by Jade, Ella
“Ah, yes,” Nic agreed. “The Cy Young Award.”
“That’s just speculation.” Pax didn’t like to think about stuff like that. He had to maintain control and focus and finish out the season. “Anything can happen.”
“My point.” Kenny chugged his beer. “You’re on fire. Now is not the time to blow your career on a piece of—”
“Stop being a dick,” Pax cut him off. “Why don’t you give Sophie a chance?”
“When would I have the time to do that? You two are constantly cooped up in your hotel room when you’re not on the field, and when you’re home you’re at her parents’ house or your place. No one ever sees you.”
“He’s in love,” Nic said. “That’s what new love is all about.”
“What?” Pax practically spit out his beer. If he was in love he’d never said it out loud and he wasn’t prepared to admit it in front of Kenny. Not with his bad attitude. “I’m in a relationship. Let’s not label it.”
“See,” Kenny said. “I knew it wasn’t serious. He isn’t in love. God, man, I thought I’d lost you.”
“Don’t disappoint me.” Nic glanced in Sophia’s direction. “If you aren’t in love with that Greek beauty, you need your head examined. She’s been by your side all summer. She took a chance on you. Given what she probably knew about your past you’re lucky she didn’t run in the opposite direction. She’s here with you. What else do you need? I see the way you look at her.”
“I don’t know...” What he felt for Sophia was strong. He didn’t think he could function without her. She was his air, his reason for smiling, breathing, living...
Well, fuck me. I’m in love.
“I’ll take the goddess if you don’t want her,” Nic said. “A woman like that should not be tossed to the side. She’s a keeper.”
“She’s mine,” Pax growled.
“Does she have any cousins?” Nic laughed.
“Go find your own woman.”
“I’m trying.”
“If you’ll excuse me. I’m gonna go dance with my woman.”
Kenny mumbled something but Pax ignored him. He tried to dismiss it as some weird jealousy thing. He and Kenny had done everything together for years. It had always been the two of them but the ‘Bros before Hoes’ attitude was getting old. His friend would have to realize sooner or later that Pax’s relationship with Sophia was the real deal.
“Hello, ladies.” Pax smiled at the group of women surrounding the only girl he’d ever have eyes for. “Having fun?”
“Hey there,” one of them responded. “Did you come to retrieve your lady?”
“I did indeed.” Pax winked at Sophia. “May I have this dance, sugar?”
“Of course.” She smiled as she took his hand and he assisted her off the high-back barstool.
The women in the small crowd ohh’d and ahh’d as they made their way onto the dance floor.
“What’s that about?” Pax took her hand in his as he wrapped the other around her waist. “They act like they’ve never seen a man ask a woman to dance before.”
“I think it’s the man who’s doing the asking that has them giddy.” She giggled. “They’re all impressed that I’ve managed to keep you interested this long.”
“You’ve got me under some spell, that’s for sure.” When he spun her around she laughed. He could taste the pomegranate martini on her breath when he kissed her. “How many did you have?”
“I’m not drunk.”
“I’m not saying you are.” He pulled her to him, grinning when he thought about those nights when she had one too many. “I just want to know what kind of night I’m gonna have.”
“I’d say a real good one.” She licked her lips.
“Hmm...” He tilted her chin up. “I’m glad you’re having fun. The girls really like you.”
“I like them.” She smiled. “They’re a nice group, and they have lots of advice for me.”
“Uh-oh.” He rolled his eyes. “Maybe you shouldn’t listen to everything they say.”
“Don’t worry,” she said. “They’re very helpful. Dating a professional athlete isn’t easy. It’s nice to be able to talk to women who have been doing this for a while. I like seeing that it can work.”
“I hope I’ve convinced you it can work.”
“You have.” She tightened her hold on him. “This has been the best summer of my life. I’ve seen so many new places. I’ve been to more baseball stadiums than I can count. My dad loves the play-by-plays.”
“I’ll bet.” He spun her around before holding her close and swaying in place. “Is he ready to come to the All-Star Game?” Pax had gotten her parents tickets and a hotel room in New York City.
“The whole town knows he’s going. You’re his new hero.”
“Glad to hear it. I worked hard to gain his respect. If I had known a couple of tickets to the All-Star Game was all it would take...” He winked. “I would have done it sooner.”
“You’ve made him really happy. You’re my hero too.”
“I’ll give you the world. All you have to do is let me.”
“You’ve shown me more than I ever dreamed.” She looked down, stopping her thought process. “Maybe I did have too much to drink. I’m talking too much.”
“Keep going. I like it.” He wanted to hear everything she had to say.
“I’ve been having a great time.” She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Thank you. You’re the best.”
Her gesture warmed his heart.
“I should be thanking you.”
“For what?”
“Taming my heart.” He hugged her as he whispered, “It belongs to you now.”
“That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.” She looked back up at him. “I’ll keep it safe. I promise.”
“I know you will, darlin’.”
