Read Indulgent Pleasures Online
Authors: Karen Erickson
He’d shot them all a warning look that had said, ‘she’s mine’ and they’d backed off. They knew when Justin meant business.
They were also curious. Never before had he brought a woman around and actually introduced her. None of the past women had ever mattered.
Stephanie mattered—in more ways than he cared to admit.
But how could he tell her? She was adorable wearing a pair of jeans she’d bought at a mall on their way to the game and a Miners T-shirt he’d picked up. Her hair was down as per his request and her freckles seemed extra cute to him today.
She looked freshly scrubbed and as wholesome as could be. Hard to believe she was the same woman who’d ridden him like he was a wild beast earlier this morning.
Most likely she didn’t want to hear flowery words and declarations of love at a freaking baseball game. She’d probably prefer his confessions in private.
Pausing, he sat up straighter, his mind zeroing on his previous thought. Declarations of love and all that, what the fuck? Did he really love this woman? Was he actually in love for the first time in his life?
He had no clue. But he figured he was close. Real close.
And that was a little scary but in a good way. In a throw all caution to the wind and go for it kind of way.
“Are you all right? You’re awfully quiet.” Stephanie nudged him with her shoulder, a little smile curving her pretty mouth.
“Ah, I’m fine. Just thinking.” He smiled, trying to reassure her and he slipped an arm around her shoulders, squeezing her close for the briefest moment. “It’s weird to be up here watching the game.”
“I’m sure.” Her expression grew solemn and she disentangled herself from him. “Does it make you uncomfortable, being here?”
Justin shrugged. “I’ve watched quite a few games, I’m getting used to it.”
Hell, he’d have to get used to it. Negotiations were complete and he was going to start his new job next week. Expert correspondent traveling and reporting on the playoffs, straight through to the World Series. He was excited, a little nervous over doing something new and so freaking public.
He hated the media and now he was one of them. It made no sense, he would’ve never believed it if someone told him a year ago he’d become a correspondent but here he was.
Damn, he needed to tell Stephanie and soon. Traveling around for the games was going to keep him away from home for a while and that meant keeping him away from her. The one part he hated most about his new job.
They’d figure something out though, he knew it. She’d understand. Especially after he confessed how he felt about her.
“Well I think it’s exciting though truthfully, I’d rather be closer to the field. Closer to the action.” She smiled at him, a flash of straight white teeth against her deep red lips and he was overwhelmed yet again at how beautiful she was.
Would he ever tire of staring at her? He didn’t think so.
“Next time I bring you to a game, I’ll get you right down on the field. You’ll have the best seat in the stadium.”
“You’re too good to me.” She leaned in, her face so close to his and he decided fuck it. He knew the owner was just behind him as well as a few other Miners bigwigs. But if he was going to declare his intentions to Stephanie tonight, then he may as well semi-declare his intentions right in front of a crowd.
Tilting his head he brushed his mouth against hers, lingering there, giving her a sweet kiss that made his head spin. She sighed and he swallowed it, giving her a quick swipe of his tongue before he reluctantly pulled away from her.
She stared up at him, all dreamy eyed and his heart beat triple time. Proud that he’d put that look on her face with just one simple kiss.
“We’re kicking their asses,” he murmured, reaching out and drawing his index finger along her jaw.
“What?” She blinked up at him, looking a little lost.
He nodded toward the scoreboard. “We’re ahead by six and it’s the bottom of the eighth with two outs. This game is done.”
“Do you want to leave?”
“Yes.” He moved so he could whisper in her ear. “So I can get you alone and kiss you some more.”
“All right.” She nodded, her hair brushing against his face and he breathed deep, inhaling her sweet floral scent. “Let’s go.”
Justin had never left a game early before. He always stayed so he could talk to everyone and rehash the game, reminisce with his friends.
But with Stephanie, even surrounded by what had just a few months ago been his entire life, he was ready to bail. Was happy they were winning but for once didn’t care to stick around and relive the moment.
