She popped him in the arm.
He unsuccessfully tried to dodge her. “Hey, now’s not the time to play rough,” he said with a big grin plastered on his face. “Wait until we get home.”
With her arms folded and her eyes squinted, Kyla watched him join the interns, thanking them for everything and handing over the box of brochures. She wanted to pinch herself to see if all of this was real. She was standing in a booth that represented genetically modified produce and had spent the night making love to the owner. When he checked into the B and B, her goal had been to win him over to organic produce, and instead, he’d won her heart. All of his charm, talents and good looks were real. She didn’t see him as the playboy the papers made him out to be.
With the booth almost wrapped up, Miles rejoined Kyla. “They’re going to wait on Glenda, who’s doing some last-minute networking. But if you’re ready, we can leave.” He looked down at his watch. “I need to stop by the Cubs baseball camp this afternoon. Would you like to go with me?”
Kyla’s eyes popped. “Yes! Is it okay if you bring somebody? I would love to watch you out there with those kids.” He’d told her all about the camp and how he volunteered to stop by for a couple of hours. He’d even thought of opening his own baseball camp for kids.
He laughed. “Yeah, it’s cool. Plus, there’s somebody I want you to meet.”
On their way out of the building they bumped into several fans who stopped Miles for his autograph. It wasn’t until times like this that Kyla remembered he was a celebrity.
“I see you’re still pretty popular around here, too,” Kyla said.
Miles shrugged. “Some people still remember me.”
After they left McCormick Place, Miles drove over to the Wyndham where he checked Kyla out and placed her luggage in his trunk. The next stop was Wrigley Field. She spent the next two hours watching and listening to retired third baseman Miles Parker turn into a teacher. The kids loved him, just like Jamie had. Miles was a natural teacher.
Before they left the field, he walked her into the clubhouse and gave her a private tour.
Kyla had never seen anything like it. Everything a player needed was in there. He explained it all to her before an older black gentleman appeared from a back room.
“Captain!” Miles released her hand and walked over to give the older man a big hug.
“Well, if it ain’t Parker!” He hugged Miles back, then stood back to look at him. “You lookin’ good boy. I saw you out there tossing balls to them kids. You still got it.”
Miles laughed and took a step back. “I don’t know about that, but how are you getting along?”
“I’m still here, ain’t I? They ain’t saw fit to kick the old man out yet. I’m still the,” he made air quotes with his fingers, “honorary assistant clubhouse manager, so I’m making sure everything’s in shape, and taking care of the guys.”
Miles reached for Kyla’s hand and pulled her forward. “Captain, I want you to meet somebody. This is Kyla Coleman.”
Captain smiled, and Kyla noticed a missing tooth. If she had to guess, she’d say he was around seventy-five years old, and he had a wise face. She offered her hand in greeting.
“It’s always a pleasure to meet one of Miles’s friends. And I see he’s given you the grand tour.”
“He has.” Kyla smiled at Miles wondering what Captain had meant by “one of Miles friends.” How many friends or girlfriends had he given this tour to? “This place is amazing. I’ve never been in a baseball clubhouse before.”
“Well, other than reporters, not many wives or girlfriends have graced these doors.” Captain smiled up at Miles.
“Hey, Cap, you got any promotional gear back there you can give Kyla for her nephew? He’s a future Cubs player, for sure.”
Kyla turned from Miles to Captain with raised brows. She hadn’t even thought of taking something back for Jamie.
Captain nodded. “Let me see what I can do for you.”
He disappeared into a back room, and Kyla turned to Miles, yanking his arm. “Miles, thank you. You think of everything. Jamie is going to be so thrilled. I hope he gives me something I can give to Katie, as well.”
Miles gave her a soft kiss on the forehead. “Don’t worry, Captain always takes care of me. When I was hurt, he made sure I had everything I needed. And anytime I volunteered with a kids’ organization, Captain always made sure I got the best promotional stuff. He’s always looked out for me that way.”
