Chapter Seven

Ryleigh I wake up to the sound of Ella crying, which is nothing new. But when I blink my eyes open, it takes me a few moments to adjust to my surroundings.

Instead of the white walls and fluffy white duvet I’ve become used to the past few nights in the guest room, I see navy blue walls and dark gray bedding. And I’m surrounded by the best scent in the entire world—Alexei’s masculine scent of leather and spice.

Mmm.

I fell asleep in his bed last night, in his arms, it seems . . . and somehow it just feels right. A smile graces my lips as I sit up, ready to swing my legs over the side of the bed to go take care of Ella, but firm hands circle my waist and tug me back to bed. Or, more specifically, toward a hard-muscled chest. Heat zips down my spine at the memory of what we did last night.

“Don’t go. Not yet,” Alexei says in his deep, sexy voice, making my toes curl. He nips at my neck and sends shivers down my spine.

I don’t want to leave the warmth of his muscular chest, but a whimpering baby is a powerful pull. “She’s hungry. I’ve got her this time.”

“You sure?” he asks.

“Positive.” I pat one hand against his firm abs, and this time I succeed in escaping his arms.

“Okay,” he says sleepily as he rolls over to doze back off.

I tiptoe from the room, grab my pajamas, and quickly dress before I reach Ella. She smiles when she sees me, and my heart melts at the sight of her gummy baby smile.

“Hi, pretty girl,” I say as I lift her out.

We head to the kitchen and I make her a bottle. As I sit on the couch and begin feeding her, I stroke her hair and watch her drink. Her bright blue eyes latch onto mine as she takes greedy pulls from the bottle. For some reason, standing here in the kitchen with her, both of us in our pajamas, it makes me feel oddly emotional.

“I’m going to find your mom. I promise.”

Ella blinks up at me, and I lift her to my face, pressing a soft kiss against her forehead. Carrying her through the apartment, I settle on the couch, holding her close as she makes progress on the bottle.

It strikes me again what a mess my life is. I’m sitting here with a baby, part of me still reeling about that, the other part of me feeling like I’m on cloud nine because of how sweet and sexy Alexei is, and how good he is with his tongue—but the truth is, things are far from okay. I was evicted from my apartment, Andi is still dodging my calls, I have to work today, and I’m worried about how Alexei will act when I tell him I have to go to work.

He strolls out of the bedroom a short time later, freshly showered, and dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. His long feet are bare, and his hair is still damp. He looks good enough to eat.

Focus, Ryleigh.

He starts a pot of coffee and then joins us in the living room, leaning down to touch Ella’s foot. “Good morning, princess,” he coos.

I lift Ella to my shoulder and pat her back to burp her. Like the good little baby she is, she makes a loud burping sound almost instantly, and Alexei chuckles. I take a deep breath, hoping on the fact that he’s in a good mood. “I’ll need a ride to pick up my car today,” I say, testing the waters.

“Sure. We can go after breakfast, if you like.”

Wow. That was easier than I thought.

“And, um, I’ll need to drop off Ella with my neighbor so I can go to work.”

“You have to work today?” he asks, his voice tight.

“Yes. From noon to six.” I hold my breath, waiting for him to make some comment forbidding me from going. Ella lets out one more small burp, and I place her on her special pillow on the couch beside me.

Alexei heads into the kitchen and pours himself a cup of coffee. “I can watch her. There’s no need to get a babysitter.”

I go back to folding the pile of freshly washed baby blankets, but there’s shock written all over my face. He surprises me at almost every turn. “You would do that?”

“Sure,” he says offhandedly. “Why not?”

“You don’t have work today?”

“When we win a game, there’s no practice the following day. It’s a little perk they give us. I’m supposed to go in for an hour later for a team meeting, and we watch some of the highlight reel from the game. That’s it.”

“But what about Ella?”

He shrugs, heading back to the living room with his coffee mug in hand. “I can take her with me. It’s no big deal.”

No big deal? “What will your teammates say?”

“I don’t give a fuck what they say.”

I smirk to myself. They’ll probably think she’s his.

Why does the idea of that make my lips curl up in a smile?

I realize if people saw all three of us out together, they would think we were Ella’s parents, and I can’t help but wonder what that would be like. To be part of a couple, part of a family again. Dreams like that are dangerous.

“This is too generous, Alexei. As per usual with you.”

He turns to face me, frowning as he sets his mug on the coffee table. “I’m far from being generous right now, Ryleigh. I don’t want you working there at all. But it’s a subject I’m guessing you’re not ready to discuss.”

