Falling for the Rookie (Fan Girl Book 1)

by Trish Williford

  “Are you okay?” He asked, interrupting my thoughts.

  “Yeah, I was just thinking how right you are.”

  Carson continued scrolling through my playlist, scribbling down a song on a napkin and flipping it over to hide it. “What did you pick?” I asked.

  He smirked. “You’ll see.” He stood and walked to Parker, handing him the napkin and folded up cash. The guys talked for a moment, Parker nodding his head in agreement. Carson gave him a playful smack on the arm and walked back over to the table.

  “Why does it seem like you two are up to no good at all?” I questioned.

  Carson gave me a breathtaking smile. “Scared?”

  Parker got onto the stage and took his spot at his piano. “Ladies and Gentleman, we have some special guests in the house tonight.” He looked straight down at Carson and winked.

  “Fuck me.” I groaned.

  “We have one of the newest Baltimore Blue Birds in the house, Carson Lawrence, and the beautiful girl he happened to smack upside the head with his foul ball during the season opener, Melody. What a way to meet a girl, huh?” He chuckled, the audience laughing along with him. “We’re going to start off the second half with Carson and Melody helping us out with the next song. Everyone welcome them to the stage.”

  I suddenly was on my feet, being dragged by Carson up to the stage. “Carson! What in the hell are you doing!? I’m not singing!” I yelled.

  He winked and walked the three stairs to the stage. “Let’s live, Melody.”

  I took a deep breath and let it out. “If I pee myself…” I warned.

  He pulled me to his side and leaned to talk into my ear. “Then I’ll pee myself with you. Let’s do this.”

  The opening notes to Prince’s “Kiss” made me giggle. “Kiss? Really?” I yelled over the music.

  He handed me a microphone and held his up to his lips. He sang the first line about not needing to be beautiful in a high pitched falsetto, pointing to me. Although he couldn’t sing to save his damn life, he rocked it with confidence and I was pretty impressed. He continued singing the first verse and chorus, the audience joining in and clapping along. I picked up the second verse, letting him know what to do to impress me and how we could have a good time. He watched me as I sang to him, his sexy smile never leaving his beautiful face. And as I sang, I was directing every word to him. I wanted his extra time. I wanted his kiss. I puckered my lips and blew him kisses to match the kiss sound during the chorus. He raised an eyebrow, licking his lips while he watched mine. The drinks during the first half of the evening must have given me liquid courage, because I was dancing and singing in front of a sold out club without hesitation. The time on stage went by in a flash, and before I knew it, we were singing the last verse and chorus together as we danced in front of one another. He pulled me tight against his chest, surprising me. The hand with the microphone rested on my lower back, the other wrapped around the middle of my back. He looked down into my eyes, leaving me breathless as he sang the last line into my microphone, telling me he too, wanted my extra time and kiss. Our gaping lips were centimeters apart, our breaths mingling in the small space between us. In this instant, nothing else in the world existed other than Carson and I. He didn’t move, but continued staring into my eyes, searching for an indication to kiss me.

  “Well?” He asked quietly.

  “Huh?” I barely got out.

  Then I heard it. The crowd was chanting “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” as Parker led them on over the microphone. I felt my cheeks flush, forgetting we were in front of a crowded bar.

  “Do we give them what they want?” Carson asked.

  My mouth ran dry. “I don’t want you to kiss me just for the crowd’s pleasure.” I responded.

  He looked down at my lips, licking his own. “How about I give you a preview of what our first kiss will entail?”

  My breath caught in my chest. Carson is about to kiss me in front of a large crowd of people. “Just a small preview.”

  The last word was barely out of my mouth before his lips slid gently over mine, making my knees shake instantly. Screams and whistles from the patrons of the bar surrounded us, but I didn’t give a shit. I grabbed onto his rock hard biceps to steady myself and kissed him back, his tongue barely teasing mine. I pulled away, feeling a bit dizzy. “I was expecting only a preview.” I said with my eyes still closed.

