Page 173 of Stolen Bases

A man who makes my heart go pitter-patter and my panties erupt in flames.

A man I love more than life itself.

forty-two

Cameron

Epilogue

I’ve been awake inour hotel bed here in Mexico, watching Talia sleep for the last hour. It’s become my morning ritual since she came back to me. I have been on a happy high since she moved in four months ago.

Yeah, that’s right.

My girl moved in the same night I asked her to in front of a crowd of rowdy Evaders’ fans. I had that game in the bag the moment I saw her in my jersey and those cutoff shorts. It wasn’t a perfect game, but it might as well have been because I had her cheering me on next to my parents.

Hell, the moment I saw her in the stands, I knew everything was going to be alright and it wouldn’t be long before I asked her to marry me.

I brush back the strands of hair covering her face with my fingers, grazing the soft skin behind her ear. She sighs, and her body relaxes deeper into the fluffy mattress beneath. Even in sleep, my touch brings her peace.

I run a hand over her name, where it’s stamped across my chest.

For the longest time, I never thought I’d find someone I’d want to spend the rest of my life with. Then I met her. Talia’s steel-gray eyes and sweet laugh captivated me from the start. Her intelligence and big heart drew me in deep. But it was her ability to see pastothers’ opinions of me and right through to the heart of who I am that made me fall in love with her.

I can’t imagine sharing my life with anyone but her. Jerry Maguire knew what he was talking about when he said the line, “You complete me.” Talia completes me. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

Even better than winning the World Series, which the Evaders did in six games this season. Don’t tell anyone I said this, but Nico definitely won that last game for us with that three-run homer at the top of the ninth.

We’ve gotten to know each other better over the last couple of months. He’s turned out to be a decent guy. It was rough for a minute, especially after he caught me and Talia going at it in the supply room at the stadium.

What can I say? If my girl wants it, I’m going to give it to her.

Romero still gives me a hard time every time I kiss Talia in front of him. But all’s fair in love and war. I’ve made it a personal mission to make sure he walks in on us kissing every chance I get. He talked a lot of shit over the years, so it’s only right I pay him back.

Talia snores quietly beside me, tangled in white sheets from the waist down. Palms pressed together and under her cheek, she looks like a naked angel sleeping in our hotel bed.

My chest swells with pride and so much fucking love for this woman.

I spy the handcuffs on the bedside table and smirk. I’ve created a monster. Talia is a vixen in the bedroom. She knows I can’t get enough of her. The way she uses her body and her brain to her advantage turns me into a walking hard-on.

My smile grows as I watch Talia’s eyes flutter and I recall last night’s sexcapades. She’s exhausted after the work I put her body through only a few hours ago. I cuffed her wrists behind her back, bent her over, and then ate her pussy until she begged me to fuck her hard and deep, just the way she likes.

I plan on doing it again. Only this time, I have a different cuff in mind.

Without jostling Talia, I reach for the little black velvet box hidden in the drawer of the bedside table. I flip open the lid and pull out the sapphire and diamond engagement ring and matching band from the cushion.

Mason’s guy did an amazing job creating the matching set I imagined. Even in the dark, the gems sparkle.

I pinch the platinum bands between my index finger and thumb. I went with an art deco inspired ring set. For the main band, I chose a two-carat sapphire center stone, surrounded by diamonds while alternating pavé sapphire and diamonds surround the second band. It’s an understated band with a delicate filigree that she can wear while at work.

I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees the rings already on her fingers.

Proposing on vacation wasn’t my plan. I had wanted to propose at home plate after winning the World Series, but Talia’s work schedule didn’t line up. When she suggested a short vacation to celebrate my birthday before the holidays, a new plan was born.

While it was a bummer for her to miss the game, I’m proud of her and the work she does at the hospital. There isn’t a soul out there who cares more about people than she does. Besides, I still had my good luck picture of us and one more in the lining of my hat.

My dick gets hard just thinking about that photo.

When I look at her sparkling gray eyes in the photo, I swear she’s eye-fucking me. She’s on her knees, wearing my Evaders jersey and nothing else. Her raven hair lays in a thick braid over her shoulder, and she’s biting her finger while my jersey lays unbuttoned, leaving the valley between her breasts exposed.

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