The Trade(98)

And that’s terrifying.

I never thought I’d fall in love again, especially after experiencing such heartbreaking betrayal and rejection. Nor did I think it would be this fast, but my heart wants what it wants.

And right now, it’s beating unswervingly for Cory Potter.





Cory: My place tonight?

Natalie: Six?

Cory: Yeah. Dress sexy.

Natalie: Are we going out or staying in?

Cory: Since we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day early, I don’t want to share you with anyone. Unless you want to go out, I can change the plans.

Natalie: Your place is perfect. Can I wear a dress though? I got a red one I really want to wear for the occasion.

Cory: I require you wear that dress.

Natalie: Also got matching lingerie. It’s really freaking hot. Monica helped me pick it out. Her mouth was hanging open when I walked out in it.

Cory: Fuck. Why did you say that? Now all I’m going to want is to see you in it.

Natalie: Play your cards right and you will.

Cory: I’ll do anything you ask of me.

Natalie: Can’t hear that enough. Can I ask you something though?

Cory: Shoot.

Natalie: Are you okay? I know you told me not to look, but the article from today was hard not to see.

Cory: Fine, beautiful. Nothing to worry about.

Natalie: They treat you so badly. I can’t stand to see people talk about you like that when it’s not even close to the truth. They said instead of training, you’re partying all night long.

Cory: It’s nothing you need to worry about. I can handle it but thank you for caring for me.

Natalie: I care a lot about you.

Cory: Right back at you. Don’t worry, I have it all under control.

Natalie: Okay. See you at six.

Cory: See you at six, beautiful.





“Seriously, with the sex eyes,” I say when Cory walks over to me with a glass of wine and hands it to me. Ever since I arrived at his apartment with an overnight bag and shucked my coat, he’s been eye-fucking me, and not subtly either.

Hand on the small of my back, he slips in next to me and places light kisses along my jaw. “You can’t be mad at me for taking my girl in every chance I get.”

“You act like we’re not going to see each other for years.”

“Baseball season feels like years.” He moves his lips down my neck to my exposed shoulder.

“You are gone until April for spring training but then you’re back here, in Chicago, with me. My schedule is super flexible, and I can be your booty call whenever you want it.”

He chuckles and whispers, “You’re more than my booty call and you know that.”

“Yeah, tell me more about what I am to you, it’s our Valentine’s, after all.”

“You’re a pain in my ass.”

“What?” I pull away, feigning shock. “How so?”

His brow raises and his beautiful eyes shine back at me with humor. Even though we’re in his apartment for our date tonight, we both chose to dress up. He’s wearing gray, flat-front dress pants and a navy-blue button-up, making his eyes shine brighter. But he’s barefoot and it’s so freaking sexy. I’m in a red, form-fitting dress that cuts low on my cleavage and something I’d probably never wear in public with how short it is, but it works great for a night at Cory’s apartment.

Although, all through dinner, I kept pulling on the hem because it felt like it was going to roll up and over my waist the entire time.

“How are you a pain in my ass? Because you’re holding out on me. All I’ve wanted to do since you got here is rip that dress off to see what you’re hiding underneath and you won’t let me.”

“Umm, do you not remember how you wouldn’t even let me see your penis until a few days ago? Pretty sure you having to wait until later tonight to strip me down isn’t going to kill you.”

“Not true. Now I know what your pussy feels like. I leave tomorrow, I want that pussy as much as I can get tonight.”

Oh God, the way he says pussy, pronouncing it with such a deep voice, it sends a thrill of excitement through my bones.

Taking his hand in mine, I take him to the balcony of his apartment and open the door. The cool breeze startles me, but Cory turns on his outdoor heaters making it bearable quickly. He drapes a warm blanket over my shoulders and then captures my body with his, pinning me against the rail, my back to his front, as we overlook Lake Michigan.

“You know I want you more than anything,” I say, leaning my head against his shoulder. “But this is something I’m going to remember when you’re in Florida. This moment, feeling your entire body protecting me, keeping me warm and sheltered as your lips casually press against different parts of my skin. I love your dick, but this right here, this also feels so much like heaven, because I like everything about you.”

“I like everything about you too,” he says. “I just wish you would have let me get you something for Valentine’s Day. I feel like a bad boyfriend with nothing to give you.”

Turning in his embrace, I set my wineglass down and grip his shirt. “I told you, you’re my gift. That’s all I need, nothing else.” I smile. “That and a ticket to spring training.”

“You can have as many tickets as you want as long as that means I get to see you.”