  “Baby, look at me.” He demanded. I opened my eyes, finding his dark with desire. “That was just a preview.” He let go of me and took a step back, both of us breathing a little heavier than normal. His eyes left mine and he handed Parker both microphones and mouthed “Thank you.” He took my hand in his and walked us off the stage and through the crowd towards a back exit door. “Ready to get out of here?”

  Although I wanted that very thing, I was a little taken back. I felt momentarily as if he was running away, hiding us from what just happened. Maybe he regretted kissing me in front of those people. Then his words began to ring loudly in my head.

  I don’t date during baseball season.

  He was walking a bit fast for me, considering I was in my heels. “Carson, slow down, I can’t keep up.”

  He didn’t slow down like I asked, but led us quickly out of the employee exit and down a dark, quiet alley. “What in the hell-“

  He grabbed my cheeks in his hands, backing me into the brick wall behind me. His body was flush against my body, his face hovering over mine again. “Back there was just a preview. I’m about to kiss the fuck out of you right now, Melody. Please be stronger than I am, tell me not to since we’re just friends.” He panted.

  I was out of breath too, partially from him dragging me through the bar but mostly from him being so damn close. His body felt perfect against me, and the desire in his voice made me even more desperate for his kiss.

  I needed to respect his wishes. He doesn’t want to get involved with anyone while he’s playing ball, and it’s understandable. I would never want to interfere with his career that he’s worked so hard for.

  His grip on me tightened. “I need you to answer me.” He practically begged, the need in his eyes more evident than before.

  I wrapped my arms around his muscular torso, and because I’m a selfish bitch, the decision wasn’t hard at all.

  “Kiss the fuck out of me, Carson.”

  Chapter Thirteen: Carson

  Nothing had ever sounded as sexy as those words leaving her mouth.

  I took no time granting what we both wanted, crashing my lips onto hers. Hard. I enclosed her between me and the wall behind her, leaving no room to escape. I crossed the friendship line.

  But breaking a rule has never felt so goddamn good.

  I knew I should be kissing her more softly, gently like she should be, but the fervent need was too great and I couldn’t stop. It was absolutely necessary to kiss her like this, my body and soul feeling such relief. I’d been able to keep my desire for her at bay for the last two weeks, but once I touched her lips at the bar, I knew there was no looking back. I’m usually great at staying calm and carefree when it comes to women, keeping my cool. But now that I have her in my arms, I’ve lost all control, which is something I usually hate. But right now, I’m pretty sure I fucking love it.

  She melts into me further, curling her fingers into the hair at the nape of my neck. I love the way she lightly moans as I nip her bottom lip with my teeth before taking her mouth again. I start to slow the kiss, allowing the both of us to regain our bearings while we are still connected. I slide my hands down her arms and rest them onto her hips, trying my damnedest not to pick her up and wrap those hot as sin legs around my waist. I’m somehow able to disconnect from her mouth and take a step back, observing her. Her eyes are still closed and her chest is heaving with quick breathes. Her lips are swollen and red, making me want to kiss them again.

  “Open your eyes, sweet girl.” I tell her. Seeing her like this is too much, and I know I’ll be likely to push her back against the wall and
completely lose my shit if she doesn’t open them now. Her eyelids fluttered open, her green irises are brighter and wild. It takes her a long moment before she is able to focus on me, but when she does, her cheeks turning pink. “Are you okay?” I asked her.

  She rested her head against the wall. “You literally kissed the fuck out of me.”

  “I warned you.”

  She nodded her head. “You did.”

  “I think we both need a breather.” I extended my hand to her. “You want to take a walk around the harbor?”

  She tucked her hair behind her ears and straightened her skirt, then pushed from the wall and laced her fingers through mine. “Let’s go.” She was silent for the first few minutes, and I was wondering if kissing her was the wrong thing to do.

