Extra Innings and In His Wildest Dreams

by Debbi Rawlins

  A husky boy in the back of the classroom raised his hand, but Tess reminded them that they were waiting until the end of Eric’s talk to ask questions.

  Personally, he would’ve preferred being interrupted. It was nerve-racking to stand up in front of a crowd and talk, even if they were ten-year-olds. One glance at Tess and he realized it wasn’t the kids that were making him nervous. But he continued on with his story because he’d promised her he would.

  “The thing you guys should know is that I’m really glad I did study and go on to college because someday when I can’t play ball anymore, I’ll still have my college degree to help me find a job.” He loosened his collar. “I don’t think I’ll be a teacher though, because I’m scared to death being up here in front of you guys.” He got the laugh he wanted, then when in unison they voiced their doubt, he placed his hand on his heart and swore he’d told the truth. “So be nice to Ms. Meyers. This isn’t easy.”

  He glanced at Tess again, standing in the back of the room.

  The expression on her face stopped him. She looked…wistful. Maybe even a little sad. He wanted to go to her and ask her what was wrong, but he couldn’t. Not yet. She’d been great when he’d knocked on her classroom door, made a big production of his being their surprise guest. But now he felt as if he shouldn’t have come. That he should have called her last night, made sure this was a good idea.

  He flew through the rest of his speech, then answered questions, hoping his haste had gone unnoticed. When it was finally time for him to leave, he couldn’t force himself to walk away. Not yet. He still worried about her odd expression earlier. “Do you think I could speak to you for a minute?” he asked, keeping his voice low so the kids wouldn’t hear.

  She hesitated, then turned to the class. “Open up your history books to page sixteen. Read quietly, please. I’m just going to step outside for a moment with Mr. Lessing.”

  He opened the door for her, and closed it as she stepped into the hallway, his chest tight with concern. “Anything wrong?”

  Her eyebrows went up, and for a moment she just stared at him. But then her lips lifted in a beautiful smile. “No. You were terrific. The kids loved every moment of it. I did, too. I learned some things about you.”

  “Yeah, maybe too much. I really wasn’t too bad a student.”

  “Right. I bet you were a handful.”

  Relieved that she seemed okay, he sized up her slim above-the-knee skirt. “Damn, girl, bad enough you rock a pair of jeans.” She looked good. “Now you’re flashing me some leg. That’s just cruel.”

  She laughed, then covered her mouth and glanced down the hall. “You’re incorrigible.” She lowered her voice. “But thanks for talking to the kids.”

  “I know you have to get back to them so…” He started to reach for her hand but caught himself. “Lana asked me to dinner with her and her fiancé after the game as a thank-you for speaking to her class. I told her I already have plans.” He gazed deep into her eyes, not giving a shit that he was practically pleading. “Tell me I have plans, Tess.”

  Her lips parted, and without a trace of doubt shadowing her beautiful caramel-colored eyes, she gave him a sweet smile. “Yes, Eric, you have plans.”

  THEY AGREED TO MEET at a restaurant close to her house after Eric had had a chance to shower and get into street clothes. Tess arrived early, happy, excited, though admittedly still a tad nervous, well, just because. Heck, she was allowed.

  Only yesterday, sitting in a dim parking lot, leaving herself this much time to think would have been a colossal mistake. She could be wrong, but she wasn’t worried about him leaving soon. Or about him thinking she was a minor distraction, or just a good-luck piece.

  Any residual misgiving had dissolved. It had happened in an instant, the moment he’d asked her if anything was wrong outside her classroom…somehow things changed. Whether it was the look in his eyes, the tone of his voice or the way he leaned toward her, she couldn’t have said, but it had happened. Like a light switch being turned on. At some level, he seemed to care about her. And she cared back.

  It made no sense, of course, but that didn’t matter. For the first time ever, she was trusting her instincts. Trusting that her body and her heart were leading her in the right direction. Not looking for rational explanations, or worrying about propriety.

