Chapter 33 #2
“In university, I had this professor. She was a former journalist. And she used to tell us stories of her time spent working the sports circuit. How women were treated as second-rate, about the rampant misogynism. It was horrible. She warned all of us girls that we’d have to work double hard for half the reward if we went into sports.
That we’d constantly be fighting to prove we belonged in that space.
That message never left me.” I suck in a deep breath, letting the feel of his hand on me settle me.
“When Uncle Mike offered me the internship, I almost said no. The Tridents were where I always wanted to work, but I wanted to earn my way. But in the end, Uncle Mike agreed he would never get involved in my career path, and he pointed out that using connections wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
” A small smile graces my face remembering that conversation.
“Still, that fear of being seen as nothing more than a nepotism hire, the niece who couldn’t get a job on her own, the woman who needed a man’s help to get anywhere, it never really faded.
Even after years of hard work, proving I belonged, and that I had value.
It’s never fully gone away. I struggle with it, even now.
But anyway, about a year after I graduated and started my real job working for the team, the Vicki Daws story broke. ”
I see him frown in confusion. It’s possible he never knew about this, but it’s something I’ve never forgotten.
“She worked in HR for a team in Arizona. And she started to date one of the players. I’m sure it wasn’t the first time something like that happened, but their breakup was especially ugly.
She ended up losing her job and having to leave the state.
It was a message to women working in sports everywhere.
The players come first. I vowed then and there to never get mixed up with a player, especially not one from my team.
My job, proving I deserved to be there, was too important to me to risk on something like a relationship. ”
Lifting myself up onto my elbow, I rest one hand on his chest and stare straight into his eyes.
“I’ve never once been tempted to break that rule for myself.
Not until you. Somehow, you convinced me that what we had was worth the risk.
Because you made me feel safe and like maybe I could somehow have it all.
The player and the job. Turns out, I was right.
” I end with a soft smile, hoping he can see the words I’m not quite ready to say, even though my heart knows they’re true.
Ronan lifts his head to kiss me. “I know what a gift that is, you trusting me and letting me in. I don’t take it for granted, Cherry.”
“I know you don’t.” I continue to stroke my hand over his chest. “That’s why we’re here right now.
Because I do trust you. You’re worth me letting you in — to my life and my heart.
” This time, I lower my head to kiss him.
And when his hand comes up to tangle in my hair, holding me in place, I melt into him, into his kiss.
If I could, I’d stay here forever. But I can’t, which is why, after making myself dizzy from his kiss for several minutes, I pull back. “I have to go,” I say with more than a little reluctance as I climb out of bed.
Ronan’s groan echoes how I feel. “Goddamn it. Mark my words, someday we won’t be sneaking away from each other in the middle of the night. Someday, I’m going to fall asleep with you and wake up with you.”
“I want that, too,” I reply as I zip up my jeans. His gaze narrows in on the action and he frowns.
“I hate that you’re getting dressed right now. Why did I think that once our relationship was public we’d have more time together?”
Crawling back across the bed in only my jeans and bra, I kiss his pouty face. “Because you forgot that you’re still a famous baseball player who has to get some sleep so he can win all of his games.”
“I’m not playing a game tomorrow,” comes his grumpy reply. But when I move to back off the bed, he grabs me, pulling me down on top of him. “All I have to do tomorrow is sit on a plane and keep my hands off you. This whole ‘no guests allowed in your hotel room’ is bullshit.”
A giggle of pure happiness escapes me. It’s a heady feeling, being the focus of his attention like this. Knowing he wants me as much as I want him, if not more.
“Bullshit or not, we’re going to be good,” I chide gently as I once again disentangle myself from his arms. “Which means I’m going back to my room, and we’re both going to get some sleep.
And tomorrow, no one will be any wiser about what happened here tonight.
Got it?” I arch my brow at him, but the effect is lost when paired with my big goofy smile.
Ronan’s is much softer in return, once again brimming with what I now fully believe is his love for me.
“Got it. Make sure you save the seat next to you on the airplane.”
I pick up my shirt and nod. “Definitely.” I pick up the white teddy bear he travels with and toss it at him. “You’ll have to make do with cuddling Snowberry tonight.”
“A poor substitute for you, Cherry.”
I blow him a kiss, then creep out the door, checking that no one is around to see me sneaking out.
Once I’ve made it back down the stairs and into my own room, I flop down on my own bed with a very satisfied sigh.
He really is worth breaking the rules.