Stealing His Heart (The Kingston Heat Series) (17 page)

“Now.” He guided her onto her back. “I have to feel you.”

She spread her legs and waited for him to settle on top of her. The warmth of his skin blanketed her, filling her with lust. Her pussy tightened in anticipation as he licked and kissed her neck, working his way down to her nipples.

As he worshipped her breasts with his hot tongue, he propped her leg over his hip. She cried out when he captured her nipple between his teeth. Before she had time to recover, he pressed the tip of his cock inside her folds.

“I’ve been crazy these past few days.” He drove his hips forward but didn’t move. “No matter what happens these next few weeks, I know I have you in my life.” He pulled all the way out and then slipped back inside her, slow and deliberate. “You’re the constant, Sophie. You’re everything.”

“Pax,” she whispered. “I need you. I’ll always need you.”

The conversation ended when desire took over. The pull to be connected to one another was too strong. With each touch she felt how much he wanted her. Every kiss, deeper than the one before. Slow and gentle… He was tender but fierce. She craved all of it. She longed for him.

* * * *

Sophia tried to be as quiet as she could while getting ready for work the next morning. She’d showered in the guest bathroom so Pax could get some rest. Their love making session hadn’t calmed him the way she had hoped. He tossed and turned most of the night. He finally fell asleep in the early morning hours.

She wanted to say goodbye and good luck but she didn’t want to disturb him. Instead she thought she’d leave a note in the kitchen. As she made her way out of the bedroom he called for her.

“Sophie.” His voice was groggy. “Leaving already?”

“I didn’t want to wake you.” She walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. “I have to go over to that private school in Forester today.” She had to travel a few towns over to visit a school that had successfully implemented a music program. “I’m observing.”

“You’ll be back in time for the game?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” She leaned down and kissed his forehead. “You can sleep for a few more hours. I left you some aspirin and a bottle of water in case your shoulder hurts.”

“Thank you.” He touched her face. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” She smiled. “You’re going to be amazing tonight. You can do this. I know it, your team knows it, and this whole town knows it. The radio and TV stations are all saying you’re going to clinch this tonight.”

“Hell.” He groaned. “I wish it were tomorrow already.”

“We’ll be celebrating your victory and getting you ready to play in the World Series.”

“I hope so, baby.”

“I know so.”

“Text me when you get back to your school today. I have enough stress and I don’t want to worry.”

“I’ll be fine.” She leaned down and kissed him. “I’ll text you. See you later.”

She pulled the covers up over him and smiled when he closed his eyes. He needed to rest. Once he took the mound he would be fine. They didn’t call him the best pitcher in the league for nothing.

Chapter 19

Pax took a few deep breaths as the batter stepped into the box. He glanced out into the stands, but Sophia wasn’t there. She hadn’t called or texted him either. He hoped she was just running late, but they were already in the second inning. Where could she be?

Bases were loaded and he’d already given up two runs. He had to get his head back in the game. He could see the shock on his teammates’ faces. Coach Joe had been pacing ever since he’d walked the opposing team’s pitcher. He’d blown pitching’s rule number one—
never walk the pitcher.

The batter was ready. The screams and cheers from the crowd were as loud as they had been the other night when he’d pitched the best game of his career. The rally towels were flying high as he started his wind up. A fastball right over the plate. A swing by the batter and it was out of there.

Fuck!

Pax turned to watch the little ball blow right over the centerfielder’s head and into the stands. Four runs scored. The hissing and booing from the bleachers could be heard in the next town. As the other team’s dugout went wild, a time-out was called. It didn’t surprise Pax that Coach and Carlo were on their way to the mound. The infielders all surrounded him.

“What’s going on, twenty-one?” Joe took of his hat and scratched his head. “Did I make a mistake putting you in after only three days rest?”

“No.” He could turn this around. “I’m fine.”

“Carlo?” Joe asked the catcher. “What’s your take?”

“He’s lagging,” Carlo reluctantly said. “I’ve seen you throw heat through the pain. It’s something else.”

