Star-Crossed in the Outfield (All About the Diamond #4)

by Naomi Springthorp

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kristina

  I wake up early the next morning in bed alone. I knew it. Stupid ball players! There’s no way he stayed all night with me. I roll over and hide the tears that are forming on my pillow, I can’t believe I thought he might really want me enough. A minute later there’s a body in bed next to me and arms wrapped around me.

  I smile internally and roll over, so I can use him as my pillow. My hands exploring his bare chest and abs while he cradles me in the crook of his arm. I gaze into his eyes, leaning forward to kiss his cheek before I burrow into his embrace. I fall back to sleep, not wanting it to end.

  We’re both startled by someone knocking on my bedroom door and I call out, “Yea? What?”

  Mason talks through the door, “Uhhh, is Cross in there?”

  “Yes. I’m sleeping,” he responds on a grumble and pulls me closer to him.

  “About that, we have to be at the stadium in less than an hour and I don’t have my truck with me.”

  “Dude, we have time. Report time is three hours from now,” Chase corrects him.

  “I have to be there early. So, let’s go,” there’s a nervous tone to Jones’ voice. Makes me wonder if he’s lying.

  “I’m not ready to leave. Get an Uber.” Chase focuses on me, tracing my lips with his finger.

  His soft, warm touch melting me. I sigh unintentionally.

  His eyes light up and he grins as he presses his lips to mine. “How do you taste so sweet?” He says softly and continues to kiss me. He swipes his tongue across my lower lip, then tugs on it and my belly flutters.

  “Cross, come on! You owe me one,” his tone is almost desperate.

  Chase takes a deep breath, “Fine. Grab my keys and I’ll meet you at my truck in a few minutes. I’ll drop you off on my way home.”

  “Thanks, man.” I hear Jones walking around and keys clanking as the door to my apartment closes.

  “I wonder what that’s about.”

  “I don’t care what he’s got going on. I’ve got you,” Chase kisses me sweetly and brushes my hair out of my face.

  I hear myself giggle like a schoolgirl, and it’s new to me.

  “I like that sound. Mason can wait,” he trails off as he claims my lips gently with his.

  Oh yes, Mason can wait. Chase can kiss me like this all day and anywhere he wants.

  Chase

  I finally have Kristina in my arms and wanting me. Fucking, Mason! He’s full of shit. He doesn’t have to be at the stadium early. He can wait in my truck until I’m ready. Her sweet laugh has me hard again and I already jerked off earlier when I woke up painfully in need. I need to have control. I don’t want her thinking this is about getting laid. But, her skin is so smooth and she smells sweet, exactly like how she tastes. The way she’s responding, she’s giving herself to me. I can do this, I mean not do her. My will power won’t let me down. It’s okay, hold her and make-out with her. This chick, she fits in my arms perfectly like it’s where she belongs. I want more of her. I’m in my head while I’m kissing her and my hands are on their own mission exploring her body. I catch myself with the tips of my fingers slid between her and the elastic waistband of her shorts, and my other hand up her shirt on her bare back. She wants more and I know my limit, any more and I won’t be able to stop. I pull my hands back quickly and wrap my arms around her, not giving up her lips.

  She whimpers a complaint at me and pulls away, staring into my eyes, “What happened? You don’t want to touch me?”

  “I’m sorry, I lost control. I want to touch you and so much more.”

  “What if I want you to lose control?”

  I chuckle nervously, “I’m not ready.”

  “How many girls have you been with! You’re not ready?”

  “None of them mattered. None of them were you.” What am I saying? She’s a runner! I’ll scare her away.

  She looks at me funny, cocking her head to the side like she does when she’s thinking, “Okay. I like how you were touching me. You made me relax last night and I never really sleep. Thank you.”

  I hold her tight against me and she snuggles into my chest, taking my hands and moving them where she wants them. One up her tank top on her bare back and the other at her waist. I move my hand slowly across her back, appreciating her, and I feel her breath hitch at my touch. “You’re beautiful.”

