Too Hot to Handle: A Boys of Summer Novel (12 page)

She was seated next to Lorena Mercado, a pretty, dark-haired television reporter who turned out to be good company. They had an interesting conversation about branding, the Yankees, and Boston. Nikki found her insightful and funny, with a good eye for detail and a memory for stats.

Yet as soon as the captain turned off the seat-belt light, allowing passengers to move about the cabin, she felt her nerves beginning to tense. If Jake made it obvious that they were romantically involved, it could cause a lot of problems. While Pete seemed willing to overlook it, others were liable to be a lot less charitable.

The minutes ticked by, and there was no sign of him. She’d heard the grousing up front about the lack of beer and the fancy food, but Jake was surprisingly quiet. As she’d hoped, the noise settled down when the pretty redheaded chiropractor offered to make adjustments, while the striking masseuse kneaded tired muscles.

She tried to put him out of her mind but found it impossible. Deciding to take matters into her own hands, she got up, pretending to go to the lavatory, and peeked into the main cabin.

Jake was asleep. The rest of the team played cards, snacked, or indulged in the holistic care. Nikki’s carefully concocted speech went out of her mind as she saw his head cradled in his arm against the window, looking as innocent as a little boy taking a nap. Yet there was nothing juvenile about his biceps, his hard-muscled thighs, and his sensual mouth. Her heart squeezed as the tension inside her evaporated, and a wry smile curved her lips.

Even in his sleep, he drove her crazy.

Taking a minute inside the washroom to adjust her lipstick, she then returned to her seat. Somehow, she’d have to get control of her emotions where he was concerned. And with a guy like Jake, that was easier said than done.

Luckily, she didn’t see him until the following day at the game. He’d been at batting practice while she was introduced to the local reporters, and he was meeting with the coach afterward while she went to dinner. Back at the hotel, Nikki took a quick shower, and then collapsed into bed. She was exhausted, and suddenly wondered how professional ballplayers ever got used to this schedule.

She’d barely pulled the covers up to her neck when she heard a tap at her door. Glancing at the clock, she saw that it was midnight.
It must be my imagination,
she thought, but then she heard it again.

It was definitely a knock.

Throwing aside the luxurious comforter, she got out of bed and snatched up a robe from the closet. When she got to the door, she looked through the peephole.

Jake was standing there, wearing a pair of cargo shorts and a grin.

Nikki opened the door and cautiously looked both ways. Similarly to the seating on the plane, she was sequestered at the end of the hotel where the support staff stayed, while he was at the other end with the players.

“What are you doing here?” she hissed, pulling him inside before someone saw him. “Are you crazy?”

“I was lonely.” The grin deepened. “I miss you.”

His tone was surprisingly sincere. Nikki sighed and tightened the belt on her robe. “You know I can’t see you while we’re on the road. There is a ‘no girls’ policy, and that applies to everyone. Including you.”

“But since you make the rules, why not create an exception?” He moved closer to her, and she could feel the heat. She tried not to look at his naked chest, the incredible defined muscles, the blond hair that began at his pectorals and then traveled teasingly down to disappear into his pants…“It would be fun. My suite has a Jacuzzi.”

She swallowed hard. She could picture the two of them in that bubbling hot water, naked. “Jake, I can’t. I would lose all credibility if I asked the team to adhere to a standard that I can’t maintain.” At his crestfallen face, she laughed. “You know all that. You are the heart of the Sonics. They take their cue from you. And you need to lead.”

“Oh, I can lead.” He stepped dangerously closer. “Want to see?”

“No,” she said. She knew better. It was taking everything she had to resist him now. “Go.”

“All right.” Surprisingly, he seemed willing to obey her. But before he left, he tipped her chin up so that he could look into her eyes. “Are you okay?”

“What do you mean?” she asked cautiously.

“I’m sorry I had to break our date the other night. Really sorry. I just want to make sure you know that.”

He meant it. If she’d had any doubt prior to now, it was erased by the sincerity in his tone and in his eyes. But Nikki was well aware that the rules for him were different than for her. She took a deep breath.

“Look, you don’t owe me any explanations. There aren’t any strings here. I’m a big girl. You have the right to do whatever you want, just as I…”

His eyes darkened dangerously when she implied she could sleep with someone else. He’d been halfway out the door, but now he kicked it closed firmly behind him. “Okay, spill. What are you thinking?”

