by Ciara Cole
Leah looked different—she was glowing. She moved closer to him and he felt his cheeks heat as he caught her achy whimper.
“You all right, baby?” he asked, and she looked straight up at him, making direct eye contact.
Before Leah could say a word, Derrick drew her into his body. She sighed deeply and snuggled into him, both of them settling into silence. Derrick pulled her even closer, sniffing her scent. Her charcoal thick locks had a fragrance unlike any he’d smelled on any other woman. A blend of peaches, apricot, and vanilla . . . fucking intoxicating. He knew she could feel him pressed against her, already hard again. Derrick didn’t want the morning to end, but it had to.
And yet something still hung between them. A waiting. Derrick knew there was something he should say, a way to settle the questions hovering in the air above them. He felt his heart edge closer to it, and yet his mind still wavered. Was it right to start making those promises when he wasn’t sure about the right or wrong of wanting Leah all for himself?
At the last minute, he chose the easy way. He knew it was a mistake even as he slipped out of bed the minute he felt Leah’s head drop in sleep on his chest. He walked out the door, hating every step that took him away from the unsuspecting Leah. Never had a woman had him wanting to linger and prolong every single moment.
It wasn’t the first time he was slipping away before morning light. But it was a different type of restraint that had him stealing off while his sated lover slept. Where once he’d been worried about being tied down too soon, he was now more concerned about too easily losing himself and never finding his way out again. With Leah, once you got locked down, you stayed that way, and even Derrick sensed that.
But like always, at the last minute . . . he just couldn’t do it. He couldn’t make that last call, and he hated himself for once more choosing the too-easy option.
***
Derrick opened his gym bag to retrieve his workout gear in readiness for practice. He was still pissed from last night’s drama with Jennifer. She’d almost completely ruined his plans for a perfect date with Leah, thanks to the needless malice Jennifer had spewed. He couldn’t understand how he could have ever gotten involved with her, and for as long as he had.
She’d made the ultimate trophy girlfriend, one that blended well with his high life ways and his enviable reputation as a playboy who constantly dated the kind of women that normal men considered out of their league.
Derrick had made his emotional limits perfectly clear to her from the start, but she’d chosen to believe her own lies about a future for them. “I want to be your one and only,” she’d said almost six months into their relationship, “Or nothing at all.”
Weeks later, she’d called it quits. And now, she had the nerve to disrespect the mother of his baby? Derrick was filled with rage all over again, and then he felt an inner relief that he’d been smart enough to not give his heart to someone who wanted him for all the wrong reasons.
“Snap out of it, bro.”
Derrick looked up at the sound of that deep, humorous voice and found Kevin.
Kevin’s smile was tinged with concern as he viewed Derrick’s face. “Want to talk about whatever’s biting you?”
With a sigh, Derrick replayed last night with his ex, Jennifer, appearing during his date with Leah.
“I told you to get your ex under control before things got out of control,” Kevin said as he shook his head.
“I didn’t know she’d show up at the restaurant and go batshit crazy like that,” growled Derrick.
“What are you so afraid of?”
Derrick turned sharply to face Kevin again. “What are you talking about?”
“You’re afraid of something. Why else would you keep Leah guessing? You haven’t officially decided to become a couple yet, have you?”
“If I’m afraid, it’s of loving someone who doesn’t feel the same.”
“She’s chosen to have a baby with you. That sounds promising. Even though it was unplanned,” Kevin said ruefully.
Derrick shook his head broodingly. “I’ve been too cautious, never hoping to find someone to love me. The real me, I mean. A woman who sees me and not the dollar signs I represent. The Derrick Talbot both on and off the court.” It was his turn to look wry as he glanced Kevin’s way. “For too long, I chose to use women like they used me.”
“What if there’s one special woman out there waiting for you to come find her? What if she’s Leah? Could you see yourself wanting that?”
Derrick most definitely could. Once, he’d been fine acting the playboy. He’d carefully cultivated that exact persona, using it to help launch his career. The notoriety, whether good or bad, got him the fame and recognition he craved.
But when he saw what some of his teammates had, he knew he wanted a taste of it. He just never planned on bringing a baby into the mix without love as a basis first. Could Leah truly be the fairytale he’d been so sure wouldn’t come?
Derrick shook his head thoughtfully. He knew he’d gotten Leah’s guard up so high already, and he probably didn’t really stand a chance.
“Think you’re ready to make up your mind?” asked Kevin after a few silent moments of reflection.
Derrick sighed. “I don’t know, man. Maybe I’m just nervous. Leah’s still a bit closed off.” And maybe so am I, he added internally.
“But you’re Derrick Talbot,” teased Kevin as they headed out of the locker room. “And I know you said she’s nothing like any woman you’ve ever met.”
“True, but it can be a bad thing if you don’t know how to approach things with her,” Derrick murmured.
“Let love in,” Kevin said simply. “You deserve it.”
“Yeah, I think so too,” Derrick said somewhat drily. “But doesn’t love make you weak?”
