The Practice Proposal (13 page)

Liza took his hand in both of hers. “I hate that that happened to you. But there has
to be more to the story.”

He tensed. “Not my side of it.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Then it’ll be interesting to hear what my parents have to
say about theirs.”

“I’d prefer you didn’t ask them.” He had spent all these years trying get past what
had happened between him and her parents. He’d lived with his version of the story,
too embarrassed and too proud—if that were possible—to try to make things right with
them. But Liza was a make-things-right kind of girl, and if he was going to have a
relationship with her, it would also have to include her parents. She didn’t say anything,
just met his eyes with a measured gaze that told him she would ask them anyway.

“So imagine my surprise,” he said, “when I saw the tweet announcing you’d won the
auction date.”

She nodded slowly. “Imagine mine.”

…

Liza’s head was spinning with all of Cole’s revelations. She sure hadn’t expected
his story about Nikki Barlow. It was hard for her to believe he’d given up partying
with a movie starlet because he was thinking about her. But he’d made a convincing
argument that had made sense and tugged at her heart. He was definitely making himself
harder for her to resist.

“Are you going to stay and go to the game tomorrow?” Cole asked, looking hopeful.

She had planned to meet her parents in New York, where the Orioles were battling the
Yankees for their division title. The Os had won tonight, but their fight was probably
going to last until the bitter end. She’d like to go to New York—to confront her parents
about what had happened with Cole—but now that he’d asked her to his game tomorrow,
she’d much rather stay here. “I don’t have a reservation,” she said. “I was headed
to New York to catch the Os games this weekend.”

Cole lifted her hand and kissed the top of it. “I really wish you’d stay,” he said,
his tone a notch lower than usual. “I’ll get you a room.”

Liza’s insides swirled. He was so incredibly tempting. “Me, or us?” She wasn’t sure
what she wanted his answer to be.

He absently swept his tongue across his bottom lip and she forced herself to look
away. “Either.”

The decision was hers. She started to debate with herself, but then decided not to
overthink things. “Okay,” she said. “But I’ll get the room.”

He smiled, kissed her on the cheek, and stood, pulling her to her feet. They went
to the front desk and Liza checked in, excited and nervous and amazed that she was
staying here with Cole.

The desk clerk handed Liza her key card. “Enjoy your stay, Miss Sutherland.”

“Thank you,” Liza said, and looked shyly at Cole.

They got Liza’s things from her car and went to the room. Cole called room service
for some beers and nachos. They sat at the small table in the room and dug in.

“You sure know how to pick a midnight snack.” Liza munched on a nacho and took a sip
of beer. She was glad they could eat in privacy and enjoy watching ESPN.

“I do a mean breakfast, too.” He grinned.

Heat crept up Liza’s neck and into her face. It was a casual proposition, but one
she wasn’t quite ready for. “Even I can cook with room service.”

She was thrilled to see the highlights of the Orioles’ win over the Yankees, but she
noticed an obvious change in Cole’s mood when the analysts reviewed the Nats/Phillies
game. He raked both hands through his hair and grasped the back of his head, frustration
etched on his face.

“Tomorrow will be better,” she said.

“And I need to be ready for it.” He pushed his chair away from the table. “I need
a good night’s sleep and a clear head.”

She quietly blew out a long breath. That was just the segue she needed to keep both
of them from doing something she knew she’d regret. She tucked her chin and gazed
at him demurely. “Then you’d better get going.”

She stood and held her hand out to him, ready to walk him to the door. He grasped
her hand, wrapped his muscular arm around her waist, and pulled her onto his lap.

…

Cole knew he shouldn’t stay with her. With Liza in the bed, he’d never sleep. And
whether it included something more or not, she wasn’t ready to share a bed with him.
But he couldn’t leave her without a kiss.

She shifted in his lap, facing him, and his blood ran hot and rushed low. Her eyes
widened and her lush lips parted. Unable to resist her any longer, he touched his
lips to hers, channeling all of tonight’s intense emotions into their kiss. She responded
with sensuous sweeps of her tongue in perfect rhythm with his, her floral scent enticing
him.

His body hummed as she combed her hands through his hair and pulled him toward her
with a gentle rake of her fingernails against his scalp. A familiar pressure built
inside him. Her movements on his lap tempted him to quickly carry her to the king-size
bed, forget all caution, and claim insanity later. He traced his fingers beneath her
sweater, just far enough to get his hands on the velvety-smooth skin at her waist,
and pressed her down firmly as his hips rose.

