The Closer (All About the Diamond #5)

by Naomi Springthorp

  The Seals are up to bat in the 9th and they need to score or this game is going into extra innings. The leadoff spot is up and Chase Cross steps into the batter’s box hitting the first pitch and getting a base hit. Shortstop Jones Mason is up next and smacks a grounder to the third baseman. He’s out at first base, but Cross advances to second. Kris Martin digs into the batter’s box intent on knocking it out of the park. He swings at the first pitch and pops it up, caught in centerfield. 2 outs. It’s Seno’s turn to hit and he takes four straight balls for a walk. The pitcher is in the fifth spot due to a double switch earlier in the game and I watch to find out who they bring in to hit with one out left. Super D is standing there with a bat in the on deck circle waiting for direction. Waiting for the coach to pull him back and put in a hitter, but he doesn’t. I’m out of my seat, “Super D! Super D! Super D! Go Super D! Woooooo!” He focuses on me and smiles, the stress of the situation melting away from his face. “Let’s do this, D! Woooooo!” Seno is clapping at him from first and Cross has a huge lead off of second. All he needs is a single to bring in Cross and the Seals win with a walk-off. The intensity of the situation is getting the best of me. My whole body is buzzing and I’m anxious for him. I might as well be in the batter’s box. The first pitch is delivered and it’s a ball outside. The second pitch is high and inside, Sherry and I are both out of our seats yelling at the pitcher. I’m louder than her and that’s saying something, “Watch it meat! Don’t be throwing at my man!” I don’t know what’s come over me. Next pitch and it’s in slow motion. His grip changes on the bat and his eyes track the ball. He swings and the same sound I heard at batting practice rings through the stadium. I’m screaming again, “OMG! Super D! Wooooo!” I watch the ball sail over the wall in left field. Home run. Seals walk it off with a final score of 10-7. I climb over the seats in front of me to watch him cross home plate at the net and witness his joy as he runs into the scrum of his teammates waiting for him. It’s a celebration, and he made it happen. His teammates disperse and he turns to me, kissing two fingers and pointing at me right as they dump a vat of gatorade over his head. He’s pumped up and he doesn’t care.

  He does a quick interview with the on-field reporter, but the whole time he’s focused on me. He walks straight to me at the net and gazes at me without speaking.

  “You were awesome tonight.”

  He blushes, “You were cheering for me. Nothing matters as much as you calling me your man. You make me stronger. I ordered dinner in, it might get there before me. I’ll be home as soon as I can.” He holds my hand on the net and the lightning is back shooting through my body.

  “I’ll be waiting for you.” I smile and he takes off for the clubhouse.

  “Nice job,” Sherry high-fives me. “You’ll see there’s nothing better.”

  I don’t doubt her one bit.

  Chapter Nine

  Angie

  I get back to his place to find a table for two with candles set up on the balcony. Place settings set out perfectly and a long stemmed red rose sitting on one of the chairs. It’s romantic. I run into my room to change into something more appropriate for a date night dinner and thumb through what I’ve brought with me. I brush out my hair, attempting to get rid of the hat hair I’ve developed and tie it up into a chignon, a little fancy, it accentuates my bare neck, and hides my hat hair. I throw on the black dress I brought with me along with my strappy black high heels. I add to the ambiance by turning on some music. I skim through his play lists and choose one titled “my heart.” The first song is “Angela” by the Lumineers. The elevator opens and a personal chef walks out, going straight to the kitchen with a cart of plates and food. I think it’s odd he doesn’t say anything until D steps out of the elevator right after him. He’s focused on me and walks directly to me in his dark blue jeans and black long-sleeved button up shirt. He’s absolutely gorgeous and he slides his arms around me without saying a word. He pulls me against him and holds me there, simply gazing into my eyes. He kisses my cheek and takes my hand, leading me to his balcony. He pulls the chair out for me and pushes me in, handing me the rose from the seat. He pulls the cork on a bottle of champagne like a professional and pours us each a glass.

  “You’re beautiful and you’re all I’ve ever wanted. I don’t know what finally brought us together, but I’m glad it did. To us,” he toasts and clinks his glass to mine.

  All I can do is giggle. He’s an adult who’s learned how to do adult things. I missed seeing him grow into being this responsible and respectable adult man. He didn’t think I was interested because I’ve always been able to take care of myself, but in reality he’s the same way. Neither of us need someone else. It makes it more special when we choose each other.

  We each take a sip of champagne and the bubbles tickle my nose. I play with the rose he gave me, brushing it across my cheek. I’m a teenager again. Everything is new.

  Houck

  “You never told me why you’re visiting me.”

  “It’s silly,” She laughs it off.

  “Whatever it is, it brought you to me. It brought us together and there’s nothing I take more seriously.” I have to be completely honest and straight with her. This is Angie.

