Even though she hadn’t seen him since the signing, she’d been very aware of his career in the major leagues. It was her job, after all. He’d won rookie of the year as well as two Cy Young Awards. He also had a reputation as a playboy and had been listed in People as one of the sexiest men alive. Twice. On the field, he’d been consistent and reliable up until the end of last season. This year, he’d showed up late to spring training and had been inconsistent ever since. His arm was still strong, but his accuracy was off. Way off. With the end of the season approaching and the Reds out of playoff contention, trade rumors were swirling. She’d warned the Reds to delve more thoroughly into what had caused him to disappear when he’d walked away from his contract before, but they hadn’t listened to her. They’d wanted him signed, so she’d delivered. And this time when they’d met again, she’d made certain she didn’t find herself alone with him again.
While Matt’s romantic exploits with models and actresses were tabloid fodder, Jaye had quietly achieved her current position. Alone. Sure, she’d had occasional dates, but no relationships. It turned out that Matt had been right. He had been hard to forget. The men she’d seen hadn’t come close to making her feel the way Matt had.
She checked her watch and walked back to her desk just as her phone rang. She lifted the receiver. “Hi, Stan.” The general manager in Miami called daily at ten. With the July trade deadline approaching, he was keeping in close communication with the AAA and AA managers.
“Baxter, how’s the weather up there?”
“Same as down there. Hot as hell.”
“July in Florida. God, I love it. Don’t you?”
“Yes, sir,” she agreed. “Who doesn’t love baseball season in the heat of summer? What’s the news?”
“Excitement’s in the air. Can you feel it?”
“I can. Don’t keep me in suspense.”
“The Reds are looking to move Ruiz, and they’re interested in making a deal for Kantz and Vito, with another player to remain unnamed for now.”
Jaye was glad she was sitting when Stan delivered the news. “How serious are we?”
“Legal’s inking the contracts as we speak. Can you make the arrangements to get Kantz and Vito to Ohio tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow?”
“Baxter, you off your game? You don’t sound eager. This is huge! We’re sending Ruiz to you in Jacksonville. We need him back in form so we can make a run at the post season.”
“That’s a bit of tall order, Stan. Have you seen his numbers?”
“I don’t really care about his numbers this year. I know what he can do. He still has a good arm. We just need to straighten out his head.”
“Nothing the Reds have done has worked, and he does have a reputation of being unreliable.”
“Didn’t you sign Ruiz for the Reds?”
Jaye hesitated. “Yes.”
“Perfect. So you have a rapport.”
“I wouldn’t say—”
“We’re writing you a blank check, Baxter. You’ll have capacity crowds with a name like Ruiz coming in. Add whatever staff you need to handle it. Get with Coach Anderson and Coach Flint and prep them. We want them to make Ruiz a priority. Get a sports psychologist in there. You writing this down?”
Jaye rolled her eyes. She knew what needed to be done. “I’ve got it.”
“And I want daily reports.”
“Of course.”
“In fact, I’ll probably come up there myself.”
“You know you’re always welcome, Stan.”
“Let’s find him a nice condo on the beach. I want him relaxed and distraction free. That means no women.”
“Stan, we can’t exactly dictate the man’s personal life.”
“With what we’re paying him, we can and we will. Look, we’re giving him a shot at a World Series ring here. I need you to make this happen, Jaye. And to that end,” Stan paused and then added, “if you can straighten him out and he gets us to the Series, there’ll be a job for you here with me in Miami.”
“As your assistant general manager?” If Stan wanted to offer her a job, she would let it be known which spot she wanted.
“That’s what I’m saying. Can I count on you?”
Without hesitation, Jaye said, “Of course. Consider it done.” She had to swallow hard around the lump in her throat before adding, “When should we expect him?”
“Tomorrow. The weekend at the latest.”
“Then I’d better get to work,” she managed, trying to sound upbeat.
“I’ll be in touch via email with the details.”
The line went dead. Jaye replaced the handset, but didn’t take time to process before pressing the intercom to her assistant’s desk. “Jackie, I need you to get Coaches Anderson and Flint on the phone and in my office for a meeting as soon as possible. I also need you to contact Aja Clarke and tell her we need to lease a furnished condo on the beach by the weekend. Price is not an issue. Something in a quieter area than Jacksonville Beach with security would be preferable.” Jaye paused and then said, “I’ll explain everything later. Just get this done please.”
“You got it, Chief.”
Jaye hung up the phone. The nickname she’d gotten when she’d been the scouting coordinator for the Reds had stuck. She sat back in her chair. That job had thrown her and Matt Ruiz together, and now it appeared they’d be together again—this time, however, in a strictly professional relationship. He was a player. She was his boss. It was as simple as that. Correction. It would be that simple as soon as she figured out how to be around Matt Ruiz on a regular basis and not react to him the way she had in Puerto Rico.
* * *
Two days later, Jaye again stood in her office at the windows overlooking the baseball field. The coaches and Matt Ruiz were on the field, talking. She was supposed to join her staff to officially welcome their new asset. And that’s what he was. An asset. If everything went according to plan, this would be her only direct interaction with him. She turned, smoothed her hair back towards her ponytail, and walked. All the air seemed knotted in her chest making breathing nearly impossible.
