Blossom Street Brides (Blossom Street #10)(42)
Her heart raced like crazy. If she didn’t get him out the door soon, Rooster would step off the elevator. “Like I said, I’m on my way out. I’m sorry, Todd, really sorry to put you off, but what I said holds. I don’t want to be rude.” She didn’t have time to argue with him. It was far more important to shuffle him out the door.
Todd looked her up and down, taking in her Mariners baseball cap, jeans, light sweater, and scarf, and frowned. “You’re actually going to a baseball game?”
All her dates with Todd had involved pantyhose. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.”
“I’ll be in touch,” he said as he backed out of her condo.
Picking up the flowers, she quickly carried them into the bathroom, filled the sink with water, and stuck them inside until she returned that evening. She appreciated the sentiment and that he wanted to apologize, but unfortunately it was too little, too late. Her neighbor down the hall, Mrs. Huizenga, was a widow, and she would enjoy these far more than Lauren would.
Her pulse had yet to return to normal when her doorbell chimed a second time. Drawing in a deep, calming breath, she checked her peephole before opening it … thankfully, to Rooster.
His eyes brightened the instant he saw her. “Wow … you look great,” he said, and held his hands out to her.
“Thank you.” She clasped his fingers with her own and brought him inside. As soon as he was in her condo, Rooster took her into his arms and kissed her. His mouth was warm and moist over hers, and her senses went hurtling into the stratosphere. Rooster held her tightly against his body. She felt as though they’d been apart months instead of only a few hours. His chest lifted as he inhaled a deep breath and his grip tightened as they strained against each other. Lauren clung to him, and when they reluctantly broke apart, she offered him a slow, sweet smile, wanting him to know that she needed those kisses, had craved them from the moment he’d left her.
It came to her that as different as they appeared outwardly, they’d connected on a number of levels. Her first impression of Rooster hadn’t been wrong. He valued friendship and loyalty, and had been loving toward his parents, especially in the latter stages of their lives.
They kissed again, and when they broke apart his breath came in shoulder-shuddering gasps as he braced his forehead against hers. It was hard to stop, she realized, for him and for her. In all the years she’d been dating, not once had she felt this strongly attracted to a man, especially this quickly. It both thrilled and frightened her.
“Are you ready?” Rooster raised his brows with the question, indicating he was asking more than whether or not she was prepared to walk out the door.
Right away she picked up on his train of thought. The day before, Rooster had given Lauren her first ride on the back of a motorcycle. It’d been quite an experience. At first she’d been terrified, but gradually she’d relaxed and learned to lean with him as he rounded the corners. What she’d enjoyed most was holding on to him, feeling that connection, soaking in his strength and feeling the power of the wind as it whipped past her. “Did you bring the bike?”
“I did. You game for a second go-around?” His look told her he was skeptical.
“You bet I am. I enjoyed my time as a biker babe.”
Rooster laughed. “I hate to disappoint you, but it’s a short ride to Safeco Field.”
“This is a first for me, you know.”
“A first?”
“The Mariners game. I’ve never been to one before.”
Surprise flashed in his eyes. “Really? You’re the one who lives in Seattle.”
“I know, it’s ridiculous, isn’t it? But …” She was about to mention that Todd wasn’t into sports, but quickly thought better of it. The less her ex-boyfriend was introduced into the conversation, the better. She would be forever grateful the two men hadn’t crossed paths in the condo lobby or at the elevator.
“First time on a motorcycle. First time inside a biker bar, first time to attend a Mariners game. Do you have anything else up your sleeve for this holiday weekend?” Lauren asked.
Rooster chuckled. “Give me a minute and I’ll think of something.”
No doubt he would. This man was a surprise in every way, and she was completely infatuated.
Although short, the ride to the baseball game was as exciting as her first venture on the motorcycle, though more relaxing and certainly less terrifying. With gray clouds threatening, Rooster parked his bike in a covered lot. Holding hands, they raced across the street to the stadium. He collected their tickets at will-call and then led her to their seats. While close to the field, they were exposed to the elements. Lauren wasn’t sure what they would do if it started to rain.
A mist started to fall in the third inning. Lauren was so involved in the game, she barely noticed. Rooster bought her a large bag of peanuts and later a hot dog with plenty of mustard and relish, which was just the way she liked it. Him, too, she learned.
At the seventh-inning stretch, she stood and sang along with the rest of the crowd, swaying left and right. She noticed Rooster didn’t join in and glanced his way, surprised.
“I don’t sing,” he told her.
“Why not?”
“Once you hear me, the answer will be obvious.” He wrapped his arm around her waist, kissed the top of her head, and whispered, “You’ll need to sing for the both of us.”