He held up a finger. “On road trips, I’m stuffing you in my suitcase. During the summer, I think you should travel home with me. Hey, that’s cool! We’ll be off at the same time. We should totally go somewhere. Ever been to Europe?”
She raised an eyebrow. Summer was months away and he was already planning vacations for the two of them? And not just a jaunt to the Finger Lakes for the day, but freaking Europe. She didn’t even have a passport. Wow. And yet the thought didn’t make her want to go screaming and running the other way. Huh. Maybe she was more ready to take things to the next level than she’d thought. “Sure. We can talk about it.”
“We’ve got plenty of time.”
Well how about that? He didn’t push. Grinning, she followed him to his truck.
He took her to an obscenely expensive—at least in her opinion—Italian restaurant in one of Buffalo’s restored buildings. The restaurant was on the thirteenth floor and was high enough to see the entire harbor area. A little snow had arrived on Christmas, finally, and the whole area looked magical. “This is incredible. Thank you for bringing me here.”
“You’re welcome.” Rob reached over and grabbed her hand. He still wasn’t using his left hand for much, but at least he had both of them available and had been able to ditch the sling. “I, um, I wanted to say something before I give you your gift.”
“All right.” Her eyebrows drew down at the look on Rob’s face. He spent most of his days with at least a half-smile on his face, besides those dark few weeks immediately following is surgery, but right now he was dead serious. What was going on? Should she be concerned? How could there be anything bad associated with a Christmas present? Clearing the lump in her throat, she said, “Go ahead.”
“Don’t get all worried. This is a good thing. Or at least I hope you think it’s a good thing.” Now a hint of a smile played across his features. “I’ve been thinking about you a lot. All the time, really. And I keep coming back to one conclusion that I thought I should share with you.” Rob took a deep breath. “I’m falling in love with you.”
“Oh. Wow. Rob…” Tears welled in her eyes and she hastily wiped at them.
“Are you crying? Shit, I knew I shouldn’t have said it so soon.”
“No!” She looked around. Her outburst had attracted some attention from the other patrons. “No, it’s perfect. You’re great. I’m just…overwhelmed.”
He frowned. “Overwhelmed good, though?”
“Yes, totally. Thank you.” Picking up his hand, she kissed his knuckles. Then, as he brushed away another tear rolling down her cheek, she said, “I am too, by the way. You aren’t in this alone.”
“Thank God,” he answered, letting out a loud breath. “I was getting worried for a minute.”
She whacked his arm. “No, you weren’t.”
Rob said nothing. Was he insecure about her feelings toward him? She found it hard to believe someone as beautiful and fun as Rob would have any crises of confidence, but maybe she was wrong.
He reached into the pocket of his suit and pulled out a small, square box.
Holy shit. Is he proposing? No, he wouldn’t do it like this. I don’t think. And the box is too big besides.
“Merry Christmas.”
“Oh! I thought we were exchanging after dinner. I left yours in a bag in the car.”
Shrugging, he said, “No biggie. As long as its lingerie, you have nothing to worry about.”
“It’s not lingerie. At least, not for me,” she said with a shake of her head and a smile.
“For me? Eww.”
“I doubt you’d look good in a lace teddy.”
“Mmm, no, but you would. And a man can dream.” He gestured toward the box. “Go ahead.”
Pulling off the large bow, she laughed when he leaned forward. In some ways he wasn’t all that different from her kids. They were always excited about giving her things, too, especially flowers they found in the grass at recess and other “treasures.” The box itself wasn’t wrapped save for the ribbon, which she set aside. Alaina opened the box to reveal a lovely gold bracelet in a chain pattern with a puffy heart charm. She looked closer and grinned.
Raising her gaze to Rob’s, she said, “Oh my God, I can’t believe you put our initials on the heart.”
“Too much?” He bit his lip and looked down. “We can get a plain one.”
“No way. I love it.”
“Not too cheesy?”
