Page 28 of Finding Alexei
Little—there’s a word I’ve never heard before.
The ass. Apparently, he’s being snarky too. Yes, the man is hung like a damn horse, and he knows it. My cheeks warm as I remember our encounters, both last night and again this morning.
I wait for his reply, anticipating something more vulgar, like him saying you didn’t seem to mind when you were coming on my cock. But Alexei’s a gentleman, because his next message simply says, Let’s discuss it tonight after Ella’s in bed.
I quickly type out deal, smiling to myself.
Ella lets out a little whimper, and it’s not one of the happy squeals she made while we played.
“Are you ready for your morning nap, little one?”
I lift her from her spot on the floor and bring her to my shoulder, where I gently rock her and pat her back. I’ve been trying to think more about her schedule, ever since Alexei told me she should have set nap and feeding times. She’s been awake for a couple of hours now, and so I think she could be getting sleepy again.
I carry her into the guest room and pull the curtains to cover the windows, blanketing us in almost darkness. The room is cool, but not chilly. Perfect for napping.
I lay Ella down with her pacifier and decide I’ll join her. I lie down in the center of the cozy bed and close my eyes, feeling content and at peace for the first time in a long time, even though my life is anything but.Chapter TenRyleighAfter breakfast the next morning, Alexei lingers in the kitchen, looking down at the tile. “I, um, forgot I invited my friends Jane and Weston over for dinner tonight. But if you want me to cancel . . .”
I shake my head. “Why would you cancel? Of course it’s fine.” It’s his house, after all. I’m only the houseguest currently crashing here. “I’ll just take Ella, and we’ll get out of your hair for a while so you can entertain.”
His brows pinch together. “That’s not what I meant. I don’t want you to leave. Are you up for meeting some of my friends and hanging out for a while? Weston’s the quarterback on the team. Jane works for the team, and she’s also Weston’s girlfriend.”
I blink at Alexei. He wants me to meet his friends? “Oh. Um, sure. Of course.”
His openness to share his home and his life with me is beyond confusing. Are we friends? Fuck buddies? Something more? Mentally, I shake my head, chasing away those thoughts. It’s best not to get my hopes up for when this all inevitably goes south.
“You don’t have to change your plans for me. I’m more than fine with hanging out. As long as they don’t mind a baby at the party.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Not a party. I’ll grill burgers. We’ll have a couple of drinks. It’ll be casual.”
“Sounds great. What time are they coming?”
“Seven.”
I nod. It gives me plenty of time to get myself cleaned up to meet one of Alexei’s teammates and his girlfriend.
A little while later, he heads out for practice, leaving me to wonder what his friends will be like. Wonder if they’ll share amusing stories about the man I don’t really know but am temporarily living with. Or worst of all, if they’ll be hostile toward me and wonder if I’m trying to trap him into a relationship.
Either way, it should be interesting.
• • •
Alexei’s friends are great. They’re friendly and thoughtful, and aside from a brief widening of Weston’s eyes and a quick inhalation from Jane when they met Ella and me, they made us feel welcome.
That doesn’t mean I feel comfortable.
Part of me is still adjusting to being here with Alexei . . . to his million-dollar lifestyle, beautiful apartment, and how very different it is from my life.
Having his friends here—who are obviously wealthy and in love—only makes me feel even more in the spotlight. I’m single and with a baby in tow, living paycheck to paycheck.
Jane laughs at something Weston says, snapping my attention back to the present. I take a quick sip of my wine and set the glass on the counter where we’re lingering. I laid Ella down for a nap a little while ago, and now I’m not sure what to do with myself. Part of me likes having her as a social buffer. Is that weird?
Alexei pulls open the sliding glass door and strolls back inside, carrying a plate to the sink. “The burgers are on.”
His eyes meet mine, and I wonder if he can tell how out of place I feel. Probably not. I’ve smiled at the right times and laughed at their jokes. I even made it a point to ask about Jane’s work with the team, and about Weston’s thoughts on their chances for the playoffs. I barely heard their answers, but hey, I asked.
