by Leigh, Anne
Chapter Nine
“Of all the places in the world, in your arms is what I call home.”
Zander
I haven't seen her in days because she was busy with her internship. I knew that it was going to be difficult being separated like this, but I just didn't know how much until now.
We video chatted every day, but most of the time she could barely keep awake during our conversations. The long work hours and the mental stress were draining her. I advised her to take it easy, that she had to rest up for our little one. She said she knew, but it was just that she wanted to do her best, to take in all the work experience that she could. Man, it didn't matter if she was pregnant or not, her hormones certainly did not affect her drive.
Sitting here alone in our townhouse, my body ached from the hit that defensive end Rowland More of the Tennessee Wolves had given me. I thought I was going to faint. I had blacked out for a moment. My teammates had scrambled to my side and shook me. Sedona was frantically calling Coach Benson during the game and did not stop until she could get a hold of me. She refused to hang up until she heard my voice.
It was during moments like those that made me think, Should I continue doing this? Should I keep playing football? What will happen to Sedona and our baby if something happened to me?
Unease crept through me. It really wasn't just about me anymore.
Every time I stepped on the field it still felt like home. But now there was an added element to it. A sense of responsibility to myself, to her, and to our baby. That I needed to come off of the field the same way I went on it - alive.
I stood up to grab another ice pack in the fridge when I heard the key latch open. Only one other person had the key to this place.
I walked towards the door. My heart was thumping with excitement. I stood on the side, leaning against the wall to hide myself from her view.
I saw her leg first. She was trying to prop the door open. She probably bought more of those weird lampshades for the house. How many lampshades did someone need? When I asked her about it, she had just shrugged and said that the designs on the lampshades made her feel happy. We’d end up with a storage space filled of lamps and lampshades by the time she delivered our baby.
When did she get here? She didn't tell me she was flying in today.
I stopped myself from reaching out to her and hugging her. It was hard, but I had to.
She was holding a strange-looking piece. Yup, another lamp and a tiny lampshade to go with it. This place would be all lamped-out! Our apartment in New York was the same thing. The bedroom had three lamps as it is! What the hell? Did the baby make her do these things? She never had any fascination with these light inventions before.
Her back was turned away from me. She was wearing jeans that showed off her fuller figure and shit, one of her frilly tops. The kind of tops that always ended up away from her body once I got a hold of her. Her jeans outlined the shape of her ass as she bent over the side of the couch. Her breasts were bigger now, and it wasn’t that I didn't like them before. She was perfect, just the way she was. She told me they were only 36B, that one time I was teasing her. I had said, "I don't care what they are, as long as I can latch on to them when I want to."
She put her new lamp acquisition on the side of the sofa. She turned her face to the side, her eyes careful. Was she trying to hide them from me?
I faked a cough.
She jumped and almost hit her head on the side of a lamp. Shit. That wasn't what I had intended to do.
I moved closer. Her eyes were surprised, and grinning she said, "I thought you were still at practice."
"I was. I got home about an hour ago." This time my hands were on her face and she blushed. After all this time she still blushed at my touch. I pulled her closer to me. Her face was tilted up towards me, her lips in a half smile. I slowly pushed down on her lips with my right finger. She stared at me with glazed desire, her eyelids slowly closing.
"Babe," she said huskily.
"Was this a surprise?" I asked, my voice hoarse. "Were you trying to sneak in that lamp from me?" My other hand was now skimming her top, and I cupped one of her breasts and hovered over her nipple with my finger.
Her breath hitched. "No, I was, umm. Oh, that feels good." Both of my hands were now under her frilly top, running circles over her nipples. I swore she wore these things to tempt me.
It was difficult to concentrate when I could smell her heated arousal. She smelled of strawberries and peaches mixed with desire. I missed her, desperately. I had wanted to fly to New York last night, but I had a meeting with the Minnesota Fox owner today. He wanted to discuss how I was feeling about the team. I thought I could go to her today, since she was so into surprises now. She liked doing them for me, and I liked being on the receiving end.
She was getting impatient. Her hands were roaming down the front of my jeans, kneading and tugging hard. I placed her hands back to her side. "Let me."
She reluctantly obeyed. I felt her need from where it pulsated from her and reached me.
"Hurry, babe."
I took my jeans and boxers off then proceeded to take her jeans off, leaving her panties on. Sedona knew I loved taking my time taking off her underwear. She slowly removed her blouse and was now in the process of taking off her bra. Her eyes were fiery, her need rolled off of her in waves. I lowered her onto the couch, propping her head with the dark brown pillow she bought from one of those decoration stores.
"You missed me?" I asked.
"You know I did," she gasped as my right finger grazed the outside of her dripping pussy.
