Strike (Completion Series)

by Holly S. Roberts

  “Spill.” Chi Chi didn’t make it a request.

  My sigh was full of frustration. “I can’t talk about it. Reed and I have a few things to work through, but yes, he’s angry. He went back to the room he shares with Sal last night.”

  “Hmm, I didn’t know that. Sal stayed in my room.”

  “Well at least one of us got lucky.”

  Chi Chi laughed while I watched Reed. The coach called the players in and they formed a circle in front of the dugout. Two players walked with the coach to home plate and met with the other team. Reed entered the dugout, but I saw him leave it a moment later. He walked to the side fence and I realized Jon had Bitsy down there. Reed reached over the fence, picked up Bitsy, and brought her to his side. I watched him give her a big hug. My heart melted. He kissed Bitsy’s forehead and put her back over the fence, but never looked my way.

  He had his glove under his arm and walked out to his position in the outfield as the game began. I didn’t know much about baseball, but I listened as Chi Chi and Jon, who brought Bitsy back to our seats, talked about the game. My focus remained on Reed.

  The Bandits finally came in for their first chance at bat. According to Jon, the first batter grounded out, but the second hit a single and made it to first base. Sacrifice out and the first base runner was on second with two outs. The next batter walked to first after four balls so the second base runner didn’t advance. Reed was up.

  Chi Chi whispered in my ear, “Your man has lots of sweet spots; he can hit a ball that others won’t try for. Just watch.”

  Sweet spots. I know I blushed. I tried to focus on Reed and not my own sweet spots that needed his attention.

  Reed owned the plate. After a foul deep into the left-field stands, he hit a triple, bringing the base runners in. The fans went wild with me cheering as loudly as Jon, Bitsy, and Chi Chi. Reed tipped his hat to the crowd and I saw him grin for the first time since I’d arrived at the stadium.

  “He’s cocky, but he’s earned it. This should be a record year for him if he can keep his head out of your pants and on the game.”

  “Chi Chi,” I snapped.

  She only laughed.

  The game continued. Reed hit a high pop fly his second time at bat, which was caught by the opposing team’s center fielder. In the bottom of the seventh, he hit a home run and we went crazy. The Bandits won six to two.

  “Fix your mess quickly. Game-winning sex is almost better than makeup sex and you could have both.”

  If it was only that easy. My heart wanted Reed more than anything in this world, but my mind argued with what was best for him.

  I wasn’t sure what to do now that the game was over; Chi Chi told us to wait. The team came out and started signing autographs and talking to fans. Reed had his share of families, but I saw several young women standing very close and not leaving as the others moved off. Reed was polite and signed one woman’s t-shirt above her overly large breasts with a pen she handed him. For the first time, he looked over at me and winked. The jerk. I realized my hands clenched tightly into fists and jealousy had me wanting to tear the woman’s t-shirt to shreds. Why was my brain so damn scattered when it came to him?

  He managed to break away, walking straight to me. He hooked his arm around my neck and pulled me close. His female fan club watched with mouths slightly agape.

  “Miss you, baby,” he said against my lips, but he didn’t kiss me, just turned to Jon and Bitsy. “Does everyone want food? I’m starving.”

  Bitsy jumped up and down shouting, “Pizza, pizza.”

  “You live off pizza, squirt, but I’m in.” He slowly released me. “I need to grab my bag. I’ll meet you out front at the car in a few minutes. Jon, you want to come with me and meet some more teammates?”

  Like he needed to ask Jon twice. They walked away, Sal came for Chi Chi, and Bitsy and I went to the car. My head was a whirlwind of confusion, but just that small touch from him made me feel better than I had since last night. I knew he was still mad, but he’d softened, and maybe we could talk later. Who was I kidding? Talking was the last thing on my mind. I needed Reed Tyler’s body buried deeply in mine, and I still didn’t know how I could ever live without him.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Sal, Chi Chi, Clare, and Dustin joined us for pizza. If I thought Reed was a little boy when playing with Jon and Bitsy, he took it to an entirely different level with his friends. It was worse than playing horse on Reed’s basketball court. The guys were ruthless unless Bitsy was in a game. It didn’t matter what they played; if she was in it, she won. Jon had to fight for every inch because they treated him as an equal, and I figured it was a man thing.

