Fastball (Wilde Players Dirty Romance) Read Online Free Page A

you believe the stories he tells. She got herself knocked up and nearly disowned. When I was born, she dropped me off at my dad’s parents’ house and never looked back.
    He didn’t even know her last name, their relationship was so wham bam thank you ma’am . I grew up with a dad who was way too young to want to be a father and grandparents way too old to be parents. Somehow in between I’d managed, thanks to Cassie and her family.
    “What are you thinking about?”
    I turn, nearly swallowing my tongue out of fright, not knowing someone was downstairs with me.
    “What are you doing here?” I ask instead.
    “I didn’t want to stay at the hotel with my sister and parents. And Fletcher’s my cousin. I’ve stayed here several times. I have a key.”
    Holding it up, he gives me an impish grin.
    Downing the contents of my glass, I set it on the bar, prepared to leave.
    “So, are you a runner?”
    Mystified, I turn to face the man. He takes off his baseball hat, which is perpetually on his head, and runs a hand through his dark hair. I stare at the arm sleeve. His tats make him appear more dangerous and the reason why I’d been so attracted to him when I spotted him that first time. I’ve always been a fan of a bad boy, which is why I never expected or wanted relationships to last. When he puts the hat back on, it’s turned backwards, and damn, if that isn’t sexy as fuck.
    “Well,” he says, reminding me I haven’t answered his question.
    “I’ve been known to jog a few times, why?”
    When he smiles, a tiny perfect dimple appears on his cheek. “That’s not what I mean. I think you’re running from me. Why, I don’t know.”
    “I’m not running from you,” I deny it even though the truth is, I am. “I told you. I’m not into the relationship thing. We had a fun night, but that’s it.”
    “What scares you about a relationship?”
    This is a simple answer. I don’t even have to think about it. “Let’s see. My mom abandoned me as a child. My dad is the biggest manwhore alive. And honestly, I think I stand up for women by not being like all those whiny ones who played mommy to me until my dad got bored. And then they would cry and beg to be treated like shit. I want to be the opposite of them. I don’t need a man to survive.”
    Ryder’s brows shoot up, and I realize I may have said that with too much vehemence.
    “Okay,” he says, looking a little shell-shocked. “I didn’t want to walk you down the aisle or anything. I just thought we could have fun together. And isn’t it safer to have fun with one person?”
    “Safe physically to be monogamous if both parties are and come into the arrangement clean.”
    “I’m clean. I’m tested all the time.”
    Shit, my brain. I hadn’t meant to speak out loud, because it wasn’t safer for my heart.
    “Besides, you’re a bit too vanilla for me anyway.”
    His eyes become the size of baseballs. “Vanilla? What? Are you into kinky shit?” He studies my eyes. “So it is true. You want to take Cassidy to a sex club.”
    “See, this is what I’m talking about. You’re vanilla, and I’m not.”
    “But—”
    “Don’t bother. You have a small mind for a guy with a decent sized dick. Sex clubs are a place of acceptance for lovers of fucking. I go there and I’m not accused of being a slut because I like sex. I can find a partner that knows exactly what I need and isn’t looking for a white picket fence and crumb snatchers. Don’t get me wrong. I think that’s great for some people. And kids are cute. But that’s not what I’m looking for right now. And what the fuck? Just because I’m not a guy, I’m not allowed to enjoy myself in the company of men?”
    “Wait—”
    My regurgitation of my views leaves me feeling somewhat vindicated and hollow at the same time, so I leave while I’m ahead. I shut myself in my room and am grateful that all the bedrooms in the house have their own attached bath. I take a lingering shower, somewhat