  Admittedly a small part of her wished she didn’t know as much about Eric as she’d learned in the classroom today, because the more she knew the more she liked him. But that’s where the caring came in and there was no going back. She was very clear that this thing between them was temporary. Enough that she was prepared to risk the fallout of a horrible decision. Yet she had a feeling there would be no bitter tears for either of them.

  TESS WAS SITTING IN her car when Eric arrived, after breaking more speed limits than he cared to admit. The Bulls had won tonight but it seemed as if the game had gone on forever.

  While he parked the Corvette alongside her car, she immediately climbed out. He smiled when he saw that she’d changed from the jeans she’d worn at the game to a pink top that clung to her breasts and a denim skirt, ending midthigh and showing a nice expanse of leg. She was tanned and toned, and he knew it wasn’t going to be easy keeping his hands off her. Major reason why he’d suggested they meet at a restaurant. Not that he planned on being totally noble. But he did need to pace himself.

  “They’re closing in half an hour,” she said, as he opened his car door.

  He got out anyway so that he could pull her into his arms. She jerked a little, but didn’t object when he kissed her. A few vehicles remained in the parking lot so he kept the contact brief and G-rated. It wasn’t easy, especially when she parted her lips for him. Unable to resist, he slipped his tongue inside, but retreated when he instantly got hard.

  “Tess, this is bad. I have no self-control around you.”

  She looked surprisingly pleased. “Where should we go? Do you have another restaurant in mind? Or a bar? Unless you’re too hungry.”

  He always ate something an hour before the game, then a snack after. Right now he didn’t give a damn about food. He just wanted to be with her, preferably someplace neutral so he didn’t do something stupid. At least give them a chance to talk. “I could eat. What about you?”

  “I don’t know.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. “Maybe.”

  “We can’t go to O’Malley’s because half the team is liable to show up there.”

  “Oh, God, no.”

  Smiling, Eric brushed a lock of hair away from her face. Her skin was so soft, her hair, her lips, everything about Tess was exactly how he liked a woman to feel and smell. “Ashamed to be with me?”

  She laughed. “I do have standards.”

  “That hurt,” he said, clutching at his heart, liking that she didn’t hesitate to give him the business.

  “Somebody has to keep you pretty-boy types in line.”

  “Okay…” He gave her a mock glare. “No calling me pretty boy. That will piss me off.”

  After studying him a moment, she nodded. “Yeah, I’d be pissed, too. I take it back.”

  He grinned. “An apologetic kiss wouldn’t be turned down.”

  She grinned back, then they both darted a look at the restaurant door when they heard it open. A couple walked out.

  Eric sighed. “What are we doing standing here?”

  “I doubt we’ll find another restaurant open. I’m rarely out this late so I didn’t even think about it.” Her gaze returned to the couple headed for their car. The guy had his arm around the woman’s shoulders, and she carried a pink rose. “We’d have to drive clear over to Franklin if you want to eat.”

  “It’s Friday. You don’t have class tomorrow, and I don’t mind driving.” He watched Tess’s gaze linger on the couple. She was the type of woman who’d want flowers, he realized, and he wasn’t the type to give them. So what the hell was he doing? Because she also wasn’t the type to have casual sex. “Then again I don’t mind find
ing a bar close by that serves food.”

  She blinked and met his eyes. “We could go to my house. I’m not much of a cook, but I can make you an omelet.”

  He hesitated. “You think that’s wise?”

  “I haven’t burned anything in two months, and I know how to crack eggs, dice ham and shred cheese.”

  They both grinned. Damn, he really liked Tess. She was the first woman in a hell of a long time that he enjoyed talking to. Just talking, and not as a prelude to sex. He could ruin everything between them tonight. Shit, when was the last time he’d given something like that a thought?

  Since college, his life had been about baseball, his friends who were also his teammates and sex. No apology. That about summed up his life. Even when the knee injury had sidelined him, women had stepped up to spoil him, cooked him meals, kept him from being bored out of his mind, but the connection had always been sex. It was different with Tess.