Kyla tilted her head and studied Miles for a second. “He sounds like a good man.”
“He is,” Miles replied.
Captain returned with a medium-sized duffel bag. “Here you go. This should help to make the little fella a Cubs fan for life.”
Miles took the bag. “Captain, I can always count on you being here to take care of me.”
Captain slapped Miles’s shoulder. “They don’t make them like you anymore, Parker. When you got here, you spent more time on the field and in this clubhouse than any other player. These players today are in and out of here so fast it’s hard to get to know them.” Captain turned and addressed Kyla. “This one used to ask me all kind of questions. We’d spend hours talking religion, politics, the state of the world, and anything else that was on his mind at the time.” He frowned. “These new boys are too busy checking their phones all the damned time.”
“Captain, I’m gonna come back one day soon, and we’ll have an old-fashioned sit-down.”
“You do that. You know where to find me. Young lady, it was nice meeting you. I know you must be pretty special for Miles to bring you down here. This is sacred territory to him.”
“Really! Then I’m privileged to have met you Captain, and thanks for everything,” she said, pointing to the bag on Miles’s shoulder. The bag she couldn’t wait to open.
Miles and Captain said their goodbyes, and they left the clubhouse.
On their way to the car, Kyla didn’t mention Captain’s reference to Miles’s friends, but couldn’t help but wonder what number friend she was.
“Miles, thank you for letting me tag along today. I’ve never been a baseball fan, but today has been such an eye opener I may sit down and watch a game with Jamie when I get home.”
Miles laughed. “This is just the beginning. I’m going to introduce you to baseball the same way you introduced me to organic veggies.” He winked at her. “You know, a hands on approach.”
She bit down on the inside of her jaw. “I didn’t say I wanted to play baseball, only watch it.”
He wiggled his index finger at her. “Oh, no, you have to get your hands dirty to really appreciate the game.”
She pressed a palm to her forehead. “Oh my goodness, what have I started.”
* * *
Inside the duffel bag were a Chicago Cubs kid’s jacket, two T-shirts, a portable speaker, a pair of Cubs pajama pants, Cubs socks and two pairs of ear buds. Miles was going to have to take his old buddy out for dinner one night for this one. Kyla was beside herself when she saw all the goodies. She smiled so big it made Miles’s day. He loved to see her smile, and he loved being the one to cause that smile.
They left Wrigley Field and strolled down Chicago’s famous Magnificent Mile. The Sunday evening crowd had thinned out and the stores would be closing soon. He was scheduled to attend a fund-raising event Monday night, and since he’d talked her into staying, he wanted her to go with him.
As they walked into Bloomingdale’s he brought it up. “Tomorrow night I’ll be attending a charity event for the UNCF. It’s black tie, and I want you to go with me.”
Kyla’s jaw dropped, and she shook her head. “Miles, I can’t. I didn’t bring an appropriate dress for that.”
He laughed. “Don’t worry, we’ll find you something today.”
She looked around. “Maybe tomorrow we can go someplace else.”
/> He took her hand. “Come on. Let’s find you a dress.”
It took her over an hour to pick out a dress and a pair of shoes. Afterward, he surprised her by taking her to dinner at one of Chicago’s famous farm-to-table restaurants.
By the time they arrived back at his condo for the evening, he just wanted a shower and his bed.
As Miles strolled through the lobby with her suitcase and garment bag, the doorman greeted Kyla with a big smile. He walked over to call the elevator for Miles, since he had his hands full.
“Sir, is there anything I can get you this evening?” he asked as they waited on the elevator.
“No, thanks, we’re fine.” And then an idea came to him. “Wait a minute, there is something... Would you order me a bottle of champagne and some strawberries?”
The doorman smiled. “Yes, sir. I’ll bring them up as soon as they arrive.”
“Thank you.” The elevator doors swung open, and Miles stood back as Kyla entered.
