Chapter Twenty-Two
Alexei
“You can’t be serious.” I shoot a look at Ryleigh, and she rolls her eyes.
Damn, she looks beautiful tonight. She’s wearing a little black dress and bright red lipstick. I secretly love that she’s made such an effort for our date night.
She leans forward, placing her elbows on the table. “What? It’ll be good, I’m sure.”
“No way. No fucking way I’m letting you order just a salad at an Italian restaurant known for their homemade pasta.”
She chuckles at me, shaking her head. We’re on our first real date in what feels like an eternity, having gotten my mom to watch Ella, which wasn’t difficult since she begs to see her almost daily.
Ryleigh and I have been living together for two months, and things have been perfect.
It hasn’t always been easy, but we’re learning to navigate the rough patches together.
She and Ella even traveled with me to my away game last weekend since I couldn’t stand the thought of not seeing them for forty-eight hours.
Ryleigh eventually relents and closes her menu. “Fine. Lobster fettuccine.”
I grin. “That’s my girl. Go big or go home, baby.”
She rolls her eyes and leans back in her seat. “You’re going to make me fat.”
I reach across the table and squeeze her hand. “Not a chance. I love your curves.”
The server comes and takes our orders. I can see the diners at the table beside us have spotted me and know who I am.
I smile politely and tip my head, hoping they won’t come to our table and interrupt a rare date out with Ryleigh.
But knowing me, since I’m grateful for my career and fans, I’ll do the small talk thing and sign their autographs without complaint if they do walk over.
To my agent’s surprise, my relationship with Ryleigh hasn’t caused the distraction Slate anticipated.
If anything, Ryleigh’s brought a sense of order to my life.
Along with a whole lot of happiness and love that wasn’t there before.
There are no more fights with journalists or headlines about me losing my cool on some asshole. There’s just me and my girls.
Andi is in her final days, and we bring Ella to the hospital often where Andi strokes her hair or holds her frail hand.
I never imagined she’d have such a sense of peace, but seeing the way Ryleigh and I care for her, I know she’s comforted knowing her daughter will be in good hands after she’s gone.
I even hired a photographer to come with us last time, photographing Andi and Ella together—a memento that Ella will hopefully treasure when she’s much older and able to understand the sacrifice her mother made for her.
“I love that you don’t have a game this weekend. It’s nice having you home,” Ryleigh says, taking a sip of her wine.
“It’s the best. Just wait until the off-season. You’ll be sick of me.”
She shakes her head. “I highly doubt that.”
Our food is delivered, and we waste no time digging in. I love how comfortable we are together. There are no awkward silences or need for pretense. I steal a bite of her pasta, and Ryleigh almost stabs me with her fork.
I chuckle and shake my head at her.
Ryleigh has been working at the preschool for a couple of weeks now, and it’s been the perfect fit. She loves it and does an amazing job. And she’s on track to finish her degree in about eighteen months, which will open up even more opportunities for her, if she wants.
“So, are you feeling ready for the playoffs?” Ryleigh asks, forking a bite of her pasta.
“Hell yes. With you by my side, baby, there’s nothing I can’t do.”
She laughs, rolling her eyes at my cheesy line. “Think your mom will keep Ella for another hour?” she asks, her voice going sultry.
I smirk. “Yeah. Why, what did you have in mind?” The flirty look she’s giving me makes me wonder if she’s thinking about a lot more than dessert.
“I was thinking I’d like some uninterrupted sex to top off our date.”
I raise my hand, signaling to the server. “Check, please!”
Ryleigh chuckles.
A little while later we’re back home, and we barely make it through the door before my lips are on Ryleigh’s neck and I’m pressing her body up against the wall.
She lets out a murmured groan of approval, and I lift her so she can wrap her legs around my waist. I’m already hard for her, and I know she feels it because she begins working her hips over my cock in a way that makes my balls ache.
“Yes, baby. Want you so bad.”
“Alexei.”
I work my hands beneath her dress and push her panties aside, stroking her wet, silky flesh while she makes a pleasure-filled sound of need.
