Chapter 9
If it wasn’t for the very warm feeling of Jackson’s hand in mine, I might have wondered if this was a dream. A damn good dream. Three of my favorite players, men I’d fantasized about more than once while reading baseball romance, were mine.
Pinch me. Is this real life? And if it isn’t please don’t wake me up.
The sun was starting to set as we walked out of the sandwich shop, bellies full and the quiet of evening settling in. There were still people milling about, but the night life was about to start up and I didn’t want any part of it tonight.
Not that Willow Lake ever got rowdy, but the local tavern was our version of a hot spot. That meant loud, thumping music and drunk patrons spilling out onto the sidewalks. Not that I minded the music, but right now I was content in our little pocket of quiet.
Even though Cy was outgoing, the group as a whole didn’t feel the need to fill the silence with conversation. It was a welcome change and gave me a chance to take it all in and enjoy sneak peeks at my men.
“Are you guys heading back soon?” I asked, hating the idea of watching them drive away from me.
“Actually, no. Since we’re helping with the baseball camp our coach set us up with a cabin on the lake,” Jackson reminded me. “We still have some games coming up and practice to keep up with, but we’ll be close for the next four weeks.”
The thought of them coaching little baseball players was enough for my ovaries to burst.
Bad, ovaries, it’s way too soon to think of babies.
Or maybe my omega was already perked up and ready after feeling the not-so-small boner Jackson was sporting earlier when I’d climbed into his lap.
I took a deep breath, willing my scent to calm so they didn’t know exactly where my mind had gone. I’ve read too many smutty books, and needed to get control over my thoughts before I embarrassed myself.
“That’s great. It’ll give us a chance to get to know each other like Cy suggested,” I said, the relief of having them close settling me even more.
“Even if we didn’t, you couldn’t keep me away now,” Jackson said, tucking me into his side. I let out a happy sigh, soaking in the comfort. I breathed in his clean, spiced, and woodsy scent. Sandalwood, cypress, and fresh air. It was incredible.
Was it too much to ask for their shirts before we parted ways? Something to cling to when I was back in my empty bed.
We just made it to the path along the lake when a few cars pulled up. It was summer so it wasn’t uncommon, though I hated the idea of someone interrupting our impromptu date.
The guys moved in closer, Jackson keeping my hand in his and Griff moving behind us as if he were protecting me, and Cy putting his arm around my shoulder, keeping me close to his side.
“Oh my god!” a high-pitched voice shouted, followed by several more. “The Knuckleball Knockouts!”
“Shit,” Griff cursed, turning and keeping himself between the newcomers and me. It was a group of teenagers, all with heart eyes and shrieking voices.
Even the guys.
We were surrounded in minutes by their fans. This might take some getting used to, but for now I watched on in amusement.
“My grandma knew we were huge fans and texted us a picture of you in town, so we had to rush down here the moment we could,” one of the girls said, batting her eyelashes at them like they weren’t far too young to even try that shit.
“Can I get your autograph?” one asked in a simpering tone.
“And a selfie? No one will believe us otherwise,” a guy said. “I’m a huge fan. I’ve been playing ball for years and I want to go for a team like yours.”
He did a little dance with zero embarrassment, the guys and I somehow not laughing at the ridiculous moment. I was half impressed that he had the guts to do it in public. He’d need it if he found a team like the Knockouts.
“Do you mind?” Cy asked, looking down at me. The fact they weren’t pushing me out of the way for the fans had me stepping aside.
“Of course not,” I said, giving him a smile.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt you. Is she your sister?” The not-so-innocent question had me contemplating shoving the lot of them in the lake.
“No, that’s our omega,” Griff said, the rumble in his voice showcasing his annoyance. I bit back a grin as they let it drop and handed over things to get signed.
Thankfully, the guys turned down signing anything on skin. These teenagers were bold.
When they walked away, we all let out a collective breath. I think I just got my first view into what it would be like with them. I just didn’t expect their fans to find us here of all places.
“I knew those old ladies were eyeing us,” Griff grumbled. “Sorry about that, gorgeous.”
“I’m fine, really. If I was one of those old ladies I would be eyeing you as well,” I promised as I slid off my sandals and bent down to pick them up, holding them in one hand as I bunched my sundress in the other, heading right for the water’s edge.
I felt their eyes on me but I didn't want this night to turn heated. Me and my omega wanted them more than anything, but the idea of jumping into bed with them had me ready to run.
I needed to know they were going to stick around first.
When I looked back, Jackson was rolling up his pant legs and holding his shoes in one hand, walking over to join me.
I raised an eyebrow at Griff, who rolled his eyes playfully and did the same. Cy was too busy watching my every move to realize he was frozen in place until Griff shoved him gently.
They were just as much brothers as packmates and it showed.
Turning back to the lake, I started to edge closer until the cool water washed over my feet. It was a hot day, so it was a nice refresher.
“You do this often?” Jackson asked.
“Yeah, my place is a small cabin on the edge of the water. It grounds me,” I answered. With them, I never wanted to guard things, I wanted them to know who I was at my core, not some filtered version.