"How much?" It was a wonder I could even speak when my body just wanted to sink into her.
She took my finger and pushed it inside of her pussy.
"Isn't that enough to let you know how much I missed you?"
I sucked her wetness from my finger and said, “Mmm, you taste so good.”
“Zander,” her voice pleading, “please…”
One of my hands worked on pulling her panties off. My other hand was busy working her pussy into a frenzy and rubbing at her clit, causing her eyes to dilate in pleasure. She was so fucking sexy when she was close to coming.
I replaced my finger with my cock, pushing inside of her, and sliding home.
She wrapped her legs around me as I continued pumping inside her. Being inside her was the best feeling in the world. She was tight, slick, and wet.
I gently rocked into her. She fastened her legs tighter around my ass.
“Baby, more.”
I sped up my rhythm and heard her gasps of pleasure. “Ah, feels so good.”
She was so close.
I plunged inside her again and timed her release with mine. Damn, she knew just how to give it to me.
I slowly pulled out of her and gently lifted her, walking towards the bedroom. As I carried her naked body, she leaned her head against my shoulder, lightly nipping my skin with her teeth. She let out a satisfied sigh and said, “Wow, what a welcoming home present.”
Chapter Ten
“Our friendships are built by laughter, hardened by pain, and solidified by trust.”
Sedona
“Ace, I like your place.” Kieran’s 6’2” frame dwarfed the four seat couch in my apartment. His brown eyes were glued to the wall of the living room. “There’s something missing though.”
Earlier he walked around my two bedroom, 1135 sq. ft. New York apartment and checked out the solid hardwood oak entry door, generous walk-in closets with organizers, and floor-to-ceiling windows. He showed his appreciation for the marble tile floors by removing his shoes before he entered. “What?” I asked.
“It needs sprucing up.” Sprucing up? Where did Kieran get these words?
He pulled out something from the paper bag that he had been carrying along with his luggage since he had arrived from the airport. He was staying with me for two days since he had a four day break from his training.
I removed myself from the task at ha
nd, which had been unwrapping the Italian food from the takeout bags, and walked towards him.
“Here Ace.” His brown eyes shone brightly and twin dimples appeared between his cheeks.
I put my hand over my mouth, “Kieran, this is so cool!” It was an 18 x 24 picture of all of us – Kieran, Zander, me, Tanya, Nalee, Dom, Xavier, John, Jackson, Duncan, and Peter— taken during graduation. We were smiling and our graduation caps were thrown up in the air. It was a special moment caught on camera.
He stood up and I hugged him. He was the bestest friend a girl could ever ask for.
“I love you Kieran,” I said as I smiled at him. Since he was taller than me, I had to crank my neck up to meet his eyes.
He smiled wide and said, “I know you do Ace. I mean, how can you not?” His left hand drifted down the side of his body, gesturing that he was a ‘fine, male specimen.’
I rolled my eyes.
“You know what Ace?” His voice held that teasing and reflective quality that only Kieran could successfully pull off.
“What Kieran?” He must have missed my annoying presence because he was trying to hug me as tightly as he could but my protruding belly left a huge gap between our bodies. We hadn’t seen each other in a while. We texted and talked a lot on the phone but it was not the same as when we were in college.
“I’ve always loved you more.”
I slapped my right hand against his arm and snickered, “Whatever.”
When I pulled out from the hug he asked, “How’s everything?”
“It’s good. Honestly though, I want my internship to be over so I can stay with Zander. I have a few more months before I can finally move in with him,” I explained. “He’s been having a hard time with his teammates. I think it’s because he has to prove himself to them. I’m just glad John’s with him.”
“Yup, those football players have egos that are as massive as the size of their biceps,” he snickered. “He’s been playing good lately. I saw his game the other night. Two touchdowns. For a rookie your man does know how to throw a ball.”
Kieran might say all sorts of stuff but I knew he liked Zander. He was Zander’s # 2 fan since I was # 1. I would never make him admit that though.
“Oh, that reminds me. Can you turn the TV on? Zander’s going to be interviewed on the Sports Channel today.” Zander was presently in New Mexico. He was attending a charity event hosted by the station.
“Great. I get to see his ugly face again,” Kieran joked and turned the TV on.
We were eating in the kitchen when Zander’s voice came through the TV. Zander texted me ten minutes ago that he was going to be on.
Samantha Morgan, a gorgeous African-American sports reporter, was interviewing Zander. He was wearing a dark purple shirt and aviator sunglasses. He was smiling, and he looked good as he did so. The sun was brightly shining across the field behind them.
Kieran turned up the volume on the TV.
After Samantha introduced Zander to the viewers, she went right into the interview.
Samantha: How are you Zander?
