Chaser had nothing good to say about the man. Dane Maxin was twenty-six and insolent. He had a major chip on his shoulder. He grunted answers to questions. When he did talk, he bragged about sex and threesomes.
Chaser clenched his teeth, seeking an objectivity he didn’t feel. “Maxin was traded from Minnesota for two solid hitters. He’s not happy being in Richmond.” Dane had swaggered into the locker room snarling. The scowl still hadn’t left his face. “The man’s got attitude—”
“So does Psycho.”
“Dane dates a lot of women.”
“So does Romeo.”
“He owns a souped-up red Corvette. Drives like a bat out of hell.”
“You haul ass in a ‘68 GTO. Major muscle car. You’re always over the speed limit.”
She was right. Fortunately for him, law enforcement preferred his autograph over writing out a ticket.
“I like Dane’s look.” Jen crumpled the torn paper into the palm of her hand. “He’s a sharp dresser.”
Chaser snorted. “The man’s in love with himself.”
During spring training, Maxin had spent an inordinately long time changing from his Rogues uniform into street clothes. He wore imported silk shirts and tailored slacks. Italian leather shoes. He’d held up the team bus a dozen times, until Psycho stole his blow-dryer and styling gel, breaking Dane’s affair with the mirror.
Beside him, Jen looked out over the ball field. She’d gone all quiet and thoughtful as the late afternoon sun crept toward them. The lower seats were now cast in shadow.
“Dane and I made plans to jog today,” she told Chaser. “Six o’clock at Battery Park.”
His heart squeezed unexpectedly. It shouldn’t bother him that Jen showed interest in another man. Hell, they were friends, nothing more. But the thought of her with Dane undid him. He tamped down his initial impulse to warn her off the man.
“I’m coming with you,” he stated.
She shook her head. “There’s no need for a chaperone.”
Chaser wasn’t so sure. “I’ll hang for a while, then split. I want to make sure Maxin behaves himself.”
“You’re worse than my father.” Resigned, she linked her arm through his, rested her head on his shoulder. A light breeze caught her hair, stirred the scent of her orange-mango shampoo. Strands flirted with her cheek and flicked onto his chest. All clean and shiny. Dark and wavy.
“I’m being insensitive to the fact Dane hit you,” she said on a sigh. “If you’d rather we didn’t meet up, I’ll pass. It’s not that big a deal.”
He felt like hell. Throughout the years, Jen had rolled her eyes over a few of his dates, but she’d never warned him off. When other women got petty or possessive, Jen never teased or said she’d told him so. She’d allowed him his mistakes, and he’d made quite a few.
He shifted on the seat, slid his hand beneath the turned-up collar on his blue-striped shirt. Blowing out a breath, he caved. “Meet Dane. I’ll drive you to the park, and he can take you home.”
“You’re such a good friend!” She threw her arms around his neck.
He turned his smile on her.
She started to kiss his cheek.
Just as he bent to kiss her brow.
Their lips met.
Time slowed with the exchange of their breath.
He inhaled. She exhaled.
The sweet heat of her slightly parted lips blew across his mouth.
The soft skin of her chin brushed his unshaven jaw.
The clench of her fingers dug into his shoulder.
Her breast pressed his forearm, soft and full.
Neither drew back.
The moment was magnified as each memorized the impact of the moment.
It was startling. Unsettling. And totally unforgettable.
As the afternoon shadows crept over his knee and up his thigh, awareness crossed the invisible line that separated friends from lovers.
The urge to slant his mouth over hers and deepen the kiss hit him soundly. It took all his restraint to pull back. Once they’d separated, he ran his tongue over his lower lip. She’d tasted of blueberries. Wild, ripe berries, warmed by the sun.
Beside him, Jen touched her lips with her fingers. Fingers that trembled. Wide-eyed, she swallowed hard.
Neither spoke. Neither looked away.
Each stared as if seeing the other person for the very first time. Arousal struck hard.
Clearing his throat, he said the first thing that came into his head. “Let’s go home,” he suggested. “A quick change and back to Battery Park.”
She rose, looking down on him with soft eyes and a softer smile. “Thanks, Chaser. I owe you one.”
After that kiss, he planned to collect. Sooner or later, he’d take her mouth a second time.
It was all in the timing.
The jogging path was thick with runners. Some slow, some fast, all exercise nuts, staying in shape. Jen Reid kept pace with Chaser. A hint of Dune drifted her way. The mandarin and cedarwood scent was as understated as the man. Chaser had worn the same cologne since high school. It was as constant as his presence in her life.
She cast a glance his way, took in his profile. Spiked dark hair and sharp features. A diamond stud in his left ear. Even with darkness descending, he wore his Killer Loops. Sunglasses that hid his ice-blue eyes, so startlingly clear that when he had his game face on, he froze opposing players at home plate.
Sweat now gleamed on his brow, darkened the neck of his navy blue T-shirt, arrowed down his belly toward the waistband of his gym shorts. He’d set their pace, sprinting fast, as if chased by demons.
Back at the stadium, she’d sensed his dislike of Dane Maxin. She understood. Dane hadn’t fought fair. Chaser now sported a black eye. As her best friend, he had her back. He’d always looked out for her best interests. He’d agreed to keep her company until she located Maxin among dozens of runners.
“Where the hell is Dane?” Chaser muttered.
“He said to meet him by the water fountain.”
“There are twenty fountains at the park. He could have been more specific.” Tugging at the front of his T-shirt, he pulled it free of his gym shorts. In the gap between elastic waistband and skin, Jen caught a flash of his Slidin’ Home tattoo right before he said, “I hadn’t planned to break a sweat. I’ll need a shower before I head out for the evening.”
A shower…Her heart beat a little faster, and it wasn’t from the run. She’d always admired Chaser’s body. Wide chest and thick thighs. The man had muscle.