ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Contemporary Romance from

NY Times and USA Today Bestseller

Charity Pineiro

Alicia Santos knows she shouldn’t be tempted by the team’s new rookie catcher. . .

But Joe Fernandez isn’t just your average baseball player. He’s a potential rookie of the year with amazing skills on the field. Smart, sexy and determined, he’s fought hard for everything in his life and Alicia appreciates that kind of focus. But she’s older and wiser, or so she thinks, until Joe sets his sights on winning her over off the field. . .

Joe Fernandez has never backed down from a challenge . . .

Especially when it’s a woman like his team’s beautiful trainer. He doesn’t mind that she’s older or stubbornly refusing to give into her attraction for him. He’s a patient man and little by little he wears away her resistance.

Nights spent together are glorious and forbidden . . .

Alicia and Joe work hard to keep their personal and professional lives apart to avoid problems on the baseball field. When a career-ending injury threatens their newfound love, Alicia and Joe must find the strength to rebuild Joe’s body and restore balance to their lives.

Chapter One

He was perfection, Alicia Santos thought, admiring the ease with which he moved as he tossed the ball around with one of the other players on the field. Tall and leanly muscled, Joe Fernandez was probably the most promising player on the team. He was also probably the biggest problem she would have to face this season because the young rookie had intrigued her from the moment she had laid eyes on him.

What wasn't there to like? she considered as she watched him in action.

Handsome and built like a dream, she thought and sighed. Sometimes she wished that he wasn’t also nice, hard-working, and respectful. That would have made it easier to dampen her attraction. After all, she was his trainer and close to a decade older. It didn’t matter that he upped her heartbeat every time that she saw him, she had to keep it professional and impersonal.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on something other than the rookie who constantly invaded both her waking thoughts and too sexy dreams.

The clean scent of freshly mowed grass teased her nostrils. Not long after, the sounds of the game became a soothing balm. The hard stinging slap of the ball as it met the leather of the glove. The crack of the bat as the ball connected with the sweet spot and sailed into the outfield or over the fence for a home run.

They were familiar, welcoming noises that stirred memories of her first time on a baseball field and drove away thoughts of the too-tempting rookie. She recalled the bright, spring green of the grass and reddish dirt of the base paths. The heat of the plastic batting helmet as she came up to home plate. The sting on her hands as she got a hit.

Alicia had been in love with the game of baseball since the ripe, old age of five when she had started playing with her older brother and watched him in his local Little League games. As she grew and her prowess improved, she had become a proficient utility player on a number of women’s softball teams. Her Division 1 college team had even won the national championship one year.

For most women, such accomplishments didn't translate into big money contracts or fame on national television. For Alicia it all boiled down to the fact that she played for the love of the game. It was that love that had brought her here as a trainer for the New Jersey Maulers expansion team.

"Daydreaming, Alicia?" she heard from behind her and turned to meet the amused gaze of the team's manager, Gabriel Rojas.

She smiled at her friend and boss. They had worked together at the minor league level for a number of years and it was thanks to his support that she had gotten this job. "Appreciating what it took to get here," she admitted. At thirty-two, she had finally arrived at the place for which she had been reaching since the day that five year old stepped out onto the diamond.

Gabriel nodded, joined her where she stood on the steps leading out of the dugout. Alicia could see the ghosts in his gaze as he stared out at the playing field. Not so long ago, he had stood on steps similar to these as a player before a career-ending injury had brought a host of personal problems.

"We did it and now that we're here, we're going to prove ourselves," he said softly, recognizing that her kindred spirit would understand.

Alicia peered out over the spring grass and base paths to where the team was warming up and taking batting practice. "They looked good in the preseason. People are talking."

Gabriel nodded, got up on the top step and shouted out instructions to the player in the batting cage about keeping his shoulder down for better control and power. Showed him by running through the motions himself. Then he stood there examining the next pitch, his arms akimbo, and yelled out his approval when the player nailed the ball, driving it into the right field stands.

"That's the way, Tito," he said and clapped his hands in approval.

The young man smiled and resumed his batting practice while Gabriel returned to the bottom of the steps. "He's really showing nice development," he murmured and Alicia agreed.

"He's got potential, but more importantly, he's got the drive," she added.

"Mmm," was all Gabriel said as he scanned the players and noted the two in the outfield, tossing the ball around to loosen their arms. "What about those two? I hear Redburn has been giving you a little grief."

"He just hates a woman in the locker room and makes no bones about letting me know it. Nothing I can't handle."

He gestured to the other outfielder. "Eric's still one of the best players I've ever seen."

"Hall of Famer for sure," Alicia chimed in.

"Think his body can last the season?" Gabriel asked bluntly.

