Page 26 of Convincing the Catcher

CANE

In an attempt to sober up, I chug a bottle of water that I found in a small mini fridge in the corner of this conference room. I rarely drink, and it seems I shouldn’t at all because, clearly, I can’t keep my fucking mouth shut when I do, and then I make people feel uncomfortable.

Why else would Harley have run out of here like the fucking fire alarm was going off?

Finishing the water, I twist the cap back on before dropping it into the recycle bin. Harley made it clear that she’d only agree to this as long as nothing got romantic between us because she didn’t do boyfriends or feelings, apparently.

I wonder if that means no sex too …

Shaking my head at myself, I walk to the door and pull it open. From afar, I’ve admired Harland since she first got into the program here at NEU. But now that she’s this close? It’s going to be damn near impossible for me not to become infatuated with a woman like that.

FOURTEEN

CANE

After all the water, plus standing around the past hour, my buzz has worn off. Bidding time is getting closer, and I’ve basically spent the evening ogling Harley because she looks so fucking good in her dress. Her strong legs send a jolt right to my cock, and to be honest, I’d love to know what it feels like to be damn near suffocated with them wrapped around my neck while my tongue was buried inside of her pussy.

She’s been avoiding eye contact with me like it’ll set her on fire if our eyes meet, but that’s okay because I’ve gotten to look extra without her noticing.

When Brody calls the male athletes to the back so the bidding can begin, I purposely walk past Harley. She stands in a circle, chatting with some other female athletes, and when I lean closer to whisper in her ear, her sweet scent just about brings me to my knees.

“A deal’s a deal, right?” I murmur, and luckily, her friends all seem so distracted by all the men heading behind the curtain that they don’t pay attention to us. “Even if one of the dealmakers made an ass out of himself, we do still have a deal, right?”

Sighing, she cranes her neck to look at me, and her mouth turns up—but barely. “As long as one of us doesn’t make an ass of himself again.”

“The ass has learned his lesson,” I drawl, grinning at her. “Just don’t let a pervy old lady outbid you, okay? Pretend like someone is trying to steal second, and you’ve got to act fast and play aggressively.”

“Yeah … I’m not sure an old biddy could steal second, Hale,” she teases, nudging my side. “Don’t worry; I’ve got you.”

“Thanks, Catch.” I wink. “See you on the other side.”

Inhaling her once more—knowing if she caught me, she’d probably kick me in the nuts—I head to the back.

To Harley Meadows, I’m only having her bid on me to save my reputation because she’s the good girl and I’m the monster. In reality, I’m just the pathetic bastard who wants more time with her, but I’m scared to say it.

HARLEY

When my paddle goes up for the sixth or seventh time, Cane smirks at me, and I try to ignore the fact that it makes my heart pitter-patter in my chest. That’s short-lived because I can practically feel my friends’ eyes burning into the side of my face as they try to figure out, number one, what the hell is going on, and number two, why I’m bidding thousands of dollars on Cane Hale.

As soon as I’m announced as the winner, Haven turns to look me full in the face. “When did this even happen?” she utters at my side. “Don’t get me wrong; I picked up on some weirdness and have seen you together and all. But that’s a fuck ton of money, babe. And unless his dick is made of, like, gold or he goes down so well that he makes you see heaven, I don’t know about bidding that much cash.”

“Havennnn,” I warn her, “stop.”

She stops—for a second anyway. But when she grows silent beside me, I know the wheels are turning.

“I mean, I wouldn’t be surprised, you know. He looks like he’d be impressive. I’d let him eat my⁠—”

“Don’t.” I put a hand over her mouth. “Don’t even finish your sentence. I’m begging you.”

Rolling her eyes, she steps back away from my hand. “Whatever. But after your big date? You’d better be giving me details. And if you’re walking funny at practice the next day, I’m going to know why he’s worth so much.”

Thankfully, it isn’t long before they’re calling the female athletes to the back, and everything gets chaotic. I’m okay with the chaos if it means I don’t have to listen to Haven talk about Cane and his … package. Every time I think about how big it could be, my entire face burns. And it’s not from embarrassment either. I just … imagine that he’s packing. And even though I’m not going to find out, I can still fantasize about it a bit.

My bidding on Cane may have prompted a lot of questions from Haven, and I’m sure even more will come when I get home later or go to practice tomorrow, but seeing as I don’t have to worry about a creeper bidding on me because Cane is going to return the favor, I’m okay with the questions. Because while this charity is great and we’re supporting a wonderful cause … I wouldn’t want to go on a date with some stranger who may or may not lock me in his basement.

The bidding is finally done, so the other female athletes and I make our way back to the ballroom, and of course, Cane is waiting for me just outside the curtain.

“Look at that, Catch,” he says, grinning. “You were one of the highest-paid athletes tonight. How’s it feel to be NEU’s most wanted?”