Jessie’s jaw dropped and her eyes popped wide. “That rascal! But I’m glad he did, because you’re the best thing that happened to me.”
He wanted more than just the best. But could she forget someone she loved almost half her life?
“So where does this leave us?” he whispered.
“Friends?”
“Or more. Jessie, I’m not going to lie to you. I’m not marrying Su-Bin. I should have told you earlier but I didn’t want to ruin things.”
“Why does she think she’s marrying you?”
“It was partially my fault. I figured having a wife whose father’s company sponsors my team would help my career. But now, I realize I’m wrong. I don’t want my success to hinge on a father-in-law’s deals. I want to earn my spot on the roster.”
“But you’re good, aren’t you?”
“Hope so, but there are other factors on who makes it to the big leagues and not all of it has to do with how well I pitch and bat. Su-Bin says her father will pull the deal if I don’t marry her. Then the Rattlers will lose the Korean audience and they’ll dump me to the minor leagues.”
“What are you going to do? I won’t hold you back.” Jessica played with her heart necklace, holding her breath.
“Take my chances with you.” Jay cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.
Her sweet mouth opened to him and she inhaled, shuddering as her lips caressed his. He could taste all of her love, feel her emotions, sense the depth of her passion.
She broke the kiss. “I do love you, but I’m not ready right now. I have to go home.”
“I know.” He smiled big and wide. “I know you do, and I’ll wait for you. I’m not going to have another woman in my bed or in my heart, because I want to know that when you come back to me, you’ll have no man in your heart but me.”
She nodded mutely, blinking and braving a shy smile. “Hold me, Jay. Hold me until I have to go.”
He kissed her, wrapped her in his arms and pulled her down to the bed, cradling her. A lump rose in his throat, his heart aching to ask her to stay, to tell her their time wasn’t up, that they could make it work.
He ran his fingers through her sleek, silky hair, inhaled her beautiful scent, and pressed her close to his heart. He kissed the back of her head, around the rim of her ear and sucked on her neck, hard enough to bruise and mark her.
They lay in bed, gazing at each other, guarded yet vulnerable, distant and close, quiet with unspoken words. He made no move to make love to her, the moment being too sacred, too powerful, knowing that if they met again, it would be for him to hold her forever.
Chapter 12
~Jessica~
Six months later.
It’s just been me these days. Alone. Traveling around. I must have killed my inner goddess the day I shoved the G-spot vibrator into her mouth. But in a way, it’s freeing not to have to deal with her discouraging snark.
Unfortunately, I haven’t seen Jay either. Oh, I’ve watched him, stalked him on the internet. Su-Bin’s married to a Korean businessman twice her age, and Jay’s been sent to the minor leagues. He’s still a pitcher and is popular with the fans, but he hasn’t been seen with any other woman.
I don’t need G to berate me that I’m more in love with Jay than ever. Tonight’s the minor league championships. I’m covering it for my sports blog, and I’m ready.
Finally ready to let throw caution to the wind and let love take me wherever it goes. Tonight’s the night I strap on the bungee cord and jump for Jay.
I kiss the rose-gold heart of Jay and breath my prayer to the universe.
All I need and want is Jay to be mine.
~Jay~
Jay bent over his knee on the pitcher’s mound and peered at the catcher’s signals. The count was three-two in the bottom half of the final inning of the Triple-A minor league championships. His team, the Copperheads, was up by one, but the bases were loaded. Everything came down to the last pitch. If he walked the guy, the game would be tied.
The catcher signaled a change-up, but Jay disagreed. The batter, a muscular power hitter looked like he was raring to hit a grand slam home run. Young macho guy like that would rather go down swinging than be called out.
Jay narrowed his eyes and appeared disinterested. He stretched up lazily, kicked a little slower than normal and threw the pitch low without much spin. It danced alluringly, appearing to hang, but dropped at the last moment.
