Stealing His Heart (The Kingston Heat Series) (6 page)

Maggie’s response made her laugh to herself.

Perfect! That one should get you sufficiently laid.

Was that all her friend thought about? She shoved her phone in her bag and waited for Pax to answer the door. She took a calming breath when she heard his footsteps in the foyer. The yoga technique didn’t work. Her heart pounded hard as he pulled open the door.

“Hey.” He smiled as he opened the door even wider. “Come in.”

She stepped into the large foyer and looked around. The spiral staircase led to a hall that overlooked the downstairs. The spindles on the railing matched the rich, dark hardwood cherry floors. Large windows surrounded the long hallway that ended with a bright, immaculate kitchen.

“This place is spectacular.” She looked around. “I’ve never seen such a huge house.”

“You haven’t left the foyer.”

“What I’ve seen looks good.”

He reached for the box she held. “May I?”

“Thanks.” When he took it from her he placed a soft kiss on her lips. “I got us a raspberry cheesecake from Monty’s. That’s the bakery Bennett’s uses.”

“The one we had last week.” He started down the hall toward the kitchen. “That was a great idea.”

She followed him, taking in her surroundings as she went. The place was way too big for one person. As he put the cake in the refrigerator, she walked over to the glass patio doors that led to a screened-in patio, equipped with a fireplace and hot tub.

“I hope you wore your bathing suit.” He came up from behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “It’s going to be a clear night with a full moon.”

“I thought you said it wasn’t required.” Her knees buckled when he trailed kisses along the side of her neck and to her shoulder. Her skin prickled against his touch.

“Are you trying to tease me, sugar?” He spun her around to face him then reached up under her shirt and toyed with the knot that secured her bikini top around her neck. “I can take it off right now.”

She wiggled out of his hold. “But you look so good in yours.” She glanced down at his pale blue board shorts as Maggie’s words about skinny-dipping with a hunky baseball player echoed in her head.

“Come here.” He pulled her into his chest. “I missed you. I need a proper hello kiss.”

“I can do that.”

She stretched her head in his direction as he dipped his lower. Closing her eyes as their mouths met, she settled against him when his tongue sought out hers. He smelled clean and crisp. His soap reminded her of an autumn morning. They kissed long and deep, both exploring the other with eager hands. She liked the way his toned form hardened under her touch. His muscular arms engulfed her and he gave her a tight squeeze before pulling away.

“I have a new job for you.”

“Huh?” She tried to gain her composure and recover from such a sensual kiss.

“You need to greet me that way every time I come home from the road.” He took her hand and guided her to the patio doors. “I’ll never be able to come home now if I know your lips aren’t waiting for me.”

“You’re a charmer, number twenty-one.”

“So I’ve been told.” He shot her a boyish grin that was anything but innocent.

They walked down the brick steps to the enclosed porch. He motioned for her to have a seat at the glass table that overlooked the lake. She could see the dock lights just beyond her cottage on the other side.

“Can I get you a glass of wine?”

“Please.” She took a seat and admired the neatly set table. There were two settings, both covered with silver toppers. It reminded her of hotel room service.

“There’s a local restaurant that caters to the team.” He handed her a glass of white wine and took the seat across from her. “They know we can’t always dine out, so when we need their services they come to the house and set up dinner. All the guys and the coaches use them for parties and picnics too.”

“It smells delicious.”

“Probably not as good as your mama’s cooking, but it’s not bad.” He lifted the cover off her plate. “I went with chicken parm, baked potato, and mixed vegetables. There’s also a tossed salad. If you don’t like it we can order pizza or something.”

“This is great.” She picked up her fork. “I’m starving.”

“Did you have a good week at school?” He took the top off his platter. “How are the kids?”

“They’re so cute. I love working with the little ones. They’re eager to learn and have such a natural purity about them.”

“Did you always want to be a music teacher?” he asked. When he sipped his wine she couldn’t help but think about his possessive lips claiming hers.

