They felt wonderful.
She loved that he took his time, loved that he was firm in his intent without being rough, loved that he slowly caressed every inch of her mouth. She felt cherished, and yet reckless. So much more than she could recall ever feeling from a single kiss.
She wanted even more.
With a soft sigh, she snuggled closer, wrapped her arms around him. He tantalized her senses as he moved his mouth to cruise along her jaw, down her throat. His hands spread wide across her back, held her secure. When he returned to her mouth, he used the tip of his tongue to tease open her lips, and he gave her all the more that she craved.
Heat exploded in her center, and her pulse accelerated. Excitement sped along her nerve endings. She barely noted the sounds of a car parking outside the building, the opening of another apartment door and the subsequent fretful cry of an infant, or the fading conversation of a telephone call as someone walked by.
She wanted to search and discover the feel of him, wanted to skim fingertips over muscle, feel the warmth of his skin and the beat of his heart against her palm and lips. Instead she lifted her hands so she could tunnel her fingers through the rich weight of his hair.
“Anna.” His voice was low, his breath rushed as he said her name before again capturing her mouth, this time with increasing passion. His arms banded tighter around her. “Let me come inside. I want to be with you.”
His words swept away any haze of blind desire, giving her the first clear thought she’d had since he lowered his mouth to hers. Anna eased away from his kiss, managed to put a little space between their bodies.
She stared into Quinn’s brown eyes a moment longer and then lowered her gaze to his mouth. His lips were wet from their kisses and she had the crazy urge to sweep her tongue over them. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so carried away by a kiss. In fact, she didn’t think she ever had before tonight.
What had she come so close to doing without thought?
She knew Quinn wouldn’t be here long. Hadn’t she sworn to never get involved with a man who wouldn’t be content to stay in one place?
A man who wouldn’t stay with her.
Carefully, she moved out of his arms and took a step backward.
“Anna.” He reached out a hand, but she avoided him.
“No,” she said. “I’m sorry. I let that get out of hand. I’m sorry I let you believe it could lead to more.” She drew in a careful breath, fighting her own desire as much as his words. “I like you, Quinn, but we both know nothing will come of us being together.”
“That kiss says plenty will happen if we’re together.”
“Fine. I’m attracted to you. It appears you’re attracted to me. Just as, I’m sure, you have little trouble finding a willing woman in whatever city you’re in for the night.”
Contrary to what she expected, he grinned. “You’re jealous.”
“What? No.” As she considered how best to answer his ridiculous claim, she realized a little green monster was in fact whispering in her ear. “Look, what I’m trying to say is I don’t jump into bed with a man I’ve known less than a day.” She bit down on her lip, and then was brutally honest. “Even if I am physically attracted to him.”
“I can’t say I’ve never hooked up with someone I’ve hardly known.” He waited until she lifted her chin and looked him in the eye. “But I can say that if you hadn’t stopped what we both want to happen, and we’d gone inside your apartment.” He stepped closer and Anna refused to back away. “One night wouldn’t be enough.”
“There’s no guarantee that we could have more than one night. You’re on a day-to-day basis here. I live here, have a job here.” She had another thought, one not clouded by moonlight and kisses. “Quinn, I teach young children. The school board wouldn’t be very happy with me if my personal affairs became public knowledge.”
“I don’t share when I’m involved with a woman, so I agree we should keep everything between us strictly private.”
“There is going to be nothing to keep private.”
“So you say now.” With an infuriating grin, one that she found far too appealing, he leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll see you at the school carnival, Anna.”
While she stood there, stunned, and damn him, quivering slightly from his declaration as much as that fleeting press of lips, Quinn turned and walked away.
“My kids would go nuts for this.”
Quinn grinned at his teammate. His first thought had been to come to the school carnival alone. In the end however, he decided it would be better for him to bring someone along. Shortstop Jimmy Alvarez had sticky fingers when it came to catching line drives, and an almost perfect percentage of throwing out base runners. Not to mention a huge heart when it came to kids. A good thing since he had three, all boys, and his wife was expecting again.
“How do you do it?” Quinn asked.
“Do what?”
“Your family lives in Alabama right?” Jimmy nodded. “How do you manage to have a family when you’re on the road all the time?”
“It’s just the way it is. It’s my job, what puts food on the table.”
“Yeah, I get that.” Although Quinn knew the minor league pay scale was nowhere near the contract salaries that the major players received. He recalled Lillian’s comment about Anna’s father missing out on attending her activities. “But what about being there when something happens? Or just the regular day stuff?”
“All I can say is thank God for unlimited cell phone minutes and Facetime and Skyping. We make it work. And when we have time together we make sure we make the most of it.” He grinned and wagged his eyebrows. “Which is how we ended up having the fourth one. Did I tell you it’s a girl this time?”
“That’s great.” Quinn scanned the grounds for the dunking booth. There were bright banners, with more than a few hand-lettered by children. Balloons reached for the sky, held on by thin strings. Somewhere in the distance speakers blasted music. Children tried to run from activity to activity, while adults – teachers and parents alike Quinn guessed – instructed them to slow down and stay in their assigned groups.
