Chapter 41
After a quick nap, Ford and I take Lily to the park for a little dad and uncle bonding time. Because it doesn’t matter how annoyed I may get at Ford or how angry I've been with Elliot, my friends and teammates are still my brothers. Which by proxy makes them Lily’s uncles. A hockey player's schedule is erratic, so I don’t know how much time she will have to really spend with us, so I take advantage when I can. Lily loves the swings. Her laughter filters into the air as Ford pushes her higher and higher. Watching her joy makes it easier to forget how out of sorts I've been these last couple of weeks. The smile on her face easily replaces that feeling with the small realization that life is finally starting to fall into place.
We head back to the apartment once Rachel texts dinner is ready. When we walk in, I find Elliot’s smug mug sitting at the kitchen table and Ziggy helping Rachel in the kitchen. Looks like tonight is turning into a real fucking party.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I ask, not even trying to hide my annoyance.
Elliot raises an eyebrow and smirks, leaning back in his chair like he’s the king of the kitchen. “Come on, man. Did you think I wasn’t going to want to hang out with you guys? Rude.”
“I didn’t invite Ford over, either.” I sigh, rubbing my temples. “He invited himself to town to go to my doctor's appointment.”
He shrugs, completely unfazed. “Well, get over it. We’re here, so try to have a good time. Ford’s right, you are tense.”
“Unbelievable.” I shake my head, muttering under my breath.
I glance over at Rachel, who’s now setting the table, and she catches my eye, giving me a quick smile. Alright, maybe I’m overreacting over this new development for our evening, but still. This is not how a romantic night with Rachel will ever develop organically.
Even though I’m not thrilled about the extra visitors, I roll with it anyway. Dinner’s great, everyone’s having fun, and it feels like a family reunion. It still doesn’t stop the night from dragging on. When it’s time for Lily’s bedtime routine, Rachel disappears down the hall to give her a bath. Being left alone with our guests, I feel the urge to kick them out again. I need some alone time with Rachel, and I need it now.
As soon as she’s out of sight, I turn to Elliot, not even trying to hide my impatience. “Alright, man. It’s been fun, but it’s time for you guys to go.”
“Kicking us out already?” Elliot gives me a fake pout. “I was just starting to feel at home.”
I narrow my eyes at him, standing up and hobbling over to the door. “Yeah, well, go feel at home at your place.”
He laughs, shaking his head as he stands up. “Alright, fine, but I can tell what you are up to.”
“Trust me, I’m not trying to hide it.” I open the door and wave them through. “And my plans don’t involve any of you.”
Ford follows Elliot to the door, calling over his shoulder, grinning like the jackass he is. “Good luck tonight, Oren. Don’t pull a hammy!”
I shake my head, grumbling at him, “Get the hell out of here, Ford.”
Shoving him toward the door doesn’t stop me from grinning as I do it. Elliot and Ziggy laugh as they wait in the hallway for Ford. Before I can shut the door, Ford’s big mouth starts running again. “Tell Rachel I said—”
Elliot cuts him off as I slam the door in all of their faces. “Try not to break the headboard!”
I lean against the door, shouting, “Idiot,” hoping that they are well on their way away from here.
I switch out with Rachel for story time, letting her relax while I put Lily to bed. She’s out like a light before I even finish the first story. The tough life of a toddler, playing, learning, and going to the park. As soon as her even breathing confirms that she is fully asleep, I quietly slip out of the room.
I find Rachel’s already on the couch, a glass of wine in hand, wearing some barely there, silky pajamas that cling to her in all the right places. She’s effortlessly beautiful, and just the sight of her makes all of my blood flow straight to a certain lower appendage. I want nothing more than to jump her bones, but I know I need to be mature about this. If this is going to work, I need to show her I’m serious about her, in more than just the physical way.
Sitting beside her, I reach for her hand, pulling her closer to me. The sweet vanilla scent she has on is intoxicating; it mingles with the clean, citrus scent of her body wash, the perfect blend of her. I brush my lips against her ear, whispering, “You drove me wild tonight, you know that?”
“I know,” she smiles softly, but her eyes are mischievous. “You’re not exactly subtle, Oren.”
“Can you blame me?” I chuckle, brushing a stray wave behind her ear. I gesture between us, asking the question I’m dying to know, “Is this still what you want?”
Rachel pauses, her eyes flickering with uncertainty, her vulnerability deep, but the question is, is it in control? For a few seconds, I worry she’s going to pull back, but then she locks her gaze with mine, and there’s a steadiness in her voice, one that tells me that despite how vulnerable this makes her, she is certain. When she finally speaks, it's in confidence. "I want this, Oren. I want, no–need to stop worrying so much about where it’s going and just see what happens."
The fact that she was or is so worried about what will happen between us bothers me slightly. The last thing that I want is to be another point of stress for her, but deep down, I know that our being together feels right. I just want her to see that for herself. I nod, "Let go….and feel it."
"Yeah," she says quietly, a sensual smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "No holding back."
Relief washes over me, so strong that I pull her even closer, holding her like I might never let her go. The small smile grows, lighting up her whole face as she presses her lips softly to mine. The kiss is deliberate, full of the layers we’ve both been holding back. She pulls back slowly, getting up from the couch and takes my hand to help me up.
“Come on,” she says quietly, her voice determined. “Let’s go to bed.”
