6. Emily
“Are you sure you’re okay with keeping her again tonight?” I ask. “This will be the third evening you’ve had to watch her this week, and this time it’s overnight.”
“Will you stop fussing already?” Dad grumbles from the couch. “You act like we’ve never done this before. You turned out great, didn’t you? Besides, you already handled the worst of it. She’s asleep. Doesn’t really matter if I fall asleep to the news on my couch or yours.”
Mom purses her lips. “What your father is trying to say is we’re happy to watch Audrey. You work so hard, Sweetheart, and you hardly ever take any time for yourself. You’re well overdue for some fun. If this night out with your friend becomes a regular thing we’re happy to do an overnight once a week, especially if it leads to your future happiness.”
“Mom, I’m going out for one night, not eloping,” I say, exasperated.
“You know how she is,” Dad chimes in, turning to face us. “I’m sure she’ll be looking up venues and florists tonight. Don’t worry.” He winks. “I’ll keep her distracted.”
“Ew.” I say, making a face.
“Jack, stop it,” Mom scolds at the same time.
She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Seriously, Sweetheart, Audrey is a wonderful part of our life and yours, but I want more for you than single parenthood. When she grows up and flies off to change the world, I want you to have someone to spend that part of your life with. I know I can go overboard sometimes, but I’m just excited that you’re starting to explore your options.”
Options… you have no idea.
Instead of letting that slip out of my mouth, I just smile, thank her, and scoot upstairs to finish getting ready.
There’s just one problem. My wardrobe is almost completely made up of scrubs and leggings. I had meant to go shopping, but life got in the way like it always did.
I definitely don’t have time to go out now. I rest my head against the closet doorway and growl with frustration.
How could I have been so forgetful?
My phone buzzes. It”s Alexei telling me he”s on his way. It brings to mind the near nonstop texts I”d been trading with all three of the guys that ran the gamut from playful and flirty to downright explicit. I could barely concentrate on my work this past day and a half, much less any last-minute errands.
There’s no sense fussing over it now. It’s time to make do with what you have,I order myself.
I sigh and dig into the back corners of my closet and pull out any dress-shaped item.
Graduation cap and gown? Laughable.
Dress I wore for my maternity shoot? Absolutely not.
Just as I’m about to give up, my fingers brush against something silky. I eagerly yank it out to get a better look. It’s the backless cocktail dress I wore to the only hospital fundraiser Jenna managed to drag me to. I”d like it better if it weren”t white, but that’s probably just some residual anxiety from being around a clumsy toddler all afternoon. Preferred color or not, it”s the only choice I have.
I hit a small roadblock with my hair. White dresses immediately make everything more formal, so the semi-intricate updo I”d done before my parents got here has to go.
When I pull all the pins out of my hair and undo the braid, my options for hair narrow down to precisely two. Option one, I leave my hair down in all its semi-triangular, poofy glory, or option two, I throw it up in a haphazard messy bun and pretend that was my plan the whole time.
Since I”m not a model on the runway or a trendsetting haute couture designer, I go with option two.
I smile at my reflection before I leave the bathroom. The bun really helps dress down the white. Between that and my slightly oversized leather jacket, I”ll hopefully look more like a nightclub attendee rather than a summer bride.
When I get downstairs, I see that Dad is already deep into his favorite hobby—sleeping through the news. Mom”s awake, though, and she does a double take when she sees me.
“You look stunning, Sweetheart. That poor guy isn”t going to know what to do with himself.” She nods approvingly.
My phone buzzes again.
He”s here.
I”m torn between wanting to run out the door and running upstairs to hide under my bed.
Am I sweating?
Oh, shit, I think I am.
Why am I getting nervous now?
It”s just a date.
A date with three men at once.
Three very famous men, one of which happens to be my daughter”s father.
Did I mention yet that he doesn”t know?
I think I”m going to puke.
Please don”t let me puke in the car.
“Emily, relax. Stop worrying about whatever disaster scenario you”ve got cooking in there.” Mom taps my cheek affectionately. “Tonight is about having fun, and you”re long overdue for it. You”ve got your location shared with me, right? Even if the club doesn”t let you bring it in, I”ll be able to see where you are. I”ll have my phone right here. If you run into any trouble, they”re bound to have a landline, but that”s an unlikely worst-case scenario. You”re smart, and you”ve got a safety net all set up. Just shoot me a text if you end up staying out all night so I don”t send the National Guard after you tomorrow morning.”