Chapter 16
THE SUMMER MONTHS ALWAYS took their toll on Pax. It had been a long season. The heat, the road, and the schedules were getting to him. At least this season he had Sophia with him. She made the demands of his job easier. He looked forward to the time they spent together both at home and on the road. He couldn’t wait until October when things would settle down and they could spend a few months without all of his commitments and grueling schedule. He wouldn’t have to report for spring training until February. He planned on taking her away and getting some much needed rest.
Boston had proven to be a tough competitor. They were down this series and needed to pull off a win tomorrow night if the Crushers wanted to hang on to the first place spot. Things were getting serious now. August would be a crucial month. Many teams were vying for the coveted play-off spot. His team couldn’t get lazy now. There were too many variables, too many wildcards to consider. As long as they kept up the momentum they should be fine, but October was still a long way off.
Sophia didn’t join him on this trip. She had to start planning for the upcoming school year, and she had a week full of faculty meetings and curriculum planning. Looking around his empty suite, he felt alone and missed his girl. He’d gone out the night before with the team to celebrate his upcoming birthday, but tonight he wanted to stay in and recuperate. He was pitching the day game tomorrow.
He’d gone to physical therapy, showered, and was ready to order room service when his phone alerted him to a text.
Happy birthday, cowboy!
He smiled as he replied.
Thanks, sugar. How’s your day?
He knew she was disappointed that she couldn’t spend his birthday with him, but he understood. She had a new job that required her attention. They had spent almost the whole month of July together.
I really miss you. Tough loss today.
He sat on the edge of the bed as he typed.
I’ll get ’em tomorrow. I’m getting ready to settle in for the night. Just got out of the shower and I’m ordering dinner.
She quickly replied.
Shower? What are you wearing?
Just my towel. Want me to take it off?
As he waited for her text, someone knocked at the door. Hell! Who was bothering him?
If you’re naked, how will you answer the door?
“Huh?” He reread her response as the person knocked again. Could it be?
He got up and darted to the door, pulling it open without even checking to see who it was.
“Happy birthday.” Sophia stood in the hallway wearing one of those sexy little sundresses he’d grown quite fond of. “Surprise.”
He pulled her into the room, slipped the bag from her shoulder, and kissed her long and hard. Dropping her suitcase in the small foyer, he picked her up and carried her through the suite and to the bedroom.
“Not that I’m complaining, but what are you doing here?” He sat her on the edge of the bed, kissing her again.
“I couldn’t be away from you today, so I hopped on a plane and here I am.”
“I thought you had meetings all week.” He dropped down on the floor in front of her, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.
“I just missed today. I told them it was your birthday and they all agreed I should spend it with you. One of the perks of you being a big shot benefactor of the school. They really like you.”
“I really like you.” He ran his palms up her thighs, bunching the material of her dress up to her waist. “This is the best birthday present ever.” His cock hardened when he spied her tiny black panties.
“I wasn’t sure if you had plans with the guys, and I don’t want to intrude.”
“You could never intrude.” He spread her legs, slipping his hands up to hook his fingers in the band of her panties. “I want you with me always.”
“What are you doing?” She giggled when he slid the silky scrap of material down her legs. “I’m not even in the door three minutes.”
“Unwrapping my gift.” He tossed her panties to the floor. “You did want to give me a gift, didn’t you?”
“This isn’t what I had in mind.”
He guided her on to her back before kneeling between her legs. “I don’t believe you came all the way here to go to dinner with me.” He positioned her heels on the bed, giving him a full view of her luscious folds. He licked his lips when he thought about pleasing her.
“You’re not hungry?”
“I didn’t say that.” He moved forward, spreading her lower lips with his fingers.
“Ahh...” she moaned when he tickled her clit with the tip of his tongue.
He pushed her dress up with his free hand and reached for her breasts as he continued to please her with his mouth. She placed her hand on top of his as he squeezed and pinched her nipple.
“Pax...” She rocked her hips against his face.
He loved making her feel good, bringing her to the brink and listening to her scream out when he gave her body what it craved. The more she moaned, the harder he became. He rested one of her legs over his shoulder so he could delve deeper. She gripped the sheets as she lifted her hips off the bed. Her sex noises drove him wild with need as he thrust against the bed. He needed more. Ripping the towel off, he palmed his cock before taking it into his hand. He licked her in time with his strokes. When her muscles tensed he knew she was close.
He flipped her onto her stomach, wanting to take her from a different angle.
“More...” she demanded.
“I know, baby.” He arched her back and lifted her backside in the air. “I promise this will be worth it.”
“Oh!” She squirmed when he licked her from the back, working up to the front in slow strokes. He repeated his actions over and over until she could take no more. She dropped the upper half of her body onto the mattress, clawed at the comforter, and screamed out her release.
As she tried to catch her breath, he climbed in behind her and lifted her up. “Rest on your forearms.”
When she did as he asked, he pressed his cock against her heat. Moving the tip in and out, teasing her entrance as he held her hips.
