The Mascot: A Fan & Player Baseball Romance

by Ana Shay

  I glanced over at the spreadsheet, calling my name. ‘California. California.’ It was like I was in that show, The O.C., for all of ten seconds. “I really shouldn’t. I really need to get this done.”

  His fingers bit into my hips; I had a hard time thinking when he did that. It’s like he made my brain fuzzy. “Come on, just a little break. With me.” He enunciated the last sentence. God, why does he have to be so hot? And perfect. And everything I’ve ever wanted.

  I was tempted. So tempted. He held my cheek in his palm, rubbing his calloused thumb against it. He watched as I bit my bottom lip, contemplating my fate, but he didn’t give me any more time. Instead, he roughly brought my face to his and pressed our lips together. Hard. My tired body woke at every touch and stroke of his tongue. My fingers tried to grasp anything on the desk to maintain control.

  The keyboard tapped underneath me, and I knew I’d regret this kiss later. For now, though, I’ll let myself get lost. His hand spread down to the base of my neck, tilting my head back to grant him easier access while his tongue danced across my lips. When I finally opened up, it was like I’d unleashed the tiger in him. He gruffly pulled my legs apart, nearly ripping my skirt as it bunched up the sides, so he could push himself against me. I backed away from his lips, surprised I could feel his erection through his jeans. He rocked his hips against my center and looked up towards the ceiling. I followed his gaze, wondering what he was doing. “Are there security cameras in here?” He asked, still inspecting.

  “Only at the entrance. Why?” His head whipped back to me, that wolfish grin spread across his face, and he dropped his hands to bunch my skirt up higher. He pushed it so high up, my black thong was on show.

  “What are you doing?!” I hissed nervously, looking around just in case someone was still in the office. They weren’t I knew that, but I didn’t want to get in trouble for indecent exposure.

  I gasped when he dropped to his knees, glancing up at me. “I’m starving.” He shrugged. “And just because you won’t let me take you out doesn’t mean I don’t get to eat.”

  My hands grasped his shoulder. Little mewls of resistance came out but were no match to the man before me. When he wanted something, he took it, and right now, he wanted me. “Tate, we can’t do this,” I whispered.

  His hands toyed with the edges of my panties; I swear I could feel his breath on my pussy. “Just relax. It won’t take long; then you can get back to your stuffy spreadsheet fully satisfied.” He said confidently.

  My legs were already open, butt on the keyboard, panties wet from the way he’s staring at me. This is going to happen, and I should just lean into it. It’s not like I don’t want it. I watched at his deft fingers took hold of the strings of my underwear, gliding them down my legs and off, only to quickly stuff them into the back pocket of his jeans.

  With closed eyes, I fully expected his mouth to come down on me. My body tingled, waiting for the sensation, needing the release. He started the burning fire inside me; now, it was his job to put it out. Only he didn’t. Legs wide open, I could only feel the soft caress of his touch on my knees. When I looked down, he was staring at my center, licking his lips. “Did I forget to tell you how good you tasted the first time?”

  I moaned, my hips shifting, trying to force his mouth closer. Just when I’d nearly given up, his hands gripped my knees, and he dipped his face down to my slit. His tongue grazed over my clit with the lightest of touches. My whole body shivered with the anticipation of more. Flick. Flick. Flick. So soft, they were barely felt. It’s like he wanted me to cry out his name for the whole stadium to hear.

  His fingers drew slow circles across my knees as his mouth moved to the side, licking the outer lips of my pussy. He’s driving me wild with his barely there touches. “You taste better than last time.” He said, pressing his tongue down then flicking faster. My hips bucked at the sudden shock of pleasure coursing through my body. I breathed out his name, leaning back onto the desk so I could watch him. I didn’t care that I was sitting on the keyboard or that anyone could walk in now. All I cared about was the man kneeling in front of me, making me feel alive.

  His hands were gripping my knees, keeping me open as his tongue traveled down the length of my slit, then back up to quickly flick my clit. I hummed, barely able to put together a coherent sentence, happy that the desk was underneath me for stability because my legs had given out long ago.