  We made it back to the hotel late. Reed helped me tuck Bitsy in, said goodnight to Jon, kissed me on the cheek, and walked to the front door. I stood in confused silence. He was leaving me alone again tonight. Jon watched me with an evil grin as I stormed into my room. If it wasn’t for my exhaustion after two nights of no sleep, I don’t think I would have passed out the way I did.

  Bitsy landed on my bed the following morning dressed in a different Disney shirt ready to hit the amusement park. I showered and walked out to a full breakfast laid out on the table. Reed was waiting almost as impatiently as Bitsy was. He kept her occupied while I ate. She was bouncing off the walls in excitement, and how could I not smile?

  I can’t even describe our day. Magical, draining, and absolutely perfect. Reed held my hand, touched me every chance he got, and acted like all was right with our world. The park was too much for only one day, and Jon and Bitsy wanted to go to Epcot later in the week. They both refused to miss any of Reed’s games.

  I couldn’t have been more shocked when I found Chi Chi and Sal waiting in our suite when we returned.

  “Pack a bag quickly. You and I have another room for the night and we’re spending tomorrow alone together,” Reed whispered in my ear.

  I think my heart stopped for a moment.

  “I’ll help,” Chi Chi said.

  She followed me into the room and surprised me by closing the door.

  “I don’t know how your man did it, but he finagled himself out of practice tomorrow. I’m staying with Jon and Bitsy and we’ll have a great day. Don’t worry about them, fix the problem, and get your happy back.”

  My hands trembled as I put a few things in my carry-on bag. I was unable to speak because I knew I would cry. Chi Chi didn’t say anything else, but gave me a big hug before we left the room. I said my goodbyes and walked out of the suite with Reed. He took my bag, looped his arm around my shoulder, and steered me to the elevator.

  The room he reserved for us was at the end of the hall on the tenth floor. It was small; most of the room was taken up with a king size bed. It had a small settee in front of the windows with comfortable chairs, but little else except the bathroom.

  “I swore I wasn’t doing this until after we talked, but I can’t help myself.”

  I turned toward Reed’s husky voice, and he kissed me. His lips possessed mine, his tongue dominated, and he let me know I was still his. Every part of me came alive. I didn’t want him to ever stop. He pushed me back until my legs hit the bed and then he was on top of me, his body pushing mine into the mattress.

  “Fuck,” he said when he finally pulled away.

  Our breathing was erratic, but I wanted his mouth back on mine. “Don’t stop, please, Reed,” I begged.

  He rolled completely off me so we lay side by side, both of us breathing loudly. “We need to talk, Jaycee. We need to work this out in your mind. I want you so bad it hurts.”

  I turned to my side and ran my fingers over the front of his pants along the thickness of his cock.

  “No.” He grabbed my hand and lifted it to his chest. “Here.” He placed my palm over his heart. “This is where it hurts the most. Lie back, baby, and talk to me. If you’re touching me, I can’t concentrate.”

  I did as he said, tucking my hand back to my side. “I don’t know what to say, Reed.�
��

  “It’s okay. I have things to say, things I want you to know.”

  I was willing to listen, so I waited for him to begin.

  His deep voice was whisper soft while he spoke, “Maggie was my nanny, and she raised me. My mom wanted me out of sight as much as possible. My earliest memories are of my dad or Maggie, never my mother. When I was five, my dad took me fishing. We had a blast. My dad dropped me at the front door so I could run and take a shower. My mom was sitting on the couch with two of her friends, at least I think they were friends.”

  Reed stopped speaking for a moment and cleared his throat before continuing, “I remember the look she gave me. Disgust, anger, and even at five years old I knew she resented me because I didn’t fit her definition of a proper wealthy kid. I will never forget what she said, ‘Go see your mother in the kitchen and remember to use the proper entrance next time.’ I walked toward the kitchen and heard one of the ladies say they thought I was hers. ‘Oh dear, no. My son’s away at boarding school. That one belongs to the maid. My husband is a little too informal with her, but after our tea, I will make sure she keeps her son out of the front part of the house.’ For the first time in my life, I realized my mom didn’t love me.”

