Squeeze Play (Washington DC Soaring Eagles Book 1)

by Aven Ellis

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “This has been, without a doubt, the best meal of my life,” I declare, sighing happily as I put down my fork. “Did you know that Dover sole was a life-changing experience for Julia Child? She ate it in France and it transformed her perception of food. One delicious dish altered the direction of her life.”

  Brody smiles at me. “Did this meal do the same for you?”

  I grin. I have no shame that I completely polished off my perfectly prepared fish, served with a butter sauce with just the perfect hit of lemon.

  “This meal was sumptuous,” I say, thinking of the wonderfully salty and buttery oysters, which Brody and I both raved about. The magnificent golden roasted beet salad with local goat cheese and lavender-infused honey dressing. The delicate sole and Brody’s bone-in tomahawk ribeye, the biggest piece of steak I have ever seen in my life, cooked a perfect medium-rare and served with a luscious red wine reduction. I sampled Brody’s duck-fat roasted fingerling potatoes and he tried my white wine and lemon sautéed spinach. All paired with exquisite French wines, a lightly oaked chardonnay for me and a bold cabernet for Brody.

  “I agree with your grown-ass description,” Brody teases, his eyes sparkling at me. “It was a phenomenal meal.”

  “I will never forget a single bite of this meal, but more than that,” I say softly, “I’ll never forget that I had it with you sitting across the table from me. So yes, it did change my life.”

  Because sharing it with Brody makes me realize I don’t want to have a dinner like this with any other man. Nobody else makes this meal magical. It all comes down to the man who connects with me. Understands me. Makes me laugh. Makes me feel special.

  Only one man makes me feel this way.

  And that man is Brody.

  Brody stares back at me, and I know my words have touched him.

  He reaches for my hand, entwining his fingers with mine, and clears his throat.

  “You make me feel things I didn’t believe in,” he says quietly. “I never wanted this before. By this I mean taking a woman out and wanting to impress her and make her happy. See her face light up when a plate of fancy food is served to her. None of that mattered to me. I just wanted to hook up and have fun, then move on. But then you entered my life and not only do I want to be with you all the time, but I want to give you these things. It makes me happy to see your beautiful brown eyes light up in delight, to hear your stories and laughter, and to help you sort through problems at work. Because of you, I want this. I like the feelings I have when I’m with you.”

  I feel a lump of emotion rise in my throat. Brody is allowing himself to go somewhere he never envisioned with me.

  “You make me feel special, Brody,” I say, my voice thick when emotions I never thought I’d have at this point in my life.

  I study his face, which is showing everything he feels. For a catcher who hides behind a mask for much of his profession, there’s no mask here. I feel safe seeing the sincerity shining in his blue eyes, safe knowing his words are true and his actions come from his heart.

  And safe enough to end up in his bed at the end of the night.

  Servers appear and sweep our plates away, but my gaze never leaves Brody. Katia is right in step with them, presenting us with dessert menus and interrupting my thoughts.

  “Would you like some coffee this evening? Or an after-dinner cognac?”

  “Coffee for me, please,” I say.

  “Yes, coffee for me as well,” Brody says.

  “Very good, I’ll be back with those,” she says, smiling.

  I flip open the dessert menu, knowing I should say no. I’ve absolutely eaten enough food tonight, but I can’t leave this restaurant without at least having a taste of dessert.

  “What catches your eye?” Brody asks as he skims down the list of options.

  My eyes stop on one item, and I know we must get it.

  Earl Grey layer cake with vanilla buttercream frosting.

  “There’s a perfect dessert on here for us,” I say, wondering if Brody will get it.

  I watch as he begins reading and suddenly he stops. A slow smile lights up his face, revealing that adorable dimple in his cheek, and he lifts his eyes to meet mine.

  “Earl Grey cake,” he says.

  “You remembered.”

  “How could I forget? We’re getting that.”

  Servers appear with two white china cups and a small silver pot of coffee for the table, pouring some for me and then for Brody, and placing a tray with sugar and cream between us.

