by Jade, Ella
“I am Greek.”
When she tossed her long, black hair over her shoulder, Pax smelled the peach shampoo. He imagined burying his face in those locks and getting lost in that scent as they lay in his bed.
“My father was so excited when they signed you,” Sophia continued. “You’re his favorite player.”
“Hey,” Pax said. “What about me?”
“Sorry, cowboy, you’re not Greek.” Sophia winked at him. “My dad’s biased.”
Cowboy...maybe you want to ride me?
“I’d love to meet your dad,” Nic said. “There aren’t many Greeks in the area.”
“He’d love to meet you.” Sophia smiled and her whole face lit up. “We have tickets to a game in June. Maybe then?”
“I’ll arrange it,” Pax said, because there was no way Nic was moving in on his girl. “We can do a meet and greet with some of the players if your dad wants.”
“Really?” Her gorgeous brown eyes sparkled. “He’d love that.”
“I look forward to it,” Nic said. “Perhaps I could come over for a home-cooked meal too. Something with feta and gyros? I haven’t had authentic Greek food in months.”
“Now you’re pushing it.” Pax glared at his friend. “She’s not cooking for you.”
Back off!
“Okay, man.” Nic held up his hands and laughed. “I get it.”
“Smart move.” Pax patted his friend on the shoulder before turning his attention back to Sophia. “Would you like to dance, darlin’?”
He wanted her all to himself, and the dance floor was just the place to accomplish that. No one to bother them.
“Um, sure.” She shrugged. “It was nice meeting you, Nic.”
“The pleasure was all mine.” He smiled at Pax as he raised his beer bottle to him. “Doesn’t take you long.”
“You’re a piece of work. Go find your own girl.” He took Sophia’s hand. “I saw this Greek goddess first.”
“Some guys have all the luck,” Nic shouted as Pax led her onto the dance floor.
“What was that about?” she asked.
“Pissin’ contest.” He wrapped one arm around her waist and interlocked their finger with his other hand. “We hit a lot of cities through the season. Some of the guys like to challenge one another for the attentions of a lady.”
“Some of the guys?” She tightened her grip on his shoulder as he pulled her closer to his chest. “Not you?”
“Me? No, I’m a gentleman.”
“Really?” Her giggle was quickly becoming his favorite sound.
“Have I not been anything but a gentleman with you?”
If he wasn’t being one, they’d be finishing up the beer he bought her and he’d be thinking about how much longer it would be before they were naked. He had thought about her naked and sweaty in the afterglow, but it wasn’t his most prominent thought.
“You’ve been perfect, especially this morning when I made an idiot out of myself and slammed into you.” He saw the blush darken in her cheeks. “I don’t know how I didn’t see you.”
“That was my fault.” He spun her to the music. “I wasn’t paying attention.” He lied but he couldn’t tell her he’d calculated running into her. “I’m glad it happened.”
“You are?”
“Yes, pretty girl.” He held her close. They were barely moving but a vibe crackled between them. Her warm breath caressed his lips, making his mouth dry with anticipation. “Now we can get to know one another.”
He’d never had any interest in getting to know a woman before tonight. By this point in the conversation he’d ask your place or mine? That was the last thing he wanted. Sex was definitely on his mind—he’d have to be a monk not to want to take this woman to bed—but not yet. Sex, for him, was the end of the chase. He was nowhere near ready for anything to end.
SOPHIA NOTICED THE bar had emptied out. Maggie and Kyle had discreetly waved goodbye and slipped out over an hour ago. She and Pax had talked all night. They’d ordered appetizers and shared a dessert. She looked down at her phone.
“It’s after midnight,” she said.
“And you didn’t turn into a pumpkin.”
“No, I didn’t.” She laughed at his silly sense of humor. “It’s late and you have an afternoon game. Don’t you have to rest or something?”
“Sugar, most nights I’m just getting started at this time.”
“Right.” The models crept back into her head. How many hours did a ménage take? “You’re not used to boring music teachers.”
“I don’t think there’s anything boring about you.”
“I talked your ear off about my non-existent career, my parents, Maggie, and this town.”
“I enjoyed every second of it.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “I didn’t expect you.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Traveling can get lonely,” he said. She shivered when he traced small circles over her wrist. “It’s great seeing different places and meeting new people, but it gets tiring. You seem like someone I could get used to.”
“I liked getting to know you too.” She wondered if he’d want to get together again. “I guess you’re busy this weekend?”
“I’m gonna be busy the next many weekends.” He grinned. “April to October is rough. That’s another reason why I don’t often get to know new people.”
“I understand.” She looked down at their joined hands. “It’s probably difficult to make connections and keep relationships.”
“Exactly.”
She couldn’t help the bout of disappointment that took over. With his schedule how could she expect him to start anything with her?
“I have home games on Saturday and Sunday. Maybe I could give you a call sometime?” He handed her his cellphone. “Put your number in there for me.”
“Sure.” She took his phone and set up a new contact. Her hands trembled with excitement. “All set.”
What are the chances he’ll call?
