by Alice Ward
Sure, there were a few stolen glances. I caught her looking at me when she thought I wasn’t paying attention. But since the night at the Boardwalk, her demeanor was all business.
“You need to call the pitches I fucking tell you to call,” Calvin screamed.
His face was so close to mine that our noses nearly touched. I thought we were cool. He’d apologized for being a dick that first day, and since then, he’d been pretty easy to deal with. Not now. Now, he was back to being a dick.
“I know these players better than you,” I said calmly.
He rolled his eyes, tossed his head back, then kicked the dirt under his feet. I knew he wanted to hit me. I could sense it in his body language. A part of me wished he would. I needed to let off some steam, and I couldn’t think of a better place than on Calvin Malone’s face.
“That golden arm of yours got you this far, but the players are on to your switches,” I insisted, raising my own voice now.
“I’m the fuckin’ pitcher. You listen to me. Follow my rules.”
Wow, what a big head this one had.
“Yeah, you’re the pitcher. But without me, you can’t see shit. You see me, and you see the batter. If you can’t learn to trust me, you’re not only fucking yourself. You’re fucking the whole damn team.” My voice was louder than it should’ve been. I was pissed.
Coach was quick to push between us, tossing Calvin back a couple feet with his force. I avoided the smirk that itched to show on my face, instead, staying calm. “Enough,” he screamed.
“He’s refusing to call the pitches I told him to call,” Calvin whined like a little bitch to his Mommy.
“Because these hitters know what’s coming. They’re ready for it. Your bag of tricks have all been exposed, Malone. It’s time to wise up.” This time my smirk displayed without reluctance.
“That’s it. You two can’t finish this game together,” Coach said, his face turning a strange color of deep purple with his anger.
Calvin smirked, stepped back onto the mound, apparently feeling he’d won this battle. “Singleton,” Coach yelled, motioning for him to come out of the dugout and out to the field.
Calvin’s smirk quickly faded as Luke Singleton raced out to the mound. “Yes, Coach,” he said.
“You’re finishing the game.”
“What the fuck?” Calvin groaned, tossing his glove into the dirt and stomping off toward the dugout.
A part of me felt sorry for the guy. I knew what it was like to be tossed out of the game. We were halfway through an exhibition game, and nobody liked to be pulled.
I hadn’t worked much with Luke, but he didn’t fight me on my signs. I told him to pitch a fastball, he threw a fastball. I wanted it on the outside, he pitched to the outside. He was easy to work with, but he wasn’t nearly as accurate as Malone. He was slower, showing either his lack of strength or his over partying, probably both.
After the game, I avoided Calvin in the locker room. We’d won, but barely with Luke’s weak pitches, overly tired arm, and lazy eyes out on the field. He was still easier to work with than Calvin.
My body ached as I stripped down for my deep tissue massage. My shoulders were on fire, and my knees felt like they would snap apart at any moment. While the rest of the team showered and took off for a night on the town to celebrate, I was being manhandled by a therapist named Ben.
I knew that with Calvin on the mound I wouldn’t have had to work so hard to keep the field safe. Coach knew we were the best team. I knew we were the best team. I wasn’t sure Calvin was ever going to realize that.
“Ice that knee tonight for at least twenty minutes. And stay off it if possible,” Ben told me, slapping me on the back to signal he was done working my sore muscles.
“Sure thing,” I agreed.
Everyone was already long gone when I stepped into the showers. My thoughts drifted to Katrina. Why was she being so cold, so professional? This was just a fuckin’ job, and not a glamorous one. She didn’t even need it. She was Katrina Delaney.
The water penetrated into my pores, pushing out the toxins that Ben had stirred up. Don’t be a dick, Todd. She wants to do a good job. Quit whining like a little bitch that you aren’t getting enough attention. It still drove me crazy not to push her into the wall and kiss her each time she walked by.
I’d been on her floor a dozen times at least. I would ride the elevator down to her floor to get ice, passing a perfectly good ice machine outside my own door to do it. I never knocked. I didn’t linger. But I did hope with each visit that I’d bump into her in the halls.