  “I’m sorry if I overstepped my boundaries. I know I shouldn’t have asked you to be the one to stop it from happening, but I wasn’t strong enough. I literally lost control.”

  “Stop.” She said. “Please don’t apologize for that, I don’t want it to be ruined.” She pulled me along with her to sit on a bench facing the water. “I’ve never been kissed like that before. It was a bit overwhelming, but in the best way possible. So please, don’t apologize or regret that kiss. I’m not a delicate little flower that needs handled carefully. I liked it, a lot. Even though it was only a one-time occurrence.”

  Yes, it can only be a one-time occurrence, sweetheart. I can’t break.

  I leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Fair enough. Thank you.” I put my arm around to rest it on the back of the bench and she relaxed into my side. “So tell me more about the girl who has a season ticket on the first base line. I’m still baffled that a young, hot woman loves baseball for the game and not for…” Shit. I shouldn’t have gone there.

  “For the players? Or as a groupie?” She smirked. “I’m not offended, I’ve gotten that before. It’s all my parents’ doing, really. I was brought up on baseball. Both of them loved going to games, so when I was old enough to actually pay attention, they bought the three of us season tickets. It was more than just a game for us, it was our family time too. Some of my best childhood memories happened in that stadium.”

  “Do they still have their seats? I didn’t see them sitting with you.”

  She stiffened against me. “My parents died a few years ago. I buy their seats each year, though. It’s kind of stupid, but it reminds me of them.”

  Fuck, I’m such a dick. “I’m so sorry Melody.”

  She waved her hand at me. “There’s no way you would ever have known.”

  “And it’s not stupid that you buy their seats each year, I think it’s really sweet.”

  She shrugged, acting like it wasn’t a big deal. “The first game of the season I go alone, kind of in remembrance of them. The other games of the season I usually bring friends along with me. Lexi comes to the games when school is out, and we’ll usually bring anyone else who is free or asks to come during specific series. Her dad comes along quite a bit too.”

  “I’m sure the series against New York is a big one, huh?”

  She laughed. “Definitely. Same with the Boston. I have a waiting list for both teams that go until two seasons from now.”

  “That’s crazy.” I said, although I’m not surprised. Those are our biggest rivals, bringing the largest crowds to the stadium. Before tonight, I was wondering how she could afford a season seat on the first baseline, but three? “So what do you do for a living?”

  “For me to be able to afford three season tickets every year?” She asked, as if she were reading my mind. “I know, they are super expensive and in prime location in the stadium.” She shifted in her seat uncomfortably. “My grandparents on my Dad’s side owned a very large area of land in rural Maryland. After they retired to Florida, they ended up selling the land for a shit ton of money to a developer. They set me up with a hefty trust fund, and when they passed away, my dad inherited the rest since he was the only child. When my parents died, I got what was left. I don’t live extravagantly by any means. The tickets are the only thing I really splurge on. I have a modest condo and still work for a property management company. I’m frugal because that’s the way I was raised.”

  She spoke in a tone as if she were ashamed of the fact that her family were well to do. I would have never taken her for a trust fund baby. “There’s nothing wrong with that, you know. And even if you did live extravagantly, who cares?”

  “I do.” She said. “I don’t want to live like a spoiled brat who acts like I’m owed everything because I grew up privileged. That’s not the way I was brought up, and it’s not the way I’ll bring up my kids.”

  I placed my hand on her knee to calm her down. “You don’t act entitled. At all. I would have never guessed in a million years that you were well off.”

  She sighed loudly. “I’m sorry, I usually don’t tell people about all of that. I’m cautious because I’ve been taken advantage of before. That’s why I’m leery of who I date. I want to make sure it’s because they like me and not my bank account.”

  “And you decided to date me because…”

  “Actually, we’ve only gone on two dates. And you don’t date during baseball season.” She teased. “I felt like that’s not what I needed to be cautious about with you. You obviously don’t need to worry about money.”

  “What is it that you need to be cautious about with me then?”