  She stares off into the night sky, “My business partner is getting married. She’s taking a pre-marital class at her church with her fiancé and she shares what they learn with me. It’s more her way of reviewing and making basic notes for her to have in the future. Last week, she brought me a copy of the workbook page and told me to answer the ten questions.” She shifts her focus to me, “Based on my answers she asked me the follow up questions and, basically, it said I should be with you.” She takes a breath and continues with her hands flying everywhere, “I didn’t believe it. I could’ve done a quiz in a fashion magazine. It had nothing to substantiate it. I tried to blow it off, completely forget about it, but I couldn’t. Lucy told me to visit you and kiss you. She actually kicked me out of the office until I did it. I decided I should at least visit you and spend some time with you, but that was it. Somehow it got us here. It’s batshit crazy.”

  “I need to thank Lucy,” he chuckles. “What do you want, Ang?”

  “I want you. We’re friends, but this is new and the beginning is always exhilarating while you’re discovering each other. I don’t know what the best way to do this is, but I don’t want to lose the excitement. Lucy told me to stop being a guy and let the girl come out.”

  “I don’t want to mess this up and lose you completely.”

  “What’s being together worth to you? It’s a risk we have to take. We’ll always wonder if we don’t.”

  “Do we take it slow or?” he shakes his head. “We can’t start at the beginning and date. We’re past that. You already spent the night in my bed. We know each other too well.”

  “Take the lead and follow your gut. You won’t hurt me, and if you do? It’ll be worth it. I’ll regret it everyday and question if we would’ve been better together if we don’t,” her eyes fill with tears, though she’s not crying. It’s her heart coming out. The girl she hides away behind her facade.

  I’ve wanted her for so long. I can’t let myself in any deeper if we won’t work. I never want to hurt her. I stare down at my plate and talk, “I need to know if we want the same things. Not now, but in time. Do you want to be married? Have kids? Where do you want to live? What about me being a baseball player and everything that goes with it?”

  “I want to have kids if it’s with the right man and I don’t care where we live or if we get married. All I care is that we’re together. I love to watch you play, but I don’t know how it’ll mesh with my business. I need to figure out all the logistics. It might not be ideal, but I’m sure there’s a way.”

  The chef sets a salad of mixed greens and arugula dressed in balsamic vinaigrette in front of each of us.

  I stand up and take her hand, leading her away from the table. “Dance with me,” I request softly, placing my other hand on the sm
all of her back. She follows my lead and we sway to “Somebody” by Depeche Mode. Holding her close in my arms, she’s all I’ve ever wanted. She leans her cheek against my chest and wraps her arm around my waist. If I didn’t have this shirt on, she’d have her hands on my bare skin like she did this morning. I’d do anything for her to graze my bare skin. I lean down and kiss her. I want to be appropriate, but I can’t control my kiss. I’ve wanted her for too long. It’s a 15 year long date that never got to first base until now and fuck me if I’m not going to turn this into a grand slam. I shouldn’t, but I find myself kissing her harder and sucking on her lips. Thrusting my tongue into her mouth over and over. She’s sucking on my tongue and digging her fingers into my back. Fuck. We’re not going to stop. She pulls my shirt out of my jeans and unbuttons it while she’s kissing me. I kiss her neck, needing to catch my breath, “Dinner in might have been a bad idea.”

  “Everything seems about right to me, but I’ve lost my appetite for food,” she bites my neck and nibbles at my ear. “If I was some girl you met, what would you do?”

  Fuck! “You’re not some girl. I can’t fuck you hard and put you away sore.”

  Angie

  “What if I want to be fucked hard? What if I want you to take me and do all the things you want to do to me?” I can’t help myself. Lucy said to be a girl, but some things don’t change. Maybe someday if it’s more than sex. Maybe if I sense something different, something more, like the flutters Lucy talks about in her belly. But, this is what I’m comfortable with. My guy-like perspective. I want to fuck. I bite my lower lip while I stare up into his eyes. No matter what, he’s a guy. He can’t turn me down.

  He searches my eyes, “Is that what you want from me?” His body language changes and he steps away from me, “One hot fuck is not worth losing you. Don’t you understand you’re more to me? I’ve wanted you forever. Fuck! I’ve been in love with you since college. Damn it! I wasn’t supposed to say that,” he turns away and stares off into the night.

  “Say what?” I ask without getting closer to him.

  “That’s not how you were supposed to find out I love you, okay?”

  “You what?”

  He turns to me from across his balcony, “I love you, Angie. You weren’t supposed to find out because I blurted it out when I was mad. I’ve known exactly how I would tell you for years and it’s too soon to say it. Shit.”

  “What else do you have planned out? I don’t want plans. I want to experience you,” I walk toward him. “I want to experience us,” I kiss his lips tenderly. “You bring out the girl in me, only you, D.” I rest my hand on his chest and wait for a response. I’m not good at this. He doesn’t speak. “D? Show me how it’s supposed to be. Make me feel like a girl.” Still nothing, “I swear I’m not using you. I don’t want to be one of those girls. I don’t want to wait. I want you, and I want to be with you—naked.”

  “You sound like a guy.”

  “It’s a problem I have. Maybe you can change it.”

  “I didn’t think you had any problems. I thought you were perfect. I still do.”

