Chapter 23
LAYLA
I’m sitting at my desk, trying to focus. But I can’t. All I can think about is Gabe.
“Put the man out of his misery,” Cora says, as she walks into my office. “I know you still love him.”
I shrug. I do still love him. It’s been weeks since I told Gabe I needed time to figure things out.
The entire time, though, has been terrible.
I’ve missed him so much! Now I see how wrong I was.
My life with Gabe was everything I didn’t know I wanted.
It’s time I tell him. And show him. He’s the man I want to be with.
“I know. And I will. I just have to figure out how to tell him.”
She snorts softly under her breath. “It’s not that hard, Layla. Just tell him you love him and you’re ready to come back.”
“But what if he’s moved on?”
“He hasn’t, Layla. I can guarantee that. That man is madly in love with you.”
I let that sink in. If it was that glaringly apparent to Cora, then why did I hesitate?
“Don’t overthink it. Call him. Now.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I reply, snapping her a fake salute.
She quirks an eyebrow. “I’m holding you to that. Now get on that phone of yours and call that gorgeous hunk of man meat!”
“Cora!” I chastise, laughing softly. She doesn’t reply, just laughs as she walks out, her laugh following her down the hallway. She’s right. I need to call Gabe.
Gabe
I’m on autopilot through the next few weeks, giving Layla the time she needs to figure things out.
I do my job, covering up my broken heart, and we manage to stay above 500.
Finally, we have down time (an entire week) during the All-Star break.
And I head back to Chicago. Back to Layla.
She’s all I can think about. I’ve given her time to figure things out. And I’m done waiting.
Gabe: Hey, beautiful.
Layla: Hey.
Gabe: I’m back in Chicago for the week. Can we meet and talk?
Layla: I’d like that.
Gabe: Perfect. Meet me tomorrow at my place?
Layla: Yes. What time?
Gabe: Any time. I’ll be there.
Layla: Okay. See you then.
Gabe:
The next morning, my doorbell buzzes. That has to be Layla.
Swinging the door open wide, Layla is on the other side, dressed in a sharp business suit that hugs her curves and killer high heels.
Damn, she looks good. As we stand in the foyer, we just look at one another, drinking each other in.
She’s a sight for sore eyes. “Hi,” I say softly.
“Hi,” she murmurs back, her eyes never leaving mine.
“Let’s sit,” I suggest, motioning her into the living room. The same room that Layla and I made sweet love and a whole lot of memories in. We sit on the couch and I turn to her, prepared to speak first. “Layla, listen—”
“Gabe,” she says, taking my much larger hand in hers, her eyes on mine. “I love you. And I want to be with you. Like we were before,” she says, a tremble in her voice.
I sigh in relief, my muscles relaxing. “I love you, too. I always have and always will. And I’d like that. Things between us before were so damn good. I want that, too,” I tell her, my thumb stroking her soft skin. After I tell her that, the light seems to return to her pretty eyes.
“Where do we go from here?” she asks.
“Only up, baby,” I say, a smile on my face. Lifting her onto my lap, I pull her into my arms and kiss her lips tenderly. “Okay?” I ask.
“Yes,” she sighs against my lips. I deepen the kiss and instantly I’m transported back in time. To the time when all this shit hadn’t happened and we were happy. I smile against her lips. I know we can get back to that again. It will just take time.
Layla, practically glowing, pulls her lips from mine. I smirk. Her lips are puffy and wet from my kisses. Just as they should be. “How is this going to work? Things need to change. I can’t take you being away so much. It makes my heart ache.”
I knew she might bring this up. I’m already miles ahead of her.
Gathering her hands, I hold them in mine, pressing them to my chest. “I feel the same way. Every time I leave you, it hurts. It feels like there’s a hole in my chest and you are the only one who can make me whole again.
And that’s why I’ve decided that after this season, I’m done. ”
She audibly gasps, her mouth hanging open. “Gabe, no! You can’t do that!”
I raise an eyebrow. “Why not?”
“I won’t ask that of you.”
“Well, babe, it’s too late. I’ve already done it.”
“Gabe…” she says, preparing to argue with me.
“Shh. I’ve had plenty of time to come to this decision. It’s time.”
