Felix (The Ninth Inning #1)

by Lindsay Paige

  Felix laughs. “LA, I don’t really have a day-before routine, but I feel like I should say that the lucky charm is, in a way, trying to win a championship. So, maybe you should cater to her, too?”

  “Ha, LA, you should cater to me.” I giggle at her.

  “Please, like I’m going to cater to you.” She sips from her bottle. “I think the food is ready, right, Harry? Let’s eat.”

  We all grab plates and Harry doles out the ribs. LA had made several sides dishes.

  “Felix, how are you loving Memphis?” Harry asks. “Leigh Ann told me that Abby-bear took your family sightseeing.”

  “Memphis seems to be a great place so far. It was fun to finally explore it a bit and my family loved Abigail.” Felix looks over at me and winks.

  “Abby-bear is easy to love. She has a big heart,” Annie says.

  “Oh, dear. Are y’all trying to lie to the poor guy?” I groan at my sisters.

  “No, you’re very kind to everyone. Almost to a fault,” Annie clarifies.

  “I have to agree with that. You’re a trustworthy person,” LA jumps in.

  “You make me sound like a child about to run off with a stranger who offered me candy.” I stab at my green beans.

  “That doesn’t sound like what they’re saying. They said you’re kind and trustworthy and awesome,” Felix says.

  “Don’t be fooled by the ribs and coleslaw, they’re ruthless sisters.” I laugh at my family.

  “Do we look ruthless?” Annie jokes and winks at LA. “Felix, do you know Abby-bear wants to be a professor like our parents were?” Annie changes the subject.

  “Yes, I do. I think it’s cool she wants to be a literature professor, though I feel bad for any students who say they read their signed books.” Felix pokes my rib and I jump slightly.

  “Oh my God, do you know that, too? It’s murderous if you touch them. For Christmas one year, our parents bought her a signed book and when I reached for it, I was sure she was about to claw my eyes out. Literally.” LA points at her eye and a nonexistent scar.

  “That’s not true,” I gasp.

  “Yes, it is. You went postal. Felix, don’t touch her books,” Annie warns him.

  “I won’t,” he says firmly. “At least now I know I’ll just have to buy an extra book to not be signed when we go to readings.”

  “Buy a kindle. How can you not own a kindle?” I sip my beer.

  “Because I like books I can hold in my hands,” Felix explains

  “I have to say I love my iPad. I didn’t think I would, but it’s the greatest thing invented. Felix, are you a book nerd like Abby-bear?” Harry joins our conversation since he’s devoured his food already.

  “I like books, yeah. I don’t know if you could call me a nerd, though. Do any of you share her love for reading, too?” Felix asks, engaging my family.

  “I think I’m the only one here that does.” Annie raises her hand.

  “I love movies. I think the book ruins the movie,” LA says.

  “The movie ruins the book, LA,” I tell her.

  “Yeah, I have to agree with Abigail. Movies always mess it up.” Felix puts his arm around me.

  “I did like you, Felix, but you’re losing brownie points here.” LA points her fork at him.

  “Don’t get on her bad side,” I warn him again.

  “Please don’t,” Harry reiterates my warning. “She’ll break your arm.” He laughs and then kisses LA quickly on the lips.

  “I’ll keep my opinions to myself then.” Felix laughs.

  “Smart man. Now, the tough questions are about to come,” Harry clears his throat. “Are you a chocolate chip cookie guy or a oatmeal cookie guy?”

  LA gets up and clears the plates and begins to put up the food. Annie jumps up to help her. As I stand, I lean over to Felix. I inhale his citrus scent.

  “LA loves to bake, but one is better than the other. Choose wisely, Neo.” I snicker at my Matrix reference.

  “You’re not going to give me a hint?” His light brown eyes are bright as they look at me.

  “She did.” LA takes his plate from him. “She said one is better than the other.” LA narrows her eyes at him. “Our approval depends on it.”

  Annie giggles and rolls her eyes. That isn’t what the approval depends on, and we all know it.

