Page 59 of Last Fall

What kind of asshole used a woman like her? Why bring her down when she had the power to lift so many up? Or maybe that was the problem. Maybe this loser was jealous of her gift and it made him feel more powerful because he could control it by boxingitup.

I worked with a lot of fuck-ups over the years. Guys who used everyone around them. They either got their shit together on my team or they got out. I didn’t have time forusers.

“The other thing that worries me about us?” she said carefully. “My work. It’sunusual.”

“And you think mine is normal? I travel half the year and make a living off my ability to keep people from stealingsecondbase.”

She smiled a little at that. “The jokes my friends could makewiththat.”

“Carrie and June? I never saw them as the sexjoketype.”

“No,” she laughed. “My writer friends. If you want to date me, you really need to spend some time in my worldfirst.”

She didn’t seem to get that spending time in her world was exactly what I wanted to do. “Okay, signmeup.”

“My friends are amazing but we do make alotof inappropriatejokes.”

Sounded a lot like her friends would get along with my friends then. “Are you sure your writer friends aren’t baseballplayers?”

“No. And there are half naked men at some of myevents.”

“There are completely naked men in mylockerroom.”

“Touché. It’s just that in my experience, significant others in the publishing industry are either completely involved or completely separate. There’sjealousy—”

I cut her off right there. “Darlin’, I want to meet your friends. And I’ve got no problem with male models. When you’re with me you’ll have no reason to wantanyoneelse.”

Damn that sounded cocky but it was true. I’d keep her so happy and satisfied no other man would ever turn her head.Guaranteed.

She cocked her head to the side. “I seem to remember some comments about Wes on mycovers.”

“Just two friends having fun.” I didn’t give a fuck who was on her covers. Not even that asshole. All I cared about was who kissed hergoodnight.

Her eyes glittered. “Okay then. Next weekend I have a signing and writing retreat in Sarasota. Youshouldcome.”

Not far but I did have games to play. I whipped out my phone, opened the calendar, and nearly cheered out loud when I saw we were playing at home. “I can come down Saturday night after the game.” It would be late and I would be exhausted and Iwouldn’tcare.

“Perfect. You’ll get the fullexperience.”

“I’m excited to see you in your element.” I put my phone away and closed the gap between us. “I’m even more excited that you’re talking to me.” I was worried this would end at anymoment.

And I really didn’t want it to end withoutanotherkiss.

Orten.

“I like that Icantalktoyou.”

“Adults talk, Zo. Especially adults who plan on doing morethanfuck.”

She blinked big and wide at me again. It continued to amaze me that she could write such intense sex and still be shocked when I said thingslikefuck.

She took a few quick breaths. “Youflusterme.”

“Good. It means I’m not alone.” Tied up and twisted. That’s what she didtome.

“So what does dating Erik Cassidylooklike?”

Like becomingThe Future Mrs. Cassidy.Marie’s words from brunch echoed in the back of my mind as I drank in this beautiful, aroused, trusting woman in front of me. Marie was right. I had alreadyfoundher.

“I don’t know yet,” I said instead. “But I know I want more talking and morekissing.”

“Kissing?” she whispered.Breathless.

Hell yeah.“Oh yes. More kissing is definitely in our future. And then more talking.” Until she had nothing lefttohide.