“Perfect.” Half-rising out of her chair, she kissed him briefly. “Thank you. I’ve never owned anything so beautiful.”
They finished dinner then went to Rob’s house. “Can I have my present now?”
“It’s not nearly as expensive as what you got me.” She’d called Sarah for advice, and the woman had told her not to spend a lot of money on Rob’s gift, assuring her he’d prefer something meaningful. He could buy himself any expensive thing he wanted but a gift from the heart, she’d insisted. Alaina had been skeptical, but since she couldn’t afford anything that was even remotely cool, she’d gone with the advice and her gut.
Rolling his eyes, he motioned for the bag. “Gimme.”
She handed the present over, her heart beating fast, hoping he didn’t hate his gift.
“Awesome! This is the best thing ever!” Inside the bag was a white Storm T-shirt that she’d had her students put their handprints on, plus an album that held wallet-sized pictures. Alaina had already inserted the few pictures of them that she’d had printed off her phone, plus some of herself and the kids in her class, including a few of them making the shirt.
“I thought you might take the picture album on the road. That’s why I got a small one. You can change the pictures if you want some of your family or something.”
“No, this is unbelievable. I love it,” he said as he flipped through the pages. “And I bet none of the other guys got a present like this.”
“It was just a little something. The kids asked me if they could make a present for you. They did all the work.” Alaina wanted the kids to have the credit for the project, but had a feeling Rob wouldn’t go for that.
His look was disbelieving at best. “Yeah, they bought the shirt, got out the paints, showed each other what to do, got their hands clean afterward, blah blah blah, right?”
She smiled at how right her assessment had been. “Well, okay. I helped them.”
“Oh yeah, just a little, I’m sure. Now I think you should help me, um,” he smirked, “relieve some stress.” Standing, he put out a hand. “What do you say? Maybe give me another present?”
“I say you’re full of shit, but you’re hot, so lead the way.”
Rob laughed. “Hey, whatever gets you there. Or, rather, here. In my bed.”
~ * ~
Rob would’ve loved to sleep in, but PT waited for no man, so he dragged his ass out of bed, giving Alaina a kiss on the forehead.
She cracked one eye open.
“I gotta go work out. You can sleep as long as you want. There’s a key in the bowl by the front door. If you leave, just lock up.” He caressed her face. “In fact, why don’t you keep the key?”
She frowned. “Are you sure?”
“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have suggested it.”
“I guess so. If you’re really sure.”
Sitting beside her on the bed, he said, “I don’t play games. I hope you know that by now.”
“I do. But things are happening pretty quickly. Last night you’re telling me you’re falling in love with me and this morning you’re giving me a key to your place.”
“This feels right. What can I say?”
She smiled softly. “I like that you’re a ‘what you see is what you get’ kind of guy. Have I told you that?”
“No. But ditto. I hated those girls who were after me for my money or so they could say they’d had sex with a hockey player.”
Alaina’s smile morphed into a feline grin. “So I should be going around bragging that I’m banging you? How have I not been
doing that already? I’ve missed so many opportunities.”
“Go ahead,” he said with a laugh. “Not like it’ll shock people that after all this time we’re intimate.” Rob glanced at the clock. “Shit, I gotta go.” He nearly said those three big words he’d alluded to last night but caught himself in time. “Talk to you later.”
“Bye.” She snuggled down into his fluffy comforter, and he groaned to himself.
Spooning into her warmth sounded way better than the out-and-out torture that was his physical therapy regimen, but if he ever wanted to get back on the ice he needed to suck it up.
After rehab, he called Sebastian. “How are you doing? Any nerves? Cold feet?”
“No,” his friend said. “I want to be done with it. I’m so excited, and I think Sarah’s starting to wonder what’s got me in this weird mood.”
“Play it cool. Only a couple more days.”
“You talked to Karen?”
“Yep. She’s got everything under control.”
“Mon Dieu, I hope this works.”