“Nothing, really. I understand that you probably have…other engagements. It’s none of my business.”

“You think I broke a date with you to see someone else?”

His tone sounded incredulous, and Nikki was more confused than ever. That was exactly what she’d thought. And why not? He was a serial dater, Playboy of the Year. Women fell all over him. Baldwin’s Beauties even stripped for him!

Her confusion changed to annoyance when he actually laughed, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Her eyes narrowed. “This isn’t funny—”

Before she could react, he yanked her into his arms. His lips met hers with a kiss that made her toes curl and her arms embrace him eagerly. She was breathless when his mouth eased from hers, and she could only stare at him in awed wonder as her body responded immediately, her blood singing.

“I think we understand each other. Good night.”

Then he was gone. Nikki leaned against the door, her lips still swollen from the kiss, her body throbbing with aching desire.

Understand each other? She didn’t understand a damned thing.

The following evening, she had barely closed her eyes when she again heard the tapping on her door. Jake, she thought in amusement. She hadn’t seen him much all day, so she wasn’t totally surprised at another nocturnal visit. This time she would be a lot more emphatic and make it clear that she meant what she said. Tossing on a robe and flinging open the door, she expected to see the shortstop, but instead of the lanky ballplayer one of the security guards stood outside.

“Ms. Case?” The young blonde looked at her curiously while Nikki nodded. “I understand you have some rules about the players entertaining women in their suites while on the road, correct?”

“That’s right.” Nikki knotted the rope belt and stifled a yawn. “They are all well aware.”

“Well, I had a complaint that a woman was seen sneaking into room 201. I was just up there and didn’t hear any noise, so there isn’t anything I can do. I just thought I’d let you know.”

“I appreciate it.” Nikki fumed as she snatched up a pair of sandals. She couldn’t have been any more explicit that no women were allowed in the players’ rooms. They were trying to clean up the Sonics’ image, and the last thing she needed was a scandal because some dumb-ass ballplayer picked up a girl. Storming down to the other side of the hotel, she located the door and banged on it with her fists.

“Hold on!” she heard a male voice shout out, and then the unmistakable laughter of his female companion. A moment later, the door flew open and Ryan Wakeman faced her, dressed in only a towel.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“Do you have a woman in the room with you?” Nikki wasn’t at all intimidated by the size of the hitter, or the fact that he was more than a little annoyed with her intrusion.

His brow grew thunderous. “I’m going to give you two minutes to get out of here before I call management.”

“Go ahead,” Nikki said coolly. “I have their full support. We talked about this before leaving, and made it perfectly clear that no one on the team was to pick up girls and bring them back to their room.” She gave him a look and lowered her voice. “And you, of all people! You are married. Do you know what would happen if word of this got out? What about your family? What about your wife?”

“You’re worried what my wife will think?” The annoyance in his expression changed to amusement. He flung the door open even wider. “Then why don’t you ask her?”

Nikki’s mouth fell open as a pretty, dark-haired woman in a flowered silk robe approached the door. “Is everything okay here?”

“Everything’s fine,” Ryan said smoothly. “Sophia, this is our new PR rep, Nikki Case. Apparently she thought I was sneaking a woman in for the night.”

Nikki felt her face get hot, but to her relief Sophia broke into laughter. “I heard all about you. Nice to finally meet you.” She extended a hand and shot her husband a reproving look. “Actually, I appreciate you keeping an eye on these guys. I take it no one let you know that I was meeting my husband tonight?”

Nikki shook her hand, her expression apologetic. “No, somehow they must’ve neglected to mention it. I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“No worries,” Sophia said graciously. “Our anniversary is tomorrow, and we’ve missed so many of them that I made up my mind to get a babysitter and fly out here.”

“I think that’s lovely.” Nikki returned her genuine smile. “Well, I’ll leave you two alone, and once again I’m sorry.”

They were still laughing when she walked away, and two doors down, number 203 closed quickly. Suddenly it all became clear:

She’d been pranked again.

If she had any doubts, the squeak of additional doors being hastily closed erased them. She could even hear the players’ laughter as she made her way back to her room, shaking her head in chagrin.

The Sonics were having a real good time at her expense.