Even though it isn’t what I’m worried about, her reassurances soothe me.
“I love you,” I say, hugging her tightly.
“You too, Sweetheart,” she says, then adds, “Are you sure we can”t meet him? I know it would give your father the thrill of a lifetime.”
I chuckle. “I bet it would, but not tonight. Maybe next time if it goes well.”
“That”s my girl.” She smiles then shoos me to the door. “Have fun.”
As I walk down to the limo, I’m glad I refused to allow any of the guys to come pick me up at the door. There are at least three neighbors whom I never see outside, trying desperately to look casual. Personally, I prefer the six or so people peeking out from behind their blinds and curtains. They’re at least not pretending to be doing anything other than being nosy. I appreciate the honesty.
I swear I can hear the sighs of disappointment as the driver opens the door and there’s no one immediately in view. At least the guys have enough sense to sit out of sight.
They have had years of practice avoiding prying eyes. I suppose I should have expected that.
What I didn’t expect was seeing only one guy waiting for me instead of three. I give Alexei a puzzled look but hold my tongue until the door closes and the partition goes up.
“I thought we were all going out together. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to see you, but from the messages I was getting it seemed like we were all looking forward to this. Did they change their minds?”
Alexei chuckles low in his throat. “Stop pouting, Kitten. They wanted to pick you up. I just strongly insisted that they wait for us at the club.”
“How did you manage that?” I ask.
“I might have insinuated that I’d talk to Coach and get them benched at the next game if they didn’t get out of the car,” he says with more than a hint of pride.
It’s rude to Ian and Owen, but I can’t help but laugh at the audacity of his little plan.
“Why?” I ask.
His eyes turn serious and he moves to sit next to me.
“I figured that since we’d be going out tonight, you’d want to cancel our dinner date tomorrow. I imagine you wouldn’t want to be away from Audrey a fourth time this week.” He quiets me with a look as I start to open my mouth. “Which I completely understand. I’d be concerned if you weren’t thinking about canceling, so you can stop looking so guilty about it. I’m too old for one-night flings, so no matter how tonight goes with the four of us, I’m planning on rescheduling that dinner.”
“How did you know I wanted to reschedule? I didn’t even know myself until I was putting Audrey to bed tonight. She was so upset at the thought of my leaving, even though I told her I’d be gone and back before she even woke up. It broke my heart. I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you without upsetting you or making you think I wasn’t interested, and somehow, you knew already?”
“I was raised by one myself, so I know a good mother when I see one.” Alexei shrugged nonchalantly.
I’m so overwhelmed, I don’t stop to think. I just throw myself into his lap and pepper kisses over every bit of exposed skin I can reach.
He grips the base of my bun and pulls me back gently.
I brace myself for rejection, already starting to feel embarrassed.
Instead of shoving me away or shaming me, he tilts my head to the side, exposing my neck, and kisses the sensitive skin just under my jaw. I gasp, fisting his shirt in my hands.
Alexei pulls back and smirks at me in a way that sends heat pulsing through my core.
“If you’re this worked up over the bare minimum, I wonder what will happen if I give you a proper compliment,” he observes dryly.
“Why don’t you try it and see?” I challenge.
He tugs on my hair, and I moan softly.
“I’ll start here,” he says, tugging my hair again. “I have been obsessed with that maddening little sound since I first heard it in the parking garage. All I can think about is finding out all the ways I can get you to moan like that for me again.”
My legs clench against his thighs as he presses open-mouthed kisses to the side of my neck. His mouth moves lower to the tops of my breasts, but as soon as I try to pull him closer, he stops.
“I’m not done yet. Be patient,” he says sternly, tugging at my hair again, “You’ve got these gorgeous soft curves that make me want to see every inch of what’s under that dress, and trust me, I always get what I want. So tell me, Kitten, is it lace, silk, or cotton you’re hiding under there?”
I roll my hips against his lap, desperate for any semblance of relief. Alexei grips them hard, holding me in place, denying me, and I growl in frustration.
“You get what you want when I get what I want,” he says, digging his fingers harder into my hips. “Tell me, or better yet, hand them to me.”
“What if,” I gasp, “What if there’s nothing to hand you?”
He groans. “Fuck.”
Then suddenly, he lets go of me. His head drops back against the seat, and he closes his eyes. My heart plummets to my feet as I immediately assume the worst.
