Camp wasn’t even half over, and already every muscle in my body ached. The long hours and back-to-back games were tough even for a seasoned veteran. And while the temperate spring weather in Tampa was a lot better than New York, after spending all day out in the Florida sun, I was exhausted.

All I wanted to do was crawl into bed and talk to Emily, but Tony had left me a message letting me know that they were doing a last minute packing marathon. The big move was this weekend. And knowing Emily, she’d work until she was ready to drop.

The woman was devoted to her job and refused to let the baby slow her down. Even so, I could tell the long hours were wearing her down. She’d call me at night and nod off in the middle of our conversation.

I wanted to be home. I wanted to do more to take care of her, but anytime I offered to hire help, she’d get upset and refuse. Despite refusing help, she kept me involved with her day-to-day life. I flipped through her messages today. They were all over the map.

Emily: I puked while doing the dishes. Your evil spawn hates me.

Emily: I bought a baseball onesie today with New York’s newest fan on the back. It’s the first thing I’ve bought for the baby. I may have cried in the checkout lane.

Emily: I can’t fit into my favorite jeans. I’m going to be huge by the time you get home.

I stared at the picture of her belly. There was a barely noticeable bump, and I couldn’t help but smile. That was our baby.

Cooper: You’re adorable. Call when you get home.

I grabbed a water out of the refrigerator and started a hot bath. Thankfully, the house I was staying in during spring training had massive tubs—big enough for even me to soak.

I turned on some music and eased into the tub. The aches in my limbs were just starting to relax when my phone rang.

“I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon. Tony said you guys were staying late.”

“Ben insisted that I go home. And that treacherous friend of mine backed him up. They are treating me like I’m going to break.”

“You don’t have to do everything yourself. Let the people around you help.”

“I am,” she grumbled under her breath. “And I’m kind of glad they sent me home. I wanted to tell you something, but you have to promise that you’ll listen to everything I say before you react.”

“That sounds ominous. Should I be worried?”

“I know I should do this in person, but I can’t wait until you get home.”

A million things flashed through my mind. Was there something wrong with the baby? Was there something wrong with her? Could I get a flight to New York tonight? Maybe she was already tired of this long distance thing and wanted out.

“Just tell me already.”

“Ben brought me dinner tonight, and I thought he was making a pass at me. So I—”

“That asshole is dead. He told me he wasn’t interested in you. And I believed him.” I was definitely getting that flight back home so I could kick my ex-friend’s ass. “I swear to God when I see that fuckwad again, I’m going to kill him.”

“Cooper,” she said with an exasperated sigh. “You didn’t let me finish. He wasn’t making a pass at me. He’s not interested. At all. And for the record, neither am I. But while I was rejecting his non-advance, I told him I was in love with you.”

The line went silent, and I waited for her to get to the point.

“Didn’t you hear what I said? I told him I was in love with you.” She paused again and then growled under her breath. “I’m trying to tell you I love you, stupid.”

“That’s it? I thought something bad had happened.”

“And I thought I’d get some kind of reaction when I finally told you I loved you.”

“I knew that already.”

“How did you know? I’ve never told you.”

“I can hear it your voice. I read it in your texts. It’s in the way you put up with me. Any fool with eyes can see that you’re madly in love with me. The same way you should know that I love you, too.”

She sucked in a breath and whispered, “You do?”

“Of course, I do. I fell in love with you the first time we danced. I should have said it, but things have been pretty rocky between us.” Sighing, I sunk back into the water and tossed an arm over my eyes. “I know being with me isn’t always easy, and the job doesn’t help—all the travel and long hours, but I promise you I’ll make it worth the trouble. You’ll never regret being with me.”

“What are you doing right now?” she asked, her voice a little softer now.

“I’m soaking in the tub. Coach had us doing drills today, and my thighs are screaming.”

“So you’re alone? And naked? What a coincidence, so am I.”

Her voice took on a husky tone that told me things were about to turn x-rated. My cock immediately stirred. I knew this game well. I put the phone on speaker and got comfortable.

“So tell me, pretty girl, what are you doing there all alone and naked.”

“Thinking about you and how much I miss you and your cock.”

“Trust me, baby. He misses you, too.” My hand slid around my cock, and I closed my eyes, focusing on her voice.

“Did that pregnancy book of yours tell you about the second trimester? Everything is sensitive. My clit is so swollen a stiff breeze could get me off.” She sucked in a short breath, a sexy sound that drove me insane the more I heard it. “I’m not going to last long.”

“Fuck. I want to be buried deep inside of you right now. My hand is no substitute for the feel of your pussy gripping me as you come.”  

Her soft moan filled the air, and I could picture her teasing her clit while listening to my dirty words. It had only been a few weeks since we were last together, but it felt like an eternity.

Within a few minutes, she was screaming out her release. The sound was enough to drive me to the edge and a few tugs later I joined her.

After I caught my breath, I grabbed a towel and stepped out of the now cool water. I took the phone off speaker and pressed it to my ear.

“God, I love you. I know you’re busy right now, but maybe I can fly you down for a day or two. I can’t go much longer without seeing you.” She didn’t respond. I waited, but nothing. “Emily?”

I concentrated on her breathing, deep and even—almost like a soft snore. She’d fallen asleep.

“Sweet dreams, baby. I’ll see you soon.”

I hung up, pulled out my laptop, and searched for a flight.