Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
“Why Jasper? Are you from around here?”
She shakes her head. “No. My dad recently moved here, and I want to be close to him.”
I nod. “Family is important. What about your mom?”
She gives me a sidelong look before turning her attention back to the stadium. “She left me with my dad when I was five. I haven’t seen her since.”
I reach over and place my hand on her knee. “I’m sorry.”
She shrugs, but I can tell it still affects her.
“What about you?” she asks. “Tell me about your family.”
I leave my hand on her knee and stroke my finger along the denim. “My mom and dad raised six of us. They spent the last few years traveling, but they’ve been staying closer to home since the grandkids started coming.”
She tenses. “So the grandkids are your nieces and nephews?”
“Yeah.”
She leans closer. “Tell me about them. All of them.”
“You really want to hear about my family?”
“Yes. It’s always been just me and my dad. I used to wonder what it would be like to be part of a big family.”
Something tightens inside my chest. “Okay. There are six of us. Me, Miller, Logan, Ozzy, Penn, and our sister, Skyler.”
She raises her eyebrows. “Only one girl?”
“Yeah, but trust me, she makes sure we don’t forget it.”
Nicole smiles.
“Skyler is married to Zach, and they’re expecting a little girl any day now. Miller married Lindsey and adopted her nephew, Eli. He’s probably going to be a professional athlete like his favorite uncle.” I point at my chest proudly.
She laughs. “You’re his favorite?”
“Obviously.”
“What about the others?”
“Logan is married to Bree, and she’s pregnant. Penn is a doctor and married to Aria.”
I hesitate before continuing. “Ozzy lost his wife a few years ago. He’s had a hard time, but I think he’s finally starting to move forward.”
Nicole places her hand against her chest. “That’s awful.”
“Yeah, but he’ll be okay. I’ve noticed a difference in him lately.”
Before she can ask me anything else, I bring up the question that’s been bothering me all night. “Why are you on a dating app?”
She lets out a breath. “I just finished finals, and I haven’t dated in a while. I thought it might be a good way to meet people.”
“And?”
She looks away. “I wasn’t expecting anything serious. Maybe a one-night stand.”
My hand slides higher on her thigh before I can stop it. I squeeze gently. “Is that what you want?”
Her lips part. “Uh…”
I shake my head. The thought of her kissing that asshole from the bar makes something dark and possessive twist through me. “I want to kiss you, Nicole.”
Her lips form a perfect O, and I smile at her stunned expression. “Is that okay?”
She blinks before nodding. “Okay.”
I lean in and cup her face with my palm. She stares at me with wide eyes, and the need to press my mouth to hers is almost overwhelming. I’ve never wanted anyone as badly as I want her right now.
Just before our lips touch, she pulls back. “Am I being pranked?”
I hold back a groan of frustration and let my fingers slide into her hair. “Pranked? By me?”
She nods, looking unsure.
“Honey, I’m not pranking you.”
Her eyes search mine. “You really want to kiss me?” She lifts one shoulder. “I mean, I know I’m totally kissable, but you’re Guy Brody.”
I wrap my hand around the back of her neck and stroke my thumb over her racing pulse. “Yeah, you’re totally kissable.”
I lean closer until only an inch separates us. “And there’s no prank. I want you.”
CHAPTER 4
NICOLE
Guy Brody is about to kiss me.
I wasn’t lying to him. I am kissable, but the fact remains that he’s a legend when it comes to baseball, and he can have any woman he wants. I’ve seen the women he dates, and I look nothing like them. I’m not sure what to think about any of this, but I hold my breath and wait for his lips to touch mine.
I think I’m prepared, but there is absolutely nothing that could prepare me for being kissed by Guy Brody.
His hold on the back of my neck tightens, and he searches my eyes. “Put your hands on my shoulders.”
I do as he asks, and I feel him tremble beneath my touch. He pulls me closer, and before I know what’s happening I’m straddling his lap. His head falls back with a groan.
“Am I hurting you?” I ask.
He nods. “In a good way.”
His eyes darken as he looks at me. “I’m afraid I’m not going to want to stop kissing you.”
I open my mouth to tell him he doesn’t have to but quickly stop myself. There’s no way I’m sleeping with Guy Brody. I can handle a kiss or two, but there is no way I can sleep with him and come out of it whole.
He cups my cheek and leans closer. “Hold on.”