Page 30 of Finding Alexei
I chuckle and shake my head. “It’s fine. You don’t have to censor yourself around me. I’m just some chick crashing the party.”
Her lips press into a line. “I doubt you’re just some chick, Ryleigh. I’ve never seen Alex have a woman around, unless it was his mother or sisters. There was a time a couple years ago. Let’s just say I know he wasn’t a monk, but it’s been a while since I’ve heard about anyone let alone a ‘real’ someone.”
Butterflies zip nervously around my stomach. Her words light something inside me. Still, what we have can’t be serious—it just can’t. We’ve known each other a matter of days.
“So,” I say as I begin scooping generous amounts of peach cobbler into each bowl. I’ll be surprised if I don’t gain five pounds staying here. “Alexei and I haven’t known each other long, but he seems . . .”
I’m fishing for information, but Jane doesn’t seem offended. Thankfully, she seems all too happy to play my game.
Leaning one hip against the counter, she peels the lids off the ice cream cartons and scoots them closer to me. “He’s the best. He deserves someone amazing, you know?”
I nod. I agree completely. “He’s been single for a while then?”
She doesn’t even pause to think about it. “Yep.”
“And you and he never . . .” My cheeks heat, and I pray she’s not offended that I asked her that. But I’m too curious not to. They get along so well.
She breaks into laughter, shaking her head. “God, no. I mean, he’s cute, don’t get me wrong. And a big teddy bear, but no. We were always just friends. We didn’t have the spark, or chemistry, or whatever. Plus, before Weston, I had a rule of never dating players on the team where I worked, so I never even considered it.”
Relieved, I smile. “Makes sense, I guess.”
It gives me a strange sense of comfort to know they never hooked up. I don’t think I could handle standing here making small talk and serving dessert to a girl Alexei has slept with.
After I finish adding scoops of ice cream on top of the servings of warm, gooey cobbler, Jane helps me carry the bowls and spoons into the dining room. I just hope I can survive dessert without making an ass of myself in front of Alexei’s friends.
• • •
Later, when all the dishes are done and Alexei’s friends are gone, and Ella has been bathed, fed, and tucked into bed for the night, the apartment is completely dark and quiet.
I’ve changed into my pajamas and just finished brushing my teeth when I pass Alexei in the hallway.
It isn’t very late, but after cleaning up from the party and getting Ella down, we’re both ready for bed, by the looks of it. He’s dressed in a pair of loose-fitting gray sweatpants and nothing else.
“Where do you think you’re going?” His hand on my waist stops me. He gives me a gentle tug backward until I meet the firm wall of his muscled torso.
“To bed?”
“Yes. In here, baby.” His deep, warm voice sends trembles running through me.
I certainly didn’t want to assume that I was going to be sleeping in Alexei’s bed from now on, but this is a welcome detour.
Alexei’s hands on my waist guide me to his bedroom. The lights are off, and it’s almost too dark to make him out clearly.
But I don’t need lights to know he’s the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. Between the rumble of his low, sure voice, the broad expanse of warm muscle under my fingertips, and the way he always seems to put my needs first . . . let’s just say I’m fairly certain after this morning that Alexei has ruined me for other men.
Desiree would lose her mind if she knew that in addition to being a badass football player, he’s also good with babies and is an amazing lover. I decide I’d better keep that information to myself. Otherwise, she’s liable to kidnap him in his sleep.
Scratch that, no one would ever be able to kidnap Alexei. That’s another thing I like about him—I feel so safe here. I know that with him around, nothing bad will happen to me. I can just picture him facing down a bad guy or a bill collector, and saying, “Not on my fucking watch.”
Alexei tilts my chin up toward his. “What are you thinking about?”
I place my hand on his waist and move closer. “You.”
He smiles. “Good answer.”
Bending down to close the distance between us, he presses a tender kiss to my lips.
“Why do I call you Alexei, but your friends don’t?”
He nuzzles my neck, kissing the sensitive spots he finds there. “Hmm?”
“Jane and Weston. They seemed surprised I don’t call you Alex.”
He lifts his head and meets my eyes. “I don’t know. Everyone on the team calls me Alex.”