  “Um, well,” Felix looks between everyone as we all stare at him. For him to be a big time baseball player, he isn’t handling the pressure well right now. “Abigail said something once about getting extra chocolate chips on a cookie, so I’m going with chocolate chip cookies.”

  “Wise choice.” Harry smirks and LA brings out a massive plate of chocolate chip cookies. We quickly all dive in because they’re really the best thing ever.

  “So, Felix,” LA turns and faces him and I know that the personal questions session is about to start. “Have you ever been married before? Google said no, but it’s not always correct.”

  “No, I’ve never been married,” Felix answers.

  “Fucked a lot of girls then?”

  “Leigh Ann!” Annie grits her teeth at her. “You can’t ask that.”

  I shake my head at them both.

  “Yes, I can. He’s banging our little sister. I don’t want her to catch something, or have some crazy bitch coming to attack her.”

  I’m dying of embarrassment and I’m about to yell for everyone to shut up when Felix jumps in.

  “You think I’ve slept with a lot a girls, possibly have a disease or infection, and have bad choice in women just because I have never been married?”

  “And for your information, not that it’s your business, we haven’t had sex,” I add and immediately regret it.

  “You’re not…you’re not having sex with Felix Hernandez? What the hell is wrong with you?” LA looks as if I should be jumping on him at every turn.

  “Oh, so now you’re upset because I’m not having sex with him when two seconds ago you thought he was going to give me a disease,” I argue back to her.

  “Felix, these Harris girls have no filter. You need to ignore ninety percent of what they say.” Harry pats him on the shoulder.

  “Hey, that better be a lie.” LA tries not to smile at her husband, but is failing at it.

  “I think he’s talking more about you than Abby-bear and me.” Annie laughs.

  “I agree with that statement and I’m ready for some more cookies. Since, I’m the lucky charm, I demand cookies.” I reach over and grab another one.

  “Fine. Felix, would you like some more cookies, too?”

  “I would. I love cookies.” He takes one from LA.

  “You do? I didn’t know that.” Then again, there’s a lot I don’t know about him. Since we’re dating now, I should probably change that.

  “Well, I don’t eat them often, but yeah, cookies are my favorite sweet,” he explains.

  “Felix, Abby-bear told us you like to run. Have you ever done any marathons or do you do it just keep in shape?” You have to love Harry. He’s trying to keep Felix engaged and keep us Harris girls from running our mouth. He really is a great guy.

  “I could probably do a marathon, but I’ve never done one. Do you run, too? Abigail isn’t a reliable running partner.”

  “The fact that you got her to run is a miracle all by itself,” Annie points out.

  “I thought she would never run,” LA adds her opinion, too.

  “I’m not a lazy ass. Tell them, Felix.”

  “She’s not lazy. I’ve been impressed with how well she’s done, really.”

  “Ha, see.” I feel as if I won a small victory. Sometimes I think my sisters don’t think I can do anything. Well, sometimes it can be true, but not always.

  “He’s just being nice.” LA grins at us.

  “I don’t think he is and we might not want to make fun of the lucky charm,” Harry says deadpanned.

  “Oh, Felix.” LA’s eyes have a small spark behind them as she’s still looking at Harry. “I know why you lost
the other night.”

  “Leigh Ann,” Harry growls at her and now we’re all curious on the reasoning.

  “Harry wasn’t wearing his lucky socks. He went to work and didn’t have them on. So, it’s not Abby-bear’s fault,” LA says proudly as she rats out her own husband.

  “Harry,” Felix chides. “Poor Abigail suffered because she thought it was all her fault and really, it was yours? LA, you need to make sure he wears them next time.” He holds back a chuckle as he plays along with them more.

  Harry groans and we all laugh at him.

  “Oh, it’s not going to happen again. Trust me,” LA reassures him.

  “And I’ll make sure Abigail wears everything the same, down to the socks.” Felix grins and from the glint in his eye, he isn’t talking about my socks at all.

  The rest of the evening goes smoothly and soon we’re all heading home. On the drive back to the apartment, I rest my head back and listen to the soft music playing in the car. I don’t think I’ve had that much fun in a long time.

  “Do you want another beer?” I ask him when he comes into my place.