“I can’t quit, Alexei. What would I do for money? And don’t you dare suggest that I continue relying on you. You know I hate it. It makes me feel cheap and useless, and I won’t do it. You hardly know me. You have no obligation toward us.”

He stalks closer with his eyes locked on mine, like he’s a predator and I’m his prey, and rubs his large hands up and down over my shoulders. “I know enough. I know that you’re self-reliant and independent. And I love that about you. Ninety-nine percent of the women I meet are happy to let me pay their way. You want to stand on your own two feet, and I respect that. I respect you.”

I finish folding the blankets and stack them neatly inside the laundry basket. It’s been a huge blessing to have a washer and dryer here. My apartment doesn’t have one, and shuffling a baby out in the cold to a laundromat several times a week isn’t my idea of fun. That’s a reality I’ll have to face soon enough—well, as soon as I can get my back rent paid up.

“Can I ask you something?” he says.

“Of course.” After I move Ella to a blanket on the floor, I walk to the counter and pour myself a cup of coffee.

“If you didn’t work there, what would you like to be doing instead?”

That’s easy. “I always wanted to be a teacher. I finished my first two years of college on scholarship and with loans from my parents. Then the accident happened, and my parents . . .” I stop for a moment, looking down at my toes. “I lost my focus, I guess, and with it, my scholarship. That was two years ago now. I’d love to go back and finish my degree. But I make good money at the club, and now with Ella . . .”

He nods. “I get it. But for what it’s worth, I think you’d make a wonderful teacher.”

I smirk and mutter, “Thanks.” His words wrap around me like a warm blanket, comforting me and giving me hope at the same time.

***

After breakfast and a shower, Alexei drove me to my place so I could pick up my car. I also managed to sweet-talk my landlord into opening my apartment so I could pack up some of my belongings, and get more clothes for Ella and me. He agreed, but only after I handed over several hundred dollars toward my back rent. Then I spent six hours in my underwear serving cocktails to men.

When I finally arrive home, the first thing on my agenda is a long, hot shower to wash the grime and regret off of me. Alexei gave me the code to his underground parking garage, and as I ride up the elevator, I smile, my anticipation at seeing the two of them bigger than you can imagine. The doors open, and nothing could have prepared me for what I find.

The first thing I notice is the classical music playing. Interesting choice. The second thing I notice is the aroma of roasting chicken. It smells delicious.

“Alexei?” I call out, not seeing them in the kitchen or living room.

“In the bedroom,” he calls, already heading down the hall toward me.

“Where’s Ella?”

He grins at me and places a tender kiss on my forehead when he gets close. “Sound asleep.” He chuckles like this amuses him. “I’d like to get her on a regular schedule that doesn’t include a nap right at dinnertime, but for now, it is what it is.”

I follow him into the kitchen, more than a little amazed he’s even thought about her schedule, let alone the fact that he’d like to make improvements to it. Why does that make my belly tingle?

“But she’s been awake for the last several hours,” he says, checking on something inside the oven. “As she grows, that time frame will eventually increase.”

I nod, accepting the wineglass he hands me like this all makes perfect sense. When did this big, strapping jock become a 1950s housewife?

I blink and take a sip of the chilled white wine he’s handed me.

“Welcome home.” He smiles.

My insides twist. This isn’t my home. Ella isn’t our baby. None of this is real and playing make-believe like this is dangerous.

“Thank you,” I murmur, my eyes on Alexei’s.

“You want to take a shower before dinner?” he asks. “There’s time.”

“Sure.” I take another sip of my wine and set the glass on the counter before making my way to the guest bath.

My knees are trembling, and it’s not from the wine. It’s from the drop-dead sexy man who’s babysat all day, cooked me a hot meal, and was thoughtful enough to remember that I like a shower when I get home from work.

What am I going to do when it’s time to leave this fairy tale and return to the real world?

I don’t even want to think about that tonight. And if I’m being brutally honest with myself, I don’t want to think about that ever.

***

After my shower, I dress in a pair of leggings and a tank top that hugs my curves. I apply moisturizer and light makeup, even taking the time to dry my hair so it falls in soft waves over my shoulders. I hate how I feel so dirty and grimy when I leave work, and now I feel fresh, clean, and worthy of the man who is waiting on me down the hall. Smiling one last time at my reflection and giving my hair a fluff, I head off.

I find Alexei where I left him in the kitchen. He watches me approach, a dark and predatory look on his face. I like it way too much. It sends a shiver all the way through me.

“Hi,” he says, his voice tense.

“Hey,” I say, attempting a casual and breezy tone.