He wanted to create new moments with this woman who he hoped would become a permanent fixture in his life. His heart actually leapt at the thought.
Hopefully she felt the same way.
* * *
Justin had been acting strange the entire day. Not in a bad way, just...different. He’d been very attentive and affectionate, not seeming to care who saw them together, showering her with kisses and hugs every chance he could get.
Whereas she skulked around, hoping like crazy she wouldn’t run into anyone she knew. Not that too many people she knew would be at a baseball game in the middle of the week on a sunny afternoon. But better safe than sorry.
Spending time with Justin and having fun made her realize she didn’t get out enough. Hanging out, indulging in too much junk food and laughing with him, making those sexy dimples flash, she realized something yet again.
She had surrounded herself with too many negative people. Her bitchy roommate, her bitchy sisters—though she couldn’t get away from them, they were blood after all—Caleb the snake, heck even Zoe who half the time made her feel uneasy.
It was a pattern she needed to stop. She should speak up to her sisters and tell them she hated it when they put her down. She needed to tell Caleb to screw off. She needed to find a new roommate and quick.
Changes needed to be made. Positive ones and she had Justin to thank for that.
They’d cut out of the baseball game early, much to her surprise, but it was easier to leave the stadium, beating the exiting traffic. He’d driven straight to his house, shooting her a quick smile every once in a while, resting his big hand possessively on her knee. His touch warmed her from the inside out. Just looking at his hand on her made her feel good. Protected. A little bit loved.
Okay, she was being overdramatic but damn it, with the way he’d been acting since she’d shown up on his doorstep yesterday, she couldn’t help it. He’d showered her with attention, so thoughtful, so focused on her and when they’d had sex, it had been...different.
She couldn’t quite put her finger on it and maybe she didn’t want to. Avoidance had been the name of the game since the minute she’d hooked up with Justin.
Funny thing was it didn’t feel so much like a hookup anymore. It was starting to feel like a bona fide relationship. And she needed to be truthful.
Unfortunately, she hadn’t found the opportunity to tell him about her real job and the articles since she’d never found an appropriate moment to bring it up.
Okay she needed to be honest. She was too afraid to bring it up, scared of what his reaction might be. So she’d kept quiet like the little chicken that she was.
They were lingering in the kitchen, grabbing something to drink when he turned to her. “Are you hungry?”
She shook her head and rested her hand over her stomach. “I’m stuffed. I ate too much at the game.”
He smiled. “Yeah, you had a thing for those hot dogs, didn’t you?”
With a groan, she clutched her bloated stomach. “Don’t remind me. I shouldn’t have eaten two. I’m a pig.”
“I’ve always appreciated a woman with an appetite.” He approached her slowly, his arms encircling her and he brought her close, so close her body molded to his as if they were a perfect fit.
God, she really needed to stop thinking like this. She was making something out of nothing.
“Please, I was a total pig.” She rolled her eyes, trying to make light of the situation.
And she had eaten too much but she hadn’t been able to stop. When she got nervous, she ate.
“You’re not a pig.” When she glanced up at him, she saw he was dead serious. “You’re not afraid to eat and I like that. Too many women I’ve known in the past would never eat a thing, maybe a piece of lettuce and that’s it.”
“Well I’m definitely eating more than lettuce. You can tell by the way I look.”
“I like your curves.” He dipped down and kissed her, his hand smoothing down her side, along her waist, over her hip. “I like your body. A lot.”
“I’m certainly no slender model-type.” She tried not to feel so self-conscious when she compared her body to his but right now, she couldn’t help it. The man was built like a piece of art and she was carrying a few too many pounds that gave her some extra junk in the trunk.
“I don’t want a slender model-type.” His lips met hers once more, his tongue darting out for a teasing lick. “I want you.”
He kissed her again, their lips melting together, their bodies merging. His hands slipped down, cupping her butt and he fit her more firmly against him, allowing her to feel the unmistakable bulge of his erection.
