He’d once said people do crazy things in the name of caring. Getting a real feel for that, she stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Baseball players are smarter than football players.
How often do you see a baseball team penalized for
too many men on the field?

—Jim Bouton

As Holly wrapped Pace up in a hug, loving the feel of his warm, hard body, she whispered his name. At the contact, he murmured with pleasure, his arms coming hard around her.

This, she thought. This was what she needed. Not talking. Not more of that odd and disconcerting dance/flirt thing they had going on.

This.

Pulling back, she tossed aside her wet hair as she unbuttoned his shirt, nudging it off his broad shoulders, leaning in to kiss the one that was swollen. God, he was so beautifully made.

He made a low sound as she touched him with her mouth, his hand coming up to cup her head as she soaked in the sight of his taut, tanned torso.

He was busy soaking in her sundress. The one with no straps, just a zipper up the back.

“What’s beneath it?” he asked hoarsely.

“Maybe a little leftover tan, but I think it’s mostly faded by now.”

He let out a shaky breath.

Fully aware that he was watching her intently, she reached behind her to unzip herself.

His eyes went dark. “What happened to your questions?”

“I’ve decided to help you get me out of your system instead.”

“Holly—”

“I’m trying to get out of my dress, Pace. Do you really want to talk right now?”

“No.” His jeans were no longer so loose, and at the sight of the intriguing bulge behind his button fly, she had to swallow hard. Suddenly she knew how he felt because her skin seemed too tight for her body and she was breathing as though she’d been running uphill a good long time rather than just fighting with her zipper.

He lent his hands to the cause, putting his hands on her hips, turning her away from him so he could see. Then she heard the zip and felt a rush of cool air hit her back. “Thank—” The word backed up in her throat when he put his mouth to the sweet spot just beneath her ear as his hands slid inside the loosened bodice of her dress to cup her breasts.

“Problem,” he said, his voice low and husky in her ear. “This is pretty much the only move my right arm makes.”

“That’s okay,” she panted as his very talented fingers teased her nipples and turned her knees into overcooked noodles. “I can work with that.”

“Good.” He opened his mouth on the spot just beneath her ear, nuzzling as he maneuvered her down the hallway. “Bedroom?”