  She gazes into my eyes and smiles. I’m drawn to kiss her. I can’t help myself. I’m like a moth to a flame when it comes to seeing her happy, her gorgeous smile. I stop before I kiss her and move my hands to her head, threading my fingers into her hair and holding her where I want her. I kiss the tip of her nose and she giggles. I kiss each of her eyelids. I kiss her temple and drag a line of kisses to her jawline, appreciating every piece of her and tipping her head back ready to taste her neck. It’s not time for that yet, so I press my lips to hers. Sucking and nibbling on her sweet lips, our tongues tied together in a seductive dance that’s testing the limits on my will power. It’s obvious she wants this to go further and she wants it now. I want it now, too.

  Michelle’s bedroom door slams and she shouts, “He really left!” Followed by an impressive string of creative cuss words, “Son of a mother humping burnt hairy twat waffle! Damn it!” Doors continue to get slammed in the kitchen and she’s stomping around loud on purpose. I look to Kristina, “I’m guessing I should go now.”

  She nods in agreement, “Roommates can suck. But, I need to check on her.” She stops and then starts again, gazing at me, “I don’t want you to go. We both need to get to work anyway. I’ll see you later.”

  My cheeks warm and I grab her, kissing her silly. I pull my jeans and shirt on, and she follows me to the door, “Thanks for coming over. I had a good time.” I grab her again and lift her off the ground to plant a kiss on her. I need her to keep thinking about me.

  “You’re still here? Gah!” Michelle walks into the room.

  “I’m leaving, and good morning to you, too.” I turn to my girl and give her a quick peck on the cheek, “See you later, Sweetness.”

  I didn’t get laid and that’s a good thing, though I don’t think I’ve ever imagined myself saying those words together. I have more energy than usual as I run down the stairs to my truck and find Mason sleeping.

  From @Kristeeeeena - I want another kiss, but don’t come back up. Bad idea right now.

  From @Kristeeeeena - Just want you to know I still want another kiss ;)

  To @Kristeeeeena - Good

  To @Kristeeeeena - I’ll have some ready for you when I see you.

  Kristina

  “Why are you smiling like a fool?” Michelle walks into the room irritated, as I’m messaging Chase.

  “I’m not.” She glares at me. “Whatever, you’ve been with Mason every second since you met him.”

  “So, what’s the deal? I thought there was a boycott on baseball players.”

  Huh, “The deal is that I was enjoying myself, but you and your boy kept blowing the mood with your interruptions and slamming doors. I’m allowed to enjoy myself, right? Boys are allowed in my room, mother?” My words spitting from my mouth before I filter them and not what I intended. “Besides, I think the issue we should be discussing is you? What’s got you in a tizzy?” I’m not discussing Chase. “I’m waiting.” I stare at her tapping my foot with my arms crossed. “Is he a bad kisser or something? Tiny peen?” In my head, refuses to give it up and get laid? “Spill it! What’s the deal?”

  “I don’t know if he’s a bad kisser. His peen is fine. His arms are strong and muscular, awesome wrapped around me.”

  “I know you’ve kissed other guys. He’s just okay or what?”

  Michelle hems and haws around, not wanting to answer my question. “He hasn’t kissed me, other than a kiss on the cheek and forehead.”

  “What? Yet, you know his peen is fine.”

  “Oh yeah! I felt it against me when he was holding me. I give it an A+ and I haven’t seen or touched
it.”

  “You could kiss him.”

  “Nope. I leaned in to kiss him, made sure he knew I wanted him to kiss me. He hugged me so I couldn’t kiss him and did his whisper thing.”

  “Whisper thing?”

  “It doesn’t matter. I think it’s his own version of mind control. He uses his words. It’s so sexy when a guy uses his words.” Michelle turns visibly red and I feel like I should spray her down with a hose or something. Well, Mason should use his hose. “I need a distraction. Tell me about Cross.”

