Pitch Please (There's No Crying in Baseball 1)

“Thank God,” Lacey muttered under her breath as she stood next to me in line. “Freakin’ gross.”

JJ snorted. “This wasn’t my first time riding with him. You’ll be happy to know that he drove better than he usually does.”

“Oh, God,” I moaned. “If that was his ‘good driving’ I would hate to know what his ‘bad driving’ is like.”

Lacey snorted.

“Can I help you all?” the man behind the desk asked with a brilliant smile on his face.

I gestured for Lacey and JJ to go first.

They both were quick and efficient, and they waved me off as they disappeared to the bank of elevators.

“We’ll see you in the a.m.” JJ called.

I waved them off and smiled.

Trying hard to produce a smile, I told the concierge my name, and he grinned widely at me before producing a blue key.

It was different than the ones JJ and Lacey had received, but I’d never thought to question it as I took it with a grateful nod before disappearing in the direction of the elevators.

After studying the number printed on the back of my key card, I yawned and leaned heavily against the gold embossed walls of the elevator.

My foot tapped silently to the beat of the classic rock pouring through the speakers, and I wondered idly if it was a new thing to not play elevator music in elevators any more.

Not that I was complaining. I found that I quite liked that it wasn’t some boring instrumental tune. My eyes were already heavy. Not to mention I was riding to the floor below the top of the freakin’ hotel.

Why I’d been put on the 14th floor, I didn’t know, but I would take anything at this point.

After the last four days I’d had with Hancock—and how busy he’d kept me worrying about him—I was ready for a full night’s sleep.

Anything would do at this point.

But what I walked into about two minutes later was quite a bit more than I’d expected.

“Whoa,” I breathed. “This is freakin’ amazing!”

The room was one large, open space like most hotel rooms, but it was plusher, decorated in rich reds and royal blues.

The far wall had one huge window that overlooked the lake that the hotel was situated in front of, and there was a large balcony beyond the window that I knew I’d be testing out later.

Maybe I’d even have my morning coffee on one of the lounge chairs.

The bed was also large. It was obviously a king-sized bed, but it looked almost bigger than normal due to the four, massive wooden posts on each corner, and the intricate carvings that adorned the head and footboards.

Then there were the many coordinating throw pillows on top of the bed that matched the comforter.

I ran my fingers over the bedding, surprised at how soft it was.

Was it real silk?

What the hell kind of place was this?

This wasn’t a normal hotel room, that’s for sure.

Knowing I needed a shower, I pushed away from the bed and headed for the bathroom, stopping once to confirm my hunch.

Opening one side of the closet, I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw my luggage where it belonged.

“Thank goodness,” I groaned, closing the door and heading straight for the bathroom.

The bathroom…well, let’s just say it wasn’t your typical hotel bathroom. It had a fucking sauna in it.

And a tub that could double as a hot tub.

After taking care of a few necessities, I turned the huge shower on, exclaiming in excitement when I saw the multiple showerheads that were interspersed on the wall and ceiling of the enormous, walk-in shower.

“Come to mama,” I moaned as I started to strip my clothes off.

I’d never, not once, stayed in a hotel like this.

I also knew which one I would be staying at next time I came into town.

“This place is awesome!” I cried as I tossed my clothes into the corner of the bathroom, then tugged my hair tie out of my hair, slinging it in the vicinity of the counter.

Which, I might add, had a freakin’ fish tank built into the wall separating the his and hers sinks.

Well, for this stay they’d be mine and mine but that was cool!

I’d use both equally so neither one felt slighted.

Then I heard my phone ring.

After contemplating answering it for all of ten seconds, I decided that this shower was too important to pass up.

It was also my mother’s ring tone, and I could call her back any time.

This shower, though, I’d only have for three days. So, I was going to make good use of it.

The moment I stepped inside a moan slid past my lips.

The water felt like it was hitting me everywhere at once.

My feet, my knees, the middle of my back, and my face.

Hell, there was even one aimed at my hooha—though it was a much gentler spray than the others.