Alicia observed the thirty-eight year old outfielder as he warmed up with Redburn. Eric Jones had been on only a handful of clubs, all of them division champs at one time or another. None of them World Series winners and she knew that Eric was holding on despite injuries in the hopes of finally getting a championship ring. As much as she admired his capabilities and his determination, she of all people knew the pain he played with regularly. She wasn't sure he could last an entire season of active duty on the roster.

"His shoulder's been giving him grief off and on through the preseason, you know that. It's in my reports. But given the right training, treatments and days off, he can still be productive."

Gabriel stared out at his friend. He and Eric had played ball together many years ago. Eric had been one of the few who had stuck by him during the bad times and she knew Gabriel appreciated that. "You let me know. I don't think this club can do it this year, or maybe even next. We're still too young a franchise, but -- "

"This year, G-man," she jumped in, using her nickname for him that had caught on with several of the players. "We will be the fastest expansion team to ever win the series."

"While I want it more than anything, especially for Eric -- "

"Nita says you can do it, although she won't put that in print for anyone to see."

Gabriel guffawed, clearly thinking of the annoying sports reporter who kept on hounding him over every little thing he did. "Juanita de Castro is one royal pain in the arse."

"And here she comes, G-man," Alicia stated and at that moment, she could tell that Gabriel wanted nothing more than to run back into the locker room and disappear before Nita could track him down. Instead, the reporter surprised them both by only giving Gabriel a passing glance. She headed to the seats behind third base close to where Joe waited to take his turn at batting practice.

As jealousy rose up when Joe smiled at the beautiful reporter, Alicia tried to curb her response. Think baseball, she told herself, and smiled as she thought about a preseason game against New York when Joe had caught the game's premier base stealer as he tried to take second base. After a quick conversation with the ump, the ball had been handed to her to hold until after the game.

Later, in the opposing team's locker room, Joe had first apologized for throwing the other man out and then asked him to sign the ball. With the good humor the player was known for, the base stealer had signed and dated the ball and now it sat in a protective case in Joe's locker.

Joe’s locker where the handsome rookie would get changed before and after the game.

She cleared away those thoughts like she’d wipe away dirt from her ball glove, but her attention was pulled back to the rookie as he walked over to talk to Nita for a few minutes.

At a shout from the batting couch, Joe stepped away and became all business as his turn came up. In the chill of the April afternoon, Joe quickly proved to Alicia and the fans watching that he was an amazing slugger as he took his turn in the cage. Connecting with ball after ball, he drove a few into deep center and two out of the park.

"Damn, but that boy is something," Alicia said under her breath as Joe finished up and returned to the seats where Nita still waited for him. She had been joined by a slew of young girls who had arrived at the stadium early to watch the pre-game warm ups.

Joe smiled at the girls and they all giggled and started elbowing one another. He flashed his most devastating grin at one of them as he signed the ball she handed to him and heat pooled in Alicia’s center.

"Joe, you gonna flirt all day or get ready?" Gabriel called out playfully a few seconds later and Joe looked over. His gaze settled on her for a long moment before he addressed his boss.

"G-man, I'm always ready," he said, turned back to the girls and offered his regrets.

He sauntered to the dugout, met them where they stood on the steps, and grinned at Alicia. "My wrist needs a little more support. Do you think you can re-tape it?"

Alicia nodded, inclined her head in the direction of the doorway leading back into the locker room areas. "Let’s go, Joe."

He held out his hand for her to go first, and she did, the feminine side of her hoping that he didn't think the pants and sweatshirt with the team emblem looked as bad on her as she thought they did.

Alicia wasn't one of those dainty little things like the girls he had been talking to up in the stands, or like Juanita de Castro, the reporter. She had been an athlete and while curvy in all the right places, she was a solidly built size ten. The team pants and shirts hadn't been chosen with a woman's body in mind and seemed to gap and pull in all the wrong places.

As she reached the doorway to the trainer's room, she looked behind her and if the heat of Joe's gaze was any indication, he certainly hadn't been thinking negative thoughts.

"Please sit while I get the tape," she instructed and he did just that, nimbly scooting up onto her trainer’s table, his long, muscular legs in those almost indecently tight baseball pants swinging loosely back and forth while she gathered everything she needed to re-tape his wrists.

She approached Joe and found herself face to face with him. Sitting on the table had leveled the nearly foot difference in their heights. Alicia tried hard not to notice how handsome he was, but when he grinned, she felt almost sucker-punched by that devastating smile. He seemed to realize it for his grin broadened and an impossibly daring twinkle entered his dark, brown eyes.

"One of these days you'll have to admit it, Alicia."

She hated that the way he said her name caused her insides to twist with want. Battling back that feeling, she said, “There is nothing to admit.”

“Liar,” he replied with a chuckle.