  He draped my legs over his shoulders. As if he couldn’t get any closer, he did. His lips were kissing and sucking my clit; then his tongue would take over. Satisfied moans reverberated in his chest, and I was so lost in the moment, I hardly noticed when his fingers came to play. He dipped two fingers into me, stroking me from the inside while he feasted on my clit. Sucking. Nipping. Licking.

  It was everything.

  I tangled my hands in his hair, moving my hips as he devoured me. No one had ever eaten me out so thoroughly or showed that much enjoyment while doing it. My brain was malfunctioning with pleasure, clenching every few seconds. I was on the edge, and he knew it.

  He was persistent, never letting me catch a breath as his big paws grabbed at my ass to angle me just right. That’s all it took. “I’m coming.” Is all I got out before I convulsed around his tongue, moaning out in pleasure.

  My chest was heaving as my hands unclenched from the papers I screwed up. Tate was still between my legs, and my arousal was now dripping all over my budget notes. Reality quickly started to settle in.

  The silence in the room was deafening.

  What the hell just happened?

  What the hell did I let him do?

  I glanced around the room again, worried that someone was here and watching, but the office was empty. The only person in here was now standing up next to me with a satisfied smirk on his face. As I tipped my head up, he closed my knees and pulled my skirt down, giving a little pat to my thighs at the end. If I wasn’t wet, horny, and pantiless, it would have been like he was never here. “That should help you concentrate.” He held his hands with mine, leaning his forehead against mine.

  He watched our fingers lace together; those soft, gentle touches were what I needed after that frantic moment. “I want to see you, Cali.” He stressed in a whisper. Guilt coursed through my veins. I should have texted him before, but I was so lost in my own workload, I’d forgotten.

  I looked into his eyes, barely functioning after the fantastic orgasm he gave me. “I do too. Work’s just been crazy.” I sighed, closing my eyes and hoping I could think of a solution.

  “What are you doing tomorrow night?” his voice was optimistic as his eager eyes bore into mine.

  I chewed on my bottom lip. “I might be working.”

  He squinted his eyes and scrunched his nose in contemplation. “How about this. Tomorrow is Friday so you won’t have to work on Saturday. My game is Saturday night which means I could spend the morning with you. Even if you have to work late tomorrow, come to mine after. I’ll come to pick you up.” He offered.

  It sounded like a great idea. Only, I would have to work on Saturday too. When Catty calls, I’ve got to be there to answer. “It doesn’t matter what time you work until. I’ll be here waiting for you.” He must have taken my silence as hesitation.

  “I’d like that,” I replied with a smile.

  His smile matched mine, and for a split second, we laughed nervously, our forehead still connected, and hands still laced. “Good.”

  “Cali.” Mary’s whiny voice breaks through my sleep while she violently shook my shoulders. I jumped, grabbing the leathery sofa beneath me, trying to get my bearings.

  “Where am I?” I asked, still half-asleep. A sharp pain radiated down my neck, and I felt like crap.

  “You’re in the office.” She answered, looking at me concerned. “Did you sleep here last night?”

  “Last night?”

  “It’s 7:15.” She stressed, and that’s when my brain started to take action, remembering what happened. After Tate lef
t, I spent another few hours working on the budget, and I wanted to take a teeny tiny break before I checked over my work to send it off to Josh. When I sat down on the sofa, I thought I’d close my eyes for just a second.

  “Crap. I fell asleep,” I shouted, racing towards my laptop to send the email. I had no time to check it now. I looked up to his office; Josh wasn’t in yet. Thank God he wasn’t the one to find me on the sofa. He would definitely fire me.

  Rolling my chair, I sink down into the seat and quickly send off the attachment. I know I promised 7 am, but since he’s not here, and it’s 15 minutes later than he expected, I hope he’ll give me a pass.

  “Do you need some clothes?” Mary’s voice surprises me, and I look down at my crumpled shirt and creased skirt. I still don’t have any panties on. Which is the only confirmation that Tate was here, and I wasn’t dreaming. “I’ve got some.” If I were in my usual happy mood, I’d laugh at her suggestion. Anything she owns would make me look like a stripper. I’m just so much bigger than her.

