Stealing Home: A Diamonds and Dugouts Novel

by Jennifer Seasons

  “Anything for you, baby.” He grinned. “So what size are you? D cup?”

  She pursed her lips as she considered him. God, that mouth of hers drove him crazy. If he had to pick a favorite feature on her it would definitely be her lips. And in the past few days they’d been all over him.

  “Thirty-four D,” she said finally.

  Hot damn. “Nice. Very, very nice.”

  Before he combusted or drove his shiny car off the road he changed the subject. But they’d definitely be fogging up the windows later. “Ever taken the interstate to Vail?” She shook her head. “There’s this real pretty drive along a windy road up there that’ll take us to Lookout Mountain.”

  “What’s Lookout Mountain? A teenage make-out spot?”

  They’d just passed Golden and were steadily speeding up into the base of the Rockies. Pine trees and aspens with their new spring leaves began to close in around them.

  “It’s actually not really a pull-out spot, but a windy road that rings the side of the Rockies. It’s got a helluva view of Denver. I thought you might like to see it.” He grinned and downshifted as they started to climb. “It’s also a great make-out spot.”

  For the next hour conversation meandered casually from one trivial subject to another. Since their little entanglement earlier that day, Lorelei had been determined to keep the talk casual. Mark knew that he’d touched on something back in the bedroom. He’d seen it on her face. She was hiding something big. That wasn’t a surprise. What was—what had bothered him more than he cared to admit—was that whatever it was hurt her deeply. The pain in her eyes had nearly undone him.

  He didn’t want to care. Didn’t want to feel like someone had cheap-shot him in the gut with a line drive. Things weren’t supposed be complicated for him. No messy feelings, no attack of conscience. Nothing but fun and games until it was time to move on. That was the way it had always been. Hell, he hadn’t dictated it. He’d only followed the lead from the women in his life. Now he made no apologies for how he’d chosen to live. And, yeah, he knew what that said about him and he didn’t care. He was trying very hard not to care.

  After he’d found out about Dina’s infidelity he’d vowed not to be a fool again. Not only that, but he’d made a promise to himself that he’d never tell another woman his secret. The way Dina had treated him after she’d found about his illiteracy had proven to him it was a mistake to admit to such a weakness.

  Only one woman had ever known the truth about him—other than his mother, Leslie, and Dina. Molly Sawyer. Sweet, innocent pastor’s daughter and the first girl he’d ever loved. He used to sit behind her in church and spend the hour inhaling the rose scent of her shampoo. Then he’d go home and spend his nights fantasizing about her. He’d been a real Sunday regular there for a few years.

  It never seemed to bother her that he’d get tongue-tied, stumble over his words. That he wore braces and had an acne problem. Or that his hands were too big for his frame and he tripped over his size thirteen feet regularly.

  All she’d cared about was what was inside him. When he’d told her about his dyslexia she’d smiled so sweet his heart had nearly exploded. She’d told him with such youthful conviction that God didn’t mess up when he made people. He’d made Mark perfect, just the way he was. She’d told him that he was special in the best way possible.

  Then she’d taken off her little cross necklace and put it in his palm, curled her fingers around his. Told him to keep it for every time he felt unworthy and to remember what she’d said. And she’d kissed him. Soft and innocent on his trembling lips, and his world had burst with young love for her.

  And that’s why he kept the cross for good luck. Every time he felt overwhelmed, worthless, frustrated beyond endurance, he reached for it and it reminded him. Even after Dina had slept around on him, called him stupid, and broke his heart, he remembered.

  It had kept him going.

  And now there was Lorelei Littleton, come to take his necklace from him. He wanted to be able to categorize her with all the rest—with Dina, the dozens of meaningless women of his past. It was where she belonged. No one special, no one to think about a year or two down the road.

  But he couldn’t do it. Beyond his control, his better judgment, his past experience, he was beginning to cast her in the same pure light as an innocent preacher’s daughter with a heart of gold.

  It scared the living shit out him.

