Page 101 of Throwing the Curve

After several autographs and photos, he pushed through the crowd and made his way over to the group. “Hi.” He placed a kiss on her lips, then rested his forehead against hers. “I’m so fucking glad you are here,” he whispered.

“Nowhere else I’d rather be,” she told him and wrapped her arms around his waist as he pulled her tighter against his chest. She’d missed this. The way he held her against her body, how safe she felt.

“So, where are we going to celebrate?” Sims asked.

Ryan’s arms tightened briefly, then he released her from the hug. She’d expected him to step away, but he simply wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against the side of his body as he turned to his teammates. “I’m gonna pass.”

“What do you mean you’re gonna pass? We just won the division.” Smitty raised his palms up, his brow knit with confusion as he stared at Ryan.

“I know. It’s awesome.”

“So, we have to celebrate,” Gonzo agreed.

“I plan to celebrate. Just not with you assholes.” Ryan looked down at her. His blue eyes blazed with emotion. How had she ever thought they were cold? Peyton’s stomach flipped. Was he honestly picking going home with her over celebrating his win with his team? This was a huge night for them all. He should be with his teammates.

“I don’t mind if we go out. We can talk after.” Peyton squeezed his arm in reassurance.

“See your girl doesn’t mind if you come out for a drink,” Sims said.

Ryan’s eyes warmed as they lingered on her face. No one had ever looked at her like that before. Like she truly mattered.

“Peyton, I don’t want to go out with the team. I want to go home with you. So unless you had your heart set on celebrating with the team, I’d rather skip it and take you home.”

“Home’s good.”

A slow, carnal smile slid across his face. His tooth bit into his bottom lip as he watched her. God, that was sexy. She definitely wanted to go home, like immediately. They could talk after the makeup sex, couldn’t they? That wouldn’t be wrong. Actions do speak louder than words after all.

Ryan arched his eyebrow as he looked at her. “Oh crap, did I say that out loud?” Peyton slapped her hand over her mouth.

He barked out a laugh. “No babe, you didn’t say anything out loud, but you have a very expressive face.”

Heat rose up her neck and across her cheeks. “Oops,” she whispered.

“I like it.” Ryan turned to his teammates. “Congrats on the win, boys. Thanks for helping me have a no hitter, couldn’t have done it without you.”

“You seriously aren’t coming out for even one drink?” Sims shook his head as if he couldn’t fathom anything making him want to miss out on the party.

“Nope, I’ve got a better offer.” Ryan reached out and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. The feel of his fingers against her neck made her shiver involuntarily.

“Fair enough.” Smitty shifted his bag on his shoulder. “Great game, Ry. Peyton, I couldn’t be happier to see you tonight. I’m glad you came.”

“Thank you.” She smiled warmly at him. Ryan’s friends were good guys. He was lucky to have them.

Ryan looped his arm around her shoulder

She was glad she came too.

EPILOGUE

Energy buzzed all around them as Peyton gripped Kendall’s hand from their seats on the third-base line. Game five of the World Series. The Hawks were up three games to one against their rivals from Detroit. A win tonight would make them world champions. To say Ryan had been edgy the past couple of days was putting it mildly. But who could blame him? Winning the World Series would be huge.

She smiled to herself as she remembered how she’d helped him burn off steam last night and then again this morning. That playoff beard was growing on her. Sure, it looked a little ragged, but the things he could do with that scruff more than made up for the appearance. And after breakfast with his parents this morning, Ryan had more steam than usual to blow off.

Thank god, Ryan’s parents were sitting somewhere behind home plate. She had to admit she was kind of glad they weren’t all sitting together. The pressure Ryan’s parents put on him to stay focused and win was intense.

She wasn’t proud of herself and some might say it was petty of her, but she still wasn’t over what Pat had said about no woman being worth hurting his career or the team. The right woman was definitely worth it, and in her mind, the right woman wouldn’t make him pick. The fact she’d been willing to sacrifice being with him, so he didn’t have to choose didn’t make her any less valuable.

Kendall peeled Peyton’s fingers off her hand. “Girl, I know you’re nervous, but we’re going to need the medics down here in a minute if you don’t ease up on the death grip.”

---