The truth is, he makes me feel anything but casual. He makes me feel hot and irritated at times, but also cherished, and it’s a feeling I’m not accustomed to at all. The truth is, his caring for me makes me nervous. What will I do if he changes his mind tomorrow and decides we’re too much work? I won’t let myself be devastated. I can’t.

I consider asking him about his choice in music tonight, but I have a feeling he’d say something about classical music being good for babies, that it increases their IQ or something. It’s a statistic I think I’ve heard somewhere. He’s like a freaking baby-whisperer.

Alexei sets the table while I retrieve my wineglass. There are two whole roasted chickens, baked potatoes with all the fixings, and steamed broccoli. It’s better than I’ve eaten in a long time. This is a far cry from my usual dollar-menu fare from the drive-through I often have for dinner. I don’t want to tell him as much, as I sense it will only make him angry—or sad—and I can’t bear either of those looks from him.

“This is amazing,” I say instead, sitting in the chair he pulls out for me.

The other times we’ve eaten dinner together have been at the breakfast bar or on the couch. This feels like something different, and it makes my mouth twitch with a smile. I busy myself with cutting the chicken he serves me, and heap sour cream onto my steaming potato.

I don’t even comment on the fact that he’s made two chickens. I’m coming to learn his excessive caloric intake is necessary to maintain his body weight. The guy can eat, that’s for sure.

“So . . . what did the guys say when you brought Ella with you today?” I smirk, blowing on a bite of my food before placing it in my mouth. Yum!

Alexei grins. “Fuckers thought she was mine.”

I’m smiling. Why am I smiling? “Did it go okay? Was she good?”

He nods. “As good as a two-month-old can be in public. She had a blowout when we first got there.”

“A blowout?”

“She shit herself all the way up her back,” he says, deadpan.

I almost choke with laughter before quickly swallowing my food. “Right. Sorry I asked.”

He shrugs. “It was no big deal. I brought extra diapers and another outfit, so we were golden.”

Oh my God, the image of Alexei with a diaper bag on his broad shoulder . . . ovary explosion times a thousand.

“Plus, my friend Jane, she’s the assistant manager for the team, helped out. She took Ella while I was in the meeting.”

I nod, giving him the side-eye as I ponder who the hell Jane is.

“This is delicious, by the way,” I say, helping myself to another big bite.

“Thanks,” Alexei says, but I can tell he has more on his mind than our dinner. “So, um, her mother . . . do you have any news yet?”

I release a heavy sigh and shake my head. “Nothing yet. I called the officer I filed a report with, but there’s still no news.” At least she hasn’t turned up dead.

We finish the rest of our meal and wash the dishes together.

Ella still isn’t up from her nap when we settle on the couch. I’ve polished off one glass of wine and Alexei has refilled my glass, though he isn’t drinking. I suspect it’s because he has practice tomorrow. Something inside me likes how disciplined he is, while the other part of me feels a little weird drinking alone.

“How was work?” Alexei asks, sitting across from me. I can’t help but notice his voice is a little cold when he asks this question.

“It was fine.” I sip my wine.

“Anyone bother you today?” His darkened blue eyes, that beautiful midnight color I love, are watching everything, and I don’t miss the way his gaze lingers, moving from my eyes down to my breasts.

I swallow. “Nope.” Not any more than usual, anyway.

“Good.”

His firm tone makes my insides quiver. It’s quiet and dark outside, and we’re alone, and I can’t help but think about last night . . . about the way his hot mouth felt moving over my sensitive flesh . . . about the soft grunts he made when I took him deep in my throat.

“What is it?” he asks, his voice mischievous.

“What?” I blink at him innocently.

“You turned all pink on me. What’s going on?”

Oh, dear God. “I was just . . . remembering last night.”

Did I just say that out loud?

I can’t believe I just admitted that.

He moves closer and takes my wine, setting it on the coffee table in front of us. “Come here, baby,” he murmurs, his voice soft.

It does things to me. This big, strong man being sweet, so soft and tender . . . so perfect.

Don’t, Ryleigh. I try to remind myself to guard my heart, but I fail miserably.

As I move closer to Alexei on the couch, he tilts my jaw and steals a sweet kiss, pressing his full mouth to mine.

“Missed you,” he murmurs.

He shouldn’t say things like that to me. We hardly know each other. Right? But there’s no denying that raising a baby together for the past week has accelerated things between the two of us. He may just know me better than anyone . . .

Don’t think, Ry.

And I don’t.

I let Alexei kiss me until I’m writhing against him, making tiny, need-filled sounds.

When he suggests, “Let’s go to my bedroom,” all I can do is nod.

Thank you, yes. Praise the Lord.

Warm from the wine, I let Alexei tug me up from the couch. He guides me down the hall, his large hands on my hips the whole way.

