SHANE Read online

  Shane helps me stand upright, and holds my waist again when I wobble.

  “Thank you,” I say at last, breathier than I’d like. “I would’ve broken my neck.”

  “Which would be a damn shame before the big game.”

  He grips my chin and studies my face, like he’s making sure I’m okay. The intensity of his stare makes my breath catch. My pulse takes off again, and I can see Shane feels this pull too.

  His head lowers. My eyes flutter shut as his hot mouth meets mine. My lips instantly part, and his tongue meets mine. His hand moves to cup my ass while the other roves up my side to my breast. His thumb glides over my nipple sending a jolt of pleasure through me.

  My senses flood as every part of my body seems to melt and come alive all at once. I let out a moan as he deepens this kiss and I mold against him. I remember this. How good it felt. How right everything seemed shen he kissed me. Only now he’s even more skilled. More practiced.

  Because he is more skilled from all the practice he has had the past decade.

  Jealousy slices through me, cooling my libido like someone just dumped a bucket of water over my head.

  “No.” I press my hands against his bare chest and push back. For a moment, as my hands splay against his ripped chest, I’m tempted to ignore the warning bells blaring in my head. “I’ve got to go.”

  Watching where I step this time, I turn and push through the door. He calls my name, but I never look back.

  Chapter Three

  Shane

  The next day, I take my seat in the stands of the Sunset Canyon Baseball field. In forty-eight hours, the stands will be lightly filled with a few curious spectators as well as families and friends of the police and fire departments.

  Today, nearly every seat is filled as our local farm league gets ready to take the field.

  Every seat except for the one next to mine. It’s still empty. I narrowly resist squirming in mine as I wonder if Jami will show.

  After the way we left things yesterday, I figured we should clear the air. Kissing her in the fire station’s shower probably wasn’t the smartest move. That said, her moans as I cupped that lush ass of hers earned a permanent place in my spank bank for years to come.

  I guess I lied to Conrad and Dallas. I’m not so done with Jami. If possible, I want her even more than I did a decade ago. And just as soon as our teams finish the game, I’ll make her mine.

  In the meantime, I need to smooth things over and play nice until one of us leaves the field with that trophy.

  A shadow falls over me, and I glance up to find Jami nervously standing in front of her seat.

  I jump to my feet. “You came.”

  And, damn, that sounded a little too eager. Maybe even squeaky, like a boy whose voice is changing. Hell, she really has turned me into a teenager again.

  I wait until she’s settled before falling back into my seat.

  She stares straight ahead. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

  “The mayor wanted us to meet.”

  “The mayor doesn’t know we have a history.”

  “A lot of people have history.”

  She turns to glare at me. “Yeah, but a lot of people haven’t fucked like the rabbits the way we used to.”

  Her outburst catches more than a few stares. Cheeks flushing, she settles back in her seat.

  Taking a breath, she speaks again, her voice lowered. “I won’t lie to you. No matter how much I try, something inside of me pretty much wants to jump your bones every time I see you.”

  Her words make me chuckle and grow hard at once. “I wouldn’t complain if you did. Only, we might want to pick somewhere more private.”

  She shakes her head, but I can see a hint of a smile. The tension in my shoulders relaxes, and I ease back in my seat.

  “What if we call a truce?”

  She eyes me curiously. “What do you mean?”

  “How about you don’t try to tear my clothes off, and I don’t try to tear off yours until we get past this game?”

  She bites back a laugh, but nods. “Okay, deal.”

  I hold out my hand to shake. Our palms connect, and a jolt shoots through me. Our gazes connect, and I know she feels it too.

  Fighting the urge to run my thumb over the back of her smooth hand, I release my hold. We shift our bodies to face the field. In the commotion of her arrival and the setting of terms, we’ve already missed the first two batters. The third, a recent college grad on his way to the majors, steps up to the plate. He takes a swing and misses.

  I lean toward Jami, about to tell her he reminds me of a guy who played on our high school’s team, when the batter connects with the second pitch. The ball flies high into the air and past the foul line. Right toward us. Just as I raise a hand to make a play for it, Jami’s shoots out, and she snaps it without so much as a wince.

  My heart hitches as she faces me, eyes wide in excitement.

  “Did you see that?”

  “I’ll say. That was one hell of a catch.”

  And as the people around us applaud, Jami grabs my face and plants a big, juicy kiss square on my lips.

  Jami

  Pulling back, every inch of my body tingles from the brief kiss. Releasing a breath, I stare down at the baseball in my hands. I’m about to say something to make Shane forget I just planted a big one on him, when a motion catches my eye. The next row down, I see a six-year-old staring disappointed at his empty baseball mitt.

  “Hey, kid.”

  He glances up and raises his glove just in time to catch the ball. His eyes widen as his face lights up. “For me?”

  “Just don’t throw it around in the house,” I say, catching his mother’s nervous look.

  She mouths a “thank you,” and I nod before returning to my seat. I try to pretend I don’t notice Shane’s stare burning the side of my neck.

  “See,” I say sheepishly. “I just can’t keep my hands off of you.”

  “We’ll both have to try harder.” He winks, sending a fresh wave of arousal through me. “Why’d you run away yesterday?”

