Page 49 of Love's Home Run

“Such as?” Ross’s blue eyes bored into her, demanding an honest answer.

Melissa sighed and looked away. “I realize Dirk and I aren’t a couple. We never had the same spark I felt with you.” She was embarrassed to say more, but she knew what real passion was after kissing Ross. She’d never been kissed like that before.

Ross reached across the table and clasped her hand. “I want to get to know you better as more than a friend.”

“Me, too,” she said, loving the feel of his fingers wrapped around hers. Being away from Lilac Lake would give them the perfect opportunity to explore their new feelings.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Their dinners came, and Ross and Melissa concentrated on their meals briefly. Melissa was sure the catfish she ordered must have tasted delicious, but with her pulse racing, it was as tasteless as cardboard. All she could think of was what might happen after they left the restaurant.

When at last they stood outside, Ross turned to her. “Ready to go back to the hotel?”

Melissa nodded, suddenly shy.

On the way, Ross filled the car with small talk, and Melissa wondered if he was as nervous as she was.

He pulled into the parking lot and brought the car to a stop. “Why don’t you come to my room? There’s a baseball game on television. We could relax and watch it together.”

“Okay. I’ll freshen up and meet you there.”

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After washing her face and recombing her hair into her normal ponytail, Melissa left her room wondering how the evening would go. She’d had such high hopes for a relationship with Dirk, but now she realized they’d both been trying too hard.

Ross greeted her at the door to his room with a smile. “Come on in. The Yankees are ahead by two.”

“They’re not playing the Red Sox, are they? You know I’d have to root for them.”

He laughed. “No. They’re playing the Braves.” He led her over to the couch and sat down. Wearing shorts and a T-shirt, he looked as relaxed as any guy watching a favorite game.

She sat beside him and accepted the bottle of water he handed her. She knew something about baseball, but sitting next to Ross, listening to his take on the situation, she was learning much more about the game.

At one point, a Yankee player hit a home run. Cheering, Melissa turned to Ross, and in their excitement,they embraced. As he stared at her, Melissa felt the world turn silent. Then his lips were on hers, and behind her closed eyelids, colors erupted like fireworks.

When they finally pulled apart, they were both breathing hard.

“I’ve wanted to kiss you for a long time,” said Ross, cupping her head in his hands. His blue eyes drew her in, and she sighed as his lips met hers again.

He tugged her down on the couch, and they lay there, side by side. Melissa was surprised by how well they fit together. She snuggled closer, enjoying the feeling of Ross protecting her. From what, she didn’t care. In his arms, she felt as if she’d found the man she’d been searching for all along.

Facing the television, they continued to lie together, watching the action. With a score of seven to two in the eighth inning, the game was pretty much over. Not that Melissa cared about the numbers. She could only think of being this close to Ross.

When the game ended, Ross rolled to his side and faced her. “I know we’ve been together a lot in the last few weeks, but I never got the chance to say how beautiful you are.”

She gazed into his eyes. “I thought you weren’t interested in me, and that’s why you offered to help me with Dirk.”

“At first, that might’ve been true. But as I got to know you better as a friend and neighbor, my feelings changed, and I didn’t know how to tell you. Besides, I didn’t think you were interested in me.”

She put her arms around his neck and drew him closer so she could kiss him.

He responded by pressing his torso against hers, and she knew he was as aroused as she.

She reveled in the knowledge that she’d made him feel this way and realized the mutual attraction they shared. Her body loosened and filled with a fire she had never experienced.

When kissing and caressing weren’t enough, they moved to the bedroom, where Ross demonstrated just how fit he was.

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