Slade squinted at her, seeing her in a whole new light. "You never told me that."
"I'd forgotten about it. I only played for one season. I think I remember how to bat." She gave him a teasing glimpse of skin when she stretched her arms over her head and then settled into a batter's stance at the plate.
Desire pounded through his blood as he moved closer. How could he get through the rest of the visit without touching her? "Too bad you know how to play."
She paused mid-swing, then rested the bat on her shoulder. Surprise colored her features. "Why?"
"If you didn't, I could do this." His arms covered hers, his hands cupped hers and he drew her back against his chest. "And use the excuse of showing you how to bat."
She turned her head and her perfume tempted him to lean in closer. "Why don't we pretend I need a refresher?"
Her soft lips brushed his jaw. Slade bent and hovered, taking in her features, the elegant brows, bewitching eyes, the slope of her nose and parted lips. "I think you're the one who's got the moves."
The desire to kiss her urged him forward. His lips closed over hers and his hand skimmed her silky skin, on a lingering journey from her hand to her cheek. A sigh escaped her lips. Her arms lowered and the bat hit the ground with a soft thud. Savanna shifted, angling her body toward him. Long, delicate fingers gripped his biceps.
"Hey you two, not in front of the kids." Adam's teasing voice carried from the pitcher's mound.
Slade tightened his grip and Savanna's lips curved against his. Then he lowered his arms and stepped away from her inviting heat. "Your stance looks good from where I'm standing."
"Your opinion might be slightly biased, but I'll take it." She picked up the bat and readied for Adam's pitch. Her Riptide T-shirt skimmed her curves and Slade's hands itched to get under it. Instead, he focused on her stance.
A strong, level swing, but she swung too early every time. "Take a step back. You're crowding the plate." He demonstrated, pleased when her next swing connected with the ball and it sailed toward Dom at center field. Dom made an exaggerated diving catch that cracked up the kids.
She glanced at her watch. "And on that note, it's time for us to get back."
Bedlam reigned as the kids gathered their things and made their goodbyes. Mason hugged Slade tight, and Slade promised to visit soon.
Soft fingers touched the back of his arm and Slade turned. Savanna held out her hand, offering a professional handshake as if they hadn't kissed in front of the kids already. "Thank you for making Mason's wish come true."
He brushed his hands up her arms, the caress quick, but burning into his fingertips. "I don't think I'll get to see you before we leave for our road trip on Thursday. We'll be gone for thirteen days, and then right back here with four home games."
Some of the light faded from her gaze. "So, three weeks then?"
"Three weeks." Which would feel like forever. The two weeks' wait between dates one and two had been tough. The ten days between their rock climbing adventure and today hadn't been much easier.
She linked their fingers together. "Call me from the road."
"I will." Too many pairs of curious eyes prevented him from giving her anything more than a quick hug. He pulled back, unsatisfied, and strangely, missing her already.
Being with her soothed him on a cellular level. He couldn't explain it. In the short time they'd known each other, she'd become necessary, like a drug he'd gotten addicted to after taking only one hit. He didn't know what would happen if she threw him into a sudden detox.
CHAPTER TEN
CLAIRE
CLAIRE ADJUSTED HER hold on the garment bags containing her and Liam's costumes and slowed her pace to match his plodding progress with the crutches. They navigated through the halls of Children's Hospital, having completed a successful visit. "Those kids loved the plush versions of Fin and Fiona."
Nodding, he concentrated on his path. "It's pretty cool seeing the stuffed animal of your character, isn't it?"
The Fiona merchandise, T-shirts and the plush animal, had arrived at the ballpark's fan shop right after Fin's birthday. Claire had purchased one of everything. "I liked how the last girl we saw asked why the stuffed version of Fin didn't have a cast."
He grunted and stopped to let a group of visitors pass. "One week to go until I can ditch this cast. I'm so ready. Showering is tough, not banging into things is tough. Not being able to carry a cup of coffee to the balcony is tough. I can't wait to be fully mobile."
They stepped outside into the late afternoon sunlight. She followed Liam to his car and laid his garment bag across his backseat. "Do you have plans tonight?"
"Just a regular Friday night of watching the game and having a beer. The guys play tonight at seven." He cocked his head to one side and a sly grin curved his lips. "So... Do you want to watch the game with me? It's good to keep an eye on what the other mascots in the league are doing. The guys will bring me back scouting reports though, if you want to do something else."
"Wait, scouting reports? Are you being serious or is this another joke?"
His eyes crinkled with his smile. "Not long, detailed handwritten notes, but they'll text me with the gist of the mascots' moves. We need to stay competitive."
"You do take this seriously."
"The fans pay a lot for tickets. They deserve the best performance we can give them."
She couldn't fault him there. "I'd love to watch the game with you."
He shifted closer,
