Page 23

PANCAKES AND PRAISE

XANDER

One year ago

August

Another day has begun, and once again, I don’t want to leave this bed.

On the surface, I may appear to be more at ease, but it’s a lie. The pressure is still weighing on me. Heavily.

My parents are worried. All they talk about these days is how I could’ve lost my place on the team.

But I didn’t, and my suspension is over.

I’m back to practicing with the team, preparing for the second game of preseason.

But my family is still on my back, scolding me for my impulsivity any chance they get. For my “bad decisions.”

I’m so fucking tired of all of it. The cryptic articles full of lies and fake sensations. Miller’s face constantly appearing in online articles and gossip rags. The fucker is eating up the attention, pretending to be my friend.

Once I heard the rumors, I called Coach. I didn’t want Xander to be kicked off the team.

Liar. He’s only out to boost his own reputation.

I roll to my side, groaning because Bella isn’t in bed with me. So much for cuddling my girl first thing in the morning. Reluctantly, I force myself up. Might as well get ready for the day.

The idea of attending Audrey’s baby shower today has a pit forming in my stomach. I’ve distanced myself from her since I talked to her about her behavior with Bella. I finally set the boundaries I’ve desperately needed for a long time. Hopefully she’ll take my concerns to heart this time.

I splash water onto my face, then pat it dry and pick up my toothbrush. As I brush, I can’t help but relive the talk I had with my agent two weeks ago.

He, along with the Warriors’ management, convinced me to keep a low profile and let the professionals handle the situation with Bella’s stepfather. I was against their plan, but my desire to stay on the team prevailed. If Kevin didn’t file charges, my place would be secure.

I had to swear I’d behave and not get physical with anyone on the team, including Miller. Though I still want to punch the fucker’s lights out, I gritted my teeth and agreed. The Boston City Warriors are my family. The team is my home. Boston is my home. I want to stay.

When my agent called with the news that Bella’s stepfather didn’t plan to file charges after all, my head spun.

Why the hell had we gone through every possible scenario and plan of action if he wasn’t going to prosecute me? Without a police report, it was all hearsay. It didn’t make any sense to me until my agent said, “It was her mom.”

That made everything clear. Samantha wanted to hurt Bella by hurting my career, but apparently Kevin wasn’t on board with the plan.

One article quoted him as saying, “It was a misunderstanding. Isabella is happy with Alexander, and that’s the only thing that matters.”

He loves Bella so much he doesn’t want her to suffer.

It’s the only explanation I can come up with.

Not that I told my family. Revealing to my parents that my girl was raped by her stepfather?

That she was in a relationship with him when she was a teenager?

That a man twice her age is still in love with her?

Definitely not a conversation I want to have.

When I snag my phone from the nightstand, a notification catches my attention.

Three texts from Stacey. They came in around two a.m. My first reaction is to worry, assume a middle-of-the-night text means something is wrong.

But in the first two messages, she details her night out, and the third is a bathroom selfie.

I close the app. I’ll reply to her later.

I don’t see her much, meeting her for lunch once a week, and we stay in touch, messaging almost daily.

It works for the friendship we’re trying to build.

As I assess my phone’s home screen, I realize it’s only seven. Why the hell did I wake up so early? Why is Bella up so early?

With a shake of my head, I stroll out of the bedroom. I’m hit with the aroma of pancakes as soon as I reach the living room. A smile instantly stretches across my face. Bella and her pancakes are the perfect ingredients for a stellar morning. With any luck, the rest of the day will follow suit.

“Good morning,” I say, entering the kitchen.

Milo looks up from his bed in the corner, but he doesn’t get up.

Bella is sitting at the table, head bowed over her Kindle.

She has a cup of coffee in her hand, an empty plate at her side.

Her hair is in a high ponytail, a few wild locks framing her face.

She’s in a sports bra and leggings, the ones she usually wears when she runs.

She looks incredible. She always does. But apprehension niggles at the back of my mind as I watch her.

If she’s already gone for a run and made pancakes, I can’t imagine what time she got up.

“Good morning.” She looks up from her Kindle as I approach her. “Did I wake you up? It’s early.”

“No. I couldn’t sleep.” I bend down and gently kiss her lips. She tastes like coffee and Nutella. “When did you get up?”

“Around five.” With a shrug, she slides her Kindle away.

“Five?” I blink. Again? It’s becoming her new habit.