She crossed her arms and leaned against the elevator wall the minute the door closed. “So is that something you do often?” she asked.
Miles turned to her. “What?”
“The champagne and strawberries. You didn’t even have to tell him where to go or what to get. It sounded rather routine to me.”
He shrugged. “There’s a specialty store around the corner that I order food from occasionally. It’s not a problem.”
“No, it didn’t sound like it would be a problem. More like something he’s used to doing for you.”
Miles smiled and shook his head. “It’s not a routine of mine, just something I thought would be a nice way to cap off the evening.”
The elevator stopped and the doors swooshed open. He backed away.
“After you, my dear,” he said as Kyla walked out past him.
She smiled. “You’re such a gentleman.”
“Yeah, I know. My mama taught me well,” he replied.
Once inside, he deposited her belongings in his guest room. Exhausted, they both lounged on the sofa to unwind. It was big enough for him to sit back and pull her between his legs. Miles held her in his arms while they watched a little television. The Kyla he’d experienced this weekend was different from the teacher Kyla from the farm. This Kyla was sexier, yet she was the same down-to-earth, loving woman he’d fallen for weeks ago. However, he could tell she had something on her mind. She hadn’t said much since they left Wrigley Field.
Minutes later, when the doorbell rang, it woke them both. Miles was surprised to realize he’d fallen asleep. He went to answer the door, while Kyla went into the guest room to freshen up.
His doorman held up a small shopping bag from one of the boutique grocers down the street. “Your champagne and strawberries, sir. They placed it on your account.”
Miles smiled and took the bag. “Right on time. I appreciate this.”
“You’re welcome.”
Miles tipped his doorman before closing the door. He took everything into the kitchen. The champagne and strawberries were already chilled, so he placed them in the refrigerator to keep them that way until after his shower.
When he emerged, he found Kyla in the living room sitting on the sofa with her feet tucked under her, watching a movie. His body woke up at the sight of her. She’d showered and changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top with Garden Ninja inscribed on the front. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, which made her neck look longer and added to the gracefulness of her profile.
“Well, don’t you look refreshed,” he said as he crossed the room.
“Miles, I need to ask you something.”
He continued into the room joining her on the sofa. “What’s on your mind?” he asked, reaching out to stroke her ponytail.
“How many women have you toured the clubhouse with before, and brought up here for a nightcap?”
He let out a deep breath. “I noticed your face when Captain mentioned my friends. He was referring to Glenda, Brandon, and possibly my sister. I gave her a tour when she came up for a game once. He didn’t mean girlfriends if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“What I’m thinking is you told me the Miles from the tabloids was you a long time ago. But I’m not so sure now. I’m starting to feel like that Miles is still in operation and I’m the latest casualty.”
He sat straight up and gave her his undivided attention. “Kyla, if I was still involved with anybody I would not have invited you here. And I don’t think you would have accepted my invitation to move out of the hotel if you felt that way.”
She slowly shook her head.
“So, whatever is causing doubt to creep into your head, push it away. You have to trust that I’m who I say I am.”
She sighed.
He sat back on the sofa and took a deep breath. This was not the way he wanted the evening to end. “So can we spend some time watching a little television and enjoying the champagne?”
“I suppose so.”
“Kyla I want you to be comfortable while you’re here. Little things like this, I want you to discuss them with me. Always let me know how you feel.”
“Okay, something else that’s on my mind. When’s Brandon coming back?” Kyla asked.
“Tomorrow some time. Why?”
“Oh, I just wondered. What do you think he’ll say when he finds out I’m staying here instead of the hotel?”
He sat up until he was on the edge of the sofa. “This is my condo, not Brandon’s. Besides, I think he’ll be happy to see you again.” He stood up, and leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose.
