Page 22 of Unexpected Forever
I wrap an arm around her, pulling her in closer. Within seconds, her breathing evens out and she snores lightly.
My eyes drift closed to the realization that this is the first time I’ve ever wanteda woman to sleep next to me.
FIVE
charley
“Are you serious?”
“Hell, yeah. I had to do something to get his attention. What better way than to drop an entire tray of shots in his lap? On accident?”
I bob my eyebrows and Nate leans his head back and laughs.
We’re lying in bed facing each other after our latest round of earth-shattering sex.
“Okay, so I’ve told you about some of my shenanigans working in a bar; your turn to share.”
He lifts up on his elbow, leaning his head in his hand. “Oh, we did a lot of the typical stuff. The sunflower seed shower when the cameras are pointed at the dugout. Icy Hot in the jock straps. Shaving cream pies.”
“Yes!” I point at him laughing. “I remember when Ian Sterling nailed you with one of those a couple of years ago.”
He groans and shakes his head. “The bastard got me good. It was menthol and burned like a bitch.”
“You looked like you were pissed.”
“Oh, I was!” His grin is wicked, and damn, it makes me hot every time. “But I got him back when he least expected it.”
“Ooohh, what did you do?”
“I stole his car.”
I sit up straight. “You did what?”
He laughs. “I didn’t actually steal it. I just moved it. But the best part is we hired a mock camera crew to follow him out to the parking lot. Not only was he pissed off he was being followed, but then he couldn’t find his precious Porsche.”
“Oh my God! That’s so mean. But so good.”
“Yeah, not too shabby. He had it coming. He’d been pranking the team all week. So, we all collaborated to get him back.”
“Did he learn his lesson?”
“Not another prank the rest of the season.”
We chuckle and our eyes meet, tension building between us.
“You know,” I say softly, “you’re not at all what I expected.”
“Oh yeah? What did you expect?”
He reaches up and pushes a lock of hair behind my ear, and it takes everything in me not to press my cheek into his hand.
“I expected you to be a bit more serious. It’s the way the media portrays you. You’re the cool, collected, broody legendary catcher. The Iceman.”
He rolls his eyes. “It’s a ridiculous name. But Iamserious about my work. It’s a game and entertainment for people, but it’s my livelihood, my job. I’m the captain of the team and I have to keep the rest of the team in line, especially the young bucks.”
I pinch the hem of the sheet between my fingers. “Even when Megan has mentioned you, it’s how protective you are and how well you take care of her.”
He nods solemnly. “Megan is the most important person to me. She’s the only family I have left. I’m not big on family but what I do have, I’m taking care of.”
