“Who are you kissing and not telling?” Preston asks, joining our huddle.
“Only you big guy.” The bromance is still strong with these two.
I’m distracted by our friends as the sports reporter pulls Chase aside to interview him after his big debut. Getting closer, I try to listen in on what he’s saying to her, telling myself it’s to make sure he doesn’t say anything he shouldn’t. I’m not in charge of the communications or the public relations teams, but I stillmake it a point to know what the players should and should not be saying on camera.
“Chase, how do you feel after making your big league debut?” the reporter asks. What an original first question. I barely stop myself from rolling my eyes.
“Great. These guys were so welcoming. I felt right at home. I’m glad I was able to make a big play in my first at bat to get us on the board.”
“Let’s talk about that. Your nickname is ‘The Chaser’ because of your stolen base percentage in the minors. What is it about stealing bases for you?”
He makes eye contact with me and answers, “It’s all about the thrill for me. The chase, psyching out the pitcher, catching them off guard—It’s fun.” He shrugs at the end, appearing nonchalant about it.
“You’re also known for your celebrations when you score. Want to explain today’s celebration when you slid into home?”
“I wanted to taste the dirt.” He stares me down when he answers and the innuendo in his tone has my panties melting at the memory.
“G, you ready to go?” Ivory calls from the gate. The boys are already walking down the tunnel to get their showers before meeting us at home.
“Yep, coming.” I quickly walk to catch up with the girls and shake off the feeling of Chase’s stare. It can’t happen again. It was one time between strangers. Him being here means nothing.
It. Changes. Nothing.
The knock on my closed office door pulls me away from the contracts I’ve been reviewing this morning. I asked Coach Crenshaw to have Chase stop by my office to fill out some missing paperwork. Just knowing he’s on the other side of the door has my heart beating faster and butterflies swarming in my stomach.As much as I tried to not think about him last night, it didn’t work. I’ve been thinking about the man from the island for months, and coming face-to-face with him again at work yesterday did nothing to soothe the ache. Then watching him play had me running for my vibrator the minute I was finally alone.
“Come in,” I call out and stand from behind my desk, smoothing down my black pencil skirt in the process. He saunters into my office like he owns the place while he eyes me up and down, making my heart race at the familiarity I see in his appreciative gaze. Focusing on maintaining professionalism and the mask of indifference, I speak first. “Mr. Bennett, thank you for coming by. Please have a seat.” I motion to the chair in front of my desk.
“Mr. Bennett now, is it?” A smirk tips Chase’s lips, drawing my attention briefly.
“Well, Matt isn’t your name.” I say, referring to the name he gave me when we met in St. John.Stupid response Gabrielle. You knew his name wasn’t Matt long before today. You can’t hold it against him now.“It’s best if we keep it professional. I’m a member of the front office staff and you’re a player.”
“Okay, Ms. Pierson. If that’s how you want to play it.” He lowers into the chair and spreads his legs. “Why am I here?” My eyes linger a fraction too long before I respond.
“Some documents for you to sign.” I slide the papers across my desk. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner he is out of my office. Candidly, he could’ve gone to HR to fill these out, or I could’ve had my assistant handle it. I also could’ve sent them electronically, but the excuse to see him—to see if thisthingbetween us was still present or just a blip—had me summoning him to my office instead.
“What are these?” He doesn’t pick up the papers or the pen sitting beside them. He simply stares me down, smirking like he can read my thoughts and is purposely dragging this out.
“Terms of your employment now that you’ve been called up.Code of Conduct. No fraternization policy.” I don’t know why I call that one out specifically. A reminder for myself that I can look but can’t touch. I shouldn’t be looking either, but I’m only human. He’s wearing Troubadour blue gym shorts and a black sweat wicking T-shirt that should be illegal on his broad chest. The muscles and toned lines are barely hidden behind the lightweight fabric. Again, he catches me checking him out.
“Well, it’s a little late for that one, isn’t it? We’ve already f—” I purse my lips unamused, “fraternized.” He finishes with a cocky wink.
“There was no fraternizing,” I hiss.
Fuck, I was hoping it was a blip, but the way my body is reacting to him right now, I know it’s not, especially when he says, “Oh yeah, what do you call me being balls deep in your pussy then, Princess?” My face flames. I clench at the memory of him inside me, causing me to squirm in my chair.
“Keep your voice down.” My eyes dart to the open doorway. Thankfully, it’s rare someone wanders to this end of the building.
“Why? Worried someone may come in and hear?”
“This is neither the time nor the place. We arenotspeaking about that night. Not now. Notever.”
“What would your boyfriend think seeing you all worked up right now?” The question isn’t venomous, but more curious after overhearing my conversation about a date yesterday when he was eavesdropping from the doorway.
“I don’t have a boyfriend.” Of all the things to say, that was the wrong one. He was fishing and I played directly into his hand. The spark of interest in his eyes is undeniable. He plans to hang onto that little nugget.
“You’re wet and ready to fraternize right now, aren’t you?” he taunts.
What did I do in a past life to deserve this torture? The only man to ever make me feel desired—to give me more than one orgasm—has to be a player on our team. A player who is ten years younger and the hottest rookie in the league.
