“I guess the grass is always greener.”
“What do you mean?”
Rachel took a large swallow of lemonade as she glanced toward her husband, Charlie. Anna knew Charlie was an attorney with plans to go into politics. “It’s easy to become complacent when you’re together all the time. You come home, eat dinner, then each go to your separate areas of the house to do a little more work. By the time you go to bed, you’re too worn out to enjoy the fact that you’ve got no children because you both wanted to have enough time to enjoy one another before kids demanded all of your time and attention. What’s the point of being together every night,” she went on in a haunting whisper that nearly broke Anna’s heart. “When you spend so little actual time together.”
While the words still hovered in her mind after Rachel was called away, Quinn settled beside her. “You’ve got nice friends, Anna.”
“They’re more co-workers than friends.”
“Oh?” He lifted a brow at her.
“I’ve only taught here for three years.”
“Seems like plenty of time to me. On any given day I could show up at the ballpark to learn a teammate has been called up or traded.” He waved his bottle of water, indicating the people standing in small clusters around the pool. “Nothing to be gained by holding back and not getting to know someone. And you might miss out on a great opportunity or friendship. Like Jimmy there.” He again waved his bottle in the direction of where his teammate laughed with three men.
“The man can field a ball like he’s got some kind of sixth sense about where it’s headed as soon as it leaves the bat. It would be easy to keep my distance from him, knowing not only that he could be called up any day, but also that he might be traded and I’ll end up striking him out.” He grinned with the assurance that he would do just that. “But it hasn’t stopped us from hanging out while we’ve been here. I swear I know so much about his family that I think I could walk into his house and name everyone on first sight.”
“What does he know about you?”
Quinn took his time answering. “He knows that I think he’s the luckiest guy on the team.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask what he meant, to question if only to herself why he sounded so sad, only Jimmy called Quinn over to the group. Anna sat for a half minute longer before she rose and joined a group of her own. After all, this is what she wanted. To establish friendships and indulge in this kind of tradition year after year. For the most part conversations lapsed into a rehashing of the school year, easing some of her reserve.
Because their paths didn’t intersect again, it surprised her to realize, when the party started breaking up, that Quinn hadn’t left. Jimmy, on the other hand, had.
“I suppose you want a lift home?” she asked.
“Thanks for asking, I’d love one.” While her lips twitched with a smile she refused to allow to form, Quinn turned and thanked Rachel and Charlie. Anna hugged Rachel hard and they made plans to meet for lunch the next week.
As Quinn and Anna walked to her car, Rachel called out. “By the way Anna, there’s a house two streets over that just went up for sale.”
Anna turned so she could walk backward and laugh at her friend. “Not happening unless you’re giving me a big raise next year,” she said, knowing salaries were set by the county government. “Or maybe you could introduce me to a bachelor billionaire?” Both friends laughed and she turned back to punch the unlock button on her remote.
“Bachelor billionaire?” Quinn asked. He followed her to the driver door and opened it for her.
“Why not? Besides, it’s the only way I could afford a house in this neighborhood.”
“And you’d like to live here?”
“What’s not to like? The houses are beautiful, the neighborhood is solid. It’s in a great school district.”
“Due I’m sure to the finest of teachers.”
“Of course.”
“Teachers who are not only dedicated,” he went on as if she hadn’t spoken. “But are willing to be dunked in a barrel of water for hours so their students can have all the supplies they need.” He nodded. “You’re right, it is a great school district.”
He closed the door and everything female inside of her admired the way he moved as he circled the hood and opened the passenger door. She nearly sighed in pleasure at the sight of his muscles flexing when he slid onto the seat. Never before had she experienced such a relentless attraction for a man. She didn’t understand why she did so now, especially when she knew that he would leave.
Then again, it might be interesting to see how it felt to be the one who stayed behind rather than the one who left.
Going with that theory, she leaned across the seat, slid her hands over the rough texture of his cheeks. His eyes went wide before they darkened with pleasure.
