Over the Fence: Lyssa Layne's Baseball Romances

by Lyssa Layne

  I smile and am a bit giddy that it’s second nature to both of us that I always stay at his place. Closing the car door, I walk to his side of the car as he watches me closely. Other than when Tate’s at an away game, and not even always then, I haven’t stayed a single night at my house.

  He steps out of the car and I take his hands in mine, walking backward toward my garage. He narrows his eyebrows and cautiously asks, “What are you up to, Mia Tomko?”

  I start to be playful and ask if he loves me, but I stop. I laugh to myself, here we are discussing marriage and we haven’t even shared the L-word yet. I slide my arms around his neck and pull him in for a passionate kiss. His tongue quickly reacts and circles mine. Having Toby around has definitely inhibited our spontaneity, but neither of us are complaining about spending time with the little guy.

  Tate’s lips move to my neck, his warm breath on my ear as he whispers, “Time for my present?”

  His hands move the straps of my dress off my shoulders. As much as I want to be naked with him, I pull away. “Actually, it is.”

  I hit my garage door button and the door raises. Tate continues kissing my neck until he sees a red Corvette parked in the garage. Standing up straight, his jaw drops and he moves in slow motion toward it.

  “It’s beautiful! Is it…” he trails off.

  I grin and grab his hand, pulling him faster to inspect it. “Yes, it’s yours! Happy birthday!” I’m still saving up to leave Tomko Realty, but I was able to cash in stock without Asher finding out to pay for Tate’s new car. I knew he’d love it and I couldn’t pass up the chance to do this for him.

  Tate runs his hand lightly over the finish of the sports car, taking in her every curve. I open the driver door and he slides into the seat. His hands glide up and down the steering wheel as he shakes his head in disbelief. Looking up at me, he says, “Babe, you didn’t have to do this.”

  His eyes are dancing and he’s like a little kid on Christmas as he touches every button on the console. I smile and shrug. “I wanted to.”

  He reaches out and pulls me into his lap. I giggle as we sit awkwardly in the driver’s seat, my legs dangling out of the car.

  “Mia, this past month was more than enough for my birthday. I loved having Toby here, watching you two interact… being a family,” he says, making my heart race. His hand moves to my cheek. “Please don’t second guess his actions with you. He wants a mom, can you blame him? But don’t think that’s all he sees in you. I’ve watched him with my mother and my sister, and I’ve never seen him so smitten with someone. Mia, he loves you… just like I do.”

  My heart races and it’s easy for me to reply, “I love you, too,” because I do. His lips crush mine as he pulls my head toward him, kissing me with intensity, fingers gripping my hair. I moan into his mouth. This declaration of love making me want him, all of him, more than ever. I break the kiss to step out of the car and he’s right behind me.

  Tate takes the garage door opener, closing it as he unzips his pants. Tossing the opener aside, he spins me around and lifts my dress. I lean over his new Corvette as he moves my panties to the side and enters me inch by inch. His mouth covers my back and shoulders with sweet, subtle kisses while his hips rock and drive into me. As he pushes us both to climax, he pulls my hair to one side so that his mouth rests by my ear. His grunts pushing me closer to the edge, but it’s when he whispers, “Mia Tomko, I’m going to spend the rest of my life with you,” that I hit pure ecstasy.

  CHAPTER 24

  Tate

  “I miss you, Mia,” my son says with a pouty look and touches his hand to the screen.

  Mia reaches out and places her fingers where his hands are displayed on my laptop. “I miss you, too, Toby,” she says with a hint of sadness in her voice. I squeeze her leg then move into screen with her so Toby can see me.

  Trying to lighten the mood, I say, “Hey, what about me? What am I, chopped liver?”

  Toby falls back on the couch and giggles hysterically as Mia laughs with him. After a few moments of hysterics, Toby leans forward, his face right in front of the computer. “Of course, I miss you, Dad. You’re so silly!” He presses his lips against the screen.

  “Good. I was beginning to think you liked her better than me,” I tease. I look at Mia then lean forward, whispering, “Us guys gotta stick together, okay?”