  Katia appears next. “Have we decided on a dessert this evening?”

  “Yes. We’ll share a slice of the Earl Grey cake,” Brody says.

  “Oh, that is my favorite dessert here,” Katia says. “Excellent choice.”

  She sweeps up the menus and disappears to place our order. As soon as she leaves, I turn my attention back to Brody.

  “This has been like a dream,” I say. “Thank you for this amazing night out.”

  “You deserve more of this,” Brody says firmly.

  “All I ask is to be able to be with you. I don’t need this all the time. It should be reserved for special occasions. I liked our night under the cherry blossoms with cereal just as much.”

  “So, would this include seeing me play? It wouldn’t exactly be with me, but you’d get to see me at work.” Brody asks as I pour some cream into my coffee.

  Oh!

  I put the creamer down and pick up my spoon, acting calm when I really want to scream “Of course I want to go to one of your games!”

  “I would love that.”

  “Would you and Katie want to go tomorrow night? We’re playing Chicago. First game in a three-game series.”

  “I don’t know how many ways I can say yes, but yes, yes, and yes!” I say excitedly. “Can I ask a huge favor?”

  “Of course,” he says, picking up the pitcher of cream and adding some to his cup.

  “Would it be possible to get a total of four tickets?” I ask. “There’s this wonderful elderly couple that lives on our floor, Barbara and Dominik. Dominik loves baseball, absolutely loves it, and I would love for them to go to a game. If this is too much to ask, I understand, but I’d like to treat them if I could.”

  “You have such a good heart,” Brody says. “Of course. Text me all the names tomorrow, and I’ll have the tickets at will call at the stadium.”

  “Thank you. They’re very special to me,” I say.

  As are you, I think.

  “Happy anniversary,” Katia says, returning to our table with a gorgeous layer cake. The words “Happy Anniversary” are piped in chocolate across the top of the plate.

  “Oh, that looks delicious,” I say, noticing how precise the cake to frosting ratio is of each layer.

  “Thank you,” Brody says.

  She leaves, and we each take a fork.

  “Happy anniversary,” Brody says, grinning at me.

  I laugh. “Happy anniversary,” I say to him.

  We each break into the cake with our forks. I eagerly sample it, and oh, my, this is without a doubt the most unique dessert I’ve ever tasted.

  “Oh, my gosh,” I say, pausing before another bite, “it tastes like a cup of tea with sugar and lemon! How did they do that?”

  “I don’t know, but it’s damn good,” Brody says, going in for another bite.

  We each eat a bit more, but it’s too decadent to finish the whole slice. After everything is swept away, Brody pays the bill, and we’re ready to go. He escorts me downstairs, and retrieves my coat from coat check, and helps me slip into it.

  “Thank you,” I murmur.

  “You’re welcome,” Brody says as he puts his hand on the small of my back as he ushers me out the door.

  The air is chillier now, and I’m grateful for the coat to cover my bare arms and legs.

  “Hayley, I have one more stop if you are up for it,” Brody says.

  “I’m game,” I say, excited that h
e has more planned for this evening. “Where are we going?”

  “I want to take in a certain view,” he explains as we reach our car.

  The city of DC passes by us, and before I know it, we’re at the Mall. The driver drops us off on Independence Avenue, and Brody tells him he’ll text him when we are ready to be picked up.

  “Are you up for a walk in those heels?” Brody asks, glancing down at my feet.

  “I can walk easier in these than in cleats I’m sure,” I say.

  Brody takes my hand in his, and we walk amongst the magnificent memorials that make up the National Mall. The moment is pure magic. The city is lit up, the stars are overhead, and a full moon cascades light down on us.

  “This city is spectacular,” Brody says. “I’m embarrassed to say I don’t know what all of these memorials are for,” Brody says. He points to a grove of trees where a circular, domed, white marble temple sits, lit up in the darkness. “What’s that one?”

