Page 17 of Finding Alexei
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 this thing happening 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 for her, 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.
I straighten my spine. “Fine. We’ll stay.”
His full mouth breaks into a happy grin. “Good. That was easy. Now, let’s talk about your place of employment . . .”
I shake my head, frowning at him. “Don’t say a word, buddy.” He’s been driving me to work and my old neighbor watches Ella until I get off and he comes back to pick us up. I’m not sure what the plan is when he’s gone, but my job is one thing he doesn’t get to dictate.
Alexei only chuckles, but I can tell he was serious, and this is a topic of conversation we’ll be discussing in the future. God, this man. He’s equal parts gorgeous and infuriating.
He may have won this round, but I have no intention of giving in so easily.Chapter SixAlexeiI’ve just boarded a plane to California, but all I can think about is the woman and baby I’m leaving behind.
It took quite a bit of convincing to get Ryleigh to stay at my place while I’m away this weekend. I almost thought I’d have to threaten to tie her to a chair, but in the end, she finally agreed. It should be strange, I’ve known her only a handful of days, and yet I trust her completely in my personal space.
My agent, Slate, thinks I’m insane, but he hasn’t met Ryleigh. She’s the furthest thing from a gold digger you could find. I’ve had to fight with her every step of the way to get her to let me help.
Even the smallest things are difficult with her. She’s insisted on cooking for me as a way to earn her keep, which has been fine with me. I hate cooking, but I need to eat so often, it’s a necessary evil. Ryleigh seems to enjoy it. She’s made herself at home in my kitchen, and loves coming up with new dishes for me to try. The homemade fettucine alfredo she made last night was almost as good as sex.
Scratch that.
It was amazing, but yeah, nothing is as good as sex. Living with a gorgeous woman I’ve seen naked twice has fucked with my brain. Now I have sex on the brain like a horny teenager. Fantastic.
I’m way overdue for some action, but there’s no way I can hook up with some random woman while Ryleigh and Ella are staying with me. At this point, I’m pretty sure the only woman I could get it up for would be Ryleigh.
How does this woman I barely know own me already?
