Page 72 of West Bound

When I pull away, his eyes are closed and the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen rests on his gorgeous face. I just can’t help but run my hand down his cheek, loving the way his stubble scratches my fingers.

“I’ll do anything for you, Peaches. Don’t forget that. Including chasing you down when you’re being a brat. I would threaten you with putting you over my knee and spanking you, but that’s a reward not a punishment for you.” He chuckles when I playfully smack him.

“So I guess we won’t be sneaking into each other’s rooms during away games now, huh.”

“Shiiit! I didn’t think about that. You’re going to be there all alone.” He pulls off his cap and runs his hair through his soft curls.

“Well, I won’t be all alone. I’m sure the guys will watch out for me.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he blanches.

“I’m a big girl, Phoenix. I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing a pretty bang up job until you came along.”

He turns his hat backwards and sets it back on his head–oh lawd, that’s an aphrodisiac–and furrows his brow in deep consternation.

“I’ll fly out and not tell the team. I’ll get a room, you can stay with me, and I’ll just hang out and watch the game and wait for you to return. Then we’ll fly to the next city and I’ll go home with you.” He shrugs like a kid who just concocted the most ingenious plan, and in his mind I’m sure it is.

“That’s a tad much, don’t you think? It’s literally four or five days. We can manage.” I pick up my sandwich and start eating while he continues to stress out.

“I can’t! Four or five days is too long. Two or three…it sucks, but I’ll survive. Four and beyond…life support required. That’s you, in case you were wondering.”

“Phoenix, up until three weeks ago we hadn’t even seen or thought about one another in ten years. It’s ten games. You’ve got tonight's game, travel day, then three away, another travel day and a four game series. I’ll be here for two more days then gone for four. It is unnecessary for you to waste money to spend four days with me. Just keep your fine ass home and then I can make it up to you when I’m back. Okay?”

I watch him pout and it’s the cutest damn thing ever. He’s seriously acting like I’m going off to war and he may never see me again.

“Sounds like a stupid plan to me, but whatever.” His shoulders slump and he takes to eating again.

This continues–I eat, he complains–for another thirty minutes, then I’m being dropped off at the station to get ready for tonight’s game.

“Do you want me to ask CeCe if she can let you sit in the owner’s box? Although, I’m not sure how Mr. Amato is going to feel about hosting his star pitcher who beat the crud out of two of his players.” I give him a little wince.

“I should probably call Luca myself. I owe him an explanation. I’ll let you know if they allow me into the stadium. If not,” he looks at his fingers as he readjusts them on the steering wheel. “Can I…want me to pick you up?”

I bite my lip while hiding my smile. The smile that says I’m a fifteen year old girl with a crush and not a grown ass, bad bitch woman.

“I have my car and I don’t want to leave it here or at the stadium.” Phoenix’s chest deflates and I feel like a huge turd for crushing his dreams. “But…you can wait at my place for me.” I pull my keys from my purse and unclip the key to my backdoor. “So long as you don’t rob me blind. I know you’re hurting for money, but leave my shoes and purses alone. I’ll gut you like a fish if you touch them.”

I hold my hand out with the key in my palm and he takes it, carefully, like it’s a bomb and it might go off.

Who the fuck am I, right now? Fucking Anastasia Steele. Falling for a guy two hours after I meet him and ready to burn down the world just to have him?

I mean…I guess it’s more than two hours. We have a history. A semi-shitty one, but one nonetheless. And I’m not an educated college graduate moonlighting as a naive virgin. We all know I blew purity right the fuck out the door years ago, and made up for lost time. And I’m not in love with Phoenix. We enjoy each other's company, he calls me his girl-which still freaks me out–and we have mind blowing, earth shattering, talk to angels sex. But I’m not going to follow him around like a sad shadow.

So giving him a key to use one time to wait for me is not that big of a deal.

It’s not!

“Don’t worry, Peaches Your shoes and purses are safe with me. Your underwear though…I can’t promise you anything,” he laughs. “I’ll text you when I get there.”

I lean over and kiss him chastely before throwing open the door and stepping out. “You better be waiting naked. I better not come home from a hard night at work to find you chillin’ and binging Bridgerton. Naked…you…in my bed. Got it?”

“Got it, baby. Have a good day at work.” He winks and blows me a kiss.

I shut the door and strut my ass back to my desk, not at all concerned with the level of happiness I have right now, thinking of him waiting for me…at home.

Shut up, Ana, you fool.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

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