Page 45 of Embers in the Outfield

We arrive at our destination; one I’ve visited many times in the years prior: a quaint bed and breakfast right on the water. I used to stay here years ago, and I was surprised it was still functioning at the same capacity as a bed and breakfast. They had one cancellation, and I felt like it was meant to be that we came up here today.

I think I needed the getaway, not only to detach from this Brett situation, but to also feel like I wasn’t hiding whatever I was doing with River. We can’t really go out together in the city. Even if what we’re doing is for fun and between one another, it’s something we have chosen to keep secret. Walking freely in our neighborhoods, getting a bite to eat, showing any type of affection, isn’t something we can do without running the risk of getting caught. Being here gives us some openness to our behavior and I can’t help but feel a little more free.

We get out of the car, and I’m immediately engulfed in memories of my childhood. The way my feet crunch under the pebbles on the ground, the view of the sun reflecting off thewater, and the wrap-around porch that feels the same yet so different from when we stayed here so many years ago.

River comes around and pulls me to him. He moves his lips to my temple, then brings his lips to the shell of my ear. “I can’t wait to fuck you against the window so this whole place knows you’re mine.”

My cheeks flame even as I elbow him, but somewhere deep down, the fact he’s so adamant that I turn him on makes my stomach flip a bit. I know his words have an expiration date, but there’s a part deep inside me, that wants a little part of those words to hold some truth. That thought scares yet thrills me at the same time.

We’ve spent months secretly touching one another, hoping to keep this a secret between us. But out here, we don’t have the threat of running into someone we know, opening up the possibility of us being ourselves on a whole new level.

I pull his hand into mine as I march us up the steps and into the cottage. We walk into the lobby, and it’s all so serene. I instantly feel better from the stress of the city being left behind. The woman behind the desk has a welcoming smile on her face, and I give her our information to check in.

I’m lucky I could get out of Boston this weekend. This break is a must right now with the chaos of the team and the stress off the field. The job is still something I love, but these last few weeks have been absolute hell. As much as I knew the uphill battle my job would be because I’m a female in a male-dominated industry, it doesn’t mean the stress weighs any less with that expectation. Hopefully, this getaway is the recharge I need to mentally attack whatever comes next.

“Room 202, which is up the stairs and to the left. You’ll have a view of the water from your balcony, along with an en-suite restroom that has bay windows as well. The best room in the house.”

The older woman smiles as we make our way through the lobby, and I nod my appreciation. We begin our ascent toward the room, our bags minimal for such a short stay. The moment we open the door, we’re both taken aback. This room is breathtaking. It’s what Hallmark movies base their storylines on with the floral wallpaper, along with the accents of beach decor sprinkled throughout the bedding and furniture.

We step further in and within seconds, River is jumping onto the bed.

“Holy fuck, this bed is like a cloud!” he declares, then starts rolling around.

“You act like you don’t have a bed at home, Riv.” I can’t help the eye roll.

“Try it, Kennedy. I swear this thing is what dreams are made of.” He pats the spot next to him. I pretend I’m going to walk off, but then I throw my bags to the side and take a leap onto the fluffy bedding.

The moment my body connects to the mattress, I realize River wasn’t exaggerating.

“Damn, that’s nice.” I move my arms and legs as if there’s a potential of forming a snow angel. My mattress at home is comfortable, but this one is next level.

“It really is,” he says, and when I turn my head, I see he’s looking right at me. More like devouring me with his gaze.

I smile at him, and he inches closer.

“You know what I kept thinking while we were driving up here?” he asks, moving his hand onto my bare legs.

“What’s that?” I mutter, my focus being pulled to the circles he’s drawing up my thigh.

“The fact that those tiny shorts you’re wearing are leaving little to the imagination,” he says, and I turn toward him, letting the roaming hand cover my ass as I move my thigh over his hip.I feel a zap of energy move through me as he grabs my butt through my denim shorts.

“What exactly were you thinking of doing about it?” I tease, loving this surge of electricity I get right before he strips me out of my clothes.

“I was thinking about this top.” He moves his hand up my side and pulls a strap down. “I was thinking about these tits and how I want to devour them one by one,” he adds, bringing his lips to my breast and nibbling each of my nipples.

“Mmmm.” My words are failing to form, and he hasn’t done much yet.

“Feeling your skin against my lips feels like the ultimate dream, Kennedy,” he says as he trails kisses down my abdomen and nears my center.

I look down to see him unfastening the button to my shorts and slowly inching the material past my hips and down my legs. He leaves my underwear on and returns all his focus to my center, his gaze trailing up my body until our eyes connect.

It’s then I feel it—that attention he gives me in a way that makes the rest of the world melt away. It feels like time stops, and all my synapses are firing at the same time.

He begins to trail kisses along my chest, down my navel until his nose reaches the fabric of the lace thong I’m wearing. The wetness seeps through my underwear, and his nose grazes my clit.

I can’t help my reaction, pushing my chest out and letting my head fall back. My knees fall open a little wider, hoping he’ll ease that tension I’m feeling.

“Where do you want me first, Kennedy?” he asks as he moves his nose back down and then up again along the fabric, grazing that sensitive bud for a second time.

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