Rosalie's Player (19 page)
Authors: Ella Jade
“Because it’s for the team charity,” Nic reminded her. “It’s for a good cause.”
“I could have written a check,” she huffed.
She hated being miserable. This wasn’t her, but nothing seemed to make her happy. She hadn’t heard from Holt in days. She had hoped when he got back from California he’d reach out to her. Maybe she shouldn’t have been so stubborn that night, but she saw the apprehension he struggled with. How could she compete with that?
“You’ve been looking forward to this for weeks,” Sage said. “You look stunning in your new gown, so why not make the most of it?”
“I’ll stay for cocktail hour, but then I’m leaving.” When she bought the dress she thought she’d be attending the ball with Holt. It was going to be her one night to live out a fairytale with her rough and tough slugger. “I don’t want to bring you guys down.”
“You’re not.” Nic kissed the top of her head. “Holt’s an ass if he can’t see what’s right in front of him. I’m a lucky man to have two Millan girls on my arm tonight.”
“Let’s not be too hard on Holt.” Sage took Nic’s hand. “Everyone has redeeming qualities.”
“I need a drink.” Rosalie looked around for the bar. “Since when did you become a fan of Holt?”
“Yeah,” Nic said. “What’s up with that? You were pissed when I came home with that split lip.”
“Then I found out you started it, so...”
“I was defending your sister,” Nic said. “What was I supposed to do?”
“Act like an adult, maybe?” Sage kissed his cheek. “But I do love you for having Rosie’s back.”
“Let’s go up to the atrium.” Sage headed for the elevators. “That’s where the cocktail hour is and I’m sure more of the team is there. I have to meet my crew to do some live shots.”
As they made their way upstairs, Rosalie couldn’t help the dread that formed in the pit of her stomach when she thought about Holt. She wondered if he would bring a date tonight. If he did, would she be able to play it off as if she didn’t care? She didn’t think she was that good of an actress. It had only been a week since that fight. The night they said things that neither one could take back.
“Nic,” Sage said. “I want to show Rosalie something in the ballroom.”
“That’s fine.” He kissed her cheek. “Coach is over there. I’ll meet you in a bit.”
“Come on.” Sage took Rosalie’s arm and led her into the elaborate room where the ball would take place.
People were coming in, laughing, drinking, and having a wonderful time. Some were already seated in the lavish room with an unbelievable waterfall in the center. It shot off rays of pink, purple, and white lights that danced along the walls of the room. The place was buzzing with talk of getting to meet some of the players. There were large photos of each Crusher hanging throughout the room. Rosalie couldn’t stop staring at the life-size photo of Holt dressed in a clean uniform. The photographer had captured him just as he was in his perfect pitching stance, ready to fire a ball across the plate.
“What are we doing in here?” Rosalie asked.
“I wanted you to see something.” Sage guided her deeper into the candlelit room. There were twinkling white lights wrapped around arbors of roses. They stopped when they reached what looked to be four private seating areas. They were sectioned off with white tulle.
“What are these?” The dining areas faced a set of large patio doors that overlooked the river. Each hightop table was shrouded in a sheer curtain, but Rosalie could still see the view of the water. The lights from the bridge and the boats reflected off the windows, giving the area a whimsical vibe. Soft music played throughout the room.
“Those tables are for the highest donors tonight. They’re set back here for privacy. The people who sit here get their own servers and a special menu. It has quite the view.”
“Sounds romantic.” Rosalie’s thoughts drifted to the lucky couples who would share such a special night together.
“I thought you might think so.”
“Which part of my current mood made you think I’d enjoy envying the people who would be having such a special evening?” What was her sister thinking? “Maybe I’ll skip that drink and just call it a night.”
“You may change your mind when you see who’s behind curtain number one.” Sage pulled back the transparent material to reveal Holt, standing by the window, dressed in a tux, holding a single lavender rose. He looked like he belonged on one of those ‘date the billionaire’ shows. Only he was much sexier.
“Holt? What are you... Why are we in here?”
“Holt’s one of the biggest benefactors of the evening.” Sage nudged Rosalie into the beautiful space. “Enjoy, you two.”
“You knew about this?” Rosalie wasn’t understanding what was happening as Holt stepped forward and smiled at her. His hair was styled, but in that tousled, messy way like when she’d tug on it after a round between the sheets. His ice blue tie accentuated his eyes. Those eyes she couldn’t get out of her mind all week.
“Have fun.” Sage leaned in and hugged her, whispering, “He’s a keeper.”
“Thanks, Sage,” Holt said as her sister made her way out of the area.
“My sister helped you?” Rosie asked, wondering when they had time to set this up.
“She said something about owing you for what you did for her and Nic.” He handed her the rose. “This is for you.”
“Thank you.” She took it from him, still not fully comprehending what was going on. “It’s lovely.”
“Nowhere near as perfect as you.” He studied her for a few moments. “I knew you’d be the most beautiful woman here. You’re always the most stunning woman in the room.”
“You look really handsome out of uniform.” She took a deep breath, trying to get herself together. She couldn’t believe he had done all of this for her. “I mean, you look good in your tux.”
He took the rose and set it on the table before taking both of her hands in his. “Can I kiss you?”
“You’re asking?”
“I was trying to be proper.”
“Yes, you may kiss me.”
“Okay.” He brought her hand to his mouth first, gently kissing her knuckles as he wrapped his arm around her waist, moving her closer to him. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I missed you too.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I thought you wanted to kiss me.”
“So bad.” He brushed his lips over hers, teasing her. “I didn’t mean to be such a dick.”
