Four Play: A Collection of Novellas Read Free

Like you were picturing how our children might look.”
    My mouth hung open. “Well next time you go to shake a woman’s hand, you might try to avoid molesting it. I think my thumb is still feeling a strange orgasmic aftershock.”
    He laughed and looked down, shaking his head.
    “Nolan March?” A nurse called from the doors. We both looked toward the ER doors and I saw her holding a clipboard.
    He continued to laugh, and stood to walk toward her.
    Dammit if I didn’t catch myself staring at his ass.
     
    And it was stupidly beautiful.
                 
    He turned back just before entering the secured door. “Nice to meet you.” His eyebrow lifted. “Jack.”
                 
     
                 
                 
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
    I had several things on my “to do” list that week, which included getting Lou—my 1981 Ford Fairmont—an oil change, stopping by admissions to make sure my summer schedule was all lined up, and I’d promised Wanda we’d go out for lunch.
    With softball taking up much of my time during the spring, I’d gotten used to a lighter schoolwork load and doubled up on my courses during the summer. That meant that I couldn’t spend as much time with my family back home—as I’d only have a two-week break in the fall just before the semester began.
    A lot was riding on this season. No one was guaranteed a starting spot on the team, and we all had to continue proving our worth. Most of us had scholarships, and wouldn’t be able to attend the university if it wasn’t for financial aid.
     
    I sat in my car snapping my gum, waiting in line at the Jiffy Lube on campus, looking over the next week’s batting lineup. Lilah’s knee was shot, and she’d be out for the rest of the season—which meant we’d have to pull Sally from the bench for the last three games.
    I pulled my gum in a long strand from my mouth, and stared at the roster. After taking off my cap to scratch my head, I put my car in drive as the line ahead of me crept forward.
    The keychain hanging from the ignition dangled, catching my attention. I played with the squishy stress ball—a miniature softball—thinking back to my previous night’s encounter with Nolan March.
     
    “ ‘I prefer my women a little…softer,’” I mocked out loud, grimacing.
     
    A soft tap on my window pulled me from my thoughts. When I looked up, two clear plastic gloves covered tan hands and forearms of the attendant. He held a gun-like object where a red scanning light flickered its reflection on the glass.
    I rolled down the window and gave a brief smile.
    “If I could open your door and scan your VIN next to your seat, please,” he mumbled.
    Tilting my head so that I could make eye contact with him, I grabbed the handle and opened the door.
    The shock that struck me when I saw his face jolted my defenses.
    Nolan March.
    The man who didn’t find me the least bit attractive stood next to my car.
    His gray work shirt—with his name embroidered in red—was streaked with black grease. Small beads of sweat gathered on his forehead, and a shit-eating grin stretched across his cheeks as he wiped his brow with the sleeve of his shirt.
    He crouched down beside me, keeping his eyes to mine.
    I looked away, folding my arms across my chest and cursing my heartbeat for pounding so fast.
    He stifled a laugh and shook his head. He reached out his arm, pointing his scanning gun to a spot located under my seat. The air was hot and sticky and it wafted into my car, and I suddenly felt his presence rather alarming and his proximity regretfully arousing.
    “Hey, Jack.”
    I nodded, keeping my eyes on the taillights of the car in front of me. “Hello. It was Dick, right? Your name, I mean?” A sly smile slipped.
    He laughed. “No. Nolan.”
    “Oh. That’s right,” I said, letting my smile widen.
    He bounced to a stand and adjusted the neckline on his shirt. “It shouldn’t be more than