Page 86 of Strike Zone

“I could fuck you every day for the rest of my life and never tire of the way your body comes alive at my touch, Diana.” His fingers blaze a trail of fire between my legs, positioning himself at my entrance before thrusting inside me, taking it slow, savoring every kiss of my flesh. Even with Linc at my back, there’s an intimacy that surpasses anything physical.

As we rock together, perfectly in sync, I’ve never felt so connected to another person—so completely loved. Our bodies speak a language that transcends words, attuned to each other’s pleasure, born of a passion so fierce it threatens to consume us.

He fucks me long into the night, groaning my name as we find release, my name a litany of worship on his lips, just as his will always be on mine.

Chapter Nineteen

LINC

Since the world found out Diana and I are an item and we’re expecting, the media attention has been insane. With baseball season in full swing, we’re in the limelight a lot, and the Yankees are having another killer year. Anders and I are at the top of our game with everything to play for. Winning three years in a row would cement our places in the Hall of Fame for sure. There have been rumors circulating, but nothing is a done deal until you get that phone call.

“I want to come to the game tonight.” Diana appears at the doorway of our closet in her belly-hugging raglan shirt stretched to within an inch of its life. She’s growing every day at this stage and gets more beautiful by the hour. With tight little braids in her hair today, she couldn’t look any cuter if she tried.

I stride over, kissing her before dropping to kiss the bump. “It’s a big crowd. The place will be packed. It makes me nervous with you this far along. You’ve only got a few weeks left to go.” I already know she’s coming—I asked Brooke to bring her. I want to do a little something sweet for her and the baby tonight. I have to play dumb and put her off the scent.

“Exactly! I might not make it to another game for a while. Brooke will be with me, and we can come with you guys, so we don’t arrive with the fans. I’ll even let you have one of the security guys in the stands with us, but only one.”

“Two. And you let me come get you in the stand at the end of the game.”

“You just want your face up on the screen looking all doting-father-to-be.” The baby kicks against my hand as I rub Diana’s stomach. “See, baby girl agrees with me.”

“This is my life from here on out, isn’t it? Outnumbered by women who gang up on me and have me wrapped around their little fingers.”

“You know it. So, I’m coming, and you can’t say no. I already told Mom and Dad they could come too.” She widens her smile, batting her eyelashes like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth.

“That’s good. I know your dad will take out anyone who comes within a six-foot radius of you.”

“I can do that myself. You forget, I’m still a UFC fighter, even if I can’t fight right now.”

“When do you think you’ll be back in the ring after the peanut princess arrives?” I’m being supportive of Diana as she continues to gently train throughout her pregnancy while keeping my fears to myself. It’s easier right now when there’s no fighting, only body conditioning. And with her hyperemesis, even that’s had to be curtailed significantly. The thought of watching her fight in the future scares me. I hate when she gets a papercut, so seeing some woman trying to beat her half to death isn’t high on my list of favorite things.

“Realistically, it’ll be a while. Even if the birth goes smoothly, I want some time with you and the baby before I really need to hit training hard again. At least six months, maybe longer.”

“I’ll be here, cheering you on, changing diapers and all that good stuff. You’ll get back where you want to be. You’re the most determined woman I’ve ever met in my life.”

“I know, and I love you for being so supportive, but tonight is about you and your game.”

“We’re having a great season. I think tonight’s going to be a crowd-pleaser.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes. Now, you need to leave so I can do all my weird pregame rituals you make fun of. I want tonight to go off without a hitch.”

“Wait until you see my pre-fight bullshit. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to get your own back.” She giggles as she turns to leave.

“Like what? You can’t throw something like that out there and leave me hanging. I didn’t have you pegged for the superstitious type.”

Shrugging her shoulders, she throws her hands up. “Athletes… we’re a superstitious bunch. With greatness comes at least a small amount of crazy.”

“Never a truer word spoken.” As she disappears down the hall, I can’t believe my luck. I snagged the most amazing woman in the world, and she hasn’t realized yet that I’m punching way above my weight with her.

I set about putting my kit bag together, triple-checking I have everything I need. I’ve always been a man of routine during playing season, but this one is unlike any other, full of the biggest upheavals, huge risks, and awesome rewards, and we’re not even done yet.

I went into the first game of the season with my life in shambles, having no clue which way was up. If you’d asked me then if I thought Diana and I would figure our shit out and have moved her shit in, I never would’ve believed it. As I look around, I love the sight of her belongings mingled in with mine, but I can’t find a damn thing in here.

When I’ve got everything I need, I grab my keys, and it’s time to go.

Let’s do this!

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