Hot Summer Kisses

By Pam Mantovani

Big league baseball pitcher Quinn Lancaster is in Barefoot Bay while undergoing rehab for surgery on his pitching arm. He's eager to get back on the mound where he belongs, but when he meets Anna, sparks fly. School teacher and former military brat Anna Reynolds spent her entire life saying good-bye, but now she's determined to stay in Barefoot Bay though sexy ball player Quinn Lancaster sweeps her off her feet. Sure, he's not white picket fence material, but she's all for a fling—and so is Quinn. Soon their hot summer kisses turn into so much more and love blooms. But the only way to get the happily ever after they deserve is if they're willing to go to bat for each other. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pam Mantovani
• Release date: Sep 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386993162

Pam Mantovani

An author of passionate, emotional romances with heart, Pam loves crafting stories about independent women and men who discover the thrill and joy of falling in love. After years of moving as both an Army brat and corporate wife, Pam and her craftsman husband settled in Atlanta, close to family and friends.

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About the Book

Big league baseball pitcher Quinn Lancaster is in Barefoot Bay while undergoing rehab for surgery on his pitching arm. He’s eager to get back on the mound where he belongs, but when he meets Anna, sparks fly. School teacher and former military brat Anna Reynolds spent her entire life saying good-bye, but now she’s determined to stay in Barefoot Bay though sexy ball player Quinn Lancaster sweeps her off her feet. Sure, he’s not white picket fence material, but she’s all for a fling—and so is Quinn. Soon their hot summer kisses turn into so much more and love blooms. But the only way to get the happily ever after they deserve is if they’re willing to go to bat for each other. 

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This story is set in a world created by Roxanne St. Claire as the Barefoot Bay series, and this work has been published with her permission. Information and links to Roxanne St. Claire's Barefoot Bay books can be found at 

http://www.roxannestclaire.com/barefoot-bay-series/.

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Barefoot Bay Worlds, a place for authors to write their own stories set in the tropical paradise that I created!  For these books, I have only provided the setting of Mimosa Key and a cast of characters from my popular Barefoot Bay series.  That’s it! I haven’t contributed to the plotting, writing, or editing of Hot Summer Kisses.  This book is entirely the work of author Pam Mantovani, an author and dear friend I know my readers are going to love.

Years ago, I had the privilege of reading an early work of Pam’s in a writing contest and I had one of those chills up the spine reactions to her work and knew she’d have a terrific career. What a joy to welcome her to Barefoot Bay! You’re going to fall in love with this sexy baseball player who gives a sweet school teacher the perfect reason to run straight to home.

Roxanne St. Claire

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Barefoot Bay Series

www.roxannestclaire.com

CHAPTER ONE

Quinn Lancaster stared at the beautiful, pristine water of Barefoot Bay. Since coming to this small town on the coast of Florida to rehab from the surgery on his shoulder, he’d often enjoyed the view of the water. He might not like the reason he was currently working with the minor league baseball team, but he couldn’t fault the surroundings. Fourteen months, one week and five days after his surgery the forced inactivity still felt unnatural. So he ignored the water, sand and clear blue sky and concentrated on resisting the temptation to rotate his shoulder and arm in a pitching motion. He’d hoped by now he’d be back in the pitching rotation. Not to mention he’d been raised to believe that everything in his life – and his stepfather’s – revolved around his performance on the ballfield.

As if dealing with today’s setback wasn’t hard enough, now he was expected to act as tour guide for a bunch of elementary school kids.

Generally he liked kids, they were so optimistic and full of energy. It also didn’t suck, he admitted, that he was often on the receiving end of their admiration. The fact that he’d been asked by Lillian Reynolds, one of the nicest ladies he’d ever met, meant he hadn’t been able to turn down the request.

