King of Diamonds (All About the Diamond #2)

end flavored chocolates, and wandered a jewelry store that only had items from estates, so nothing new and trendy, only cool pieces and some one of a kinds. We took the series 2-1 and made the hitting slump a thing of the past with ten hits or more in each of the three games. The outfielders were really working for it and held it together until game three when the Sissy’s took the win. Rick hit a grand slam in game two and a homer in game three, but it wasn’t enough.

The freeway series against the Orange County Characters was only two games and was bookended by off days, so Rick indulged me and took me to Disneyland. Walking through the amusement park while holding hands with my guy, having his arms around me on the rides, buying silly hats and matching T-shirts that point at each other with a character’s cartoon hand saying “I’m with her” and “I’m with him”—I was in heaven. We split the series, and the whirlwind continued.

The home games were refreshing. I missed my stadium. I missed our private penthouse. I missed my bed and my kitchen. None of it mattered or even came close to how important it was for me to be with him wherever he was playing. Not just for him, but for us.

Chapter Twenty-One

It’s September and we’re finally home for more than a week. I finally have time to get the laundry caught up, change the bed sheets, clean out the refrigerator, and catch up on some email I’ve been putting off. Mike with the Mic has emailed me numerous times for different things. He wants me to host karaoke at the Batter Up, so he can add another location to his list and still get a day off. He wants me to cover him, so he can go on vacation. He wants me to judge the qualifying round for the next competition. He wants me to lead eighth inning karaoke for the Seals. What? Hold on, I better read that one…

From: MikeMic

I got a special request from the San Diego Seals. Are you interested in going on field and leading eighth inning karaoke? They want to feature you because you won the contest and they'd like to do it this Saturday night. They said something about it being part of fan appreciation week. Let me know ASAP!

Mike with the Mic

I turn to Rick and show him the email. “That’s cool! You should do it and invite your Mom. Show all your baseball peeps and your Mom how good you are.”

I think about it for a few minutes. It’s an opportunity to show my Mom my “singing thing” and a chance to sing on the field. It could lead to singing the National Anthem. That’s it. I’m doing it! I send a message back to Mike.

To: MikeMic

I’m in. What song am I leading? Since I’ll be on field, is my baseball jersey acceptable?

So cool!

Thank you,

Sherry

From: MikeMic

Baseball attire is preferred as long as it’s Seals. They’re going to let the fans vote on which song you sing, but will only give them choices from the songs you sang in the finals and semifinals. I have already sent them a list of those songs. Will call has a ticket waiting for you.

Mike with the Mic

To: MikeMic

I already have a ticket to the game. I’m sitting behind home plate if you need to find me.

Sherry

I check the schedule and the game starts at 5:40 on Saturday.

Today is an off day and it’s nice to have a day at home alone together. Rick turns on the music and his arms are around me instantly. He’s holding me close and we’re dancing to “Thinking Out Loud.” There is nowhere I’d rather be and nothing else matters, it can all wait. Twenty minutes later we’re still dancing and he has the song on repeat. We aren’t talking. We aren’t kissing. He’s holding me close while we move together. He pulls back and gazes into my eyes. I don’t know what he sees, but it makes him happy and I feel a change in his body. No words pass between us. He turns the volume up loud, picks me up, and takes me to bed in the middle of the afternoon. He’s different this afternoon, its good different and I didn’t think that was possible. I mean, how could he possibly get better? We lie on the bed together and he starts to kiss me tenderly. He rolls me underneath him and kisses my neck. He cups my head, holding me where he wants to kiss me and slowly pushes into me, burying himself a little at a time. He feels amazing.

He gazes into my eyes as he strokes into me deeply and deliberately. “Do you know how much I love you, my queen?” He already has me rendered speechless with his movements. “I love you more than anyone else in the world. I truly would do anything for you. I want to make you happy and I want to make your life easy. I want to be with you every minute of every day. I want to give you everything. I can’t imagine my life without you in it, and I don’t want to.” Still moving at a steady, even pace, and driving me out of my mind. “When I look at you, I see forever.”

I whimper as tears roll down my face and I’m unable to put words together. I pull his face to mine, so I can kiss him because it’s the only way I can respond to his words right now. I rub his head and play with his hair lovingly. I do my best to convey my feelings for him without words and he gets it. His heart is pounding and it’s not from exertion, since he continues his slow deliberate pace. The friction building is driving me out of my mind. Our connection is strong and growing as we become more