I walk up behind Shelby, knowing I’m about to hit it out of the park. I wrap my arms around her and fit her head right under my chin.
“Didn’t take you for a cuddler,” she says without turning around.
“So many things to learn. You’re lucky I’m such a patient teacher.” I press a kiss to her temple. My fingers slip under the band of her sweats, resting on the curve of her perfect ass.
“Come back to bed. I bet I can get a home run before I head back to New York.” My fingers inch closer to her *.
Her body tenses on the words “New York.” Strike One. She gently pulls my hands out of her pants. Strike Two.
She turns around on her stool and stares up at me. There’s hesitation in her eyes. “And then what?”
Answer this question wrong, and I’m pretty sure it’s Strike Three and I’m out.
“We trade numbers. I’ll be in Atlanta every so often.” I’ve been a silent partner in the bar business since it started. That’s how I wanted it, but maybe it’s time to be more hands on. Especially if that allows me to be hands on with Shelby.
“Trade numbers and have a booty call once in a while—what an offer.” She grimaces. I’ll admit it’s not exactly ideal, but it’s better than nothing. Shelby’s got something most New York women—hell, most women—don’t: no love of my career. She’s fierce and lets me get away with absolutely nothing. Not to mention she’s got a slamming body. Any one of those is worth a few more hours on a plane.
“Last night was really great,” she says, running her hands up and down my arms. “And you’re very talented in bed.”
She seems to be hesitating, something on the tip of her tongue. “But…” I lead in for her.
She smiles and ducks her head. “Let’s just chalk it up to a memorable New Year’s Eve.” She gets up and brushes past me, heading toward the coffee pot on the other side of the kitchen. I take a few steps back, her words hitting me like a cold shower. This isn’t the “good morning” I had in mind—not after last night.
Concentrating on her coffee, she says, “I know how these things work. Five days a week, I’m around a whole team of guys who are married to their sport. I’ve watched marriages, long distance relationships, and casual fuck buddies break it off publicly and brutally. You’re on top right now, don’t complicate it. You’re a baseball player. You already have concentration problems.” She offers me my own cup of coffee, but won’t meet my eyes. And when I reach for the cup, she doesn’t pull her fingers away. “You’re great in bed, but your mind has to be on the field. Help yourself to whatever else you would like,” she says. Slowly she pulls her fingers from around the cup and gives me a pat on the shoulder. It is such a final gesture that I barely register the smile that creeps across her face.
What is going on in her head?
Shelby heads back up the stairs with her coffee in hand.
I let out a laugh, not sure what else I’m supposed to do. Shelby has just fed me the same line I’ve given to more women than I can count. And it’s true. Last night was amazing, but trying to keep this thing going isn’t going to end well and we both know it. Doesn’t mean we can’t try to out-do last night. The water flips on in the bathroom upstairs. A smile slowly spreads across my face as I understand the game she is playing. I glance toward the loft.
She did say to help myself.
I nudge the bathroom door open with my foot. Leaning against the doorjamb, I sip my coffee and enjoy the view. And it’s damn fine.
Shelby’s singing to herself and rocking out as she lathers soap over her shoulders. I lean against the door and watch her over my coffee. Suddenly, she stops and turns toward me. Wiping water out of her face, she opens the solid glass door.
“I was wondering how long it would take you to get the memo.”
“You know me. I’m just a poor, stupid baseball player,” I say.
“Your words, not mine.” She steps back under the spray and crooks a finger at me. Setting my coffee down on the edge of the sink, I step toward the shower, dropping clothing as I go. I pull a condom out of my pocket and slide it on.
The water’s warm when I step into the shower. She doesn’t shy away from me, instead she meets me under the spray. My kiss is demanding and she follows me without hesitation. This was her wicked plan after all. Her body’s slick with soap and like fire under my hands.
She encases my face in her hands, tilting my head for a better angle. I don’t mind handing over that control, because it won’t last for long.