Too Hot to Handle: A Boys of Summer Novel (11 page)

What were the rules for a fling?

“I’m sorry,” Natalie sighed at her sister’s silence. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, it’s okay. It’s probably good that I keep reminding myself of what the situation really is. And I won’t be seeing him at all next week—roman
tically, anyway. Probably good to have a break.”

And get your head out of your ass.

“Why is that?”

“Road trip,” Nikki said, dabbing at the pillowcase with nail polish remover. The stain only spread. “I’ve already let the team know that we have a ‘no girls’ policy while out of town. The last thing we need is that kind of trouble when we’re trying to build an image. The head coach wants me to go with them, and I certainly can’t set that standard and date Jake at the same time.”

“Right. So you’ve discussed this with him?”

“No,” Nikki said as she tossed the pillowcase into the washer. Cajun red was now a puddle of fuchsia pink. “I mean, he has to be thinking the same thing, right? He couldn’t expect his teammates to follow a rule that didn’t apply to him.”

Natalie laughed. “From what you’ve told me about this guy? Watch out. I think you’d better make things clear before you set foot on a plane.”

“Listen, I’ve got to go. I just spilled nail polish all over my pillow. Love you.”

Nikki hung up the phone and started the machine, feeling a rush of conflicting emotions wash over her.

Her sister was right.

She’d better make certain she and Jake were on the same page before Vegas. Or else.

Jake strolled into his condo, eagerly anticipating his date with Nikki. He had tried to call her the night before, but he rolled into voicemail immediately, indicating she was on the line with someone else. That only heightened his excitement, and he tossed his keys onto the marble countertop as he headed toward his bedroom.

He wanted to take her somewhere special tonight. While the beach picnic was fun and romantic, he wanted to top that, give her an evening she’d never forget.

This was a new experience for him: looking forward to a date, planning, thinking ahead about what would truly please a woman. In the past, most of the girls he’d gone out with didn’t seem to care one way or the other what they did. It was enough just to be with Jake Baldwin, and given that, exerting little effort in the matter.

But Nikki was different. She was smart, beautiful, ambitious, and sexy as hell. What satisfied a giggling twenty-year-old fan wouldn’t come close to impressing her. And he liked that. She was making him work for this. He appreciated her more for the kind of woman she was, and he understood that any man would love to have her. He had to keep his game up or it was game over.

He could have gotten dressed in the locker room, but he wanted to wear something nice that didn’t have a million wrinkles. When he’d researched the town where she lived, he discovered that most of the dining options were chain restaurants. But he found a little family-owned Greek establishment, where the seafood was fresh and the menu innovative. Best of all, there was an outdoor patio in the garden where they could dine alfresco.

She had suggested meeting him in Princeton, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He didn’t want her to have to drive an hour just to see him. He wanted her to relax, enjoy herself, and then he’d take her home afterward.

Just like an old-fashioned date. But what he had planned after that was anything but unexciting.

He turned on the light, preparing to go to his room, but his mouth fell open in astonishment. There was a woman on his couch.

A naked woman.

When his brain adjusted to the sight, he realized it wasn’t just any woman. A loud groan escaped him.

“Tonya. What the hell are you doing here?”

“Jakey, is that any way to talk to an old friend?” She twirled a lock of her blond extensions enticingly.

“You have to leave,” he said abruptly, turning to his closet and throwing a coat in her direction. “Now.”

“Come on,” she said, her voice a sultry whisper as she ignored the coat. “We haven’t been together in forever. I know you miss me, and I need you.”

She was purring, her eyes half closed. She was higher than a kite, he realized, and in no condition to drive. Her hands rose to cup her large breasts, and she began to stimulate herself, coyly watching him beneath thick fake lashes.

Intrigued by her boldness but totally uninterested, he angrily said, “Knock it off. Put that coat on before I call the cops.”

“You couldn’t do that to me,” she said with a smug smile. “I know you wouldn’t want me to tell Joey.”

Jake flinched, suddenly realizing that fooling around with the sister of one of his boyhood friends was one of the worst ideas he’d ever had.

