I don’t have a clue.

  “Thank you. Excuse me, sir. I’ve got a game to win.”

  He lifted a brow. “She watching?”

  I grinned and showed him the picture she’d sent me. “Yep.”

  “Alright, go get ‘em.”

  Get ‘em we did.

  The first inning didn’t look like much. Calvin started out rusty, giving them two runs. A homer and one that got in from an error on my part.

  That pissed me off, and nothing else got by me.

  If it was over my head, I caught it.

  At my feet, I caught it.

  Once I had to practically lay in the dirt with my big toe on base, but I caught it.

  For them. Those who perished and those who escaped.

  And when I knocked a dinger over the wall… that one was for her.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Eliana

  I didn’t know how it was for most people, but for me, when I slept, a bomb could go off, and I wouldn’t wake. It had been that way all my life. I slept like I was in a coma. I didn’t dream or have nightmares — usually.

  I’d lived through nightmares though. I was grateful those deep internal memories didn’t play in my mind on repeat too often.

  Sometimes, I woke up from sleep with a jolt, even when I wasn’t sure what had startled me. On the rare occasions I did dream, I’d end up bolt upright in a panic, going from a deep sleep to full wakefulness so quickly my body and brain had no time to process it.

  But those times were better than when I became stuck in the darkness, attempting to claw my way back to reality. Then, by the time I finally woke, enough internal chemicals had flooded my system that my fight or flight response was in full gear.

  Like now.

  Even as I knew I needed to wake up, my eyes wouldn’t open, and I remained lost in the darkness. No, the fire. The heat. The smell. The pain of choking on the acrid smoke.

  As I fought my way through the smoke, my fists pounded into something solid, and pain shot through my hands. I screamed as someone grabbed me, tight vices encircling my arms.

  “Eliana, it’s me. It’s okay.”

  A voice cut through the chaos in my head, and my terror escalated.

  I opened my eyes, but could still see nothing but a dark shape hovering over me. He was coming to get me, of that I was sure. Just as he came to get Mamaw and Papaw. I was next…

  “Eliana!”

  Strong arms wrapped around me and I found myself pinned against a solid chest. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. My head was pounding as the blood from my racing heart surged through it.

  “Please don’t hurt me,” came a small whimper and I knew it was from me.

  “Shh, baby. Eliana, it’s okay. Shh. It’s Kane. I’m here now. Everything will be okay.”

  The voice was deep and familiar, and the quiet words began to penetrate my panic. When I shuddered in his arms, and my teeth began to chatter, a warm blanket was pulled over me.

  “I’ve got you.”

  I began to calm. Began to warm as the truth of his words brought light to the dark place I’d been lost in.

  “Kane?”

  I hadn’t realized how terribly tense he had been until he relaxed when I said his name. His hold on me loosened, and I pulled back, looking up at him, almost afraid of what I’d see.

  Would he think I was weak for allowing my subconscious to take over so completely? Would he pity me? Think I was crazy?

  I could see none of that in his face. Worry, yes, but there was also compassion. He kissed my forehead and pushed my hair out of my face. “It’s me, baby. I’m here. Everything’s okay. Breathe with me.”

  Clutching him, I focused on slowing my breath until it was even with his. As I did, my heart rate slowed too, though not as slow as the one beating under my ear. The sound was soothing. An indication of life, and I found myself relaxing against him.

  “I’m sorry,” I said.

  “For what?”

  “It’s been a long day, and you didn’t need to come home to this mess in your bed.”

  He lifted my chin until I was forced to meet his eyes. “I happen to like the mess in my bed. And I’m worried about what happened. Want to talk about it?”

  I didn’t but knew I owed him an explanation.

  “Remember when I told you about my grandparents dying in a fire?”

  He nodded.

  “I was there, but I was able to get out.” I swallowed hard. “They didn’t.”

  “Baby, I’m so sorry.”

  “I don’t dream about it much anymore, but I guess the fire today triggered it. And not being able to find Zoe. And my neighbors. They…” I shuddered as I thought of the elderly couple who hadn’t been able to get out in time.

