Worth the Trade (More Than A Game) (28 page)

“If he’d been here, maybe I wouldn’t have…” She looked up at him, desperate agony in her eyes. “Maybe I wouldn’t have made things so complicated.”

“Oh baby, it’s not as bad as it seems.” He stroked her hair, that long gorgeous mane that had enticed him from the beginning. He didn’t think her father would have been able to stop him from loving her. Nothing would have stopped him.

“I just miss him so much.” She buried her face in Marco’s chest and cried hot, silent tears that he was powerless to soothe. But he tried anyway.

“Of course you do. But I’m here, baby. I’ll be here for you. Always.”

She hadn’t had the chance to grieve. She’d been so busy keeping the team going, and doing a hell of a job, that she hadn’t let herself mourn the loss of her father. That was part of the business. The season must go on. Sure the league provided a few days bereavement, but a player still had to make his next start. Take his next at bat. And Hunter had to keep the team moving forward. She had to make roster moves, bringing up players as an injury replacement. Making the trade that brought them together.

He held her until she was all cried out. Picked her up and carried her to the master bathroom. He ran a bath for her and helped her undress. God she was beautiful. The most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, but he didn’t bother telling her that. She still didn’t believe him.

Oh, she believed in him on the field. And she’d been right, as his MVP award testified. If only she had as much faith in him off the field, in real life. If only she believed he could be the man to make all her non-baseball dreams come true.

“What do you need?” he asked as she settled into the tub. “Do you want company or would you rather I give you some privacy?”

“I don’t know.” She leaned back against the tub.

“I’ll leave you alone then.” He started to back out the door.

“No. Wait.” She sat up, a look of panic on her face. “I’m just tired. That’s all.”

“Is that why you didn’t stick around for the awards? The team trophy?” The MVP. He shouldn’t have to tell her he’d won. She should have been there with him.

“I couldn’t…” Her eyes were so weary. “I couldn’t help but think it’s all going to fall apart. News of Clayton’s involvement in FITNatural, and the bet…”

“There is a rumor of his leaving the partnership. But that’s all.” He knelt beside the tub. “I’ve been keeping a close eye on the whole FITNatural story. It’s starting to leak out. Just the part about some of their supplements being less than natural, and yeah, there’s speculation of banned substances.”

She tensed. She had a hell of a lot more to lose than that bastard Barry.

“Hey, but don’t worry. I haven’t seen anything tied to your
former
partner.” He reached for her hand, brought it to his lips and placed a reassuring kiss on her palm. “I don’t think anything is going to come of it until after the series. I don’t think the league wants to do anything to hurt the ratings. Once the offseason starts, I expect the story to blow wide open.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“Look you have nothing to worry about. You didn’t invest in the company. He did. And except for Nathan Cooper, no one else from the Goliaths is involved. And Coop’s not even with the team anymore. You got rid of him as soon as you could.”

“What if he cracks? What if Clayton tells about the bet we made?”

“Did you actually exchange money or shares?” When she shook her head, he continued. “If you ask me, it was just a friendly wager, a way of energizing the team. Like when we go on the road. Baxter and I have a standing bet that whoever hits fewer RBIs buys dinner.”

“I called off the bet, after I won.” She gave him a slight smile. “But what if someone thinks I coerced him into selling his share?”

“For the good of the team, not because of any bet.” He sat on the edge of the tub, still dressed in his champagne soaked T-shirt. “You haven’t done anything wrong. You have nothing to worry about. Hell, you don’t even need to worry about me, because I only look illegal.”

* * * *

“You know, there should be a law against you looking so good.” Hunter cracked. She couldn’t resist his charm, even when she was about ready to go out of her mind with worry. “Especially when you smell so bad.”

She yanked him into the tub and he splashed down on top of her, but as always, he was careful not to hurt her. He removed the sweat and champagne soaked T-shirt and yanked off the athletic shorts he’d slipped on before coming over.

Marco was magnificent. Hard muscle and smooth skin. And those electric blue eyes. She was captivated from the moment they met. But like all good things in baseball and in life, this was only temporary. The season would end. And so would their relationship.

“Promise me you’ll be there for the next celebration.” It took a great deal of athleticism for Marco to fit himself into the enormous tub. He was a big man. A strong man. And an agile man. He maneuvered so that he sat behind her, pulling her onto his lap. “Winning the pennant just wasn’t the same without you. You should’ve been there. For me. And for the team. You’re as much a part of our success as anyone.”

Hunter leaned against him, relaxing a little. She could feel his erection against her back.

“Let me think. How can I possibly make it up to you?” She tried to position herself over him.

“Maybe I should punish you.” He grabbed her around the waist, holding her in place. So close to what she craved, yet just out of reach.

“Marco, please.” Those words hadn’t failed her yet.

He loosened his grip and moved his hand down to her hip.

“You think you can just wiggle your bottom and ask me nicely and I’ll give you what you want?” His words were teasing, but his tone was almost bitter.

She whimpered as he slid his hand down ever so slightly.

“You think I’m that easy?” His erection throbbed against her backside. She wasn’t the only one who wanted it. “That because I’m a man, I can’t resist?”

“Marco. Please.” Her voice shook with urgency. She wanted—no, needed him to touch her.

His hands were so large, his fingers were so close to her sweet spot. She squirmed, aching for him.

He moved his hand up, placing it over her rapidly beating heart.

“Promise me you’ll come back to the clubhouse.” He spoke softly in her ear. “Before every game, you’ll be there for me. And the rest of the team. Please, Hunter.”