“Yeah. Woke up and couldn’t fall back asleep.” She sips from her mug. “Milo and I went for a run, and since I had time, I figured I’d make pancakes. I know how much you love them.”

“I’m obsessed with them. And your coffee.” I snatch a pancake from the plate and shove the entire thing into my mouth.

She bursts into laughter. “Stop it! Eat like a gentleman, not a caveman!”

“Can’t…do…that…” I mumble around the mouthful. “Your food…is delicious.”

“And your praise is why I love cooking for you,” she murmurs, standing up from her chair. “Do you want Nutella and bananas with your pancakes? I’ll make a plate for you.”

“That would be great.” I slump into the chair next to hers and take a sip of her coffee. “You’ve been waking up early a lot lately. Is something bothering you?”

“No.” She shakes her head, keeping her back turned.

Liar . I know all her tells.

“Just getting ready for my design program. Your spot on the team is safe, and my family won’t bother you again. I’m good.”

“I’m still surprised that man decided not to press charges,” I say absentmindedly.

She fluidly moves around the kitchen, her muscles flexing with every step. Her body is perfect: big, round tits, narrow waist, toned abs, fit ass, long legs. Whether she’s in workout clothes or all dressed up, she’s sexy as fuck—though the fewer clothes the better, in my opinion.

“I’m not.” She shrugs, head bowed over a plate of pancakes. “It was all my mother’s doing, and clearly he’s not happy with her, since he’s filing for divorce.”

My stomach lurches, and the single pancake threatens to make a reappearance. How would she know that? Has she talked to him?

“How—” I cough. “How do you know that?”

“She sent me a message yesterday.” Bella sets the plate in front of me, along with a fresh cup of coffee. “She wanted to make sure I knew I was a whore who destroyed her marriage.”

I open my mouth, but no words come out. Fuck . I don’t know what to say. I want to haul her to my chest and hold her close. She doesn’t deserve it, not these accusations nor her mother’s hatred.

But before I can grab ahold of her, she steps back.

“I’m so sorry.”

“I wouldn’t have expected anything less.” She plasters a smile onto her face, but her eyes are dull. “Eat while your breakfast is still warm.”

With a sigh, I give in and pick up my fork.

She clearly doesn’t want to continue this conversation, so I’ll let it go.

For now. Messing with her mood right before Audrey’s party is a particularly bad idea.

She only agreed to go because my mom asked her, reassuring her that no one from my family blames her for what happened at her mom’s house.

Except I don’t think this “no one” includes my sister, and I’m afraid Bella knows it too.

I use the side of my fork to cut into a pancake and pop the piece into my mouth. “Damn,” I moan. “They’re fucking delicious. Mouthwatering…”

“What else?” She sits, perching her elbows on the table, her chin on top of her locked hands.

All my senses come to life. The incredibly rich aroma, the flavorful taste, and the view…the view is better than anything. Her sports bra pushes her tits together, making my cock grow and warmth spread through me.

I clear my throat. “You have a praise kink.”

“Maybe. What else?”

“A little degradation.” I take another bite of my pancake and wash it down with a gulp of coffee. Never in my life have I wanted to finish a meal more quickly than I do right now. “A bit of spanking.”

“Oh yes, that felt amazing.”

The fuck … My dick is rock-solid, and my brain has gone offline.

“Your handprint on my butt?—”

“I’ll finish these later.” I push my plate away, jump to my feet, and toss her over my shoulder.

Her infectious laughter fills the kitchen, startling Milo and making him bark. I don’t care if he yaps the whole time. Bella is all I can think about. Being inside her is my only focus.

I shut the bedroom door to keep Milo out, and then I ease her onto her back on the bed.

She’s still laughing, unable to stop herself. The sight and the sound light me up inside. So damn beautiful, and so mine . I peel her leggings down, taking her thong with them.

When she’s bared to me, I kneel and pull her to the edge of the mattress. Her pussy is even more appetizing than my plate of pancakes. I’m so hungry for her.

“Spread your legs, baby.”

She wiggles a little, making herself comfortable. Then she obeys, planting her feet on the bed, knees bent.

An idea takes over, making me smirk. “Good girl.” I am a breath away from her clit, but I don’t touch her. Instead, I maintain eye contact. “You’re going to do everything I tell you.”

“Dominance will take you places you never knew existed,” Bella teases.

She’s so wet for me, her cunt already glistening. Anxious for the taste of her, I lick between her folds and then suck her clit into my mouth.