Stealing Home

chapter 5



MARK HELD HIS temper at a simmer and roamed his gaze over her from head to toe. She looked about ready to wet her pants—or faint. Obviously Fonda Peters wasn’t too fond of seeing him after all.

Too damn bad.

Mark crossed his strong arms across his chest and leaned a shoulder into the door frame, effectively blocking her from closing the door in his face, and waited for her to make some sort of response. But she just kept blinking her bright green eyes at him with her mouth flopped wide open.

Lorelei Littleton. God, what a name. Old-fashioned and feminine as all get-out. At any other time he might have appreciated the irony of her having a name like Lorelei while she looked and acted more like a Las Vegas stripper.

Except she didn’t look much like a stripper now. In fact, she didn’t look much like the curvy vamp who’d worked him into such a lather last night and left him half naked and unconscious on his bed, either.

Except for her breasts—those were just as he remembered. They were still the roundest, fullest, best pair of tits he’d ever seen.

In any case, Lorelei Littleton sure as hell wasn’t a name he’d be forgetting anytime soon. ’Cause she owed him. Owed him big.

And more than just his lucky charm, too.

Mark’s gazed dropped to her bare feet. Her slender toes were painted deep red, and on the top of her slender left foot perched a small butterfly tattoo in varying shades of lavender, green, and yellow.

A tickle fluttered his pulse at the sexy little mark. He arched a thick brow. Huh. Who’d have thought? Apparently Lorelei had quite a few naughty secrets.

Belatedly, a mildly panicked sound came from her, and Mark raised his gaze. Up over baggy gray sweatpants and a pink tank top thin enough that the dusky shade of her nipples was discernible. And she wasn’t wearing a bra, which was so sexy.

He stared hard at her breasts for a moment, until her nipples puckered under the scrutiny, and then slowly slid his gaze up to her face and sloppy ponytail.

Even without makeup she was pretty. Mark felt himself grow semi-hard and scowled. What the hell was he doing growing wood? The woman was the cause of his goddamn split lip. If he hadn’t been thinking so much about her when he should have been focused, he wouldn’t have played like shit and mixed it up with the Arizona outfielder over home plate. He wouldn’t have missed some dumb-ass pitches and taken his eye off the ball. The Rush wouldn’t have lost 5–0.

Well, he wouldn’t have played like crap and the team wouldn’t have lost at least. The other part he probably would have done anyway. Shaking things up on the field was damn fun. Nothing like a good scrum to make a guy’s day. But for her sake she’d better have his necklace because he couldn’t afford another game like today.

Lorelei brought a hand to her neck and cleared her throat. She tried for a smile and almost pulled it off. Her unpainted lips wobbled only a little.

Mark crossed his ankles and stared at her hard from beneath his Rush baseball cap. She still had that pouty mouth. And it still begged to be put to use. But now it looked softer, more kissable for some reason. His semi grew just looking at it. Wonderful. Not.

Mark’s brows slashed low over his eyes. It’d been a real shitty day, and getting a hard-on over little Miss Fonda Peters’s mouth just capped it. Now he was plain pissed off.

“How did you find me?” Her voice had an edge of panic to it.

Easy. She wasn’t the slickest thief around.

Pushing away from the door frame, Mark used his size to intimidate her into moving farther into the hotel room and slammed the door shut behind him, the tension coiling in his body as he advanced. He backed Lorelei until her butt came up against the dresser, stopping her, effectively blocking her in. Now it was time to play his way. Dirty.

HOLY CRAP. WHAT was Mark doing here? How could he have possibly found her? And how could he still look so sinfully good with a busted lip, bruised cheekbone, ratty ball cap, and a day’s growth of whiskers? If anything, the rough-around-the-edges look made him more appealing.

Just what in heaven’s name was she doing thinking such thoughts about him? The guy was probably trying to decide which to do first: strangle her or have her arrested. And there she was thinking how sexy his dark blond hair looked curling around the bottom of his baseball cap. Thinking about telling him she did yoga and was real good at the downward facing dog position.

Lorelei took a deep breath, gathered her courage, looked into Mark’s brittle eyes, and inwardly flinched. If they got any colder they’d shatter. He was not a happy camper. He was a big, bad, totally irate man.

