Hard Ball

by Heather Stone

  “Sweetheart, I'm a pro with alcohol. I don't need that girly shit.”

  I roll my eyes. Classic Cole, always thinking he's a badass.

  The rest of the night goes just like that. We continue to take shot after shot. Everything in me is starting to loosen up and my cheeks feel hot from the heat of the liquor. We've played various games of 1980s trivia, in which I kick Cole’s ass royally. We are just finishing up our last game pertaining to The Breakfast Club and I’m ready to talk. We're both feeling pretty good, so I figure it's a good time to bring up the elephant in the room.

  “Cole—talk to me.”

  “What do you want me to say? I don't even know what she wanted, exactly. You haven’t told me what she said.”

  “I really don't want to be the one to tell you. I think it needs to come from them.”

  “Well, you shouldn't have brought it up,” he snaps.

  “I'm just trying to help. I'm your friend.”

  “If you're such a good friend, then you can tell me what the hell she wanted.”

  “She wanted me to get you to a diner so they could ask you for another very sizable loan. Apparently, they blew through their money in Europe.”

  He rolls his eyes.

  “I kind of figured that’s what they wanted.” He tries to play it off, but I see the hurt in his eyes. The glazed look tells me he is trying desperately not to shed tears. He may be a tough guy, but he has a soft heart.

  “Tell them no, Cole. Don't give them a dime. If they can't come and see you just to see you, they don't deserve anything.” My words are firm. I’m so angry with them.

  “Then they're not going to leave me alone. If I give them the money they’ll disappear again. They won’t be my problem again for a while.”

  “Until the next time they run out of your money. Let them rot. You don't owe them anything.”

  “They seem to think I owe them my life.”

  I huff out a puff of air I’ve been holding. “You don’t.” I shake my head. “You're amazing and not just because of baseball. It doesn't define you.” I stand and walk to his side, grabbing his hand in mine. “You’re a baseball star, but you're so much more than that. If they can't see it, they’re not worth it.”

  Cole’s eyes level me with a heat I've never seen. His smoldering gaze devours me whole. Abruptly, he stands and begins pacing.

  “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t. I just—you are driving me crazy.”

  I bristle at his words. “Gee, thanks. I was only trying to help. You don’t have to be rude.” I start to walk out of the room, hurt by his words.

  But I don’t get far, because I feel a firm hand grasp my elbow and spin me around. Without warning, Cole crashes his mouth to mine. Initially, I fight it, but that doesn’t last long. His hands run down my arms, sending chills through my entire body, but they are rushed away by the heat of his lips on mine. I’m being scorched from the inside out, his firm but soft lips moving in sync with mine. When his tongue begs entrance, my lips willingly part. This kiss is like nothing I’ve ever felt before.

  A moan escapes my lips and I’m being lifted off the ground and my back is slammed against the wall. I hear Cole wince, but I’m to lost in the moment to ask if he’s okay, but by the way he starts moaning it seems he didn’t hurt himself to bad. I wrap my legs around his torso, effectively pushing my groin into his rock-hard cock.

  My God. The man is made of steel. My kisses become more eager at the realization of what this could lead to. My brain registers this is my best friend and the entire scene could ruin years of a friendship that means everything to me. I pull away.

  “What are we doing—” I say in between breaths. “We can’t do this, Cole.”

  “I don't have any explanation for what I'm feeling right now, but I can tell you one thing. I don't know if I can stop myself. I want this, Makenzie.” He leans in and runs his tongue up my neck, making me groan. “Tell me to stop. Tell me now, Makenzie, or else I’m taking you against this wall.”

  Do you think I tell him to stop? No. All I want is him inside of me. Now. Instead of saying anything, I slam my core into his length.

  “Fuck.” He grinds his teeth. “I’m going to fuck you like you’ve never been fucked, Makenzie. When I’m done, you won’t be able to walk for a week.”

  “Yes, please. Take me!”

