Chapter 12
ALLY
My stomach churned as I made my way toward baggage claim. Between packing my place and dealing with my family’s justifiable concerns about me moving four states away, it’d been a whirlwind nine days since I’d agreed to move to Denver.
Ethan paid the rent on my apartment for the remainder of my lease in case I needed to come home in a hurry, for which I was beyond grateful. And Darcy had agreed to swing by my place every so often and check-in. Having that safety net made the idea of moving and the changes it would bring less scary.
Fortunately, work hadn’t been an issue. HR just updated my address and confirmed the two days I was taking off to get resettled. I was grateful for how easy my company had been to deal with. One less headache was exactly what I needed right now.
But my nerves were still a jumbled mess. Was this a mistake? Would we survive living together? Would my baby brain and crazy hormones drive both of us mad? Could my bladder survive sharing one bathroom?
That last one was probably my biggest issue. The pregnant person’s bladder waited for no one.
I was almost relieved that he had to leave for a weeklong road trip the next day. I could situate myself without him in the space too. But was I going to end up lonely from the very first day I was there?
No, I reminded myself. Brooke had already reached out to schedule a lunch date, and I was looking forward to catching up with Harper soon. Plus, Darcy planned to visit in a few weeks.
It was going to be fine.
I adjusted my backpack as I stepped onto the escalator. I could do this.
As the baggage area came into view, I saw Dom. He was leaning against a wall and was watching me. I sucked in a breath as he pushed away from the wall and walked toward the bottom of the escalator.
Dammit.
Why was his moving toward me so hot? His deep brown eyes were locked on mine, and a small smile played at his full lips. I felt a twinge low in my stomach, and it wasn’t the diva.
Nonononono. This was not good.
We were platonic roommates, nothing more.
Nothing. More.
I wasn’t blind. The man was hot as hell. But I could resist him.
My laugh came out as a squeak.
Nope. I could do this. I placed my hand on my belly, feeling her flutter under my touch. I could do this. For her.
There would be no kissing.
Absolutely none. One hundred billion percent.
And then I was stepping off the escalator, and he was pulling me into his arms. And I froze while my heart beat stupid fast.
He smelled fantastic, and my nipples tightened. I forced down a groan. Or maybe it was going to be a moan.
Dammit, Ally.
“You’re here,” he said into my hair, his breath washing over my ear and making me all tingly.
“And you’re here too,” he said, his hand covering mine on my belly.
My laugh came out strangled. “Uh, we’re kind of a package deal.”
He pulled back. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Um, yeah. It’s nice to see you too.” It sounded wooden in my head. Shit. Making this awkward wasn’t going to help anyone.
“I got everything set up. How many suitcases do you have?” he asked, guiding me toward the baggage carousel.
“Just two. I shipped some stuff that should be here in a day or two.”
“Perfect. I’ll just let the concierge know to bring it up for you if it arrives while I’m gone,” he said.
“Thanks. Oh, the luggage is coming out,” I said, needing to break his hold on me before I tugged him down and planted my lips on his.
Stupid damn hormones.
Yeah, it was good that he was going to be gone for a week.
***
“So, here we are,” he said, leading me into his condo a short while later.
I tried not to think about the last time I’d been here and how spectacularly wrong it’d gone. But he’d been shocked then, and we were in a much better place now.
“Whatever you need to do or change around, go for it. I put your desk out here to give you more space, but we can move it,” he said, gesturing toward the corner.
“Oh, wow.” The desk was perfect, and he’d placed it in front of the huge window that overlooked the park across the street. “Wait. Is that the chair that’s all over social media?”
“It had great reviews. Ergonomic dream and an attached footrest. I want to make sure you’re comfortable,” he said.
I bit back the tears that started to well up. Never had I ever expected him to be this sweet and thoughtful. That wasn’t the Dom I’d known for the last five years. That Dom was a player, the cocky, flirtatious guy who was all about fun. And yeah, he’d been a fun time more than once for me, as evidenced by my current state, but I didn’t know how to handle this version of him.
