Page 87 of Left on Base

My foot slips, my hand misses the bar, and for a split second, I’m dangling there, clinging for dear life. “I hate you for this!” I hiss, because of course he’s laughing at me.

Jaxon shakes his head. “You want a boost, Spider-Man?”

“I swear to God, Jaxon, if you call me Spider-Man one more time—” My grip slips, and suddenly I’m falling, gravity doing its evil thing.

Next thing I know, I’m landing directly in his arms. He actuallycatchesme. Like, bridal style. Like we’re in some cheesy rom-com except I’m out of breath and probably flashing some tit at this awkward angle.

He grins down at me, smug as hell. His eyes find my chest. I look, and yeah, one tit is out. “Told you I got you.”

I try to look dignified—which is hard when you’ve just flopped off a fence—and tuck my tit back in. “I don’t know why I let you talk me into this shit.”

He shrugs, still not putting me down. “Because you secretly enjoy the thrill.”

“Whatever.”

He sets me down and we make our way inside. The baseball field is deserted at this hour. The wet grass sparkles under thenight sky, steady rain drumming against the metal bleachers. I find it both soothing and terrifying because I keep looking around for security guards.

“Should we be out here?” My eyes lift to the field lit only by the moon. “What if we get caught?”

“Well, no. Probably shouldn’t be, and I’d be benched if they found out.”

“Jaxon, seriously?” I pull back. “Then let’s not go out there. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

He laughs, and I do not appreciate it. “Yeah, I know you don’t.”

“So let's go then.”

“Nuh uh. Come here.” He shakes his head, stops in the bleachers, and glances back. “Some rules are worth breaking.”

I wonder if he realizes this was where he told me he was talking to Inez. What’s different now? Everything. Nothing. Still no definition.

“Girl.” He holds out his hand. “Come on.”

I take one step toward him. My heart is pounding so loud I can’t tell if it’s that or my ragged breathing. “Jaxon, what are you doing?”

“You’ll see.”

He takes my hand and pulls me in close. One hand moves up, cupping my cheek. His eyes search mine.

“Moonlight looks good on you.” He kisses me, gentle, once. Pulls back. “Do you want me to stop?”

Hell no. I inhale, the ache in my stomach practically screaming. “No.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. If I get arrested tonight, I’m blaming you for not stopping me.

His lips curl in a smirk. He kisses me again, tongue sweeping my bottom lip. I want more.Needmore.

But then he breaks the kiss, breath heavy, eyes burning. “I got so jealous seeing you talk to him.”

Did he just say that? I didn’t make that up, right?

“You did?”

He nods, holding me tighter. Hands slide to my hips, then my ass. He sighs against my lips. “I’m needy, baby,” he says, and it’s almost a damn whimper. Okay, not a whimper, but it’s needy as fuck and sends a tingle all the way down. “Are you gonna give me what I want?”

Honestly, I don’t even know what he asked. My brain short-circuits at “baby.” He knows exactly when to use it.

How do you spend your Tuesday nights? Me?

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