“I’m texting you now so you’ll have my number.”
Oh!
“I want to see you again.”
“I’m not as busy as you, so call me and we can set something up.”
“I have to leave on Tuesday morning for a series in Philadelphia, but then I’ll be home for a week stint. Do you think we could get together then?”
“Absolutely.” Why did she have to sound so eager?
“Good.” He stood. “Can I walk you to your car?”
“Thank you.” She got up from the table and took his hand. “I’m parked right out front.”
He led her across the dance floor, waving to the few people who were left, and then out to the parking lot.
“It’s that one.” She pointed to her beat-up car, the one she’d bought her freshman year of college. It was used then but it still managed to get her where she needed to go. “Probably not as nice as what you drive.”
He leaned her against the car and wrapped his arms around her waist. Her heart pounded hard against her chest, strumming loud between her ears. She could smell the beer that lingered on his breath. His hazel eyes narrowed as he swiped the tip of his tongue along his top lip before tilting his head.
“I have a feeling I’m going be seeing you in my dreams tonight.” He sighed as he brought his mouth to hers. “Give me something to remember these next few days.”
She nodded as she placed her hands on his broad shoulders and guided him to her, closing any space between them. When his warm lips touched hers, she thought she would explode. A burn coursed through her and settled between her legs. The mild tingling she’d experienced when they danced was nothing compared to the intensity she felt now.
As he deepened the kiss, his tongue massaged hers. Increasing his hold on her hips, he pinned her between the car and his massive thighs. She tightened her grip on him when his erection grazed her center. Every nerve ending in her begged to be satiated. The ache inside her stomach moved lower until the dampness
invaded her panties. Her nipples poked against the thin material of her silk bra.
When she moaned into his mouth, he placed one last kiss on her lips before pulling away. He looked at her for a moment, pressing his forehead to hers, as he stuttered a few words.
“That was...well, I’ve never...” He ran his fingers through his hair. “You have me tongue-tied, sugar. That doesn’t happen often.”
Now she wanted to know what else he could do with that tongue.
“You best get in that car and drive away before I...”
She’d never wanted to have a one-night stand more than she did at that very moment. Maggie had said if there was ever a guy to have one with, Pax would be the one. He was a no-strings-attached player. Why hadn’t he asked her to go home with him?
“Be safe driving home.” He reached for the handle and opened her door. “You have some sweet dreams. I know I sure will.”
Sleep? That was the last thing on her mind.
Chapter 4
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU didn’t have sex?” Maggie blurted out as they sat on Soph’s front porch. “Not even a hand job in the parking lot?”
“Shh!” She closed the door to the cottage she shared with her parents. “My dad’s in there.”
“Sorry, but you spent hours talking to the hottest, dirtiest guy on the Crushers and you didn’t go home with him?”
“He didn’t ask me to.”
“I’m not sure how you managed to screw this up.”
“Excuse me? How is this my fault?”
“Paxton Hughes sleeps with everyone, or so I hear.”
“Maybe you heard wrong.” Soph had spent the whole night thinking that maybe the buzz surrounding Pax’s player persona was just rumors. The media needed a story so why not go after one of the most gorgeous men in baseball? He was young, sexy, and in the prime of his career. The tabloids loved to make up stuff to see in their rag sheets.
“I don’t think so.” She shook her head. “He’s with a new girl every week. You don’t think he’s sleeping with them?”
Soph didn’t want to think about it. Pax had been funny, witty and polite. He talked about his childhood, his mom, and two younger brothers. The way he was with her didn’t match the way everyone else talked about him.
“Kyle said his friend Kenny has women sent up to his hotel room all the time.”
Soph sat down on the rocker and recalled that kiss. There was chemistry. She’d felt it. He felt it. Didn’t he?
“Maybe he was tired?” Maggie said. “No big deal. Kyle can take us to the next party and you can pick someone else. Someone who is interested in you.”
“He gave me his number.”
“What?”
“He wants to get together next week. When they get back from Philly.”
“Hmm.” Maggie smirked. “Maybe people are wrong about him. I wouldn’t have pegged him for the courting type, but maybe his mama raised a good southern boy.”
“I’m not going to get my hopes up. He might not even call.”
“How did you end things?”
“With the best freakin’ kiss I’ve ever had.”
“Oh, my, God! He’s a good kisser?”
“The best.”
“Hate to tell you, sweetie, but that’s not saying much.”
“I haven’t had much experience, but I know what a good kiss is and his was off the charts.”
“Did he make you wet?”
“Maggie.” Soph rolled her eyes. Her friend had never been shy when it came to kissing and telling. “Would you stop?”
“Were your panties damp?” She tapped her foot, waiting for an answer. “That’s the best way to judge if it was a good kiss.”
Sophia placed her face in her hands and nodded. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Damn! You need to call this man. Right now.”
“I can’t.” She looked at her watch. “He has an afternoon game. They’re probably at batting practice or something.”
“Well, text him and tell him you had a good time last night.”
“What would you say?”
“I would tell him his kiss made me wet, but we both know you’re not going to do that.”