  “Shhh. It was a terrible thing.”

  “Thank you for being so understanding, and for letting me and Zoe hang out here until we figure things out.”

  He grinned. “Any self-respecting fiancé would do the same.”

  “Fake fiancé,” I reminded him and the grin faded.

  “Yeah, that.”

  I cleared my throat. “Congratulations on the big win. You were amazing. How did you catch the ball in the dirt like that?”

  He wiggled his eyebrows. “Skill, baby.” He laughed. “Actually, that was just plain old luck. No way should I have been able to reach that.”

  I sat up. “It was so exciting. The ball landed in your glove just milliseconds before that batter guy touched the base. You wouldn’t believe how many times they played the rerun, looking at the timing and zooming in to see if your shoe was on the base.”

  “Cleat.”

  “Huh?”

  He grinned and brushed his lips over my hair. “I’ll show you sometime. Ready to get more sleep?”

  I nodded and patted the bed beside me. “You?”

  “Let me take a quick shower and wash off some dirt. I didn’t take the time at the stadium. Be right back.”

  He stood up and began to strip on the way to the bathroom. Hoodie, t-shirt, basketball shorts were all tossed into a hamper in the corner, most of them making it.

  Desire stirred, which came as a surprise since I was still sore and had just gone through such a traumatic experience. As the water to the shower turned on, I realized I didn’t care about any of that.

  I wanted him. Or at least to be close to him and the comfort he provided.

  Pushing through the door, I leaned against the jam, admiring Kane’s fine body through the glass shower.

  Be brave.

  Pulling his t-shirt over my head, I pushed my panties down my legs and walked closer, my heart picking up speed. Did he want this too?

  My question was answered as he turned when I opened the door, shampoo in his hair. His eyes moved slowly down my body, and his cock jumped and began to fill. I felt beautiful and sexy at his immediate reaction.

  “May I?”

  “Please.”

  He turned another knob and a second shower head opened, raining down enough water for us both. “Smart.”

  He grinned and turned another one. I jumped when a stream hit me in the butt. He turned me around until I was facing it. It hit me there.

  “Ooohhh… I like this one.”

  “Are you still sore?” he asked, pressing against my back, his soapy hands on my breasts.

  “No,” I lied.

  He moved his hands lower, and I couldn’t contain the hiss that escaped at his touch. He chuckled. “That’s what I thought. Let me finish my shower, and I’ve got an idea.”

  The stream of water was hitting me just right, so I wasn’t in any big hurry. “Take your time.”

  He laughed. “Or you could just stand there and take care of yourself.”

  I looked over my shoulder, giving him a flirty smile. “Can I have both?”

  “Absolutely. Just let me watch.”

  He squirted body wash into his palm and started washing himself, his hands gliding over his arms and chest. I turned, and my jaw dropped as he soaped up his abs.

  “Can I do your back?”

  His green eyes seemed to glow, but he said nothing, just handed me the gel, and turned to give me access.

  “It’s amazing how strong you are,” I said as my hand smoothed the soap down his spine and then across his muscles, following the peaks and valleys. “And not just physically strong. You’re emotionally and mentally strong too.”

  Massaging the soap into the tight muscles of his shoulders, I smiled when he moaned with pleasure. Working his shoulder muscles, I massaged down his arms and to his fingertips, even cleaning the dirt from under his nails.

  Kneeling, I washed his legs, moving in circles down to his feet. Standing again, I asked him to turn around. He did, and I squirted more soap in my hand and cleaned his neck, his chest, the ridges of his abs. Moving lower, I watched his face as I took him between my hands.

  His head fell back onto his shoulders as I stroked him. Moving lower still, I ran my fingers over his balls, feeling them move within their sack, before moving back farther and cleaning his perineum, all the way to his ass.

  His head popped up, and his eyes opened. “Whoa there…”

  “Shhhh,” I soothed and circled a soapy finger around his anus.

