Fall Into Place (Taking the Fall)

by Riley, Alexa

  “You’re almost there, kitten. A couple more good pushes and the baby will be here.”

  The doctor is encouraging and has been an amazing coach. She’s talked Nika through the worst of the pain because she knew her plan was to tough it out. I’m thankful she’s here because I feel powerless.

  I need to help Nika see through the pain and to focus. Leaning over, I get close to her face, wiping away the sweaty hair that’s stuck to her forehead. “Zhena.” She looks me in the eyes after I say the Russian word for ‘wife.’ “You can do this. You’re the strongest woman I know.”

  “I’m scared, Samuel.” My heart clenches, but I have to be her rock now. I can’t let her feel afraid.

  “Is my wife afraid? Because the Nika who took down those two wrestlers in Mexico by herself because she refused to wait for my backup wasn’t scared. The Nika who jumped from the top of a building to the next because her husband was ‘slowing her down’ wasn’t scared. The Nika who took a stray bullet outside a gator farm in Florida but still managed to carry that skip kicking and screaming out of a swamp wasn’t scared. And the Nika I met in the bar of the Blue Diamond casino, that Nika who stole my wallet, watch, and then my heart sure as hell wasn’t scared.” She smiles at my words, a tear falling down her cheek. I hold her face with both hands and try to give her all of my strength. “Now you tell me, kitten. You gonna toughen up and bring our baby into this world, or you gonna sit here scared?”

  She grits her teeth and nods her head, letting me know she’s focused. When the pain gets to be too much, fear can take over and that’s why I’m here. To remind her that she’s a badass and can do anything she damn well feels like.

  I let go of her face and she turns her attention back to the doctor. “Let’s do this.” She grips the sides of the bed and takes a few short breaths before bearing down and pushing hard.

  “That’s it, Nika. Push, push, push!”

  I knead her lower back with my fist, helping with the contraction and mentally cheering her on. She can do it, she’s got it.

  She lets out a cry at the same time the baby does, and we all breathe a sigh of relief. Leaning down, I take her face in my hands and kiss her hard. Our tears mix together as we both hear the sound of our baby crying for the first time. Quickly, we break apart, anxious to see him or her. We didn’t find out beforehand. We wanted a surprise.

  “Congratulations, Mom and Dad. It’s a boy.”

  The doctor passes our baby boy over to Nika, and she wraps her arms around him, and I wrap my arms around them both.

  We decided after last year when Nika got shot it was time to hang up the cuffs. Luckily for both of us, it just grazed her leg, but the thought of something worse sat hard with us. We’d been talking about wanting a baby for a long time, and this was just the sign we needed. Our families had pushed for us to stop long ago, but we wanted it to be on our own terms. After that it wasn’t a hard decision.

  Nika and I moved back to my home because we wanted to be close to family when we had kids. Nika’s mom and dad followed, settling down a few hours away from us, wanting to be close to their grandkids when we got around to having them. It didn’t take me long to put my baby in her, and Nika says I’m too proud of that fact. I just keep telling her my seed is strong, and she rolls her eyes.

  Now after the doctor has left and the nurses have taken care of everything, we’re left alone with our son. I’m laid on the hospital bed beside Nika, cradling her and our baby next to me. I couldn’t possibly be more happy and in love than I am right now.

  “Samuel Viktor,” Nika says, gently touching his cheek.

  “It’s a strong name. I think it will suit him if he’s anything like his mama.”

  Nika looks at me and smiles. Seeing how happy she is makes everything worthwhile.

  I kiss her forehead and tuck her under my chin, looking down on my little family. I know the rest of our families will be in here in a few minutes, so I’m just enjoying the quiet time with just us.

  I couldn’t be more thankful for meeting Nika and having her as my wife and partner. She’s my rock, my world, and my reason for living. I give her another kiss on her forehead and entwine our fingers. One day I hope to find the words to tell her all of this, but until then I’ll just keep showing her.