  “I’m not perfect. I’m a guy when it comes to sex. I don’t get invested. Happy?”

  “You need someone to treat you like the woman you are.” He turns my head toward him, forcing me to focus on him, “That someone is me, and only me from now on. Do you understand? I promise you, I’ll make everything right for you and you’ll never want anyone else. But, I don’t want even the thought of you ever being with anyone else again. I will always be your next and your last.”

  I shiver and the thunder in my belly expands throughout my body. “Yes, please.”

  He scoops me up over his shoulder and walks inside. He calls out to the chef, “Package the meal up for us. We’ll be eating later. Thank you.” He carries me into his bedroom and shuts the door behind us. He tosses me onto his bed and takes his shirt off, letting it fall to the floor.

  I giggle, watching him stand there focused on me.

  He smiles, “What are you giggling about?”

  “You. You make me excited.”

  He crawls onto his bed wearing only his jeans and wraps his arms around me, “Hey, beautiful.” He gazes into my eyes and presses his lips to mine, soft and tender. I love the sensation of his body, bare skin and hard muscles. I go for the button on his jeans, “Are you sure you want me?”

  “Yes. I want all of you.” He doesn’t stop me. He tugs on my lower lip and groans. He moves his hands over my body and squeezes my ass. I unbutton his jeans and pull the zipper down. I reach in and find him hard in my hand.

  “Oh, Angie. Please.” His eyes close at my touch.

  “D, you should take these jeans off.”

  His jeans disappear and he’s throbbing in my hand, getting harder. I pull him out of his boxer briefs and take a peek. My earlier encounter with his hard-on told me he’s above average, but he’s better, bigger than I imagined. I’m possessed and have to kiss it. I give it a sweet peck on the tip and he shivers at my intimate contact. I run my hand up and down the length of his shaft, silky and ready to pound nails. I kiss his tip again and swipe my tongue around him, giving him a suck. I want him. I take him into my mouth and have to swallow to get halfway down his huge cock.

  “Oh fuck, Angie. This isn’t supposed to be first.”

  I suck on him and take him deeper, licking him and stroking him with my lips. He grabs me around my waist and lifts me up to sit on his chest.

  “Tell me you’re mine. I want to make you feel what I feel, I want to make you happy. I’ll never do anything you don’t want.”

  I pull my dress up over my ass, showing him my red lace panties and suck on him hard.

  Suddenly he has both hands kneading my ass, and slides my panties off. “I’ve wanted you for so long.” Gently caressing me along my seam, but not penetrating. He pulls me back toward him and kisses my inner thigh. He kisses my thigh again, open-mouthed and moves closer to my sex. I shiver and he gets closer again, pulling me toward him. I suck on his cock hard as I release him and D takes control. He lifts me at my waist and sits me on the bed beside him. He slowly removes my dress, pulling it over my head and sends it sailing across the room. His eyes settle on my breasts and his hands soon follow, cupping them appreciatively. He unhooks the clasp and bares me to him.

  “Anything you want, D. I want to be a girl for you.” He squeezes my breasts, playing with my nipples and kissing each of them. Licking and sucking at my nipples. The way his hands are on me is something I’ve never experienced before, more than need or want. It pushes the thunder through my body, shaking me to my core with want. He pushes his boxer briefs off and lies naked beside me. He’s a gorgeous man, solid muscle everywhere. Classically handsome with his strong jawline, bright shining eyes, and perfect lips. He holds me naked and searches my eyes until he smiles. “What made you smile?”

  “I found what I was waiting for,” he presses his lips to mine, cherishing me. He pulls back and gazes at me, placing my hands on his chest, “Feel what you do to me?” His heart is pounding in his chest. I kiss his chest and pull his mouth to mine. I nibble on his lips and slide my tongue into his mouth to find his. Sliding my tongue against his until he takes control of the kiss with open-mouthed kisses and I’m suddenly out of breath. I take his hand in mine and hold it to my chest, his eyes light up and he immediately goes back to kissing me. He keeps his hand on my chest wanting to revel in my reaction to him. He’s tugging and sucking on my lower lip when the whimper escapes my lips. “Let everything go. I’ll take care of you. Let me be the one,” he vows soft and sincere. He goes back to kissing me open-mouthed and sucking on my lips. He glides his hand down my body over my hip and stops with his hand on my upper thigh. The anticipation is killing me. He rolls us over. He’s on top of me and keeps kissing me. Kissing me as if I’m all he wants and somehow a magic genie has given me to him. I’m drawn into his kiss and focus on his tongue playing with mine. The kiss is everything in my existence or he’s
found a way to take me to his. I’m not sure which and I don’t care. I’m happy to be in the same place and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get there. Right now, I’d do anything for him. He’s the only man who matters. The only thing in my world and I’m revolving around him. How did this happen? Do I need him? He’s the one. He stops and stares at my face as he slides his finger inside me. I moan in pleasure as he begins to stroke me. He’s still kissing me and holds me tighter against him. He gets hard against my leg. He slides a second finger in and keeps stroking me.