Page 56 of Stolen Bases

Talia fucking Romero has officially knocked me on my ass.

fifteen

Talia

I slide on mywhite cropped tee and check myself out in the mirror one last time. Per usual, I tied my long black hair into my favorite mermaid braid, my makeup is light—a leftover from dinner with Nico—and I opted for a pair of wide-leg black jeans and sneakers. Simple and comfortable for slipping out of the house undetected.

I plop back onto the bed and glance at the clock for the hundredth time in five minutes. The time ticks by slowly as I wait for my midnight kidnapper to come and abduct me.

The house creaks, and my ears prick. I’m a little on edge as every snick of a door and flip of a switch has my heart jumping.

For the last three nights, Cam has come to my window to swoop me off my feet and sneak me away, but tonight my nerves are toast.

My dinner with Nico has left me paranoid. He took me to a fancy French restaurant to celebrate passing my boards and my last night in Arizona. It was great, but a few times, I caught him staring at me. Scrutinizing me like he suspects something is going on with me. I can’t put my finger on why, but something about tonight doesn’t sit well with me. My stomach churns, knots twisting my insides out.

Cam and I have been careful not to arouse suspicion, but Nico’s not an idiot. He’s asked me to go out with him every night and I’ve declined each time, telling him I was too tired or not interested.It’s not like staying home is a recent development for me. I’ve never been a partier. Going out to clubs has never held my interest. I’m more of a “stay at home and watch crap reality TV in my sweatpants” kind of girl.

Liar.

Fine. I enjoy leaving the house with Cam. He’s unique. He makes me want to take chances and live a little. I know it’s a disaster waiting to happen, but I can’t find it in my heart to stop seeing him.

My family means the world to me, but I can’t be this version of myself with them, only with Cameron. He makes me happy. When I’m with him, I’m free from the burden of having to be perfect. Free from the expectations of others. I get to be me.

Cam makes my worries disappear. Everything he touches turns to happiness. Me included.

With him, I live in the moment and nothing else matters. I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Plus, he makes me laugh. I’ve never laughed with anybody the way I do with him. Our banter is off the charts, flirty, and fun. The heat between us is a wildfire waiting to strike and burn down everything that surrounds us. There is a ninety-percent chance someone is going to get burned.

I just hope it isn’t me because real life is about to hit us like a ton of bricks.

Cameron is a successful baseball player who travels six to eight months out of the year. He’s gorgeous and talented. Women throw themselves at him. He could have anyone he wants.

Me? I’m just a nurse who works sixty hours a week, lives with her mom, aunt, and cousins, and loves to hang out at home in her pajamas.

What can I possibly offer a man like him?

Chewing the inside of my cheek to the point of pain, I table my negative thoughts. Tonight is my last night here, and I don’t want to spend it worrying about the future. I just want to be with Cam, here and now. I want to relish his attention and his touch. I wantto have fun and laugh. I want to be held by someone who cares about me, who looks at me with unbridled heat and desire.

Three taps to my windowpane have the butterflies in my stomach flapping their wings. I rush to the window and slide it open as Cam reaches through and pulls me to his body.

Our mouths collide in a searing kiss as my hands grip his shirt. Cam’s wicked tongue slides against mine in a delicious dance.

Damn, he’s such a good kisser.My knees wobble as I cling to him for balance. His kisses are a drug I want to consume, euphoric and addicting.

He breaks away first, resting his forehead against mine as I catch my breath.

Wow. That was some kiss.

Cam tilts my chin up with his index finger and grins. “It was.”

“I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, you did.” Cam chuckles, placing a soft kiss on my nose. “Do you still want to escape with me tonight?” he asks, giving me the power to say no and proving yet again that he’s a good man. He respects me.

My heart skips a beat as I answer without hesitation, “Yes.”

Cam grips my ribcage and lifts me through the window with ease. I wrap my legs around his waist—same as I do every night—as he slides the window closed and carries me across the deck and around the side of the house, as far away from my brother’s room as possible.

My hands roam over his broad chest to his back. I dig my fingers into his rippling trapezius muscles as he walks us to his waiting car. His strength still shocks me. I’ve never felt as delicate as I do when Cam carries me around. I can only hope he applies those same principles in the bedroom—bending me to his will and covering every inch of my petite body with his huge one.

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