Stealing His Heart (The Kingston Heat Series) (13 page)

“We ended up seeing one another that night.” She leaned into his face and ran her hand over his jaw. “What do you think that means?”

“It was meant to be.” He moved her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “I’m sure of it.”

“You’re quite the romantic.” She kissed him. “I like it.”

“You inspire me.” He trailed his tongue along her lips. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to come home with me tonight?”

“I might be inspired too.”

Chapter 14

May was coming to an end, and the Crushers were on a twelve game winning streak. Pax had pitched seven innings the last three games he started in. He averaged around ninety pitches a game before relief was brought in securing the win each time. The buzz around the clubhouse was he was practically guaranteed a spot in the All-Star Game in July. He tried not to think about things like that. All that mattered to him was throwing as accurate and with as much velocity as he could. The discomfort in his shoulder hadn’t affected his game, but Doc and the coaches were keeping an eye on him. He wasn’t worried. He’d experienced discomfort before but always dismissed it as an overworked muscle. This was no different.

He collapsed on top of Sophia, trying to steady his breathing. “You’ll be the death of me, woman.”

“It was your idea to come to bed.” She trailed her fingers down his spine.

They’d spent the last hour in bed. They hadn’t seen one another in almost a week. He wanted to take her to dinner and a movie, but after pitching that afternoon and attending an all-day fan signing the day before he wasn’t in the mood to be around people. He wanted her all to himself, so they grabbed take-out and ended up in bed.

“I couldn’t help it.” He rolled onto his back, pulling her into his side. “It was a long week, and I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” She traced her fingertips along his chest. “My mom’s making pot roast tomorrow.”

“With those garlic mashed potatoes?”

“She knows they’re your favorite.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be over as soon as the coach finishes his post-game talk.”

“Thanks for eating with us on your Sunday home games. My parents love having you.”

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it. I get to spend time with my favorite girl and I get a home-cooked meal.” He held her close. “It gives me something to look forward to during the weeks when I’m away. I like the family setting.”

Pax liked the routine they were falling into. He couldn’t wait to get back to her. Saturday nights when he was in Kingston were their time to spend alone. Sunday nights he hung out at her parents’ place. He and her dad even watched the night game together. Pax had gotten used to Stephan’s living room coaching style. He even welcomed the old man’s advice when it came to Pax’s pitching. Stephan was insightful and fair.

“You’re playing in Texas next week. You get to see your family. You must be excited.”

“I do miss them.” He turned so he could face her. “I wish you could come with me. I want you to meet my mother.” He’d never taken anyone home to meet his family.

“I still have two weeks of school left.” She had told him she wanted to go with him but couldn’t take off at the end of the school year. “Maybe next time?”

“Maybe we can go in the off-season. You’ll have Thanksgiving and Christmas break. We should plan a trip to my hometown.”

“I’d like that.”

He often thought how incompatible their schedules were. While she would have off in the summer, he would be playing almost every day. Just when he would start play-offs she’d be back to school in September. His off time would start after October if the Crushers made it all the way. She’d be gearing up for a full school year. But other couples in his profession made it work, and they could too.

“November is a long way off, but it’s something to think about.” He trailed his fingers down her neck. “Maybe we can do a quick trip during the All-Star break in July.”

“How can we do that?” She closed her eyes and bit her lip when he traced her nipples with his fingertips. “That’s very distracting.”

“I can’t keep my hands off you.” He moved lower, gently caressing her stomach. “There are no games that week, so we can escape for a few days.”

“That’s assuming you won’t be pitching.” She squirmed when he reached her slit. “What are you doing to me?”

“What do you think?” He swiped his thumb along her folds. “Anything can happen in July. I may not play in the All-Star Game.” Odds were in his favor that he would be voted in to play but if the fans didn’t put him in they could get a long weekend.

“I doubt that. You have the best pitching record in the league.” She gripped his shoulder when he moved deeper. “You can’t be ready again.”