He’d stayed away from Anna for eight days, in part due to concentrating on his rehabilitation. The intensity of his response to her, and hers to him if that kiss was any indication, had been far stronger than he’d experienced in the past.
The time hadn’t changed his mind one bit. Well, technically he supposed there was one change. He’d come to the conclusion that he was glad she’d called a halt to where they’d been headed. He’d been so aroused that if she’d invited him inside it would have been a hard and fast coupling.
When they were finally intimate, and he had no doubt but that they would be, he wanted it to be a slow and memorable experience.
Until then, he took another scan of the school yard, smiling when he spotted Lillian. Not only would she direct him where to find Anna, but he guessed she’d be more than happy to do so.
“Lillian,” he called out, snagging the woman’s attention. When she walked over, he didn’t resist the urge to lean in and kiss her cheek. “It looks like half the town is here. You know Jimmy, right?”
“You play shortstop and bat sixth.”
Jimmy grinned as he removed his ball cap. “Yes ma’am.”
“Are you two boys here making a player appearance?”
“Nope, we just thought we’d come and support the school.”
Lillian smiled at him. “And a certain teacher?” she asked, hope all but brimming out of her.
“I’m just using her as the excuse to be around you,” Quinn said.
“Of course you are. And while I’m headed across the field to oversee the sack race, Anna’s not due to be in the dunking booth for another twenty minutes. You’ll probably find her by one of the food booths.”
“It is a warm day,” Quinn said, and returned Jimmy’s grin. “How about I treat you to a cold drink?”
“Let’s go.” On
ce they’d said good-bye to Lillian and began walking away, Jimmy spoke up. “This is the teacher that brought the class to the field last week?”
“Yes.”
“And you like her?”
“Yes.”
Only when he spotted her the affirmation felt small and weak compared to the adrenaline spike of his pulse. She wore a loose skirt that skimmed her ankles, topped by a black halter style top that cupped her breasts. He realized it was probably her bathing suit. He frowned, and then scowled as he spotted the man making Anna laugh. Quinn recalled teasing her about being jealous of the women many ballplayers termed ‘cleat chasers’. He would never tease her about that again.
“Hello, Anna.”
“Quinn.” She hesitated, but manners had obviously been drilled into her. “Quinn Lancaster.” She gestured to the man standing beside her. “This is Kurt Norris, his son is in my class. You met him the other day when the class went to the ball field.”
“Of course.” All three men shook hands as additional introductions were made. There was a brief, uncomfortable silence as Quinn and Kurt Norris sized each other up.
“Well,” Kurt said. “I should find Tim.”
“I believe he’s scheduled for the balloon toss,” Anna said.
Kurt smiled and touched a hand to her arm. Quinn’s hands closed into fists. “Thanks again for all you’ve done for Tim.” He looked to Quinn. “My boy’s got a little crush on Miss Anna.” He looked back at her. “I can understand how he feels. Would it be okay if I call you?”
“I’m sure Tim’s going to do fine in third grade.”
“I’m not asking because I’m worried about Tim.” Anna opened her mouth, and Quinn had to believe it was to protest. “Tim’s no longer your student as of today, right?” Kurt asked. “There’s no more conflict of interest.”
“Isn’t it time for you to head over to the dunking booth?” Quinn interrupted, not waiting to hear her response. He then made it easy to get her away from Kurt by wrapping his hand around her arm and guiding her toward the dunking booth area.
“That was incredibly rude,” Anna said.
“I don’t care.”
She dug in her heels and brought them to a stop. Quinn caught a glimpse of Jimmy’s face split by a wide grin.
“You’re making a scene. Children, parents and my co-workers can all see us. How would you feel if I suddenly showed up in your locker room making demands of your time?”
He inched forward and had the satisfaction of seeing her pulse hammering in her throat. “Are you interested in that man?”
“No.”
More than her denial, her small tremor gave Quinn a great deal of satisfaction. “He’s not the kind to take no for an answer.”
She lifted a brow. “And you can?”
He struggled against hauling her against him and kissing her senseless. He had the uncomfortable insight that he wouldn’t be far behind. “When I hear it.” He leaned in a little more, heard her suck in a breath. “I heard you loud and clear the other night. Are you telling me no now? Because if you’re not, I can have us both out of here and back at your place in no time flat. Flat on your back that is.”
He saw her answer in her eyes as they went dark and fluid with desire. Then she added to his physical discomfort as she used the tip of her tongue to wet the lips he wanted to taste.
“Miss Reynolds.” Quinn thought he heard her sigh with relief when Brian Drewes ran up, grabbed her hand, and began tugging. “C’mon, it’s your turn in the dunking booth.”
“Man.” Jimmy slapped him on the back. “You’ve got your hands full with that one.”
“Not yet,” Quinn answered, enjoying the sway of her hips as she hurried away. “But I plan to.” He grinned at his teammate. “What do you say we toss a few balls?”
Anna wasn’t sure what made her the angriest.
Quinn’s possessive behavior.
Or her thrill at experiencing it.
