Spring Training: A Game On Novel Read online

  He chuckled as he opened the door, waving a hand to let her know he’d heard her. “You betcha.”

  * * *

  He was in trouble. Garrett stared at the ceiling and grit his teeth against the lust that ravaged his body. His little stunt in Jessa’s room had changed everything. Started a firestorm in his system that only one thing would extinguish. The one thing he couldn’t let happen.

  Christ, what the fuck was he thinking?

  He grabbed another ball from the bag at his feet. He was going to get himself traded. Then what? He could play for another team, but his reputation would be ruined. He’d be known as that guy for the rest of his career. Shit like that didn’t just blow over.

  He scrawled his name across the ball before tossing it into the basket beside him. His hand was cramped and he’d barely made a dent in the bag. At the rate he was going, he’d be up all night.

  In more ways than one.

  He’d gone over and over it in his head. He hadn’t intended to take advantage of Jessa. He’d wanted to make peace with her, start over fresh. Kissing her had been an impulse, but one he couldn’t have stopped if he’d tried. Her lips, curled into that gentle smile as she teased him, were far too much temptation for a mortal man such as himself.

  Once he’d tasted her, the only thing on his mind was more. More heat, more skin, more Jessa.

  What was it about her that made him forget everything else?

  He’d spent years honing his instinct. Hell, it’s what made him the ballplayer he was today. He could see the play in his head before the bat hit the ball. He didn’t question it. He rolled with it, did whatever it took to get the job done.

  His father’s voice echoed in his head. Work hard. Take care of your own. Trust your gut.

  Right now, Garrett’s gut was doing the mambo.

  He signed another ball and added it to the growing pile. He was here to play baseball, not to get laid. His cock jerked in protest as the vision of Jessa, spread out beneath him, filled his head.

  “Damn it.” His curse broke through the silence of the room. He went to the bar to grab a beer, only to realize he’d left them in Jessa’s fridge. Whiskey then. Just a shot. Not enough to make him sorry tomorrow, but enough to help him avoid the horror of a cold shower.

  He carried the tumbler back to the couch, clicked on the TV and resumed signing the baseballs his agent had sent over. He scribed ball after ball, half listening to the sports recap on the TV and more thinking about Jessa. He tossed the marker on the table and finished his drink.

  Before he realized what he was doing, he slipped his hand into his shorts and wrapped it around his swollen length. His head fell to the back of the couch. Using his other hand, he pulled the elastic waistband down and hooked it around his balls. His breath caught at the added pressure to the sensitive area behind his testicles.

  He worked his fist over his cock, circling the base and moving upward, squeezing the tip until moisture beaded from the head. His hips jerked as he spread the warm fluid around with this thumb before moving to the base to begin again.

  Jessa’s taste was still in his mouth. She tasted fresh, sweet. Her tongue an eager partner in the dance he’d started.

  He raised his head and watched as he stroked himself. His cock throbbed, as if angry the only heat it felt was from his own hand.

  Jessa would be in bed now, sheets caressing her naked flesh. Oh yeah, she’d be naked. And touching herself as he was. Nimble fingers tugging at her tight little nipples. Would she pull hard, or roll them gently between her fingers? Would she need the added twinge to bring her greater pleasure? He was dying to find out.

  Sweat beaded on his upper lip as he tightened his grip. The thought of her stretched out and open, her pussy wet with need, made him desperate to come. He imagined her delicate folds bare, nothing between him and the sensitive nerve endings that would come alive with his touch. He’d take her slow, learning what made his little kitten purr. Swiping his tongue through her slit, he’d draw her essence into him, letting it soothe his throat until he was drunk on her. He’d suck her outer folds into his mouth, first one, then the other. Nibbling at the tender skin until she cried his name. He’d use his fingers to spread her open, memorizing her beautiful shape, before plunging his tongue deep inside, teasing, driving her to the edge of orgasm. But he’d not let her over the edge. Not yet.

  She’d grab his head, holding him in place as she rode his tongue, begging him to give her what she craved.