“I hope so. I wouldn’t want to cause a rift between you two by being here.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. As a matter of fact, you don’t have to worry about anything.” He turned around and headed for the kitchen. He pulled the champagne and strawberries out of the refrigerator. While he worked in the kitchen, she took the remote and found a rerun of the Country Music Awards show playing on cable.
Miles frowned first, then smiled as he joined her with two champagne flutes and a bowl of strawberries. She took the flutes while he set the berries on the table. “So, this is what we’re watching?” he asked. Her selection didn’t exactly go with his treat of choice for the evening.
“Do you mind?” she asked with a glow in her eyes.
He wiggled his brows. He wasn’t a country music fan like she was. But maybe he’d discover some music he liked. “Enjoy yourself, baby.”
They sat back and watched. He found it more enjoyable than he thought he would. When he fed her strawberries, she sucked the sweet fruit—along with his fingers—into her mouth. Throughout the rest of the show they enjoyed the berries, the champagne and each other’s lips.
Miles didn’t care what was on the television. His only interest was in the woman sitting between his thighs. She had her long legs stretched out on his sofa and her body pressed against his penis, just begging for his attention. He reached down and slid the band from her ponytail, wanting to see her hair cascading around her shoulders. She turned around and looked up into his eyes, and he couldn’t help but run his hands through her hair.
She scooted up until their lips met and he tasted the sweet berries on her lips and then inside her warm mouth. His hands slid around her waist and under her tank top, caressing her firm nipples through her lacy bra. He sat up and swung his legs off the sofa, bringing her with him as she sat facing him and wrapped her legs around him. All of the exhaustion from earlier left his body and he reached around her back and unsnapped her bra, freeing her soft breasts into the palms of his hands. Country music cried from the television while Kyla moaned into his mouth.
She straddled him, moving her hips up closer and closer until she was directly over his penis, driving him crazy. He pulled the ends of her tank up and over her raised arms, along with her bra,
tossing them to the floor. Last night he’d gotten a taste of her, but tonight he wanted to feast. She arched her back, and her perfect nipples called out to him. He delicately placed his lips over one and licked with slow, soft strokes. She was coming unglued at his touch. She reached down and tugged on his T-shirt until he leaned forward to let her pull it up and over his head. Their bodies came together, and Miles buried his face in her neck. She smelled like fresh flowers and love, if it had a smell.
“Woman, what are you doing to me?” he asked, as he held onto her working hips. He was fully erect now and didn’t think he could take much more of this. He rested his head back on the sofa and slid farther down.
She leaned forward, sitting directly on top of him, now nibbling at his neck. Her hair fell across his chest and he tried to take a deep breath. “You’re making it hard for me to breathe,” he gasped.
She slowed down and sat up, pulling her hair to one side. “You started this by plying me with alcohol and strawberries.” She traced his lips with her finger. “You knew what you were doing.”
He grinned and reached out with both hands, filling his palms with her breasts, caressing them. “You checked out of the hotel and moved in here.” He leaned forward and kissed a nipple. “You knew exactly what you were doing, too,” he countered.
Her mouth formed a perfect circle, and he thought he’d lose his mind.
“Why, Mr. Parker, are you insinuating that I knew we would end up making wild passionate love all night if I stayed here?” she asked in a teasing voice, while grinding deeper into him.
He burst out laughing and threw his head back again. Since arriving in Chicago, he’d seen a side of her he’d never thought existed. “Man, I never know what to expect from you anymore. And this sexy vixen Kyla? I love her.”
She giggled before leaning forward and licking his nipple. “The condoms are in the bedroom,” he said in a hoarse voice he barely recognized himself. He knew she’d heard him, but she moved from one nipple to the other and began to suck. He squeezed his ass cheeks together and gripped her hips to keep them from moving. He bit his lip so hard he thought he tasted blood. That was it! He couldn’t take it any longer. Before he exploded, he held her by the arms and removed her from his lap, setting her next to him on the sofa. Her hair was all tousled, making her look hot as hell. She fell back, taking deep breaths.
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