Homerun
By: Ruth Roberts
Blurb:
Cynthiana, beautiful, intelligent, and by all appearances, a
spoiled socialite, finds herself as chair of the Inner City Youth League
Charity Gala. Her Co-Chair,
Roberto Luque, is Major League Baseball’s newest playboy from the Domincan
Republic. Far from being in the
League of men her parents expect her to choose from, which is just fine with
her since she has sworn off playboys.
But, as they work together she discovers his devotion to the inner city
children and wonders if there is more to him than his playboy reputation. Will she break her no playboy rule long
enough to find out?
Roberto fought his way into the Majors. Now, a successful pitcher for the Texas
Rangers, he is living the life he always dreamed of. Until he faces off with a bad-tempered, blue-eyed, red head
that is not his type. So, why is
he drawn to her? The Charity Gala
gives him a chance to find out.
What he finds beneath that socialite veneer captivates him, heart and
soul.
When her powerful father threatens to tear them apart,
destroying not only their love, but also Roberto’s hard won career, will he be
willing to give it all up for love?
Excerpt:
Copyright © 2012 Ruth Roberts
How
could she have been talked into this? She was in way over her head. Cynthiana
Davenport did not plan fundraiser Gala’s, she attended them. So how is it that
she was now head of the planning committee? And for baseball of all things. She
didn’t even like baseball, much less know anything about it. So what if her
best friend had married a hunky major league baseball player last year. Just
because Stacy had to learn about the sport didn’t mean she did. She was going
to call her right now and tell her the deal was off. Someone else would have to
take her place.
Cynthiana
dug her phone out of her purse and was about to hit speed dial when she sighed
in resignation and threw it back into her purse. Stacy was seven months
pregnant with twins and on total bed rest. She couldn’t back out, Stacy didn’t
need that kind of stress. The Gala was only a month away and everything was
practically done. It would be a piece of cake. She could do this. Besides, it
was only a big party and if there was one thing she was good at it was throwing
parties. Sure, this one was a little larger than she was used to but hey, how
much trouble could five hundred wealthy people and athletes be?
Not
nearly as much trouble as managing her growing feelings for one very gorgeous,
very charming baseball player with deep brown eyes and a killer smile who just
happened to be her right hand on the planning committee. Roberto Luque. If she
could just ignore his adorable dimples she might get through the next few
hours. Roberto was a playboy and she didn’t date playboys. Ever. So she would
just have to keep her feelings under tight control until the night was over.
She had managed to do just that every time they had seen each other over the
past year. Admittedly, it had been getting harder and harder, especially since
he seemed to be stepping up the charm. A man like Roberto knew very well when a
woman was attracted to him, but she was determined not to be one of them. So
far she had been safe by provoking some sort of argument with him any time they
were together, that usually cooled things down, but she hadn’t been able to do
that since they started working together on the Gala. Thankfully they wouldn’t
be alone, the rest of the committee would be there too. Which was a good thing
since they were meeting at her house. Heaven only knew what would happen if the
two of them were alone in a house together. Spontaneous combustion came to
mind.
Her
two story, red brick house on twenty-five acres in a small Dallas suburb gave
her the privacy of having a slice of country while still close to the city.
Deciding they would be more comfortable working in the living room she finished
laying out the last of the Chinese food boxes on the coffee table. The door
bell rang. Refusing to glance in the mirror by the door, she opened it to find
Roberto. Just Roberto. It was dangerous to womankind for one man to be so
handsome. That mischievous look in his dark eyes, a touch of humor on his full
lips, dark tendrils of hair curled on his forehead and at his nape. How is it
that the sight of him made her feel light headed? Get a grip girl, he’s only a man.
“Hi
Princesa. I brought the wine and the guest lists as you ordered.”
“I
don’t order, I request.” Defensive mode was her method of survival around him.
She stepped back and let him in.
Roberto
stood just inside and surveyed her house. Lots of windows let in plenty of
sunlight. Sheer red curtains over white slatted blinds complemented the white
carpeting and black leather sectional with red and white throw pillows
scattered over it. Why was it so important that he like her home?
With
a smile and a shake of his head Roberto said, “Nice. It suits you. Fiery yet
warm. By the way, Jennifer and Raquel won’t be able to make it tonight.” He set
the wine bottle on the table next to the wine glasses and the manila folder
containing the guest lists on the sofa.
So
much for her well laid plans. “Why not? We have a lot to do tonight, and why
didn’t they call me?” She wanted to stomp her foot like a child. Fortunately,
she was able to control that urge. Unfortunately her face felt as hot as stoked
fire. Darn, why did she have such pale skin? Was it anger or the thought of
being alone with him? Anger, definitely anger.
“Because
they called me,” Roberto replied. “Between the two of us we can get everything
done. Not to worry Princesa, hard work is not hazardous to your health.”
“I
know that Roberto. Why do you insist on thinking I haven’t worked a day in my
life?”
“I
never said that. Now let’s eat, I’m starving.”
The
man was impossible. Maybe she’d just send him home and do all the work herself.
The idea had merit. She plopped down on the sofa as far away from him as
possible and still reach the food. She ignored his knowing smile and shake of
his head as she picked up a box of her favorite sweet and sour pork. Who cared
if he thought she was a chicken for wanting to keep distance between them.
He
poured them each a glass of wine and sat down next to her. He scooted closer to
her as he handed her a glass. Now he seemed to ignore her scowl as he took a
sip of wine, set down his glass and chose his own box.
“You’re
always starving,” she said a few bites later, “it must be some sort of rule for
athletes that they can eat whatever they want and still look great.”
“You
think I look great?”
Darn!
Why did she have to say something to make him smile? There were those dimples
again. Heat started creeping up her neck and face, the telltale signs of a
blush coming on. Be more careful with
your words!
“All
athletes look great, it’s not just you. Don’t let your head get too big, if it
gets any bigger we won’t both fit on the sofa, I’ll find myself on the floor.”
He
put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. “Don’t worry,
there will always be a place for you by my side.”
His
teasing tone turned serious causing her to look up at him. He stared down at
her, his expression unreadable. Was he joking? Was he serious? She couldn’t
tell and her heart was doing funny little flip flops, his fingers stroking
seductively up and down her arm weren’t helping either.
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Author Bio:
Ruth Roberts has
worked in public relations for fifteen years. She lives in Texas with her very own romantic hero of
eighteen years, their teenage daughter and their dog, Kimi. Her hobbies are reading romance novels
and writing them. Her family says
she is addicted to books, in her opinion that’s not a bad addiction to
have. You can find her on Facebook
or on the web at RuthRobertsRomance.com. You can also email her at
ruthrobertsromance@yahoo.com. She
loves hearing from fans.
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