Making a Comeback (17 page)

He reached for the magazine and held it up for her to see.

“Oh that’s right.” She arched her back, pressed her breasts forward, and drew her hand through her long golden hair. Her lips parted seductively and she gave him that half smile that had fueled his fantasies for years.

“Oh, Annabelle.” He dropped the magazine and stood there with his jaw just inches from the floor. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”

“I hope it’s the same as what you do to me.” She inched closer to his bed. “Let’s finish what we started.”

“Are you sure?” He hesitated. “I mean, after what I’ve done?”

“We all make mistakes.” She fell onto the mattress. “But I think our biggest regrets are for the things we don’t do.”

Well, he wasn’t going to regret not living out his fantasy. Not now. Not when she was right here. Wanting him. Even though he didn’t deserve her.

He reached for her, his hands shaking as he pulled on the tie of her bikini top.

“Wait.”

Oh no. She’d changed her mind.

“Let’s get you undressed.” She tugged on his T-shirt. “It’s only fair.”

“Yeah. Sure.” He wriggled out of his shorts and stood over her, feeling as eager as a teenager. Yet, he now had enough sense to savor this moment. To drink in her beauty and appreciate the gift she was about to give him.

“Come closer.” She leaned back wearing nothing but the tiny triangle of red between her thighs. “What are you waiting for?”

“Trying to decide which one of my fantasies I should act out.” Yeah, that did sound even dumber out loud than it had in his head.

She laughed. “We’ve got all night. Why not try them all?”

He went for fantasy number seven. His favorite. In which he slowly, meticulously slid that red bikini down her thighs, dropping kisses on her exquisite skin along the way. And just like in his dreams, she was hot, wet, and ready for him. He slipped one finger inside her—perfect—and stroked her carefully, listening to her moans, watching her eyes flutter shut as he pleasured her. When her breathing got frantic and her hips thrust against his hand, he knew she was close.

“Cooper,” she breathed. “Please. Now.”

He reached for the box of condoms. Damn, why hadn’t he opened it yet? Had one ready? He tore open the box, and grabbed the little square packet. His fingers trembled as he tore open the package and quickly covered himself.

“Now where were we?” he asked as he positioned himself over her.

Annabelle, at least, was right at the edge of paradise. Only she didn’t speak the words out loud. She couldn’t speak as he plunged inside her. This was supposed to be his fantasy, but she was the one living a dream. Her body hummed with pleasure.

“Annabelle.” He sang her name as he thrust again and again. Hard and fast at first, then he slowed down, almost as if he wanted to savor every moment, every slip of his skin against hers.

She arched up against him, drawing him deeper, and feeling more and more connected until she no longer felt a part of this earth. A flash of color burst before her eyes and she cried out as the most intense climax she’d ever known washed over her.

He stilled, both of them frozen in time, and then he started moving again. Slowly, building higher and faster until finally he made one final thrust, letting out a groan before collapsing on top of her.

Cooper rolled over, bringing her with him, and held her on top of him, stroking her hair and smiling.

“You are so beautiful. Words can’t—” He closed his eyes and started humming. It was a familiar tune. The one he’d been playing the other night. When he’d been singing about her.

“So did I live up to the fantasy?”

“Annabelle...” He wrapped his arms around her. “You’re a dream come true.”

“You might sing a different tune once you find out I hog the covers.” She nuzzled against him, content to lie in his strong embrace.

“Does that mean you’re going to spend the night?” he murmured. “Or do you have to get back to the girls?”

“I have overnight babysitters.” She lifted her head. “That is, unless you want me to leave.”

“Stay, Annabelle. Please stay.”

* * * *

The sun was barely peeking through the window when Cooper awoke to the movement of Annabelle getting out of bed. She wrapped the skirt around her waist and pulled her sweater over her head.

“I should get back before the twins wake up.” She offered an apologetic smile. “It’s a school day.”

“Yeah.” Trying to remember the last time he’d slept so well, he rubbed his hands over his face. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“You can count on it.” She bent down to place a kiss on the top of his head.

“Annabelle.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure. Really.”