  The sun had sunk behind the mountains by the time he reached the winding curve of road that opened over Denver. He slowed the Ferrari and pulled over on the shoulder, the passenger side facing the city lights. He heard Lorelei’s intake of breath as he put the car into neutral, shut of the engine, and pulled the e-brake. He left the interior lights on so the dash lights glowed over them before he turned to her and looked out the window.

  The city stretched below them like an ocean of lights. Everywhere he looked he saw them glittering. To his left he could see Boulder and Longmont, their lights bleeding into the outskirts of Denver. Straight ahead he could see the long straight run of Colfax Avenue.

  He liked the view from his condo. It was up close and involved. But this—this kicked ass. Almost otherworldly from the perch halfway upside the mountains. He liked to drive up there in his car, hug the Ferrari to the winding curves as he sped along. When he found an unoccupied spot he’d pull off and sit. Sometimes he’d pop in a CD, but most of the time he liked the quiet.

  He’d wanted to share it with Lorelei.

  “Mark, this is beautiful. Absolutely breathtaking.”

  His eyes skimmed over her and he felt his chest tighten. “Yes, beautiful. Breathtaking.” he agreed, and didn’t mean the city lights.

  She turned to him. “Do you come up here often?”

  He heard the question she was really asking. “I like to drive up here by myself time to time. I don’t bring women up here, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Her voice was soft, “You brought me.”

  Yeah, he had. He wondered briefly what that said about him, what it meant, then decided he really didn’t want to know. His head was already too full of unwanted thoughts.

  Reaching his arm out, he gathered a thick strand of her silky hair and rubbed it between his fingers. “I thought you’d enjoy it.”

  Her breath hitched and she whispered, “I am enjoying it.”

  He smiled at her and leaned close. “And I thought we could neck in the car like teenagers.”

  Her smile warmed his soul. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a make-out session in a car.”

  Tension curled in his gut when she licked those lush lips of hers. He made a strangling sound low in his throat. “God, you’re so hot, Lorelei. Do you have any idea what your mouth does to me? I think about it a dozen times a day sliding warm and wet over my cock and it makes me burn for you.”

  She sucked in air and it shoved her amazing breasts out toward him. Her voice sounded kind of breathy when she said, “I haven’t done that yet, Mark.”

  An ache started in his balls and wove up his shaft. He shifted to relieve some pressure. It didn’t work. Sliding his hand to the back of her neck, he pulled her close and whispered against her mouth, “I know. But a guy can dream.”

  She held him off by placing a hand to his lips. He slid his tongue out and licked the seam of her fingers. She moaned and her hand shook. Good. He was so hot and hard for her that he wanted her wet for him. “Tell me what you want.”

  “I want to kiss you.”

  His tongue slid between her index and middle finger and stroked the junction in lazy swirls. “Just move your hand, sweetheart, and you can kiss me however you want.” He let his teeth nip the fleshy side of her index finger and she jumped. He grinned.

  “Not there. I don’t want to kiss your mouth.” Her free hand slid up his thigh and settled over his hard-on, squeezed. “I want to kiss you here.”

  Mark froze as every nerve in his body screamed. He sucked in a breath. Before he could
say anything Lorelei’s hands were undoing his fly and shoving his briefs down until they caught beneath his testicles. Then her hands closed around him and he swore. Flexed against her hot little hands.

  “Did you do this in the car as a teenager?” she asked as she lowered over him and her breath branded him.

  He could barely speak. Couldn’t think at all when her wet tongue touched the base of his erection. She made a purring sound in her throat and her tongue slid up the length of him. Sweet Jesus.

  His knee rammed the steering wheel when she gripped him in a hand and licked her tongue over the head in a long, lazy stroke. He thought he was going to come right then and there. “Lorelei,” he growled, and grabbed a handful of her hair, arched into her mouth.

  And when she finally closed that hot, wet mouth over him he almost did come. Desire tore through him and a groan ripped from his throat. With his heart pounding in his chest he stared down at her, and her mouth slid over him, gently suctioned him. When a lock of her hair fell across her face Mark brushed it away and held it at the back of her neck.