Joey Salino lived a few blocks away when they were kids. Growing up, his little sister had been an afterthought, an annoyance when they wanted to go down to the lake or play ball and she wanted to tag along. He’d caught up with her again a few years ago and thought it would be fun to hang out. Quickly, he realized she had some major-league problems.

Joey, he remembered, had mentioned something about trying to get her help. But the family refused to support him and denied that there was anything wrong with her.

So he’d disentangled himself from her, knowing it was the best for everyone involved. But apparently she had other ideas.

“Watch me,” he said, his voice hard. “You’re right, I don’t want to upset Joe, but I have no interest in dating you. I made that clear the last time I saw you. Now get dressed.”

Her red lips formed a pout, but she got to her knees and tried to reach for him. “Come on, baby. You know what I can do for you. I can see you’re ready for me.”

“I’m going to go into the living room, and when I come back you’d better be dressed. And then I’m going to take you home.”

He walked out, cursing to himself. He didn’t know how the hell she’d gotten into his place, and decided he was going to have a heated conversation with the security manager. Knowing Tonya, he could just imagine what she’d done to gain entrance to his condo.

She was a mess.

He called his car service, but the vehicles were tied up at present and they couldn’t get a car out to him for another hour. And there was no way he wanted her in his house another minute.

And now she’d ruined his evening. By the time he drove her home, it would be too late to go to Marlton to see Nikki. Frustration ate at him, and he picked up his cell in chagrin, realizing he would have to break his date. He couldn’t let Tonya find her own way home in the state she was in; he couldn’t be responsible for that.

He could only hope Nikki would understand.

“Yeah, sure. No problem. Happens to everyone. I hope everything works out.”

Nikki clicked off her cell and stared at Jake’s number. Her eyes switched to the mirror before her and she looked sadly at the black-and-white designer minidress, her sparkly Kate Spade earrings, and her nude heels. She’d pulled her hair back into an elegant chignon, knowing how much Jake loved to undo her bun and let her tresses fall around her shoulders.

Beneath the outfit she’d donned a gorgeous silk bra and a matching thong, ignoring the little shiver that went through her when she pictured him getting down to this layer.

Even her Saturday night ritual was done with him in mind. She’d carefully prepared for their date, making sure her legs were free of nubs, her manicure and pedicure fresh, her skin smooth and flawless. Her hair looked shiny and rich from the deep-conditioning treatment, and the scent of her body butter was soft and feminine.

All for nothing. Nikki couldn’t help the stab of disappointment that shot through her, or the depression that followed.

Her sister had been right. She was getting in too deep, taking this whole thing way too seriously. She’d been thinking about Jake too much, reading far more into his flirtation than it meant. He’d probably gotten a better offer that night and had no qualms about breaking the date with her.

She felt like a fool. An all-dressed-up-with-nowhere-to-go fool.

At least he’d had the grace not to make up some lame excuse other than to say something unexpected had come up. Taking off her earrings, she stepped out of the dress and hung it carefully in her closet. The fancy bra followed, and she tugged on her sweats and a baggy tee shirt.

Thankfully, she had a frozen pizza in the fridge and a cheap bottle of red. As she uncorked the wine, she rationalized that it was all probably for the best. Next week they had the road trip to Vegas. She would be incredibly busy working with the press, keeping the team in line, and preparing for the upcoming charity event. She didn’t have time for a guy, especially a baseball player.

No matter how smoking hot he was.

The charter bus was waiting as soon as the game ended. Nikki boarded, feeling more than a little like Forrest Gump as she passed seat after seat. While no one was overly rude, it was quite clear that none of the players wanted to sit next to “Mean Mommy.” Fortunately, she spotted Chris Smith at the rear of the bus, and the reporter immediately cleared the seat beside him for her.

“Our flight leaves at nine,” he said, contentedly munching on a bag of peanuts. “We should get into Atlanta by about eleven.”

“That’s good,” Nikki yawned. “With any luck I can get to bed by midnight.”

