The Third Baseman (The New York Lions #1)

by Lulu Moore

“I’m saving you as Star. Stars and Stripes has become too much of a mouthful, and I prefer my mouth to be full of other things.” He smirked and laughed loudly at my gasp, his straight white teeth almost glistening in the sun.

I’d never had so much trouble focusing, though I’d never had a distraction quite like the one I had now, and mustered all my self-discipline to turn to the task in hand.

“Here, look at this.” He leaned forward, kneeling instead of sitting, “Whoa, this is so awesome. What is it?” “It’s Jupiter,” I grinned, more so when he spun around with his eyes wide. “No shit!” he exclaimed before turning back the viewfinder. “Oh, this is so fucking cool.” I

“Starlight, star bright, you were the first star I saw tonight. Wish I may, wish I might, have this kiss with you tonight.” He smiled, nervously, “I changed the words a little.”

Gentle was not a word I’d have associated with Jupiter before tonight, but that’s exactly what he was being. Gentle. Like he could sense my inexperience, and didn’t want to scare me away. But I’d never felt safer, or more sure.

“That science chick you have the hots for.” “She’s Doctor Matthews to you, and she should have one; she’s on the exec board.” “It’s right next door to yours.” Huh. He’d been right. He hadn’t yet got to the best part. My eyes shot to his. “What?” “You guys are sharing a wall, and a connecting door.”

But the single reason for me leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers was sitting to the left in the stands as I walked out.

Using the tip of my bat I drew out the letter M. M for Marnie. I might not have known where she was for the past fourteen years, but writing her into the sand by the plate meant I had her with me.

Then I remembered who she was. No, there was no fucking way she was having a hookup. Not the Marnie Matthews I knew. Though… did she know I was next to her? Maybe she was trying to make me jealous. Mission accomplished, if that was the case.

“You screamed.” “I stubbed my toe!” “Why are you on the floor then?” I shot back accusingly, though we both knew I was on the losing end of this argument. “It fucking hurt!”

And for the foreseeable future, I would be the only team player working with Doctor Marnie Matthews.

“Oh, Doctor Matthews and I go way back. In fact,” that devious glint appeared in his eye, “we’re old study buddies. Isn’t that right, Marn?”

“The coaches and I make the schedules around here, Ms. Matthews, not you. This is what’s happening now.” His annoyance flicked to Jupiter, giving me the distinct impression he wasn’t an innocent party in whatever was happening. “This is the change of plans.” “It’s Doctor Matthews,” Jupiter corrected him, and received a glare in response.

“I thought it was best if I helped you, not the rest of my teammates. I suggested it to Coach, and he mentioned it to Rodriguez.” I pushed my glasses back onto my head, which was more habit that anything. “What? What does that mean?” “It means if you’re going to spend time with anyone around here, it’ll be me.”

“I don’t give a fuck! The field is the only place I play fair. When it comes to you, all bets are off.”

It’s like… fixing the annoying things that you think don’t matter, but in actuality they really do.” He thought for a second before he started speaking. “Like taping Ace’s mouth shut so I can concentrate on the game, and what the opposition is doing?”

couldn’t stop the little giggle that erupted. “Hooo!” His eyes widened, as did mine, and he pointed right at me. “What was that?” I set my mouth in a hard line, hiding the evidence. “What?” “That. That what was on your face just then? You smiled, I made you smile!” He cupped his hands round his mouth, and hollered “Hallelujah! She smiles!” “Shut up,” I huffed. “We’re working.” “Nah, I’m not working, I’m celebrating.”

“Then give me some ideas, small things that annoy you.” “More than Ace?” “Yes, more than Ace.” I snorted quietly, making Jupiter smile.

The wall built around my heart was slowly being knocked down, brick by brick, by the boy who’d put it there in the first place. And that was not something I’d planned for.

But in the month since Marnie and I had kissed on her rooftop, I’d seen her almost every day... and kissed her almost every day.

because now I’d seen her, it was beyond me how I’d ever missed her. She was so beautiful. More than beautiful. She was a star-filled night beautiful.

I liked that when we kissed for the first time, she was following my lead. I liked that she didn’t try to impress me with all the sexual knowledge she’d obtained from whatever magazines my sisters read, like I was a practice dummy. And I really liked that when she looked up at me, she expected me to provide her with the answers. Me, giving answers to her. The smartest girl I’d ever met.

Because if I’d learned anything in the past month, it was that she had a fire inside her I seemed to unleash. Me, all me, and only me. And that was something that I loved.

“Bring it in,” was all the warning he gave before pulling her into a bear-like hug. A rumble ran through my chest, and a beast began clawing at my insides. Huh. “Okay, that’s enough of that.” I yanked her away from him, only to receive raised brows from both of them. “What? She’s my girlfriend; only I get to touch her.” Marnie’s neck craned back, and she frowned. “That’s a bit caveman of you, isn’t it?” I shrugged. “Hey, it’s a surprise to me too, babe. But what you gonna do?”