  It was better than his fantasies—way better. He let out a growl and watched her, whispered, “I want you, Lorelei. I want to be inside your tight body.”

  Her movements stilled and she looked up at him, sat up. And it felt like he’d been gut-shot. The wind rushed from his chest. She was so incredibly sexy. Her green eyes glowed in the dim light, her lush mouth was slick and swollen, her hair a dark, tangling mass, her skin flushed with arousal. His lungs squeezed painfully. He’d never seen anything more beautiful in his life.

  Mark pulled gently on her hair. “Come here.”

  She shuffled and he pulled her across the center console. Lorelei’s butt landed against his hard-on and her hands dove into his hair. She licked her wet lips, desire in her eyes. Hunger clawed at him but something else was there, too. Something deeper. He kept his eyes open and locked on hers when he lowered his mouth. Instead of attacking her lips, he touched his tenderly to hers. When her eyes went wide and a little wary he smiled against her. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?”

  Hot breath puffed against his skin and she shook her head, lowered her mouth to his again. Mark watched her eyes drift closed and felt something inside him shift. He cupped the sides of her face in his hands and nibbled at her full lips, felt them tremble. Instead of devouring her, he let his lips trail over her face. Kissed her eyelids and heard her soft gasp. Pressed his lips against the warm skin of her temple and breathed in the scent of her.

  He didn’t know what was happening, was terrified to know. But when he felt her body shudder against his he felt it somewhere deep in his soul, in that place that hadn’t been touched by anyone in years. And when he traced his lips over her jaw and saw a tear shimmer on her eyelashes, slide down her cheek, it almost unmanned him. He kissed the teardrop away and felt the rush of her breath against his left cheek.

  “Oh Lorelei,” he breathed. “What are you doing to me?”

  She shook her head as a sound almost like a sob caught in her throat. Her plump lips pressed together and her chin quivered. On a ragged whisper she asked, “What are you doing to me?”

  Her eyelids fluttered open and her beautiful eyes focused on him. Emotions swirled in the glimmering depths. “This was supposed to be easy. I don’t know you.”

  He brought his mouth back to hers, his hands still cradling her head. Fire burned in his blood. “You know me, Lorelei. Better than anyone else has in a long time.” Suddenly he couldn’t remember why he’d ever wanted easy.

  When she shook her head again he frowned and his throat squeezed. His voice was raw. “Say you know me, Lorelei. Tell me you know who I am on the inside. Not who the world sees, but who I really am.” It was suddenly very important for him to hear her say it.

  Something was happening between them and he wasn’t sure if he was ready for it, or if he really even wanted it. But he knew that if all she still saw him as was the professional catcher with the bad rep he might just go crazy. God knew he’d made mistakes, but he was more than his reputation, he knew that. He needed Lorelei to know it, too.

  Her small, soft hands covered his and his heart stopped. “You’re not who I first thought you were.”

  It started beating again, a hammer in his chest. Touching his mouth to hers he felt the current of electricity that flowed from her—took it into him and welcomed it. Sinking into the kiss, his hands slid over her body and pulled her close.

  He wasn’t going anywhere.

  Chapter 20

  LATER THAT NIGHT Lorelei slipped back into Mark’s condo and walked silently down the hall, his necklace cradled in her hand. She was thankful the hotel concierge had kept her envelope. She’d been a little worried that things left there had a shelf life. If so, she’d gotten there in time and that’s all that mattered.

  As she tiptoed down the hall the small metal cross warmed against her palm. When she stepped through the doorway to his room he was there, sound asleep in the middle of his bed just the way she’d left him. Moonlight streamed through the massive windows and sent shadows dancing over his prone body. Even in sleep it was hard and unforgiving, years of honing every muscle evident in the power of his shoulders, the strength of his thighs. In every way he was her fantasy come to life.

  Stepping softly across the wood floors, Lorelei kept her eyes on him. If he made a move she’d lose it. Lose courage and the strength to do what she knew was right.

  The game was over.