The road trip was a disaster. After Nevada, they played a three-game series versus the Giants and got clobbered. Nikki watched in stunned dismay as the bats went cold, the pitchers couldn’t seem to find their location, and the errors mounted. Even Jake made a bonehead move and tried to get a runner out at second instead of the easy play at first. They lost 9–0 in an embarrassing no-hitter in the wrap-up.

The plane ride home was depressingly silent. Nikki could’ve heard a pin drop in the first cabin, while in the second she saw Pete studying endless videos and making notes, as if trying to figure out what happened to his up-and-coming champions.

She couldn’t find a way to put a positive spin on anything. None of the players had risen to the occasion—not Jake, Chase, Cody, or Ryan. She realized what Pete had said was true: when Jake was hot, he sparked the rest of the team. But in this case, it wasn’t even just the hitting that was off. It was everything and everyone.

She’d thought about going to him, to say something comforting after the first game, but one look at his face made her drop that whole idea. Unfortunately, they were both too busy over the next two games to connect—she with her interviews and press releases, he with extra batting practice, video viewings, and meetings with the coaches. When she finally did see him boarding the bus for the airport, they were surrounded by the team and couldn’t have any meaningful conversation.

She’d have to wait for their date to talk. This was a part of the players’ lives she hadn’t thought of: the disappointment and pain of a loss, with no loved one to share it. Now she understood why Ryan wanted his wife on the trip.

“Don’t take it so hard,” Lorena said softly as Nikki flipped through her tablet in frustration. “This happens all the time to every team. They just go through these slumps, but they bounce back. Pete will help them figure some things out; the pitching coach and the hitting coach will contribute as well.”

“It was awful,” Nikki said, and then looked quickly at the reporter. “Don’t quote me.”

“No worries. There is an unwritten code that we don’t talk about anything that happens on the flight or off the field when traveling with the team.”

“I just can’t understand how everything could fall apart so quickly and so completely.”

“That’s baseball.” Lorena shrugged. “You get used to it. And there were some other factors. The weather was ungodly hot, and our guys aren’t used to it. The other team also had brought up a new pitcher that they hadn’t seen before. That makes a big difference too. They don’t know this guy yet, but they will next time they face him. Just be patient.”

Nikki could only hope.

“Where’s Jake?” Nikki glanced over the field, where the players were engaged in batting practice and workouts. She saw Brian, Cody, and Derek, and the pitchers as well. But the shortstop was missing.

“Don’t know,” Pete said. “He’s usually here by now. Any of you know where Jake is?”

No one replied, so Pete shrugged. “We got in late last night. Maybe he had some things to take care of. When he shows up, I’ll tell him you’re looking for him.”

“No, that’s all right,” Nikki said hastily. “I’ll catch him later. I just wanted to get his perspective on a write-up I’m sending out.”

Self-consciously, she made her way back to the executive offices. She was pretty sure Pete knew something was going on between her and Jake, and she didn’t want to add any fuel to that fire.

Idly, she wondered what Jake did on his time off. She knew it was silly, and none of her business, but she was also wise enough to know that a guy didn’t go from juggling multiple female relationships to monogamy overnight. And she wasn’t even sure what his kiss meant in Vegas. They hadn’t had the opportunity to discuss any of that, given the circumstances.

So when he jogged into her office an hour later, she was ridiculously happy to see him. He was dressed in his uniform, immaculate as always, and looking even better than he had any right to look.

“I heard you were looking for me.” The teasing grin was back, and this time she shared it.

“Yes. I was reviewing this article for the
Trenton Times
and wondered if I got this right…”

That was as far as she got. Jake closed the distance between them in two long strides, and then she was in his arms. “Stop, we can’t!”

“Yes we can,” he said roughly. “I know why you wanted to see me. Admit it. You’ve been writing your own press forever. You don’t need my input. You need
me.
”

“You are so conceited,” she said through laughter, but she couldn’t deny the truth. It was wonderful being in his arms again.

“Yep, and you are a terrible liar.”

“I really did want to know what you thought of this—”

“I haven’t really seen you in a week except in passing. I’m not interested in the sports news or anything else. Except this.”

“Jake, the door—”

“Fuck the door,” he muttered impatiently as he took her mouth with his.

