Page 35 of Teasing the Winger

I triple check that I have everything I need for our date tonight before finally putting the car in drive and heading over to Sasha’s place.

I want tonight to be perfect, to show Sasha how much I actually like him, to prove to him that even though this is our first date and we are just starting out, I’m willing to put in the effort he deserves.

It’s beyond evident to me that Sasha’s ex did a real number on him by the way he reacts to the smallest of things. Like me offering to drive him to Karla’s house on Tuesday. He acted like it was such a big deal when, in reality, it’s nothing. I meant it when I told him I would drive him even if we weren’t dating. That’s what decent people do. They help you out when they can and don’t expect anything in return. I know his friends act like this toward him, but clearly, he thinks things should be different now that we’re dating. Which pisses me off to no end. I hope Sasha’s ex is miserable in his life. Scumbags like him don’t deserve happiness.

Rays of sunshine like Sasha, on the other hand, deserve all the happiness in the world.

When I pull up to the house where Sasha lives with a few of his friends, I take a deep breath before getting out of my car and walking up to the front door like a gentleman.

“Hey, Rio,” Max, Sasha’s roommate and, I guess, landlord greets me. “Sasha will be down in a couple of minutes. He was having a wardrobe catastrophe, or at least that’s what he claimed was going on.”

I chuckle. “It’s all good. I don’t mind waiting.”

“Is he here?” Sasha shrieks from upstairs.

“Take your time, babe. We’ve got plenty of time,” I call up to him.

“You know that’s still probably not going to calm his nerves, right?” Max states, and I shrug.

“It’s the thought that counts, right?”

Max laughs and nods. “I’m glad Sasha’s going out with you. You’re a good guy.”

“Thanks,” I reply quietly. “He deserves to be treated like the gem that he is.”

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting,” Sasha says, rushing down the stairs and nearly tripping at the bottom. Thankfully, I’m able to move quickly enough to catch him before his face hits the floor.

“Stop worrying about being late,” I tell him as I hold his shaking body. “I’d much rather be hours late than see you get injured because you were rushing.”

He takes a deep breath and then nods. “You’re right. Please don’t tell Hailey I almost fell. She’s already been lecturing me on being careful because the team can’t afford to have me out of commission.”

I smile at him, then gently kiss his lips, not caring that Max is still here.

“She’s right. You’re our good luck charm. Now, the next time we go out, if you’re running late, you know that it’s okay, and I’m never going to be upset about running a little behind schedule.”

He finally smiles at me, and the tension visible lifts off his shoulders. “You’re too good for me,” he whispers.

“It’s the other way around, I assure you.”

“Aww, you two are just the cutest,” Max coos, and Sasha sticks his tongue out at him.

“We’re leaving now,” he tells his friend before dragging me out the door.

“Slow down,” I remind him, pulling on his hand to slow him down. “We aren’t in a rush tonight, and I haven’t had a minute to take you in.” I pause, then take a step back to get a good look at my date.

He has on a pair of dark wash jeans, an oversized gray sweater that looks comfortable and warm, just like I told him, and a pair of black sneakers. His hair is up in a messy bun that I can’t wait to take out later tonight so I can run my fingers through his hair.

“You’re breathtaking as always,” I tell him once I’ve had my fill.

“And you’re a flatterer as per usual,” he mumbles with a smirk.

“You love it, don’t lie,” I reply, stepping closer once more and placing my hands on his hips.

“Okay, I won’t lie,” he tells me, and then I kiss him.

This time, it isn’t a chaste kiss to get him out of his head. It’s fiery and passionate, and I groan when we have to separate.

“As much as I’d love to stay here all night and make out, I do have something planned for us, and I’d hate for us to miss it,” I tell him, grabbing his hand and pulling him to my car.

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