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CHAPTER THREE

CHEETAH

I ’m standing in my bathroom, shaving the word Kam into my hair. The result of yet another lost bet with her from after their game the other night. She got the girl…again. Kamryn Hart has my number. I can’t beat her.

Admittedly, I’m enjoying watching their softball games. I don’t think I've ever appreciated how talented the girls are. I can’t wait to go to more of their games. It’s hard with our schedule, but we plan to go anytime we can.

Kam’s on-field presence is amazing. She’s the clear team leader, always talking to the younger players. Always giving them instructions and making them laugh. It’s a good trick with newer players to keep them loose. There’s a smart maturity to her game that you’d only notice if you play yourself.

She wears her hair in these Princess Leia side buns. It’s so fucking hot with the tight pants showing off her ass. She blows bubbles with purple bubblegum. I swear, my dick twitches every time that bubble forms from her lips. I can’t take my eyes off her .

After hearing Kam’s walkup song at their first game, I did buy myself a nice cowboy hat to wear. It brought a smile to her gorgeous face when she saw me arrive with one on my head.

My Kam daydreaming is broken when my phone rings, and I glance at the screen to see that it’s my mother. I hit the accept button. “Hola, mi madre bonita.” Hello, my beautiful mother .

“Hola, mi hijo guapo.” Hello, my handsome son . In her Spanish-accented English, she asks, “What are you doing?”

“I’m shaving.”

“Oh good. I hope that filthy malandro look is gone.” She hates my scruff.

“I’m not shaving my face.”

“Dios mio, I don’t need to hear about that.”

I let out a laugh. “My hair. On the top of my head. Just giving myself a little…trim.” I leave out the part about it being the name of the hot chick who won’t give it up to me and went home with yet another woman, causing me to lose another bet, and that’s why I’m shaving her name in my hair.

“Ahh. That could use a trim too, but I love seeing your handsome face. I don’t know why you hide it.”

Because women love sitting on it when it’s a little rough. Possibly something I shouldn’t share with my mother.

“How’s Papá?”

She sighs. “Stubborn as a mule. His truck is acting up again. He’s in the garage trying to fix it, making all kinds of unruly noises.”

“The truck is almost as old as me. It’s not fixable. Let me buy you a new one.”

“Ay, no! Your money is for your future familia. For when you buy a house near ours and raise your family. We have plenty. He’ll fix it. I have no doubt. If you need money for the house, let us know. We have some saved for you just in case.”

I shake my head. Sometimes I truly wonder if they realize how much money I make. More than I could spend in ten lifetimes.

Hmm, I think I know what Santa will bring them this year. I make a mental note to call Uncle Roddy. He’s a car salesman. Getting my father a new car and my uncle a little business. Sounds like a win-win.

Ignoring the comment about me buying a house near them, I say, “I’m sure he’ll fix it. He loves a good challenge. He married you, after all.”

She giggles. “I’m not that tough. I’m a softie.”

I let out a laugh. “I love you, Mamá, but there’s nothing soft about you.”

“My stomach is soft. And too round.”

“That’s because you’re such a great cook. I learned from the best.”

“You flatter me. Speaking of cooking, are you cooking for anyone special right now? I can’t wait for the day you move back here with your wife and children, but you need that wife first.”

I roll my eyes. That’s now twice she’s mentioned me moving home in less than three minutes. That might be a record, even for her.

I’m not sure if that annoys me more than her constant questions about the status of my love life. She asks about it every time we speak, which is a few times a week.

Never one to ruffle any feathers, I answer, “No, Mamá. I can’t find anyone as perfect as you.”

“You’re full of mierda.” She gasps as if what she’s about to tell me is important. “I almost forgot to tell you. Mariana and her mother stopped by last week. We were making empanadas. She’s a wonderful cook, and she’s gotten even more stunning. She asked for you. ”

Mariana is the younger sister of a childhood friend of mine. She’s best friends with my baby sister. Mariana has always had a crush on me. She’s attractive, but I just don’t see her that way. She’s kind of…boring. I like a woman with a big personality. One who can match mine. My mother knows all this, yet she still tries to shove Mariana down my throat.

