The Heat Is On (4 page)

She was filled with regret when he eased from her, the night air coming between them. It felt to Tracy as if she had been brought to the edge of a wonderful conclusion, but stopped short. But he slipped his hand into her hair and tipped her face up to his, and she saw the same ragged desire in his eyes.

“My God,” he said in awe. “Did you ever think it would still be like this between us?”

“I wondered,” she admitted softly. “I thought about you often over the years.”

“Glad to hear it, that I'm not stranded out here alone.”

His voice was rough and thick, which only sent more aching regret pulsing through her. Somehow she managed a crooked smile even as she sank into the driver's seat of the Escape.

“I've got to go,” she said.

And she did. Her whole being was shaken by the effect his kiss had on her. After all, she wasn't a schoolgirl anymore. She had been married, had borne four children, and thought she was past all this.

Nope. One little good-night kiss from Connor had set her back on her newly acquired kitten heels.

But now it was over, and like Cinderella, she would be transformed from a lucky girl on a date with Connor Jackson to a single mother with little children sound asleep.

But then he indicated for her to roll down the window, and he leaned over, his muscular arm on the doorframe.

“So when can I see you again?”

“What?” She was still so shaken she could hardly make sense of his words.

Connor grinned. “I'm asking for a second date.”

His voice was husky, and through a fog of disbelief she realized what he said. He wanted to go out once more!

She must have looked as stunned as she felt, because he laughed, and then squatted down lower into his familiar catcher's position so that his eyes were level with hers.

“Well?”

“I…Sure,” she stammered.
Idiot! Stop acting like a starstruck fan! This is Connor!
Yet to see him right outside her car window, appearing ridiculously hot, she had to fight to maintain any kind of cool.

“Okay then.” He grinned, fingering a lock of her hair as he stood once more erect. “Do you want to check your schedule and get back to me? We play Saturday night, but Sunday the game is over around four if that works.”

She should tell him. Now. He was asking her out again, completely unaware of her situation. She should explain that she would have to see if someone could watch the kids, maybe her parents because it was hard to get a sitter on a Sunday night
.

But instead she was nodding, starting the ignition, so rattled that she couldn't put two thoughts together.

“Okay if I text you tomorrow?” she managed weakly.

“Sounds good. And Trace?” When she looked up, the dazzling smile was hers once more. “It was so great seeing you again. I feel like…I've come home.”

She put the car in reverse as he stepped back and somehow found the exit of the parking lot. She was shaking as she pulled into the street and, as she glanced into the rearview mirror, saw him in the distance watching her.

Only then did the fog lift. There would be a second time. Another date. With Connor.

Damn
.

Connor watched the Escape pull into traffic, feeling a strong desire to go after her, pull her back into his arms again, and demand that she stay with him tonight.

But it was too soon. He knew his girl, knew that it would take some time to earn her trust. He was fully aware that she had avoided any personal conversation about herself, her marriage and divorce.

And she carried a pacifier in her purse
.

Why?
He finally allowed himself to think about that. Was she working with infants? She said she was doing something in the medical field. Had she been helping out a friend, babysitting or something?

Did she have a child?

Even though he'd thought she might, he realized he didn't want it to be true. The idea of her having sex with another man was something he didn't want to entertain, and a baby would be in-his-face proof. It was ridiculous, he knew it. After all, he was aware of her marriage, and that fifteen years had passed since they were together. But he still thought of her as his, and his alone.

He would have to establish intimacy with her on every level if he wanted to be successful in winning her. And that would mean some honest conversation between them, even if some of it was painful.

But as he thought about that kiss, any doubt that lingered vanished instantly. It was hot; he knew it, and so did she. He wouldn't be a man if he wasn't pleased at how flustered she was after, how her cheeks had flushed pink and her eyes had been wide with surprised desire.

And he'd meant what he said to her, that being with her was like coming home. The connection he'd had with her years ago was still there, and now he had the chance to deepen it, to have something real. With Tracy in his arms, he was beginning to understand dimly the difference between the kind of women he had been dating, and her.

Yet he would be foolish not to realize she was holding back, and Connor was no fool.

Tracy Coleman was in for the romance of a lifetime. And whatever her secrets were, it wouldn't matter.

Not to him.

She was floating when she got home. The house seemed oddly quiet at nine p.m. with the gang safely asleep. After hanging up her coat, she ventured into the living room and found her sitter playing couch commando with the remote while checking Facebook on her phone.

“How were they?” she asked as Chrissy stood up and turned off the remote.