He could hardly restrain himself. No matter how much he denied it, he was completely
wrapped up in her—physically and emotionally.
And I’m going to make her mine.

Just when he’d decided to barrel ahead without worrying about consequences, Liza broke
off their kiss and brushed her nose across his. He inhaled sharply. This girl could
even make Eskimo kisses hot.

Cole had to give her credit for having the discipline he lacked. He leaned his head
back, took a deep breath, and willed away the pressure inside him that had tightened
into a knot. Still clutching her waist, he circled his thumbs over the soft skin stretched
over tight muscle. He risked moving his thumbs a little higher. She flinched and giggled.

“You’re ticklish?” He lightened his touch and she laughed. Seeing her looking so carefree
turned him on even more.

“No.” She tried to pry his hands away, wriggling in his lap, torturing him with every
move. He felt like a teenager again, fighting to keep himself from losing it.

Reluctantly, he pulled his hands away and raised them in surrender. “Okay, okay.”

Still smiling, she pressed her palms and fingers to his, her hands looking delicate
and small. “Tomorrow, the Nats will win. Then, we’ll celebrate.” She kissed him lightly,
and stood.

Cole smiled and nodded.
That’ll be some celebration.

Chapter Fourteen

Liza slid the key card into the door of her hotel room in the early hours of Sunday
morning. Cole lazily rested his hand at the back of her neck, and she liked his casual
closeness. Blame it on the champagne, the celebrating, or the special attention he’d
given her since the Nats won their division tonight, but something in her was changing.

Amid the partying, he’d proudly introduced her to his teammates and Nationals’ executives—and
endured all kinds of emasculating pie-baking jokes—as if he’d won her in the lottery.
Maybe he thought he had. He’d been pretty open about being cautious of the women he’d
dated and their motives. No doubt some of them had wanted him for his money and fame.
Add that he was super sexy and nearly irresistible, and he didn’t stand a chance—especially
if he was looking for something
real
. It had simply been easier for him to keep things casual and keep the line moving.
He’d seen his mother do that all of his life, and he’d learned from her example. Plus,
he’d had no father to show him anything different.

Liza wasn’t the only one with a comfort zone. Cole had stayed away from serious relationships
for another reason, too. He hadn’t trusted that anyone would stick around. His grandma
had been there for him, but the three other people he’d needed most—his mother and
Liza’s parents—had left him on his own.

He seemed to have no idea that she, too, had a questionable motive for dating him.
But could she really walk away from him when the time came? She might be the first
woman who
left
him for money.

The idea made her feel guilty and cheap, even though the money was for a good cause.
Her hazy thoughts circled back to her commitment to Wes, her need for Frank’s donation,
her desperation to prove herself at BADD without her mom’s assistance, and her desire
to keep the job she loved. Her growing attraction to Cole was totally outside her
comfort zone. Giving in to it would mean sacrificing everything else. She wasn’t ready
to leap toward that decision just yet, but she was ready for baby steps.

“I’m glad you decided to stay another night,” Cole said after they got in the room.
His eyes were glassy with a champagne buzz, and she suspected hers were, too.

“Remember your end of the deal,” she said. She hadn’t needed his permission, but she
felt more comfortable since he’d agreed that she could ask her parents about what
came between them and Cole.

He sat at the foot of the bed, frowning. “I didn’t want to dredge up all that.”

The champagne had made her feel bold. She nudged herself between his legs, pushed
him back onto the bed, and straddled him across his waist. “Then you shouldn’t have
taken up with me.”

Her heart quickened at the sight of him lying beneath her, broad-shouldered and perfectly
fit, his hair blonder against the ivory duvet, his eyes sparkling. She inhaled the
heady scent of his blue cologne, tinged with champagne. He splayed his strong hands
across her thighs and smoothed them up to her waist. “I’m glad I did.”

Feathery sensations swirled through her and came out in goose bumps. She leaned down
and kissed his full lips, languishing in the pure male feel of him beneath her. He
pressed her closer, reviving long-lost sensations that she’d desperately missed. Despite
their clothes, her breasts strained against the tightness of his pecs.

In one swift motion, he flipped her onto her back, propping himself on one elbow.
He softly kissed his way up her neck and gently tugged her earlobe. Need pulsed through
her and she arched beneath him. “Liza.” His breath was hot against her ear. He threaded
his fingers through her hair and pressed his body to hers, his desire unmistakable.
“I want you,” he whispered.