I do my best to remain polite. “Please give her my best.”

“You should do that in person. It’s time to settle down, mi hijo. Make me grandbabies.”

“You have seventeen grandbabies. You’re being greedy.”

“It’s my greatest joy in life. And who wouldn’t want a few more Gonzales ninos blessing this world?”

“Better get Adriana or Camila on it.”

“You’re very funny.”

I chuckle. “I think so.”

“Well, when you come home for Christmas, we’ll see where things go with Mariana. I may invite them to join our family dinner.”

Oh no. She’s made it so obvious and uncomfortable that I rarely go home anymore. “I gotta run, Mamá. I have lunch plans.”

“With a woman? A date?”

“Yes, I have a lunch date with an amazing, perfect woman, so don’t invite Mariana just yet.”

She gasps. “How wonderful. Tell me about her.”

“She’s a stunning brunette and has an outgoing personality.” I try to stress the last part because Mariana does not have an outgoing bone in her body.

“I assume she’s not Latina. Does she at least speak Spanish?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve never asked.”

“Send me photos.”

I sigh. “Not a chance. I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Thirty minutes later, I walk into Gemma’s office building. Andrew, the longtime receptionist, greets me with a big smile. “Hey, Cruzy.”

He started calling me that a few years ago. Even though he has a boyfriend, he seems to have a bit of a crush on me and isn’t shy about it. I happily indulge him.

I look his body up and down in a way that makes him blush. “Have you been working out, Andrew? You’re looking buff. I don’t know if I can keep up with you anymore.” I flex in my tight T-shirt just to make him happy. Yep, I’m a true humanitarian.

His face lights up. “I have. Thank you for noticing. You look good too, Cruzy.”

“Thanks, buddy. Is my favorite girl around?”

“She’s expecting you. She said that you can head straight back to her office but that you shouldn’t hit on the cute brunette assistant in the cubicle outside her office. She very specifically told me to convey that to you.”

I chuckle. “Thanks, handsome.” I wink at him. “No brunette woman could ever be as cute as you, Andrew.”

Andrew practically giggles in glee as I walk past him and back toward Gemma’s office. Sadly, the cubicle outside her office is empty. In fact, it doesn’t look like anyone is working there. It’s just Gemma fucking with me. She loves to do that.

Her door is opened a crack, so I push it all the way open. Stunning Gemma DePaul is sitting at her executive desk like the badass attorney she is. As always, she’s in a high-fashion business suit looking like she’s a runway model. Though she’s built more like a swimsuit model, with curves and huge tits. Her hair is in an elegant chignon, as it often is during the workday. Her full lips are painted in her signature red color. She has this old-school, classy Audrey Hepburn look, though Audrey has nothing on Gemma.

She smiles when she sees me and holds up her finger. “Trey, Cheetah just walked in, no more dirty talk.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.

He yells out, “Why are you in my wife’s office, asshole?”

I yell back, “I’m trying to steal her. She needs a real man.”

Gemma simply shakes her head. “Baby, Cheetah and I have our monthly book club meeting. You know that. I need to run. Love you.” She loudly whispers to him, “You can pick our trope tonight. Make it extra dirty.”

I yell out, “You should try why choose. I volunteer as tribute.”

Gemma points at me. “Don’t poke the bear.”

I chuckle. “I love you too, Trey.”

He grumbles. “I hate you. Make sure you go somewhere public.”

Gemma giggles as she ends the call. She shakes her head at me. “Why do you start with him? You know how jealous he gets of our friendship.”

I smile and answer, “Because he’s an easy target…and I’m waiting for you to leave him for me.”

Without an ounce of shame, she asks, “Have you pierced your dick yet?”

I reluctantly shake my head. “Hmm. Nope.”

She shrugs. “Well, then…no. I won’t leave him for you. He’ll always have that on you. And I also happen to love him more than you could ever possibly imagine. He’s my forever. Sorry.”

My shoulders fall. “Ugh. Fine.” I mumble, “Such bullshit. I saw you first.” And I was there when he got his dick pierced for her. I passed out cold the second the needle touched his dick. I can’t believe he did that for her…before they went on their first date. He overheard he r on the phone saying how much she liked it and went that night to get it done. What a psychopath. A lucky-in-love psychopath, but a psychopath nonetheless.