With her butt pressed firmly against the dark stained dresser and nowhere to go, she had no choice but to face the consequences. But she really, really didn’t want to. If that made her a coward, so what. She didn’t see Mark towering over anyone else with a snarl that promised retribution.

How on earth had he found her so fast? It hadn’t even been a full twenty-four hours. Had she left something at his place to tip him off?

With her heart trying to climb up her throat, Lorelei squared her shoulders, which incidentally pushed her breasts up and out toward him. Mark’s eyes dropped and she felt his gaze land on her chest, staring hard. They seemed to melt a degree. The snarl twisting his beautiful mouth softened.

Lorelei followed the line of his gaze with her own. She wasn’t wearing a bra and her nipples were hard. Suddenly her breath caught in her throat and she found it hard to breathe. With his eyes heating in undisguised interest, the nipples he stared at began to tingle.

For a tense moment neither spoke. Then Mark let out a menacing growl and tore his gaze from her breasts and swore. His voice sounded rough when he said, “Where is it, Lorelei? I want it back, now.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” And how on earth did he know her real name?

Anger flickered in his clear gray eyes. “Bullshit. You know damn well what I’m talking about. You stole something of mine and I want it back, or else.”

Something hot and defiant flared in Lorelei at his threat. “Or what? You’ll have me arrested? Make me pay?”

One corner of mouth lifted and his eyes sparked with wicked intent. “Oh, you’re already going to pay, sweetheart. In so many ways, your eyes will cross.”

She could think of one way that she might like to have her eyes crossed by Mark Cutter. And if he did yoga, too, that could be all kinds of fun.

Right now, though, she couldn’t afford to be distracted by naughty thoughts of him. It was time to pick her brain up off the floor and find a way out of this mess.

“How much is it worth to you?” The words popped out of her mouth before she thought better of it. Then her eyes went big and she bit back a smile. Now she was thinking. Her smarts hadn’t totally eluded her after all. Thank God. Dina had agreed to one hundred grand for the cross necklace. Would it be worth the same to him to get it back? Would it be worth more?

He scowled and his brows drew together over those clear gray eyes of his. “What did you just say?” His voice had gone dangerously soft.

Okay, so maybe she wasn’t that smart after all. “Nothing.”

Lorelei watched in fascination as a tic started in Mark’s strong jaw and his nostrils flared. His bottom lip was busted and the corner of his mouth bruised, but he still raised it in a chilling smile. Perfect white teeth snarled at her from between his abused lips. She wondered how many times they’d been capped.

She dropped her gaze and took in his clothing while she raced after her scattered thoughts. Last night he’d worn jeans and an expensive sweater. Now her gaze traveled over a ratty gray sweatshirt with the Rush logo on it and a pair of old, ripped jeans encasing his heavily muscled thighs. Then her gaze landed smack on the front of his jeans, and her lungs squeezed tight. Wow.

That was quite an, um, bulge. It was suddenly very hot in the hotel room. Or maybe it was just that her face was on fire.

And if he’d only step back she could get some more oxygen to her brain and really put it to use. But apparently Mark didn’t know the meaning of personal space. He was so close the heat of his body surrounded her, smothered her. And now he was using it to intimidate her and it was making her claustrophobic.

It was making her think of things she should not be thinking. She needed to put some distance between them. Placing her hands against his solid chest, Lorelei pushed hard. “Get off me, you oaf. Let me breathe.”

Amusement flickered across his face and he stepped back, allowed her to move. “Whatever you want, Lorelei. As long as I get what I want.”

Inhaling a deep breath, she thanked her lucky stars that she’d left his charm in a plain envelope at the concierge desk. She’d thought it a paranoid precaution, but now she was ever so grateful for her decision. Even if he ransacked her room he wouldn’t find it. And no way was she telling him where it was until she got money—from him or Dina. She really didn’t care now. Heck, she’d gone this far. She might as well go all the way.

Lorelei crossed her bare arms over her chest, glared at Mark, and considered again. What was it worth to him?