  “Nah,” Felix shakes his head. “I’ll have a water though.”

  I grab two bottles of water from the fridge and go over to the couch. I curl up next to him. “I hope my sisters weren’t too bad on you.”

  “I had fun. All three of them care about you a lot.”

  I nod. “Yes, they do. Harry is really like a brother and watches out for me, too.”

  Felix sits his bottle down and takes mine out of my hand. “I care about you, too.”

  I smile. “I know you do.” I know he’s going to kiss me. The question is: how far are we going to go tonight? I almost didn’t stop last night and I’m wondering if I have the willpower tonight.

  I don’t give him a chance to kiss me. I throw my leg over and straddle him since he likes it so much. I cup his face and his rough stubble tickles the palm of my hand. I softly brush my lips against his and my heart skips when I hear his soft moan.

  “You like taking charge?” he murmurs against my lips.

  “I guess I’m a girl who likes being on top.” I drop my hands to his hard pecs.

  Felix pulls back and laugh at me. “I hope not all the time. It can be enjoyable when I’m on top.” He kisses my neck. “Or on our sides.” He nips at my jaw line. “Or when I’m behind you.” He bites my earlobe and I’m verge of panting. “Or whatever position we’re in.”

  “You seem sure of yourself,” I breathe out.

  “I am, and I’m not the one rocking against me.”

  I gasp and stop moving my hips, which I didn’t know I was doing. “Sorry.”

  “I wouldn’t have said anything, but it’s a bit rough when you don’t have any underwear on.”

  “You…you don’t have any underwear on?” I swallow back the lust that’s choking me. His jeans, my jeans, and a very thin pair of my lacy thong is what’s holding us back from him being inside of me. Oh, I really want that right now.

  “Nope. I don’t.” He smirks. “Does that bother you?”

  “In one way only.”

  “Hmm, you do have good flirting skills,” he softly nips my neck again.

  “Do you want to take this to the bedroom?”

  Felix freezes for a beat. Did I just say that? Oh, yes, I did. He pulls back and runs the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. “Abigail‒”

  “We don’t have to. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so abrupt with you.” I try to get up from him.

  “Stop.” He holds me in place. “Stop,” he repeats softly. “I do want to go to the bedroom with you, very much so. However, I don’t want us to rush this either.”

  “How many times have you said that to a girl?” I scoff.

  “Hey.” He looks offended.

  “Sorry.” I drop my head. “Again.”

  “Let’s go to the bedroom.” He pushes on my hips to make me stand.

  My leg wobble for a second and I take his hand, leading him down the hallway. His grip is firm in my hand and I’m glad because it’s keeping the shaking down to a minimum. I’m not one to be nervous in bed, but this is Felix and he’s been with supermodels before. I’m not sure how I will compare to them. I flip on my light and my bedroom becomes illuminated. The soft blues and white accents become visible and I’m glad I cleaned up yesterday.

  “Relax.” Felix pulls me so my back is against his chest. I feel his heart pounding on my shoulder blade. He drags his fingers between my breasts and down my stomach until he reaches the hem of my shirt. Swiftly, he pulls it off and tosses it on the floor. He pops the button of my jeans and pulls the zipper down.

  “Relax.” He kisses me right below my ear. “We’re not having sex. Yet.” He softly chuckles.

  “It seems like we are.” I find my voice.

  “We’re going to have fun first. Take off your jeans.”

  I hook my fingers into the waistband and begin to wiggle out of them. Felix groans as I’m moving against him.

  “Okay, that wasn’t my brightest idea.”

  I laugh as I kick them away and turn in his arms.

  “Wow. I didn’t think you could be more beautiful.” He takes a step back and pulls his shirt off.

  Son of a—

  My mouth drops. If I wasn’t seeing him in the flesh in my bedroom, I would have thought I was looking at one of those Google images that had been photoshopped. But he is that ripped. His six-pack abdomen is cut and his jeans hang a little low showing the deep v in his hips.

  “Lie on the bed.”

