“These women we love, they’re strong women. Independent. A force to be reckoned with. But they don’t have a lot of experience with someone showing up for no other reason than to be there for them. You do that, you accomplish everything, and you’ll get the girl in the end. Whatever you do, just make sure you make her happy.” Fields gives his blessing, which means a lot considering these are the two most important men in her life so I tell him as much.
“Thanks, man. That means a lot coming from you.”
It’s too soon to talk about love. I care about her. I want to see her when I’m out of town. Even when I’m in town, I count down until I can see her again. Like now, I just talked to her, and I already can’t wait for another excuse to text her. Yeah, I am firmly in the land of “like” with this woman.
“Anytime. Now, let’s get out there. We’ve got to hold onto our lead in the division.” Fields starts walking out of the locker room, and Miller and I follow behind him.
Three days later, it’s Horse Patrol night at the stadium. I’ve spent the last few weeks between road trips talking to the officers on the horse patrol unit, and I’ve even attended some of their training courses. It’s been nice to get to know them on a personal level. I’ve also had time to visit with the horse I stole, who is also in attendance for today’s game. His name is Herbert, which never fails to make me laugh.
Even I can admit it’s a bit of a dog and pony show as I look around the outfield concourse near the right field entrance where Herbert and the officers are waiting for the pregame meet and greet to begin. The crowd of people outside the right field gate in line to meet me and the horse in exchange for a donation to the unit proves it’s worth it. I can be the butt of jokes as long as I’m still able to play.
“Do we need to go over the plan again?” Taylor asks, walking up with Grant, to where I’m standing with my back to the field by the outfield lawn. Those two are together an awful lot considering she doesn’t officially work for the team.
“Don’t think so. Smile. Talk to fans. Take pictures.” I’m distracted when Bree stops to greet the officers. She’s wearing a skirt that may as well be painted on with the way it accentuates her curves. “Seems pretty straightforward.”
Taylor goes over the plan again, but I don’t hear a word she says. The stretch of red fabric over Bree’s body and how it molds to her ass has my cock twitching in my pants. Inconvenient if you ask me because baseball pants are designed to leave nothing to the imagination. Luckily, the warmup hoodie I’m wearing covers my front, giving me added coverage.
Deciding to test the limits, I send her a text before I get started with the meet and greet.
ME
What do I get if I hit a home run tonight?
She immediately looks at her phone and responds.
BREE
A higher batting average.
When she looks my way after hitting send, I don’t miss the way Bree’s eyes rake over my body behind those sexy as fuck librarian glasses she rarely wears. I flex my biceps and watch her flush as she lingers on my exposed tattoos.
Knowing she still wants me is a burst of adrenaline. One I’ve rarely felt outside of playing.
This woman has my body reacting in ways I didn’t know was possible, but I don’t want it to stop anytime soon. In fact, I’m reaching my breaking point. She needs to make the first move. Let’s just hope my balls don’t fall off before then.
“Girl, if you don’t do something about that, I may have to.” Taylor’s ability to know what I’m thinking is an uncanny skill of hers.
“If only.” I sigh, watching Chase interact with the officers and Herbert the horse. Who names a horse, Herbert?
“Why can’t you?”
“I’m the interim GC. Not to mention I have to watch him closely to make sure he fulfills all the elements of the deal so he can avoid jail time and stay on the team.”
“What better way to watch him than up close and personal.” She raises her eyebrows with innuendo.
“Tay, be serious.”
“I am being serious. You’re a fucking professional Gabby. You’re capable of doing your job and having your fun. Take advantage. Get your needs met, because from what I’ve seen, that man there can fulfill every single need you could ever have in that department and probably some you didn’t even know about.” She fans herself with a smirk.
“More than,” I grumble. “I told him we can only be friends. Mixed signals are never good.”
“Show up at his house in only a trench coat. No mixed signals there.”
“What?” I laugh. “How do you come up with this?”
“I’m creative.” She winks.
“Would that even work?”
