Player Loves Curves Box Set #4-6 by Hope Ford
Serenity
Sexy Dusty Burgesssays he’ll be back to make sure I get to my car safely. He says he doesn’t like the idea of me being alone in the parking lot with so many guys eyeing me, which is news to me. Yeah, every now and then, especially when there’s drinking involved, men seem to get handsy. But it’s nothing I can’t handle. I wanted to tell him yes, please come back. But I didn’t. I’m used to taking care of myself and hate to ask anything of anyone. Plus, I know he’s just being nice.
I walk away from him a little deflated. It’s like he views me as a little sister. He must have some kind of hero complex, because he’s come to my “rescue” twice in one night. Do I look like I can’t take care of myself? I look around at my coworkers and there’s plenty of women smaller and prettier than me that get hit on a lot more. Why is he helping me?
When the party starts to wind down and guests begin to leave, I watch Dusty walk out the door without a backwards glance. I fight the urge to chase him down. I would love to see him again. I know I told him I’d be fine, but honestly, I hate watching him leave. I put the empty tray under my arm, feeling confident that I’ll never see him again. It’s so late it’s stupid o’clock; he’s not coming back to see me to my car. What kind of man would go to so much trouble for me? None, that’s who. I’m not discounting myself. I know it will take a special man to see all the good in me, and I’m not giving up. He’s out there somewhere. I just don’t think he’s going to be a professional baseball player that is hotter than sin.
Once the last guest leaves, we run around cleaning tables, floors and putting the place back together. I’m wiping down tables when Jamie, a coworker, stops me. “I saw Dusty Burgess talking to you. Was he nice? Or was he trying to put the moves on you?”
I wish I could say that he was putting the moves on me, but I’m not about to lie about what a nice man he is, even if it could make my friends envy the hell out of me. “Actually, he was really nice. He didn’t hit on me at all. He actually helped me out with one of the men that thought I was on the appetizer list.”
She seems bothered by my response. I guess she was hoping for a juicy story. Yeah, you and me both, I think to myself.
It’s another hour and a half before we get done with clean-up and I’m about dead on my feet. Jamie and I walk out together, and to our surprise there are still people milling about in the parking lot. We no sooner get out the door than I see Dusty jogging toward us.
“Girl, I don’t think you realize it, but obviously the man was hitting on you,” Jamie mutters to me as Dusty stops in front of us.
He’s talking to both of us, but he’s looking at me. “I couldn’t leave. I know you said you’d be okay, but I felt better being here. Can I walk you both to your cars?”
I start to stutter, but Jamie is cool and collected, like she talks to professional baseball players every day. “Sure, honey. I’m right there and Serenity’s across the way.” She points toward each of our cars.
Dusty walks between Jamie and me to her car. Jamie keeps him talking and is openly flirting with him. I can’t stop the wave of jealousy that hits me. Even though Dusty doesn’t seem to fall for her advances, I still get a little sad. But as soon as we get her to her car, Dusty puts his hand on my lower back, steering me to my car. We get halfway there, and he holds his hand out, palm up between us, “May I?”
Is he asking to hold my hand? A little unsure, I barely raise my hand a little and he’s wrapping his fingers around mine. His sigh sounds satisfied as he squeezes my hand in his. He doesn’t say a word as we walk hand in hand to my car.
* * *
Dusty
I’mdead tired and glad I’m not due in for practice or a game tomorrow. Scratch that, later today. If I had either I would be starting warm-ups in just a couple of hours. Still, as tired as I am, I can’t stop admiring Serenity. She’s got a brightness about her. She’s like sunshine peeking through rain clouds and smart too.
“I uh, appreciate you walking me to my car. And for staying so late. I’m sure you’re tired,” she tells me softly.
I squeeze her hand. “I know you don’t think it’s a big deal, but hearing the way those men were talking about you, I knew I couldn’t leave. I have three younger sisters and I would want someone to do the same for them.”
She stops next to her car and gently removes her hand from mine. “Right… sister… well, I appreciate you looking out for me. I better go.”
Even though she’s saying all the right words, I can see sadness in her face. “Wait, what’s wrong?”
Her lips turn up in the corners, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Nothing. Really, I appreciate you looking out for me… like a big brother.”
She opens her car door and sits down. Stunned, I hold her door open. Man, I’m off my game. I’m completely screwing this up. I squat down next to her open door, making sure that we’re at eye level. She’s looking straight ahead and that’s not going to work for me. I reach for her, pulling her chin so she has to look at me. Her big blue eyes are wide and staring back at me. “I don’t think of you as a sister. But I am protective of you.”
She rolls her eyes at me and smirks. “We just met.”
I just shake my head, not really understanding it either. “I know, but I am. I didn’t like the way the men in there looked at you and I knew I couldn’t leave without knowing you were safe. I’d like to take you to dinner. Are you free tomorrow night, or well, tonight actually?”
Her surprised smile and nervous giggle are sexy as fuck. Even seeing it, I’m still holding my breath hoping that she’s going to say yes. She’s had to fight off so many nasty men all night, is she going to put me in the same category as them?
Right when I’m getting completely discouraged, she says in almost a whisper, “I’d like to go out with you.”