“Only when it’s not love, brother.” Kevin grinned and slapped Derrick on the back. Derrick couldn’t help but chuckle, and he thanked his friend for hearing him out. Kevin did at least know a thing or two about love, since he’d been with his long-time girlfriend, Sasha, for ten years, ever since they were freshmen.
Derrick couldn’t keep going back and forth with his feelings for Leah, he decided. Soon, the baby would be twenty weeks, and the next thing you knew, they’d be parents. He needed to sort out his mind and heart well before then, or maybe it would be too late.
Chapter Seven
It was media day for his team, and normally, Derrick was all for meeting and greeting fans. And yet the thought of a screaming crowd of people had Derrick on edge. His personal life was beginning to tell on his professional one as he got more and more troubled by how things were with Leah.
Why hadn’t he told her he was ready to make a commitment? Then that night would have really been perfect. But the whole episode with his ex had been a rude reminder of the kind of life he’d be opening Leah up to.
Being in a relationship with a professional athlete could be glamorous and could feel like having it all. However, it did have its challenges, with not just the thirsty women always out to tear down your relationship, but also having to constantly deal with the possibly negative publicity.
Right now, though, it was time to get the media thing over and done with. Greeting fans, taking pictures, and handling a series of interviews happened to go quicker than expected.
Stopping every five seconds to take photos and sign autographs, Derrick was almost too preoccupied to notice the arrival of a brown-skinned beauty in a trouser suit in the company of another familiar face. It took a double-take for Derrick to notice it was Leah who’d just walked into the arena, accompanied by a tall, broad figure he instantly recognized.
Derrick had expected some familiar faces to be at the day’s event, but Blake Wright making an appearance was a surprise—more so because he came with Leah. What the hell was going on?
“Looks like we have yet another star player on us, people!” The chirpy voice of one of the journalists raved as one by one, the crowd noticed the presen
ce of the NBA all-star player.
Derrick and Wright were not just championship rivals. Their two teams simply loathed each other and had faced some epic game battles in the past few years. Wright and his trash-talking ways had become notorious in the league. He was especially cantankerous toward Derrick, sometimes displaying brazen fits of rough play, technical fouls, and even fist fights.
“Well look who decided to show,” Derrick said lightly, not showing much emotion as he reached Wright just when some of the press crowded close. “Please don’t tell me this is a coincidence.”
“Looks like you got me, man. Heard you guys had a meet and greet today, and it just so happens I also have a few interviews in the other press room as well. Which reminds me, meet my new PR manager, Leah.” Wright’s grin had never looked so smug.
“Derrick,” Leah said, looking as calm as ever. She barely acknowledged the cameras and recorders being shoved in their faces.
Derrick wouldn’t put it past Wright to pull a publicity stunt like this, knowing it would cause a stir for him to show up just when another team had their media day.
However, this wasn’t the time or place for confrontation, even though Derrick’s body language said it all and he knew Leah could tell he wasn’t pleased. But with the rest of his teammates waiting on him to rejoin them and finish the media event, he walked away from Leah knowing it was the last thing he wanted to do.
If he knew one person he couldn’t trust around Leah, it was Wright. It was nearly impossible staying focused through the remainder of the event, but once it was done, Derrick broke off from his team members and went in search of Leah.
He finally found the room where the interview was held and he was waiting at the door when she came out. She exclaimed in shock when she saw him but didn’t get the chance to protest as, grabbing her wrist, Derrick marched her to the opposite door, went in, and locked them inside before turning to face her.
“What’s wrong with you, Derrick? I’m not done with Wright.”
“As of this moment, you are. What the hell did he mean by you being his PR manager?”
Leah sucked in the side of her cheek and exhaled tightly in annoyance at being questioned. “Look, Eva’s a trainer for Wright’s team and she was able to set things up. Wright’s people were fine with my qualifications and I got the job.”
A bitten off curse from Derrick made Leah wince, but she didn’t look ready to back down. “I tried countless times to fix you something with my contacts, but you always refused. But you’re fine working with Wright?”
“It’s not like I had a choice. My former company all but blacklisted me, and as for getting help from you, you know how I feel about that. Being bandied as a jersey chaser and wanna-be WAG is bad enough. I’m not cashing in on your name just because you got me pregnant.”
Derrick growled and shoved a hand through his hair in fury. “You won’t let me do anything! I can’t even buy you a simple gift without you thinking the worst.”
“They might be simple to you, but not to me. I returned the diamond necklaces, the expense cards, and all the other stuff because they’re unnecessary to me.”
“Yeah, I get it. You’re too independent to let some man try to pamper you. But that doesn’t stop me from being protective.”
“You mean possessive. Which is laughable, considering that apart from the baby, we really don’t share much but some randy nights of sex.”
Derrick looked like he’d been slapped. “That’s the worst thing you could have said.”
“Well, I’m sorry, but it’s true. And I’m not trying to pressure you, so don’t pressure me. I need this job and I’m going to keep it. I’ll have to support my baby in my own way, and as much as I’ll allow your input, I’m not going to play some helpless leech. Can you please respect that?”
Leah seemed to breathe a little heavily, and Derrick felt bad putting any mental strain on her in her condition. What the hell was wrong with him? Shaking his head to himself, he finally managed a calm exterior. “Of course I can, but don’t expect me to feel comfortable about it.”