I wondered how real it was. Was he just doing what he thought he was supposed to do? I hated thinking that way because in the end I wanted him to want to be here, and not just out of obligation.
“There are two new bookcases, too. Should have plenty of room to store all your work stuff.”
“Thank you,” I said, not trusting myself to say more.
“Want to see your room?” he asked, linking his fingers with mine and tugging me down the hall to the first door.
“I already had the basics in here, but I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed for her,” he said, running his thumb across my belly with the hand that wasn’t still intertwined with mine.
Dammit. I was getting way too used to having his hands on me.
“You can paint if you want. Well, not you, because you’re pregnant and all, but we’ll get some of the guys to do it. Or whatever you want,” he said, looking apprehensive as we walked into the room.
A stupid tear slipped down my cheek. It was just as perfect as the work setup. There was the same bassinet that I had on my registry set up next to a bed that looked like a cloud. My favorite pregnancy pillow was curled on the light gray comforter. The crib was set up against another wall, and two dressers were underneath the windows. One had the changing top with the mattress covered in the sheet I’d also registered for.
“How?” I asked.
“Darcy sent me links. She said you already received some of this stuff during your shower, and it’s back at your apartment. I figured if you wanted it enough to register for it, I wanted you to have it here too.”
I sniffled.
“What’s wrong? Are you crying?” he asked, alarmed. “Shit. Did I do something wrong?”
I waved the hand that he wasn’t still holding in front of my face. “Preggo hormones.”
“I read that they can be a lot right now, but are you sure you’re okay?”
“You’ve been reading a lot, and this is just really nice, Dom. I wasn’t expecting all of this.”
He put his finger under my chin, lifting my face so I could look at him. “Ally, I want you to be comfortable here. This is your home for as long as you want. I know so many things are up in the air, and we’re in for quite an adventure, but I don’t want you to feel like you’re only a guest here, okay?”
I licked my lips and nodded.
His eyes darkened, and I almost moaned when he swiped his finger over my cheek, wiping at my tears. Compassionate Dom was not good for my willpower.
I glanced over at the bed again and spotted a jersey folded up. Actually, two jerseys. “Is this your way of saying I can’t go to the games in my Strikers jersey?” I teased, picking them up. Tremblay was on the back of both of them. The baby one was so freaking adorable, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about wearing his jersey myself.
“You can’t wear Strikers’ gear in the Stampede arena,” he admonished. “I mean, I guess you can when they’re playing here.”
I laughed. “Oh, thank you.” The change of topic was just what I’d needed to get control over myself. Kissing this man—or more—right now was not a good idea.
“But my daughter is wearing Stampede gear at all times,” he boasted.
I quirked a brow. “Like twenty-four seven?”
“That would be overkill, right? So maybe just at the arena. And Stampede events.”
“Definitely overkill,” I said, still smiling.
“Do you want help unpacking? Or a snack or something?” He looked around the room. “Did I miss anything you need?”
Apprehensive Dom was stupidly adorable.
“Don’t you have to get ready for your road trip tomorrow?”
“Nah. I’ll throw some stuff in a bag in the morning. I already packed up my suits,” he said. “I’m here for whatever you need. You shouldn’t be lifting anything big anyway.”
I laughed. “I think I can manage putting my own clothes away.” The last thing I wanted was him touching my underwear. Heat spiraled through my body, and I needed to take a breather. “I have to pee,” I blurted out. For once, I didn’t really need to go, but I had to step away from him.
“Uh, okay?”
I wanted to smack my hand against my head as I skirted around him and hurried into the bathroom.
I shut the door and took in the room. Slate gray countertops with double sinks, an oversized tub that I probably wouldn’t be able to get out of at this point, and a large shower with a rain showerhead and a bench seat. As I got closer, I peeked inside the enclosure to see familiar bath products.
“What?” I whispered to no one. Did he seriously have stuff left over from some other woman? But wait, they were my favorite items—my shampoo and conditioner, the sweet pea body wash that had my favorite light scent. I glanced over at the bathroom sink and spotted my toothpaste brand and the skincare products that I used daily.
