Page 50

MOVE IN WITH ME

XANDER

October

I love waking up beside her, finding her still deep in sleep. I love watching her, how peacefully beautiful she is, how soft and tender her features are, how warm and silky her skin is.

She’s perfect for me.

My eyes drift to her stomach, where my tee has ridden up to reveal her skin.

I want to be a dad one day, and I can’t imagine having children with anyone but Bella.

She’s so tender and nurturing and cares so much about the people close to her.

I can guarantee she’ll be an incredible mom.

I want to fucking put a ring on her finger.

I want the whole world to know she’s with me.

But it’s not the right time. Things are too fragile between us.

“What time is it?” she whispers.

“Nine, I think.” I inch closer and pull her to me. “I’ve got about two hours before I need to leave.”

“I wish you could stay home with me and Milo.” She snuggles into me, winding her arms around my torso and pressing her face to my chest. “It feels nice…too nice.”

“Like you don’t want to leave this bed? That kind of nice?” My low murmur makes her shiver.

“Uh-huh.” She nibbles at my collarbone, working her way up to my throat. “You feel like home.”

My heart trips over itself. Dear God, how am I supposed to stay calm when she says shit like that? And her lips on my neck? She’s slowly killing me.

“Because I am your home, just like you are mine. I’ve never felt this at peace anywhere but with you. Home is where you are.”

“We fucked up, Alexander Walker. Do you realize that?”

A heartbeat later, she’s on her back, and I’m hovering over her beautiful face. “If by ‘fucked up’ you mean we fell madly in love with each other and it’s forever? Then yeah, we fucked up.”

“That’s exactly what I mean.” She arches up and presses her lips to mine in the sweetest kiss. “I haven’t slept that well in days.”

“Well, your demands were pretty strict, if you ask me.” Laughing, I roll off her. “No sex. Just cuddles.”

“So you’re only interested in me because our sex is mind-blowing?” She turns onto her side, hiding her hands under the pillow.

“Just mind-blowing? I would add unique, passionate, unforgettable.”

She breaks into a false scowl. “So that’s it? Just sex then?”

I haul her to me, making her straddle my legs. My body warms at the sight of her in my tee, my heartbeat strong and steady.

“It’s never been just sex with you, even when I delusionally thought like that.

You give me purpose, the feeling that I belong, that I’m needed.

You make me feel alive. You are my everything, Bella, and I don’t know how I’m supposed to stay away from you when the only thing I want is to be by your side. Always.”

“Are you a mind reader now?” she murmurs, kissing my lips. “Because that’s pretty much how I feel about you.”

“Really?” As I search her face, the rhythm of my heartbeat picks up. I was hoping she felt the same way I did, but I was afraid to believe it. My self-confidence has fooled me when it comes to her, and way more often than I’m willing to admit. “Move in with me.”

Her smile falls, and she sits up. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?” I sit up and wrap my arms around her waist.

“Remember the internship I mentioned?”

I nod.

“It’s a year long, and it starts in May.” She takes a deep breath. “And it’s in Santa Clara, California.”

My stomach lurches. What? “You just got back.”

“I didn’t know how to tell you, and I wasn’t sure what would happen between us. I should have said something sooner. I’m sorry.”

Shit . I don’t know how the fuck to respond. My life is here, in Boston. My parents, my friends, my team are all here , dammit! I bought this house because I wanted to settle down, to build a life here. And now she’s leaving?

“Xander, look at me,” she says quietly, and I meet her gaze. “I’m leaving in April.”

“Is this your way of telling me we can…” I shake my head, my eyes pinched shut. “I don’t know, date for six months, and then you’ll be moving to California?”

“It sounds terrible, I know.” Brow creased, she scans the room.

“I have so many good memories here, but just as many bad ones. I found myself in New York, and that city will always hold a special place in my heart, but at the same time…it’s too close.

I want to experience life somewhere else. Is that such a bad thing?”