She turned over to look him in the eye. His desire shone in the brilliant blue depths. But it wasn’t just for sex. He wanted something more.

“Promise me, or I’ll leave. Right now.” He shifted as if to get out of the tub.

Hunter pressed her lips against him, desperate to keep him from leaving.

“I promise.” She kissed him hungrily, sloshing water all over the bathroom floor.

He kissed her back, slowing the tempo. Grabbing her hips, he steadied her above him. Easing inside her, he moved with slow, deliberate thrusts. So different than in the beginning, when they were two bodies colliding in uncontrolled lust.

Now it was something more, and Hunter felt like she was drowning. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t swim away from the overwhelming feelings surrounding her. She knew she had four more games. At the most, seven. Then she would have to let Marco go. Let the Goliaths go. She would savor the memories as long as she could.

* * * *

Marco was lacing up his cleats when the clubhouse door opened. Hunter stepped inside, looking almost like she wasn’t sure she belonged there. She flashed a tentative smile at a few of the players. Johnny Scottsdale stood, and offered his hand. She gave him a firm shake and that was all it took for her confidence to return.

She shook hands, high fived, and congratulated the rest of the team. Slowly, she made her way toward Marco’s locker. He was glad she made an appearance but he didn’t like the uncomfortable position of not knowing how to act around her. He didn’t want to hide his feelings, but he understood how their relationship could complicate things for everyone.

Especially when they were about to take the field for game one of the World Series.

So when she approached him, Marco ached with the need to touch her.

“I’m glad you came.” He stood stiffly. “It means a lot to the team.”

“Thank you for reminding me that we got here together.” She fiddled with the long braid she’d wound her hair into. It wasn’t as uptight as the buns she wore when he first met her, but it showed him that her confidence had wavered. She pulled her hair back as a way of restraining her ambition. He couldn’t have that.

Marco reached for the elastic band that held her hair in place. He slipped it off and wove his fingers through the braid, undoing her attempt at holding herself back.

“Marco, please!” Just two words, and damn if his dick didn’t grow rock hard even though she said it in protest instead of encouragement. “People are watching.”

“Yes, Hunter. People will be watching. It’s the World Series.” He arranged her hair in soft waves around her face, letting it fall over her shoulders and down her back. “I think the world should see you as I see you. A strong, beautiful woman who can take on anything the league throws at her. You brought this team together. Each and every one of us is here today because you believed in us. Believe in yourself.”

“Marco.” She smiled, tears shining in her eyes. “Thank you.”

“No. Thank you.” God, he wanted to kiss her right now. But he didn’t think he’d be able to stop. He had to look away, and it was a good thing he did, because Rachel Parker, the Goliaths’ in-game reporter, had just stepped into the clubhouse.

Marco started to move toward her. Head her off before she could zero in on the tender moment, but Bryce beat him to her. He whispered something in her ear and Rachel smiled, shaking her head. She watched Bryce out of the corner of her eye, but she was intent on doing her job first, flirting with the shortstop would have to wait.

“Miss Collins.” Rachel waved to Hunter with a reporter’s smile. “Can I get a quick word with you before the game?”

“You’ll be fine,” Marco whispered, giving her an encouraging shove in the reporter’s direction. And he’d be close by in case the questioning got too personal.

“Sure.” Hunter smoothed the front of her jacket, squared her shoulders, and stood ready to face the camera.

“First of all, I want to congratulate you on bringing this team all the way to the World Series.” Rachel smiled as if she meant it.

“Thank you, but getting here is only the beginning.” Hunter looked around the crowded clubhouse. All the players were suited up, ready to take the field. “We’re planning on winning it all.”

“That would be something. The Goliaths have not won a World Series since coming to San Francisco. They’ve been close, with the heartbreaking loss in ’98 and again in 2007.”

“I remember it all too well.” She closed her eyes briefly, before turning back to the camera. “But we’ve been working toward redeeming that loss ever since.”

“You see the game differently than the fans. It is a business for you.” Rachel tossed her hair and gripped her microphone more firmly. “But this year, it’s also personal.”

Marco stiffened. He needed to keep his focus on the game, but he was not about to allow this reporter, or anyone, to attack Hunter or make their relationship into something sleazy.

“It’s always been personal for me.” Hunter tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “This team has always been like family for me. I grew up here. In this very clubhouse. And before that, at the old stadium. Instead of brothers and sisters and cousins, I had the Goliaths.”

“But this year is different,” Rachel’s voice softened and Marco had to just stand there and watch. “Your father passed away at the beginning of the season. And I’m sure it must be difficult to have this level of success and not be able to share it with him.”

“Yes. It is difficult.” Hunter’s smile wavered. “But it would have been a lot harder if I’d let the team down. I could have given up. Let things slide. But like I said, this team means a lot to me. It’s not everything…”

She glanced over at Marco, and for a brief moment, he saw her love for him flash in her eyes.

“It’s not everything, but it is important to me that the team has success. And continues to have success. We’ve built something here that, hopefully, will continue long after this series. Long after this season.” She glanced around the clubhouse, a serene look on her face. “Yes, I want to win today. And tomorrow. And two more games after that. But more than that, I want to leave behind the same kind of legacy my father left. A team that we can all be proud of. Win or lose, I want people to feel good about coming out to the ballpark. I want parents to share memories with their children. To bring them to a game and tell stories about when they saw Johnny Scottsdale pitch a two-hit shutout. Or Bryce Baxter’s monster home run. Or that incredible catch by Marco Santiago to save the game.”