Worth the Trade (More Than A Game) (18 page)

“I’ve had a few balls drop in for me.”

“I’m happy for you. Truly.”

“Thank you.” He switched the phone from one ear to the other. They chatted for a few minutes, catching up on her family and everything going on in her life.

“What about your cousin Antonio?” He might as well get right to the point. “Is he still working for that private investigator?”

“Tony?” she asked. “He bought out the company. He’s keeping pretty busy these days.”

“I might have a job for him.”

“So who is she?” Vanessa asked, her tone not so friendly.

“Why would you assume this is about a woman?”

“You’re in the middle of a hot streak. You’re not going to call me up out of the blue, pretend to care about my life, my family, and oh-by-the-way I need to hire Antonio, if it wasn’t for a woman.”

“I’m just trying to help an old friend.” Marco sighed. “And I do care about you and your family.”

“But you’ve met someone. She must be pretty special.” She had just a little note of jealousy in her voice. “Is she willing to follow you anywhere your career takes you?”

“That’s not possible.” Marco’s gut twisted at the thought of changing teams once again. And of losing Hunter in the process.

“That’s too bad,” Vanessa said. “You deserve a woman who would follow you to the ends of the earth. Japan, the Dominican Republic, or even St. Louis.”

“And you deserve someone who can give you the kind of family life you need. A man who comes home every night, changes diapers, and never misses a school play or family dinner.”

Her silence spoke volumes about the regret that neither of them could be what the other needed.

“I’ll let Antonio know to expect your call.” Marco was relieved when she ended the awkward pause in conversation. “And I hope things work out for you.”

“Appreciate it.” He also regretted that there hadn’t been enough between them to make the sacrifice.

* * * *

Hunter was back in her office, pouring over the minor league stats from the past several weeks. She couldn’t believe that instead of scouting the Triple A affiliate she’d spent the last few days with Marco. Sure, she already had a good idea of who she wanted for September call-ups, she just needed the data to back up her choices.

She opened the spreadsheet to update the statistics on her top twenty prospects. The top ten were easy to rank. Four relievers were slated to join the club and provide depth in the bullpen. By this time of year even the sturdiest pitchers had some arm fatigue. Having the extra players would lighten the load and eat up innings to save their regular pitchers for the postseason.

She had two utility players who could play any spot in the infield, and provide late inning replacements, a third catcher to provide insurance at that position, and that left three spots for outfielders.

There wasn’t as much depth in the outfield as she would like. One of their top prospects had been injured and their best minor league outfielder had gone over to St. Louis in the trade for Marco Santiago.

Marco. He had given her more that she’d expected on the field. His defense had been nearly flawless, and in recent weeks, he’d put up the kind of offensive numbers that would have him in the running for player of the month.

And what he did for her off the field…

Hunter pushed away from her desk, her concentration now shot. Last night had been the first night she’d spent in her own bed, alone, and she missed him. Actually ached for him. The whole flight home, she contemplated all the reasons she should cool things off with him. The close call with Annabelle had her stomach twisting and turning like Lombard Street. But who was she kidding?

She couldn’t stay away from him any more than seagulls could resist the bleachers after the game.

Damn. She grabbed her cell, texted a message, and was on her way to his apartment a half hour later. She’d picked up some Chinese takeout, since they couldn’t share a meal together in public.

She’d barely set the cartons of garlic beef and Kung Pao chicken on the kitchen counter before Marco led her down the hall to the bedroom. They tumbled into bed starving for each other.

They satisfied one need and Marco brought the takeout to the bedroom, where they had a naked indoor picnic.

Hunter set the empty carton on the bedside table and reached for the two fortune cookies. She handed one to Marco and cracked hers open.

“Your greatest desire is within reach.” She read her fortune aloud and Marco pulled her closer.

“Yes. I am.” He nuzzled her neck, scattering kisses along her skin. Two seconds ago she had been completely satiated, but now desire flooded her and she could devour him again.

“So what is your greatest desire?” She pulled away, needing to put some space between them.

“Besides you?” He leaned back against the headboard. “I want what we all want. The World Series. I want to get you that ring I promised.”

His answer didn’t surprise her, it was the answer they’d both expected him to give. But she sensed that it wasn’t the whole truth. There was something he wanted more than a championship. Something he was afraid to ask for.

“What do you really want, Marco?” Their eyes locked and she had the feeling that she was hovering far above the earth, held up solely by his gaze. She knew that the instant either of them blinked she’d fall, harder and faster than she ever imagined.

Hunter closed her eyes, realizing it was too late. She’d already fallen for this man. This beautiful, sexy, talented man had stolen her heart the moment he stepped into her car.

“I want my next contract to be my last.” This time she had no doubt about his sincerity. “I want to finish my playing career with a team that would be interested in keeping me around on the coaching staff.”

“You want to coach?” She was surprised, considering he was still in the prime of his career, that he was thinking about his next step.

“Sure. Even if it means starting all over again in the minors.” He folded his hands behind his head, staring straight up at the ceiling. “I want to give back to the game that has given me so much.”