“This is all we’re going to do,” she whispered as her mouth coasted over his, enjoying the feel and flavor of him, knowing she’d want more. “For now.”
Chapter 4
Three days after the end of the school year, Anna stood outside the ballpark. Sunset was two hours away, but the evening was blessedly cool. She’d loitered at the goat farm for a bit when she first arrived, speaking with a couple of former students, and stopped by the gift shop where she’d succumbed to temptation and bought a team shirt. At the cash register she’d looked over the assortment of wristbands for sale similar to the one that Quinn wore.
Now that she’d made her way to the entrance, she stood listening to the people who were filled with enthusiasm and hope for the game they’d come to see. The home team was in the thick of the race for first place, a fact she knew courtesy of her mom. Everyone streamed by her, either stopping at the ticket counter or on to the usher doing a safety check on purses and backpacks. She’d received a ticket, with no accompanying message, via a courier.
She’d considered ignoring the invitation. She still had clear and vivid memories of sitting in her car, kissing Quinn. And the way her head had spun when he’d kissed her once again when she dropped him off at the complex.
That had been another surprise. Quinn didn’t have an apartment, nor a lavish house befitting a major league baseball player. He also hadn’t rented a private villa at the Casa Blanca Resort & Spa. Instead he’d chosen to stay at the Barracks, a dormitory-style complex the team owners had built for the players. From Quinn’s description, in addition to each player having their own room, there was a lounge area where the guys could hang out, watch television or play cards, and a mini-kitchen along with a gym. Quinn had gone on to explain that since minor league players earned considerably less than major league players it was a financial bonus. Plus the players avoided the entanglement of a lease. For her, it was a tangible reminder that he wouldn’t be in Barefoot Bay much longer.
If she were smart, she’d avoid him and the potential of heartache once he was out of her life.
Yet, here she stood. Just as she’d spent hours each of the past three nights talking with him on the phone.
“You must be Anna.”
She jumped a little at the voice, saw that two women had approached. They couldn’t have been more different. One was middle age with curly, dark hair, brown eyes and a round figure. The other was younger, closer to her age, with long, straight blonde hair, blue eyes and, a slim, boyish build.
“Yes, I’m Anna Reynolds.”
“Quinn asked us to meet you,” the blonde said. The brunette said nothing, and did even less to disguise the fact that she was eyeing Anna with curiosity. “He wanted to make sure you felt welcomed.”
Anna didn’t bother to sigh. How could she continue to resist him when he did such sweet things? “I’m excited to be here.”
Apparently that was the correct comment as the blonde smiled. “I’m Judy, my boyfriend is Scott Williams. He plays third base. And this is Laura, she’s married to Davey, who’s the regular catcher.”
“Nice to meet you both.”
“All of us girl
friends and wives try to sit together,” Judy explained.
“I see. So Quinn’s given tickets to other friends?”
“Oh, no. You’re the first one.” Judy grinned. “That’s why Laura and I were glad he asked us to look for you. You know, so we could check you out.”
Anna had no choice but to laugh. “How am I doing so far?”
“You’re really cute. And I love your shoes.”
Judy kept up a constant stream of conversation as they walked to the aisle, freely giving out information about people they passed, the ballpark, players, and the day in general. Laura continued to silently study Anna.
She received another mix of reactions when she was introduced to several other wives and girlfriends. Since she’d endured this kind of first-meeting scrutiny most of her life, her instinct was to let the others ask the questions and hold back as much of herself as she could. However, she found herself freely answering questions about how she and Quinn had met, which lead to a few questions about teaching. She explained she’d moved here with her mother, who worked as one of the park ushers, after her father’s death.
At the same time, she kept an eye on the field. It wasn’t hard to spot Quinn. He most often was laughing with his teammates as they stretched, ran sprints up and down the sidelines, or appeared to be in deep discussion with one of the coaches. It reminded her of his comments at Rachel’s party about friendships. He was obviously a man who enjoyed his work while also being enough of a professional to work at doing his best. She swallowed down a sigh. He also looked damn good as he moved on the field.