  Toby giggles again and then agrees with me. My mom yells at him in the background to wash up for dinner. Toby waves to us both and says, “Bye Dad, bye Mia. Love you!” We don’t have a chance to say anything back before he’s off the screen.

  I close the laptop and turn to Mia. My grip tightens on her thigh as I look into her teary eyes. I laugh. “Don’t cry, baby.”

  Mia wipes her eyes and leans over, kissing me softly. “I’m sorry, I just never thought I could…be so attached to him.”

  I take her hand and pull her in my lap. Pouting, I ask, “What about me? What am I, chopped liver?”

  Laughing, she tousles my hair with one hand and taps my nose with her index finger on the other. “Yes, babe, I’m extremely attached to you, too. Don’t worry.”

  “Good,” I say with a grin and move my lips to hers. Our mouths lock and move slowly over one another’s. Our tongues dance together as we both moan softly. God, this woman does so much for me. My hand moves down her chest while I pull her hair lightly with the other, ready to ravage her here on the pool deck.

  My lips press against her collarbone as I slide her dress straps off her shoulders. Her fingertips lightly massage my head as they play with my hair and she lets out a soft, delighted sigh. It’s the same noise she makes when I nuzzle her neck in the morning before she wakes up.

  Without looking up, I simply say, “Move in with me.”

  Mia laughs and I feel her tilt her head up. “How would that be any different than now? I’m here every night you are.”

  My tongue trails down her chest and my hands move the material of her dress to expose her breasts. One hand cups each bosom and squeezes playfully. I roll her nipples between my thumbs and forefingers until I elicit that wonderful purr-moan of hers. Licking her perky nipples, I nod before taking one fully in my mouth. Mia tilts her head back again and whispers my name, sending waves of electricity over my body and turning me on even more.

  My hands continue to massage her chest until I pull my head away to look into her eyes. “I need to know that you’ll be here waiting for me when I get home from away games. I need to know that you’re safe in our bed when I’m gone. I need to wake up to you every day.”

  I see Mia’s lips drop into a frown. “I don’t know, Tate, that seems like…a big step.”

  My lips move to her neck and I whisper into her ear, “You’re going to marry me, Mia, you know that, right?” It’s a bold move I know, but when I told her I was going to spend forever with her three weeks ago on my birthday, she seemed to enjoy the sentiment. A smile spreads across my face as I recall how much she really enjoyed my words that day.

  “Sell your house, babe, move in with me, and when the season is over, we’ll talk marriage,” I try to demand, knowing damn well that she’ll make her own decisions.

  Her body stiffens under my hands and I move my mouth back to her nipple, trying to relax and distract her. That wonderful purr-moan escapes her lips and she mumbles, “I’ll think about it…”

  Mia

  I stare out the window into the dark night, the ocean crashing into the sand beneath the open window mixes with Tate’s light snoring as he holds me against him. It’s been two weeks since Tate asked me to move in. Ever since, I’ve laid in bed every night thinking about my future with Tate…and Toby. Better, my future without Asher.

  I sigh and roll to my back. Tate moves his head to my chest and I wrap my arm around his shoulders. My fingertips walk up and down his tricep as he rests peacefully in my arms. I want to say yes. I want to sell my house. I want to lay like this with him forever but there’s one thing keeping me from this dream—Asher.


  Tate snuggles closer to me, mumbling my name in his slumber. I smile and press my lips against his forehead. This is what little girls dream about. A man that loves her and makes her feel safe, her knight in shining armor. This is what happily ever after is all about.

  The alarm numbers reflect in the silver picture frame on the nightstand. Inside it is a picture of the three of us. Toby is giving a goofy grin as we all smile for the camera on the beach. Turning back to Tate, I realize this is what I want. I want him. I want Toby. I want us to be a family.

  Squeezing my eyes closed, I run numbers in my head. My bank statement came last week. If I sell my house, I would have plenty of money to leave Asher and start my own business. However, with Asher’s name on the house papers, I’ll need his permission which means I’ll probably have to split the profit. Moving in with Tate though, I won’t need the money I’d budgeted for a new place, but I hate to depend on him for that. My eyelids flutter as I start to drift off. This is it, I am so close to breaking away from Asher and having my fairytale with Tate.

