Charming the Shortstop

by Heather B. Moore

  Brighton rested her hands on top of the railing. “I think you have the best view in all of Seattle.”

  CHAPTER 16

  The breeze coming off the lake was cool, but Brighton had been feeling hot all night, so she relished in the coolness. She pushed the bits of hair that had blown out of her clip. Then she braced her hands on the railing again. The boat lights below and the moonlight from above created a magical setting. How would it be to wake up to this beautiful view every morning? The area boasted some of the priciest real estate in the city.

  Yet Axel’s condo was surprisingly sparse. He had baseball memorabilia that was worth a lot of money, but everything else was unassuming. “Do you spend any time out on the balcony?” she asked. Axel still hadn’t walked onto the balcony, but she could feel him watching her.

  “Every night when I’m home,” he said.

  “Even in the rain?” she asked without turning. There was an awning, but it would be cold and damp when it was rainy.

  “Even in the rain.”

  His voice was closer now, and goose bumps raced along her skin. She didn’t move. Didn’t turn. She imagined him sitting out here at night, alone. What did he think about? “How long are you in town for?” she said, noticing her voice sounded a bit faint.

  “Two days,” he said in a low voice. He was right behind her now. “Then we fly to Los Angeles to play against the Sea Rays.”

  Brighton tightened her hold on the railing. “Oh, so you’re playing Cole Hunter—I mean, Big Dawg.”

  “You have a good memory.”

  She exhaled. “Do you think you’ll beat them? I read about another pitcher being called up from the minors to play for the Sharks?”

  “That’s right. Our top pitcher is struggling. He didn’t even play tonight,” Axel said. “But we can hold off the Sea Rays.”

  She swallowed. “Is it hard on your team to have minor league players showing up?”

  “It’s just part of the game.” His voice was lower, softer. He rested his hands on her hips, and the warmth from his fingers was such a contrast to the cold air, she felt like she’d been shocked.

  “Brighton,” he said in that deep voice of his. “I’m happy to answer all your questions, and it seems you have quite a few, but it’s kind of driving me crazy.”

  Brighton was having a hard time breathing normally, because Axel’s chest was against her back, and his breath tickled her neck.

  “My questions are driving you crazy?” she asked.

  “Technically, you are driving me crazy,” he whispered, then he pressed his lips against her neck. His mouth was warm, and the scruff of his jaw skimmed her skin.

  Fire raced straight to her belly, and she was pretty sure the only thing holding her upright was the railing she still clung to.

  Axel moved his mouth to another location on her neck. “I think you should turn around and kiss me, Brighton West.” His hands slid around her waist, and she closed her eyes as he drew her against him. He then kissed her where the neckline of her T-shirt met her collarbone.

  Brighton released the rail and placed her hands over his. “What are you doing?” she whispered.

  “Kissing you on my balcony,” he murmured.

  “I thought you didn’t date,” she said.

  He pressed his mouth just below her ear. “That was before I met you.”

  Brighton’s heart skipped a beat. “You can’t say stuff like that unless you mean it.”

  He lifted one of his hands and ran his fingers up her arm. Her skin buzzed at his touch, and he didn’t stop at her shoulder, but took the clip out of her hair. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since Belltown. That’s never happened to me before.” His warm palm brushed against her neck as he moved his fingers through her hair.

  How was it that the same guy touching her so gently was the same guy who could throw a baseball hard enough to knock someone out?

  She closed her eyes as Axel’s lips moved to her jaw. Her pulse thrummed, and she couldn’t remember any of her reservations with this man. His touch and his warm mouth against her skin made every one of her senses come to life.

  “I haven’t stopped thinking about you either,” she whispered.

  “Mmm,” he murmured.

  She knew once she turned around to face him, the teasing would change into something more. She’d become deliciously lost in everything that was Axel, which was exactly what she wanted more than anything right now.

  Brighton rotated slowly to face him as his lower hand skimmed the edge of her T-shirt.

  His eyes were half open, and the desire she saw in them sent another flash of heat through her.