“Sugar, I’m always ready when it comes to you.” He reached behind him and grabbed a condom from the nightstand. “I need to make up for the days when we’re not together.”

“Show me again how much you miss me when we’re apart.” She crawled on top of him. “It’s been a long week for me too.”

* * * *

Sophia played the piano as the children walked out of the auditorium. The closing ceremonies for the school year were finished and summer break could begin. As she turned and watched the children find their parents in the entryway she heard more of a commotion than usual. The kids must have been just as excited as she was for vacation.

“Great job on the keys,” Maggie said. “You did a fantastic job with the ceremony. You’re going to make a great music director.”

“Thanks.” She stood from the bench and closed the cover over the keyboard. “I still can’t believe it.”

“You have an amazing boyfriend.” Maggie looked out into the foyer. “He funded a whole new department. Not many women can say that.”

“You didn’t do so bad yourself.” Soph gathered up her sheet music. “I can’t believe you’re moving in with Kyle.”

“Me either, but it feels right.”

“I’m glad things are working out for you.”

“What about you? When are you moving into the mansion? You practically live there as it is.”

“Only when Pax is in town.” He had wanted her to stay when he wasn’t there, but she didn’t feel right about it. Maybe after the season ended they could talk about it. She glanced down the long aisle that led to the atrium. “What’s all the commotion out there?”

“Probably all of those desperate housewife moms going crazy over the special guest who made an appearance.” Maggie laughed. “I can’t believe you didn’t notice him in the audience. He couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

“Who?” She stretched her neck to see what all the fuss was about.

“One very sexy baseball player from the Crushers.” Maggie took her hand and pulled her toward the back of the auditorium. “He called me yesterday and asked if he could come because he wanted to hear you play. He said you were so excited about the performance and what the kids were going to sing.”

“Pax is here?” Excitement dominated her emotions. He wasn’t supposed to fly in until tomorrow afternoon. “Why didn’t he tell me he was coming?”

“I wouldn’t have pegged him for such a romantic. He wanted to be the last one in here when you turned around but he was more of a distraction than he’d meant to be. People were actually asking for his autograph during the program. He politely refused but he’s stuck doing it now.”

She spotted him in the center of the room surrounded by fascinated kids, admiring dads, and some very aggressive women.

“He’s popular,” Maggie said. “You better go rescue him.”

“How am I going to get through that crowd?” she asked. “Maybe I should just let him finish signing all the programs.”

“Are you kidding? He’s done signing the kids’ programs. Haven’t you noticed it’s just women hanging around him now? Some of those women are single too.”

“Hmm.” Soph watched as two of the mothers and a few female relatives of the students doted and giggled as Pax finished signing autographs. “Think I need to intervene.”

“You go, girl,” Maggie said. “That’s your man.”

Sophia gently pushed her way passed the crowd of women who had planted themselves in front of her cowboy and made her way to the front of the line. Pax signed one last program as Sophia said, “I’m next.”

Pax grinned when he looked up. “There’s my girl.” He picked her up and spun her around much to the surprise of her students who applauded and laughed.

“Put me down.” She smacked his shoulder. “I’m at work.”

“Actually, you’re on summer break.” He placed her on her feet. “See, ladies.” He looked at the women who appeared stunned. “I told you I was taken.” He winked at them before he led her through the atrium and outside.

“Your very own fan club.” She had a feeling that happened wherever he went.

“The kids are great.”

“I wasn’t talking about them.”

“Jealous, darlin’?”

She didn’t respond. It wasn’t that she was jealous, just annoyed some women could be so forward and desperate, especially with her man.

“You have no reason to be. I’m all yours.”

“I know it. I just want everyone else to know it.”

“I’ll have my publicist prepare a press release. Will that help?”

“What are you doing here?” She hugged him. “You weren’t supposed to be back until tomorrow.”

“I wanted to see the show.” He kissed her. “You’ve been so wound up about it.”

Maggie was right. He was romantic. “That was such a sweet thing to do.”

“It was great, and you’re amazing on that piano. Why haven’t you played for me before?”

