Free The Baller's Baby by Cristina Grenier Page B

not the only one who's got their A-game going on tonight.” Cole laughed, as he drew her down into an embrace. Just as their mouths touched, Cole filled her to the hilt, swallowing her pleasure and fueling their lovemaking as they spent the remainder of the darkness expressing a passionate love that only action could adequately demonstrate.
                                                                          ***
    The weeks were flying by, each day bringing a new level of realization to the new couple that things were getting serious. Stacey and Cole split the shower one morning, each facing a full day of work. Cole had an interview to get done and wrapped up before he did a photo shoot for a sports drink company and then he had conditioning before tip-off at 8pm. He was dressed and heading out the door as Stacey stepped from the shower. She'd tested the limits of his endurance and stamina the night before and still, seeing her naked, glistening body, made him ache to have her all over again. “Kiss me so I can get out of here before I need to take you again.”
    “Just don't beat this incredible body up too much. I don't need nearly as much recovery time as you,” Stacey grinned. “I'll see you at tip-off.”
    “That's a promise.”
    “Bet your sweet ass it is.”
                                                                          ***
    Stacey swung by the office, printed out the new contracts she needed for her other players, checked any messages that hadn't come to her phone, answered several emails including one from an overseas firm and then headed out to run some errands before she had to get home to dress for the game. She knew that wearing Cole's jersey would be a major career killer, but she tucked a handkerchief with his number on it into her jeans, leaving the corner hanging past her pocket to adorn her hip. She dressed in a white fitted tank top with a burgundy and ivory color print cardigan. Pairing it with dark blue jeans and a sexy flat, Stacey spent more time on her hair than she had in recent months, styling it in a way that flattered her face and left her neck bare. She wore simply diamond studs and a pearl necklace, and threw on her leather jacket to ward off the damp chill that came with weather in the first weeks of November.
    Stacey made herself comfortable behind the Rockets side of the bleachers. She was two rows back, wearing her manager's pass Cole's contract had secured for her. Her soda and pretzel in hand, Stacey waited anxiously for the bleachers to fill up. By ten minutes until game time, the stadium at the Bixby Center was slammed with people who were either there to see the Rockets prevail, or get stomped on. She obviously hoped for a good outcome, but more importantly for Cole to play well.
    As the players took to the court, Stacey easily found Cole in the lineup. He didn't seek her out, nor had she expected him to. Nonetheless, she couldn't ignore the element of sexual energy that buzzed through her simply from being near him, from watching him play. Game two for Cole started off hot and heavy with the Legends running a full court press against the Rockets to wear down their offense. Cole had two layup's that scored the first of the Rockets sixteen points in the first half. He scored another four when he was fouled twice. Stacey could honestly say that the extra practice coupled with the fact that he actually seemed to care now, was doing wonders for his game. She could definitely see the NBA picking him up if he kept up this level of play.
    Halftime took forever as Stacey waited for the second half to start. Both teams were entrenched in a massive battle for standings as their teams worked to out shoot and out score their opponents. Finally when the teams came back on the floor, Stacey saw the man she'd come to see. More than a manager, Stacey was