“Pretty good.” She grinned. “Ethan and Mason came down a couple of times, but I just kept putting them back in bed like you said. Lily woke up an hour ago, and I couldn't find her pacifier…”

“Yeah, sorry.” Tracy withdrew it from her purse, cringing a little as she remembered it falling out in front of Connor. “She lost one, and I had the other in my bag. Did you give her some water?”

“Yes, and that settled her right down.”

“Perfect, and thanks so much.” Digging some money out of her purse, she paid the girl, a strange thought occurring as the high school senior snatched up her coat and headed outside.

She had been just a few years older than Chrissy when she'd met Connor and had fallen in love. Her sitter seemed so much younger, but then she wryly reminded herself that that had been a lifetime ago.

The phone was ringing as she pulled on her pajamas, and she rushed for the cell, hoping it was Connor. Instead, her stomach tightened as she recognized the caller ID:

Jeremy.

The last thing she wanted to do after a perfect evening with her first love was to talk to her ex-husband. Cinderella, she thought, was definitely back to scrubbing floors, and she wouldn't be at all surprised to discover her Escape had turned into a pumpkin.

“Hello, Jeremy,” she said, cradling the phone with her shoulder. “Isn't this a little late?”

“Where were you? I called earlier and no one answered.” His voice was demanding.

“I was out for the evening, not that it is any of your business,” she said evenly. “What do you want?”

She had to tread carefully, even though she was thoroughly annoyed. Jeremy had thought nothing of cheating on her, even to the point of sustaining a second family. Yet he felt he could question her?

But she needed the child support and couldn't afford to piss him off. Even though he was legally obligated, it was true what she'd said to her mother, that lawyers were expensive. Far better to get his cooperation than to fight him in court.

“I'm coming back to the States for a few months and wanted to work out visitation. It sounds like my trip is timely.”

“Meaning?” She spat out her toothpaste and then rinsed her mouth.

“When the mother of my kids is out late on a school night, it makes me wonder how well they are being taken care of.”

She ran the water, drowning him out. She couldn't stop the surge of anger his words generated. She waited a couple of minutes until she got her emotions under control, then turned off the faucet and spoke calmly.

“I take excellent care of the children, as you well know. And because I am a single mother doesn't mean I am in prison. I am entitled to go out, see other people, and have something of a life. Is there anything else?”

“It's a guy, isn't it? You are seeing someone.” His voice was thick with accusation. “I saw in the newspaper that baseball player you used to date is back in town. Is it him?”

She froze. How could Jeremy, thousands of miles away, so quickly connect the dots? Because he knew her, knew that it would take someone special like Connor to distract her from the children even for an evening.

“I've got to go,” Tracy said. Lily was cooing on the monitor next to her bed. “I hear the baby. Call me when you're back, and we'll work something out. Good-bye, Jeremy.”

She hung up before he could say anything else and went to check on Lily. Her little daughter had pulled herself up in the crib and was watching her with big eyes and an even bigger grin. Her outrage immediately dissipated as she smiled at her little girl, aware that even her baby was growing up. Any day now she would be taking her first steps, then would come running, climbing, and jumping. All of the firsts that she had enjoyed with the others would be coming for Lily.

Settling the baby back onto the mattress, she kissed her forehead, inhaling the sweet scent of talcum, and was able to put her ex-husband out of her mind.

But when she returned to her own bed, she thought of Connor. Somehow Jeremy had tarnished that glow she had when coming home. He was trying to make her feel bad for having been on a date, she knew that logically. But emotionally, it was working. She felt guilty, like she had done something wrong. And even though she knew that was ridiculous, the uneasiness wouldn't leave her.

She had four little children who needed her. What was she thinking, getting involved with Connor? Could she really remain detached, and as Jillian suggested, simply enjoy a few hot dates with him? When she was in his arms, it seemed more than possible. But now?

As she heard Lily's voice on the monitor once more, she wasn't so sure.

Connor spotted Chase's sporty Mustang in the parking lot of the Alchemist and Barrister. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was barely nine-thirty. Still early. He could easily join his teammates for a cold one.

Entering the sports bar, he grinned. He was right in his assumption that the Sonics would be there, enjoying craft beer on tap. Mentally, he thanked his lucky stars that they hadn't decided to hang out at the Tiger's Tail. It would've made for an interesting first date with Tracy with his baseball team in attendance.

“Hey, Con Man!” Brian whistled and gestured to the bar. “Where have you been? Hot date?”

“The hottest.” He grinned, ignoring the wolf whistles. “Where's Carlos?” He glanced around the taproom, looking for his pal.

