Too Hot to Handle: A Boys of Summer Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

baseball.”
    “Yeah, yeah. Three strikes you’re out. But this is just a foul.”
    —
    Jake stared in the direction where Nikki had disappeared. Nursing his beer, he pictured the stunning brunette who was wrapped tighter than a tourniquet.
    Although he’d never admit it to Ryan, he was intrigued. Not because she was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen; pretty girls, in his opinion, were a dime a dozen. And it wasn’t just because she wasn’t easy, although that was part of it. It had been a long time since he’d had to work for a date, and he was more than up for the challenge. He wondered what it would take to crack that icy façade and get to know the real Nikki Case.
    But he also admired the fact that she was her own woman. Nikki appeared to be as passionate and committed to her job as he was to his. He found that to be incredibly sexy. Too many of the women he dated just seemed to be waiting for some proverbial knight in shining armor to take care of them. When he asked about their career, he would get vague answers like “consulting,” or that they were between jobs. Most of them seemed to have no identity and were just looking to hitch their wagon to his star.
    This woman, he could tell, lived, breathed, and slept public relations. He wasn’t surprised when Pete said she was the best in her field. He wondered if the intensity she had for her work translated into the same passion in bed.
    Nikki Case was like a good work of art: complex and interesting, revealing more with every second glance. And even though it started as a silly bet, the notion of pursuing her and winning her was damned appealing. It was going to take work, patience, strategy, and a refusal to be intimidated by rejection.
    All of which he had in spades.

Chapter Five
    Nikki wasn’t at all surprised over the next few days when the players began to appear on the field unshaven, long-haired, and wearing yesterday’s filthy uniform. She’d expected defiance; after all, their habits had taken years to form. Even the threat of discipline didn’t seem to matter; several members of the team showed up fashionably late, and Roger Adams, the designated hitter, not at all.
    Surprisingly, though, Jake was there on time. His uniform was spotless, and he was clean-cut and clean-shaven. Nikki didn’t know if he was trying to win her favor, but she doubted it. From the information in her files, Jake usually took pride in his appearance.
    But she couldn’t say that for the others. They looked like a bunch of barnyard roosters scratching in the dirt. They didn’t understand the perception that lateness and a scruffy appearance meant a team that was less than the best. It took only a single photograph to create a bad impression that could last for years.
    All of that was about to change.
    John remained well out of sight in the executive offices, distancing himself from her and sending a silent message that she was on her own. But once again, Pete stood behind Nikki, making it clear she had his full support.
    “I can see some of you have some problems understanding the new game plan.” Nikki tapped on her clipboard and pressed her lips firmly together. “I believe I made it clear that everyone was supposed to show up in a clean uniform, clean-shaven, and with no tattoos. When I call out your name, please step forward.”
    The men looked at each other curiously, wondering how she could possibly enforce this edict.
    “Jimmy. Ryan. Chase. Antonio. Derek. Pat.”
    When no one stepped forward, Jake took a step back. The ballplayers who were safe did the same, thinking this was a fine joke.
    That left the guilty standing front and center. Nikki glanced at Pete. “Now if you six will please return to the locker room, there is a barber waiting to help you comply with the new rules. And the rest of you, except for Jake, will find a clean uniform waiting. Any questions?”
    The Sonics mumbled under their breath, but no one was willing to get thrown out of