Page 55 of The Strike Zone

“I’m the lucky one.”

He might have mumbled it, but it was loud enough to hear an underlying seriousness, which heightened when he held my gaze. It set off a succession of little somersaults in my belly until I had to look away.

“So,” he nudged me gently, “how’s your week been? Have you missed me? It’s hard to check in when I don’t have your number. You best be coming to the game today.”

“Is this you asking for my number?”

He shook his head. “No, simply stating a fact.”

“My week’s been good, I’ve managed to get some work done without you distracting me all the time.”

“I distractyou?”

“Maybe.”

His hands clasped to his chest. “Why, Scout. I think that’s the greatest compliment you’ve ever given me.”

“Shut up.”

“I will not.” He laughed, nudging me with his shoulder again, and we walked toward the entrance. “How’s that website film coming along? Are you going to make me famous?”

“Aren’t you famous enough already?”

He shook his head. “Nah, I’m only baseball famous. Not star quality famous. I’m expecting your film to do that for me.”

“It’s a film now, is it.”

“Yep, so when’s it premiering?”

“This week.”

“I’ll let the mail room know to expect extra fan mail then.”

“Oh, you and your ego.” I laughed, patting him on the shoulder.

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with my ego.”

I stopped and allowed my gaze to drop, before it slowly inched upward. I did my best to make it look all show, but I could happily admit to myself I was enjoying every second. It was almost as good as last week when he’d been nearly naked, dripping in sweat as his muscles worked to exhaustion.

“I dunno, looks too big to fit through the doors.”

“Nope. Watch.” He marched forward and pushed through the wide revolving doors into the lobby, only to come right back out again as they spun around. “See.”

“They must have been widened or something.”

“Uh-uh,” he said, and before I knew it, he’d grabbed my hand and pulled me into the next go-around. I barely had time to shriek, it was a wonder neither of our coffees spilled as I found myself hard against his even harder chest. And there was no escape. “See, I told you.”

The revolving doors might have been big enough to fit us both in, but barely. The five seconds of time it took for us to pass through into the lobby could have been days as his green eyes bored into mine.

All we’d done was taken a couple of steps, but the flip-flopping in my belly was akin to riding the big drop at Six Flags, and just like I always did on roller coasters, I held my breath.

“Shall we go again?” His lips brushed the shell of my ear and I lost all train of thought; my brain ceased to function. I was all set for another go-around, when loud shouting yanked us out of whatever moment we were having.

A couple of security guards were standing with their back to us next to the security desk. Pablo was behind it with his arms crossed, and wearing an expression so murderous that I almost ran back outside, and it wasn’t even aimed at me.

Whoever was currently shouting was far braver than I was.

Parker leaned into me and let out a low whistle. “Someone’s got balls. No one messes with Pablo and comes out unscathed.”

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