  “That’s the DC War Memorial,” I explain as we walk toward it. “It honors DC residents who served in World War I.”

  “It’s beautiful,” he says. “It looks so peaceful tucked back in the trees like that.”

  “Come on, let’s go see it,” I say, inspired to show it to him.

  We head down the path to the memorial and walk up the stairs to it. As soon as we step inside, Brody glances up at the ceiling.

  “Wow,” he whispers.

  I stare up at it with him, studying the square pattern in the ceiling, and taking it in through his eyes as his first time here.

  We walk around the small open-air temple, and I tell Brody some of the history behind it. “The names of those Washingtonians who died in the Great War are inscribed on the base. It’s the only District memorial on the Mall.”

  “I have so much to learn about DC,” Brody says as he gazes out onto the Mall. “I know the big ones, obviously, but I had no idea this memorial even existed.”

  “This memorial was neglected for a long time. The marble was cracked and faded,” I say, running my hand over one of the columns in front of me.

  “How could that have happened? It’s something that honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Brody asks, surprise evident in this voice.

  “I don’t know, but luckily, people passionate about restoring it got funding and it was restored. It makes me happy, seeing it how it was meant to be. A place to honor those who served. And to have people like you discover it this way, as it is meant to be.”

  I turn and find Brody staring at me.

  “I’m glad I’m seeing it with you,” Brody says softly.

  He moves closer to me, sliding his hands up to my face, and places a gentle kiss on my lips as we stand inside the temple.

  Brody lifts his head, and I’m spellbound by the moment. The beauty of this memorial, the tenderness of his kiss, the way we both view the sacredness of the monuments in the Mall, no matter how long ago those veterans served us and made the ultimate sacrifice.

  “Let’s keep walking,” Brody whispers, stroking my face with his strong hands. “I have something I want to share with you.”

  I nod. “Okay.”

  We continue our stroll through the Mall, taking in the monuments as we head toward the magnificent Lincoln Memorial.

  Brody is holding my hand in his, and finally we reach that majestic spot, right at the base of the Lincoln Memorial. I gaze up at the steps that lead to the impressive Greek temple. Marble columns surround the huge statue of Lincoln, who sits staring out at the gorgeous reflecting pool, where the Washington Monument stands on the other side. Despite the late hour, people are milling about, taking in the history that is beautifully lit up in the darkness.

  “Come on,” Brody says, leading me up the stairs of the memorial.

  Half-way up the steps, Brody stops and turns around to face me.

  “Look at that view, Hayley,” Brody says, his eyes focused across the pool to the Washington Monument. “A year ago, I was in the minor leagues, playing Double A ball in Alabama, waiting for a chance to catch in Miami.”

  I turn my attention to him, wondering where he’s going with this story.

  “All I cared about was playing baseball in the majors. Nothing else mattered,” Brody says, his eyes fixed on the Mall. “Then I’m called up and I get my shot. I’m in Miami. I have the palm trees and the sun. My game is on fire. There are women if I want them. But all I wanted was to be a starting catcher.

  “Then I’m traded to DC,” Brody continues. “I’m excited. I know they traded for me because they want me to start. Now I know I’m going to be the guy for the Soaring Eagles. That’s all I cared about. It didn’t matter what city I was in. I didn’t care that I was in DC, the location was irrelevant. Being the starting catcher was all I needed.”

  Brody turns from the view of the reflection pool and Washington Monument and shifts his gaze to me. “And then I met you.”

  My heart thunders inside my chest. I hold my breath as I wait for him to continue.

  Brody clears his throat. “Hayley, I know this sounds insane to say after a week, but believe me when I say you’ve changed everything. I see things in a whole new way because of you. Baseball isn’t the only thing that I care about anymore. I think about you all the time. I can’t wait to be with you, and if I’m on the road, I can’t wait to talk to you. You make me happy. Now I see DC in a whole new light. It’s a city I want to know. I want to explore it, and that’s because this is the city that gave me you.”