His words melted over her, making her dizzy with sensation and champagne. She gazed
into his blue eyes.

He kissed her gently. “Are you ready for this?”

Right now she was. Afterward, she might regret it. But Cole felt so good. After all
this time, he made her feel wanted again. “Not yet,” she said.

He kissed her lightly, then lifted one eyebrow and gave her a lopsided grin. “Then
there’s hope.”

Chapter Fifteen

Sunday brought a win each for the Nats and the Os. Afterward, Liza had been glad to
come home, but the weekend away had changed her—so much that she couldn’t concentrate
at work on Monday. She stared out her office window, thinking of lying next to him
while he slept, watching the rise and fall of his sculpted chest and abs. He had the
body and peaceful face of an angel—with that sweet mole on his cheek and a halo of
silky blond hair. The angel tattoo on his upper arm had been an appropriate choice.

With a little help from her, he’d stripped down to his boxer briefs before they went
to bed. Luckily, his clothes had gone slowly, piece by piece. Her heart had already
been running on high. She might not have survived seeing a body as hot and tight and
well assembled as his unveiled all at once. His tattoo had caught her attention, along
with all of his other remarkable assets.

“Wow,” she’d said. “That’s beautiful.”

He gave her a rueful smile. “I got it after my grandma died. I figure she’s my guardian
angel, and this reminds me she’s always close.”

Liza lightly smoothed her fingers over the tattoo, gazing at the delicate artwork.
“I love it.”

She hadn’t thought she could sleep with him in her bed, but she’d surprised herself
and dozed off anyway. When she woke up in the morning, she’d been snuggled next to
him, his arm draped lazily across her.

For the first time, she hadn’t felt guilty about betraying Wes. Instead, she wondered
if he might have sent Cole to her himself. And if he had, she needed to give Cole
a chance. After work, Liza hurried home to change, then headed to Camden Yards where
the Os would get their turn at clinching their division title against the Red Sox.

Cole had understood when she’d explained why she wouldn’t be at his game. She wanted
to share the title-winning moment with her parents—if it happened. Even Frank might
understand that if he was still keeping track of their deal. It was the first time
she’d turned Cole down for a “date” when he’d asked, but that might not really matter
anymore. She was getting closer and closer to the edge with him—almost ready to risk
everything. She was even considering telling him about her deal with Frank. If she
and Cole were going to have a real relationship, she needed to be completely honest
with him.

Liza got to the ballpark a little late, right before the first pitch. She made her
way to the Sutherlands’ box suite, where a buzzing crowd of people looked forward
to the high-stakes game.

Her mom saw her from across the suite and hurried over. She wore black slacks and
a flowing black cardigan with an orange camisole under it. Liza’s outfit wasn’t much
different—nice black jeans, a long-sleeved orange top, and a lightweight black scarf.

Her mom’s hug felt tighter than usual, and a little longer. Liza hugged her back,
grateful that she could depend on her mom, no matter what. Sure, sometimes her mom
went overboard, but that was better than poor Cole had had it. Her mom took her hand
and led her to a corner of the suite.

“How are things going with Cole, sweetie?” she asked, a hopeful look in her eyes.

Liza couldn’t keep her full-wattage smile from lighting up her face.

“You’re falling for him,” her mom whispered, loud enough for Liza to hear over the
chatter in the suite and the noise of the game outside.

Liza wasn’t ready to admit that…yet. To herself or anyone else. She’d learned from
real life, and from watching
The Bachelor
, how most whirlwind romances turn out. During the first weeks of college she’d had
one herself that fizzled out as quickly as it sparked.

“I definitely have a crush on him again,” Liza granted.

“A sleep-with-his-autographed-baseball-under-your-pillow crush?” her mom winked.

More like a sleep-with-him-next-to-me crush.

Liza rubbed her neck as if she had a crick in it. “I think I learned my lesson on
that one.” She furrowed her brow. “There’s one thing about Cole that I’m wondering
about.”

“What’s that?

“He said that something happened between him and Dad”—she lifted one shoulder—“and
you, too, I guess. Back when he got drafted by the Nats, and you all drifted apart
afterward.” She hadn’t expected that asking a somewhat simple question would feel
so complicated, or that her mom would look so hurt. “What happened?”