  “No. I’ve got some in my locker downstairs.” I tried to remember what I had left in there from the other day, hoping it’s better than what I’ve got on. “Would you cover for me while I change?”

  She waved me off. “Of course, take your time.” She threw a small black bag my way. “There’s some dry shampoo and make-up in there. You might want to fix your eyeliner.” She pointed at my left eye as she ushered me out of the room.

  When I get to my locker, I changed into a fresh pair of underwear and put some jeans on. I had to steal a men’s button-down shirt from the lost and found because I only had a few t-shirts left, and I didn’t want Josh to get annoyed about the dress code.

  Hurrying back to my desk, I noticed Mary was running behind Josh as he paced his office. His face was red, and I swear I could see the steam coming out of his ears from here. He was furious. When his eyes met mine, he stomped to the door, opening it and pointing at me. “Cali. My office. Now.” It was all he had to say. My heart deflated like a popped balloon. I trudged to his office with my head hung low, wholly demoralized. I knew I shouldn’t have taken that break with Tate.

  Chapter 17

  “So, are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” I asked carefully. Cali’s been at my apartment for over an hour while the games played in the background. I know she hates Atlanta right now, so I thought she’d appreciate the whopping they’re getting from Washington. Instead, she’s been staring at the bottom of the Chinese box ever since she got here, and even though she hasn’t told me what’s wrong, I could probably figure it out.

  Work.

  The game finished hours before she was ready to leave, so I practiced in the batting cages until she was free. When she met me in the parking lot, the pitter-patter of her heels and her sniffles were the only noise echoing through the empty lot. When she reached me, I hugged her tight while the soft whimpers made her body shake. Surely, work shouldn’t make you feel like this?

  She stabbed some of her Kung Pow Chicken and tossed it in her mouth before answering. Her eyes were a little less bloodshot, and the color had come back to her face since she started eating. “Just some stupid work stuff.” She tried to pass it off again. She did the same thing when I asked her in the car on the way back.

  I get it. When I’ve had a bad game, I don’t want to sit around and analyze what I could have done better. The sports networks do that for me, but my chest tightened to the point that I found it hard to breathe when I saw her blotchy cheeks and red nose. I hated seeing her like that, and if there’s anything I could do to stop it. I would.

  “Is it to do with that idiot boss of yours?” The wideness of her eyes and poutiness of her lips told me everything. She was just surprised I knew about him. As if I could forget about that asswipe. “He seems like he’s an ass,” I said, taking a drink of my water, conscious that I have a game tomorrow and need to stay clean.

  She nodded, still nursing that chicken box like it was on its death bed. “I guess I thought I’d love my job,” Her body slumped in exhaustion. Then she looked up at me; her blue eyes almost looked navy. “I don’t.”

  I grabbed her feet which were sitting close by me on the sofa, and pulled her towards me. She dropped the chicken onto the coffee table and melted in to my arms. It’s where she belonged. I tucked a few errant blonde hairs behind her ears and kissed her forehead. “It will get better, I promise.” Her head collapsed onto my shoulder, and hand drew up to my chest. I rubbed her back, holding back on the tirade I really wanted to go on. Cali is obsessed with the team, and I can’t think she’s anything but conscientious. Josh seems like he’s punishing her. For what, I don’t know, but I don’t like him. I didn’t the minute I saw his beady eyes focus on Cali. “At least you’ve got all the Catty experience to use if you end up looking for another job.” I offered, not sure what to say. I felt out of my depth when it came to office jobs.

  Her head jolted up; she looked at me like a deer caught in headlights. “You know about Catty?” She said, pulling out of my hold and sitting on the seat next to me.

  I tilted my head. “Yeah?” My brows furrowed when she didn’t say anything. “You mentioned you manage his social media accounts.” I clarified, and she blew out a relieved breath. “Didn’t you manage to grow it like 400% since the start of the season? That sounds like a pretty impressive stat to me.”

