Stacia sighed. Even she had thought the contract terms were a little harsh, demeaning. Her heart had softened, even as Jason had stood stoic. Sophie was right to counsel her but Stacia feared it was too late. “I know that and I’m being really careful.”
“Really?” Sophie’s arch tone came through the phone loud and clear.
“Really. I’m just working on a plan to show the fans that he’s changed, that he isn’t the guy they thought he was.”
“And is he? Is he the guy the fans think he is or the guyyouthink he is?”
“I have no idea,” Stacia admitted. “But I’m working on it.”
“Well,” Sophie sighed. “Just be careful, sweetie. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“I don’t intend to be hurt. I’m being really careful this time.” God willing, she had to be careful, or risk losing her heart in the process.
Never had she been so vulnerable.
“Umm-hmm.”
*
The next day,Jason sat in his rented condo, staring at a television screen, studying the familiar swing. Two years ago, every baseball he saw was the size of a grapefruit and he nailed each one, winning baseball’s Triple Crown– most runs batted in, highest batting average, and most home runs. He’d been trying in vain to duplicate that same swing in the two years since. In vain, because he was older, slower, and dealing with a bum shoulder. Now that he had a contract, it was imperative to get that swing back as quickly as possible and make the most of the last six to eight weeks of the season so he could parlay that into a new, better contract.
A pounding on the condominium door jarred Jason out of his analysis. He scowled at the door, and leaned further in, trying to block out the noise. The pounding continued.
“Goddamnit! Hang on.”
He jumped up and stamped around the boxes stacked near the hallway, then kicked a hidden one.
“Sonofabitch!” Whoever was at the door had better be worth it.
He flung open the door, the curse dying on his lips. Stacia Kendall stood on the stoop, foot tapping, a smartphone in her hand.
“Great! I wasn’t sure you were here.” She tucked her phone in her purse and brushed past him into the dim, narrow hallway. She eyed the boxes piled in the entrance to the living room. “Interesting furniture.”
“I don’t have time to unpack. I have to hit the road in a couple of days to meet the team, once I pass my physical.” He crossed his arms and glared her.
“And your media announcement in two days,” she reminded him.
He grimaced. “Yeah, that too.”
“You can’t skip it.” She walked further into the room and stopped at the chair positioned directly in front of the flat screen TV on a small table. “You made me wait while you watched a movie?”
He scowled. “Not a movie. Not exactly. I was watching my swing, studying tape, getting ready.”
“Hmpf.” She snorted. “Well, before you can watch yourself playing baseball, we need to survive the signing. It won’t be easy. We have a lot of work to do.”
He brushed past her, ignoring her subtle perfume and his body’s traitorous reaction. He sat in the chair, picked up the remote and clicked play. “Ihave work to do.”
She stepped in front of the television, arms on her hips. “Yes,wedo.” She snatched the remote out of his hand and clicked off the television. “Need I remind you, you don’t have the best reputation with the press? They tolerated you when you were on top of your game. But now, well, you’re not.”
He ran his gaze over her, noting her form-fitted business suit, blouse buttoned up, jacket buttoned, skirt an inch or so above her knee. Buttoned up tight, closed off, topped off with a prissy attitude. Instead of pissing him off, he had an urge to mess her up, unbutton her, get her to relax like their one night.
His intentions must have been telegraphed because her eyes narrowed and she stepped back, but not quite quick enough. His hand reached out and latched onto a hand, twisting then pulling her down until she sprawled on his lap, her sweet ass nestled in his groin. Immediately, his cock awakened and lengthened, pressing against her, begging for relief. He reached around her and opened the top two buttons on her blouse.
She struggled briefly, attempting to break his grip, trying to orient herself. He held her tightly, leaning in her, burying his nose in her hair.
“Relax,” he whispered into her ear. Her perfume wafted over him and he inhaled deeply.
“Are you sniffing me?” Her outraged voice broke through his sensual haze and he released her.