Playing With You

by Cheyenne McCray

  Ricki nodded. “I’m not sure I’d want to be out there. You can feel the competitiveness between the men from here.”

  “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet, honey,” Angel said with a grin in a mock redneck tone.

  By the time the teams were ready, the rain was coming down harder. It wouldn’t be long ’til everyone on each of the teams was soaked, not to mention those in the bleachers without umbrellas.

  Garrett’s brother, Reese, was the home team captain and they took to the field while the other team, captained by Tate, was up at bat. Garrett played third base, close to where Ricki was sitting in the bleachers.

  A sense of excitement went through Ricki, the thrill of the start to a game.

  Creed took the first at bat and hit a line drive. John caught the ball in left field and threw the ball to Mike who had first base. Mike caught the ball and practically tackled Creed as he slid into first base but Creed was declared safe by one of the referees.

  Immediately, Ricki could see and feel the fierce competition between the two teams. They were having fun, but they were serious about the game, too. Gage came up at bat next and hit a pop-up fly to third and Garrett easily caught it. Ryan struck out, but Blake nearly hit the ball out of the park. John dove for the ball and landed on his hip and slid through the mud as he barely caught the ball when it skipped on the ground. He rolled to his feet and threw the ball to home plate. The runners stopped at second and third bases.

  Everyone on the bleachers cheered and shouted. Ricki found herself shouting just as loud as Angel during the game.

  Rain was coming down harder now, thrumming on top of the umbrella that Angel held over herself and Ricki.

  Out on the field, John had mud up one side of body from his shoulder to his hip from hitting the ground. Everyone on the field had muddy shoes, some with mud-streaked faces, and all with soaked T-shirts and jeans. None of the players seemed to notice or care. Instead they trash-talked and went after the game like they were playing for their lives.

  After a single by Tate, Creed scored but Garrett tagged out Blake for the third out to end the first half of the first inning.

  Garrett was third up at bat with no runs, two outs, and one man on base. Ricki felt a thrill in her belly just watching the man whose soaked T-shirt clung to his muscular body, a fierce expression on his handsome face. She realized she was holding her breath and let it out slowly as Garrett gained two strikes against him. On the third pitch, he swung and the crack of his bat was loud as the wood connected solidly with the ball.

  Angel and Ricki both stood and cheered as Garrett ran the bases and Ryan chased the ball. He scooped it up then threw it toward third. Garrett slid into third base, barely making contact with the base before Creed had the chance to tag him out. Ricki grinned as she saw that a good deal of Garrett’s body was now covered in mud.

  Garrett had batted John in and the game was tied one-one when Reese hit a fly ball that Ryan caught easily for the third out in the bottom of the first.

  The game was long but exciting as the teams went the full nine innings. In the bottom of the ninth, the teams were tied ten-ten. Everyone on the bleachers was on his or her feet cheering the teams on. Ricki’s throat hurt from yelling so much.

  After two outs, Reese hit a home run to end the game and win the game for the “home” team.

  Ricki climbed off the bleachers, leaving the canopy of the umbrella to go to Garrett and congratulate him. The moment he saw her, he caught her by surprise as he swept her up in his arms and swung her around. He grinned as he set her down, leaving her smeared with mud. She looked down and wiped a clump of mud off her T-shirt. In a sudden surge of impishness, she took the mud and reached up to run her fingers down his nose, coating it in the stuff.

  He gave her a wicked grin, flung her over his shoulder and spanked her with a muddy hand.

  She caught her breath, her eyes wide. “Let me down, you big oaf,” she cried out as he swatted her again.

  He laughed and let her slide down his body. Sudden erotic sensations went through her as he lowered her against his body until she was on her feet again. She stared up at him and swallowed as she saw his expression had gone from playful to dark and sensual.

  Rain poured down on them, washing mud from their faces as they stared at each other. In that moment all she could think about was his lips moving over hers, kissing her like he had the night they’d gone out on the date. She could see in his eyes that he wanted it as much as she did.

  Instead of kissing her, he said in a husky voice, “Let’s get out of the rain and get you home.”

  She nodded. Yeah, home. She wanted him to take her home and take her in every way possible. He wanted it too…there was no doubt in her mind that he did.

  He put his arm around her shoulders, holding her close to him as if not wanting to let her go. They made their goodbyes and then they were in his truck heading to her house.

  Chapter 16

  The moment they walked in the door to Ricki’s home, Garrett slammed the door hard behind him and grabbed her up in his arms. He grasped her ass and pressed her hard against him as his mouth took hers.

  A shiver went through her that had nothing to do with her soaked clothing, and everything to do with the way he was kissing her. It was hungry and almost harsh, his lips bruising hers.

  She responded with her own hunger for him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing herself as close to him as she could, even closer than he already had her. His cock was so hard against her belly that it sent a thrill through her, straight to that place between her thighs. She’d never wanted a man like she wanted Garrett, and she was finally going to have him.

  The next thing she knew, her head was spinning as he took her down to the floor and onto a thick rug in the entryway. His baseball cap dropped to the rug as he kissed her, and she hooked her thighs around his hips as he pressed his jean-clad cock against her center. She squirmed beneath him as she moaned with need.