“Pax.” She pushed back, causing him to slide deeper. “What are you doing?”
“Hell,” he muttered. “Don’t do that.” He took his length in one hand and rubbed it against her wet slit. “Feels too good.” He hadn’t been expecting her. He wasn’t ready for their encounter.
“Fuck me.”
“Oh,” he groaned before pushing inside her. Just a few seconds...
“That’s amazing...” she cried out when he went balls deep. “I can feel all of you.”
“Soph, we have to ...” He wanted to say the word, but after feeling nothing between the two of them how could he stop? He’d never gone bare before. “Shit.”
He increased his pace, trying to control what was about to happen, but the gates had been left open and all that was left to do was... He’d lost focus when he heard her scream out.
“Pax! I’m coming....” Her muscles clenched around his cock as she tightened her hold on him.
One quick thrust and he pulled out, spraying his release all over her backside. He guided her down onto the bed, covering her with his body. The warm, sticky substance squished between them. He kissed her hair as his cock softened against her thigh.
“Sorry,” he whispered.
“For what?”
“I got carried away.” He hadn’t meant to be so careless, but she had a way of making him crazy with need.
“It’s okay.”
“I’ll be right back.” He kissed her neck. “Don’t move.”
“Don’t worry about that. I couldn’t if I wanted to.”
“Thoroughly fucked, sugar?”
“I think so, cowboy.”
He pried himself away from her and grabbed his discarded towel to clean himself off before he hurried down the hall to the bathroom. Retrieving a wash cloth from the shelf above the sink, he ran it under warm water. He threw a dry towel over his arm and made his way back to her.
“Hmm...” she breathed out when he washed away any evidence of their encounter. “I love when you take care of me.”
“I’ll always take care of you.” After he finished wiping her off, he pulled down the comforter and said, “Snuggle in.”
“I didn’t come here to go to bed.”
“Somehow I doubt that.” He arched a brow at her. “We always end up in bed.”
“You know what I mean.” She settled under the covers. “It’s your special night. What do you want to do?”
I just did it.
“We’ll order dinner in a bit.” He climbed in next to her and wrapped his arms around her delicate form. “I didn’t expect you tonight.”
“I know.” She giggled. “That’s why it’s a surprise. You always do so much for me. I wanted to do something special for you.”
“I love that you came here. It means so much to me.”
“I couldn’t be away from you on your birthday. It didn’t feel right.”
“How long are you staying?”
“Until the series is over. I fly back with you.”
“We need to make a drugstore run.”
“You really weren’t prepared.” She rolled onto her side to face him. “We’ve been traveling a lot this summer. I’ve had to postpone a doctor’s visit a few times, but I’ve rescheduled for October. They book up fast. That was the first available date.”
“Is everything okay?”
“It’s my annual visit. I want to get on the pill.” She touched his cheek. “I’ve wanted to for a while, but every time I get an appointment I end up going away and have to cancel.”
“October should be less crazy. If we make it all the way to the World Series, we’ll only have to travel a few times.”
“So, until I can get into that appointment we’ll have to keep making drugstore runs.”
“I don’t mind. I’m usually well stocked, but since you weren’t supposed to be joining me I didn’t pack the condoms. I didn’t need them.”
“Your lack of condoms keeps you honest.” She laughed. “I like that.”
“No, sugar.” He took a deep breath because he had been trying to work up the nerve to tell her what he’d been feeling for some time. “It’s not my lack of protection that keeps me faithful.” He took her face between his hands and stared into her eyes. “Not at all.”
“It isn’t?”
“It’s much more than that.” When he brushed his lips across hers she shivered under his touch. “I don’t want anyone else.”
“I was teasing,” she whispered. “I have total faith in you...in us.”
“Good, because what I’m about to say, I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time. I needed the right moment. This is a pretty good moment.”
“What is it?” She kissed his jaw. “Tell me.”
“Sophie, baby, I love you.” He held her gaze. “I have for a long time. Maybe even from the first time we met. You know my reputation. Hell, the whole baseball watching world does. It all changed with you. You’re my heart. You’re everything.”
“I love you too.” She pressed her lips to his and kissed him slow and gentle, lingering at his mouth as she spoke. “I know what we have is special. I’ve been waiting a while for you to tell me. I debated on telling you first but I didn’t want to rush you.”
“I should have told you sooner. I wanted to but I’ve never done that before. I’ve never been in love, so I wasn’t sure, but when I look at you I know.”
“What do you know?” Her warm breath tickled his lips as she stared into his eyes.
“That no matter how many times I have to travel, how many times we have to be apart, I’m always going to want to come home to you. Always.”
“Like I told you before, I’ll always be there waiting for you.”
Chapter 17
THE CRUSHERS FEVER was contagious. The whole town seemed to be infected. Businesses flaunted signs in their windows, the local media organized pep rallies, and schools designated Fridays for the students and staff to show their support by wearing team jerseys and colors. Kingston pride was high. Now the team needed to answer back by winning the division and securing their spot in the World Series.