Mark glared right back, his eyes like a gray ice storm beneath the black brim of his hat. Anger fairly vibrated off him. She guessed if she’d played as bad as he had she’d be pretty ticked, too. But she wouldn’t blame it on a stupid charm. His lousy performance was his fault entirely.

She broke the tense silence. “I saw the sports recap tonight, Mark. You played like shit.”

One corner of his bruised mouth turned up and smirked. Sticking his thumbs in the front pockets of his jeans, he leaned against the wall and replied. “Gee, you think?”

No, she didn’t think. Not since she’d met him. And that was a very serious problem.

Lorelei shrugged. “I call it how I see it. You played like crap and took it out on somebody else. What did the Arizona guy do that was so offensive anyway? Make fun of your hair?”

Mark touched his split lip with a long finger, and laughed low in his chest. “He hit a triple on me, sugar. Know what a triple is? I wasn’t feeling too friendly about it.”

Did she know what a triple was? Jerk. “And here I thought it was because you didn’t play well and were being a sore loser. Had to take it out on someone.”

Something white-hot and dangerous flashed in his eyes. Apparently he didn’t like being called names. Suddenly she wasn’t too sure that provoking him was such a good idea, but his arrogance had annoyed her big-time. She’d spoken before she’d thought better of it.

His deep voice was rough with warning. “Now, Lorelei. Calling me names isn’t the smartest idea in the world. I tend to take it personally. And I can get real mean, real fast. So, consider this a warning. You’re not in the best situation to be provoking me in the first place. Now, I want my cross back, or did you already give it to Dina?”

Oh hell. Lorelei’s eyes went huge and she jolted. How could he know that? How could he possibly know his ex was behind this?

Her thoughts must have been written on her face because Mark cocked his head to one side and said, “I may be a jock, Lorelei, but I’m not a moron. Of course I know she’s the one who put you up to this. This reeks of her. And because she was the one who paid for your room. Credit cards tell a story, sugar. What I want to know is why. You’re going to tell me or spend some time in a jail cell until you decide to talk.”

So that’s how he’d found her. And to discover her real name all he’d had to do was smile at the desk clerk with his pretty dimples and ask what name the room was registered to and voilà. She was outed. But, how had he known to look to Dina for this? Why did it reek of her? There had to be more to the story than she’d been told.

And now here it was. The threat of imprisonment she’d been too confident to consider before. Well, now that it was out in the open she had nothing to lose, did she? She might as well go for broke.

Faking a bravado she didn’t feel, Lorelei arched a brow and said, “I asked you how much it’s worth to you. If you want it back you’re going to have to pay up. Dina offered me a lot of money. You’ll have to beat her. Highest bidder gets the prize.”

Fury leaped hot and intense in Mark’s eyes. Pushing away from the wall with an angry jerk, he crossed to her in a few long-legged strides. “Are you blackmailing me, Lorelei? You’d better hope to God you’re not.”

Through sheer force of will Lorelei held her ground. This was all for Michelle, she thought. “I’m doing what’s in my best interest. Either you’ll pay up, or your good luck charm goes to your ex-wife.” She was forced to tip her head far back when he towered over her, his scowl smoldering hot.

“So it’s all about the Benjamins to you, is it? You were at my house last night half naked and ready to do it. If you’re only in it for the cash gain, then guess what that makes you?”

Desperate.

Anger balled in the pit of her stomach, bitter and scorching. Lorelei took a deep breath and met his gaze, let her anger spark. “You calling me a whore is laughable, Mark Cutter. Don’t think I’m stupid, because I’ve heard all about you and your women. So don’t you dare stand there and throw stones at me. You don’t have the right.”

HE WASN’T ABOUT to stand there and be lectured by her. His temper yanked off the leash and lashed out, wicked and brutal. “At least I don’t f*ck for money, Lorelei Littleton. And I don’t steal.”

Through a haze of red fury he watched her face go pale, saw her jaw clamp hard and her spine stiffen. Saw hurt flash in her eyes before determination settled in. Good. He’d wanted to hurt her. She’d taken something from him and it was more than just his lucky cross.