My dick twitched at the thought of what would happen during that not-so-chance meeting. I needed some action, something exciting. If I couldn’t have Katrina, I’d have to find something to smooth over this jagged edge looming around me.
“Thanks, man,” I slipped the cab driver an extra twenty for picking me up so quickly. I stepped out, looking up at the tall white condo building, wondering if Katrina was already inside. Maybe she wasn’t alone. She could be finishing up interviews, possibly Kane’s? That smooth talking mother-fucker worried me each time I caught her smiling into his dark, mysterious eyes.
Shake it off, Morris.
The lobby was flooded with players, all congregating around Ace Newman. “Hey, Morris,” he called out to me as I tried to walk by unnoticed.
When he turned toward me, I noticed a baby straddling his hip. He had a full head of black hair, thick and wild like Ace’s. His eyes were large and bright like his mother’s, who stood beside them with an uncertain smile.
“Hey, that’s a handsome man you got there,” I said, stopping to greet them properly.
“Yeah. He’s growing like a weed. Won’t be long, he’ll be out there on the field,” Ace boasted.
I watched Holly’s eyes narrow, and her smile turned to a frown at his words. It was obvious she wasn’t so anxious to raise another ball player. After experiencing Ace Newman at his finest not-so-fine hour, or decade, I could understand why.
“Have you met my wife, Holly?” he asked.
I had. Yes, indeed. I’d partied with Holly and Whitney several times. I wasn’t surprised that Ace didn’t remember. “I believe we’ve met,” I said with a little nod.
Ace was blasted back then, throwing parties, fucking anything that’d hold still, so I was certain he’d not realized exactly how I’d met his wife. It didn’t matter. That was the past. Holly had actually asked me to stick with Whitney once she’d realized how poorly Calvin was acting.
“So, this is Rip Newman, the next baseball legend?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Not if I can help it,” Holly said quickly, reaching to take the baby from Ace’s arms.
Calvin was glaring at me from across the room. Seriously? The game was over. There was no need for his anger to carry on off-field too.
“Let me,” a soft, familiar voice sounded close to me.
I could hear Rip fussing and Holly telling Ace she was going to take him upstairs to change him when that voice, that sweet, familiar voice chimed in.
Calvin’s eyes burned through me as I knew my surprise, possibly my excitement at the voice displayed openly on my face without consent. I turned to see Whitney, the beautiful Whitney, standing just a few feet from me.
Her arms opened. She took Rip close to her chest. He snuggled in as if she were familiar to him as well, almost as familiar as she had been to me. For a moment, I felt envious of the child so close to her warm breasts. What I wouldn’t give to take in the scent of her skin one last time.
My eyes locked with hers. Her lips parted like she was about to speak. Calvin gripped her elbow. “I’ll go up with you,” he insisted sternly.
“No. You stay here with your team,” she said, her eyes pulling away from mine and moving to her husband's. That’s right, Morris. She’s Mrs. Whitney Malone these days. She’s no longer Whitney Harris, the woman you used to fuck, used to… not love. But, I could’ve loved her. I knew that.
The look in Calvin’s eyes was intense, and his jaw tightened as he made sure I’d got a good look at his facial warning. “It was good seeing you, Holly,” I said politely. “Ace, catch you on the field tomorrow. Enjoy your family, man.” And with that, I walked away.
I couldn’t help but wonder what she was about to say, what she would’ve said if Calvin hadn’t interrupted. It didn’t matter. Mrs. Whitney Malone.
Whitney had taken the baby down the hall toward the elevators, so I found myself walking down an unfamiliar corridor just to get away from the crowd, from Calvin. I knew he’d be watching me, making sure I wasn’t trying to talk to his wife. I wasn’t that man. I didn’t give a fuck what Calvin Malone thought of me. I had more respect for myself than that. It didn’t matter if I respected him.
Where the fuck was I going?