  When he shifted in his sleep and turned his face to her, she was sure he’d woken. Her lungs seized up and fear skittered down her spine. But he didn’t say anything and soon he was softly snoring again. The air she’d been holding rushed out of her on a whoosh.

  Before she could change her mind, she very gently set his necklace on the bedside table where he’d see it in the morning. Then, unable to resist, she stared down at him one last time. Memorized the way he looked relaxed in sleep. His hair tumbled across his brow and his sensual lips were slightly parted. Deep, even breathing raised and lowered his broad chest in a slow rhythm.

  The last time she’d stood over him like this he was a stranger to her. This time he was so much more, and it hurt to walk away worse than she’d anticipated. Much worse. But it was better that she did it now while she could. That she be the one to call it quits, put an end to the affair. She had to do it before he did.

  The car ride had changed everything—every single game piece on the board. In one fell swoop it had sent them flying. It had stopped being a game and become oh-so-very real. So much was at stake.

  Hearts were on the line.

  She’d never felt more vulnerable. It was only a matter of time before hers was flattened. And Mark wouldn’t even know he’d devastated her. She didn’t blame him for it—it just happened with men like him. But she had to get out before it all came crashing down.

  Relationships without trust always crumbled. No matter how true the emotions. She was realist enough to acknowledge that fact. But she was still too cowardly to risk the rejection. A little tiny part of her soul hated herself for that. Wished she were braver.

  She wasn’t.

  Shaking herself, Lorelei turned to go. Mouthing a silent oath she spun back around and pulled her hair back with a hand. One last time to feel him against her lips, then she’d leave. She’d go back to her life and get over him. Forget about the ballplayer with the fast hands.

  But right now she needed to kiss him. In the dark and quiet while he was deep asleep and he couldn’t see that it hurt her to do it. She leaned out of the shadows and bent over Mark. The sleep-warmed scent of him filled her nostrils along with the lingering scent of their earlier sex. She refused to call it lovemaking. It might have been different from all the other times—more tender, less hurried, more intimate. But it wasn’t love. They hadn’t made love.

  But it had felt awful close to it.

  Her lips touched him and she felt the jolt all the way to her toes. It made her lips
tingle and her abdomen turn to jelly. And not just with need.

  She pulled her lips away.

  A lock of wavy hair fell over his eye when he shifted and she reached up, brushed it back. She heard a low masculine groan and whipped her eyes to his. They were still closed, but his mouth had curled in a slight smile and he stretched like a panther awakening from a nap. His voice was raspy. “Mmmm, what are you doing, baby? Come back to bed.”

  Panic slammed hard into her. He wasn’t supposed to wake up! She had to get out of there—fast. If she didn’t go now she’d miss her chance and then everything would go straight to hell. She didn’t want to be there when that happened.

  “I’ll be right back,” she whispered. “I’m going to get some water.”

  His hand reached up and found her breast, squeezed it.

  Sleep made his voice heavy as it dragged him back under. “Hurry back, ’kay?” His hand dropped from her breast, left it achy with need.

  Raking her gaze over him, Lorelei whispered, “Okay.” Then she slipped to the door and stepped over the threshold. She grabbed the door, pulled it closed behind her. “Good-bye, Mark.”

  It took no time at all to grab her bags and leave after that. He’d never bothered with the extra locks. All she’d had to do to leave earlier to get his cross was flip the deadbolt and turn the regular lock. This time she didn’t even have to do that. She just opened the door and was in the elevator less than a minute later.

  Though she felt tears sting the backs of her eyes she refused to give in to them. Lorelei Littleton was made of sterner stuff than that. At least that’s what she told herself to keep from bawling like a baby. Crying wasn’t allowed. She’d known that from the beginning. Hell, she’d made the rule. So why was she being such a wimp?

  Because for a suspended moment in time Mark had held her heart in the palm of his hand and made her cry. Made her feel such intense emotion it had terrified her.

  She thought over that on the drive up I–25 to Loveland. When she pulled into her driveway at two in the morning she’d come to a lot of conclusions. None of which she liked the answer to.