Her mom put her arm around Liza and pulled her close. “It’s a big night for us tonight,
sweetie.” Her voice wavered. “So why don’t we save this for a better time?”

Liza narrowed her eyes and nodded. Maybe there
was
something to Cole’s side of the story.

During the bottom of the second inning, Paige showed up. She was hardly through the
door before Liza was at her side.

“I’m so glad you came,” Liza said.

Paige unzipped her jacket and glanced around at the people in the suite. “Tired of
making small talk with the big shots?”

“Sure am. But you never know who might surprise me and cough up a grand or two for
BADD.”

Paige grimaced. “How’s that going? Made any headway with that big donor you mentioned?”

Liza sighed. “Not as well as I’d planned. The guy might still make the donation, but
I’d say the chances are getting slimmer.”

“My offer still stands,” Paige said. “I’m selling those pies like hotcakes.”

Liza groaned. “You did not just say that.”

Paige raised her eyebrows and leveled her gaze on Liza. “So tell me about your sexy-sexy
weekend with Cole.”

She couldn’t keep herself from blushing.

“Holy hotness, Batman,” Paige said. “You
did
it with Cole Collins!”

“Shh. Somebody might hear you. I did sleep with him but—”

“Where the heck are those sports bloggers when you really have news?”

Liza’s stomach dropped, even though she knew Paige was kidding. She could only imagine
the headlines for
that
story. “You wouldn’t.”

“You’re right. But it was worth seeing the look on your face when you were thinking
about what they would write.” Paige smirked playfully.

“What I was saying is we actually slept.”

Paige hung her head. “There’s absolutely no freakin’ hope for you, girlfriend. You
had the Crush in your bed and all you did was sleep?”

“That’s not all we did.” Liza grinned. The roar of the crowd outside caught her attention.
“Wanna grab some food and sit down?”

“Only if you promise to give me all the not-so-dirty details.”

Liza rolled her eyes and laughed. She and Paige hit the buffet, and Liza went straight
for the hot dogs. While she topped them with mustard and onions, she noticed her dad
off in the corner, talking on the phone. He had a dammit-I-mean-business look on his
face, one that Liza always tried to avoid having aimed at her.

Paige followed her line of vision. “Somebody’s not happy.”

“Yikes.”

They grabbed a couple of beers and sat down. Liza told Paige about her weekend with
Cole while they ate, and the Orioles extended their lead over the Red Sox, inning
by inning. Paige listened intently, cracking irreverent jokes whenever she got an
opening.

“I’m happy for you guys.” Paige nudged Liza with her elbow. “I hope things will work
out so Cole can introduce me to one of his friends. But now that I think about it,
why wait?”

Paige didn’t meet many single guys, and she kept busy at Sweet Bee’s most of the time.
“Not having any luck with the AARP crowd in Maple Creek?” Liza asked.

Paige scrunched her face and drank the last of her beer.

After the Red Sox batter struck out, Paige turned to Liza, her Precious Moments eyes
looking serious for once. “I think Wes would be happy for you.”

“I hope so,” Liza said. “I’m still working through that, but I’m getting there. I’m
starting to believe I can keep Wes’s memory close and still have feelings for Cole.”

“Keep believing,” Paige said as the Orioles scored another run and the crowd went
crazy.

The score was 5-0 Orioles in the top of the ninth, and the Red Sox batters went two
up, two down. Liza and Paige joined her parents in the suite where the atmosphere
was electric, and watched the pitcher throw two quick strikes.

The crowd roared louder than Liza had ever heard it in Camden Yards. “Os, Os, Os.”

The pitcher threw a nasty slider over the plate that left the batter fanning. Game
over. The Orioles had won the division title.

Fireworks exploded into the sky as everyone cheered and whistled and celebrated. Prouder
of the Os than ever before, Liza cheered too. It warmed her heart to see the team
in a huge victory huddle on the diamond.

Her dad hugged her tightly. “We’re going to the playoffs, Slugger!” He had tears in
his eyes, and hers welled up, too.

She and Paige hugged each other, swaying quickly back and forth, and chanting, “Yay,
yay, yay!”

The only person missing was Cole. Liza wished he were here to share the excitement
with her and her parents, as she’d been there with him when the Nats had won their
division.

“Champagne and Orioles pie for everyone!” her mom shouted, popping a cork.

Liza glanced over and saw Orioles pies lined up on the counter, pretty as a picture.
She grinned at Paige. “At least you made ’em…not me.”