“I don’t know. When would I have had the chance?”

“There’s a piano in your parents’ house. I’m going to make you play for me next Sunday.”

“You’re gonna
make
me, huh?”

“I’ll ask nicely.”

“That’s better.” She took his hand when she noticed people starting to leave the building. “I need to grab my bag from my classroom. Have you eaten?”

“On the plane. It was crappy.”

“Did you come straight from the airport?” They walked around to the side entrance so no one would bump into them.

“Yeah, I changed my flight so I could get here in time.”

“I’m really glad you came.” She retrieved her things from her classroom and turned out the lights before they left.

“It’s summer.” He put his arm around her shoulder. “That means you’re all mine.”

“What are you going to do with me?”

“I don’t think you want me to say that here.” He looked around. “Someone might overhear me, and then they’ll know you’re not the innocent music teacher they all think you are.”

“You’re bad.” They walked out into the night air. The full moon peered out from behind the dark clouds and illuminated the sky.

“Baby, I have a filthy mind, and you’re on it constantly.” He squeezed her against his side as they walked. “If you could see the things I see in my head when it comes to the two of us, you’d be blushing all the time.”

“Are we going to have a session of show-and-tell tonight?”

“It’s a perfect night for the hot tub. You interested?”

“Always, but I don’t have a bathing suit at your house.”

“Like you need one.” He arched a brow at her. “I’m only going to take it off you anyway.”

“Good point.”

“Why don’t you leave some stuff at my place?” he asked as they made their way to the parking lot. “I plan on having you there a lot.”

“Do you?”

“I hope that won’t be a problem.”

“I do have some free time on my hands.”

“Where’s your car?” He searched around the lot.

“It’s in the shop. Maggie was going to drive me home but now you’re here.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“It’s old.” She shrugged because there seemed to be a new problem with it every other week. “I think it’s the battery this time.”

“It’s time to get a new car. Something a little more reliable.” He opened the door to his truck for her. “We can go shopping tomorrow.”

“I don’t need a new car.”

“I could take you to see the dealer I’m working with.” He shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side.

Soph shook her head when she thought about all of those high-end sports cars at that particular dealer. As if she could ever afford one of those.

He slid into the driver’s seat and revved up the engine. “Hear that? That’s what a car’s supposed to do when you turn the key.”

“I’m not buying a new car.”

“I didn’t say
you
were buying it.” He backed out of the spot and headed for the road. “I’m buying it.”

“You can’t buy me a car.” It was very clear he had lots of money but that didn’t mean he should be buying her elaborate gifts. That wasn’t why she was with him.

“Why not?”

“Because.”

“That’s not an answer.” He turned down the long road to the entrance of the development they lived in.

“You can’t just buy me a car.” She shook her head. “It’s not like giving me flowers or something. A car is a big investment.”

“I can afford it.”

“That’s not the point.”

“I don’t see what the problem is.” He hit the button on the visor to open the garage door when he pulled into his driveway. “You need a car, and I can get you one.”

“My car is fine.” She unbuckled her seatbelt, hoping he would drop this whole conversation. She wasn’t comfortable with the topic.

“Hey.” He reached for her hand. “Why is this a big deal?”

“Why do you think?” She shifted to face him. When she stared into his eyes she realized he wasn’t going to let this go.“You have a lot of money. I don’t come from much. You see where I live. How I live. My parents are very modest people. Your house, your lifestyle is overwhelming for me.”

“You’ve never mentioned that before.”

She didn’t want to make him feel bad but to watch him spend money made her nervous. She’d grown up in an affluent community and spent much time with the Cambridges. She was no stranger to what people had, so she knew Pax had a very hefty income. Her own father had mentioned how much he had signed for and how much he was worth. It was daunting, so she tried not to think about it.

“I never meant to make you feel uncomfortable.” He unbuckled his seatbelt and slid his seat all the way back. “Come here.” He pulled her into his lap. “I had no idea I was overwhelming for you.”