Strike Out: Mustangs Baseball #6 (10 page)

What had he done to her? She wasn’t the kind of woman who fell apart because of an orgasm. But with him? Falling apart seemed to be the norm.

He held her head against his shoulder with one hand while the other skimmed over her lower body. When his fingers dipped between her thighs, she willingly gave him access. “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life.”

Between being spanked to orgasm the previous night and what they’d just done, her pussy was beyond tender, yet with a few gentle strokes, arousal began to build again. She wiggled her bare butt. He’d somehow managed to pull his shorts back up. When, she had no idea. Turning her face into his shoulder, she groaned and opened herself wider. Were there no limits to her depravity?

Apparently not.

Sitting in his lap, half dressed while he patiently worked her toward yet another orgasm seemed like the most rational thing she’d ever done.

He hadn’t meant to get her all worked up again, at least not so soon. He’d only wanted to touch her, to help ease the tenderness he’d caused, but the second she opened for him, he realized she needed more than just comfort.

Whatever you need, babe. I’ll give it to you.

Outside their door, he heard the normal level of activity to be expected this close to game time. Someone would come looking for him eventually, but until they did, there was nowhere he’d rather be than sitting on the cold floor fingering Tricia to orgasm as many times as she needed.

She curled into him, and as her climax neared, her hands clenched into fists pulling his shirt tight. His shoulder muffled the gasps and moans issuing from her lips as pleasure tightened its grip. He held her while he crooned encouraging words into her hair. She was so damn sweet and trusting. Not to mention, responsive. He and Hannah had been together for a long time, and sex had been a healthy part of their relationship right up to the very end, but Royce couldn’t remember a time when his ex had given herself to him without reservation the way Tricia had every time they’d been together.

When Tricia was no longer a part of his life, he’d treasure these moments spent with her. Until then, he was going to make sure she never forgot either.

“That’s it, sweetheart. Let it come.”

He slid his fingers in…out…back in, all the while he used the heel of his hand on her clit. Every breath he took brought her scent into his lungs where, like most of his blood, it went straight to his dick. His balls were going to explode, but he was willing to make the sacrifice. For reasons he didn’t want to contemplate, Tricia’s pleasure had become more important than his own.

She was so close. The walls of her vagina clamped down tight enough to cut off the circulation in his fingers. He managed to curl his fingertips up, found the hidden secret, and tapped. Once. Twice.

Her orgasm was a thing of beauty, breaking over her like a summer storm—fast, violent, and in the end, peaceful. He cupped her pussy, capturing the flood of her desire in his palm while holding her close until her fingers eased their grip on his shirt and she spit out the wad of cotton knit she’d clenched between her teeth during her climax. His T-shirt was most likely a done for, but he couldn’t regret the loss. It had given its life in a good cause. He chuckled at the thought.

“What are you laughing about?” Her voice sounded weak as a newborn kitten, but there was a trace of backbone to the tone hinting at the fierce cat on the horizon. Tricia was stronger than she appeared on the outside. He liked that about her.

“My shirt. Is there anything left of it?”

She smoothed the abused material with one small hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin your clothes.”

“No worries.” He covered her hand with his. “It’s a good thing you don’t have me wired up. Your computer would probably be dialing 9-1-1 right about now.”

“Your pulse is racing.” The concern in her voice made his runaway heart swell almost to bursting.

“Yeah, well, making you come is exhilarating, to say the least.” He used their clasped hands to tilt her chin up so he could brush his lips against hers. “I feel like I just ran a marathon, but instead of being tired, I’m ready to go again.”

When she tugged her hand free and wrapped it around his nape, he kissed her again. Slanting his mouth over hers, he held nothing back. He poured every ounce of his desire into the kiss, drawing her lower lip between his teeth, thrusting his tongue deep inside to taste the uniqueness that was her.

Someone tugged on the locked door, startling them apart.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
“Yo! Strikeout. You in there?”

Royce recognized the voice. Antonio Ramirez, the Mustangs’ center fielder. What the fuck could he want, and how did he know to find him here?