She gives me a small smile. “We’ll always have our book club lunches.” Throwing the strap of her purse over her shoulder, she offers me her arm. “Shall we? There’s a new oyster bar around the corner. Let’s go there.”

I thread my arm through hers. “Ooh. An aphrodisiac. Good idea. You’ll be gagging for me within the hour.”

She giggles while we leave her office. As we’re making our way toward the elevator, we see her boss walking out of her office. Her face is flushed, and her hair is messy. She’s a sexy-as-hell middle-aged woman. Like Gemma, she’s a brunette with green eyes and killer curves.

Her face lights up when she sees me. “Cruz! Good to see you. You guys are having an amazing season.”

“Thanks, Darian. The team is great this year. Hoping we make a run.”

She nods. “Me too. Did you know that my daughter is one of the new owners?”

My chin drops. “Really? Which owner?”

“Reagan Daulton.”

“I guess both brains and beauty run in the family. Speaking of which, are you ready to leave your husband for me yet?”

A deep voice grumbles, “Not a chance, hotshot.”

I turn and see her husband, Jackson Knight, walking out of her office fixing his tie. His face is also flushed, and his dark hair is messy.

I look at Gemma and widen my eyes. She smirks and gives me a subtle nod that they were, in fact, just getting it on in Darian’s office. We both have to bite back our smiles.

Gemma waves. “We’re headed to lunch.”

Jackson winks at Darian. “I just had lunch. It was delicious. ”

After ten minutes of gossiping about how her boss often has lunchtime sex in the office, we’re seated at the restaurant, and each of us orders a glass of wine. I ask, “How’s Fletch?” Their son, Fletcher, is about six months old.

She has a dreamy look on her face. “Amazing. You can’t imagine how much you’re capable of loving a child until you have one. I want to eat him up. He’s got Trey’s chin dimple. So freakin’ cute. And seeing Trey with him is probably my favorite thing in the world. The two of them are on their way to the park right now. I hope they send pics.”

“Oh, he’ll definitely send pics, trying to interrupt our lunch.”

She nods in agreement. “Yep, he will. How are things with you?”

“Good. The team is on fire. Layton is starting to play better than he has in years. Adding Quincy to the pitching rotation has been a huge boost. I think we’ll make a run.”

“I didn’t mean baseball. I know how that’s going.” She leans forward a little. “I meant life. I’m not a fool. I’ve noticed the way you’ve interacted with Kamryn Hart. You’re crushing on her. Big time.”

I shrug. “I am, but I don’t think she’s into me. She keeps going home with other people. Other women .”

She contemplates my words for a moment. “She’s a different bird. I haven’t quite figured her out yet. I’ve spent more time talking to her sister, but I think Kam goes home with women to mess with you. And, just like in kindergarten, when a girl messes with a boy…you know what that means…”

I pinch my eyebrows together. “That she likes me?”

Gemma nods. “Absolutely. Call it a woman’s intuition.”

“I hope you’re right. She could be the woman to help me get over my crush on you. ”

Gemma winks at me. “Fingers crossed. Tread carefully. Kamryn is likely a little damaged.”

“Really? How so?”

Gemma shrugs. “I don’t know specifics, but she is. I can tell. When a woman has that much masculine bravado, there’s usually other things going on. They’re hiding something. I like her for you though. She’s got a great personality and will keep you on your toes. We both know you like a bit of a challenge. Don’t give up.”

I exhale a breath. “I won’t. Now onto the topic at hand. Did you finish our book of the month?”

She smiles. “I sure did. You can’t ever go wrong with a Jade Dollston book. And I know exactly which scene was your favorite.”

“Which one?”

“When her mother walks into her apartment and her man walks out naked stroking himself, not realizing the mom is standing there. He epically fails at trying to cover his giant body and erection, and then her cat jumps into his arms.”

I start laughing. “You know me well. Classic Dollston humor. And you know I love a good scene where a couple is walked in on while they’re in a compromising position.”

She nods. “Yep. That’s why I have at least one in all my books. They’re always funny, right?”

