“How about your planned trip to see the Monaco Grand Prix?”
“Considering how glitz, glamour, and celebrities don’t exactly impress me, I never bothered making arrangements. That was something I’d only mulled around in my head. No, I think it’s time for a quieter and less hectic summer.”
“You do realize things will be anything but quiet with a baby in the house?”
“Sure, but what better way for me to spend most of the summer than with my two favorite ladies?”
Alex laughed. “Okay, you win, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Troy swept her into his arms and deeply kissed her. “I’ll be back in about an hour.”
***
PART FIVE:
Whatever It Takes,
We’ll Walk Together
“It does not matter how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get up.”
—Vince Lombardi
“You always have to believe.”
— Jaromir Jagr
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“Be warned; there are two hippies who live about a mile down the road,” Alex said. “Skinny and Digger often visit when Jax is home so they may make unannounced appearances once it’s known you’re here.”
Troy gave her a puzzled look. “So what’s the problem?”
“You wouldn’t mind them hanging out?”
“Fans are fans, hippies or otherwise, long as they do nothing illegal or dangerous.” He smiled at her. “I’m surprised those Skinny and Digger guys don’t come around when Jax isn’t here. If I knew a pretty lady lived up the road and her husband’s nowhere in sight, I’d visit every day.”
She bent and gave him a quick kiss. “Of course you would, but apparently I’m not their type and there’s a baby in the house. Skinny and Digger don’t seem the kinds of men who enjoy children. They’re more Jax’s fans than mine anyway.”
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“Too bad,” Troy said. “Kids are fun. Where’s your little one? I haven’t seen her since this morning.”
“Anna’s asleep in the nursery. Make little noise as possible; this is the first time today I’ve had a little time to myself.”
“She’s a good baby.”
“Yes and so content I sometimes put my hand under her nose to make sure she’s still breathing. A lot of babies tend to be fussy, but Anna isn’t. Now if only Godfather Troy would quit spoiling her…”
“What other purpose do babies serve?” He pulled Alex into his lap. “How about some cuddles during your quiet time?”
“Hmmm…I could go for those.”
“I’m glad.” He pulled Alex closer, touched her face and kissed her, licking the corners of her mouth with his tongue.
She tangled her hands in Troy’s hair and feverishly returned the kiss while he stroked her shoulders and back. His lips never left hers; they kissed passionately for a long time.
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“I love you.”
“I love you too, Troy.”
He began a trail of light kisses down her neck before whispering that they should continue in bed.
Alex balked. “You should realize I still can’t have sex for at least few more weeks.”
Troy picked and carried her toward the bedroom she shared with Jax. “I can think of other ways to pleasure you.”
He gently undressed her, laid her on the bed, and removed his own clothes. He wanted to gaze at and enjoy every part of her even without intercourse.
“Hope you don’t mind a few stretch marks and some leftover baby weight,” Alex said.
“Oh, Al, you’re still beautiful.” Troy ran his fingers down her back, the curves of her ass, and her legs; his mouth followed his hands as they wandered over her body.
“Mmmmmm…” she moaned. “That feels nice.”
“I’m only warming up, baby. Turn on your stomach; I’ll give you a massage.”
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“Now there’s something my dear spouse never offered,” Alex purred.
“Really?”
“Not the entire time we’ve been married.”
“Wow, and I thought he was Mr. Excitement in the bedroom.”
“Well sure, the sex is still good when we have it, but he’s not big on too much romantic stuff.”
“His damn loss.”
“Indeed.” Alex placed her hands on Troy’s bare shoulders and pulled him towards her. The kiss started chaste, lips on lips, soft caresses, but the fire between them soon ignited. Teeth nibbled, tongues explored, and a moan tore free from her throat as her hands slid down the hard planes of his chest.
His hands worked their way upward, torturously slow, teasing her. His eyes never left hers; he loved seeing the desire burn in her gaze. Her breathing was ragged and shallow, and he’d barely started touching her.
“Troy…” she sighed in a needy, arousal-filled voice. “Don’t stop...”
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His mouth was on her within seconds – on her neck, sucking hard enough to leave a mark, and then gradually working downward, lips wrapping around one of her nipples while his hand massaged the other breast. Alex moaned and whimpered as she buried her fingers in his hair.
