by Kaylee Ryan
I step back under the spray and away from her. I know this job is her livelihood. I almost told her to quit and let me take care of them, but I know better than to do that. I want her to reach her dreams, her goals in life. I know working at The Vineyard is not hers, but it’s what puts food on the table for her and Paisley. So instead, I give in and let the hot water pour over me as I keep my eyes glued to her. Her eyes are closed as she lathers her hair and tilts her head back to rinse away the shampoo. Water and soap slides down over her breasts, and I want nothing more than to touch her there, everywhere. She’s my addiction.
“Do you have conditioner?” she asks.
“No,” I choke out the word. I’m so consumed with lust for her that speaking when she’s naked, wet, and just a few feet away is almost impossible.
“Okay.” She grabs my bodywash, pours some in the palm of her hand, rubs them together and then lathers them all over her body.
I ball my hands into fists at my sides, fighting the urge to take over. My cock is hard as steel as I watch her. I’m half tempted to take care of it here and now. I imagine her wet body sliding against mine as she grips my cock, root to tip, slowly driving me mad. If it were not for the fact that I know that the real thing, her heat, is better than any self-induced orgasm I could bring for myself, I would. There is also the small factor of both of us being late. I can see the hunger in her eyes, though; it’s not just me who’s turned on, but I respect her and the fact she refuses to be late to work. Besides, this thing between us is a marathon, not a sprint.
“You good, Monroe?” she asks me. Her smile is infectious.
“You done?”
She throws her head back and laughs. “Yeah, I’m done.” She saunters out of the shower.
I have to close my eyes to keep from following her. My cock is steel, so I reach for the nozzle and turn the water to cold. I cringe as it hits my heated skin, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I don’t need to be rolling up into practice with a bat between my legs. I’m all for kidding around, but the guys would never let me live that one down. Once I’ve got things under control, I rush through the rest of my shower in the ice-cold water, not taking any chances.
I take my time drying off, hoping Larissa has had time to get dressed. Giving her time to cover her gorgeous body, not that it makes a difference. Clothed or naked I crave her.
“How long’s practice?” she asks when I enter the bedroom. She’s fully clothed in her black pants and black button-down, her uniform for The Vineyard.
“All day. We hit the weights, then the field, then watch film.”
“Wow. All day. I just assumed a few hours or something.”
“I mean, yeah, I’m that good. The others, they need all the help they can get.” I smirk.
“Uh-huh,” she responds with a laugh. “I think the next time I see Drew, I’ll get his opinion on the matter,” she teases.
I stalk toward her and lift her in my arms, her feet dangling from the floor. “You trying to make me jealous?”
“No, but are you?”
“You’re damn right I am.” I press my lips to hers quickly, then set her back on her feet. “I can’t get caught up in you right now,” I confess. “Any longer and neither one of us will be leaving this room today.”
She smiles up at me. Her eyes are sparkling, and my chest swells knowing I put that sparkle there. It’s as if she’s finally opening up to me, and even though I never thought it would be possible, she’s even more beautiful. Maybe it’s because I know she’s mine.
“So, you sure you want us to come back here tonight, you don’t want a break?”
“I leave tomorrow and won’t be back until Thursday.”
“I know, I understand if you want a break before you leave.”
I snake an arm around her waist and pull her close. “The only thing I want are my girls here with me, so I can soak up as much of the two of you as I can before I go on the road.”
“Yeah?” I can hear the hope in her voice.
“Yes. Pick up Princess P and get your asses here as soon as you can. I’ll grab dinner on my way home.”
“I thought we would just throw something on the grill?”
“I’m thinking P would like some cheese pizza more.”
“You can’t be spoiling her,” she says with a stern voice. One that doesn’t faze me.
“Sure I can. She’s my princess.” I kiss her nose and release her from my hold. “I gotta go. I’ll see you tonight.” A quick kiss to her lips and I’m walking away from her toward the bedroom door.
“Wait!” she calls out. “I’m almost done. I’ll come with you.” She rushes to grab her clothes and stuff them back in her bag.
“It’s fine. You have some time yet. I’ll check the patio and front doors. Just make sure you shut the garage door with the opener I gave you and it’s all good.” I stalk back to her, because I can, and kiss her one more time. “Have a good day, Ris.” With that, I hustle out of the room, grab my keys and wallet, and rush out the door.
Twenty minutes later, I’m walking into the locker room still wearing a shit-eating grin.
“What’s got you looking like you just hit a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth?” Drew asks, taking a seat on the bench next to me.
“What? Can a guy not have a good day?”
“Sure he can, but that”—he points to the grin I can’t seem to control—“is more than just a good day.”
I nod. “Life is good, my man. Just living the dream.”
He studies me, and a slow grin tilts his lips. “Larissa.”
“A gentleman never tells,” I chide, placing my phone, keys, and wallet in my locker.
“Since when?” he asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Since Larissa,” I confess.
“No shit.” He smacks his hand on my shoulder. “You finally wore her down?”
“Finally,” I agree. For a while there, I wasn’t sure she was ever going to give me a chance.
“You ready for all that? She’s a mom, East.”
