Stealing Second

by Alison Packard

  Stealing Second

  By Alison Packard

  Book five of Feeling the Heat

  Katherine Whitton doesn’t purposely avoid men and relationships, but she doesn’t mind that side effect of immersing herself in her job with the San Francisco Blaze. Years ago she was betrayed by her one true love, and she’s never fully recovered, though she’s tried by building a new life in a city she loves.

  It’s taken seventeen years for Tom Morgan to get over Katie—Katherine now. Sober now and faced with the incredible opportunity to manage the Blaze, he thinks he’ll finally be able to handle working with this beautiful woman without falling to pieces…as long as she doesn’t get too close.

  A crisis with the team’s star pitcher forces Tom and Katherine to put in long hours together. Years of animosity melt away as the sexual tension between them ignites. But it’ll take more than scorching kisses to avoid the wreckage of the past. And neither Tom nor Katie are sure they’re ready to trust each other or risk their hearts for a second chance at happiness.

  Read The Winning Season and Catching Heat for more stories about the San Francisco Blaze.

  89,190 words

  Dear Reader,

  This week, my ten-year-old daughter looked woefully at her Kindle and then at me and said, “I have nothing to read!” I asked her about several recent books I’d uploaded for her and if she’d read those yet, and of course the answer was no, but she still had nothing to read. It’s hard for me to get too upset with this sentiment, since I’m a bit of a book hoarder, and I own more books that I haven’t read than I care to admit, but… I’ll get to them someday! As someone pointed out to me, “nothing to read” is much like “nothing to eat” and “nothing to do.” It’s not a statement of literal fact, it’s a statement of mood and feeling. I don’t know if you’re in the same boat as my daughter and feeling as if you have nothing to read, but if so, one of our June 2015 releases should strike just the right note for you.

  Lisa Marie Rice thrilled fans and new readers alike when she returned to the world of her popular Midnight Series with Midnight Vengeance and Midnight Promises. This June, in Midnight Secrets, we get to fall in love with her cracktastic and sexy romantic suspense series all over again. Former Navy SEAL Joe Harris nearly died—twice—on a medevac helo after being blown up by an IED. He’s not moving too great these days, but if there was ever a woman designed to jump start a man’s hormones, it would be his new neighbor. Meeting Isabel—loving Isabel—brought Joe back to life, and he’s not going to let anyone take her from him, not even a high-powered politician who needs to keep Isabel from remembering what he’s done.

  Julie Moffett is back with her hit mystery series. Geek extraordinaire Lexi Carmichael is more comfortable with computer code than commandos, but in No Woman Left Behind, she’s about to undertake her most dangerous case yet with a little help from the Navy SEALs.

  We also have several authors in the contemporary romance lineup this month. In Alison Packard’s latest book in her Feeling the Heat series, Stealing Second, Tom Morgan and Katherine Whitton, once deeply in love and planning a future together, now work together and are finally forced to confront their long-held belief that each one was betrayed by the other.

  Elizabeth Harmon’s Turning It On brings us a new stand-alone romance in her Red Hot Russians series. On a steamy reality show, shy book editor Hannah Levinson fights to keep her fiancé from the clutches of a scheming dental hygienist with the help of an unlikely ally, sexy former figure skater turned stripper “Vlad the Bad” Shustov. Can she trust there’s more to Vlad than meets the eye?

  Spoiled college student Olivia Christakos experiences the ultimate fall from grace when she’s hit by a car (losing her memory in the process) and catches her family (who she’s supposed to be able to trust at a time like this) lying to her about her past. Find out what happens in Olivia Christakos and Her Second First Time by debut author Dani Irons.

  If male/male contemporary romance is what you’re looking for, check out previously released In the Raw and In the Fire from the In the Kitchen series by writing duo Nikka Michaels and Eileen Griffin. In that duology, we met Ethan and Jamie. In their latest stand-alone romance, In the Distance, Trevor Pratt and Tyler Mitchell just might have a shot at love—if, that is, they choose to follow their hearts, instead of letting their ten-year age difference and the three thousand miles separating them keep them apart forever.

  Dana Marie Bell gives us paranormal romance Song of Midnight Embers, the next book in her Maggie’s Grove series. To prove she’s not a murderer, Mollie Greer will have to turn to the one person she’s been longing for—and avoiding—her whole life: Greer Berkley, the Singer of the Forest.

  And last, this June I’m excited to introduce you to a new direction for author Julie Rowe with the first romantic suspense in her new Biological Response Team series. American Sniper meets the worldwide Ebola-outbreak response meets romance in Deadly Strain. A sniper tries to protect an infectious disease specialist while they combat a deadly new bacterial strain, but he might not be able to stop from her from making the ultimate sacrifice in order to save him.

  I hope you find something from Carina Press to help you cure your “nothing to read” mood. And don’t forget our extensive romance, mystery, science fiction and fantasy backlist is also always available where ebooks are sold.