  A few hours later, I hear the water running in the bathroom as I blink my eyes awake. The clock says it’s five and I remember Tate is leaving for a three-day road trip with the team. Perfect, this will give me time to start boxing up my house and work up the nerve to talk to Asher about my decision.

  I climb out of bed and walk to the bathroom in my silk panties and matching chemise. Tate sees me in the mirror as he brushes his teeth. Smiling around the toothbrush, he holds his arm out to me, which I happily move into his reach.

  My lips brush his shoulder before I look into his eyes. He rinses off his toothbrush and gives me a minty fresh good-morning kiss. The toothpaste makes my tongue tingle as his rolls over mine. I moan into his mouth and he pulls my hips so I’m directly in front of him, pressed between him and the counter.

  “I’m going to miss you, baby,” he mumbles in between kisses along my collarbone.

  My fingers run through his hair as I nod. I take a deep breath and decide to tell him now so I don’t chicken out. “I’ll sell my house,” I whisper.

  Tate’s lips stop and he glances up at me. “Seriously?”

  I nod. “Seriously.”

  He whoops and covers my mouth with his as his hands scurry over my body, touching every nerve ending in me. I throw my head back and laugh as he does a happy dance in front of me, spinning in circles.

  Shaking my head, I grab his hands and pull him to me again. “I was thinking Toby could come to visit again in a few weeks.”

  Tate’s grinning ear to ear as he nods. “Great idea, baby. He’ll just need to be home before the fifteenth to start kindergarten.”

  I glance down at where our fingers are laced together then slowly look up into his eyes. “Maybe he could spend the school year here…with us.”

  Tate’s eyes go wide and if his grin could get any bigger, it does. “You want him here…with us…permanently?”

  I nod, biting my lip, wondering if I’ve gone too far. Tate lifts me off the ground, pulling my legs around his waist, and spinning us in circles. I laugh as he moves us to the bed and lays me down gently. His lips kiss along my leg, working his way up to my waist. His fingers hook my panties and he starts to pull them down, but stops and looks me in the eyes.

  “So this is it?” he asks with a grin. “The start of our life together…”

  My stomach flutters quickly and I nod. Ready or not, I’m about to start my new life with Tate and Toby James. A new life free of Asher Tomko.

  CHAPTER 25

  Tate

  My knuckles are white as I grip the armrest of my plane seat. God, I hate flying and this flight has been nothing but turbulence. I take a deep breath and try to focus on anything other than this bumpy flight because I’m about to jump out of my skin.

  “How are things with Mia?” Grant’s voice breaks my concentration.

  I nod and mutter good.

  “Tell me about it,” he says.

  I look at him out of the corner of my eye, hands squeezing tighter on the arms of my seat. I raise my eyebrow as I answer. “I don’t think Colie, nor Mia, want me to talk about what goes on in our bedroom.”

  He laughs and shakes his head. “Not the sex, man. You’re way too anxious. You should have taken some meds before this flight to chill out. So tell me about Mia, take your mind off it.”

  I swallow as the plane hits another bump and my stomach flies into my throat. Grant’s right. Think. Focus. Keep my mind on anything other than plummeting to my death. Mia…Mia…I smile, Mia. She’s always the perfect distraction. Nodding, I close my eyes and say in an even voice, focusing on my words. “She’s amazing, just told me this morning that she’s going to sell her house and move in to my place at my request.”

  “Sounds like a step in the right direction.”

  I open my eyes and stare at the headrest in front of me. “We’re going to start Toby in school back in L.A.”

  I hear Grant lean forward beside me, but I don’t take my eyes off the headrest. “Wow, so it’s that serious, huh?”

  I nod, not breaking my gaze. “I’m going to marry her.”

  Grant chuckles. “She know that?”

  “I’ve told her, haven’t officially asked yet.”

  Grant slaps my leg. “Good to hear. Now, let go of me before Colie gets jealous.”