“That sounds nice,” he said as he looked over the lake, falling into step beside me so our arms brushed with each step.
“It is. That and early morning coffee on the dock are my favorites. I actually have a paddle boat at home, too, if you guys are ever brave enough.”
“I’ve never been on one but I’m not afraid to try new things,” he said. Another flash of those damn, knee weakening dimples.
This man was trouble, but gods, I wanted him.
Griff and Cy joined us, splashing each other in the process and bickering again.
“They do this often?”
Jackson snorted. “All the time.”
I kicked the water, splashing them both. Their gazes snapped to me, both narrowing their eyes.
“That was dirty, gorgeous,” Griff said, running toward me now. Cy joined him, my eyes widening as I turned and ran, a squeak echoing out.
They let out a little rumbling growl before I heard more splashing as they gained on me.
There was no way I was winning this one.
My own shrieks filled the night as I was snatched mid-stride and thrown over someone’s shoulder. The breath was knocked out of me as I hit their broad shoulder, head hanging down so I had a nice view of a perfectly biteable ass.
“Let me down!” I demanded, gasping for air as he ignored me. My nose filled with the tart hint of apples, cedarwood, and warm spice. “Griff!”
“Nah, gorgeous. You want to play games, now it’s on,” he said as Cy snatched my purse and carried it to safety, not helping me at all.
My palms rained down over Griff’s muscled cheeks, which only earned me a swat on my own ass.
“Behave back there or I’m tossing you in,” he warned.
“What if I can’t swim?!” I demanded, my red hair hanging in a curtain around me as I continued to smack his ass like a drum, trying desperately to argue my way to freedom.
He wasn’t having it.
“That’s it,” he growled around a laugh, running full tilt into the waves as I screamed out my protests now. “Hold your breath.”
There was no fear in me. I trusted these men already, I simply sucked in a breath and plugged my nose as he plunged us into the water.
The shock of cold was over quickly, leaving behind perfectly cool water. I stayed there, treading underneath and letting it wash away the sweat from the day.
Strong arms curled around me and I was dragged to the surface.
Griff was different now, his face open and full of amusement.
His dark blue eyes reflected the setting sun and his hair was slicked back now, his bright smile on display.
The smile that not many people saw in the public eye, had me breathless.
“Can I kiss you, gorgeous? Having you this close is killing me in the best way,” he said as he pulled me closer. I wrapped my legs around his waist, holding onto the alpha who was testing my resolve yet again.
“Yes.” It was a whisper but he didn't hesitate to lean in, brushing his lips over mine in a ghost of a kiss. “Just don’t tease me.”
My demand was met with a wolfish grin before he moved closer again, tilting his head and wrapping one of his hands in my hair, holding me in place.
He wasn’t gentle like Jackson, or playful like Cy, he was demanding. Possessive. All consuming.
His tongue danced against mine as he dominated me with his mouth. Each stroke of his tongue and teasing of his teeth had my body aching for him.
It had been too fucking long.
As if he knew I wanted to take it slow, he gentled the kiss into something different. Sweet, but just as controlled.
When he pulled away, his lips were puffy and hair sticking up where I’d unknowingly held onto him.
His cheeks were flushed with lust, eyes almost black as the sun dipped even lower on the horizon.
“Fuck, gorgeous. I’m going to need more of that. And often.”
I laughed, breathless and still clinging to him.
“I’m going to need a minute before I step out of this water, or you’re going to see just how much I loved that.”
“I can feel it,” I laughed, gently sliding out of his arms and dropping my feet into the sandy lake bottom. “Don’t think I don’t want it, too. I’m just… nervous? No one has ever really stuck around and I need to know you will before I give that part of me up.”
“They were insane, Dani. You’re perfect for us, and we’ll earn your trust,” he vowed. The sincerity in his eyes had my chest aching. My omega and I wanted to believe it, my brain just needed the evidence.
I nodded, not sure what else to say. It was one of those things I needed to experience to trust and if they truly wanted me, they would do just that.
Jackson and Cy were waiting for me as I stepped out of the water. Cy cursed before pulling off his tee and sliding it over my head.
“Your dress is see through now,” he said. His voice was husky and pained. “I can only take so much torture in one day.”
“Says the man who just bared his abs for me,” I said, brushing my fingertips over the ridges of his muscled torso. He gave me a look but shuddered against the touch, goosebumps forming on his skin.
I’d never affected anyone that way before and it was almost addictive. It took everything in me to keep my hands to myself as we walked further down the beach.
You wanted to take it slow, remember? My brain was a bitch.
“My house is just ahead,” I said as we reached the end of the public beach, the sand giving way to trees and lakehouses.
“Well, we can walk you back to the house since you’re all wet, then go find our place,” Cy offered.
“What’s the address? I might be able to point you in the right direction,” I asked, curious how far from me they’d be. The summer camp was at the other end of the lake, secluded, but there were a lot of smaller cabins and houses dotting the rest of the shoreline.
“Thirty-three, Southerland Lane,” Jackson answered. It took everything to not show my excitement.
“You’re right next door.”