The Perfect Game(43)

“Don’t have too much fun with Jack this weekend. Call you later, ’K?” Melissa gave me a squeeze before grabbing her things.

“’K. Drive safe. Tell your parents I said hi and I miss them.” I smiled and waved as she walked out our front door, almost crashing into Jack.

“Have a good weekend, Jack.” Melissa winked and he turned to me, his eyebrows raised.

“Uh, you too, Melis,” he responded with a half grin before closing the door. “What was that about?”

“She’s leaving for the weekend.” I tried not to blush but felt the heat rising to my cheeks.

He dropped onto the couch next to me. “The whole weekend?”

“The whole weekend,” I said, dragging out the words for effect.

“Sweet. Listen, before I get distracted, Matt wants us to come over before the softball game and hang out at his place. I told him I’d check with you first.” Jack rested his head against the pillow on my couch, his hat flopping to one side.

“Fine with me. Who’s gonna be there?” I asked absentmindedly, tossing the hat aside and running my fingers through his soft, dark hair.

“A few of the guys from the team. Dean and probably Jamie. I don’t really know.”

“I like her,” I admitted with a smile. “She’s funny.”

“She is funny. And she’s good for Matt,” Jack added, alluding to things I knew nothing about and frankly wasn’t sure I wanted to.

“Everyone’s going to the game, right?” I asked, changing the subject.

He pushed himself up with one arm until he sat facing me. “Why won’t you just come with me when I go?” He slid his thumb down my cheek.

“Because you have to be there an hour before the game starts. For what, I have no idea, but I’m not going that early.” I pouted, eyeing him with my best puppy dog impression.

He put his hand behind my neck and pulled me to him, his mouth meeting mine halfway as the overgrown scruff on his face scratched at my bare cheeks. “Seriously, when are you going to shave?”

His lips pulled up into a slight smile. “You know I can’t shave until we lose, Kitten. And we’re not losing, so probably not ever.”

I rolled my eyes. “You guys and your superstitions.”

“You love it,” he whispered into my ear before sucking at my lobe softly with his mouth, causing my senses to disappear.

“Yep, sure do,” was my only response as he continued working down my neck.

He gently pushed me onto my back and leaned on top of me, his dark brown eyes boring into mine. “You are so beautiful. You know that?”

I let out a small breath before pulling his head down and arching toward his lips. His tongue pushed its way into my mouth with intensity. I ran my hands down his back and slipped my fingers into the waistband of his shorts before lifting his shirt up in succession with my own.

A slight sound escaped my lips at the feeling of his bare skin hot against mine. Chills coursed through me, appearing up and down my legs and arms. His breath was warm on my neck, small kisses being delivered around my ears and cheeks until meeting my mouth once more.

“Cassie.” He mumbled my name, his breath ragged.

Without a word, I slipped out from under him and stretched out my hand. He laced his fingers with mine and I led him away from the living room and into my bedroom, where I closed the door behind us.







Jack opened Matt’s front door without knocking and led me inside. I watched as five baseball players with hairy faces turned their heads in our direction and smiles instantly appeared on all their faces.

“Carter! What’s up, buddy! Hey, Cass,” Matt yelled from the round table where they were playing a drinking and card game.

“Hey, Jack. Hey, Cassie.” Ryan greeted us without looking up from his hand, his forehead creased in concentration.

Dean picked up his cell phone, checking the time. “Finally! Where have you two been?”

“Not sure I’ll ever get used to you holding some girl’s hand,” Brett added, his blue eyes locked pointedly on our intertwined fingers.

“Get used to it, BT, she’s not just some girl.” Jack planted a kiss on the side of my face and gently squeezed my fingers.

“I like that you’ve finally found someone, Jack. And I especially like that she isn’t some stupid skank.” Matt’s girlfriend Jamie walked out from the kitchen with a smirk.

I laughed. “Love you too, Jame!”

“You have to admit my worry was valid!” She pursed her lips together, her brown ponytail bouncing. “Now get in here and help me,” she called out, after disappearing back behind the wall.