“Home,” Derek said, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. “Three kids and a wife? The man has no life.”

“I don't know how he does it,” Brian said, fingering his own wedding ring. “The ball and chain is bad enough without packing on kids. It's rough. His wife can't join him on the road, and when he comes home, he tries to help her as much as he can. Brutal.”

“Sounds that way,” Connor said. It was odd to think of his old pal as having so much responsibility. Carlos used to be the guy out all night, always ready for a party. His eyes lifted to the tap. “What's good on draft?”

“Just about everything,” Jake said, gesturing to the beleaguered bartender for a refill. “We've got to take it easy tonight. Early start tomorrow. And Pete's getting antsy about guys not showing up for batting practice.”

“It's no big deal,” Brian said with a slur, and Connor realized this wasn't his first beer of the night. “He should be used to us by now. And we know what we're doing. Don't need to hit a few balls to prove it.”

“Yeah, but the next few weeks are division games,” Chase said evenly, his eyes meeting his teammates. “We have to get the runs up. If we get too far behind Atlanta or New York, we may not make it to the postseason.”

“We got this,” Brian assured him. “It's the Sonics' year. We all know it.”

Except the press, Connor thought dryly. And the manager.

And me
.

“Too bad Cody isn't here,” Jimmy said, watching Connor closely. “His bat was getting hot. And you have to admit, no one calls the game like our old catcher.”

Connor tried to ignore the annoyance that flickered inside him and was surprised when Chase came to his defense.

“We all miss Cody, but Connor's doing fine. Catching is not the problem.”

Jimmy's hand tightened on his beer, but Chase defused the tension. “I think we all just need to cool down, show up tomorrow, and focus. We've got plenty of talent, and we've been there before. We know what to expect. We are not about to let it slide now.”

Jimmy nodded, but not before shooting Connor a scathing look. Jake ordered up another round to cool heated tempers. But his eyes met Connor's, and he saw the same shared concern.

If the Sonics didn't get their shit together soon, they could all kiss the dream of a ring good-bye.

The school called the following morning.

“Mrs. Carter?” Tracy heard an authoritative voice at the other end of the line.

“Yes?”

Lily was crying, so she administered the pacifier and managed to snap in her earbud so she could talk hands-free. “That's me.”

“This is Laura Miller, Mason's teacher? We'd like to make an appointment for you to come in.” The voice continued briskly, and Tracy could picture the young woman, fresh out of college, determined to change the world, starting with her son.

“Is there a problem?” She had barely gathered Chloe's hair into a ponytail when Ethan decided to roll his dump truck across her newly finished floors. Deftly she caught him and pulled him into her lap so she could put on his sneakers.

“He got into an argument with one of the children at recess and hit him. We don't allow bullying of any kind in school, and prefer to nip this in the bud.”

“Oh, my God.” Tracy sighed in disbelief. “Mason isn't a bully,” she said evenly. “He's been through a lot in the past year with the divorce. And he has three siblings. Occasionally, they fight.”

“The other parents have complained, and we need to address this.” Her voice softened and Tracy detected a note of sympathy. “I know it seems overreactive, but we have to take it seriously. And honestly? I knew Mason in kindergarten, and there has been a big change in him. I think he needs help.”

Tracy nodded. “I understand. Okay, I'll set up an appointment to come in.”

“Thanks,” Laura, or Ms. Miller, as her son called her, said. “I appreciate your cooperation. Hopefully this is just a rough patch we need to get him through.”

The cell clicked off as Tracy piled the kids in the car. Chloe and Ethan were off to preschool, and she had a couple of precious hours with just the baby to get her errands done.

But the teacher's words upset her more than she had let on. She, too, had noticed some changes in Mason. When the divorce was final, she'd explained to him that even though Mommy and Daddy weren't living together anymore, it didn't mean he wasn't loved by both parents.

But it didn't help that Jeremy seldom called or visited. The others were too little to notice, but Mason was clearly more aware. And with the intuition of a child, he'd come out and asked her if his daddy had other children.

Ouch
.

So she had to tell him yes, but that Mason would always be important to him. Even as she spoke the words, she wasn't sure if they were a lie. His father had missed the school play, Christmas, all of the things that were important. Because Jeremy was so seldom home, he appeared more bonded with his second family than his first.

But how could she explain that to a six-year-old boy?

As she pulled up to the nursery school, Chloe and Ethan teasing each other in the backseat, her phone beeped with a message.

Thinking of you. How about my place for dinner on Sunday?
Connor.