A set of double glass doors met me at the end of the hallway. I leaned against the wall and stared out toward the ocean, feeling like I needed an adrenaline fix. I could walk out into the dark waves and take a dip in the shark-infested waters to cool down. I could walk back to the lobby and out the front doors to the Harley shop up the street. A hog between my legs, the rumble of the powerful engine, and the sweet, salty Daytona ocean air pushing through my hair. Yeah, that could help settle me down for the night.
I turned and headed back the way I'd come, noticing a set of elevators that I’d missed before. I stopped, stared at the shiny metallic doors and my reflection in them as I contemplated my fate for the night, possibly the rest of my life. You have too much to lose, Morris. Don’t be a fool.
My finger reached out, pushed the up button, and within seconds, I was inside the comfort of the closed elevator, riding upwards, to safety, to the only thing I needed.
Her door was closed. I stopped, staring at the number for a moment, realizing that it wasn’t fair to corner her like this. Walk away. I couldn’t. My legs were frozen in their spot. My heart was racing, my mind reeling with more than it could process.
Something dropped on the other side of the door. I heard movement and then the handle turned. I wanted to flee the scene like a teenager caught throwing eggs on Halloween, but there I stood. Frozen.
“Todd?” her voice asked with surprise. Her pupils widened, her lips parted, and it was obvious she wanted me here just as badly as I wanted to be here.
“I didn’t want to be alone,” I said quickly. It was the most vulnerable thing I’d ever said to a woman, to anyone.
She moved from the door, opening it wider for me to enter. Her scent lingered as I passed, grazing my arm against her silky skin.
“I’m sorry, Kat. I know I shouldn’t be here,” I said, turning to face her once the door closed.
She didn’t look like she was sorry. Her eyes filled with hunger, her body heaving with heavy breath and desire. “Are you okay?” she asked softly.
I moved toward her, not wanting to answer her question. I wasn’t okay. My hands gripped her hips, pulling her into my chest as my lips covered hers.
The feel of her tongue sliding against mine was more than enough to feed the hungry beast that had awoken inside of me. I didn’t need a motorcycle. I didn’t need to swim with the sharks. I needed her.
My hands roamed through her long locks, my hips grinding into hers. It was rough, passionate, raw, but it was exactly what I needed. Her leg lifted around me, my hand gripped it, feeling the sweet flesh she offered to me. Those fuckin’ cotton shorts were more than I could handle, and that tank top, no bra, this was the Kat I wanted.
Her chest pushed into me, my mouth lowered to suck in the cotton of her thin tank top with her breast underneath. Sweet moans, sighs, noises that made my dick dance in my pants escaped her lips. Fuck!
Slick juices glided between my fingers as I reached into her shorts. Her hips rocked toward me, begging for me to enter. Two fingers slid inside her warm pussy and began working back and forth like scissors as she squirmed.
My cock was already pulsating behind the denim it was smashed into when her tiny hand gripped the button of my jeans. Sweet relief fell over me once she unleashed my dick into her hand. Her strokes were soft, smooth, causing pre-cum to sneak out of the tip for her fingers to play in.
I pulled at her tank top until her breast popped out from the side. My mouth consumed the flesh, sucking hard on the erect nipple as she fondled my balls, squeezed my cock, and sucked on my neck. The teasing was more than I could handle. I needed her now. I reached into my back pocket, pulled out a condom and slipped it on. My hand pressed against her chest, pushing her gently down to the couch. I pinned her beneath my arms, letting my cock aim for the sweetness between her legs without my assistance. She pushed at her shorts until they were past her hips, where I quickly took over, pulling them to the floor.
My cock needed no guidance entering her. It was hungry for her and knew just where to go. Our eyes locked, and our breathing synced up as we both seemed to calm. I thrust into her slowly, slower than my usual pace. I wanted to feel everything. I wanted to embrace the moment, savor this feeling for as long as possible.
Her hands reached up, pressed against my face. I pushed into them, letting them cup me as my mouth gently bit onto her thumb. My cock throbbed hard inside of her. Her body shook with every pulse. Soon, her eyes narrowed, beginning to close, and her lips parted, but no sound escaped. Warm juices surrounded my erection like a warm blanket as groans filled the room. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her as I exploded into her body. Watching her orgasm brought a deeper sensation to my own.