  She shrugged, taking a moment before looking at me. “You’re an up and coming hot shot baseball player. This is your rookie year, and there are going to be lots of opportunities in the form of females all around you. I know about your dating rule, but I’m also not naïve to the fact of them being willing to be your one night stands. I refuse to be one of those girls.”

  “What if I said I didn’t want any of the other opportunities?” I said honestly.

  She rolled her eyes. “I’d say you’re full of shit. You can have any girl you’d want right now, Carson. Why me?”

  “Why not?”

  She looked up at the night sky. “You’re confusing the hell out of me.”

  “What did I say?”

  She moved down the bench, putting several feet between us. “First you tell me you don’t date during baseball season, but you’ve asked me on multiple dates. Then you kiss me and say all these really nice things. Are you looking for publicity? It would make a fantastic story for the baseball player and the fan to fall in love. I’m not looking to help your public status.”

  I moved next to her and turned her towards me to look me straight in the face. “Did you not feel that kiss back there? For fuck sakes, you couldn’t keep your eyes open after. There’s something here, Melody. Forget how we met. The only thing that matters is that we did, and that I like you. You’re not like other girls.”

  She scoffed. “Thanks.”

  “That’s not a bad thing. It’s actually a pretty incredible thing. I don’t want a groupie. I don’t want someone to want me because I have money. I want someone who is cool as hell and is willing to get to know me, the real Carson Lawrence. I won’t lie, I don’t have a lot of free time during baseball season. I knew you’d understand since you were a baseball fan.” I grabbed her hand and rubbed my thumb across her palm. “I like you Melody, more than I expected that I would.”

  She looked taken back. “You hardly know me.”

  “Your attitude from the moment I met you in the hospital was positive and unlike anything that I was actually expecting.”

  She smiled at that. “Did you think I was going to kick you out?”

  “I actually thought you were going to try to sue me. There are a lot of people who will take advantage of an opportunity to further themselves financially at any cost. Once I walked in and started talking to you, I knew you were different. And I really did honestly think you were attractive.”

  She gave me a bullshit look. “Even with black eyes and a horn sticking out of my head?”

  I rubbed my thumb across the par
t of her forehead that was swollen when I first met her. “Actually they were purple.” I winked. She leaned into me a little more and I took the opportunity to put my arm completely around her shoulders. “Are you cold?” With the sun already set and a steady breeze coming off the harbor, I knew she was probably chilly in only a tank top.

  “I’m okay.” She said, pushing further into me. Having Mel against me felt amazing, and I wanted nothing more than to continue holding her until she wouldn’t let me any longer. But I knew she was cold, goosebumps covered her exposed skin.

  “Do you want to head in somewhere and get something to eat?” I offered.

  She pulled her phone out of her red purse, checking the time. “It’s already midnight. You’re probably exhausted from the game earlier today. Plus, you have a flight tomorrow.”

  I didn’t mention to her yet that my afternoon flight got changed to depart at five in the morning, or I know she would have insisted rescheduling. I have three more hours before I need to drive her home and make my flight on time, and I really don’t want to take her home earlier than that. “I’m fine, really. I can stay out a bit longer. Do you like pizza?”

  Her plump lips curled at the sides. “Do humans need air to breathe?”

  ***

  I was internally thanking all that is holy that she was up for staying out later. I still had a few hours to kill before I needed to be at the airport, and honestly, I wasn’t ready for our date to end just yet. Melody and I walked to a pizza shop just off of the harbor, one that she says she grabs a pie at after most games. We ordered a macaroni and cheese pizza, which surprisingly was absolutely amazing.

  “Besides tacos, this is my favorite food in the entire world.” She moaned around the mouthful of pizza. My cock stirred at the seductive noise.

  I popped the crust in my mouth, trying my best to seem unaffected. “Me too. It’s amazing.”

  “Lexi and I haven’t tried this pizza yet, I can’t wait to tell her about it.”