Swing and a miss. Strike three. Cheers erupted from the crowd and the Copperheads emptied the dugout, hoisting Jay on their shoulders. They’d won the Triple-A minor league championship. Sure, it wasn’t the World Series, but it meant a leg up for the September call-ups to the big leagues.
Back in the locker room, everyone congratulated Jay, from the manager and coaches to the ball boys. One by one, the players finished showering and met their wives or girlfriends. Jay had been a loner all season, preferring to go back to his hotel and keep up with Jessica’s blogs, well, more like stalk her blogs.
She had several: a travel one, a food blog, and a sports blog. She’d go off the superhighways into the small towns and report on sporting events such as barrel racing or pinewood derbies, coloring them with local content and recipes. She had quite a following too and had won several prestigious blog awards.
“You sure you don’t want to celebrate?” his catcher said. “I mean, this is a big deal. We’re champions!”
The only champion he wanted to be was Jessica’s.
“I’m good.” Jay tore off his jersey and grabbed a towel. Even though, this was only the minor league championship, it felt good to be a winner on his own terms.
Su-Bin had made good on her threat. Her father had cancelled his sponsorship. Jay worked his tail off during spring training, but at the end, he was cut from the Rattler’s active roster and sent to the farm team.
Tonight was the crown of his achievement. Most Valuable Player and champion professional pitcher. That last knuckleball was the game winning clincher.
Jay wandered through the empty locker room to the showers. He cranked the water hot, and soaped himself, relaxing under the spray.
~Jessica~
“Everyone’s gone, Miss, except him.”
“Thanks.” I pay off the groundskeeper, my every nerve dancing with excitement. “We’ll be alone?”
“The whole stadium’s yours.” His eyes twinkle as he winks and hands me the key. “I’ve even shut off the security cameras, but it’ll be dark, you understand.”
“Absolutely.” I tip on my toes and give the old man a kiss on his jaw. He hooks a thumbs up and clambers out the door.
Once he’s locked the clubhouse, I feel my way to the locker room. A single light bulb illuminates the rows and rows of metal lockers. Steam rises from the shower area, accompanied by the sound of water.
Jay’s deep voice echoes, singing in Korean, a gooey song, warm and rich. The deep timbre of his voice caresses my every sense, hugging and arousing me. I catch a few words sa-rang hae-yo along with my name. He’s singing he loves me.
His beautiful back, all planes and ridges, is turned toward me. Streams of soap trickle down his shoulder blades, dripping over that tight fine ass.
My tummy flutters and that familiar tingling sensation floods my lower regions. Jay soaps himself, sliding his hands over shiny muscles, oblivious to my presence. His eyes are closed, and he rolls his neck and shoulders, relaxing them under the hot stream of water.
As if in a trance, I peel off my clothes. My nipples perk up and I wet my lips as I walk past a row of dormant showerheads.
I reach for his waist and curl my arms around him, my hands firmly pressed on that sexy V line over his hips. His muscles tense and he places his hands over mine.
“Tigress,” he growls. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
I rub myself against his rippling back muscles and allow him to turn me to his front. “Jay, I missed you so much. I’m ready.”
His grin grows and grows, h
is eyes narrowing into happy slits. He lifts me and spins me under the showerhead, laughing when I squeal at the deluge wetting my hair.
The next thing I’m aware of, he’s pressing me against the cool tile, the water still spraying us as his lips search and find mine. He captures my mouth, dragging his tongue around mine, hot, and needy, as if making up for all the time we lost. I’m melting faster than a snow cone in July and mewling with want and desire, and loving him, all of him.
“I want you, Jessie. Want to be inside you. Can’t wait.” His breath is harsh and the words sizzle into my mouth as he continues to grab and suck my lips.
I wrap my legs around his hips and ease myself over his swollen shaft. “Take me, Jay. All of me. I’m yours.”
He grunts and pushes himself into me, the friction so wonderfully tight. I sigh and moan, and the pleasure of being joined with him is so exquisite, so sublime that we both pause, marking the importance of this moment.