I rushed to the door and pulled it open, startling Dom, who was heading down the hall toward his room.
“You okay?” he asked.
“You have all of my favorites in here. How? How do you have everything?”
“Darcy gave me a list for that too. I wanted you to have your stuff. You picked up your life and moved here in just over a week. The least I could do was make sure you could instantly feel at home,” he said nonchalantly.
Before I could question myself, I wrapped my arms around his body and leaned up, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
“Thank you.”
His arms were around my waist as he hugged me back, and my heart raced.
Dammit, this was not good for my sensibilities.
DOM
Fuck, she felt good in my arms, her bump pressed between us, her smell surrounding me.
I wanted her desperately, and I shifted my hips so she wouldn’t feel just how much. The agreement was to be roommates and co-parents, nothing more, even if my cock hadn’t gotten that message. It took everything in me not to dip my head and breathe her in—or worse, try to kiss her.
“Oh, sorry. I mean, I just didn’t expect to see my favorite things in there. You’re really going out of your way,” she rambled, and I smiled over the top of her head.
“I want you to be comfortable here. It was the least I could do,” I repeated.
Her hand let go of the back of my shirt, and then she took a step back. I reluctantly released my hold on her and ordered my cock to calm the fuck down. Hopefully, Ally wouldn’t look down right now.
“Thank you,” she said, giving me a gorgeous smile. It lit up her entire face and sent white-hot desire spiraling through my entire body.
“Of course,” I said with a nod. “Let me know if you need anything else. I should probably go pack now if you don’t need me.” I had to get away from her before I tugged her back into my arms.
“Great. Maybe we can order takeout later. That is, unless you have plans tonight.”
“Nope. No plans except hanging out with you and my little peanut,” I said, patting her belly.
Fucking hell.
She quirked a brow at my weirdness.
“Uh, yeah. So, just yell if you need anything,” I said, turning to head into my bedroom.
What the fuck was my problem?
Oh, right. I wanted her. I hadn’t had sex in months. And now this woman who never failed to turn me on was sleeping just one thin wall away from me. Yeah, there was a closet between us, but that wasn’t the point.
Fuck.
A weeklong road trip with my own hotel room was looking pretty good right now. I could survive one night, then I’d have seven days to figure out how to live in the same condo as the mother of my child. A woman I desperately wanted to devour, but also didn’t want to fuck up our developing relationship.
Fuckkkkkk.
***
Ally: This chair is fantastic. And the footrest is chef’s kiss.
I grinned at her text and the accompanying picture of her fuzzy sock-covered feet up on the footrest. I’d survived the last twenty hours of Ally infiltrating my space and was now on the plane, heading to New York for our first game of an extended road trip. Last night had been Italian takeout, a movie, and then she’d headed to bed.
And then I’d jumped into the shower and jerked off while breathing in her body wash.
I was a fucking pervert.
I’d endured her walking around this morning in her sleep shorts and a T-shirt that was a bit too short. Her cute bump popped out, and I’d put my hands on her belly to feel my daughter moving inside her. It’d been amazing, and no matter how many times I had to rein in my desire for Ally, having her in my condo and experiencing the rest of her pregnancy and my daughter’s birth was worth the endless blue balls.
Dom: Glad you like it. Are you working today?
Ally: Just setting up my desk so it’s ready to go tomorrow. And loving this chair.
Dom: Good.
Ally: Also, did you get a snack list from Darcy, too?
Ally: And don’t think I’m sharing that family-size bag of MM’s.
I chuckled.
Dom: Wouldn’t dream of it. And yeah, Darcy gave me all the lists.
Ally: Thank you.
Dom: Are you going to watch the game tonight? It’ll only be 5 when it starts, so you should be able to stay awake for that.
I couldn’t help teasing her. She fell asleep halfway through the movie last night, her head on my shoulder. I probably should’ve carried her to bed, but I wanted to keep her snuggled up against me, so we’d stayed on the couch until the movie ended.
