Page 11 of Rushing Her: Seattle, Westerners (Gridiron Warriors #2)

Brayden

I stretch and expect the dogs to be begging to go out, but when I stretch again, the difference in the sheets and the soft scent of Alexandra remind me I am not at home. My memory replays showing up here last night and insisting on staying with her because I was worried.

I’ll never forget that feeling of intense fear when Warner called to inform me that someone had destroyed Alexandra’s car.

We both knew it was my stalker who did this.

The profiler hired by my attorney stated that I was her focus, but that when it came to me, the behaviors would project as caring, concerned, and even loving.

For any woman who came into my life, or a woman they determined as a threat, they’d likely be on the receiving end of violent tendencies.

I realized that Alex would be a target from the start.

She has been mine since the moment I saw her, and even though we broke up, she was still a part of my everyday thoughts.

I had faith that I would find her again and we would be together once more.

I just had to get that through to my broken heart.

As soon as the bus parked, I ran to my car to get to Alex. The relief of finding her safe in her apartment still wasn’t enough until I took her body several times to prove she was safe and with me.

Rolling from the bed, I crack my neck and stretch some of the tightened muscles. With us getting in late, the coach granted us a midday start time for workout and practice.

Alex and I need to talk before I head to the arena, so I listen for any indication of where she is. She’s not next to me in bed, and a part of me wonders if she’d run from me in her own place. A steady thumping sound reverberates from somewhere nearby, so I rise from the bed to slide on my boxers.

Making my way out of her room, I find her on a treadmill in the spare bedroom. It’s raining outside, which explains why she’s running inside.

Leaning against the doorjamb, I watch as she goes through her paces with her earphones on. The treadmill changes angle, and Alex barely slows down as she powers through the incline. Her muscles extend and flex, and those shapely, toned legs turn me on. I need to adjust myself.

This woman attracted me the moment I saw her at a frat party.

I was there because they wanted me to rush their fraternity, and she was there to attend the mixer.

Alexandra had only been on campus for a week, and I locked her up immediately.

I never joined that frat, but she did join a sorority.

We were each other’s first, and I’m glad I saved that to experience it with her.

I regret how I acted after our breakup. I partied hard and was as promiscuous as they came.

Alexandra is right, I was the slut of the league, but about eight years ago, after a serious talk from team management, I made a change.

I did date a couple of women afterward, but a few years ago, I even gave that up.

I saw that Alexandra still hadn’t settled down, and that was the moment I decided to become better, so I could fix things with her.

If only I had known that a man I trusted and looked up to had gone behind my back and destroyed my relationship with her.

Or that he was extorting her to stay away from me.

On top of all that, I worry that my latest stalker has set her sights on my woman, and I might lose her forever if I’m not careful.

Part of me wants to beg Alexandra to stay at my house, which is monitored by security and alarms, until they find this woman, but she won’t do that.

She has a life and a job that are essential to her.

She’s earned that as much as I’ve earned every ring I have.

“Alexandra,” I say her name, and she turns to look at me as she snags her headphones off. Music blares through them as I move close to her. “Start your cool down so we can talk.”

“Okay,” she says while panting for breath from the hard run she was doing. She hits the cool-down button, and I look to see how long she’s been at this.

“You been up for a bit. You okay?”

She faces forward on the treadmill for a moment before turning to look at me. “I’m worried that whoever has decided they hate me will come after you next. I had a situation last week in Portland with a woman; it was so strange.”

“Baby, this isn’t about you. This is about me.

I’ve had a stalker for about a year now.

She’s not someone I was concerned about until the profiler I hired said she would have an issue with any woman I’m with.

After receiving the pictures of your car from the team I have on you, I’m sure this is her, and that means we need to get serious about your security. ”

Alexandra diverts her eyes and jogs a bit.

“Baby, don’t argue with me on this. I’ve dumped enough baby batter in you over the last several days that you could be pregnant.”

Alex faces me again and stumbles slightly. I hit the emergency stop button and jump up to catch her.

“Oh god. Oh my god. No. No. No.” She keeps repeating those words and shaking her head. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think about that. I need to make a call.” Color has drained from her face, and she appears to be in shock.

“Lexi,” I command, and she stops pushing away from me.

Tears coat her eyes. I’ve always hated it when she cries.

“Alexandra, calm down. I knew what I was doing every time I took you; I want you to carry my baby. You’ll never get rid of me.

I’ve always worn condoms except with you.

Even in college, when you were on birth control, I wished for it to fail.

Now I’m not taking any chances. I want you forever. ”

Her head shakes more violently, then she covers her mouth and shoves me away. She sprints for the bathroom and slams the door in my face, the lock clicking into place.

