Page 16 of The Single Dads Club
“I can have a glass. But if you don’t want one ...”
“I’d love a glass,” I say.
While I sauté the mushrooms, shallots, and minced garlic in another pan, Alexei uncorks a bottle of chilled white wine. He pours two glasses and sets mine on the counter beside me.
I pick up the fine stemware and turn to face him. “Cheers,” I murmur.
He clinks his glass to mine, one hand still holding Ella. “Cheers.”
His gaze lingers on mine as I bring the glass to my lips and take a sip. The temperature in the kitchen soars about six thousand degrees, and it has nothing to do with the heat from the stove or the wine.His eyes on me are intoxicating.
As Alexei turns to prepare Ella’s evening bottle, I wonder how I’ll possibly keep my hands to myself when this gorgeous man is strutting around looking like sex on a stick, all while doing nothing more than holding a baby who doesn’t belong to him.I can’t stop thinking about it. Every time he does something with Ella, my ovaries think for me.
I’m totally screwed.
Chapter Five
Ryleigh
These last few nights have been nice, but apparently Alexei has gone and lost his freaking mind.
When he told me this morning he’s flying to California later today for an away game, I started packing, assuming I’d obviously have to find another place to go. He disagreed, and now we’ve been arguing about this for the past thirty minutes.
He’s insane, absolutely insane. And now he’s staring at me with that sexy, determined expression, his fists clenched at his sides. If it’s a fight he wants, it’s a fight he’s going to get.Bring it, buddy.
I square my shoulders and summon the most commanding tone I can muster. “I can’t stay here while you’re gone.”
He swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing in the most distracting way. “Of course you can. I offered. You’ll accept. It’s a done deal.” His eyes are playful, but his stance says he means business.
Well, two can play at that game, dude. I’m not intimidated by the fact he’s a professional athlete. I can and will hold my own.
“It’s not adone deal. I won’t stay here, Alexei. End of story. You’ve already been too generous, too kind. I won’t take advantage of you like that. I’m practically a stranger, and you can’t possibly trust me alone in your home.”
I mean, seriously. The dinner, the bath, the heavenly comfortable bed—everything has been great, but I’ve known all along it’s a very temporary solution to my problem.
He smirks, somehow going from angry to amused in about 3.5 seconds. “Oh yeah? And why not? Are you going to make chicken parmesan? Take a bath in my tub? Use all the towels? Do a load of laundry? Be my guest.”
I roll my eyes. “Have you been hit in the head too many times on the field? No, you big bossy man. You can’t invite a random woman to live here while you’re away. I could ...” I look around, searching. “Steal your TV, or ...”Jeez, I would make the worst criminal ever.“I could go through your bank statements and tax returns, start a fake identity with your social security number.Maybe commit a murder in your bedroom.”
His eyes widen as he considers my words.
There. Take that, you big oaf!
Then Alexei chuckles and shakes his head. “You’re not going to do any of that.” He stalks closer to where I’m standing until we’re just a foot apart. Then he places his big calloused palms on my upper arms and gives them a light squeeze.I’ve wondered since the day I met him what his touch would feel like.It’s the first time he’s touched me so intimately, and I know he’s not doing it to be sensuous, he’s only doing it to convey his trust in me, but the effect is the same. My skin tingles pleasantly and my breath hitches in my throat. Desiree’s words about Alex Ivan being one of the world’s most sought-after men ring through my head.
His voice drops lower, his anger gone. “I trust you, okay? Is that so crazy?”
His hands fall away and I pull in a deep breath, his words both calming and alarming me. We hardly know each other, but there’s thisthinghappening between us—undeniable as it is.
“It’s crazy, yes. You and I both know it’s insane.”
Alexei mulls this over, his perfectly straight white teeth biting into his bottom lip as he does. “I didn’t want to say this, I wanted you to stay because you wanted to, but ...”
I rock back on my heels, waiting for whatever bomb he’s about to drop on me.
“We both know this is what’s best for Ella. Moving her back and forth, disrupting her schedule like that, it’s not good for her. This is what’s best forher, and since I want you guys here ... Stay. Please.”
Ugh, low blow. I hate when he reminds me that I’m not capable of taking care of her on my own, even if those aren’t the words he used.
