The Sweet Spot (All About the Diamond #1) Read online

  The Sweet Spot

  An All About the Diamond Romance

  Naomi Springthorp

  For my hubs. Thank you for reading romance for me and putting up with me being attached to my laptop for months. I know you wondered if I was ever going to sleep again.

  Brenda, I couldn’t have done this without you listening to me ramble everyday from the day I started writing. The journey wouldn’t be the same without you.

  Elektralyte, you are amazing. Is this cover option #151?

  Ro, I blame you for this.

  Thank you to my original readers for reading the first draft and not crushing me.

  Beta readers and ladies of The Dug Out, thank you for supporting me and talking baseball. J, your feedback is invaluable. A, you do my ego good and your chats brighten my day. S, your attention to detail sets you apart. B, your unique perspective keeps me on my toes. Lastly, my baseball stalker buddy that has been dragged into my writing world, thank you for your honesty, instant responses, and going along with my brand of crazy.

  I ❤️ you all.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Playlist

  King of Diamonds

  Muffin Man

  About the Author

  Also by Naomi Springthorp

  The Sweet Spot

  An All About the Diamond Romance

  Copyright © 2018 Naomi Springthorp

  Published by Naomi Springthorp

  All rights reserved

  Digital Edition eBook ISBN 978-1-949243-00-0

  The Sweet Spot is a work of fiction and does not in any way advocate irresponsible behavior. This book contains content that is not suitable for readers 17 and under. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

  Any resemblance to actual things, events, locales, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental. Names, characters, places, brands, products, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademark status and ownership of any location names or products mentioned in this book. The author received no compensation for any mention of said trademark. All references to the MLB are fictitious and there is no endorsement by the MLB.

  Cover Photographer: Randy Sewell of RLS Model Images Photography

  Cover Model: Chris Mayo

  Graphic Designer: Irene Johnson [email protected]

  Editor: Katrina Fair

  Created with Vellum

  Chapter One

  “Sir, will you please sign my ball?” The sweet, innocent voice I project frustrates me. I’ve been here before and I recognize the symptoms. My brain automatically switched to autopilot. He’s got me tied in knots. I’ve got it bad for this ball player and I've never even spoken to him! Last time this happened was when I met my teenage heartthrob. I'm in trouble, but it's too late now—no turning back.

  “Hi, I'm Rick. Put the ball away and have a seat. I don't want to be a baseball player tonight.” He reaches his hand out to shake mine and directs me to sit across from him in the booth.

  “Joni.” I reply as I shake his large masculine hand. “I'll do my best not to talk about baseball.”

  “I hope the part about not talking about baseball is true,” he doesn't release my hand. “Start over. That's not your real name. I already checked to see if you’re one of those women,” he says with an irritated look of disdain.

  “Sorry, I don't give my real name to men in bars. It's not my scene. I'm Sherry,” warmth gathers on my cheeks.

  “What else do you know about me?” I ask curiously. He has a dark beer in his hand and the bottle has a yeti on it. I laugh to myself because bearded guys remind me of yetis and I'm never attracted to them. Except Rick Seno, who has the best beard in the league.

  “You’ve been a Seals Ticket Member for years and have never chased a player or dated a player or fucked a player. By all counts, you're a loyal fan and not a stalker. You understand the game better than most and you’re older than me,” he states true facts, unless you count my dreams and even then it's only him.

  “Do you have an instant background check service or what?”

  “The front office and the membership team take care of us. We’re all in the public eye and can be targeted for all kinds of things, especially by women. It’s why I never accept invitations.”

  A moment later he loosens his grip on my hand and slowly pulls his hand away. He stands up abruptly and excuses himself to the men’s room.

  That's it. He's not coming back. He already has me pinned as a crazy fan and who could blame him after that opening line. Sir, will you sign my ball? Where was my brain?

  A few minutes pass and he returns to the booth. He slides in next to me on my side of the booth and pushes me into the corner with his kiss. Immediate heat runs through my body like bursts of fireworks lighting up the night sky. This man. Oh, this man! His rough hands in my hair, holding me where he wants me. I reach out to his muscled upper arms and find myself stroking them. His lips are greedy with want and his tongue dances against mine with needy desire. I’m in heaven. Who am I to disagree with what he wants?

  We break for air, both completely out of breath and he looks into my eyes with a heat I’ve never seen before. His fiery gaze makes me nervous and I search for an escape. “Want to shoot some pool?” Almost unable to get the words out between my ragged breaths.

  He nods silently, offers his hand to help me out of the booth and leads me to the back room with the pool tables. I can't help but sway my hips to the music playing when we enter the room. Anything with a groove has always driven me to dance and the bass line from “All Right Now” by Free has me moving. His hands are suddenly on my hips and his warm body behind me, directing me out the back door of the Locale.