Then he looked up into the stands, spotted her and she felt her heart skip in her chest.
Since Quinn hadn’t yet been cleared for pitching, he spent all of the game in the dugout. Anna enjoyed the company of the women around her and felt an unexpected, although comfortable ease. She received an open-ended invitation to meet with a couple of the women for lunch or drinks when the team was out of town, and for her and Quinn to meet up with a bunch of them after the Friday night game at Buckskins, the local bar where the team liked to hang out. She laughed at the silly between-inning activities and ate a hot dog along with a cold beer. She’d been caught up in a discussion about a potential charity project when the game ended, with the home team winning by two runs.
Following the group, Anna soon found herself standing outside the gate of the player parking lot. She’d almost decided Quinn had left another way when he walked out. He was nodding at the man beside him, his hair damp and wearing a pale blue dress shirt with darker blue slacks. Both men paused to speak to the fans crowding the back stretch of fence, autographing baseballs and caps.
When Quinn turned and his gaze locked on hers, a powerful yearning rose up inside of her. She waited for him to approach, waited patiently while he introduced the man with him, and then another who passed by, waited until all the couples around them left. Finally, they were the only people still standing in the parking lot.
Without a word he slowly took her in his arms. His mouth lowered and covered hers in a kiss that promised the night was nowhere close to ending.
“Did you walk or drive?”
“Walked.”
He continued kissing her, stroking a hand up and down her back, as he walked them to his car. She felt giddy and excited as he jogged around the hood and climbed behind the wheel. Before he started the engine, he reached for her and they kissed without regard to time or place.
She didn’t know how much time they would have. But she decided right then and there – or had she before she arrived tonight? - to take and enjoy every second.
They held hands as he drove. It was the kind of gesture that reminded her of long-time lovers and she had to swallow a knot that formed in her throat. She didn’t wait for him to come around the car and open her door, choosing instead to stand and wait for him. Again hand-in-hand they walked to her apartment.
Given the way he’d kissed her in his car, she thought they’d both rush to remove clothes, to touch and taste. Instead, just inside the door of her apartment, they came together slowly, as if wanting to prolong each moment, each touch and taste.
“You’re so lovely,” he whispered, taking small nibbles of her throat and along her collarbone. Slowly, he ran his hands up and down her ribs, causing her to shiver in that second before his hands slipped under her shirt and raised it over her head. His long breath skimmed her skin as he lowered his mouth to trace kisses just above the lace edge of her bra.
“Quinn.” Anna gasped as his tongue dipped down to graze over an already pebbled nipple. She arched, begging for him to take all of her in his mouth. She moaned when he stopped his teasing. Then he unclasped her bra and it fell to the floor, giving him the freedom to return to her bare breast. Anna let her head fall back as his mouth and tongue had pleasure exploding inside her.
Dazed by the strength of her response, she could only stare at him when he finally lifted his head to look at her. Her heart stumbled with the realization that what she felt was more, way more, than physical attraction for this man.
Needing to push aside thoughts, she began unbuttoning his shirt, tugging it free of his waistband. She took one luxurious fingertip stroke down the center of his chest before she hooked it in the waistband of his slacks and pulled him forward. She kissed him as she walked backward to her bedroom.
Aided by a bedside lamp, she didn’t have to break stride as she slipped the shirt off his shoulders far enough down to pin his arms at his sides. With a small smile at his frown, she snuggled her bare chest against his.
The hard muscles of his chest cushioned her, cradled her. Anna wrapped her arms around his waist, slid her hands up under his shirt to stroke the strong contour of his back. She felt his arm muscles flex as he struggled to get the shirt to the floor so he could slide his hands up her back. They continued kissing, enticing, as clothes were stripped, as covers were tossed back and they lay on the bed facing each other.