  Reed interlaced his fingers with mine as he brought my hand to his lips. “I wanted a family. I wanted more sisters and brothers. I wanted my mom to love me, and my father to be a bigger part of my life. I know he tried, but my mother was impossible and he wasn’t strong enough to stand up to her, even for me.”

  He spoke with his warm breath running over my fingers. I closed my eyes, fighting back tears.

  “I want your family, baby. The one you built and hold onto with everything you’ve got. I want Jon and Bitsy to be part of me. But I also want you. I want to watch you finish college and go on to take the world by storm. When you’re ready, I want you to have my babies and add to our family. I don’t care about social status or how different our worlds are. I want you to make my world yours. Or, I’m willing to live with you, Jon, and Bitsy in your trailer and become part of your world. I’ll give up baseball if it means keeping you.”

  I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. My vision blurred because I couldn’t hold back my tears. “I love you, Reed.”

  “I know, baby. Will you marry me?” He didn’t roll my way or touch me except for my hand, which he squeezed just a little.

  We lay there staring upward, our breathing steady in the quiet room. I never imagined it would be like this.

  His voice broke into my thoughts. “I want to adopt Jon and Bitsy. I don’t want you to ever worry about them being taken away. I don’t want surprise home visits or you upset because I want to buy them something.”

  The tears were running down my face, into my ears and onto the bed. I took a breath, but still couldn’t talk.

  “No one could ever love you more than I do. Say yes, and I’ll prove it until the day I die.”

  “Yes.” It was only a whisper.

  I expected him to finally pull me into his arms, but he didn’t. “Do you think Jon and Bitsy will accept me too?”

  “They love you.”

  “I love them.”

  “Are you going to kiss me, Reed?”

  “Maybe.”

  A bubble of laughter came up from my chest and I decided I could hasten the inevitable. With my other hand, I ran my fingers over my abs, which were bare because my t-shirt pulled up slightly when Reed first lay me back on the bed. I skimmed past the waistband of my jeans and down between my legs.

  “What are you doing, baby?” There was humor in his voice.

  “Taking care of my needs because my fiancé won’t do it.”

  “Oh, don’t worry; he’s going to do it. Are you wet?”

  “Sopping.”

  He laughed full out. “What does it feel like?”

  This was exactly like our phone sex. “Warm.” I sucked in a breath. “Needy.” I licked my lips. “Desperate.”

  He released my hand. “Unsnap your jeans.”

  I did. “What now?” I asked.

  “Lift your hips and slowly push them down. Your panties too. I want you completely bare.”

  I silently followed his directions.

  “Now your shirt and bra, all the way off.”

  I dropped my clothes over the side of the bed.

  “Cup your breasts for me, baby, and pinch your nipples.”

  I couldn’t help the slight moan I made when I did what he said.

  His breathing was ragged. “How do they feel?”

  “Achy,” I said on a sigh.

  He suddenly got off the bed and disposed of his clothes. We were both sweaty from our day in the sun, but it didn’t matter. His unique scent was only stronger, calling to me louder.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said before moving over me.

  “So are you.” They were the last words I muttered, because he finally kissed me.

  I ran my hands over his shoulders, his back, and down to his waist. He used his knees to nudge my legs apart. Before I could take another breath, he filled me, slow and deep until every inch of him was sheathed inside of me. He rolled over, bringing me on top, but never stopped the kiss. He took my hips in his strong hands and moved me up and down over his length, my jellied legs on the outside of his. His cock hit just the right spot, the sweet spot. He continued the same steady rhythm, pushing me on and off his cock without ever completely withdrawing. I needed more and tried to speak, but his mouth wouldn’t allow speech. I was on the edge, so close, but needed more to cross over.

  He suddenly stopped, holding me away, and tore his mouth from mine. His eyes were so intense I had trouble breathing. “Do you love me, baby?”

