Chapter Twenty-Three

Addie glanced over to see Sawyer was still sleeping. She slipped out of the bed, pulling a robe over her tank top and pajama shorts. Leaving the room, feeling an unfamiliar sense of domestic contentment, she pulled the door almost shut behind her. Padding into the kitchen, she flipped the switch on the kettle and quietly grabbed a mug. Some chamomile tea and a bit of brainstorming would hopefully settle her overactive brain.

She leaned against the counter, yawning as she waited for the water to boil. Since the first night he’d stayed over, Sawyer had begun sleeping at her house almost nightly. Part of her was nervous to really let herself fall into this routine, but the other part of her—the piece that knew everything in life could be fleeting, including health and happiness and love—wanted to soak up every minute. In the last couple of weeks, he’d relaxed. Even more so in the days since the playoffs finished. He’d dropped his guard some, and the impact was like engraving his initials on her heart. Addie was prone to charging full steam ahead rather than willing herself to go slow and steady. It didn’t always work, though.

Enjoy the moment and what is working. With the team done for the season, there was more time to get a sense of what people needed and set plans in motion. Most of the players were benefiting in some way, even small ones, from the initiative. Now Addie’s focus was on events and activities that could keep the team present in the community. She’d managed to get Sawyer out of his dancing engagement by offering it to Mateo, which turned out to be a great way to introduce him to the public as the newest Slammer.

Picking up her tea, she detoured through the dining room where she’d left her notebook and made her way to the couch. That switch had also allowed her a conversation with Alyssa.

After she’d set her tea down and snuggled into the corner, she opened the book. It was her idea book; one of many.

“What are you doing awake?”

Addie gasped and looked up to see a rumpled and very sexy Sawyer standing in the doorway of the living room, wearing his boxers. He yawned as he ran one hand through his hair.

“Couldn’t sleep. Didn’t want to wake you.”

He moved toward her, sitting right beside her on the couch. “You okay?”

Shutting the notebook, she nodded. “I am. Sorry if I woke you.”

Reaching out, he tucked her hair behind her ear. “You not being there woke me.”

The admission made her want to squeeze him tight, but she just smiled. It wasn’t a bad thing to maintain a little dignity. He didn’t have to know her heart was doing a happy dance.

“You’re sweet,” she whispered.

He snorted. “Said no one. Whatcha drinking?”

“Tea. I can make you some.”

One eyebrow arched. “I’m good, thanks.” Moving his arm, he settled it around her and pulled her close.

It was so easy to curl into him and forget about everything else.

“What’s swirling around that amazing brain of yours?”

Smiling against his chest, she hugged him closer. “I was thinking about some community programming with the team. Particularly with kids, as I think that’s a great way to pull fans in. And I was also brainstorming ideas to work on with Alyssa.”

He angled his neck so he could look down at her. “You’re friends with the famous actress Alyssa Davay?” He feigned shock, making her laugh.

“I have friends in high places,” she said.

“Do you ever stop thinking about how to fix other people’s lives or make them better?”

She shrugged. “Sometimes my brain won’t settle. Hence the couch sitting with tea at one in the morning.”

Sawyer stroked his thumb over her jaw. “You know, there’s other ways to get your mind off something at one in the morning. Or any time for that matter. You could have woken me.”

Laughing, ignoring the tingling effects of his words and the look in his eyes, she patted his chest. “I actually need my mind on these things. I also need to put together a report on how the wellness initiative is already making a positive impact. I’ve gotten some feedback that I can use as justification for carrying on with it.” It didn’t feel weird to give formal presentations to Isla, even with their friendship, but she was still making inroads with some of the other front of house staff.

“Those massages were pretty nice,” he said.

“I hardly think offering couples massages will make sure the players and management recognize the importance of balance in their lives.”

Sawyer’s gruff, sleep-heavy laugh sent heat flashing through her body. He pulled her onto his lap. “Not couples massages. But what about hiring a team masseuse or something?”

“Doesn’t the team have a sports therapist who does that?”

He nodded. “Sure; for injury and right after the games. But management doesn’t get to benefit from that. Your hope is to improve balance and wellness across the board, right?”

She straightened. “Yes. That’s exactly the idea. Maybe I was trying to personalize this too much. What if I simply offered access to the conveniences? Everything from nanny and assistant services to masseuses? That way people could come to us with their needs and know there are vetted options at their fingertips.”

He smiled at her, but she gave it back to him in spades. Clasping his face between her hands, she pressed her mouth to his. “This is a great idea. I’ll be able to connect the community with the team even more than we already have because these services and people will be available right here during the season or the off-season. It’s not like people can’t find their own massage therapist, but I want to make people’s lives easier.”

Sawyer shifted her, and Addie adjusted herself so she was straddling his lap. He reached up and cupped her face, pulling her closer. “If there’s one thing I’m sure of, babe, it’s that you make everyone you come into contact with a better person.”

She was lucky her heart didn’t beat right out of her chest. “You’re making it very hard to keep perspective, McBain.”

“Why’s that?”

Addie pressed her lips to his neck, inhaling the scent of his skin. “If you keep being all sweet on top of the sexy, I’m going to have no choice but to completely fall for you.”

Sawyer brought her gaze back to his. “I’m a professional catcher, babe. Go on and fall. I’ve got you.”

What choice did she have? Absolutely none.