King of Diamonds (All About the Diamond #2), стр. 41

Chapter Thirteen

I spend the rest of the morning checking my messages and working on our vacation reservations. I get lost in the vacation plans. I can’t help but daydream about spending two perfect weeks on the beach with my Rick. I look at the cottage we’ll be staying in and the beautiful view of the clear green blue ocean. I scan through the photo gallery of the resort, dreaming about all of the gorgeous sunsets and perusing the updates that have been made since my last visit. I close my eyes and I hear the ocean, I feel the tropical sun on my skin, I smell the fresh pineapple and coconut oil, and I taste the passion orange juice. I imagine us wandering the North Shore exploring together, but mostly it’s us lying on the beach together and having plenty of alone time. I envision Rick in his board shorts and no shirt, and me in my bikini snuggled into the crook of his arm. Both of us getting a tropical tan as we nap together on our lanai. The ultimate relaxing vacation and somehow I get to enjoy it with my not-a-fantasy-anymore-baseball-boyfriend.

I feel Rick’s warm hand on me and I reach up to put my arms around him. “Hey, baby,” I start talking sleepily.

“I’m just letting you know I’m home.” I open my eyes and look at him. Happy to see him, not happy to be home and not on the beach in Hawaii. “Sounds like Hawaii is going to be perfect.” He has a dirty grin on his face and who knows what I said. Well, he does and he probably won’t tell me.

Rick takes off for a quick shower before the game and I attempt to get some more work done, but in reality all I do is turn on the pregame and check the lineup. Rick gets out of the shower and I call out, “Saben is catching today.” That should make this an easier game to watch than last night. There are only three more games including today until Rick is back in the clubhouse.

Rick joins me on the couch to watch the game and this time I’ll actually be watching the game, so he’ll experience what it’s really like to watch a game with me. The game starts and Rick’s picking everything apart.

“Saben doesn’t have the skills that Stray has.” Rick starts in, analyzing everything.

“Not near, but Stray is a righty like you and Saben is a lefty.” Rick turns and looks at me, as if he’s waiting for more. “You have a more determined attitude on the field than either one of them. Saben always feels more laid back, but Stray is definitely trying to prove himself—but, he’s still a baby. Also, you’re catlike behind the plate and instinctual. Saben isn’t. Stray’s getting ahead of himself, he’ll probably be great in a year or so.”

“Anything else, my baseball queen?” He grins and laughs, but doesn’t disagree with me.

“Actually yes, pay attention to Rhett. I bet he can be an ace if he’s given the right support.” Rick shakes his head and we continue to watch the game. No action yet, and the team has been defending well.

I’ve intrigued my king with my baseball opinions, “What else do you see when you’re watching the team?”

I look at him unsure and not wanting to say something I shouldn’t, but spill it anyway, “I’m starting with a disclaimer. I love my team. Cross should be in centerfield every game, he has the range and isn’t afraid to dive for it. Mason feels better to me when he’s in left and I’d love to see him get tried at shortstop. Rock belongs in right field, he’s solid, he’s senior, and he’s earned it. Bubbles needs to get benched and used strictly as a designated hitter, he doesn’t care about the game as much as he does other things any more. Martin is as good at first base as you are at catcher and it’ll be years before somebody takes that spot from him, nothing matters more to him than the game when he’s on the field. Lucky’s good wherever he gets played and I know that’s his job as a utility player, but he’d be a bigger benefit for the team if he played the same position every game and I like him best at third base. Second base is a revolving door, nobody is sticking there and we need somebody new there. The back-up outfielders are what they are and do fine when they’re needed, but I can never even remember the guy’s name who’s been playing third. He isn’t impressive at all. The relievers have been doing a great job, but not getting as many innings of work this year. The starters are strong and going deep into games.” I stop my ramble and watch Rick processing.

“I get a different view from my vantage point behind home plate. But, I’m going to watch for what you’re seeing.”

“I’m not playing. I’m not paying attention to signs, balls and bats getting thrown all around me or players running toward me ready to knock me out of their way to score. I envision it more as a big puzzle with moving pieces. I’m sure you have a better idea than I do, I’m just a fan.” I smile at him, happy to have a real baseball conversation.

Rick leans in, “You’re much more than a fan to me.” He presses his lips to mine, sending his electricity through my body and pulls me over to sit against him with his arm around me while we watch the game. He gets an odd look on his face, “I’ve never sat like this and watched a game with a woman before.” I pull my feet up onto the couch and snuggle into him, enjoying the moment and