ONLY FOR LOVE, page 19
part #1 of Only For #2 Series
I close the door and pull out of his driveway, thinking I’m going to be strong, but then the lone tear escapes and rolls down my cheek as I make my way over to my new house. These past two days have been what fucking dreams are made of. It’s what you wish would happen when you meet someone. It’s what I have been wanting my whole life. A man who respects me, who listens to me, who is all fucking that. I sniffle, not wanting to wipe the other tears that come because it’s okay for me to cry over him. If there is anyone in my life I should have cried over, it’s Kirby. Even now, after everything that I’ve been through, I still can’t have the one thing that I want.
I make it to my house, parking in the garage before opening the door and stepping out. The phone pings from my purse, so I take it out and see his name.
Kirby:
Can you at least text me that you got home so I don’t worry?
I close my eyes. “Why can’t you date him on the off hours?” I ask myself and then shake my head. “Because if you suck at your job, he’s not going to tell you and then he’ll just keep you because you guys are banging each other,” I answer myself before getting out and texting him back.
Me:
Just got home. Thanks for checking on me.
I press send before I add in, Want to come and see my new place? And maybe bang me one more time?
I walk into the house and dump my bag on the table by the door before I kick off my shoes. I’m pulling open the fridge when my phone pings and I rush over, thinking it’s him but then feeling a little disappointed when I see it’s Ariella and she sent a picture.
I open the text thread and see a picture of Jagger with his big gummy smile.
Ariella:
Someone misses Aunt Lexi and her nighttime snuggles.
I answer her right away.
Me:
How about I come by after work tomorrow so he can see I’m alive and I can get some wet kisses from him?
She answers back right away.
Ariella:
He’ll be waiting with drool and all.
I close the fridge and walk back to my bedroom and then straight to my bathroom. “Might as well wash away the evidence,” I state, opening the glass shower door and turning it on. Slipping my jeans off me, I toss them into the laundry basket in the corner before the shirt, bra, and panties join them. I put my head back when I step into the warm water and close my eyes. Memories of last night and all day today play over in my head. Me in his lap, his cock buried in me, our arms wrapping around each other, our mouths attached. It was the single most erotic thing I’ve ever done. Every single time with him just got better and better. He really made sure he kissed every single inch of my body. From the top of my head to the tips of my toes, he’s had his mouth or tongue on me.
I shake my head to stop thinking about it, getting out and doing my nighttime routine. Sliding into bed, I take my phone and I’m itching to text him that I’m thinking about him, but knowing it’s not right for either of us. So, I put it down and turn off the lights until the alarm rings softly the next morning at 6:00 a.m.
I stretch my arms over my head, my muscles still sore from all the work it did the day before. Even getting out of bed I feel him, and I knew I would. He didn’t just take me to bed and get it over with. Nope, not Kirby, he took me to bed and properly fucked me until I couldn’t move. The ten minutes I was used to, which by the end of our marriage had dwindled down to two minutes, was not even a comparison.
“Okay, you are going to have to stop thinking about him,” I scold myself as I take a sip of coffee. “He’s your boss and you made the decision.” I walk to the outside couch area, sitting down and watching the sun rise. “Doesn’t mean you have to like it.”
I finish my coffee before getting up and heading back inside, my phone ringing at exactly seven, and I look down to see it’s my father calling. “Good morning.” A smile fills my face.
“Morning, sweetheart,” he greets. “I just got in the car to go to the gym and thought I would call and say good luck today.”
I take a deep breath and my stomach flutters nervously. “Thank you, I’m so nervous.”
“I don’t know why; I think this will be good for you. They should be lucky to have you.”
“You have to say that, you’re my dad.” I roll my eyes, rinsing the cup and then opening the fridge to grab the eggs and then the freezer for a sausage round. “But I’m honored either way.”
“How was the weekend? Did you unpack?” he asks me and I look at the boxes in the living room.
“I’m almost done,” I lie to him. I couldn’t really unpack this weekend; I was having the best sex of my life, and now I’m probably ruined for all men. “Just a couple more to go.”
“Okay, honey, call us tonight and let us know how it went,” he tells me. “Love you.”
“Love you more.” I disconnect while I make my breakfast sandwich and eat it with a smile on my face.
I head to the bedroom next and grab the exact skirt that would probably piss off Trent but makes me happy. The skirt he tossed to the side and told me to give away is now the outfit I’m going to wear for my first day at work. The tan skirt with a slit on the side, making it classy but with a hint of sexy. I slip the black, long-sleeve button-down cotton shirt off the hanger, tucking it inside and leaving three buttons open before folding the oversized cuffs.
I get into my SUV and try not to let the nerves fill me, but the closer I get to the destination, the more nervous I become. I park in the underground parking where the email the secretary sent me instructed me to.
I look around and I don’t spot his SUV, and I have to wonder if he’s even going to show up today. I grab my purse and follow the signs for the elevator, pressing the up button and then waiting. “He’s probably avoiding coming into the office because he hates you,” I mumble to myself, the thought making me feel like I’m going to throw up.