“Easily.” He looked at her with a grin. “So are you still contending that the Sonics have changed? They’re particularly rowdy on the road. This isn’t the first time I’ve joined them on a trip. I could tell you some stories, but my lips are sealed. It’s part of the deal.” He did the zipper thing with his mouth.

“They aren’t happy about it,” Nikki admitted. “But I’m hoping they’ll like some aspects of the new regimen. Yes, I’m getting rid of junk food. And the beer. But I think they won’t mind too much when they try the new food, and some of the other benefits we’re including.”

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jake board the bus. It was the first time she’d seen him since he’d broken their date. That same flutter started inside of her, but she was determined this time to ignore it. The road trip came at the perfect time—when she needed a wake-up call.

“I wouldn’t count on that,” Chris continued, not bothering to hide a laugh. “I don’t know what you have in mind, but starched linen napkins and crystal aren’t going to make up for a party.”

She shrugged. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.” Jake shoved a bag into the top rack and tried to make eye contact with her. Nikki gave him a cool smile just to show him she wasn’t holding a grudge.

But she wasn’t looking for anything else, either.

She pretended to be absorbed in her tablet when he approached as the bus rolled down the highway. He was joking with Ryan and Chase, laughing at something Brian said, and in general having himself a good time. She’d heard he played well that day, and the high school part of her wished that he were as upset as she. But that, of course, was impossible. She was just another notch on his belt.

When they pulled in to the airport, she saw the charter plane waiting at the gate. The players piled out of the bus and onto the Boeing 747. Luggage handlers stowed their bags, and Nikki saw the outsource company she’d hired arrive with the food. The Sonics didn’t know it, but she’d taken some pains to find out all of their likes and dislikes, restaurants that they frequented, favorite meals. Then she found a catering company that could replicate Capital Grille steaks, P.F. Chang’s cashew chicken, and Bonefish Grill salmon. Only instead of all the sugar sauces and empty calories, they made healthy versions that tasted even better than the originals.

As she boarded the plane, she saw the chiropractor she’d hired, along with a masseuse and a holistic doctor. She’d learned from the incident with the barber, so it was no coincidence that they were all female and gorgeous. Already she saw Brian gawking at the chiropractor, while Shaun was exchanging esoteric health ideas with the physician.

The players sat in the front, the coaches in the middle, and everyone else in the rear. She started for the back of the plane, when she felt a hand grasp her wrist. Before she could even react, she was sitting next to Jake.

“Well, hey there.” He gave her a sexy grin. “Join us.”

The other players looked less than thrilled to see her in their cabin. Nikki struggled to get up, but Jake held her in place.

“I can’t sit here!”

“I don’t see why not,” Jake drawled, and then shot Brian a look. “Nobody minds, do you?”

Brian started to respond when fortunately, the tall blond Barbie flight attendant appeared and gave Jake an admonishing smile.

“I’m afraid she’s right,” the woman said firmly. “We have to take our assigned seats. Safety regulations.” She then looked at Nikki, who could have sworn the glance was less than friendly. “Do you need help finding your seat?”

“Not at all,” Nikki said, rising to her feet. She scooted into the aisle, but before she could make her way to the rear, Jake stopped her again.

“What’s the matter?”

She looked at him incredulously, and then glanced at the other players. To her relief, none of them seemed interested in their conversation, but were more intent on making themselves comfortable for the long flight.

“Nothing,” she said softly. “Absolutely nothing.”

Her eyes sent him a stern message, but instead of putting him off, it only made him grin once more. “I’ll come back and visit you,” he promised.

Uneasy, Nikki made her escape and found her seat while the flight attendant brought bottles of mineral water and gourmet snacks to the team. She heard the initial grumblings that she expected when they inquired after the beer and pizza, but it died out quickly when they saw the alternatives.

She sank back into her seat, feeling the breath whoosh from her body. She was hoping to avoid Jake; it seemed he had other plans. The last thing she wanted to do was have an intimate conversation within earshot of the Sonics.

She could only hope he had enough sense to feel the same way.