  He’d make her crazy with need.

  As crazy as he was as he pumped his cock harder, faster. Sweat ran down his chest. He reached with his free hand and grabbed his sac. His heart hammered in his ears, his breath caught as his thighs and stomach tightened. Further thought became impossible. Jessa’s image was all he could hold on to as his release hit him. His breath held, his hips lifted from the couch as his seed spilled across his stomach and chest.

  Reality was slow to return. His panting breath and the ringing in his ears the only sounds he could hear. This wasn’t the first time he’d masturbated, but shit. He’d never felt anything like that before. If his release was that intense just thinking about Jessa, then actually being inside her would kill him for sure.

  Two weeks. He licked his lips and grinned at the thought. He knew the dangers of messing with her. If he was smart, he’d leave her the hell alone. Maybe he would have, if she hadn’t come alive in his arms tonight. If she hadn’t returned his kiss with fiery passion, if she hadn’t begged him to touch her as she cushioned his hips with her own.

  Nope, he wasn’t smart at all. Dumb as a fuckin’ post, in fact, because he knew there was no way he could leave her alone. His cock twitched. He grimaced as his fingers touched the sticky fluid on his stomach.

  Fuck.

  Seems he was gonna get that cold shower after all.

  Chapter Four

  Jessa nursed her hot tea while she waited for Garrett to join her in the limo. She was filled with nervous energy, not knowing what to expect this morning. She’d spent half the night aroused and the other half worried about where things stood between them. They’d hardly been intimate, but they’d done enough to cause problems with their working relationship if they weren’t careful.

  A kiss. God, one kiss and she’d been lost. She’d never begged anyone to touch her, but last night with Garrett, it was the only thing she could do. He’d stolen her need for anything but his next touch. The things she’d said, the things she’d done …

  And now she had to face him.

  Good lord.

  She palmed her flaming cheeks, feeling like a silly teenager with her first crush.

  They had to talk about what happened, because it couldn’t happen again. Her dad would freak the hell out. She wouldn’t risk Garrett’s job that way, no matter how badly she wanted him.

  And speak of the devil. Garrett jerked opened the door and she suppressed a laugh as he all but fell inside. He tossed a canvas bag on the floor, several baseballs falling out and rolling around her feet. He passed her a heated glance and slid onto the seat next to her.

  “Nice digs,” he grumbled. “Though I’d much rather have a regular old car. I hear they rent those nowadays.”

  “Let me guess.” She scooted to the side, his grumpy mood setting her further on edge. “Not a morning person?”

  He turned his head toward her, his eyes narrowing. “I didn’t sleep well. Stayed up signing baseballs. Then … well, let’s just say it was a restless night. Normally, I’d forgo caffeine during training, but I’d kill for a cup of coffee right about now.” He eyed her travel mug for a second before reaching over, snatching it from her and taking a drink. Tiny droplets spewed from his lips, misting over the floor and seat across from them. “Ah, damn! What the hell is this shit?” His face scrunched up as he wiped the back of his han
d across his mouth.

  “It’s green tea. Very good for you.”

  Garrett gave her mug a dirty look before passing it back. “I don’t care how good it is for me, that shit is nasty.”

  “Big baby,” she teased, and produced a large cup of coffee she’d gotten from the hotel. “I thought you might need this.”

  His face lit up and stole her breath. He slid close, taking the cup out of her hands. His eyes gleamed and he held the cup as if she’d given him something precious and fragile. “There is a God, and she’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.” He took a drink and sighed. “Thank you, darlin’.” His head fell back and he closed his eyes.

  “You’re welcome, sweetie pie.” She did her best to mimic his accent.

  He cracked one eye open. “Cheeky.”

  Jessa studied him, wishing she knew him well enough to understand his moods. His eyes were closed, his face relaxed. She studied the contours of his face, the stubble on his cheeks and chin giving him a rugged look. He raised the cup to his mouth and she watched, fascinated, as his lips pursed to blow over the hot brew. His tongue darted out to lick the edge of the lid before he sipped, all the while keeping his eyes shut and his head tilted back. God, only Garrett could make drinking coffee sexy.