  They were still coated with mud, their clothing soaked through. She didn’t care if he took off his clothes—she just wanted to feel him inside her as soon and as fast as possible.

  “Damn, but you’re fine.” He pushed up her T-shirt, grabbed her red bra, and jerked it below her large breasts. “I’ve got to have you.”

  She gasped as cool air tightened her nipples and then his warm mouth latched onto her. He thrust his hips as if taking her, his cock rock hard against her through their clothing.

  Desire and need coursed through her and she whimpered to be even closer to him. She moved both of her hands down between them and fumbled until she unbuttoned his jeans. She slid her hand into the waistband of his jeans and his underwear, and wrapped her fingers around his cock.

  He groaned and moved his hips as she eased her hand up and down his length. He was thick and long and she gave another soft moan, imagining how it would feel once his cock was inside her.

  “Garrett.” She sighed his name as she begged him. “Please.”

  His mouth found hers again and his muscular chest pressed against her chest, his T-shirt abrading her bare nipples. Her eyes were closed as she became lost in the kiss, loving the way he was taking control and the unleashed power he was exerting over her.

  He stilled, then moved his mouth from hers as he pulled back. She opened her eyes and found him looking down at her with pain and anger in his expression, his hands braced to either side of her head.

  Confused, she furrowed her brow. “What’s wrong, Garrett?”

  He didn’t answer. Instead he pushed himself to his knees between her thighs, pulled her bra back over her breasts and tugged down her T-shirt. He got to his feet and taking her by the hands, brought her up with him.

  The anger in his expression almost frightened her. “I’m sorry, Ricki.” He released her hands and took a step back as he fastened his jeans. “I shouldn’t have touched you.”

  Her mind was still reeling from his kisses and the feel of his body against hers. “Did
I do something wrong?”

  “I did.” He turned and took the two steps from the entryway rug to the front door. He grasped the door handle, lowered his head, and paused for a moment. Then he straightened, and without looking at her again, he jerked open the door. He walked through the opening and closed the door solidly behind him.

  She stared at the door, bewildered. What had just happened? It was like she was lost in some kind of dream.

  A sharp ache shot through her midsection. She held her arms to her belly, unable to comprehend. He’d wanted her, she was sure of that. And God knew she wanted him.

  So why had he stopped? Why had he looked so angry?

  It had to be her. There was something wrong with her.

  Tears welled up in her eyes and then started rolling down her cheeks. The tears felt hot against her skin that was cool and damp from the rain. She brushed them away with the backs of her hands and felt mud smear across her cheeks.

  She turned and almost tripped over his cap. She picked it up and stared at it for a long moment then spun and flung the cap at the door where it hit with a soft thump and dropped to the floor.

  Ricki crossed her arms over her chest and stared blindly up at the ceiling when she felt something soft against her leg. Startled, she looked down to see Xena with her head against Ricki’s thigh. Xena’s eyes looked big and brown and soulful. She could clearly see that Ricki was hurting.

  Vaguely she wondered where Xena had been while Ricki and Garrett had been rolling around on the floor. The dog had probably been watching, wondering what in the world was going on.

  At the thought of what she and Garrett had just done, the ache in her chest doubled and she practically ran from the living room, into her bedroom, and then her bathroom. Tears continued to stream down her face as she stripped out of her wet and muddy clothing and tossed everything on the bathroom floor. Xena stood in the doorway looking sad and like she wasn’t sure what to do.

  Ricki turned on the shower and shivered uncontrollably as she waited for the water to warm, then stepped beneath the spray. She started rubbing her skin with a washcloth while she stood beneath the water, trying to wash away everything that had just happened.

  But she only cried harder, wondering what she’d done wrong. Maybe she just wasn’t loveable enough. Maybe she wasn’t desirable enough.

  The pain in her chest didn’t ease. If anything it magnified. She knew the truth. She’d fallen for a man who didn’t want her and her heart had just shattered into so many pieces that she didn’t know if she could ever pick them all up.

  * * * * *

  Garrett didn’t give a shit that he was breaking the speed limit. The damn cops could haul his ass to jail if they wanted to.

  He ground his teeth. What in the hell had he been thinking? He hadn’t been thinking. Not with the head that was attached to his shoulders, anyway.

  Rain pounded on his windshield, the wipers going back and forth in a frenzied pace as his truck barreled toward his ranch, well out of town now. All day he hadn’t been able to get enough of Ricki, no matter that he knew better. And then to almost take her right on the entryway floor?

  Damn but she deserved better than him. He’d known from the beginning that he shouldn’t get too close to her yet he hadn’t been able to stay away.

  What was wrong with him?

  Fuck.

  The tires bounced over the uneven dirt road leading to his ranch and the truck rattled. It slid in a couple of muddy patches, but he didn’t slow until he reached the cattle guard, and barely then.

  He brought the truck to a hard stop in front of his house and slammed the door shut after he climbed out and into the rain. He stormed into his house, slamming that door shut, too, not giving a damn for the moment that his athletic shoes were caked with mud.

  In the entryway he came to a stop, breathing hard. He clenched his fists and ground his teeth before toeing off his shoes and leaving them near the door.

