“Why not?”
“Because I’d lose you the game.” I looked out at the field where the other team—a bunch of bearish men with The Grizzly Boys embroidered on their jerseys—tossed around a ball for warmups and shook my head. They could squeeze my head between their biceps and pop my eyes out of my skull.
“They’re more like teddy bears,” Brad said, as though he could tell exactly what I was thinking. I flushed and ducked my head.
“Seriously.” Nicky patted me on the shoulder and turned me toward them. “See that one there with the big ginger beard? I fucked him a few months ago. He’s as gentle as a virgin.”
Brad snorted, and I couldn’t help the chuckle I let out.
“Like a virgin, huh?” I shook my head. “You still don’t want me on the team. I’m more likely to trip over my own feet than score any goals.”
“Runs. You’re kicking runs.” Nicky gave me a sympathetic squint. “Just watch us for today and then join the next game. Brad can practice with you in the meantime.”
I didn’t have time to argue with him because the umpire blew her whistle, waving her arms above her head to get their attention. Brad’s team moved off the bench, and a few players jumped out of the metal bleachers behind us from where they’d been talking, some stopping to say hello to me and introduce themselves, but I was terrible at learning a lot of names at once, so I didn’t remember any of them. An impressive man with no shirt, silver muttonchops, and abs hard enough to use as a table even gave me a hug. Enrique was the last one to pat me on the back before he ran out to the field.
“Will you be all right just watching, Harley cat?” Brad whispered into my ear, his eyes sparkling as he dragged me closer and kissed me on the lips.
“I’ll be fine. Better than on the field.” I rolled my eyes. “Go play with your ex.”
He winced and his lips twisted apologetically. “Was it that obvious?”
“I’m basically paid to read people with visual and physical cues while I add up the statistics against them, when they’re asking for an insurance policy. So yeah, it was obvious.” I sighed and patted his chest. Lowering my eyes to my hand, I smiled gently. “But I said I wouldn’t run away again, and I won’t, Master. I want to get to know you, see if this will work. You hit all the right buttons with me. I’m enjoying the way we play.”
“Me too, kitten. Me too.” He kissed me again before someone on his team called his name. He took off, and I trailed him over to the bleachers where a few spectators were already sitting. The teams shook hands and the umpire tossed a coin. I didn’t know who won the toss, but Brad’s team was kicking first, so all of them except Nicky went back to the long bench on our side.
Half an hour into the game, I still didn’t know how to play it. I supposed it was like baseball, but I had only the vaguest idea about the rules to that game. A spry lady in her fifties screamed every time one of Brad’s team members kicked the ball that was thrown at them, so I assumed she was cheering for our team. I clapped every time she made an excited noise and stayed quiet when she booed.
Brad’s turn came and I clapped harder, but not enough to gain me the kind of attention the other cheerer was getting. He looked cute in his jersey and short black running shorts that cut up his legs in a vee. He dug his sneakers into the dirt around the home base. I didn’t understand the meaning behind it, but it looked like something he did to get ready for his turn.
The pitcher held a red ball the size of a soccer ball in his hand and his eyes narrowed on Brad, and then he rolled it quick and hard. I held my breath and let it out again when Brad’s foot met the ball, sending it flying over the heads of the outfielders. I jumped up with the lady this time, cheering as Brad ran to first, second, and then third base. He threw himself into the race back to home plate before they could get the ball back.
His team yelled in excitement, and he high-fived them when they came swarming out to greet him. I didn’t miss the way Enrique grabbed his hand when Brad high-fived him, but I forced down the jealousy that threatened to overtake me. I focused on Brad’s enthusiasm, but when he turned toward me and blew a kiss, my belly burned with need.
I grinned at him.
The game went on for another few team changes, and I only paid attention when Brad was up, or if he did something amazing like catch the ball in the air. By the time it was all over, the hairs on my arms were standing on end and my skin tingled. I wanted to take Brad home while he was still sweaty and let him fuck me while I was his kitty. I wanted him to dominate me.
Brad walked in front of the rest of their team, and I greeted him with a long kiss to the mouth. He still tasted sweet, like an energy drink.
“You were amazing, Master,” I whispered to him.
“Thank you, kitten.” He gave me another kiss, until a slap on the back jolted him.
We both turned to see a big man with wide shoulders and a square jaw grinning at us. He stood beside Enrique, or to be more correct, he had his arm around Enrique’s waist. Brad stiffened.
“That was a good game. We’re going out for drinks, you should come.”
“I don’t think so,” Brad said immediately, his own arm twisting around my waist and dragging me closer. “We have a friend waiting for us at home.”
“It’s only a few drinks,” Enrique said, head cocked in a way I’d expect from someone who usually played a dog. “Come on, Brad, don’t be a party pooper.”
Brad hesitated, and I rubbed his arm to let him know I’d follow his lead. He glanced at me and then sighed. “No more than two drinks.”
“Done.” Enrique clapped his hands. “Madden, Evan, and Nicky are coming along. It’s unlucky if you don’t celebrate a win. Come on, I’ll buy a round.”
“You don’t need to tell me twice,” Madden said. He had a slightly creepy fake unicorn head grasped in his hands and was all sweaty, like maybe he’d been wearing it.
Brad laughed.