Zander: I’m doing good, thank you. I’m happy to be a part of this event. This is a big help to the families of children who are suffering from leukemia.
My mother had died from leukemia. Zander had insisted in joining this event to raise awareness and advocate for research about it. I knew how tired he was from last night’s game, but he wanted to participate in this charitable event for my mom’s legacy.
Samantha: Yes, it is. Now, how have you made the transition from college football to the NFA? From your last games it looks like you’re gaining ground as Minnesota Fox’s quarterback. With three wins in a row, people are starting to talk about you being the next Jason Fielder.
Zander: It’s only been three games. I have a long way to go before I could be in the same playing field as Jason Fielder. I mean, he’s one of the greatest quarterbacks of our time.
He put two of his fingers to his mouth and waved at the camera. That was his private gesture to me.
Samantha: Your next game is against the number two team in the NFA. How are you going to change your game plan against the Wisconsin Riders?
Just then, a voluptuous woman joined in the interview. The camera soaked up her big blue eyes, apple cheeks, and full red lips.
Samantha Morgan was momentarily stunned at the interruption before she regained her composure.
Samantha: Okay, we’re now joined by Inna Posey, Sports Magazine’s swimsuit cover model of the year.
Inna: Hi, Samantha. I just want to say hello to Zander. I have to say, he’s the hottest quarterback in the league.
Her blue eyes glinted flirtatiously and it looked like she was devouring Zander.
I was speechless. Did Inna Posey just come on to my man on national TV? My face heated up. I suddenly had the urge to burn all the things I’ve bought that she modeled – which would probably be all of my underwear.
Zander was shocked. He had nothing to say, with his mouth slightly hanging open.
Samantha: Folks, are we making a love connection here?
This was definitely going to do wonders for the station’s ratings. A supermodel flirting with a hot, young quarterback on national TV? This video footage would be replayed for days.
Zander: Umm, thank you.
Samantha: So Zander, I guess you have tons of fans, including Inna Posey.
Inna flashed her supermodel smile, the one that earned her millions of dollars. The gap in her front teeth showed and I wanted to make that gap even wider with my fists.
Inna: I’m sorry for interrupting the interview. I guess I should go now.
Samantha: Oh no. Please stay, Inna. I’m sure the viewers would be interested in this. We have two gorgeous, single people who are burning up the camera as we speak.
Zander: Umm, I am not single.
He was shaking his head. He didn’t remove his sunglasses.
Samantha: Oh.
Inna: Again, I’m sorry for interrupting the interview.
Inna gave the camera another beatific smile and left.
Samantha: We’re going to go on break for a few minutes, and when we return we’ll continue catching up with Zander Zobowski, who I’m pretty sure just broke hundreds of hearts with the statement that he’s not single.
Kieran was laughing during the commercial break. “Did Inna-freaking-Posey just flirt with Zander on live TV?”
My phone was ringing. It was Zander.
I answered right away.
His voice was low as he said, “Babe, did you see the interview? She caught me by surprise.”
“I did,” I huffed. “Tell that woman to keep her hands off of you.” Inna had touched Zander’s arm when she first came in front of the camera.
“I love you,” he said steadily.
“She’s a supermodel, Zander.” I was still fuming. “And she just told millions of viewers that she’s hot for you.”
“It doesn’t matter,” he reasoned. “I’m only hot for you.”
I sighed, “I know, babe. She just irritated me. She shouldn’t be doing those things in front of the camera.”
His voice came through the speaker, loud and clear, as he said, “I gotta go, babe. Samantha’s signaling me that we’re going to be on again in a minute. Love you. Say ‘hi’ to Kieran for me.” He whispered, “And to baby.”
We have kept the pregnancy within our innermost circle of family and friends. If not, the press would definitely be hounding us. Now that Zander had said he was not single, it was safe to assume that the curiosity would build up as to who his significant other was. I could already foresee another Chatty Pepper scenario, though not that it ever left us. Tanya had sent a couple of pictures from Chatty Pepper’s site taken after graduation. Apparently the site was still insinuating that there was a love triangle between Zander, me, and Kieran.
“I love you,” I said before he hung up.
Kieran sounded wistful as he said, “Man, you know how many guys would exch
ange places with Zander? A supermodel crushing on him and a beautiful fiancé waiting on the sidelines? I swear, that guy is born with all the luck in the world.”
I crumpled a table napkin and threw it at his face. “There had better be no supermodel in the picture, or Zander’s guts will be flying all over the place.”
“Oh, come on, Ace,” Kieran reflected. “That man is tied to you like you were his belly button. I bet you that it didn’t even register with him how gorgeous Inna was. It’s pretty pathetic how whipped he is by you.”