The kiss was hot and full of longing. Nikki melted in his embrace, feeling the strength of his arms, the hardness of his torso pressed against hers, the crispness of his jersey beneath her fingers. His scent—clean and fresh, and distinctly male—was unique to him and she inhaled deeply, wanting all of him.

The heat was there, along with frustration and need. Nikki felt it rise within her, the impatience to have him once more, and the ache that only he could satisfy.

“Welcome home,” she teased breathlessly as his mouth eased from hers.

Sinking his fingers into her hair, he stroked the silken tresses. “I have you all to myself tomorrow night. And believe me, I plan to take full advantage.”

A thrill shot through her at his words, and she realized her knees were shaky. What was the matter with her? It was like the old movies, where a kiss changed everything. She couldn’t help the little giggle of feminine excitement as she saw the best butt in baseball walk out the door.

And he
was
hers, at least for tomorrow night. And like him, she planned to take full advantage as well.

“Okay, let’s see what you’ve got.” Jake tossed the ball to Joaquin, and was pleasantly surprised when he made contact.

It was just a foul ball, but the crack of the wood was solid. Smiling in encouragement, he threw a slider, and this time the boy caught it with the middle of the bat. It sailed over Jake’s head and into the field behind them.

“Hey, you did it!”

The grin on the boy’s face was priceless, and he visibly swelled with pride.

They had finished working at his mother’s house an hour ago, and Jake took the opportunity to coach Joaquin in baseball. The youth had confessed that he’d played only a few times when he lived in town and wasn’t really certain about the rules. It was difficult for him to keep up with the sport when they lived in the city, but they had recently moved back to the suburbs, where there was an abundance of places to play.

“Let’s try a few more, and then I’ll take you home. But you’re doing great.”

Lobbing a curveball over the plate, he saw Joaquin spin himself into knots in an effort to get a hit. “Don’t overthink it,” he said when the youth tossed it back to him, obviously disappointed. “Just relax and keep your eye on the ball.”

This time the boy nailed it, and he beamed at Jake as he successfully sent the orb flying over his head. It didn’t escape Jake’s notice that Joaquin had a strong arm and a good eye. If he could develop that talent as a hitter or a pitcher, that would be invaluable.

They played a little longer, but his cell phone reminded him it was time to go. He had a date with Nikki that night, and was really looking forward to seeing her after losing the previous week to the road trip.

Joaquin collected the ball and the sports gear, placing them neatly inside a duffel bag as he followed Jake to the car.

He’d been picking the boy up a couple of days a week now. It became much easier when Joaquin moved back to the next town from his mother. Jake grinned in amusement as he drove off, seeing the newly planted apple tree, something his mother had wanted for years.

At first his mother seemed resistant to engage with a Hispanic boy. But once she got to know him, and realized he spoke perfect English, she seemed more comfortable.
Too
comfortable. With a lot of time on her hands, she began dreaming of all kinds of projects for Joaquin. Jake had resisted indulging all of her impulses, for although she would decide she wanted azalea bushes and fruit trees, she wasn’t physically active enough to take care of them. But with her own gardener/e
rrand boy living within a bike ride of her, more of her whims became possible.

And the situation benefited everyone. Jake had decided to give him a salary every week in exchange for taking care of whatever his mother dreamed up. Joaquin was thrilled to have regular income, and told him shyly that he had paid the electric bill and phone bill for his mother that month. Jake’s heart went out to him when he saw his pride in being able to contribute to something important.

Best of all, now that they were no longer living in the city, he didn’t need to worry about the gang influence on the boy. While there were certainly enough troubled kids in the suburban town, between work, school, and baseball, he hoped to keep him busy and out of harm’s way.

When he pulled up at the rented condo, something caught his eye. A window was wide open. It was the height of the pollen season in New Jersey; no one cracked a window no matter how hot it got. The green-yellow powder was everywhere; it lodged in your throat, tickled your sinuses, and burned your eyes. It made a mess of everyone’s cars, and you certainly didn’t want it in your house.

So his radar went up immediately. “Stay here a minute,” he said to Joaquin as he got out of the car and grabbed his cell phone.

Cautiously, he tested the door. The condos were a group of rehabbed apartments, and not in the best of condition. The knob rattled and the portal immediately creaked opened. Jake didn’t like it one bit.