“Does that mean you’re no longer upset about being traded here?” She snuggled up against him, almost giddy at the thought of keeping him in San Francisco for the long term.

“I never had a problem with the team. It’s just that I have been on so many different ball clubs. Never quite sticking around for long. It was the same as when I was kid. We were always moving, every time my mom would get a new job, we’d move somewhere else. Sometimes not far, but most of the time I’d have to change schools. I got real tired of being the new kid in town.”

“I can’t even imagine.” Hunter rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “Other than college, I’ve always lived in the same house. I was going to look for my own place when I graduated, but then my dad got sick. He needed me home.”

“Home.” Marco sighed. “For me, home means crossing the plate. So I guess you need me to come home as often as possible.”

She kissed his chest, wanting more than anything to promise him long term stability.

He put his arms around her, pulling her against him. He kissed her thoroughly before moving to the delicate skin behind her ear. He dropped kisses down her neck before turning her over and taking her breast into his mouth.

“Mmm.” She moaned. “Keep doing what you’re doing and I’ll see what I can do about keeping you around.”

“Around your bed?”

“That too.”

“You want to keep me with the team?”

“Of course I do.” She reached up to stroke his cheek, the rough stubble sending shivers straight to her lower abdomen. “I brought you here for a reason.”

“Instant gratification?”

“No. Although you do have quick hands.” She smiled. “I also want something that lasts. I want to build a team with staying power.”

“I do have stamina,” Marco teased. There were many nights when they’d gone extra innings.

“I wish I could promise you a long term deal.” She might as well be honest. About wanting him for the team. “Keep doing what you’re doing, and I’ll do my best to convince my partners to re-sign you.”

“Keep doing this?” He kissed her again. He moved down her body with his mouth. His hands. “And this?”

He dipped his tongue in the hollow of her navel, brushed his lips across her belly, spread her legs apart, and dropped tiny little kisses along the inside of her thigh.

“Marco, please.” She threw her head back in anticipation of the pleasure he was going to give her. “Just don’t do this with my partners. Or their wives.”

He stopped. Lifted his head.

“Oh, Hunter.” He shook his head. “What would it take to convince you that you are the only woman I want? The only woman I’ve ever wanted this much?”

Without waiting for her answer he drove into her, convincing her with each thrust.

Chapter 12

Marco sat in front of his locker after another Goliaths’ win. He was starting to feel like his dream was within reach. He’d always been on teams that were good, but not good enough. But this one was different. The vibe in the clubhouse was different. Almost electric.

They were winning. Everyone was a part of it, too. There wasn’t one guy who couldn’t be counted on when the game was on the line. From the manager on down to the clubhouse attendant, there wasn’t one single person who wasn’t giving it their best. Every. Single. Day.

The clubhouse doors opened and Marco didn’t need to look up to know Hunter had entered the room. He felt it, deep down in his every nerve ending.

Javier was joking with the catcher when he stopped laughing, looked up, and smiled at Hunter.

An unwelcome, and completely uncalled for, jolt of jealousy hit Marco in the chest. He reminded himself that none of them would be in this position if it wasn’t for the work she’d done to get them there.

His manager looked a little too happy to see her.

“Finally.” Javier strode toward her. “She’s come out of it.”

Marco made a noise, something of a grunt, and Javier stopped in front of him.

“She was in mourning far too long. But look at her.” He nodded and Marco dared glance in her direction.

She looked fantastic. Radiant, even. A look he’d become accustomed to, but only in the privacy of the bedroom. Tonight she looked like herself. Her true self, with her hair down, pulled back into a simple barrette at the base of her neck. It took every ounce of his control for Marco to resist going up to her, in front of everyone, and running his hands through those silky strands.

Her skin glowed, with color on her cheeks and lips, and he realized she was wearing makeup. Eye shadow and a dark liner that accentuated her deep amber eyes. And lip gloss, pink and shiny, that drew his attention to her lips. Not to mention everyone else’s.

“She looks like she’s here on a mission.” Marco recognized the determined look in her eyes and he hoped her mission was to drag him out of here and have her way with him.

“Yeah. She’s got her list.”

“Her list?” Marco wasn’t sure what kind of list his manager was talking about.

“September call-ups. She said she wanted to meet with me, make sure we’re on the same page.” It took him a while, but Marco finally realized it was admiration in Javier’s voice, nothing more. “I’ll bet we have very similar lists. But she’ll have a surprise or two. She was right about you, wasn’t she?”

“I hope so.”

“You know, a lot of people counted her out. Thought she wasn’t up to the job.” Javier didn’t always have a lot to say, but when he got on a roll, the man could talk your ear off. “They figured this season would be somewhat of a wash. We’d be lucky if we didn’t finish in the cellar with all the distractions. First Cooper’s suspension before the season even started, then losing Henry Collins.”

“Either one of those things could have an effect on a lot of teams,” Marco agreed.

“Not to mention having a woman take over the team.” Javier put his hand on Marco’s shoulder. “But she’s not just a woman.”

Marco tensed, wondering what direction this conversation was going to take.