“I’m ready,” I assure him. I have zero fears about the fact that Larissa is a single mom. Hell, if anything, it endears her to me even more. I know what single moms go through, the fight to make ends meet, the struggle to be both parents. She’s one of the strongest women I know.
He nods, and that ends our conversation. He knows me. I’m a man of my word. If I’m in, I’m in, and when it comes to Larissa and Paisley, there is no other way to be.
Today seems as if it’s dragging by. I know it’s because of the anticipation of seeing Easton again. It’s scary and exciting. I still worry about Paisley getting too attached, but I can’t protect her from life. I wish that I could, but I know the reality is if I do that, she’ll never be prepared to be on her own one day. One day, far, far away that I don’t want to think about.
“Hey,” Chloe greets me. “You been here all day?”
“Yeah, I had the early shift. I have an hour to go,” I say, looking at my watch.
“Rough day?” She laughs.
“Actually, no we’ve been steady. I’m just ready to go.”
“Uh-huh. And why is that? You got a hot date?”
“I’m picking P up at Mom’s right after work.”
“You’re avoiding my question.”
“It’s not a date.”
“Riigghhttt.” She drags out the word. “Sure it’s not.”
“Catch me up on what’s been going on in your life.”
I look up at the screen hoping to see my section full so we don’t have to talk about this. Not that I don’t talk to Chloe, I do. She’s been there for me through so much, but this relationship with Easton is new, and I’m afraid to talk about it. I don’t want to jinx it. That’s the worrier in me.
“Living the dream, how about you?” she turns it back on me.
“Nothing to report,” I lie.
She gives me the “I know you’re full of shit” look and crosses her arms ove
r her chest. “Try again.”
“Fine, we’ve been hanging out. He calls and texts a lot. He went to P’s game yesterday.”
“Did he now?” She smirks. “I’m guessing he was the main attraction?”
“The parents, both moms and dads, were falling all over themselves to meet him, to talk to him. The kids were awestruck….” I trail off thinking about it.
“What are you not telling me?”
“Nothing, he was great. When he was asked for an autograph, he told them he was with his family and to call the main office and he would get it for them, but not then.”
“So now you’re his family?” Her smile is so big I think I can actually hear it, the happiness in the sound of her voice.
“It was just a way for him to get out of signing autographs. We would have been there all night.”
She studies me a few minutes, and I try not to squirm under her gaze. “What else?”
“Nothing, we hung out at his place beforehand.”
“Damn, Larissa, it’s like pulling teeth to get any information out of you. What gives?”
“I just… I don’t want to jinx it. I really like him, and Paisley, I think she’s already getting attached to him too. It’s all happening so fast.”
“You’re the only one who can judge how fast or slow whatever it is you two have goes. If it feels right, it feels right. P is a strong little girl. She can handle it. You can’t shelter her from getting hurt her entire life.”
“I know that. I do, and I’m letting him in. It just seems like it’s been a whirlwind. He calls us ‘his girls.’” I try to hide my smile, but it’s pointless.
“Spill.” She narrows her eyes at me as she laughs.
“Fine, we went to his place and swam, then took a nap, went to P’s game, then I took P to Mom’s, went back to his place and stayed the night.”
“Who took a nap?” she asks.
“We all did.”
“Where?”
“His bed.”
“Larissa!” she says, exasperated.
“The three of us lay down on his monster of a bed. Paisley between us and took a nap with her before her game.”
“Aww.” She smiles.
“Then after her game, we ate, and I took P to Mom’s. He asked me to pack a bag and come back, so I did. I stayed there last night.”
“And?” she prompts.
“And it was nice.”
“Nice? Nice is for a neighbor dropping off some cookies at the holidays. Nice is not for spending the night with the first baseman for the Tennessee Blaze. Look, I get it. It’s personal and I know it’s the first time since Steve, but just tell me this. Did he take care of you?”
My face flames. It’s been so long for me that talking about sex, outside of joking about not getting any, is uncommon. “It was amazing. He’s amazing.”
“That’s my girl.” She holds up her hand to give me a high-five. I contemplate leaving her hanging but decide against it and slap my hand against hers. “So, when are you seeing him again?”
“Tonight,” I say, feeling my face turn hot. “He asked me to come over as soon as I get off. I’m picking P up and we’re going to his place for dinner.”
“Don’t forget to pack a bag.” She grins.
“Yeah, he wanted me to. I told him no. I think it’s a little too early for sleepovers. Paisley is already enamored with him.”
“Your pace, Larissa.” She looks at her watch.
I nod, looking at my watch. Finally, it’s time to go home. “I’ll see you later,” I say, already walking toward the computer hanging on the wall to clock out.
Paisley comes running out of the house as soon as I pull into the driveway. “Mommy!”
“Hey, girlie,” I pick her up and swing her around. She’s growing up so fast I won’t be able to do this much longer. “How was your day?”
“So so fun. Gram and I went to the park!” she says excitedly.
“That does sound fun.”
“Hey, sweetheart, how was work?” Mom asks.
“Good. It was a long day. Thanks for watching her.”
“You know I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she tells me. “She was an angel, as always.”