“How about that kiss first?” They had plenty of time to talk about what went wrong. Now she wanted to do what was right between them.
“Whatever you want.” He held the side of her face, tilting her head as he pressed his mouth to hers.
The connection was tender, he was pouring everything he had into it. His apology, his desires, his soul. She could feel it all. There was no more guessing. When Sage pulled that curtain back, Rosalie saw the only man she would ever love.
After a minute or two, he stepped back, but he didn’t let go of her. “You’re everything to me. I knew it when I saw you in the parking lot last week, but I was too afraid to admit it. I didn’t want to understand, because I was afraid I would let you down.”
“You have to let go of that fear.” She stroked his clean-shaven face. “People make mistakes. When you care about someone, sometimes you hurt them, but we get over it. I could end up hurting you too.”
“I don’t believe you ever will.”
“Then why would you hurt me?”
“That night when I asked you on our first date, I told you one of us was going to have to accept who the other one was, I—”
“Holt, I have accepted who you are. It’s just that the last few times we were together, I thought you were trying to tell me something.” She looked down, because she was embarrassed that she had assumed he wanted more. “I shouldn’t have pushed you.”
“I
was
trying to tell you something.”
“You need to be clear. I can’t misinterpret what you want.” The only way she could make this work was if she knew what he wanted out of this relationship.
“When I told you one of us would have to accept who the other one was, I was so sure it was you who had to change for me. I was wrong. I was changing for you and I didn’t even realize it. I want to be that man you need. The one who makes you feel special. My heart belongs completely to you, Rosalie. I hope you can forgive my mistakes. I’ve never done this whole romance thing, but I want to, every day for the rest of my life, as long as it’s with you.”
“This is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“Thank the Lord.” He smirked. “I’m new at this.”
“You’re a fast learner.”
“I’d do anything for you.”
“Anything?”
“I promise.”
“I want you to be Holt Clemson, the player I fell in love with. I don’t ever want you to be anything you’re not.”
He let go of her, swallowing hard, and he looked like he might be sick.
“What is it?” She took his hand. “What’s wrong?”
“Say that again.”
“What?” She replayed her words in her head. “Oh.” The feeling was natural for her.
“Say it.”
“The man I fell in love with.” She stared at him, wondering if she’d gone too far, too fast.
“I love you too.”
“You do?” A nervous laugh escaped her lips, but those were the best words he’d ever said. “You don’t have to say that if you’re not ready.”
“I already said it and I meant it. I want this, Rosie. I want us.” He pulled her into a tight embrace, lifting her up and spinning her in a slow circle. “I love you. I have since the day of the photo shoot. I knew it in that dressing room. That’s why I acted the way I did in the parking lot.”
As he spun her around, she kissed his neck, feeling light and happy. He loved her.
“I want to spend the night worshipping you.” He set her on her feet and took her face between his hands. “If you’ll let me, I want to spend the rest of my days, and nights...” He shot her that ‘let’s go back to your place’ smirk of his. “...making you feel like the princess you are.”
“Your princess.” She kissed him softly. “And you’ll always be my player.”
About Ella Jade
Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can’t be stopped.
Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two boys. When she’s not chasing after her kids, she’s busy creating sexy, domineering men and the strong women who know how to challenge them in and out of the bedroom. She hopes you’ll get lost in her words.
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About the Kingston Heat Series
Book 1:
Stealing His Heart
Now Available
Book 2:
Sliding Into Second
Now Available
Book 3:
Rosalie’s Player
Now Available
More Beachwalk Press Titles by Ella Jade
Stealing His Heart (book 1 in the Kingston Heat Series)
Will the bad-boy pitcher strike out when it comes to love?
Shy music teacher Sophia Ballis has sworn off men. After a bad experience with a college jock she decided it was better to be alone than to get burned again. She focused on her education and now her new job at a local private school.
Professional baseball pitcher Paxton Hughes is a player both on and off the field. He’s signed to the Kingston Crushers to bring home the coveted championship title. Nothing can get in his way. Serious relationships don’t mix with a life on the road and he never loses focus on the game. One-night stands are his specialty for a reason.
While out jogging one spring morning, the two collide, setting their course in motion. Pax is immediately drawn to the unassuming beauty. Sophia is aware of his reputation and decides one night of meaningless sex with the attractive Texas charmer is just what she needs to get over her self-imposed dry spell. Pax has more than a one-night stand on his mind, but will his bad-boy persona and demanding schedule ruin any chances of a happily ever after?
Content Warning: contains explicit sex and adult content
Sliding Into Second (book 2 in the Kingston Heat Series)
Jilted once before, now it’s her turn to level the playing field.
Hotshot sports reporter Sage Millan has been busy making a name for herself in the male dominated world of baseball. She’s just landed her dream job, and her first assignment is covering the newly crowned World Series champions, The Kingston Crushers. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. The only problem…her ex-boyfriend, and the only man she’s ever loved, is the team’s second baseman. Things ended badly between them, and she’s not sure she can put those demons to rest.
Professional baseball player Nicolas Cordova is having the time of his life. His team has just won the World Series, and with the victory comes more fame, women, and exposure than he ever could have imagined. But things are about to change for the sexy, charismatic athlete. He never expected his ex-girlfriend to walk back into his life, much less the locker room.
These days Sage is smarter, more mature, and doesn’t plan on being played a second time. Her appearance stirs old memories for Nic. She’s the one he let get away in the name of his career. He vows he can be the man she needs this time around. Will that be enough to mend her broken heart?