The Shortstop (10 page)

She unlatches her limbs from around my body and immediately pulls me to the couch. “I want to know every detail!”

Annie

He sits beside me grinning from ear to ear. “That hat looks so good on you,” I say, distracted by the gorgeous sight of him. “I can’t wait to see you in full uniform.”

“I’ll be getting it tomorrow. I’m number 77.” He beams from excitement.

“Really? You must have been so happy.”

“Baby, I’m beyond happy. I have everything I want, including you.”

He proceeds to tell me all about the meeting, touching on every detail that went on inside that conference room. His salary, his option for increase, it’s all too much to grasp. I’m having a hard time wrapping my brain around it. I can only imagine what he’s feeling. They handed him a pot of gold. How do you even begin to understand it all?

I guess if anyone can, it’s Quint. Mentally, he’s imagined this day his entire life. Physically, he’s pushed his limits. The combination probably forced his destiny.

He reaches over and tucks my hair behind my ear. “Tomorrow is the press conference. It’s about to get crazy. Are you ready for it?” Obvious concern is etched all over his face.

“Of course. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

“Baby, I was prepped today for what to expect.” He takes my hand between both of his, rubbing them soothingly over my skin before continuing. “They used the analogy that tomorrow a tornado will suddenly appear in my life, and instead of running away, I’ll be stepping into the storm. The only difference between a real tornado and what I’m about to experience is a real one ends within minutes. This one will go on and on.” He watches my face, focusing on my eyes. “Through it all, my only concern is that you’re okay. None of this will be worth it to me if you aren’t happy.”

“Q, you don’t have to worry about me. I can handle all the craziness. I’ve had some experience with it so far,” I tease, referring to his many, many pushy groupies.

He scoffs, “That’s not the same.”

“I know those skanks were nothing compared to what you will be facing,” I tease even more.

“Annie.”

I slide my hand from his to cradle his face. “Q, I believe in us. You and I are solid. Tornados can easily destroy a weak foundation that wasn’t built to withstand it. I dare anyone to try to take us down.” I smile warmly, prompting him to reciprocate with one of his own. He leans in and kisses me softly.

“I love you so much. So many times I ached for you today. I wished you were there sitting beside me.”

“I wish I was there, too.”

He kisses me again with much more enthusiasm. “I need you,” he says into my ear before tracing it with his tongue. The instant his lips touch me, I ignite from the inside out.

“Um, Quint?” I ask, breathlessly breaking away from him. 

“Yeah?” he responds while kissing my neck.

“Where’s your dad?”

He stops to stare at me. “Annie, enough with this shit.”

“What? I was just wondering if he was going to interrupt us once we got started.”

Tilting his head to the side, he narrows his eyes suspiciously. I flash a big toothy smile, making him laugh.

“You are an awful liar. Dad is in his room making phone calls with Mr. Furrows. My mom is on her way up. We’re all going out later to celebrate. We have at least an hour. So, relax and stop overthinking the fact he’s on the other side of that wall.”

“You just reminded me he’s on the other side of that wall.” I pout.

“Too fucking bad,” he retorts before diving back in to kiss my neck. His hands work quickly to remove my shirt. He bends and sucks my already pert nipple through the silk fabric of my bra. I can feel his fingers working the clasp on my back. Hastily, he removes my bra to stare at my breasts. He does it every time he sees them.

“So fucking gorgeous.” Using one fingertip, he slowly traces a circle around my nipple. “Your nipples are the same shade of pink as your lips. Every time I look at your lips, I think of these.” He’s admitted this fun fact before. I still clench each time he reminds me.

He gently bites down on one, teasing me to the point where all thoughts vanish from my head. For several long minutes, he focuses on my breasts, splitting his attention equally between the two. With each suck, lick, and bite, he reduces me to a squirming, pleading mess.

Last night he made it all about me. Of course, it was to get me to relax and stop overthinking, and it worked.

It’s time to reciprocate. I can feel his pent-up energy in every muscle of his body. Suddenly, I feel compelled to release it. When I pull away, he’s about to reprimand me until I push him to sit farther back into the sofa. “You assume you know what I’m thinking?” Quirking one brow deviously, I watch his face morph from annoyance to surprise. “You happen to be wrong, Mr. Lawson. At this moment, all I’m thinking is how badly I want to taste you.”

When I kneel between his spread legs, a sexy smirk lifts the corner of his lips. Keeping my eyes on his, I slowly remove all his clothes, starting with his shoes and his shirt and tie. He begins to remove his hat until I shake my head.

“Nuh-uh. The hat stays on.”

“You like the hat, huh?”

With both hands wrapped around him, I slowly nod and admit, “I love the hat. I get to give a Yankee
a hummer. How hot is that?”

“You’ve never used the word hum…Oh, fuck…” He throws his head back from my brazen assault. “Holy shit. Annie,” he gasps as I set out to take him for all he’s worth. He knots one hand in my hair and grips the edge of the sofa cushion with the other. I’m relentless, not stopping for air until he releases with a primal grunt.

A few seconds pass, yet he remains slumped into the back of the sofa, unmoving. Except for his breathing, he’s completely immobile. Slowly, he peeks open one eye to see me smiling smugly. “Proud of yourself?”

“Yep, very.”

“Gloating doesn’t suit you,” he says just as his eyes drift closed again. I quickly remove my shorts and panties and straddle him. His eyes fly open in surprise. “What has gotten into you? Is it my new job title?”

I already feel him hardening between my legs. A few rubs and I know he’ll be more than ready and able to perform. As I slide over his length, I respond arrogantly, “Hell yes. Now I get to fuck a Yankee. A hot Yankee.”

