Throwing Heat: A Diamonds and Dugouts Novel by Jennifer Seasons Read Free Book Online Page A

Oh my, how she had.
    “Are you sure?” He looked dubious, his gray eyes filled with worry.
    Leaning down, she pecked him on the cheek. “I’m sure. Just relax.” Pointing at the stage she added, “This band is terrific and they aren’t signed by a record label yet. Listen and see if you want to point them to your buddy at Delta Records.”
    Mark loved music almost as much as she did. Settling back in his seat, her brother snagged a buffalo wing from the basket on the table and smiled. “Will do.” He took a bite and said around a mouthful of chicken, “What’s with the getup, by the way? You look extra dressed up tonight.”
    She did?
    Leslie looked down her body, taking in her black skinny jeans, snug black top, and bright red heels. Nothing was out of the ordinary. “What do you mean?”
    “I mean the earrings and nail polish and other crap.”
    She gave him a look, frowning. “I’m not wearing anything I don’t normally wear, Mark.” Maybe she’d taken a little extra care with her appearance today, but that was it.
    Oh, there was that bit about a bet and all, but she wouldn’t flaunt her body just to drive a certain somebody crazy now, would she? That’d just be mean. And unlady-like. Bad manners all around.
    Leslie grinned to herself. She so would.
    “I know that look,” Mark stated. “What are you up to now, sis?”
    Brushing him aside, she replied, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Before he could probe any further, she slid around the table and deposited the rest of the drinks. When she was done, she crossed her arms, tray in hand, and watched the band on stage.
    The hair on the back of her neck stood up and the skin there began to tingle. What the—?
    Before she could spin around to look for the source of her ESP, a hot body brushed against her back. Hard hands slipped whisper-quiet over her hips and very briefly cupped her butt cheeks.
    She knew exactly who it was. “Get your hands off my ass, Kowalskin.”
    Breath puffed softly down her neck, scalding her there. “You like my hands on your ass. And my mouth.”
    Jerk. He would have to go and remind her about that. “I was drunk.”
    Quiet laughter echoed in her ear. “You still liked it.” One hand moved over her butt, making her shiver inside until a thumb was caressing and pushing into the top of her cleft, right where the two cheeks met. “Especially here.”
    She wanted to arch back into his hand it felt so good. Instead she stepped away and ignored the heat that had flared between her thighs. “Again, I was drunk, Peter. That does nothing for me now.”
    Liar, liar, big fat liar .
    And he knew it. Laughter rumbled in his chest and he smacked her butt hard enough to sting. “You liked that too.”
    Ugh! “Go away.”
    Obviously disinclined to acquiesce because he didn’t budge, Leslie shot him a glare as she retreated to the safety of the bar. He just hooked his thumbs in the front of his jeans and watched her walk away, not trying at all to hide the fact that he was staring at her backside. He was probably picturing it naked.
    Irritation welled in her. Damn the man, but he could be infuriating.
    Once behind the bar, Seth stepped up beside her, sweet and eager. It was cute, this case of puppy love he had for her. “How are you doing, boss? Can I get you a drink?”
    Taking a deep breath, Leslie calmed her racing heart and said, “I’m good, but thanks.”
    From her vantage point behind the bar, she scanned the crowd and noted that the place was nearly packed. All the couches on the balcony were in use and the dance floor was crawling with gyrating bodies. Two women were wrapped around each other kissing near the table full of ballplayers, and she glanced at the team’s ace pitcher to see if he was watching. Hot lesbians making out made for a pretty good show.
    Jealousy sliced through her, totally unexpected and completely unwelcome. What did she care if he got his rocks off watching scantily clad women go at