Her body finally calmed. Her eyes opened and stared into mine with a strange mixture of satisfaction and confusion.
I wanted to stay. To never leave. But I didn’t want to ask. Her hands were wrapped around me tightly, pulling me toward her. I couldn’t resist, letting a portion of my weight drop to her. A sigh escaped her mouth with warm breath into my ear. It was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard a woman make.
“Stay with me tonight,” she whispered.
The second most beautiful sound I’d ever heard a woman make.
“Yes.”
We laid like that for what felt like forever, in each other’s arms. I knew my weight was probably beginning to crush her, and it was becoming harder to hold away from her with the ache in my shoulder.
There wasn’t talk of secrets, of never doing this again, just a sweet smile, a warm kiss, and we both climbed into her big bed, her back to me, my arms around her, and the sweet comfort of knowing we both wanted to be right where we were in that moment.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Katrina
The warmth of Todd’s body pressed against mine made it tough to want to get out of bed. My eyes hadn’t opened yet, but I knew my alarm would be blasting soon. My body was on its own timer, not really in need of a wake-up call anymore. I pushed my ass into the heat of Todd’s crotch, noticing that his morning wood was already awake, even if he wasn’t. I suddenly wished we could both play hooky and hide here under my blankets all day.
Strong arms gripped me, pulling me in close. Todd’s lips pressed against my shoulder as he roused from sleep. “Good morning, beautiful,” he whispered.
Before I had a chance to react, my door was assaulted by someone’s fist. I jumped up, pulling from the embrace I welcomed just seconds ago. “Who the hell is here so early?” I asked, trying to hide the terrified panic in my eyes and in my tone.
Todd didn’t seem phased by the pounding that wouldn’t stop. He stretched his arms above his head, rolling over to expose a beautiful teepee in the white sheets. I tossed on my robe, ran from the bedroom, closing the door behind me, and rushed to the front door to find out who was so desperate to get inside.
“Lana?” I opened the door, surprised and a little scared. What the fuck did she want? Why was she here?
She pushed past me and into my room. “I’ve texted you all night,” she scolded. I didn’t have a chance to answer before she continued, “What have you been doing? Did you not get the Google alerts?
”
I didn’t have an answer, at least not one I could give her. Sorry, boss, I didn’t look at my phone because I was busy fucking one of the players all night… yeah, that’d be great.
She shoved her iPad toward my nose. “What the fuck is this?”
I looked at the image of Calvin and Todd nose to nose on the mound. “That was nothing,” I insisted, trying to see what she was so mad about.
“Nothing?” She scowled. “Is this nothing?” She swiped furiously on her screen until a tabloid front page appeared. A picture of Calvin and Whitney on their wedding day with a picture of Whitney and Todd right next to it. The headline read: “Beauty and the Beasts.”
“This is all bullshit,” I said quickly.
“I don’t care if it's bullshit or not. It’s your job to fuckin’ know about it, to prevent it,” she snapped.
I read the story under the pictures. It was all about how Todd and Calvin were fighting over Whitney. Todd wasn’t over her, and Calvin caught them together, according to some “source.”
“We have to fix this,” Lana snarled. “You have to fix this.” She moved closer to my closed bedroom door. I watched her eyes move in the direction of where Todd laid naked in my bed. My palms began to sweat, my hands shake, and my already stressed demeanor grew wearier as she inched her way to the door.
“What were you doing all night that you couldn’t answer my texts?” she asked, an eyebrow raised.
“I-I fell asleep early,” I stuttered, then cleared my throat, speaking more clearly. “I’d been working on the interviews.”
“Interviews? What interviews?” she asked, her eyes squinting to mere slits.
“The interviews Rhett requested.”
Her eyes rolled, and it was obvious she hadn’t been clued into the request he’d sent me personally.
“Your first and only priority right now is making sure Calvin and Todd look like best fuckin’ friends. I don’t care what pet project Rhett has you on.” Her eyes were wild, her tone shaky, and it was apparent that her anger was getting the better of her.