  He was trying to kill me. “Yes.”

  His face was inches from mine, his breath against my lips. “Yes what?”

  “Yes, I love you.”

  “I know.”

  He slammed me down on his cock and I cried out. He no longer went slowly, but held me so I couldn’t do anything but take what he gave. This was my dominant Reed. The man who gave my body everything it needed.

  “Come now, baby,” he commanded.

  I closed my eyes and let the shock waves crash. He rolled us again and continued pounding into me until he gave his own shout.

  We fell asleep with him buried deep inside my body.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  We woke up a few hours later, made love then spoke about our dreams. Not our separate ones, but our ones together for the future. We took a shower and ordered room service.

  “Do you think Jon and Bitsy will want me to adopt them?”

  “I think they will. When are you going to ask?”

  “Tomorrow.” He looked at the clock and smiled. “Today, but right now, let’s go back to bed and cuddle.”

  I liked that idea, but of course, cuddling turned to sex before we finally passed out and slept until the morning sun was high in the sky.

  “Come on, sleepyhead, get up, and take a quick shower. I called Chi Chi and she’s heading to the practice field so I can talk to Jon and Bitsy.”

  His face was animated, and Reed the little boy was back. He was hell-bent on getting back to our suite as soon as possible. We showered together, but washed ourselves, which made me grouchy. I didn’t bother fixing my hair or I think he’d have strangled me. A little makeup and ponytail was all I had time for before he pulled me out the door. He carried my bag, so I guessed we weren’t going back to the room.

  Jon and Bitsy were watching television when we came in. Reed hugged Bitsy and kissed her cheek. Jon just looked quizzical.

  “I need to speak with you both…well…Jaycee too.” Reed was nervous, and my heart skipped a beat.

  Jon turned off the TV and waited.

  Reed sat Bitsy down on the couch then took the floor in front of them. He put his hand out to me and I walked over, took it, and sat down beside him. He gave me a grin then turned back to my brother and sister.

  He d
idn’t wait any longer. “I’m planning to marry your sister and I would like to adopt you both.”

  I watched him look back and forth between my brother and sister. Bitsy spoke first, “Would you be my daddy?”

  If hearts could break, mine would have at that moment.

  “I would love to be your daddy, Bits.” He turned to Jon, “I could be more like a big brother to you, Jon, if you don’t want to call me dad.” The hesitant smile he gave Jon twisted my gut as I waited for Jon to answer him.

  Jon’s voice was so full of longing. “You would adopt us? Give us your name, everything?”

  “Everything. It’s yours.”

  I hadn’t seen my brother cry since our mom died, but tears started running down his cheeks. Reed stood and pulled him into his arms in the same movement. He grabbed Bitsy and pulled her in too.

  He loved us. Reed Tyler wanted us, my family, all of us. Reed turned them slightly and looked over Jon’s shoulder. I’ll never forget his eyes—bright, glassy, and full of love. He beckoned me into the hug with his hand and I walked to my family.

  Jon was embarrassed when the hug finally ended, but Reed didn’t give him time to think about it. He walked to my bag and pulled out a box that he must have slipped inside earlier while I slept. He opened the box to reveal several smaller ones. He carried them closer, set three down, and held a fourth one out to me. Lifting the lid, he showed me the most perfect engagement ring ever. My breath caught. He went to his knee with Bitsy’s delighted giggles in the background.

  “Will you marry me, Jaycee Shumway?”

  He’d waited to do this in front of my sister and brother. “Yes, Reed Tyler.”

  He placed the ring on my finger and stood. He then kissed me quickly and turned to Jon and Bitsy. “I didn’t know if you would be willing to give up your last name and take mine, but then I figured you didn’t need to.” He picked up the smallest of the remaining boxes and opened it to show a beautiful silver bracelet with a nametag.

  Shumway-Tyler was printed on the front. My brother’s was leather with a silver nameplate and the same name. The third box held two bracelets, one for Reed, the other for me. I couldn’t believe he’d wear a bracelet with our name too. I also couldn’t believe he’d planned this for some time. How could I not love him?