Love from Left Field Read Free Page B

attraction the minute she spoke, her voice shooting sparks of desire into his icy calm. It was rare to deal with a woman at senior levels in baseball; it was still very much a boy’s club. So he never had to deal with being attracted to his colleagues in previous assignments. Hopefully, they could both remain professional and, possibly, work together to get the job done.
    Thoughts of Miranda reminded him that she was following him down the hall, her heels clicking on the floor in a rapid staccato beat. Hell, he didn’t even know where he was going. He stopped to let her catch up. Pictures of important people lined the hallway. Seamus Callahan. A couple of players. The last picture stopped Lucas in place. The balding head. The kindly hazel eyes. The gentle smile. His eyes burned as he gazed at the picture of his father.
    Miranda stopped next to him, also looking at the picture, lips curved in a small smile. “He always had a praline for me when I came to visit. I wasn’t supposed to have candy. It wasn’t on the pageant diet plan but I loved them. I’d sneak into his office before a game or when Dad was here for a meeting and Uncle Jacob would always stop what he was doing and spend time with me.”
    Lucas swallowed thickly. “He always had time for everyone.”
    “Is that why you’re here, Mr. Wainright? Revenge?” she asked quietly, casting him a sidelong glance.
    “Are you questioning my ethics, Ms. Callahan, or my motives?” He countered, cocking an eyebrow at her.
    “I would never question your ethics, Mr. Wainright. But clearly your motives are much more complex than simply doing your job for major league baseball.”
    “Much more complex indeed.” He turned to face her, a teasing note entering his voice, deflecting the emotion coursing inside. “Since we’ll be working closely over the next few months, shouldn’t you call me Lucas? It’s not like we don’t know each other. We practically grew up together.”
    She flushed, her face turning a bright red. “I wasn’t sure if you remembered.”
    “You were very cute back then, not at all awkward. I had heard you were Miss Georgia a few years later. Major bragging rights for a young guy, telling his friends he knew a beauty queen.”
    She straightened and pursed her lips as if the memory was not as pleasant for her. “That’s in the past. I’ve earned my position.”
    “Whoa, princess.” He held up his hands. “I meant no disrespect. You don’t get an MBA if you’re stupid. I only question how much control you really have as president, or do you stand in for your father?”
    The answer to the question was critical to his plan. If she was her father’s mouthpiece, then his job would be exponentially harder. However, if he could convert her to his side, then he’d have an ally and a foothold. He stepped closer, crowding her slightly against the wall, intentionally in her personal space.
    Her eyes narrowed and she stepped to the side, away from his neat cage, just as she sidestepped his question. “You’ll find that we’re a team here, on and off the field. I’m sure we’ll find a way to work with you, if your ideas make sense. Your office is down this hallway. It’s all I could get ready on such short notice, Mr. Wainright.”
    “Lucas.” He didn’t know why it was so important that she called him by his first name but it was. He refused to move, waiting for her.
    After several moments, she finally murmured, “Lucas.”
    After if her words broke a spell, he started walking in the direction she had indicated. “Excellent. I’m sure it will be fine, Miranda. Let’s get to work.”
    He hadn’t missed the sudden flash of attraction in her eyes, just as she put distance between them. He’d have to be very careful working with Miranda.
    *
    Lucas deliberately ignored Miranda, perched on the edge of the chair opposite the desk. After their heart-to-heart in the foyer by his father’s portrait, he needed to put space between them to