“Did I do something wrong? Have I upset you somehow?”
His eyes snap open and lock onto mine. They”re so dark with desire they”re nearly black. When I look down, his hands are in fists.
“Emily,” he rumbles, “if you don”t want things going any further, you need to move to the other side of the limo right now and stay there because I”m not sure how much longer I can control myself around you.”
His hands start to shake when I tangle my fingers through his hair.
“I”m serious, Emily. I don”t think I can stop myself with you.” His voice is shaky.
“Don”t stop.” I lean in and nip his bottom lip. “I want you to have me any and every way you want me.”
“You”re going to be the death of me, woman,” Alexei swears.
He drags me to him and kisses me senseless. His kiss is forceful, demanding, and makes my head spin.
Alexei”s hands drop from my waist to my thighs, forcing them further apart. His fingers trace closer and closer to my core.
“Last chance, Kitten,” he says huskily.
“Don”t you dare stop,” I demand.
He doesn’t waste any time teasing me. His thumb traces circles on my clit while he skillfully fucks me with his fingers. My legs start to shake and my cries get louder. Alexei shoots a worried look at the partition then clamps his other hand over my mouth. I don’t know if it’s the thought of being overheard or the sensation of being restrained, but whatever it is makes me come.
Still breathing hard, I slide off the seat and onto my knees. When I reach for his belt buckle, he grabs my hands and pulls me back up.
“As much as I would love to see those perfect lips wrapped around my dick, we don’t have time. We’re almost there,” he says regretfully.
I eye the bulge in his pants.
“From the looks of things, so are you.” I smile coyly and reach for his belt again. “So what do we have time for?”
He groans. “You’re nothing but trouble, you know that?”
“So make me behave,” I challenge.
“We have less than ten minutes,” he protests halfheartedly.
“I like hard and fast.”
This time, he doesn’t stop me. As soon as I undo the zipper of his pants, he spins me on his lap so I’m facing away from him. Then he hesitates. Confused, I turn my head to look back at him.
“Condom,” he explains.
“IUD,” I counter. “I test regularly at the hospital clinic. I’m negative for everything. You?”
“Negatives across the board,” he answers. “You sure?”
“Shut up and fuck me, Alexei,” I demand.
I call out his name as he slides his length into me, making him clamp his hand around my mouth again. I roll my hips hard against his. Alexei slides his other hand up to cup my breast. My moans are muffled by his hand as he fucks me.
“You are stunning,” Alexei whispers between kisses to my shoulder and neck. “I wanted to go slow with you. To tease you until you were begging me to fuck you. But you just had to have it your own way.”
He pinches my nipple gently. I scream into his hand and jerk my hips in a desperate attempt to get him to fuck me harder.
“You really do like it rough.” I feel him smile against my skin.
I’m so close.
I try to tell him, but his hand makes me largely unintelligible.
“Will you be quiet?” he growls.
“Mmm-hmm,” I answer.
He moves his hand off my mouth and rests it gently on my hip.
“Alexei, please,” I beg. “I’m so close.”
“If you stay quiet, I’ll let you come with me. Can you do that, Kitten?”
“Yes, Alexei,” I whisper.
His hand slides from my hip to my clit. My whole body shudders, but I stay quiet.
“Good girl,” he says then kisses the shell of my ear.
He thrusts into me hard and fast, still playing with my clit. I reach one hand behind my head and grip his hair, making him swear.
“I’m about to finish,” he breathes.
He bites into my shoulder as he comes inside me, sending me right over the edge with him. We stay there for a moment, breathing hard. Then Alexei slides me off his lap and digs his hand into his pocket. I’m confused until he pulls out a handkerchief and cleans us both up.
“No sense in staining that gorgeous dress.” He smirks. “I might want you to wear it again for me.”
I giggle then stop in horror as I glance at my shoulder. Quickly, I bend down and grab my jacket from where he threw it.
“You left a bite mark on my shoulder,” I scold as the car comes to a stop. “What are Ian and Oliver going to think?”
“I can tell you exactly what they’re going to think,” he says flatly.
“And what’s that?” I wonder.
Instead of answering right away, Alexei offers his hand and helps me out of the car at what I assume is the back entrance of the club.
He pulls me roughly against his chest and whispers in my ear, “They’re going to think that you’re even more beautiful after you’ve been thoroughly fucked.”