Page 70 of Delayed Offsides

“I fuckyou good and you know it.” Dave leaned into me, looking me up and down, deciding how this was gonna go for me.

“No,” I told him more firmly, flushing with anger. “Stop. You’re being an asshole tonight.”

“What’s wrong? My dick not good enough these days?” He was angry with me that I didn’t fuck him where he wanted. In his car, in an alley, a bar, in front of anyone and everyone.

“Twisting my arms behind my back roughly, he dragged me into his bedroom. “I said no, Dave. Let me go.” I let out a scream, but before I could be heard, I was cut off by a hard slap to my face.

My eyes stung, throbbed as I was winded by pain.

“Shut up, bitch!” he roared, using his strength against me, his hands moving from my hips where he forced himself inside me and to my neck. “Ya fuckin’ tell anyone ’bout this, you’ll regret it,” he growled, pushing into me harder.

I trembled, refusing to watch his dark eyes I no longer recognized.

“Answer me.”

I nodded. “I won’t.”

“I’m gonna fuck ya so hard you won’t be able to sit at tomorrow’s game when I’m done.”

I jump awake,sitting up in bed. My skin tingles with what feels like thousands of tiny needles pricking my skin. My mind attempts to sort out what was a dream and what’s reality. Shivers break out over my body as I try to shake the feeling.

Another nightmare. The moonlight coming into Leo’s room surrounds me as I blink and swallow over the gasping breaths.

Turning over, I look at Leo, sleeping soundlessly with his hands resting on his bare stomach, his head twisted slightly toward me. I smile, knowing things are changing between us. Lying back down, I scoot closer to him. Still sleeping, he turns toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist, his hand draped over my stomach and our baby growing inside me.

I know he’s not aware of it, but he’s touching the life we created. And I’m crying.

Breathing in deeply, I relax against him, pressing my back more firmly into his chest. I’m an independent woman. Yet, being here with Leo makes me weak and want to depend on someone other than myself.

* * *

I’m setto work on Saturday for Bethany, so I have today off, which means I spend the day with Leo. After last night’s dream, I don’t want to go home either. Something about that nightmare shakes me, and the fear of sleeping alone is stronger than it’s been in a while.

When I get up, Leo is standing over a frying pan, cooking what appears to be eggs. I’ve never seen him cook before. I didn’t know he could.

“Are you cooking me breakfast?” I tease, taking a seat at the eating bar across from the stove.

“I’ll do anything if you agree to date me,” he says, looking over his shoulder at me.

“Food might be the way to my heart.”Actually, buddy, you’ve had that for a while.I know it seems like I’ve been a moody bitch lately, but it doesn’t change the fact that I love Leo, and I have for a long time. I never wanted to do this without him. I know I can, but I don’t want to.

With a sigh, he taps the spatula on the pan. Setting the spatula in his hand down, he turns to face me. “I’m being serious. I want to date you. I want a relationship.”

Our eyes lock, and he leans into the counter, closer to me, with his hands splayed out on the stone. “I said I would, and I meant it.”

“As my girlfriend?”

I nod, my throat tight with emotion. Fuck. Girlfriend? Wow. You heard that too, right? I swallow over a sigh, and it sounds like a hiccup. “If that’s what you want.” What? What am I agreeing to?

He smiles, his eyes bright with excitement. “It’s what I want.”

“Fine. We’re dating.” I sound bitter, but my heart is pulsating. Like a cartoon character who sees the love of their life and their heart beats out of their chest.

“Fine.” He grins and turns around toward the stove again.

He makes me breakfast: eggs, bacon, sausage… everything I want he’s making. I eat all that, and I’m still hungry. “Do you have any ice cream?” I ask, feeling a little self-conscious that I’m still hungry.

Leo glances over his shoulder at me; only my eyes are on his ass. He’s only wearing his boxer briefs, and after last night, I’m ready to make him my second breakfast. I want ice cream right now, though. “You’re still hungry?” he asks, smiling.

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