"Dance with me Old Man."
"I don't dance Rook."
"Just one dance Lawson."
"I have an early flight."
"Yeah, and one dance won't change your flight plans. Come on your knees can handle one little dance."
Mike knew that this wasn't a good idea. He has been keeping his distance since the rain came down on San Diego. He kept a mental catalogue of every touch, every elbow bump or jab. He avoided being alone with her so he wasn't tempted to reach for her, he knew that if he touched her he'd never want to stop.
"If I'm dancing it's not going to be to that crap music you listen to." Mike might have known this was a mistake but he also knew that he could never refuse her anything, especially tonight.
"I can dance to anything you can, Old Man." Ginny said with a smile.
"Alright, fine one dance." Mike sighed.
Mike had spent a lot of time at Boardner's Bar, if he was honest with himself maybe too much time. He knew the bar's jukebox had a great selection of music and the back room was used for dancing on the weekends. But on a Wednesday night the room was empty.
"Hey Nick, I need to show this rookie some of my moves. Mind if we use the dance floor?"
"Sure Lawson, and Darlin' when you get tired of him stepping on your toes just come and find me. I'll show you some real dancing." Nick gave Ginny a wink as he did a little two-step shuffle and spin. Mike had to give it to the larger guy he was pretty light on his feet.
Mike pushed his chair back and let Ginny lead him through the bar. Mike flipped up one of the switches leaving the room in a low lights. A classic jukebox in the back was pulsing with colors. It was a simple open room with a few tables and barstools.
Ginny stopped in the middle of the dance floor and looked around while Mike made his way to the jukebox pulling a few quarters from his pocket. He knew exactly what song he wanted to play. He had been playing it on repeat for a few weeks now and he always thought of her when he did.
He shouldn't be nervous, it was just a simple dance, but he still needed to dry his palms off before the quarters slipped out of his fingers. He quickly made his selection and took a deep breath before turning around.
He had lied to Robles - there was no way you could get used to how beautiful Ginny Baker was. She had stunned him when she walked into Boardner's tonight. Her hair was a halo of soft curls. The short black dress highlighted her long, toned legs.
He first thought she had worn the dress for him. But she had worn the dress for someone else. She had gone on a date tonight. He wanted to ask more questions about this date; he wanted to know who it was with, but even more he wanted to know why she left this date to join him.
Mike watched her as the music started. He loved watching her dance. It was the only time she truly let herself relax. Ginny smiled, closing her eyes and swaying gently to smooth guitar and drum opening.
"What song is this?" She said lifting her arms up and rocking her hips.
"Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton. Little bit country, little bit blues and a favorite of mine."
"Mmm, I like it."
Oh shit this is a bad idea, Mike thought as the sound of Ginny's almost purr made his whole body tighten. But he didn't stop walking towards her.
Ginny's eyes popped open and widened when his fingers touched her hip. His fingers flexed when his eyes met her deep brown ones. He starts to move with her. Placing his hands on her hips and he pulls her a little bit closer.
She still has her hands over her head when she looks down between their bodies. She looks a little surprised by how much space is between them. He feels like he is back in middle school dancing for the first time with the prettiest girl in school.
"I guess I can tell Nick not to worry about my toes at this distance Lawson." She smirks and then squeaks as he pulls her against his chest.
"Is this close enough, Ginny?" His voice so low it's almost a growl. She drops her arms resting on his broad shoulders, her fingers brushing over his neck and collar.
"Ginny, that's a first."
"So is dancing with you." He said softly.
He wrapped both arms around her amazed how tiny she felt against him and how right it felt to hold her. He moves and sways with her. Her chin rests on his shoulder, her curls brush his face. The smell of her shampoo envelops him.
Ginny lowers her chin turning her face into his neck and slowly pulls back. She lets her forehead rest against his as her nose brushes against his. She pulls back a little meeting his eyes, before lowering her eyes to his mouth.
Mike waits, he knew this had to be her move. It wasn't his choice any more. He already made a choice and he feared he made the wrong one.
He feels her breath on his lips. She closes her eyes, licks her lips and leans in. He can feel the soft graze of her full lips against his before she pulls back brushing her nose against his again.
He reaches up and takes her hand from his shoulder. Takes a few steps back and spins her into him, her back is against his chest.
Mike's arm is across her body, his hand on her hip holding her against him. He's still holding her other hand, fingers laced together at their sides. Ginny lays her head back on his shoulder, his beard rubs against the side of her neck. Mike's nose bumps and brushes against her ear.
"Do you know why I'm leaving Ginny? Tell me why I'm leaving." Mike's voice is low, and he softly blows warm air along the shell of her ear.
Goosebumps erupt along her neck and arms. Her breath catches and he feels her pulse speed up in her wrist. She clears her throat and starts to talk but hesitates.
"You're leav... you're leaving for the same reason I want you to stay." She finally says.
"And why is that?"