I pound on the door. “Alexandra, open the fuck up, now!” Water turns on, and I can hear her talking to someone. I continue to beat my fist against the wood until she opens it. “What the fuck is going on?”

Alexandra

W hat the hell is going on?

I thought I would be okay, I thought it was safe, but apparently, I was very wrong.

I just called Dr. Jarvis’ office, and they want me to come in as soon as possible.

Something happened, and they will only discuss it in person.

I explained that I’d been having unprotected sex, and the doctor told me I needed to be checked over because my situation had changed.

Now I must tell the overbearing jerk on the other side of the door what is going on.

He wants me pregnant, so I doubt he’ll run, but he still might feel blindsided.

“Does this have something to do with you going to the doctors so much in Portland?”

“So, obviously, you’ve invaded my privacy by following me.” I want to be angry with him, but a part of me is turned on by the fact that he is like this.

I take a deep breath, open the door, and find a place to sit down. My bed is still messy from where we slept and made love repeatedly through the night. His words about baby batter rocket through my mind.

“Are you sick? Do we need to get you a specialist?” He wraps around me, and I try to push him away, but he sits down on the bed with me on his lap.

“I’m not sick.” I shake my head. “I never thought we would get a second chance. I never thought I would find someone I’d want to have children with.

” He tries to interrupt, but I cover his mouth with my finger.

“Let me finish.” He nods, and I pull my hand back.

I start fidgeting with my fingers, and he wraps one of his large hands around them, calming me.

“I’m not trying to trap you, Brayden. That wasn’t my intent.

I didn’t even think I’d sleep with you on Saturday until the moment I saw you.

I just couldn’t leave without feeling alive like that again.

” I swallow the spit collecting in my mouth.

I almost got sick when I first ran into that bathroom, but now, it’s just nausea that’s the problem.

“I never thought I would have a chance to have children the traditional way, so I’ve been preparing to have my eggs harvested. ”

Again, he tries to interrupt, but I shush him.

“Almost done. If I don’t get this all out before you talk, I more than likely won’t, and you deserve the truth.

In preparation, I’ve been taking hormones, and last Thursday, I was given a booster shot that’s supposed to help me produce more eggs.

I thought that until a trigger shot was administered, I would be okay.

It seems I’m wrong. The doctor wants to see me right away—as soon as I can get to Portland.

I’m so sorry; I might already be pregnant.

I can take care of this baby, and you can have visit?—. ”

I’m pushed to my bed before finishing that thought, while Brayden looms over me, pressing us together until we’re nearly one person.

His lips slam against mine, shutting me up, and our instincts take over just as they always do—the fire exploding between us.

Yanking him closer, my nails dig into his shoulders while he slips me out of my leggings, and when he slides deep inside me, I arch up and moan.

“This is my pussy. This is my body.” He presses his hand to my chest. “This heart is mine.” Tracing his fingertips to my stomach, he says, “This baby is mine, if it’s in there, if not, there will be one soon enough. I’m not letting you go this time.”

My breath catches, and not because he’s so deep inside me. My emotions are too strong right now, so I allow my feelings to shine through my eyes and respond with a single word. “Okay.” He makes slow, meaningful love to me after that, then we shower and make love again.

A while later, I stand in front of the mirror, dressed in a pair of ripped-up jeans and a slouchy off-the-shoulder sweater, applying makeup and fixing my hair.

Brayden comes up behind me and says, “Call me after the doctor’s appointment.

I’ll be on the jet. Our game is in Chicago this weekend before we head to Salt Lake to play against the Saints.

I’ll be away for several days, but when I return, we’ll get this figured out. ”

“Okay. I can’t take the jet because it’s already in use, so I’ll drive to Portland.”

“Have Warner take you to the appointment today.”

I turn around and look up at him. My heels are not on yet, so even being relatively tall, I still have to tilt my head to speak with him. “Who is Warner?”

“She’s the head of your security. She’ll be here in a bit to introduce herself.”

“No, that’s okay.”

“Alexandra, don’t make me prove to you again that I take care of what’s mine. You and this baby”—his hand rests on my belly—“are mine.”

“We don’t even know if I’m pregnant.” I shift away from him; the emotions are too much. Being pregnant with Brayden’s baby would be wonderful, but I also don’t know if we’re really ready for that. It’s barely been a week.

“Please, Alexandra.”

When he says it softly like that in his deep, throaty voice, it does things to my body, causes my heart to pump harder, and my breath to catch. I look over to him. When he says my full name, it sounds like a caress.

“Okay,” I sigh while walking to my closet and slipping on that pair of heels.

I’ve called out of work for the day, and they understand and know how to reach me if they need to.