by Kendall Ryan
She swallows, still looking down. Still quiet.
Shit. I feel like I’m about to fucking beg her to come back. I’ve never begged a woman in my damn life. But there’s something different about her, about our connection, and I’m not willing to give up on us. This could be the start of something real. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest that she and Ella come as a package deal. The truth is, the baby has grown on me over the past couple of weeks. I want them both in my life.
“I also didn’t want to assume you’d want to date someone with a baby. Pre-made family and all. Before, we both thought this was me temporarily watching Ella. Now, she’s all mine, no take-backs, no returns.”
“I’m a big boy. I can decide what I want, Ryleigh.”
Her mouth twitches. “And what do you want?”
I lean closer. “I’m looking at it. I’ve never wanted two women in my life more than I do right now.”
Ryleigh gives me a doubtful glance like she doesn’t truly believe me, but she doesn’t say a word. Our food is delivered before I have a chance to say anything else, and we dig in together.
“Mmm . . . this French toast is amazing.” She cuts off a piece for me. “Try a bite?”
I grin. “Sure.” She brings the fork to my lips, and I accept the bite. Warm maple syrup and the sweetness from the powdered sugar hit my tongue. “Delicious.”
It’s crazy how comfortable we are together. Anyone looking at us might think we’re an old married couple. Why does that thought make me smile rather than cringe? It’s so not like me, but everything with her just feels right.
Ella’s still sound asleep by the time we finish. She really is a good baby. After I pay the bill, we go outside to the parking lot.
“I don’t want to rush you, but I like having you guys close, and more importantly, safe. Come home with me?” Permanently. I don’t say that last part, but we’ll get there. I hope.
Ryleigh nods. “We’d love to.”
She hops into her car and follows me home. It’s easier than transferring the car seat to my car in the freezing cold weather. When I glance back at her ancient rusty sedan, I make a mental note to buy her a new car. Something safer, more reliable. Ryleigh won’t like it, and that thought makes me smile. Twisted, I know.
I guess I’d just gotten used to being taken advantage of, and the fact that this woman couldn’t care less about my fame or fortune blindsided me. Her sass and attitude about being independent makes me smile. Jesus, having her and a baby in my house at the same time makes me smile. I may have gotten in over my head—but damn, I know it’ll be worth every second.
Back at my place, we unpack the diaper bag and I survey the guest room.
“We need to get a real crib,” I say, watching as Ryleigh puts Ella down into the Pack ’n Play.
“You really want us to stay here?” she asks, her eyes wide and locked onto mine.
I stroke her cheek with my thumb. “I really want you to stay here. The place felt empty when you left. I slept for about four minutes last night.” I don’t remind her that the location of her run-down apartment makes me nervous. It’s not safe for them there. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure they don’t have to go back.
“I—I guess we could try it . . .”
“Yeah?” My grin is huge as she lifts those blue eyes to mine, smiling.
“Yeah,” she says.
“Okay, then. I think it’s time to go shopping and set up a real baby nursery.”
I grab my laptop from the counter and we settle onto the couch together, browsing the baby sites for the items we’ll need. Ryleigh looks ready for a fight when I whip out my credit card, but I plant a big kiss on her lips to quiet her. It works perfectly. I’ll have to remember that trick anytime she attempts to give me some of that sass. Keeps her quiet and I get to kiss her. Win-win.
We bought a matching crib and dresser, bedding, an upholstered rocking chair, and a furry pink rug for the floor in front of the crib that Ryleigh seemed to like.
Later, after a dinner of steak and potatoes that she prepares for us, we give Ella a bath together and put her to bed for the night. It feels oddly domestic, but somehow right.
I’m flipping through my team’s playbook on the couch when Ryleigh joins me in the living room.
“Hey, there,” she purrs. She’s changed into her pajamas already, and I smile as I watch her approach. I love that she’s so comfortable here.
I set down the playbook and turn to face her. “Don’t freak out,” I say as she settles in beside me.
