Free Stealing His Heart (The Kingston Heat Series) by Ella Jade Page B

and ragged as he closed his eyes. “Damn,” he muttered.
    She’d just made Paxton Hughes, the starting pitcher of the Crusher, lose control. Maggie was never going to believe what she had done with such a hunk. The prudish music teacher had finally come into her own. Their little couch romp had her feeling bold.
    “Remember when you asked me if I was planning on leaving with just any guy that night in the bar?”
    “Yeah.” He opened one eye and waited for her to respond.
    “It wasn’t any guy I was there for.” She pressed her lips to his. “It was you.”
    “Good,” he answered, with another kiss. “For the record, there was no way I was letting you leave with anyone other than me.”
     

Chapter 9
     
    Sophia came home from a long but rewarding day of teaching. The more time she spent at the school the more she hoped they would be able to fund a music program. She enjoyed going to work every day with Maggie and her other colleagues, but she wanted to teach music on a full-time basis. She hoped it would be at Hemingway Academy.
    When she placed her keys on the hook by the front door she noticed a package addressed to her. She picked it up and walked over to the couch with it. Slipping off her shoes, she plopped down and opened the box. There was a note on top of some flat tissue paper.
    Sophie,
    No one had called her that in years, but she liked when he did.
    I’m hoping I’ll see you and your dad in the stands tomorrow night.
    Pax
    She separated the tissue paper and found two tickets for tomorrow night’s game. The seats were awesome. Right behind home plate. The perfect place to watch the pitcher. Under the tickets was a team jersey. When she pulled it from the package, it looked as if it was the right fit for her. She turned it over and saw Pax’s last name and number on the back. She’d wear it with pride. She missed him too.
    * * * *
    The game had started out strong. How could it not? Pax was pitching.
    Soph giggled to herself when he took the mound and tipped his hat to her. It was exciting that he could see her too.
    “Don’t you make him lose focus,” her father said. “He has a job to do.”
    “I’m not doing anything.” She shrugged. “He’s doing great.”
    “He only has a few more pitches left in him. Don’t wave to him. You’ll make him lose the lead.”
    “Papa, can you be quiet and enjoy these really cool seats?” In all the years they had been coming to the games, they never imagined they would sit so close to the plate.
    “Want a cotton candy?” Her father was a traditionalist. Every time they went to a game, he bought her cotton candy.
    “Sure. Pink, please.”
    “What else would I get you?” He waved over the man selling the sugary candy. “One pink one, please.”
    “Thanks for coming with me tonight.” She hugged him because she was glad to be sharing this experience with him. “Can you believe we’re sitting this close to the field?”
    “I never thought I’d see the game up close and personal. I guess you dating the pitcher has its advantages.” He shook his head. “He treats you right?”
    “Papa?”
    Her father had always been on the protective side. Being so shy in high school, she’d never given him much reason to worry. Most of the guys she brought home were friends. She never stayed out past curfew, and even in college she didn’t go wild and drink and party. It wasn’t in her personality. She’d always been straight-laced, a good kid who did what she was supposed to do.
    “I want to know.”
    “We haven’t seen one another that often. He’s not around much if you haven’t noticed.”
    “You like him.”
    “I do.” Her cheeks burned when she thought about that night on his couch. She hoped there would be more of that.
    “As long as you’re having a good time then that’s all that matters.”
    “What? No lecture on how deceptive and manipulative men can be when they want something?”
    “You’re an adult now. I can’t tell you who