  “I’m assuming you don’t like omelets,” she said softly.

  “I love omelets.”

  “Okay.” She stared at him for a few seconds, her expression confused. “If you think I’m standing here all night waiting for you to decide what you’re hungry for, then—”

  “Tess.” He wanted to laugh. Jesus, he figured he’d been obvious. “That’s not the problem.” This time he carefully captured her gaze, looked deep into her caramel eyes, made sure she understood. “I know what I want.”

  “Oh.” She blinked, rubbed her bare arms. “Okay, so what do we do?”

  Resisting the urge to touch her, he shoved his hands into his pockets. But it was no good. She looked so sweet and tempting. A powerful longing swept through him and there was only one thing he could do. “I guess we should drive to your place.”

  “Right.” She nodded, moistening her lips. “It’s only five miles. You can follow me.”

  As she turned he caught her hand, drew her close. He kissed her, a slow, deep kiss that erased any possible misunderstanding. Before they made another move, it had to be clear. He wanted her, and he wanted tonight to be their night.

  AFTER TESS PARKED her car in the garage, she waited for Eric to join her before going inside. Watching him climb out of the attention-grabbing yellow Corvette sitting in her driveway, she found it amusing that she didn’t give a damn what the neighbors would think if his car were still there in the morning.

  The neighborhood was small and friendly, where most of the people had lived their entire adult lives. A year ago she would’ve made Eric park in the garage while she left her Mini Cooper in the driveway just to avoid gossip. It was pretty cool to realize how much she’d changed. She was an adult, capable of making her own decisions. She hoped Eric understood that she was entering this with her eyes wide-open.

  As soon as he caught up to her, she opened the door that led to the kitchen. She entered first, then noticed that he’d followed more slowly and was frowning.

  “What?” she asked, her nerves leaping.

  “You don’t lock this door?”

  “Not with the garage door down. It’s safe.”

  He shook his head. “You should keep it locked anyway.”

  Tess burst out laughing. “That was so romantic.”

  He flushed a bit and swatted her butt.

  “Hey.” She flipped on the light, and hurried inside, out of reach. But the truth was, his unexpected protectiveness had gotten to her. “It’s kind of messy. I use the table to grade papers.” She started gathering the stacks she’d left scattered about, but he came up behind her and put his arms around her waist.

  “Have you eaten already? Tell me the truth,” he said close to her ear.

  She wasn’t sure what she’d expected him to say or do but not that. “No.” She leaned back against him, and crossed her arms over his, breathing in deep when he tightened his hold. “Why?”

  He found her earlobe. “Let’s feed you, then.”

  “I’m not hungry. I was worried about you.” Even if she’d been starving, with his arms grazing the underside of her breasts, his teeth nibbling her ear, she wouldn’t have been able to choke down a thing.

  “You already know what I want,” he said, his voice a deep rumble, his breath warm against the side of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.

  She turned around in his arms and put her palms on his chest. His heart was beating as fast as hers. “I want you, too,” she whispered, the desire burning in his eyes making her admission easy.

  He skimmed his hands over the curve of her bottom. “We didn’t even make it past your kitchen.”

  “Oops.” She laughed, then sobered, realizing her curtains were open. “Wait a sec.”

  “No.” He slid down a little, his chest rubbing her breasts, then pulled up her skirt from behind.

  His hands closed over her buttocks through the silk panties, and she gave a start. “Oh, God.” She couldn’t swallow. “The curtains,” she managed to murmur. “We’re putting on a show.”

  He threw a quick glance at the sink window. “Only from the shoulders up.”

  Tess sighed and chuckled at the same time. He was already hard, and they fit so well together. “Come on.” She wiggled away from him, and smiled when she saw the frustration on his face. “You can’t wait one minute?”

  His mouth opened, and he regarded her with what looked like misgiving. “Oh, Tess…” He hadn’t moved, but she could almost feel him withdraw, and her heart sank. “Dammit,” he muttered, pushing a hand through his hair.