“What are you talking about?”
“I made some calls. A friend of mine’s wife owns a childcare center, a little preschool in a wealthy suburb about twenty minutes away. He said they’re hiring for a preschool teacher. The pay is good, probably not as good as what you were making at the club, but there are full benefits, and you can bring Ella with you to work. She can go into the infant program.”
Tears well in her eyes, and she blinks several times. “I . . . I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes.” I smile.
“Yes.”
Thank God.
Knowing she won’t have to go back to that place ever again, won’t ever be propositioned by sleazy men outside her building after work, is huge. The tension I’ve been carrying in my shoulders unknots, and I let out a heavy exhale. What a relief.
“And with you working a normal schedule, you can finish your teaching degree. I looked into some online programs for you.”
Ryleigh brings her hands to my face, cupping my scruffy cheeks with her palms. “You big, bossy, crazy man.”
I smile and lean down to press my lips against hers, resting my hand around the back of her neck. “I couldn’t let you go. Not that easily. Ella really clinched the deal for me wanting you to stick around, ya know. Well, that and the amazing food and sex.”
She grins again. “Are you done being bossy?”
“Not even a little.”
She chuckles, and the sound is amazing.
I love seeing her like this, happy and carefree. There are still a lot of hard times ahead, including the awfulness of losing Andi and adjusting to parenthood. None of it will be easy, which is why we need to savor the good times even more. I intend to show her how to do exactly that.
“Come here, baby.” I haul her onto my lap, and Ryleigh giggles when I tug her close. “I’m so glad you came back. And I’m so damn glad you agreed to take Ella. That was a very brave thing to do.”
“Kiss me,” she whispers, and I do, a lot.
She shifts her hips so we’re pressed even closer. The heat of her sex is right up against my growing cock.
“We had our first fight as a real couple—sort of—so does that mean we’re about to have make-up sex?” I grip her ass in both hands. God, I can’t get enough of her. I pray she says yes.
Ryleigh smiles as she leans down and kisses me some more, still rocking her hips in a way that’s killing me as she runs her hands through my hair. “Take me to bed and let’s make up,” she murmurs.
I carry her into my room—scratch that, our room—and take my time stripping her of her shirt, pants, and panties. When she’s bare, I kiss every square inch of her from the delicate column of her throat to her full breasts, down to her stomach, until I reach the juncture between her thighs.
“Alexei . . .” She moans, fisting her hands in my hair as I taste her.
“You’re perfect,” I murmur, kissing her inner thigh.
Only once I’ve coaxed an orgasm from her body do I lie down next to her. Then I spoon my chest against her back, wrapping her tightly in my arms. She parts her thighs, inviting me in, and I enter her from behind. It’s heaven to hold her like this and take her at the same time. I kiss the back of her neck as Ryleigh begins to work her hips against me.
“Yes, baby. Fuck.” I pump my hips harder, my eyes falling closed.
“Alexei.”
“That’s it,” I say, bringing one hand between us to
A few moments more and she does, her body clenching wildly around mine until I groan and follow her over the edge.
Chapter Sixteen
Alexei
“You can’t be serious.” I shoot a look at Ryleigh, and she rolls her eyes.
God, she looks beautiful tonight. She’s wearing a little black dress and bright red lipstick. I secretly love that she’s made such an effort for our date night.
She leans forward, placing her elbows on the table. “What? It’ll be good, I’m sure.”
“No way. No fucking way I’m letting you order just a salad at an Italian restaurant known for their homemade pasta.”
She chuckles at me, shaking her head. We’re on our first real date in what feels like an eternity, having gotten my mom to watch Ella, which wasn’t difficult since she begs to see her almost daily.
Ryleigh and I have been living together for two months, and things have been perfect. It hasn’t always been easy, but we’re learning to navigate the rough patches together. She and Ella even traveled with me to my away game last weekend since I couldn’t stand the thought of not seeing them for forty-eight hours.