A pit opens up in my stomach. If this is what she wants, then where does it leave me?

“It’s not a bad thing.” I force a smile, taking her chin between my thumb and index finger. “I lived it up in Kansas. Being in a new place was exhilarating. All the new places, people, even some habits. I get it.”

She nods, though the sorrow in her expression makes my heart crack. “Yeah…that’s why moving in with you probably isn’t a good idea.”

I inhale deeply and let the air out slowly through my nose. “Can I tell you what I think?”

“Of course.”

I cup the back of her head, making sure she’s really paying attention.

“My family is here, and my parents need me more than they ever have before. I’m at the top of my game, and if the team continues like this, the Super Bowl will be ours again.

But when you’re not with me, I’m miserable.

I don’t want to be without you again. I don’t live without you; I just exist.”

Her lips tremble, her eyes welling with tears.

“I’d love to spend as much time with you as I can before you leave in April. Let’s take these next six months to figure out how to make it work long distance. Because, baby, you and me? It’s a forever type of thing. No fucking way I’m gonna stay away from you.”

“You really think we can do long distance?”

“I think you and I are capable of anything as long as we’re together.”

With a watery smile, she presses her forehead to mine.

“And my contract with the Warriors ends after this season. If I happen to get an offer from a team in, say, California, I’ll rethink things.”

“But what about your parents? You said they need you?—”

I press my finger to her lips, silencing her. “We have six months to figure everything out, okay?”

“Yeah.”

“I’d go anywhere with you. Really. As long as you want me.”

“I’ll always want you,” she whispers, her lips hovering over mine.

Her hot breath caresses my skin, and my dick grows hard in my boxers.

“Move in with me,” I urge, staring at her intently.

“Okay.” Her lips quirk up.

Then she smashes them to mine and grinds her sweet pussy over my hard-on, locking her legs behind my back.

“I have some news,” Marco whispers, leaning across the bench.

Between the morning I had and the intense practice we just finished, I’m lightheaded.

I chugged a protein shake on the way to the stadium, but I burned off those calories a couple of hours ago.

Now, I’m dreaming about a chicken breast with rice.

It’ll have to wait, though. First, I’m helping Bella move in with me.

“What is it?” I ask, drying my hair with my towel.

“I’m going to be a dad.”

Hand frozen in midair, I blink at him.

He smirks. “My reaction was actually a lot like yours—complete shock.”

“Meg’s pregnant?”

“No. Blake is pregnant.”

My heart drops. “Who?”

“Of course it’s Meg! Dude, I’m bullshitting you.” He claps my back.

“Thank God! You nearly lost me there.” Guffawing, I drape an arm over his shoulder. “Congrats, man. That’s fucking amazing.”

“Thanks.” He beams. “It’s unexpected, but I’ve never been happier.”

“Did you tell him?” Drew drops onto the bench beside me.

“He did,” I confirm, narrowing my eyes. “How long have you known?”

“Easy, tiger.” Drew’s laughter booms around the locker room, making the other guys turn our way. “If you hadn’t slid in just before practice started, you would’ve known this morning like I did.”

“Yeah, man.” Marco puts his elbows on his knees, studying me. “Did something happen?”

“I think I know.” Drew jumps to his feet, grinning. “Bella worked her magic, and our captain lost his head.”

Cringing, I dart a glance at Miller, who’s getting dressed on the other side of the room. He’s been quiet these days, even after the photos of Bella and me went viral. Could he actually be moving on?

“Bella did work her magic.” I stand and pull my black hoodie out of my duffel. “But I’m not losing my head. I know what’s at stake, and I’m determined to do my best. I don’t want to hurt our chances of winning the Super Bowl.”

“Good. I’m gonna hold you to that.” Drew holds my gaze.

I focus on Marco, changing the subject to Meg and his big news. His features soften, and a goofy smile stretches across his lips. He’s obviously incredibly happy.

We make plans to meet for a drink tomorrow to celebrate his news, then head out.