  With that he tightens his grip on my back, his large hand taking hold of my neck. Our bodies are so close, I can feel his chest heaving against my breast. My lips find his and I kiss him long and deep as I continue to gyrate against his hard length. Our mouths meld together in perfect symphony, as if they were made for each other, as if I was made for him. We are all hands and tongues as we devour each other.

  God, I need him. I need him now.

  “Please,” I plead again. His only answer is a primal groan as he grabs me around the waist. I can feel every muscle in his body as he tightens his arm around me. My body feels as light as a feather as he carries me to his room. With each step he takes, my heart hammers harder in my chest. Am I doing this? Are we really doing this? I’m so drunk on lust I don’t allow myself to care what this will mean. I want him to possess me tonight. It’s an all-encompassing feeling that flows through my blood and there’s no hope to control it.

  I bury my nose in his neck and inhale his scent. If this is going to happen, it will be just this once and I need to remember it all. I need to etch the memory of every sight, scent, and taste into my brain forever.

  The bed dips as he places me on the mattress. I watch as he removes his clothes. I can feel my breath leave my body as his long thick length comes into view. It’s hard against his belly, the tip red and engorged. I lick my lips. For some reason, I want to taste him. He shakes his head at me and presents me with an earth-shattering grin.

  “You first.”

  God, yes. Please taste me.

  He begins to unbutton my blouse. The flimsy material falls off my shoulders, exposing my lace bra. I watch as he slides off each strap. The cold air hits my skin. It sends a chill down my spine. Every inch of me is hyper aware of his slow and deliberate movements.

  His eyes are hungry as he surveys me,

  Like a panther, Cole stalks his prey…

  My nipples harden and pebble at his perusal.

  My chest heaves as I wait. The agony of not being touched is sweet torture.

  Driving me slowly insane.

  His breath comes out in ragged pulls as he crawls up the bed. With each inch he moves, he kisses my exposed skin. He laps at me with a hunger I have never seen in him before, licking each nipple then grazing with his teeth as he bites down.

  When he takes each in his mouth, I fear I will come undone. A warmth spreads through me, flaring like an inferno, and only one thing will ease it. I lift my pelvis and rub against his body. With that movement, he pulls off my breast with a pop and I see a smirk form.

  “What do you need?” He knows, but rather then tell him, I push up again. His lips part further as he continues his kissing trek up my body.

  When his face is finally aligned with mine, his lips coax mine open.

  “This. Is this what you need?” He cups my pussy with his palm before his long finger starts to tease at my entrance, dipping inside. I grind up again, forcing his digit in deeper. The new angle makes me gasp.

  He swallows my moan into his mouth as his tongue swirls around mine. I have a need for him to release this built-up frustration inside me.

  As he pulls away from my face, I see his eyes dilate.

  “I need to taste you.”

  “God, yes,” I pant.

  He makes his way down my body and when he reaches the apex of my thighs, he spreads me open. I prop myself up on my elbows to watch him.

  It’s the sexiest thing I have ever seen.

  “Even better than I imagined,” he groans as his tongue swipes up my seam. My eyes flutter shut as he feasts on me. Minutes or maybe only seconds pass, but I can feel
my whole body tightening with the need to release.

  Just as I’m about to cross over the edge to oblivion, he licks once more and then lightly bites my clit. His lips suction tighter around my clit and then his teeth lightly scrape me. It’s everything and not enough at the same time. I want him inside me. I want to feel him thrust into me. He must have read my mind, because he pulls away and reaches into the drawer next to the bed.

  He sheathes himself and begins to stroke the folds of my pussy with his cock. My body is open and waiting for him to plunder me. After what seems like forever, a growl escapes him as he plunges inside me. He feels so fucking good. It’s like we are made for each other. Our bodies fit together…perfectly.

  Lifting my legs over his shoulders, he presses in deeper. I gasp in pleasure at the new depth as he pumps in and out at a punishing pace.

  My hips lift at their own accord, begging him to fuck me harder.

  He obliges, slamming into my pussy over and over again.

  God, I’ll never get enough of this feeling.