Ryleigh eventually relents and closes her menu. “Fine. Lobster fettucine.”
I grin. “That’s my girl. Go big or go home, baby.”
She rolls her eyes and leans back in her seat. “You’re going to make me fat.”
I reach across the table and squeeze her hand. “Not a chance. I love your curves.”
The server comes and takes our orders. I can see the diners at the table beside us have spotted me and know who I am. I smile politely and tip my head, hoping they won’t come to our table and interrupt a rare date out with Ryleigh. But knowing me, since I’m grateful for my career and fans, I’ll sign their autographs without complaint if they do walk over.
To my agent’s surprise, my relationship with Ryleigh hasn’t caused the distraction Slate anticipated. If anything, Ryleigh’s brought a sense of order to my life. Along with a whole lot of happiness and love that wasn’t there before. There are no more fights with journalists or headlines about me losing my cool on some asshole. There’s just me and my girls.
Andi is in her final days, and we bring Ella to the hospital often where Andi strokes her hair or holds her frail hand. I never imagined she’d have such a sense of peace, but seeing the way Ryleigh and I care for her, I know she’s comforted knowing her daughter will be in good hands after she’s gone. I even hired a photographer to come with us last time, photographing Andi and Ella together—a memento that Ella will hopefully treasure when she’s much older and able to understand the sacrifice her mother made for her.
“I love that you don’t have a game this weekend. It’s nice having you home,” Ryleigh says, taking a sip of her wine.
“It’s the best. Just wait until the off-season. You’ll be sick of me.”
She shakes her head. “I highly doubt that.”
Our food is delivered, and we waste no time digging in. I love how comfortable we are together. There are no awkward silences or need for pretense. I steal a bite of her pasta, and Ryleigh almost stabs me with her fork.
I chuckle and shake my head at her.
Ryleigh has been working at the preschool for a couple of weeks now, and it’s been the perfect fit. She loves it and does an amazing job. And she’s on track to finish her degree in about eighteen months, which will open up even more opportunities to her, if she wants.
“So, are you feeling ready for the playoffs?” Ryleigh asks, forking a bite of her pasta.
“Hell yes. With you by my side, baby, there’s nothing I can’t do.”
She laughs, rolling her eyes at my cheesy line. “Think your mom will keep Ella for another hour?” she asks, her voice going sultry.
I smirk. “Yeah. Why, what did you have in mind?” The flirty look she’s giving me makes me wonder if she’s thinking about a lot more than dessert.
“I was thinking I’d like some uninterrupted sex to top off our date.”
I raise my hand, signaling to the server. “Check, please!”
Ryleigh chuckles.
A little while later we’re back home, and we barely make it through the door before my lips are on Ryleigh’s neck and I’m pressing her body up against the wall.
She lets out a murmured groan of approval, and I lift her so she can wrap her legs around my waist. I’m already hard for her, and I know she feels it, because she begins working her hips over my cock in a way that makes my balls ache.
“Shit, baby. Want you so bad.”
“Yes, Alexei.”
I work my hands beneath her dress and push her panties aside, stroking her wet, silky flesh while she makes a pleasure-filled sound of need.
I know I should take Ryleigh to the bedroom and lay her down against the pillows, make sure she’s comfortable, and worship her like the goddess she is, but I’m far too impatient. And way too needy.
“Foreplay later? Need you now,” I grunt as she palms my cock through my jeans and rubs it with her hand.
She makes a noise of agreement, and I work open the front of my jeans and shove them down over my ass with one hand until my cock is free. And then I push into Ryleigh’s tight body, stroking her inner walls until she’s panting and moaning and clawing at my shoulders.
“It feels so good, Alexei.”
I kiss her mouth once and then meet her eyes. “Yeah, baby?”
I pump my hips in a lazy rhythm, loving that I’m driving her wild with desire. Her eyes are hooded, and her head is resting against the wall as she watches me. I’m in no rush to end this, and continue pushing into her in long, slow strokes as I watch her cheeks blush and her eyes go hazy with lust.
