The Heat Is On Read Online Free Page A

filled out a little, but otherwise looked exactly the same. She was dressed casually, wearing a baseball cap with a blond ponytail poking out through the back, a Sonics T-shirt, little makeup, and no jewelry. Yet she appeared adorable, with that same breezy girl-next-door appeal that had made him crazy fifteen years ago.
    And apparently still did today.
    “Hi, Connor,” she said softly, in that breathy voice that had always made him hot.
    “Trace.” He couldn’t stop the silly grin that broke out on his face or hide his genuine pleasure. He felt like he was a college kid all over again, working up the nerve to ask out a girl. But this wasn’t just any girl; this was Tracy,
his
Tracy.
    He shook off the emotions fighting within him. What the hell was wrong with him? He was a successful baseball player, not a schoolboy. He’d started from nothing and had spent the last decade carving out a place for himself in a highly competitive sport. And he’d made it. She had to be impressed by that.
    Had to be impressed by
him
.
    He cleared his throat. “It’s good to see you. I was going to call you once I settled in, but this is even better, that you came to the game.”
    “Yes, I’m here with my family…”
    He couldn’t catch the rest of what she was saying as the announcer began to speak. But he recognized her father in the growing crowd, and the older man returned his wave.
    “Listen, I have to get going,” Connor said, glancing at the clock. “I’ve got to get in some batting practice before we start. Will you be around later?”
    “I don’t know if we’ll stay for the whole game.”
    “Can you send me a text then? So I can get your phone number,” he explained when she seemed hesitant, and displayed his cell.
    “Um, okay,” she said, fumbling for her phone. He was surprised to see her pull out several bags full of what looked like popcorn, finally retrieving her cell from underneath. She sent him the message, pocketed the phone, and then handed him an autograph book.
    “You’re kidding, right?” he said as he saw the familiar scrawls gracing the pages.
    “Nope.” She grinned, handing him a pen. “Can you make it out to Mason?”
    His eyes shot to hers, narrowed. “Is that a boyfriend?” he growled, and heard her lighthearted laughter.
    “Maaybee,” she said, her eyes twinkling as if at some private joke.
    “Better not be,” he said, giving her a mock threatening look as he handed her back the book. “If I don’t see you after the game, I’ll give you a call.”
    She nodded, and he had to resist the urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her thoroughly, claiming her as his own. But he hadn’t seen her in years, and he was sensing something, some kind of hesitation on her part.
    As he walked back onto the field, he decided it was probably just his imagination. After all, she was divorced, and most likely reluctant to trust a man again.
    And even though the breakup between him and Tracy had been mutual, maybe she was afraid of getting hurt.
    Afraid of him
.
    Professional athletes, he knew firsthand, weren’t always the most loyal. There was too much temptation, too much time on the road, and too many women throwing themselves at them.
    But as he returned to batting practice, he was certain of one thing: Tracy Coleman was the woman for him. And whatever barriers he had to knock down, he was more than capable.
    —
    “So what did Connor say?”
    Tracy saw the interested look in her mother’s eyes as she pushed the stroller, while her father gathered up Chloe and Ethan. Mason was happily munching a hot dog as they made their way to their seats.
    “Nothing much,” Tracy said, settling the kids in as the fans rose for “The Star-Spangled Banner.” “He signed Mason’s book.”
    She knew her mother wanted more but was grateful when the singer began the familiar song. Her thoughts about Connor were something she wanted to keep to herself, especially since she was surprised at her own reaction