Page 28 of Stolen Bases

Her pulse races beneath my fingertips, fluttering like a hummingbird. She freezes, giving me hope she won’t walk away.

“Please don’t go.” I’m close to begging because that’s how badly I want her to stay. To get to know her. It’s a terrible idea, but one I’m going to follow through with anyway. It drove me insane not to see her the last couple of days. I can’t stop thinking about her.

“Why should I stay?” Her question is a whisper, so soft I almost miss it.

Yeah, asshole. Why should she stay?

I go with the only truth that matters.“Because I want you to.”

With a gentle squeeze of her wrist, I release her, letting her decide what she wants. I won’t push her. If she wants this as much as I do, then she needs to choose to stay on her own.

I haven’t seen her since the night of our kiss, and I weirdly missed her. It’s fucking crazy, but I did. When she didn’t show up, I panicked a little. I had to remind myself that it was for the best.

Tentatively, Talia turns to face me, arms crossed over her chest and lips pursed tight. Talia’s wet body shines in the moon’s light.Involuntarily, my eyes zero in on her mouth, and I’m reminded of how she tasted when I kissed her.

“I won’t stay here and listen to you bash my brother,” she says, bringing my attention back to what’s important—getting her to stay.

“I’m pretty sure you know I’ve never done that, and I don’t intend to start now.”

“Just because you’ve said nothing publicly, doesn’t mean you haven’t done it behind his back.”

I fight a smile. Talia is a smart woman, and she definitely did her research. Pride surges through me, not only at her investigation but at my ability to keep my mouth shut.

In public.

Because she’s not wrong. In private, my family has heard me rant and rave about every vile word her brother has said about me. So many times, I wanted to say something but didn’t.

Instead, I followed my dad’s advice and played off Romero’s comments as a simple rivalry between our two teams. If I hadn’t kept my opinions to myself over the years, there’s no way Talia would have shown up tonight.

I need to send my dad a special thank you when I get home.

“You’re right. I have. But I don’t think my family counts,” I admit.

I bet she has gotten an earful at home too.

“He’s a good man, Cam.” Her steel-gray eyes bore into mine, imploring me to believe her.

“I’m not saying he isn’t.”

“He is. I know him better than he knows himself.”

I don’t doubt she knows her brother, but everyone has their secrets—stuff they don’t share with their families. Shit,Ihave things I don’t tell my family. And Nico is no exemption. I doubt he’s regaled her with stories of his time in college, but it’s not my job or business to point that out.

Not wanting to intimidate her—or touch her—I sink to my knees in front of her, bringing us eyeto eye. She’s so tiny that I could wrap my entire body around her, hiding her away from the world.

Fuck, I like that, way more than I should.

“I was just shocked. I know very little about your brother. Please believe me,” I say honestly.

I don’t know Romero personally. The little I know leads me to believe he’s a complete dick, but in no way do I want to taint the view she has of her brother, even if the guy doesn’t deserve her loyalty. She should keep him on the pedestal she put him on. Based on the way she spoke about him, he clearly loves his family, especially his sister. That, I can respect.

“I want to believe you.” She chews on her bottom lip. The air between us grows taut as her brain works out what she wants to say. “I want to get to know you, even though I know it’s risky.”

Whatever she asks for, I will probably give her. Unless it’s staying away. I don’t know if I can do that. That’s a problem for another day. I just have to hope that’s not the case.

“You’re in charge. I know this … situation we are in isn’t ideal.”

“No, it’s not.” She steps away from me, and my stomach sinks.

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