“I expected you wouldn’t know anything about baseball.”
“I don’t, but the Internet makes any subject easy to research.”
“You researched baseball on the web?”
“I did. And I’m excited to see a hundred-mile-an-hour ball aimed at the batter’s head.” His nurturing, tender woman sounded bloodthirsty.
“I can’t believe this is your first game.”
“My dad isn’t a big sports fan. He plays tennis and golf. That’s about it.”
“My dad and I sat in these seats all my years of growing up. The story my sisters like to tell is that my dad wanted to start bringing me when I was two, but my mom made him hold off ’til four. My dad agreed only because of the diapers. And then we never stopped.”
Grayce got a wistful look on her face. He knew she was imagining him as a boy with his dad. And he too was remembering. He got a lump in his throat that wouldn’t move.
She reached for his hand, lacing her fingers between his. “What wonderful memories you have with your dad.”
Grayce somehow made painful things become lighter. After two years, he was beginning to remember and appreciate the moments with his dad. Her small hand pressed against his, eased the pain.
“What else did you learn about baseball?”
“Baseball fans love to quantify everything. I enjoyed the comparison of stats. Did you know how much more important ERA is than wins or strike-outs per game?”
Now it was his turn to laugh out loud. Grayce was a quick study, and listening to her understanding of baseball stats, he realized how quickly she had come to understand the game. His male domain was being invaded by this spunky little woman with the wondrous body and sharp mind—and it didn’t bother him one bit.
The crowd erupted. The much anticipated Felix Hernandez was taking the mound. The neon board flashed. Shouts of “Ole” and Mariachi music filled the stadium. Everyone was on their feet.
Grayce pulled on his hand to lean down. She yelled in the midst of the noise, “I’m afraid with the speed of the pitch I won’t be able to tell the balls from strikes.”
He bent close to her ear. “Watch where the ball comes over the plate.”
She looked up at him. “I’ll try.”
He couldn’t resist her or her earnestness. He had to kiss her again. He molded his lips against her soft mouth. “I like you at the game.”
Her eyes had softened, and her voice got raspy. “I like being here.”
They were interrupted when Hernandez threw a chest high fastball for a strike.
“Did you see how the ball blew by him?”
Grayce nodded. Her eyes remained riveted on Hernandez.
The stocky ace pulled at the brim of his cap and then resumed his focus on the target from the catcher. With one wicked splitter, Hernandez ended the inning. The crowd cheered wildly. People began to stream into the aisles in search of beer and food. Grayce and Davis stood to stretch.
“Davis, I’m gonna go get some food. I’m starving. What do you want?”
He immediately visualized Grayce climbing the stairs in her shorts and wandering through the hordes of randy male fans.
“I’ll go with you.”
“You don’t want to miss the beginning of the next inning.”
He took her arm and whispered into her ear. “I’m coming. Every man here is going to want to jump you, dressed in that sexy outfit.”
“Right.” She rolled her eyes. She thought he was joking. “Davis, I’m sure at least half of the men are too interested in the game to even notice.”
“Not notice. Are you kidding? They’d have to be dead not to appreciate your…your beauty.” He stared at her cleavage.
Grayce sat back down. “I’m wearing exactly what all the other women are wearing. Why are you upset?”
“I don’t like the idea of other men seeing you in those shorts…and that top. I want you all to myself.” He looked at the way the tank top was molded to her firm breasts. The heat surged through his body. “Honey, let’s go to my place.” He caressed her warm thigh. “It’s been two nights.”
“I know.” Her voice sounded breathless. Or maybe it was his. Grayce ran her finger over his roving hand. “But what about the game? What about Hernandez?”
“Who?” His finger was wandering higher on her hot flesh. He liked making her face flush.
He was having trouble not panting. “We can watch the game and eat at my place.”
“Are you sure you want to leave the game?”
He couldn’t keep the heat out of his voice. “I’m definitely sure.”
Chapter Seven
Davis’ heart boomed against his chest and his breaths came in fierce surges as he and Grayce ascended in the elevator. He was a hair’s breath away from taking her in the glass elevator. Did Grayce realize her peril? She leaned into him but remained silent. His harsh breathing was the only sound in the empty elevator.
He had to control his body for only a few more minutes. He’d unlock his condo door, then he’d remove Grayce’s clothes then his, and then he’d act out every fantasy he’d had since Grayce sashayed into the Mariners game.
Grayce’s earthy scent filled his nostrils and when he looked down at her generous, womanly curves in her tight top, he knew he was fighting a losing battle. The primal need to touch her was winning.
He only intended to kiss her, but when she wrapped her arms around his neck and used the tip of her tongue to outline his lips, he was lost. His tongue swept into her mouth, stroking her. He savored the taste of her.
She melted against him. He felt her surrender all through his body, and a ferocious, male exultation swept through him. She was completely his. No one else could have her. After a long drugging kiss to let her know that she belonged to him, he finally got around to stepping out of the elevator.
With Grayce barely a few steps into his condo, he pressed her against the wall. He slammed the door closed with his foot. He twisted her hair around his fist, forced her head back. He growled. “Now, you’re going to pay for wearing that top.”