  “I feel everything the same way you do,” I say, my voice thick with unshed emotion. “I want nothing more than to share DC with you. It’s our city now, Brody. It’s ours.”

  His hands are on my face and, not caring that we are in public, he drops his mouth closer to mine, speaking intimately against my lips so only I can hear him.

  “I want you,” he urgently whispers against my mouth. “I want you so much.”

  Then he eases my mouth open, kissing me under the moonlight on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in our city. I kiss him back, passion swelling within me, knowing that he wants this as badly as I do.

  Brody breaks the kiss and lowers his head to murmur in my ear.

  “Let me make love to you, Hayley. Tonight.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  I slide my hands up the pale blue fabric of his crisp dress shirt until I can feel his heart beating. Then I hold still and gaze up at him, seeing nothing but desire burning in his eyes.

  “Yes,” I say softly. “The answer is yes.”

  He responds by kissing me slowly and sweetly on the steps of the Lincoln Monument.

  “Yes,” he murmurs against my lips. “You said yes.”

  I laugh against his mouth before pulling back to stare up at him. “I should rephrase that. Yes, hell yes, this-grown-ass-woman-wants-you-to-take-her-home-right-this-moment kind of yes.”

  Brody’s face lights up into a wicked grin.

  “Hold that thought,” he says, reaching into his pocket and whipping out his phone. “Two important details I have to take care of first.”

  I laugh as I watch him type on his phone.

  “One,” Brody says as he types, “I’m telling the driver to get back here ASAP.”

  I grin. “And the second?”

  Brody finishes his message and holds his cell up to take a picture.

  “I want to capture this moment,” he says. “Of us. In our DC.”

  Our DC.

  And once again, another piece of my heart just fell for Brody.

  I know I’m beaming as he snaps a picture of us cuddled together with the reflection pool and Washington Monument towering behind us.

  “One more,” Brody says. “Hold on, I have to set the moment.”

  He starts singing “The Way You Look Tonight” and then dips me right there on the steps. A bubble of laughter escapes my throat, and holding me with one strong arm, he snaps a picture of us in this pose.

  Brody pulls me upright and sho
ws me the picture, and I can’t get over the look of joy on our faces. We are staring into each other’s eyes and laughing.

  As I study it, I feel it sums us up beautifully: two people who find genuine joy in being with each other, no matter what they are doing. It’s the picture of two people falling in love.

  And now we’re about to take the next step in our new relationship.

  “Come on,” Brody says, taking my hand in his. “I want to get home. Now.”

  I laugh as we hustle down the steps. We hit the sidewalk, and Brody slows his pace.

  “It is taking all my skills as a grown-ass man not to run right now,” he teases.

  “If this grown-ass woman wasn’t wearing heels, we would be running.”

  He laughs, and I do, too. We make our way back toward Independence Avenue, and as we pass by the DC War Memorial, I remember the gentle kiss he placed upon my lips there. I absently sweep my free hand over them, wondering how many times he’ll kiss me when we make love.

  We’re going to make love for the first time.

  All different feelings come right up to the surface from the mere thought of being intimate with Brody. I’m excited. Nervous. Curious. But overriding everything is an urgent physical desire that I’ve never, ever experienced before.

  I want him.

  I want to know his body. I want to be able to explore him, taste him, feel his heat when his skin presses against mine. I want that emotional connection that I’ve read about in books and seen in movies, that moment when two people become one and it truly feels like one.

  I steal a glance at his profile, admiring the contours from the stubble on his jaw to his dirty-blond waves, his strong cheekbones and perfect nose. I see his full lips and the urge to hold his face in my hands and kiss him until I can’t breathe is almost uncontrollable.

  Soon we’re at the curb, waiting for the car to pick us up. Brody moves behind me, his huge arms locking around my waist, and he bends down and lowers his lips to my ear.

  “I’m undressing you the second we close the door,” he whispers sexily, so only I can hear him. “Starting with this knot on your coat.”

  He runs his fingers slowly over the knot I’ve tied, sending pure heat shooting through me.