  She nodded, leaning back to get her takeout box. I watched the curve of her ass as she did it.“Yeah, I suppose all the hours racked up in the office will pay off.” Her tone was brighter than it has been for a while.

  “You missed Catty at the Children’s event the other day. All the kids loved him.” She nodded, stuffing her face with chicken. She was hungry. “He was doing this stupid one leg dance, and Austin got involved, calling it the limp fish.” I chuckled, and she laughed along with me, but it felt awkward. Like she didn’t find the joke that funny. Then it dawned on me. “Oh shit. Did you choreograph that?” I was an idiot.

  “No. No.” She answered quickly, waving my question off dismissively. “Just happy to hear that he’s doing such a good job.” She grabbed a container of noodles on the side and, when she came back, threw her feet onto my lap. Her toes wiggled in a pair of my Catfish Baseball socks that went over her calves. She insisted on wearing them the minute she came into my apartment because her feet were aching from her heels.

  I wrapped one of her feet in my hand, and she winced. “Oh shit. I forgot to ask, how’s your ankle? Should you be wearing heels if it still hurts?” Studying the foot, I noticed it was a little red and swollen.

  She nodded frantically. “Yeah, much better, thanks. Phil showed me a few exercises to help it.”

  “You spend a lot of time downstairs with Phil.” I cocked a brow, trying to hide the jealously in my voice. I couldn’t help it, it’s where I met her, and the way she affectionately says his name had me wondering.

  “It’s because I’m a klutz. Always falling or doing something stupid. Now that I’m doing more - ” She froze, looking into my eyes for a second, looking skittish as per usual, before she tentatively continued. “Running around after Catty, I’ve got to be a little more careful.” She finished.

  “Catty’s just fantastic. I used to be afraid of his googly eyes, but now he’s my good luck charm.” She smiled, seemingly more relaxed. I thought she might be happy with that statement, considering how much effort she puts into him. It’s when I realized I would do most things to make her smile.

  “Your good luck charm?” She squeaked out, and I nodded.

  “Yeah, every time he’s standing on top of the dugout, and I look over, I manage to get a hit. I think it’s because of him.” I paused, thinking about it. “Who is it under there, by the way?” her eyes darting. “I wanted to send him a fruit basket or something. Do fish eat fruit?” She whimpered.

  “It’s Tim.” She squawked out quickly. “I’ll let him know. And he’s a meat man. Because he’s a man, and he’s all meaty.” I shook my head as
she flexed her muscles. She’s so weird sometimes, but I like it. She treats me like a regular guy she’s dating. Not like someone she’s trying to get stuff out of. She doesn’t even ask for orgasms. I just like bestowing them on her.

  “Great. Now, are you finished?” I took the empty food boxes from her hands and leaned her back onto the sofa. “All this fish talk has gotten me hungry.” She giggled as I kissed the spot behind her ear. Her smooth skin was delicious, and the smell of her coconut shampoo had me drugged, reminding me of her face when I ate her out last night. How I wanted to do it again. I could wait, though. I was a patient man, after all. Anyone who plays baseball needs the patience of a saint and good bubblegum. Cali, however, was testing my resolve. She doesn’t even realize how crazy she drives me. When she didn’t protest my kisses and invited them by arching her neck, I dragged my mouth down to the opening of her white shirt, kissing her clavicle.

  I could feel the hum reverberating in her throat as she leaned her head back, giving me greater access to her chest. The buttons across her shirt were straining almost as badly as the erection in my pants. My fingers tightened around her hips. I wanted her, and judging by the way she wrapped her legs around my waist, I knew she wanted me too.

  Bringing my lips to hers, I kissed her gently before checking her legs were securely locked around me and picked us up, blindly walking us to the bedroom. “Where are we going?” She asked with a hint of humor, knowing full well what I wanted to do.

  “I haven’t been able to get you off my mind since last night.” She flushed at the memory and brought her lips down to kiss me while I fumbled into the bedroom, thankful she’s light. I didn’t want to have to explain a back injury tomorrow.