“I want more, Stephanie,” he whispered against her lips after he broke the kiss. “I want...”
Her heart skipped a beat at his words, at the way he paused. God, what was he going to say? Nerves ate at her, making her stomach jump and she waited, breathless.
Did she want to hear what he had to say? Yes and no.
“Yes?” She encouraged after his pause went a little too long for her comfort.
“I—shit, I don’t know how to approach this. I’ve never done it before.” Sure fingers slipped beneath her chin and tilted her face up so she met his serious gaze. “I want us to see each other more. Exclusively. I’m not looking for a quick fuck and I don’t think you are either. At least, I hope you’re not. I want something more...serious.”
Her lips parted but no words came out. She wasn’t quite sure what to say, how to approach this. Her heart and body was screaming yes, yes, yes but her mind was telling her to slow down and think. Remember what she was doing, and why she was doing it.
And how angry Justin would be once he found out the truth.
“Do you feel the same way, Stephanie?” His face was so earnest, his expression sincere, his eyes hopeful as he watched her. She wanted to say yes, but, but...
“I—I don’t know.” Oh God, the second the words left her mouth she wanted to take them back. She didn’t mean it, could she tell him she didn’t mean it?
The shuttered expression on his face, the dim light in his eyes said no, she’d already blown it. She was such a fool.
“I understand. I’m probably rushing things.” His hand dropped away from her face but at least it still settled around her waist, the tips of his fingers grazing her butt.
“You’re not rushing things. I’m just, I guess I’m nervous considering who you are and what you do.” There, that was a good defense right?
She was going to make a mess of this, she could just feel it.
“Listen, whatever you’ve heard or read it’s not true. At least, not anymore. I’m not the same guy I was back then and I have you to thank for it.” He paused, as if searching for the right words. “You make me want to be a better man. For you. For us.”
His words startled her and warmed her heart. This man was so special, so perfect for her in every way and she didn’t know why she was behaving like this.
“That’s so sweet.” She tore her gaze from his and stared at his chest, plucking at an imaginary piece of lint. “But I think I need more time.”
He sighed, his chest constricting against her hand and she savored his warmth, his hard strength. She loved his body. She loved touching him, being with him.
Did she actually love him, though? She wasn’t sure. She lusted for him and she certainly enjoyed the way he made her feel. But what kind of relationship could they have when it wasn’t based on truth?
She could only blame herself for that. She was the keeper of truths, not him.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you this but never found the right time. I guess now is as good as ever.” She looked up at his words to find him watching her carefully.
“I got a new job with the Sports Channel. I start next week. I’ll be a special correspondent during the playoffs,” he finished.
“Oh, that’s wonderful.” She smiled, truly happy for him. “How exciting. So you’ll be on TV, huh?”
He shrugged, sheepish. “Yeah. I’ve never been comfortable dealing with the media but the executives at the network said I have charisma or whatever when I’m on screen. That’s why they approached me. That and my inside view of baseball.”
Justin grimaced and shook his head. He didn’t look very happy about this sudden turn of events.
“You’re very charismatic. I’m sure you’ll be wonderful at your new job.”
“I’ll be gone a lot. I fly out next week and I’ll be traveling non-stop during the entire playoff season. I’ll probably work straight through to the World Series, too.”
She nodded slowly, understanding dawning inside of her. She wouldn’t be seeing him as much. This was the opportunity for him to give her as much time as she wanted. Maybe too much on his part.
Stephanie frowned. Maybe once he was gone he would forget about her, find someone new. Someone prettier and more his type.
Oh, she needed to quit with the pity party. She was the one who was pushing him away. She could only blame herself if he went off and found someone new.
Most women would think she was crazy. She’d been given her opportunity with him and for the moment, she’d turned him down.
“I understand,” she finally said with a small smile. It felt false, her mouth straining at the corners.