He comes up for air, breathless and his gaze dips to my neck. “You’re wearing my heart.”
“It’s been on me since the day you put it on.” I want so much to say that I love him, but I can’t pressure him, especially in the middle of making love.
The adoration in his face, the way he holds me like a precious treasure while buried deep into me, everything about this beautiful, wondrous man overwhelms me so that I’m hardly able to breathe.
“I love you, Jessica, love you so much, my little tigress.” He shuts off the water and disengages, setting me on my feet.
Whoa, I spin and wobble. He loves me, but he pulled out. My emotions don’t know where to turn, except I hold onto the gold heart, confused and elated at the same time.
Grabbing his towel, he wraps it around me and sweeps me into his arms. “Our reunion’s not going to be in the shower, but somewhere more special.”
“Where?” I hold onto him as he swings us out of the locker room.
He grins but says nothing.
My heart thumps wildly when I realize he’s taking me outside, through the tunnel and into the dark and empty stadium.
I can picture people up in the stands watching us, and even though there’s no one there, I can almost hear the crack of the bat, the loud cheers, a guy hawking hotdogs. The damp taste and smell of fresh cut grass and chalky dirt tells me it’s time to play ball.
Jay places me on the grass and spreads his large fluffy towel over the pitcher’s rubber plate. Holding his hand out to me, he leads me onto the towel and drops to his knees.
“Some girls make it in the dugout, others at home plate, but a pitcher’s woman, she’s got to get it on the mound.”
“Hey, everyone! Jessica here..."
“Hey, everyone! Jessica here. Was that hot enough or what? I’m still recovering here, but I love being a pitcher’s woman especially on the mound. Woot!”
“Ah, geez, Jessie, do you have to tell all?”
“Hey, if you’ve got it, why not? Everyone, thanks for reading our story. Be sure to stalk Rachelle Ayala cuz she has some scorchers.”
Jay blushes. “Not my type of book.”
“Really? Don’t you want to do research? I mean, there’s Choco and Carlos licking chocolate desserts, and Jaden and Ella on an elf’s bed, oh, gosh, Romeo, Romeo, where art thou?”
“No more. I’m not getting a motorcycle. Forget about it.”
“How about a hot tub?”
“Hang gliding.”
“Ahhh!!! No way.”
“Yes, bundled together way above the clouds. You game, Jessie?”
Author's Notes
I hope you enjoyed Jay and Jessica’s story in Playing the Rookie. Be sure to pick up the next baseball romance, Playing Without Rules: A ballplayer's girlfriend hides his daughter from him because she fears he's like his abusive father.
For more hot and fun couples, check out:
Vera and Zach in Knowing Vera
Evie and Romeo in Taming Romeo
Dylan and Carina in Whole Latte Love
Jaden and Ella in Played by Love
Choco and Carlos in Claiming Carlos
Teo and Amy in Roaring Hot!
Kelly and Tyler in A Father for Christmas
Brandon and Lacy in Christmas Flirt
Marcia and Brock in Playing Without Rules
Cade and Andie in Intercepted by Love
Please visit me at my blog and watch for more titles at http://rachelleayala.me/reading-guide/
About the Author
Rachelle Ayala is the author of dramatic romantic suspense and humor-laden contemporary romance. Her heroines are feisty, her heroes hot. Needless to say, she's very happy with her job.
Check out her website at http://rachelleayala.me
Fiction: Michal’s Window, Broken Build, Hidden Under Her Heart, Chance for Love Boxed Set, Knowing Vera, Taming Romeo, Whole Latte Love, Played by Love, Playing the Rookie, A Father for Christmas, Claiming Carlos, Roaring Hot!, Christmas Flirt, Playing Without Rules, Christmas Stray, Intercepted by Love
Nonfiction: Your Daily Bible Verse, Romance in a Month, 366 Ways to Know Your Character
Duke of Devonwood
Carly Carson
Copyright © 2014 by:
Carly Carson
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
This book was built at IndieWrites.com. Visit us on Facebook.
