Page 67 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

“Well, don’t you?” She turns toward me—the scowl deepening. “I’m sure you’ve had your share of women, too. But, you’re single. Do what you want.”

I press my lips together to stop myself from laughing. “I wasn’t celibate before I met you if that’s what you’re asking.”

“I wasn’t asking anything—”

“Weren’t you?”

She looks away again.

“Raine,” I say, grabbing her hand. “Here’s what I can tell you. From the moment you closed the door to your room last night to the moment I saw you this morning, I thought of nothing else. I was awake most of the night thinking about when I got to see you again. That hasn’t happened in years. And were you celibate before you met me?”

“No, but I’m sure I’m not quite as experienced as you—”

“Believe me, I couldn’t tell from your performance last night.”

“Stop!” She pulls her hand out of mine and slaps my arm—a smile finally starting to crack through the scowl. “And honestly, I was thinking about you all night, too.”

“Look, Raine, I date a lot, but I haven’t met a woman—in a very long time—who I’ve been interested in past one night. Until last night that is. You’re different. I mean, you’re sexy as hell, but it’s more than that. I think we have something in common. We don’t have to have sex again, but I’d like to get to know you a little better. Is that okay?”

“I didn’t say I didn’t want to have sex again,” she says, the little line forming above her brows.

“Okay. We can have sex again, but only if you promise me that you’re not just adding to your long list of men.”

“Shut up,” she says, shoving me. “Can we please find a restaurant? I’m starting to get low blood sugar.”

“Emergency situation. Let’s go.” I park the car, grab her hand, and start pulling her down the street. “I hope they get our food out quickly. I don’t want to have to pull you off the waiter.”

* * *

We find a little breakfast place that’s right on the beach. Our table is in the sand—only about a hundred feet from the water. The sound of the waves gently lapping up onto shore seems to calm Raine down a little bit. She chugs her orange juice the minute the waiter sets it down. She inhales and closes her eyes.

I motion to the waiter to bring her a refill. “You okay?” I say, stroking her arm. “I don’t want you to pass out.”

“Better.” She opens her eyes. “Hey, do you think your agent left that note for Sophie? He obviously doesn’t like her.”

“Uh,” I say, pouring some milk into my coffee. “That doesn’t feel like his move. And I’m not sure that he doesn’t like Sophie. He’s just a dick.”

“He’s definitely that,” she says with a little growl in her voice, “and anyway, he’s probably figured out that they’re married by now, so the note wouldn’t do him much good unless he’s just a revenge freak or something.”

“He wouldn’t risk losing Seb.” I take a long drink of coffee. “He’s an asshole, but he’s not dumb.”

“Why do you have an asshole as your agent?”

“I’ve been asking myself that a lot lately, especially after the way he treated you last night, but the short answer is that he gets me a lot of money. Does that sound bad?”

“Not really,” she says, taking a long drink of the orange juice the waiter just delivered. “I mean you might as well max out while you’re playing. What happens if you go to law school? Do you quit playing?”

I look out at the ocean and sigh.

“I’m sorry,” she says, touching my arm. “I forgot you don’t want to talk about that. We can do small talk.”

“No, I don’t mind telling you about it. What happens is if I go to law school, I quit baseball. It’s a big decision. I haven’t been able to make it yet. Everyone’s coming at me—my agent, my dad, the team’s GM. I have to make a decision, but I can’t seem to get there.”

“Do you want to quit playing? You know, law school will always be there. You’re young.”

“Not that young. I’m almost thirty.”

“Oh my God,” she says, tugging her hand away from me. “I had no idea you were that old. Will you please take me back to the resort right now?”

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