Not trusting himself to say more, Derrick walked out of the room, the door swinging after him with the force of his leashed anger. Leah was left shaking her head while looking somewhat regretful at how the conversation ended. Was there no way they could reach common ground?
***
It was just after seven pm on Thursday night, and Derrick’s team was in a celebratory mood after winning the Eastern conference game. That meant partying at the hottest club in town.
Derrick was always ready to celebrate with his team and party all night, but he just couldn’t get Leah off his mind. She was now twenty weeks pregnant, and only days ago, they’d found out the sex of their baby. A girl! Deep down, he’d always wanted a girl.
He was overjoyed with the news, even though he wished he’d been there when she’d found out. But she’d gone for the test with her sister, Eva, and besides, Derrick had been preparing for the important game.
He still hated the fact that she had become too busy to even spend time with him. It wouldn’t be so bad that she was working so hard, but the fact that she was working for Blake Wright didn’t sit well with Derrick even after all these weeks.
Even though he knew Leah would be careful not to put a strain on her health with a busy schedule, Derrick still wanted to make sure she was doing okay. He’d even started following her on social media, and that morning, she’d posted up a picture of her in the gym, her bare bump on display beneath her tank top. Her belly button had started to stick out, and seeing her beautiful brown pregnant bulge, her sweet smile, and glowing eyes had gotten Derrick’s heart twisting.
Her simple caption hashtagged the word ‘gymglam’, and Derrick had to admit, she looked not just glamorous and sexy, but adorable. He hated that they had all this distance between them and not because he wanted to touch and kiss her like crazy.
The words ‘baby daddy’ were the last two words he ever thought he would hear, or child support, for that matter . . . not with Leah. But if they were going to live separate lives, wouldn’t that be the case between them?
Swearing under his breath, he swallowed his drink. Is it so wrong to want to give her a comfortable life? He hated being this jealous, suspicious person he’d turned into where he even had the urge to have private investigators on Blake Wright’s ass just to keep him in check around Leah.
The VIP section of the club got even rowdier as more girls joined their party. At least half of them were supermodels who’d graced the covers of Vogue and Sports Illustrated alike. They were crawling all over Derrick and his boys, doing their best to outdo each other for attention from a ball player. Derrick, being one of the hottest and richest, wasn’t surprised he had to fend off more than a few. One even tried to give him a lap dance. It would have been nothing to have one or two—or even three—join him in his penthouse apartment for the night.
Somehow, his body and mind rebelled against the very thought. He really only wanted to be with Leah. But was he ready to tell her what he truly felt?
You are my weakness, mine . . . all mine. He wanted her all to himself, and to tell her she didn’t need anybody else to take care of her. He knew what he did was fucked up sometimes, but he was crazy about her. He knew that now.
Derrick didn’t want to have to wake up with some random girl wrapped around him. He didn’t want to make another mistake or lose the chance to make things right with Leah. He hated the thought that they could end up strangers, only connected by the baby. What if she fell in love with someone else? What if that person offered the right things that Derrick had been too blind to see she needed?
Fuck!
Dislodging himself from the gang, he made it out of VIP and found some quiet in the men’s room and called Leah, but she sent him straight to voicemail.
Did she know anything about the party and the girls? Had someone already posted something up online? Derrick swore to himself again. This was going to happe
n a lot. He still hadn’t found out who’d done the expose on them in the beginning and caused Leah to lose her job.
Derrick quickly started a text instead. Hey, baby girl, can we talk? But just before he hit Send, he hesitated. Was it too cheesy? What if she left him unread? Damn . . . even sending a simple text seemed brain-tasking.
He let out a deep sigh and let his hand fall, the text discarded. He had to figure out the best way to make things right. What was he going to do?
Chapter Eight
Leah was on the road to her parents’ house where they were having a get-together with friends and family. Leah felt hesitant to show her face, but she thought how nice it would be to see those she’d grown up with. Eve would already be there, so it was just Leah in the taxi which pulled up in the wrap-around driveway. She got out and walked to the front door and used her key to quietly let herself in.
Music wafted from within, mixed with voices and laughter. Leah set her gift down with the rest and made her way to the kitchen. Once she stepped inside, she was inundated with many hugs and loud greetings.
“Is everything okay?” asked Eve as she came rushing into the kitchen on full alert. Her voice sounded louder than normal, but it went low when she took in the scene. “Oh. Looks like you’re all just excited to see Leah.”
Leah sent a return smile to the beaming Eve as the excitement from her family made her warm all over. She should have known there was nothing to worry about.
***
Derrick held the large sized gift bag in his hands and walked up the pathway to the Burke family home. Eva had invited him to the celebration, and yet, he had no certainty how welcoming the Burke clan would be when they would first meet him.
Leah’s reaction to him was another thing he couldn’t predict. Derrick didn’t let that deter him, though, even when he knocked and Leah appeared moments later.
“What are you doing here?” Leah closed the door behind her, keeping them both outside as she faced him. She looked more confused than mad, thought Derrick with inner relief.