Ally: I’d say low blow, but it’s true. And I might watch.
Ally: East Coast road trips will probably be the only way I can stay up for the entire game. But you better get a goal for me.
Dom: I’ll do my best.
“You’re very smiley right now,” Micah said as I set my phone down on my lap.
“I’m always smiling,” I muttered.
“So move-in day went well, I take it?” he asked, nodding toward my phone.
I shrugged. “Yeah, it was fine. She’s getting settled and seems to like the place.”
He chuckled. “And you’re texting and smiling. How’s this roommate thing going to work if you want to jump her bones all the time?”
“No one said anything about jumping. She’s pregnant and has a lot on her plate. I’m just being supportive.”
He quirked a brow. “How nice of you. There’s no way you don’t try to put a move on her before the baby shows up. You two obviously have chemistry.”
I tilted my head back and shut my eyes for a second, then looked at him again. “Yeah. And fuck, yes, I want her. But I’m trying to be a better man. She kissed my cheek yesterday and I resisted.” Barely, but I was taking it as a win.
He barked out a laugh. “You’re in so much fucking trouble.”
I sighed. “No kidding.”
“You guys have a ton of history, so just figure out exactly what you want before you do anything to possibly wreck what you’re building now.”
“That sounds fucking ominous. Thanks for that.”
“She’s not just some woman that you can have fun with and then walk away from. She’s going to be in your life for a long time,” he said.
I tried not to bristle, but he was right. And I knew that I didn’t want to just hook up with her. I wanted more than that. Fucking hell. I was in trouble.
***
Ally: Did you seriously blow a kiss at the camera last night after that hat trick?
Ally: I mean, I wanted one goal, but I’ll totally take three. That game was amazing.
I grinned down at my phone as I walked out to the bus. We were on our way back to the hotel for the night after probably my best game of the season—a hattie and we’d won six to two. Fucking epic. We needed this win, especially since New York won every game we played against them last season.
The guys around me were making late-night dinner plans, and I nodded when I heard my name but kept looking at my phone.
Dom: So you watched?
Dom: Did you wear my jersey?
I felt like a fucking caveman asking, but I couldn’t help it.
Ally: Maybe.
Then she sent me a picture of her in the jersey. Fuck. She looked adorable looking over her shoulder at the camera. Not just adorable. She also looked hot as fuck, and my cock hardened.
Yup. Caveman.
Ally: Figured it would be asking for bad luck if I wore a Strikers jersey to watch your game.
Dom: And I got a hattie, which means you have to wear it every time I play. Hockey players are superstitious, you know?
Ally: LOL. Yeah, I know. Didn’t think you were, though.
I was now.
Dom: I’m not as bad as some guys, like Cheesy.
The Strikers captain was known for how superstitious he was. Had to eat three of everything before a game, among other things.
Ally: Cheesy is totally OTT.
Dom: I’m glad you watched. Everything okay over there?
Ally: Yeah. I’m good. Tired though. Should let you go so I can go to bed.
I would not think about how I wished I was home right now, in bed with her, instead of spending the night here in this empty hotel room.
Dom: Have a good night. I’ll text tomorrow.
Ally: Night.
***
Ally: You okay? That game was rough.
Dom: Apparently, some of Harty’s old teammates didn’t take kindly to me knocking up his sister.
Ally: What? Shit. Greeves did hit you hard. They should’ve ejected him. I’m sorry.
Dom: Not your fault. I’ll be fine.
Ally: Should I call Madison?
Dom: Don’t rat me out to his wife like I’m tattling.
Ally: Is it painful?
Dom: Some ice and I’ll be good for our next game in two days.
Dom: How was your appointment today?
Ally: All good. She’s exactly where she should be in everything.
Dom: I’ll be back in a few days. I might’ve gotten her some presents.
Ally: You can’t keep buying her stuff. This condo is a great size, but if you keep getting her presents, we’ll need a bigger place.
The warmth that bloomed in my chest at her we’ll was almost overwhelming.
Was I already getting in over my head?