A sexy shiver went through her. Connor wanted to make her dinner at his house! Serious, right? But she was immediately distracted by her son and daughter, who were climbing over each other to get out. She put down the cell, then gathered up the baby and took the toddlers by the hands and led them to the preschool.

Inside, things were a little crazy, with other parents arriving, children finding their cubbies, and settling in. As Chloe and Ethan raced to join their friends, she greeted the teacher and then went back to her vehicle to return Lily to the car seat. Quiet at last, she opened her phone and, like a teenager, read and reread the message.

Thinking of you…How about dinner at my place?

Connor had invited her to his home, where they would be alone.

No children. No interruptions. Just dinner with one of the hottest men in baseball, and she was starved for sex.

It didn't get much hotter than that.

The applause exploded and Connor looked up from behind home plate in confusion.

There certainly was no reason to cheer for the Sonics. As predicted, half the team was hung over from the previous night, and their performance showed it. They'd managed to tack on two measly runs, but the Marlins had answered back and added four more in the eighth inning.

But when he glanced across the field, he saw the reason for the fans' enthusiasm: Atlanta had lost. The final score, 3–1, flashed in bright green on the scoreboard across the field, and the applause grew thunderous.

He had to hand it to the New Jersey crowd; they really got the game and understood that they needed to stay ahead of Atlanta to win the division.

But that wasn't going to happen if they kept playing like this.

Pete hung over the fence, chewing his gum and staring at the scoreboard in disgust. As the batter approached the plate with a confident swagger, Connor called for a curveball.

Antonio Chavez had been brought in from the bullpen to relieve Jimmy. The curveball was one of his better pitches, and sure enough it arced perfectly over the plate for strike one.

The batter was one of the Marlins' heavy hitters, a young guy with arms like tree trunks, and he pounded the plate in frustration. He was waiting for the heat, and the relief pitcher obviously wanted to throw a fastball. Connor shook his head. This kid had too much power. If he caught even a piece of the ball, he could send it over the fence.

Instead, he signaled for a slider and watched in satisfaction as Antonio complied and the umpire called strike two. They got out of the inning on another curveball, mixing it up just enough that the batter threw down the wood and stormed off the field.

But Pete had a surprise up his sleeve. Gesturing to the dugout, he called for a pinch hitter to replace Brian, indicating that Gavin should take the bat.

Gavin got on base, followed by Jake and Connor. Mike Todd, the hitter they had recently acquired from the Rangers, stepped up to the plate and nailed a fastball, sending it over the bullpen wall for a grand slam.

The fans exploded as everyone came home. Mike high-fived his way back into the dugout, and the Sonics were back in the game with a one-run deficit. But it wasn't enough. The Marlins brought in their closer and shut down the tiny bit of momentum that had started to build.

Game over. Another loss.

“I can't believe he did that,” Brian said as he threw his jersey into the laundry after the game. “Okay, I was a little off today. But that was no reason…”

“Well, it kind of is,” Jake said as he removed his shoes. “The whole team has to start performing. Not just one or two guys.”

“Are you trying to say we are the problem?” Roger glared, his eyes still bloodshot.

Jake wasn't confrontational, but something in Roger's tone seemed to set him on edge and he got right back into his face.

“I don't know about you, but I'm tired of losing. I want to go all the way, I want that ring. And if party time is all you guys care about then, yeah, Pete's doing the right thing taking you out.”

Within a second, Jake was on the floor. Roger's fist connected with his jaw before anyone saw it coming. Furious, the shortstop got to his feet and was about to return the favor when Connor intervened quickly.

“Jake, no.” He inserted himself quickly between the two men, while Brian grabbed Roger and pulled him out of the way. “We can't afford for you to get hurt. We can't afford any of this.” He turned on Roger and confronted him.

“Look, you've been fucking up big time. Admit it instead of taking it out on Jake. The last thing we need is to lose a key player because you are having a goddamn breakdown or something.”

“Yeah, so what are you going to do about it?” Roger glared from behind Brian.

Connor's eyes narrowed as he took the other man's measure. “You want to find out?”

“Cut it out, Roger,” Brian said, ushering his teammate out of the room. “You want to get suspended and fined? Go home and sleep it off.”

“Asshole,” Jake said as peace finally descended. “I don't know about you, but I've had it with this shit.”

He disappeared into the showers, to cool off more than anything else, and Pete walked up to Connor.

“What's going on?” he demanded.

Jimmy's eyes met Connor's as if waiting for him to throw his teammates under the bus. Instead, Connor neatly folded his shirt and put it in the locker.

“Nothing. Just a disagreement.”

