Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 44850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“You’re going to wait for me after the game and we’re going to spend time together tonight, Marigold. The running stops now,” he all but growls.
“What if I have plans?” I ask and I know I’m playing with fire but unable to resist.
“Then, change them. Whatever plans you have, include me tonight, baby. If you even think about standing me up, I’ll find you and you won’t like how I retaliate.”
“Is that a threat, Bat-Boy?”
“No, Marigold, that’s a promise,” he says with a wink, his words soft and full of promise.
I watch as he walks away. Hell, I couldn’t look away even if I tried.
Kage lets out a whistle. “You’re in trouble, girl.”
“I think I might be,” I admit with a sigh.
“Your brother doesn’t look happy right now.”
Slater is jogging across the field and Green is yelling, his face red. Kage is right. He is pissed. Slater adjusts the hat on his head and listens to his coach, but he doesn’t say shit. He keeps walking toward the dugout. I’m going to have to talk to my brother and hope it gets him past whatever objections he has to me living my life. I need to do that soon because I have a feeling that Slater Daniels is going to be a fixture in my world.
At least until our mutual itches have been scratched…
CHAPTER 10
Slater
“If you don’t quit staring at my sister, I’m going to kick your ass, Slater.”
I look over at Green and smirk. Until he called me out, I honestly didn’t realize I was staring at her. She’s been laughing with Kage and getting animated during the game, though and I’ve been enjoying it because she’s happy. Marigold Lucas happy is a freaking good sight.
“You best get to kicking, because I can’t seem to stop,” I tell him honestly.
“Asshole, she’s not one of your chicks on the road. My sister is a good woman and not the kind of you play with.”
“Did I tell you I was planning on playing with her? I grumble.
“Don’t even try, Slater. Listen, it’s not personal. I like you.”
“Good to know,” I mutter because it doesn’t really sound like it.
“I’m serious.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I used to be a player. I know what life on the road is like and I know the women out there that would do anything to sleep with a player. Hell, that’s how I met Kage. I almost fucked it up so bad that I lost her. If you think I’m going to sit by and watch my sister get her heart tore up while you’re enjoying the perks of your career, you’re full of shit.”
“What happens between me and Marigold, is our business, Green.”
“Bull—”
“It is, but since she’s your little sister, I’ll be honest with you about this.”
He doesn’t say anything, just gives me a hard stare.
I suppose to most men it would be intimidating—especially since this asshole pretty much holds my career in his hands. He drops me from the team, and it will be a hard climb back to where I’m at. I have dreams of making the Big Leagues. If I don’t, I’ll survive. I make a good living doing what I love. That doesn’t mean I don’t want the chance, though. To do that I will have to earn it. I can’t do that without being in the position I am right now. I rub the back of my neck.
“I’m not a stupid man. I know the difference between easy pussy and pussy that’s worthwhile.”
“Fucker, if you refer to my sister again as pussy, you’ll be breathing through a straw.”
I let out an annoyed breath. I know I don’t exactly talk poetic. I just am who I am. I say shit without thinking about it. In this instance, it’s not exactly helping my case.
“I’m trying to say that I know Marigold is the type of woman a man holds onto. We just met, but I really like her. She’s funny and sweet and spending time with her is so damn good that I want more of it. I want to see where this goes and I’m not going to give up on that—even if you try and sack me from the team.”
He frowns. “Complete disclosure here, Slater.”
“I’d prefer it that way.”
“You’re the team slut. I think you can understand why I don’t want you for my sister.”
I wince. I know I have a reputation and I can’t deny it. I’ve earned the term team slut. I’m even worse than Archer and Santos. Still, I didn’t realize the talk traveled up to Green. Hell, he doesn’t even stay in the team hotels anymore. He travels with his family most of the time and keeps them separate. Still, I’m not going to let this bullshit stop me.
“Didn’t you just say you met Kage in kind of the same way? That’s being kind of sanctimonious if you ask me.”