  He strode into the kitchen, jerked the refrigerator open and grabbed a can of beer. He popped the tab and downed the entire contents before setting the empty down hard on a countertop. Not strong enough. He went to the pantry and grabbed a bottle of whiskey on the top shelf before grabbing a short glass out of a cabinet and pouring a double shot.

  The liquid burned as it rolled down his throat. The glass thumped on the countertop before he poured himself another double shot and tossed it back, too.

  His anger started to ebb but he couldn’t think straight. Instead of feeling a sense of clarity that he’d done the right thing in leaving Ricki, he felt like he should be there right now with her.

  What the hell was the matter with him? He knew that she deserved better than being with a man like him.

  But he couldn’t stop thinking about the hurt in her eyes as he’d left her.

  Ah, hell. He’d really fucked up and he’d hurt her, something he’d never wanted to do.

  He sat down hard on a wooden chair at his kitchen table. He braced his forearms on his thighs and looked at the floor. The heat of the whiskey had warmed him, but he still felt cold and lonely inside. He knew the only thing that could thaw him out and warm him was Ricki.

  With a groan he straightened and pushed his fingers through his hair. He must’ve left his cap at Ricki’s. After the way he’d left her, she’d probably burned it by now.

  Although the last thing Ricki could possibly be was vindictive. She was a sweet and special woman who had stolen his heart.

  He let his breath out in a rush. Damn. He’d fallen hard for her. He pushed himself out of his chair and started pacing the floor. Tomorrow he’d apologize to her and then stay out of her life.

  The whiskey bottle called to him and he grabbed it up from the countertop. He plopped on his recliner, wet and muddy clothes still sticking to his skin. He took a swig of whiskey then clutched the bottle’s neck as he rested it on his knee.

  He dragged his free hand down his face and leaned back in the recliner and stared up at the ceiling, trying to work everything through in his mind.

  As he calmed he thought about her sweet smile and pleasing personality. He thought about how good it could be between them. He’d always thought of her as his ideal woman, even though he’d known he’d never let any woman get close to him.

  After all, he’d had a sonofabitch for a father, and he had his father’s temper.

  Yet…as a kid he’d championed those who couldn’t defend themselves. Even when he’d gotten into scraps, he’d never hurt anyone like his father had hurt him, his brother, and his mother.

  In his younger days he’d gotten into a couple of bar fights. One time was because some dumb shit was pushing around his girlfriend, something Garrett couldn’t tolerate. A second time was because he’d tried to break up a fight and one of the men had taken a swing at him and had landed a good blow on his jaw. Garrett had shown the bastard a thing or two about getting into bar fights.

  Garrett continued to stare up at his ceiling as his mind went from one memory of his temper to another.

  He’d never hurt a woman, he knew that. He’d never fight for the sheer pleasure of it or with the intent to hurt someone.

  He lowered his gaze and studied the old wooden clock on the mantel. Ten. Ricki would be asleep now and then she’d be getting up in an hour or so to head into work to start baking by midnight.

  The clock seemed to tick loudly in the silence of the living room as he stared at it. Without taking another swig of whiskey, he set the bottle down on the end table beside his chair.

  He’d come to a decision. He just prayed it was the right one.

  Chapter 17

  Ricki hadn’t been able to sleep before going to work, and she was exhausted and drained as she came in the back door of the bakery. She hadn’t been able to get Garrett off her mind. She’d wanted him so badly. And he’d just left.

  Confusion made her head ache as she tossed her purse onto the couch in her office. She bit her lower lip, trying to hold back a storm of
emotions.

  Half the time she was angry at him for leaving her like he had. The other half of the time, her heart hurt like it had never hurt before. She didn’t want to ever feel this way again. Even if it meant never loving another man, she couldn’t allow herself to go through anything like this.

  She went on autopilot as she left the bakery’s office and started to get to work. Baking was usually therapeutic for her and she hoped that would be the case today. She needed to stop thinking about Garrett.

  Like that was even going to be possible.

  First thing she’d make would be some of the artisan breads that were one of her specialties. After making different kinds of breads, she would move on to cakes, beginning with red velvet. She got out some of the bread starter that was unique to her bakery and gave her bread its signature flavor.

  She set the starter on the counter and was just about to put her apron on when the sound of the back door closing caused her heart to slam against her chest. She’d locked the door, she remembered doing it. Could it be Poncho or Lettie?

  Not Poncho, he wouldn’t be coming in today. And it was way too early for Lettie.

  Who was it?

  Blood thrumming in her ears, she dropped the apron onto the floor and grabbed a butcher knife from the block to the right of the counter where she made her breads. It hadn’t occurred to her to keep her phone close. It was in her purse in her office.

  Her breathing came a little quicker as she stared at the short hallway that led to the back door. “Who’s there?”

  She saw a tall shadow come toward her and she pressed her back against the counter.

  Garrett stepped into the light.

  Relief made her sag against the counter but then she tensed. Her temper flared. “What are you doing here? How did you get in?”

  “The door hadn’t latched properly.” He came toward her as he spoke. She didn’t move but her heart continued to thud against her chest and her body tingled.