Spring Training

It had been an amazing day. In fact, Garrett couldn’t remember ever enjoying a day more. He hadn’t wanted it to end.

He ran his fingers through Jessa’s hair, reveling in the delicious mews she made each time he caressed the silky tresses. She moved her head, snuggling deeper into his lap. If she kept this up, she’d find her resting place a little less comfortable.

No matter how many times he had her, it was never enough. He stayed hard whenever she was around. Hell, fact was, all he had to do was think about her. Her smile, her laugh. The way her lips stretched around him as he sank to the back of her throat, the way she’d cupped her breasts and rode him to insanity.

The way she looked at him when she was about to come.

He groaned as blood rushed his groin. She made a noise in protest as his length pressed hard against her cheek. He could take her again — right here, right now — and he knew she wouldn’t deny him. His dick may be on board with the idea, but he enjoyed watching her sleep. The rhythmic pace of her breath. Her quiet little sighs. She looked almost angelic. Quite different from the woman who’d begged him to take her harder a few hours ago.

He continued to stroke her hair, his gaze turning back to the basketball game on the TV, while his attention remained on the beauty in his lap.

Their time was coming to an end. Her suitcases were out. Strewn across the room, ready to be packed, and with them, whisk her out of his life. They both felt it. The frantic way they’d fucked all afternoon proved it. It was as if they were trying to cram a lifetime of memories, of pleasure, into one day. And it irritated the shit out of him.

They should have more time. Hell, they should have all the time in the world.

There had to be a way. After all, her dad liked him. Hand selected him out of hundreds of other guys. Garrett was a good man. He wasn’t without fault, but he took care of his own. He was loyal and hard working. He didn’t play games unless it was on the ball field. He wasn’t interested in the bed hopping so many of the other rookies took part in. TJ should have no objections to Garrett dating his daughter.

And he was rationalizing to make himself feel better.

He wanted time, damn it. Time to learn all the little things. The big things. And everything in between.



Time to figure out the emotion pooling in the center of his chest.

Garrett didn’t like feeling as if he didn’t have a choice. Others dictated so much of his life, he’d be damned if he’d let anyone dictate his love life as well. And yet …

“Hmm.” Jessa shifted, drawing his gaze. He smoothed a hand over her head, her hair soft against his roughened hands.

She made him lose his damn mind like no other woman before her. Drove him crazy with need. And not only the need to lose himself in the sweet heaven of her body, but with the need to wrap his arms around her and keep her safe.

They needed to talk. He couldn’t let her go back to New York without knowing how he felt. Even if he hadn’t worked it out for himself yet, it was obvious there was something between them. Something more than a couple weeks of stolen moments.

When he was with Jessa, he didn’t have to wonder at her motives. When she looked at him, she didn’t see a number or a name. Lord knows she didn’t need either. He could relax and be himself.

He’d never been in love before, but he wasn’t so stubborn as to deny the possibility.

“Garrett?” Her soft, sleep-laden voice soothed him.

Tomorrow. He had to go back to work, but he’d take her to dinner and they’d talk. Because he wasn’t letting her go.

“Are you ready to go to bed, sweetheart?” He used the remote to dim the lights before turning off the TV.

She sat up, rubbing her eyes. She reached her arms wide, arching her back in a stretch. “Sorry I fell asleep on you.” She smothered a yawn and chuckled. “Guess you wore me out.”

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