“I’m not sure I can rise to the occasion again. You’ve drained me.”

Choosing not to respond, I instead resort to my best line of offense. He can’t resist when I shamelessly rub myself on him while sucking on his neck. Instantly, he comes to life, thrusting into me with purpose. He grips my ass with both hands, manipulating my hips to our advantage. It’s not long before he brings me toward a delicious orgasm and follows with a second of his own.

I collapse against him, exhausted from all my hard work. He removes his hat and places it on my head. “Was that my signing bonus?”

Without moving, I mumble into his neck, “First of many to come.”

He wraps his arms around me, drawing lazy circles on my back. I could fall asleep without question. After a few minutes, he asks, “Want to shower with me?”

“Mmm, I’ll be ready for more real soon. We’ll screw in the shower next, I promise,” I murmur against his chest. His warm skin against my cheek feels so good. I would love to stay here in this room all night long and alternate between napping and screwing.

He chuckles at my response. “No, baby. I meant literally. We need to get ready for dinner.”

“Mmm, okay.”

“Baby, are you falling asleep?”

“Just a tiny nap,” I plead, refusing to move.

“My parents will be knocking on that door very soon,” he threatens.

Rising quickly, I blurt out, “Okay, I’m up,” causing him to laugh.

“I knew that would move your ass.” He stands as well and holds out a hand. “Come, let’s shower and then we’ll get dressed. Although, I like what you have on now.”

I glance down at my naked body. “That would make headlines.”

“Good point.” He removes the hat and adds, “Promise me you’ll wear this hat and nothing else when I fuck you later.”

“If you promise the same.”

“Deal.”

We ended up screwing in the shower.

“Now we’re late!” I scold him as I rush to get ready.

“We’re fine. We have at least four minutes.” He sits on the edge of the bed, ties his shoes, and announces, “Okay, I’m done.”

“Shut it.” With a huff, I turn my back on him to blow-dry my sopping wet hair. Deciding it’s easier to put it up in a bun, that saves me two of my four minutes.

Quint zips my dress up just as we hear a soft knock on the door.

“You panic for no reason. You’re done right on time.”

“No thanks to you.” As I check my face one last time, Quint turns to open the door for his parents.

“Quint!” His mom throws her arms around her son, squeezing him for dear life. “I am so proud of you!” When she pulls away, tears roll down her cheeks even though she’s smiling from ear to ear. She doesn’t even bother to wipe them away.

“Thanks, Mom,” he says as he pulls her in for another hug. Over his shoulder, she sees me across the room.

“Oh Annie, look how pretty you are.” Instantly, she strides toward me and gifts me with a strong hug of my own. “You and my son will make gorgeous babies.”

“Mrs. Lawson, you’re making me blush,” I tease.

“When will you call me Mom? I know you have a wonderful mom, but I don’t think my best friend would mind you calling me Mom as well,” she pleads her case with a smile.

“You’ve been Mr. and Mrs. Lawson my entire life.”

“You can’t call us that after you become our daughter-in-law. It’s not allowed.”

I can’t help but laugh at her serious expression. “Fine. I promise once we’re married, I’ll call you Mom.”

“Yay.” She claps enthusiastically. Charlotte Lawson is my second mother. She is a warm, kind woman who would do anything for those she loves. I’m very lucky to have both her and her husband in my life.

“Stop bothering Annie, and let’s go. I’m starving,” Mr. Lawson grumbles. “We’ll take a cab. I intend to have a celebratory drink tonight.”

Quint and I grab our jackets, and it isn’t long before we are on our way to the restaurant. For most of the ride, while the men discuss baseball, my future mother-in-law chooses to discuss the wedding.

“Have you two set a date?”

“Not yet.”

She takes my hand and says, “I know my friend would have my head for saying this, but please don’t wait too long. Financially, you two are set. There’s no reason to wait.”

“Um...”

“Besides,” she goes on, ignoring my bulging eyes, “I want grandbabies before I get too old to walk.”

It’s common knowledge that my mom feels we should wait on getting married and having kids. From the sudden wedding talk and the prodding that I’m getting from Charlotte now, I can’t help but wonder if she’s pleading her case while my mom isn’t here to argue.

Desperate to change the subject, I squeeze Quint’s hand in a silent plea for help.

Quint suddenly stops midsentence. “What are you two talking about?”

Before I can respond, Charlotte waves a hand at her son. “I want grandchildren. Since you’re my only son, you have to give me many. Therefore, you two need to get started.”

Quint and I exchange a glance. “Um, Mom. How about we handle one life-altering event at a time?”

“I didn’t say tomorrow,” she retorts with an eye-roll. “Just soon.”

The cab has mercy on us, stopping in front of the restaurant. Standing in front are my parents. “Oh my God, Quint. Did you know they were coming?”

Sliding out behind me, he smiles as his dad pays the fare. “Yes. Dad invited them.”

After squeezing me in their arms, they immediately turn to hug Quint and congratulate him with obvious pride. Having them here makes me very emotional. They adore Quint, and the fact they drove all this way to celebrate this monumental event in his life speaks volumes to who they are.

The Lawsons reserved a room at our hotel for my parents. They’ll be joining us at the press conference in the morning. Just the thought of Quint before the cameras, announcing his new debut, makes my heart race. The tornado analogy he used comes to mind. I’d be lying if I denied I’m scared, for many reasons. I hope the game treats him well, with as much respect and admiration as he’s given the sport. He’s really just a guy with a dream and a huge heart. If anyone hurts him, I’ll kill them myself.