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

the game. Their eyes switched to Pete and he nodded, making it very clear that he was going to enforce Nikki’s orders. Jimmy Reilly threw his helmet to the ground and then stormed back to the locker room, followed by the other players.
    Once out of earshot, he complained bitterly. “I can’t believe this crap. This is valuable time we could be using to practice instead of going to a beauty parlor.”
    “I know. This is bullshit. I’m half tempted to quit.”
    “Jeffrey must be losing his mind,” Ryan grumbled.
    The complaints got louder as they each saw a neatly folded jersey and pants on the bench before every locker. Cody picked up his shirt and demonstrated the sleeve length.
    “Do you realize it is eighty degrees out there?” He threw the shirt onto the bench in disgust. “No way am I wearing that.”
    “There is an alternative,” Pete said calmly, his eyes meeting the catcher’s with a meaningful stare.
    “Not getting rid of it.” Cody glanced down at the snake wrapped around his arm. The tattoo extended from his wrist all the way up to his shoulder, and was done in brilliant sapphire and emerald ink. “I’ve had my cobra since I was sixteen. It’s not going anywhere.”
    “Then you’re stuck with the shirt,” Pete said decisively. “I’ll see all you boys outside. And anyone who shows up without the uniform can just take himself home now.”
    Pete retreated, and the ballplayers cursed and muttered as they donned the new gear. A couple of the other hitters had tattoos as well, and found the same long-sleeved shirts that Cody had laid out for them.
    “We’re going to sweat to death in this,” Brian said, putting on the offensive shirt but rolling the material up to his elbows.
    “It will die down eventually,” Chase said diplomatically.
    “I don’t think so,” Jake said. “From what I understand, Jeffrey is on a mission, and she’s here for the duration.”
    He exchanged a glance with Ryan, who shrugged, one brow lifted quizzically. “Maybe you need to start sweetening her up. Remember,” he indicated Jake’s jersey, “there’s more than number eleven at stake here.”
    “I’m working on it,” Jake said. His voice trailed off when they saw a bikini-clad woman standing behind what appeared to be a barber chair. Astonished, he glanced over to Jimmy, who appeared equally surprised. Any doubt as to her occupation disappeared when she flashed a pair of scissors and indicated that the pitcher should be her first victim.
    “This won’t hurt a bit,” the gorgeous blonde cooed as Jimmy dropped willingly into the chair. His jaw dropped open as the woman leaned forward, displaying her magnificent breasts. “You have a gorgeous head of hair,” she said seductively. “I can’t wait to get my hands on it.”
    Jake stood in the doorway, a grin of admiration on his face as his teammates scrambled to get in line for a haircut. The female barber flirted with each player, admiring the texture of their hair, the color, and anything else she could possibly find to compliment. And the men ate it up. Eagerly they offered their chins and allowed her to administer her razor, especially when she made a sexy show of slathering on the cream. By the time she was done, the team looked as immaculate as a group of boys making their first communion.
    He had to hand it to Nikki. By the time the Sonics trotted out to the field, all of the grumbling and complaining had ceased. Her spoonful of sugar definitely helped them swallow her agenda.
    —
    Jake was the first to walk outside. “Good move with the girl,” he complimented Nikki.
    “Surprised?” It was her turn to grin. “You know the old saying. You catch more flies with honey.”
    “I’m really impressed. Continue that way and you’re on the road to success with this team.”
    “Aren’t you consorting with the enemy by telling me this?”
    “Nope. Just looking to help you out.”
    Nicki gave him a considering look. “And why would you do