  It’s dark, with only a dim light in the far corner of the parking lot and most of the other patrons have left for the night. Rick leans against the exterior wall of the bar and pulls me back against him. His breath warm on my neck sends tingles down my spine.

  He whispers in my ear, “Are you teasing me with your hips?” He kisses my neck from the back to below my ear, and gives my earlobe a gentle nibble. The whole time holding my back to his body snugly, with his interest pressed against me.

  The heat of my body overwhelms me and I respond with a shaky voice I can't believe is my own, “Not a tease, just love music.”

  “You're giving me mixed signals. You obviously wanted me to stop kissing you in the booth. I doubt you’re a pool shark with a master plan to swindle me.” He turns me around to face him, and searches my eyes. “So, what's the deal?”

  Okay. So, I'm having a moment. Quite possibly, a fanatic moment I may never recover from. Rick Seno is gazing into my eyes, his thick arms wrapped around my shoulders and he has no plan of releasing me. I've got goose bumps and it's not the weather. He has the most gorgeous bright blue eyes, I could get lost in them like the unending sky on a sunny day. He smells fresh and
clean with a hint of something woodsy. Like heaven.

  His solid muscles are all around me and I want to explore him. He screams man without opening his mouth. My brain and heart are arguing with each other, while my body wants them both to shut up and enjoy themselves. Run away or…

  “Well? I'm waiting for a response.” He shifts his eyes and focuses on me, “Are you okay in there?”

  “My brain wanted to stop kissing you, it doesn't think I should move too fast,” I state matter-of-factly. “My heart is afraid of getting hurt, but knows you have to take risks,” my heart swells in my throat. “My body has wanted you from a distance for years and doesn't want to wait any longer,” I gaze up into his eyes. “I don't know how to play pool, but I’ve always wanted to learn… I want to want you for you, not because you’re a baseball player. Because you’re Rick Seno.”

  A devilish grin takes over his lips, “Then we’re both in luck because I'm not a baseball player tonight and I've always wanted a woman who wanted me for who I am.” He kisses me and I’m his.

  My heart and body beat my brain into submission. Two out of three isn't bad. Hopefully, my brain won't come back with “I told you so.”

  He laces his fingers with mine, “This isn't my style either, but something about you seems to change the rules for me.”

  “Want to go to my place?” I ask and his eyes light up. “I live a couple blocks away and it's a nice night for a walk.”

  “I'm not interested in walking anywhere at two in the morning, seems like asking for trouble.”

  “Funny, I thought that's what I just did,” I retort with a smile and gaze up into his eyes.

  “I'll show you trouble!” He scoops me up over his shoulder and carries me to his car, while I laugh uncontrollably.

  Normally I'd complain about the manhandling, but the view of his strong tight ass is worth the price of admission. I grab it and hold on as if for dear life for the walk across the parking lot. I wonder if his guttural groan is a sign of appreciation, or possibly his realization of what he’s gotten himself into.

  He drives us the two blocks to my place, and through the parking maze at my complex. He parks his car and walks around quickly to open my door. He offers me a hand out of his car and doesn't let go. We take the elevator up to my one bedroom penthouse and I unlock the door. Urgency kicks in out of nowhere. I push him against the door, run my fingers through his hair and he eagerly meets my lips halfway to find his. He lifts me up to his height and holds me there, taking control of the kiss. I wrap my arms around him and kick the door open. He carries me in and closes the door behind us without breaking our kiss.

  His lips on mine are soft, tender, and needy. His tongue lightly strokes my lower lip and moves into my mouth a little at a time. He puts me down and runs his hands slowly over my body. His hands caress down my arms as he moves his kiss to my jawline. Slowly, taking his kisses down my collarbone as he palms my breasts. I feel his smile on me and grab his head, redirecting his kisses to my mouth while encouraging his caressing of my breasts with my body.

  I've wanted him for years and this will be a one time thing, so I do what I can to keep a steady pace and make the experience last as long as possible. I want the night I have with Seno to be a memorable one. Tomorrow morning he’ll be gone.

  I slide out of his embrace and lock the door. I open the window to let the cool breeze blow through and turn on an oldies station as I excuse myself to the bathroom. I change into my only oversized San Diego Seals jersey with Seno and a big 6 on the back, and comb through my hair with my fingers as I walk back to Rick.

  He turns to watch me walking toward him in his jersey and gets the dirtiest expression on his face, “You’re so mine tonight.”

  I reach out to him and start to pull his shirt off. Impatiently, he takes over, throws his shirt across the room and toes off his shoes.

  His eyes are intense and the bulge in his pants is trying to break free. I grasp his belt, intending to remove it, and he quickly grabs my wrist.

  Doing his best to maintain control, “Are you sure about this? I don't want to go any further if you’re going to change your mind.”