Quinn absently flexed his left hand as he headed for the front entrance gate where he’d been told to meet the group. His gaze lowered to the silicone band circling his right wrist. Yes, he wasn’t happy with today’s disappointment, but there were plenty of kids who dealt with more every single day. He considered changing into street clothes, but decided the kids on today’s field trip might get a kick out of seeing him in his uniform.

Then, suddenly, he felt as if he’d just thrown a ninety-two mile an hour fastball directly at his own chest.

He tried to blame the setting. After all, he never felt more at home than when on any part of a baseball field, and especially the pitcher’s mound. He tried to believe it had something to do with the group of surprisingly subdued kids surrounding the woman. For damn sure his reaction could be blamed on the woman herself as she was a looker.

He stopped, and shook off the sensation the same way he’d shake off a catcher’s call for a slider. He’d been taken by surprise. He’d expected an older teacher, and not one...well, with so many appealing curves. Of course there was also the not so small fact that it had been those fourteen months plus since he’d enjoyed the pleasure of being with a woman.

How’s everybody doing today?

Quinn watched all eyes turn to him as he approached the group. A few of those eyes looked eager, a few looked bored, one he already labeled as being the trouble-maker in the bunch, and more than a few looked afraid. One particular set of adult eyes, the color close to his favorite childhood snack of cinnamon toast, looked at him with warmth and acceptance. Those eyes went really well with the brown hair that also had cinnamon streaking through the length skimming her shoulders, and skin just showing the faint beginnings of a summer tan.

Mr. Lancaster. She held out a hand. I’m Anna Reynolds. Thank you for showing us around the ball park today.

Her hand was long and narrow within his, and he felt a slight callus along the ridge of her palm. Quinn. He glanced over to the pint-sized faces turned up to him, then back to the pretty teacher. It’s my pleasure to show you around the ball park. Although Lillian didn’t mention that her daughter was so lovely. He held her hand while around them the girls giggled and the boys made fake gagging noises.

Since I’ve often been told I take after her, thank you for the compliment.

Anna gave a little tug, but Quinn’s fingers closed tighter, keeping her secure in his grasp. For the first time since his surgery he wanted something more than just a return to the pitching mound.

We should get started, she said. I’m sure you have other things to do this afternoon.

I’m at your disposal for as long as you like.

Her eyes heated for an instant, melting that cinnamon color. In contrast to this sudden, unexpected attraction, her voice held a little frost. Since my mother seems to believe you won’t be in town long, we’ll be grateful you found time for us today.

I’m sure I can find time another day for you.

Sorry, but this is our last field trip of the year. This time she succeeded in freeing her hand. She turned to the group.

All right, everyone, get in a straight line. She glanced back at Quinn. We’re ready when you are.

He didn’t bother to stop the grin. I’m more than ready.

*****

Anna had to give Quinn credit, he was good with the kids. He even managed to keep Brian Drewes calm, who heaven knew, tested her patience more often than not. Quinn entertained the kids with stories and facts about baseball, and even managed to work a math lesson into his talk.

Okay, gang. He rubbed his hands together, as if warming them. Who wants to be a pitcher?

She smiled at the way several of the kids shot their hands into the sky. Then her smile faded when she saw Quinn wince and move a hand to rub at his left shoulder.

Are you sure? she asked.

Of course. He stepped closer to her and lowered his voice. Unless there’s something else you’d like to do.

She felt her cheeks burn with the sensual thoughts no teacher had any business thinking while supervising children on a field trip. I’d love to see the pitching area. He grinned, as if he’d read her provocative thoughts, and then turned to guide the children.

With his brown hair, eyes a shade darker, those muscular shoulders, and the kind of smile that had a woman’s body humming in appreciation and anticipation, Anna reminded herself that she had no intention of getting involved with a man whose career, and where it took him, was more important than the family he left behind.

Even if the possibility of an affair with Quinn appealed to her more than anything she’d experienced in quite some time.

That enticing thought, while following behind the group, had her lowering her gaze to take in his backside and muscular thighs. A deep feminine knowledge told her that he would move very well in ways