With an exasperated sigh, she took hold of his hand in order to fix the tape on his wrists. "Joe, we've been over this before. I'm your trainer. It would be unprofessional to become involved with you. Plus, I am nearly ten years older than you are."

“There are no team rules against us seeing each other outside of work and you’re only seven years older,” Joe corrected and she ducked her head down as she examined his wrist and the tape job she had done earlier. The tape was snug without being too tight. And his hand . . . Damn, but she was a sucker for a man's hands.

He had large, competent hands with the occasional small scars that testified to his profession. The catcher's position was especially brutal on hands. Alicia had seen many an old timer whose fingers were gnarly and arthritic from the constant beating they had taken behind the plate.

Today's catchers had the benefit of better equipment and in some cases, just better sense about what pitches to let go if they could.

Joe's hands were still young in catcher years. Well-shaped and strong. "Looks fine. The other hand, please," she said and took the hand he offered, again checking the tape on his wrist. She remembered he had injured that hand earlier in the week and turned it over to examine the bruise along the meaty base of his thumb. It was barely yellow and almost completely healed.

She glanced up at him, noting his amused gaze. "Tape is just fine. Seems to me you just needed an excuse to get away from all those little groupies in the stands."

He grinned -- that devilishly boyish one that had already graced the cover of more than one magazine -- and shrugged. "Do you really think I want to waste my time on those little girls?"

She knew all too well where this discussion was going again and decided to head it off. "Those 'little girls' were only two or three years younger than you, Joe."

"Way too young. I like my women mature," he replied jokingly as he slipped off the table and stood. He was over a head taller with shoulders as broad as any she had ever seen. The uniform hugged his body like a second skin, displaying an impressive amount of lean muscle.

"Think of it this way. Since I’m so much older than you, to me you're still a little boy," she shot back, hoping it would end the discussion that had become almost a running theme between them.

Joe glanced down at her, noting the way her determined little chin had picked up a notch as if in anticipation of her victory. While his mother had raised him to be a gentleman, she had also raised him to not be a fool. He would not pass up the opportunity to become involved with a woman like Alicia, especially when as much as she tried to hide it, he could see the interest in her eyes.

Leaning close to her, he softly whispered in her ear, "My love, you of all people should know that I’m not a little boy."

As he turned his face, he detected the flush that sprang up over her cheeks. She met his gaze out of the corner of her eye. "Joe, don't cross this line again. I've told you over and over -- "

"That you have the hots for me," he said at the same time that she said, “That I’m not interested.”

The humor of the moment struck them both and they laughed. He pulled away from her. "I’m sorry, Alicia. I don't want you to be uncomfortable, but you are too hard to resist."

"Try, Joe," was all she said as she turned and walked out of the room, leaving him with the memory of the enticing sway of her shapely hips as she left.

Alicia was all sexy female and Joe hadn’t been kidding when he said he liked mature woman. He had no time for the flirtatious groupies hanging around before and after games. He found them vapid, maybe because life had forced him to grow up too fast and he had no interest in women like that.

He much preferred Alicia with her no-nonsense and practical ways. With the way her blue eyes darkened to a charcoal grey as she watched him and her hands, those capable gifted hands, moved on him while she tended to his injuries.

Sucking in a breath as he hardened uncomfortably against his jock, he controlled those wayward thoughts and told himself to be patient.

Alicia could deny it all she wanted, but Joe was certain that she had a thing for him. In time he hoped to convince her that it only made sense to explore what they both were feeling.

If you liked Rookie of the Year . . .

You may enjoy these other contemporary romances by Charity Pineiro. Also look for A WINNING SEASON, Eric and Yvonne’s story in November 2015.

NOW AND ALWAYS June 2013 ISBN 1490362770

FAITH IN YOU July 2013 ISBN 1490412697

TORI GOT LUCKY December 2013

THE PERFECT MIX March 2013

TO CATCH HER MAN April 2014

SECOND CHANCE AT PERFECT October 2014

About the Author

NY Times and USA Today Bestseller Caridad Pineiro is a Jersey Girl who just wants to write, travel, and spend more time with family and friends. Caridad is the author of nearly 50 novels/novellas and loves romance novels, super heroes, TV and cooking. Caridad writes dark and sexy romantic suspense, erotic military romance, and paranormal romances for those who live to love on the edge. Her sweet, but still naughty side, Charity Pineiro, writes contemporary romances packed with emotion and humor. For more information on Caridad/Charity, please visit http://www.caridad.comor http://www.rebornvampirenovels.com. You can also find Caridad/Charity on:

Twitter at https://twitter.com/caridadpineiro
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Caridad.Author
Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/caridadpineiro/

Tsu at https://www.tsu.co/CaridadPineiro
Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/Caridad_Pineiro

Caridad also sends out a newsletter to her friends! To subscribe, please visit www.caridad.com.