She’d humiliated him. Last night he’d thought she might be different. Made him think maybe he could have something real for a change. Then she’d gone and drugged him in his own frigging home for money.

That made it personal. Having her ass tossed in jail wasn’t going to assuage his ego. No, it was payback time.

“You don’t get to stand here and lecture me about moral integrity, Mark. And don’t presume to know what my reasons for doing this are. Your ex-wife offered me one hundred thousand dollars, yes. And I’ll take it gladly and you can just go to hell.” She tossed her ponytail over her shoulder and stared him down defiantly.

He took a menacing step forward until his body was flush against hers and they were nose to nose. His voice dropped low as he said the worst thing he could think of. “You aren’t worth a hundred grand.”

Something flickered in her green eyes and her nostrils flared. Then she snapped like a rubber band, her body yanking back as she shoved against his chest. “You a*shole! My family needs that money! If stealing from you will help my family, then there’s nothing I won’t do. Nothing! I love them and I don’t give a damn what you think of me personally. You’re nobody. You don’t matter.”

Now they we’re getting somewhere. Some of Mark’s anger melted away at her confession. The genuine distress in her eyes soothed the ragged edges in his stomach. Her pain was too real, her anguish almost palpable.

If he was going to get hosed and made a fool, then he supposed at least he was grateful she had reason. Something other than herself and how many pairs of designer shoes she could buy. Which was pretty much what Dina would have done.

Suddenly her words registered in his mind. Mark yanked off his hat and shoved a hand through his hair. “What about your family, Lorelei? Are they in trouble?”

She stared at him, seething, and he felt a moment of self-consciousness. But only a moment.

“Don’t pretend that you give a damn about me. That’s an insult to both of us. My reasons for doing this are my own and not any of your business.” She crossed her arms and hugged her body, pressing her lips together.

“When you stole from me you made it my business.”

For a second he thought she might cave. Her shoulders drooped and her mouth wavered, wobbling at the corners. But then her back stiffened and her face hardened. He almost had to admire her strength and determination. Almost.

It appeared they were at a standoff.

“So now what? Am I supposed to pay you one hundred thousand dollars to get my cross back?” Not a chance in hell.

She didn’t even blink when she threw him the ultimatum, “Yes. Or else I give it to your ex-wife. Either way I’m going to collect that money.”

So now it was a challenge. Mark always loved a good one.

He suddenly decided that this was the mother lode of all puzzles. This whole thing had layers. His feelings for her, her secrets—the chemistry between them. He could call the cops now, have her thrown in the clink, and get his cross back. That’d be the end and he’d never see her again. Easy solution.

But he’d never been able to leave a puzzle unfinished.

His gut said it was about more than just his necklace now, and he was keeping her until he’d sorted it out. “Not if you’re with me, you won’t. If I don’t let you out of my sight you can’t meet up with my ex-wife and make the exchange. Then you’d just be shit out of luck, wouldn’t you?”

“No, because you need your cross to play baseball. You’ll pay up,” she said confidently.

Suddenly Mark laughed. There it was again: the challenge. Mark played baseball for a living, for crying out loud. He lived for competition. And she’d just thrown down the gauntlet. Of course he was going to pick it up. It was impossible for him not to.

Mark slammed his cap back on his head and grinned like the devil. “Pack your bags, Lorelei. You’re going home with me.”

The look on her face was priceless. Her eyes went round as saucers and her jaw almost hit the floor. “Wh-wh-what? You’re kidding, right? Why on earth would I go home with you?”

He laughed and reached out a hand to cup her smooth cheek. This might be damn fun. “Because, sweetheart. I’m not about to let you pawn my cross off to my ex, or let you out of my sight. And I’m sure as hell not going to pay you. So you’re moving in with me until either I find it or you give it up.”

“What if I refuse?” she asked in a tight voice.

“Then I’ll have you arrested and you can spend some time in jail for stealing and drugging me. ” Only as a last resort, but she didn’t need to know that. For now the threat was enough.

She continued to stare at him with blank shock. He slid a finger under her chin and gently closed her mouth. Her response was the perfect balm to his bruised ego. She’d just challenged a professional and it was game on, baby.

She’d better be ready to play with the big boys.