When we enter his bedroom, it’s dark and smells like him, and my knees immediately go weak. I swear I’m like one of Pavlov’s dogs as I start salivating, thinking about taking him in my mouth again.

We stop in front of the bed, facing each other. The moment is quiet and intense and filled with such promise. His eyes are smoldering on mine, that’s the only way to describe it and my insides tighten.

“Take this off.” I lift Alexei’s shirt and press my hands flat against his abs, thinking I’ll never get used to how defined and firm they are. It’s a six-pack of heaven.

He chuckles. “Yes, ma’am.”

His shirt drops at our feet, and dear Lord, he’s so sexy. All those hours spent lifting weights have paid off. Sculpted muscles over broad shoulders, a trim waist, and a body that makes that coveted V, which makes my gaze travel south of its own accord. Pure perfection. It’s almost too much for me.

Well, almost . . . but not quite.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you today,” he admits.

That makes two of us.

Before I have a chance to respond, he tugs my tank top off over my head, and then pulls my leggings down my legs, along with my panties, and soon I’m completely bare.

My heart pumps faster.

“Your turn,” I murmur, reaching to unbuckle Alexei’s belt.

He watches me with that amused expression I’ve come to love.

When his pants and boxers are pushed down and then off, I can’t help but drop to my knees. And trust me, I’m not an oral sex kind of girl. I’m a him kind of girl, and his perfect cock begs to be licked and sucked.

“Baby,” Alexei says, as if to stop me, his hand on my jaw.

I grin up at him. “Hush. I want to.”

He lets out a deep groan as I fit my mouth around his rigid length and give it a generous kiss.

“Fuck,” he growls as I take him deeper.

I can’t get enough of him, and my hand strokes what I can’t fit into my mouth.

“It’s so good, baby. Yes. Fuck.”

I meet his eyes and see that his attention is focused on me too. I continue to treat him to wet kisses that earn me plenty of praise, until Alexei’s hands find my upper arms and he hauls me to my feet.

“Enough. I want to be inside you. Please tell me you want this too. Do you want this, Ryleigh, me inside you?” His voice is so perfectly rough and desperate for me.

I nod, suddenly speechless.

“You sure? We don’t have to. We could do what we did last night . . .”

I shake my head. “I want to. I’m more than positive.”

Then I’m laid down in the center of his bed, and Alexei moves over me. He kneels between my parted thighs and raises one of my legs, curving it around his hip.

I watch his eyes. They’re so intense. This moment means more to me than it should, but I can’t help myself. Alexei sheaths himself in a condom while I watch. It’s sexy how confident and sure he is.

He fits the head of his thick cock against my entrance and nudges forward. “Take a deep breath for me, baby. This might be a tight fit.” He grins wickedly, and I raise my eyebrows.

I do as he says, inhaling deeply as Alexei presses forward. I almost buck beneath him.

Holy shit. I knew how well-endowed he is, but nothing prepared me for this.

His long, thick cock slides inside me, claiming every inch of me, and makes my body clench with an even greater need. I don’t know where he ends and I start.

“Alexei . . .” I moan once he’s fully seated.

“Yes, baby. Say my name when I fuck you.”

I groan as he pulls back, grieving the loss of him.

But then he’s moving, his hips snapping forward again and again, and oh my God. I can’t help the cries that tumble from my lips.

“Alexei, yes,” I moan.

He’s so big . . . so commanding . . . so sexy with a scent that is so undeniably him.

“That’s it, baby.”

He grips my ass cheek in one strong hand, using my body to pull me onto his cock again and again, just the way he likes it. Part of me can’t even believe that we’re doing this. The other part of me can’t believe that we were able to wait this long.

I throw my head back against the pillow, lost in pleasure.

“Need you to come for me,” he says on a groan.

I move my hips against his and Alexei brings a hand between us, rubbing my clit in firm circles as he continues to fuck me.

That’s all it takes to thrust me over the edge.

My release rips through me with such ferocity that I’m breathless as I cling to his shoulders. Heat blooms in my core, my body milking his as my vision blacks out.

“Oh God, Alexei . . .”

“Fuck, baby. Yes.” He groans, clutching my body close.

I sense the moment he falls over the edge with me, his long, thick cock pumping hot semen into the condom as he clings to me, kissing my neck and murmuring dirty words of praise in my ear.

When it’s over, part of me can’t even process what just happened. Alexei merely folds me into his arms and rolls over onto the bed, breathless, still holding me.

Holy. Shit.

That was by far the best sex I’ve ever had. Alexei may have ruined me for anyone else. And, I’m not even mad.