  Acknowledgments

  To all of you who have read the Taking the Fall series and fallen in love with the characters, thank you.

  Thank you for coming on this journey with me and for loving Cherry, Carter, Jeanette, Saint, and now their kids as much as I have. This was a beautiful story to write and the one that means the most to my heart.

  Thank you for supporting my work and for allowing me to do something that I love. This novella has been asked about since I released the final part of Taking the Fall, and I’m happy to say that this is the end. These two novellas (Anthony and Mary; Samuel and Nika) close the chapters in their world. I’m leaving them in their blissful Happily Ever After, making babies and being in love.

  I think we would all be so lucky to live that way.

  <3 AR

  The end.

  Single Titles

  The Virgin Duet

  Owning the Beast

  My New Step Dad

  Their Stepsister

  The Breeding Series

  Coach

  Mechanic

  Fairytale Shifter Series

  Riding Red

  Beauty Sleeps… November 2015

  Stone and Winnie’s Story… December 2015

  Taking the Fall Series

  Vol 1

  Vol 2

  Vol 3

  Falling In

  Taking the Fall Bundle

  Fall Into Place… November 15th 2015

  Mistress Auction Series

  Buy Me

  Buy Me 2

  Buy Me 3… December 2015

  Innocent Series

  Owning Her Innocence

  Innocent Getaway

  Innocent Christmas … December 2015

  Forced Submission Series

  Taking What’s MINE

  Taking What’s OURS

  Taking What’s HERS

  Forced Submission Bundle Books 1-3

  Taking What’s HIS

  Taking What’s WICKED

  Taking What’s NAUGHTY… November 2015

  The Ghost Riders MC Series

  Pulling Her Trigger

  Beauty and the Biker

  Amazon Page

  Alexa Riley

  The Virgin Duet

  The Virgin Duet

  A gorgeous, obsessive, billionaire alpha.

  A curvy, sassy bombshell from the wrong side of the tracks.

  Both virgins...

  When Becs and Bray make an arrangement, they have no idea what it will lead to - sexual desires and lust that cannot be contained.

  Will Bray let chaos rule his perfect world?

  Will Becs let love into her cold heart?

  Will Kindles ignite from the sexual heat? There's only one way to find out...

  Warning: Flaming Kindles may cause serious injuries. Please read responsibly.

  Chapter 1

  Becs

  Rage bubbles inside me as I look at the imposing double doors of his office. They reach all the way to the high ceiling, and look like you’d have to use all your weight to push them open. On the other side is an arrogant asshole. If you push the doors open he is probably sitting behind a giant desk, or maybe on a throne like a king. I guess he’s king of this building. Mr. Vanilla, as I like to call him just to piss him off, owns the place. I work in the coffee shop downstairs in the building’s lobby. Well, I did until about fifteen minutes ago. I know he’s the reason for my quick termination today, and I’m here to give him a piece of my mind.

  No way am I going back to the shelter. The coffee shop job barely afforded me enough money for the pay-by-the-week motel my older brother and I are staying at. We've been there for the past few months, but anything beat staying at the shelte
r. One week without a job, and it will force us back there. That’s not something I can handle.

  “Is that asshole boss of yours in there?” I snap at the woman sitting at the desk in front of the double doors.

  Jerking her head up, she looks at me in shock, but her face quickly turns to disgust. Of course he has a perfect-looking assistant sitting outside his office. Sun-streaked blonde hair pulled back into a tight bun, crystal-blue eyes with thin black-framed glasses, and a low-cut top. Very low cut. She looks like she could do the whole sexy librarian turned seductress thing at any moment. Maybe that’s what she does.

  I can tell from the scrunch of her nose she finds me repulsive. I’m her polar opposite in every way. We might both have blonde hair but it clearly ends there. My blonde is a brighter shade than hers, but mine is also streaked with pink and purple. The dye makes my eyes appear more purple than they really are. I can see her long legs under the desk, and shoes that probably cost what I make in three months. If she stands up, I’m sure she’ll tower over my five three height. My black military-style lace-up boots give me no extra help in that department. She’s thin and I can tell she puts time into maintaining herself. Total opposites.