Grayce gave a low, husky laugh that went straight to his groin.
In one quick movement, he pulled the top off, exposing her lush breasts. He lifted her full breasts to his mouth. “I’ve been wanting to do this since you arrived at the game.” He lowered his lips to a succulent breast. He circled his tongue around the nipple then did the same to her other breast. With lips, tongue, and hands, he branded her as his woman.
Grayce was writhing against the wall.
“I want you as hot and bothered as I’ve been.”
Grayce wound her fingers into his hair and pushed her breast against his mouth. His gentle healer was a passionate woman.
“Is this what you want?” He trailed his tongue around her firm soft breast as he squeezed.
Grayce’s moans of pleasure fired his hunger.
“And for wearing these shorts, I’m going to make you scream my name.”
He unbuttoned her shorts and slowly pulled them down her legs. Grayce had on a lacy thong. He had never seen her in a thong. If he had known what she was wearing under her shorts, he would never had made it home.
“A thong?” His voice came out half needing, half pleading. “You never wear a thong.”
“With white shorts, I didn’t want my panties to show through.”
“Grayce, you’re killing me.” His finger traced the back of the thong in the warm, moist crevice of her voluptuous ass. He panted as if he had sprinted up all twenty-five floors to his condo. He quickly dispensed of her thong. A nude Grayce, backed against the wall in her sexy shoes, made him lose total control.
“I’m sorry, Grayce, I meant to go slow,” he rasped as he stripped out of his clothes in less than five seconds.
“I don’t want you to go slow.” Her voice, husky with desire, needing him, shot flames of heat down his spine.
He lifted her up and slowly slid her onto his erection. She was tight and hot. She cried out his n
ame when he brought himself fully into her.
“Wrap your legs around me.” The heels of her shoes dug into his back, making him wild. “Just like that,” he groaned.
He lifted her and thrust deeply to make the possession complete. He was embedded in his sweet woman. She clung to his driving body. With the hoarse sounds she made against his throat, she set his blood on fire.
He brought her close to climax, then deliberately delayed her pleasure. “You’re mine, Grayce Walters. Only mine. Tell me.”
He stilled and took her breast into her mouth, suckling hard.
“I’m yours, Davis. Always yours.”
Her words unleashed all his passion and need to please her. He thrust deeper, fusing their bodies with his penetration.
On the edge, she dug her heels deeper into his back and arched in his arms. Her movement made him lose his last remnant of control. He couldn’t slow down, pounding into Grayce, he brought them to shuddering, mindless frenzy until there was nothing but themselves.
* * *
Davis was stretched on his back with his arm wrapped around Grayce. Her fingers wandered on his chest. “I can’t believe we left the game. All that research on baseball, and I only saw one inning.”
She caressed his abdomen. He took a deep breath. He couldn’t believe how many times they had made love since arriving home.
His fingers began their own wandering, inching toward a rosy pink nipple. “This is a lot better than baseball.”
He hadn’t given a thought to baseball since Grayce had pranced into Safeco Field. He had left opening night with Felix Hernandez pitching.
“What is it, Davis? Did I just hear a sigh?”
“No. It’s just…I’ve never left a game before it was finished.”
Grayce sat up and stared into his eyes. Her vibrant hair cascaded down her back and hung in front of her eyes.
She pushed the hair away from her face and leaned closer to him, her soft breasts rubbed against his chest. “Do you regret leaving?”
“Hell, no.” He started to pull on her wrist.
“But there was a sigh. I heard it.”
He wasn’t sure if he had really sighed, but Grayce seemed to be able to understand his feelings better than he did. Her eyes widened as she searched his face.
Had his behavior tonight shocked her? It had shocked him. He didn’t think Grayce would appreciate his male, territorial thoughts and his need to claim and possess her, to make sure she understood she belonged to him, only him. All he could think about was taking Grayce home and making her his own. He hadn’t cared about the Mariners or Felix Hernandez.
“Davis, I’m happy to go back to the game, if that’s what you want.”
God, was she insane? He was getting aroused again by her hot thigh draped across his and the soft breast that he could easily take into his mouth.
“I’m very happy right where I am.”
“But you and your dad never left a game.”
His dad would’ve agreed that loving Grayce was the right choice for tonight and every night. “My dad would understand. I’m sorry that he didn’t get to meet you. He would’ve loved you.”
He had stopped himself from saying “like I love you.” Grayce wasn’t ready for a declaration of love. Her sister’s death had deeply affected her. She was afraid to get too close to anyone for fear of losing them. Plucky Grayce wouldn’t appreciate his interpretation.
When they had discussed their wariness in rushing a commitment in their first month of dating, he hadn’t been totally truthful. His feelings would overwhelm Grayce. Hell, they overwhelmed him. He had never been in love before, and now he had to leave Seattle. He wasn’t sure how to tell Grayce about the promotion.
Grayce was very intuitive; she must that something was wrong. He cursed himself for not having the courage to come clean tonight. But then those perky little shorts came off, and he lost his train of thought.