  He reaches between us and starts to stroke my clit in rhythm with his movements. I rock back and forth against his hand to intensify the feeling. My walls tighten around his cock as he starts to jerk inside me.

  That’s all it takes for me to explode…the feeling of him emptying inside me.

  13

  Cole

  I awake with a massive hard-on and achy muscles. Groaning, I attempt to stretch out the kinks, to no avail. I refuse to open my eyes for fear that last night was only a figment of my imagination. Another mind-fuck conjured by my desperation for Makenzie.

  These pansy-ass thoughts have my cock going limp and my anxiety at an all-time high. I crack open my left eye and my stomach falls to my groin.

  The bed’s fucking empty.

  Sitting up too fast, I groan once more at the pain in my arm. Today, the throbbing is pulsing through my forearm and down my leg. To be honest, my whole body hurts. The doctor was right; it really does affect every muscles. It’s agonizing, but quickly forgotten when Makenzie’s absence comes back to mind.

  What the actual fuck?

  “Good morning, sleepy.” Makenzie’s voice at the door sounding like sunshine and rose petals has my entire body relaxing.

  See what I mean? Pussy talk.

  If my teammates heard me refer to a woman’s voice as a flower they’d commit me to the mental ward. The door opens and there she is. It’s like a halo adorns her head. The light from the window behind her casts an angelic glow around her body. I’m mesmerized and completely, fucking, screwed.

  Pulling myself together, I lean on my forearms, trying desperately to mask the pain this action causes.

  “Mornin’, darlin’,” I slur lazily.

  “Darlin’?” She quirks her brow.

  “I’m feeling nostalgic.” I grin.

  “We grew up in Ohio. I’d hardly call that the South.”

  “There were fields.”

  “Ooookay, cowboy.” We both laugh. “Time to get up. You have stretching to do and therapy to undergo.”

  I wince. “You sound like a drill sergeant.”

  “That’s why you pay me the big bucks, Mr. Baseball.” She winks and I can’t help but smile.

  “‘Mr. Baseball’?” I chuckle. “That’s a new one.”

  “Yeah, I thought I’d take it easy on your crippled ass.”

  I bristle. “I’d hardly call myself crippled.” I stand quickly, not caring that my junk is exposed and flopping around. That comment stung. She knows how serious an injury can be for a baseball player. It can be the end of my career. It’s not a joking matter. Ever.

  “I’m so sorry, Cole. I didn’t think.” Her face flushes.

  I feel bad for making her feel like this. I know she didn’t mean anything by it. We are so used to bantering that typically nothing bothers me. But she exposed my biggest fear. If I don’t have baseball, I don’t have anything. It’s my life. The one thing besides Makenzie that has always been there for me. The thought of losing that is crippling.

  “Come here,” I say, reaching out to her.

  “Cole…”

  That’s when I see it. Regret. Not regret for her earlier words, but regret for last night. It quite possibly is worse than her comment.

  “Say it, Kenz.”

  She winces at my harsh tone.

  “Cole. We have work to do right now. We can talk about this later.”

  “No fucking way. Now. You aren’t pulling that shit with me, Makenzie Marie.”

  Her shoulders slump as she walks to the side of the bed, sits, and looks at the ceiling.

  “We shouldn’t have done that,” she whispers.

  “Why the fuck not?”

  “You’re my best friend. You’re like a brother to me.”

  I wince. Her words sting. “A brother?”

  “I just mean…you are more than that to me. I never wanted to be one of your one-night stands.” Her features twist into something akin to disgust.

  “Did I make you feel that way? Have I ever acted like you and I would be a one-night thing?” I am furious.

  She raises her hand in surrender. “Stop. I’m sorry. My words aren’t coming out right because I’m confused and ashamed. I let things go too far.” She lowers her head into her hands.

  I sit and scoot closer to her. I put my hand on her shoulder.

  “Kenz. Please. Talk to me.”

