Out of Left Field Read Online Free

damn, the water tasted so good washing over his parched tongue. He sucked mouthful after mouthful, even swishing it around before swallowing.
    “ Whoa, not so fast.” She tugged the straw out of his mouth. Water flew out, drenching him.
    “ Hey! Why’d you—” He didn’t get to finish his question. He understood fully why she’d told him to slow down. The cool water hit his hot rolling stomach and made a violent bid for liberation.
    Once again she held the pink pan under his chin, and once again, he made a fool of himself by barfing. When his stomach was empty again, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
    “ You can go now.” He wiped his mouth again. She didn’t move. He cursed. “Seriously, Doc, why don’t ya just get outta here? I’m not up for visitors.”
    She smiled. “I’m not visiting.”
    Then it dawned on him. “Oh, hell. You’re babysittin’.”
     
    ***
     
    Frankie carefully loaded Xavier into the backseat of her SUV. If she’d thought he had attitude before, nothing compared to what he sported now. He snorted as she eased the seatbelt over him. He cursed when she brushed his arm.
    “ Oh! I’m sorry, X. You okay?”
    “ Yeah. It didn’t really hurt. They gave me pretty good drugs.” He looked around then his dazed eyes met hers. “I can totally feel the earth moving.” His sharp bark of laughter surprised her, but not as much as the next thing out of his mouth. “I feel the earth move under my feet…”
    She joined in his amusement. This drugged-up side of his showed off a playfulness he wouldn’t convey otherwise. The emotion would be short-lived, though. When the heavy-duty stuff wore off, Xavier would be a force to be reckoned with.
    During the short drive to his house, he dozed off again. She pulled up in front of the gate to his neighborhood and had no idea how to get inside. She could wake him, but would he remember his own name, let alone the code to get them past the secured gate? She doubted it. Just as she considered waking him and giving his memory a shot, a car approached the exit. With the gate closing on her, she forced the pedal to the floor and raced through.
    She’d only been to his house once, and wasn’t sure she’d remember where it was. She drove down the street, passed one road, two…
    She slammed on the brakes.
    Xavier groaned as the seatbelt kept him from hitting the floor, but didn’t wake. She backed up and turned down his street. His house sat in the middle of the block, sandwiched between two other large and extravagant homes. Luscious green grass, perfectly manicured, rolled from one yard to the next and huge trees hung over the streets welcoming her. This kind of landscaping must cost them a fortune. The water bill alone, to keep it all green in the heat of a Vegas summer would be killer.
    She pulled into the curved driveway and turned off the engine. Xavier snored softly and she considered giving herself a few more minutes of peace before waking the monster. She sighed as he snuffled. She couldn’t stall any longer.
    Opening the door, she stepped out into the warm afternoon and went around to tug open his door. He looked so peaceful, his head bent back, his mouth hanging slightly open. She’d never realized how muscular his neck was. His face, relaxed in sleep, warmed her heart. He almost appeared innocent. She felt bad his solace wasn’t going to last.
    At least she wouldn’t be around for his misery.
    “ Xavier?” She shook him gently. “X. We’re here.”
    “ Huh?” came his groggy reply. One hazel eye cracked open and he grinned crookedly. “Hey, sweet thang, I know you.”
    “ I know you, too.” She reached across to release his seatbelt and he rubbed her ass.
    “ Nice.” He growled low in his throat. “Just like I knew it’d be.”
    “ Come on, lover boy. Let’s get you settled inside.”
    A white sling secured his arm tightly to his torso, making movement of his shoulder impossible. The immobility irritated him if