Chapter Eight
Dressed in Davis’ t-shirt, Grayce sat cross-legged at the dining room table. Mitzi waited under the table, hoping to catch any dropped food. Grayce had lost interest in the food on her plate. The evening had been wonderful until Davis had announced he needed to discuss something serious. The demanding, passionate, and tender man of the last hours had transformed into a somber, resolute man about to face the gallows.
Anxiety churned in Grayce’s stomach. “It’s about your Aunt Aideen, isn’t it?” She pushed her plate away.
“My aunt? Why would I want to talk about my aunt?”
Grayce lightly exhaled. Aunt Aideen hadn’t shared the prediction with him.
“You’re looking so serious.” His shoulders were tightened, and the little laugh lines that she loved had flattened.
“In my meeting with the chief…” He pulled his chair closer to hers so their knees touched. He took her hand into his and pressed a hot, moist kiss against her palm. Davis’ eyes blazed with need—the look that always made her stomach flutter.
“I haven’t told you all the news. The chief recommended me to be the department’s liaison at the Fusion Center.” Davis delivered the information in a fatal tone.
“Sounds like it’s an honor. Why aren’t you pleased?”
He continued to hold her hand, rubbing his thumb on the inside of her palm. It would’ve been a sensual experience except Davis was distracted and didn’t seem to realize he was touching her.
“What is the Fusion Center?” She asked.
“King County’s joint task force on terrorism. The center is a unified command where all the agencies come together to assess credible threats. It’s under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security.”
“Terrorist threats in the Northwest?” The little hairs on Grayce’s arms and neck stirred and her intuition flared. She repressed the worry that Davis could be in danger.
“It’s a big deal. The chief was impressed with my ability to work with all the different agencies during the wharf fire investigation. He liked the way I handled the Feds and prevented the investigation from becoming a pissing match.”
“How wonderful and well-deserved. I know you really enjoyed the collaboration with the federal agencies.”
His bright eyes suddenly became inscrutable. “Exactly. I found the FBI and the DEA’s work intriguing.”
Grayce waited, suspended as if Davis were a lawyer, developing his argument before delivering the lethal accusation.
“It sounds great. You’ll work more closely with the Feds, right?” She grabbed his hand. “Why aren’t you happy?”
“I’ll definitely have more time in the Federal arena.” He laughed in a deprecating voice she had never heard before.
“Honey, you know how much I care about you. Nothing will ever change that.” His voice and his bright eyes were ardent with feelings.
This was worse than she thought. Grayce’s heart thumped against her chest. Why the testimonial about his feelings?
“The chief has recommended me for a very select training program…” Davis paused. His eyes didn’t meet hers but stared behind her.
Mitzi arose from beneath the table and sat next to Grayce in her protective stance.
Grayce shifted in her chair. The timber in his voice changed when he said “select training program.” She felt his eager interest.
Davis had last changed careers when he moved home to take care of his dying father. He left the world of investment banking resolved to find meaningful work. With his multiple talents and drive, Grayce wasn’t sure how long he’d remain a fire investigator.
“Grayce, three months ago, I’d be jumping at this opportunity but now…”
“I don’t understand. What’s stopping you from this training?”
“You…us. I can’t leave now.”
“Leave? You said the Fusion Center is in King County.”
“The National Center, honey—Washington, DC.”
“DC? You can’t be serious?” Her voice came out as a high-pitched screech.
&
nbsp; “The chief wants me to go to DC. He wants me to represent the department on the national level.”
Grayce felt as if someone had flipped her onto her back in Aikido training. Her breath was knocked out and the room spun.
She sat upright in the chair. Her feet now on the ground. “How long is the training for?”
“At least six months, but the chief wants me to stay for twelve months.”
Grayce wasn’t sure if she could speak, since she couldn’t draw air into her lungs. Davis not in Seattle. Her mind was in shock. She was tempted to act like a needy woman in a bad romance and beg him not to leave.
“This is a great opportunity for you, Davis.” She tried to sound convincing. It was absolutely the right thing to say.
“I told the chief I’d need time to talk with you before deciding.”
“It sounds like the perfect next step.” She heard the words in her own ears as if someone else was speaking.
“It’s a long time for me to be away from you. Won’t it feel like that for you, too?”
She leaned toward him and ran her hand up his arm, needing to touch him, to make the raw pain in her chest vanish. She had started to believe that she and Davis could make it work and now he was leaving. “Of course it will be a long time to go without you, but I want what’s best for you.” Her words were sincere, but it would take her heart a while to believe them.
“But you’re the best for me, Grayce.”
She ignored the queasy feeling in her stomach. “Davis, I can’t go to DC.”
“I wouldn’t want you to give up your practice. I know what it means to you.”
Grayce felt relieved and terribly disappointed.
“I know we agreed that we wouldn’t push our relationship and we’d take it nice and slow.” He stared at her with wary longing. “The possibility of you meeting someone else while I’m gone…it’s why I went a little crazy at the game.”
His past betrayals were rearing their head. They both had demons around trust and commitments—major hurdles for a longtime relationship.
“Why would you think that I’d want to go out with someone else?”
The Grayce Walters Romantic Suspense Series Page 33