Page 16 of Taking the Pitch
Wait,Mr. Davis? No.
“Marty, do youknowthis man?” I ask, praying that what I’m thinking isn’t true. The universe wouldn’t be that cruel, right?Right!?
Marty visibly swallows and looks between the baseball god.Fuck, stop. No Amelia.Judd, his name is Judd. He looks betweenJuddand me before continuing. “Well, yes, Ms. Morgan. He lives in the penthouse. He moved in while you were on your book tour.”
I swear I hear brakes screeching and the world coming to a stop as the truth bomb Marty just dropped settles over us.
No, there’s no way. I must still be asleep, and this is just some twisted dream I’m having because I’m still jet lagged. There is absolutely no way this infuriatingly gorgeous man with ‘fuck me’ eyes, who is not only good with kids but also good with dogs with major trust issues, is living inMYapartment building. Does God really hate me this much?
“What’s the matter, Sugar? Cat got your tongue?” Judd asks, grinning down at me with a sinful smirk.
And what is with his damn pet names? “I thought you said I wasn’t sweet. Sugar sounds awfully sweet to me,” I shoot back. Jesus,whyam I even engaging in this conversation?
Marty’s eyes volley back and forth between us, worry creasing his brow. Bruno also looks between us before he lets out a soft whine.
“Is he signaling you for something?” Judd asks suddenly, his playful tone gone. He takes a step forward and stares at me with…concern?
“What? Oh, no. He’s just sensitive to confrontation.” I reach down and pat Bruno’s head. “It’s okay buddy. Nothing to get upset about,” I reassure him.
Yeah, Amelia, nothing to get upset about.
Judd takes another step forward and kneels down. “May I?” he asks, looking up at me. An image of Judd on his knees,naked,pops into my head and my mouth goes dry. I give him a nod, not trusting myself to speak.
He holds a hand out to Bruno and lets him sniff it. “I’m sorry buddy, I didn’t mean to upset you,” he says softly. Bruno sniffs his outstretched hand before nosing it and pushing his head into his hand for a scratch.
Traitor.
Judd runs both hands down his neck and roughs up his scruff, letting out a deep laugh that makes my stomach flip when Bruno’s tongue snakes out of his mouth to lick his cheek.
“What do you say, big guy? Am I forgiven?” Bruno licks his cheek again, getting another laugh out of Judd.
Marty clears his throat, making me jump. I forgot he was standing there. “Is everything okay, then, Ms. Morgan?”
I eye Judd as he stands and tucks his hands back into the front pockets of his jeans, looking at me expectantly.
Turning to Marty, I give him a smile. “Yes Marty, we’re fine. Thank you. Sorry for the disruption.”
Marty dips his head and gives us one last look before he heads back over to the desk.
I turn and head to the elevators, with Bruno reluctantly following along, without giving Judd another look. I need a hot bath and a large glass of wine. Maybe I’ll just bring the whole damn bottle with me. Turning the corner where the elevators are tucked into the back of the building, I stop and suppress a groan. I’m definitely going to need the whole damn bottle.
One elevator has an ‘Out of Order’ sign strewn across the entrance. Which means I’ll now be sharing an elevator with the sexy man that just appeared at my side.
Giving me a smirk, he hits the call button on the wall. “Going up?” he asks, leaning his shoulder against the wall and crossing his arms. It should be illegal for someone to look that good in a simple black henley. His muscular arms stretch the fabric to within an inch of their life.
His chest rumbles with a chuckle. “My eyes are up here, Cupcake.” I feel my cheeks flame while I drag my eyes from his arms, up over his defined chest and to his warm green eyes that are dancing with humor.
Busted.
The elevator pings, indicating its arrival, knocking me out of my trance.
The doors open and Judd motions me in. “Ladies first.”
Mentally giving myself a shake, I lift my chin and walk straight into the elevator and tuck myself into the corner, trying to keep as much distance as I can in this tiny box. Judd follows me in and turns to the panel. “What floor?”
“Ten,” I say, pulling my phone out of my pocket, so I have something to do other than stare at Judd.
Judd hits the ten and puts his phone up to the screen and taps the PH button, then turns towards me as the doors close, sticking his hands back in his pockets and leaning against the side of the elevator. “So, what type of service dog is Bruno?” he asks, nodding towards him. Bruno’s ears perk up at his name and his tongue flops out of his mouth as he happily pants beside me.