  Coming in July: A dragon-shifter romance trilogy from a brand-new author, the next book in Stephanie Tyler’s postapocalyptic motorcycle club world and a new male/male romance from A.M. Arthur.

  Until next time, here’s wishing you a wonderful month of books you love, remember and recommend.

  Happy reading!

  Angela James

  Editorial Director, Carina Press

  Dedication

  For Suzy. We miss you every day.

  Acknowledgments

  The year in which this book was written was personally very difficult. That I was able to complete it at all is due in large part to my friends Angie Shiroff, Tera Lynn Childs and Chrissie Humphrey, who supported and encouraged me, and never doubted my ability to turn it in on time. Thank you, Angie, Tera and Chrissie. I’m so happy and grateful to call you my friends.

  I’d also like to thank Crystal Perkins, a great friend, author and supporter of the romance genre and its authors. You rock, Crystal!

  As always, I must thank the entire Carina Press team for all they do for their authors. It’s a pleasure to work with such a professional and dedicated group of people.

  And special thanks to Deb Nemeth for her editorial input on this book, and to Angela James, for her support and professional guidance this past year. To be able to work with two such talented editors, who strive for excellence, means more than I can say.

  Also Available from Alison Packard

  and Carina Press

  The Feeling the Heat Series by Alison Packard

  Suggested reading order

  Love in the Afternoon

  The Winning Season

  A Christmas for Carrie

  Catching Heat

  Breaking His Rules

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-On
e

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from The Winning Season by Alison Packard

  Chapter One

  Katherine Whitton didn’t believe in torturing herself. In her world—the world she created after leaving Dallas for Berkeley seventeen years ago—her very existence was perfectly arranged so she’d rarely be reminded of the past.

  But there were days—days like this one—when even though she knew she shouldn’t be standing at the large picture window of her office overlooking Blaze Field, she couldn’t help herself. The draw was too powerful.

  Today was Kids’ Day at the ballpark. One of many the San Francisco Blaze held throughout the summer. Children of all ages were allowed onto the field to run the bases and get autographs from their favorite players.

  She could almost feel their excitement at being able to step foot on the same field as their beloved team. The event, a dream come true for many of them, was one the players enjoyed as well. Every single Blaze player had once been a kid who loved baseball and who dreamed of meeting the baseball idol they revered and cheered for. And unlike some other public appearances the players were asked to attend, neither she nor her staff had to twist any arms.

  Despite the heaviness in her heart, Katherine couldn’t look away. At this moment the phrase “things happen for a reason” didn’t comfort her. Actually, it never had. It was something she told herself to make sense of a life that hadn’t turned out at all like the one she’d planned. She wasn’t sure how long she stood there, but it was long enough to remind her of what she’d lost and what she’d chosen to live without.

  Just after eleven, the phone on Katherine’s uncharacteristically cluttered desk rang. She glanced at the number on the caller ID screen and quickly picked up the handset.

  “Good morning, Doug,” she said to her boss, as she pulled off her reading glasses and set them on top of the budget report she’d been reviewing. “What’s up?” For as long as she’d worked for him, Doug Lowry had never been a micromanager. With his responsibilities as general manager he didn’t have the time. He trusted his staff implicitly and rarely called any of them unless it was something that couldn’t wait for their weekly staff meeting. And since the staff meeting was three days away, she could only surmise something important must have arisen.

  “We may have a situation that I’ll need you and your staff to jump on right away,” Doug began, his cool, modulated tone the same as always. Even when he got upset, he never seemed to get ruffled. However, judging by the large bottle of antacids he kept on his desk, he appeared to be one of those people who internalized their stress rather than taking it out on those around him.

  “Situation? What situation?” Katherine leaned forward and stared at the wall opposite her desk. A wall filled with artfully hung photographs that captured some of her favorite memories during her tenure with the Blaze. Her gaze rested on a framed photo of her and her father taken after she had accepted a prestigious Bay Area humanitarian award on behalf of the team’s community outreach programs, several of which she’d initiated. The proud gleam in her father’s eyes meant more to her than anything—Cal Whitton was her hero, not to mention the person she loved and respected most in the world.

  “I received a call from Rick Taylor a couple of days ago. He led me to believe he may attempt to resurrect his career.”

  Katherine stifled a gasp. The president of the United States could have waltzed into her office and she would have been less surprised. “Are you serious? I thought he’d given up baseball for good.”

  “So did I. In fact, when I talked to Tom about it we both had the same reaction.”

  She lifted her brows as her fingers tightened on the phone. “Tom? He knows about this?”

  “Yes. I called him right after I spoke to Rick.”

  “So he’s known for a couple of days?” she asked, as her blood started to simmer.

  “Yes. I’m surprised he hasn’t shared it with you.”

  Katherine wasn’t surprised. Not one damn bit. “I’m sure he meant to. He’s busy,” she said, trying to keep her tone pleasant. “When will we get a confirmation on Rick’s status?”

  “I’m not sure. He’s trying to secure an agent. Be prepared for his decision at any time.”

  “I will,” she said with a nod.