“Tell me. Let me hear you.”
“I love your big cock. Give it to me,” she says on a moan, gripping me tighter.
Her words do something to me, and heat blooms in my chest. But rather than respond to her dirty endearment, as amazing as it was, I’m hungry for more.
My hips are still moving, but only barely. I take a deep breath and meet her eyes. “I love you.”
Ryleigh’s eyes widen at my words. It’s the first time I’ve told her how I feel, but definitely not the first time I’ve wanted to. I’ve known how I feel about her for weeks now. Shit, if I’m being honest, I think I knew that first night.
Her grip around my shoulders tightens, and her eyes grow watery. She looks so beautiful like this—so full of love, so full of me.
“I love you too.” Her voice is barely above a whisper, but there’s so much emotion behind her words. I sense she’s been waiting for some time to say that to me.
Welcome to the club, sweetheart.
Her words release something in me, and I begin fucking her hard and fast against the wall. Ryleigh cries out, gripping me as I pummel into her, our bodies melding together perfectly. Soon, she climaxes, clenching wildly around me as she says my name over and over. I love the sound of it on her lips. I love everything about her. Her strength, her stubbornness, and best of all—the fact that she’s mine.
“Jeez, Alexei.” She sighs when I finally lower her to her feet inside our bedroom. It’s dark, but I don’t bother with the lights. She’s still clutching my biceps like she doesn’t quite trust herself to be steady on her feet just yet.
“You okay, baby?” I lean down and press a soft kiss to her forehead.
She nods quickly, tucking her hair behind one ear. “I’d say I’m much better than okay.”
I chuckle. “Yeah. That was . . .” Truthfully? There are no words. I just get so worked up when I’m around her. I’ve never felt like this with a woman before. It’s like no matter how many times I have her, rather than satisfy my hunger, I only end up wanting her more. “You’re incredible. I’m sorry that wasn’t more romantic.”
Our first fucking date night in forever, and I practically maul her, and then fuck her in the hallway up against a wall. Shit. What’s wrong with me?
Though I can’t regret telling her I love her. I do, so fucking much.
She rolls her eyes. “So much for foreplay.”
I squeeze her ass and chuckle. “I didn’t hear you complaining. And . . .” I give her a wicked smirk.
“What?” She laughs, somewhat nervously.
“Your pussy was really wet.”
She swats at my bicep. “Oh my God, Alexei!”
I laugh again, leaning down to kiss her. “Next time, more foreplay. Got it. I promise.”
She shakes her head at me, but she’s still grinning.
“I meant what I said, though,” I add.
She cocks her head, watching me as I pull up my jeans and button them. “About what?”
I take her face in my hands. “That I love you.”
And I do. It’s fast, but I’ve never felt more sure about anything in my entire life. She makes me smile and gives my heart this full, happy feeling. Plus she turns me on more than any woman ever has.
Her cheeks blush, and she looks almost shy. She didn’t think it was only something we were going to say in the heat of the moment, did she? That’s not how I roll. I wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t 100 percent true.
After just a moment’s hesitation, she seems to find her footing. “I love you too.”
I break into a happy grin. “Good. Now get dressed so we can go get our baby.”
Ryleigh giggles as she grabs one of my T-shirts and puts it on.
Chapter Seventeen
Ryleigh
Two Months Later
Oh my God, I had no idea watching Alexei on the football field from my spot in the suite would be so incredibly stressful. I stand here, gripping the seat in front of me, my gaze glued to him on the field. My stomach is in knots and my palms are sweating.
I’m wearing the jersey Alexei bought me in his team colors—navy and gold—with his number embroidered on the back. Most of the wives and girlfriends in the suite are dressed similarly, and some even have the word WIFEY printed across the back of their jerseys. It’s cute, and I wonder briefly if I’ll ever have one like that. The thought of it makes my belly tighten.
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