  “I came here to do a job, Cole. This means a lot to me. Getting involved with a patient isn’t professional, and it isn’t a good start to my career.” She raises her head but still doesn’t look at me. “You aren’t just anyone. Cameras follow you everywhere you go. We can’t hide and that could kill any chance I have at ever being taken seriously. Not to mention what this will do to Dawson.”

  “What do I have to do with that?”

  She groans. “See, you don’t get it.” She finally looks at me. “I’ve started a relationship. This has ruined that. I can’t lie to him. He doesn’t deserve that.” Tears trickle down her cheeks. “Even worse, people won’t think I’m actually good at my job. They’ll think you hired me because I was sleeping with you.”

  I’m incredulous.

  “That’s ridiculous and really far-fetched, Kenz.”

  She throws her hands into the air. “You don’t take anything seriously. This is an issue for me and you don’t get it.”

  “You’re right!” I shout. “I don’t fucking get it. It’s an excuse.”

  She shoots me a look of pure venom.

  “Let’s get something straight, Cole.” She stands and backs away toward the door. “I am not a baseball bunny. I don’t care who the hell you are.” Amused, I raise my brows, but Makenzie goes on, undeterred. “I’ve known you since before the days of acne and braces.” I have to chuckle at that. “It’s not funny. Your charm is lost on me.”

  She points her finger at me like her mother used to when she was scolding us. “You want my help? You’ll follow my lead. This is a professional relationship built on trust and respect. You abide by that, I’ll be by your side helping you heal. You challenge that decision, I’m out.”

  I blow out the breath that I didn’t realize I was holding.

  Her straight posture and sure attitude have me sitting up straighter myself. She’s resolute that this is the way it’s going to be. I don’t like it and I sure as hell don’t agree, but if I want any chance of her sticking around so I can change her mind I need to appear to abide by her rules.

  I nod. “Okay.”

  “Okay?” She narrows her eyes.

  “Yes. I’ll follow your rules.” I refrain from rolling my eyes, knowing it will only get me into trouble.

  “Fine.”

  “Fine,” I repeat.

  “I’m going down to the center to set up.” She appears to relax a bit. “Get showered, grab a protein bar, and meet me there in forty-five minutes.” And with that, she turns and walks out of my door.

  I fall back onto the b
ed, already exhausted by the exchange that just occurred. I need a game plan. Half-assing it won’t work. This has to be solid. I’ll figure it out, but for now I better do what the chief says…or else I’ll find myself in yet another argument.

  14

  Makenzie

  Stalking into the center, I almost run head first into a large body.

  “Whoa there! Who has you all bothered?” A deep voice chuckles above me.

  I look up into the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen.

  “Sorry. I’m a bit distracted.” I sigh.

  “No worries. You Cole’s trainer?” His brow rises.

  “I’m his physical therapist, short of the proper credentials.” I shrug at the truth of those words.

  He hired me without my being licensed. What he’s doing for me is huge. I really do owe him. The reality of that makes me feel a bit bad about my harsh words earlier.

  “I think he’s in good hands.” The big guy grins. “Tate. Tate Marshall.”

  I’m taken aback when I recognize his name, and that makes him smirk. He’s only the best shortstop in the major leagues. I’m literally standing in front of a baseball god.

  I pick my jaw up off the floor, trying desperately to rectify my fangirl moment.

  “Makenzie Anderson,” I say, extending my hand. He takes it, and his dwarfs mine. He has to be about six-five. He’s massive.

  “Nice to meet you, Ms. Anderson.” He smiles.

  “Makenzie. You can call me Makenzie.”

  “Right. Makenzie.” He nods, chewing on his lip. The move is hot as hell. It takes everything in me not to melt on the spot. He has a charm that not many men have. Despite this fact, the truth is he isn’t Cole. I stand here in front of one of the best-looking men in the world, according to People, Maxim, and Cosmopolitan, but he has nothing over Cole Callahan as far as I’m concerned. It’s a scary thought. Why the hell have I let Cole get under my skin? It’s dangerous.

  “I better get to work. Cole will be here soon and I’m not warmed up.” I start to walk away.