  The sudden shift in conversation catches me off guard. It takes me a moment to adjust.

  “I just didn’t think it was a good idea for us to make out in the station’s locker room.”

  “Why not?”

  My eyes widen. “Didn’t you just hear me? It’s your place of employment.”

  He lifts a shoulder. “So what?”

  “Someone could’ve walked in.”

  “Would’ve given them something new to talk about for a change.”

  I roll my eyes and face the field. Guys can be such perverts. Shane reaches out to take my hand. His fingers link with mine. I raise my stare slowly.

  “You know what I mean,” he says, voice lowered. “I know we didn’t leave things so good before, but you ran like I was dangerous or something.”

  “You are dangerous.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve heard you’ve kept yourself busy while I’ve been gone. Not that I hold that against you or judge you.”

  “Sounds like you do.”

  “I just . . .” My cheeks flush red as I try to find the right words. “I just don’t want to be some girl you sleep with and don’t call again. You matter too much.”

  “Ditto.” He squeezes my hand. “You matter too much to ever be some girl.”

  My cheeks grow even hotter. “Now I sound like I’m judging them.”

  “Can I tell you a secret?”

  I nod, and he leans forward.

  “There haven’t been that many girls.”

  “But everyone says—”

  “You and I both know that people in this town jump to conclusions.” His thumb runs over the back of my hand sending a shiver of delight through me. “I let them.”

  “But why?”

  “If women think I’m nothing more than a good time, they kind of leave me alone.”

  “Why would you want to be left alone?” />
  “Why do you think?”

  My heart skips a beat. “But you got over me so fast.”

  He frowns. “Why would you say that?”

  “When I called you from school, there was a girl in your dorm room.”

  His frown draws deeper in concentration.

  “I can’t say for sure who it was, but my roommate had a pretty serious girlfriend. She was in our room all the fucking time. It might have been her.”

  The sincerity in his deep blue eyes makes me know he’s telling the truth.

  “I’d called to tell you I’d made a mistake. That I wanted to try long distance.”

  He sucks in a breath. “You mean all this time . . . ?”

  “All this time, I thought you’d moved on and you didn’t care.”

  “Babe, I’ve never really moved on. And I abso-fucking-lutely care.”

  Then he raises my hands to his lips.

  My heart soaring, we barely watch the rest of the game as we catch up on the past ten years. While neither of us has been a monk or a nun, neither of us has ever been too serious about anyone else. We both focused on our careers. We swap stories about close calls and the ridiculous ones.

  By the time the game ends and he offers to give me a ride home instead of calling me a Lyft, I say okay.

  “You could come in for a beer. My fridge is stocked.”

  As I say the words, I know the truce is off. We won’t be waiting until after the game to rip off each other’s clothes.

  Chapter Four

  Shane

  It’s all I can do to keep my attention on the road for the short drive from the baseball field to Jami’s apartment. After spending the past few hours with her perfume flooding my senses, my cock is practically throbbing by the time we arrive.

  She’s missed me.

  She wishes we’d never broken up.

  She knows I feel the same.

  With all our cards out on the table, the only thing left to do is make her mine in every sense of the word. But before I buy her a fancy ring and drop to one knee, there’s one thing I’m just about bursting to do.

  Jami tosses her keys on an entry table. “I have a lager and a—”

  My mouth takes hers in a searing kiss before she can finish telling me about the drink options. Groaning, she opens her mouth to me, our tongues crashing together as I push her back against the wall. A picture frame falls. I tear my mouth away to look.

  “Forget about it.” She grabs my chin to bring my mouth back towards hers. “Don’t stop touching me.”

  “Mmm, your wish is my command.” My head dips down to draw her back into a kiss as I lift her into my arms. I don’t know where the bedroom is, but I can see a table out of the corner of my eye. That’ll do for this round.

  I kick off my shoes and tug off hers. Dropping her on the edge of the table, my hands are free to move over every inch of her. My girl has curves. I want to explore every single one of them.

  Tearing my lips away from hers, I pull her T-shirt over her head and toss it aside. I’m greeted by those giant, beautiful breasts, practically bursting out of the satin and lace. I lower my head to nibble the curve of her neck. I move my lips and tongue down to the swell just above her bra.

  Stealing a quick look up at her, I find her green eyes have gone hazy. And we’re only just getting started. Cupping one of her tits, I lift it up and suck at her nipple through the lace.

  Jami cries out, digging her fingers into my hair, pulling me closer.

  “Oh, God. Shane.”

  I suckle and tease, soon sending the bra to join her shirt as I take her nipple into my mouth. She writhes against me. My swollen dick presses hard against my jeans. I want to ram myself inside of her over and over again.

  But first, I need to taste her.

  Pulling away from her breasts, I sink to my knees. I reach for the waist of her leggings and slide them and her panties down her hips. I lean forward to nuzzle her seam with my nose. Her scent is intoxicating and familiar. She’s like home. And I’ve finally returned to her.

