The Boys of Summer # 1
By: Katie Rose
Releasing August 26th, 2014
Loveswept
In Katie Rose’s irresistible battle of wits, a case of mistaken identity lands a female fan in bed with a sexy superstar—and in major-league trouble.
House-sitting for a rich and famous friend has its perks, and Darcy Hamel isn’t shy about enjoying them. Especially when it means scoring a ticket to an exclusive fashion show hosted by the New Jersey Sonics. An avid baseball fan, Darcy has always dreamed of meeting the team—especially the starting pitcher whose body is as hot as his fastball. But there’s a catch. The gala is by invitation only. To get behind the velvet rope, mild-mannered Darcy will have to pose as party girl Lydia Logan.
Schmoozing is one of the downsides of fame, but Chase Westbrook knows how to liven up even the dullest event. And nothing spices a night up more than a beautiful socialite with a naughty reputation. What Chase doesn’t expect is a hint of sweetness beneath her sultry façade. Flirtation turns to seduction and leaves him aching for more. Chase just doesn’t know who the real Lydia is: the spoiled tease crying foul over some missing diamonds or the alluring woman making a play for his heart.
(from Chapter Two)
“Ninety-eight,” Dick confirmed with a grin even as the catcher shook out his hand, still stinging from the contact.
Chase grinned back. “Let’s see the Yankees hit that one.”
When Chase returned to the showers, he caught a couple of fans lingering near the locker-room door.
“There he is!” one of the girls squealed. “Chase!” they called out, trying to get his attention.
Hot, tired, and sweaty, Chase waved back and then ducked into the locker room, grateful for an escape. It wasn’t that he didn’t like having fans. On the contrary, it was gratifying to any player to have people wanting his autograph, showing up for the games, and rooting for him.
Yet pitching wasn’t the only thing they wanted. As the cold water hit his body, he thought of the young girl who’d managed to break into his apartment last month. Somehow she got past the security guard and was waiting for him, naked in his bed. When he turned on the light, he was so startled he almost couldn’t speak and had to peel her off him. She refused to leave, and it was only when he threatened to call the cops that he got her out.
Worse yet were the ambitious parents he met at events. It was well known that he was single, and as such, considered fair game for every mama trying to snare a successful husband for her daughter. They were bolder than the girls and had trapped him more than once, cornering him with photos and insisting he call their Nicole or Christina. When he politely declined, they grew more aggressive. One of them had even offered herself as part of the deal . . .
And his parents were getting on his back. At age twenty-five, he felt he had plenty of time to settle down, but they didn’t see it that way. His father, a construction worker, had wanted him to make enough money to quit before he got injured, find a nice girl, and have a couple of kids.
As he dried himself off, he noticed a Yankees cap tossed carelessly on the bench. One of the players must have brought it in as a joke; the Sonics hated no team more than New York.
Once he was dressed, he stood before the mirror and put the hat on, admiring himself. The Yankees paid a player handsomely if they wanted him enough.
Real money.
The kind of money that would secure his future and that of his family forever.
Chase grinned, removed the cap, and put it back on the bench. Blue, he heard, was his color—they said it matched his eyes.
And one day soon, he’d wear it.
Author Info:
Award-winning historical author Katie Rose makes her contemporary debut with the Boys of Summer novels, Bring on the Heat and Too Hot to Handle, which combine Katie’s true loves: baseball and romance! When not watching baseball, Katie is at her lake house in New Jersey, hard at work on her next book.
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