I don’t have a chance to turn and head back to my SUV before the elevator opens up and I step in. My hand shakes as I press the number to the floor. I step in the back as it stops on the first floor and people get in the elevator. I have to squeeze my way out when it’s my floor. I step out, looking right and then left before I see the name on the door. I walk over and take a huge inhale before I turn the handle. “You’ve got this.”
As soon as I push the door open and step in, I feel a sense of calmness. The waiting area on the side has a long green couch with two different shades of pink pillows and two single green chairs facing the sofa. In the middle of the wall on top of the couch are three words.
Make The Choice. The Make and The is in gold and the Choice is in a green. Above the words are what look like green leaves with pink flowers covering the top half of the wall, like you stepped into a garden.
I hear movement from the side and look over and blink once, twice, three times and the back of my neck starts to heat up. It can’t be. Would he really? “Hi,” the woman says, “I’m Kylie. I don’t know if you remember me.” Her green eyes stare at me. “We met.”
I swallow down and put on my fake smile. “Yes,” I confirm, moving to the side, “you were Kirby’s date.” I stop talking when the door opens and the man of my dreams and who’s now on my shit list steps in.
He’s wearing dark-black jeans with a white T-shirt and a caramel button-down shirt open and with the sleeves pushed up. The hat on his head hides the silky hair I spent most of two days with my hand buried in. “Hey,” he says, looking at me and all I can think of is he’s the most handsome man I’ve ever met. “I wanted to get here before you,” he mentions to me and then holds up the tray of three coffee cups and a see-through bag with a pink box in it. “I guess I’m late.” His eyes find mine and all I can do is stand here transfixed on him.
“She just got here.” I hear Kylie and turn back to look at her as she steps to him and grabs the coffee. “She gets coffee and sweet treats on her first day. I got a phone call.”
My eyes go from her to him and then back to her. “Ignore her,” Kirby states, walking in and putting the box on the brown desk on the side. “She’s been giving me shit her whole life.” He takes off his hat, tossing it onto the desk. “Lexi, meet my younger sister,” he says, smiling at her, “Kylie.”
“Sister?” I repeat the word. “I thought you two dated.”
“Ew,” Kylie says, making me laugh. “I bid on another guy at the event.”
“I know, I just thought you were trying to make him jealous.”
“The only thing it did was make me poorer,” Kirby deadpans. “Shall we get started?”
“I haven’t even given her a tour,” Kylie says, taking one of the cups of coffee out and then looking at the label. “How do you take your coffee?”
“I’ll take whatever is left,” I tell her and she smiles.
“I love working with her already,” she remarks, making me laugh.
“Yeah, Lexi is amazing.” He exhales and looks at me for a second, the second enough for my stomach to flutter, before turning his head. “Do the tour and I’ll wait here.” He walks over to the single couch, sitting while he takes out his phone.
“Okay, so we have two offices,” Kylie says, “and if it’s okay with you…” She looks over at me. “I kinda love that one.” She points to the office on the right.
“I don’t think I need an office,” I tell her and turn to look back at Kirby, who gets up to grab one of the coffee cups, not even listening to our conversation. “I just need a desk.”
“And you will have one in this office.” She ushers me to the office in the corner. “Anything you don’t like, Ariella says she will change, but she sort of said you would love this.” I step in and see there is an L-shaped desk pushed into the corner and facing the outside. A white fabric chair is pushed in, facing a desktop computer. “We also got a laptop for you to use if you don’t want to come into the office.” She steps to the side where the cozy part of the office is. Two big plush ivory-colored couches face a dark green wall. In the middle of the wall are six frames.
The first one reads: “Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.”
The second reads: “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”
The third reads: “I have not failed…”
“I love it,” I say, turning to her, “and those quotes.” I point to the wall. “I might steal that for my house.”
“I took a couple for mine also,” she admits. “Just a little affirmation makes you remember what the big picture is, I guess.” She looks over at Kirby. “We should have the weekly meeting so he can get to work.” She takes a sip of her coffee. “There are only two offices, and he refused to take one, so we have to have the meeting in the waiting area.” She calls him over her shoulder, “Okay, brother?” Kylie walks out to the waiting room. I follow her, seeing him sitting in the chair, his ankle on his knee, and now I can’t look at him without knowing he’s even more perfect naked.
“Welcome to the first weekly meeting.” He sits up and puts down his coffee. My eyes go to his hand and his fingers, wanting to sit next to him and hold his hand, but opting to sit in front of him with a coffee table in between us. His eyes go to my legs when I cross them, and I see his jaw get tight. “I have no idea what to say except welcome, Lexi.” He smirks at me. “Thank you for taking the job.” I smile at him. “If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or Kylie.” He chuckles. “I don’t even know what else to say or discuss.” He looks at me, then at Kylie. “Maybe we can go over what you plan to do this week.” Kylie snickers at him as she goes over what she plans on doing this week. It lasts maybe thirty minutes before it’s an awkward silence for a couple of seconds before he looks back over at Kylie. “I guess that ends our first meeting. Kylie, be nice.” He gets up and Kylie also gets up, shaking her head.