Then there’d been that dark and sensuous flutter low in her belly when he’d stepped close and stared into her eyes. Suddenly the thought of being dunked into a vat of cool water was more appealing than it had been an hour earlier. She shimmed out of her skirt and sandals and started the climb up the metal steps. Surprised at the size of the people waiting for their opportunity to dunk her, she sent the crowd a grin and a wave as she settled onto the metal seat.
Naturally, the first person she spotted in the crowd was Quinn. He stared at her, grinning. Standing next to him, Brian Drewes practically bouncing on his toes.
“Can I have everyone’s attention,” Rachel, her vice-principal and friend, yelled as she held up her hands, showing off three yellow tennis balls.
“I want to personally thank Miss Reynolds for braving the cold water for our fundraiser today.” Some of the children cheered, others called out or waved at her. Anna played her part and shivered as if chilled at the thought of the water, which, if the toe she’d dipped in was any indication, was pleasantly warm.
“Thanks to an anonymous donor,” Rachel continued. “All the children who want will have three chances to dunk Miss Reynolds. Our generous donor will also match whatever funds are generated by adult purchases.”
Anna looked at Quinn, who had knelt down to speak with Brian. He showed no reaction to Rachel’s announcement, but Anna knew in the pit of her stomach that Quinn was the anonymous donor.
“Children will throw from the closer line, adults from the back line,” Rachel explained with a smile for the children.
“I’m not worried,” Anna called out. For the moment she ignored the softening of her heart and, playing to the crowd, she curled a finger. “C’mon, Brian, take your best shot.”
There were hoots of laughter and cheers of encouragement as the little boy stepped up to the line and accepted a ball from Rachel. She had to bite down on her bottom lip to stop from laughing as he scrunched up his face in concentration while going through the traditional pitcher’s wind-up. His first two throws fell short of the mark. Then, Quinn squatted behind him. Wrapping his arm around Brian’s waist he lifted the boy while curving his right hand around the smaller one and using his momentum to have the ball hitting center of the target. Anna had enough time to note Quinn and Brian’s whoop of excitement before the seat tilted to send her into the water.
It was not the last time she ended up dunked thanks to Quinn’s assistance. She would be hard pressed to admit who enjoyed the day more – the children or the man who, despite her best intentions to avoid becoming interested, kept capturing her attention.
“That’s it,” Rachel announced as the last person in line dunked Anna. “Let’s all give Miss Reynolds another round of applause.” Anna waved to the crowd as she climbed out of the tank. Naturally, it was Quinn who stood there with a towel spread wide to wrap around her.
“You were a good sport,” he said.
“Now I have a better idea of how good a pitcher you are.” She wanted to dismiss the concern, but it was hard to do so after watching him for more than an hour. “Was all this throwing bad for your recovering arm?”
“Just don’t tell the coach and I’ll be fine. Besides, I used my right arm for the throwing.” He grinned like one of the children he’d help. “They had a blast, didn’t they?”
“Thanks to you.”
“You’re the one shriveling up from all the dunking.” He took a step closer and she felt instantly warmed by his closeness. “Let me take you out to dinner.”
“I can’t.” Temptation urged her to accept his invitation, to go wherever this attraction between them was leading. For however long it lasted. Only the friendships she’d formed while in Barefoot Bay prevented her from taking that step. “We have a tradition to meet at Rachel’s house on the last day of school.”
“Drinking and going over the year?”
“Something like that.”
“We’ll have to make it another night,” he said with a grin before he turned and walked away.
Anna
experienced an odd sense of disappointment that he gave up so easily. Probably for the best she decided as she scooped up her skirt and slipped her feet into her sandals. No matter how strong the attraction, she had to remember that he wasn’t staying in Barefoot Bay any longer than was required to get his pitching arm back in shape. And she’d settled here with every expectation of putting down roots.
An hour later, she went from having been dunked in water to reclining next to a pool. Her resolve to avoid an entanglement with Quinn had hit a big snag however. She shook her head as she stared at his broad back.
“I can’t believe you invited him,” Anna said to Rachel.
“Are you kidding? Anna, the man is a star baseball player, he gave me a check for twelve hundred dollars that he absolutely insisted no one know about. Although you and I both know you’d already figured that out. Do you have any idea what we can do with that kind of money? Although I have another project in mind that could certainly use the money.”
“What project?”
“Let me gather a few more facts before I talk to you about it. Besides, you have to admit Quinn was good with the kids today.”
“He was good with them the day I took the class to the ball park.”
Her friend lifted her glass of lemonade, eyeing her over the rim with a long sigh. “Then there’s the way he looks at you.”
The heart that had softened at the thought of how Quinn had been with the kids suddenly began racing. She knew exactly the kind of look her friend meant.
“It’s just a thing.”
“Oh yeah?” Rachel leaned over. “Tell me more.”
Anna’s laugh, and a healthy dose of regret, clogged in her throat. “There’s nothing to tell.” Other than one very hot kiss that she’d had a hard time not letting go further. “He’s not going to be here forever, Rachel. I can’t get involved with him.”
“Who said anything about involved? Just enjoy him.”
“Do you know what it’s like to grow up knowing that every day brings the possibility of being told that you’re moving again and you have to say good-bye to people you’ve just gotten to know?”
Barefoot Bay: Hot Summer Kisses (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 3