  “You know, it’s impolite to stare.” His lips curled up, but otherwise he remained still. “But, I’ll tell you what.” He moved then, setting his coffee aside and patting his lap. “Climb on up and stare all you want.”

  “Be serious.” He had no idea how much she wanted to take him up on his offer.

  “Oh, I am serious.” He patted his lap again. “Come on, princess. You know you want to. If you’re gonna make me ride to the park in this God-forsaken vehicle, then I need some perks.” He eyed her breasts and her traitorous nipples jumped for joy.

  “The limo’s not a perk?”

  “Hardly.”

  “Well, then that coffee’s the only perk you’re getting this morning, so you better enjoy it while it’s hot.”

  He grumbled again, but grabbed his cup and resumed his position.

  “Garrett, we need to talk about last night.” Butterflies erupted in her stomach as she broached the subject.

  “Sit on my lap and we’ll talk.”

  The roughness of his voice sent a shiver up her spine. The sensation branched out, coursed through her veins as if he’d touched her.

  “You’re not helping.”

  “I didn’t know I was supposed to be.”

  She threw her hands up. “Jesus, you’re impossible!”

  His expression was one of pure male irritation. “Fine. Talk.” He cocked a brow as he waited for her to say something.

  She scowled. She hadn’t slept well either, but she wasn’t taking it out on him. “You don’t have to be so testy.”

  “I’m running on no sleep and very little coffee. I’m gonna get shit like you won’t believe for showing up in this fancy rig every day when a fucking rental car would have suited me just fine.” He blew out a breath and ran his hand over his head. “Now, you’re about to give me all the reasons why last night was a mistake. You’ll rationalize, throw my job and your father at me. Then, you’ll tell me it can’t ever happen again. I’d be surprised if you didn’t try to give me the ‘let’s be friends’ bit. I get it. Hell, I’ll probably even agree with you.” His eyes turned dark, his voice strained. “And then you’ll expect me to forget how you burned in my arms and that I’m so hard for you right now I can’t see straight. So, yeah, Jessa. I’m a little fuckin’ testy.”

  Stunned, Jessa bit her cheek. Her gaze darted to his lap, eliciting a growl from him as he shifted to the seat across from her. The move poked at her temper. “You know, you aren’t the only one who had a rough night so you can shove the attitude. You can have a fucking rental car after I leave. The limo wasn’t my idea. Dad insisted.” Tears threatened the edges of her lids and Jessa rolled her head back in an effort to keep them from trailing down her cheeks. Garrett had been right, about most of it anyway. Deep down, she knew he wasn’t mad at her. It wasn’t her fault, hell, it wasn’t anyone’s fault. Things were how they were and that meant it sucked to be them right now.

  “Great. Talk over?”

  She turned to the window. “I guess that pretty much covers it. I wish …” She didn’t know what she wished. That he played for a different team? That her dad wouldn’t have a coronary at the thought of her dating a ballplayer — one of his ballplayers? That the sight of Garrett didn’t make her weak?

  Yeah, that about covered it.

  He cursed and sat forward, his arms braced on his knees. “Jesus, Jess. I’m sorry. I’m a total bastard without sleep. I didn’t mean to attack you like that.”

  She nodded. “You were wrong about one thing.”

  He raised a questioning brow.

  “I wasn’t going to tell you last night was a mistake.”

  He seemed to consider her words before he sunk back into the seat. “That’s good, because I’m not sorry about last night either. So, that leaves us … where exactly?”

  She cringed at what was about to come out of her mouth. “As friends, I guess? We both have jobs to do, and at the end of next week I’ll be back in New York and you’ll be in the thick of pre-season games. It’s better if we stay focused on what we’re here to do. But, you’re right.” She smirked and blinked her eyelashes at him. “You are a total bastard.”

