Worth the Trade (More Than A Game) (35 page)

“Do you need me?” He held her hand to his lips, but hesitated. “Do you love me?”

“Yes.” She closed her eyes when he brushed the back of her hand with a kiss. “And yes. I love you.”

“Then why were you leaving? Why Paris?”

“I convinced myself that it would be easier on you if I wasn’t around.” She opened her eyes and smiled. “That you could take care of business and not have to worry about the league or the union or any of that.”

“I’m not worried about any of that.” He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head up so he could look directly into her eyes. “I’m sure my baseball contract will hold up under scrutiny. But there is a matter of negotiations that fall far outside the structure of organized baseball.”

“I’m no longer affiliated with the club.” It killed him to see her act as a martyr. “You’ll have to negotiate with Dempsey.”

“I don’t want to marry Marvin Dempsey.” Marco took both her hands in his. Her hands were steady, his were shaking. His heart pounded in his chest. “I promised you a ring, darling. One with a ridiculous amount of diamonds. What do you say I give you two? One for the World Series, and one because you mean the world to me.”

Marco slid off the seat, and knelt before her. He was about to negotiate the most important contract in his life. One that was more valuable than any other.

“Hunter Collins, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“Yes. Oh, Marco…” She threw her arms around him and he buried his head in her sweetness. She wore a suit, like the first time they’d met. Only this one was softer, more feminine. The jacket was cut to emphasize, rather than hide, her curves. Her deep rose blouse dipped low enough to entice without giving up all her secrets.

“I’ll make it worth your while. You’ll see.” Marco kissed her. Victory had never been sweeter. He was the luckiest man in the world.

“I’m counting on it.” Joyful tears glistened in her eyes.

“Don’t worry, your team is in good hands.”

“I know. I picked these hands myself.” Hunter brought his hands to her mouth, kissing his palms, making him want her more than ever. “So far, I’ve not been disappointed.”

“I wasn’t talking about me.” Marco groaned. He’d checked out of his hotel room, thinking he was on his way to Paris. He’d need to get another room. Fortunately, the hotel should have plenty of openings, since the team would head back to San Francisco this afternoon. “I meant Dempsey. He’s a tough old bird.”

“Yes. Yes, he is.” She smiled, seemingly at peace with her decision to let the team go.

“He wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“Why would he have to?”

“I wasn’t going to sign.” Marco turned to face her. He had to let her know he was willing to sacrifice for her. “He told me about your deal. About the contingency. I tried to quit. I still can. I’ll walk away right now. It’s not official until the league approves it. I’ll call Dempsey right now. You can have your team back, and I’ll be your house boy.” Marco reached for his phone.

Hunter grabbed it from him, tossing it on the seat next to her.

“I need you on the field. You can still be my house boy after the game.” She ran her hand along his thigh. Oh yeah, he’d gotten a good deal. He’d end his career in San Francisco. He’d spend the rest of his life with Hunter.

“I won’t let you down,” he promised.

“I know.” She climbed on his lap, kissing him. Loving him. Believing in him.

Epilogue

The Goliaths’ victory parade marched down Market Street, ending up at city hall. Hunter stepped to the podium.

“Thank you, San Francisco!” She had to practically shout into the microphone, the crowd was so loud. “This has been quite a season. For the team. For the city. For me, personally.”

The crowd hushed.

“As many of you know, my father, Henry Collins, passed away this past April. The beginning of a new season was marred by the loss of someone very dear to me and many in the Goliaths’ organization.”

She squared her shoulders, strengthened by the knowledge that she had made her father proud. She could walk away on top. She glanced over at Marco, sitting in the front row of players. He nodded, giving her a slight smile of encouragement.

“But this team kept going. They kept me going. Together we only got stronger. We did it. Together.” She hesitated, taking a deep breath. “But it’s time for me to step aside. I sold my share of the team, and I’ll no longer serve as president. But don’t worry. You’re in good hands. Marvin Dempsey has been a mentor and a good friend, and he’ll take care of this team. This World Series Championship team.”

After what seemed like minutes of stunned silence, the crowd cheered.

“Now, I’d like to introduce your team, starting with manager, Juan Javier.”

Javier gave a brief speech, before Hunter introduced the rest of the coaching staff. She introduced the pitchers next, and several of them spoke to the crowds. She stepped back up to the microphone.

“Your left fielder, Marco Santiago.” The crowd erupted into cheers as Marco strode to the podium, but instead of grabbing the microphone, he grabbed Hunter. Swept her into his arms and kissed her before the million or so fans in attendance. The fans went nuts, applauding, whistling, and shouting, “Get a room!”

“Thank you.” Marco flashed his most charming grin to the crowd before turning his full attention to Hunter. “Thank you, Hunter. You’ve made all my dreams come true. Any kid who’s ever picked up a baseball has dreamed of playing in and winning the World Series. You brought me here. You believed in me. As a ballplayer. As a man. And since you’ve agreed to marry me, I take it you’ll believe in me as a husband.”

The cheers grew even louder.

“I love you, Hunter Collins.” He kissed her again for all the world to see.

Bryce Baxter approached the podium.

“It’s going to be hard to follow that.” Laughter broke out amongst the spectators. “Bet you didn’t know you were invited to the world’s largest engagement party.”

He waited for the crowd to settle.

“But that’s the way it is. Love comes out of left field and if you’re lucky, like these two, if you’re lucky, you can make the catch.”

Kristina Mathews

Kristina Mathews doesn't remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. Or in her head. But it wasn't until 2010 that she confessed the reason the laundry never made it out of the dryer was because she was busy writing romance novels.

While she resigned from teaching with the arrival of her second son, she's remained an educator in some form. As a volunteer, Parent Club member or para educator, she finds the most satisfaction working with emergent and developing readers, helping foster confidence and a lifelong love of books.

Kristina lives in Northern California with her husband of twenty years, two sons and a black lab. A veteran road tripper, amateur renovator and sports fanatic. She hopes to one day travel all 3,073 miles of Highway 50 from Sacramento, CA to Ocean City, MD, replace her carpet with hardwood floors and serve as a “Ball Dudette” for the San Francisco Giants.

Also by Kristina Mathews

More Than A Game

Better Than Perfect

Worth the Trade

Lyrical Press books are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

Copyright © 2014 Kristina Mathews

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

First Electronic Edition: July 2014

ISBN-13: 978-1-61650-541-7