Page 10 of Stolen Bases

Shoulders slumped, I sip my drink, waiting for my rude-as-fuck teammate to arrive. It’s been one hell of a week, and I’m tired. All I really want is a burger and a good night’s sleep.

I heard from my agent that Romero moved into the house with some woman while I’ve been in Oregon celebrating my brother Mason’s nuptials.

Mason went and married his long-distance girlfriend only weeks after reconciling. How quickly they moved was a little shocking at first, but if you knew how much my brother loves his new wife, Emery, you wouldn’t be surprised. After realizing he was a complete and total dumbass for breaking up with her, Mason sold his house and moved north, coincidentally to the same town my older brother, Jace, and his wife, Rylann, live with their two kids.

Being the best brother, I razzed his ass for being a simp. It’s who I am. The grump didn’t even bother fighting with me over it. Mason’s the happiest I have ever seen him, and that is all I want for him.

The wedding was small. I had a great time getting to see my family before the season starts and I travel for the next eight months. I love hanging out with my family, especially my nephew, Rhys. My chest aches as I think about how much he’s grown in the last two years. He’s eight going on eighteen, and I like to think his newfound love of baseball is my doing.

Pulling out my phone, I bring up the text from my big brother, Jace, and scroll through the photos he sent me of Rhys wearing the Jersey I gave him for his birthday. My nephew is looking over his shoulders at the camera with the biggest grin on his face, as he lifts his arms in a muscle-man gesture.Milleris proudly spelled across his back.

“Cute kid,” a sweet, melodic voice to the left of me says.

My eyes find the owner, and I’m struck dumb as silver-gray eyes bore into mine.

Her lips part on a gasp and form a perfect little O. My mind immediately jumps to visions of those pretty pink lips wrapped around…

Fuck me.How did I miss this drop-dead gorgeous pixie sitting at the bar next to me?

My pulse races, and my cock twitches behind my zipper as my eyes sweep over her body, devouring every inch of her. She looks petite sitting in the high-back bar chair, but there is no mistaking her tight waist, curvy hips, and thick thighs. She has her raven black and softer than silk looking hair twisted into an intricate braid over her shoulder.

A simple blue sundress molds her body like skin and accentuates her perky tits. Strappy sandals lace across her feet and ankles, and damn, what I wouldn’t give to see her legs wrapped around my waist as I drove deep inside her lush body.

Clearing my throat, I pull a sentence together. “Thanks. He’s my nephew.”

“I can see the resemblance. He’s adorable.” She stares at the photo of Rhys in awe.

“Does that mean you think I’m adorable?”Why on earth would you say that, you idiot?

She lifts her small fist to her mouth, trying to hide the smile pulling at her lips. I don’t miss the way her eyes sparkle and her cheeks flush at my blatant flirting.

Okay, maybe that wasn’t as bad a line as I thought.

“That was a horrible line.”

“We’ll see.”

“Does your nephew play baseball too?” she redirects the conversation.

“Yeah. He started last year. He’s pretty good too.”

“Think he’ll go pro like his uncle?” Her question catches me off guard.

“You know who I am?”

She nods, and I force my body to lock down the cringe that wants to escape. Pushing back my shoulders, I give her a playful smirk—the fake-as-fuck smile I use on all the cleat chasers.

I’m not surprised she knows who I am. There are very few women, like my new sister-in-law, Emery, who don’t know I’m a professional baseball player. I wish not everyone did. What getsportrayed in the media isn’t real, and I don’t want this beautiful woman judging me based on what she’s seen in magazines.

“Yes, I know who you are.” She smirks and drags her tongue across her plump bottom lip.

Fuck, her lips are so shiny; all I want to do is kiss them.

Fuck it. A little harmless flirting won’t kill anyone. I could use a little distraction before dinner.

“Since you know who I am, why don’t you tell me who you are, or are we doing the whole ‘strangers meeting for a one-night thing’?”

“You’re horrible.” She rolls her eyes with a chuckle.

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