“I’m nice to everyone but you.” She walks away from him to her office, leaving us by ourselves.
“She is nice to everyone but me,” Kirby admits, bending and grabbing his cup of coffee. “If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me,” he says. All I can do is nod because in this moment with him right here, I’d give anything to kiss him one more time. To feel his hand on my face, to put my hand on his. He takes a step toward me. “I guess I’ll see you next week,” he states and my heart sinks. “I’m really glad you took the job,” he says when he is right beside me. Then I look up at him and wait for him to say something else. I can almost bet he wants to say something else, but he just gives me a smile before he walks to the door. “Bye, Kylie!” he shouts toward her office, then looks at me. “I got you one of those cinnamon rolls.” He motions toward the box and then he’s gone, the sound of the door clicking behind him. I close my eyes and I’m about to go after him when Kylie comes out of her office.
“Now that the big mean boss is gone,” she starts, holding a notebook in one hand and the coffee in the other, “how about we have our own meeting and get to know each other a little?”
I smile at her, pushing all thoughts of her brother out of my mind, at least for a little bit anyway. “I would really like that.”
“Okay,” she says, “first rule of business, I have to know”—she slinks onto the couch and kicks off her heels—“how much did my brother scream when you took him on that ride?” I laugh and any self-doubt I had about working with her is now washed away. “And did you get it on video?”
twenty-four
Kirby
“Okay, everybody,” Martin, the coach, says, coming into the room. He’s wearing his usual tracksuit with a whistle around his neck, swinging back and forth. “I want you guys all to rest up.” He looks over at all of us. “We leave tomorrow on a five-day road trip.” Half of us groan, while the other half snickers. The rookies look at each other as if they found their favorite toy under the tree at Christmas. Little do they know that their look will slowly fade as we get later in the season. It’s all fun and games traveling at first, having a girl in every city and parties to go to, but it quickly becomes old. When you get to be my age and you’ve played as long as I have, those days away from home are the most dreaded of all the season. “We are spending Saturday night in Vegas.”
“Coach, are we going to have a curfew?” One of the rookies, Owen, puts up his hand stupidly, and half of the old guys just look over at him, giving him a glare.
“We leave the next day at eleven,” the coach replies. “Anyone who throws up on that plane signs the whole team up for skating practice that night and the next morning.”
“If any of you fuckers,” Knox warns, “even think about getting shit-faced and throwing up, I will personally kick your ass.” He looks at all the young kids.
“Got it,” Owen confirms. “Go out, but don’t drink.”
The coach just shakes his head. “No one wants to skate after a six-hour flight.” Knox stares at Owen. “Especially not me.” He shares a nod with him. “You get me?”
“Got you, Coach,” Owen says, “loud and clear.”
“Jaxon,” Coach snaps his name. “Kirby,” he says my name right after.
“It’s your turn to babysit.”
I look over at Jaxon, who puts his head back and closes his eyes. “I might sleep the whole time we aren’t on the ice,” he mumbles, making everyone laugh, and then his look goes to Owen. “If you guys make me skate, you also get to babysit Jagger through the night.” He points at them. “And news flash, he’s teething, so he likes to be up all night and he does all of this wailing.” He makes sure he makes eye contact with all of us. “So keep that in mind if you want to pick up that drink.”
“See you all tomorrow,” Coach says, turning and walking out, followed by the rest of the coaching staff.
“Listen up,” I say, leaning forward and looking at Owen and his crew, “if you think I’m going to babysit you guys in Vegas on a Saturday night, you are mistaken. There is nothing more torturous than weaving through the mounds of drunk people. So, you guys are going to get dinner after the game that ends at five, and then you are going to sit in your fucking hotel room until we leave the next day.” Owen stares at me. “Are we clear?” They nod and share a look before they get up and head to the shower.
“You think they are going to listen?” Jaxon asks and I shake my head.
“Nope,” he replies, “and I think it’s a fifty-fifty chance we have practice on Sunday night.” I get up and take off my practice jersey, tossing it in the big gray bin in the middle of the room. The away bag is already open at my feet for me to put my things in it.
“I hope Ariella will be okay,” he says softly. “First time I’m gone and she’s by herself since Lexi moved out.” I try not to look over at him when he says her name. Instead, I pull the Velcro off my chest protector from the right and then the left, tossing it into the bag. “So you hired Lexi?” Jaxon asks me. I look over at him, seeing him still sitting down in his gear, a protein shake in his hand.
“Yeah,” I answer, sitting down and finally taking off the skates I untied as soon as I sat down. “She applied for the job.”
“She has no job experience.” I look over at him as I place one skate in the bag.
“What are you saying?” I will not play this guessing game with him. “If you want to ask me something, then ask me.”
“You two…” He puts his drink beside him and all I can do is look at him. The whole locker room is filled with noise from different conversations going on all around us, but it feels like it’s just the two of us. “You guys acted like you knew each other more than just meeting for the second time when you had dinner at our house.”