Tricia tried to scramble off his lap, but Royce held her easily with one arm around her waist. “Shh,” he whispered in her ear. “He’ll go away.” The last thing they needed was for her to accidentally move into the line of sight the narrow vertical window in the door allowed. Better to pretend they weren’t there until she had her clothes back on and his erection abated. Tricia ceased her attempts to stand, but her posture was anything but relaxed.

Royce cupped her jaw, turning her face to him. He saw fear and something else, embarrassment, perhaps, in her eyes. She had to be feeling vulnerable, sitting across his lap in nothing more than a thin T-shirt while he was still fully dressed. He brought his mouth to her ear. “Don’t move a muscle. Don’t make a sound.”

Easing back, he looked into her eyes. She bit her lower lip and nodded.

Releasing her, he sat up straight, reached over his shoulder, grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked it over his head. Leaning back against the wall, he draped the knit fabric over her lap, covering her just in case someone managed to find a key to the room. Instantly, Tricia relaxed in his arms. She buried her face in the crook of his neck. Her breath seared his skin then she touched her lips to a spot behind his ear lobe. The tiny kiss of thanks unraveled what was left of his resolve to leave her alone.

CHAPTER TEN

Calling a halt before he went another round with Tricia left him agitated, not to mention frustrated, but they had no choice. They’d taken too many chances at the stadium all ready. Hell, anyone with a key could have walked in on them earlier, and the idea of anyone else seeing Tricia in a compromising position made his blood boil.
Not gonna happen.
The next time he got her naked, she’d be in his bed, and they weren’t going to stop with what amounted to glorified making out. As far as he was concerned, she was his, but he needed to stake his claim by fucking her until neither one of them could stand.

“Meet me after the game. We’ll go to my place.”

She held on to his arm while she stepped into her panties. Hannah had never worn plain white cotton panties, not even when they’d been in high school. He’d teased her about the inexpensive garments with cartoon characters or suggestive words printed on them, so when he began making money, she’d switched to expensive lace and satin. He was never sure if she made the switch to end the teasing or if she really thought the fancy stuff was more attractive. If she’d bothered to ask him, he would have told her to go back to the discount store. But she never asked, and he never spoke up.

“Nice panties.”

Tricia’s face flamed. She grabbed her shorts out of his hands and stepped into them quickly. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to see them.”

“Come here.” He wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her close. With his free hand, he released the button and zipper on her shorts. “I wasn’t making fun of you. I really like your choice of undergarments.” His fingers stroked the soft fabric covering her stomach. “I know you weren’t trying to seduce me or anyone else, but trust me, these are sexy. I’m going to have a bat in my pants all night thinking about taking these off of you later.”

He refastened her shorts and stepped away. “Meet me after the game?” He repeated his earlier words, asking this time instead of demanding. Grabbing his shirt off the floor, he pulled it over his head. Every second he waited for her answer seemed like a lifetime.

“Okay.”

Relief washed over him. He smiled and drew her back into his arms for a quick kiss. “Just so you know. I’m going to take you to bed tonight, Dr. Reed. I’m going to peel those sexy panties off and fuck you all night long. If you aren’t on the same page, then go home now.”

He didn’t wait for her answer. Couldn’t bear to hear her say she’d changed her mind and wouldn’t be there to meet him tonight. He’d deal with the possibility she didn’t want him the way he wanted her when the time came.

***

“You lookin’ for me?” Royce caught up with Tony in the locker room.

“Yeah, man. Doyle said you were working with some researcher or something. He wasn’t too clear, but I gather I’m supposed to be her next test subject. He said you would introduce me and fill me in on the program.”

Images of Tricia’s hands on Tony flashed through Royce’s brain.
Fuck
. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he’d known more subjects would be needed for her research, but for whatever reason, he’d never considered they would be his teammates.
Holy hell.

“She’s not ready to take on anyone else yet.” He had no idea if the statement was true or not, but he’d be damned if she was going to put her hands on another man, especially Tony Ramirez. The center fielder was married to the stadium organist, but it was no secret he was once a member of Bases Loaded, a secret sex club within the league. “I’ll let you know when that changes.”
Don’t hold your breath, buddy.

