Page 53 of Playboy Pitcher

Well, fuck that.

“Shit, I know that look,” Tuck groans, throwing the ball back to me.

Willow shrugs, shifting into her batter stance. “Looks like constipation to me.”

You want a big boy pitch, sweetheart?

Tuck drops two fingers, and I shake my head. He hesitates a moment, and I glare at him until he slowly drops one.

Bingo.

I nod. Four-seam fastball. Welcome to the big leagues, Puddles.

Tuck shakes his head. “Now you’ve done it. He’s about to release the Kraken.”

“Shut up,” she growls.

A swing and a miss.

Tuck laughs. “Strike two.”

Willow whips around. “Just so you know, if you open your mouth again, I’m knocking your teeth out.” Blowing out a huff, she finds her stance again, her eyes landing on mine with determination. Tension is riding high, adrenaline flowing through my veins like venom.

Tuck knows me too well to waste my time. He immediately taps his left shin and drops one finger. It’s all I can do not to laugh.

Dirty four-seam. Low and to the inside.

Get ready to bounce, baby.

The pitch is perfect. Willow watches the ball leave my hand, then swings the bat, her whole body twisting with the follow-through.

CRACK!

I’m not sure what the hell just happened, until I hear a chorus of “Holy shit!” Only then do I look up to see my perfect pitch sail through the air and then smack into the fence.

Homefuckingrun.

Willow’s face lights up as she drops the bat at Tuck’s feet. Blowing me a kiss, she prances around the bases while Cruz runs out to retrieve the bastard ball, handing it to her as she crosses home plate. She grins as she strolls toward me, tossing it in the air. “I believe you owe me some laps, Playboy.”

“You’re not really going make me run, are you?”

“If you’d struck me out, would I still be standing here?” I smirk, and she rolls her eyes. “That’s what I thought.”

“You’re a ballbuster, you know that?”

“Awww.” She winks. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

I’ve lost my mind. It’s the only explanation for me to be standing here smiling like a jackass when I just got my balls handed to me by my new boss.

Myfemaleboss.

“Willie!” We both turn at the sound of Hoyt’s voice. He’s standing at the edge of the field motioning for her to come with him. “Stop screwin’ around. I have paperwork you need to look at.”

Willow gives him a thumbs-up. “Hey, Playboy, think fast.”

I turn around just in time to see the bastard ball fly at my face. Catching it, I turn my palm up and stare at it. “What’s this for?”

“Humility.” Giving me a wink, she jogs away. As I watch her go, I shake my head, another dumbass grin on my face as I take my laps.