TEASER TUESDAY
The alpha men of the Diamond Lake Rattlers are back to win the game and their women’s hearts…
Check out star catcher, Zeke Power’s journey to love now
and then first baseman, Javier Mendez’s journey later
But first a sneak peek at FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME.
I shook off my returning gloom because I wanted to be present and happy for Zeke who deserved all that was happening to him. “I expect a phone call after the big ask.”
“No doubt.” He looked over my shoulder and his smile widened.
“Thinking love might be literally around the corner for you, too.”
Zeke headed back up the beach at a fast jog and I turned around to see what made him smile. A woman with long brown and blonde locs stared out into the lake. My still rapidly beating heart, increased in rhythm. Alaina Black. I hadn’t seen her in months, most of it purposefully done since she lived a mile down the beach where the homes were smaller and quaint. I wasn’t ready to see her again and had avoided that side of the beach. This morning, I’d been so lost in my own world I’d inadvertently run past her house.
Our first, and only, time meeting had been eventful. In my drunken stupor, I’d landed on the steps of her back gate. The next morning, she found me and my cell. She called Zeke to get me because she had rightfully surmised that I’d only been intoxicated. Despite my embarrassment, I found myself intrigued and instantly attracted to the brown beauty who appeared to be all alone.
And now she was alone again. Flowy white cover-up floating in the breeze, revealing glimpses of her golden-brown skin. Knees pulled up to her chest as she rested her chin looking out over the sun rising over the lake.
“Good morning,” I announced softly not wanting to scare her.
She looked up at me and her gray eyes widened in recognition. “Good morning.”
“How are you?”
“Well,” she responded drily and stretched her neck, moving her head side to side.
Confused by her rather indifferent reaction to my presence, I asked, “Do you remember me?”
“Yes.” Alaina slowly stood, still facing the lake.
I moved around to stand in front of her. “Listen, wanted to apologize again.”
She shook her head. “No need.”
“At least let me make you breakfast.”
Her brows dipped almost to the bridge of her nose, and I quickly put my hands up. “I mean no harm or ill intent. Just wanted to show my appreciation for your discretion. We can have breakfast in the city if being in your or my home is too intimate.”
“There’s no need to do anything. It’s been months, Mr. Mendez.”
I smiled, loving the way my name sounded on her tongue. “Javier, please.”
“Mr. Mendez, it’s not necessary. You’re alive and appear to be well. That’s enough for me.” She nodded her head and started walking toward her home.
I took two long steps and matched her stride. “Ms. Black, what kind of coffee do you drink?”
“Why?”
“A simple question.”
“So was mine.”
“Maybe I came across too strongly.” I stepped in front of her again and when she almost stumbled into me, I kept her steady with my hands curved to her waist. “Let me start over. Name is Javier Mendez, and I really would like to know you.” With surprisingly bated breath and what I hoped was a warm smile, I awaited her answer.
“Why?” she asked again.
I smiled down into her upturned face. Her gray eyes appeared blue in the sunlight. “Because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the day we met.”
“And yet it’s been months since we met. Maybe you should come up with a different line.” She backed out of my embrace. “I have to get ready for work. Take care.”
Alaina sauntered away from me. I watched her amused that she feigned disinterest when I knew that eventually we would make love. Her mouth may have told me to get lost, but she couldn’t stop the shiver when I grabbed her waist or the way her eyes lit with pleasure when she first noticed me standing above her.
As I jogged back to my house, I mused that my inner clouds had dissipated into hope. Hope that everything in my life would somehow work itself out. Hope that I would find a lasting love. Hope because of a beautiful woman meditating on a beach. A woman who’s now thinking about me whether or not she’ll ever admit it to me.
THE REST OF THEIR JOURNEY COMING SOON…
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