  Looking away from the seat in front of me, I glance down. Sure enough, I’ve been squeezing Grant’s arm the entire time. I laugh and nod. “I think meds are a good idea for the flight home.”

  Mia

  Taking a deep breath, I walk into Asher’s office. In my hands are the papers for my house to be put on the market, all that’s missing is his signature. It’s taken me a few days, but I’m ready to face him. I’ve stood up to him before. I convinced him to divorce me, I can convince him to let me sell my house. I’m just not sure I can tell him where I plan on moving.

  Asher taps away on his keyboard although I know he’s probably not doing work. I imagine he’s planning his next “business trip” by the way his lips are turned up. I clear my throat and he glances in my direction, his smile turning into a grin.

  “Amelia, I haven’t seen you around lately,” he says and stands, making his way to me.

  It’s true. I’ve been avoiding him, checking his schedule to make sure we aren’t in the office together. It’s a relief that the tabloids haven’t picked up on Tate and my relationship, but Asher knows me well enough that if he were around me, he’d know something was going on. His hands slide around my waist and I grip the papers tighter as he kisses my cheek.

  Playing it off, I nod. “Seems like our schedules just haven’t matched up lately.”

  Before I realize it, he grabs the papers from my hands. “What’s this, Amelia? A proposal to make us money?”

  I scoff, trying not to show my cards. I walk to the window, looking outside. “Asher, I’ve brought in over two million in profit in the past two months alone. What more do you want from me?”

  Asher grins and slaps my backside. “Sweetheart, you know there’s no such thing as enough money.”

  I jump at his contact, startled as he took me by surprise. I spin around and move to his desk, leaning against it so he can’t do it again. Looking at the papers, he frowns and looks at me.

  “Amelia, this is a contract to sell your house.”

  My heart races as I try to read his thoughts. I grab the desk to hide my trembling hands and nod. “You know that house is much too big for me. With the market today, I can sell it for a higher profit than what we bought it for.”

  His grin returns as he moves across the room to me. “Ready to move back home?”

  My stomach tightens at this thought. I never imagined he’d draw that conclusion and I hate the memories that households. Finding him in bed with our housekeeper, lying in a ball on the floor as he took out his aggression on me. The only good memory is of when I marched out of the house, broken nose, fractured ribs and all, and found my ang
el Arlene who saved me from going through that hell again. Well, at least from that extreme again.

  Asher moves one hand to my waist, squeezing it tightly. The other moves gingerly to my cheek as he looks into my eyes. “I knew you’d come to your senses, Amelia. You and I are meant to be together.”

  I swallow hard, not sure if I should tell him the truth now or later. I can let him think what he wants if he’ll sign the papers, then tell him about Tate later with him by my side. Of course, that means telling Tate the truth about my fears of Asher. The alternative is to tell him the truth now and he’ll refuse to let me put it on the market.

  Slowly, I nod. “I haven’t thought about it yet, but possibly…maybe buy a condo.”

  Asher pinches my waist, obviously not happy with my answer. He tosses the papers on his desk. The hand on my cheek moves to my hair which he pulls hard and looks into my eyes.

  “I’ll think about it,” he says smugly and brushes his lips across mine.

  I pull back and put my hand on his chest, thankful I left the door open. “Asher, not at the office.”

  He grins and nods, remembering our deal of no public displays of affection in front of our staff. “Let me sleep on it and I’ll stop by your place in the morning with an answer.”

  My heart races. He didn’t say no, but he didn’t say yes either. Thank goodness Tate’s out of town. Tonight will be my first time at my place since we got together five months ago.

  CHAPTER 26

  Tate

  Grant slaps my back as we part ways in the garage at the airport. “Much better flight home,” he teases.

  I laugh. “Thanks, that anti-anxiety medicine really worked.”

  Colie, Grant, and I caught the redeye back from our game so we could have an entire day off rather than get back late in the evening with the rest of the team. I’m anxious to see Mia and work out plans to get Toby registered for school. Plus I want to take her ring shopping. My heart jumps at that thought, but in a good way. I dreaded this move to L.A., but next to Toby, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.