  “Sorry I didn’t call you,” she said.

  The intensity of his gaze reignited the fire in her belly. “I forgive you, babe.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. “Babe?”

  One of his brows quirked. “You’re definitely a babe, Brighton West.”

  “Hmm.” She slid her hands over his shoulders, his solid, muscled warmth contrasting with the coolness of her fingers. “I can live with that, I guess.”

  He hooked his finger in her belt loop and tugged her closer, until their bodies were flush. He gazed at her for a second longer, then he leaned down, and his mouth found hers. His kisses were like questions as he moved slowly, almost carefully, exploring and tasting.

  He backed her against the railing, which meant he only pressed closer. Brighton had been right. Kissing Axel was like stepping into another reality. She knew this wasn’t a dream, but it didn’t feel like reality either. His hand moved behind her head, and his fingers were buried in her hair as he angled his mouth and deepened his kissing.

  Brighton was definitely fine with him calling her babe. Any time. She gripped his sleeves at his biceps and held on, because kissing Axel Diaz took some endurance. He was warm and solid, intense and gentle, all at the same time. She wasn’t surprised that dozens of women, ones he didn’t even know, called him Heartbreaker Axe.

  Being held by him and kissed by him made Brighton’s heart feel very breakable. It wouldn’t be hard to fall in love with this man. Which was probably why she should slow things down. A lot.

  “Axel,” she whispered against his mouth. “You’re making me crazy too.”

  His laugh rumbled against her, but he didn’t relent his kissing.

  “Axel,” she tried again, moving her hands to his chest. “We need to slow this down.”

  He moved both hands down her sides, then he braced his hands on the rail on either side of her. His breathing was as rapid as hers. “We’re only kissing.”

  “That’s an understatement,” she said, running her hands down his chest, then lower.

  He groaned and kissed the edge of her mouth. “I don’t want to stop.”

  She smiled. “Me neither, but my thoughts are moving way past kissing, and I need to be the smart one here. The responsible one.”

  He rested his forehead against hers. “Now you want to be responsible,” he teased.

  She wrapped her arms about his waist and leaned against him. He pulled her tightly against him and rested his chin on top of her head.

  They fit together perfectly. Brighton closed her eyes and breathed in his clean-showered scent. She memorized his solid warmth, the feel of his arms about her, the length of his body pressed to hers, and how she could feel the vibrations of his pounding heart against her shoulder.

  “It’s my turn to ask the questions,” he said, his voice rumbling above her.

  She smiled against his chest. “Okay.”

  “What’s your schedule like this week?”

  “I fly out in the morning.”

  He drew away enough to gaze down at her. “Tomorrow morning?”

  “Yeah. I had yesterday and today off.”

  Axel exhaled. “Can you call in sick tomorrow? I have a morning practice, then we could, you know, hang out.”

  Brighton raised her brows. “Um, no. It’s my job. I can’t flake out.”
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  He lifted a hand to her face and traced her cheek. “I don’t want to wait another week before I see you again.”

  “Tempting, but no,” she said. “You might be Axel Diaz, home-run hitter and amazing kisser, but I have a life, you know.”

  He chuckled, then he slipped his hand behind her neck. “You think I’m an amazing kisser, huh?”

  She only smiled.

  “So stay the night,” he whispered. “I’ll be a good boy, I promise. I have a guest room. We could watch a movie, and I can tuck you in when you’re tired.”

  “Ha. Ha. Nice try.” Even if she didn’t have to report to work tomorrow, there was nothing in Axel’s suggestion that she could agree to. Or should agree to. As charming as he was, and as much as she wanted to accept, she didn’t want anything with Axel to be based on physical attraction. Well, more than things already were. If she ever did stay the night with him, it would be because they were both committed to each other.

  “I think you need to sit over there, Mr. Shortstop, and cool off.” She lifted her brows.

  “You think I’m too hot?” he teased.

  “Way too hot,” she whispered.