  My legs listen to his command and I’m flat on my back in an instant. Felix hovers over me with his jeans still on and his feet bare. He starts at my lips with a firm kiss and buries his tongue deep in my mouth. He works his way down my neck as he pulls down the cup of my bra and pinches my nipple. I hiss through my teeth and arch my back trying to feel more of him.

  Felix pulls out my other breast and begins to softly bite down, causing me to moan a little bit louder than I would normally. It’s like a shot of pleasure through me and I can’t help it. I dig my nails into his biceps and spread my legs further for him to come closer to me.

  Oh, how I wish he’d take off those jeans.

  He licks down my stomach to the top of my lace thong. “These aren’t the ones you wear to the game, right?”

  I shake my head. “No, those are a black lace.”

  Felix stops and looks up at me. “You wear a black lace thong to the game?”

  “And a matching bra,” I add.

  He looks in shock and growls, “I may never get another no-hitter knowing that information now.”

  I giggle.

  “Are you fond of these?” He bites down on my hip as he hooks the string of the thong.

  “Not particularly.” Before I even finish, Felix rips the thin fabric away from my body. The sting of the force makes me gasp. That’s never been done to me before.

  He pulls my legs further apart and my brain shuts down. I can only think of what pleasure he’s about to bring me and my hormones are in overdrive. He nips at my thigh and then I don’t move as he licks me.

  Oh my—

  He bites my clit and I yelp out his name. Holy shit. After the bite, he begins to suck me hard and the air leaves me. I can’t process what’s happening as he slides two fingers inside me, but the tension in my body is telling me I like it.

  A lot.

  I grab tightly onto Felix’s thick dark hair and he continues to work me over. I can’t breathe. I can’t move. I’m paralyzed by his mouth, tongue, and fingers. The pressure is building in me and I need to find the release. As I’m on the verge of it, Felix removes his mouth from me and comes up to my lips. I whimper, thinking he’s going to stop.

  “Look at me, Abigail.” His voice is gruff and I smell myself on his lips. His eyes are bright. Felix’s fingers are still in me and the palm of his hand is vigorously working on me. “Look at me,” he commands again and I do.

  I’m s
hying away from his eyes, but he’s locked onto mine. I can’t look away. The connection is deep between us and my body begins to jerk as he finally hits the release button on the tension within me. I arch my back and yell his name. This time, I do have to shut my eyes as all the pleasure washes over me.

  Felix slows his movements as the wave subsides and when he pulls his fingers out, I wince. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” I’m still trying to find my breath.

  “Is it bad that I really want to fuck you right now?” Felix’s words cause my stomach to flutter.

  “Do it then.” I reach for his jeans and go to pull them off.

  “No.” He grabs my wrist.

  “Why?”

  “Just no for now.” He pecks my lips. “I’m going to clean up.” Felix rolls off the bed and heads for my en-suite.

  I don’t think I did anything wrong. However, I don’t know why he’s saying no to me when I’m right here and ready for him. I unhook my bra and slip on Felix’s t-shirt. His citrus scent consumes me. I crawl back into bed and wait for him.

  When he comes out a moment later, he seems a little tired, but smiles when he sees that I’m in his clothes.

  “Stay,” I softly beg.

  “I don’t have anything to wear.”

  “Take off your jeans,” I counter.

  “That may lead somewhere we shouldn’t go yet.”

  “Felix.” I pop up on my knees and pull him over to me by his belt loops. “Please.”

  I can see him battling on what to do.

  “Please.” I kiss him hard.

  “All right, but no funny business,” he finally caves.

  I smirk and he flips the light off. I snuggle deeper in the bed and I hear him removing his jeans. He slides into the bed and cuddles with me. I wiggle my hips against him, feeling the heat from his body, and he groans.

  “Stop it.”

  I giggle, lacing his fingers with mine and drifting to sleep.

  WHEN I WAKE up, it takes me a moment to realize I’m not in my apartment and instead am lying in bed with Abigail. Thankfully, she’s not too cuddled against me. She’s lying on her back, her head facing the other direction. Leaning over, I place a soft kiss on her neck. She turns her head toward me, eyes still closed, so I press a kiss to her lips. A smile appears on her face as her eyes flutter open.