She covers her mouth with her hand, blinking at me in shock. Gently taking her hand off her mouth, I kiss the corner of her lips. “But, I do have something to ask of you in return.”
“Oh?”
“Tell me you’ll start to slow down. Stop traveling so much.”
She bobs her head, tears misting her eyes. “I promise I will.”
“Good, now kiss me, woman.”
She laughs softly and we kiss until I can’t take it anymore, my dick hard and throbbing.
“Up you go,” I tease, sitting her on her feet. “Now, time for you to get to the office,” I tease, lightly slapping her ass.
“Gabe!” she feigns in mock outrage.
I smirk and adjust my dick. “Go before I change my mind.”
She licks her lips and bats her eyelashes at me.
“Woman, I’m warning you…”
She smirks and walks away. “See you tonight, handsome.”
I smile. Damn right she will.
Later that night…
Gabe
I answer the door. Layla, clad in a trench coat and high heels, is standing on my front porch. “Layla,” I greet, knowing she’s up to no good, because it’s summer in Chicago and the weather isn’t the only thing that’s hot right now.
“Gabe,” she purrs, walking past me into my home, a sway to her hips.
Good lord! The woman knows how to get me hard so fast. She doesn’t say anything, she just struts down the hallway, toward the master suite. Oh, it’s on. “Layla,” I growl, following her.
As she enters my bedroom, she sheds the jacket.
My mouth goes dry, and my dick pulses behind my zipper.
She’s wearing nothing but a see-through teddy and heels.
The lingerie is a thong, showcasing her impressive ass and the dip of her waist. But then she turns around and I about come in my pants.
The teddy is cut so low and wide that it doesn’t even cover her nipples, which are now hard little points.
I meet her eyes and she’s watching me, fire in her eyes. Hand on her waist, she waits. I pull her to me, grinding her nipples against my shirt and my hard dick against her core.
“That’s what you do to me.”
She huffs, her eyes still very much on mine. Dropping my lips to hers, I eat at her lips. She moans into my mouth and it spurs me on. Running a hand down her throat, then down to her nipples, I pluck them one by one.
“Gabe,” she moans against my lips. Smoothing my thumb over the hardened peaks, I leave them be for the time being, brushing my hand towards her core. As I’m about to hook my finger into the bottom, she opens her legs, revealing that the lacy teddy is crotchless, for easy access. Fuck, yes!
“Naughty woman,” I murmur, feathering my fingertips over her mound. Her breath hitches. “Are you wet for me?”
She nods, opening her legs a bit further.
She’s sopping wet as I glide my fingers through her pussy, stopping when I bump her clit.
She jolts, then relaxes in my arms as I rub my thumb over the swollen nub.
Knowing that my woman needs more, I push two fingers inside, working them in and out until I find the special bundle of nerves.
I move my fingers over it, giving it a good rub.
“I’m going to come,” she garbles, close to climax.
“Yes, woman. Come on my fingers.”
Giving the rough patch of nerves a few more rubs, she comes, her release soaking my fingers and hand.
“Good girl,” I murmur near her ear, her greedy pussy tightening on my fingers. I know that turns her on and that’s why I say it. “Next, you’re coming on my dick.”
She nods, her pupils blown. I undress quickly, then gently push her onto her back. Lining up with her core, I thrust inside, to the hilt. “Fuck, Layla. You feel so damn good,” I grunt, her greedy pussy gripping me tightly as I thrust in and out of her tight body.
“Harder!” she groans, when my dick hits her special spot.
“Yes, ma’am.” Snapping my hips forward, I fuck her hard and deep. Just the way I know she likes it.
“I—I—” Layla groans, her orgasm overtaking her. “I’m coming!” she screams, her pussy clamping down on me. As she climaxes, her face is absolutely gorgeous. I love Layla’s O-face.
Grunting from the force of her orgasm, I come, spilling inside her. “Layla,” I groan out as I climax, the zip of pleasure intense as it shoots down my spine. Fuck, that was…
“Amazing,” she whispers, her eyes peering up at me. “I love you.”
I didn’t realize I said it out loud. I smile and kiss her sweet lips. “I love you, too.”