Page 56 of Starcrossed Colorado

I let Stella explore a bit, and then we went to cheer on the ball game with the others, especially when Maisie got a base hit off the tee.

Piper nudged me. “Ashford is great with the kids, isn’t he?”

I nodded, aware of Grace a few feet away. “You’re like the devil on my shoulder,” I murmured.

Piper laughed evilly. “I’m very innocent, I’ll have you know.”

“I don’t believe that for a second.”

She was right, though. Ashford’s grins came easier when he was surrounded by kids, and it seemed like the usual stress he carried had disappeared. I loved seeing him like that.

And every time he looked in my direction, it was hard not to think that smile was for me, too.

This wasn’t just a fleeting attraction or a silly crush. I was starting to develop actual feelings for the man.

I just had to keep remembering all the reasons nothing could happen between me and him. No matter how much I wanted it.

FOURTEEN

Ashford

I swungthe plastic bat a few times. It made a singing sound in the air.

“Showing off for Emma?” Callum asked under his breath as he passed me, heading out to pitch.

“Fuck off.”

“So inappropriate. There are children present.”

“Fuck off,please.”

The kids weren’t close enough to hear us. They were over getting popsicles and crowding around Stella. Several of us guys had taken the equipment to play a quick game.

Also, I was very much showing off for Emma. As much as one could with a plastic bat and wiffle ball.

Callum pitched. I hit a line drive and jogged to first base, glancing in Emma’s direction when I got there. Her eyes were on me, which filled my lower belly with anticipation.

Not like I had anything specific to anticipate. But my body had ideas lately, and it wouldn’t listen to the rational voice of my brain.

Over the past week since Emma had moved in, I’d needed a lot of solo sessions in my bed and the shower. It was like my libido had suddenly woken from a long sleep, and it wasravenous. Yet the woman had been spending as little time around me as possible, and that lack of her attention just made me crave it more. It was embarrassing. I wasn’t usually that guy. I was steady, dependable, responsible.

And here I was, stealing a base during a pickup wiffle ball game in hopes of impressing a woman who wasn’t interested in me.

At least all the kids cheered.

I ran past the stump we were calling home base. The game didn’t last much longer, and after checking on Maisie, I found a spot on the picnic blanket near Emma. She was wearing cutoff denim shorts and a tank top, and she leaned back in a relaxed posture with her hands braced behind her.

“Having fun?” I asked, tipping my water bottle to drink.

She nodded. “You were right about the hot dogs. They’re pretty bad, and yet somehow they taste so good going down.”

I sputtered and wiped spilled water from my face. Emma had a devious little smile, though she had her eyes on Stella romping around. Maisie had let her off leash.

“It’s that summertime effect,” I said. “Everything tastes better when the grass is green and the sun is shining.”

“That must be it.”

I bent my legs and rested my arms on my knees. “I’m teaching a women’s self-defense course tomorrow afternoon. There’s an open spot. You should come.”

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