Mike moves his knee between her legs, pulling her perfect ass against him. His hand on her hip tightens clenching up the fabric of her dress when she grinds against him.
He knows they should stop. Back off while they still can. Before anymore lines are crossed. Thoughts of touching her had kept him awake so many nights. Usually less clothes were involved, but holding her was even better than he could have imagined.
Most days she is a live wire full of coiled energy and power but tonight, in his arms, against him, she melts. He feels her let go of a breath, dropping his hand and turning in his arms. She wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him into her.
"Why am I leaving? You've got to know why I'm leaving? Come on Rook, tell me?" His words are said against the shell of her ear. Her whole body shivers.
"You want a ring," she hesitates.
"Bullshit, Gin. Try again."
Mike can't help but taste the soft skin below her ear. He lightly drags his lips along her neck taking her ear between his teeth. She makes soft noise, more whimper than moan. Mike needs to hear that again and wants to know what other sounds she can make.
She pulls back, looking at him, into him. She reads his signs everyday. Right now he is calling for her curve ball and he knows she might wave him off. She has so many reason to wave him off.
"You're leaving because if you stay you won't be able to stop. You don't want whatever this is to be a distraction, for you, for me and even the team. And I want…" She stops closes her eyes and leans her forehead against his shoulder.
"You want?" Mike encourages with a groan.
"I want you to stay because wanting you is going to be distraction no matter what team you play for."
"I stopped listening at the point where you said you want me."
Mike cups her cheeks with both hands, brushing his thumbs along her skin. He leans her head back looking for the wave off one last time but she only smiles. Mike smiles back at her grazing his lips over hers. He takes her full bottom lip between his teeth gently bites down and sucks.
Ginny make that little purring sound again. The tip of her tongue skims over his lip and he opens for her. Her fingers are running through his hair her, blunt nails scraping his scalp and holding him close. Now he's the one making the sounds.
He releases her face wrapping his arms around her waist pulling her tighter into him. Everything else goes silent he forgets the song, she's the only music he can hear. The way her breath catches with a little sigh as he deepens the kiss. She not off key now and he could listen her brand of music every night.
His hands move up and down her back and along the the exposed skin of her arms. He wants to map out every curve of her body with his hands and then his mouth. He wants to taste every part of her. Find the spots that make her whimper with need. He nudges her chin with his nose, nipping and licking along her jaw.
Ginny's hands are on his shoulders and sliding down his chest. Her fingers dragging over his arms and across his back. Her hands slipped under the hem of his shirt. She runs her fingers and nails up and down his causing his abs to constrict and his dick to harden. Her hand on his skin is like a fire spreading across him, engulfing him.
Mike skims the edge of her dress, his fingertips stroking the smooth skin of her thigh. She lifts her long leg; his palm slides up as she wraps it around his waist. The tips of his fingers feel the edge of fabric covered in lace.
He leans his head back taking in her reaction. Her lips are swollen, her cheeks flushed and her brown eyes dark. He watches her as he slips a finger and underneath the lace. Ginny sucks in a breath and bites down on her lower lip eyes locked on his.
He adjust his grip on her waist using his leg to help support her weight. He doesn't want to rush this, he doesn't know when he will get to see her again after he gets on that plane. A second finger slips under the lace.
Mike startles as his pants pocket vibrates and Ginny makes a surprised yip. The phone had vibrated trapped between his leg and her lace covered center.
He chuckles at the surprised look on her face. He quickly pulls his phone out to turn it off. His eyes catch on who's calling.
"It's Oscar," he says.
"Answer it. You have to." Ginny lowers her leg back to the ground, taking a step back from him. He puts the phone to his ear.
"Hello. Yeah. Are you serious? Yeah, okay." Mike puts his phone back in his pocket. Ginny is looking nervously at him.
"I'm not going anywhere. The trade fell through."
Mike watches her reaction play across her face too quickly for him to read. He notices her start to take another step back. But before she can he steps into her wrapping his arms around her waist. He lays his forehead against hers.
"Did you really mean what you said about wanting me to stay?" Mike knows he sounds a little breathless but her next words could change his life.
"What? I thought...I didn't think you'd…" She stops, closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, then opens them again. "Yes I meant it, you are a distraction Mike Lawson. But I want you on my team." Ginny brushes her lips over his.
"Again, all I heard is you want me. Come home with me. I'll show you what your poster boy can really do." Mike feels a weight lift off his shoulders when she slips her hand in his as they start to leave.
"Old Man, you keep forgetting I didn't have your poster on my wall." Her smile is bright enough to light the room.
"Can't lie to me Baker. Just like I know you love the beard." Mike laughs.
"Nope, I'll never like the beard."
Mike pulls her into his side. Running his beard up her neck and nipping at her ear. She shudders and leans into him.
"Just wait until I get you home, I'm going to teach you to love the beard."
Ginny laughs and walks off towards the front of the bar. Waving to Nick as she calls for a pick up.
"Hurry up, Old Man. I'm not done dancing with you yet and I get next song."