She doesn’t have to tell me twice. I hobble on one crutch behind her into the bedroom, my heart pounding with anticipation. Rachel glances back at me, gently pulling me to the bed. For a few moments we just stand there, staring, taking in the sight of each other and the pressure of everything we’ve held back on. Knowing that this time, it’s all going to change, in the best way possible.
I’m stable enough to stand, but not strong enough to take my time getting undressed. I pull my shirt over my head, slip my pants and briefs down quickly, and sit down on the edge of the bed. I watch her slip the silk from her skin slowly, teasing me with every bit of skin she shows. The silk hits the floor, and I reach my fingers out to trace her skin, needing to savor every second of her warm and soft touch.
We take our time. I pull her down next to me, moving carefully. Deliberately, because this isn’t something to rush. From here on out, it’s about making each moment last, experiencing every little detail. I move my palm down her neck, fingers brushing along her collarbone. A feather-like touch moving over the skin between her breasts lightly, I’m careful just to tease a little. She lets out a soft sigh, arching her back, her body already begging for more.
I trail my fingers down the softness of her stomach, encouraging her to shift onto her back. I pull the thong left on down her hips. Once she’s free, she lets her legs fall open wider. Exposing herself in a completely vulnerable way, her glistening pussy drives me absolutely crazy. My fingers are drawn to the arousal between her thighs, as I slide one finger through the wetness leaking out of her, bringing it up to her clit, moving in soft circles around it.
Rachel’s hand slides up my thigh before gripping my very painful erection, and I have to grit my teeth to keep myself from losing it right there just from the feeling of having her hands on me. I lean in, pressing a powerful kiss to her lips, grazing my hands over the curves of her hips, up to her chest to draw out every ounce of pleasure from her nipples. I know she loves it. The sounds she makes, the way her body writhes beneath my touch, it’s like nothing else matters anymore. I adjust how I’m lying so I can slip my finger deep inside of her, rubbing my thumb into her clit. I thrust my finger in and out of her wet cunt a few times before I add a second finger, and start fucking her properly.
“Do you like that, Rachel?” I ask her as she whimpers up at me.
“More, I want more.” She says in a whisper.
I pull out my fingers and add a third before thrusting back into her over and over again. Feeling the walls of her inner muscles start to flutter. I press my thumb harder into her clit. At this point, she has forgotten she even has her hand on my dick, which is for the best because if she did anything else to me, I’d be coming in a heartbeat. I circle my thumb in rushed circles, fucking her harder with my fingers, drawing her orgasm to the surface. I work into her as she shatters around my fingers. Fuck, I want to be inside of her. Every fiber of my being is screaming for it.
“Are you ready for more, sweetheart?” I ask her as she comes down from her orgasm high.
She smiles, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. She nods her head yes. I scoot further back on the bed, being careful of my knee. I open the bedside table before going still. Shit.
“Rachel,” I whisper against her skin, my voice rough with need. “We have no condoms...I didn’t exactly come prepared for this.”
“After Lily, I started the birth control shot,” she lifts her head, her eyes meeting mine, a silent conversation happening that ends with understanding. “I'm clean. You?”
“Yeah, confirmed recently.” I nod, very familiar with the thorough check-ups the team doctor puts us all through. “I’ve always used a condom. Well, other than with you.”
Rachel smiles, like that knowledge makes her happy. She parts her lips slightly as she kisses me. “Then I’m good if you are. I haven’t been with anyone since you.”
I nod my head yes, unable to speak. She doesn’t leave me time to fixate on the meaning of what she said or how important this moment is. She moves quickly, straddling my hips, guiding my thick cock inside her, slow and steady, letting both of us adjust to the feeling. The sensation is overwhelming, like I’m drowning in her, and I never want to come up for air. She sets the pace, rolling her hips against mine, at first slow and romantic, before putting the right amount of pressure exactly where she wants it. Every inch of her touch makes this moment perfect—too perfect.
I try to hold out, to make it last, but I’m so close, too close. With every shift of her hips, or contracting muscle, every sound escaping her lips, I feel myself slipping closer to losing it. I grip her hips, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I feel my release building, the heat, the need.
“I’m not gonna last,” I choke out, my voice strained with the effort of holding back.
Rachel leans down, her lips brushing against mine. “It’s okay. We’ve got plenty of time for more.”
Her words are the final push, and I can’t hold back anymore. I capture her mouth with mine, kissing her passionately as I slip my hands between us, rubbing against her clit. Her orgasm starts to build right as I know I am going to lose total control. I move my fingers faster, urging her to let go, hoping that we come together. It only takes a moment before our releases mix together where we are joined. The intensity of it hits me like a wave. She collapses against me, both of us breathing hard, our bodies tangled together.
We lie there, our limbs intertwined, the only sound in the room, our harsh breathing regulating. Her skin is flushed and glowing as I run my fingers gently through her hair, trying to process the fact that this just happened. Damn, I’m more worn out than I thought. My energy is slipping away faster than I expected, relaxing muscles making it easier for the exhaustion to take hold. Rachel shifts slightly, pulling herself off of my softening cock. I feel the sensation of my cum seeping out of her. Her satiated form still drapes over me, her head resting on my chest. For a second, I try to fight off sleep, to keep the moment going, but it’s pointless.
My eyes slide shut as my arms instinctively tighten around her. She doesn't move, content to stay where she is, and before I know it, I’m drifting off, more satisfied and at peace than I’ve been in a long time. There’s something about the way she fits against me, everything feels right, that makes me sink deeper into the mattress. My last thought before sleep claims me is that I’ve never been more content in my life.