“I said I’m fine,” Pax insisted. “I can do this. Maybe not the full nine innings but let me clean up my mess.”

Joe didn’t say anything as he debated Pax’s future.

“I’ve never let this team down, and I don’t plan on starting tonight. Let me do my job.”

“Get your head back in this game or I’m pulling you out the next inning.”

“Thank you,” Pax said. “I’ll get this game back.”

Carlo nodded and smiled as the other players patted Pax’s back. They each said some brief words of encouragement as they headed to their positions.

He took a deep breath as he checked the stands one last time. He had to concentrate on getting his job done. In all of his years of playing he had never allowed any outside interference. Tonight could be no different.

* * * *

The locker room was full of excitement. The Crushers had managed to make a comeback. Pax didn’t let up any more runs and his team tied the score by the top of the sixth. The other team lost their momentum. Pax secured the lead and relief was brought in. They were headed to the final series. The only one that mattered.

“You did it.” Kenny slapped Pax’s back. “You had us all a bit worried.”

“Did you find her?” Pax winced when he pulled his shirt over his head. His shoulder had tightened up, and with all of the commotion over winning the division he hadn’t properly taken care of it.

“You need to get that iced.”

“Have you heard anything?” When Pax came into the dugout after his talk with Joe, he’d asked Kenny to get in touch with Sophia.

“I called her phone, but it went right to voicemail. I got a hold of Maggie who was on her way to pick up Sophia.”

“From where? Is she okay?”

“Her car broke down, and she needed to get it towed. She was in some little town out in the middle of nowhere, apparently driving back to Kingston. She’s fine.”

“Why didn’t she call me?”

“Look, I don’t want to get your business but— ”

“I’m not in the mood for this.”

“Listen, all I’m saying is you let your personal life get in the way tonight. I know you were worried something had happened to her, but this is why you stay single. You’ve always said a professional ballplayer doesn’t need the responsibility of a girl. I think you proved that theory tonight.”

“We won. It all worked out.”

“It almost didn’t.” Kenny shrugged. “A grand slam in the second inning?”

“He hit the ball over the outfielder’s head.”

“You loaded the bases for him.”

“Whatever.” He understood where Kenny was coming from. Tonight Pax had broken his own rule—he let his personal life interfere with his professional one. He’d never done that before.

“Your head wasn’t in that game. What’s going to happen next week? Can you guarantee you won’t get distracted? You won’t let your team or this town down? You have a huge responsibility. I don’t envy you, but I’d hate to see you blow this.”

“I’m not going to blow anything.” He shook his head because he’d come too far. “We’re almost there. I’ll do what needs to be done.”

“You headed to the bar?”

“Yeah, but I promised that reporter with the Daily I’d answer a couple questions first.”

“Want me to hang around with you?” Kenny asked. “Move them along?”

“No, man, but thanks.” He wanted to get the interview out of the way and then head down to the bar and celebrate with the guys.

“Anytime.”

“Thanks for tracking down Sophia for me.”

“I tried to get you an answer before the game was over. I know you think I don’t like her but it was never about her. In college when the big leagues were looking in your direction you asked me to promise you something.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“Doesn’t matter to me.” Kenny headed for the door. “You told me to keep you grounded and to never let anything get in your way. I just want what’s best for you.”

“I can have it all,” Pax said. “Just need to figure out how.”

“Good luck with that.”

Pax didn’t see why he and Sophia couldn’t have what many other professional sports players had. Some of his own teammates were happy, in love, married, and played ball. It was a job. Yes, the travel made it harder but when she was with him over the summer months they had had some of the best moments in their relationship. Tonight was a misunderstanding. One that couldn’t happen again. He had to learn how to get himself under control and stay focused under that kind of pressure. He could do this. As long as he had her anything was possible.