  “I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” she squeaks at me in a voice that sounds like nails on a chalkboard. She reaches for her desk phone, I’m sure to call security, because I am after all half naked. I’m dressed only in a bra, black pants and my boots. No way was I letting that dipshit downstairs take fifty dollars out of my last check for my uniform, and I have no plans of ever seeing his face again. He had the balls, after firing me, to suggest I drop to my knees and he’d pay for other services if I needed the money so bad. When I started to unbutton my top the little fucker thought he was getting what he wanted. All he got was my shirt and apron thrown at him. Well, and a black eye. I can still feel the sting on my knuckles from the punch. Oh, yeah, his eye is going to be a nice black and purple come morning. Growing up in foster care, I learned how to throw a mean punch.

  Seeing that my time has now become limited, I walk past her and push open both doors.

  “Cindy I told you—” his words cut off when he looks up and sees me. Jaw clenching, nose flaring as he takes in my attire, or lack thereof. Today, like every day, he’s wearing a three-piece suit, which is the same grey as his eyes. He’s always so neatly put together. Even his stupid handsome face is all straight, perfect lines. Every time he came into the coffee shop I wanted to mess him up. I always want to run my fingers through his hair and give him that freshly fucked look. I thought about rubbing my lips across his neck, leaving a smudge of my lip gloss there so he didn’t look so perfect. The first time he came in, he gave me a half smile and ordered a plain black coffee. No cream or sugar. Not even a flavor. Seems that’s how he likes everything. Every day he would come in and get his coffee and engage me in a little bit of conversation. I looked forward to seeing him. He was different than the other suits. Most either treated me like I could be a quick fuck for them, or gave me a look of distaste.

  Then one day he came in with a woman. I had my back to him, but I could hear them talking. Taking a quick glance over my shoulder, I could see the woman with him was beautiful. She was elegant in a way I can never imagine being. She said to him, “She looks out of place. I’m shocked they let her work here looking like that.” His only response was “I’m sure she would clean up nice if she actually tried.” It had been a long time since I’d been hurt by someone’s words and it pissed me off. So, that day, the games began. Gone were my sweet smiles and my excitement at seeing him. I know I look different. I like my pink and purple hair, my loud nail polish, and lip gloss. It’s me. I stopped trying to fit into other people’s molds when I left the foster system. I didn’t have to pretend to be anyone but me.

  I tried to make his life hell whenever he came into the shop after that. Maybe if I was a big enough bitch he would stop coming. I am pissed that I let myself believe that he liked me.

  Glancing around his office, it’s all so cold—glass and chrome. It makes goosebumps break out on my exposed skin. Everything in his office is perfectly in its place, just like him. I keep looking around, not wanting to meet his eyes yet.

  “Well, Bray, I didn’t know you hired entertainment for the meeting,” says the man sitting across from Mr. Vanilla aka Bray. He never gave me his first name, but I kind of like it. Only after he pissed me off, and I started calling him Mr. Vanilla, did he tell me who he was. They’d poked fun at the way I looked, and I know it was childish of me, but I wanted to do the same to him. So when he asked me why I called him that, I told him “Because you couldn’t be more plain and boring if you tried.” That’s when he informed me he was Mr. Spencer. When I didn’t respond, he added, “Mr. Spencer as in Spencer Holding, the man who owns this whole goddamn building.” This still got nothing more from me than an eye roll. Like I gave a shit.

  I look over at the other man, and he looks just as put together as Bray. That guy seems more laid back, with a smile playing at his lips. He’s attractive, but not as handsome as Bray. I’m starting to think no one is.

  “I can be some entertainment for the right price, if that’s what you’re looking for. It turns out I’m in the market for a new job,” I say, shooting Mr. Vanilla a hard look before turning back to the other man and winking.