Florida’s July heat felt like a steam bath. Perspiration pooled at the base of her spine and lined her upper lip. She could feel her nicely starched shirt go limp and stick to her body. So much for looking confident even though she didn’t feel it. She nodded to her head of security as she walked down the tunnel to the field. Shoulders back, chin up, she strode out onto the field and approached the men standing close together. She’d done her best to prepare, seeing Matt again was a shock. He looked different—more refined in designer clothing, a thick stack of silver and black leather bracelets, and a large diamond earring. An expensive haircut ensured every strand of his wavy black hair was in place. Even with the changes and all that had happened between them, her knees still went a little wobbly when she saw him.
“Gentlemen, it’s a beautiful day at Rays stadium.” She walked directly to Matt and held out her hand. “Matt, welcome. I trust your flight was pleasant.”
He hesitated before taking her hand; leaving her feeling awkward and wondering if he intended to refuse her attempt at setting a professional tone. When he did take her hand, the shock of his touch was electric. Surprise briefly flickered across his face. Surely he’d known she was here. “Ms. Baxter. This is quite the twist of fate, wouldn’t you say?” A rakish smile that didn’t warm his pale green eyes transformed his features nonetheless.
Jaye was sure that smile was designed to make women swoon, but not her. Not here. Not now. Not ever. But still, her heart raced. If she could survive this, it would be a miracle. “American baseball is a small world.” She pulled her hand back and rubbed her palm on her pants. “It’s not so surprising we should meet again.”
That smile still in place, Matt said, “I expected it to be much sooner, but, if memory serves, you left the Reds not long after signing me.”
Jaye smiled as well. “What can I say? The Marlins made me an offer I co
uldn’t turn down.”
Matt tilted his head as he looked at her. “The league’s only female general manager.” He nodded, acknowledging the accomplishment.
The head coach, Norris Anderson, jumped into the conversation. “She runs a damn tight ship. First rate. One of the best I’ve ever seen.”
Jaye laughed. “Thanks, Coach. Remind me to add a little something to your next paycheck for that.”
Serious, Coach Anderson added, “You’ve earned my respect and that of every other coach and player in this organization.”
“Here, here,” Mike Flint, the pitching coach added.
To Matt, Coach Anderson said, “They sent you here because of her, Ruiz. They trust that what we’re doing here in Jacksonville will get your career back on track. You’re a priority. It’s gonna take some damn hard work and commitment from you, but we’ll do whatever it takes to see it happens.”
Matt shoved his hands in the pockets of his black designer jeans and avoided eye contact, not speaking.
“Look, we know this trade happened quickly and that you had little choice in the matter,” Coach Flint said. “You’ve had a tough year, but we’ll get you to Miami as quickly as possible.”
“I’ll leave you gentlemen to it,” Jaye said. She turned back to the man she hadn’t seen in more than two years. “Matt, again, welcome. You’re in excellent hands. We have every confidence in a positive outcome.”
As she walked away, relief flooded her until she heard Matt say, “Thank you.” Surprised, she stopped. She wanted to keep going, but something in his tone had her stealing one more look at him. The warmth in his eyes told her his thanks was genuine. Since she couldn’t speak around the knot in her throat, she simply nodded and returned to her office to recover.
8
The coaches gave Matt no time to settle in. They put him through his paces with meeting after meeting: a doctor’s examination, trainer evaluations, strength and conditioning coaches, throwing, and a new catcher—a veteran up to the task.
Matt tossed his glove into his new shabby locker in the AA club’s equally shabby locker room. This was what he’d become. A task. A minor leaguer again. He was tired, in need of a shower, and pissed.
He walked out of the locker room with no idea where he was going, but he had determination on his side. He found his way up to box level and walked the corridor until he found a door marked, “Employees Only.” He tried the doorknob and found it unlocked. Inside, the reception area was empty, so he continued into the opened door beyond.
When he entered, Jaye stood, surprised. “Matt.”
He closed the door. “You used to call me ‘Matteo.’ I liked the way it sounded in your soft, southern accent.” As he approached her, she stayed behind her desk, using it as a barrier between them, as if a physical object could be more effective than what had passed between them.
“What are you doing here?”
He braced his fingertips on her desk and leaned towards her. The scent of her perfume aroused vivid memories of her, of them, sweaty and naked in his bed. “You thought you’d make an appearance with the coaches as buffers and then dismiss me completely?”
Jaye crossed her arms. “I thought I’d do my job, welcome you, and then come back to my office and continue to do my job.”
“I see.” He straightened and trailed a hand along the slick surface of her glass-top desk as he moved to the end of it, not looking at her. “I am a part of your job.” He gave her a hard, assessing look.
“Yes.” The word sounded uncertain to his ear.
“Does it help?” he asked softly, still looking at her intently.
“I—I don’t know what you mean.”
“Lying to yourself. Tell me, do you believe these lies?”
“Matt—”
“Matteo,” he corrected softly as he moved around the side of her desk. She backed away, but that didn’t stop him. He’d imagined this moment a million times, and now that she stood before him, he had to touch her if only to make sure this was real and not just another fantasy he’d woven in his mind.
