Out Of Her League by Kaylea Cross Read Free Book Online Page A

hot spurt of alarm hit her. The final cuts to the national team were about to be made, and she needed to be out where the scouts could see her. “Oh, man. Why did this have to happen now?”
    When she met his intense gaze, she stilled. Whatever he was thinking about, it was even more serious. “What?”
    “Never mind your ball career. You've got a way bigger problem, kiddo,” he told her without preamble.
    Dread formed a tight ball inside her. “You mean my stalker?”
    “I don't think he's playing with a full deck, if you know what I mean.”
    Oh yeah, she knew what he meant. The guy was obsessive, persistent. What would he do to her if he caught her alone again?
    “If he keeps following you around, I think you should consider getting a restraining order against him.”
    Her eyes widened. “You think it's that serious?”
    “I think it could get real serious. You didn't see him when you got hit, but he completely freaked out. He threatened the runner who hit you, threatened the umpire, and security had to drag him out of the park.”
    No, she hadn't seen any of that because of all the spots swimming before her eyes. “And then he was waiting for me outside the gate.”
    “And then he was waiting for you outside the gate,” he repeated, frowning. “I've seen this kind of behavior too many times, and I only want you to be careful. You need to put a stop to this before it escalates, because it most likely will. Never leave the park on your own, always be aware of your surroundings, check your truck before you get into it. Always alarm your house when you're alone.”
    Some basic precautions made sense, she supposed, but the scenario as he painted it made her skin prickle. “Do you think he knows where I live?” The idea made her heart lurch. All at once she realized how vulnerable she was, a woman alone on an acre property in a rural area. Would anyone hear her if she screamed for help? Her eyes darted out the window, as if he might be out there right now, hiding in the darkness.
    “Want me to stay after all?”
    Yes! her brain screamed. She wouldn't sleep a wink now, waiting up all night with her bat beside her in case her stalker tried to break in. Right now she felt too sore to swing it, but surely adrenaline would kick in if she needed it. “Thanks,” she heard herself say, “but I'll be okay.” I hope .
    Rayne studied her. “My mother raised me to always help a lady in distress, and I am a cop, after all.”
    Precisely. And maybe he was only doing his duty, but was he playing on that? Had he just scared the heck out of her, warning her about her stalker, in the hope it would persuade her into letting him stay with her? Her instincts were telling her his intentions were honorable, his concern for her welfare genuine. After all, he was a long-time friend of Teryl and Drew's, which had to count for something. But how did you know who to trust?
    Man, she hated feeling so vulnerable, so helpless. Growing up feeling like a burden to her mother, she'd learned early on to take care of herself and not bother anyone, then had moved out as soon as her university scholarship came through. Having been independent for so long it was hard for her to lean on anyone, but she had to admit she would feel a lot safer with him in the house. “So you'd sort of be like my knight in shining armor?”
    “Kind of, yeah. I even carry Kevlar around with me in the trunk.”
    Her head began throbbing again, as if to remind her the concussion was reason enough for him to stay over. What if she lost consciousness again? It wasn't likely, but...
    That clinched it. Smarter to have him stay the night rather than send him home because she was worried he might get the wrong idea. “Well, okay then. But you'll have to sleep in my guest room,” she warned, a teasing glint in her eyes. “And I should warn you, it's pretty girly. There are flowers on the sheets.”
    He smoothed a hand over her hair. “I'll live.”
    The brief contact