I smile down at Paisley, and I’m just about to comment on her being good when Mom adds, “She seems rather fond of Easton.”
“He’s a nice guy.” I don’t tell her that Paisley isn’t the only one who’s fond of him.
“From the stories I’ve heard, it seems as if he is. When do I get to meet him?”
“Mom, we’re just… friends, I guess? Getting to know each other. We’re not there yet.” I can’t help but think about him calling me his girlfriend. Mom would have a field day if she knew that. I smile to myself. I like having that moment be ours. I want to keep every memory with him to myself. It’s as if I were to share it with the world, he’ll disappear. Maybe this has all been a dream? It sure feels like one. Easton is most definitely a dream come true. He’s everything I could want in a partner, boyfriend, whatever it is I’m supposed to call him.
“He’s good with her?” she questions.
My eyes prick with tears, because he is. He’s incredible with my daughter. “Yeah, he’s good with her. Too good, in fact. I fear if this… whatever it is turns into something, he’s going to spoil her rotten.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
“Mommy, what are we having for dinner? My belly’s talking to me.”
“It is? What’s it saying?”
“That it wants pizza.”
We don’t eat out a lot. One, it gets expensive and two, I like to make sure she’s getting a balanced diet. I want to tell her that Easton is getting pizza, but I decide to surprise her instead. Let him be the one who tells her. It was his idea after all. I can’t help but let my mind wander to the last four years. Is this what it would have been like? Sharing the parenting responsibilities? My mom is wonderful and has helped me so much, but it’s different.
“We’ll have to see. Go grab your bag so we can go. Gram needs a break.”
“I’s got it on the porch.” She takes off running back to the porch, grabs her bag, and is back in no time.
“To have her energy,” Mom muses.
“Right?” I laugh. “Thanks again, Mom. I have the evening shift the next two days.”
“I’ll be ready and waiting for her.”
Leaning in, I wrap my arms around her and hug her tightly. There’s no way I could have done this on my own. My mom has been here every step of the way and given me more than she will ever know. One day, I hope to be in a job where she does not have to watch Paisley in the evenings. Where she can just be Gram and have sleepovers and play dates, and not the babysitter.
One day.
When I pull into the driveway, I see the garage door lifting and Larissa pulling in. We could not have timed this better if we tried. Practice was long and grueling. Afterward, I stopped by and picked up dinner. I got Paisley her own cheese pizza, me a meat lovers, and another large cheese. I’ll eat anything, but I’m not sure what Larissa likes on her pizza. The other night when we went out, we just ordered cheese for the table.
Hitting the button on my visor, the other garage door opens just as Larissa is climbing out of her SUV. By the time I’m pulled in and grab the pizzas from the back seat, Paisley is wrapping her little arms around my legs.
“East! I’m so, so happy to see you. And you gots pizza.” She speaks with such joy, I can’t help but smile at her.
“I did. I thought you might be in the mood for some cheesy pie.” I brush some of her loose curls out of her eyes.
“Pie? Pizza isn’t pie, silly.” She finishes with a laugh.
“But it’s shaped like one. It’s a pizza pie.”
This time I’m greeted with a soft giggle. “Pizza pie,” she sings.
“All right, Miss P, let him go so we can head inside and eat.” Larissa reaches for her hand and Paisley takes it.
Pizza in one arm,
I snake the other out and around her waist, guiding her into my arms. I place a kiss on her temple. “Missed you,” I whisper.
“What about me, did you miss me too, East?” Paisley asks in her sweet voice. It almost sounds as if she’s worried my answer might be no. As if it ever could be no when it comes to her.
I hand Larissa the pizza, then bend down and lift Paisley in my arms, settling her on my hip. “Of course I missed you. I missed both my girls.”
Her eyes widen. “We’re your girls?”
“Yep.” I kiss her on the temple, just as I did her mother seconds before. “You hungry?”
“So, so hungry. My belly was talking to me.”
“No way.” I feign disbelief.
Her little head bobs up and down. “Uh-huh, and it was telling me it wanted pizza. Ask Mommy.”
“Mommy?” I turn to face Larissa. “Did you hear this conversation?”
Larissa’s eyes sparkle with what I hope is amusement and happiness. “No, but Miss P informed me that her belly indeed did ask for pizza. You must be a belly reader.”
“A belly reader?” Paisley asks.
“Yeah, he knows what your belly wants when it’s hungry.”
“Do you hear pizza?” Paisley asks innocently.
“I sure do. I even heard that you wanted your very own pizza.” Her eyes widen. “Let’s get you inside so we can eat.” With Paisley on my hip, I follow Larissa into the house, hitting the buttons to close the garage doors on the way.
“Where do you want to sit?” Larissa asks.
I look down at Paisley who is still in my arms. “What do you think, princess? Should we eat inside or out on the deck?”
“It’s really hot out there,” she says, her face stone serious.
“Inside it is.” I chuckle. Carrying her inside, I stop at the island and sit her in one of the chairs. “Don’t wiggle around too much. I don’t want you to fall.”
“East,” she says, exasperated. “I’m four. I’ll be five…. Mommy, when will I be five?”
“July fifteenth,” she tells her.