  Pleased to find she’s already wet, I slip my finger and tongue through her folds until I find her center. Groaning, she leans back on her hands. I glance up to see her face turned upright as she draws breath. Her gasps grow louder and faster and closer together. Her pleasure drives me on. I won’t stop until she comes for me.

  It doesn’t take long. Her legs quiver beside me. Her gasps turn to cries as the orgasm takes hold.

  When the wave passes, I rise up to my feet. While she recovers, I tug my T-shirt off and strip off the rest of my clothes.

  I pump my dick once as I gaze down at her. I hiss through my teeth. Tasting her has made me harder than I’ve maybe ever been. I’d say it was like I’m eighteen again, except now I have better self control and can last longer. I hope.

  Pushing herself up, Jami eyes me hungrily. She licks her lips. I can’t wait to have those wrapped around me. Later. This time, I want to pour myself inside of her.

  “Should I grab a condom?”

  She shakes her head. “I’m on the shot, and I’ve been tested since my last lover.”

  “I’m clean.”

  “Then why aren’t you fucking me already?”

  Somehow groaning and chuckling at the same time, I grab her hips and slide her off the table. She gasps in delight as I turn her around and press her palms flat against the table. I slowly slide my hands up her arms and down her sides until I’m gripping her hips. Stroking the smooth skin of her bare ass, I press my lips to her shoulder. I line myself up at her entrance, and I thrust inside of her.

  I groan through gritted teeth. God, I remembered her feeling good, but never like this. I pull back and thrust again. If I’m not careful, this will be over in a few seconds. Reaching around the front, I find her clit again and stroke it while I hold steady in her. When I hear her whimpers start again, I move in and out of her. With each thrust I know I never want anyone else.

  Just Jami. Only Jami.

  And as I feel her come again, I shoot my seed inside of her.

  We collapse to the ground. Me, flat on my back, with her draped over me. I stroke her shoulder with the tips of my finger while she traces the muscles on my chest.

  “Jami?”

  “Hmm?”

  “This thing between you and me, it feels right.”

  She nods. “It feels right.”

  And as warmth wraps around my heart, I close my eyes to enjoy a peace I haven’t felt in years.

  Chapter Five

  Jami

  I’m finishing up some paperwork on a drunk and disorderly when my phone rings.

  “MacIntosh.”

  “Hello, Officer MacIntosh.” Shane’s low, sexy voice rumbles in my chest.

  I bite back a giggle. Chad is in his seat at his desk across from mine. He’s already been glaring daggers at me all morning since he saw Shane drop me off at the station.

  Lowering my voice, I lean toward the phone. “Was there something I can help you with?”

  “I have just one question for you?”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “What color are your panties, baby?”

  I gasp and nearly drop the phone. That catches Chad’s attention and a fresh glare. I take a moment to recover.

  “I’m at work,” I remind Shane.

  “So am I.”

  “Then maybe we should save this conversation for later.”

  “I’d rather have it now.”

  Despite myself, I let out a short laugh. “You’re insatiable.”

  “I’m a man who’s spent the past ten years walking through the desert. I’ve finally found the ocean.”

  “You know, that salty ocean water will only make you thirstier.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  I’m about to ask what he’d like to do for dinner when Chad arrives at my desk and throws a file down.

  “If you’re done flirting with your boyfriend, we have some real work to do.”

  I
stare up at him, about to say he can go take his seat and I’ll be with him in a minute. Before I do, he shakes his head.

  “That is if you know how to do real work. All I’ve seen you do is fill out paperwork, and any idiot can do that.”

  My jaw ticks with barely suppressed rage. What. An. Ass. I’ll definitely give him a piece of my mind later.

  “Who the fuck was that?” Shane asks.

  I wince. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “Was it that piece of shit Chad?”

  Just like that, some of my anger melts away. Of course Shane knows Chad. And of course he also thinks he’s a piece of shit.

  We really are good for each other.

  “It was,” I say. “But I’ll take care of it.”

  “Let me know if you need someone to hold him down while you rip his nuts off.”

  “Gross.”

  “Don’t tell me the thought hasn’t crossed your mind.”

  “It hasn’t crossed my mind.” Though I have given some real consideration to pouring laxative in his coffee before we head out in the cruiser. But poisoning a co-worker would be wrong. No matter how much he sucks.

  Besides, if he really did crap himself in the car, wouldn’t I be punishing myself?

  “I’ve got to get back to work.”

  “Fine.” He sighs dramatically. “I suppose you have the team running drills so you don’t lay an egg tomorrow.”

  “Oh, trust me. Your team is the one that will be going home crying tomorrow.”

  “Want to bet?”

  “Loser buys the winner a drink?”

  “How about the winner gets off first in the post-game celebration.” His husky voice turns my insides into liquid. I’m almost surprised I haven’t melted into a puddle on the floor of the precinct.

  “You’re on, babe.”

  “Oh, I’ll definitely be on.”

  I’m still sitting at my desk grinning like an idiot minutes after we’ve hung up. Chad rolls his eyes at me, but I don’t care. I won’t let a jerk like him ruin my good mood.

  I’m home. I’m getting a second chance with the only man I’ve ever loved. And tomorrow night Shane is going to give me the best orgasm of my life after I kick his ass all over the baseball field.