorts. He kicked off his shoes and socks and then lowered himself into the…

  “Shit,” he muttered, hissing.

  Jason Beaumont, the twenty-year old rookie, gripped the edge of the tub tightly. “Does this torture ever get easier? My high school coach never made us do this.”

  Grady tossed a piece of ice towards Jason. “You’re an ice bath virgin? If we’d have known, we would have thrown a party and an extra bucket of ice over your head.”

  Jason smiled nervously, cocking his head to the side. “So I heard via the grapevine, so I held my peace.”

  “It doesn’t get easier, but it’s worse if you skip it.” Boone sighed. He still hated ice baths. Never could get into them.

  The rookie shifted. “How am I ever supposed to get laid again with all this shrinkage going on?”

  A tall, broad-chested pitcher named Marty let out throaty chuckle. “Some of us could use some reduction. My wife says it’s a relief.”

  Jason’s cheeks turned bright red, despite the chill of the water as the locker room roared.

  “So where are all these women just waiting to jump your over endowed bones once you finish the icicle treatment?” Jason demanded, regaining some semblance of cool. Boone knew better though. The rookie was straight-up uncomfortable and hadn’t quite adjusted to life on the road.

  Had to suck worse coming from a foreign country, but then half the locker room spoke a different language. At least Jason knew English well enough. He’d fit in fine.

  Next year.

  “Don’t know any hook-up spots, dude.” Boone shrugged. “A few of the wives and girlfriends who made the road trip took Valerie out for a spa day. She needed a break and the spa agreed to close to the public so they’re safe.” The guys all knew about Valerie’s connections. No one had batted an eye – so far. “A win/win.”

  Two tubs down, Grady put his hands behind his head, smiling up at the ceiling. “They’re getting pampered and we’re keeping the peace, showing them the perks to being on the road.”

  Boone looked sidelong at him. “Are there that many problems to juggling a family and this kind of career?”

  Grady paused for a moment, considering him. A small grin tugged at the corners of his mouth and he raised his eyebrows. “Why? Any particular reason for asking?”

  “Clearly I’ve already wrecked one relationship. The whole damn world knows thanks to that radio show and reality TV broadcast.”

  “So what is the gig between you and the Sex Talk lady?” The rookie asked. A little too eagerly and interested for Boo
ne’s liking.

  “Her name is Valerie. She’s a broadcast professional with a Master’s degree in mental health counseling.”

  “So, Boom-Boom…” Winking, the pitcher made obscene gestures with his hand “Wonder what’s her take on ice bath shrinkage and pluses and minuses on the love life?”

  Boone stared at him, mouth thinning into a line until the room went silent, still. “Watch who you’re talking about.” Every word came out like a promise. No one got to talk about Valerie like that.

  The pitcher backed up from the lockers in surrender. “So it’s that way, is it? Sorry, Boom-Boom. I thought you just met her.”

  “Sometimes it just happens that fast. Look at Melanie and me. Two months and we knew,” Grady said with a shrug, casting a look over his shoulder at the pitcher.

  “I heard she ran out of the courthouse totally freaked that she’d made a mistake?” The rookie must be feeling full of himself again.

  This one had a lot of bumps in the road ahead.

  Turning his attention back to Jason, Grady blinked once. Twice. Boone knew that meant trouble for the rookie. “Problems we’ve clearly sorted out. Remind me who you’re married to? Oh, wait. You’re not.”

  The rookie’s blush returned and he stared intently at the floating pieces of ice. Time for discussion had clearly come and gone.

  And what about Boone’s time with Valerie? Now was as good of a time as any to think about her since he had the ice to ensure he used his head.

  He was clearly and unabashedly attracted to her. And he knew damn well she felt it too. But a relationship between them would be complicated. The threats from her mobster family and life on the road as he chased his career…

  All of Boone’s life, he had been presented with problems that needed solving. He had always solved them. Always known how to make things work. And as much as he wanted things to work with Valerie, he realized he had no idea how to make it happen.

  Pulling out of the tub, he toweled off and dressed in his street clothes. Ten minutes later, he was ready to head back to the hotel. He had no idea how he’d timed it so that Jason Beaumont was at his side again. Was the guy a glutton for abuse?

  Boone shoved through the visiting team lounge and out into the subterranean hallways under the stadium. He didn’t usually go out this way, but he’d told Valerie he’d meet her to share a cab to the hotel.

  “I know you said you said you didn’t know where the single guys go in town. But, dude, you’re not married either.” Jason quickened his step to keep up as Boone shoved through another door. “In fact, how many times have we heard you say you’re not getting married and having kids until you’re forty and ready to retire?”

  That had been true before. But after meeting Valerie, that sense had shifted.

  As he stared hard at the rookie, Boone had the unnerving sensation that he was being watched.

  Glancing to his right, he saw the group of players’ wives and girlfriends in the lounge area. They all had a post-spa glow.

  Except for Valerie. Tension pooled in her cheeks, radiated in the way she stood staring at him. The unease had returned to her eyes.

  Apparently he’d found the visiting team wives’ room at the worst possible time.

  Chapter Nine

  ‡

  In the hotel room, Valerie chewed her lip, replaying the day in her head. She sat cross-legged on the bed, facing the window where the sun streamed through.

  Everything had started with such promise. A relaxing spa day, something she’d never really done before. Gabbing with Melanie who was quickly becoming one of her closest friends.

