The Changeup (Men of the Show) by Rhonda Shaw Read Free Book Online

too many—years her junior? Her mind screamed, asking what the hell she was thinking, but her body was happily ignoring the alarms.
    When she felt herself sink back into him, she jerked away and returned his puzzled look with an uncomfortable smile. “Thanks. I think I’ve got it.” It was humiliating that she sounded breathless to her own ears.
    He nodded slowly, still giving her a questioning look, but slowly walked away from her and turned around, waiting for her to throw the ball.
    “Just remember what I showed you,” he called out.
    Maddie took a deep breath. She was flustered and all she could focus on was how it had felt to be against him. What was wrong with her? He was a kid to her, wasn’t he? Although that had been all man she’d felt, there was no denying that. Okay, so maybe he wasn’t a child, but he was definitely dating her niece. There was no way she should be having any thoughts like that about him. It was probably illegal.
    “Everything all right down there?” Chase asked, confused as to why she hadn’t thrown the ball yet.
    “Yeah, yeah.”
    She set her shoulders and forced herself to focus. Just because that had been the closest thing to sex that she’d had in a long time, it didn’t mean she needed to lose her mind. Repeating what he’d showed her, she threw the ball and was pleasantly surprised when it flew through the air in a straight line and right into his hands.
    “Mommy, that was awesome!” Bree shouted.
    “Good job,” he agreed.
    She pulled her shirt down with purpose and gave him a smug look. “I’m a quick study.”
    He chuckled as he walked back over to them. He gave the ball to Bree. “Next time I’ll bring you a mitt so we can do some catching.”
    “A mitt?”
    “Yeah, you know a glove.” He mimed putting a glove on his hand. “You catch the ball with the glove.”
    She thought it over. “Can I get a pink mitt?”
    “Sure, I think I can find you a pink mitt.” He smiled down at her as he absently rubbed her head. “I’ve got to go. I’ve got a game tonight, so I need to head to the ballpark.”
    “Good luck with the game,” Maddie said, eager to be out of his company before she did something stupid like intentionally falling into him, forcing him to put his strong hands on her again. “Bree, say thank you.”
    “Thank you, Chase.”
    “It was my pleasure,” he replied, looking steadily at Maddie. She met his gaze, but quickly looked away, certain she was misreading what appeared to be desire deep in his dark eyes.
    Risking another glance at him, she was relieved that his usual friendly demeanor was back. “I’ll see you guys later,” he said
    She watched as his long stride took him out of the park and back toward the complex. She didn’t realize she was still watching where he’d disappeared around the corner until Bree tugged on her hand. “Mommy, are we going to stay here?”
    “What? Oh!” She quickly recovered. “No, let’s go get some lunch.”
    As they walked back home, Maddie convinced herself she’d mistaken the look on Chase’s face. She, with her new mental issues apparently, had read too much into everything. It didn’t help that feeling him against her had set her hormones into overdrive, but she was going to have to rethink her dating ban if she was going to start seeing sex in everything. Karen was right. She desperately needed to get some.
    * * *
    Later that evening, Maddie and Karen sat on her back porch enjoying a glass of wine and the warm summer temps. Bree was inside watching TV—probably looking for the Detroit Rockets’s game hoping to catch a glimpse of her new best friend.
    Karen took a deep sip of her wine and sighed. “I could totally do this all the time. Warm night, an excellent glass of wine and good company.”
    “I know what you mean.” Maddie cleared her throat. “Uh, so I forgot to tell you that we saw Chase in the park.”
    “Forgot, my ass. I knew there was something on your mind. You’ve been