Out Of Her League Read Online Free PDF Page B

you've never seen me with my game face on. I'm told I'm rather intimidating.”
    “I'm a cop— I know all about game faces. I just can't picture you being scary, that's all. You're too sweet.”
    “Well, you'll have to see me in action then, won't you?” She brandished her spoon at him. “Teryl told me I turn into a kick-ass bitch when I step onto the field and believe me, I'm all business.”
    “I'll believe that when I see it.”
    “Well.” Her eyes held a hint of challenge. “I've got a game tomorrow at two, if you can make it.”
    “I'll see what I can do. Who are you playing against?”
    “A select team from Seattle. They're coming up for the week.”
    He'd never even watched women's fastpitch before, but he was intrigued enough that he wanted to see her in action. “I'm on call tomorrow, but I'll be there if I can,” he told her, already looking forward to it.
    Her cheeks colored. “I hope I don't strike out while you're watching. I'm not sure if I'll be catching or playing third base, but you'll see me. And if you can't, just check out my number-one fan in the stands. He's the crazy one who shows up to every game and sits right behind home plate as my personal cheering section. When he's not trying to throw me off, that is.”
    Though she tried to make light of it, the rigid set of her spine suggested an undercurrent of anxiety. The thought of anyone frightening her made his hackles go up. “Yeah? How long has he been doing this?”
    Another shrug. “Since the first week of the season, I guess, but it's nothing. He's just creepy, that's all.”
    He folded his arms across his chest. “Does he ever single you out? Leave you notes? Anything like that?”
    A frown formed. “Well, after my game last night he followed me out to my truck. So now I'm going to make sure I never leave without one of my teammates. And I've never initiated a conversation with him.”
    “But you've talked to him?”
    “Only to be polite. Though he did say something weird to me the other night.”
    He fastened his eyes on her, waiting for her to elaborate.
    “He told me to be careful because most accidents happen close to home.” She pushed a melting lump of ice cream around her dish with her spoon. “I'm not sure if he was warning or threatening me, but that's pretty much why I stopped by Teryl's place yesterday. I was afraid he might try and follow me home or something.”
    “So that's why you kept checking your rearview last night.” God, why hadn't she just told him? At least he could have followed her home to make sure she got there okay. “You should have told me. Told someone, anyhow.”
    She swallowed a spoonful of dessert and stared at him with her big blue eyes. “I told Teryl. The Stalker's just a nickname we've given him. And then last night I thought he might be threatening me but I wasn't sure, so I didn't want to make a big deal out of it.”
    All his cop instincts were jangling. “If he's at your game tomorrow, I'll let you know if I think he might be a problem. But if I were you I'd steer clear of him.”
    “I will,” she promised. “I don't really want to believe he might be a threat, but if you're concerned, I'll be more careful.” She gave him a grimace, glanced away. “Now I've told you and Teryl about him, he probably won't even show up tomorrow and I'll look stupid for worrying about it.”
    “Hey.” He took hold of her wrist and her gaze jerked back to his as he'd intended. “Worrying about something like that isn't stupid.”
    When he released her she pushed her plate away and let out a sigh, leaving half her cake untouched. “Well, that certainly spoiled the ambiance, didn't it?”
    With his point made, Rayne wanted her to relax and enjoy herself, so he let the matter drop. “What do you mean? I was getting ready to ask for more dessert.”
    A smile spread, smoothing the worry lines across her forehead. “The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, right?” Embarrassment flitted