  After she ended her conversation with Doug, it took less than ten minutes for her to leave her corner office and push through the double doors of the San Francisco Blaze clubhouse. Anger had a way of making her move a bit more quickly—even in stiletto heels.

  Striding through the locker room portion of the clubhouse, Katherine ignored the players in various stages of undress and made her way down the long hallway that led to the staff offices. When she reached the last office on the right, she crossed the threshold, found the edge of the door with her palm and with the force of her ire, slammed it shut.

  A perverse sense of satisfaction filled her as Tom Morgan visibly flinched and jerked his head up from the open laptop sitting on his scarred oak desk. In the space of a few seconds, his blue-green eyes went from startled to annoyed. No surprise there; it wasn’t like she hadn’t been on the receiving end of that particular reaction before.

  “You always did know how to make an entrance.” His lazy drawl still held a hint of Texas and never failed to heighten her pulse. A fact that irritated her beyond measure. “What’s got your thong in a twist this time?”

  “Rick Taylor.” Katherine moved forward but didn’t sit down in the chair opposite his desk. She didn’t plan on staying long. And how did he know she wore a thong anyway? “Why am I the last one to know he’s thinking about resuming his baseball career?”

  Tom leaned back in his leather chair, a ghost of a smile hovering on his lips. “I doubt you’re the last person to know, and I only found out two days ago.”

  “Why didn’t you call me immediately? If Rick is trying to make a comeback, my department needs to be involved.”

  “It isn’t my place to call you. It’s Doug’s.” His enigmatic eyes briefly skimmed over her body, then lifted. There was no indication whether he liked what he saw. Not that it mattered. Not anymore. “Besides, aren’t you the one who said you preferred I didn’t contact you after hours?”

  “When it comes to anything media-related, I’m on call 24/7. You know that.”

  Tom shrugged, drawing her attention to his broad shoulders. The Blaze T-shirt he wore didn’t do much to disguise his muscular upper body. Although he didn’t play anymore, he was still in excellent shape. Of course, he wouldn’t be one of those ex-athletes who let themselves go after their playing days were over. He was still a perfect specimen. Not that she spent a lot of time thinking about him or his body.

  Liar.

  Okay, fine. Maybe she thought about his body once in a while. But only because it was an involuntary response.

  “I assumed Doug would call you as soon as he got off the phone with me. Rick hasn’t made it official. There’s not much we can do until he does.”

  Katherine gave him a grudging nod. He was right, but she didn’t have to like it. By all accounts, patience had never been one of her virtues. Starting from the moment she’d arrived into the world—three weeks premature. “I understand that. But I need to be kept abreast of the situation. I assume if he does intend to come back, he’s going to one of our minor league affiliates?”

  “At the moment, that’s hard to predict,” Tom said. “We have no idea what his fitness level is. He’s basically missed two full seasons. If he’s in top shape and his skills haven’t diminished, he could be considered for one of the non-roster invitee slots at spring training with the Blaze. If not, he’ll start out in the minors. At what level would depend on him.”

  “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep me in the loop. Due to the circumstances, this is going to be a big story. I’d like some advance warning so I can prep my staff and make sure we keep the media circus as far away from him as possible.”

  “Anything for you… Katie.”


  “Don’t call me that,” she snapped, annoyed that he seemed incapable of using her given name whenever they were alone together.

  “Sorry.” The grin that played at the corners of his mouth indicated he wasn’t sorry at all. “Force of habit.”

  She narrowed her eyes and gave him her best glacial stare. Not that it would do any good. As always, Tom would do as he damn well pleased. “Break the habit.”

  “I’ll try, Katherine. But those fancy clothes and four-inch heels can’t change where you come from. You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the girl.”

  “You’re wrong about that,” she shot back with a scowl. “I left Texas and…and everything that happened there behind a long time ago.”

  Tom shook his head as amusement quirked the corners of his mouth. Years ago, when they were teens, he’d worn his light brown hair long enough to brush his shoulders. But now he kept it shorter and neatly trimmed. That she remembered the silky texture of it after so long irritated her. She’d lived without Tom longer than they’d been together. Little things, like the feel of his hair and the taste of his skin, should be long forgotten.

  “Katie, darlin’. We’re Texans to the bone. Always have been, always will be.”

  “Then why did you take the manager job with San Francisco?” she asked, ignoring the endearment. Unlike a few Texas men Katherine had known, Tom wasn’t one to call every woman he came into contact with darlin’. He’d always saved it for her—back when she would have sworn that nothing could ever tear them apart. “I have it on good authority you were also offered the manager position with the Rangers.”

  “The Blaze made me a better offer.” Tom pushed up from his chair and folded his arms over his chest. For a moment she was distracted by his strong forearms, tanned from the sun and covered with fine golden-brown hair. What was wrong with her? She’d been doing a fairly decent job of ignoring Tom Morgan and the bittersweet memories seeing him evoked ever since he’d signed on as manager two and a half years ago. Why, all of a sudden, was she responding to him in a manner not at all professional?