Page 3 of Home Run

The woman held up her prizes like they were trophies.

“What’s your name?” I blurted out. This night was either going to be complete shit or would be a night I’d never forget, but I got the impression following this free spirit on a rule breaking adventure was going to be worth it.

She dangled her legs over the side, hands occupied with champagne and I moved in front of her, taking her hips in my hands, gliding her gently back to earth. Something weird happened in my chest and for a split second it felt just like I was in the air again, glove up, determined to make an amazing catch.

“Hope.” She grinned up at me, biting the corner of her lower lip as her eyes darted between mine. “My name is Hope.”

2

I watched from the grass as Hope stepped into the steaming water. It was dark, but I could make out the outline of her body. Even though she was very muscular, she still had the unmistakable shape of a woman. Something my body seemed to appreciate quite a fucking lot, judging by the tent in my boxers. Just after she shrugged out of her pajamas she bundled up all that dark hair into a hair tie. I had a sudden urge to find out what it would feel like to press my body against hers, shove my fingers in all that hair, and discover what she tasted like.

It was probably best that until tonight I had no idea this hotel had a hot tub garden. That wasn’t what they called it, but it’s what my mind decided on. Separated from the main pool by towering tree shrubs, there was a series of heated pools and spas sunk into the gardens. It was like I stepped into some sort of Roman fantasy. If I’d known this was here I’d have been in big trouble. The games I would have missed just to stay here…

“Spectacular, isn’t it?” Hope said as she swam out into one of the deeper pools. No one was supposed to be here. All the water features closed at midnight so there were no lights aside from the ground lights. The girls all stripped down to their bras and panties, not that it mattered. I couldn’t see any of it. Besides, Hope’s friends Daphne and Marissa had disappeared with Scotty as soon as he arrived.

Leaving me alone with Hope.

Hope.

For what? Tonight would be fun. Maybe we’d fuck. Maybe we’d go our separate ways. I’d never see her again. So why did I hope?

“You think a lot,” she said.

I stepped deeper into the pool. “What makes you say that?”

“Well you’re not saying anything and I assume you have a brain between your ears.”

Hopefully hotel security left us alone. My suit was crumpled up near the gate along with my wallet. Usually my name or my cash got me out of trouble spots. It felt reckless to be so far from both.

And yet I followed Hope to the other end of the deep pool of steaming water. “I’m having an off night.” When I got close enough I could see her smile.

“I somehow doubt that. Quiet and grumpy matches your face.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She shrugged, sending a ripple through the water. “It wasn’t an insult.”

“Didn’t sound like a compliment.”

“Then it’s just a statement of fact, I suppose.” She splashed a little water my way. “See? You can smile a little.”

“Do you prefer smiley men? If so I hate to break it to you, you picked up the wrong guy for your adventure.” Even when I was happy I wasn’t a smiler. It simply wasn’t how my face worked.

“Oh, I don’t know,” she took a drag from the champagne bottle, then moved closer to me. Our legs brushed. “You’re fun to talk to. And maybe I like the challenge.”

“You like talking to me? You just said I was quiet.”

Her legs moved around my right knee. The cotton of her panties dragged against my skin. “Well, you’re not a conversation starter, but you do reply in full sentences. Mostly.”

Teasing. She was teasing me. And…I liked it. “You know my full name. What’s yours?” I’m not sure what compelled me to ask that. I was usually good with minimal information.

“Crawford. Hope Crawford.” Her beautiful eyes had a way of devouring me that I found insanely hot.

“Where were you supposed to be tonight?” I brushed her hair off her cheek, admired her breasts without touching them.

“Just a little work thing. But the whole kitchen staff got food poisoning and they had to cancel the event.” She shuddered. “I feel terrible for them, of course, but I’m also really grateful I didn’t wind up with food poisoning too.”

“Not this hotel, right?”

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