  “Eliana…”

  It was a warning, true, but also a moan.

  With one hand, I tightened my grip on his cock. With the other, I slipped a finger into his body.

  “Oh shit… El… damn… Iana… fuck.”

  “I’m massaging your prostate,” I explained somewhat clinically as I turned my finger to find it… there. “It’s for your health.”

  His hand was in my hair, and his body began to tremble. “Fuck, what are you doing to me?”

  I smiled and stroked faster, pressing onto that internal gland that I heard would drive a man crazy. “I’m making you come — hard.”

  And he did. Magnificently.

  He cursed and tightened his hand in my hair as thick ropes of his cum shot out in long streams. Watching his face was like watching the mystery of human emotion unravel. He was panting as he nearly shouted. “That’s not fair.”

  I smiled up at him as I poured more gel onto my hands, cleaning them well. “It’s like a magic button, isn’t it?”

  “Fuck yeah. Shit.” He was still panting, the words coming out in harsh gasps. “How did you learn to do that?”

  I snickered. “YouTube, of course. That was actually my first time. Worked even better than expected.”

  “Wh-what?” he sputtered. “I was your prostate guinea pig?” He was still panting, but he also was looking sheepish, a little embarrassed.

  “Yep.”

  He lifted a brow. “So does this mean turn-about is fair play? Do I get some ass play too?”

  “No!” I nearly shouted and held up a finger. “Little.” I pointed to his now limp cock. “Big.” I snickered again. “Usually.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “A hundred bucks says you’ll end up loving it.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest. “No. I have three holes. You can play with two. Get over it.”

  He hummed the chorus of “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad,” and I rolled my eyes.

  This was fun. We were bickering like we’d been together forever, and the playful back and forth warmed my heart. And other places.

  “By the way, I seem to remember you telling me that you had a trick to soothe my sore lady parts.”

  He turned off all the showers. “Yes, I do. Dry off and get in bed.”

  I did what I was told, not even bristling at being ordered around. I actually kind of liked it, him taking charge.

  When he came out of the bathroom, still completely nude, he walked past the bed and out the door. I gasped, hoping Zoe was fast asleep. Apparently, she was because there was no scream, and he was back a few minutes later, some amber drink in his hand.

  “Is that the plan? To get me drunk so I don’t feel anything?” I teased.

  He didn’t even smile. “Spread your legs.”

  Oh my. He looked so serious, I immediately did as he said, grateful for the waxing as he stared at my sex for several long moments.

  “So pretty.”

  I squirmed under his gaze, and he took a long drink from his glass. Kneeling at the foot of the bed, he wrapped his hands around my calves and pulled me down until my ass was nearly hanging over the side, my legs over his shoulders.

  I closed my eyes but opened them again when I heard a clink. Seconds later, he was tracing an ice cube over my belly. It traveled lower, over my clit and down my sex. When he replaced the cold with the heat of his mouth, I came unraveled.

  Cold.

  Hot.

  He repeated this process until I was out of my mind with need. He took me to the brink several times, but wouldn’t let me fall.

  “Please,” I begged, my hands twisted in the sheets.

  Cold.

  “Please what, baby?”

  Hot.

  “Please let me come.”

  Cold.

  Hot.

  When he used his mouth the last time, he didn’t stop until I soared.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Kane

  I’d hoped a night of sleep would bring some sort of clarity to the morning. It hadn’t. Just a headache from too little rest, and the two glasses of whiskey I’d drank on an empty stomach watching Eliana sleep.

  We had an afternoon game today to accommodate a bunch of kids on a field trip, and I needed to be at the field early for pregame practice. It was eight now, just enough time to hydrate and wash the stink of alcohol off me. Easing from the bed, I headed to the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee.

  Glad I’d thrown on shorts and a t-shirt, I found Zoe at the kitchen bar, sipping from a freshly brewed cup. Her hair was wild, and she looked embarrassed as I caught her nibbling on a protein bar, her nose in a thick book.

