people off. I think it’s priced a bit high. I think it might go soon. There’s a woman in town that has been seriously considering putting in an offer. So if you’re interested you should probably get an offer in before she does. And I know of a bank that will push your financing through quickly.”
He nodded. If the agent knew who he was, she wasn’t giving any indication. Financing really wasn’t an issue, as long as Kel wanted the house. But this was a big decision. Buying a house in Austell meant that he was about to begin his life after baseball-and he’d begin that life living just a few miles from Darcy Scott.
“Let’s put together an offer,” Kel said. “Offer the asking price, no contingencies.”
The agent gasped. “None? What about financing?”
He shook his head. “I can pay cash,” Kel said. “I’m just going to walk through once more, if you don’t mind.”
Dumbstruck, the agent shook his hand and Kel walked back through the house to the living room. Maybe he was being too optimistic, but he was sure that he could find here the peace and quiet he’d always craved.
Kel wandered down the hall to the master bedroom. He tried to imagine it freshly painted and decorated, furnished with a comfortable bed. He could see the two them, snuggled in bed on a Sunday morning. He’d make breakfast for them and they’d spend the day reading the paper and making slow, sweet love. Kel paused and shook his head. Funny how the image automatically included Darcy. Since when had she become a permanent part of his future?
As he walked through the other bedrooms he thought about a family. He’d always known that marriage and kids wouldn’t have been a smart choice as long as he was playing-not that over the years he’d ever found a woman he wanted to marry. His baseball career had occupied so much of his energy, he hadn’t had a lot left over to share. But he had more time now, time to find the right person.
Kel headed to the front door and walked outside, taking one last look at the facade of the house. He could be happy here, with or without Darcy. But with her would be much better, he mused.
As he pulled out of the driveway, Kel glanced at the clock on the dashboard. Darcy had left his room this morning just after dawn. They’d spend the past three nights together in the same bed. Of course she’d be the first woman to come to mind when imagining his future here.
Kel turned the car towards The Delaford, then remembered his original reason for driving into town. “Damn,” he muttered. Condoms. He usually carried an adequate supply of them, but he and Darcy had been going through at least three or four a day. By all rights, he should have been exhausted. But Kel felt like a guy at the top of his game. Life had never been better.
He’d seen a Price Mart store on the highway just outside of town and headed back to it. Kel parked the car in the busy lot, then reached into the backseat for a baseball cap. He pulled the brim low, hoping his sunglasses and the cap would obscure his identity. Had he been shopping for a toaster, he might not have been so concerned, but condoms were a different matter.
Soft music played in the background as Kel walked past the elderly man who greeted him at the door. He went directly to the pharmacy and searched the shelves, but eventually was forced to ask the pharmacist. The man gave him an odd look, as if he might recognize him, then pointed Kel to the correct aisle.
As Kel studied the selection, he found the absurdity of the situation amusing. It took him back to the days of his youth, sneaking around, trying to hide what he was doing with his high school girlfriend. Still, that wasn’t far off. With Darcy, everything seemed so new and exciting. When she touched him, he felt exactly the way he had when he was seventeen and he’d first experienced a woman’s body.
How long would that last between them? Would the thrill eventually wear off, or could he count on it to endure for a lifetime? Kel had never considered inviting a woman into his future, but he could imagine inviting Darcy.
He drew a deep breath, then reached out and grabbed his usual brand. And the last moment, he took an extra box, one that promised “increased pleasure” for his partner.
When he got to the checkout, he grabbed cash from his wallet, intending to rush through as quickly as possible. But a young mother with a cartload of disposable diapers stood in front of him, searching her purse for coupons. He glanced over at the adjoining checkout line, then groaned inwardly.
The woman standing in that lane worked at The Delaford. He recognized her from her occasional stints behind the front desk. Amanda, if he recalled correctly. Her gaze fell to the boxes he clutched in his hands, her eyebrow quirking up in amusement.
Kel turned away and dropped the boxes on the conveyor. He managed to make it through the checkout process without anyone else recognizing him, but Amanda was waiting for him once he’d collected his purchases.
“Big night planned?” she asked.
“How is that your business?”
“I’m Darcy’s friend.” She held out her hand. “Amanda Taylor. Don’t bother introducing yourself. I’ve heard all about you.”
“You have?” he said, shaking her hand.
“Would you like to grab some lunch, maybe have a little chat?”
Kel shrugged, then followed Amanda to the lunch counter located near the exit. She bought two hot dogs with the works, then handed him one, before settling at a small table in the corner of the cafe.
“Thanks,” Kel said.
She nodded as she took a bite of the hot dog. “So, Mr. Baseball, what are your intentions regarding Darcy? I mean, I know you two plan to have as much sex as possible until you leave. She told me that. But beyond the sex, what are you thinking about?”
“You and Darcy talk about me?” Kel murmured.
“We’re
“And what does she say about me?” he asked. “How does
Amanda leveled him a look. “You want me to rate your performance in the bedroom?”
“No!” Kel said. “Well, not unless you feel qualified. I mean, if Darcy has made comments, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to know.” He shook his head, cursing softly. “No, I don’t want to know about my performance. But I would like to know how she feels about me.”
Amanda leaned forward, bracing her arms on the table. “I’m not sure I should get involved.”
“Hey, you’re the one who invited me to lunch,” he countered.
Amanda took another bite of her hot dog, studying him. “I don’t think Darcy knows what she wants. And having wild, fantastic, mind-numbing sex every night isn’t going to help her figure it out. Maybe you ought to give her a little space.”
Mind-numbing? Were those her words or Darcy’s, Kel wondered. “I suppose I could do that,” he said.
After all, he’d already decided to buy the property on the lake. That meant their relationship wouldn’t necessarily end in a few days. There’d be nothing to stop him from playing a quick round of golf at The Delaford now and then. And while he was there, he’d stop by and visit with Darcy. “But it’s difficult to stay away from her,” he added.
“Why is that?”
“Because I really enjoy being with her. And it’s not just the sex, because if it were necessary, I could do without that, at least for a while. I just like talking to her and looking at her and holding her hand.”
“You’re not falling in love, are you?” Amanda asked.
“No!” Kel said. But as soon as he answered, he realized that wasn’t entirely true. “I don’t know. It’s kind of difficult to tell since I’ve never felt this way before. I’m usually…in control.”
Amanda sent him a wary look, then grabbed her shopping bag and stood. “I want you to know that if you hurt her, I’ll break both of your arms. Not personally, but I know some guys who could. So watch yourself.”
“I will,” Kel said, certain that Darcy’s friend didn’t make empty threats.
“Somebody has to watch out for her,” she muttered.
Kel nodded as he watched Amanda walk out of the store. Someday, maybe he’d get to be that person. But if he was going to fall in love, it certainly wouldn’t happen after just a few days with a woman. Even he knew that it took a lot longer than that.
DARCY TURNED off her desk light and quickly tidied the files she’d been reviewing. She’d spent the entire day in her office, trying to keep her mind on work and failing miserably. Her father was due to arrive in a few days and