  I rub his rock hard cock with my free hand and he releases my other hand to continue removing his belt. I unbutton his jeans, and reach into his pants as I unzip them and free his obvious desire. I drop to my knees for a better view, wrapping my hand around him at the base of his cock and licking his shaft from end to end while he trembles and becomes harder. He’s silky in my hand as I take his head in my mouth and swirl my tongue around him. As I begin to suck and stroke him, he grabs my head and makes me stop. I stare up into his eyes, holding his gaze and suck him into my mouth as far as I can. I moan with my lips firmly around him. He watches me for a few moments and gives in, letting his head fall back. I stroke his thighs and continue my tongue game until his breathing goes ragged. Slowly, I stand, wrap my arms around his neck and begin to kiss his lips gently. I hold his need between my thighs. As I squeeze it, his tongue takes over and deepens our connection. I pull him toward me as I walk backward towards my bed. He lifts me and I wrap my legs around his waist. He takes control. Rick pins me against the wall with his bare chest and continues to kiss me as he drops his pants to the floor and steps out of them. Suddenly his hands grasp my bare ass and lift me. He rubs his tip against my wetness and slides his shaft across my clit, setting my body on high alert.

  His lips move to my neck and I breathe into his ear, “Let's take this to the bed. I want your hands on me.”

  He tosses me to my bed, while I giggle like a nervous schoolgirl. I creep up to my pillow and lay on my side watching him, waiting for his next move. The moonlight is shining in from the open window behind him. He’s an absolutely phenomenal sight, built all over of solid muscle and his cock standing at attention for me.

  I should’ve expected no less because he’s a professional athlete, except he’s not a baseball player tonight. He climbs into my bed and lies on his side facing me. He unbuttons my jersey as I lean in and kiss him roughly. I want to encourage him and feel his sexy grin on my lips. This night has been perfect, I’m in a happy haze waiting for whatever will come next.

  He squeezes my breasts and my nipples harden. He unhooks my bra and suddenly I’m naked, my jersey sent flying across the room. His touch sets my skin on fire as his tongue lightly caresses my left nipple, and he gently begins to suck. He runs his hands down my body and lightly strokes my inner thighs, moving toward my promised land. He rolls me onto my back while his motions continue. Closer and closer, he teases me until he touches my wet folds.

  “May I?” he asks in a low out of breath tone.

  “I thought we already determined I'm so yours tonight,” I purr.

  He presses his lips to mine and delves his tongue into my mouth engaging in a delicate tango with mine. His passion grows, his cock at my wanting sex and I push towards him needing to have him hard inside me. He refuses to let me take control and pulls back, insistently taking me for his own and burying himself deep in my heat.

  My every nerve endings are active live wires as he drives into me slowly, repeatedly and deliberately. I appreciate his gaze on me in combination with the weight of his delicious body and allow myself to selfishly indulge. I memorize everything about the experience, so I’ll remember it as clearly as basking in the sun near the ocean shore. His strokes begin to quicken and I arch into him. He drags his tongue across my collarbone and up to my ear, gently tugging and nibbling on my earlobe. He moves his hand between my thighs and fists his cock tightly while he continues to fuck me. I’m lost in sensation until he releases his hand and allows his dick to slam all the way into me while he circles my clit with his finger. I explode like a cannon, shouting his name.

  Rick follows me over the edge as he watches me come. He makes a few low groans and whispers, “Fuck.”

  We stay connected as he rests on top of me. Both of us are breathing heavily and trying to regain control. He strokes my hair and kisses me
softly. He stirs inside me as he begins round two. I’m a ball of overactive nerves on high awareness when he starts slowly stroking into me and putting pressure on my clit. He carefully rolls us over so I’m straddling him, riding him, bouncing on his hard cock like it’s my own personal joystick. His rough hands guide my hips in a way that’s more him touching me and enjoying me moving on him. The whole time he’s watching me, taking in the vision of me riding him to ecstasy. I squeeze him with each stroke, almost as if I’m milking him with my body. His body tenses, his heartbeat grows faster and his cock hardens, growing hotter inside me. I close my eyes and let my head hang back as I luxuriate in the moment. He increases his pace, pounding into me wildly. Orgasmic screams repeat over and over, interspersed with calling out his name for what seems like hours. I uncontrollably tumble over the edge and he holds me tight in his arms as he continues to stroke into me with wild abandon. My orgasm keeps going as he fucks me. I bite into his shoulder, sucking his skin into my mouth and send him into wild detonation.

  It's early Sunday morning and I’m in bed, sleeping all snuggled with my favorite soft blanket. I've been dreaming about my favorite professional baseball player and I’m in a wonderful mood. Love, love, love those dreams about my favorite guys—musicians, actors and especially ball players. The combination of the squawking seabirds, the breeze rustling the trees and the white noise from the freeway is relaxing. I don't want to open my eyes. I’m relaxed and slept better than I can ever remember. Yet, something is different. I'm on sensory overload. It’s almost as if...