“Oh,” she breathed as she discovered the scar along his elbow. Raising her eyes, she saw another on the inside of his shoulder. “Is this going to hurt you?”
“I don’t know.”
She blinked and looked at him.
“Anna. I have a confession.” He hadn’t moved, just lay beside her, his left hand stroking up and down her hip and thigh. “I haven’t been with anyone since my surgery.”
“Quinn.”
“I had opportunities,” he hurried before she could say anything. “But I was too focused on getting back to baseball.” Moving his hand to cup her butt, he urged her closer to him. “I really want to be with you.”
“I think that’s obvious,” she said, a little stunned by the sheer size and heat pressed against her stomach.
“We’ll take it slow.” He kissed her, and then leaned back so she could see his grin. “If my arm bothers me, you’ll just have to take over and be on top.”
She rolled, forcing him to his back. “Why take the chance?” she asked as she straddled his hips. His hands rose to stroke up and down her back, over her hips, up to cup her breasts. He levered up, forcing her back a little as he captured her breast in his mouth. She let the sensations roll over her, as his fingers sought and found the core of her. She bucked and cried out as he guided her over an edge she’d never before experienced.
With her body still quivering, she barely caught her breath before having it rush back out as Quinn shifted them so that she cradled his weight.
“My arm feels great.” He slid inside her, closed his eyes a moment. She felt her body stretch to accommodate a new lover, appreciated the way he stilled to give her time to accept his size and weight. He lowered his forehead to hers, drew in a deep breath before he stared into her eyes. “And now the rest of me does too.”
He rocked his hips in a slow, building motion. He kissed her in much the same way. Anna felt bombarded by sensation, by a desire that was not simply physical passion, but a longing of the heart that she feared might never be fulfilled.
And yet as Quinn arched and moaned with his release, hope soared.
“I’ll move in a minute,” Quinn said. Several long, delicious moments later.
Wanting to keep him close, keep him inside her, Anna stroked a hand up and down his back. “Will you stay?” she whispered.
“I was hoping you’d ask.” They kissed; lazy, sweet presses of mouth to mouth or mouth to bare skin that were lovely reminders of the intimacy and passion they’d just shared. And offered an unspoken promise that they would again.
Finally, Quinn rolled to his side, but kept her gathered close to him. “Anna, I didn’t ask if you’re on the pill. I should have.” He tucked a finger under her chin, lifting her gaze to his. “I meant what I said. I haven’t been with anyone in a long time. But, I still should have protected you.”
“Quinn, I haven’t been with anyone since before I moved to Barefoot Bay, but yes, I’m on the pill so I’ll be fine.” She kissed him. “I teach children, and I love doing so. That doesn’t mean I’m ready for any.”
“You don’t want children?”
“Someday sure. Just not right now.”
He stared at her, silent long enough that she began to grow uncertain. Finally, he tucked her under his chin, his fingers combing through her hair. “My mom was seventeen when she got pregnant with me. She’s never told me my father’s name, or why he left her.” He paused, and Anna felt compelled to press a soothing kiss to his chest.
“She married Richard Carr when I was six. I overheard them fighting once, about the time my mom got pregnant with Elaine. Richard told my mother that he would never adopt me, that if he had a son carrying his name it would be his true son, and not some other man’s bastard.”
Anna felt tears burn her eyes and throat.
“He was never cruel to me, but he was hard, expected me to follow his rules, and often reminded me, usually out of earshot of my mother, that my father had never wanted me. Then he discovered that I could throw a baseball better and harder than any of the other kids on the team sponsored by his car dealership. He spent hours researching pitching techniques, then hours more lecturing me, telling me when he believed I pitched poorly, or pushing me through hours of conditioning. My entire life revolved around baseball, with Richard overseeing as much of it as he could.” He was silent a few moments before she felt his slowly in-drawn breath.
Barefoot Bay: Hot Summer Kisses (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 4