  “What?” Something was wrong…horribly wrong. She hadn’t misunderstood about tonight. About them. Had she? She shrank away from him.

  “No, don’t.” He started to draw her back, and then threw up his hands. “I swore to myself I wouldn’t do this.” He looked so serious her stomach heaved. “That I’d keep my hands off you until we talked.”

  Her joy evaporated. She shouldn’t be surprised that he wanted to set ground rules. She appreciated his honesty, that he wasn’t the type to lead her on. It was one of the things she respected about him. But she didn’t want to hear it. She couldn’t bear to have her switch flipped back to doubt. She fully understood that their link was still nothing more than silly superstition. So he cared enough to tell her to lock her stupid door…

  God help her, but now wasn’t the time to think. Or wonder if she’d end up spending the next few months picking up the pieces of her shattered heart. Otherwise, she might as well tell him to turn around.

  8

  “NO, IT’S NOT WHAT you’re thinking,” he said quickly. “It’s not like I’m gonna admit to committing some heinous crime.” He smiled. “This is a good time-out. I hope.”

  Even more confused, she didn’t know what to say, so she just stared, and forced herself to stand tall.

  “Today when I was talking to your class, you had this odd expression on your face. It didn’t hit me until later. We’ve horsed around at the park, teased each other, but man, those kids today, they learned things about me that you don’t know.”

  Tess frowned, still unsure where he was going with this.

  “Look, I want you to know the little stuff about me, like how when I was a kid I lived in Germany for two years when my father was in the air force, and that I have one sister who’s younger than me. How she learned German but I couldn’t get the hang of it, but I could outrun everyone in the neighborhood so I fell into track. I want to know about you, too, Tess.”

  She pressed her lips together. God, she was a piece of work. He looked so earnest, and she’d been close to throwing him out. But she hadn’t a single doubt now. She’d made the right decision. “German is hard. Spanish would’ve been easier. Though I took French.”

  “See? I didn’t know that about you.”

  She laughed at that. “I suspect we could surprise each other in many ways, and we will talk.” Moving closer again, she trailed the back of her finger across his fly and sent a quick glance at the window. “Right now I’m more interested in shocking the neighbors.”r />
  “You little—” He lunged for her, and she let out an inelegant squeak trying to evade him.

  She made it to the living room before he caught her arm and spun her around to face him. Trying to regain normal breathing while laughing wasn’t working too well.

  “You’re fast,” he said, then with a cocky smirk added, “Not fast enough.”

  “Only because I wanted you to catch me.”

  “Yeah?” He ran the tip of his tongue across her lower lip. “And what did you want me to do with you?” He was trying to control a smile. “Talk?”

  “Um—no.”

  One of his dark brows went up in amusement. “Good to know,” he said and yanked her skirt up again.

  Unprepared, Tess gasped and straightened, playing right into his hands. Literally. He hauled her body to his, his fingers digging into her cheeks, his arousal pressed intimately against her belly. Somehow he’d managed to work his way underneath the panties’ elastic, because there was no silk between his palm and her ass. Just warm bare skin to warm bare skin.

  “I do have a bedroom, you know,” she said weakly.

  His mouth curved into a slow, sexy smile. “Yep, you’re just full of surprises.”

  “Shut up,” she muttered, and stretched up on tiptoes and bit his lower lip.

  Eric chuckled, then barely moved when she tried to give him a small shove. His mouth had slid to her jaw, pressing a few light kisses before he licked the hollow of her throat.

  Her eyes fluttered closed, her breath catching when his tongue traced the neckline of her shirt. He followed the plunge of the V, then trailed the tip of his tongue down her cleavage. She trembled and clutched his shoulders. Moving lower, he gently nipped at the tip of her aroused breast. The fragile barrier of her bra and shirt didn’t seem to matter. Her nipple ached from the exquisite pressure, and she swayed slightly.

  “Easy,” he whispered, holding her steady, lifting his head to look at her.

  She missed having his mouth on her. “Please let’s go to the bedroom.”