* * * *

Soph ran through the long hallway of the stadium. Luckily, she had gotten friendly with many of the security guards this season so getting in wasn’t a problem. She’d watched the game on the small TV in the mechanic’s shop while she waited for her car. Her phone had died hours ago. She had never anticipated missing the game. The mechanic said he could have her car running in less than an hour. That wasn’t the case. She called Maggie to come get her, but she was tied up in a meeting. Maggie got there as soon as she could, but unfortunately, it was too late. Soph had never been so stressed watching a game before. She could see Pax struggled to get through those early innings. Somehow he managed to get out of it and now he would be pitching in the World Series.

The place was quiet. Everyone must have headed to Bennet’s to celebrate. When she turned the corner she saw Pax coming out of the locker room. His eyes locked with hers. He looked tired. His bag was slung over his left shoulder and his hair had dried naturally, evidence he had showered after the game and didn’t bother putting any product in it.

“Hey.” She headed toward him. “I’m so sorry.”

“Things happen.” He leaned against the doorframe, acting much calmer than she had imagined.

“Pax, I didn’t mean to miss the game. I’ve had the most stressful day.”

“Have you?”

“Not as stressful as yours, but when I realized I was going to miss the game I was sick over it.” Her stomach had been unsettled all day. She worried she was getting a relapse of the stomach bug she’d had the week before. “I know how much you wanted me to be here. When I saw you struggling I couldn’t help but think it was my fault.”

“Want to come to Bennet’s with me?”

“I guess, but don’t you want to talk first?” She walked toward him but he didn’t move to hold her. “Please tell me what you’re thinking.”

“Nothing has sunk in yet.”

“You’re going to the World Series. That’s your dream.” He wasn’t himself. She heard it in his voice. He’d never been mad at her before, but he was distant.

“Yeah, like I said, I haven’t processed it yet.”

“Why don’t you just yell at me? Get it out of your system. I let you down, but it wasn’t my fault.”

She had been tired and irritable for days. The new job, Pax’s game schedule, and all the time they’d been spending traveling around the city to attend pep rallies and make appearances were getting to her. Today’s adventure hadn’t helped. All the energy seemed to be zapped out of her.

“I don’t want to do this now. I let it affect my game, but I got it together. I can’t dwell on it. It happened. It’s over. Let’s move on.”

“It would be better if we talked about it. I don’t think you should carry this with you. If we get it out into the open maybe you’ll feel better.”

“Sugar, I’m trying to forget what happened. I’m trying not to remember how I almost fucked up out there tonight because…” He took a deep breath. “Let’s not do this. I was upset. I thought something happened to you. They almost pulled me after the second inning. I’ve never been pulled out of a game. We may have won the championship tonight, but I’ll always remember how things really went down.”

“The fans love you. The media is going crazy for you. They can’t wait to see what you do in Chicago in a few days.” She closed the space between them and rested her arms on his shoulders. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Come with me.” She saw a glimmer in his eyes. In that split second he looked relax and didn’t seem angry anymore.

“I can’t.” She wanted more than anything to be on the road with him when he pitched in the World Series, but her new job came with demands and responsibilities. “There’s too much to do with school.”

“Of course.” That brief flicker of excitement that dominated his face disappeared.

“I thought you understood.”

“I’m sure the school would understand. It’s not every day your boyfriend goes to the World Series. The other guys’ wives will be there.”

“I’m not your wife.” As soon as she said the words she regretted them. Nothing about this day had gone right. “Pax…”

“You know what, never mind.” He shook his head. “I can’t expect you to drop everything for me. We’re not married. You don’t owe me anything.”

“I didn’t mean that.” Everything was spiraling out of control. She should be grounding him, not causing him aggravation.

“Baseball is a mental sport, and I have to get my head back in the game. No more distractions.”

“I’m a distraction?” She knew she’d hurt him when she missed the game, but she had apologized.

“Tonight you were.”

“That’s not fair. My car broke down. You had already taken the field. What was I suppose to do?”

“That fucking car! If you would have let me buy you a new one we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

“This isn’t about my car. This is about me letting you down. You have no idea how sorry I am that I wasn’t here tonight.”

“You fucking promised.” He backed away from her and dropped his bag to the floor. “I just want to forget what happened. I’ve been on edge. I need to clear my head.”