  Garrett barked a laugh, the sound ringing her ears as the tension around them lessened. “Now that we have that cleared up, some of the guys and their wives are going out to dinner tonight. You wanna go?”

  Her heart skipped a beat. “Like a date?” Hadn’t they just been over this?

  “Nope. Like dinner. Friends, remember?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

  “Why not?”

  The playful spark in his eyes made her grateful his mood seemed to be improving. She hoped it lasted. “No.”

  “I thought you were supposed to keep an eye on me.” He gave her that smile again. The one that promised long, slow, deep pleasure.

  Damn him.

  “Oh, that’s right, Jessa. I know all about why you’re here. So, what’s to stop me from doing something stupid if you aren’t there to make sure I behave myself?”

  Jessa knew what he was doing. Using that wicked Southern charm to goad her into going. “I have responsibilities, Garrett.” She leveled her gaze on him. “I can’t go out drinking with a bunch of ballplayers.”

  “And their wives,” he added. “For dinner. If you don’t want to drink, don’t drink. Eat, dance, laugh. Blow off steam like the rest of us. Besides, I’m one of your responsibilities. And I’m going out tonight. Sure would be nice to have a chaperone.” His sing-songy voice trailed off as he watched her.

  “It’s weird for me,” she blurted. She hated to admit it, but she wanted him to understand.

  “Dinner is weird?”

  “Jesus, Garrett.” She laughed, amazed at the difference a few ounces of caffeine could make. “No. People are different around me, you know, because of my dad. It’s really hard to get to know someone when they’re always afraid to speak their minds for fear I’ll run and tell him every word. I don’t want to spend the evening with a bunch of people being fake nice to me.”

  He put a hand over his heart. “I give you my word it won’t be like that. Come on, Jess. Live a little. You do know how to have fun, don’t you?”

  The challenge was clear. She pinched the bridge of her nose. It was too early to have a headache but she was fast on her way. Her dad had accused her of never having any fun, and now Garrett. Well, to hell with both of them. She could have fun. And she’d go all out, too. Hair, makeup, new outfit. The works. Which meant she’d have to get busy.

  “All r
ight, Garrett.”

  His smile morphed into a frown. “What is that look? And why am I suddenly scared?”

  She reached over and patted him on the knee. “It’ll be okay. You’re right. I’ll go. It’s about time I stepped out.”

  * * *

  Jessa cocked her head to the side and stared at the woman in the mirror as if she were a complete stranger.

  I can’t do this.

  She’d managed to get a little work done that morning, but with Garrett spending the majority of the day with his strength coach and working the PR schedule his agent had set up, she hadn’t felt too guilty about slipping out early.

  She’d spent the first two hours at a local spa she’d found that could work her in. She’d walked out waxed and buffed and feeling more relaxed than she had in days.

  Until the shopping.

  Jessa hated shopping. She didn’t consider herself a tomboy. She wore makeup — okay, maybe not on a regular basis, but still. She highlighted her hair and enjoyed getting her fingers and toes painted. That was where her girly-ness ended. She was way more comfortable barefoot, wearing jeans and a T-shirt than in one of the fancy dresses that were stored in the back of her closet. She rarely dressed up for work either, since she did most of her stuff remotely, whether from a sky box, a hotel room, or the home she still shared with her dad.

  Jessa didn’t know much about fashion, and didn’t really care. Another thing that made her weird to the women she’d tried to develop friendships with over the years. To save herself time and frustration, she’d walked into a fancy department store, found the nearest sales person who looked about her age, and gave herself over.

  Now she had another dress for her collection. She chewed on her bottom lip, her stomach flipping end over end.

  The salesgirl had sworn the dress was perfect for dinner. It wasn’t the dress that made Jessa nervous; it was the lack of it that gave her pause.

  She studied her reflection. The shimmering, black halter dress glittered as she swayed her hips from side to side. The plunging neckline accentuated her breasts, the material forcing them into cleavage she’d never have otherwise. The fabric was snug along her trim waist, only to flair out into a flowing skirt that ended right below her knees. Sexy, yet not over the top.