“No, I mean, thank you for asking the questions you asked last night.” He held her, wishing the sun wasn’t quite up yet. “I needed to talk about it. I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid.”

“I thought maybe you already had, and I’d forgotten.” She tried to make light of the whole thing, bless her heart.

“I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“Of course not.” She shrugged. “But I’m a big girl. I can handle the truth. Look, I’m not perfect.”

She reached up and touched the side of her face. Maybe it was a subconscious thing, or maybe she was making a point.

“You’re an amazing woman.” He brushed the hair off her cheek.

She pulled away. “I really do have to go. But I left you a little something to remember me by.”

“Besides the memory of an incredible night?”

“Call it a souvenir.” She pulled the nightstand drawer open to reveal a flash of red.

“The swimsuit?” Damn if his dick didn’t grow rock hard in an instant.

She smiled and backed out of the doorway.

He flopped back on the bed.

He’d spent the night with Annabelle Jones. She was amazing. Incredible. Sexier than he’d imagined in his wildest fantasies.

And she’d left him with her swimsuit. The one she’d worn on the cover of the magazine that had first caught his eye back when he was a rookie fighting for a roster spot.

She’d left him with the will to fight his way back onto a major league team.

* * * *

Annabelle tiptoed through the back door. She’d hoped no one was up yet, but she bumped into Marco in her kitchen.

“I hope you don’t mind me starting the coffee.” He filled the pot and poured it into the coffeemaker. “You did say to make ourselves at home.”

“No. That’s fine.” She crossed her arms over her chest, a little self-conscious about wearing nothing at all under her sweater. “I hope everything went okay last night.”

“Yeah. Your kids are really sweet.”

“They are.” She couldn’t help but smile. “I’m so blessed to have them.”

“So, everything went okay for you?” He avoided her gaze and started opening cupboard doors, apparently looking for the coffee mugs.

“Yes. Yes it did. Thank you for helping me with that.” Her cheeks flamed. “I mean, by watching the girls and…”

“I hope everything works out for you. Really, Annabelle, you deserve someone who can make you happy.”

“Thank you.” She reached for one of the mugs he set on the counter. “I have a pretty good feeling about us.”

“Good. I’m happy for you.” He stared at the coffee dripping into the pot. “For both of you.”

“So tell me, what will it be like when he goes back?” She grabbed some cinnamon and the half and half. “Will there be a lot of hard feelings from his teammates? Suspicion?”

“I don’t know. I guess it depends on what kind of clubhouse he ends up in.” Marco shrugged. “It probably helps that he didn’t try to deny it. He took the suspension without question. And he cooperated with the initial investigation. That’s something.”

“But I suppose there will always be some who think it’s unforgivable.”

“Yeah. There will be guys who’ll resent him. But then there are the ones who think ‘if you aren’t cheating, you aren’t trying.’ I suppose he’ll get the most grief from guys who had a hard time getting to the majors. They might think he took a spot from someone else. Someone who deserved it more.”

“But he didn’t take someone’s spot. He was just trying to keep the place he’d earned.”

“Maybe. But the thing is, people will question him for the rest of his career.” Marco poured coffee into her mug before filling his own. “If he has a poor performance, it’ll be because he was juiced before. If he has a really good outing, people will wonder if he’s using again.”

“That sucks.”

“Yeah, the whole thing sucks. But it’s part of the game. It’s not going anywhere.” Marco took a sip of coffee. “Not with the pressure on players to perform. Not with the amount of money thrown at them.”

“Did you ever?”

“No. And I can’t imagine ever being in a situation where I’d even consider it.” He exhaled. “I’ve got too much to lose. Hunter has too much to lose.”

“But she’s not involved with the team anymore.”

“Not officially. But come on, she’s the heart and soul of the Goliaths. She always has been. She’ll get back into the game, I’m sure of it.”

He smiled as if he knew a secret. Or maybe he was just smiling because he was happy. Why wouldn’t he be? He had everything he could ever want. A World Series championship, a long-term contract, and the love of his life by his side.

“Wow.” Annabelle sighed. “You really admire her, don’t you? I mean, I know you love her, but…”

Annabelle’s throat got all tight on her. It wasn’t jealousy, exactly. But she wondered what it would be like to be absolutely worshiped by a man.