  He kissed her again, but it wasn’t an escalating kiss; it was more of a cool-down kiss. His mouth was familiar now, his kissing sweet, and when he broke away and released her, she regretted being responsible.

  Axel stepped back and slipped his hands into his pockets. “Want some ice cream?”

  “It’s probably melted by now.”

  “Let’s find out.” He winked at her and held out his hand.

  He might as well have kissed her again, because goose bumps skittered along her skin at the simple gesture.

  She grasped his hand, and they walked into the kitchen. Axel turned on a light, and sure enough, the ice cream was very, very soft. He grabbed two spoons and handed her one.

  “No bowls?” she asked.

  “We can share.” He scooped out a spoonful, then slid it into his mouth. After a second bite, he said, “It’s not bad.”

  Brighton dug in with her own spoon and took a bite. “This isn’t my favorite brand, but I still like it.”

  Axel smiled as she took another bite, then a third.

  “What?” she said. “You’re just going to watch me eat?”

  “I am.”

  She smirked and took two more bites. The icy, chocolaty goodness was a perfect end to a night with Axel Diaz. She set the spoon on the counter, then replaced the lid on the carton. “You should put it in your freezer. Then you can eat it later when you’re missing me.”

  “Oh, really,” he said, tugging her toward him. “That’s your solution.” He kissed the edge of her mouth. “You missed a spot.”

  Someone knocked on the door, and although it startled Brighton, Axel didn’t seem to care. He kissed her deeper, his hands straying over her back, then to her hips.

  The knock sounded again.

  “Axel,” Brighton said. “Someone’s at your door.”

  “They’ll go away,” he mumbled.

  “It’s kind of late,” she said. “Maybe it’s important.”

  Axel sighed, then he released her and walked to the door to check the peephole. Seconds later, he’d opened the door. “Silvia? Are you okay?”

  “Can you tell Mom that she can ground me any time except for tomorrow?” Silvia said in an upset tone, stepping into Axel’s living room.

  Then Silvia froze and stared at Brighton. The girl was beautiful, with her honey-brown hair and golden skin. Her eyes were a darker version of her brother’s.

  Brighton was still leaning against the kitchen counter, but she had a straight view from the kitchen to the front door. “Hi,” she said lamely.

  “Silv, this is Brighton,” Axel said. “Brighton, this is my sister.”

  It seemed that Silvia’s stress had disappeared, because she turned her wide gaze on her brother. “You have a girl over? Does Mom know?”

  Brighton wanted to laugh, and she folded her arms, watching Axel’s face flush.

  “Mom doesn’t have anything to do with Brighton being at my place,” he said in a calm voice, but Brighton heard the simmer.

  Silvia’s eyes were still comically wide. And even though it seemed she was good at giving her family grief, she was now grinning. “Oh my gosh, Axe. You’re on a date! I’ve got to tell my friends. They’ll never believe that Cold Axe is hiding a girl in his kitchen.”

  Cold Axe? Another nickname Brighton didn’t know about?

  Silvia pivoted on her heel and headed out the door.

  Axel was faster though. “No, you don’t.” He grabbed her arm. “You’re not sharing my business with anyone. Not even Mom.”

  Well. Brighton didn’t know how she should react to that. He didn’t want his mom to know about her?

  Silvia tugged her arm away from her brother’s grasp. “Fine. But if I keep your secret, then you have to help me.”

  Secret? Brighton was a secret?

  Axel shut the front door. “Fine.”

  Definitely siblings.

  Silvia cast an innocent glance at Brighton, then told her brother, “So, Annie and Chloe are doing a surprise birthday party for Jace tomorrow. Mom says that I’m grounded all weekend, for, you know, the... thing.” She cut another glance to Brighton. “But I told Mom to ground me next weekend instead.”

  Brighton could see no written all over Axel’s face.

  “That sounds reasonable to me,” Brighton said, coming out of the kitchen. She paused near the wall dividing the kitchen from the living room. Nothing in this conversation was any of her business, but she was sort of annoyed that Axel wanted to keep her a secret. Not that they were exactly in a relationship, but still. “Don’t you think so, Axel?”

