Too Hot to Handle: A Boys of Summer Novel by Katie Rose Read Free Book Online

appreciative grin. “Like I said, thanks for calling me. This will make great press.”
    Nikki’s heart sank as he sauntered away, whistling. Shaun gave her a beatific smile, and she realized this was not something she could coach him out of or change. The best she could do was limit his exposure to the media, no easy task.
    Especially once the papers realized they had a live one.
    —
    When she returned to her hotel room, Nikki was exhausted. Taking on the Jersey Sonics single-handedly took a lot of energy and determination. They played through the entire game wearing the blue wigs in spite of the cameras and reporters, creating a visual feast for the media.
    After the game, they collectively met up at the tiki bar, where the players produced their own beverages. The manager shrugged helplessly as Ryan placed a cooler on top of the table and the players helped themselves to an assortment of craft beers. When Nikki glared, Brian lifted a bottle in her direction, as if toasting her.
    It had been a rough day. She knew it would take time for the team to get on board, but she hadn’t envisioned that they would fight back in this manner. And she was tired. All she wanted was a shower, a good meal, and a glass of wine, and not necessarily in that order.
    Her room was a standard-issue hotel suite, with a tiny kitchen and the requisite desk, chair, queen-size bed, and matching nightstands. Dentist-office art hung on the walls, and the lighting was mediocre at best. A sea-foam quilt graced the bed, and identical blackout drapes closed off the view. Opening the curtains, she gazed at the ocean outside her window as she poured herself a plastic cup of the cheap chardonnay that she’d purchased at the front desk.
    The turquoise water was gorgeous, as was the powdery white beach. For once she felt very alone, and wished she were the kind of girl who could toss everything aside to play, to find some handsome guy and make an amazing memory.
    Her sister Natalie would do exactly that without hesitation. Nat had always told her that she was way too serious, and even their parents seemed to agree. They’d fought a lot as children, especially since they had to share the same room, but as adults they’d wound up friends.
    Turning away from the tempting view, she sipped her wine and absently clicked on the television as she headed for the shower.
    The warm water felt good in the air-conditioned room. Nikki let the tension fall away and she closed her eyes beneath the gentle spray. She’d brought her own body wash with her and as she squirted the gel into her palms, she luxuriated in the lavender scent. Slowly, she lathered her breasts, surprised to realize she was beginning to become aroused.
    Jake.
The name popped out of nowhere, but she found she couldn’t get him out of her head. Those blue eyes, that sexy smile, even his cocky walk turned her on. Desperately, she tried to erase his image with another: Russell Crowe. Johnny Depp. Hugh Jackman. Nothing worked. As she worked the soap over her belly, it was almost as if he were touching her.
    Caressing her.
    Making her want him with a desperation she was beginning to actually experience. Her hand moved lower.
    The glass door was fogged, and not just from the hot water. When she saw the steam and realized what she was doing, Nikki flipped the shower knob to cold. Within seconds, she had goose bumps as her blood cooled along with the water. But it didn’t help.
    Even as she got out of the tub, she could feel the craving inside her body. She wanted a man, and the man she wanted was Jake.
    Tugging on her robe, she heard the drone of the news as she reentered the room. The perfectly polished reporter chatted about the weather, spring training, the arrival of the Yankees, and the Blue Jays’ new manager.
    Then he got to the Sonics.
    Nikki cringed as she saw the players displayed on television in their brilliant headgear. Thankfully, when asked about the prank, Jake simply shrugged.
    “Just