I know I should take Ryleigh to the bedroom and lay her down against the pillows, make sure she’s comfortable, and worship her like the goddess she is, but I’m far too impatient. And way too needy.
“Foreplay later? Need you now,” I grunt as she palms my cock through my jeans and rubs it with her hand.
She makes a noise of agreement, and I work open the front of my jeans and shove them down with one hand until my cock is free. And then I push into Ryleigh’s tight body, stroking her inner walls until she’s panting and moaning and clawing at my shoulders.
“It feels so good, Alexei.”
I kiss her mouth once and then meet her eyes. “Yeah, baby?”
I pump my hips in a lazy rhythm, loving that I’m driving her wild with desire. Her eyes are hooded, and her head is resting against the wall as she watches me. I’m in no rush to end this and continue pushing into her in long, slow strokes as I watch her cheeks blush and her eyes go hazy with lust.
“Tell me. Let me hear you.”
“I love your cock. Give it to me,” she says on a moan, gripping me tighter.
Her words do something to me, and heat blooms in my chest. But rather than respond to her dirty endearment, as amazing as it was, I’m hungry for more.
My hips are still moving, but only barely. I take a deep breath and meet her eyes. “I love you.”
Ryleigh’s eyes widen at my words. It’s the first time I’ve told her how I feel, but definitely not the first time I’ve wanted to. I’ve known how I feel about her for weeks now. Shit, if I’m being honest, I think I knew that first night.
Her grip around my shoulders tightens, and her eyes grow watery. She looks so beautiful like this—so full of love, so full of me.
“I love you too.” Her voice is barely above a whisper, but there’s so much emotion behind her words. I sense she’s been waiting for some time to say that to me.
Welcome to the club, sweetheart.
Her words release something in me, and I begin fucking her hard and fast against the wall.
Ryleigh cries out, gripping me as I pummel into her, our bodies melding together perfectly.
Soon, she climaxes, clenching wildly around me as she says my name over and over.
I love the sound of it on her lips. I love everything about her.
Her strength, her stubbornness, and best of all—the fact that she’s mine.
“Jeez, Alexei.” She sighs when I finally lower her to her feet inside our bedroom. It’s dark, but I don’t bother with the lights. She’s still clutching my biceps like she doesn’t quite trust herself to be steady on her feet just yet.
“You okay, baby?” I lean down and press a soft kiss to her forehead.
She nods quickly, tucking her hair behind one ear. “I’d say I’m much better than okay.”
I chuckle. “Yeah. That was . . .” Truthfully?
There are no words. I just get so worked up when I’m around her.
I’ve never felt like this with a woman before.
It’s like no matter how many times I have her, rather than satisfy my hunger, I only end up wanting her more.
“You’re incredible. I’m sorry that wasn’t more romantic. ”
Our first fucking date night in forever, and I practically maul her, and then fuck her in the hallway up against a wall. Shit. What’s wrong with me?
Though I can’t regret telling her I love her. I do. So fucking much.
She rolls her eyes. “Men these days. So much for foreplay.”
I squeeze her ass and chuckle. “I didn’t hear you complaining. And . . .” I give her a wicked smirk.
“What?” She laughs, somewhat nervously.
“You were really wet.”
She swats at my bicep. “Oh my gosh, Alexei!”
I laugh again, leaning down to kiss her. “Next time, more foreplay. Got it? I promise.”
She shakes her head at me, but she’s still grinning.
“I meant what I said, though,” I add.
She cocks her head, watching me as I pull up my jeans and button them. “About what?”
I take her face in my hands. “That I love you.”
And I do. It’s fast, but I’ve never felt more sure about anything in my entire life. She makes me smile and gives my heart this full, happy feeling. Plus she turns me on more than any woman ever has.
Her cheeks blush, and she looks almost shy. She didn’t think it was only something we were going to say in the heat of the moment, did she? That’s not how I roll. I wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t 100 percent true.
After just a moment’s hesitation, she seems to find her footing. “I love you too.”
I break into a happy grin. “Good. Now get dressed so we can go get our baby.”
Ryleigh giggles as she grabs one of my T-shirts and puts it on.