“Hunter is my world. But baseball is a close second.” Marco flashed his dimples and went back to drinking his coffee.

“Is there anything I can do to help him? I mean with baseball?”

“I don’t know. How is he, physically?”

“Stunning.” The word slipped out of her mouth before she could filter. “I mean, he’s in great shape. He’s definitely very strong.”

“That’s part of it.” Marco shifted, a little uncomfortable with the topic of discussion perhaps. “But for a pitcher especially, there’s a lot more than just strength. Mechanics, for one. And then there’s the whole mental aspect. He’ll have to be able to keep his head in the game, even with the inevitable backlash. It could be even harder for him to keep his focus.”

“So, am I an unwanted distraction?” Annabelle asked. “Or could I help him with his focus?”

“That depends.”

“On what?”

“Oh, hell, I don’t know.” Marco set his mug on the counter. “I’m hardly an expert. I just know from my own experience. I know I’ve become a better ballplayer because of Hunter. The right woman can definitely help a guy’s career.”

“But the wrong woman could send it the other direction?” She wondered what kind of woman she could be for Cooper.

“I don’t know. I don’t think you’re the wrong kind of woman. I mean, you’re not…well…”

“I’m not a groupie or a gold digger?”

“Yeah, you’re neither of those types of women.”

“But?”

“You’re the kind of woman that a guy starts asking himself if he wants to get serious.”

“And if the answer is no, then he’ll take off running?”

He shrugged, their shared past hanging between them.

Footsteps on the stairs prevented them from venturing any further down memory lane.

“Good morning.” Hunter gave Annabelle a slight smile before turning to her husband with a megawatt grin. “Is that coffee I smell?”

Marco moved to pour her a cup.

“So did you have a good night?” Hunter took the mug from Marco and sat down at the table.

“Yes. It was just what I needed. Thank you.” Annabelle sat across the table from her friend. “And I hope everything went well here. The girls didn’t give you any trouble?”

“They were a little disappointed when Marco didn’t know any bedtime songs, but he read them a story and they settled down.”

“Cooper is a talented musician.” Annabelle couldn’t help but sigh. “He’s been suckered into singing to the girls at bedtime.”

“How sweet.”

“So tell me more about his baseball talent.” Annabelle wanted to know everything. “Does he have a shot at making it back to the majors?”

“He was one of the best, when he was healthy.” Hunter’s voice took on an eager tone with the discussion turned to baseball. “And a left-handed pitcher is always in demand.”

“So you think he could find a team who’ll be interested in signing him?”

Hunter bit her lip, as if she knew something she didn’t want to share. “I heard he’s turned down at least one of the offers that came his way.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Either he didn’t feel it was good enough”—Hunter glanced at Marco—“or maybe he’s thinking he’s not good enough. If he’s not one hundred percent, he might not trust his stuff. It’s always tough on an athlete coming back from an injury.”

“Either way, I suppose the closer we get to spring training, the less likely he’ll make a team?” Annabelle worried for him.

“Possibly. But there’s still a chance. Deals could fall through. Players might not pass their physicals.” Hunter’s speech became more animated. “There are always one or two last minute signings that make for an exciting camp.”

“I knew it.” Marco laughed, pouring himself another cup of coffee. “You have baseball in your blood. I don’t think you’ll make it to the All-star break before finding some way to get back into the game.”

“I made my choice.” Hunter crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t regret anything.”

“Oh baby…” Marco came up behind his wife. Putting his arms around her, he kissed the top of her head. “I still can’t believe what you gave up for me.”

“It’s just baseball.” Hunter tried to brush off his statement. “It’s a business.”

She wriggled out of his embrace and turned to Annabelle. “If Cooper’s healthy, he’ll make it back. There are plenty of teams who need another lefty in the bullpen. I think Philly or Baltimore are still looking for a guy like him.”

Philadelphia. Baltimore. Both east coast teams. Her heart did a crazy little lurch at the thought of him packing up and leaving for the other side of the country.

“Oh my, look at the time.” Annabelle didn’t want her friends to see her cry. “I’d better get in the shower and get the girls up for school.”