Chapter Two

The next weekend, Hattie was waiting by her building entrance, her hand smoothing the jersey fabric of her Knights baseball shirt. She frowned down at herself as the jersey pulled a little too tight over her hips.

Starting tomorrow, I’ll go to the gym.

Hattie had signed up to the gym around the corner as soon as she moved to downtown Queens but had never actually started any classes. She knew she didn’t have a bad figure but her shape was full. Others described her as curvy, but Hattie felt self-conscious of her hips and bottom. It left her feeling uncomfortable in her own skin. Both of her exes never openly complained about her figure, but they both complained that she talked too much and spent too much time trying to cover up. The complaints ultimately made her feel more self-conscious and then it progressed to them saying she was no fun in the bedroom just because she sometimes liked the lights off.

Hattie was startled out of her thoughts by a car horn as Grace and her partner, Jack, swung over to the curb to pick her up. She jumped into the back seat and made small talk as they drove to the stadium. Hattie watched as Jack’s hand stroked Grace’s thigh as she drove and how Grace’s hand wandered to Jack’s thigh occasionally as well.

They make it look effortless.

Grace ached for a relationship like theirs and Katie and Lee’s. They were obviously equals in the relationships and were clearly still mad for each other as they couldn’t keep their hands off one another. Hattie knew that each relationship had a rocky start to it, but she had watched as both women met their partners through the Agency and blossomed under their friendship and love, their men making sure Katie and Grace knew they had their hearts. Hattie knew of each fight and make up session between them, as Katie and Grace often talked about how lucky they were before they finally left The Agency. Hattie was grateful that both women still kept in contact, as besides Tamarin, they were Hattie’s only friends.

Jack reached over and gave Grace a light kiss on the mouth as they were stopped at a traffic light, their trust and love for each almost palpable.

Maybe one day I’ll have that too. Maybe when I’m thinner.

The stadium was filling quickly as Jack found a car space and they made their way to the entrance. Hattie went to walk to the economy section, eager to get to their seats so she could scope out all the players.

“Where are you going?” Grace called out to her. “We’ve got box seats, Hatz, courtesy of a friend of mine.”

Hattie’s eyes went wide. “OMG. I have to meet this friend.”

Jack smirked. “I think we can arrange that meeting.” Hattie was too happy to see any hidden message. She was spellbound by finally seeing what only the rich and famous got to see from above. They met Katie and Lee in the owner’s box overlooking the stadium. Hattie was like a wide-eyed child as she watched the game, jumping up and down each time the team had the home advantage.

“So…what do you think of the catcher?” Grace asked as she refilled Hattie’s glass.

Hattie grinned. “Ben Foster? Well, I wouldn’t kick him out of my bed, if that’s what you mean. Look at him. He’s huge. Muscles on muscles and super fit. That is some lucky girl that he’s going home to tonight.”

Lee coughed to cover his laughter. Katie patted his knee and leaned over to Hattie. “Some lucky girl, indeed,” she said with a smirk.

The game continued as Hattie, Grace, and Katie discussed the best player attributes some more. Before long the game was over and the home team winning again.

“That was brilliant,” she said after the game as they relaxed with a glass of wine. “Thank you so much for bringing me.”

Grace smiled. “Anytime, Hattie, we love spending time with you, and anyway, we still have drinks to go to yet! We’re going to the bar around the corner. I’m just waiting for my friend to join us.”

“Is this the friend that gave you the tickets?” Hattie asked.

“It sure is and here he comes now,” Grace said as Hattie swung around to see who she was smiling at.

Hattie’s mouth went dry. “That’s Ben Foster. The catcher. He’s your friend?” Hattie watched as Grace stood up to greet Ben, Jack clasping him on the shoulder, as Ben nodded to Katie and Lee. Grace pulled Ben over to Hattie.

“Ben, this is Hattie. She’s a huge fan.”

Ben’s hand engulfed Hattie’s as he introduced himself. Hattie felt small and delicate next to his large muscular frame. She ran her eyes down his jeans encased legs, noting how huge his thighs were, the bulge of his jeans telling her that object would also be huge.

“Hi Hattie. Did you enjoy the game?” Ben’s voice rumbled through her. A warmth gathered in her groin as she imagined kissing him. It felt like a physical caress as his eyes met hers. Her nipples puckered at her thoughts. She crossed her arms over her chest.

Holy crap.

“Yes. Very much. Thank you for the tickets.”

My god. Why do I sound like a school principal!

Katie stepped forward, smirking as she saw the sparks fly between them. “Come on then, let’s get a drink. I’m sure Ben needs to blow off some steam after that game.”

I can think of a how he can blow off steam with me, Hattie thought as she followed them out. She watched Ben’s muscles ripple under his thin t-shirt as she walked. And I now need new underwear as these are saturated at the thought of him.

The evening went by, and while it was a pleasant one, it was definitely not a memorable one. Hattie quickly became shy as she remembered everything her ex’s had said about her, so she decided not to talk so she wouldn’t embarrass herself. Kate and Grace tried to drag her into the conversation but gave up as the evening wore. Ben asked her numerous questions, but Hattie knew he was only doing that to make her feel comfortable, not because he was interested in her.

As if someone like him would be.

Grace and Jack dropped her off at her apartment later that night and Hattie slipped into bed, thinking of Ben, and how she wished she had the confidence to talk to someone like him. She had felt a strong physical attraction to him, but didn’t want to be rejected yet again.

Hattie knew something had to change. She made the snap decision to get up early the next morning and start at the gym, hoping that exercise would help her feel more comfortable in her body.

As she turned over in bed, her thoughts went to Ben again. She could nearly picture them together. She closed her eyes as her hand slipped under the sheets and into her underwear. She tentatively rubbed a finger over her mound, her breath quickening as her rhythm became faster. Then, as she imagined what Ben would do to her, she thrust her finger inside of her, her thumb rolling on her clit, the moisture gathering making it difficult to maintain her rhythm.

She turned onto her back and threw the sheet off, slipping her underwear off. She knew what she really wanted. It was something that she had asked ex number one to do and he had laughed at her before doing his usual routine. Screw it, Hattie thought. She stood up and went to the kitchen, checking that Tamarin’s door was still shut. She opened the freezer and grabbed some ice cubes, the cold against her fingers making her smile as she thought about what she was going to do next.

She made her way back into room and lay on the cool sheets, her hand picking up an ice cube and running it up her thigh, the ice melting slightly as it slowly made its way to her core.

She imagined the ice was Ben’s tongue, licking his way to her. She opened her legs wider, her fingers parting her tight curls as she held the ice to her clitoris, the pain of the cold against her heat making her cry out. She slipped her finger and the ice cube into her, her fingers circling her opening, teasing herself with the pain and pleasure. Hattie bucked against her own hand until she climaxed, the ice long since melted. She slowly stroked herself until her breathing relaxed.

Turning onto her side, she was sated, happy, and wondering what others would think of her if they knew what she really liked and wanted.