“Hey, no problem. I’m not sure I want to be some scientist’s lab rat, but Doyle said this was something the League wanted to see completed.” He shrugged. “Guess I’ll see it through, though I’m not happy about it.”

“Me either, but I was hardly in a position to say no. Management is hoping for a miracle cure for my inability to throw strikes.”

Tony smirked. “Sex, man. Lots of sex. It’s the answer to everything.”

“You aren’t the first person to suggest I get laid. I wish it was that simple.”

“Won’t know until you try.”

Was it
that
obvious he wasn’t getting any since his divorce? “Yeah, well. I loved Hannah.” Royce raked a hand through his hair. Tricia’s scent on his fingers caught in his lungs. Damn. He couldn’t keep using his divorce as an excuse for his poor pitching. Not when he’d had his fingers knuckle deep inside another woman moments ago.

“She’s gone, dude. Get over it.”

“I hear you.” A headache was brewing at the base of his neck. He rubbed the tense muscles. “Thanks for the advice, however stupid it was.”

Tony smiled. “Not stupid if it’s true.”

Unwilling to confirm or deny his sex stats, Royce turned. “Since I’m not pitching today, I think I’ll go see if I can get a massage before the game. I feel a headache coming on.”

He was halfway to the door when Tony called out. “See if you can get laid, instead.”

Without stopping, Royce waved a hand to acknowledge his teammate’s sage advice.

Get laid.
He planned to do that all right, but he wasn’t going to tell Tony or anyone else.

***

Tricia stared at the computer screen. Numbers, graph lines and lines of data blurred together into a meaningless jumble even Einstein couldn’t decipher. Somewhere in there was something significant. She could feel it in her bones, but what it was completely eluded her. All her brain seemed capable of focusing on at the moment was tonight. Was she really going to meet Royce after the game? For sex?

He hadn’t minced words.
I’m going to fuck you all night long
.

Holy, smoley
. Even after two orgasms, his softly spoken promise made her ache. She’d thought he would find out what Tony wanted and come back so she could wire him up and get more data, but she hadn’t seen or heard from him since he all but ordered her to come to his bed tonight.

She wasn’t inclined to say no. She’d never felt the kind of things Royce made her feel. And, he’d said he liked the serviceable white cotton panties she’d worn today. Tricia shook her head, and a giggle escaped her lips. She’d chosen the plain cotton ones because there was nothing more uncomfortable than sweating in lace or nylon, not to mention, the idea of scratchy fabric rubbing against her aching pubis all day long was unbearable.

Remembering her other reason for wearing nondescript panties brought to mind the previous evening, and the way it had ended.
We’re even.

All the feelings she’d experienced when he uttered those crushing words came flooding back, drowning her desire under a tidal wave of disgust and humiliation. She should have learned her lesson last night. She’d come to the stadium today prepared to be professional, to put everything they’d done together behind her. Instead, she’d confessed the one thing she never should have told anyone, let alone, Royce Stryker.

How stupid can you be? Telling him you liked the…the spanking? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Thanks to her stupidity, she had plenty more to add to her list of things she never should have done. Still, she couldn’t find it in herself to regret a single thing she’d done with Royce. He’d given her more pleasure in two days than she’d had in all the years since she lost her virginity combined.

Regrets? No. He’d shown her what passion was, and a part of her would always be grateful to him for opening her eyes to what she could have with the right person. No doubt she would learn even more in his bed, but those weren’t the kind of things she was here to learn.

We’re even.

Not by a long shot, Mr. Stryker.
In a way, she’d always be in his debt, but he was a man who liked to keep score, so it was time to tie the game.

Tricia powered down her computer, stuffing it and the stack of reports she’d printed off into her canvas messenger bag. She sang along to the national anthem as she traversed the empty hallways of the Mustangs’ underground facility.

A short time later, she drove out of the parking lot. “Now, we’re even.”

***

She wasn’t waiting for him. Royce backtracked to her office. The light was off, and the door locked. He knocked and called her name, just in case she was in there, though why she would be sitting in the dark, he couldn’t imagine. He considered calling her, but then he remembered he didn’t have her phone number.