  “He likes me. He’s hot. He’s a great kisser.”

  “And?”

  “And, what?”

  “The sex.”

  “We didn’t do that, but I think I could’ve got some if my roommate wasn’t being obnoxious.”

  “He stayed all night.”

  “Yes.”

  “He slept in your bed with you? He kept his clothes on?”

  “Yes and no, he slept in his underwear and they never came off.”

  “You turned him down because he’s a player?”

  “No. He didn’t even attempt. He kissed me and held me all night. I wanted him to do more.”

  “This is crazy. Cross stopped at first base and I can’t get Mason out of the batter’s box! Aren’t big league baseball players supposed to be players?”

  The irony isn’t lost on me. But, privately in my head I keep hearing him tell me, “I’m not ready. None of them mattered. None of them were you.” There’s no way I’m special to him. Is there?

  Chase

  I knock on my truck window loudly, waking Mason. He unlocks the door and I yell at him as I open it, “Dude! What the fuck? Are you trying to cock block me? Your girl put you up to that shit?”

  Mason sits up and swings his head to the right, then the left, popping his neck. He lowers the passenger window and stretches out with his elbow hanging out the window in his now reclined seat. He’s trying to ignore me and reaches to change the station on my radio, but I smack his hand away and point to the decal on my dash that says, “Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole.”

  “What happened in the girls’ apartment?” I ask.

  “You won’t understand. I had to get out of there.”

  “Why? I thought you dig Michelle. She seems like a cool chick.”

  “I think Michelle’s great. I want to spend time with her and get to know her. I don’t want to be led by my dick.”

  “Okay, what’s the problem?”

  “It’s your fault. She’s been fine with me being sweet to her, holding her hand, whispering in her ear, spending time with her. Then you go having a make-out session in front of us and carry Kristina off to her bedroom, shutting the door behind you.”

  “We were kissing.”

  “Kissing leads to other stuff.”

  “You haven’t kissed her yet?”

  He turns away and doesn’t even look at me.

  “Dude, you need to kiss her. You need to find out what it feels like to kiss her.”

  “No, I don’t. It won’t change how I feel about her. She’s perfect for me in every way.”

  I lean over my steering wheel and turn toward him, “You spent the night with her on my couch and never kissed her?”

  “Oh, I’ve kissed her, but only a peck here and there.” Mason continues talking to the window, “I can’t be one of those guys that fucks everything with two legs, that’s not me. No offense.”

  “None taken, and for the record I only fucked the ones that were looking to fuck. I don’t lead chicks on and I don’t break hearts.”

  “Good to know. Michelle has been worried about that.”

  “I don’t understand how it’s okay to spend the night in her bed, but not kiss her.”

  “I slept on the couch. I know we were on your couch together. I couldn’t help myself. You weren’t there to see it. I was grinning at her and we were making eye contact, she giggled and kept sitting next to me while we were playing games. She even brushed against me when we were goofing around. She had slipped her shoes off and was sitting cross-legged, and it was her turn to play. Man, she was beating me at my game and I was loving it. I reached over and broke her concentration, tickling the bottom of her foot. She squealed and hopped up real quick, dancing around like she thought a bug was crawling on her. I was interested before, but something about her reaction sealed the deal for me. It also got the attention of Stray, who suddenly had a Southern accent and was calling her darlin’. Cain stood up and took her hand, asking her if she was okay and offering to get her anything she wanted. And, Clay flashed his toothy smile at her and offered to let her sit in his lap, so he could defend her from creepy crawlies. Corey just sat there laughing at the whole thing and I had to do something. I grabbed her and took her down on the couch with me, kicked Stray off the couch and started whispering in her ear. I think she liked it because she rolled toward me in my arms and burrowed into my chest. It felt right, but I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “Get over yourself and kiss her already.”

  “She wants me to. I want to date her and I’ve never been good at knowing when to stop. I’m kind of an all or nothing guy.”

  “You can kiss her and hold her without fucking her. That’s what I did last night.”