Additional Books by the Author

Additional Books by the Author Writing as Caridad Pineiro

Novellas in the Take a Chance Military Romance Series

ONE NIGHT OF PLEASURE, March 2015

STAY THE NIGHT, December 2014

TAKE A CHANCE Box set, November 2014

ONE LAST NIGHT, October 2014

ONE SPECIAL NIGHT, August 2014

JUST ONE NIGHT, June 2014

Books in The Gambling for Love Romantic Suspense Series

THE PRINCE’S GAMBLE November 2012 ISBN 9781622668007 Entangled Publishing

TO CATCH A PRINCESS August 2013 ISBN 9781622661329 Entangled Publishing

Books in The Sin Hunter Paranormal Romance Series

THE CLAIMED May 2012 ISBN 978-0446584609 Forever Grand Central Publishing

THE LOST August 2011 ISBN 978-0446584616 Forever Grand Central Publishing

STRONGER THAN SIN November 2010 ISBN 0446543845 Forever Grand Central Publishing

SINS OF THE FLESH November 2009 ISBN 0446543837 Forever Grand Central Publishing

Other Novels by Caridad

THE FIFTH KINDOM July 2011 ISBN 9781426891885 Carina Press

SOLDIER’S SECRET CHILD Dec 2008 ISBN 0373276109 Silhouette Romantic Suspense

Novellas

GHOST OF A CHANCE, paranormal short story November 2012 ISBN B00AUGV89G

HER VAMPIRE LOVER October 2012 ISBN 9781459242289 Nocturne Cravings Novella

NIGHT OF THE COUGAR June 2012 ISBN 9781459231153 Nocturne Cravings Novella

THE VAMPIRE’S CONSORT April 2012 ISBN 9781459222731 Harlequin Nocturne Cravings Novella

NOCTURNAL WHISPERS February 2012 ISBN 9781459221437 Harlequin Nocturne Cravings Novella

AMAZON AWAKENING December 2011 ISBN 9781459282766 Available Harlequin Nocturne Cravings Novella

WHEN HERALD ANGELS SING novella in A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS October 2011 ISBN 0373776446 HQN

AZTEC GOLD January 2011 ISBN 9781426891045 Carina Press Novella

Crazy for the Cat in MOON FEVER Oct 2007 ISBN 1416514902 Pocket Books

Books in THE CALLING/THE REBORN Vampire Novel Series

VAMPIRE REBORN, April 2014

DIE FOR LOVE, December 2013, Entangled Publishing

BORN TO LOVE, November 2013, ISBN 9781622663705 Entangled Publishing

TO LOVE OR SERVE, October 2013, ISBN 9781622663477 Entangled Publishing

FOR LOVE OR VENGEANCE, September 2013, ISBN 9781622662937 Entangled Publishing

KISSED BY A VAMPIRE (formerly ARDOR CALLS) October 2012 ISBN 9780373885589 Harlequin Nocturne

AWAKENING THE BEAST Collection featuring HONOR CALLS October 2009 ISBN 0373250940 Silhouette Nocturne

FURY CALLS March 2009 ISBN 0373618077 Silhouette Nocturne

HONOR CALLS February 2009 ISBN 9781426828362 Nocturne Bite

HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE December 2007 ISBN 0373617763 Silhouette Nocturne

THE CALLING COMPLETE COLLECTION October 2008 ISBN 9781426807657 Silhouette Includes Darkness Calls, Danger Calls, Temptation Calls, Death Calls, Devotion Calls, and Blood Calls–as well as the online read Desire Calls.

BLOOD CALLS May 2007 ISBN 0373617631 Silhouette Nocturne

DEVOTION CALLS January 2007 ISBN 0373617550 Silhouette Nocturne

DEATH CALLS Dec 2006 ISBN 0373617534 Silhouette Nocturne

TEMPTATION CALLS Oct 2005 ISBN 0373274602 Silhouette Intimate Moments

DANGER CALLS June 2005 ISBN 0373274416 Silhouette Intimate Moments

DARKNESS CALLS Mar 2004 ISBN 0373273533 Silhouette Intimate Moments

Romantic Suspense Series

SECRET AGENT REUNION Aug 2007 ISBN 0373275463 Silhouette Romantic Suspense

MORE THAN A MISSION Aug 2006 ISBN 037327498X Silhouette Intimate Moments

Additional Books by the Author Writing as Charity Pineiro

NOW AND ALWAYS June 2013 ISBN 1490362770

FAITH IN YOU July 2013 ISBN 1490412697

TORI GOT LUCKY December 2013

THE PERFECT MIX March 2013

TO CATCH HER MAN April 2014

SECOND CHANCE AT PERFECT October 2014

Copyright Notice

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of Caridad Piñeiro Scordato.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

Manufactured in the United States of America