Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
He walked her around to the front, waiting to see if she would comment on not going through the door she’d probably taken to get out to the field. But she didn’t say a word and kept her head down.
At his office, he pushed the door almost closed but didn’t latch it. Then he walked to his chair. Making her more uncomfortable wasn’t at all on his list. “Would you like a drink?”
“No, thank you.” Spectacularly prim and proper.
Unbidden, a thought flashed through his mind of her being anything but that. Hair down around her face that was flushed with desire and sweat because of what…
Door. Slammed.
Not the time or place.
“Have a seat.”
Her smile was fleeting. He was confused. Where’s the woman who was so bold outside?
“I was asking about baseball for Greer.”
He sat once she did. A large smile filled his face. “She’s incredible. I hope she’ll be able to play with us this year.”
“That’s what I’d like to talk to you about.”
Linc leaned forward. “I’m listening.”
“I don’t have a lot of money.” Her face flushed and he realized she was risking her own pride for her daughter. Admiration grew for her. He knew how his father had struggled as a single father. “I need to know up front how much this will cost and how much participation will be required from me. I don’t get a lot of time off.”
She was almost a statue. Almost. He could see the minute twitches of her shoulder which led him to believe she was wringing her fingers. However, unless he looked over the edge of the desk, he couldn’t be positive.
And truth be told, if he pushed up to look over the desk, it wouldn’t be to see her fingers. It would be to see if her lips were as soft as they appeared.
“First, this is a community center. We don’t require payment. This is a place for children to be part of something that is fun and keeps them safe.” God, he wanted to reach over the desk and shake her. Did she really think so little of him that if she wasn’t at his beck and call she wouldn’t be allowed to do something that meant so much to her daughter?
Emma blinked and stared over the table at him. And she waited.
Linc looked at this woman and, not for the first time, felt stirrings of desire. Her long brown ponytail begged his fingers to grip it, then bend her head while he plundered her mouth. He longed to shove up that pale pink shirt which only highlighted her freckle-dotted peach-hued skin. Did she have freckles all over? She had curves and he was a large man, not to mention one who appreciated a woman with the dips and swells this female had. His cock stiffened and he shifted in his chair. This was not the time for that.
“Secondly,” he said, desperate to get his mind on track and off the X-rated freefall, “you’re not required to participate in anything. Do we like for parents to be there for the games? Is it helpful when they volunteer their time? Of course, but it’s not a prerequisite or anything of that nature.”
Still, she didn’t say a word, just watched him with blue eyes he didn’t mind so much being on him.
God, something is wrong with me.
“I know we don’t know each other very well, Emma. Can I call you Emma?” He wanted to call her Emma. Sure, he’d done so outside, but he hadn’t asked if it bothered her.
“Of course you may.”
“Good.” He flashed a grin, pleased when a flush scampered up her fair skin. “I didn’t want to have to be formal with you. So, Emma.” Yep, there went more heat in her cheeks. “Surely you know that I wouldn’t do anything to make this more difficult for you. You’re friends with Dawson, who just happens to be the light of my man Tully’s life. You realize that you have babysitters for Greer if you need them. You’re practically family.”
He had to say practically because the thoughts he was having of this woman no way belonged in the same stratosphere as someone referred to as family—unless he could call her his wife.
“I don’t want to be a burden and I know this place’s attendance is growing. I see so many happy children coming in and out of the doors while you’re open, I can’t take advantage.”
Linc respected the hell out of her for that statement. “How about this. You let Greer play with us and you give us what time you can. I know she’d love to have you in the stands watching her play.”
Concern flickered over Emma’s face before she could mask it. “Will she get hurt?”
He wasn’t going to lie to her. “With anything, including sports, there is always a chance of an injury. I would love to tell you that no, she won’t, but that would be a lie, Emma, and I’m not going to do that to you. I will do my best to keep her and everyone else safe, but there is a chance.”