  His gaze slowly shifted to hers. She held his gaze firmly, and it was like they had an entire argument with no words.

  “I mean, you don’t want your mom to know you’re on a date, right?” Brighton continued. “Sounds like a fair swap.”

  Axel’s eyes narrowed, and her heart skipped a couple of beats. Had she gone too far?

  Silvia laughed. “Oooh, you just got dissed, Axe. I like her!”

  Brighton had never thought her ego could be elevated by a fifteen-year-old, but apparently it could. “I like you too, Silvia.”

  Silvia grinned. “Thanks.”

  “Wait, what?” Axel said, looking between the two of them. “What just happened here?”

  Silvia giggled. “So where are you from, Brighton?”

  “Seattle.”

  Axel folded his arms as Brighton answered Silvia’s questions.

  “How did you meet my brother?” Silvia asked.

  “On a plane,” Brighton said. “I’m a flight attendant.”

  Silvia laughed. “Really?”

  “Really,” Brighton said, smiling. “But enough about me. I heard you like to read. What’s your favorite genre?”

  The teenager’s eyes lit up. “Oh. My. Gosh. I read pretty much anything, but right now I’m reading Sariah Wilson’s #Moonstruck. So romantic.”

  “Romantic?” Axel echoed, frowning.

  “Those are cute stories,” Brighton said. She looked at Axel. “Perfectly sweet and, yes, romantic.”

  “I give up,” Axel said. “What do you want me to do, Silv? Because I think it’s time for you to leave.”

  Silvia gave her brother a sappy smile. “Call Mom. Convince her.”

  “Okay, okay,” he said, opening the door. “Go home. I’ll watch you until you’re inside. You know you shouldn’t be walking around late at night.”

  “We live three doors away,” Silvia said matter-of-factly. “Plus, you weren’t answering your phone, and Mom said she saw you drive up over an hour ago.” She gave a pointed look at Brighton.

  Brighton raised her brows. “True.”

  “I’ll call Mom later,” Axel said. “Probably in the morning. I’m kind of busy right now.”

  Silvia smirked, then stepped outside. Before turning to
head down the stairs, she waved at Brighton. “Nice to meet you!”

  “You too.” Brighton waved back. She returned to the kitchen to put the ice cream in the freezer as Axel watched his sister walk home.

  When he shut the front door and came back into the kitchen, Brighton was ready.

  “You can take me home now,” she said. “Then you can work stuff out with your mom and sister. I don’t want to be in the way.”

  Axel kept walking toward her, then stopped and slipped his hands around her waist. “Don’t be mad. My mom is kind of... Well, she’d flip if she found out I was dating, and she’d be over here with loads of food, a million questions, and a stack of wedding catalogs.”

  Brighton rested her hands on his arms, but didn’t move any closer. “Is that what we’re doing? Dating?”

  The edge of his beautiful mouth lifted. “If we’re not, we need to change that.”

  She hated that with a few words he could melt her heart. She loved it too. “So we date secretly? Tell no one, not even your mom?”

  “I don’t like the word ‘secretly,’” he said in a low voice, moving an inch closer. “Let’s just wait a little while before we tell family.”

  She didn’t know if he was being extremely sweet and observant or extremely obtuse. “Are you worried about my mom’s reaction?”

  “I want you to myself, Brighton,” he said. “Going to that wedding rehearsal dinner in Belltown and being around my nosy friends made that very clear to me. And if things progress, then, well, they progress. We can cross that bridge when we get to it.”

  It made sense, and it was true that while her mom wouldn’t pull out the wedding catalogs, she would pretty much freak out if she knew Brighton was dating Axel Diaz.

  “But the most important question is, do you want to date me, Brighton West?” he asked, his lips dangerously close to hers. “Especially after meeting the drama that’s my sister?”

  Brighton smiled. “Silvia’s a sweet kid. I like her.”