My lips found hers; my free hand wrapped around the back of her neck and held her to me until I was ready to let her go… though it suddenly occurred to me I wasn’t sure I’d ever be ready.

For stargazing. And as you’re not inviting me over, here are the coordinates for my roof terrace the next time you want to see me and my body… all that. 40.7336° N, 74.0027° W

“Look, you’re not going to marry him, his name is Barney. So I say give him your number and have some fun.” My eyes flicked up, confusion plain on my face. “What’s that got to do with anything?” “You can’t be Marnie and Barney.” She threw her head back and laughed loudly. I cracked a smile.

I hadn’t spent much time with The Lions’ pitcher, only seen him in passing on occasion. But the fact he annoyed Jupiter so much did make me smile every time I thought of him…

“What? You’re fucking married?” “No, I’m divorced.

One big hand pressed to the wall above me. “And what’s this guy got that I haven’t?” I swallowed thickly, determined to hold my ground and prayed he didn’t get any closer.

But make no mistake, I am getting you back.” “You are so fucking arrogant! You’re an ass. An actual ass!” His grin was only missing a cutlass and a gold tooth. “You always said you loved my ass.”

Why wasn’t I buzzing? Probably because I hadn’t slept. Probably because the jealously raging through my blood was stopping me from being able to do anything else.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He shrugged, pulled off his shoulder support, and stripped off. “She’s got a date today, right?” I was in front of him so quickly he didn’t have time to blink. “What? What the fuck do you know about her dating?”

it was only a matter of time before it started to affect my game. Huh, started. Who was I kidding? She’d always affected my game.

and for the briefest second she’d look at me like she used to look at me; until she went back to the ever-present scowl. Even the scowl was growing on me.

If friendship was all she wanted right now, I was going to snatch that shit up and be the best friend she’d ever had. Again. We were meant to be, I knew it as well as I knew myself, so I could wait for forever to begin until she was ready.

Always under a time constraint when I had something important to say; then again, I would never have enough time. I wanted all the time with her.

I softly tipped up her chin so she could see me, see for real how sorry I was. How desperately I wanted to fix my fuck up. “He asked me, Jupe. That’s all,” she whispered. My heart thumped. I took a step in, stealing the rest of the air between us as I caged my body around hers. “You haven’t called me Jupe since we were kids.”

Every cell in my body wanted to capture it between my own, especially when she glanced up at me, green eyes flashing like night flares. Now, now she was looking at me like she used to look at me.

She so was addictive, once I got started I’d never stop, especially when she began quivering. “I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry for hurting you. This week, when we were kids… every single time.”

“Just don’t ask me to stop believing in us. I can’t do that.”

newly energized and much happier than I’d been when I left. Threatening people really put a pep in my step.

was trying hard not to have a panic attack when a quiet rapping at the window had me spinning round to find the boy next door standing there with the cutest smile on his face. My boy next door with the smile I loved.

“Let’s take it step by step, and then we don’t have to think about it. Does it help if I tell you I’m just as nervous?” There wasn’t an ounce of a lie on his face, even if he was only saying it for my benefit, “You are?” When his thumbs halted on my cheek, I could almost feel his hands shaking, “Yes, I want this to be perfect for you, and I’ve never had a night like this either. I showered three times because I couldn’t stop sweating.” He stuck his tongue out to the side, pulling a silly face with the one goal of making me laugh. His head dipped, catching my giggle, and he kissed me long and slow.

“It’s perfect. So, so pretty, Jupe. I can’t believe you did this for me.” “I’d do anything for you, Star.” His fingers combed through the strands of my freshly washed hair, lifting the ends to his nose. “I love it when your hair is down. I love feeling it slide through my fingers.”

“You’re so beautiful. Some days I have to pinch myself to believe you’re really real.” His head cocked to the side, “What’s so funny?” “Nothing. I was just thinking the exact same thing earlier.” “Oh, yeah? Does that make me as smart as you then?” he bent and kissed my nose. “You’re way smarter.” “I am for finding you.”

Sexy wasn’t a word I’d have ever used to describe myself, but that’s exactly how he was making me feel right now, especially with his hands cupping my ass. “You’re perfect, Marn.”

“No one’s ever looked at me the way you look at me,” he grinned. “Do you think it’s possible to be addicted to a person? Because I think I’m addicted to you.” Yes, I did, because I knew I was addicted to him.

“I learned something today.” “Oh?” “Yeah, in one of your books. Jupiter is the protector planet, so I guess my job is to always protect you.” “Yeah? I need protecting, do I?” I teased, making him laugh, and his dick twitched inside me setting off a torrent of mini aftershocks. “Nah, I think you’re tough enough to handle yourself, but I just like the thought that I can.”

“I think I love you, Marnie Matthews. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before, like my heart could burst at any second. The only other time I feel this alive is when I’ve got a bat in my hand and I’m running bases.” It was the first time those words had passed his lips. I’d been waiting to hear him say it first, because I already knew that’s how I felt; that I loved him. But to hear him finally say it…