  “Sorry. I hope it was okay that I scrounged around your kitchen.”

  “Scrounge away,” I said as I poured a cup for myself. “Seriously, make yourself at home. I’ll give you all some money before I leave, and you can hit the grocery and stock us up on whatever you want. I usually drink a protein shake in the morning and then eat out the rest of the day. The cupboards are pretty bare around here.”

  She grinned. “Yeah, they are, but you don’t have to pay—”

  “Hush it. This is my treat. Please accept it.”

  Her eyes grew watery. “Thank you.”

  “And quit thanking me. I’m just glad the two of you are okay. Stay here as long as you need. I have tons of room.”

  Taking my coffee with me, she stopped me with a hand on my arm. “She really likes you, you know. I mean, all this is fake, I realize that. She told me in confidence all that’s been happening. But she really likes you. I just hope she isn’t hurt too badly when it’s all over.”

  Turning to face her more fully, I smiled down into dark chocolate eyes, and the ringlets of curls spiraling everywhere. “I like her too. It’s complicated. She wasn’t looking for anyone. I wasn’t looking for anyone. Crazy circumstances tossed us together, so I think we’re both trying to process it all.”

  She smiled gently. “I know. You’re a good person. I hope you don’t end up hurt either.”

  I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so I just nodded and headed to the shower. I turned it on full blast and icy cold, willing it to wake me up.

  Standing there with shampoo in my hair, I couldn’t help but think about the surprise I’d felt when Eliana stuck her damn finger in my ass. Not at all what I’d expected. And it only showed me a new layer to her personality. She might be all sweetness on the outside, but my little Eliana had a very naughty and very determined side dwelling deep under that sugar-and-spice exterior.

  It was intriguing. And, holy fuck, I’d never come so hard. She was right. Magic button, indeed.

  After the cold shower had me wide awake, I dressed in shorts and a hoodie before taking out my wallet and tossing down five hundred dollars. I was in the middle of scribbling Eliana a note, when she stretched and those blue eyes popped open. She smiled, looking all warm and sleepy, and it was an effort not to crawl back into bed.

  “Where’re you going?” she asked through a huge yawn.

  “Game at one. Want to come? I’ll leave tickets if you do, just give me a heads up.”

  “Yeah, I think I might like watching you in real life and not on the screen.”

  I bent down and kissed the tip of her nose. “Good. Bring Zoe too if she wants to get out. And I’ve left some money on the table. If you don’t mind, hit the grocery and stock up on whatever you all want. I’ll need to get you an AmEx card, and…”

  Shit.

  Now I’m giving her a credit card?

  I met her baby blues. Yes, I guess I was.

  “I’ll hit the bank later if that’s not enough,” I finished lamely.

  Rising onto an elbow, she looked over at the five crisp bills. “I think I can manage to go grocery shopping on that.” She smirked. “Thanks, dear.”

  I couldn’t resist kissing her again, this time on those sleep-softened lips. “You’re welcome, dear. I’m off to work now so I can earn some more bacon for you to fry up.”

  She batted her lashes. “I’m so lucky to be fake marrying such a good provider. I’ll be barefoot in the kitchen when you get back.”

  I slapped her on the ass and thumped my chest. “Is good. You cook. Me eat.” She laughed, and the musical quality went straight to my scrotum, giving my balls a little stir. “See you at one.”

  Back in the kitchen, Zoe was gone, so I grabbed a protein bar and bottle of water and headed out. I looked expectantly at Joey and his newspapers when I pushed through the door and strode onto the sidewalk, but he just raised his hands, palms up. “Looks like you’ve been a good boy. This job just ain’t going to be as much fun.”

  I shot him a little salute. “Don’t worry. I’m sure the snakes will find something to lie about.”

  He snorted. “Yeah. No kidding. Let ‘em write about how the Beasts won the series, ya hear me?”

  I stuck my aviators on my face and pulled my ballcap low. It was going to be a beautiful day. “Loud and clear.”