  “It’ll be better if I wait.”

  “Dude, she’s going to think she’s friend zoned.”

  “She wanted to make-out like you were doing last night, and got mad when I wouldn’t. So far, my whisper has kept her attention.”

  “What kind of magic are you saying to her?”

  “I tell her nice things. Nothing magic, just the truth.”

  “She was pissed that you were gone this morning. Interrupted me for the second time this morning. Cock blocker number two.” The thought strikes me and I’m thankful for the interruption, my will power was losing this morning.

  “Michelle will be fine,” Mason nods his head and grins with confidence.

  Since I’m already at the stadium dropping off Mason, I decide to stay and get a good workout in.

  Kristina

  As I wander into the stadium, all I can think about is last night. He actually stayed the whole night with me. He didn’t expect anything. I don’t think I’ve ever slept that well. His kiss, his hands, his body, he makes me want more. I pushed against his hard cock and he stopped me. He’s not ready. It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. He’s basically been fucking every woman who wants him for years. But, he’s not ready for me? I remember his words. “None of them mattered. None of them were you.” My body tingled at his words. His honest and sincere tone leaving no room to doubt him. He wants me enough.

  I want to find him and spend some quality time together in a private corner of the stadium. I know the stadium inside and out. There are plenty of places for some private time. I wouldn’t get naked here, but I’m up for a serious make-out session. Maybe he could finally get to second base. I daydream about Chase holding me up against a wall in a dark room, covering me in warm open-mouthed kisses from my lips, down my neck. My legs wrapped around him and my heat rubbing against his hard length. His warm breath on my neck as he whispers in my ear, telling me what he wants to do to me and telling me how I make him lose control. Thanking me for giving us a chance because he knows we’re right together.

  Unfortunately, I’m the only intern that’s not out sick today and I get to do everyone’s job. It’s going to be a long one. No time for fun. It’s a challenge I’m up to and a reminder to stay focused on my goal.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chase

  It’s almost game time. I haven’t seen Kristina at the stadium yet today and there’s a dude announcing.

  To @Kristeeeeena - I had a great time with you last night. Can I see you tonight?

  To @Kristeeeeena - I was hoping to hear you announcing today.

  From @Kristeeeeena - Sorry. Crazy busy.

  From @Kristeeeeena - Probably working late.

  From @Krist
eeeeena - See you soon! :) Go win!

  I’ll take it. At least she’s not telling me to go away.

  I walk up the steps from the clubhouse to the dug out and Mason grabs me to warm-up. I survey the scene as we walk out to the field. Seno warming up our pitcher. Sherry getting settled behind home plate. Mason starts in, “I got Michelle a ticket and she didn’t come to the game.”

  “Dude, she has a life and it’s not going to stop because she met you. She was pissed at you this morning.”

  “She’ll be fine.” He turns away from me and runs to the field doing sprints. He doesn’t have my speed and I run after him, challenging him to keep up. He meets me back at the foul line and our teammates egg us on to race, Cain and Brandt joining the contest.

  My speed is what I’m known for. I beat them all easily and hear yelling from the stands, “Woooowooo! Go Cross!”

  I turn to find Kristina standing at the first base wall, clapping with a huge smile on her face. It’s much better than yelling at me and cussing me out. She tilts her head to the side and waves me over. I can’t control my smile, “Hey, Sweetness.”

  She goes up on her tiptoes and whispers in my ear, “I only have a quick break, but I chose to spend it on you.” She kisses my cheek and turns around to run back to work, “I’ll be too late for anything tonight. Go win!” And she’s gone out of sight, but it makes me happy. She came looking for me and didn't have to be pissed to do it.

  Chase

  It’s the fourth inning and I’m sitting in the dugout, Seno pulls my cap off and gets in my face, “Are you in there?”

  “Dude. What?”

  “You tell me. What’re you doing because it’s not playing baseball.”

  I have no clue what he’s talking about and don’t respond.