Rob smiled. He was touched seeing how badly Sebastian wanted to make Sarah happy. “It will. And even if all you’re able to spit out is ‘will you marry me,’ you should be all set.”
“Easy for you to say,” the other man grumbled.
“If you start to go down, I’ll grab you and we’ll pretend I’m a ventriloquist. But I’m not shoving my hand anywhere weird, dude. Even our friendship doesn’t go that far.”
“Very funny.”
“Seriously, everything is going to be fine.” Now, if only he could believe that about his career as well.
New Year’s Eve arrived, and Rob took Alaina to the game. Afterward, he went down to the locker room with the guys and Sarah whisked Alaina off to parts unknown. Alaina had refused to tell him anything about her dress, and he was practically salivating. Sebastian was nervous as hell and had made some uncharacteristic mistakes during the game. Rob was all too aware he should be devoting his energy to talking his teammate off the proverbial ledge, but the idea of Alaina in some slinky dress…yum.
He and Sebastian dressed and by about the tenth time Sebastian asked Rob if he had the ring, even Rob’s good nature was tested. “Dude, you need to calm down. You’re going to freak Sarah right the fuck out.”
“I know, I know.” Sebastian lapsed into French. “Elle est ma vie et mon coeur.” He had a tendency to switch back and forth when he was nervous, and Rob pretty much understood what he was saying, as he spoke fairly fluent French as a result of playing with so many French-Canadian players and growing up in Ontario.
“Yes, she is your life, and yes, she does have your heart—and you have hers, and that’s why you have nothing to worry about.” When did I start spewing all this sentimental bullshit?
“You’re right. I just want the whole night to be perfect.”
Except for the game, it was. But Rob decided not to tease Sebastian. The man already looked close to a coronary. He needed to calm down, not get riled up even more.
“And it will be. Now stop fidgeting. Seriously, she’s already suspicious enough.”
They walked out of the locker room and waited for the girls in the hall, making small talk as the moments ticked by. Rob heard the telltale clack-clack of heels and looked up. His breath caught.
Holy shit. She’s gorgeous.
Alaina’s hair was swept up on top of her head. Her delectable lips were blood red, just like they’d been at Scott’s party, and dirty thoughts careened around in his head until he got dizzy from them. The dress was a medium gray and hugged her breasts before falling to the floor in soft waves that moved with every step she took.
Sebastian was obviously having a similar reaction to Sarah if the strangled cry from his friend was any indication.
“Hell. I am not at all sure we should let either of you into this party,” Rob said, taking in Sarah’s red va-va-voom-style dress. Turning to Alaina, he continued, “You look ravishing. That’s the best word I can think of, and I can see where the word comes from, since I want to ravish you, right here, right now. But I would never dare to mess with perfection.”
Alaina rolled her eyes. “Laying it on a little thick, aren’t you?”
“No, not at all,” he told her. “You’re—”
“Beautiful? Elegant?” Sarah teased.
Rob glanced at her. “I don’t need any help, thank you.” Offering his arm to Alaina, he asked, “Shall we go in?”
The party was fun, though Rob definitely would’ve preferred a more private party. As in, one other person, the woman he was currently dancing with.
Poor Sebastian looked like he was going to burst a blood vessel, and Rob glanced at his watch. Not much more time, bud. Hang in there.
At one minute to midnight, the party planner, who Sebastian and Rob had already spoken with, turned up the lights and killed the music. Sebastian and Sarah had been dancing, as had Rob and Alaina. Couples began to move off the dance floor, but when Sarah moved, Sebastian didn’t let her go. Rob stayed close by with Alaina too.
His friend reached behind him with one hand and Rob passed him the ring box he’d been holding. Sebastian then dropped to one knee and the entire room gasped, including Sarah, whose hand flew to her mouth.
“I love you, Sarah. I will love you forever. You are everything to me. I could say so much more, but I’m too nervous and I’m dying here. Will you marry me?”
Sarah nodded, tears springing to her eyes, and Sebastian stood, sweeping her into his arms as the crowd erupted in applause and cheering.
