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Dalton steps forward, backing me against the door. His clean scent encapsulates me and smells like temptations and memories. He presses a hand into the wood panel above me, leaning in farther. I’m not quite caged in—there’s enough distance between our bodies for me to slip away—but my restraint weakens as heat licks my core and shivers race down my spine.
“Cassie.” My name is a whispered plea on his tongue. The back of his fingers brush against my cheek ever so lightly, and holy moly, that touch conjures every intimate moment we shared as memories slam into me. Like how my heart raced when his lips touched mine for the first time. Or the wetness between my legs when he walked into his bedroom wearing nothing but a towel—like what’s happening now. Or the slight pinch of pain followed by a fullness when our bodies joined in a way meant for two people. Summer lust or summer love? The answer doesn’t matter because the feelings were very real.
There’s so much I want to say, but his intense stare has me so tongue-tied I can’t think straight. Desire may spark in his eyes, but it’s at war with the anger radiating off his body. No doubt, the unspoken question as to why I ghosted him weighs heavily between us.
If only I could explain that my only goal was to avoid this exact scenario—him and me together in front of my dad. If Dad witnesses even the slightest fraction of attraction between Dalton and me, he will end Dalton’s baseball career. Whatever we felt toward each other had to be put on pause. Dad will never approve of him. He may stand at the pulpit and preach about being nonjudgmental, but Dalton’s the exact type of guy he judges. Tattoos and bad attitudes feed my father’s prejudices. It wouldn’t matter the cause behind said attitude. My dad is the most judgmental person I know. Once I learned Dalton’s desire to play college baseball, I knew I wouldn’t be good for him. I knew the harm Dad could bring. And I knew one summer was all we could have.
“I found you.” Dalton’s breathy voice pulls me back to the present—back to him. But something’s off. His gentle touch doesn’t match his defensive stance.
“You don’t look happy,” I say.
A pained look flashes in his eyes as he battles the demons haunting him. This is all my fault. If only he knew why. His gaze dips to my lips as if he wants to kiss me, but his body is stiff. It’s as if he’s preparing for war—a battle he feels the need to fight. I struggle for the right words to defuse the bomb. But what I really want him to do is close the small gap separating us and claim my mouth. I’ve missed the feel of his lips on mine. I’ve missed the dominating way about him that made me feel special.
I’ve missedhim.
A small bark followed by nails scraping against wood alerts us to Bellow racing back down the hallway. Dalton heeds the warning and backs away a moment before Dad comes into view.
My back stiffens at the way Dad’s narrowed eyes take in Dalton’s proximity.
“Am I going to have to send you packing?” Dad asks.
“No, sir. I was just heading to my room.”
Dad’s lips tighten to a thin line as he peers at Dalton. It feels as if an eternity passes before he speaks. And when he does, his tone holds more warning than the actual words. “Don’t parade around in a towel.” Then his gaze snaps to me. “Either one of you.”
I want to die from mortification. My cheeks flame. I can’t remember a time I’ve ever been this humiliated.
“Sorry, sir. I’m not used to a lady being present. It won’t happen again.” Dalton nods and steps to his door. He doesn’t look back as the door shuts behind his tall frame.
Dad stares straight at me. “Don’t make me regret my decision.”
“I won’t. Bellow had knocked me off balance. Nothing more.”
Dad’s nostrils flare. “If you need to switch rooms with me—”
“Dad, it’s fine. You wouldn’t be comfortable in my bed. Your back would scream at you after the first night.”
His jaw clenches, but he concedes and stalks down the hallway without another word.
Who would have thought I’d be so grateful for not having an orthopedic mattress? But here I am feeling exactly that. I glance at Dalton’s door.
How on earth is this going to work?
Chapter Five
DALTON
Peering out the windshield,I take in the freshly chalked turf. For a small town, the ballpark is rather impressive. Green paint coats the exterior, and I can admire the nostalgia from this vantage point. Everything from the wooden structure to the uncomfortable as hell bleachers places the timestamp at the early nineteen hundreds. But it’s too well preserved for that. Maybe it’s a replica? Regardless, I’m impressed.
“Surprised?” Coach asks as he places the truck in park.
“I didn’t expect the stadium to look so authentic.” This is my third summer playing collegiate ball. I expected the same rundown, half-assed grounds keeping as the rest of the stadiums where I’ve played. “It’s really nice.”
His eyes fill with pride from my statement. “We’ve worked hard to keep this site relevant.”
“I look forward to playing in it.”
He eyes me for a beat, his face revealing a hint of surprise as if the thought of me admiring something other than myself was unheard of. I bite back a sigh. He’s hard to read, but it’s obvious this man formed an opinion of me. And it’s anything but flattering.
