Page 71 of Curveball

I giggle, falsely assuming he’s breaking the tension. “I think it’s funny. It belonged to my college boyfriend. I wear it to bed.” In a purposefully antagonizing fashion, I add, “When I’m alone.”

Before I can even process anything, he grabs the collar of the shirt and tears it in half. Straight down the middle.

I gasp in shock.

He growls, “How dare you wear another’s man shirt. You’re. My. Wife.”

I’m standing there completely exposed. I have nothing on underneath. His eyes penetrate mine as he presses himself against me, his leg pushing between mine.

Our noses are so close they nearly touch. He runs his thumb over my lower lip as he looks my naked body up and down. “You’re so beautiful. One day soon, you’ll be back in my bed where you belong, but I need you to want it.” He increases the pressure of his leg between mine. “I’ll wait until you’re ravenous for me. Frothing at the mouth.”

My body heats and my core throbs. Tears pool in my eyes at both loving and hating the effect he has on me.

He visibly swallows. “Do you feel this? Do you feel what’s happening between our bodies? The ever-present pull? I know I’m not alone in this.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing I could say that I don’t feel it. Wishing I wasn’t in love with this enigmatic man who gives me nothing but whiplash. Tears begin to spill out.

In an unexpected move, he presses his lips tenderly to my forehead. It’s such a contrast to the animal that just tore my shirt in half and pressed his body against mine without invitation. “Don’t give up on me, Shortcake. Not yet.”

He then turns and walks out, leaving me sliding down the wall in tears.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

RIPLEY

After a few long weeks of travel, we’re finally back home. We were off today, but the guys have a game tonight, and we’re all going.

I’m lying in Bailey’s bed while Arizona is in our apartment showering. “How is it going at Tanner Montgomery’s house with his daughter?”

She gives me a huge smile. “It’s amazing. Harper is a doll. I adore her. The house is like nothing you’ve ever imagined. I know Tanner Montgomery is the biggest sports agent around, but I don’t think I appreciated it until I saw that house. It’s the biggest and nicest I’ve ever seen. He just had a batting cage built in the backyard, so Harper and I hit every time I’m there. He said he was sick of taking her to the crappy cages all the time. He put in a whole state-of-the-art system for her. He’s such a good dad.”

She says it with a dreamy look on her face.

Kam was making fun of Bailey earlier for possibly having acrush on Tanner. I wasn’t sure it was true, but now I’m thinking it is.

“Are you crushing on him?”

Before she can answer, Kam walks in and answers, “Fuck yes, she is. She’s always been into older guys.”

Bailey rolls her eyes. “Cut it out. I’ve been into guys five or six years older. Tanner isa lotolder.”

Kam shrugs. “Fifteen years isn’t a big deal. You just barely make it into the age gap rulebook.”

Bailey sighs. “I’m afraid to ask what that means. What age gap rulebook?”

“Half your age plus seven is acceptable. You said Tanner is forty-three. Half his age is roughly twenty-one, plus seven is twenty-eight, your exact age. And before you ask, I didn’t make it up. That’s definitely a real thing.”

Bailey shakes her head. “I don’t think that’s a real thing, but it doesn’t matter. There’s nothing going on between us.”

“Yet.” Kam smiles. “I bet you can sayyes daddywith your mouth full.”

I burst out laughing. Bailey is trying to hold in hers.

Kam places her hand on Bailey’s shoulder. “Just remember, you can’t pick your father, but youcanpick your daddy.”

Even Bailey can’t help but laugh at that one. “You’re ducking nuts.”

Kam raises an eyebrow. “Ducking? If you’re ducking and not fucking, you’re doing it wrong.”

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