  “Is that right? I’d be more than willing to help out a woman in need,” he says as he adjusts himself. I’m not a promiscuous girl. In fact, I’m a virgin. But I know how to use my body to get what I want. A little flirting can go a long way to getting things when you need them. I’m not holding on to my virginity, I just never had a reason or desire to give it up. I don’t think I ever felt attraction until I met Bray. Then he reminded me he’s just like the rest.

  Glancing back over at Bray, I can see his mouth has fallen open in shock. When his eyes lock with mine his anger shines through. That’s a first. This might be the most emotion I’ve ever seen from him. I want to push it. I want him as mad as I am. He comes into my job and gets me fired. Well, I’ll come into his office and cause havoc. Maybe even mess up a business deal.

  As I make my way towards the other man, I run my finger along one of the shelves that line the wall. One by one I start pushing things off the shelf with a soft shove. The trinkets hit the marble floor, their crashes ringing out in the room. Things break but I don’t skip a beat.

  A loud female gasp behind me lets me know that Cindy is back.

  “Security is on their way, Mr. Spencer,” she squeaks in that same voice as before. How he deals with that every day is a wonder. He doesn’t acknowledge her, he just keeps staring at me while I continue my assault on his shelves. When I reach the end, I turn and make my way over to the other man, stopping when I’m standing between his legs.

  I make my intentions known by raising my eyebrows and looking down at him in his seat. When he pats his lap I straddle him.

  “Want a taste?” I ask huskily. “You know, before you buy it.”

  I glance back over at Bray who is now white-knuckling his glass desk. He looks to be gripping it so hard it could actually shatter under his grasp. Turning back to the guy I’m sitting on, I lean in to kiss him. I feel his breath hit my lips, but before he makes contact, I’m in the air. I feel myself fly off his lap and land behind Bray, who now faces his friend. I can tell he’s enraged without having to see his face. His fists are clenched at his sides and I can see him taking long hard breaths as if he just ran a marathon.

  “Out, Smith,” he growls.

  “It’s like that?” Smith asks.

  “Yeah, it’s like that. I’ve known you a long time, and I really don’t want to come to blows with you.”

  “I know. That’s what so intriguing about this. You’re jealous over a woman?”

  Did he just say jealous? Yeah, right. So jealous he got me fired from my job so he didn’t have to see my face anymore.

  “All right, I’ll see you at the charity event next month. You’re
bringing Chelsea with you, right?”

  I hate the shot of jealousy that pierces me when I hear he has a date with another woman.

  “Probably. I always do. I’ll see you then.”

  I hear Smith exit the room but can’t see him with Bray blocking my view. Scooting out from behind him, I move to get away from him a little bit. A jolt of desire fizzed through my body when he grabbed me. I didn’t think he wanted me, but now I’m not so sure. Is he pissed that I’m causing chaos in his office? Or is he pissed I straddled his friend?

  “She’s the one, right there. Get her. Call the cops. I’m sure Mr. Spencer wants her arrested. Look what she did to his office!” Cindy cries out like she can’t fathom what has just happened.

  Two hulking men make their way towards me and I stumble back, almost slipping over one of the ornaments I knocked off the shelf. That would have been some insta-karma right there.

  “Do. Not. Touch. Her,” Bray growls again. Now that I think about it, everything he’s said since I came into his office has been a growl—so different from his normally calm, self-controlled voice.

  Both guards halt in their tracks. For once, I’m actually thankful for Bray’s presence. I don’t want two giant men manhandling me.

  “Yeah, Hulk One and Hulk Two. Touch me and you won’t be able to piss for a fucking week,” I taunt.

  “Cindy, I don’t recall asking you to call security.” Bray says in his usual controlled voice. He slips off his suit jacket and vest, and lays them over the back of one of the chairs. Then he starts unbuttoning his shirt. What the fuck?