“I’ve always had a love for music. I started playing the piano when I was four. My mother taught me. In high school, I had this incredible teacher, Mr. Danson. He was very inspiring. He encouraged me to pursue a career in education.”

“I had a few coaches from little league all the way through college who left an impression on me and helped put me in the right direction. It’s nice when you can make a connection like that.”

“I hope I can leave that kind of an impression on my students someday.”

“You will.” He took her hand. “I’m sure they love you.”

“I’m in the regular classroom now. The school I work for is small and private. They keep talking about implementing a full-blown music program.”

“What’s stopping them?”

“Enrollment is still low. It’s a new school. They run mostly on grants and private donations. They need a financial backer. I’m sure they’ll get the funding. It’s an amazing school, and they have so much planned for these kids. We’re in an affluent community too. I’m helping to raise awareness and solicit donors. That’s going to be my summer job.”

“Make sure you solicit the Crushers. They like to give back to the community. I’m sure they’ll be happy to work with the school.”

“Hmm, the athletic director might not like it if I try to go after a baseball team to fund a music program.” She laughed because she knew the physical education department had already planned to call on the sports teams in the town for possible funding. “He’s good friends with your general manager. His kids go to my school.”

“Interesting.” He served her some salad. “How’s the food?”

“Wonderful.” She broke off a piece of a breadstick. “I’m impressed. You went all out.”

“It’s nice to spend a night at home.”

“I guess you don’t get to do that often.”

“Not too much.” He refilled their glasses. “When the team is home I usually spend the nights after the game with the guys who don’t have wives and kids. My friend Kenny and I hang out a lot.”

“That’s the friend you told me about. You grew up with him.” She recalled what Maggie had said about Kenny sending women to Pax’s hotel room. She quickly pushed those thoughts out of her head. She didn’t even know if they were true.

“Yeah, he’s been with me since the start of my career. He manages my schedule and keeps me straight. He frees up my time so I can focus on staying healthy and ready to play.”

“He sounds like a good friend.”

“We’ve done some crazy shit together. College was a huge party in the off-seasons for us. But he always knew when I needed to pull back and get my head in the game. I’m glad he wanted to come and work for me.”

“It’s good to have friends who are there for you. When Maggie took the job in the office at school, she told them all about me and how I’d be an asset. They hired me right away. I just hope they get the funding for that music program. The location is great. I can stay close to my parents and Maggie’s there. I love the kids and the parents too.”

“I bet you’re great with the kids.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “You’ve fascinated me.”

“Have I?” She rubbed her thumb over the top of his hand. “How many women have had the honor of fascinating you?”

“Not many.” He stared into her eyes. “Not many at all.”

* * * *

After they cleaned up from dinner, they made their way back out to the patio.

“Are you sure you don’t want dessert?” He turned the jets on to the hot tub. “We can eat out here.”

“I can’t eat anything else right now.” She let out a breath. “You fed me too much dinner.”

“You’re an itty-bitty thing. We need to put some meat on those bones.” He tugged his shirt over his head.

She allowed her gaze to wander down his bare chest. He was defined and toned. The tan line stopped just where the sleeves of his jersey began. The tattoo that she’d only seen peeking out of his shirt started at his bicep and traveled up to his shoulder, covering most of his skin. It looked to be some sort of tribal symbol with intricate lines and swirls.

“You gonna show me yours?” His slow soft drawl pulled her from his exploration of his body.

“What?”

“Your bathing suit.” He smirked. “I want to see it.”

Before she had time to respond he moved toward her and stood a few inches from her. Her fingers twitched to touch his chest.

“The water is nice and hot.”

That’s not the only thing hot in here.

“I need to be close to you.” He pulled her to him. “I want to touch you.”

The vibration of his voice coursed between her legs and straight to her clit. She wanted to strip for him and let him do whatever he wanted.

The heat of his breath swept along her neck as he leaned down and kissed just below her earlobe. “Let’s get you out of those clothes.”

“Okay,” she managed to breathe out as he lifted her t-shirt up over her head. She raised her arms, allowing him to remove it from her.