You know where she lives.

On the drive to her apartment, he came up with every reason he could think of for her to have left early. The one he didn’t want to contemplate, however, refused to go away.

She doesn’t want you to fuck her.

If there had been any other reason, she would have left a message for him. A woman as organized as she was wouldn’t leave without a word, unless leaving
was
the word.

Royce pulled into Tricia’s apartment complex. Her car was parked in the same slot she’d used the previous night when he’d kicked her out of his house then followed her home. He put the transmission in Park then opened his door. With one foot on the ground and the other on the car’s floorboard, he gazed up at the dark landing leading to Tricia’s door.

He was still trying to decide if he should go up and talk to her when a car pulled up behind his. A flash of bright headlights indicated the impatient driver wanted him to move his car.

“Fuck.” Royce slid back into the driver’s seat and sped out of the parking lot.

***

He had a splitting headache no amount of painkiller would alleviate. His mind knew he wasn’t going to fuck Tricia anytime soon, but his body had a harder time dealing with the news. After a restless night where he woke repeatedly with a hard-on that refused to go away, he’d jerked off in the shower in a desperate attempt to find some relief.

The woman had a lot to answer for. Apparently, her first paddling hadn’t been enough. He’d bend her over his knee again, give her the spanking she deserved. Then he’d fuck her senseless.

The door to her office stood open. Her melodic voice, carrying down the hard surfaces of the hallway, went straight to his groin, negating what little peace he’d found earlier beneath the rushing water.

Another voice, deep and decidedly male, unleashed something primal and dangerous inside him. He’d kill anyone who touched her. Tricia was his.

Ready to pummel whoever dared touch his woman, Royce stepped into the room and came to an abrupt halt.

“Strikeout. Glad you could make it.”

“Doyle.” Royce glanced from the team manager to Tricia then back again. “What’s up?”

“Just checking in to see how things are going. Dr. Reed says everything is going smoothly, but she’s anxious to get more game-day data.”

“I pitch on a five-game rotation.”

“We’ve discussed your schedule. She’s aware of the time constraints. That’s why we’ve agreed to give her another test subject to work with in between your pitching dates.”

Royce’s blood boiled. “Tony?”

Doyle nodded. “Ramirez. Yeah, he should be here in a few minutes. If he gives you any trouble, let me know. His wife is my niece. I’ll call her, and she’ll set him straight. Clare has him wrapped around her little finger.”

Royce had seen the couple a few times, and he silently agreed with Doyle. Tony Ramirez was pussy-whipped. Had been ever since he first laid eyes on Clare. “I’ll make sure he behaves himself. No need to call the lady with the whips.”

Doyle held up a hand. “Please. If they’re into that sort of thing, I. Do. Not. Want to know about it.”

“Just a figure of speech,” Royce assured with a chuckle. He hadn’t heard any rumors in that direction, but he’d been at the Crystal Ball last year when Doyle’s niece arrived in the company of her then fiancé, Tony Ramirez, and three other baseball players from various teams. From the looks the men gave the future Mrs. Ramirez, she’d charmed their pants off. Literally. He wasn’t going to voice his suspicions to the woman’s uncle though. Royce valued his life too much.

“I’m sure he’ll behave himself. If he doesn’t, I’ll threaten to shock him with an electrode.” Tricia held up the business end of one of her wires. “That should keep him in line.”

“You told me those things don’t shock.”

For the first time since he’d entered the room, she looked his way. “Did I say that?”

Royce had to make a physical effort to keep his jaw from dropping to the floor.

Doyle laughed. “Seems like you have everything under control. We’ll talk soon, Royce.”

He waited until the manager’s footsteps trailed off down the hall. Then he exploded. “Are you fuckin’ kidding me?” He pointed a shaky finger at the cord she still held aloft. “Those things could shock me?”

Tricia dropped the wire before collapsing into her chair behind the desk. “No, you idiot. They won’t shock you.” She shook her head. “Do you think I’d lie to you?”