“Hey, beautiful. Always. How did your meeting go?” he asks.
“Really good, actually. It was with one of our backers. They’re all in on the new project.”
I can’t say much about it, as I’m not speaking in an area that has any privacy.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” I reply, blushing a tiny bit. Gabe’s praise, combined with his deep voice, gets me every time.
“Of course. My woman always knocks it out of the park.”
I laugh softly under my breath. Leave it to Gabe to use a baseball analogy. “I could say the same about you,” I tease. It’s the truth. Gabe knows how to satisfy a woman. And I’m the lucky recipient of his satisfaction.
His eyes darken and he shifts in his seat, a low growl escaping his chest. Good thing I’m using earbuds for this conversation, because Gabe loves when I tease him like this. And evidently, two can play that game, because he starts unbuttoning his dress shirt, giving me a smoldering look as he does it.
Naturally, my eyes follow his hands as he releases each button, exposing more and more of his hard chest, covered in tattoos. Damn, what I wouldn’t give to be with him right now. “Gabe,” I breathe, getting turned on and unable to do a thing about it. He lets out a low growl again and smirks at me, knowing full well what he just did. Gabe is the ultimate tease.
“Next time,” he says, his voice husky. “Love you,” he murmurs, ending his teasing.
Damn the man. I have to get on a plane and my panties are wet.
CHAPTER 20
GABE
I get wrapped up in work and before I know it, it’s already been a week since I’ve seen Layla’s gorgeous face. I want to FaceTime her and tease her some more, but I have to get on a plane and head to Florida for Spring Training. This time of year is always a whirlwind. And speaking of Layla, I haven’t heard from her in a few days.
Gabe: Miss your pretty face. Everything okay?
Layla: Oh! Yes. Just busy. This current project has sucked me in deep.
Gabe: You work too hard. But I totally understand. This time of year, for me, is a complete whirlwind. I get lost in meetings and have to start getting back into the groove with the team, and time just flies right by.
Layla: When do you leave for Spring Training?
Gabe: Tomorrow.
Layla: Wow. Already.
Gabe: I know. Every single year, it sneaks up on me.
Layla: I know the feeling.
Gabe: Hey, I need to go.
Layla: Okay.
Gabe:
After texting with Layla, I rub my chest, right over my heart. I miss her. Ever since I met her, my life hasn’t been the same. Without her, I feel lonely. Which is saying something, since I’m rarely alone. Most days, I’m surrounded by players and coaches, and even management. I’m not one to get lonely. But Layla’s changed that. I think it’s safe to say that I’ve changed. In a big way. Not sure how to handle that revelation, I dig into work. Baseball games don’t win themselves.
The week passes by in a blur, games scheduled every day, except one. On the off-day, I join the players in the gym, working on building a camaraderie with the new acquisitions from the off-season. Especially with Phillips and Johnson, a new outfielder and shortstop.
“Hey, man.”
“Coach,” Phillips replies, hefting the weights in his hands.
“Settling in?”