  Had she been so foolish to think that she’d had a shot at a future with Boone? That suddenly, his career wasn’t going to be the center of his world. That he’d want to settle down with her, a girl on the run?

  Hearing his no kids and family until he was forty plan weighed heavily on her mind. And while she believed in a healthy discussion about problems, she didn’t know how to bring it up.

  So instead, Valerie stewed. Replayed the rookie’s comment in her head the way Sports Center replayed Boone’s home runs. Every moment was scrutinized, debated.

  Boone adjusted the thick blackout curtains. “What’s wrong?”

  Oh nothing. Just trying to deal with the Cinderella trap and the fact that you’re not interested in a future with me.

  Minor things, really, compared to the fact that she might have a hit man after her and at the very least a garden-variety perv who lived for the moment she’d wear a tight t-shirt again. But how in the world to tell him that.

  It was tougher and tougher to think like a counselor around him. “Nothing wrong at all. I’ve had a lovely day. I think perhaps I’ll take a nap.”

  She stretched out her arms in exaggerated exasperation. Theatrical, sure.

  “Is this a brush off?” He strode slowly to the bed, his eyebrows pinching together. He sat on the edge beside her, the mattress, shifting with his weight.

  “I’m just…” She couldn’t help it. She blurted, “Do you seriously think you can plan your life out to the point you don’t fall in love until you’re forty years old?”

  So much for wondering how to bring it up.

  Guess it wasn’t hard if you stewed long enough.

  “I think the chances of success for a family are better when my career is finished. I’ll have the finances and the time.”

  Such a diplomatic answer. And one she had still hoped wouldn’t have come out of his mouth.

  “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.” And with that last word, all ounce of professionalism slipped out of her mind. She was filled with anger and couldn’t maintain an objective, level opinion.

  She thrust off the bed, walking to the sliding glass door to the balcony. She refused to look at him. Couldn’t do it if she wanted to.

  “Stupid? What college course did you learn that technical term for patients?” He crossed his arms, brow furrowing deeper with rising anger.

  “You’re not my patient. Last time I checked. You and I were lovers.” She turned on her heel.

  “We still are.” His tone was even, but his gaze was hungry. Lingering. It sent shivers up her spine.

  But all that mind-blowing chemistry had distracted her from having this conversation before they slept together the first time. How long would she let it distract her from it?

  “And we’re just going to sleep together in hotels until you’re forty?” Try as she might, she could not erase the hurt and anger. She kept seeing Desiree’s baby in her mind’s eye and wondered if it would ever be her turn to have a family.

  “We both just broke off an engagements. I thought… hell, I don’t know. That we both would be wary of anything more.”

  That was all she needed to spark into more frustration. Her thoughts plowed through her brain, leaking out of her mouth before she thought better of it. “You thought right. And listening to you talk, Annamae should have been wary of you, too. Was she on board with the plan to wait so long for kids?”

  “That’s a moot point now.” His voice lowered as did his gaze.

  “Is it? How honest are you with the people around you? Do you even know what you want?” She sure as hell did. She wanted him. Now. She wanted him to care about her. To want her.

  But maybe that was all they shared in common. The wanting. The right now.

  “I know that I don’t want to have this discussion.” He approached her, eyes still searching. His fingertips brushing her elbow and forearm. Light touches. Lingering touches.

  She took a ragged breath and stared at him, meeting his gaze. She knew she wasn’t going to change his mind about family. Not tonight. Probably not ever. Those ideas were engrained deep.

  So did she want the now with him? Could she be with him knowing that this might be all they ever shared?

  “Me either,” she admitted. Because now that she’d spent her anger, she was left with only worry… and want. “Not anymore.”

 
“What I want…” His voice dropped to a throaty whisper, as he stroked her cheek. “Is to see what this fancy spa did. I’ll need to check their work.”

  He pressed his body against hers, tucking her hair behind her ear. Leaning in to whisper. “Very closely.”

  Valerie’s heart raced, desire and need sparking to life. Worry faded in the heated rush of longing.

  Sure, it might be wiser to have a thoughtful discussion about the future and their romantic goals right now. Serena certainly thought so.

  Her Valerie side, however, sincerely liked Boone’s plan to shelve that discussion. For one thing, she was scared it would force her to rethink these hot interludes with her fantasy man. And for another, she wanted to live a little.

  How long had she been playing it safe? Carefully picking her life path? She’d chosen Erik because he’d seemed so different from her grandfather and her uncles who all made no secret of their criminal lifestyle and the extravagant rewards that came with it. Erik had a business that seemed so grounded. She could laugh about it now, a year later. But at the time, she’d been furious with herself for overthinking romance.

  Cheating herself of passion.

  Now? No one would accuse her of making the same mistake twice.

  She slipped out of her shoes and tugged the clip out of her hair that had kept the strands away from the massage oil earlier. “I feel boneless from the treatments I had today and I think I’d like to keep heaping on the hedonistic pleasures for a few more hours.”

  She’d never been a showy kind of girl, but then she’d never had a man’s eyes follow her the way Boone’s did. He liked watching her. And she realized she liked being the object of all that male attention. Very. Much.

  “I can’t think of anything I’d like to do more right now than indulge you.” He leaned back on the footboard of the king-size bed in the upgraded room he’d requested since he had a guest travelling with him. Folding his arms, he tracked her while she pulled the curtains closed on the window overlooking the pool.