There was no turning back for either of them now.
Troy grabbed Alex’s hips and spread her thighs wide. He touched her with a single finger to test the waters, brushing along her lips with the pad of his fingertip, then delving deeper, pushing into her just a bit before pulling out and rubbing her clit for a second. She was ready and inviting, but he thought she deserved extra attention.
He lowered his head, his tongue finding her at once. He heard her gasp and again felt her hand is on his head pushing him closer. He worked on her diligently, licking, lapping, nibbling and sucking until she was on the verge of release, her body beginning to tremble.
Troy made sure she’d reached her total orgasm before he stopped, kissed his way back upward, and let Alex taste herself on his lips.
“Now for that massage,” he said in a husky voice. “I’ll be back in a few.”
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She lay still, feeling satiated and content. My God, what happened? Jax never made me come like that we when did any kind of foreplay…
***
The sound of Anna fussing woke them an hour later. Alex’s eyes widened with confusion as she glanced at the bedside clock. When did we fall asleep?
She threw back the covers to get out of bed, but Troy stopped her. “Stay here. I can get Anna.”
“You don’t have to do that…but thank you.”
He pulled on jeans over his boxer briefs. “I don’t mind. The poor kid’s probably lonely.”
“More like hungry; it’s been at least a couple hours since I nursed her.”
“I shall return with your lovely little bundle.”
Alex suppressed giggles as she heard him over the baby monitor cooing and making little noises at Anna. He’s such a goober, especially around babies and kids.
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“Come on, pretty girl,” he said. “Let’s go see Mommy.”
Troy returned to the bedroom carrying Anna. “Look what I found!”
Alex laughed and held out her arms. “Okay, Godfather Troy, hand over my daughter.”
“Do I have to?”
“Yes, unless you found a way to nurse her.”
“Oh, right.”
Troy gently placed Anna in her mother’s arms. She immediately latched onto Alex’s breast and began to nurse.
Alex smiled down at the baby. “Someone was hungry. What a little piggy.”
Troy slightly blushed and cleared his throat.
She stared at him. “What?”
“Uh…wow.”
“You don’t need to be embarrassed; what I’m doing is a normal way for babies to bond with their mothers.”
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“Well yeah…but I don’t know whether to be aroused or jealous.”
Alex mildly jabbed his ribs with her elbow. “Men and their fascination with boobs.
You’re so weird; I love it.”
“I’m weird for liking women’s breasts?”
She laughed. “Of course not; I’d actually be concerned if you didn’t.”
“Looks like the little lady is ready to fall asleep again.”
“A full belly and dry bottom often help. I hope Anna sleeps a bit longer before Jax calls me on Skype around midnight Prague time. I don’t want a cranky girl on my hands.”
“You guys Skype?” Troy asked.
“He likes to check in with me and Anna at least once a day after finishing his workouts. I think he’s much attached to her as you are.”
“Well…she is his kid.”
“In more ways than one, believe it or not; with the way he’s fussed over Anna, one would’ve never guessed Jax wanted a boy.”
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“I noticed that when he brought you two home from the hospital.”
“I think Jax dotes on Anna because he waited so long to become a dad. Let’s hope he’s still around when she graduates from high school.”
“Jax? Shit, he’s a human dynamo and will probably live to see one hundred. Then again, I wouldn’t want to be her potential boyfriend. Could you imagine Anna coming in from a date? Picture Jax sitting on the front porch with a walker in one hand and hockey stick in the other ready to murder any guy who much as brought her home ten minutes late.”
“That sounds like something he’d do all right.”
Alex rose, careful not to wake Anna. “I’ll put her back in the crib,” she whispered.
Troy stretched out on the bed. “I’ll be waiting when you get back.”
***
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Chapter 121
Alex turned her laptop to face her while balancing Anna in one arm and pointed toward Jax’s image on the screen. “Look, say hi to Daddy.”
“There are my sweethearts!” Jax greeted them.
“I hear the Capitals are doing well,” Alex said. “I guess they have to when one of the bosses visit.”
“We have a good group of kids this year. Hard working, focused, and has a championship goal in mind. The Rebels could take a few cues from these guys.”
“With all the new trades and draftees, things could change for the better. Troy’s certainly fired up. He can’t get to practices fast enough.”