Praise and Awards
"I loved this book, it was sassy smart, and had some naughty bits to it! I really loved this book, I don't know how many times I can say it, it kept me entertained all the way through."
~ Heather Andrews [Top 1000 reviewer on Amazon]
"I was in the mood for a fun, uncomplicated romance – and this book delivered. It's a fun read, made me smile a lot, and there are some real sparks between Miranda and Devon, they are just the sort of person the other needs, someone strong and able to stand up and argue back."
~ Jeannie Zelos Book Reviews
Chapter 1
"What do you mean we don't have any money?" Miranda Foxglove pushed aside her half-eaten meal and glared at Daniel Hascombe, her father's lawyer. Now she understood why he'd insisted on meeting at a busy restaurant in the heart of Manhattan. He didn't want them to make a scene about the will. Too bad.
"My father," she snapped, "left a considerable estate."
Hascombe tapped the thick legal folder that held the will. "I told you the money was left in trust for the benefit of you two, and, of course, Mrs. Foxglove's children."
Miranda turned to look at her step-mother, Sharmie Foxglove, who was seated beside her, pretending to eat her striped bass. "Do you know anything about this, Sharmie?"
Her step-mother shook her head, her tousled blonde curls as artless as her personality.
Of course Sharmie didn't know anything about it. Although she'd been a devoted wife, she had no head for business.
Hascombe's face softened as he turned his attention to Sharmie. She had that effect on men, drawing out all their protective instincts. "Mrs. Foxglove," he said, "I think you appreciate the fact that your husband made sure the trust would last to provide for your young children."
Sharmie murmured incoherently.
Miranda grabbed her purse off the table, and pulled out a package of tissues. She was the type who was always prepared. Her father knew that. Just as he'd known she would be responsible, after his death, for Sharmie and her twin girls. That is, if they'd keep her in their lives. Miranda banished the lick of fear. First, they needed their money from the estate. Then she could figure out how she'd be so invaluable they'd never let her go.
She handed a tissue to Sharmie and then turned back to Hascombe. It would be best to agree with him as much as possible. "Exactly," she said with a forced smile. "We have young children to provide for. Therefore, since the money was left for our benefit—" she waved toward Sharmie— "we need some of
it now. There's no one else with a possible claim on the estate. My father had no other family. " Which meant that she didn't either. But that fact had caused her enough heartache. She didn't need to dwell on it now.
She couldn't even be sure Hascombe was listening to her. His attention was focused on Sharmie. For some reason Miranda could never understand, men were slavishly devoted to women like Sharmie, who were soft and flirty and, well, helpless. Miranda didn't want to be those things. But she understood how those qualities appealed to the male of the species. And that her lack of those very qualities doomed her in the 'finding true love' arena.
She didn't blame Sharmie for her mannerisms. Sharmie was who she was, sweet and loving and open-hearted. Sometimes Miranda wondered if she shouldn't soften the edges of her own determined personality. But, outside the wide windows of the restaurant, Manhattan hummed with the energy of the city at rush hour. More than anything, Miranda wanted to be back out there, rushing downtown to work on the details of the hatmaking business she'd planned to start with the funds from her inheritance.
She sighed impatiently. Now this white-haired, Armani clad, attorney-with-a-pinky-ring was telling her no cash would be forthcoming.
"Mr. Hascombe!" She tapped her fork against her wine glass to get his attention. "What do we need to do to get our money released?"
Hascombe chewed the last bite of his steak before speaking. "You may petition your trustee to resume your allowances while the estate is tied up in probate. I will be happy to handle that for you." He tossed down a large gulp of his wine.
Trustee? Miranda forced that question aside for the moment. "What about the capital?" She had been counting on that money to use to open her business. She'd laid her plans carefully, she was starting to see her thirtieth birthday grinning evilly ahead of her, and it was time to start.
Book Boyfriends Cafe Summer Lovin' Anthology 2015 Page 112