Page 11 of Light Up My Life (Forbidden Heat 3)

As I ran quickly towards first base, I saw the ball sail over the left fielder’s head. It bounced off the fence and he retrieved it to throw it back in. By this time, I was already jogging into a nice double.

I stopped on sec

ond base and looked up just as my teammate ran into home, RBI double. The ball made its way back to the infield and then to Kat. She caught the ball and stared at me. At first, she was angry, but then she smiled and shook her head.

She was competitive like me. I loved it. And I could tell she was impressed. I was getting under her skin.

And that was a good thing.

* * *

“Good game,” I said after we finished congratulating the other team. Kat shook my hand and then started to walk away. I felt a bit odd being so close to this amazing woman. She had it all, from what I had already seen. She had the beauty, intensity, competitive streak, and this natural way about her that told the rest of the world that she was a real force to be reckoned with.

Yet, there was still so much I didn’t know.

“Good game,” Kat said as she began to walk away.

I wanted to jog after her, but I didn’t. I didn’t want to indicate that I was interested. At least, not yet. It was ok, I had time. I just had to play it cool. A woman like this would never be easily won. Hell, she probably wouldn’t even give me any feedback until I’d really proven myself. She probably had a hundred guys all vying for a chance to take her out to dinner. Then again, I had a hundred women in the same position.

But I was tired of that life. I found myself between a rock and a hard place, a catch twenty-two if you will. I did not want a long-term relationship, or - God forbid—marriage, but I did want someone special in my life. I was a bit lonely and tired of dating women that I didn’t have any real connection with.

“With a little practice, you might become a decent pitcher,” I said. I could not help the shit eating grin that spread across my face. This was too much fun.

Kat stopped dead in her tracks. She turned around slowly. I could see the anger in her eyes, but also, she was half grinning. I had gotten to her. A woman as hot as her was probably not used to men who didn’t fawn over her or kiss her ass, but I was not most men. I Didn’t need a woman, I just wanted her. But if I couldn’t have her; I’d have to be content with the career, and friends I loved. Another wonderful woman would no doubt enter my life at some point in time. Either way, I won.

After that first double, I faced Kat twice more at the plate. I hit a base hit both times, and both times with runners in scoring position. We won the game five to two. It was a fun time. I could never get enough athletic competition in my life.

“Oh, is that right?” she asked.

“It is,” I said. “believe it.”

She sauntered slowly towards me. “That’s cute. You are one of two people who actually got a hit off me today. I’d say those are pretty good stats.”

I shrugged. “Are you saying I’m that good, or the rest of my team is that bad?”

She chuckled quickly and tried to catch herself. “Wow, a bit full of yourself, aren’t you?”

“Seriously, though. Where did you play before? College?” I asked.

“I was playing in college,” she said. “But I had to drop out. It’s a long story.”

“I’m not busy at the moment,” I said.

“Well, maybe some other time,” she said.

“Some other time? Like over dinner?”

She smiled. “Are you asking me out? Is that why you are showering me with so much flattery?”

I shook my head. “No. I’m not asking you out.”

Kat seemed confused. “What do you mean? You just asked me to dinner, unless my hearing is going in my old age.”

“Let me see your phone.”

“What?”

“Let me see your phone. I’m giving you my number. That way, when you decide that you would like to ask me out, you can just give me a ring.”

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