“Matt,” she said more firmly. “I am the general manager. You are a player on this team. You work for me. You are a job to me. Nothing more.”
“Even lies sound seductive spilling from your lips. Tell me,” he continued to follow her retreat about the room like a panther stalking its mate, “have you thought of me?”
She took a step forward, shocking him so that he stopped. “Why would I when you so clearly have not thought of me. It seems you have a different celebrity on your arm in every city you travel to.”
“And that bothers you?” he asked, smiling.
She folded her arms again and turned to look out at the field. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
He walked up behind her, close enough to feel her warmth. He lightly touched her hair because he couldn’t stop himself. It looked like gold in the light of the setting sun. “You chose this, mia. It was not what I wanted.”
“I know,” she admitted softly.
“Why? Why did you go?”
“I had to.”
He brushed her ponytail aside and caressed the back of her neck. Her shiver of awareness spoke her true feelings. He still affected her as she affected him.
“Why?” he pressed.
She turned. The look in her soft brown eyes froze him. “You know why.”
“Your job,” he said flatly and took a step back, remembering, feeling the pain of her rejection all over again.
Jaye followed. She pushed against his shoulder, pushed so hard he stumbled. “Yes, my job,” she said the words firmly, succinctly, and pushed him again. “I’m lucky I didn’t get fired. I’m lucky you signed and no one found out about us. I was also lucky the Marlins offered me a job because I couldn’t possibly risk staying in Cincinnati and—and—”
“And what?” He took her hand to prevent her from poking him in the shoulder again. “Have a relationship with me?”
She stepped back, away from his touch. “Please. You didn’t want a relationship with me. You made that clear.”
“Me?” he said, surprised at her accusation.
“You never tried to contact me after I moved. With the two of us no longer working for the same team, we could have been together.” She paced back and forth in front of him, but stopped and spoke softly. “And now, here we are, working for the same team again. I should have contacted you.” She shook her head. “I started to, but then I saw the press.” When she continued, her voice was flat, devoid of emotion. “It was clear you’d moved on.”
Her words sliced into his heart. “You told me it was over. Your last words to me were that what we’d had was a brief encounter—only that. And then I signed, hopeful that I could convince you otherwise, only to find you gone when I arrived in Cincinnati.” Matt stepped forward and grasped Jaye’s shoulders, forcing her to face him. “I thought you didn’t want me.” She tried to move away, but he didn’t release her. “Look at me, Jaye.”
She put a hand against his chest and pushed. “I can’t.”
Her eyes were shiny when she turned away from him. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but the look on her face confirmed it. She’d wanted him to come after her, but he’d thought she hadn’t wanted him. He raked a hand through is hair. “My God.”
“Exactly.” She sat in a chair by the windows and stared down at her clasped hands. “You became this playboy with his picture splashed all over the media. I felt like an idiot for having ever entertained the thought that you might have cared for me.”
Matt sprawled on the couch opposite her. “I was trying to numb the pain,” he admitted, not proud of his actions, but he couldn’t change it now. “Seeing the look on your face right now gives me new pain that pales to what I felt before.”
Jaye went back to her desk. “You should go,” she said softly. He could tell she was trying to hold herself together but was losing the battle. A gentleman would do as she asked. He stood, intending to give her th
e space she needed, but instead of walking out the door, he found himself in front of her, touching her face. The next thing he knew, she was in his arms, and he was holding her tightly to his chest, against his heart where she belonged—where she’d always belonged. “Mi corazón.”
She grabbed handfuls of his compression shirt, pinching his skin in the process. “We can’t do this.”
He kissed her hair, her forehead, her temple, desperate to find her lips.
She tried to push him away, then pulled him in, then pushed again. “We can’t,” she repeated, but added, “Not here.”
Hope opened inside his chest for the first time since she’d left him at the airport in Puerto Rico. “Meet me, then. Anywhere. Tonight.”
“There’s a car waiting downstairs to take you to your condo.”
“Come to me there?” he asked, then held his breath as he waited for her response. His experience of leaving her up to now had only resulted in him losing her. She hesitated, but nodded. With his hand at her chin, Matt tilted her head up so he could look into her beautiful eyes. “Promise me.” She nodded again, her eyes bright with emotion. “I need your words,” he insisted.
“Yes,” she agreed. “I shouldn’t, but . . .” She put her hand against his heart. “I will.”
Matt wanted to kiss her but knew if he did, he wouldn’t be able to stop. So he pressed a kiss to her palm. He felt her heartbeat against his thumb as he touched her wrist. His Jade, real and warm, standing before him.
“Soon.” He whispered the word that was both a request and a promise, then left.
9
Jaye drove into the parking lot of the upscale beach complex. The condo they’d found for Matt was oceanfront in a quiet, trendy development just outside of Jacksonville near a village with shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars with live music. The gated community had only twenty units, so the residents could enjoy their privacy—something that would be good for a celebrity like Matt. That’s who he was now. Matt Ruiz, major league pitcher, someone she didn’t really know.
Played: Scandalous Moves Series Page 5