Page 50 of Keeping the Single Dad
“Someone kind. Stable. Someone who will stick around.”?A surge of anxiety went through me, and my stomach dropped. “And that scares the shit out of me, because I’ve never felt like this. I didn’t realize how terrifying it all is, because as soon as you realize you have feelings for someone, you have to live with the fear that they might not love you back the same…or they might go away—”
“You don’t have to be frightened with me. If you give me your heart, I will keep it safe.” His gaze was as soft as a caress. His large hands cupped my face and held me gently. “You have my word. I’ll look after you. This life is so short and precious. I want to find some joy, for my sake, too. You give me joy, Lana. You’ve brought that back into my life. But I need to know that I’m doing the right thing for Brodie.”
“I’d never hurt him. No matter what happened between us. I’d never make things difficult for you and your son. He always comes first. I understand. Whatever you need—”
“Come.” He pulled me out of the room and onto the landing. Warmth filled my chest. The last traces of my resistance slipped away. He gathered me in his powerful arms, holding me snugly. I stood on tiptoe until my lips found his. The caress of his mouth set my body aflame. His kiss was sweet and warm. It left me weak and confused. What was happening? This wasn’t me. Still, I wanted to give myself to him. I craved all the things he was offering.
He kissed me, and I curled into him. My body pressed against his hard warm chest. He led me into another bedroom with bare white walls and a double bed. In silence, we stripped each other and he pulled me down to the bed. I straddled him. His hard length prodded my stomach, and I welcomed him inside of me. With my palms on his chest, I rocked over him, riding him.
He gazed up at me in awe, his hands smoothing a path over my stomach, leaving heat in their wake. We found a perfect tempo, our bodies molding together in harmony. My breath left me in long, surrendering gasps. Tingling pleasure rushed to every point his hands caressed. He rose to meet me, his praise a gentle whisper into my ear as he held me close, and my breasts crushed against his hard chest.
“You’re so beautiful.” His words were a hot whisper against my ear. ?
I could barely form a reply. My throat was hot and tight and my chest full of fluttering. The raw sensuous flow of our slow lovemaking unlocked something inside of me. I clung to him to stop myself from drowning in need. Release tore through me. A moan of ecstasy slipped from my lips. Some part of me had shifted and been made new. We both collapsed. Alex pulled me into his powerful arms and tucked me against him, our bodies glued together, and our legs tangled. The divine scent of his sweat filled my nose.
We lay like that, breathing hard and coming down. My eyes flickered shut, and I drifted into dreams of dark waters in an ice-cold Scottish loch and pale yellow roses climbing stone.
Alex’s uncertain voice roused me from my slumber.
"Okay, sweetheart?" He planted a kiss on my temple.
My heart swelled as though it might overflow. “Yeah. I’m okay.”
Chapter 27
Lana
Idroppedmybaginto my locker. My phone vibrated in my jacket pocket. I pulled it out to see Karen Delaney’s number. What the hell did she want? A creeping sense of foreboding made my chest constrict.
“Phones are meant to be silent in the locker room.”
Claire stood in the doorway. She folded her arms across her chest. Her unimpressed icy gaze raked over me. The rest of the team hadn’t arrived for afternoon practice, yet. I’d been getting here at least fifteen minutes before everyone else. I’d kept it up. Still, Claire only noticed the things I got wrong. I’d just stepped through the door. Of course I’d forgotten to put my phone on silent.
The phone vibrated loudly with a call again and green light illuminated the dark locker.?Claire rolled her eyes, and her gaze darted to the clock. A tight knot formed in my chest.
“Sorry.” I switched the phone off and shoved it into my carryall.
Claire’s gaze swept over me. “Everything okay?”
“Everything’s great.” I slammed my locker door shut. The clang of metal on metal rang out in the empty room.
Claire studied my face. “If something’s up you can tell me. I might be able to help.”
I held in my incredulous snort. Claire didn’t want to help me. She just wanted to read me the riot act and bench me.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
Claire fingered the shiny whistle hung around her neck. “I’m here if you need to talk.”
I’d rather gouge out my own eyeballs, but thanks.
Chatter and footsteps drifted from the corridor outside. The team would be here any moment. I tried to drag my attention back to getting my kit ready, but Karen Delaney played on my mind. Why get back in contact now? Would she threaten me again? If I didn’t produce the goods would she post that article about my Dad? I couldn’t allow someone to blackmail me, but I couldn’t let that article come out. Either way, this journalist was screwing me.
Sophie dumped her kit bag next to me. Grimacing, she sank down onto the bench. Her face was pale and pinched.
I dropped to perch next to her. “What’s the matter?”
“It’s that time of the month.” She spoke through gritted teeth. “I’ll be okay once I get moving.”