“Damn.” As he looked her over the hunger in his amber eyes blazed. “Amazing.”

Sophia recalled Maggie’s last text. Would he take her tonight? Would she feel sufficiently fucked as her crass friend would say?

“You are...” He trailed his fingers down her neck and over the exposed portion of her breasts. The part the bikini top did nothing to cover. “Perfect.” He moved in again, letting his lips follow the same path his fingers had taken.

She sighed when his mouth caressed the tops of her breasts.

As he kissed her, his hands traveled down her stomach to the snap of her jean shorts. “I need to see the rest of you.”

He slipped his fingers inside her shorts, rubbing the skin just above her bikini bottoms. Kissing her hard, he moved his hand lower until he covered her heat. She froze. As much as she wanted more, it was too much, too fast.

“Hey.” She placed her hand on his muscular chest and pushed him away. “Can we get in the hot tub now?”

“Sure.” He smiled as he made his way up the steps to the deck that surrounded the bubbly water.

She removed her shorts and followed him into the steamy pool. He sat in the corner, extending his hand for her. “Sit next to me.”

She settled in next to him, in front of a powerful jet. “That feels good.”

“Yeah, this is great after a long day on the field.”

“You’re pitching tomorrow.”

“You keep track of me?” He lifted her into his lap.

“I told you my dad and I follow the team.” She draped her arms around his neck. “I always know the pitching rotation.”

“Really? What do you think about it?”

“Your bullpen needs help.”

“I see.” He tossed her hair to the side and brushed his lips along her neck. “I’ll let coach know.”

She inched closer to him, feeling the warmth the water had created rise between them.

“Your skin is so soft.” He moved his hand up her stomach and cupped her breast. “I can’t stop thinking about you. Every time we kiss, I want more.” He swiped his thumb over her aroused nipple, eliciting a shiver.

She closed her eyes and indulged in his touch. The way his skilled hands glided along her flesh caused her to arch into his hold. The kissing became almost painful. It wasn’t enough. She needed more, but when he reached up to untie her bikini top she jerked backward and wiggled onto the seat next to him.

He twisted the end of her hair around his finger, letting out a deep breath before he spoke. “Why do you keep pulling away from me?”

“Because you’ve had sex with two women.”

“Huh?” He didn’t say anything for a few seconds, but the silence seemed like hours. “I don’t mean to brag, but it’s been far more than two and I thought we’d already established that.”

“I meant at the same time.” Why was she bringing this up now? Did it really matter? “You’ve been with two girls. A threesome.” She could never satisfy a man like him. “I can’t...I mean I won’t…” She had to stop talking before she made an even bigger fool of herself than she already had.

“Oh, well, I...”

She wasn’t sure if it was the wine or the steam from the hot tub but she felt flush. “I think I need to get out.” She stood too fast and rocked forward.

“Whoa, little one.” Without missing a beat he caught her. “Let’s get you out of here.”

He lifted her out of the tub and carried her over to the chaise lounge. Placing her on the seat, he reached for a fluffy, oversized white towel. He wrapped her in it before sitting on the edge of the chair. Propping a pillow under her head, he made sure she was comfortable. He was more attentive than she would have imagined.

“Would you like some water?”

She nodded, feeling ridiculous. What had made her tell him she knew about the threesome? What if the rumor wasn’t even true?

He pushed her damp hair from her face and placed a soft kiss on her forehead before getting up and going into the kitchen. She watched as he paused at the countertop and rested his hands on it. He looked deep in thought. Probably trying to think of a polite way to throw her out.

What the hell is wrong with me?

Chapter 7

Pax braced his hands on the countertop and took a breath. Was his nasty past going to ruin things before they even got started? He had a reputation. Everyone knew what it was. He liked sex and he liked it often. He had never been ashamed of the things he had done. Until now...

Would a woman like Sophia want to be with a man like him? She looked horrified when she blurted out what she had known about him. Almost disgusted. He couldn’t change the things he had done. No one could. He could move on. He hoped she wanted to move forward with him.