“Yeah…speaking of Talmadge, someone mentioned he’s staying with you.”
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“Don’t start, Jax. Troy didn’t like the idea of me and Anna alone in the boonies while you’re away. At least Skinny and Digger aren’t hanging around.”
“Skinny and Digger would be lesser of two evils, considering it’s no secret that Talmadge’s flame for you still burns.”
“I don’t recall caring about someone being a crime. Davy emailed me a picture of you at a Prague nightclub surrounded by blondes.”
“Before you start bitching, that was a fan picture like a million others I’ve done.”
“I’m not complaining, but since you started busting my chops about Troy–”
“Where does he sleep?” Jax cut in.
In bed with me on most nights. “He’s using one of our spare rooms; where else did you think he slept?” Alex replied with a straight face.
“Okay.”
“Be nice; Troy’s a great help with Anna.”
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“Yeah, but keep in mind she’s my kid, not his.”
“That much is obvious to anyone who sees her.”
“You’re funny today.”
Anna squirmed in her mother’s lap and stared wide-eyed at the screen. Soon what appeared to be a smile crossed her tiny face.
“Jax, look! Someone’s smiling at her daddy.”
“She probably had gas or loaded her diaper. If you had a good fart or shit, you’d smile too.”
“Don’t be a smart ass. Trust me; she only smiled.” Alex picked up one of Anna’s arms and gently waved it. “Say ‘Hi, Daddy’.”
Jax waved back and chattered to the baby in Czech. Anna stared back, fascinated, before she smiled a second time.
“At least you got to see your daughter’s first smile,” Alex said.
“The highlight of my day,” Jax replied.
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“Any idea when you’re coming home?”
“Preseason’s starting in a few weeks, so probably sometime next week. I don’t want to lose my touch.”
“I doubt you’ll slow down anytime soon. There’s a joke going around the AHC that you’ll still play in 2075.”
Jax laughed. “Don’t count out the idea yet!”
“You’re putting some of the young guns to shame.”
“All for love of the game, sweetheart.”
“I need to put Anna to bed,” Alex said. “As you can see, she’s already drifting off to sleepyland.”
“Poor kid probably had a long day.”
“Sure, between all the naps. I can’t get over her being such a good baby. Talk to you again this weekend?”
“Of course; I’ll always make time for my favorite ladies.”
“Don’t chase any blondes in the meantime,” Alex kidded.
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“Don’t let Talmadge molest you,” Jax countered with a grin.
He already has and then some. “Get some sleep, Jax; it’s late over there.”
“Goodnight, sweetheart. Put Anastazie to bed before she falls out of your lap.”
***
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Chapter 122
“Would you believe Jax had the nerve to complain about you staying here after that picture of him posing with blondes in a Prague nightclub emerged online?” Alex asked.
Troy raised a quizzical eyebrow. “How did he know? I didn’t tell anyone except Jon, Boris, my family, and Preacher. None of them would’ve said anything.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Skinny or Digger spotted you running one morning, put together two and two, and emailed Jax.”
“Great, outed by two big mouth hippies. Now I’ll face certain death by a mad old Czech before the season gets underway.”
“Not on my shift you won’t. I already made it clear to Jax that you didn’t want me and Anna alone practically in the middle of nowhere.”
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“Damn right I don’t. If your husband was thinking clearly, you’d stay at the main house in town while he was gone. What if something happened to you or the baby?”
Alex pinched one of his cheeks. “You’re so cute when you act like a worrywart.”
“I’m now a godfather; that alone should give me reasons for concern.”
“Yes and your actions have not gone unnoticed. Let me go check on Anna. She should be awake by now.”
“When are you coming back to the team?” Troy shouted.
“Are you kidding? I’m not yet in rink shape, Anna’s not even two months old, and she’s far from weaned. I don’t see a possible return happening before mid-season.”
“I’m available if you need a trainer.”
“Can’t say I’m surprised.”
Alex returned with Anna and placed her in his arms. “Someone wants to say hello.”
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“Hey pretty princess,” Troy cooed at Anna. “Did you have a nice nap?”
“You’re such a natural. Jax sometimes holds her like a sack of potatoes.”
Troy laughed. “I can almost imagine him changing diapers.”
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