Pete shook his head and stared at the locker Roger had just vacated. “I don't know what to do with these guys anymore. They know we are at a critical point.”

“What you did today was effective.”

Pete looked at him in surprise. “You think?”

He nodded. “They've gotten too cocky. Maybe you should bench a couple of these guys. Let them sit it out for a few days and think about it. But you don't want the press finding out, so you need someone to craft a story…”

“Nikki, Jake's girlfriend,” Pete said in satisfaction. “She did some PR work for us before,and was great. Good idea. Thanks.”

He walked out of the room, his shoulders squared and determined. Connor hoped he was up for a fight, because Roger and Brian wouldn't easily change. It would take a lot of determination and focus to motivate men who wanted to act like kids.

The manager had his work cut out for him.

“Are you sure you don't mind staying over?”

Tracy gave her mother a worried look as Mason and Ethan giggled beneath a fort constructed of sheets on the sofa. Lily watched from her walker, blue eyes wide above the pink pacifier, while Chloe danced her
Frozen
princess routine for her grandmother. Everyone had eaten dinner, so there was an hour or two of calm before the chaos of baths and bedtime.

“I'll be fine. After all, I raised you and your brother, didn't I?”

“That's different,” Tracy scoffed. “Times it by two.”

“The baby already looks sleepy, and Chloe isn't far behind. Stop worrying. So where is he taking you?”

“Not sure yet. But last time I had to leave really early so my sitter could get home. I appreciate you staying.” She felt a flush of color in her face. It was one of the little details that came along with being a divorcée with small children: there were no secret sexual escapades. A night with a man meant planning, and confessing those plans to her mother.

Ick
.

“So what's going on between you two?” Thankfully, her mom wasn't focused on the sex part. “Your father and I are concerned after everything you've been through.”

“Nothing,” Tracy replied. “Connor probably just wants to be friends.”

As her mother gave her a knowing look, Tracy headed to the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She knew her mom was worried that she was getting in over her head, and that things with Connor were moving too fast, too soon. It was a conversation that she'd had with herself many times over the past few days. But as she ran the water in the tub, she reminded herself that she was determined just to have a good time. No expectations. No long-term anything.

It felt strange taking a bath instead of her usual quick shower. But she wanted to do all the girly things, like shave her legs and moisturize. There was some bath oil around somewhere, wasn't there? And where was her razor? Pushing past the kids' Honest Bubbles, she found an old jar of salts that still smelled like fresh lavender, and she spilled them liberally into the tub.

As she sank into the sweetly scented water, she couldn't suppress her pleasure as she saw her outfit hanging on the door. She'd selected a white denim skirt and flirty top that she had ordered online; thankfully, it fit perfectly.

It was nice to contemplate donning something other than sweats. She even began to daydream about jewelry…

“Mom?” a little voice came from the other side of the door. “Mom, I have to go potty.”

“Okay.” So much for glamour. Reaching for a towel, she regretfully left the warm bath.

“Now!” Ethan was already pushing the door open, his hand at his crotch.

Tracy knew the warning signals and managed to get him to the toilet before an accident occurred. Like all little boys, he tremendously enjoyed the process of spraying the inside of the toilet bowl, heedless of the fact that his mother clutched a towel around her naked body and was dripping all over the floor.

“What's that smell?” He wrinkled his nose as he pulled up his pants.

“Perfume in the tub,” Tracy said, putting his hands under the sink and helping him to wash.

“It stinks,” he said, and then wiped his hands on her towel.

“I hope all men don't feel the same way,” she said dryly as she ushered him toward the door.

But Ethan was now eyeing the bathtub.

“Can I get in, too?” He dipped his fingers into the bubbles.

“No, but you can ask Grandma to let you and Mason have a bubble bath later. Okay?”

She guided him out, closed the door, and got back into the tub. The water was cooling, so she quickly stroked one leg with the razor before she heard another voice outside.

“Chloe won't give me back my truck.”

“I'll be out in a minute.” Tracy finished the other calf in rapid succession, washed, and threw on her clothes.

There would be no elegant preparations before her date, she thought ruefully as she drained the tub. Instead she packed her makeup and jewelry in a bag, then went outside to calm the troops so she could make her escape.

“You look very pretty,” her mother said, surveying her outfit, and Tracy held a finger to her lips and gestured to the boys.

Mason wasn't a fan of her going out anywhere without him. Her mother nodded, understanding immediately, but as she tried to slip out the door, her little boy suddenly looked up.

“No!” He began to cry, his lower lip thrusting forward as he realized she was leaving. “Don't go! Don't!”