As he entered the dwelling, he heard someone crying. Joaquin’s mother sat at the kitchen table, her face in her hands.
Juanita,
he remembered. The sound of her sobs made his stomach twist.

“Are you okay?”

Her eyes lifted and relief spread on her face. “They broke in. I had the rent money there.” She indicated a cookie jar. “They took it. I don’t know how they knew.”

“They are slick,” Jake said grimly. “Criminals know where to look, and where people would hide money. Did you call the police?”

“No,” she said softly. “They probably live back here. I don’t want any trouble.”

Jake understood her meaning. This was one of those areas where people didn’t call the police; they handled their own problems. And when someone finally did call, no one saw anything, no one would testify. The authorities weren’t trusted, especially since most of the residents didn’t have a green card.

“How much is the rent?”

“Five hundred dollars,” she said softly. “I get paid at the end of the month. But it’s due tomorrow. I didn’t want Joaquin to know and get upset.” She looked toward the door, as if she suddenly remembered that her son hadn’t appeared yet.

“He’s outside,” Jake replied. Digging into his wallet, he handed the woman the money. She stared at him in astonishment.

“But I can’t take that!”

“Consider it a loan,” he said firmly. “With the way your son is coming along, he’ll be able to help you with all that and then some.”

She gazed at him with tears in her eyes. “You are an angel. God sent you to us.”

Jake felt something tighten in his heart. “Not at all. I think Joaquin is a hell of a kid. Let’s keep this between us. I don’t want him to feel embarrassed. But in the meantime, you need to get the landlord out here and install some better locks on the doors and windows. If he gives you any guff, you call me.”

She nodded, and Jake went out to the car to fetch her son. “Everything’s okay,” he said to the boy. “Your mom just needed some air.”

Joaquin stared at him for a moment, nodded, and then disappeared inside the condo. Jake watched him go, knowing the boy didn’t buy his story. He glanced at his cell and realized he was going to be late for his date with Nikki. He felt bad about that, but it couldn’t be helped. He couldn’t let the boy go into the house without making sure it was safe.

And now he had to stop by the police station. Jake knew that Joaquin and his mother would never report the crime; he wasn’t even sure Juanita was here legally. But at least he could let them know what had happened, and maybe they could keep an eye on the place.

As he drove away, he realized how lucky he had been growing up. Sure, he had a lot of responsibility thrust on him at a young age when his father died, but he never had to worry about the bills getting paid or the house getting robbed. And yet in spite of it all, Joaquin was a decent kid. He deserved a break.

And Jake vowed to make sure he got it.

Nikki hung up the phone after Jake’s call. He was on his way, but was going to be over an hour late.

Things came up for everyone; she knew that. Life was full of interruptions and unplanned events. But the uneasiness returned full force.

Her emotions felt jagged as she glanced down at her Catherine Malandrino designer dress. She had picked it up at an online sample sale and thought the flirty black lace and fringed skirt was adorable. And if she had to admit the truth, she bought it with Jake in mind. But it was one more sign that maybe she was getting too involved. Pacing, she realized she was being ridiculous, but she couldn’t stop the thoughts that threatened to overwhelm her.

He didn’t provide an explanation, just like the night he’d broken broke their date. If he was innocent, why not just say what he was doing? Even if he
was
seeing someone else, wouldn’t it be better to tell the truth?

Yet she wasn’t sure how she’d react to that. It was beginning to occur to her that maybe she wasn’t cut out for a casual affair. It had all sounded like a good idea in the beginning, just sex and fun. Maybe she wasn’t as modern and sophisticated as she thought.

She had almost made up her mind to tell him that when she heard a knock. Peeping through her keyhole, a warm emotion bubbled up inside of her when she saw the handsome ballplayer. As she flung open the door, she saw his grin, and all of her anxiety seemed silly now.

“Hello, beautiful,” he said. “Sorry I’m late.” His eyes traveled all over her dress and then back to her face. “You are stunning,” he said in awe.

“You are forgiven,” she said, and found herself smiling back. Picking up her purse, she followed him outside and was escorted into the passenger seat of the Audi. Jake closed the door for her, and Nikki settled into the luxurious leather cushions. As she placed her clutch beneath the seat, her hand came in contact with a wad of material. Curious, she pulled it out just as Jake got into the car.

When he turned to face her, she dangled a pair of fire-engine-red lace panties in front of him.