Rob turned to Alaina, trying hard not to shed a tear himself. “Happy New Year.”
She stepped into his embrace and, no longer caring about messing up her makeup, Rob kissed her. In the distance, he heard the countdown and the shouting, but his attention was focused on the woman whose mouth he was currently plundering like a marauding pirate. Nothing else mattered but Alaina.
A little while later as he watched his two closest friends stare at each other with gooey eyes and accept congratulations all around, he reflected on what a difference a year made. He looked down at Alaina, who was regarding the couple with obvious affection.
What a difference even a few months make. I love her.
Shortly thereafter, he and Alaina left the party and went back to Rob’s house. Standing her by the bed, he then slowly removed every stitch of clothing, kissing, licking, and sucking the newly exposed patches of skin.
“Rob, you’re killing me.”
“I’m not rushing. I want this to be good. I want to make love to you.”
“Oh, God…”
He latched onto a puckered nipple and coaxed the bud even harder. “Lie down, baby. Let me love you.”
With a sigh, she did, and Rob proceeded to do exactly as he’d said.
Dawn was breaking by the time he let Alaina fall into an exhausted sleep. He watched her face, relaxed in slumber, and wondered if the time would come sooner than he’d thought even a few days ago when he’d be dying from nervousness himself, hoping like hell Alaina put him out of his misery and agreed to marry him. He was falling hard and fast, and he wanted everything with Alaina.
~ * ~
SIXTEEN
School started after the holiday break and Alaina was once again thrown into the minutiae of lesson plans, endless crafts, and cleaning up after her students. Cold season was in full swing and she made sure to take her multivitamin and wash her hands often. She hated being sick.
From a distance, she watched as the plans for Rob’s fundraiser solidified startlingly quick. At this point, she couldn’t do much, since Rob insisted on being involved in every little detail, so she stepped back.
On the day of the event, she helped set up a banquet room at one of those places that held weddings and such with a line of tables for the players to sit at and the boxes of photos and hats waiting to be signed and handed out. Each player would have an assistant who would stand behind him and fetch the items to be autographed. B
en, of course, had his wife, Jaela. Sebastian had his now-fiancée, Sarah. Alaina was helping Rob, and two of the other wives had stepped up to support Jordan and Rick, completing the contingent.
Alaina really had no idea what to expect. Her fear, of course, was that they’d be left with tons of stuff and make no money, but the players who were signing were popular, and she hoped her worries were unfounded. The weather was blustery, blowing the light snow they’d had over the past couple of days around in a swirling morass, which wouldn’t help attendance. She bit her lip, sending up a quick prayer that the day went well.
About a half hour before the doors opened, Jaela looked outside. “They’re lining up.”
“In this cold?” Alaina asked.
Jaela smiled. “Hockey fans are nuts.”
“I guess so!”
“Or maybe you’re underestimating my popularity,” Rob said, sliding an arm around Alaina’s waist and pulling her to him.
Jordan pointed at Rob. “Your popularity? Dude, they’re here to see me.”
Ben stepped up then. “Obviously the captain’s presence is what’s causing the traffic jam.”
“Huge egos, all of you,” Jaela said with a shake her head. Alaina would’ve thought she was scolding the men save for the rueful grin that spread over her face.
“Where’s the baby?” Rob asked.
“With my parents,” Ben said. “They’re still here from the holidays and giving them time alone with their only grandchild is certainly no hardship for them.”
“My folks are trying to work out a visit in February when I’ll hopefully be able to play again,” Rob said. Then he leaned down and told Alaina, “I can’t wait for you to meet them.”
Her heart skipped a beat. They’d been together for several months now, and Rob had taken the news in stride when Alaina explained that her parents wanted him to come to dinner. Of course he’d charmed her mother and talked shop with her father—who Alaina had no idea had become such a hockey fan once he’d heard his daughter was dating Rob D’Amico.
Underneath It All (Storm Series) Page 24