“Every. Damn. Time.”

We’re approaching the seventh-inning stretch of our game. It’s a tradition at all professional baseball games that there’s a pause in the game between the top and bottom halves of the seventh inning. As a song plays, the crowd stands and sings along. It’s considered a time to stretch their legs and have a little fun. It’s also a time for the grounds crew to clean up the field a bit. Each individual stadium has a song they play for every seventh-inning stretch in a given season. It usually doesn’t vary from game to game, only season to season, and each team has a different selection.

It’s become a bit commonplace in Philly for me to dance with a fan during the break. It started a few years ago when Chris Brown dropped the song, Cheetah . I mentioned it to then-owner Harold Greene, and he loved the idea of playing the song during the stretch and me picking a fan at each game to dance with. We’ve been doing it ever since. It’s usually a random stranger, with all the ladies clamoring for the spot, though it’s been my mother a few times and Gemma twice just to piss off Trey. I even danced with Gemma’s grandmother, Grammy Jane, one time. She’s a hoot. She lives in Florida, but she and Gemma are extremely close, and she visits once or twice a year. In fact, I think she’ll be here in a few weeks. Assuming she comes to a game, I’ll have to remind the field crew to bring her down to dance with me again.

I told the crew where Kamryn will be sitting for this game. Now that Arizona and Layton are dating, the four girls have season passes to the best four seats in the stadium, right behind our dugout. The cameras have started to find them since the Anacondas are steadily growing in popularity. I want to have her brought onto the field to dance with me tonight.

As the top half of the inning ends, I see them escorting her onto the field. She has a huge smile on her beautiful face. She knows what it means to be brought out here at this point in the game. She even shimmies her way to me on the field. Most of the women who do this are a little embarrassed and shy, but not Kamryn Hart. She’s going to own this .

She’s in cutoff jean shorts that show off her long legs and a tight, tiny Lancaster jersey. I think it’s even bedazzled. She’s so hot, though she’d be hotter in my jersey. I make a mental note to have one sent to her.

As she approaches, I wink at her. “Just so you know, my safe word is harder .”

She lets out a laugh. “You like to be a bottom, kitten? I would have taken you for an on-top kind of man.”

I take her hand and kiss it. “Kam bam, a great pancake isn’t done until it’s flipped on both sides.”

She runs her full, sexy bottom lip through her teeth. “Is that an offer?”

“It’s a promise.”

Her eyes flash with amusement. She’s got the most expressive eyes I’ve ever seen. They tell a thousand stories, all of which promise fun. It’s the biggest difference between her and Bailey. Even though they’re identical, I can easily tell the difference from their eyes. Bailey’s are soft and sweet. Kam’s make all the blood in my body rush below my belt.

She reaches for my baseball hat and turns it backward. “Ooh, I like that much better, though not as much as the cowboy hat.”

“I know you like to ride cowboys. You can ride me anytime you want, Kam bam.”

Her lips curl in amusement. “Did you know that the most dangerous way to have sex, as measured by hospitalizations, is reverse cowgirl?”

I shake my head. “I didn’t.”

“If you can’t ride a cowboy properly, you shouldn’t.It’s a good thing my riding skills are top-notch.”

Fuck, I’m getting hard in a stadium in front of tens of thousands of people.

Our bodies are close, and we’re staring at each other. She must feel the same chemistry I’m feeling. It’s oozing from both of us.

Our intense stare-down is broken by the music beginning. I twirl her around while all the fans sing along and clap as Kam and I put on a full show. Definitely the best one in all the years I’ve done this for our hometown fans. There’s even a touch of dirty dancing involved. She can really move her hips and does so without an ounce of embarrassment.

We’re both smiling and laughing throughout the whole song, having a great time. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun with a woman…while vertical.

When it’s over, our lips are only an inch or two apart. I want to kiss her, but something tells me that Kamryn wouldn’t like being put on the spot like this in front of forty thousand fans. She likes to maintain control. This has to be on her timeline. I won’t force it.

I kiss her cheek, by her ear, taking in her peach scent while whispering, “Thanks for the dance, Kam bam.”

I feel her warm breath on me as she whispers back, “Anytime, kitten.”