“You are so gross.”
“I’m very sexual. Guys like that. A hunk like Pax would love that, but you need to be you. Say hey and tell him you’re thinking about him.”
“What if that makes me sound needy?” She didn’t want to stalk him. Pax didn’t need to be bothered with girly crushes. He could have any woman he wanted.
“You won’t sound needy. I have a feeling he likes you.”
“He doesn’t even know me.”
“You talked for hours. You shared a piece of cheesecake. If sex was the only thing he wanted he would have taken you out of there and fucked you. He wouldn’t have wasted his time on small talk. Guys don’t do that.”
“Maggie!”
“I’m serious. You talked, ate dessert, and he kissed you goodnight. Normally I’d say he was a real dud, but knowing his reputation, I don’t know, I’m thinking he was looking for something else.”
“Or someone else. Maybe I’m not his type. If he sleeps with every girl he meets, maybe he wasn’t interested.”
“Nope.” She rested her hand on the railing. “Trust me. I know guys.”
That statement couldn’t have been truer. Maggie loved men. Had from the time she was twelve. There wasn’t a guy out there that she couldn’t make fall to his knees. Her fiery red hair, curvy body, and dirty mouth often got her what she wanted when she wanted it.
“They can be real dicks at times. I’ve had my fair share of dicks.”
“Tell me about it.” Soph snickered.
“Very funny.”
“Sorry. I couldn’t resist.” She stopped laughing. “Tell me what you think.”
“Pax wouldn’t have invested an entire night in getting to know you, give you his number, and kiss you goodnight if he wasn’t planning to see you again. Text him.”
“I’ll think about it.” Making the first move wasn’t her style. Not that she had a style when it came to men, but she didn’t see herself texting first.
“You’re gonna screw this up, aren’t you?” Maggie threw her hands in the air, her Irish temper seeping through. “You have to make the first move. You can’t let an Adonis like Pax get away.”
“I don’t want to do something hasty. I need to think it through.”
“You’re going to over analyze this like you do everything else. Stop being so cautious and live a little. It’s time, sweetie.” Her tone softened. “You’re not that college sophomore anymore. You’ve let too many years go by.”
Maggie was right. Ever since her break up with Ryan she hadn’t trusted another guy. She didn’t allow anyone in. Living without a man in her life seemed easier than letting someone hurt her. Taking a chance wasn’t something she’d wanted to do, but it was time for a change. She wanted to take a chance with Pax. Now she had to figure out how to do it.
SOPHIA THOUGHT LONG and hard about her conversation with Maggie as she and her dad watched the Crushers beat the opposing team on Saturday. Pax was on fire, giving up only one run in the seven innings he pitched. After the game she composed a text...
Great pitching, cowboy.
She couldn’t hit send. She was too afraid. He might think she was silly or worse, one of those obsessed girls who followed the players all over town. What if he didn’t respond to her message? What if the reason he didn’t take her home and have sex with her on Friday night was because she wasn’t what he wanted? Maybe that kiss was a polite brush-off.
“Tell him his timing was off in the third inning,” her dad said as he reclined in his favorite chair. “He made me nervous.”
“What?” She looked up from her phone.
“You’re sending a message to the pitcher. Tell him he almost gave up a run when the hitter shot one into left field.”
“I will not.” Soph laughed.”And how do you know I’m
texting Paxton?”
“I saw the way you watched the game. In all of the years you’ve been watching baseball with me you’ve never paid that much attention to any player before.”
“You’re exaggerating.” She glanced down at her phone and deleted the unsent text. “I always pay attention to the game.”
“Hmm...” He went back to watching the post-game talk. “You like the pitcher.”
Her dad was right. She liked the pitcher. More than she thought she would. She placed her phone on the table and plopped down on the floor in front of the TV when the reporters started interviewing Pax. She liked the way his voice sounded especially now that she’d heard it in person.
“See,” her dad said. “I told you.”
“Papa, stop it!”
“You like the pitcher.”
What’s not to like?
ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON, Sophia helped her mother prepare a big dinner for the three of them. Her mother always made too much food. Maggie usually joined them for their Sunday dinner but today she was with Kyle. Sometimes when the Cambridges were home they would eat with them in the cottage. The place was small but cozy and everyone who entered always felt welcome. Her parents were the warmest people she’d ever met.
“Hey, princess,” her father called from the family room. “The game is on.”
“Pax isn’t pitching,” she yelled back.
“What? We only watch the game when he’s pitching now?”
Her mother smiled at her. “Your father thinks you like the pitcher.”
“A little.” She rolled out the dough for the fresh baked bread they’d be serving with dinner.
“Is he as attractive in person?”
“Better in person.” Sophia recalled the way he stared at her with raw intensity. His attentiveness made her feel like she was the only girl in the room.
“Your father can’t stop talking about how you got to meet Nic.” She laughed. “He isn’t as impressed with Paxton.”
“Because Paxton isn’t Greek.” When her phone beeped with a text, her stomached did a flip. She glanced over at the screen.